King Aragorn was striding with purpose among his men, preparing to return to the city. Fortunately, they had not lost many men, which I was especially happy about since I was essentially the one that caused this to begin with.

"Will you accompany us to the city?" Aragorn asked, as he led his horse forward.

"I wish we could," Legolas said. "However, it is imperative that we return to counsel with my Father as well as Galadriel and Celeborn, before"--he glanced at me briefly--"before Gianna is called back."

"I nearly forgot that you were not of this world, Gianna," Aragorn remarked, sounding surprised. "That is understandable, then. In that case, should I not see you again, know that you have my deepest thanks and appreciation for all you did."

"I had much help, my King," I replied, "But thank you all the same. I am only glad I had the strength to continue until the end."

"I knew you would," he replied gravely. "You have always been capable."

I inclined my head in response. "Thank you."

"Legolas," he continued, "My friend, do not be scarce in Minas Tirith!"

"I will not," Legolas replied. "You know that in a fortnight I mean to return to Ithilien."

"Were you not there recently?" Aragorn asked, with some curiosity.

"Indeed," Legolas replied, "But still I have much to consider if we are to help to rebuild the city."

Ithilien? I had never heard of it.

"Where lies Ithilien?" I asked, sure that if we had passed through an old elven city, I would have realized.

"It is east of Minas Tirith, stretching along the ridge of the Ephel Dúath, the Mountains of Shadow," Legolas answered. "It used to be a prosperous and and grand city, long before Sauron rose to power, and fostered much trade between men and elves. Although it used to be a stronghold held by men, they welcomed many Eldar into the city, and since most elves live north of Gondor and Rohan, it has been the goal for quite sometime to form a coalition of elves from Greenwood to settle there."

"That is a noble idea," I said, nodding, "How far have you gotten with it?"

"There has been some done over the past few years, but not nearly enough," Legolas replied with a sigh. "It is difficult to transport enough materials in small groups; since there is not enough adequate lodging nor means of food as of yet, it is hard to maintain much else."

"That will come with time," I pointed out.

"Of course," Legolas replied, "But it still remains to be seen how soon we can settle the city."

"I would love to see it sometime," I said, in a subdued voice.

Legolas turned to me, looking troubled. "I know not if we will have time to return."

I saw Faewyn glance away. Aragorn spoke, then. "Legolas, might you not accompany us for a time? Ithillien is several leagues east of Minas Tirith; the return journey would not take much longer to complete."

Legolas hesitated. "They will not expect me yet; I was meant to accompany several others along with more supplies."

Aragorn pressed on. "Legolas, do not worry about that. I hardly think that Thranduil will find it hard to assign another for that convoy." 

Legolas almost smiled. "If he does, that is a problem." Aragorn laughed good-naturedly.

The prince turned to me. "So you would like to see Ithilien, Lady Gianna?"

"If it is convenient." I replied courteously.

"Aragorn is right," Legolas answered.

"What?" the King interjected, faking shock. "I'm what?"

Legolas shot him a dirty look and continued. "Aragorn is right... if not convenient, we make it convenient."

"Ah, the privilege of royalty," I said, laughing lightly.

"It has its advantages," Legolas said admittedly.

I had not ever heard him speak much of his status; in fact, I frequently forgot that he was of one of the highest nobilities of Middle-earth. I knew he loathed to be recognized as such; while his father frequently assumed places of honor or recognition, the Prince himself rarely acknowledged his own heirdom.

However,  it could not be more obvious that he was noble in every way--of birth, and of heart. It had been such a privilege to--

Stop that, I thought angrily to myself. Stop wallowing in self pity. You're pathetic, I added meanly, trying to insult myself out of the sense of dread similar to how one feels when something you've looked forward to forever is almost over.

Satisfied with my internal berating, I returned my attention to Aragorn and Legolas, who now spoke of the road we would take.

"It should only take a few additional days," Legolas was saying, with a short nod.

We continued onwards, this time knowing we would travel with Aragorn and his men longer than originally planned. There was a much more hopeful atmosphere around the gathered men this time; joking and laughing were heard throughout the ranks as the morning wore into the afternoon. Aragorn seemed to have maintained a familiar friendliness with many of the men, and they often stopped by to offer a cheerful word or story. Quite a few of them gave a nod to Legolas as well, which he returned.

