Lord of the Rings: Retold

The Return of the King

Chapter 8:

Meanwhile, the Eye of Sauron is now completely focused on Aragorn.

Sauron's, "Aragorn. Elessar."

Aragorn is motionless and stares off at the Eye in the distance. He then turns to the army behind him.

Aragorn, "for Frodo."

Aragorn runs towards the Orcs, with Merry and Pippin right behind him, with Tom right behind them on top of Cain, then the rest of the army following behind them.

….

Sam and Naryn near the top of the mountain, still carrying Frodo. They see the entrance to the Crack of Doom.

Sam, "look, Mr. Frodo. A doorway! We're almost there."

Naryn, "finally! It is almost done!"

That's when Gollum appears on top of a rock above the Hobbits.

Gollum, "clever Hobbits to climb so high!"

Naryn yelled, "NOT YOU AGAIN!"

He jumps on Frodo, and pulls him off of Sam and Naryn's backs. Gollum clambers on top of Frodo and starts to reach for the Ring.

Gollum, "mustn't go that way. Mustn't hurt the precious."

Frodo, "you swore! You swore on the precious! Sméagol promised!"

Gollum, "Sméagol lied."

Gollum grips Frodo's throat with both hands. Sam picks up a rock and throws it at Gollum, knocking him off of Frodo. Gollum gets up again, and goes for Frodo, but Sam dives and rolls him away, with Naryn chasing after them.

….

The battle at the Black Gate continues, and the Nazgûl swoop in to do some damage.

….

Gollum and Sam keep fighting, and Gollum bites Sam, and tries to attack him again. Sam pulls out his sword, and cuts Gollum in the chest. Naryn pulls out his own sword and points it at them!

Sam, turns to look for Frodo, "Frodo!"

Frodo is now running up the mountain towards the Crack of Doom.

….

At the battle, Gandalf sees a Nazgûl flying in for the kill, and then suddenly sees a moth flying in front of his face. In the sky, the cries of Eagles can be heard as several great Eagles appear, one of which attacks the Nazgûl headed towards Gandalf.

Pippin is shouting joyfully, "Eagles! The Eagles are coming!"

The Eagles swoop down at the Nazgûl and attack them.

Freya and Tom cheer together as they witness such a sight!

….

Back at the Crack of Doom, Sam and Naryn run in, and look for Frodo.

Sam, "Frodo!"

Naryn, "where are you?!"

Frodo is standing at the edge of the pit of molten lava, and he turns his head to look wearily at them.

Frodo, "I'm here, Naryn. Right here Sam."

Sam, "destroy it!"

Naryn, "we're so close! Please do it!"

Frodo holds the Ring out before him, above the fiery pit, but does not throw it in.

Sam, "go on! Now! Throw it in the fire!"

Naryn, "please, Frodo!"

Frodo is still reluctant, and struggles internally, trying to do what he knows he must.

Sam, "what are you waiting for? Just let it go!"

Naryn, "Frodo, please listen to us!"

Frodo stares deeply at the Ring, listening to its call. He pulls the Ring back to his chest, and turns back to Sam.

Frodo, "the Ring is mine."

He pulls the Ring off of its chain.

Sam, "no…. No.…"

Naryn, "Frodo, please! Not like dad! Not like Bilbo!"

Frodo puts the Ring on his finger, a smile of pure evil on his face. He disappears.

Sam, "nooooooo!"

Naryn, "Frodo!"

….

The Great Eye suddenly becomes aware of the presence of the Ring, and turns its gaze to Mount Doom, while the Nazgûl abruptly leave the battle and head in the same direction.

….

Back in the Crack of Doom, Sam stares in shock and despair at Frodo's footprints on the rock before him. Naryn turns to look for him, but is hit with a rock. Gollum appears over them, and he hits Sam with a rock as well. Sam drops unconscious to the floor. Gollum then tracks the footprints of Frodo, and jumps on him. Frodo cries out as he struggles with Gollum.

….

The action returns to the battle for a moment, where Aragorn faces off against a Troll. Freya is on a trolls shoulders, her sword in it's head as she steered the thing into various orcs. Tom is playing his lute as a Warg charges at him and Cain. But it suddenly stops, and bows its head to Tom.

Tom looks at the lute and says, "that never gets old. I think I'll call you... Skaar?"

Tom jumps onto Cain and charges into several orcs wiyh Skaar close behind. Legolas and Gimli are back to back as they fight off more orcs.

….

