The White Ship Sails
Rating: K+ for angst and grief.
I wrote this series about 9 years ago, when The Lord of the Rings consumed my life. But with The Hobbit now on the horizon, I thought it would be nice to share my old stories again. My writing style has changed dramatically since then, but I won't change a word. I'd hate to lose the depth of compassion I felt when I wrote of my beloved hobbits all those years ago. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed once writing it.
Chapter One - Sleep Without Dreams
Tears silently dropped from Frodo's eyes like glistening jewels, flowing in anguished streaks down his delicate features. It was done. He had taken the final step. Middle Earth lay behind Valinor ahead. He had refused to allow even one tear to be seen by his companions, but now, with the gently lapping shore fading into the distance, tears flowed freely.
He would finally be rid of the Ring's memories and malice, but at what a price. His Sam was back on that fading shoreline. He had left his dearest friend, his soul, his better self. Even now the memory of Sam's heartbroken, yet understanding tears, caused Frodo's heart to tremble within his being, shaking him to the very essence of his soul.
The land was gone; swiftly, completely, like a pinpoint of light vanishing over a distant hilltop. Frodo gripped the ship's silver railing desperately, his deprived eyes searching the far distant horizon for a glimpse of the place he had called home, claimed as his birthright. Nothing. Frodo's head bowed in defeat and tears flowed anew.
His grief was so utterly self-consuming, he missed the soft sound of elven feet, and he did not fully comprehend another presence until a loving hand rested upon his quaking shoulder. The touch gently pulled him away from the railing and the barren sight, toward tender eyes that shone with wisdom of the ages.
Lady Galadriel knelt, eye to eye with Frodo, grasping his icy hands in her own. "Frodo," her voice held a lilting quality, "this is only a parting, not an ending. Sam has been granted Grace, just as you." His head turned from her piercing gaze. One hand lifted his chin with only the barest touch of a fingertip, eyes seeking his with all the affection of one who had known the burden of carrying a Ring of power.
"You shall see Samwise again. Not today, nor tomorrow, but he will come. When you need each other the most, when memories begin to overwhelm, when the distance and separation become unbearable, he will come." Fresh tears joined the twin tracks across his cheeks, bringing a bare hint of the joy to come yet nearly overwhelmed by the utter sorrow of the moment.
Galadriel's eyes filled with compassion, and reaching out, she drew the Hobbit into a warm embrace, one arm supporting his back, the other lightly smoothing the disarray of dark curls which blended with her own golden locks.
Frodo clung desperately to the one comfort afforded him at this moment. Of all the beings he had encountered in his life's journey, Galadriel was the only one who truly understood the precious connection he and Sam shared together. Even now, in the midst of her endless joy, she paused to give what ease she could to a Hobbit who had lost everything, yet would gain what he needed most; peace. Frodo's gratefulness was without measure; she understood.
When the sobs finally passed into exhausted silence, Galadriel carefully stood to her feet, sweeping Frodo into her very capable arms. On swift feet, she bore the exhausted Hobbit past a concerned Gandalf to a bedchamber below, laying him gently upon the silken coverlet. Frodo's weary eyes fluttered open, and he grasped at the Lady's sleeve as she made to pass through the door.
"Will I ever find peace?" His whisper was low, filled with apprehension mingled with doubt. "Yes, Frodo Baggins, you will find peace without end." A trembling sigh escaped his lips at the reassuring response, and he leaned tiredly against a supporting pillow. Her fingers lightly swept errant curls from his forehead, easing his eyelids gently shut with a brush of her fingertips, then Galadriel swept silently away, leaving Frodo to fall into a deep and contented sleep without dreams.