"All of Middle-earth is surely grateful for what you have accomplished, Gianna," Thranduil said gravely, following the final cathartic recount of what had befallen us in our journey since he had left Lothlorien. "Not even I had known the extent of the Remnant's power."

"I could not have accomplished anything without the people in this room," I said quietly.

"And they could not have accomplished it without you," Legolas replied, looking at me intently.

"Tell me," began Thranduil, his gaze no less keen than his son's, "When Falcon tortured you the first time, what was he attempting to do?"

"He spoke of 'taking away my light'; I believe he was trying to gain control of whatever blessing or powers given to me by the Valar and use it for his own designs," I said evenly, trying not to think too hard about what was in the past.

"And he did not succeed, correct?"

"No, he did not," I answered, "He suffered a great deal by trying to do so."

"No more than he deserved," Legolas commented, his tone calm but his hands tightly gripping his bow.

Thranduil seemed satisfied. "You see, if he would have succeeded, he may have been unstoppable. Morgoth the Corrupter himself was one of the Valar, and finding a way to channel his type of power would be disastrous. It is fortunate that you did not give in."

"I could not have even if I had tried," I said, recalling how I had felt pure, unadulterated light surge through me and the voice of Manwë in my mind. "I was protected in more ways than one."

Thranduil nodded pensively. "Faewyn, Maldor, your service in this matter is much appreciated. Faewyn-- you are young, but now have as much experience, if not more, as many of the guard. If you would like, I offer you a position among them. Maldor... were you not already one of my best healers I would offer you the same."

I snuck a glance at Faewyn, who had gone very still, her grey eyes only slightly wider than normal. She said, in a very even voice, "Thank you, my King, it would be an honour."

Maldor stepped forward. "My king, I can only echo the words of my comrade. I am proud to have helped in this venture."

"As you should be," Thranduil said, flashing a rare smile towards him. He stood from his knotted dark wood throne, but paused for a moment and looked at me.

"Gianna, did you ever discover the reason for your presence in Middle-earth?"

"Yes, by the words of the Valar I was brought here to end the Remnants. None in Middle-earth would have been able to as they had all been impacted by the darkness, no matter their race or origin."

"Then you will return to your own world?" Thranduil asked, not unkindly.

"Perhaps," I said, looking away nervously. "I do not yet know."

That was true.

Faewyn glanced at me but said nothing; fortunately Thranduil changed the subject and did not allow silence to ponder the matter.

"I would expect that you are all deeply weary from your venture, are you not?" the King asked, surveying us. "Of course, all of you must stay at the palace."

"I already live here," Legolas said irritably.

Thranduil ignored this comment and swept from the hall, meaning for us to follow him.

"Naturally, you all are invited to dine at my table tonight," Thranduil said grandly. "But if you are too weary for the lengthy conversations which are inevitable, I will, of course, send something up for you."

"That would be most appreciated, my King," I replied. "The road was long, and the horrors of war are still fresh upon us."

Thranduil turned to me gravely. "Too often are those words spoken. In that case, we will discuss matters further on the morrow."

He indicated for a guard to step forward-- he had previously been standing by the doorway we had entered.

"Daethir will show you to your rooms," Thranduil said to myself, Faewyn, and Maldor. "Legolas, your presence is needed in the hall for dinner."

"As you say, my King," Legolas said courteously, though I thought he suppressed an annoyed sigh.

Thranduil swept from the corridor without another word, his silken cape flashing behind him like a battle-flag.

"Daethir, there is no need," Legolas said, stopping the guard who had just stepped forward to lead us.

"But my Prince--," Daethir said, looking confused. "It is not your--"

"Place, yes, I know," Legolas said impatiently, "But that is not your concern. Please, do not trouble yourself. I know this palace just as well as you do, and these are my friends and comrades. I would not yet leave them."

"As you wish it," Daethir said respectfully, bowing and drawing back.

Legolas turned to us, much more relaxed then he had been when speaking with Thranduil. I wondered if Thranduil already knew Legolas had accepted the higher position of command with the elves in Ithilien-- probably not. Learning of what had come to pass had been of the highest priority, and within reason.

"Come, I know which rooms you would have," said Legolas, walking quickly down the corridor. We followed after him, not speaking much-- I was exhausted and only wanted to eat quickly before collapsing into bed.

When we got to my room, it was only Legolas and I left-- Faewyn and Maldor had already retired to their chambers.

"Are you going to be all right?" Legolas asked, concerned. He knew it had been difficult to relive the previous experiences we had.

"I am fine, just tired," I said. "Also, I really want chicken."