Sam wakes up, and sees Gollum and an invisible Frodo struggling at the edge of the pit. Naryn is next, and is shocked by the sight he sees next. Gollum grabs Frodo's finger, and bites it off, taking the Ring with it. Frodo shrieks in agony, and falls to his knees, holding his bleeding hand in the other. Gollum holds the Ring before him in delight, ecstatic to finally have his Precious in his possession again. He cavorts at the edge of the pit, crying out his excitement and happiness.

Gollum, "yes! Yes! Precious! Precious! Precious! Precious!"

Frodo stands up, glaring at Gollum with hatred, and grabs him, trying to wrestle the Ring away from him.

….

Meanwhile, the battle back at the Gate goes ill, and Aragorn is being crushed by the Troll, while the forces of Men around him are being rapidly decimated.

….

We cut back to Frodo and Gollum, who are still struggling at the edge of the pit, when they both lose their balance, and go over the edge. Gollum falls toward the lava, holding the Ring to his chest in joy. He hits the lava, and melts away, while the Ring floats on the top. Naryn and Sam run to the edge of the pit, and see Frodo clinging to the rocks over the fire. They extend their hands to him.

Sam, "give me your hand!"

Naryn, "now, before this whole place boils over!"

The Ring in the lava begins feeling the heat, and Elvish letters begin to glow on its edges.

Sam, "take my hand!"

Naryn, "do it now!"

Frodo throws up his bloody left hand, and it slips out of Sam's.

Sam, "no!"

Frodo looks up at Sam, anguish written in his face, and the desire to just let go and end it all can plainly be seen in his eyes.

Sam, "don't you let go!"

Naryn, "don't let go."

Sam and Naryn, "reach!"

Frodo reaches for their hands and is pulled up. The Ring disintegrates within the pool of molten lava, and the Great Eye cries out in horror and pain.

….

Sauron's troops suddenly pause and look back to Mordor, and then begin running away. Aragorn and the others stare in shock, as the tower of Barad-dûr falls, and the Eye of Sauron disappears. A great explosion blows out from the dying Eye, and the Black Gate and the lands in between collapse and crumble, taking most of Sauron's troops with them.

Merry, "Frodo! Frodo!"

The top of Mount Doom suddenly erupts in a great fiery explosion, and Merry and the others watch in horror as they realize that their friends are in the midst of the eruption.

….

Back at the Crack of Doom, Frodo, Naryn and Sam are running and jumping to escape the doorway, and get away from the river of lava flowing behind them. They jump to an outcropping of rock, and look across Mordor and the pooling lava, gazing at what they have wrought, and knowing that there's no way for them to escape. Frodo shudders, realizing with both joy and despair that the Ring is destroyed.

Frodo, "it's gone. It's done."

Sam, "yes, Mr. Frodo. It's over now."

Naryn, "after so long, that bloody ring is gone!"

They rest themselves upon the rock, waiting for the end to come, while the world around them falls to pieces in fiery chaos. Frodo's eyes are closed, and he looks exhausted, yet immensely relieved.

Frodo, "I can see the Shire. The Brandywine River. Bag End. Gandalf's fireworks. The lights in the Party Tree."

Sam, "Rosie Cotton dancing. She had ribbons in her hair. If ever I was to marry someone, it would've been her. It would've been her."

Naryn smiles as he said, "I met only one girl in the Shire who I think would've loved me. One who didn't see me as a monster. I wish I could've learned her name, to see if I had a chance at love."

Sam begins to cry, with Naryn following, Frodo comes over to comfort them, and puts his arm around them.

Frodo, "I'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee. Naryn Baggins. Here at the end of all things."

….

Frodo, Naryn and Sam all lie unconscious on the rock, completely surrounded by flowing lava. Four Eagles appear in the sky, one carrying Gandalf on his back. They swoop down, pick up the Hobbits gently in their claws and fly away. Frodo, half-conscious, opens his eyes and sees the Eagles before he passes out again.

….

Frodo is seen lying on a bed. Frodo then sits up, and smiles. He looks at Gandalf who is standing at the foot of the bed.

Frodo is in disbelief, "Gandalf?"

Gandalf nods, smiling and laughing. Frodo begins to laugh in joy. The two friends continue to laugh, when Merry and Pippin come to the door.

Merry, "Frodo!"

Merry and Pippin run over to Frodo's bed and jump on it, laughing and hugging him. Next, Gimli comes to the door, and starts laughing as well.

Frodo, "Gimli!"

