Chapter 26 --- Barricade
Samwise felt no hunger, sorrow and his embittered thoughts was all that filled him. He was sitting, his knees bent and his elbows supporting him as he watched the horizon. Pippin sat quietly at Sam's feet chaffing Frodo's hands tenderly. The day waned as the three tarried there, upon a hill of smooth turf and pale green grass, looking out at the wonders of Rohan. Frodo was consumed with wonder, watching the sky and the grasses sway in a scented breeze. The pale stones rose up from the mountains and the sunlight glimmered off of their white faces. Frodo leaned his curly head upon Sam's knee and felt the warmth and wonder of peace, so fleeting were these feelings that Frodo would often forget them in his prolonged times of terror. There was a darkness in the simple hobbit's mind that frightened and confused him, for he knew not from wither these rivers of flame arose.
A small shudder took Frodo's frame and snatched Sam's attention away from his shadowy thoughts. He felt Frodo's body shiver and saw his dark curls tremble. Pippin too, looked up from the pale hands he sought to keep warm to their owner who seemed achill. The silence only darkened until all three hobbits saw Merry's figure striding up the hill, returning from the Hall.
"They have noticed our absence, cousin." Merry smiled at Pippin, "But I have explained for us all. I come bearing small tidings, loaves of bread and some fruit. They will be quite angry to see us eating so plainly but I say we shall picnic and picnic we shall." Merry handed a roll to Frodo who took it up eagerly. Despite his earlier attempts at food Pippin found he was returning to his normal self, eating contentedly. Sam, however refused.
"Come Sam," said Merry. "If Frodo refused you would have chided him so."
Sam quirked a grin and took an apple. As the four hobbits ate in silence, all attention seemed fixed on Frodo, though all of Frodo's attention was on the loaf of bread he was gingerly chewing. It was then that Sam, Merry, and Pippin saw what seemed to be Frodo's hand acting on its own accord. As the one hand cradled the bread and Frodo's gaze did not leave his task, his other hand was working quite well on its own.
The three spectators felt their breath stop as they watched one of Frodo's hands rummage through his pocket searching calmly. It stopped soon and stayed within the warmth of the pocket having found what it sought.
Unable to stop himself, Sam came to Frodo's side and grasped his elbow gently. Frodo did not seem to care, knowing it was his protector he let his hand fall from his pocket, between the two fingers was pinched a small dried stem. All three worried hobbits released a breath they did not know they were holding. But confusion only replaced worry.
"What is it?" asked Pippin in a whisper.
"A youngin sprout," replied Sam taking it from between Frodo's fingers. "He had picked it mighty long ago and I scolded him cause it wasn't nearly bloomed yet."
"Why does he keep the rotten old thing?"
"I'm not sure," said Sam now looking up to see Frodo had finished his bread and was watching them. Frodo slowly plucked the dead flower from Sam's hand and twirled it in his fingers.
"Dead," he murmured.
There was a rasp from Merry and Pippin but Sam only looked at them beseechingly. "It's all he knows. That's what I was saying afore. Such despairing thoughts... the only ones he has."
Pippin barely listened to Sam's words. "You spoke Frodo! Speak again! Tell me my name!" Frodo did not seem to hear. He laid back on the grass and folded his hands on his chest. His sparkling eyes were half closed as he gazed at the sky, half hearing the gentle flow of senseless words from the other three hobbits. "Please, Frodo. Please."
Another shiver trembled through Frodo and he winced at this now. He had not the energy to lift his eyelids again but his brows furrowed as if he had forgotten something. The three hobbits waited expectantly until Sam saw Frodo's lips part in a slight whimper. Sam took his place beside Frodo and laid the curly head in his lap, running his hands through the dark hair and hushing him warmly.
Merry suddenly thought of Sam's words earlier when he was asked what he was thinking of lying in the road. "He's a child like those that sit at the edge of dreams and nightmares watching with curious fright."
Frodo's eyes were open now and full of sadness, staring at something no one else could see. But Frodo saw it and it frightened him. A great wheel of fire burned into his mind. An agonizing wheel singed into his eyes forever and anon. Why did it burn and fill his ears with ghostly words? Like thunder in his stomach and howls of wolves crashing against shields and steel in his head. Why was there an emptiness nagging at the cloudy edges of his mind? Why was he barricaded in, alone in the dark, shivering while he burned, screaming in silence?
