Chapter 36: The end of all things, a joyful Reunion
At the now destroyed Black Gate… the Hosts of the West began celebrating, shouting their cries of joy when the great iron entrance of Mordor fell before them, with the ring destroyed once and for all. Carley jovially hugged Merry and Pippin as they hugged her back, Katjaa jovially hugged Kenny as he hugged back, enjoying their triumph over Mordor.
Larry walked over to the edge of the abyss… and flicked away his cigarette, which was in fact the very last one he had, in an unceremonious manner.
"Here's to Mordor," smirked Larry, pitilessly, "you won't be missed."
"Well Lee," Kenny said to him, laying a hand on him, "that Frodo really did it… he saved us all."
"…No Kenny," replied Lee, correcting him fervently, "…we all did it… together."
Kenny paused a moment as he nodded, thinking the same.
"Yeah," he said, smiling gladly, "…that's right."
Then… a thunderous rumble came from far away, as Lee and the others looked in front of them, towards Mt. Doom…
KRRAAAAKKOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!
And the mountain erupted in a great violent and fiery explosion. Merry, Carley, Katjaa, Glenn, Mark, and Pippin recoiled upon seeing the eruption… remembering that their friends Frodo, Sam, Ben, Travis, Duck, Clementine, and Lilly were still there amidst the explosion…
Fire belched from Orodruin's riven summit. The skies burst into thunder seared with lightning. The remaining Nazgûl had come to the exploded mountain… as chunks of the fiery ruin of the hill shot into them and their fell beasts, like flaming bolts. The wraiths crackled, withered, and went out, disappearing like apparitions… to be imprisoned forever with their master into the great blackness of death where they belonged…
Gimli, Larry, Doug, Aragorn, and Gandalf, with a tear running down his face, stood in dazed disbelief, as their eyes watched the violently exploding mountain.
'…Lilly... Clementine... … Frodo,' Lee thought dreadfully, with widened eyes at the mountain that just blew, as the sight of the tremendous explosion seemed all-too familiar to him, Kenny and Doug.
Kenny, after looking upon Mt. Doom as it blew… fell down in defeat, as he muttered, " …I-I, remember… I remember when Shishio's hideout at Mt. Hiei exploded, and when Doug and I rushed Lee out to escape. This is just like that-except this time… there's no hope of escape for Lilly, Clementine, my son Duck or Frodo. Dammit all…"
Kenny then slowly balled his fist… and slammed it against the ground.
Katjaa began to cry in the arms of her husband that they will never see their son Duck again and will never see Clementine again…
"…DAMMIT ALLLLLLLLL!" he roared out in anguish.
Carley began to cry, feeling that she'll never see Lilly, Clementine, Duck, Ben, or Travis again. Pippin felt the same way when he wept as he mouthed out, 'Frodo.'
Everyone in Macon was unaware of what unfolded at Mt. Doom, as they cheered their salvation. The people that were stricken in fear of the great eye slowly came from under their hiding places with great merriment, knowing that the nightmare was finally over… for all of them. Vince and Wyatt gazed around the city with proud faces, as the evil of Sauron was vanquished from Georgia. The soldiers' faces turned from despair to gladness in this hour, the moment the cries of triumph resounded through the city.
"It seems like we've won the day, Mr. Radagast," said Vince, "yet I feel… that this was a very dangerous business to begin with."
"It always is when it concerns the fate of the future of worlds," Radagast replied, as he gestured towards the cheering crowds, "…we've won this battle… together. And you all stand together, Army and Police officer, as well as Elf-kind. If you had not set aside your differences… we would've suffered under Sauron's mighty hand."
"I can see it myself," interjected Javier, "a true example of a unified Georgia… as the President once said to me that he dreamed of."
Vince nodded, as he replied, "yes… we were able to work side by side, despite our differences… but others across Georgia have not learned what we've learned. I fear that this is only temporary."
"Indeed," admitted Radagast, "nothing lasts forever, as much as we would want it too. Just like how Sauron wanted to be eternal… but even he learned the hard way that his time would end. All eras have their end, such as the government of Georgia, and someday the Meiji Era will pass.
"Everything that has a beginning… has an end," finished the brown wizard, receiving a small, firm nod from Vince.
