"Wherever we go, we still share the sky with those we love."

Many had already left for Woody End in preceding days, leaving only a handful assembled in the Hall of Fire. All were silent as Elladan spoke. "Last night we held the final great feast in this very hall and it almost felt as if the Eldar days were with us once again. But now the time has come for us to leave Imladris and for the fire to be extinguished." At this, the Elves sang a lament for Imladris as Elladan and Elrohir spoke words over the fire, it slowly dimmed and went out. The hall now felt deathly cold, even though it was almost midsummer.

"The time has come to depart this place farewell Imladris we shall not forget you," said Elrohir. The Elves continued their lament as they mounted their rides and took the track that led up to the Great East road. Before they entered mists, Márafea looked behind, and it seemed to her Imladris was crumbling before her eyes, its heart now well and truly broken.

After many days of travel, they, at last, reached Woody End. They had avoided Bree; it had grown into a vast town over the years and even hobbits no longer lived there. Márafea and Thranduil rested for a few days before they took the road northward to Annúminas, Celeborn, Glorfindel, Elladan and Elrohir going with them. The city was now a thriving metropolis, no signs of the ruin it had once been. At the great Gates of the King's house, King Glórinbróg and Queen Silmariën of Arnor greeted their Elven kinsman most warmly. And Márafea passed the Dúnedain Book of Lineage to her grandson.

He was a fine looking man, well built, with cold blue eyes and long golden curls hung that around his shoulders. He wore a modest crown upon his head with the Dúnedain star of his Great Grandfather fixed in its centre. His young wife Queen Silmariën resembled her grandmother Queen Arwen and their two year old twins, a girl and boy, were the image of their father. Once the names of the Arnorian royal family were written into the Book of Lineage, the King took it with great ceremony to the Hall of records. There it was housed with great reverence, only removed when a birth marriage or death took place in the Arnorian Royal family so that names and dates could be written into it. Finally, Thranduil and Márafea paid their respects to Lord Borion and Lady Haleth now old and grey but still in good health.  Then with great sadness, it was time for the Elven company to continue the journey westward, to Mithlond.

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Legolas carried his little daughter Mírien in his arms, whilst his son Thranion ran up and down along the edge of the Balcony of the roof garden. He nervously looked out at the Ithilien countryside before him. "She should be here by now," he whispered to himself. Óliel came out from the house, "Melleth Nin, is there any sign of her yet?"

Legolas shook his head, "No, and it is not like Mithlothiel to be late, she loves to visit, something is wrong." They heard a birds call in the distance, Legolas looked across the landscape. "Ada, look a messenger bird, from Gondor!" called Thranion. 

Legolas came to Óliel, "Here, take Mírien while I receive it." He handed the infant to Óliel, stretching out his hand as the bird came into view. Giving its call as it landed gently onto his arm. "Hail there friend, I bid you welcome what news do you bring from the King?"

He gently took the parchment from the leg of the bird unravelled it. His face paling as he read, "Mithlothiel is missing. She slipped away from the escort that was accompanying her to Ithilien. They believe she is heading North."

"But why would she do such a thing?" asked Óliel.

"Other than to see Father and Márafea, I cannot see any other reason, but surely she would take an escort with her if she were travelling north. I must find her Melleth Nin. I will form a search party, then travel north. I do not know when I will return," replied Legolas.

Óliel nodded, "Of course, Melleth Nin, you must go and bring her home. I will not rest easy until I know she is safe." 

Legolas kissed his wife and children, "Thranion, you must take of your mother and sister while I am gone."

"Of course, Ada, I will protect them with my trusty bow," said Thranion proudly. Legolas smiled proudly, then blew a powerful blast upon his horn, and returned inside. He gathered a few essential items, before exiting his house.

Several scouts appeared on horseback. "What assistance do you need, my lord?" asked one.

"Alas, there is ill news, my sister Princess Mithlothiel is missing. Last seen heading north, we must search for her," said Legolas.

"Of course, my Lord we will find her," said the scout. Legolas mounted his horse and the company galloped away as Óliel and the children watched from the balcony.

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The eastern sun rose behind the company as three towers came into view, that is when they first saw it. "The sea, the sea, it calls we answer," they sang as they approached. Márafea did not join in, but wept silently, looking behind her often. "I am not ready, my heart is torn," she whispered. Her mind went back to her childhood, her marriage, children, grandchildren, all that she was leaving behind. "It is what we leave behind that is most important," Frodo's words from long ago floated into her mind. Only now did she truly understand them. But no longer was she a maiden on the cusp of wedlock, she was a woman of the royal line of the Dúnedain still in the prime of life. She had aged, but slowly, and Thranduil never commented upon it, almost as if he did not see the fine lines upon her face.

As the company, they reached the towers. There, to their surprise, a group of hobbits were bidding farewell to one of their own. "Master Gardner, Mistress Westmarch, fancy meeting you two here," said Thranduil.

"We come to bid my father farewell," replied Elanor through her tears.

"Oh, and where are you bound Master Gardner?" asked Thranduil.

