Chapter 3
Frodo awoke to the sound of rain pitter-pattering on the floor. Now look what I've done! I've gone and gotten poor Uncle Bilbo all wet with rain because I couldn't wake up when it started and close the window! he thought in distress, rising quickly from the bed and dashing to the open window. He closed it tightly and surveyed the mess. It must not have been raining for very long, since the floor was not extremely wet. Ah well, I had better get a towel and clean it up anyways, thought Frodo.
It was then that he noticed Bilbo was not in bed. Oh dear! What trouble has he gotten himself into now? thought Frodo, running out the door to find him. He bumped right into Gandalf. "Gandalf! I'm so sorry! What are you doing here? And where is Uncle Bilbo?" exclaimed Frodo in concern.
"Bilbo came out just a few minutes ago to inform me that he had been awakened by raindrops falling on his face from the open window. Realizing that you were still in the room, I came down to close your window so that you could sleep undisturbed. I was also bringing this towel to clean up the mess." replied Gandalf, displaying a small white towel that Frodo had not noticed before. Frodo attempted to imagine Gandalf on his hands and knees wiping up the floor and failed.
"Oh, well then, just give me that towel and I'll go and do it quickly. The window is closed now, and so I'll just wipe up the mess and come back up in a few minutes." suggested Frodo.
Gandalf handed him the linen and started to turn away. "Oh, and hurry, breakfast is being served, and I don't believe you would want to miss that, now would you?" he laughed. Frodo scurried off down the hallway to his room, the thought of an Elvish meal lending speed to his feet.
As soon as he was finished wiping up, Frodo hurried out the door again to find Bilbo. Halfway down the hallway he realized he was still dressed only in his nightgown. Back in his room, he found a soft green tunic, which he quickly changed into. Finally, he began down the hallway a third time, this time actually making it to the other end before realizing he had left the wet towel in his room. He decided not to bother with it for now; he was hungry and could smell food on the deck.
He soon found that his nose was quite right. Under a tent that the Elves had raised on the deck he found a buffet of food of many kinds, some of which he had never seen before, but all of which looked positively delicious. There were salads, meats, desserts, breads, and fruits. It was the best meal he had eaten since Imladris.
Frodo helped himself to a plate of food and looked about for a place to enjoy his meal. He found Bilbo and Gandalf seated side-by-side, deep in conversation and joined them on the deck. They hardly noticed him, getting merely a nod of acknowledgment from Bilbo and nothing from Gandalf to suggest they had seen him.
After he had finished his meal, Frodo interrupted his companions' discussion to propose a walk about the ship. Gandalf and Bilbo declined, so Frodo left alone. He went to the railing and walked along it, studying the endless pattern of the rise and fall of the Sea. He stood long upon the side facing West, gazing through the rain as he attempted to discern what lay beyond.
Suddenly, as he looked down at the water, he noticed something different about it. He could see sand only a few feet from the surface! That meant they were probably close to land! Frodo raced back to his companions and cried, "We're nearing land! I can see the bottom of the Sea! We're almost there!"
"Oh are we?" said Gandalf in excitement. Even as he spoke, the grey wall of rain beyond seemed to turn to glass and then peel back as if it were merely a curtain to a window beyond. A multitude of beautiful voices poured forth as if from a dam, making Frodo's heart leap with joy. And yet the greatest sight by far was what lay beyond.
The Sea stretched as far as the eye could see behind and to both sides of the Elvish ship. Ahead was a small island, lush and green. Beaches with sand the color of a swan's feather encircled the island. Upon the beach stood many fair Elves, come to greet their kindred as they finally returned to the land of their fathers. At the center of the island, nestled in a valley upon a small forested peak, sat the fair city that the Elves had built. Far away in the distance, the Pelóri Mountains reflected the morning sun with a dazzling array of yellows and reds. Aman! thought Frodo excitedly. It was his first glimpse of the Blessed Realm.
"Gandalf, is that island Tol Eressëa?" asked Frodo, pointing at the island.
"Yes, it is, Frodo. This island only the Elves live upon, and rarely do the Maiar come to it. I will only stay long enough to see you and Bilbo settled in, then I will go back to Aman." replied Gandalf, longing reflected in his face as he gazed at the formidable but distant mountains, a glimpse of the home he had long left behind.
Frodo felt grateful for his friend's concern. Together the two companions watched as Elvenhome drew closer, bringing into focus each tall, green tree and each white, shimmering building upon the mountain. Excitement welled inside Frodo. They were so close! Suddenly, the scrape of sand against the bottom of the boat brought their landing to Frodo's attention, and he hurried off to find Bilbo. A plank was lowered, and the Elves stepped down off the ship onto the glittering sand. Many embraced friends or family who had been left behind or who had crossed the Sea before. Gandalf stayed on the ship until Frodo appeared, supporting Bilbo as he led his uncle off the ship. Gandalf walked in front of them, his cloak thrown back, white hair and beard matching the hue of the city far above them. All turned to stare at the strange trio as they walked down the plank. The Elves' surprise was quickly replaced by welcoming kindness, however, and they helped Bilbo and Frodo on the long climb up to their city.