Suddenly…
A bright, shining light dawned upon the faces of Alisha and Emma as they turned around…
And saw the sun rising, producing its pure, illuminating rays of comfort over the city. The people were filled with such contentment as they have felt the warmth of the sun in what seemed to be a long time for them, due to all the battles and attacks that occurred many months past. For some, the sun shone brighter than it has ever done before. It was surely a wonderful sight for their sore eyes…
"Look at that!" Alisha called, pointing at the sun that shone elegantly in their sights.
"…Beautiful," Christa added wondrously, letting the beams of the sun cover her face and body, basking within its cleansing light, compared to the evil malicious fires of Mordor.
Radagast brightened also at the rising of the sun as he said, gladly, "…light has returned to this world, Vince. You've all been given a second chance. You must learn to use it, wisely. Though the Meiji Era may not last forever… I do believe that it will last as long as it can."
Vince nodded fervently.
"Mr. Vince," Wyatt called out, with Chet beside him, walking towards Vince from behind, "we're ready to start cleanup."
Vince turned to Wyatt and responded, "very well Wyatt. Mr. Radagast-"
Vince then turned around… to see that Radagast had left, as well as Omid and the group, Carlos, Nick, Javier, Russell, and the rest of their friends, including most of the elves… have disappeared from sight…
"Well," said Wyatt, "it looks like they've left already, including that Russell kid. I just remembered now, that he's a wanted fugitive, being part of men. He'll be on the run again."
'Slippery as ever, I see,' thought Chet, smiling, 'happy trails, Russell.'
Vince paused a moment, then answered, "…they're not important right now, Wyatt. We need get the cleanup started."
"Yes sir," replied Wyatt, agreeing to drop the subject, then turned to Chet, "Chdt, get assist in the cleanup."
"Will do, sir," answered Chey, as he turned to Conrad, "we better set everything in order Henya."
"Of course," nodded Conrad, as he and Chet went off.
"It's finally the end, Mr. Vince," Wyatt said fervently to Vince, "it was good that the battle with the Dark Lord Sauron was drawn only to here."
"Indeed Wyatt," concurred Vince, as he looked to the air, "…and to think that it should fall here, where most of the fighting of the Revolution occurred after 10 long years. Among all my hopes and fears… at least I never expected it."
"Personally, I wouldn't call it over, until we've cleaned up the city," replied Wyatt, gloomily, "…though it will take a lot of time and work. And I don't mean the structural damage… but the mental damage. Clearing up internal matters may be easy… yet this experience was all over the city, not to mention seeing the impossible. We may never be able to cover this up entirely."
"We'll just have to say that Macon was overrun with wild beasts, controlled by men from an unknown, underground nation that was planning to invade Georgia," suggested Vincs.
"…Hmm… that could work Mr. Vince," pondered Wyatt, in agreement, "seeing as we were in fact under the threat of invasion in the first place. However there'll be more questions that we'll never have the answers to. Besides I don't think anyone would believe that some ancient evil master would come to take our world."
"…Of course Wyatt," answered Vince fatefully, as he stared up at the sky, adding, "Himura has done it again. He helped Japan in its greatest hour of need, ever since he went wandering after the Meiji Era began, taking his vow to not kill… helping and saving others freely, without being tied to the government. And he has accomplished it even now, in Middle-Earth, saving us from the threat of the evil Sauron."
Wyatt nodded affirmatively.
"And especially to you, Frodo Baggins, wherever you are now… thank you-thank you for saving us all," ended Vince, with eyes closed tightly.
Radagast and the others, especially Javier Garcia… went back to the Pharmacy store. They all left Vince, Wyatt and the others behind, as they did not want any recognition from the Government, especially Carlos.
"Mr. Radagast, is it really over now?" asked Emma.
"Yes, child, everything's okay now," Radagast answered reassuringly, "…the very last end to the War of the Ring."
Emma, as well as Alisha, smiled gaily, believing the wizard's word.
"Now, that the evil is finally vanquished, I as well as the other elves, can return… to Middle-Earth," added Radagast.
"In that case," interjected Christa, "why don't we all go with you?"
"We wanna' go too, sir," added Alisha.
"We wanna' go," Emma repeated her sister, as they were both eager to see Lee again."
"I think I'll go too," said Nick, smirking, "I especially want to give my dumb apprentice a good torture."
