AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was getting bored with the old cover for this book so I decided to make a brand new one (with my newly developed editing skills). And I did not forget about Gwiliweth and Faramir ;) Oh..and there is some... um.. PG-13 lemon (only before the *cough* no actual *cough cough*) during this chapter... just warning any viewers that might be... startled while reading or against any... thing... like that. Although I hope you enjoy this chapter! :D

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~Chapter Twenty-Four~

A New Dawn Brings New Beginnings

The echoes of army of the West cheers bounced off the dark mountains ringing around the battle shaped as a horseshoe. The landscape continued to crumble taking Sauron's army as merely a thousand orcs barely make their escape as they sprint away from their fallen lands. The men continued to rally their spirits as they witness the Black Gates collapsing into the abyss pit.

Merry in his moment of relief held his dagger high with a joyful smile, "Frodo! Frodo!"

The men of Rohan and Gondor continued to cheer until they see red lava shoot high into the sky, blowing parts of the mountain in all directions. The company could only helplessly watch as Mount Doom explodes and their faces turn solemn, the reason for their misery is clear. It's plain to see that Frodo and Sam can never survive the cataclysm. They watch with teary eyes as the remaining Nazgul get struck by flaming rocks given off from the eruption.

Although no one out of the company was as broken spiritually then the bent over figure holding another figure closely in its arms far away from the army of men. A broken-hearted Elf lost himself in a attack of sobs as he held the only woman that he ever loved so dearly and truly. His head rested against her still warm forehead as salty tears stream down his dirt-stained cheeks in sorrow.

Plip.

Plip.

His sorrowful tears fell just under her closed lids that trickle down her soft cheeks, making its way through dirt and blood smears along her chin. His hand was still pressed against her wound, staining his skin bright red. Although he cradled his true love in his arms, she was gone from the world and his. His other half, his soul mate, had passed on to the heavens. It was so far away and it nearly severed his heart to think of. One side of him still lingered, lived, and breathed. The other half perished along with the she-elf so limply laying in his shaking arms.

Unknown to the Elf, the already sadden company silently made their way to his mourning form. Their eyes lowered to the black stone ground as they saw the state of the very composed Legolas who now uncontrollably wept.

Pippin and Merry hung their heads low, being the second most hurt of this tragedy. They silently placed the blame on themselves for not retrieving Legolas sooner or finding Medlinya in trouble earlier than they did.

Tears trickled down Gandalf's face as he stared at the limp she-elf that could easily been a daughter to him. His memories took him back to the day he met her. How her sapphire eyes stared at him, trying to make sense of why his ears were not pointed as her was and whether or not she could trust him. How small she stood compared to him when she was only a small elf-ling. How she crawled out of the safety of the pit in the tree, clutching her swords so close to her. Gandalf then remembered the moments in the Old Forest as he taught her how to control her powers and watched her grow.

Gimli silently lift his helmet off his head and knelt down before the two elves bearing unbearable sadness for Legolas and for the lifeless she-elf in the Elf's arms. The dwarf owed a lot to Medlinya. She had been the only elf in his entire existence that treated him like an equal. She was moved out of her way to comfort him when Gimli was in his distress in Moria.

Eomer stood nearby with his head lowered in respect for the fallen and the grieving. His stern brown eyes stared at the face of Medlinya solemnly.

Aragorn stared expressionlessly as he stared at Medlinya's peaceful face. Anyone could see the conflicting trying to keep his compousre or to cry along with his crestfallen comrade. Silently Aragorn lowered himself to the ground beside Legolas and set a hand on the Elf's shoulder. Legolas did not flinch nor look at the Ranger rather he strengthen his hold on the she-elf.

As the company despaired, a warm chill sent shivers down their spines. Aragorn's eyes flickered up to see a strange sight. A woman silently made her way straight towards the company with her eyes settled on Medlinya. Her platinum hair flowed gently in the wind, revealing her leaf-shaped ears. Her eyes dully sparkled although they were identical sapphires as Medlinya. As she approached the resting companions, her white robes fluttered unnaturally compared to the present wind. All eyes found the woman and silently they stared without questioning why a beautiful elven woman had walked over to them after a chain of bloody battles.

The woman stared at Medlinya before kneeling down in front of Legolas, "That man is evil. A man I never knew in the first place." she whispered, but loud enough for the company gathered to hear.