Gimli then moves into the room. Legolas appears in the doorway. He smiles, and enters the room. Aragorn comes to the room next, looking very kingly, and smiling with pleasure.

Frodo, "Aragorn."

Freya and Tom run in next, laughing in joy as they see Frodo awake! Cain and Skaar charge in, barking in joy!

Merry and Pippin are still on the bed hugging and laughing with Frodo, while Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, Freya, Tom, and Aragorn stand by the bed. We then see Naryn and Sam standing there. They look at Frodo and Frodo looks at them. All have looks of understanding, love, and friendship on their faces.

The Fellowship had been reunited.

….

Minas Tirith, we see thousands of men and women standing in the courtyard. Gandalf crowns Aragorn on the stairs in front of the great hall. Gimli is nearby, having held the crown for Gandalf.

Gandalf, "now come the days of the king", he smiles down at Aragorn, and says softly, "may they be blessed."

Before facing the cheering crowd, Aragorn pauses to catch his breath before taking on the mantle of his duty and destiny.

Aragorn, "this day does not belong to one man but to all. Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace."

The crowd cheers and applauds. White flower petals from the White Tree begin to fall. We see Faramir and Éowyn standing together. They smile and look at each other lovingly as they applaud the king.

Standing tall and proud, King Elessar sings in Quenya the song which, long years before his forefather, Elendil, had sung as his feet first touched the lands of Middle-earth.

Aragorn, "Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta."

"Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world."

The sound of a beautiful instrument played as Aragorn sang.

Aragorn walks down the aisle. People are standing to the two sides smiling and cheering. He walks past Éowyn, Faramir, and Éomer, who smile and bow/curtsy to him.

Next is Freya and Tom, who still had his Wargs beside him, being tamed by the short man. Tom had been the one playing music. Both bow before hugging the king, their friend. Freya was the only orc there, not shunned, but seen as a hero for helping Aragorn and the others.

A group of Elves comes up to Aragorn, led by Legolas. The two reach each other and place a hand on the other's shoulder.

Aragorn, "Hannon le. (Thank you.)"

Legolas holds back a small smile as he steps aside. Behind him stands Elrond. A white banner with The White Tree is seen, and Arwen reveals herself behind it. Holding the banner, she walks up and curtsies to the king. Aragorn looks at her in disbelief and deep love as he caresses her face.

He holds her face up, as if to say, "you need not curtsy to me, my love."

Aragorn and Arwen embrace and kiss each other. The crowd again applauds. Arwen laughs joyfully and Elrond looks on smiling.

Tom, "I always cry at these sort of things."

Tom starts crying, and Freya hands him a hanky.

Freya, "it's okay. The only reason I'm not crying, us because I'm ugly when I do."

Tom, "I'm sure someone will one day find you attractive."

Freya smiled and said, "I hope so."

Aragorn and Arwen walk hand in hand through the crowd. They come before the four Hobbits and Goblin, who bow to the king and queen.

Aragorn, "my friends. You bow to no one."

Aragorn kneels before them, and everyone in the courtyard does so as well. The Hobbits look about them, overwhelmed by this great honor. Naryn smiled, feeling welcome alongside the Hobbits.

...

Over a map of Middle Earth, we hear Frodo speak.

Frodo, "and thus it was. A Fourth Age of Middle-earth began. And the Fellowship of the Ring, though eternally bound by friendship and love, was ended. Thirteen months to the day since Gandalf sent us on our long journey, we found ourselves looking upon a familiar sight."

The Hobbits ride through Hobbiton on ponies, wearing rich clothing.

Frodo, "we were home."

An older, fat Hobbit, cleaning his front walk, looks on in disgust as the four Hobbits and Goblin ride by and nod to him in greeting. He shakes his head, and turns back to his cleaning.

...

Back at the Green Dragon Inn, Frodo almost bumps into a man carrying a large pumpkin. He sets five mugs of ale on the table before his friends. Merry, Pippin, Naryn, Sam and Frodo look about them, at the simple folk and their simple lives who have no conception of the dangers they all went through to save the world, and the Shire. The four Hobbits and Goblin look at each other, and raise their mugs to friends made and lost, battles won, and quests fulfilled. Sam suddenly looks up, and sees Rosie behind the counter. He quaffs a gulp of ale, and with a look of determination in his eye, heads to the bar to speak to her. Pippin and Merry look on in surprise, and grin, while Frodo begins to laugh. Naryn chuckles before his gaze turns to a hobbit girl with curly black hair, dressed in tomboyish clothing. It was the same Hobbit he kept trading glances with at Bilbo's party. The two lock gazes, and smile at one another.