Sarah and Sarita giggled with a sheepish blush, to Nick's calm sense of arrogance, remembering how it had always appealed to them… then turned their eyes to the Elf twins Elladan and Elrohir, who blushed calmly the moment the girls smiled at them. Shawn rolled his eyes in annoyance, seeing his friends' behavior with Nick, as well as the twins, feeling that he'll never understand women.
"I guess you can count me in," said Carlos.
"I think I'll go myself," said Russell, smiling sheepishly.
Radagast smiled at the number of willing travelers, who want to see Middle-Earth… and especially Lee, whom some of them have missed greatly…
"Then, I guess it's settled," said Radagast.
"Hooray!" the children cried happily.
Radagast then turned tto Javier Garcia and asked, "are you coming with us, also?"
"No," Javier answered, "…I'm going back to Kate and the kids. I don't think I'm ready to see a mythic world. And I've had enough playing Wizards and Warriors for one day."
"Had enough of an experience fighting the Orcs here I see," said Omid.
Javier nodded once more.
"Who could blame him," interjected Carlos, "I could certainly understand, after being weary of fighting. Isn't that right…?
"…Captain Javier Garcia," Carlos pronounced Javier's name, which received surprising gasps from the others, especially Radagast.
The revealed Javier then went for his helmet… and took it off, finally unmasking himself before the others. He had short-brown hair,. The man was indeed foreign as he had no oriental features whatsoever.
"…Of course," said Omid, as he explained, "Captain Javier Garcia… from Cuban. Was brought here to train the army and was captured by Richmond. Later on, he and my cousin bonded in the time he was his prisoner. When he was released, David became dissatisfied with the Imperial Army and sided with My cousin to fight against them. All the Soldiers were killed in the final battle, including my cousin, whom David helped to serve him his suicide, in which Katsumoto felt he deserved.
"I have read much about you," finished Omid to David.
"I'm flattered," responded David, "Taka said to me that wearing the armor that belonged to her husband, Hirotaro, would honor her and her children. And Katsumoto gave me this sword, that he said I would need."
David unsheathed his sword a bit, that revealed an inscription in English, "it reads: I belong to the warrior, in whom, the old ways have joined the new." He translated.
Radagast nodded with wisdom, as he liked the way it sounded, as if, to him, it was a message of coexistence…of unity.
"There were many rumors about you, David," interjected Sarita, "that you probably died of your wounds, or that you've returned to your country."
"Well my dear," said David, "part of that is thanks that to my chronicler, Simon Graham."
"Indeed," a voice came out. The others turned around…
To see a Cuban American man, with a face, beaming with education, standing proudly, handling a few bags that had notes in them. David looked at this man with a smile, in recognition…
"Mr. Simon Graham," said David, a little surprised to see him, "I thought I'd never see you here, of all times and places."
"Well, I've had some help from one of the soldiers, who brought me here," answered Graham, with a voice of fascination, "and I must say, what I've seen, is completely extraordinary. A true battle of good versus evil… with mythical people such as these Elves fighting alongside us."
Glorfindel, Rumil, Orophin, Elladan, and Elrohir were flattered to hear Graham's flattering comments about them and their race.
"And the fall of this Dark lord Sauron's land, was exclusively legendary," finished Graham.
"I know," said David, "it was like… as if Hell itself was thrown down."
"Indeed it must've been to you," interjected Radagast, "there were other great evils in my world before Sauron came about, such as Morgoth… or even the Dragons of old… all whom in Middle-Earth thought to be the incarnation of evil. But they were mere servants or emissaries of evil. Sauron was no different, for there are other evils that may come in the future."
"…Yes," David nodded affirmatively, "that is perfectly true, and we can't even tell anyone about what happened here. Nobody would believe it."
"…True," replied Graham dreadfully, then lightened with a smile saying, "however, it does give me an idea for a great tale of fantasy, one in which a brave nation like Georgia, undergoing changes to fit modern society, is under attack from an ancient Dark Lord from another dimension."
Everyone smiled brightly, as they liked the idea that Graham was presenting.
"Well, I wouldn't want it published now," added Graham, "but someday when this dreadful business about Mordor has been long forgotten. After all, I had long been chronicling tales of the Soldiers, and translated them."