Aragorn stared at the woman, "You never knew him in the first place?" His anger was being suppressed by a thin layer of control.

Her older sapphire eyes found Aragorn's frenzied orbs, apologetically. "What I meant was that I never knew of what he was still it was too late." The woman's eyes flickered back to Medlinya, "He was an imposter of the man I loved. The man who was truly my daughter's father."

The Prince Elf's eyes slowly rose to the woman's face, revealing red puffy eyes from shedding tears. His expression told the woman that he awaited her explanation.

"Fifty years before Medlinya was born, I was a healer for Lady Galadriel and her armies back in the war where Men and Elves fought as on against Sauron. A lot of severely wounded warriors came to my tent because of my unique healing powers. One of those soldiers was her father."

The woman smiled at the memory before continuing, "From the moment we locked eyes, I knew he was my other half and I would spend the rest of my life with him. He had these forest green eyes that sparkled like a diamond when he smiled and his long almond hair was always silky and always tied in a loose ponytail. It was the next day that we were married to one another and we waited for fifty years until we decided to have children." The smile slowly weakened as the next part of the story unfolded, "It was the day after we unknowingly created Medlinya that everything started to turn terribly wrong. My husband went to his daily duties as usual the next morning and everything was normal. I was doing housework before heading to work in the healer's quarters when..." Her eyes twinged in tears, "A messenger rushed to me and told me that my husband was stabbed and nothing they can do can help him. I ran... I ran the fastest I ever ran in my entire life. When I stormed into the clinic, I saw this very wound on my husband. At the time I had no idea what it was, nor did I since until it was done to me."

The woman stared at the wound that her still daughter bares, "The imposter's name was Zaos. Years prior he had made a blood pact to Sauron for servitude to regain the dark powers to Middle Earth. That man imposed as my husband. He wanted my power and he wanted an even powerful helper to Sauron's re-coming. Medlinya was that for him, although he was not her blood. He did not realize that until..."

"Until he went to my father, the Elven-king." Legolas finished with a soft voice.

The woman locked eyes with the Elf before nodding in agreement than went to the dark sword laying nearby the fallen she-elf. "Since the year of my death I have been unable to rest. Not until I could destroy that sword and save my daughter from his hands." The woman's eyes flickered back to Medlinya with tears streaming down her cheeks, "I have failed her."

Aragorn stared at the woman quietly than to the sword, "No. There must be a way to being Medlinya back to life and that way must be that blade."

Gandalf who was silent up to this moment, nodded at Aragorn's words. "If it can take a life, it can also revive a life."

The woman stared at her daughter, contemplating the Ranger's and the wizard's words. "That sword was made to absorb the life energy that surrounds our hearts, especially hers and mine. That is where our power circulates, because it is the will of the heart that brings out our actions. There can be no way to save her. Her energy is gone. The sword can not switch sides so easily, no matter if its master is dead."

Her words created a solemn silence as their glimmer of hope dimmed away into nothing. The woman set her hand over Medlinya's heart and immediately was startled. Her eyes crazily went to the sword. "Hand me the sword, quickly."

Pippin scrambled over to the blade and nearly flew over to the woman with the great blade in hand. She snatched the sword and held it firmly in her hands. The company shuffled closer, all very curious on what the woman was doing. Her hand quickly went over her daughter's heart again and closed her eyes to focus. The woman's eyes snapped open to stare at Medlinya.

"Her energy. I feel it." The woman muttered as she confusedly stared at her daughter's face. "She still has energy in her and her energy still radiates in the sword." A smile spread across her face as the revelation grew upon her, "She is not truly gone." Her sapphires met Legolas' puffy, moist eyes, "Legolas, set her down."

The Prince Elf eyed the woman carefully without a blink of an eye as his jaw clenched seriously. He did not move an inch nor let Medlinya out of his arms. Not that he did not trust the woman, but he felt the desperate need to guard the limp she-elf. It became clear to the company that Legolas never wants to let her go both physically and spiritually.

The mother meekly nodded at him with knowing eyes, "I know it is hard for you to do, but we have a great chance for saving her. I know you want her to be alive and I know you love her. But you need to set her down to do so."

