“Come, fellow travelers, Eärendil is rising!” Mithrandir cried as he stepped aboard the White Ship bound for Valinor. He turned and watched as one by one all of his companions boarded…all, except one.

Elrond, Lord of Imladris heard the call from the wizard but could not bring himself to move. To move meant leaving his daughter and son…forever. “My children, how can I sail without you…?” he asked…no one. He had forbidden Aragorn and Arwen from coming to the Havens because he knew if he had to see them, he would not be able to do what he must do.

Quietly, he released a deep sigh, turned and boarded the ship. He was a ring-bearer. He had no choice. He had to leave with the others.

High above the ship, on a pinnacle of the surrounding city, an eagle of Manwë watched, then lifted off and flew west.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mithrandir watched the elf lord as he dealt with the struggle within his soul. Something would have to be done about this. This one was not just your average elf. Elrond was Peredhel. Yes, he had chosen to be immortal, but his emotions and soul were a wondrous blend of both elven and human attributes. Elrond’s elven side was stoically rationalizing the decision his daughter had made but his human side was breaking into pieces and each side was aggravating the other.

Mithrandir would have to go see Manwë when they arrived.

Elrond sat in the prow of the ship…, as did other elves that traveled to Valinor, but unlike them, his eyes were not bent forward on the horizon but towards the stern.

High above the ship a great eagle circled and flew west.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Olorin entered the beautiful house and greeted two beautiful golden-haired high-elven ladies.

“Greetings, Lady Celebrian and Lady Galadriel” he said bowing to each.

“Olorin, welcome”…the younger one responded upon seeing the Lord of the Istari.

“I am thankful to see you, my husband is not well. His heart is growing weary. The time draws near for our daughter and he is longing to be with her,” the wife of Elrond explained. “I am concerned for him.”

As she spoke, Elrond walked into the room…quietly…and stood behind her. He came and placed his hands on her shoulders then bent and kissed her hair. As he rose to speak, he saw a look in the wizard’s face that sent a chill down his spine.

“My dear ladies, my lord…” the wizard began. “Aule has just brought word from Minas Tirith and Lothlorien. It has happened. Aragorn entered the outer circle on the First of March-two weeks ago…and Arwen…”

Elrond, Celebrian and Galadriel instantly grabbed each other’s hands.

“…your daughter went to Lothlorien. There she tossed a bouquet of elanor into the river, and then lay down and gave up her life this morning on Cerith Amroth.”

Celebrian leaned into her mother’s arms and both dissolved into tears. A scream welled up in Elrond. However, it was never uttered as the elven lord fell unconscious into the arms of the Istari.

Olorin looked out into the garden from whence he had entered and saw a great eagle. He nodded to it.

The eagle of Manwë lifted off and flew towards the City of the Valar.

~~~~~~~~~~~

A ship docked at the pier of Alqualondë. Five figures came ashore…four elves and one dwarf.

Later that month, the four elves-Celeborn, Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas entered the home of Lord Elrond.

“Where is Gimli?” Lord Elrond asked Legolas as they entered.

“He and Mithrandir are investigating a cave on the other side of the island.”

Elrond noticed that of the four of them Legolas looked drained. It had been almost a month since they had landed in the Blessed Realm and his two sons and father-in-law had regained almost all of their spirit and zest for life.

Legolas looked worse than when he had landed…as did Elrond.

The next day, Elrond and Legolas walked together along the beach and let the waves flow over their bare feet. They talked of many things except that which was weighing their spirits down. Suddenly, a wave washed ashore a bunch of flowers tied with a mithril chain. Legolas picked it up and stared.

The flowers were elanor. Both knew elanor grew in only one place in Arda or Aman…Lothlorien. Elrond reached for the flowers and the chain fell into his hands. The chain was a necklace…Arwen’s Evenstar.

Legolas and Elrond sat down in the water at the edge of the Blessed Realm and wept in each other’s arms.

Ulmo was there in the water and sent a message to the other Valar.