"To be honest," interjected Carlos, "I'm a fellow chronicler myself, and have my own newspaper. I may have to write about what's happened here, since I've devoted my paper to expose the dirty deals of the Government. They may try and cover up this affair like they did with everything else. But somehow… I don't think this cover up will be as dirty as the others, so whatever they have to say, I'm going to write the same thing in my paper too.
"…Who would've ever thought that for once I'd agree with the Government," ended Carlos with irony.
"Well, we have to be on our way now," said Algren, biding his farewells.
"Goodbye David," said Carlos, "until we meet again."
"We just might, Mr. Tsukioka," replied David slyly, then turned to Radagast, "hey Radagast… this was a very good conversation we had with everyone. I'll miss our conversations, as I'll miss the ones I had with Katsumoto."
"And I'll miss them greatly as well… David Garcia," returned Radagast kindly.
David nodded in kind… as he and Graham turned away from the others, to go back to the wilderness.
"Goodbye!" cried the children, receiving a wave from David, as he continued to walk away.
"Well," said Elladan, "I guess we all are going to Middle-Earth now."
"Yes," said Radagast, "I'll contact Gandalf…"
'Gandalf, can you hear me?' Radagast tuned his thoughts to Gandalf… but then gasped as he wore a face of despair, like something had bothered him.
"Oh dear," spoke Radagast forebodingly in a small voice.
Christa, Omid, and the others were bemused as to what was troubling him…
"Radagast," said Christa, as she asked, "is there something wrong? Is Lee okay?"
Radagast snapped out of his trance, and replied, "Lee is alright, but-after Sauron was defeated… Mt. Doom erupted violently, blowing up a great amount of lava from the top. And Frodo, along with his friends were there when it happened."
Everyone gasped in shock, remembering that Lilly, Clementine, Duck, Ben, and Travis were there, trying to destroy the ring.
"Then that means," Christa said, with despair filling her, "…Lilly, Clementine, Duck, Ben, and Travis are trapped!"
Radagast nodded fearfully, as Alisha and Emma became frightened for their friends once more…
The lava within Mt. Doom bubbled and sprayed up the moment the ring melted within it. Frodo, Sam, Lilly, Clementine, Duck, Ben, and Travis raced quickly towards the exit, as the walkway collapsed from underneath them. They ran out of the entranceway just ahead of the river of lava that followed out of Sammath Naur… and jumped upon an outcropping of rock.
But they continued further, running away from the lava, as it flowed freely out of Mt. Doom. The travelers knew they could not run any further as they reached another outcropping of rock and settled upon it. Frodo stood pale and worn, his eyes filled with peace now… and there was neither strain of will… nor madness… nor any sign of lagging fear in him anymore-breathing with great relief… of the completion of the quest…
"…It's gone," Frodo quietly spoke out, with even more relief, as his burden… was finally taken away from him entirely, "…it's done."
"Yes Mr. Frodo," agreed Sam, wearily, "…its over now."
"And our worlds are safe," added Lilly, with Clementine, Duck, Ben, and Travis nodding serenely.
Frodo smiled brightly, agreeing with his friends…
Then more eruptions occurred, rocking Frodo onto the ground, letting himself have a moment of well-deserved rest, that he can now finally have. The flowing lava now flowed around their rock, as they all rested there together.
Ben, Travis, and Sam looked out upon Mordor, and the pooling lava, gazing at what they all have wrought together, and knew that there's no way for them to escape.
"Well," said Ben, in a low voice, "it doesn't look like we can escape now. I guess this means you were right about there not being a return journey, Sam."
"I don't think we can to escape now. I guess we're never gonna Lee and the others again," said Travis.
"I don't know, Mr. Ben and Mr. Travis," said Sam, with a different, yet skeptical thought, "…we might make it out, somehow. You two said so yourself, remember?"
Ben and Travis turned to Sam with a flattered, sighing expression, feeling that now, of all times, was Sam finally having the faith of going home alive… and together. Lilly looked at Frodo's wounded hand, noticing that it was bleeding still.
"Frodo, you're still bleeding," said Lilly, as she went to tear off a piece of her bottom garb, to wrap it around his finger, "here-"
But Frodo recoiled, as if he felt he didn't deserve her hospitality, after they were fighting to kill each other for the ring.