Outside of this, however, there was little to say. Legolas occasionally pointed out or briefly commented on something, but mostly was quiet.

Faewyn occasionally mentioned something, in a forced sort of way, and then withdrew. I didn't wish her to stop talking, but it was hard to keep any conversation alive for long enough to add to it. It didn't seem real, not at all. We had worked for months--years, in my case!--to complete this task, and it had not been easy by any means. But now it was over--it had happened in such a blur I hardly remembered it.

A few hours after the sun had peaked in the sky, the company stopped to properly eat. From our current point, there was only about ten hours worth of walking left, which seemed like a lot but truly did not feel like it. I asked Legolas if I might see how the geography was laid out again, and he obliged, producing a beautifully drawn up map of Middle-earth.

"We are currently around here," Legolas said, resting a finger on a small space right before the Mountains of Shadow. Indeed, you could see the mountains directly in front of us, hazy in the afternoon light.

Faewyn asked to see, and rather than hand the map to me so that I might easily indicate our location, he leaned over me, his shoulder touching mine, his blonde hair brushing my neck.

I tried to be annoyed but, unsurprisingly, I wasn't.

I smiled, looking towards the mountains.

****************
By the next afternoon, after a night camp at the base of the mountains and a hike through them, we entered Ithilien.

As expected, there was no scenery that would indicate a city or settlements, except for occasional out-of-place white stones which had presumably belonged to the old dwellings here.

Rather than continue forward, myself and the elves would turn towards the heart of North Ithilien, wherein the largest reconstruction efforts had begun.

"Here we part, my friend," Legolas said to Aragorn. "I thank you for all the help you freely gave to us."

"You need not ever ask," Aragorn replied.

"It has been an honor," I added, bowing my head.

"Gianna, though your stars fade, your courage does not," Aragorn said in a low voice. "Wherever your fate may lead."

"Your words give me courage," I replied.

Aragorn smiled and bade Faewyn, Maldor, and the other few elves assembled farewell.

We stood off to the side as the men passed by, their armour clinking next to their shields, a few hands here and there waved toward us.

"It is not more than a few hours walk to the city," Legolas said, after we had gathered our bearings. "I wish that you would have seen it in its days of glory, mighty indeed was this place, and no animosity between men and elves here."

The elf called Gwithor turned to us and said, "Ai! The white pillars, the sunlight in the trees! It was not as large as other strongholds of men, such as the White City, but it was every bit one."

"Were it not that fate would have it destroyed," Faewyn said softly.

"But it will live on in the dedication of its people," an elf I had not met previously spoke from next to Maldor. "So it shall live again."

"Indeed, Railos," Faewyn agreed, inclining her head towards him.

The sunlight did filter through the trees, leaving spotted leaves of dapple on the branches. The previously desert-like environment of Mordor had given way to forests on the downhill slopes and all through the area.

I hardly noticed the time pass by, so was surprised when Legolas stopped ahead.

A tall elf with auburn hair stepped out of the trees. "My Prince, welcome." After greeting Legolas, he turned to us as well and nodded his acknowledgement.

"Well met indeed, Erelion," Legolas replied. "How fare those who remain here?"

"Well enough," the elf replied, "There is much progress to see." He motioned for us to follow him through the trees.

The closer we got, the more activity there was, and many temporary living areas were set up in the sparse trees. Interestingly, there were scattered around many bundles of saplings, maple, oak, beech, and pine, wrapped in burlap and placed in the cool shade of another tree until they were planted.

Legolas saw me looking with fascination at the many bundles scattered all around the camp and laughed lightly. "There should be more trees here--there were, once. We hope to restore the area with these young saplings that were grown in Greenwood, mostly."

I did not reply, but looked back at him with clear admiration. He had done much to ensure that Middle-earth would flourish after such terrible events as he had been witness to.

At that moment, a silver-haired elven lady walked towards Legolas purposefully. "Prince Legolas," she called out. Erelion bowed and left us in the presence of the woman.

