Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.R.R. Tolkien's characters or settings, even if I love them as if they were my own. The idea and Cyrene are mine, only mine.
Immense thanks to my dear beta and all my friends that keep on bouncing the chapters and holding my hand through the hard labor of finishing this tale.
Without them and the generous and kind support of the readers I wouldn't have come this far.
Love and thanks,
C.
Epilogue
Elves did not sleep, but Legolas Greenleaf had gotten used to joining his mate during night rest, just to share the quiet hours of darkness and indulge in the serene pleasure of holding her. Tonight was no exception.
After so many years together, their bond had grown stronger, deeper, and sometimes, for all his elven wisdom, Legolas couldn't tell if Cyrene could actually read his mind or he read hers.
Sometime in the past decades, they had both assimilated customs and manners from each other, to the point that he often wondered if hadn't become human or the Amazon hadn't turned into an elf. But as generous as the Valar and the Goddess had been with them, both knew that they were running against time, and both enjoyed every moment together to its fullest extent.
Nature had been kind to Cyrene. Close to having lived fifty winters, her black hair only showed a few strands of silver, and her face was almost untouched by age. Only her eyes showed the experience gathered in the past years, the joys and sorrows of a life well lived and a person well loved.
Cyrene's eyes were closed, and she moved closer into her husband's embrace. Soon he would have to travel again, as well as she would have too, and this would be their first separate journey for decades. Probably the first since the birth of their children, the twins, who were now grown and had lives of their own.
Kyme, named after the ocean waves, had embraced her Amazon heritage and divided her time between Artemis Island and Ranyar Cirban, the dwellings built by Legolas and the Dunedain to shelter the few elves that remained in Middle Earth and were slowly leaving for Tol Eresea . It lay less than a day ride away from her parents house, in Ithilien, and the young woman visited her mother as often as she was able to.
Cíndar, her twin brother, had been King Elessar's squire and spent many years in Minas Tirith. But he was now a respected leader in Ranyar Cirban; supporting Legolas as a helper and protector of the Fair Folk as they found their way to Valinor.
Both of Legolas's children had found their own path in life.
Legolas's thoughts turned again to the woman in his arms. He reveled in the warmth and the sensation of holding his wife.He buried his nose into her hair, seeking the point in her throat where skin was the softest, her heartbeat palpable. He drank in her scent, wishing he could dwell in the moment forever.
The slight change in her breathing told the elf that Cyrene was awakening. But she did not move, or so he thought until he felt her hands moving from his waist, where they had rested during sleep, up his chest, caressing his skin under his tunic.
Her fingers trailed the smooth surface lightly, and he could feel exactly the slightly rough texture of his wife's fingertips as they knowingly sought out the most sensitive and pleasurable spots of his body. Moaning softly, he pulled Cyrene's body against his and kissed her, letting then his own hands wander the well-known paths of her curves and hollows.
Even though the Amazon had never known any other lover in her life, she could not imagine that anyone but Legolas could touch her, fill her, make her senses fly the way he did. Every time they made love, it was almost like the first time, except that both played upon the other's body with the ease of experienced musicians making their favorite instrument sing, until they joined in their peak, united beyond bodies and time.
Cyrene's favorite moments in the aftermath of their lovemaking were as their hearts beat as one and their skin was too sensitive to touch while they felt the physical pleasure ebb. They were together, frozen in time, in bliss and calm.
"I will miss you, amaelamin" whispered Legolas, and brushed a tender kiss upon his wife's brow. Even in this tender moment, he thought of the quest that would take her from him for some days.
"So will I, beloved. But time will pass quickly; it always does. Too fast, sometimes," she said, and looked up into her love's eyes.
"The goddess has been generous, Legolas, but I am aging. Do you ever regret your choice? I sense your longing for Valinor is strong as ever. Most of your kin have sailed, and here you are, bound to an old woman."