"Frodo, what is it?" Lilly asked bemused.
"You would help me still, knowing that I tried to kill you?" responded Frodo, questioningly.
"I tried to kill you too, Frodo," mentioned Lilly, "and the way I see it, we're both at fault. So there's no reason why I shouldn't help you."
Frodo paused before he nodded for Lilly to wrap the torn piece from her garb over his finger. Lilly herself then reeled in pain, from the massive bite Gollum took out of her.
"Oh my, Miss Lilly!" gasped Sam, as he tried to rip off his other sleeve, "you've got yourself a nasty bite too. Here, I'll give you a bandage-"
"No Sam," Frodo said, stopping his gardener from tearing his sleeve off, "you'll need the rest of your clothes, for you have given enough on this journey. Now, it is I who must give something-to Miss Lilly… as she said herself that we were both at fault, and it would be unreasonable not to help her."
Lilly smiled appreciatively at Frodo as he willingly tore off his left sleeve… and wrapped it tightly around Lilly's arm.
"Thank you, Frodo," said Lilly… as she gently cupped her hand over Frodo's, that was binding the wound on her arm.
Frodo gasped in surprise, not expecting this treatment from Lillu, as she smiled lovingly on the Hobbit, forgiving him for being corrupted by the ring, since it was now destroyed. Frodo, after staring at her a few moments… returned her smile with an even brighter smile of his own, liking the feel of her soft, warm loving hand on his, comforting his wound… as they both now have something else to connect them together.
Frodo then lay down against the rock, with Lilly, Clementine, and Duck were sitting beside him. Ben, Travis, and Sam sat together, next to Frodo, Lilly, Clementine, and Duck, with the fires erupting and crashing all around them still, waiting for the end to come… whether they were faithful of getting out alive or not.
As he lay… Frodo, with eyes closed, began saying, happily in exhaustion, aloud… and to himself, gazing inwardly…
"…I can see the Shire…
"…The Brandywine river…
"…Bag End…
"…Gandalf's fireworks…
"…The lights… in the party tree…"
"…Macon," Lilly then started, saying aloud silently, yet happily as Frodo, "…the Air Force base… My Dad's veteran day…"
"...My school," added Clementine
"...My dad's commercial," added Duck
"…The delicious beef pots," added Ben, immensely relieved, "…at the restaurant ."
"...Our High School Graduation," added Travis.
"…Rosie Cotton dancing," said Sam, dreamily, yet began to weep, "…she had ribbons in her hair."
Frodo, Ben, Travis, Duck, Clementine, and Lilly looked at Sam in surprise, as he said a fair lady's name, like it meant a lot to him.
"If ever I was to marry someone… it would've been her," Sam added sadly, weeping even greater than before, "…it would've been her!"
Frodo then sat up, and put his arm around Sam's shoulders, leaning his head against Sam's.
"…You know… I… always wanted to be with Lee… so that we could be married and adopt Clementine as our daughter one day," Lilly said, with a smile, as tears began to flow from her eyes.
"I hope that Lee and Lilly will be my parents and I hope that I could be a big sister someday," Clementine said, with a tears began to flow from her eyes
"I hope I could be reunited my mom and dad," said Duck, with tears began to flow from his eyes
"…And I guess," added Ben, almost to himself, "…I was always fond of Jenny, in a way. Always being so kind and gentle ever since I met her at the high school."
Lilly, Clementine, and Duck smiled a little, upon seeing Ben start to admit how strongly he felt about a young waitress at their favorite beef-pot restaurant.
She then turned to Frodo and asked, "did you have anyone special like that Frodo?"
Frodo answered, sadly, "no… I've never had someone special like that in my whole life. Not like the special people I have here in front of me…
"…I'm glad to be with you, Samwise Gamgee," Frodo said to Sam, then to the others, "…Lilly, Clementine, Duck,… Ben Paul and Travis."
Ben, Travis, Duck, Clementine, and Lilly brightened, knowing that they now have a special place in Frodo's heart…
"I'm glad to be with all of you," Frodo repeated… his eyes taking in their hostile surroundings… as he finished, "…here at the end of all things."
Lilly paused as she gazed upon Clementine, Duck, Ben, and Travis, who gave a nod of approval, accepting the inevitable death… that awaited them all…
"…So are we Frodo," Lilly replied finally, as she laid her hand with Frodo's, that was around Sam, "…at the end of all things."
