Title – The Last and Greatest Adventure
Author: Linda Hoyland
Characters/Pairing: Aragorn
Rating PG
Warnings: Character death
Book/Source: LOTR book-verse
Disclaimer – Middle-earth belongs to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. This story was written for pleasure and not for financial gain.

There is not room for Death,
Nor atom that his might could render void:
Thou - Thou art Being and Breath,
And what Thou art may never be destroyed. - Emily Bronte

I sense my time is almost spent. I feel my strength failing and I grow weary of my days at last, and my imprisonment within this ageing body. The day fast approaches when I shall freely return Eru's gift. I am ready now to journey beyond the circles of the world. I face the unknown without fear, for I trust in the One, who most surely desires the best for his children.

Unlike foolish Ar Pharazon, I accept that my final dwelling lies outside the bounds of Arda. We Men were never meant to linger for endless ages, nor to fear the final journey, which we must all take.

My only regrets are that I must leave Arwen and my children for a time. I fear for my poor lady, as death is not familiar to her. Unlike my fellow Men, she was not born knowing that to receive Eru's gift was her ultimate destiny. My children will grieve, but they accept is the way of things; that the old must depart and make way for those that follow. Far better I should accept the grace that has been given to me than that they should have to witness me losing my powers of body and mind. I have taught Eldarion all I know and he will make a great and noble king. It is time now to lay down my crown and sceptre.

How I yearn to be reunited with all those loved ones who have gone before. My mother and Halbarad, dearest of kindred, and Faramir, who was like a son to me, as well as my brother in arms, Éomer, and the valiant Hobbits.

I have taken many journeys in my long life, but never before one so unknown. It will be my last and greatest adventure.

A/n. This concludes the drabbles that I wrote for "Back to Middle-earth Month in 2009. I still have some short stories written for this challenge to publish as separate pieces.

My apologies that I was unable to reply to everyone's reviews for the previous chapters I do appreciate each and every one.