The elf sighed and drew Cyrene even closer. "I have no regrets, for the years I share with you are worth my whole life. The call of the sea I cannot deny, Cyrene, but I know that if I had to choose between the Lonely Isle and you, I would make the same choice over and over again. And as we chose life together, we both knew what it meant. I do not care about your age or your exterior. We are bound beyond that."
Cyrene was not satisfied. Every time they discussed the matter, she felt again that she was chaining him down to Middle Earth, to her very existence. And she did not want to be holding the elf back, not ever. Though the thought of his great love for her made the Amazon feel beyond human and able to face any obstacle in their way, her love for him made her crave his sole happiness, no matter what it meant for her.
"Legolas," she whispered.
"Yes, amaelamin?" he replied.
"Promise me, that when I have passed you will leave for Valinor and live a long and happy life. Promise me that you will not grieve," Cyrene said, her golden eyes searching for acquiescence in his blue ones.
Legolas was surprised. They had never before talked about what would happen once she was dead. And he didn't ever want to speak of it, as if by simply ignoring the fact that she was mortal and bound to die some day, they had cast a spell to keep them eternally together.
"Cyrene, I do not wish to discuss this," he said and turned his face away from her.But her hands rose to frame his cheeks and drew his eyes back to hers.
"Legolas, if it I were the immortal one, wouldn't you wish the same for me? If you knew that the natural end of your own life would result in the painful fading of the one you love most, wouldn't you ask the same from me?" Cyrene explained.
The elf closed his eyes. He could not make that promise.
Once, decades ago, as she had deserted him he had grieved deeply.
Now, a lifetime later and feeling as Cyrene was but another half of his own self, he was sure that he would not survive her passing. But Legolas also knew his wife well; Cyrene would not rest until she had the promise.
"Cyrene, I cannot tell what will happen years from now, and what the Valar have set in my path," he told her earnestly. "What would you do if I was taken from you?"
The Amazon settled her head back on his chest, holding Legolas's body close, delaying her reply.
It was odd. While she wished that he, the wonderful creature who was a gift to the world, would be able to live eternally after she was gone, deep inside she knew for certain that if he died, she would follow him in a heartbeat.
Earlier in her life, before meeting Legolas and falling in love with him, the mere idea would have been ridiculous to her. But now she could barely imagine not having him in her life.
"I would … pray to the Goddess to take me as well," she answered then.
The elf did not reply, but held her even tighter. They would not speak about it again until their time had come.
***
The next morning, Legolas and Cyrene prepared their journey.
Cyrene was to travel to Artemis Island for the funeral of the former Queen Myrine.
In the past years, Cyrene and Aella had returned to the island a few times, and Cyrene's relationship with Alkaia had developed into friendship. Her daughter Kyme had brought the news of Myrine's death two days before, announcing there were great funeral ceremonies to be held.Aella was to arrive anytime during the day accompany them to the island.
Legolas was expected in Gondor, to visit King Elessar and his family.
Cyrene and Aella would meet their husbands in Minas Tirith in two weeks time, after Myrine's funeral.
When all was ready for his departure, Legolas gave Cyrene a passionate kiss as she accompanied him to his mount.
"I wish I could make this journey with you, amaelamin. Queen Myrine deserved my deepest respect and affection. She was a wise and generous ruler of the Amazons. Her passing is a great loss. Do you wish for me to ride with you to the coast?" he said.
Cyrene caressed his cheek. "Aella, Kyme, and I will be riding soon, beloved. You know that though you are a legend among my people, men are still not allowed to enter the island. I will join you in the White City as soon as I can. Give my greetings to Aragorn and Arwen, and also Eowyn and Faramir."
"The White Lady will be looking forward to see you. Though not as much as I will be," he whispered into her ear, as they held each other tightly once again.
´May the Goddess guide your path' Cyrene thought as Legolas swung himself on his horse and turned to leave.
The Amazon stood looking after her husband until he disappeared completely from her sight.