The girl approaches Naryn and says, "hello."

Naryn, "hi."

The girl asks, "what's your name?"

Naryn, "Naryn. Naryn Baggins. And, yours?"

The girl, "Jubilee. Jubilee GrainThumb."

The two smiled at one another.

Jubilee, "if you don't mind me asking, would you like to come over for dinner tomorrow? I make a mean roasted chicken!"

Naryn smiled and said, "I'd love to."

….

We cut to sometime later, Sam and Rosie's wedding day, where they kiss. Rosie throws her bouquet, which is caught by Pippin. The young Hobbit lass standing next to him gives him a roguish glance, and he smirks and nods.

Jubilee pouts, since she had tried to catch the bouquet, but it faded as she stared at Naryn next to her.

The two smiled at one another.

Frodo looks on grinning, and then his smile fades slightly.

Frodo, "how do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand, there is no going back? Shot of Bag End looking exceptionally tidy. There are some things that time cannot mend, some hurts that go too deep…that have taken hold."

...

Frodo is sitting at Bilbo's writing desk, writing something on the page before him. Frodo closes the book and opens to the title page showing 'There and Back Again by Bilbo Baggins.' He reaches for his pen, and the sound of him writing something can be heard. Overtaken by a sudden pain he puts down the pen and holds his shoulder. Sam enters the room behind him.

Sam, "Mr. Frodo? What is it?"

Frodo, "it's been four years to the day since Weathertop, Sam. It's never really healed."

Sam looks at the book over his shoulder.

Sam, "'There and Back again, a Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins', and, 'The Lord of the Rings by Frodo Baggins.' You finished it."

Frodo closes the book.

Frodo, "not quite. There's room for a little more."

He smiles gently up at his friend.

Naryn enters, holding a baby girl with big hobbit feet, pointed ears, and slightly paler skin.

Naryn, "little Freya here wanted to say hi."

Naryn and Jubilee had started a family in the last four years, living at Bag End with Frodo; very happily. Naming their daughter after Freya.

….

A carriage pulls into Hobbiton, driven by Gandalf, who smiles at the four Hobbits and Goblin who are waiting for him. The carriage drives through the green countryside.

Frodo, "Bilbo once told me his part in this tale would end, that each of must come and go in the telling. Bilbo's story was now over. There would be no more journeys for him…save one."

Bilbo, "tell me again, lad, where are we going?"

Frodo, "to the harbor, Bilbo. The Elves have accorded you a special honor, a place on the last ship to leave Middle-earth."

Inside the carriage, Bilbo is resting his head upon Frodo's shoulder. He looks very, very old.

Naryn is sitting with his daughter and Jubilee. They wanted to see Bilbo off on his last journey. One that Naryn couldn't join his father on.

Bilbo, "Frodo, any chance of seeing that old Ring of mine again? Hmm? The one I gave you."

Frodo looks worried for a moment, and a little sad, "I'm sorry, Uncle. I'm afraid I lost it."

Bilbo, "Oh. Pity? I should like to have held it one last time."

Frodo smiles slightly, and the two rest their heads against each other and close their eyes.

Gandalf and the Hobbits reach the Havens and they come to the harbor. Frodo and Sam help Bilbo walk along, with Naryn and his family following close behind.

That's when they see five others approach.

The first was a very tall man with unruly short black hair, streaked in white. He had sharper canines, long arms and legs, and was wearing a fur jacket over a tattered white shirt, and brown pants torn up at the bottom.

This was Bane.

Next to him was his wife, Tauriel, and their children, all still young, given their elven blood.

Their oldest son, Elias, had his mother's fiery red hair in short spiky locks, and wore an outfit similar to that of Legolas', but much smaller.

Second was a daughter, Serra. Long hair colored like her fathers, with an outfit like her mothers.

And their youngest son, a baby still, Beorn, named after his uncle. He had black hair, streaked in red, wearing small white pants and a shirt.

Naryn, "Bane! Tauriel! It's great to see you!"

Bane smiled and said, "we wanted to see your father off on this new journey."

Tauriel, "it is great to see you both again."

They walked with the Hobbits as they approached the harbor.

Bilbo, "gasp! Oh! Well, here's a sight that I have never seen before."

A white ship is docked there. Upon the quay stand Elrond, Celeborn and Galadriel, who smile and greet them.

Galadriel, "the power of the Three Rings is ended. The time has come for the Dominion of Men."