Legolas blinked a few times before his muscles in his jaw retracted. His head barely bobbed up and down. Tenderly, he laid Medlinya onto the black rock ground. The woman smiled at him, silently thanking him for listening. The woman carefully held the sword above her daughter, before gently setting the tip of the sword into the wound given by the deceased man. Not too deep nor right at the skin. The muscles in Legolas' face twitched in defiance, what the woman was doing did not soothe well in his heart, but kept his composure.

The woman gripped the pommel of the sword tightly, as she gazed up to Legolas. "You slayed Zaos and protected even so little of life energy is left in my daughter, did you not?"

The words that were spilled from the woman's lips, noticeably affected by them with a slight waver in his tired, swollen cerulean eyes. Legolas barely nodded as he struggled to contain his tears.

"Grab the handle. Your strength and bond will help the energy find her body."

The Elf immediately grabbed the handle without hesitation. Gandalf crept closer to the fallen she-elf and kneeled down without saying a word he grabbed the handle as well. Aragorn's hand soon followed, as did the two hobbits who were more than happy to join. Gimli's strong hand found an opening on the handle and gripped it tightly with moist eyes. Legolas and the dwarf bowed their heads to the other, an unspoken gesture of friendship. Eomer found himself kneeling beside Aragorn also finding a spot to hold. He had not known Medlinya as well as the rest, but she was undoubtedly loved by all.

The woman smiled at the gathering and closed her eyes. Immediately after she closed her eyes, the air seemed to change. It was no longer heavy with sadness nor darkness, instead it was healing their wounds both physically and emotionally.

The sword they all held so tightly shimmered white light instead of the bloody red haze. Wind circulated the company like a raging tornado, fire heated their skin without burning, water moistened their skin like a ocean wave lapping at their flesh, and the earth did not open its jaws to devour instead it radiated energy to the sword. A milky strand of a light purple substance flowed its way out from the crack of earth where the fallen men had fallen into. Legolas, the only one facing the crack of earth, stared at it with eyes of stunned amazement.

The woman did not have to look around to know what he was seeing, "It is my energy that you see. I can sense it." She took a deep breath of comfort into her lungs. "It will not go to me." Her eyes stared at her daughter with a smile, "Medlinya will need it. Her body is very much broken and will need my energy to repair her wounds to keep her powers."

The milky strand rushed up above the company's head, swirling around with the pummel of the blade like a vertex of a beautiful storm. In a flash the strand streamed through the blade into Medlinya. More elements swirled around as so and entered the sword to aid the she-elf.

All was silent until the ground began to quake, causing the woman to fearfully glance back at the crack. "The worse is coming." The woman studied the company's faces, "I need everyone to listen to me carefully, you need to picture Medlinya in your mind. Anything that reminds you of her or a memory."

"What is going on?" Aragorn inquired seriously.

"No time to explain." The woman voiced urgently.

Gandalf stared blankly at the sword, "Darkness approaches. Do as she says." the wizard calmly ordered.

The company, hearing the highly respected wizard's judgment, immediately recalled their own significant memories of the she-elf.

From the earth's crack, swarm of black liquid rose violently from the bowels of the dark abyss racing after the she-elf laying on the rocky ground. The dark evil liquid bubbled and gurgled like a living entity as it raced closer. A hazy bell rang in the company's ears as the evil darkness crept closer as if a swarm of bees buzzed right into their ears.

Suddenly, a blinding light manifested itself right above Medlinya's body in preparation of the darkness.

"Hold!" Aragorn hollered to the others.

Their grips on the blade tightened as the black swarm was inches away.

The light transfigured itself as it brightened, releasing a shock wave of light all around.

A figure was formed out of the luminescence. Female and tall. Although no features were distinct because of how radiant the light pulsed.

The figure release another shock wave of light.

Darkness and light raced directly for the other.

Two inches away

One inch away.

When dark and light collided, it was a sight no one of the company would never forget much like the visage of the defeat of Sauron. At the first tongues of dark and light, similar to two armies colliding into the other, merged until the light began destroying the black substance.

The bright figure let another wave of light to radiate into battle.

The darkness seemed to shrill in high octaves at the intensity of the brilliant light force. The shrills screeched so unpleasantly that the companions had to clench their teeth so tight so that they would not let go.