"Same direction as you, King Thranduil, to Mithlond," replied Sam. He was old and weary now, his curly hair a shock of brilliant white, and could barely mount his pony without assistance.

Thranduil smiled, "Ah yes, you bore the ring for a time. It is Lord Thranduil now, we retired from our Kingdom some years ago. We would be honoured if you would join our company. I would hate to think you travel alone."

Márafea stifled her tears and smiled, "please, ride with me my dearest Sam as you did when we came away from Gondor."

"It will be my honour, Gracious Lady. So King Golden Bear is your grandson? He is a fine man and a fine King. Everyone loves him, almost as much as King Elessar when he comes," said Sam.

"He is a chip off the old block, Master Gardiner," said Thranduil.

"Can he turn into a....... bear, as they say?" asked Sam.

Thranduil smirked, "That and more I shouldn't wonder."

"You look well, Sam," said Márafea as they descended to Mithlond.

Sam gave her one of his large smiles, "And you have barely aged a day, Gracious Lady, since our last meeting."

"I am glad you are accompanying us, you lift my spirits so," said Márafea.

"You weep for your children, I for my Rosie," said Sam.

"My condolences, Sam, it must be a great loss for you."

"We have been together a long time, I was there right up to the end, it was peaceful like. I know I will see her again, though. I do not fear the end Gracious Lady, it is just like going to sleep."

"I envy you in a way, I have already lost one daughter to mortality and another is lost to us. I fear I will lose them all in the end."

Sam reached over and patted her hand. "Wherever we go, we still share the sky with those we love."

By the end of the day, they had reached the outskirts of Mithlond, there an Elf with silver hair and a long beard approached them. "Círdan it is good to see you, my friend," said Glorfindel. Círdan bowed low "Welcome Glorfindel, friends, our ship will soon be ready. I have prepared a place for you to rest till then," he said. Círdan led them through the citadel to a large house by the Quay. "This is my home, you will find your every need and comfort attended to." The house, though large, was cosy and comforting. Attendants led them to a large parlour with day beds and armchairs, plenty looking out over a courtyard garden through glass doors, a fountain at its centre.

The company made themselves at home as attendants served them food and wine. Márafea went into the garden, a high wall that was covered in climbing roses and ivy surrounded the courtyard. More roses grew around the edges, their scent filling the air. The fountain bubbled gently in the centre. She let her hand fall into the water and watched the ripples spread across the basil. "Don't touch the water," came a soft voice. Márafea jumped and turned to see Círdan standing behind her, smiling. "Sorry I did not mean to frighten you, Gracious Lady, it is just my little joke," he said reassuringly.

He came to Márafea and took her hand, "It is a pleasure to meet you, at last, Gracious Lady. Long have I waited for you to come, long before you even came here. I wish I could ease the pain your heart is feeling. But I hope the thought of those who await your homecoming will bring you some small comfort. Olorin said you will find leaving hard and I will do my best to ensure as gentle a crossing as I can."

Márafea was overcome with emotion. "I feel as though my heart is breaking into tiny pieces, I do not know if it will ever be whole again."

"That is why you will need the love of those who await you, 'The One' does not wish you to suffer. You have served him well, in time, your heart will heal. Part of you will always remain in Middle Earth through your children, your children's children and on it will go for ages to come. You may fade into memory but your bloodline will remain," said Círdan. Thranduil appeared from the parlour, "Ah lord Thranduil, I have had a room in the quiet part of the house prepared for you both. Our Gracious Lady could do with a little rest," said Círdan.

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Márafea watched the Elves loading the ship with cargo, provisions and livestock for a great journey ahead. Círdan was on the quayside organising the loading, as she had seen him do for the other ships all week. All but a handful of the Elves who had come with them had already taken the straight road, including Celephinniel and Faelnith. Now only one ship remained. Círdan looked up and raised a hand to Márafea, she smiled and waved back, then she felt Thranduil's hands upon her shoulders. "There is no need to torment yourself further, Mime Melda."

Márafea shook her head, "I am finding it a comfort. When I look to the West, I hear voices calling me home. But when I look to the East, I feel those I leave behind mourning my passing," she said.

"You think I do not feel it, that I do not grieve losing our mortal kin. Mithrandir was right, our grief is far more than Elrond's, but it is not a grief to be carried by one alone. We bear it together, and the best way to endure such grief is to remember the joys we were blessed with. Through you, I was given the grace of a second life. We have three beautiful daughters together, fine grandsons two of whom are Kings now, a granddaughter, two great grandchildren with more likely to come. Who knows, perhaps even Mellessil will find her way to the west and we shall be reunited again," said Thranduil.

"Mellessil!" Márafea stood and they embraced as he stroked her long silver hair. "When I came to Middle Earth in spirit. I was Almárie, a servant obeying the will of her master. Now I return as Márafea, a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and queen. Radagast warned me, things cannot be as they were when I left Aman. I do not know what faces me when I return, but I am ready for what is to come."

"You will not face it alone, Thorwen, I promise," said Thranduil.