Empty tears.
6. Many meetings.
T: Right the next two chapters are quite big, being that they condense six chapters of the book down into two here. Also I would like to say that due to the doubling up of chapters in my notes the timeline will be chapter nine and not chapter eight. LOTR is not mine, if it were I'd have had more realistic battle injuries. This is the slash chapter at last people and so those who have been comfortably reading due to lack of slash might want to go elsewhere as its fairly evident here. Warnings the same with the addition of extreme AU and one other unexpected nastiness that I can't mention as it is a surprise.
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When Sam awoke he found himself wrapped in soft sheets in what seemed to be a small beach glade. A scent was in the air that recalled to his weary mind his time in Ilthilien and the little fire he had lit on that sunny bank.
"If only it were naught but a dream." He muttered as he sat himself up, "Yet if it were not a dream then where am I?"
And a voice spoke softly behind him: "In the land of Ilthilien, and in the keeping of the King; and he awaits you." With that Gandalf stood before him, robed in white, his beard gleaming like pure snow in the dappled sunlight. "Well Master Samwise how do you feel?" He said.
But Sam laid back finding no words in his sudden joy and bewilderment. At last he gasped: "Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead myself. Is everything sad going to come untrue? What's happened to the world?"
"A great shadow has departed." Said Gandalf, and then laughed, and the sound was like music. The thought came to Sam then that he had not heard laughter or any other noise of friendly company for a time innumerable and found that he was weeping for the joy of the sound.
His tears ceased and laughing at last, high and clear he sprang from his bed.
"How do I feel?" He cried. "I don't know how to say it. I feel, I feel"- he waved his arms in the air-"I feel like spring after winter, and sun on the leaves; and like trumpets and harps and all the songs I have ever heard!" He stopped, his heart recalling suddenly the last task he had set himself and his joy faded into grief, "But it makes no matter how I feel." He said "Nor if the King does indeed wait for me. For one task I have yet to do, Gandalf. Though what that task is I do not wish to say."
"I already know what the task is, Samwise and I ask you to set it aside fro the moment, until all that you are yet ignorant to has been revealed to you."
"I will not wait, sir, this you should understand if you do indeed know what my task is. For what if some foul beast were to mar his unchanging beauty while I stayed here in idleness? All for some petty revenge. No I will go to him and ensure that his body is buried in as much honour as I can give it."
"He has been brought here, Samwise." And this seemed all Gandalf wished to tell him, though the tone of his voice set a thrill in Sam's heart.
"Then I shall suffer to remain away from him just a little longer." He thought back on Gandalf's words a moment and then enquired, "Ye talked of a King, perhaps you would tell me which King you mean?"
"The King of Gondor and lord of the western lands," Said Gandalf. "And he has taken back all his ancient realm. He will ride soon to his crowing, but he waits for you."
"Why he would wish to see me I do not know, but I will come with you once you have told me what it is I am to wear."
"The clothes that you wore on your way to Mordor." Said Gandalf. "No silks or linens, nor any armour or heraldry could be more honourable. But later I will find some other clothes perhaps."
Then Gandalf held out his hands to him, and he saw that one shone with light. "What have you got there?" Sam cried. "Can it be?"
"Yes, I have brought you two treasures, your box and your Master's light. You will be glad to have these again."
When he was washed and clad, and had eaten a light meal, he followed Gandalf. He stepped out of the beach grove in which he had lain, and passed out onto a long green lawn. Behind him he could hear the sound of falling water and following the course of the stream he perceived an archway of trees.
As he came to the opening in the wood, he was surprised to see knights in bright mail and tall guards in silver and black standing there. He paused then and shook his head,
"No praise from these men shall I take, sir, I wish this to be Frodo's victory alone and thus his name and his body they honour."
"This I know, Samwise, yet your actions too deserve some praise, even if the final victory is Frodo's alone. Thus I bid you suffer this ceremony which will honour both your dead and your Master's story." Gandalf replied.
There was truth in his words, for as Sam came out into the ranks of men they began to sing praise not only to his name but to his Master's also. Once they were through the ranks and at last before the throne, Sam gazed in wonder at he that sat on the throne and exclaimed,
"Strider, or I'm still asleep!"
"Yes Sam, Strider" Said Aragorn. "It is a long way, is it not, since Bree, where you did not like the look of me? A long way for us all, but yours has been the darkest road."
And then to Sam's surprise and hard protestation Aragorn bowed his knee before him and taking him by the hand, he led him to the throne and setting him upon it, he turned to the men and captains who stood by and spoke, so that his voice rose over the host crying.
