Journey’s End

Chapter 44

The Parting of the Fellowship

Final Chapter

Several weeks after our wedding, Aragorn and I found ourselves sitting before a massive table, laden with aged parchment. I groaned inwardly as I picked up what seemed to be the millionth piece of paper. We were reviewing the old laws, getting rid of the outdated or ridiculous ones, and updating or writing new ones. It was a job that had to be done, even if it wasn’t very enjoyable. The only advantage I could see was that I got to spend extra time with Aragorn.

“Is ruling meant to be this difficult?” I groaned, setting my feet on the table casually. I was back in my old clothes; breeches and a shirt. I felt more comfortable in them.

“All you have to do is read.” Aragorn murmured, glancing up from the parchment he was holding.

“I know… But I have a simple mind…” I muttered under my breath as several people entered the hall. I looked up to see Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf and the Hobbits walking towards us. I smiled in welcome as they approached the table.

“We thought you could use some help.” Legolas smiled. I raised and eyebrow and picked up a stack of papers, the outdated laws that we no longer needed.

“Great, go burn these… Or something.” I mumbled, distributing the pile between Legolas and Gimli.

“Yes your Majesty.” Legolas smirked with a mock-bow. I threw a balled-up piece of paper at him as he turned and walked gracefully out of the hall, with Gimli in pursuit. I turned back to Aragorn and saw him looking intently at the Hobbits.

“I sense that you have not just come along to help.” He smiled. I saw Frodo nod a little and step forward.

“We think it is time we returned to the Shire.” He stated quietly. I saw the others nod in agreement, and I saw how they must be missing their homeland.

“Of course.” Aragorn smiled, “We can arrange horses for you-”

“Ponies.” I corrected him quickly, earning myself an exasperated glance before Aragorn continued.

“There is just one thing I want to confirm before you leave. Rana, do you have any blank parchment over there?” He asked.

“Yes dear…” I muttered sarcastically with a smirk, passing him a stack of clean papers.

“The idea has been on my mind for a while now, to create a law to protect the Shire.” Aragorn murmured, lifting his quill. “Something along the lines of, ‘No ‘big-folk’ should enter the Shire without permission from its residents?’” I smiled as he used the common Hobbit term for regular-sized people. All four nodded and I grinned to myself. The Shire was a place that deserved to be protected. Aragorn quickly scribbled down a note as I lifted another old law.

“I found another ridiculous one!” I cried. Whenever I found one of these laws, I made a deliberate point of breaking it. I read out loud. “Any person who lifts the crown from the head of the King before midday shall be subjected to torture.” I raised an eyebrow. “Is it past midday?”

“It is not.” Gandalf replied as I lifted my legs from the table, rose from my chair and walked to Aragorn.

“Rana…” He said in a warning tone. “You’ve already broken several laws this morning…”

I just rolled my eyes as I delicately lifted the crown from his head and walked back to my chair, placing it very deliberately on my own head. I propped my feet back on the table and folded my arms, smirking. The crown was far too big for my head, and it slipped down over my eyes, earning myself a snicker from Merry and Pippin. I heard footsteps and suddenly my head was relieved of the heavy object. I smiled innocently at Aragorn as he replaced his crown with a stern face, although I could see a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He walked back to his chair and looked at the Hobbits.

“So,” He sighed, “We need to prepare you for a journey.”

***

The next day, I found myself astride Falas, at the North-westerly border of Gondor. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf and myself had agreed to ride with the Hobbits this far, before they set off on their long journey home. We dismounted from our horses (and ponies) and the Hobbits turned back to face us. I felt tears gathering in my eyes as I embraced them each, one by one.

“We will see each other soon.” I promised, as they looked up at me and I saw that they also had tears in their eyes. We were all wearing our elvish cloaks that we had received in Lothlórien, all those months ago, as a symbol of our Fellowship. I watch quietly as the others said their goodbyes, all promising that we would meet again. I realised how much I had come to love each and every member of the Fellowship since we left Rivendell, and I didn’t want us to part, but I knew that everyone had set out to save something, and now they must return to it.

“Farewell, we will be sure to visit often.” Aragorn murmured, slipping his arm around my waist as I held back tears. I nodded and leant against his shoulder as I memorised the faces of the Hobbits.

“And so ends our fellowship.” Gandalf sighed. He, along with Legolas and Gimli were to stay in Gondor for a little while longer, but in time they would also have to leave.

“What you have done for Middle Earth will never be forgotten.” I promised, as a tear slipped down my cheek. The Hobbits nodded and mounted their ponies, and began to walk away into the distance. We stayed to watch them go, and I looked at each retreating figure in turn.

Pippin, dressed in the armour of the Tower Guard. All the memories I had of him showed his humour, and his innocence.

Merry, one of the Rohirrim. I marvelled at his bravery, and his courage to fight for his friends.

Loyal Sam, who had never left his masters side, and was always courteous.

And finally Frodo. The one who had bourn the largest burden of all, yet had saved everything that surrounded us. We owed them everything.

Tears tracked silently down my cheeks as the others began to mount their horses. I swung myself into Falas’s saddle as looked over at Aragorn with a weak smile. He rode to my side and took my hand in his.

“We will see them again.” He murmured.

***

That evening, I stood on the parapet outside the hall, looking down at the city. At this very spot I had confessed my true feelings to Aragorn… It seemed like such a long time ago. I heard Aragorn approach me and I smiled a little as he slipped his arm around my waist.

“I can’t believe it’s over…” I whispered, gazing out at the sunset. Aragorn said nothing for a moment, seeming like he was deep in thought.

“I meant to tell you this earlier, but it must have slipped my mind.” He murmured. I looked up at him questioningly. “It was exactly a year ago today that we set out from Rivendell.”

I smiled to myself, realising how far we had come since that day. If someone had walked up to me before we left and told me that in less than a year I would be standing here, I would have laughed. At that point, even surviving the quest seemed too much to hope for. I looked out over the peaceful land, my eyes scanning the distant mountains of Mordor. A shadow no longer lingered there. We had nothing more to fear. The people of Middle Earth could live in these days of peace, and children would be brought into the world fearing no evil, and no danger. Things would go back to the way they were before Sauron, and yet would never be the same again.

I glanced up at Aragorn and he smiled at me; I still couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have him. I smiled in return, feeling that no words needed to be said. Aragorn lifted his hand and gently brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen into my eyes. His hand lingered on my face, as he moved closer, softly brushing his lips against mine, before my burning desire to have him closer became too much to bear and I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding myself to him. I felt him smile against my lips as he gently stroked my cheek. He moved back a little and I gazed into his eyes.

A moment ago, I had thought no words were needed, but there were three words that captured exactly what I was feeling. Three words that I meant earnestly, and I would only ever be able to say them to Aragorn. I lifted my hand to his face, smiling as I stood on my toes and whispered in his ear.

“I love you.”

He didn’t give me a chance to say anything more, as he once again brought his lips to mine, silencing the both of us with his passionate kiss.

The End