In the Ruins//Legolas

Epilogue

It was a beautiful day for Aragorn's coronation. The courtyard with the Minas Tirith's White Tree is full of people. Mithrandir stood on top of the white stairs and Aragorn kneels in front of him. They all watch the wizard place the crown on Aragorn's head with smiles.

"Now come the days of the King. May they be blessed." Mithrandir announces and Aragorn stands and turns to face the crowd. He is met with thunderous cheers.

"This day does not belong to one man, but to all. Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace." As he says those words, Aragorn's eyes flicker over to Durion, who stands up front, the escapees of Eregion crowded behind him. The elf wears his mother's crown and Eregion's sigil ring proudly, not ever trying to cover up the white runes now adoring the skin of his face and neck. Durian smiles at Aragorn and nods. Then the man begins to sing in Sindarin. "Out of the great sea to Middle Earth I have come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the end of the world." He walks down the stairs towards the people, who all gradually bow to him. Aragorn approaches Legolas and places a hand on his shoulder. "Thank you." He tells the elven prince. Legolas gives him a knowing smirk and indicates behind him and then gets out of the way for Arwen. Legolas makes his way over to Durion.

"Why hello there." Durion whispers, admiring smile playing on his lips. They have been separated for a few days. Legolas traveled back to Mirkwood to gather a party of elves to come to the coronation.

"Just a quick warning, my father's here." Legolas mumbles while intertwining their fingers.

"Great..." Durion groans and rests his forehead against Legolas'. He looks down at their hands and smiles when he sees Legolas wearing Marya. Whatever Thranduil had to say to Durion, they would be fine. They watch Aragorn and Arwen walk hand in hand to the four hobbits. They all bow to the king and queen.

"My friends," Aragorn sighs. "you bow to no one." He says and kneels to the hobbits. Everyone follows the example, showing the small beings the respect they deserve. They look rather embarrassed.

***

The moment is inevitable. Durion is enjoying the celebrations when someone clears their throat behind him. Recognizing the deep tone of the voice, Durion holds back the wince that was fighting its way out and turns around to face Legolas' father. And Durion promised he wouldn't start anything.

"King Thranduil." He greets neutrally.

"King Durion." Thranduil nods and Durion suppresses a shudder. The title still feels strange. "I have come to apologize. "Thranduil says, surprising Durion into speechlessness. "I have acted harshly towards you, and didn't give you the opportunity to explain yourself. Having now the understanding of what your and Legolas' bond means, I fear to imagine the horrible pain your death would have caused to my child. I beg your forgiveness."

"All you wanted to do was protect your son. You needn't apologize for that." Durion smiles.

"I've noticed Legolas wearing a ring. Have you..." He leaves the question open and Durion freezes. Would that moment before the battle count as a... proposal? Durion felt horror sink into him. He didn't know. He felt even more dread as he looked at Thranduil and spotted one of his dark eyebrows raised.

"I- uh... Well..."

"You have my blessing."

"Huh?"

"You have made him happy. Happier than I have ever seen him myself after his mother's death. Please, continue doing so."

"I will."

***

Durion and Legolas held hands and watched the hobbits say their tearful goodbyes to Bilbo, who had been granted a special permission to sail to the Undying Lands. Elrond, Celeborn, Galadriel and Mithrandir are waiting for him.

"Oh! Well here is a sight I have never seen before." The oldest hobbit sighs as he gazes across the open sea.

"The power of the four rings has ended." She glances at Durion with a smile. She is right. Even the power of Marya vanished after the One was destroyed. "The time has come for the dominion of men."

"The sea calls us home." Elrond says.

"I think I'm quite ready for another adventure." Bilbo says and they all laugh. Mithrandir turns to address Legolas and Durion.

"Are you sure?" He asks them. Legolas and Durion share a reassuring look.

"Quite. Legolas promised Gimli he would take him to the Fangorn forest." Durion smiles.

"And Gimli promised me that he would take me to see the Glittering Caves. We simply cannot leave Middle-Earth yet." Legolas nodded. Both of their fathers already sailed, but there was still so much to do. They wouldn't leave. They would stay as long as Aragorn was king.

"This is the last ship." Elrond reminded them.

"Expect us one day." Durion hummed. "But not yet." The elven lords and the wizard nod, respecting their decision.

"Farewell my brave hobbits." Mithrandir turns back to Sam, Merry and Pippin who watch with saddened eyes as Bilbo boards the ship. "My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our Fellowship. I will not say do not weep for not all tears are evil. It is time, Frodo." The other three hobbits turn their red eyes at Frodo.

"What does he mean?" Sam says in an unsteady voice.

"We set out to save the Shire Sam and it has been saved, but not for me." Frodo looks away.

"You don't mean that. You can't leave." Sam cries and Frodo hands him a large, leather bound book.

"The last pages are for you Sam."

They watch the ship sail away, into the orange of the sunset.

***

The two of them stand on one of the balconies of the now deserted Rivendell. It is unusual to see it so quiet. The leaves rustle in the early autumn breeze. Durion looks to his right at Legolas, who has his head leaned back, soaking in the warm rays of the sun. He has never seen anything so beautiful.

"What are you looking at, my love?" Legolas chuckles when he feels his stare.

"Oh, just my Valinor." Durion sighs out. "Some have to sail miles to reach it, yet I don't have to take a single step." Legolas adorably blushes and laughs. His hand reaches out and cradles Durion's cheek. He leans in and they share a slow, sweet kiss. "I have a question for you."

"Yes?" Legolas looks at him with curious eyes.

"Will you do me the honors and allow me to court you?" Legolas stares at him, confused for a moment. Then he laughs.

"What have we been doing for the last three months?" Now Durion laughs too.

"I mean officially."

"Well, you have perfect timing." Legolas grins at him.

"What do you..." Durion's voice trailed off as Legolas reached into his pocket and retrieved a ring. It was made of shiny white metal that Durion suspected to be Mithril. The gems set in it looked very familiar, and Durion quickly realized these were some of the Gems of Lasgalen. They glittered like stars. Legolas couldn't rip his eyes away from Durion's. His black irises looked like the night sky when the gems reflected in them.

"Only if you allow me to court you too." Durion's face split in a wide smile when he breathed out the answer.

"Yes."

Wow, I am actually sad to be done with this story. But I love it. Writing this epilogue gave me this... unexplainably warm feeling in my chest. Thank you all who have stuck around. Thank you for supporting me. I hope you loved this fanfic as much as I did.

I am going to post a Q&A chapter sometime after the new year, so if you have any questions, leave them here and I'll do my best to answer. For now, have a great Christmas and be on a lookout for some new fics that I might be posting.