The other elements heard the weakness and shrill of the darkness and swarmed in to help.

Wind tumbled down against the dark and joined the fight. The turbulent winds were so strong that it knocked back the entire company including the ghostly woman nearly an half of an mile away.

Even for being so far away from Medlinya, the company could no longer reach her for the wind was far too strong for the company to walk through.

Serpentine like water wiggled through the wall of wind into the battle and pelted against the darkness as hail. The hailstones were as big as boulders as they rammed against the swarm of blackness.

Fire roared through the wall of wind with its blazing breaths against the weakening black liquid of evil. The inferno manifested itself into a fiery, undomesticated dragon. The tongues of fire scorched the black mass like the sun against flesh.

Earth, the protector, formed a barrier over Medlinya to protect her already maimed body from harm's way.

Legolas rose to his unsteady feet and stared through the nebulous wall of wind worried beyond comprehension of the state of his Faenod on the other side.

With all the four elements and light attacking the dark at once. The liquid of black commenced towards destruction. Once the dark liquid could not hold no longer, the light decimated the enemy with another flash like a fiery arrow. The victory was short-lived by the light as it began to fade. As the it faded, so did the figure.

However, unseen from the company just outside of the wall barricading them from the light figure strands of light hurried towards the blade. The blade illuminated a white heavenly glow, before becoming dull.

After protecting the she-elf from the darkness, earth crumbled into her essence nourishing her healing. The fire roared through the blade as water soon followed after. Within the body of Medlinya, the three elements went to work on mending and fusing together the broken pieces of her body. This mesh of elements within her, spat the blade out of her side before continuing their healing. The fire roared through her veins eating away the poison, clearing her system of darkness and fueling her energies to heal quicker. Water rumbled through her veins as well to liquidized the curdled blood and purify her organs with well needed oxygen. The earth mended any bones or muscles that needed to be tended to and made sure her structure was healed.

The great wound, the one on her side made by the dark blade, began to heal immensely. The wound began to swollen as it slowly turn red. This inflammation was Medlinya's immune system kicking in to protect her injury from infection. Slowly a scab covered the wound in more effort to protect the wound. New tissue formed just underneath the skin as blood vessels reconnected and the damaged muscles reached for the other to reform her body into a brand new copy. Once it was all healed the scab disintegrated showing a long scar line just beside her belly button.

The wind sensed the final healing of the she-elf was completed and the turbulent winds died down. The stream of the wind quickly scurried over to Medlinya before dashing downward into her slightly parted mouth.

As the air filled her lungs, the she-elf suck in a sharp breath as if this was the first breath she had ever took. After her breath, she went a fuss of coughs and wheezing. Her eyes flickered open and closed for the light of the sun was too bright for her tender eyes. Medlinya's hand rose to her chest as her coughs continued, her eyes darted back and forth realizing she was alone.

A stampede of fast-paced footsteps approached the she-elf and that sound immediately signaled an alarm in her brain. Immediately thinking the worse, Medlinya rolled over slowly to her stomach to place her hands against the ground to help her up. The she-elf pushed her weight up onto her knees and pulled her weary back rearward to kneel.

"Medlinya!" A chorus of many familiar voices cried. Lifting her head levelly, a two pairs of small arms tackled her into a hug.

As her eyes glanced down, she smiled at the familiar faces that so closely snuggled close to her body. "Merry... Pippin." she murmured weakly. The frail she-elf placed her head on top of the two hobbit's heads as her feeble arms embraced them back.

The hobbits were lost in their fits of tears of relief against the she-elf's chest, not able to speak of their impressive relief.

"Shh..." Medlinya soothed quietly with a soft smile on her lips. "I'm alright now."

Aragorn smiled at the revived she-elf before patting the hobbit's shoulders to allow a certain person to the she-elf. As the hobbits clambered out of the way, Medlinya was instantly enveloped into a familiar pair of arms that completed a missing piece of her heart. Her sapphire eyes slowly gaze up to see red, tired, puffy eyes of her Faenod. At the sight of how distressed he was her eyes watered before nestling into his warm chest.

"Don't ever scare me like that again." Legolas breathed softly into her ear, that sent her into a fit of shivers.

"I would never think of it." Medlinya whispered. The she-elf set her head just against the Elf's collarbone. Another fit of shivers quivered through her body, "You're so warm." she mused to herself, although Legolas caught her words and smiled.