This comment was made partially because it was true, and partially because I was now so tired I really did not care what I said. Whereas a few years ago it would have traumatised me to say anything odd around Legolas, now it was just... him.

"That can be arranged," said Legolas, laughing. "Valar, Gianna, you are... I am not staying at dinner forever, you know. May I come and say good night?"

"If you wish," I said, looking up at him.

"Do you, my lady?"

"You know I do."

"Soon, then," he said, leaning close. And then he was gone, as a shadow fades.

I smiled to myself and closed the door.

*********

"...never interesting," Legolas was saying, "Naturally, everyone wanted to know what happened."

"Who was there?" I asked, wiping my hands on a napkin. Legolas had come back not an hour later, bearing a plate of various chicken dishes which he had apparently taken from the kitchen.

"Just the usual; diplomatic contacts, lords and ladies of my father's court," Legolas shrugged. "They were most interested in you."

"I would imagine," I said, "How many mortals run around solving quests?"

"They do not know you are mortal," Legolas commented, taking a sip from a goblet.

"I would have thought that was the first thing Thranduil made known," I remarked, looking at him in surprise.

"Actually, no," Legolas replied. "He referred to you only as Lady Gianna. For all they know you could be one of his court nobles or a member of the guard."

"Why?"

"He has his reasons, as always," Legolas said, sounding unconcerned. I let the subject drop, but it was still strange to me that Thranduil would not mention that key fact.

"Thank you for bringing me this," I said instead, now pleasantly full. The remains of a veritable feast lay spread out before us. I had no idea what had made Legolas want to sit cross-legged on the floor of my bedroom and eat chicken with me, but every second of it lay imprinted in my memory. Every time I looked up and caught him looking at me, a song in his smile and a warmth in his eyes, I tried to brand the image on the inside of my mind, hopeful that someday, whenever this ended, I would remember this.

"I volunteered," he said wryly. "The serving maid thought it was most improper."

"I do not think many know of your devilish side," I said, laughing.

For a moment, his blue eyes were solemn. "My mother did," he said, "She could make my father laugh and smile and they both would shine like morning stars when they were together. I try always to maintain a calm and unaffected visage when I am with him because if I do not, I remind him too much of her. He always said she was like a Maia of the light-- her voice itself was the light of the sun and stars, her heart was like fire."

"She looks upon you now," I said, wanting to say something other than "I'm sorry", which I knew he did not want.

"She does." said Legolas, eyes bright. "She sees you and she sees me, and wonders what will become of us."

It was just a simple, innocent comment, but it filled my heart with dread. "Legolas..."

"Do you know, Gianna?" he asked softly.

"I cannot know the future," I said evasively.

"But it is written on your face," he said, his voice filled with desperation, he reached for me, wrapping me in his arms. Overwhelmed, I felt tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, and I determinedly blinked hard.

"I cannot stay here," I whispered, "I cannot. If I do, I will waste away, a shell of myself, until my mortality takes me. Bur if I go, I will never see you again. What is to become of us? Legolas, it is heartbreak."

"If?" Legolas said with surprise, drawing back enough to lock his gaze with mine. "I did not know you had a choice."

Oh, good, now I have to tell him. I was going to have to eventually, I thought, It may as well be now.

"I was offered one," I said, softer than a whisper, hoping he could not hear. I knew he could. "To stay, and lose my family, or to leave and lose you."

"That is not a choice," Legolas said.

I looked at him incredulously. "A strange thing to say."

"No," he said, eyes never straying from mine. "I could never equal your family, your life. Gianna... if I were the reason you lost them--"

"But I would lose you," I said, begging him to understand. "You are part of me now, Legolas, our souls are forever entwined. I cannot have a life without my family, and I cannot live without my heart."

"My heart..." he echoed, looking down. He looked at me and uttered a small moan of despair. "Gianna..."

"Do not say anything," I said, tears prickling at my eyes. "Please, not yet."

"By when must your answer come?" Legolas asked, looking at me.

"Two nights from this one." I said, my voice flat and emotionless.

"How cruel time is." Legolas said ruefully.

"Time heals all wounds, they say, but it can also create them," I said, smiling painfully. "Stay with me tonight, Legolas."

"Valar, Gianna, I would stay with you always, until the stars themselves are extinguished and our universe ceases to be."

"However long I stay, it will never be enough." I turned away. "I could not be with you forever."

"Be with me now," the prince pleaded, his proud and measured facade crumbling. "Gia--"

I did not answer, but held him close, feeling the warmth from his skin and his breath on mine, silently pleading with the gods above to stretch this moment out into infinity.

***********

I woke at the first light of dawn, knowing that every second wasted was a second I would never get back.

