Frodo leaves for the Grey Havens: Sam and Rosie must learn to live with their memories. No slash/no violence.

Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Master, JRRTolkien. I borrow them only to love them and promise to give them back.

A LONGER ROAD

CHAPTER 5

As the sun rose, on what would be the final day of the journey, Sam and Frodo could be seen sitting together at the side of the glowing embers of the campfire. The two friends had not slept and the Elves had not intruded their quiet contemplations.

The night had passed slowly but to both of the friends morning had come too quickly.

They had spent hours in quiet conversation, reliving memories, both good and bad. At times they had cried together, leaning on each other for support and comfort. Occasionally a soft chuckle would hover in the quiet night air at remembered mischief: the watchful Elves moved at the sadness conveyed by the outwardly happy sound. At other times they would rise and stroll silently about the glade, never moving beyond the sight of the assembled company but too restless and tired to keep still. As the morning bustle of activity stirred the camp the Hobbits recognised that they had at last come to a degree of acceptance, both of them aware that they could neither change the past nor deny the future. The chain of events that moved them set in motion long before their births. They bowed their heads to the inevitable.

Frodo and Sam had no need to speak together as they journeyed on, all speech unnecessary for they had opened and shared their hearts to one another.

 Sam found Lord Elrond riding at his side. "Do I have you forgiveness, Sam?" he asked.

            "What would you need my forgiveness for? Me a plain Hobbit gardener and you a great Elf Lord" he asked, puzzled.

            "For not having the strength or the wisdom to save Frodo from pain and harm. I wish it had been within my power to spare you both from hurt!" Sam looked up at the Elf and saw grief and pain in his eyes

            "I know you did what you thought was best, and maybe you were right. I just wish it had had a happy ending for Frodo… he has paid a bitter price…one that no Hobbit or Elf or Dwarf or Man should have to bear. Fate is a cruel master!"

They travelled on in silence for a time. As if to distract Sam, Lord Elrond asked him to describe the happenings in the Shire.  Hesitantly at first Sam began to describe their return to the Shire from the time they had said goodbye to Gandalf.  He told of the locked gates on the bridge and their arrest by the Sherrifs. He laughed as he described how Merry and Pippin had force-marched the Sherrifs all the way from Frogmorton  to the Three-Farthing Stone, until they had given up exhausted and left their 'prisoners' to continue on to Bywater unescorted. He described their shock and anger at the wanton destruction of property and trees and the ugly, brick built houses and chimneys that had replaced them. As he told of Merry and Pippin 'Raising of the Shire' he glowed with pride, barely mentioning his role in the action. Lord Elrond noted the omission and smiled.

            "Did you not have a part in these great deeds, Sam?" he asked with a chuckle.

            "Well I suppose I did, but Merry and Pippin cut such a dash in their fine livery that they had the citizens roused and organised in no time. Not that it didn't end in bloodshed! 19 Hobbits killed and 30 injured- some of them I'd known all my life. It wasn't quite the homecoming we had expected!"

            "Yes, the darkness cast a long shadow, there was little of Middle Earth that did not feel the taint of Mordor! And yet Sam, I hear that much of the stain has been removed already from the Shire, by your hand especially. You have put the Lady's gift to good use and the groves and fields of the Shire blossom under your stewardship"

            "Well growing things have always been my business and my pleasure, I am first and last a gardener"

            "Is that so! Well from what Frodo has told me, he has planted a few seeds of his own and when they come to fruition he intends you to be a little more than a humble gardener!"

            "What do you mean… What seeds?"

            "Never you mind for now, for each comes to bloom in its own season," He said with an enigmatic smile. "Now, you have not yet told me about the changes in your life. I understand that you have now a wife and daughter"

This was a subject on which Sam needed no encouragement to speak. Love and happiness flowed from him as he described Rosie and Elanor.

            "I never really understood before the joy of holding your own child in you arms, seeing the trust and love in the depth of their eyes and knowing that you have created something so perfect. I never thought to find such blessing in my life" he had to swallow down the tears that had come unbidden to overwhelm him. "I wish that I could have seen Frodo with his own child in his arms: he would have been a wonderful father! It's just one more thing that the Ring took away!"

            "I know Sam, becoming a Father changes your life forever" now it was Lord Elrond's turn to turn his face away to hide his emotion. "Treasure every moment with your family, for each one is precious and will never come again.  Children grow so quickly that before you realise it their childhood is gone and they seek a life of their own".

After a moment he put his hand on Sams arm "Sam, may I ask a favour of you?  I will never see my daughter, or indeed my step-son again except in memory… When you see them, as I am sure you will, will you embrace her and give to her the love of a father in my stead?"

            "It would be an honour," said Sam awed that he should be tasked with such a request. He continued with a wry grin "though I may have some explaining to do to the King!"

            "Then you embrace him too and tell him that you stand in my stead, and that he should mind you as he would me!" Sam was not fooled by the stern expression, when the words were filled with such love and longing.

*******

The Grey Havens were bigger than Sam had ever imagined. They passed through the gates and he gazed in wonder at the fair buildings that surrounded the harbour.  Sam stared in open-mouthed amazement, as he looked out upon the vast, endless expanse of water that moved in ceaseless motion upon the shingle beach. He had never realised that the ocean would have a voice of its own and he sat transfixed, wondering how he would ever explain it or the effect it had on him. Part of him wanted to run back to the safety of the Shire, to hide from the vastness that filled his vision. The other part wanted to stay here and drink in the beauty and wonder of its majesty and power.  It made him feel insignificantly small and at the same time honoured to be experiencing its grandeur.

He felt Bill move forward and realised that the company were moving on towards the harbour wall. There a great white ship sat, high in the water, sails furled, and waiting only for the passengers to board. This them was truly the end of the road.

He slid down from the saddle and moved to help Frodo dismount. Sam felt strangely calm. He felt Frodo tremble, he put an arm around his shoulders and whispered softly "It's alright Frodo, it's nearly time, don't fret no more. You've had a long, painful road to bear and now it's done."

He spied Gandalf waiting for them and he gently ushered Frodo to his side. Gandalf greeted them warmly and gestured to two familiar figures hurrying towards the Quay. It was but a brief reunion but one that brought comfort to them all.  Frodo embraced his cousins and whispered his farewells.

Finally turning to Sam he held his dearest friend in a tight embrace. "I will wait for you, if that is your choice. Go now and be happy, a heart as big as yours will fill the Shire with happiness. Your friendship and love have been the blessing of my life. I love you Sam…. don't forget me!" With that he turned and supported by Gandalf went aboard the ship.

At that moment Sam felt a physical pain within his chest as the hard knot of grief settled within his heart. He reached out blindly, seeking support. He felt Merry and Pippin move to his side and they stood together, locked in memory and grief as the white ship sailed, taking its precious cargo away across the sea.

*****

*TBC*

A/N Dear kind and gentle reader, please take a moment to give me some feedback. All criticism will be humbly and gratefully received.

To Kay and Puxinette your kind words and encouragement brighten my day and keep me going when discouragement threatens to silence my keyboard. I will finish this story for you.