Legolas buried his face into her hair, breathing in her woodsy scent for a moment that to them felt like a lifetime. With little effort, Legolas lifted the shivering Medlinya up into his arms before he stood. When the Elf turned towards the company, the she-elf was faced with smiling familiar faces. Unknown to Medlinya, there was a missing face. The woman. Medlinya's mother and the reason for his Faenod's resurrection. Legolas slightly frowned at this missing person, because without her Medlinya would not be in his arms alive but kept it hidden to his oblivious Faenod in his arms.

The army of the West stood a few miles away, waiting for their lead out from the dark lands of Mordor. Some had witnessed the strange events that took place over in that corner of the battlefield. While most soaked in the victory against Sauron as they stared at the black fields where the Dark Lord had fallen.

Gandalf immediately took off on an eagle to check for Frodo and Sam while Aragorn, Legolas, Eomer, Gimli, Pippin, and Merry lead the army of the West back to Minas Tirith. As they walked, Medlinya spoke to her other worried companions. Gimli stoutly walked beside the Elves who gazed up at Medlinya with a warm smile and bashed an Elf joke to lighten the mood every so often. Aragorn walked on the other side of the Elves here and there he would clap a hand on Legolas' shoulder and share sincere smiles with both elven friends.

Upon arriving in Minas Tirith, the hearts of the city people lifted in spirits and rejoice that by all odds their army had returned from their seemingly absolute deaths.

As the city celebrates an astonishing victory against a great darkness, Legolas carried his weak Faenod to a suite gifted to them by Faramir who now could walk thanks to his dedicated nurse: Gwiliweth. The reunion of Medlinya and Gwiliweth was short and sweet for Legolas wanted his Faenod to rest.

When the Elf carried his Faenod into the suite, they were met with an extravagant sight. Fluffy white feather comforters beneath a regal white pillar canopy draping of a queen sized bed. The grey marble floor spread across the ground lead to the balcony just on the other side of the room. The cream walls had beautiful hand-made details that were more defined around a great limestone fireplace. Medlinya's jaw was hanging down by its hinges at the sight of this beautiful room. Legolas stepped more into the room towards the bed. Along the way to the bed, Legolas' footsteps against the marble flooring echoed in the suite. In the midst of her awe, she was lowered onto the soft bed, plush that it was like floating on a cloud. Medlinya glanced up into the cerulean staring down at her and smiled.

Legolas gaped at the woman for good minute before he fell to his knees beside the bed. "Legolas?" Medlinya, out of a flash of worry, hastily sat up and held his face in her gentle hands.

The Elf gripped her wrists securely in his two hands as he stared into her eyes, "I just... I felt..." Legolas murmured trying to make sense of what terrible sadness he had experienced.

Before any more words could form from his trembling lips, Medlinya sealed a gentle, compassionate kiss. Legolas quivered slightly from the suddenness, but welcomed the warmth that she brought along. Once their lips pulled apart, the cold air filled in the space as their locked eyes gazed into the other's endless pools. A sincere, sweet smile warmed Medlinya's face before her mouth opened to speak, "I will never truly apprehend what you must have felt, A'maelamin." [my beloved]. Her fingers tenderly stroked his face as her sapphire eyes slightly moist with tears. "But everything is alright. I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

The Elf stared wordlessly at the woman before him. The she-elf who shouldn't be here gently breathing as her heart steadily beats inside her nearly healed body. For her, death was her savior to shield her from the perfervid emotions of losing his soul mate. His lips parted slightly to merely whisper, "You wouldn't be here if it was not for your mother."

A questioning and startled look formed in the she-elf's sapphire eyes, "My mother?"

Legolas only responded with a soberly nod.

"She... she came to save me?"

Again the Elf responded with a nod.

"H-how?"

"With the sword she reverse its function to draw your powers back into you, including her powers." Medlinya stared quietly into Legolas' unblinking serious eyes before the Elf continued, "The elements knocked all of us away and healed and shielded you. That is how you are here." His voice cracked as tears started to form in the corners of his eyes, "I couldn't protect you."