***
"You are not much of a good company this time, my friend," said Gimli to the elf.
Legolas was standing by the main hall's window, his eyes lost on the landscape.
The remaining members of the Fellowship had gathered once again in Gondor. In the past 30 years the friendships had grown closer, even though they had all taken different paths. Never had a year passed without the friends contacting one another or visiting, in spite of their many obligations and growing families.
Faramir and Eowyn, as well as Eomer and Lothiriel, used to join the gatherings for the pleasure of seeing their friends, sharing memories, and exchanging news. Legolas enjoyed the meetings and knew that Cyrene enjoyed them as well. As much as the now almost legendary War of the Ring had cost Middle Earth, it had forged strong lifetime long bonds.
"I am restless, counting the days until they return from the island. You do not miss Aella?" said Legolas to his friend.
"Hmmmm, to be entirely truthful, that woman drives me to lunacy. She is constantly looking for new duties and chores and changes and responsibilities. And yes, I miss her every hour we are apart," Gimli sighed. "After these many years, she surprises me all the time anew. And I cannot imagine how life was before her. There was life before them, was there not, my friend?"
The blonde elf smiled broadly at Gimli's comment.
Aella had become a whirlwind, ever looking for new ways to improve the Glittering Caves and keep Gimli and the dwarves on their toes. Even the children she bore had not slowed her down in her energetic rhythm of life.
"In the many centuries of my life, I haven't met another woman like Aella. And though I am certain that we both lived for long before the Amazons entered our lives, only the last decades count for me as living, my friend."
"I agree with you, Legolas. Still, Aella and Cyrene should be returning from the island in the next days. It is not the first time they have traveled there. What troubles you?" said the dwarf.
Legolas eyes settled on his friend. Even though Gimli was not immortal, he had dwarven longevity, which meant that, most probably, he was also aware that he would outlive his human wife. The elf wondered if Gimli had ever thought about it.
"Are you aware that Aella will most likely pass away before your time comes, Gimli?" he asked.
The shadow that crossed his friend's face told him that, indeed, the dwarf had spent some thoughts on the matter.
Gimli swallowed before answering, "It was not my main concern when I decided to make her my life-mate, Legolas. But yes, in the still of the night or the early darkness before dawn, as we lay together, I think about it and pray to her Gods to give her a long life and thank Aule for every day I may spend with her at my side. Why is the thought troubling you now, my friend?"
"Cyrene spoke about my existence after her passing, just before I left for this journey. We had never discussed it before. I must confess I am terrified. There is no life for me without her. You know it. And still, she wanted me to promise her that I would sail to Valinor once she passed away," explained Legolas, speaking softly, as if he feared to conjure the events by talking about them. He knew that if anybody would understand his feelings, it was most likely Gimli.
"It certainly sounds like something Cyrene would request from you. She knows you too well. I say we should forget the conversation and gather joyful thoughts to keep ill tidings at bay. Come, my friend! I hear that Elessar has indeed brought out his finest elvish wine from the cellars to celebrate the gathering. Let us drink the time away until those infamous women arrive here," said the Lord of the Glittering Caves, patting his companion's arm and nudging him away from the window and his dark thoughts.
***
Kyme was the very likeness of her father.
Besides the pointed ears, the lean frame, and the golden, straight hair, her azure eyes were as soft and full of life as Legolas's own. She stood proud and tall at her mother's side during the long and solemn ceremonies that accompanied Myrine's funeral.
Feeling as much an Amazon as ever, she questioned again Cyrene's choice of leaving the Amazons and settling for the world of men. Looking from her mother's slender figure to her aunt Alkaia's, she could see that though both were still identical, there were now many features that distinguised them from another, even besides the long scar on Alkaia's cheek.
Alkaia was regal, both in poise and in attire. Her command was ever-present, be it in her posture, her voice, or her demeanor. She had the untamed beauty of the sea, merciless, powerful.