Elrond, "I Aear can vên na mar. (The sea calls us home.)"

Bilbo grins and chuckles, "I think I'm quite ready for another adventure."

Bilbo turns to Naryn, who hands Freya to Jubilee.

Bilbo and Naryn embrace one another, tears in the Goblins eyes.

Naryn, "I love you dad. I wish you a safe journey."

Bilbo, "and I you, my son. I am so glad you found love."

Bilbo and Naryn separate from the embrace for the last time.

Bilbo and Bane share a quick hug as Bane says, "so long old friend."

Bilbo hobbles over to the Elves. Elrond takes Bilbo's hand and leads him onto the ship. Galadriel smiles and follows with Celeborn. Gandalf turns to look at the Hobbits before him, and smiles down at them.

Gandalf, "Farewell, my brave Hobbits. My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our Fellowship."

Merry and Pippin start to cry, but Frodo watches in silence.

Gandalf, "I will not say, 'do not weep', for not all tears are an evil", he moves toward the ship and then turns back, "it is time, Frodo."

The other Hobbits turn to look at Frodo in surprise.

Sam, "what does he mean?"

Naryn, "yeah Frodo, what does Gandalf mean?"

Frodo, "we set out to save the Shire, Sam, Naryn. And it has been saved. But not for me."

Sam, begins to cry, "you don't mean that. You can't leave."

Naryn, "Frodo, please, you're all I have left."

Frodo nods to Jubilee and Freya and says, "no I'm not."

Frodo gives Sam the Red Book, "the last pages are for you, Sam. You and Naryn."

Bane and his family watch in sadness at the farwells.

Frodo embraces first Merry, and then Pippin, both of whom are crying. He embraces Naryn and his family for a few moments that seemed to last forever. Frodo turns lastly to Sam and holds him tight while Sam sobs. Frodo pulls back, and laying his hands on Sam's neck, gently kisses his forehead. They exchange one final glance, and then Frodo turns towards the ship. He takes Gandalf's hand and they walk together onto the ship. Frodo turns back to look at Sam, Merry, Pippin, Naryn and his family, and Bane and his fsmily one last time, and a beatific smile shines from his face as he gazes fondly upon his friends. With a nod, he turns, and faces his new destiny. The White Ship leaves Middle-earth and sails into the West. Merry and Pippin turn to leave, as does Bane and his family, but Sam, Naryn, Jubilee and Freya stay to watch the ship until it disappears.

….

Sam is walking up the road in Hobbiton, which is green and verdant, filled with flowers and all manner of plants. All of a sudden a little Hobbit-girl with curly blonde hair comes out of the nearest Hobbit hole, and runs to Sam, who picks her up.

Frodo, "my dear Sam, you cannot always be torn in two. You will have to be one and whole for many years."

Rosie comes out holding a baby boy with dark hair. Sam kisses Rosie.

Frodo, "you have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. Your part in this story will go on."

Sam, "well, I'm back."

Sam puts the little girl down, and closes the gate. They walk into the house, and the door closes behind them.

...

Naryn and his family arrive home at Bag End, waving goodbye to the others. As Naryn sits in the living room with his family, he gives a few tears as he remembers everything he went through with his father, and his cousin.

But as he looked down at his daughter, and to his wife, he knew his adventures weren't quite over yet.

Freya says, "daddy, can you sing me a song?"

Naryn smiles, "of course. This is one Tim taught me. Jubilee? If you would?"

Jubilee pulled out a small lute and began playing as Naryn started to sing.

"Lay down

Your sweet and weary head
The night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All Souls pass

Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West..."

Freya smiled as she fell asleep on the last note.

It was as if with her smile that Naryn felt like his long adventure over the course of many years, was finally done.

And a new had begun, raising his family...

...

The End.

….

Reviews:

Amanny: I'm glad you've enjoyed this story so much. Our heroes succeeded, and this story gets a happy ending. If you wanna see more of Freya and maybe Naryn in future stories after I do the Hobbit trilogy, let me know! Have a great day/night and stay safe.

….

And thus I end this story. I hope you all enjoyed it. I wanted to give Naryn a happy ending. He's a bit older than Jubilee, but given how old he is, he'll live the rest of his days about as long as Jubilee.

And I added Bane appearing at the end to wish Bilbo goodbye, since he's one of the characters I added to The Hobbit, when I do those movies.

Also, I've been thinking of doing a story based on Freya's own adventures in Middle Earth, falling in love as she does good deeds.