"Praise them with great praise." And when the glad shout had swelled up and died away again, to Sam's final and complete satisfaction and pure joy, a minstrel of Gondor stood forth, and knelt, and begged leave to sing. And behold! He said:
"Lo! Lords and nights and men of valour unashamed, Kings and Princes, and fair people of Gondor, and Riders of Rohan, and ye sons of Elrond and Dwarf, and great hearts of the Shire, and all free folk of the west, now listen to my lay. For I will sing to you of Frodo and the Ring of Doom."
And when Sam heard those words he knew that his journey and great task had been completed, and to himself he mumbled,
"The greatest of my hopes has come true," And he wept.
And all the great host wept with him, their tears purging away the scars of war and easing their hearts at last. Amid their grief and hearts easing the voice of the minstrel rose up as clear as dawn and the host quietened so that they might listen to the tale.
*
And at last; as the Sun fell from the noon and the shadows of the trees lengthened he ended. "Praise them with great praise!" He said and knelt. And then Aragorn stood up and all the host arose, and they passed to pavilions made ready, to eat and to drink and to make merry while the day lasted.
Sam was lead apart and brought to a tent and there his old raiment was taken off, but folded and set aside with honour; and clean linen was given to him.
Then Gandalf came and looked for a moment into Sam's eyes then he said,
"One great wish you had before this day truly began; to see again your Master. This I grant to you now, though perhaps you shall find it more than you have hoped." And again Sam felt the thrill in his heart and as Gandalf moved slightly to his right that thrill burst into hard wonderment. For there in the entranceway of the tent was stood Frodo, his skin pinched here and there with their hard journey and the shadow still in his eyes, yet he lived and the wonder of it brought Sam again to tears.
Frodo moved then at last and caught his companion hard into a hug,
"Why weep, Sam, at the end of it all?"
"Oh Master, Master. I believed ye lost to me." He replied, his tears sated at last by wild joy.
"I will never go where you can not one day follow, Samwise Gamgee." And Frodo released him then and went to move away, but Sam would not suffer such distance between them so soon after he has gained it back and thus he caught his Master's hand into his own and held it fast.
"You shall have time later to continue this reunion, but for the moment I fear that you must go to the King's feast." Gandalf said.
"Then let us go as we are, without the adornment of regiment we have not earned." Frodo said.
"If it is you will then so be it," Gandalf said and bowing once at their feet he went with them to the great feast. They sat at the King's table with King Éomer of Rohan; and there also was Gimli and Legolas.
And Frodo smiled as the wine was brought by two small esquires: One clad in the silver and sable of the guards of Minas Tirith and with his left arm wrapped in a cast and suspended up in a sling, and the other in white and green. As they drew close Sam exclaimed,
"Why look, Mr. Frodo! Look here! Well if it isn't Pippin. Mr Peregrin Took I should say, and Mr. Merry! How they have grown! Bless me! But I can see there's more tales to tell than my own."
"There are indeed," Said Pippin turning towards him. "And we shall begin telling them as soon as this feast is ended. Perhaps I may even let you know how I gained this war wound, that is if you are not as close as Frodo about your journey before you were separated."
"Do not listen to him, Sam, he thinks everyone should respect him now that he is to be named among the brave warriors who set out against Sauron's horde."
""Indeed, and as a brave warrior Master Pippin should attend to his duties rather than spread bluster." Gandalf remarked.
"I was just about to say that we have duties to attend to, being of Gondor and the Mark as we are." Pippin stated. Gandalf laughed at that and the pair retreated back to their duties, laughter glinting in their eyes.
At last the glad day ended; and when the sun was gone and the round moon rode slowly above the mists of the Anduin and flicked through the trees the Hobbits sat together to share their tales.
"All the great host of the west rode out to the black gates of Mordor, all with the intent of keeping Sauron's eye from your journey, Sam. I rode with them in representation of the Shire folk, watching silent as Aragorn claimed back all that was his.
"When we came to the black gates, a small group of us broke from the hoard to present ourselves to Sauron, enemies all of his black heart. It was all tension as the heralds cried for the lord of the black land to come forth so that justice might be wrought upon him. Silence met those cries and it was only as we turned to leave that answer was given in the form of a great roll of drums.
"He that headed the embassy of the Dark Tower was dressed all as a dark rider, yet man he was `mouth of Sauron` he named himself. He beheld our numbers and faces and then laughed,
`Is there none here with the authority to treat with me? ` He asked. `Or indeed with the wit comprehend me? Not you at least. ` He mocked, turning to Aragorn with scorn. `It needs more to make a King than a piece of elvish glass, or a rabble such as this. Why any brigand of the hills can show as good a following! `
"Aragorn gave no reply, but merely took the others eye and held it and for a moment they locked in battle. Yet soon, even though Aragorn made no move to his weapons the other shrank back as if from a blow. `I am herald and ambassador, and may not be assailed! ` He cried.
