Aravan {A Lord of the Rings Story}

E•P•I•L•O•G•U•E {~2~}

A/N: And here we are, finally at the end. Thank you all so very much for reading all the way through. It's been quite the journey! I love each and every single one of you! Thank you so much for always so faithfully commenting and voting and supporting me. You're all incredible! <3

E•P•I•L•O•G•U•E {~2~}

Aravan pulled her horse to a stop when she finally reached the top of the hill that they had been climbing for an hour now. Pulling her hood down so that the crisp air hit her neck and swished through her hair, she looked down at the little hobbit holes that dotted the outlying landscape. She smiled as she observed Hobbiton. Little children frolicked through the grass, their giggles reaching her ears despite the fact that she was so high above them. The air smelled of fresh fruit and freshly baked goods. The sky was a sharp blue accompanied by little wisps of white.

Aravan kicked her horse so that it continued back down the other side of the hill; she was ready to see her friends once more. She frowned a little, hoping that she would not be inconveniencing them in any way. As soon as Aragorn gave her permission to leave, she packed her bags, kissed Hallas goodbye, and went on her way, not once stopping to consider the fact that they might have responsibilities and plans of their own. Oh well, she thought. There is no returning now. I have arrived.

She smiled and waved hello to the passing hobbits that politely greeted her. She couldn’t help but laugh as the children gazed at her in wonder. She realized that she did look a tad bit different from what they were accustomed to seeing: long, dark hair, slightly deformed face due to the burns, and dressed in a deep red gown. Happily telling each and every one of them hello, she kept moving forward until she realized that she had absolutely no idea of where she was headed. She stopped next to one of the holes for a moment and dismounted.

‘Excuse me,’ she called to the man working in the garden.

He turned around and smiled warmly at her. He had a thick mane of blonde curls and sparkling blue eyes. He was rather plump in figure, and his nose was very round. His cheeks were rosy from his hard work.

‘Hello, miss,’ he answered her. ‘What may I help you with?’

‘I am looking for Samwise Gamgee,’ she said. ‘Would you be so kind as to point me in the direction of his home?’

‘Certainly,’ he replied, leaning against his rake and pointing down the road. ‘Just follow this road around. His hole is halfway up the hill. I believe there are two entry doors, colored yellow and red.’

‘Thank you very much, sir. Have a wonderful day!’

‘You’re very welcome, ma’am. Same to you!’

They waved goodbye to each other, and she was on her way once more. As the hobbit had said, she found the house with the two doors colored yellow and red a little more than halfway up the hill. She dismounted once more and tied her horse to the fence, noticing the abundance of flowers that grew in the garden. Whites, oranges, yellows, and pinks dotted every corner that her eyes could find. She grinned at the quaint little residence. Taking a deep breath, she entered through the gate, crouched down, and knocked on the door.

She had to wait for a few moments, but finally, a pretty female hobbit with a bright smile, full, blonde curls, and bright hazel eyes answered the door. She wore a grey dress with a corset top over a thin white shirt, and she had a baby resting on her hip.

‘Hello,’ she said. ‘How may I help you?’

‘I am looking for Samwise Gamgee,’ Aravan answerd. ‘I am an old friend. Is this his home?’