Frodo sat up, his imploring eyes looking to Sam, Pippin, and Merry. There, the three hobbits saw the desperate plea, screaming, weeping, groveling for some help to fight a darkness not even he understood. In desperation those eyes beseeched a knight of Rohan, a guard of the Citadel, and the most loyal and truehearted of servants. All three bowed their heads, helpless to it all. Long silence crept up into them making them shiver. The wind stirred quietly and the vast land once revered in its beauty now seemed empty of solace. A noise startled all four hobbits out of their thoughts to see the Lady Eowyn approaching.
She held out her arms, flowing sleeves welcoming them like the wings of a swan, free of the cage she always feared. All of her was golden areigned in a white raiment, shimmering with the gentle beauty of a bloom. "My friends! You have not heard the word of my betrothal to Faramir. I so hoped to see you among my people at my brother's table. King Eomer of Rohan sought his esquire." She turned to Merry.
"My lady," he bowed. "May you forgive me for my words now, but my cousins and dear friend needed me and I dare not deny their company for any king."
She laughed and it seemed that the sun shone brighter upon them all as they uplifted their heads to hear such music. "That is why I have come," she whispered warmly, kneeling before the hobbits. "Meriadoc of the Shire and Holdwine of the Mark. May you ride to good fortune, and ride back soon to our welcome. My brother sought to laden you with gifts that a wain could not bear for your deeds upon the fields of Mundburg."
"My lady, I want nothing but my arms and your blessing."
Eowyn stood. "Very well. Then I beg of you receive this as my gift to you." The lady presented Merry with a small horn, wrought all of silver and a baldric of green. Runes of great meaning and fortune were wrought all upon it and horsemen bold and silver, swiftly riding in a line, winding from the tip to the mouth. It shone in magnificence, bright and clear as the sound that would issue forth from it. "This is an heirloom of our house. It was made by the Dwarves, and came from the hoard of Scatha the Worm. Eorl the Young brought it from the North. He that blows it at need shall set fear in the hearts of his enemies and joy in the hearts of his friends, and they shall hear and come to him."
Tears glistened in Meriadoc's eyes. "I will take it, my lady, and ever think of you and your brother and my lord may he now rest among the heroes of old in shining halls of victory!" Merry laid a kiss upon her fair hand and the lady stooped and swung the small knight round, embracing him lovingly and kissing his cheek.
Sam, Pippin, and with a clear ringing like fresh scented rain upon silver glass, Frodo too, laughed and joy shone in all the hearts of the hobbits and the lady. Sam turned in surprise at Frodo and embraced him warmly, tears streaming down his eyes, but they no longer stung or burned, they were fresh and clean. Frodo shook with laughter in Sam's arms, his eyes shining as the dark clouds of pain dissipated as if a quick wind sent them asunder and broke their misery.
When Eowyn set Merry down his face was red and the tips of his ears burning from the kiss the lady bestowed upon him. Pippin fell over with laughter at the look upon his cousin's face.
"That is my blessing, Master Meriadoc, to you and all of your kin. May hobbits never know a dark day ever again, in all their lives and may the Shire thrive forever out of the reach of any shadow."
"I do hope so! Farewell my lady! Farewell!" Merry cried as she departed.
The hobbits rose and journeyed back to the stables where they would once again make ride. When Eowyn mentioned the Shire Sam's mind fled home to the shining wheat fields as golden as she. Sam wondered if he thought of the Lady Eowyn or Rosie but only concluded that it did not matter. He was going home. Home where the grass shone greener than any emerald jewel and the strawberries were now growing the sweetest. Sam nearly felt the Shire's sunlight, somehow much warmer than any light he could name. The taste of ale at the Green Dragon and the grace of Rosie Cotton as she spun about the tavern. The songs in humble voices, not so grand and golden as those that rose in these halls that were far too large in splendor for any sensible hobbit.
When the hobbits arrived there was a great bustle as the company of elves and Aragorn's knights made ready. Strider would be riding with them for some time though his lady chose to stay. Sam caught a glimpse of the lady Arwen atop a hill, sitting with her father. Sam saw bitterness in their parting and sorrow as they spoke long and clasped hands. Arwen rested her head on her father's shoulder and he kissed her forehead. Sam could see no more as he was lead to his pony.
Frodo was in joyful spirits ever since Eowyn shone her light upon him. Sam found it not so difficult to coax him upon the pony. Emáten appeared beside them and Sam greeted him kindly.
"I have not seen you for such a long while," said the knight. "It seems I shall be accompanying you for a little while longer, I am truly blessed."
