Chapter 25

The Grey Havens

But it did end. Or so it would seem for Hazel. Something heavy grew inside her, and for four years it grew more on her. Four happy years...

In those four happy years, Hazel and Frodo's relationship grew stronger than ever. Every evening, they would sit and talk about their day by the fireplace, drinking tea. Frodo had taken the mayor's place when Will Whitfoot had passed away. Though both hobbits were very busy, nothing seemed to stop them from spending time together. And every evening they talked, was different.

One evening, Frodo got home late, but Hazel waited for him. She had developed so much patience on the journey.

"So," Frodo finally sat and settled himself. "Do you think you're ready, yet? I mean to start a family?"

"I would think so," Hazel said. "The eldest has been in my dreams, I suppose, I can't explain it."

"What would we name it?" Frodo asked.

"I'm thinking…" Hazel searched her memories about her dreams. She remembered the names clearly in her mind, but she had forgotten their appearance, except for Primula that is. "Yes, I would pick Primula if it was a girl." Hazel said. "But if it was a boy, then I would pick Samwise."

Frodo nodded. "Sam is good, but how many children do you want?"

"Four," Hazel replied. "I know my mother wanted four children, and she would have if my father hadn't died."

Again, Frodo nodded.

~jb~

The next night, Sam and Rosie visited for the evening. They had brought their two children; Elanor, and Frodo-lad. Elanor was only four, and Frodo was two. Though Elanor had golden hair, Frodo had the usual, dark brown, hobbit hair.

The adults sat and ate and talked about old times when they were younger. Hazel began to notice Frodo having some kind of discomfort. He rocked back and forth in his chair and seemed to be lost in thought. She didn't say anything, and neither did Sam, for Rosie's sake. In a way, Rosie was like Hazel; she worried about others and wanted to take care of them. That's what made them such great friends. When they left, Frodo paced around Bag End for a long time. He went into his study to write some more and was up very late.

The next few nights, Frodo would toss and turn in bed. A great discomfort would keep him from sleep, and so he would get up and write in his red book that Bilbo had started. One night he started pacing around Bag End once more. Hazel woke up to his pacing and got up to see what he could possibly be doing.

"Frodo," She said, stopping him in the hallway. He was startled and looked at Hazel in surprise. There was another look in his face that reminded Hazel of when he was a child. The look was like a: Oh, no! I've been caught! Hazel tried not to smile at him (which was easy, due to the fact it was late).

"Frodo," She said, taking his arm. "Come back to bed, go to sleep, you are too busy for this nonsense!"

"All right," He replied in a whisper, looking at Hazel, though his mind seemed to be elsewhere.

~jb~

One morning, things had toned down a bit. Hazel went into the study to see how Frodo was doing. He had paused in his writing, and was rubbing his shoulder, a look of pain across his face. Again, he was very pale, and his eyes seemed to see things far away.

"What's the matter, Frodo?" Hazel asked.

"It's been a full four years to the day since Weathertop, Hazel," He replied. "I am wounded, and it will never fully heal."

They called Sam into the study, for Frodo had important things to discuss.

"Well, Sam," Frodo said. "I want you to see Rosie and find out if she can spare you, so that you can travel with me, but I don't think you can be gone for long."

"No," Sam said. "I would like to travel all the way to Rivendell again with both of you, and yet the only place I really want to be is here. I am torn in two."

"It will feel like that, I'm afraid." Frodo said. "But you will be healed. You were meant to be solid and whole, and you will be."

Sam looked over and noticed the red book lying open. He walked over and read aloud:

There and Back Again, a Hobbit's Tale, by Bilbo Baggins

Here, Bilbo's hand had ended, and Frodo had written:

The Downfall of the Lord of the Rings, and the Return of the King, by Frodo Baggins

"Why, you have nearly finished it, Mr. Frodo!" Sam exclaimed. "Well, you have kept at it, I must say."

"I have quite finished, Sam." Frodo replied. "The last pages are for you."

~jb~

The next day, Hazel became ill. She had vomited repeatedly, from an unknown source, not allowing her to travel anywhere, not even to her own bookstore. That evening, she was able to get up and walk to the fireplace and sit in her rocking chair. Frodo sat by her and took her hand.