Medlinya stared lovingly into his eyes, "You did. You saved me from that man when he rose his dark sword to exterminate me." The she-elf scoffed at the thought of that awful being before continuing, "You could have not come at any better time then that moment." She beamed at the Elf with a beautiful radiance, "You protected me and held me till I was dead. If I were to ever die again, although not for a couple of thousands of years, I would want to die that way again in your arms. I wasn't scared and I felt safe."

The she-elf gently kissed her Faenod again still smiling radiantly. All the Elf could do was stare at her. Simply, his heart felt as if it was ripped from the veins by a dark immense sorrow that never could heal. Even now that her flush, very much alive face rested so close to his was hard for his soul to recover from the devastation. Her sapphire eyes studied the grey-cerulean orbs, sensing the hurt of the psyche inside her Faenod. His eyes were no longer full of light and happiness. No. It was still broken and fragmented in the lingering gloom. Her fingers remained stroking his pale, tear-streaked face as her eyes fluttered shut.

Legolas' brows lowered in confusion, when suddenly light glimmered from Medlinya's hands. Brighter and brighter the light became, glistening like small delicate diamonds in the sun's rays. More and more the radiant light illuminated the bedroom forcing Legolas to squeeze his eyes shut from the blinding beams. Stirring in the broken soul within the Elf, the light trickled its way to the broken shards. Light consumed inside of Legolas, mending and sewing back together the shattered heart. The presence of the luminescence awoke the shards, sensing familiarity of the origin of the glistening intruder. As if they were lovers running into each other's embrace the shards and light melded together oh so perfectly, causing the owner of the body to gasp at the sudden formation of his former soul. The dark prison of sorrow immediately lifted in non-existence being no match with the union of united soul and light. Immediately, Legolas' heart became lighter and fuller from the absence of its chains of darkness, becoming like it once felt. Relief flooded the Elf's face from this enlightened emotions now consuming his being once again.

Both elves' eyes fluttered open to see the other.

The familiar light glimmered in his orbs as they did before her eyes had darkened. Smiles graced themselves upon their lips as their souls once again fused together in harmony.

Legolas' arms suddenly encircled her into his warm embrace, catching the she-elf off guard as a startled blush crawled to Medlinya's cheeks. Instantaneously, the Elf's lips collided against the she-elf's, losing their sense of reality into a dreamy haze of their own. The mesmerizing force of this new intoxicating passionate kiss, Legolas pressed Medlinya's back onto the velvet clouded bed as he subconsciously hovers above the she-elf form.

As his gentle fingers brushed past her stomach, the she-elf ended the kiss by leaning back into the plush bed. Her startled eyes stared up at the cerulean above her as a red blanket of blush covered her cheeks realizing where they may be heading.

Silence filled the room beside their huffs of breath from their heated kiss only seconds before.

Legolas stared down with a slight blush of his own as his eyes glanced anywhere but hers in embarrassment. "S-sorry, we don't have to if you are uncomfortable."

Medlinya blinked a few times in thought. Before her unfortunate demise Legolas were never this far nor even considering what they would do after the war was won against Sauron. They had no idea if they would defeat the Dark Lord. Also her death and her second chance for life had taught her something she would never forget.

Take every chance that you get and live the life you wish to have to the fullest. Go after your silly dreams and make them a reality. Even if the dream is just spending the rest of your life in incalculable happiness beside that someone.

The she-elf smiled up at her embarrassed Faenod, before whiskly grabbing his chin and bringing it down to meet into a gentle kiss. As their eyes locked, instead Legolas took on the startled look as Medlinya smiled bashfully. "I want to. I need to. I have this second chance and so I'm going embark it by being with you."

Surprise melted from Legolas' face and was replaced with an adoring smile. The Elf captured the she-elf into a soft kiss, before whispering, "As you wish, Melamin." [My love].

Instantly, their lips met into another passionate kiss causing smiles to be worn on their infatuated expressions. Slowly clothing including garments started to slip off. Only once Medlinya's were off, did the Elf undressed himself. Their skin was on fire as every molecule of their body trembled in excitement. His body was warm and muscled as he moved against hers, like a soft tidal wave against a rocky cliff.

Legolas' eyes found hers, silently looking for confirmation if she truly wanted to do this. A gentle, sincere smile formed on her lips before leaning upwards to capture his for a yes.