"`Where such laws hold. ` Said Gandalf, ` It is also the custom for ambassadors to use less insolence. But no one has threatened you. You have naught to fear from us until your errand is done. But unless your Master is come to new wisdom, then with all his servants you will be in great peril. ` Our enemy seemed to have little love for Gandalf and named him `grey beard` and professed to know what it was that we had plotted.
"Fear took everyone then, yet I knew it in my heart that you lived still, Sam, indeed I had a sudden image of you walking up a slope, a grimness in your face that I had never seen before."
"And so it felt, Master Pippin, as I climbed that last stretch, as though something hard had taken me over for a while. Yet this is your tale for the moment and I shall let you continue."
"My belief that you were alive and that the enemy knew very little indeed was solidified when this mouth of Sauron began to talk of the elf warrior that we had sent into Mordor. Gandalf played to this false knowledge, warning that our fierce elf warrior had been spying for our sakes and that our forces were to use the knowledge attained as advantage in our assault on Mordor."
`Little good shall that advantage be to you, ` the messenger remarked before he fell back and the trap was sprung. The captains mounted again and I took my place amongst Prince Imrahil's men, my heart beating fast and my mind ready for battle. Nazgûl fell upon us from the sky and a great host of Orcs poured forth. Yet they could not go far, their progress hindered by the mires that lay before the hills.
"One last trick they had and from out of their ranks came a great company of hill trolls. Yet no fear was in my heart and as the great troll-chief came my way I took him down with one stroke of my sword. As he fell his great hammer came down hard upon my arm, breaking it in twain and pinning me down to the floor.
"I thought this might be my end and I dearly wished to see Merry one last time. And then a cry of `The Eagles are coming! ` Broke into my grim thoughts and there in the sky above me were the great birds themselves. And to the wonder of it all the Nazgûl turned and fled towards Mordor, sensing I supposed their Master's doom close to hand.
"I heard Gandalf cry out `stand, men of the west! Stand and wait! This is the hour of doom. ` And the ground shook then, and the black gate was brought to ruin. The last I heard before the pain of my wound and wariness caught up with me was Gandalf saying,
`The realm of Sauron is ended; the Ring bearers have fulfilled their quests. `"
"Gimli found him not long after that and brought him back to this camp upon Cormallen. I was called to come to his side for comfort as they set his arm and then Gandalf returned with you in his charge and bid that Frodo too was sent for."
"Well that is quite a tale I must say, and what bravery you have shown, Master Pippin, in facing up to something far greater in size than yourself." Sam said.
"No greater bravery than yourself, Sam, for Damrod informs us that your own foe was at least twice your size."
"Aye she was at that, but it were not bravery that drove my sword, but anger, wild fierce anger." And ceasing again Frodo's hand he began his own tale from the moment he had heard Gollum's plans until the point where his strength had failed him at last.
Tears were in the Hobbits eyes as Sam finished his tale, though there was also some emotion burning now in Frodo's eyes and without word Merry and Pippin stood and excused themselves from their friend's sides.
"Oh, Sam" Frodo said eventually, one hand raising unbidden to touch his friend's face, "So much sacrifice and so much pain all so that I would be recalled in songs. I do not deserve such selflessness, or such friendship as yours, for I would not have been able to do this thing, even at the bitter end."
"You would have found a way, sir. As for selflessness, it were naught but me duty to ye."
"Duty, Samwise Gamgee?" Frodo enquired. Sam looked at his Master then, for there was a heat to his voice that Sam had never heard before. Unbidden he pulled Frodo close to him and mumbling simply,
"Me dear," He caught Frodo up into a kiss.
Eventually the pair separated, though neither went farther than the stretch of their arms,
"All I ever wished for was to find ye alive, Frodo love. And all through the long darkness of me road to Mordor it was that hope, that dream of seeing you that kept me free of the Ring. Seeing you now is my reward and that I can tell you that I love you free of doubt is more than I ever could have wished for."
"Yet it is the least you deserve, my dearest, truest, Samwise. Thus I tell you that I love you also and hope that the truth of those words will be more of a payment of my dept to you."
"You owe me nothing, love." Sam replied.
"Then you shall owe me nothing either." Frodo paused and seeing the darkening of the sky he remarked, "The hour is late and we have both been under the careful tending of Aragorn and must assure, therefore, that we get some rest and thus do not undo his work." And the pair walked as far as they might together and once they had parted they retired to their beds and fell into a deep sleep.