Cyrene had long ago exchanged her Amazon warrior garb for the clothing of the elves. But now, at her mother's funeral, she stood at the side of the funeral pyre wearing the outfit of an Amazon. She owed it to Myrine.
Unlike her twin, Cyrene did not radiate command or royalty. She personified serenity, wisdom and peace. Kyme always thought that her mother had given up too much in exchange for being her father's mate. How could any woman born to such a tradition long to be something other than an Amazon?
Kyme observed the former Amazon princess bow before the pyre and then get down on one knee before Alkaia, feeling again the deep love that bound her to Cyrene, but the young woman still could not understand her mother's choices.
When the ceremony was over, Cyrene presented her respects to the Queen while Kyme assisted Aella preparing their return to the mainland.
"Aella, you were with my mother when she decided not to return to Artemis Island and to stay with my father instead. Why did she do it? Father is and elf, immortal ... the possibilities for them to have a good life together were against all odds. Why did she leave her freedom and the honor of a warrior's life behind? How could she?" asked Kyme.
The small redhead sighed and pondered her answer for a moment. She turned to the younger woman and was again amazed to see Legolas's features reflected in the lovely face.
"When your mother returned as envoy of Rohan to the Amazons to lead us into battle, I was also disbelieving of her behavior. I knew Cyrene from infancy, Kyme, and I could not understand her fascination with the elf. Until I saw them together. You would have had to see them to believe it. When you look at them, you see your parents, child, but you don't recognize the way that they drink each other's presence, as if it were water and both were dying of thirst. For them the sun rises and sets in the other. They gather strength from each other; find solace and peace in each other. I didn't think it was possible at first, and later I found a mate of my own." Aella paused. "Cyrene did not ever see her bonding to Legolas as a prison or as relinquishing anything of her life, Kyme. It was a very hard choice for both of them. And I doubt they regret it."
The young woman looked thoughtfully at her mother's best friend. "For me it was always natural to see them bonded, belonging together. But still, I did not understand Mother leaving her people and way of life behind. Why did she leave the island to begin with?" she asked.
Cyrene had never told her children about her sister and the real reasons she had left the Amazons, or the duel they held after that.
Alkaia was now Queen, and Cyrene wished to give Kyme the possibility of making her own choices. Aella did not agree with this decision. In her eyes, her friend would always be the one who had made the bravest of sacrifices, and so was rewarded by the Goddess with Legolas's love.
"There were strong reasons at that time, child. She left without even telling me," replied Aella evasively.
Cyrene walked up to them, cutting short the uncomfortable questions.
"There have been sightings of Corsairs along the coast. Alkaia wants to send an escort with us and urges us to sail to Dol Amroth. But I told her that we would not need outriders."
"Will we set sail towards Dol Amroth then?" asked Aella anxiously.
"No, it would cost us almost two more days' ride to MinasTirith," replied Cyrene.
"And I suppose that we cannot survive another couple of days without the males?" commented Aella with a mischievous grin.
"Life is too short, my friend. Every minute is precious," was Cyrene's reply, but she flushed deeply.
Kyme did not comment, again surprised at the intensity of her parent's dependence. Shaking her head, she finished arranging her mount's tack and led all three horses towards the ship awaiting them.
***
"Cíndar, I almost believe that your sister is even a better shot than yourself," said Legolas to his son, teasing the young man about having bested him in archery.
Even if Cíndar looked like his father and twin sister, the roguish smile he flashed his father was a perfect copy of Cyrene's.
"That is, Father, because she has no other chores than practicing day and night. I, on the other hand, have a busy life. And, if I recall correctly, mother is a superb archer, almost your match , which means that the women of the family may be better archers."
Legolas laughed out loud. Seeing his grown son, Legolas could only be amazed that he had sired this man and his sister. It seemed a miracle to the elf.
"That boy is his mother's child. You have no opportunity, elf," commented Gimli from a couple of steps away.