"Hazel," He finally said after the long silence. "There's something I need to tell you, and you deserve to know the truth." Frodo took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm traveling with Bilbo to the Grey Havens… and I will be parting with him into the sea."

"And…I can't come with you?" Hazel finished slowly, afraid to hear the answer.

"Do not be too sad Hazel," Frodo said. "You know you can't come, not yet at least. You can't always be torn in two. You will have to be one and whole, for many years. You have so much to enjoy, and to be, and to do."

"But," Hazel said, tears started to fill her eyes. "I thought you were going to enjoy the Shire too, for years and years, after all you have done!"

"So I thought too once." Frodo said. "But I have been too deeply hurt, Hazel. I have tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me. It must often be so Hazel, when things are in danger, someone has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them, so that your story can go on."

Hazel began to weep.

"I'm sorry, Hazel." Frodo said, fighting back tears of his own. "I don't know how to pick up the threads an old life. How do you go on, when in your heart, you begin to understand that there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend, some hurts that go too deep, and have taken hold."

"Frodo," Hazel cried as her heart broke in two. They both stood and embraced for a long time in silence. The only sound they heard was Hazel's sniffing. She knew she could go if she chose to, but how could she give up the life she had started? Hazel had to admit; she was very upset and heart-broken, but she knew why Frodo would want to go. He had been so deeply hurt…it just wasn't fair! Hazel tried to understand, but she knew she never fully will. Without him, part of her would be missing forever; she would never be the same. She would never heal.

That next morning, Hazel was half-asleep, half awake. She felt Frodo kiss her forehead before he whispered good-bye. She managed to whisper that she loved him before he left. Hazel fell back to sleep, but when she finally woke up she sat up in a panic.

Frodo was gone forever.

~jb~

"Tell me again, lad…Where are we going?" Bilbo asked. The two hobbits where sitting inside a carriage, steered by Gandalf. Bilbo had aged so quickly it was quite frightening, his hair was white, and his face was aged. He leaned against Frodo in the carriage.

"To the harbor, Bilbo." Frodo said. "The elves have accorded you a special honor; a place on the last ship to leave Middle-Earth."

"Frodo?" Bilbo asked. "Any chance of seeing that old ring again…the one I gave you?"

Frodo hesitated. "I'm sorry, uncle," He replied. "I'm afraid I've lost it."

"Oh," Bilbo said. "Pity…I should have liked to have held it one last time." He sighed before falling asleep on his nephew's shoulder. Frodo gently kissed his head, before closing his eyes. Outside, he could hear Pippin and Ruby traveling together, talking about their future, deciding to name their first son Faramir.

Frodo felt a twinge of guilt, remembering the conversations he had with Hazel. He tried to not think about it, but Hazel's face kept in his mind. He fell asleep, only to dream about her. When he awoke, he was still thinking of her. As he helped his uncle out of the carriage, he wanted to run back to her. It was as if some chain around his waist was trying to pull him back, and it hurt to resist it.

He and Sam lead Bilbo to the docks of the harbor, followed by Merry, Pippin, and Ruby. Frodo was glad they came. He didn't want Sam to travel back by himself, especially sense Hazel seemed in no condition to travel.

Bilbo stopped and gasped at the scenery. The sun was setting, making the water look beautiful. Gulls sang a beautiful song. "Well, there's a sight I have never seen before." He mused. He bowed his head in respect of Lord Elrond. He was standing with the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien.

"The power of the three rings has ended." Galadriel announced. "The time has come for the dominion of men."

Elrond whispered something in elfish, and Frodo wished that Hazel was there to translate, for she had developed a better understanding for the elfish language. There he was again: thinking of Hazel! Again, the chain tugged at him, calling him back to the Shire.

Elrond held out his hands, welcoming Bilbo aboard the ship.

"I do believe I'm quite ready for another adventure!" Bilbo said, and walked forward. He and Elrond got onto the ship. Galadriel smiled, looked over at the hobbits one last time, and boarded the ship with the rest of her company. Frodo felt a strong feeling of anticipation. He knew if he got onto the boat, the chain would keep tugging. But if he stayed, his wounds would disturb him and Hazel…no…don't think of Hazel…Must get back to…Hazel…

This inner battle continued to rage inside him as Gandalf stepped forward to glance at the hobbits one last time.

