This is the last major chappie, but NOT the end of the story! I will soon add an epilogue, and I may write a sequel. Enjoy and review!

Chapter 9:

Farewell To Dreams

It was late in the morning when Carole woke up again. She looked around her room, and saw that Frodo was not there. Fearing last night nothing but a dream, she got up to dress, but then saw the note on the table. She picked it up and read her dearest's graceful script:

My love,

Forgive me for leaving you so early, but I must return to my own rooms before I am missed. Last night meant more to me than words can say. I cannot wait to I see your enchanting face again, my joyful song.

With love,

Frodo.



She dressed quickly and climbed the stairs to the top deck, where she was greeted with loud cheers and applause. All knew of her heroism from last night. The entire Fellowship of Dreams, Thoron, Hope, Homer, Tor, Thain, Dain, Gwain, and Gem, were the loudest and most jubilant of all. Then, as cups of wine and mead were handed out, they drank to her health and to the victory and the success of the mission.

"Yes, the mission," Elrond said, setting down his cup. "The mission that shall soon take a new direction."

Everyone stopped and looked at the Elf, confused. "New direction?" inquired Thoron.

"Yes," Elrond replied. "I regret to tell you, who have become so close over this year, and closer still this past night," he added with a look to Carole and Frodo, "That you must part ways soon."

All was quiet. It had never occurred to the Fellowship that they would part. They had thought, hoped, that they would travel to all the strange lands beyond Valinor and Middle Earth together. This news brought great sorrow and doubt into their minds and hearts.

"Do not despair, my friends," Gandalf interjected. "For I must also continue on this journey. Look out to the West," he said, directing them forward. All looked out and saw a great span of land ahead. It was green and lush, untouched by the hands of industry. As Carole looked out at that land, she was reminded of the Shire, and of the vision she had had just four days ago on the Eastern shore of Valinor.

"I must go, first, to that land," said Gandalf, "For it is my duty to oversee your progress."

"That is where I am bound," Carole said suddenly, all eyes going to her. "The shore ahead, the trees, the endless landscape. That is my destination. I can't escape it. Even now I can see myself traveling through the tall trees, my feet passing over the red-brown earth."

"But you shall not go alone," said Frodo, taking her hand. "If you must go, than I shall go with you."

"Frodo," Carole said, looking into his eyes. Then she quickly dropped to bended knee, and holding her beloved's four fingered hand, said, "Frodo Baggins, son of Drogo, Ring-barer, and my love, give me the honor of being your wife, bound to you for all time."

Suffice to say, everyone was shocked, and Frodo least of all. This was not proper etiquette, among any race! But none the less, Frodo laughed ad drawing his lady up from her knee said, "How could I ever say no?" then they embraced, and once more great applause sounded through out the ship.

Those last hours were spent with a quick, but still beautiful wedding. Sam was the best-hobbit, and Hope and Gem the bride's maids. The ceremony was brief, but official, and as Carole threw the bouquet (which for time's sake was made from ornately folded paper {a gift from the Elf-maidens on the ship}) Hope caught it, and within minutes, Thoron dropped to his knee and proposed to his sweet Lorawen. So, a second wedding was performed and celebrated. All the while, Elrond told the Fellowship of their destinations.

Tor and his cousins would go to lands in the North, where great mountains covered the lands and green fields spread from shore to shore, though the winds were always cold. Thoron and Hope thought that they would be accompanying Homer, since he had lost his sight from last night's attack, but they were bound instead to lands far in the East , where emperors reigned and dragons still dwelled. Besides, Homer would not let himself be a burden to his sister and new brother. Elrond came up with a solution, calling Culachquen up to the deck from his locked room.

"Culachquen," he said, glowering at the flame-haired Elf, "Since you are responsible for Homer's injury, and for nearly destroying our people, you are to live in exile, never to return to Valinor until your debt is paid. You shall begin by being Homer's guide and servant, helping him to spread the tales that you so ruthlessly tried to destroy."

All asked how Homer could tell the stories if he could not read them, but then Homer spoke up, saying, "Don't worry about me. I know them all by heart. I shall keep the dreams alive, my friends."



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As the sun began to descend over the tops of the trees to the West, Gandalf, Frodo, and Carole, along with a trunk of books, loaded up a small boat. Carole said farewell to her friends, sad to leave them (and they were just as sad to see her go). When they were on the boat, as it was being lowered to the water, Frodo looked up and said, "Sam aren't you coming with us?"

"Oh, no, Mr. Frodo," said old Sam, "After last night, I've realized that I'm too old for adventures. Besides, you don't need me anymore. I know that Miss Carole will look after you. Least-ways, Elrond told me that it's only going to be five years before you come back to the Island."

Both Frodo and Carole began to laugh, and Carole said, "I can't believe that I come from your stock. You ninny-hammer! Five years in Valinor is 40 everywhere else."

Sam paled, but still did not relent to his masters' requests to come. Then the boat was finally cut loose as it hit the water. As the Wizard and two Hobbits sailed away, Carole began to sing for her friends, to give them comfort and faith:

Lay down

Your sweet and weary head.

Night is falling,

You have come to journey's end.

Sleep now,

And dream of the ones who came before.

They are calling

From across a distant shore.

Why do you weep?

What are these tears upon your face?

Soon you will see,

All of your fears will pas away!

Safe in my arms;

You're only sleeping.

What can you see

On the horizon?

Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea

A pale moon rises.

The ships have come

To carry you home!

And all will turn

To silver glass.

A light on the water;

All souls pass.

Hope fades

Into the world of night,

Through shadows falling

Out of memory and time.

Don't say

We have come now to the end!

White shores are calling.

You and I will meet again.

And you'll be here in my arms

Just sleeping.

What can you see

On the horizon?

Why do the white gulls call?

Across the sea

A pale moon rises.

The ships have come

To carry you home!

And all will turn to silver glass.

A light on the water;

Gray ships pass

Into the West.

And so, they sailed to the West as the sun set beyond the trees, casting many shades of red, gold, orange, and pink, with Carole's song still in the air.

Oooooh! I LOVE that song! I had to slip it in here. *claps hands and giggles gleefully* TTFN, and please, review!