"…The end of all things," repeated Travis, laying his hand with Frodo, Lilly, Clementine, Duck, and Ben's hands.
Sam, after a few moments… laid his other hand, to complete the circle of friendship that was ever with them as he ended, gravely, "…the end of all things."
Moments passed…
And Ben and Travis began to cry tears… as was Lilly, Clementine, and Duck… and then Frodo… as all four of them embraced in a hearty group hug, believing that they'll all die together… upon the ruin of Mt. Doom…
…As time passed… even more…
…In what seemed to be an eternity…
The travelers lay upon the rock, worn out and choked from the fumes and heat… or stricken down by despair… from all the searing lava that flowed around them freely, like a lake of fire… while the land around them continued falling to pieces in fiery chaos…
AAUUUUUCCKKK!
Sounds of crowing came from the sky… and out of the shadows and ruin of the clouds…
A group of Four great eagles, Gwaihir, Landroval, Thorondor, and Meneldor the swift, appeared suddenly as they spotted the heat exhausted wanderers. Gandalf and Lee rode upon Gwaihir once more, as the eagle had flown them out of Isengard together…
Gwaihir swooped low as he carefully grabbed Lilly and Frodo with both his talons, and bore them away into the air…
Landroval alighted on the rock outcropping with one taloned foot as he gently picked up Sam with the other… and flew off…
Thorondor carefully grabbed Clementine and Duck with both talons, and bore them away into the air...
Meneldor did the same, landing softly upon the rock, then used two of his claws to lift up Ben and Travis from the rock… to be carried away from Mt. Doom and Mordor…
Frodo, while being held by Gwaihir in his talons… was in a daze as his eyes opened, like he was in a dream, unknowingly what fate befell him and his friends… as they were all miraculously saved from the fires by the Great Eagles of the North…
The weary Frodo slowly… and silently closed his eyes… passing out once more…
Until he was laid upon a bed, with the sun's luster shining all around him. Frodo was dressed in white, as the bed he was in… was also covered in white, as was the pillow. It was like he was laid in a heavenly cradle of extreme warmth and radiance. The Hobbit groaned suddenly… as he could faintly hear the cawing of the small birds that were in the air…
"Frodo…" a soft, loving voice called to Frodo… as he began to open his eyes slowly…
"…Frodo…"
The voice called again, as he turned his head to the side, where he heard the voice, with his eyes open fully, and stared for long moments… like he was in a trance…
"…Miss Lilly, Clementine, Duck," gasped Frodo, with wide eyes, "…Lee…"
Frodo saw Lilly and Lee together, though Lilly was sitting in a chair, while Lee was standing…
"…Welcome to Minas Tirith, Frodo," said Lee, welcoming him with a smile, "you are no longer within Mordor, that you most certainly aren't."
Frodo smiled a moment… then as a voice interjected, "well, I see that you're up now."
Frodo wondered to himself where the voice came from… as a tall, beautiful African American woman, with long dark brown hair, and a sly look on her face, appeared in front of Frodo, walking around his bed. The Hobbit was mystified to see her, as she wore the same manner of dress as Lee…
"…You better watch yourself, because you're still in recovery," she added.
"Who are you?" asked Frodo.
"I'm a friend of Lee's," the woman replied.
"Lee?" inquired Frodo, "…you mean Lee?"
"Yes," she answered fondly.
"Christa and her husband Omid are from our world, Frodo," explained Lee, "as soon as she heard of the success of the quest, she and more of our friends from Macon came here immediately, that they did."
"…Lee," said Frodo, "the quest almost failed. The ring-"
"We know what happened at Mt. Doom," replied Lee, solemnly, "…Lilly, Clementine, and Duck told us everything. I'm sorry about your hand, Frodo, that I am."
Frodo lifted his hand, which was bandaged on the missing finger, and looked at it… with the utmost sympathy.
"Christa was the one who bandaged your hand, that she was," said Lee.
Frodo turned to Christa and said, "thank you, my lady."
Christa nodded fervently.
"I cannot take most of the credit for destroying the One Ring," said Frodo, sadly, "it was mostly Gollum who did that. In the end… it was he who completed the quest, even though he intended to kill us. The ring took me…
"…And I lost one single finger because of that," ended Frodo, remorsefully, gazing at his bandaged missing finger.