~~~~~~~~~

Manwë received the report and breathed a deep sigh. He called a council of the Valar and informed them of all that had transpired.

“Nienna, what say you to this?”

“I know not. I believe this is a matter for Eru, my Lord.”

“Varda, what say you?”

“I agree with the Lady of Sorrows my lord. Eru must be consulted. Everything we have tried has failed to ease their sorrow.”

At this point, Mandos rose and bowed. “My lord, I foresee two more elves entering my halls ere another month is past, if Eru does not intervene.”

Manwë nodded, rose and left to go and speak with the One whom he served.

~~~~~~~~

“Olorin, why has Manwë sought us out so?” asked the twin sons of Elrond. Once again, the wizard had come to the home of Elrond Peredhel.

Over the past several months, many elves of the second and third ages of Arda were called to the Circle of Trees in the great city to speak before the Valar. Each one was asked many questions concerning the War of the Ring and the role of men and elves in it.

“I know not for I too have been questioned by them.” The wizard replied.

“I have also been questioned” Elrond spoke up. “They wished to know not only the history I knew of the ages but also of my brother Elros and Aragorn.”

Just then, great wings could be heard in the garden. As everyone’s head turned in that direction, an eagle of Manwë came and asked entrance.

Upon receiving it, the eagle spoke. “I am charged by the Valar to bid the Ladies Celebrian and Galadriel, Lords Celeborn, Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas to come to the Great Hall of Taniquetil on the morrow at noonday. Lord Manwë wishes to speak with each of you. Lord Olorin, Lord Manwë bids you to come tonight, then return and stay with the Lord Gimli tomorrow, during the audience, here in the home of Lord Elrond.”

Elrond bowed acceptance to the royal command as Olorin left with the great bird.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, Olorin arrived as Gimli was seeing the other lords and ladies off on their journey.

“What could the Valar want to see us about?” Celebrian asked her husband.

“I know not, Beloved. I am weary and would wish to remain in my library if it were anyone other than the Valar seeking me.” Elrond said.

“Aye, I too was looking forward to just sitting and resting beneath the trees today” Legolas responded.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Later, around noon, as the elves took their places in the Great Hall of Taniquetil, they looked and beheld almost the entire elven population of Valinor present around them. They noticed as a chorus of whispers began to grow. In through the great door to the west came Eärendil and Elwing and Tour and Idril to stand beside their son and his family.

“We were bidden to the great hall.” Eärendil said.

The whispers quieted when the Valar entered and Manwë remained standing as the others took their seats. Then he began to speak.

“My children, over the past two ages of Arda, word has come to me repeatedly of the bravery and sacrifice of a certain family of the Firstborn. This family is the family of the Peredhel.

Time after time, the members of this family have made great sacrifices and suffered great loss in order for the will of Eru to be brought forth. Both the immortal and the human members of it have done all in their power to conquer the evil in Arda and to right the wrongs done there.

Now the last immortal members of that family have been gathered to these shores. Their hearts are heavy because of the separation from those loved ones who are mortal. They have come believing themselves to be eternally sundered from them. Their sorrow had become a great cloud over their lives here, and for two, it has become too great a burden for them to continue.”

A great gasp was heard amongst the elves of the hall. Manwë continued. “I was beseeched by the Valar to seek Eru’s counsel on this matter and He has spoken.

The law concerning the half-elven is now causing great harm to the children of Iluvatar. It has served its purpose in protecting the Firstborn while they were in the sundered lands, but now has become a tool of great wrong.

By Eru’s decree, the law of the Peredhel is revoked. Legolas Thranduilion was the last member of the Firstborn to leave Arda for Aman. The only elven blood in Arda now are the joined bloodlines that flow in the descendants of Elros Minyatur, First King of Numenor and his brother Lord Elrond of Imladris, who are themselves the joint heirs of Beren and Luthien of Doriath and of Tuor and Idril of Gondolin.

It is hereby decreed that all mortals with elven blood shall enter the Halls of Mandos upon their deaths and in time, if they are found worthy, by the release of Eru through Mandos, they may be restored to their families here in Aman.”

A great cry and applause rose in the audience until it became a mighty shout of joy.

Manwë then raised his hand to silence the chamber. “Of those brought under the curse, that have gone before, many have proven themselves already worthy to have their feär given back to those they love here in Valinor. Of these, there are seven mighty ones and two who were but babes when evil overtook them. These are Beren and Luthien of Doriath who fought against Melkor himself; Dior and Nimloth and their sons and grandson Elros Minyatur, who fought against Melkor beside Gil-Galad in the War of Wrath;”

Elrond gasped at the mention of his brother and hope began to rise in his heart.

“Elrond Peredhel and Legolas Thranduilion come forth.” Manwë commanded.

Legolas and Elrond came forward and bowed deeply before the King of the Valar.

“The Valar have watched as you have struggled each day to make Valinor special for those loved ones you have here. We have also watched as you have sought out quiet and private places to mourn for those left behind.

Both of you share a deep unyielding love for two other mortals of elven blood. One of these is mortal by birth and has never sought immortality but has bravely and heroically, defended it. The other was firstborn but chose mortality in order to fulfill her known destiny and heart’s desire.

Never has the Valar witnessed such deep love for members of the Followers as the two of you have shown for Aragorn Elessar and Arwen Undomniel. Therefore they too have been given immortality.”

Elrond and Legolas were both in tears as Manwë finished speaking. Both fell on their knees and bowed to the king.

Nienna, deeply moved by this show of love, came down from her throne, kissed the two elves on the forehead, and raised them to a standing position. Manwë then bid them to return to the others as Nienna returned to her seat but remained standing.

Then all the remaining Valar rose and turned toward the east entrance. Eonwë entered the chamber leading nine individuals. All nine approached the thrones of the Valar and bowed to them.

“My children, you have suffered much for Arda and your immortal kin. Be now reunited with them in joy and peace.”

With that, Manwë released them. They rose and turned to face their families who descended on them, covering them in hugs and much affection.

The reunited families raised prayers of thanksgiving to Eru in song, as the other elves looked on in wonder and great joy.

