"The Road Goes Ever On"
Chapter Two ; New Beginnings
Frodo stood upon the bow of the Ship staring into the cold gray water. His mind drifted back to the day that he left Merry, Pippin and his beloved Sam standing on the shores of the Grey Havens. Had it only been yesterday? It seemed like a lifetime ago. He missed them already and he wondered how he was going to make it with out them. Especially Sam. Beautiful, sweet, endearing Sam. Sam was a friend that Frodo knew he would never find the likes of again. Not even in the company of the Elves would Frodo hope to find that kind of kinship. Sam was a true kindred spirit. Frodo knew that Sam was devastated at their parting. Frodo wished it could have been different. He wished that he could have remained in the shire. He longed to have been able to walk the gardens of Bag end, teach Sam and Rosie's children, of which Frodo was sure they would have many, their letters, as Bilbo had done for him so many years ago. Most of all would have loved to settle down and grow old with Sam, Merry and Pippin however, it was not meant to be. Frodo remembered his words to Sam that last night in the shire before they came to the Grey Havens, "I have been too deeply hurt Sam." Frodo wondered if Sam truly understand the reason he was leaving for the Undying Lands. Frodo was deeply wounded by knife, sting, tooth and heavy burden and could no longer find comfort in his life in the shire. He wondered if his heart and soul would even find rest and healing in the Undying lands.
Just then Frodo heard voices from inside the ship as the elves broke into song. He listened for a moment and heard the following words;
To the Sea, to the Sea! The white gulls are crying,
The wind is blowing, and the white foam is flying.
West, west away, the round sun is falling.
Grey ship, grey ship, do you hear them calling,
The voices of my people that have gone before me?
I will leave, I will leave the woods that bore me;
For our days are ending and our years failing.
I will pass the wide waters lonely sailing.
Long are the waves on the Last Shore falling,
Sweet are the voices in the Lost Isle calling,
In Eressëa, in Elvenhome that no man can discover,
Where the leaves fall not: land of my people for ever!
Frodo was reminded of the day that he heard Legolas recite those words in the land of Ithilien in joyous first few days of the New Year. At that moment there was still so much hope. The world seemed new and different and at that time he still held out some hope of returning to the shire and leading a normal life.
As Frodo listened to the beautiful fair voices of the Elves singing his spirits were lifted within himself. After all he was going to Valinor. He was one of three non-mortal beings in all middle earth who were being allowed to make the great journey and dwell in the Blessed Realm. He felt very lucky indeed.
Just at that moment he heard footsteps behind him he turned and saw Bilbo and Gandalf approaching. Gandalf placed his hand on Frodo's shoulder and Bilbo his arm around his waist. They both seemed to sense what Frodo was thinking. They stood there for a long time not saying anything just staring out at the waves, feeling the salty sea air on their faces. Gandalf was the first to break the silence. "Frodo, do you remember when we were traveling home from Rivendell and you were in pain from the wounds of your journey? You said to me that you were weary and did not know where you would find rest." Frodo replied, "yes Gandalf I remember." "Here in the lands of Valinor and Eressëa you shall find your rest. You shall at last be healed of your wounds. You shall once again be new and wholly yourself. You have a long life to live yet my dear boy and you shall find peace, comfort and healing here." Frodo just smiled and thought to himself "I hope he's right". Just then Bilbo spoke up saying "You know Frodo my lad I was just thinking this is not that different than the ending of my book you know." "How is that?" asked Frodo. "Why Frodo I am surprised at you don't you remember the ending of my book? It read and they lived happily ever after. Till the end of their days."
Then Frodo smelled a sweet fragrance on the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water. The grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise. Frodo thought to himself and now it begins, he wrapped his arms around Bilbo and Gandalf and thought how lucky he was to be beginning this new life with his dearest companions, save three. Yet there was still hope of a day far in the future when the three shall become four and another hobbit will join them.