"Well just be thankful, that's all you lost," said Megumi, then began smirking, "and who knows, you'll probably end up being a great legend as time goes by-the Grand epic tale of Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Destruction!"
Megumi laughed her usual fox-like face, as she finished saying her sly remarks about Frodo's quest, which received a rather embarrassed expression from the Hobbit.
"Still the same as ever," said Lilly, sheepishly, "aren't you, Christa?"
Megumi nodded as she replied, "well, some things never change in the end, Lilly."
"Gandalf told me," said Frodo, intoning, "…that Gollum would have a part to play before the end, whether it was for good or ill. Without his interference at the bitter end… the quest would've been in vain. So we should forgive him."
"Of course," agreed Lee.
"…I know that I already have," added Clementine, softly, with her head lowered, "he's been a tortured soul for most of his life. My only hope now… is that he has found peace at last."
Frodo nodded in agreement as he said, gloomily, "…and throughout all this-my only great wish… is that I would see Gandalf once more if he hadn't fell in Moria."
Lee and Lilly sympathized with the Hobbit… but rather smiled brightly instead of bearing sad, depressed looks upon their faces… like Frodo's…
"…Actually Frodo," said Duck brightly, "…Gandalf is…"
"…Right by your side, Frodo," an old man's voice finished for Duck… as Frodo's eyes suddenly widened with shock, feeling that he was hearing but a mere shadow… of his old wizard guide…
But Lee, Lilly, Clementine, and Duck smiled still… as Lee gestured his head… towards the bottom of Frodo's bed…
Unprepared, and full of fear still… Frodo closed his eyes softly… hoping that his ears were not mistaken to what he heard…
Frodo then shifted from his bed… as he slowly sat up, with his eyes closed still. The frightened Hobbit slowly opened his eyes…
And gazed upon the familiar figure of Gandalf, dressed as white as snow, standing at the end of the bed that Frodo laid upon...
"…Gandalf?" Frodo gasped in brightened disbelief, with his eyes now full of surprise and rising with happiness, when he nodded slowly.
Frodo turned his head to Lee, Lilly, Clementine, Duck, and Christa for a moment, before turning back to Gandalf… his gaze completely fixed on him…
As the wizard began laughing gaily… to which Frodo could not help but join in, laughing as loudly with much joy as Gandalf was. Lee, Lilly, Clementine, and Duck looked upon the chortling reunited pair, with such contentment in their eyes… feeling the same way when they were reunited after the quest succeeded, with an inadvertent, yet tragic serendipity, courtesy of Gollum.
The door to Frodo's room opened suddenly…
Revealing Merry and Pippin behind it. But they were not alone… as two little girls accompanied them, who were also from Lee's world-Alisha and Emma.
"…Frodo!" Merry cried gaily as he and Pippin brightened immensely to seeing Frodo again.
"Look, he's awake!" cried Alisha, happily.
"He's awake!" Emma repeated her sister's glad cry…
Frodo looked upon the door, seeing the four guests run up to him… jumping cheerfully onto the bed, and hugged him jovially. Frodo was reunited with two more of his Hobbit brethren, and enjoyed the company of Alisha and Emma, who hugged Frodo together…
Another arrival came from the door…
It was Kenny and his wife Katjaa standing proud.
Frodo turned to the new arrival and gasped, "Kenny! Katjaa?"
"You went on your own journey with Lilly, Clementine, Duck, Ben, and Travis," said Katjaa.
"So, you went off on your own eh?" said Kenny, as he ran over towards Frodo… and started nuzzling his fist on his head, with his arm holding Frodo on the neck, "…I guess I have to teach you a lesson about that."
"Hey Kenny, let me have a go!" Pippin exclaimed, wanting a chance to nuzzle Frodo on the head.
"I want my chance to nudge at him too, Pip," Merry said eagerly.
"Sorry guys," said Kenny, wanting to hog all the fun, "I've got all dibs on this one."
"Hey, Ken," objected Katjaa, "he's still in recovery."
"What's the point, Honey?" question Kenny, continuing to nuzzle Frodo, "I did the same thing to Lee when he recovered from Florida."
