At long last, the morning of the ship's arrival came.
Frodo stood fidgeting on the long wooden dock, waiting anxiously. He was not alone; Elves lined the docks and stood on the shore, ready to greet the last of their kind. On Frodo's right stood Bilbo, on his left stood Gandalf. As Frodo stood nervously peering over the waters for a glimpse of the ship, he felt Gandalf's hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, Frodo," the wizard said softly, giving the hobbit's trembling shoulder a gentle squeeze.
Despite the words of comfort, Frodo felt a nervous sweat beginning to break out on his brow. If Sam wasn't on that ship…
At long last it came: a glimmer of silver sails on the horizon, a sleek gray form gliding over the water faster than any normal ship could ever go. Frodo strained to see the figures on the deck, but the ship was too far away. With a frustrated sigh he broke away from Gandalf's grip and began to pace nervously.
"Frodo," Bilbo said, sounding slightly exasperated. "Calm down."
Frodo ignored him, and continued his pacing. Bilbo sighed, exchanging looks with Gandalf, but they let Frodo alone, knowing there was very little they could do anyway.
Frodo felt he may go mad at any moment. He had to know, he had to, the waiting was worse than even discovering the worst could be, he was certain of it…Elbereth, he just needed to *know*…
When at last the ship was near enough to make out figures, Frodo's heart jumped to his throat…then slowly sank into the pit of his stomach as he searched in vain for a sign of his friend.
*Oh, no, Eru please, no…*The ship slid into the harbor, full of only tall, sleek figures, no smaller form among them whatsoever…
*No…*
As it pulled along side the dock and the elves began to disembark, Frodo had to closed his eyes against the burning of his tears.
"Frodo…" Bilbo whispered, his voice trembling, but couldn't seem to think of anything else to say.
Frodo shook his head then turned and began to walk away.
"Frodo…wait…" Bilbo called hoarsely after him, but Frodo merely shook his head again and broke into a run, tears flying down his face.
*Oh, Sam…*He ran, off the dock, past the elves lining the shores, back into the forest; his feet moving as quickly as only a hobbit's can, desperately trying to outrun the pain that threatened to overwhelm and consume him in its icy depths. He ran until he could run no farther, his breath coming in short, gasping sobs, his heart pounding within his chest as though it meant to break free. Finally he collapsed, exhausted, sobbing as he curled onto his side on the blanket of soft pine needles. He felt as if his very soul was being ripped apart and he suspected that was not far from the truth…
*Sam!*A sudden coldness gripped his heart, so intense it felt like drowning. Gasping, he curled in on himself, covering his head with his arms, shaking and sobbing as darkness closed in on his soul.
* * *
For the first time since the beginning of the journey, Sam felt sick.
He wasn't sure if it was the tossing of the ocean or merely the anticipation of arriving at last on the shores of Valinor, but he suddenly felt as though his stomach was tying itself into knots. Excusing himself from the deck, he returned to his quarters and sprawled out on his bed, trying to calm his nausea and racing pulse.
*I'll just rest a bit,* he told himself. *Just a little while, then I'll go back on deck…*
He didn't know how long he slept, but he was awakened suddenly by a tall slender elf who appeared in his doorway.
"Samwise!" she cried. "Come see, we've arrived!"
Sam sat up, startled, then jumped out of bed. He felt a bit bewildered. Had he fallen asleep? He'd only meant to lie down long enough for his stomach to settle, but he'd apparently fallen into a deep slumber.
The elf disappeared again, and Sam hurried after her.
When he stepped out into the sunlight, he saw they had indeed arrived. A pearl-white sandy beach spread out before them, and just beyond it the most beautiful pine forest Sam had ever seen. He could hear the sound of Elves laughing as they were reunited with their friends and family who'd been on Sam's ship, and the sound filled him with joy.
Running out to the front of the ship, he leaned over the rail and peered into the crowds for some sign of Frodo. The eager smile on his face slowly faded, however, when he saw only elves.
*He forgot me…*Sam's grief was so enormous it brought him to his knees. Head bowed, he closed his eyes against the hot tears that were beginning to trickle down his cheeks.
Frodo had forgotten him. Completely. He hadn't even been there to say hello. In all his worst fears about this day, Sam had never considered that Frodo wouldn't even be there to *greet* him. He'd thought his master had cared for him at least enough to *be* there…
He started as a hand was gently laid on his shoulder. Looking up, he saw through his tears Glorfindel standing over him, a look of sympathy on his beautiful Elven face.
"Come, Samwise," he said softly, placing a hand under Sam's arm and drawing him to his feet.
"Glorfindel…he didn't come," Sam whispered, his throat tightening as fresh tears filled his eyes.
Glorfindel didn't reply, but suddenly Sam heard someone calling his name.
"Samwise! Sam!!"
Turning, he saw Bilbo racing onto the ship. Sam was shocked; Bilbo looked no older than he did himself. There was a great joy and…relief?…shining from his young face.
With a shout of laughter, Bilbo threw his arms around Sam. Perplexed, Sam returned the embrace, thinking of how he'd seen this very scenario played out in his dreams with a different hobbit…
"Oh, Sam, for a moment there I though…! But no matter. You've arrived! Praise Elbereth, you're here!"
He pulled away and laughed once more. Then he suddenly noticed Sam's tear-streaked face, and his demeanor grew instantly concerned.
"Sam?" he asked. "What's wrong?"
Sam drew a shaky breath and looked down. "Nothing, sir…it's just that…well, I thought Frodo would…but I guess he's forgot me." He shrugged and forced a brave smile, still staring down at his feet. "I guess it's to be expected; it's been nearly sixty years, after all…"
He trailed off and forced himself to meet Bilbo's eyes. To his surprise, the older hobbit had a look
of such amusement and joy on his face that Sam almost smiled himself.
"Bilbo? What is it…?"
Bilbo shook his head and burst out laughing. "Oh, you two think exactly alike!" he cried, shaking his head again. "*Forgot* you? Why, if I could tell you how many times I've had to talk to him, and console him, because he was terrified you wouldn't be on this ship…!"
He laughed again.
Sam looked at him, hope beginning to rise in his breast.
"You mean…he hasn't…he hasn't forgotten about me?"
"Of course not, you great foolish hobbit!" Bilbo cried. "But you weren't on the deck of the ship when it pulled in, and he was certain *you'd* forgotten *him!*"
As Bilbo laughed and once more pulled Sam into his arms, Sam amazed at the revelation. Him? Forgotten Frodo? The idea was so ludicrous that Sam had to laugh despite the amazed tears running down his cheeks, and he returned Bilbo's embrace with strength borne of relief and joy.
"But…but then where…?" he said after a moment, pulling away to meet Bilbo's gaze.
Bilbo took Sam's arm and drew him off the ship towards the forest.
"He took off when he didn't see you. Carrying on as though someone had died, he was. I don't expect he got far. Come on, we'll split up. You won't get lost; the Elven settlement stretches for miles. Someone'll find you, if you can't find your way back."
He then turned and sprinted into the forest, calling Frodo's name.
Sam turned and hurried off in another direction, calling Frodo's name hoarsely through his tears. He *had* to find him. He'd waited so long…
* * *
Two more chapters to go…! :)