"Legolas," I murmured. He still lay next to me; I had a vague memory of him gently laying me in bed next to him-- despite our conversation, I was still so tired it did not take long before I nodded off.

"Good morning," he said, his voice soft.

"Hello," I murmured sleepily. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"Staying," I said with a sigh, sitting up.

"Of course I would stay." Legolas said, turning to me and holding on to me fiercely. "But you cannot."

"Legolas--"

His voice was sad, more upset than I have ever heard him. "It would be selfish of me to ever think you could stay here. Elbereth, all I want is you, I have never doubted that. But you belong in another world, veiled from this one."

I looked at him, troubled. "I belong where my heart does."

"It cannot be with me," Legolas said in anguish. "Or you will never be happy again."

"I would be, if I stayed," I retorted. "You would be my happiness."

"And your ruin," he said, almost groaning as his forehead touched mine. "Gianna--" his deep blue eyes were dark, pleading-- "You would die and go where I could not follow. Just a few short years of bliss and then you would be gone. Without a family as well as without me. You would lose everything."

"So I must leave," I whispered miserably.

"Yes," Legolas replied, kissing me softly. "And so help me."

******************

A little while later, when the both of us figured we would be missed at breakfast if we tarried much longer, we left my room and walked through the halls so different and yet so similar to those of Lothlorien, the walls echoing the graceful architecture of the elves with soaring arches and bas-relief vines and flowers decorating the stone.

"My King," Legolas said, as we entered one of Thranduil's great halls. The lights hanging from the soaring ceiling lent the whole room a warm feeling, the pale orange and yellow lanterns on the walls added to this. Wine coloured tapestries adorned the stone walls, the most ornate of which hung behind the king's chair at the head of the table. The king sat in it now; he looked up as we entered.

"Legolas, Gianna," he said, "Please, sit."

We did so, and I noticed the golden platters of bread, jam, and cheese which were laid out on the table.

"Eat, if you wish," he said, indicating to the dishes. "Now, there is the matter of the sun and moonstone to discuss; do you know if they will lose their vitality now that their purpose has been fulfilled?"

"I have it here," said Legolas, pulling from under his tunic the sunstone, still on the leather cord.

He wordlessly handed it to me and I held it next to my own moonstone. The blazing sword sprung from the union of the two stones as it had before, undimmed in might or glory.

"It is a sword contained in the virtues of the two stones which begot it, not in the need for its use," I said, looking at the blade.

"If that is true than it is a valuable weapon against those who would continue evil." Thranduil said, looking interestedly at his wine goblet. "The two stones must be protected still."

I made to hand Thranduil my moonstone without a second thought, but he held out his hand to stop me. "Not yet, Gianna-- you may still require the benefits it offers while you remain here. When the time comes that you no longer can remain, there will be time to return it to the protection of the elves."

"That time is closer than you think," Legolas said tersely, looking at his father.

"How do you know this?" Thranduil asked with a sharp glance to Legolas.

"I told him," I said tiredly. "The Valar spoke to me in dreams half a fortnight ago. Now that the objective for my presence is fulfilled, I must soon choose to either stay here, and my family and life in my world will forget I ever existed, or to return to my world and never come here again."

"How long did they give you?" inquired the king, looking at me keenly.

"A week," I answered. "Which ends in two days."

"So soon..." Thranduil said distractedly. "There is still much I would like to know."

"Perhaps some of it must remain a mystery," Legolas said pointedly. "Gianna has done so much already; I had hoped she would be able to enjoy her last few days here."

"So you have decided on your answer." Thranduil observed, looking at me with ice blue eyes.

"Yes." I said, trying to sound sure. "If I stay, it will only delay the suffering of myself and others when the time comes when I will pass from this world, not eliminate it."

"A wise choice. Pain at farewell only grows with time." Thranduil replied, looking at Legolas out of the corner of his eye. "But had you chosen to stay, you would always have been welcome in my halls."

"I thank you, my King," I replied humbly.

"Now," he said briskly, standing from his chair. Legolas and I did the same. "Legolas, in your absence, appointed to temporary captain was your first in command. He still will lead for the remainder of the week, if that is agreeable to you."

"Certainly," Legolas said evenly. "Thank you."

He inclined his head to his father; I followed in kind, and we both left the hall.

"That," Legolas commented, as we walked down the soaring corridors, "was my father's way of making sure I show you everything while you are here."

"Subtle," I said, laughing.

"As always," Legolas replied with a musical laugh of his own.

I looked around as we emerged from the palace into the early morning light which sifted through the trees ethereally. Even for just a moment, the melancholy truth was veiled beneath the trees.