"Lady Gwileth," he replied courteously. "Mae govannen (well met)."

"Indeed," she said, "Though we did not expect you yet, it is by the Valar's grace that you have come sooner, for we have important matters to discuss."

"Of which sort?" Legolas said, a small degree of concern in his voice.

"Nothing of a serious nature ," she reassured him. "But important nonetheless. Might you have a moment now?"

"Only if I am allowed to keep in attendance my friends and comrades," he replied. "I will not have them abandoned."

"Hardly, Prince Legolas," Faewyn spoke assuredly. "If you must go alone, that is perfectly agreeable. We can find our way."

"If you wish to be accompanied, that is no matter," the elf woman replied. "Very well met to you all," she added.

We continued through the trees to a large and ornate tent in a clearing. Gwileth motioned us in and we entered, crowding at the entrance so as to not intrude. A great wooden desk sat at the other end of the grand tent, on which a number of papers were piled.

"Always more work to do," Legolas commented.

"So it will always be," Gwileth replied. "Myself and many others who are here, who will stay in the city once it is completed..."--she hesitated--"perhaps you might read the details. She handed him a piece of parchment that had been laying on the desk.

I shot a glance at Faewyn and she seemed to have no better idea as to what she spoke of. Legolas scanned the paper, reading quickly.

"Me?" he asked, not quite with surprise, though still taken aback.

"It is only right," she answered. "That is, if you will accept. Your father has maintained a strong realm in Greenwood and your maintained diplomacy with him will help keep these two realms unified."

"If it is only my title as Prince that inspires this decision then I want no part in it," Legolas replied sharply, glancing at the elf woman keenly.

"Obviously we think you fit to give command or we never would have suggested it," she returned, an unmistakable coolness in her words.

"When do you await my reply?" Legolas asked, occasionally looking down at the paper preoccupiedly.

"As soon as is possible... it would be easier to organise people and tasks were there a stronger chain of command." Gwileth stepped back and inclined her head in respect. "Your duties will not change save relaying information to the people from their King as well as overseeing their actions. Due to the fact that King Thranduil cannot possibly rule two places at once, you would act almost as regent, governing your people on his behalf."

"And what of Prince Faramir?" asked Legolas, raising his eyebrows. "Would he not look upon this appointment as an intrusion on his jurisdiction?"

"Already he has granted his consent-- even if he had not, your position would be completely legitimate as the elves who come to settle here are not subject to the command of Minas Tirith nor their king."

"You know, however, that the point in settling here is to restore relations between Men and Elves," Legolas reminded her, a note of warning in his voice.

"Clearly that is of highest priority," she sniffed, as if it were obvious. "This is situationally speaking. Insignificant, since Faramir has already agreed."

"And if I don't?" Legolas countered. "I will not stay indefinitely in Ithilien. You know this."

"But you would be the one to lead us to success," Lady Gwileth said pointedly.

"Thank you," Legolas replied, signalling an end to the conversation. "I will consider most deeply your request."

Gwileth nodded gravely. She then turned to us. "Welcome to you all, I apologise for beginning your visit with confusing and dull affairs of state. Tonight is a full moon, and the light will be bright enough to make merry under the stars. I hope to see you there." She smiled pleasantly and ducked out of the tent. Legolas sighed and sunk into the chair behind the desk. I was going to ask him if we should leave--he clearly had a lot on his mind--when he spoke instead.

"Do you know what she spoke of?" Legolas asked quietly.

I was going to say no, but an elf behind me answered first. "Ithilien needs steadfast leadership as it is rebuilt. You have always had the strength and wisdom to lead us, Prince Legolas."

"I hope that I do." mused Legolas quietly, straightening the objects scattered on the desk with calculated precision.

"They asked you to rule the elves of Ithilien in the Elvenking's stead." It was not a question, and I was surprised to hear my own voice state it.

"Yes."

"Will you accept?" Maldor asked.

"There is much to consider," Legolas only said. "Come, let us look around the city. We can only stay this night, for the journey back to Greenwood is lengthy."

He stood and followed us out of the tent into the bright afternoon light.