***************

Cool and clear, like fresh well water. That was how Sam's last day in the Shire began. It was cloudy, but as the Sun showed her golden face over Hobbiton, the dew dropped away from the roses in his garden like tears and the clouds raced away. It seemed as if the very land he lived upon was tempting him to stay in Bag End until the end of his days, but Sam was determined to go on his one last adventure.

The provisions were made, with Elanor teafully packing away food as her father and Kerra laughed in front of the fire, now burned to cold ashes. They were reminiscing over happier parts of the Fellowship's stay in Siobhangé, but Elanor noticed they both deliberately avoided any reference to Anemosi. The great catharsis of story that had taken place the night before seemed to be forgotten and replaced by the hilarity of the two old friends. It didn't seem like a farewell; it was more of a celebration.

When the preparations were completed and Sam handed over the key to Bag End to Elanor with an expression halfway between sorrow and relief, the three travelers stepped down onto the dirt road to be greeted by five figures climbing the hill.

"Ah!" said Kerra, a grin lighting her face. "Master Samwise, may I introduce to you my family?" She extended her arms out to the approaching group and fairly ran towards a handsome, dark-haired man who could only be her husband, Drake.

"Master Samwise!" Drake laughed richly as he arrived in front of Sam. "It does my heart well to see you again, tanhu!"

Elanor's brow creased at the strange word, but her attention was distracted as she saw the four other fey standing behind Drake and Kerra. Two of the young men had curly blond hair that hugged their scalps like lovers, while the other two possessed rich chestnut hair that echoed the savage color of their mother's tresses. All four had blue eyes so dark they were almost black, and all of the children had the pale, flawless skin of their mother. All in all, a stunning quartet.

The young woman came forward, her eyes mischievous and sparkling, and bowed low before Elanor. "I am pleased to meet you, Mistress Elanor. I hope we shall become good friends upon our journey." She extended two strong hands, roughened by hard work, and Elanor grasped them in her own, unable to resist smiling back at the young woman.

"I see you have met my oldest child," said Kerra as she turned to face Merrie and Elanor. "Merrie will take over my place as leader of the fey armies when I retire."

Merrie smiled proudly. "It shall be a sad day when the fey armies lose such an esteemed leader. But for now," and she turned her dazzling smile full force upon Sam, "I wish only to enjoy the company of these honorable hobbits."

Sam blushed, wrinkled cheeks filling with color, as Merrie kissed her palm and laid it reverently against his heart. "Tanhu," she breathed, raising dark eyes to meet his darker ones. "I have longed to meet you...your bravey was never forgotten by our people."

Sam coughed drily. "Ah, I see...uh, 'tis time to be getting on, don't you think? It's only that the day is marching on, and I want as good a start as we're going to get."

Kerra nodded briskly. "Alright then, to the ponies." She gestured to one of her silent sons, who retreieved up the reins of several ponies that were waiting nearby and led them over to the little group. One by one, the fey and the hobbits mounted their ponies, and with a final look at Bag End, Sam turned his face westward and set off.

Immediately, Merrie began to sing. She was a vivacious, cheerful young woman, much like her namesake, and her sweet soprano was like the call of a lark. As they passed through Hobbiton, the hobbits that were out and about were treated to a rare sight: six fey, all singing and laughing, with their capes fluttering like wings behind them, surrounding Master Samwise and his lovely daughter as they rode out of the Shire. It was a fanfare unlike any seen before or after, and one that was talked about long after Elanor returned home to the Shire.

The ride to the Grey Havens passed achingly quick, with the fey accompanying Sam and Elanor adding to the delight of the journey. They seemed to have friends at every turn, who greeted the little band of travelers with a warmth that amazed Elanor, but that only reminded Sam of his golden weeks spent in Siobhangé. When Kerra introduced Sam to her friends, there was always an amazed silence, and then the same routine. They would kiss their palms, then lay their hands against his heart and whisper that strange word, "Tanhu". Elanor learned from Merrie "tanhu" meant "heart-friend" in the fey tongue, and that the gesture was one of the deepest respect and love that a fey could give. Apparently, Sam's connection to Anemosi had lasted throughout the years, and had affected all the fey at once.

All too soon, the group arrived at the Grey Havens.

The ship was already waiting for him, grey and sleek as it rested upon the water. Sam's eyes slid over the prow, his heart aching as he saw the vessel that would soon carry him far away from the lands that he loved. But in the back of his mind, he knew he could no longer stay in Middle-Earth, separated from both his closest friend and his dearest love. It was time to leave it all behind, and though he would miss all his beloved children (especially his dear Elanor), he knew that the time had come for him to be whole once more.

At least as whole as he could be without Anemosi.