(Epilogue)



The funeral procession marched up onto the top of the hill, overlooking Hobbiton.

In front, carrying the small wooden box containing the body of Frodo Baggins, was Aragorn, Gandalf, and Legolas, followed by Bilbo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Gimli.

When they reached the top of the hill, they set the box down next to the small hole that had been dug out earlier. They stood for a moment, in silent remembrance.

Gandalf finally spoke. "Once before I said 'Many that live deserve death, and many that die deserve life'. Frodo, most of all, deserves life. Frodo was a brave Hobbit. Many things happened to him in his short life, but he missed many more things. May he rest in peace…" Gandalf trailed off, a couple tears rolling down his face.

Aragorn walked forward and knelt beside Frodo's box. "I give him my sword. To his service I pledged it, and to him all the honor of the Kings of Gondor I give." He stood up, and walked back to his place.

Legolas walked up next. "To him I give my bow, given to me by the Lady of the Wood. This bow has slain many creatures, and now I give it to him, with the highest honor of the Elves of Mirkwood." Legolas wiped his face, and stepped back.

Then came Gimli. "I pledged my ax in his service as well, and with him it shall go to it's final resting place, along with the reverence and remembrance from the Dwarves of the Lonely Mountain, the town of Dale, and he shall be distinguished with such honor as is given to Balin and those that perished in Moria, and to Thror, Thrain, and Thorin Oakenshield, buried under the Mountain." Gimli sighed, and retreated.

Next up went Merry and Pippin. Merry started to speak, but was choked up. He knelt down and wept beside Frodo's small coffin, as did Pippin. Finally, they stood and bowed deeply, as was the long-time custom in the Shire.

Sam knelt down. He whispered softly, "I couldn't keep my promise, Mr. Frodo. I lost you. I hope you can forgive me." As soon as he finished those words, he started to sob. After some minutes, Aragorn gently took him and led him away.

Bilbo was the last. He lay Sting down. He couldn't utter a word though, and backed up immediately into Gandalf's waiting arms, and cried.

There they stayed for minutes, some sobbing, some remembering Frodo from former times. Soon, though, Gandalf, Aragorn, and Legolas lowered the small coffin into the ground. Sam leapt forward.

"MR. FRODO!" he wailed. Gandalf placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"He'll be in pain no more, Samwise. He's healed."

They soon left the hill, to return to Bag End. Soon, they would all leave the Shire, and return to their homes, leaving behind Merry, Pippin, and Sam, Bilbo returning to Rivendell, to spend the remainder of his time before he sailed West.

That day was one of the hardest days any of them had experienced, one not to be forgotten, ever.

And the angels were silent…





END