"Farewell," He said. "Now here at last dear friends, on the shores of the sea comes the end of our fellowship in Middle-earth. Go in peace. I will not say: do not weep. For not all tears are an evil." He walked towards the ship, paused, and then turned around.

"Frodo, it is time."

Sam, Merry, and Pippin turned and looked at Frodo.

"What does he mean?" Sam asked.

"We set out to save the Shire, Sam." Frodo said. "And it has been saved…but not for me."

"You don't mean that!" Sam cried. "You can't leave!" Tears fell down his eyes as well as Ruby's and Merry's. Pippin just stared at him in shock, not believing his ears. Ruby suddenly understood why Hazel hadn't come.

Frodo pulled out the red book and handed it to Sam. "The last pages are for you, Sam." He went over to Merry and put a hand on his shoulder, tears where falling down his face. The two cousins embraced. Ruby knew that Merry was more closely related to Frodo than Pippin was.

He went over to Pippin and looked at him for a moment. Pippin was fighting back tears and vowed not to cry. It wasn't until Frodo embraced him he began to cry whether he wanted to or not.

Frodo walked up to Ruby hesitantly.

"I'm sorry." He told her.

"Don't be," Ruby said, placing a hand on his left shoulder, knowingly. "I'll take care of Hazel." They embraced, and Ruby didn't realize how much she loved Frodo as a brother until this moment.

He went over to Sam and threw his arms around his best friend. Sam was crying the hardest. Before Frodo pulled away, Sam whispered:

"You can always stay, Hazel needs you…she really needs you."

Again, the chain pulled at Frodo, put he resisted. He stepped back, kissed Sam's forehead, and took his friends in one last time. Then he followed Gandalf to the boat. Just as he got onto the plank he halted.

The chain tugging at him just…stopped.

He stood there for a long moment, lost in thought. He knew he did have a choice, but he didn't know what to choose. Gandalf waited patiently, knowing and understanding the battle going on in Frodo's heart. Finally, he concluded his decision and looked at his friends. He smiled at them and nodded his head.

~jb~

Sam walked up the path to his home, where an excited little girl came running out to greet him. He caught Elanor in his arms and hugged her. She giggled in excitement. He carried her to the gate of his house, where Rosie was there waiting for him with Frodo-lad in her arms. He gave his son a kiss on the forehead and a kiss on the lips for Rosie.

Sam looked around and sighed. "Well, I'm back." He said, before taking his family into his home.

~jb~

Hazel had decided to stay in the Shire and was glad. The good-bye at the Grey Havens would have been too unbearable. Other hobbits that browsed her bookstore would knowingly place their hand in hers. They would try to comfort her with encouraging words and she was able to put on a brave face. She even overhead two hobbit elders speaking:

"Did you hear about it?" One asked.

"Yes, I have," The other hobbit replied. Hazel recognized his voice as the Old Gaffer's. "A shame really, and his poor Mistress couldn't bear departing with him."

"I know, did you hear about what he did? He went on an adventure, just like I knew he would." The other hobbit said. "Heard he practically saved Middle-Earth!"

"Yes, I know," The Gaffer said. "And yes, young Mr. Frodo is a real gentle-hobbit. And I am glad his Mistress has Bag End now. For sure the Sackville-Bagginses will never see it."

Hazel quietly ran out of the store, she ran behind and nearby a tree, hidden from view, and vomited. That was the third time today, and she didn't like it. She went back inside the bookstore and asked her "Uncle Gaffer" if he needed assistance. After the Gaffer and his friend left, Hazel had the bookstore to herself. She looked up from her reading when Lobelia Sackville-Baggins walked in. Hazel swallowed but vowed silently to be polite no matter what scathing thing Lobelia said.

"Can I help you, Miss?" Hazel asked.

"I have something for you." Lobelia said. She opened her satchel and took out a quilt. "I made this for you."

Hazel unfolded and examined the quilt. It was beautifully decorated with her wedding colors: Lavender, blue, and green.