Frodo stood upon the bow of the Ship staring into the cold gray water. His mind drifted back to the day that he left Merry, Pippin and his beloved Sam standing on the shores of the Grey Havens. Had it only been yesterday? It seemed like a lifetime ago. He missed them already and he wondered how he was going to make it with out them. Especially Sam. Beautiful, sweet, endearing Sam. Sam was a friend that Frodo knew he would never find the likes of again. Not even in the company of the Elves would Frodo hope to find that kind of kinship. Sam was a true kindred spirit. Frodo knew that Sam was devastated at their parting. Frodo wished it could have been different. He wished that he could have remained in the shire. He longed to have been able to walk the gardens of Bag end, teach Sam and Rosie's children, of which Frodo was sure they would have many, their letters, as Bilbo had done for him so many years ago. Most of all would have loved to settle down and grow old with Sam, Merry and Pippin however, it was not meant to be. Frodo remembered his words to Sam that last night in the shire before they came to the Grey Havens, "I have been too deeply hurt Sam." Frodo wondered if Sam truly understand the reason he was leaving for the Undying Lands. Frodo was deeply wounded by knife, sting, tooth and heavy burden and could no longer find comfort in his life in the shire. He wondered if his heart and soul would even find rest and healing in the Undying lands.
Just then Frodo heard voices from inside the ship as the elves broke into song. He listened for a moment and heard the following words;
To the Sea, to the Sea! The white gulls are crying,
The wind is blowing, and the white foam is flying.
West, west away, the round sun is falling.
Grey ship, grey ship, do you hear them calling,
The voices of my people that have gone before me?
I will leave, I will leave the woods that bore me;
For our days are ending and our years failing.
I will pass the wide waters lonely sailing.
Long are the waves on the Last Shore falling,
Sweet are the voices in the Lost Isle calling,
In Eressëa, in Elvenhome that no man can discover,
Where the leaves fall not: land of my people for ever!
Frodo was reminded of the day that he heard Legolas recite those words in the land of Ithilien in joyous first few days of the New Year. At that moment there was still so much hope. The world seemed new and different and at that time he still held out some hope of returning to the shire and leading a normal life.
As Frodo listened to the beautiful fair voices of the Elves singing his spirits were lifted within himself. After all he was going to Valinor. He was one of three non-mortal beings in all middle earth who were being allowed to make the great journey and dwell in the Blessed Realm. He felt very lucky indeed.
Just at that moment he heard footsteps behind him he turned and saw Bilbo and Gandalf approaching. Gandalf placed his hand on Frodo's shoulder and Bilbo his arm around his waist. They both seemed to sense what Frodo was thinking. They stood there for a long time not saying anything just staring out at the waves, feeling the salty sea air on their faces. Gandalf was the first to break the silence. "Frodo, do you remember when we were traveling home from Rivendell and you were in pain from the wounds of your journey? You said to me that you were weary and did not know where you would find rest." Frodo replied, "yes Gandalf I remember." "Here in the lands of Valinor and Eressëa you shall find your rest. You shall at last be healed of your wounds. You shall once again be new and wholly yourself. You have a long life to live yet my dear boy and you shall find peace, comfort and healing here." Frodo just smiled and thought to himself "I hope he's right". Just then Bilbo spoke up saying "You know Frodo my lad I was just thinking this is not that different than the ending of my book you know." "How is that?" asked Frodo. "Why Frodo I am surprised at you don't you remember the ending of my book? It read and they lived happily ever after. Till the end of their days."
Then Frodo smelled a sweet fragrance on the air and heard the sound of singing that came over the water. The grey rain-curtain turned all to silver glass and was rolled back, and he beheld white shores and beyond them a far green country under a swift sunrise. Frodo thought to himself and now it begins, he wrapped his arms around Bilbo and Gandalf and thought how lucky he was to be beginning this new life with his dearest companions, save three. Yet there was still hope of a day far in the future when the three shall become four and another hobbit will join them.