Return Of The Shadow

Chapter 38: Not the End

The remaining members of the Fellowship stood together, watching as their people began gathering together for the long journey home.

They had rested in the caves for three days after the battle, now everyone could agree that they were ready to return home and rebuild their lives.
But the parting was bittersweet for the seven companions.
All were as eager as their people to return home, but they didn't want to say goodbye to each other.

They had all been through more together than any of their people would know, and now they were leaving.
The three days they had spent together had been filled with mourning for their fallen friends.

Boromir and Elladan.
Faramir had grieved deeply for his brother, and Elrohir was still having a hard time adjusting to his brother's loss.
Faramir would be returning with Aragorn to Gondor.
They would begin rebuilding there city as soon as they returned.

Eomer was taking his people and returning to Edoras.
Dain was bringing his people back to Erebor.
Thranduil had welcomed all the elves to come live in Mirkwood.
The men who had lived in Dale were very few, their king and his heir had been killed, they decided that they would settle in either Gondor or Rohan.

The hobbits were determined to restore their beloved Shire.
Gimli had spoken with Dain about assisting them in clearing out any orcs or men who had sided with Sauron and would give the hobbits trouble.

But now the time had come for the people to return to their homes, and the Fellowship were saying their goodbyes.

"This isn't the last time we'll see one another right?" Sam asked.
Gandalf smiled.
"Of course not. An alliance like this one will not be so easily forgotten. Of course, we will all be busy repairing the damage done by the enemy."

"It will be years before everything's back to normal."
Merry sighed.
"But no matter what happens, this is not the end of the Fellowship."
Aragorn stated.
The others nodded in agreement.
Gimli noticed some of his and Legolas' people waiting rather impatiently.

"It's time for me to go."
Gimli bowed to the others.
"Farewell until our next
meeting."
The others said their goodbyes to the dwarf, he walked over to join his people who began the long walk home.

"I should be leaving as well."
Legolas smiled at the others.
The shadow that had covered him for so many years was gone.
Of course, Aragorn could tell he wasn't fully recovered.
His eyes had returned to their normal color, but the scar that Amarth had left him with was still on his face.

Aragorn suddenly realized that Legolas had never mentioned what had happened to Amarth.
Was he dead? Or still alive?
Probably dead, if he had the same darkness in him the Legolas had had wouldn't it have killed him like it almost did Legolas?

But if Legolas survived then maybe Amarth did as well.

Gandalf had spoken to Legolas about what had happened.
But afterwards he told the Fellowship, "There is no need to ask Legolas about what happened. It was an experience he would rather forget."

The others had taken his words to heart and hadn't mentioned it.
But before Legolas left Aragorn wanted to speak to him alone.

They walked away from the others and Aragorn asked his question.
"Will you be alright?"
Legolas laughed.
Aragorn had never heard him laugh before.
Was this what the old Legolas had been like? Before the Shadow fell on him?
"I will be fine Aragorn. It is you I am worried about."
Aragorn smiled.
"I'm not the one who was almost killed, twice."
"Actually mellon, I did die, and I came back. Therefore it is me not you who needs to worry."
Aragorn laughed.
Legolas almost never made jokes.
Aragorn placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Hannon le."
"For what?" Legolas gave him a confused smile.
"For not leaving me."
Legolas's smile faded slightly, as did Aragorn's.

"What is it?" Aragorn asked.

"Nothing," Legolas replied quickly, "it is nothing."

Aragorn didn't buy it for a second but he let the matter go.
"Goodbye Legolas."
"Farewell."
Legolas walked over to where his father waited.
He looked one last time at his friends, and then followed his father home.

Aragorn made his way over to the hobbits.
Frodo, Sam, and Merry looked up at him with smiles and tears in their eyes.
"We'll miss you."
Sam said.
"Thanks for everything."
Merry added.
Frodo smiled, but it was a sad one.
He's thinking about Pippin.

Not all of the hobbits who had left the Shire would be returning home.
"It wasn't your fault Aragorn."
Frodo said softly.
"I just wish I could have done something."
Aragorn replied.
"Pippin wouldn't want you to blame yourself."
Merry told him, his eyes clouding at the mention of his cousin.

Gandalf approached them.
"I will be journeying with the hobbits."
Gandalf informed Aragorn.
"Will you be alright?"
The second time that question had been asked.
Before he could answer he heard a familiar voice.
"Father!"
Aragorn turned and saw Eldarion running towards him. Aragorn knelt down and lifted his son into his arms.
Looking at Gandalf he replied, "I'll be fine."

The wizard smiled.
Turning to the hobbits he informed them that it was time to go.
After they left Aragorn carried Eldarion over to where his people waited to leave.
"Where are we going?"
Eldarion asked.
"Home." his father replied.
"We're going home."