"'Tis true. And since his mother holds my heart, I will tolerate his insolence," replied Legolas, clapping his son's shoulder.
"Mother and Kyme should be arriving in the morrow," commented Cíndar, glancing up at the red sun setting in the sky.
"Yes, Son. I hope the hours fly until they are here," the elf said wistfully.
Life had been good to them. Legolas continued to thank Elbereth for his good fortune. And he prayed for just a bit more of it. He was conscious of the fact that he was taunting fate, but he still felt the need to try.
***
It was past sunset when Aella, Cyrene and Kyme disembarked and bid their farewells to the Amazons still aboard the ship.
Cyrene took a deep breath, after setting foot on the mainland, like she always had since she had decided to leave her past life behind. Middle Earth was her home now, and she felt it again every time she returned from the island.
The evening was too dark to continue the journey, so the three women decided to make a camp for the night and continue as soon as the sun rose. Kyme took care of the horses, while Aella prepared a fire and Cyrene searched in their packs for something to eat.
Cyrene and Aella were jesting with each other by the fire, but the younger Amazon did not join them. Her battle-honed senses told her that there was something strange in the air that night, and she was restless. Aella took over warming the food, as Cyrene walked to her daughter.
"Are you well, Kyme? Is something amiss?" she asked the younger woman.
"Mother, there is something strange in the night. Do you feel it?" Kyme replied, her eyes trying to see into the darkness surrounding them.
Cyrene's demeanor changed instantly. She was again the Amazon, alert, reaching to her surroundings for any signs of danger. Though she could also not define what was amiss … nothing she could see or hear … and that gave her the clue. It was too silent. There were no sounds of nature. There was tension in the air.
Carefully, Cyrene made a sign to her daughter to move naturally and retreat to the fire, while her hand loosened casually the leather strap securing the labryss to her waist and she let a low whistle towards her lifelong battle-companion. Aella continued by the fire, but her hands moved to pull the quivers and bows they had set down and also loosened the strap of her battle-axe.
Cyrene spoke to her daughter very softly. "We are being observed. As soon as we are attacked, you run for your horse and ride towards Minas Tirith. We shall follow."
Kyme hesitated and a protest died on her lips. She knew there was no point in arguing with her mother. The chance that the three of them could overcome any attacker was miniscule.
If the attackers were less armed or manned they wouldn't dare to strike against them. So they had to assume they were outnumbered. Their only chance was to escape into safety.
The moment Cyrene and Kyme had reached the fire, the first arrow struck the ground, close to where Aella, who had rolled away, had been standing seconds before.
Aella tried to find cover behind a rock; cursing the unprotected location they had chosen for the camp. Cyrene shoved Kyme towards the mounts and rolled to the ground, also searching for cover. Once she settled behind bushes, she turned to see Aella, who tossed her abow and quiver.
Cyrene turned to see Kyme pausing in her race towards the mounts and looking back.
Cyrene smiled towards her daughter and made a sign to get to the horses and escape. Kyme looked towards her mother and Aella, huddled behind rocks and bushes and the horses. She was closer to the animals and maybe, if she rode away, she would be able to distract the attackers and give the two other Amazons a chance to escape as well. It was worth a try.
Gripping her labryss in one hand, Kyme ducked and ran for the horses, jumping on her mount and spurring it hard into the darkness.
Once her daughter had left the camp, Cyrene dared to look over the bushes she was hiding behind and recognized the silhouette of some of the aggressors in the dim firelight: corsairs, or rather the pitiful remains of what had been the Corsairs of Umbar.
After Aragorn and his Army of the Forsworn had decimated their ranks with help of the warrior women, the survivors of Pelargir had gathered and survived by robbing travelers and attacking small villages. But they were the ancestral foes of the Amazons, and their vow of revenge was as fierce as ever.
Muttering curses under her breath, Cyrene recognized that the only chance she and Aella's had was to outwit the enemy. As close as they were to the fire, they were easy targets.