Their souls had been one since they first met, now in this moment they became one in body. If their was any strong in the past, it was even stronger in this day and on.

~~~~~

In another part of the Citadel, a pair silently strolled down the pristine white halls basking the others presence into their souls. Their forms only became clearer as they walked into the moonlit courtyard of the White Tree from the dark halls. From the shadows, Faramir and Gwiliweth continued their leisure saunter with loving smiles adorned on their lips.

The stars above sparkled luminously from being veiled by darkness for so long. Their light shimmered almost even brighter than they ever did before, causing the pair to stare up at the starry night sky in awe.

Faramir's smiled lightened from the sight, "The stars are bright this night. Let us hope they will stay like this for times to come."

Gwiliweth nodded her head in agreement as she stared at the sky as if she was in a trance, "They are beautiful."

The young soldier glanced over to the mesmerized red headed she-elf at his side, soaking in her beauty instead. The woman stood gracefully even for how tired he knew she was for how many hours she spent on making sure his wounds were tended for. His thoughts transferred him back to the moment when Gwiliweth tried to reason with his fateful decision to take back Osgiliath. He remembered how her eyes locked with his and he felt complete. Something he seldomly if not rarely felt over his short life on this earth. He wanted or even needed to stay at the sight of those silver eyes. Although the duties set forth from his father were absolute and in his heart he did not want to disappoint that man again. It took all of his willpower to walk away from the woman to his almost death against the Orcs of Mordor. His fast paced memories then brought him back to the mausoleum where he saw his father for the last time. The young soldier remembered as his eyes settled on Gwiliweth as she ran in, the light outside glared behind her making her seem like a beautiful angel. It was in that moment Faramir succumbed to those feelings of completion and vowed quietly to marry that angel one day.

His memories became scattered as a hand waved back and forth in front of his entranced eyes. Blinking back into reality his eyes found a smirking red headed she-elf as she lowered her hand. "What are you staring at?" The red headed woman teasingly questioned as her silver eyes sparkled.

Faramir returned a smile as he stepped closer to the woman, "I was looking at someone more beautiful than the stars."

Gwiliweth's smirk dropped in shock as pink blush rose on her cheeks. "O-o-oh"

The she-elf shuffled away in embarrassment and uncertainty of what to say or do after such a complement. On the other hand, the young soldier was unaffected by this reaction and gently squeezed her small hand, before lowering his face closer to hers. Closer and closer he got the more red Gwiliweth's cheeks became.

"W-w-hat are y-y-you doing?" Gwiliweth sputtered, becoming more and more flustered.

Faramir's smile brightened as his sky blue eyes twinkled in amusement of the nervous she-elf before him. At breath range, the young soldier noticed how flawless and clear Gwiliweth's skin was from up close. Under the moonlight glow, the radiance twinkled into the glimmering silver orbs like two beautiful moons shimmering in the white glow.

Wordlessly, the young soldier inclined down reducing the distance between them. Gwiliweth's eyes slowly widened as Faramir's face crept closer and closer. Warm breaths mingled into one as they silently stared at one another.

The she-elf's lips quivered open to speak when a rhythmic thunder sounded above them.

Their eyes quickly searched up into the skies above to see giant black winged forms inching closer to the courtyard. Their wing span of fifty men blocked the luminous stars as they gracefully beat their wings to the ground. From the darkness, the forms landed on the courtyard. Their height was enormous and threatening at one hundred feet. Their beaks and talons shaped large and curved. A familiar figure dismounted off the winged forms onto the rock ground. Gwiliweth tentatively took a step closer, as her eyes recognized the figure. "Gandalf?"

The wizard hastily glanced over to the she-elf, "Come quickly!"

Gwiliweth's legs quickly carried her over to the wizard and as she approached the she-elf realized the winged beast were merely the Great Eagles. A smile rose on her lips as she made eye contact with one of the large birds. It's golden eyes glowed brilliantly like gold. In acknowledgement to the elf, the bird inclined its head. The she-elf stepped back in surprise and slowly bowed her head in return.

Her silver eyes than sought out the wizard's form, "What duty do you need me to do?"

Gandalf raced to another Eagle without answering and lowered himself to the ground near the giant talon holding something securely while balancing on one enormous claw. To the she-elf's amazement, the talon slowly opened to reveal an unconscious small form. The wizard quickly gathered the form into his arms before turning to bewildered Gwiliweth.

His frenzied eyes met hers, "Take Sam to the House of Healing!" Gwiliweth gasped before her eyes recognized the dirty, sweaty face of the small hobbit she hadn't seen sixteen months when the Fellowship broke apart. The she-elf was caught in a stunned trance as she stared at the hobbit. "Quickly, Gwiliweth, quickly!"

Her eyes snapped up to Gandalf before nodding her head. Gwiliweth hastily approached the wizard, than gathered the small hobbit into her arms. Without a moment more of hesitation, the she-elf sprinted into the Citadel clutching Sam tightly in her arms.

Faramir watched the she-elf disappear into the darkness before making his way to the wizard himself. This time the wizard held the unconscious brown haired hobbit. The young solider stared at the hobbit silently remembering his last encounter with the ring bearer. Faramir shook his head at the thought and glanced up to Gandalf.

The two men bobbed their heads to each other before speedily sprinting into the Citadel.

The night was full of mending of physical, mental, and spiritual wounds.

A night where the Fellowship was reunited under one roof like Medlinya had wished for many months ago.

A wish that she had not realized it coming true this night and forevermore.

