When Arwen said those words and I replied I knew it was only a matter of time before we all left Middle-Earth. Tis time, for sure. Our children were grown and could handle the lands without our help. Radagast was going to stay and help them become the leaders they were born to be.

Arwen returned to Gondor one last time to let her people know that Eldarion would be crowned king and lead the people into the next Age. He asked Altherial for her hand in marriage and she accepted with giggles and congratulations from us all. I always knew from the first time she set eyes on Minas Tirith that she would love living there.

      Elros and Angrendir quickly followed suit by becoming betrothed to Ever and Melodia respectively. As we spent our days in Rivendell, Eldarion went back to Gondor to let the people know that he would be staying in Rivendell for the time being and put the now very old Faramir in charge.

One day, I was walking near my naneth's waterfall, my heart still filled with grief over losing Sunset. I had introduced Othion to Altherial; telling her that he was Sunset's son and therefore her steed. She was enchanted by him; hugging me repeatedly and thanking me over and over.

Arwen joined me at the waterfall where I took out two purple lilies with tea lights and after lighting them up, I set them adrift as a memorial for Aragorn and Sunset. Arwen and I stayed there a long time and cried. We both lost so many that we have loved. It was the proper time to mourn.

After the lights went out, she and I walked with our arms around each other back to my wing. It was time to show her what I had promised my uncle and hidden all of these years. I motioned her to the armoire where all of her old dresses were hung in the back and told her to pick one where she felt like the most royal elf. She looked at me confused and asked:

"Why should I change into a different one? I am still in mourning, Hedraliel." I nodded but continued to point.

"I understand and have not forgotten cousin mine, but I made a promise a long time ago that I shall not leave without you and tis time to fulfill that promise."

   Though I spoke cryptically, she did what I asked and picked the same dress--the green one--she wore when she revealed herself to Aragorn after he was crowned king. She went into my bath chamber and put on the gown. She still wore her Gondorian crown which I never asked her to take off.

   After she returned all dressed, I hung her mourning dress in the back of an old closet as she watched me with interest. After which, I opened the door to the secret portion of my desk that no one knew about. I reached in and pulled out a wrapped kerchief and started to untie it.

  I then motioned Arwen toward me as I carefully with nimble fingers uncovered the precious content. As the jewel came into view, she gasped.

"But how?" She asked with tears gathering in her eyes. I looked at her wisely and smiled through my own tears.

"Uncle Elrond, your Ada. Prior to my wedding to Legolas, he took me aside and showed me the Evenstar ring and told me that though he was breaking rules having it forged; he was not willing to let your light extinguish itself here in this world. And therefore, when Legolas, Gimli, and I were ready to depart this world; he made me promise to bring you with us. That way you could reunite in Valinor. The ring is the continuation of your birthright."

I held it out for her then to put on, which she did. I could tell almost immediately as her birthright and immortality returned to her. She breathed in strongly. Arwen Undomiel had returned to her former glory.

We then went outside and explained everything to the others as she showed off her ring. In the meantime, we got word that Samwise Gamgee was taking a boat from the Grey Havens to Valinor. As he was one of the ring bearers or protectors, he was granted passage after his beloved Rosie passed on.

Legolas, Gimli, Eldarion, and Altherial went to wish him a safe journey forth. In the meantime, we called upon Radagast and the Eagles so that the shift of power could be made once again. Because our children knew we were to leave this world, all three weddings were held simultaneously and in Rivendell.

The first was of Eldarion and Altherial. At her ceremony, I stepped forward, withdrew my beloved sword and her namesake and presented it to my beloved daughter as the latter watched with tears running down her cheeks. Radagast performed all of the ceremonies.

"My darling daughter. I pass on the sword of Altherial on to you. You were named after her because I knew the moment I looked into your eyes, I saw the same things that Mithrandir saw when he looked at me as an infant. Before this ceremony, I took the sword for an extra shine, polish, and sharpening in Lorien so that I could present her to you the way my aunt had presented her to me originally. Tradition is bound. You will be an honorary warrior and already have a heart of gold. God speed our child."

      I finished as Legolas put his hand on our daughter's arm as we walked her gingerly down the aisle. She would go to live with Eldarion once we left for Valinor. Next came our oldest son Elros and Ever. We crowned them the new King and Queen of the 3 United Elven Lands also giving Elros the power to call upon Gwaihir and the other eagles if need be. He and Ever would live in Rivendell.

From our royal children, lastly came Angrendir and Melodia who stayed within their ranks of Prince and Princess only of the 3 United Elven Lands. Angrendir had always loved Lothlorien and decided that he and Melodia would settle there.