"Why?" Hazel asked.

"I'm sorry I couldn't get it to you sooner." Lobelia said. "My old fingers are slow nowadays. I did it because deep down, I truly love you and your Frodo. Your acts of kindness-even as a young child had kept me sane and calm. I always knew you and Frodo would be married."

"So, this isn't just because Frodo and his friends helped you escape from those thugs?" Hazel asked.

"It may have softened my heart." Lobelia admitted. "But no, my son has died, and I never got the chance to make his wedding quilt, so now, I have made you yours. It's a Sackville tradition. And here-" She continued, handing Hazel a piece of paper. "My will,"

Hazel skimmed over the page and looked up at the old hobbit in surprise.

"All my money," Lobelia said. "Use it to help others,"

"As always," Hazel said. She walked around the counter and gave Lobelia a hug. No one would have guessed the one to end the family feud was Hazel- only a Baggins by marriage.

"Take care," Lobelia said. "I'm sorry for your loss."

When Lobelia left, Hazel started to weep over the quilt. By now, Frodo would have left, and the others would return.

Hazel closed the store later that night. She slowly walked home and up the lane toward Bag End. She looked and saw Bag Middle, the light in her mother's bedroom was still on, and inside she could see her mother in bed with a book open.

So that's where Hazel got it!

She smiled and continued up the road. She looked into Sam's house and saw him sitting in his chair with little Elanor in his lap. He held the red book open and was reading her tales of Bilbo's adventures. Rosie was sitting in a rocking chair nearby, rocking Frodo-lad to sleep, singing a lullaby.

As Hazel continued she started singing softly:

More tears fell down Hazel's face. She knew she would have to wait until that glorious day, when she would cross the Grey Havens and meet her Frodo once again. But for now, she had so much to enjoy and to be, and to do. It was hard to see now, but she bravely faced the future. Other hobbits would walk by and take her hand.

"Bless you, Mistress Baggins." They would say. Hazel was able to put on a brave face, but deep down, she knew her heart was demolished.

She opened the green, round door to her home of Bag End and lit a candle. Knowing Bag End belonged to her was quite comforting. She had many things in her possession that had once belonged to Frodo. She could hold them and remember him. She spotted one of his jackets hanging up on a rack. She pulled it off and wrapped it around her, taking a deep breath and smelling it. She remembered his warm, gentle, and loving embrace. Her heart tickled, making her smile. The tears kept falling down her face.

She walked down the hall and into her room. She paused as a strange feeling began to creep inside her. She put a hand to her stomach, as if trying to calm the life growing inside her. She smiled; all her life she knew she would love this feeling, and she did. It was a shame she couldn't share this with her poor Frodo. She continued down the hall and walked into her room. She placed the candle on her night stand and changed into her nightgown. She blew out the candle, no longer afraid of the dark, and crawled into bed. She curled into her blankets and sighed. She suddenly felt an arm wrap around her waist. Hazel almost screamed before someone whispered in her ear.

"Hello, love,"

"Frodo?!" Hazel cried quietly. She would have sat up had Frodo not had his arms around her. She felt the fingers of his free hand brush her lips.

"Yes Hazel," He replied. "I'm here, and I'm staying. A life without you is not worth an immortal life. One has so much to enjoy, and to be, and to do."

Hazel began to weep. All this time, she thought she knew what weeping was, until this moment. "I'm glad you're staying!" She said. "I wouldn't want you to miss out on your child's life."

Frodo gasped in excitement. "My child?"

"Yes," Hazel said. "Our little Samwise Baggins."

"What if it's a girl?" Frodo asked. Not wanting to make the same mistake that Sam had.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot," Hazel said. "Primula…that was your mother's name wasn't it?"

"Yes," Frodo said. "Yes indeed." At that, Frodo fell asleep with his arms still wrapped around Hazel as she sang to him her favorite lullaby. If there was such a thing as happily ever after, Hazel believed it, and was living it. For all her dreams had finally come true.

Freaking finally at the end! It's been about five to six years since we finished these stories and I finally published them! Hooray! Time to move onto the next thing!

Thank you guys for your patience! I hope you enjoyed and please leave a review!