Sam smiled, "I am glad to see you, Emáten. Things be lookin bright for a little while."
"I harkened there was magic in you!" laughed Emáten, "I see it shining like sun in your faces, Lord Frodo and yourself! But most of all the young knight of Rohan, whom is also of your kin. He glows bright as day and red as roses!"
Sam laughed again, "Aye, that he does."
~~~
"Please, Father, do not begrudge me my decision."
"I know now, my jewel, that you will never be truly happy unless you are with him. You have my love." Elrond placed his hands upon his daughter's shoulders and smiled into her face. But there was a bitter sorrow between them and the words tasted foul in their mouths. Arwen bowed her head and felt her father's warmth entering her heart. She knew what he was thinking. How cold she must be, without the light of the Eldar within.
"You suffer."
"I shall miss you every day." She whispered leaning against his chest and letting his arms hold her close as she did when she was young. "I have seen so much and none of it has prepared me for this. You have given me your gift, Father, but it only gives me shadows of what may come. I fear what I see but not for me, for me I see long life and many daughters and a son like his father and my father united."
Elrond smiled down at his beloved daughter. "You see more than I."
"I do not see you." Her head lifted and her eyes were shining with unshed tears. "That future is blind to me."
"So it must be, in choosing your mortality you have forsaken all vision of what may come to pass under the Light of the Trees in the Undying Land." He cupped her chin affectionately, "Do not despair, for you will share a lifetime of love and splendor. You have chosen a clear path and life is what lies before you."
"And what of what lies behind? Father I shall never see you again!"
Elrond held his daughter close and ran his hand over her hair. "My daughter do not weep. My love and light is within you and that is forever undying be you mortal or elfkind. Such times must come to pass and they fall like the rain with bitter weeping. But the rain will soon end, and all of the land will shimmer under warm dawn. So it must be the rain and weeping that must usher in the light, it always must be and it always will be. That is for certain. You go with my blessing, child, and all the love in my heart. You have chosen the path of hope when I had urged you to despair and flee west. Your rain will end, your dawn approaches. Love him and you will get all the stars and dawns that will brighten your life in return."
"Father." She pulled him tighter, burying her face in his chest and closing her eyes to the warmth that he filled her heart with. "There is darkness still. I fear for the futures that I see."
"Why did you not give him passage then, my child?"
"There are many paths I see for Frodo, all end in sorrow, though some are still unclear to me. I have foreseen this;" And Arwen released her father's embrace and stepped away gazing at the mountains among the horizon. She closed her eyes and recalled a vision: "Sam takes Frodo with the company in passing, grey in the shadows under moon and star. They pass under trees and veil of twilight. Samwise weeps and Frodo does not understand. There is a ship, a white vessel shimmering in the waters grand in its splendor upon the waves. A golden glow fills the sails and shines upon the company now glimmering as they board. Sam leads Frodo but cannot step foot upon the white deck. He leads him, both are atremble but the wonders are unheeded by the grieved Samwise and all his thoughts turn black for the rest of his days. Sam watches Frodo board, held up by the hands of Mithrandir and Frodo is full of wonder. He steps upon the deck and does not look back, the world is bright and clear, glimmering open before him and carpeted with stars. He does not see Samwise fall.
Sam is on his knees and his heart is too overcome with bitterness and sorrow to stand again. All his world is darkness and no flower, no sprout, no shoot shall ever again grow by his hand. The grass withers at his feet and in darkness falls the doom of Samwise Gamgee. He is consumed with grief that his heart burns to weep and he cannot. He could not save his master. He is broken by his own failure. Samwise never saw his master again and he cannot recall when Frodo had left him. His mind reaches back to this day and knows that Frodo was gone then. His mind grasps back to Mordor and knows Frodo is gone then. Desperately he seeks Emyn Muil, Lothlorien, Moria, Rivendell. He does not know where upon the road his master was truly lost and this doom was sealed. But Samwise Gamgee grieves for the soul that he could not save or find again. He weeps ever in bitterness for the master he had failed, for the soul sacrificed somewhere along the road but where he knows not. In shadow falls the heart of Samwise Gamgee. Never again will he turn his face towards the sun. Never again will he bring life from the soil. Never again will Samwise Gamgee know a day of peace until at last time claims his withered soul as it does all things.
