Chapter 2

Journey to the Grey Havens

As the months went by, and September approached, Frodo's pains and nightmares became worse. Just the previous March, May went to visit Sam and Rosie, who had been expecting her baby any day now. May went to check on Frodo in his study, and found him unconscious, laying his head on the desk, over his book. He had an intense fever and was sweating. Sam remembered that day was March 13th, the day Frodo was attacked by Shelob. The two helped Frodo to his room and took care of him. Many other things happened in March; Daisy and Vigo were married on March 21st, and four days later, Rosie had her baby. She and Sam were surprised when they realized it was a girl… they had hoped for a son and wanted to name him after Frodo. But she was a beautiful baby, with golden hair. Frodo suggested naming her after the flowers in Lothlorien. She was named Elanor.

Now it was September, and the time was drawing closer for Frodo. He asked Sam to come with him to Rivendell. He was sad about leaving. He had just witnessed Elanor learning to crawl…soon she would learn how to walk… Frodo could foresee the future of the Gamgee's. Although he had nightmares, he would sometimes have dreams of the future. He remembered only a few. He knew many great things were in store for Rosie and Sam. He knew they were to have many children, and that Sam's story would go on, and it would be a happy ending. As for Frodo, he couldn't see much for his future. For all he knew, the hobbits were still calling him queer, though some began to call him Strider.

He sat at his study, for what might be the last time. As he completed his story, his shoulder began to ache. He set his quill down and gently reached for his shoulder, trying to sooth the pain. Sam walked into the study, placing the mail on top of his desk.

"Mr. Frodo, are you all right?" Sam asked.

"It's… it's my scar." Frodo admitted, knowing he couldn't hide anything from Sam. Gamgee's were too smart to let anything go over their heads. "It's never fully healed…"

Sam nodded, satisfied with his answer. He looked down at Frodo's desk, and read the title allowed. "There and Back Again, a Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins, and the Lord of the Rings, by Frodo Baggins…Mr. Frodo, you've finished it!"

"Not quite…" Frodo turned and gave Sam a soft smile. "There's room for a little more."

~jb~

Frodo and Sam had given everyone their farewells. They had gotten to Rivendell safely, and met Bilbo there. The old hobbit was pleased to announce his age, boasting that he had surpassed the Old Took, who had only lived to be one hundred and thirty. During their conversations, Bilbo would often drift to sleep, waking up suddenly and saying: "Now, what were we discussing?" But the two hobbits were patient with the Old Baggins, as the Gaffer would also drift off in the middle of speaking.

Gandalf was kind enough to drive a carriage through the west, heading towards the sea. Sam insisted on riding Bill instead of the carriage, or rather, Bill insisted on going.

"Tell me again lad…where are we going?" Bilbo asked, leaning on Frodo's shoulder as they rode in the carriage.

"To the harbor, Bilbo." Frodo replied gently. "The Elves are giving you an escort to the Grey Havens."

"Frodo…" Bilbo said slowly. "Do you still, by chance, have that ring of mine? The one I gave you?"

Frodo hesitated. He felt guilty that Bilbo forgot everything he had told him about his adventure. Too tired to explain, Frodo only said: "I'm sorry Uncle…I'm afraid I lost it…"

"Oh!" Bilbo said. "Pity…I should've liked to have held it one last time…" With that, he drifted off to sleep, resting his head on his nephew's shoulder. Frodo closed his eyes, wishing he could drift off as easily as Bilbo.

~jb~

At the harbor, Frodo and Sam met Merry and Pippin. Gandalf knew it would be better, so Sam wouldn't have to travel back to the Shire alone. Frodo led Bilbo to the docks. The old hobbit gasped and looked around in awe.

"There's a sight I've never seen before…" Bilbo mused.

The hobbits looked to see Galadriel, Elrond, and Gandalf standing by the boat.

"The time of the Elves is over." Galadriel stated. "The time for the Age of Men, has come."

Elrond whispered something in Elvish. Frodo could understand: The Sea calls us home.

Bilbo smiled. "I do believe I'm…quite ready for another adventure." He slowly walked towards the boat, Elrond helping him on board. Galadriel smiled and followed them. Gandalf walked up to the four remaining hobbits.

"Farewell," He said gently. "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." Pippin looked up at the wizard, as though he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Merry bowed his head, weeping. Sam nodded his head, as though he were trying to understand, but one could see the dismay in his eyes. Gandalf turned and walked toward the boat. He paused and turned back to the hobbits.

"Frodo, it is time."

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

"What does he mean?" Sam asked.

"Do not be too sad Sam," 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," Sam said, tears started to fill his eyes. "You don't mean that! You can't leave! 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, Sam. I have tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me. It must often be so Sam, 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." Frodo held out the red book to his friend. "The last pages are for you Sam." With that, he kissed Merry and Pippin, and lastly Sam. He followed Gandalf onto the boat. He turned and looked back at his friends. He gave them the most peaceful smile they had ever seen him give. He nodded to them and then turned back to the boat. They watched as it sailed away, until they could no longer see it.

The journey took all night. There was a gentle rain that seemed like a silvery curtain. He closed his eyes, felt the rain on his skin, and smelled the fresh air. As the night passed, he looked to see a beautiful land under a swift sunrise. He could hear singing.

~jb~

May Gamgee slowly walked over to Bag End; she was hoping to see baby Elanor again. She walked up to the green door of Bag End. She gave it a knock and waited for Rosie to open the door. She thanked her sister-in-law and walked into the smial. She caught Sam sitting in his armchair, holding Elanor in his arms. He smiled down at his daughter, then looked toward the window.

"Well, I'm back." He said. His mind was obviously elsewhere.

"Is everything all right, Sam?" May asked, kneeling on the floor, next to the armchair.

"Huh? Oh yes…I mean…it will be…" Sam stammered.

May raised an eyebrow at her brother. "What happened?"

Sam hesitated. "It's Mr. Frodo…he had to leave Middle-Earth."

"Leave?" May gasped. "Why?"

"Well…it's really hard to explain…" Sam replied. "Here," He gently handed Elanor to May, who stood and held her, waiting in the sitting room. Sam returned with a red journal.

"I was told I could write in this…but I'm not sure what I'll be writin' about yet…" He handed the journal to her and once again held Elanor. "It's a good read I think, Mr. Frodo worked hard on it…as well as Mr. Bilbo."

May flipped through the pages, intrigued by the maps and pictures. She caught a small piece of paper with a beautiful sketch of a younger hobbit she didn't recognize.

"Fascinating…" May admitted. "Thank you, Sam, I'll be readin' this." She said, hoping she would find answers to her many questions.