Time Will Tell
(Vignette in the BFS series)
Westel
"You're very quiet tonight, my dear hobbit."
"Am I? I would think you'd find that a relief."
"With only the two of you now, I'm afraid I will begin, all too early, to miss the chatter. Indeed, I miss it now."
"Why Gandalf, what if Merry and Pippin heard you say that? You'd never hear the end of it, you know."
"Possibly—if they had heard it. But they never will."
"You're sorry to leave Middle-Earth. I didn't realize how much."
"Not so much the place, as the people."
"Not all the people."
"No. Not all."
"Are you grieving, Gandalf?"
"And what if I am?"
"My dear wizard! If you're going to start answering questions with questions, I shall just take myself off to bed."
"You're right, of course. There is no need for secrets where we're going."
"None at all as far as I can see."
"Then—yes, I am grieving. It is a selfish feeling, but I think I have earned the right to this indulgence."
"As do I."
"You, my old friend, grieving? I wouldn't have thought it so."
"Not for myself, you understand. I've done with the world, and am ready to leave it—both Middle-Earth and the one we sail to—either way, I will not tarry long. No, it's for another I grieve…"
"Your nephew?"
"My nephew—my cousin—my heir who inherits nothing, loses everything, and goes to an uncertain future."
"How do you know it is an uncertain future?"
"No guarantees have been made, Gandalf. Only passage to a world of promise."
"Is it not enough?"
"That depends upon whether he has any hope left."
"Hope? Yes—hope remains, my dear Bilbo. That, if nothing else, remains in his heart."
"How can you be so sure?"
"He gave the gem of the Lady Evenstar to Sam before we set sail. He would not have done so had he nothing left to cling to."
"He gave it to Sam! Goodness… Gave it away, did he? That boy never ceases to amaze me."
"Nor me. And, given time—if there's enough time—he will begin to amaze even himself."
"Time heals all wounds, they say."
"Indeed, Bilbo. Yet only Time will tell."
The End
I thank Calime for allowing me to weave Lady Arwen's gem into this vignette.
To find out more, read her 'White Jewel Series' pieces: "Eyes to See" at Chosen Path" at
—W