In the meantime, to our utter delight, both Lyric and Yael had found their own soulmates. Lyric fell in love with another elf of noble standing named Willam who was the son of the archivist of the Rivendell Library; while Yael's constant courier trips to Mirkwood paid off by him meeting a beautiful redhead named Mira. She reminded all of us of Tauriel a bit.

      We were very glad that all of our loved ones were finally paired up. Lyric and Willam decided to stay in Rivendell because both loved the land so much so they were considered Lady Lyric and Lord Willam of Rivendell and she would continue to create music and watch over the crown's children when they were blessed with them. While her brother was Lord Yael with Lady Mira of Mirkwood.

They would still have to follow Elros' orders as he was king but now unlike when Legolas and I ruled, every land had someone for the small decision making. As the weddings and celebrations were getting underway, Legolas and I noticed that Gimli looked a bit glum. We walked over to where he was and Legolas asked him:

"What is it, my friend? You look very sad. Are you unhappy?" Gimli shrugged his shoulders; I decided to try then.
"Gimli, why do you not tell us what is the cause for your unhappiness?" He sighed, sat down, and spoke.
"This may be quite foolish of me and I do not wish for the laddie here to laugh at me...." He drifted off as we listened patiently for him to continue.
"Well everyone here is a lady or a lord and I am just a plain dwarf though I have fought in many of the battles with you."

Now I understood the situation, Gimli felt left out. Here he was about to sail to the great land of Valinor without a title to his name other then 'son of Gloin'. I knew that could very easily be rectified. I beckoned him to follow Legolas and I where everyone was still celebrating. I got everyone's attention and said:

"It seems that we have had a slight oversight on our part regarding our courageous friend and dwarf Gimli. He is no mere dwarf but a powerful warrior so from here on out--including Valinor--he shall be known as Lord Gimli of the last Moria Dwarves."

As I said that everyone stood up and cheered as Gimli wiped tears away from his cheeks and beard. He now felt like he truly belonged amongst the company he kept.

Now that the ceremonies were all performed and then some. It was time for us to ride out to the Grey Havens where Legolas and Gimli would build the boat that would take us on the passage to our final destination. Arwen knowing she was coming too, was at last at peace.

Our children followed us there in order to say the last goodbye. We all rode in on steeds toward the Grey Havens. In my satchel, I carried a precious gift for my children; this book. I had yet to put finishing touches on it and end it but it was already bound by dark sapphire leather with the same runes as my now passed on sword had on her.

The book was entitled "Only Time." Written by Queen Hedraliel Anorithilian. The steed that carried myself and the satchel was one I borrowed from Rivendell and ironically it ended up being Aniror; Haldir's steed and made the right kind of sense. I could not choose another one after Sunset's passing. Legolas and Gimli rode on Arod while Arwen took her old steed Asfaloth.

The children had since picked and bonded with steeds of their own; though none of them ever again saw a black stallion with crystal blue eyes. Sunset just like me as Legolas and many since him had said; we were one of a kind. The heavens blessed these two beings upon the world at the exact time. It was a true gift from the Valar.

Altherial's steed was Sunset's son Othion which in Elvish meant son of the protector; being of Sunset who was the protector of all horses and one of the Maeras. While Eldarion named his Ohtar for warrior. Elros' steed was a male named Gwennor or bond/friendship and Ever's was a female she named Menelya which meant heavens day because when she first came to Rivendell; it reminded her of heaven with its beauty. Angrendir who himself was named after Sunset and was now choosing to live in Lorien; the land that always reminded him of an ethereal winter and therefore his steed was Hrive or winter while Melodia did the opposite with Glawar meaning sun light.

Needless to say all of our children were quite excited with their newfound freedom and steeds. The only part they wished was not happening yet, was our departure from Middle-Earth.

I thought of just that as I put the finishing touches on the book but left a few pages empty at the end. They would get filled up soon enough. Arwen had come to get me in order to tell me that Legolas and Gimli had finished building our vessel and that it was time. I smiled a well knowing smile. Before closing the book for the last time and carrying it in hand toward the dock; I dawned on my familial jewelry and cloak. After which, I scrolled in the book one last time:

"Live free and in peace. Do not be afraid to take chances, make mistakes, and learn from them. May the Valar always look down upon you. Some day, we shall meet again. Your father and I love you very much. God bless."

Love always and forever,
Your adoring mother,

Hedraliel Anorithilian ~ The 1st Queen of the 3 United Elven Kingdoms.

***Keep reading***