Chapter 35: A Home to Return to

Opening my eyes I groaned lightly going to sit up but stop feeling pain rush through me feeling a wrap around my middle.

Looking to my side I saw Merry and Pippin sleeping at the foot of the bed smiling towards them as I heard, "It seems you're the first to wake."

Turning my head I saw Gandalf smiling towards me as I said softly, "What of Frodo and Sam?"

"Though injured badly they are alive and resting." he said as I fell back onto the pillow feeling tears of relief fill my eyes saying, "So it's over..."

"Indeed, it is." Gandalf said as I sat back up using my foot to push Pippin hearing him snort before his eyes opened.

"Marina..." he said surprised as I smirked towards him saying, "Honestly Pipsqueak you say I snore."

Leaping over to me his arms wrapped tightly around me as I groaned saying, "Easy I'm still injured."

He let go of me quickly noticing Merry stir from his slumber jumping over to hug me saying, "We're so glad you're okay."

"Well I'm not going to be if you both break my ribs again!" I grumbled hearing Gandalf laugh beside me smiling towards them both, it truly was over.


After another day of rest, I was well enough to move hearing that Sam had woken up next running over to him hugging him tightly. I could see the burns on his skin from the lava along with the dried cracked skin from dehydration but otherwise he was okay. He told me about Golum and the hardships Frodo and him went through as I listened at the journey they took.

"He's awake!" I heard Pippin yell running past us with Merry in tow as I looked towards Sam smiling going to catch up with them.

It seemed everyone had beaten us running into the room as Pippin and Merry were jumping on the bed beside Frodo. He looked in my direction as I walked brisk fully over to him hugging him gently breathing a sigh of relief.

"Thank you for looking after them in my absence." he said making me wave my hand replying, "Of course, they only needed saving a little."

"Pip more though, can't take him anywhere." Merry said seeing Pippin glare playfully towards him as Sam came in the room taking a step back so they could all hug.

I listened as Pippin and Merry told them about Treebeard and the battle of Isengard mentioning briefly about the Longbottom Leaf. Then I heard them talk about me watching the surprise on Sam and Frodo's face when Pippin told them he loved me.

"Looks like you'll be seeing a lot more of this handsome face when we get back Frodo." Pippin pipped in confidently as I leaned against his head replying, "Hopefully not too much, don't want to be a burden with this one."

"I told you before Bag End is your home now, Bilbo will want you close as do I." Frodo said making me smile warmly replying, "Well can't say no to that."


Days went by as Frodo and Sam took more time to heal while we were all getting ready for Aragorn's crowning as King of Gondor. In that time Faramir and Eowyn announced their love for one another which I thought was wonderful as they were both amazing people. Pippin and I spent more than one night together after my ribs were healed enough getting an earful from Merry who was in the room besides us.

Frodo was quiet but I couldn't blame him for all that he had endured, if I had been him I would most likely be the same. Sam though kept him company whenever it was needed but I knew we were all anxious to go home. Home, I couldn't believe I would have one after so many years of traveling and not having one. Pippin was already making plans for me to visit his family and tell them he wished to marry me while I had no need to protest.

Looking into the mirror I smoothed out my dress before looking down towards my mother's ring smiling fondly at it. Hearing the door open I saw Pippin noticing he had cleaned up wearing a nice teal vest walking over to me as I smiled.

"You ready?" he asked as I turned to him replying, "As I'll ever be."

Standing beside the hobbits we watched Aragorn get crowned by Gandalf seeing Gimli beside them hearing Gandalf say, "Now comes the days of the king."

Watching Aragorn turn to us all everyone cheered happily looking towards the white tree seeing it blossom as I turned back to Aragorn for his speech, "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."

We all clapped again but once it became quiet, I heard him begin to sing in elvish as Pippin leaned towards me saying, "What's he saying?"

Smiling warmly the hobbits all looked towards me as I said softly, "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."

They all looked up towards him as he began walking down to the people seeing them bow as he stepped towards them. Legolas led the elves towards him seeing them whisper to one another before behind a flag stood Arwen. I watched as they looked towards each other with all the love in the world before embracing in a passionate kiss clapping loudly happy they both had one another.

They began walking hand in hand towards us watching the people clear a path until he was in front of us.

We all began to bow hearing his footsteps come closer causing us all to look up as he said, "My friends, you bow to no one."

Watching him bow to us as everyone followed his lead we stood in shock for a moment before we smiled. Feeling Pippin grab my hand I looked towards him then back at the crowd taking in the serenity and peace in the air.


Standing at the gates of Gondor I hugged Aragorn tightly saying, "You must come visit the shire and I know we will be sure to visit."

"Until we meet again my friend." he said as Arwen came over hugging me as she said softly, "We look forward to meeting him too in the years to come."

Blinking I looked towards her confused seeing the kindness in her eyes drift down as I felt myself stiffen knowing she must have seen the future before replying, "I suppose you shall."

Giving Faramir and Eowyn a hug I heard Pippin say, "If ever I have a son, I shall name him after you."

"And an honor it would be." Faramir said as Eowyn smiled towards us both turning to Gimli as I punched his arm saying, "So I don't suppose you like elves now do you?"

"I'm inclined to like a few." he said as I smiled wider giving him a hug as he said, "You take care lass."

Legolas gave me a smile as I said in elvish, "Until we meet again when we aren't trying to save the Earth."

He put his hand on my shoulder replying, "I look forward to it."

Watching Frodo and the others say their goodbyes I hoped on my pony as Gandalf sat upon Shadowfax ready to escort us back to the Shire. As they joined us it seemed the whole city was there to see us off cheering while we left feeling Pippin's pony come up beside me.

"We have a long journey back to the Shire but this time I believe it will be a pleasant journey." Gandalf said to us all nodding as Pippin replied, "Well you know what Marina says."

"Eyes forward." he, Gandalf and Merry said as I beamed proudly ready for the road ahead.