"Ken, he's just a hobbit?" Christa fumed… as Alisha and Emma joined in, nudging their tiny fists into Frodo's stomach and chest.
Despite all of Christa's continuous objections… Frodo seemed to enjoy being nudged and nuzzled, as he laughed loudly and joyfully. Frodo knew that Kenny and Katjaa was glad to see him, even through his playful fist maneuvers…
Carlos came in through the door next, seeing his friend Kenny nuzzling Frodo and arguing with Christa at the same time.
'That idiot doesn't change one bit,' thought Carlos as he walked over to the bed…
Radagast then arrived next, as he joined alongside Gandalf at the end of Frodo's bed. Gandalf turned to his fellow wizard… and smiled as they stood together in great comradeship and brotherhood. The two wizards laughed as gaily as Frodo when he was still being nuzzled in the head, and in the chest and stomach…
Larry came through the door, but did not come beside Frodo… instead he stood against the wall, as he humphed bitterly at the people who really, really missed him a lot…
'Those morons,' thought Larry, mockingly.
Carley, Glenn, Mark, Ben, and Travis came in afterwards, smiling happily, that Frodo was now awake…
"Heh, heh, heh!" Ben and Travis both chuckled brightly.
"You're awake!" exclaimed Glenn.
"Welcome back Frodo." exclaimed Mark.
"Hey, Frodo!" exclaimed Carley as she and Yahiko ran over to his bed.
Following after Carley, Ben, and Travis…
Were Omid, Sarah, Luke, Shawn, and Sarita of the group… as they all stood around Frodo's bed, smiling warmly at the Hobbit, who was responsible for saving their city… as well as their whole world…
Russell, with his innocent-like expression beaming across his face entered and stood by the wizards, on Gandalf's side. Though Frodo was with an increasing number of strangers… he welcomed them gladly, as he thought… or knew that they all were friends of Lee…
"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" a joyful shout came next. Frodo turned to the door…
"Gimli!" Frodo cried out as he saw the stouthearted dwarf Gimli, clapping his hands together in great excitement… and also went to join everyone at the bed…
Legolas… then Doug came through after Gimli, their faces hardened with a serene look. Legolas smiled brightly down on Frodo, while Doug nodded firmly at the Hobbit… as they went to take their places beside him…
A tall, muscular man, with black short hair, wearing an extravagant white cape, stood in front of the door next. Frodo gazed in awe upon the man… as his presence smote the heart of the recovering Hobbit greatly-from the arrogant, yet superior look on his face… down to the boots he wore on his feet. Frodo became astonished at the Man's imposing appearance, as he nodded proudly at him. This man was none other than Lee's father- Nick.
Then… as Nick moved towards Frodo…
Aragorn walked through the door, dressed very kingly in Gondorian garb, with a grand smile at the awaken Hobbit.
"Aragorn," said Frodo, smiling at the ranger, who grinned down at him and walked to his bed.
For Frodo… it was like a Fellowship reunited with old-and new friends standing beside him… with Merry, Pippin, Alisha, and Emma hopping, and bouncing down upon his bed having the greatest kind of fun ever. Everyone was accounted for… except for one other…
Samwise Gamgee… who came by last… but only stood in the doorway, also not taking a place around Frodo. Frodo, however, spotted his brave gardener… and the smile slipped as he met Sam's gaze, with a look of understanding, friendship… as well as love, which Sam returned fondly with his glad smile. Frodo was glad, as he especially knew that he couldn't have done it… without his most loyal, faithful Sam by his side. Suddenly… Ben and Travis noticed that Frodo had his gazed fixed towards the door.
The two teen boys looked towards the door, and also spotted Sam, standing at the doorway. Sam instantly noticed Ben and Travis looking at him… and smiled even greater, as he nearly forgot to thank Ben and Travis for his stubborn encouragement to remind him of why he went on the quest with Frodo, among other things. Sam especially would not have gotten back up from his moment of despair at Cirith Ungol if Ben and Travis hadn't gone after him.
With that, Ben and Travis nodded firmly at Sam returning the gesture… as he smirked arrogantly, with an expression that stated the obvious.
Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings belong to the author, respectively J.R.R. Tolkien, and TWD belong to the game Darrell Rodriguez. This fanfiction is created just for fun, not for any commercial purposes.