*
When the sunlight woke Sam from his slumber, he felt again the great pain in his head that had come upon him in the heart of Orodruin and when he opened his eyes he found that all had dimmed about him and it seemed now to him that he was looking at the world through smoked glass.
Gaining his feet he made his way into the great encampment and after asking one of the guards patrolling the area where he might find Aragorn he headed towards a large tent set slightly away from the rest.
Tapping gently on the canvas door he enquired,
"Might I have a moment, Strider?"
"Of course, Master Gamgee." Came the reply. Stepping inside the tent with his sight as it was now was as entering almost complete darkness, though he could just perceive Aragorn as a faint shape sat behind what might have been a small desk.
"How can I help you?" Aragorn enquired.
"I don't rightly know if you can, sir, but it is better to be safe than sorry as my Gaffer always says. Ye see when I awoke this morning and after I came too once Gollum had jumped me again I have had a pain in my head and today also my sight seems to have faded slightly. Now it might just be sleep addling up me mind, but I thought it best to come to ye."
"You are not imagining things," Aragorn replied after a moment, the pace of the words telling that he was choosing them very carefully. "The blow that you received within Orodruin has done lasting damage to your brain, thus the pain you are experiencing. Also I fear that this damage is what is affecting your sight and that the best we can hope now is that this is as bad as it shall get.
"However, I think it best you prepare for the fact that you might lose your sight altogether."
"And there is naught I can do?"
"I fear not."
"Well then it seems Gollum has gained a victory after all."
"It may yet be no more than it is, Sam"
"I know, sir, and it is kind of ye to hold out hope for it to be as such, but I think that its best I except things at their worst, don't you?" He enquired. Aragorn had no reply for this and after exchanging a few simple pleasantries Sam bid himself to be excused and headed now for the small tent that was the lodgings of the other Hobbits.
*
The news of Sam's infliction was met with grim faces and an entirely typical response from Pippin,
"We will have to make sure you enjoy what is left of your sight. Plant beautiful memories into your head to recall in the later darkness."
"Pip is quite right, Sam, for it would not do for your last memories of your sight were the desolate planes of Mordor." Merry remarked.
"Begging your pardon, Master Merry, but that shall not be the case even if my sight were lost to me even in this moment." Sam replied. This response was met with curiosity from both Brandybuck and Took and with only a glance to Frodo, Sam gave up the story of the night before.
"Indeed that will be fair remembrance for the both of you and indeed for both myself and Pip for it will ease my heart to know that you have one another to fight away the darker times."
"But it would still not hurt for Sam to see some of the beauty about us, especially as some of the landscape about us played a part in the lighter stretch of your journey together." Pippin said.
Both Frodo and Sam agreed with this view and after Merry and Pippin had gone on duty they walked out into Ilthilien and found again the familiar pathways, taking time now in idleness to enjoy the beauty about them.
Meanwhile the host was preparing for the return to Minas Tirith. The weary rested and the hurt were healed, for some has laboured and fought much with the remnants of the Easterlings and Southerons, until all were subdued. And latest of all, those returned who had passed into Mordor and destroyed the fortresses in the north of the land.
But at last when the month of May was drawing near the captains of the west set out again; and they sailed from Cair Andros down Anduin to Osgiliath; and there they remained for one day; and the day after they came to the green fields of the Pelennor and saw again the white towers under tall Mindolluin, the City of the men of Gondor, last memory of westernesse, that had passed through the darkness and fire to a new day.
And there in the midst of the fields they set their pavilions and awaited the morning; for it was the eve of May and the King would enter his gates with the rising of the sun.
With the dawn the bells began to ring and all the banners broke and flowed in the wind; and all upon the white tower of the citadel the standard of the stewards bright argent like snow in the sun, baring no charge or device, was raised over Gondor for the last time.
Now the captains of the west led their host towards the city, and folk saw them advance line upon line, flashing and glinting in the sunrise and flashing like silver. And so they came before the gateway and halted a furlong from the walls. As yet no gates had been set up again, but a barrier was lain across the entranceway to the city, and there stood men at arms in the silver and black with long swords drawn. Before the barrier stood Faramir the Steward and Húrin warder of the keys, and the other captains of Gondor and the lady Éowyn of Rohan with Elfhelm the marshal and many knights of the mark; and upon either side of the gate was a great press of fair people in raiment of many colours and garlands of flowers.