~~~~~~~~~

As a new dawn rose embarking a new day. A new beginning and fresh hopes took control of the hearts of the people of Middle Earth as news of Sauron's fall quickly spread like wildfire across the lands. Bright rays of sun trickled through the open windows of the House of Healing into a single room. There laying perfectly still on a soft white bed laid Frodo.

The birds chirped happily as they basked in the warm sun in the birdbath just outside Frodo's room.

Those were the sounds the hobbit heard as his eyes slowly fluttered open. Quietly he sat up in his bed, dressed in white. His piercing blue eyes caught a sight of a figure standing at the foot of his bed. A smile spread across his face at the sight, "Gandalf?" the hobbit pronounced in disbelief.

The wizard nods, smiling and laughing. Frodo begins to laugh in joy along as happiness filled his heart. The two friends continue to laugh, when Merry and Pippin come to the door.

Merry spots his friend awake and smiles big, "Frodo!"

Merry and Pippin run over to Frodo's bed and jump on it, laughing and hugging him. Emerging to the door frame stood the short frame of the red headed fiery dwarf. His small eyes squinted as Gimli roars in laughter as well.

Frodo glanced over to the dwarf with a gleeful smile,"Gimli!"

Gimli then moves into the room to the side of the wizard. Just then Legolas appears in the doorway with an beautiful sapphire eyed she-elf on his arm. Frodo stared at the elf maiden trying to put a name to the face. When another she-elf appeared beside the pair. This she-elf was one he was familiar seeing, her silver eyes and her shocking red hair. Gwiliweth smirked at the hobbit as his stare went back to the sapphire eyed she-elf.

The she-elf on the arm of Legolas' arm beamed at Frodo, noticing his confusion. Pippin sat beside the confused hobbit and leaned in to his ear than whispered, "That's Medlinya, Frodo."

The three elves smile at the awake hobbit before entering the room.

From behind the group of the Elves, Aragorn comes to the room next, carrying himself like a king as he smiled with pleasure.

"Aragorn." Frodo muttered at the sight of the Ranger he had met in the Prancing Pony.

Merry and Pippin still sat on the bed hugging and laughing with Frodo, as they told of their brilliant adventure with laughter. Watching the reunion of the hobbits Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, Medlinya, Gwiliweth and Aragorn stand by the bed with brilliant beams.

As the others were consumed in the reuniting friends, Sam stood at the door. His brown eyes spot Frodo as Frodo sees him. Their faces held looks of understanding, love, and a true friendship.

Their dangerous journey brought them across the map right into death's breath. Somehow they both escape death and live to tell their astonishing expedition. Forever they will be connected with strong and deep friendship with ties so powerful it could be ties of brotherhood. Very much like the ties within the Fellowship as they occupied the same room. It was comforting that they once shared the same sky when they were apart although now under the same roof was even more jubilant for the company.

Life will never be the same again.

They all knew this, but it did not stop them from laughing and smiling at each other, relaxing at the presence of once stranger who now could only be dearest friends.

(End of Chapter Twenty-Four)

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Two more chapters to go! :D WOOT WOOT!