Chapter 26: Sweet Farewells

Short chapter! I stayed up a bit to post this! I will be adding a Epilogue tomorrow!

It was time for the Grey Havens; Asteria was in disarray as her mother and father as well as Gandalf were leaving. Arwen cried because of her father leaving but they knew it had to be done; she stayed behind with Aragorn in Minas Tirith; Legolas stayed back with them, he offered to go with Asteria but she declined and he respected it. The time of the Elves were over and in so Celeborn, Elrond and Galadriel were leaving for the Grey Havens along with Gandalf and Bilbo. Asteria stood by the boat with her parents as tears filled her eyes; Galadriel couldn't help but smile at her pulling her into a hug "I will miss you mother...and all your wisdom" Galadriel chuckles a bit as she pulled away from her daughter taking her face in her hands "You; my dear, have your own wisdom and will have it for many years to come.. my time is over and so is your father's..." she said softly and gracefully as tears formed in Asteria's eyes.

Gandalf turns towards them and Asteria "Farewell my brave Hobbits and my dear Asteria." He smiles. They look at him with tears in their eyes. "My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our Fellowship" Merry and Pippin are crying as they held tightly on Asteria's hands who had tears forming in her eyes of her own. " I will not say do not weep for not all tears are an evil." He looks to Asteria as he placed a hand on her cheek "You will have a rich life my dear, live it.. everyday..." Asteria smiled as she leaned into his hand nodding "I will my friend..." He walks towards the ship. Frodo is watching him; he stops and turns towards them. "It is time Frodo"

Asteria looks down sadly; she knew Frodo would have to go as well which broke her heart; the other hobbits looked at Frodo in confusion "What does he mean?" Sam asked as Frodo sighed "We set out to save the Shire Sam.. and it has been saved but... not for me..." he said sadly as Sam started to tear up "You don't mean that... You can't leave" Frodo looks away, as he brings up a book and hands it to Sam who regretfully takes it "The last pages are for you Sam" Frodo said softly as Sam cried. Merry is crying, Frodo hugs him. He hugs Pippin who is also crying. He turns away from them towards Sam who is also crying and pulls him into a hug.

His attention turned to Asteria who kneeled down "Hobbits really are amazing.. even more than Elves..." she said softly as she smiled at him; the sunlight gleamed on her and the necklace she wore which sparkled beautiful and made her look even more ethereal than normal. Frodo quickly hugged her; the bond they carried was deep, as a mother and her child "I will miss you Asteria..." He said softly as he pulled away smiling at her "I will see you again" She said softly kissing his forehead. He turns towards Gandalf who beckons him with his hand. 

Once on board the ship Frodo turns and smiles at them. He turns away as the ship glides silently out of the bay into the sunset. Asteria cried softly as she could see her mother and father waving her farewell as her and the hobbits turn away to go on their separate ways.

"Will we see you again?" Merry asked her as she helped them on their horses to go back to the Shire. Asteria smiled at them "You will my dear one... I still want to see the Shire and all its beauty" She said softly placing a hand on Merry's cheek. Pippin said nothing as she helped him on his horse and kisses his forehead which caused him to smile.

She helped Sam on his horse last; who still had red eyes from crying "Oh Sam... Do not fret..." She said softly as his attention turned to her "You live your life.. You cannot be torn in two. You will have much to enjoy in your life. And I will see you again" Sam nodded at her giving her a smile as the hobbits made their way to the Shire.

She watched until they were out of sight as Ithildin came up behind her; nudging her a little which caused her to giggle a bit as she turns petting his snout "Time to return to Minas Tirth my friend... We have a husband waiting" she said as she quickly yet gracefully mounted onto him and with haste she made her way to Minas Tirith where her love waits for her. As Minas Tirth came into view, she couldn't help but smile as she could see a figure standing near the gates almost as if she knew she was coming. She beamed more seeing the blonde hair gently flying in the wind as she got closer. Ithilidin slowed his stride as he made his way up the gate close to Legolas who quickly ran to her side helping her down from the horse pulling her into an embrace "I missed you..." he said softly as Ithildin nudged them both which caused them to laugh "I missed you as well my friend" Legolas said as he pulled a carrot from his pocket and gave it to Ithildin who happily ate it.

"It was hard..." she said softly which caused Legolas to turn to her "Seeing them leave..." Legolas could see she was hurting as he pulled her into an embrace again; holding her close to him "I know.. It will be alright.." he said as he took her by the shoulders; staring intently at her "We will live our life in honor of them until we see them again in the Grey Havens..." He said as his words were a promise which caused her to smile at him "But not yet..." she replied softly as he smiled pulling her closer to him which caused her to blush; he noticed the rosy color dusting her cheeks which caused him to smile "You have never blushed this much before Asteria.."he jested with her as she shook her head to snap out of the trance she was in "That was different... we were married..." this caused him to laugh as he pulled her even closer leaning down "Happily married my love..." he said softly as he gently kissed her.

*Pretend that's Legolas

Hand in hand the two walked back up; with Ithildin trailing behind them into the gates of Minas Tirth to join Aragorn and Arwen; in figuring their next step of their lives. They could go back to Lothlorien, stay in Minas Tirth or go to Legolas's home in Mirkwood. They would decide but not right now, now they will enjoy the quiet life of peace. No Ring. No Sauron. No death. Just bliss.

1283 words

Epilogue tomorrow and this story will be finished!