Amid the great company walked the Hobbits, Merry and Pippin walking with Gandalf their heads held high and pride writ on their faces. Frodo and Sam walking with Aragorn, Frodo's head turned just slightly towards Sam's and his mouth whispering constantly of the world around them, for Sam's sight was last entirely to him now. They stood quiet as Faramir and Aragorn went through the ceremony of admittance and it was only when Aragorn bid the Ring Bearers take the crown to him that they stirred. Frodo taking one of Sam's hands and leading him to Faramir and then guiding his hands to the crown. They bore it to Gandalf; and Aragorn knelt, and Gandalf set the white crown upon his head and said:
"Now come the days of the King, and may they blessed while the thrones of the Valar endure!"
And as he rose his care and long hardships washed from him to reveal him as he was; a faint echo of the Kings of old. And then Faramir cried:
"Behold the King!"
And in that moment all the trumpets were blown, and the King Elessar went forth and came to the barrier and Húrin of the keys thrust it back; and amid the music of harp and of viol and of flute and the singing of clear voices the Kings passed through the flower-laden streets, and came to the citadel, and entered in; and the banner of the tree and the stars was unfurled upon the topmost tower, and the reign of King Elessar was began, of which many songs have told.
Thus Aragorn's great wait began and soon the curiosity of the Hobbits was stirred and Frodo asked Gandalf,
"Do you know what this day is that Aragorn speaks of? For we are happy here and I do not wish to go; but the days are running away, and Bilbo is waiting; and the Shire is my home."
"As for Bilbo." Said Gandalf, "He is waiting for the same day, and he knows what keeps you. And as for the passing of the days, it is now only May and high summer is not yet in; and though all things may seem changed, as if an age of the world has gone by, yet to the trees and the grass it is less than a year since you set out."
"It seems you still talk in riddles, Gandalf dear."
"Many folk like to know before hand what is to be set at the table; but those who have laboured to prepare the feast like to keep their secret; for wonder makes the words of praise louder. And Aragorn himself waits for a sign."
On the day before Midsummer messengers came from Amon Din to the city, and they said there was a ridding of fair folk out of the north, and they drew near now to the walls of the Pelennor. And the King said: "At last they have come. Let the city be made ready!"
Upon the very eave of Midsummer, when the sky was blue as sapphire and white stars opened in the East, but the West was still golden, and the air was cool and fragrant, the riders came down the north-way to the gates of Minas Tirith. First road Elrohir and Elladan with a banner of silver, and then came Glorfindel and Erestor and all the household of Rivendale and after them came the lady Galadriel and Celeborn, lord of Lothlórien, riding upon white steeds and with them many fair folk of their land, grey cloaked with white gems in their hair; and last came Master Elrond, mighty among Elves and men, baring the sceptre of Annúminas and beside him on a grey palfrey rode Arwen his daughter, Evenstar of her people.
And Frodo, when he saw her come glimmering in the evening, with stars on her brow and a sweet fragrance about her, was moved with great wonder, and he said to Gandalf:
"At last I understand why we have waited." And Sam, who stood beside him, asked,
"What do you see, me dear?"
"The Lady Evenstar, who shall be as an ending to it all. For now not only day will be beloved, but night too shall be beautiful and blessed and all its fear pass away!"
Then the King welcomed his guests, and they alighted; and Elrond sundered the sceptre, and laid the hand of his daughter in the hand of the King, and together they went up into the high city, and all the stars flowered in the sky. And Aragorn, the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undómiel in the city of Kings upon the day of Midsummer, and the tail of their long waiting and labours was come to fulfilment.
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T: * Phew * well I think we can all agree that that was a chapter and a half.
There are a great deal of direct quotes here, indeed probably far too many to list them all separately. Basically a good chunk of the description here comes from the second part of ROTK and Chapters four and five, that is `The field of Cormallen` And `The Steward and the King` Respectably. Pip's story is taken from `The Black gates open`.
Right, two notes here on Pippin and Sam's wounds and the thought behind them.
I was originally going to do the story of Pippin's attack on the troll and his subsequent pinning beneath the body as Tolkien had, but it just seemed all too false to me. I mean Pippin is a tiny Hobbit and if you drop a troll on him something is going to give, that he escaped relatively unharmed just seemed…odd…to me. Thus this slightly alternative version of the tale was born and allowed me to play around with Pippin's role in the Scouring of the Shire.
Sam's injury and subsequent blindness comes as an explanation for Gandalf's assertion that Gollum might have a part to play `for good or for evil`. Now on first glance bring about Sam's blindness seems to be in the evil end of things but it is actually a little of both. For Sam will never now see the destruction wrought upon the Shire by `Sharky`…there will be another good/bad thing about his blindness that is a surprise but evident if you think about it.
That done R+R please, if only to praise the effort!