Book II: The Saga of Thranduil

Chapter XXX: Mithlond

As night began to fall, I made my way to where the rest of my kingdom waited for me. I mounted my horse and paused for a moment. I was leaving this world never to return. Even as there had been pain, there were countless joys.

"Shall we begin," Thûlë asked.

I nodded and for the last time, I motioned to lead my kingdom to Mithlond. The night started to unveil the stars that shone down from cloudless skies. The journey our ancestors began would end with us. I had only learned that we were the last of our kin to depart for Aman.

As we rode through the night, I could not help but notice the world I was born into in a light far different than I could remember. The Misty Mountains seemed far greater beneath the stars as their peaks seemed to touch the heavens above them.

Through forests and across hills through valleys, our journey seemed to leave the younger of our elves spellbound. I had not known the world beyond the Rhovanion until I left for war. To see as I left it now seemed disappointing; it was as beautiful as Eryn Lasgalen.

On the last night before we were to reach Mithlond, several elves took our horses to set them free. We would walk the rest of the way into the port. It took some time to console Tárimë as her horse was a gift from me.

I walked a distance from camp watching the sun slowly disappear beneath the horizon. I wondered how life would be in Aman. I thought of how much time had passed since I had seen my mother.

"Forever has never been so close as it is now," Elranduil said as he approached. "Just over that horizon is where it lies."

"Are you afraid," I asked. "To go beyond this world we have only heard about in elven lore. How do we know there is anything out there waiting for us? What if nothing is there and we came so far for naught?"

"Why would you think such a thing," he asked. "Of course there is something out there beyond the sea. Thûlë came from there, remember? You think we came all this way to fall off the edge of the Earth?"

"Of course not, Elranduil," I said nervously. "What if what is out there is not the paradise we were told it was?"

"Even now, you are still awaiting something that will never be or never was as Father would say."

"Why are you so sure of what is there," I asked.

"Why are you so afraid of what is there," he asked.

I thought about his words for a moment. What was I afraid of? The unknown, perhaps. Fear of looking back and seeing my existence turned into a fable told by humans to put their children to sleep. What would become of the kingdom we left behind as the years would turn it into nothing more than relics of a world long since passed? Worse, it could be lost as it faded into nature and swallowed by the earth to never be discovered.

"There will be nothing of us left, Elranduil," I said. "Nothing we have done through the centuries will exist any longer. We will be forgotten as if we never lived."

"Not a creature in this world that ever lived was left forgotten," he said. "They become part of an endless tale that is told and retold from one generation to the next. For each generation there are added shadings and what have you, but underneath the myth lies a grain of truth. That is what will be remembered."

I must have had a look of wonderment because Elranduil had a great smile on his face.

"When did you become so wise?"

"I always have been wise," he said. "You never listen to me."

"For good reason quite often," I answered.

"Thranduil, whatever lies beyond the horizon you will not be going there alone," he said. "All of us will see what you will see. For better or worse, we will be together."

I knew he was right. I always wondered about the unknown whether in fear or curiosity. Now, I would face it myself.

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

When dawn came, everyone followed Thûlë the rest of the way to Mithlond. The closer we came, the more anxious I became. Once we entered the city, the sun had not yet started its descent. There was one grand ship—large enough for everyone. Tarthôn smiled when he saw it.

"I am looking forward to going home," he said.

I said nothing as elves began to board. I began to look around Mithlond. The grand halls were empty—not a soul was left. We were truly the last to leave this world.

"You are looking for me, are you not," a voice asked. I turned to see Êlenuil.

"I was," I said. "You have kept your word."

"I have, but I also wanted to see if you would come with us," he said.

"You thought I would stay behind," I asked.

"Most everyone thought as much," he said. "Your love for Êlúriel is legendary even in Mithlond. I would not have been surprised had you remained."

"I wanted nothing more," I began. "But I knew she would not have wanted it to be. She is in my heart where she can never leave. I have forever to remember all she was to me."

"So it is the same with me and Súlelenth," he said. "She is where she always has been since the day we met."

"Your children are on board," I said. "As well as the rest of your family. Shall we go?"

Êlenuil nodded and we walked on board together. When the bridge was raised and the sails unfurled in the gentle breeze, the ship slowly began its journey toward the setting sun into eternity.

**END OF BOOK II**

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