The Amazon made signs to Aella and while the smaller woman grabbed their weapons and also made a run for the horses, Cyrene threw herself towards the small campfire, trying to put it out with dust from the ground. She heard arrows whistling around her.
When the fire sputtered and died, the battle was lit only by the stars. Cyrene crouched and made her way to where Aella was covering her retreat by the mounts. The sudden darkness gave the Amazons time to mount and engage escape. The horses danced until the riders were on top, and then they bolted up the coastline, towards the White City.
The corsairs had regrouped again and recovered their orientation, directing another rain of arrows towards the fleeing women. Aella turned around to see the camp they had fled and saw Cyrene's mount falling a bit behind but nevertheless following her companions. For now, they just had to run until they had gained a safe distance from the enemy.
After a while, as she deemed it safe, Aella slowed her mount to allow her friend to catch up.
"We surely managed to escape by a hair's-width this time, didn't we?" she asked her approaching friend, but the budding smile on her lips died as she saw Cyrene's pale face and her pained expression. Cyrene hung low over her mount's neck and seemed to be holding on to the horse's mane desperately. Even in the dark, Aella saw the shaft of an arrow jutting from her best friend's back.
"We tempted fate one time too many, Aella," was Cyrene's forced response.
***
Faramir, Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn were discussing the news that had arrived from the raids of corsairs into the borders of Ithilien when they were interrupted by Cíndar's harsh entrance.
As soon as the elf looked upon the face of his son, he knew that something had happened, and while he inwardly summoned all the calm and strength he could, he could voice only one word to Cíndar. "Where?"
"The Houses of Healing, Father. They are there," the young man replied, his voice laced with sadness.
Legolas never remembered afterwards how he took the stairs to the Houses of Healing with wide strides, running faster then he had ever before, wanting to see what happened and at the same time hoping that this was a nightmare.
In the few minutes he needed to reach the top, all possible scenarios flashed before his eyes: horrors that could have befallen his daughter, his wife, or Aella. A silent prayer formed upon his lips.
When he reached the top of the stairs, he found Eowyn and Kyme in the entrance. His daughter's face was a mask of pain and despair, and tears slipped down her cheeks. He embraced her as hard as he could and caressed her fine gold hair.
"Child, are you well?" he whispered.
Kyme sobbed against his tunic. A wave of relief washed over him, and hope and fear rose again, as he saw that his daughter was unharmed.
"Father, I failed her! It is my fault. If I would have stayed at her side …" she was saying.
Legolas's heart skipped a beat. He did not want to know, but he needed to ask, "Where is your mother, Kyme?"
But Kyme could not speak. Eowyn replied instead. "Inside, Legolas. And she is waiting for you."
Inside the building, in the main room, Legolas came face-to-face with his most profound fear, the terrible image he had never been able to quell. On a bed, lay his wife. Arwen tended to a deep wound on her back. Aella stood at her friend's side.
When Legolas entered the room, Aella stepped away to make place for Legolas, who fell to his knees at the bed's side.
"Amaelamin …," he whispered, setting a soft kiss upon her pale brow.
Cyrene opened her eyes slowly and smiled up at him. "I knew I would see you again."
Legolas forced a smile in return, in spite of the cold fist gripping his heart. He modulated his voice also, commanding a light tone despite his inner terror. "Of course, we are husband and wife and that is a bond intended to last forever, my love".
Arwen stepped away from the bed, and as Legolas looked up and as his eyes met the eyes of the Queen of Gondor, he understood. Desperation invaded his mind, and a voice inside his head screamed for Aragorn, for better elven medicine, for anything to stop what seemed unstoppable.
This was not her time. He had planned for at least a score of years yet. A human lifetime grown full before it must end. He was not prepared to lose her. Not now.
