At
Last
by Kara B.
A Lord of the Rings Fan Fiction Response to the Letter Challenge by Shirebound as well as a response to a challenge by meldewen04
Rating: PG
Summary: Frodo writes Aragorn a letter
Aragorn turned as a messenger brought a letter to him. "This just arrived Sir. It's from the Ring-Bearer," he informed Aragorn reverently.
It took all of Aragorn's willpower not to snatch it from the man's hand. "Thank you." He waited until he was alone to break the seal on the letter and read it. He recognized Frodo's handwriting immediately.
Though
it has been quite a while since we last spoke, I have not forgotten
you or the kindness you have always bestowed upon me. I shall be
leaving Middle-Earth soon and will likely be gone by the time you are
reading this, but there were a few things I wished you to know before
I embarked on this next journey. From the day I met you I
sensed a greatness of purpose and nobility within you. That you have
become Middle Earth's greatest king is in no way a surprise to me.
Word of your nature and hospitality has even reached the isolated
ears of the Shire, which as you know, is saying quite a bit. I wish
you all the best but something has weighed heavily on my mind
regarding you. I've sensed that you feel troubled or perhaps
the best term is responsible that your famed healing hands could not
completely heal my wounds. This is not your fault nor do I wish you
to blame yourself. The best have tried, including yourself and
Gandalf, and all have failed. I fear that when such evil touches a
person, that they are forever tainted. The only control I have is how
I react and deal with that. In that respect, you have more than
succeeded. Your great will and strength in the face of
impossible odds gave me courage and strength of my own. Knowing that
great friendships can exist has been as a balm to my soul, for before
I could never have imagined knowing, much less being friends with
such people as yourself and the beautiful Lady Arwen. Dear Sam
will have the hardest time understanding why I must leave. The
failure of my wounds to be healed, he takes as his own failure. A
more faithful friend than he I could not ask for. But he must not
blame himself any more than you Aragorn. Please keep in touch with
him and soothe his soul as I know you can do. Please, I beg
you, carry your guilt no longer as it is a burden as potentially
devastating as the ring. Estel, namarie mellon-nin,
My Dearest Friend Aragorn,
Frodo
Baggins
Aragorn felt a tear slip down his cheek at the touching words from a dear friend.
"What is it my love?" Arwen asked, whispering softly in Elvish and wrapping her arms around her husband from behind.
"He has gone home."
"To the Havens?"
Aragorn nodded. "He saved the world and gave us peace. All I wished for was to give him the same, but I could not. He first wished to relieve me of the guilt I carried for not being able to help him. He gave me peace once more."
"And now he has peace himself," she whispered.
"Yes, at last."