The Last One

Epilogue

Ruive rode silently on Alagos as they travel across the Brown Lands to the borders of Lothlorien on her way back to Rivendell. The suns harsh glare was softening as she caught her first glimpse of Lothlorien's Sliver trees.  Two figures appeared in the distance, she was hardly able to distinguish them from the forest. She slowed Alagos and placed her hand upon the hilt of her sword.  As the figures came closer, she was able to identify them as Haldir, the Warden of Lothlorien and The Balrog Slayer Glorfindel of Gondolin. She dismounted Alagos when she reached the boarder. 

When the pair reached her, Glorfindel jumped from his horse and approached her. Haldir greeted her from his place.

"Glorfindel, what are you doing here?"

"Lady Ruive, I have the misfortune of bearing terrible news. Lord Elrond has sent me to inform you of Arathorn's fate."

"What happened? Glorfindel, tell me, what happened to Arathorn?"

"He and a contingent of rangers were tracking a group of Orcs through the Gap of Rohan, they were ambushed and out numbered, only one survived, and even he succumb to his injuries after delivering the news of Arathorn's death."

Tears fell from her eyes. Her heart felt as if it had been torn asunder and Ruive could not contain the scream which issued from her lips. Her knees gave way under the burden of her grief and her hands pounded at the ground, demanding, hoping that Glorfindel was lying, all the while screams and sobs tore themselves out of her chest. When her knuckles broke and began to bleed, Glorfindel stopped the pounding and cradled her callused hands in his.

"Ruive, mourn if you must, but not like this. Arathorn would not wish for you to harm yourself over him. "

Glorfindel produced a sealed letter from one of his cloak's inner pockets.

"Arathorn left this in Lord Elrond's possession. It is meant for you."

Glorfindel handed the letter to Ruive who wipes away her tears. Slowly, almost nervously, she opened the letter immediately recognizing the hand writing as Arathorn.

My Dear Hadron,

If  you are reading this, then I am afraid the fates have not been kind. My time in this world is over, but I feel yours has only begun. You have become the daughter I never had and I only wish I could have lived to see both you and Aragorn grow into the great people you will be. Aragorn is only young, he does not know of the world and needs guidance. I would have given anything to be there to guide him and see him one day take the throne of Gondor, but I cannot. I have often spoken to you of Aragorn's future, if the worst should happen, who would care for him. I know I may be asking too much of you, but I cannot imagine a better person to teach Aragorn, to teach him to become the strongest warrior and the wisest king Gondor has ever known. Promise me you will raise Aragorn as your own, promise me that he will one day become the man he is destined to be.   

With love,

Arathorn.     

Ruive closed her eyes as fresh tears rolled down her reddened cheeks. She clutched the letter to her chest silently praying for the man who had been like a father to her. Another loved one to add to her loses, and now she had to care for his son. Not that she didn't love Aragorn, he was like a little brother to her and she would give her life for him, but could she trust herself to protect him? Arathorn had faith in her, perhaps she should have faith in herself? 

Ruive heaved to her feet, her heart heavy. She placed a hand on Glorfindel's shoulder.

"Thank you, for giving this to me."

Glorfindel gave her a sad smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder as well.

"Of course, Mellon. Where will you go now?" He asked.

"Rivendell. I made a promise to Arathorn to care for Aragorn if he should die, I owe Arathorn my life and this is how I can repay him."

With a heart of stone she ran from the pain and the grief, like she always did. Running was all she'd ever know, it was easier to run than to face it and with a heart as broken as hers there is only so much she could take. But at least she had something to run to, another chance to keep a promise. She couldn't break this one, not this time. She had been given so many chances to do better, to not fail another. How many more would she be given? She did not know, but she knew she wasn't going to break another. Not this one, she owed Arathorn too much to fail him. Aragorn was all she had left, she couldn't lose him. She couldn't be the last one, not again. But no matter what, she would always be...

The Last One.

Tada!!! The Last One is finally finished!!!! At least until I write the LOTR trilogy. Thank you so so so so so much for reading, favouriting, and commenting on this story it means so much to me. I will hopefully start the LOTR by the start of next week maybe earlier but I will continue to update my other story which I would love you all to read. The LOTR will start in another book and this is the last chapter for this story, feel free to keep leaving me comments on what you think and what you night like to happen in the LOTR. Thank you all again and I'll see you all in the sequel. Bye!!!!