Eressea Is Where You Heal

by illyria-pffyffin

Frodo had left for The Blessed Realm hoping that he would be saved from the terrible hurt The Ring had left him. But once in Eressea, he found out that it was not to be.

6. A Letter to Sam 6

15th March, 1422 SR

Dear Sam,

Do you remember that three years ago (has it only been three years?  It seemed much longer to me) you rescued me from the Orcs in Minas Morgul?  I can find no word to thank you enough for your courage and faith. 

I am writing because of something that happened two days ago.  It was when Bilbo and I and a few of our Elven friends were camping on the valley overlooking the Sea.  The whole ground was blanketed in spring flowers and the place was perfect for camping.  We spent the whole day and night of the twelfth telling tales, singing and playing Elvish games, and I fell asleep fully expecting another day of fun.  But it was not to be.

On the thirteenth I woke up with a dull ache spreading from my neck down.  Then I remembered what happened that day three years ago and a grey cloud seemed to fall over me.  I tried hiding it from the others, especially dear Bilbo.  But toward midday it got worse and the Elves wondered why I looked so pale, but I felt I could not tell them.  It was too dark a memory.  But the pain became so bothersome that after lunch, when Bilbo had fallen asleep again, I walked away to be alone.

I do not remember what happened.  But the next thing I knew I woke up back in the camp, and there was Gandalf and he had with him a flask with Lord Elrond's medicine that he made me drink.  He said he had ridden out from Avallone, feeling that I might need his aid.  He had found me standing on a cliff, facing east, yelling to the wind.  This is what he told me I have said:

"Leave me alone!  He has perished, he is no more!  Why do you linger!  Can't I have my life back!  Leave me be!  Go back across the sea and trouble me no more!  Go away!"

Then, he said, I collapsed on the ground, weeping.  And when he came to me, he said that I was already half-conscious from the pain, and I was calling you.

I know you cannot save me, Sam, not this time.  But three years ago you did.  And I shall live to thank you for it.  I shall not give in to the terror.  I shall enjoy my life to the fullest.  I shall not be defeated. 

Frodo Baggins