~~~~~~~~

Legolas breathed a deep sigh of contentment as he sat underneath a great tree at the foot of a tall waterfall. Next to him, and leaning against him with his head on Legolas’ shoulder was Aragorn. Next to them was Elrond in a similar position with his brother Elros. They were smiling and watching Arwen, her brothers and Elros’ son Vardamir walking in a field nearby.

On the other side of the waterfall, Galadriel and Celeborn sat talking with Elwing, Idril and Luthien and Celebrian.

“Ada?” Aragorn softly asked turning towards the other two elves.

“Yes” both Elrond and Elros said at the same time. Then they looked at each other and burst out laughing as Aragorn just sat stunned staring at both of them.

Legolas, who was chuckling with laughter himself, managed to speak, “Do you realize how many “Adas you are going to have here once Mandos releases them all?”

At this, Aragorn just rolled his eyes and shook his head. “O Valar, one was hard enough to work around.”

At this comment from his many generations great grandson, Elros grabbed Aragorn, pulled his heir close, hugged him to his chest and said, “You haven’t seen anything yet young man. Kindly remember, I started this whole mess.

“No my son, actually we did.” Beren said as he and Tuor walked up to the foursome.

Beren turned and walked to Legolas and placed an arm around the blond elf’s waist drawing him close. “You know it’s not really fair. There are four of us to keep Aragorn in line but I’m the only one to keep this brat out of trouble.”

Then looking down while tightening his hold on the elf in his arms, he winked at Elros and grinned wickedly saying, “…but I think I can handle him.” At which point, they both pinned the two “youngsters” to the ground and tickled them mercilessly as Elrond and Tuor watched and laughed until their sides hurt.

Up above on top of the waterfall a great eagle watched and then took flight towards Taniquetil.

The End