Eressea Is Where You Heal

by illyria-pffyffin

Frodo had left for The Blessed Realm hoping that he would be saved from the terrible hurt The Ring had left him. But once in Eressea, he found out that it was not to be.

1. Default Chapter

Author's Note:  My deepest gratitude to Arathlithiel for proofing this and telling me that it is not that bad J 

ERESSEA IS WHERE YOU HEAL

29th September, 1421 SR

Dear Sam,

I do not know why I write this letter.  I certainly cannot send it to you.  But I am writing it anyway.  Perhaps it is from the habit of old, keeping track of everything that happened everyday.   Or perhaps because I just need to write this down, share everything that I see and hear and feel, and talk about it a good deal.  There are not that many people I can talk to.  Bilbo is asleep most of the time.  And I still feel quite uncomfortable talking to the greats; Lady Galadriel, Lord Elrond and the fair Elves of their houses.  I can only talk easily with Gandalf, but I cannot do this often.  The Elves keep talking to him too, and they talk about such great, important matters: history of Middle-Earth, great wars of old, ancient kings and lords.  I feel so simple and uncouth beside them.

I feel that it is safest and best to write to you, Sam.  I can write to Merry and Pippin too, perhaps, but somehow I know they will not understand it the way you do.  You are the only one who knows what nightmare we had to live in just a few years back.     Only you will understand this.

The wind is favouring us, Sam.  The sails are billowing, bright under the sun.  We are making good speed.            Gandalf found me sitting next to Bilbo and asked if I was all right.  I said that I was excited and happy, but the old dear did not miss a trick.  He said, "Something is troubling you, Frodo.  Out with it."

"Well, Gandalf, I've been wondering," I said, rather ashamedly.  "Do they have the same calendars in Eressea?"

He looked puzzled for a while, but then smiled.  "Days in Eressea are different from that of Middle-Earth.  I cannot say why or how.  But time seems to stand still there.  Everyday is very much the same as the day before and the one after.  But because everyone is always merry and content, time does not matter anymore.  It is being alive and enjoying it that counts."

I looked at the Elves.  They sat side by side, singing.  Their voices seemed to melt into the air and made everything as warm as summer morning and as fragrant as the woods in spring.  I know the Elves shall not fade and perish and to be with them gave me great peace.  There is little doubt in me, Sam, that I am saved at last and I shall find a refuge and healing in Eressea.  But I said there is little doubt.  The question did not entirely desert me.  There is that uncertainty.  6th October is very near, only a week away.  Can the Sea put enough distance between me and the dark memories, and let me be free again?  I do not know, Sam. 

Frodo Baggins