Author's Note: Thank you to all who reviewed! Yo, Lily22, thank you for review, I checked my email and it said "You have 9 new mail" and I was totally like O.O (to everyone else, I usually get like 3 pieces of email on a busy day…) lol! Anywho…please review, as usual…I love reading input!

Random Song Line of the Chapter:

Hello Darkness, my old friend…these are the sounds…of silence…

Chapter Eight: Darkness

The reunited fellowship spent the next few days laughing together, walking together, talking together, eating together, and pretty much spent all of their free time with each other. One could hardly be seen without one of the others.

One day, Legolas asked, "Aragorn, you used to be able to heal anything…what happened?"

Aragorn shifted uncomfortably. "There was an accident…a while back. My horse threw me into a tree, then stepped on my body multiple times.' He said with a blush.

"Soo…" Pippin said, rolling his eyes and giggling.

"So, I lost my memory. You all speak so much of Minas Tirath, but I truly do not really remember it. I have looked at maps and read books written on our adventures…but…" Aragorn said, seemingly fascinated with his food, not looking anyone in the eyes.

There was a silence that swayed heavily over the table.

Sam cleared his throat, then excused himself.

~*~*~*~

Sam headed up to Frodo's room. He sat himself down, and began to tell Frodo all about his day. He talked for over an hour, wiping Frodo's brow without really noticing that he was. He made jokes and laughed at them himself, hearing Frodo's tinkling bell laughter in his head.

Sam fell asleep leaning over his friend's pillow. As he slept, tears slowly trickled down his cheeks, and his dreams were filled with Frodo's laughter and Aragorn's blush.

~*~*~*~

Everyone was depressed by Aragorn's news: it had merely crushed their hopes. Sam was the only one who still truly believed that Frodo would survive; though even his doubts were growing. He had dreams, but could not remember anything but an echoing (but steadily fainter) tinkling laughter.

To hinder the depression from growing, Legolas suggested they take a hike. He had been looking over old maps and had seen a path that was rumored to be very scenic ("Though it probably won't compare to Lorien"). The group thought this was a good idea.

They returned to their rooms to pack.

~*~*~*~

Merry and Pippin packed lots of food. They jokingly threw apples at each other, then (not wanting to waste perfectly good food) ate them. Legolas packed a small lunch, preferring not to bog himself down. Gimli put on his old elven cloak and packed a full lunch, bringing extra in case the hobbits didn't pack enough to fill themselves. Aragorn packed a book telling about their adventure and a lunch similar to Legolas's.

Sam packed his lunch and selected his favorite walking stick. He studied the stick for a moment, deep in thought. Frodo had given him the staff for his birthday, back before they even knew Bilbo had a ring. They had put it to good use as they got older. Sam fingered they smooth wood, then shouldered his light pack and went on his way to meet his friends.

As he passed Frodo's room, a soft moaning met his ears. "Mr. Frodo?" he asked.

The moaning continued for a moment, then slowly silenced. Sam's heart pounded. The gentle moaning was the first sound Frodo had made in days…

Sam rushed back to his room and put his things away.

~*~*~*~

"Sam? Where are your things?" Legolas asked, one eyebrow raised.

"I am not going. I have been neglecting my duties to Mr. Frodo. I wish to talk to him." Sam replied, hating the flush that ran to his cheeks.

Gimli snorted, as if to say, "what's the use?" but said nothing.

Aragorn shrugged. "All right then, Sam, if you wish. Come on everyone, let us go. I hope to return…perhaps after our hike I shall say hello to Frodo myself."

Sam nodded, then turned away.

"Bye, Sam, see you when we return!" Merry and Pippin called in unison.

Sam waved a hand, then headed slowly back to Frodo's room, his heart heavy.

~*~*~*~

Sam took his usual seat next to Frodo's bed. He opened the book he had brought (one by Bilbo) and began to read it. After a while, he stopped and asked, "Do you remember that, Mr. Frodo?" Frodo didn't stir.

Not then, at least.

~*~*~*~

Frodo was swimming below the surface on consciousness. He heard Sam reading to him, and, for a while, he was content to just lay and listen to Sam's gentle voice. Something inside told him to open his eyes, and (after a last moment of wistful listening) he pulled himself back to consciousness.

He opened his eyes, and was dazzled by the light. He waited for his eyes to adjust, but they didn't. The light, however, did. It became a beautiful array of blues, greens, purples, and any other color one could imagine.

He realized the light was coming from every corner of the room. He also realized he was not in his room at Bag-End. Sam continued to read, oblivious to the light and to Frodo's awakening.

"Sam…" Frodo said quietly.

Sam jumped, and looked at him. "Oh, Mr. Frodo! You're awake! Wait until the others get back, they're all here, Legolas, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, and even Gimli!" Tears of joy and relief began to stream from his eyes. He held Frodo's hand in his own, squeezing it and patting it.

Frodo tried to talk to Sam, but found he was too tired. The light was dazzling, and he longed to describe it to him. He knew now that Sam couldn't see the light, and he thought it was unfair that Sam should miss such a beautiful thing, for he had always noted the beauty of day while Frodo preferred the beauty of night.

Frodo felt light. He saw Sam's face fall with sudden worry, so he said, "Sam, you are… my greatest…friend…tell the others…tell...tell them I…thank them for…their friendship…I love you, dear Sam…" but it was hard to concentrate on words and speech with such light.

