* * *
The sunset on the ocean was always beautiful, and somehow, surrounded by all the fair folk, Sam felt no fear of the water. He gave one last tug to the rope he was checking, then, satisfied, walked up to the bow of the ship, leaning over and peering down into the water. Sometimes, when the waves were just right, he could see sleek gray forms leaping gracefully from the crystal waters. 'Dolphins,' Glorfindel had called them. To Sam, they seemed to be an embodiment of joy.
*Of course*, he thought with a smile, *joy's all I've felt for these past few weeks anyway.*
He had definitely been reverse aging. He now looked as he had when he was in his early thirties, and felt as vibrant too. The Elves had been teaching him about rope-making, and that, along with assisting them on deck (as he'd insisted upon doing), had occupied most of his time. He was also learning the basics of sailing, and was even allowed to help operate the rudder, when the weather was clear.
"For a hobbit who used to be terrified of rivers, this is a pretty big change," he told the dolphin that was swimming lazily alongside the ship.
"That it is!" said Glorfindel, approaching from behind him. Sam smiled up at him, then turned his face into the wind and closed his eyes as he breathed in the salty ocean air.
"Another two days should do it," Glorfindel said, studying the horizon. Sam nodded, feeling the excitement that had been building within him welling over.
Glorfindel smiled down at him again. "You no longer have any worries about your friend?"
Sam thought for a moment, then answered slowly. "I don't think so," he said. "He never came out and said it, but I think he cared for me nearly as much as I did for him. I can't imagine he'd have forgotten…" Sam trailed off, remembering the tears in Frodo's eyes as they'd said goodbye at the Havens so long ago…
He'd almost grown accustomed to the tightness in his chest that had been a part of his life since Frodo'd left, but now it returned with a force as strong as it had been that day Frodo had gone. Sam closed his eyes and realized, with sudden astounding clarity, exactly how much he missed his dearest friend. How much he'd *always* missed him. He drew a deep breath and tried to calm his racing pulse, and quite suddenly, two days seemed a veritable eternity.
As if he'd read the hobbit's thoughts, Glorfindel smiled slightly and patted Sam's arm. "The time will pass," he whispered. "Don't worry. We'll be there before you know it." With that, he turned and disappeared below decks.
Sam watched him go, but did not follow. Instead, he stayed out long into the night, staring towards the west, and the approaching destiny that awaited him.
"Coming, Mr. Frodo," he whispered. "Coming."
* * *
A/n: Short!! J I know, I know. But this is how it broke itself up. I had very little say in it. Yell at Frodo and Sam, if you want someone to yell at. ;) I think the last few chapters are a bit longer—I should have them revised and up again within a few days or so. Thank you all for all the wonderful reviews!