He took a ragged breath and wrenched his eyes back to her beloved face. The extreme pallor, the shadows under her clear golden eyes, the shallow breathing were unmistakable. He knew the wound was mortal.
"Legolas, I know I will not last long. I can feel it. We must speak about things and I ……" Cyrene said. She tried to rise up, but failed with a grimace of pain. Still, she did not fall back on the mattress, for her husband's arms where holding her, supporting her weight.
"Cyrene, do not ……" he started to say, but she raised a weary hand and set it upon his lips.
"I do not have time. I think now that I never did. And still every minute with you was worth a lifetime. You have to promise me that you will not let grief take you. When the time comes, you will sail and join your kin in Valinor. Promise me, Legolas," the Amazon said. Her hand softly caressed his cheek in in a gesture he knew so well it hurt. Legolas felt tears gathering in his eyes and his throat tightening.
"Please, I cannot promise this to you. Cyrene, you are my life."
Her eyes were filled with tears as well. "My love, you cannot go where I go, and in death we will never be united. If you live on, and guard the memories of us, I will be with you forever. It is my wish, I beg you."
They were not alone in the room, but it was as if the rest of the world had vanished.
Legolas hesitated a minute, and the words he finally came slowly and with effort: "I promise."
Cyrene relaxed in her love's arms. She could now let go.
"Where are Aella, Kyme and Cíndar? Where is Gimli? And is Eowyn here as well?" she asked weakly. Aella stepped forward into Cyrene's view and so did Gimli, Eowyn, and the twins.
Cyrene smiled at them all. "Thank you for a good life, my friends," she said.
Her eyes rested with deep love on her children. "Thank you for being mine and letting me be yours, my children."
Aella's tears fell freely, but she smiled as she gripped Cyrene's forearm. "Thank you, Cyrene. You are favored of the Goddess, and I am blessed by your friendship".
Cyrene's return grip was soft, and her eyes sought the window. "It is almost dawn. Take me outside, beloved?"
Legolas tenderly took her in his arms and carried her to the garden.
Eowyn, Kyme, and Cíndar said their farewells as they passed through the last doorway.
Cyrene's hand lingered a moment on Gimli's cheek. "Take care of him, my friend," she said.
Gimli kissed Cyrene's fingers, and swore, "As long as I draw breath, I shall, my friend."
Legolas settled them under a tree, on a height from which they could see the whole South of Gondor, from the plains just below the walls, clear out to the river vale.
Cyrene relaxed into his embrace. The elf savored every precious minute he held his wife close, wishing he could fight destiny and guard her. The thought of having to move on with life without her was too painful to even consider. But he had promised it to Cyrene.
As if she could read his thoughts, she spoke softly, "Remember I told you that if you were taken from me I would follow at once?"
Legolas nodded. "Yes, you did. And I wish you would not ask me to live with the loss of you …"
"I must amend what I said before. If there were reason powerful enough for me to go on living without you, I would. You have still so much ahead of you, beloved," she said. "Move on, one day at the time, and keep our love alive. Thank you, for this was the best life I could ever wish for and you gave it to me, Legolas. I love you. I always will."
Cyrene gently pulled his head down towards her for a kiss.
"Amin mella lle, Cyrene. My love, my wife," he breathed into her hair.
They sat there entwined, sharing the sunset, until darkness surrounded them and he felt her heartbeat slowly fade into final silence.
Fin
***
Author's Note: I want to thank to all who made this story possible, helped and supported it and me for the last 14 months (WOWIE … I am a really slow writer!)
My eternal thanks to Una, Deb and Viv (all three who read and liked this story before it was readable, kicking my butt to continue and betaing)
To Katt, Terri and Chris for their bugging and bouncing.
To the Smut Faeries altogether for their support and patience.
To all readers who made my day and gave me courage with their reviews and the wonderful fellow LOTR writers who kept the muse alive.
Okay, that was my Oscar acceptance speech. Well it was my first novel-length finished fic ever, so bear with me.
***
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