Frodo sat up, then got out of bed. He looked back, and saw he was still lying in bed. His eyes fluttered closed, and Sam began to whimper. Frodo whispered "Good-bye, dear Sam Gamgee." And Sam froze. He looked around the room, but did not see Frodo standing beside him. Frodo smiled softly at him, then turned, and walked into the rainbow light.

~*~*~*~

"Sam…"

"Mr. Frodo?" Sam shrieked, his heart alight with happiness. He had woken, as he knew he would. He cast the book aside and held Frodo's hand. It was still cold, but it weakly gripped his hand in return.

Sam happily babbled on about the others, not really sure of what he was saying, and not really caring. The same thoughts (awake of Elbereth I told them he's here thank you awake awake alive) kept whirring through his mind. He remained in his happy stupor until Frodo began to say his good-byes.

"No, d-don't say that, not now Mr. Frodo…" he murmured, not sure if he had said it aloud or thought it in his mind. He didn't care, not then, not ever.

He squeezed Frodo's hand, which slowly went limp in his hand.

For a moment, the room seemed brighter, and he heard (or thought he heard) a quiet, "Good-bye, dear Sam Gamgee." in his ear. Then the feeling was gone, and Sam felt hollow inside.

He leaned forward and gently kissed Frodo's smooth brow, then pulled the quilt up over Frodo's head. He sat for a moment later, then got up. His eyes never left the lump on the bed that had been his closest friend.

He walked across the room and walked through the decorated doorway. I'll just find Perillessuwen and tell her Mr. Frodo has gone to Mandos Hall…she'll take it from there. I'll tell the others what he said. I'll be fine. He finally passed through the door (the world was moving so slowly…) and entered the hallway. He took three steps, then collapsed (in slow motion, of course) to the floor.

Sam curled into a fetal position and began to sob.

~*~*~*~

He wasn't sure how long he stayed there on the floor; all time had slowed down and simultaneously sped up…he didn't even notice the elf sitting next to him until the delicate arms pulled him into a gently hug and a hand combed through his hair reassuringly.

Sam continued to sob for a while. When the tears reduced to sniffles, he looked at the elf holding him gently. He was surprised to see it was Perillessuwen (had she heard his thoughts and come? Was that possible?) and was even more surprised to find that tears were streaming gently down her face as well.

"I am sorry for your friend, halfling. He was a good being." She said, and wiped her eyes quickly.

"You didn't know him…he was magnificent. He was funny, smart, adventurous, courageous…" Sam trailed off as tears began to trickle down his cheeks again.

Perillessuwen nodded thoughtfully, then picked Sam up, and began to carry him down the stairs. "I do not think you will want to be here when they…move him" she said.

Sam nodded, then buried his head on her shoulder, tears flowing harder now.

~*~*~*~

She carried him down the stairs slowly. As they came to the bottom of the stairs, they heard a commotion.

Sam turned his head, and saw Legolas sprinting towards him. News travels fast…he thought morbidly.

Legolas ran closer, and yelled, "It's Elrond! He is here! He returned very early! He--" but stopped when he saw Perillessuwen and Sam's tear-streaked faces. "What has happened?" he asked.

"Frodo has passed on." Perillessuwen answered.

Legolas froze, and his face blanked. "No…he cannot…Elrond is here…"

"Elrond is too late." She replied coldly.

~*~*~*~

The rest of the fellowship took Frodo's passing very hard. The hobbits sobbed and withdrew into themselves. Gimli burst into wounded sounding tears that pierced the ears. Aragorn did not cry, but seemed to transform from a king back to a lonely ranger named Strider.

Elrond blessed Frodo's body, and used herbs to preserve Frodo's body. He had it sent ahead to Brandy Hall where most of his relatives were. He constantly shook his head, disgusted with the fact that he was merely moments too late to save Frodo.

~*~*~*~

Days later, everyone had packed. They stood at the front gates, bidding each other farewell.

Perillessuwen came forward and hugged all of the hobbits. After a brief moment of hesitation, she quickly hugged Legolas, who returned the hug. He talked to her briefly in a form of elvish they (except for Aragorn) couldn't understand.

Finally, Elrond came and apologized (yet again) for his tardiness. He offered gifts (decorated elvish boxes containing elvish texts) and then slowly walked away.

After Elrond left, the hobbits nodded to their old friends, turned, and left. They headed slowly back to the Shire, not talking or singing as they had on their journey to Rivendell.

The rest of the old fellowship parted and went their own ways, each feeling hollow inside.

Frodo's body arrived at Brandy Hall, and scared the Brandybucks. Later they said that (at first glance) it appeared that he was merely sleeping…they were not used to elvish preservation, and were surprised to see that his eyes had not sunken, nor had his cheeks taken on the caved look that is common in very elderly people. They were quite expecting Frodo to sit up and ask for a bowl of mushrooms as he had when he was a child and (though he had "forgotten") as a tweenager.

~*~*~ The End ~*~*~

Author's note: Okay, that was it. The story is over…*sigh* I'm gonna miss these people *puts a disgruntled (and slightly peeved looking) Frodo on Tolkien's shelf* Okay, yes, I killed Frodo. I know, most people would've had some miracle save him…but that's not me. I read too much Stephen King, lol! Please review with your thoughts!!! I have written other stories, if y'all wanna try those ones on for size, but don't feel pressured…Hmm, I might write a story with Sam's thoughts, but I dunno…Please press the pretty blue button, it's right there, see it? LOL! B-bye! *sobs as I wave good-bye*