Frodo is on the ship. He is blinded by wonder for he still cannot understand. All he knows is warmth and light and no memory of what was can reach him for he is still barricaded by some dark force that will not let him free. He is at peace, Samwise and the quest forgotten, until the grey raincurtain turns all to silver glass and his eyes rest upon a white shore and a far green country under a swift sunrise. It is then that the light of the Eldar bursts through the barricade and Frodo Baggins returns. Frodo turns to Mithrandir, his eyes afright. 'Where is Sam!' he cries 'I cannot recall what has come to pass! There was a veil before my eyes! Where is Sam!' Mithrandir seeks to explain but not even words from the lips of the white wizard can console him. Frodo looks to his maimed hand. 'What have I done! Oh Sam! What pain have I brought upon you!' And it comes to pass that Frodo, long blinded and lost, has been given sight only to see what he has done. Frodo sees that he has left Sam alone in the dark without hope or chance of solace from his grief. Sam's back breaks with the burden of his failure and Frodo cannot bear this. 'Forgive me Sam.' Mithrandir tries to stop him but he can do nothing. Waves and the white sand churning beneath them. Frodo shares the doom of his parents and both Ringbearers fall in darkness and in doubt. Thus the last vengeance of Sauron's malice is wrought."
Arwen opened her eyes to feel the sting of tears in them and their cold trails along her pale, shimmering cheeks. She turned to her father and sees he too has been weeping. "I cannot give him passage, Father. Not until Samwise gets one last chance to see his master and Frodo sees Sam beginning his new life and sees fit that he can leave him in good hands. Both will feel they have failed if they are not assured the safety and happiness of the other."
"Is this the vision you gave the young healer?"
"No. There was so much ahead of Frodo, so many deaths or twists in his path that it branched off as many tree limbs entwining. It was every small action he made or made by others that dettered his path and sent him swiftly one way and then spun him in another in an unmerciful torrent of fate. And now as the rivers of time have flowed and sent him drifting in aimless rivulets I try to change his course before he reaches some terrible end. Long before, I was overwrought with the burden of it for I saw no way until Envin became a wind in Frodo's fate and blocked off some of his paths and opened up many others. That healer has set something into motion far beyond his own foresight."
Elrond placed a kiss upon his daughter's brow. "Trouble yourself naught and sit with me a while longer before we bid farewell."
"Yes, Father."
~~~
A/N: Well I shall take this opportunity to do something I've never done before and I don't know why. Shameless plugs! First of all if you like the character Emáten go read Ailsa Joy's fic (for she is the author that invented him) "Memories of Home". Envin, Emarin and the kitten are mine though ^^. Also you should go read laurajslr's first Lord of the Rings fanfiction entitled "The Actions of a Hero" it's sweet especially if you like Sam and Frodo. I've also been wandering around fanfiction and discovered that Ariel3 has some of the best writing I've ever seen so visit her too! And of course the perfect feel good fic "In the Hands of Friends" is just sweet delicious fluff ^^. Well these are things that have brought me joy and I hope they bring it to you as well.
CStini – yes more chapters! ::sips coffee, hunches over laptop, nimbly taps keys:: Tick! Tick! Tick!
laurajslr – You should know by now Sam never cuts himself any slack. He probably has a nice Gaffer quote to explain why too. "Lyin' bout in beds is only good fer tulips and laze-a-bones and no Gamgee fer certain. Sleep in and the sun, she'll be ahead o' you and ever after you'll be a-slackin'. Blink once clear yer eyes blink twice and all you do is attract fireflies." Kinda weird... the Gaffer is more difficult to write than Arwen or any of the noble fair-spoken folk. I'm glad you liked my old writing style but one must always be harder on oneself. I am so enjoying your fic I hate to see it end! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Saiya*Queen*Vega – Thank you for your lovely review. I'm glad you like my style and I have a lot of fun with poetry. I am currently working on a poem for class a fun spin on Little Red Riding Hood. Perhaps I'll post it on fictionpress it's quite a lovely ballad so far about a saucy warrior woman named Red ^^ I loathe the weak little female character. You are right about looking back at past work and it goes for more than just writing. My advice is save everything you ever wrote, drew, etc even if you hate it utterly. I'm also glad you like my Merry I hope you like the more cheerful colorful side of him in this chapter. There will also be a dark side of him but that's in one of the later chapters. Just trying to give him dimension ^^.
Tersa – Writing is my play! I wouldn't do something this much if it weren't fun. Glad you like my style I just like watching it improve.
Endymion2 – Me? A child? ::huff:: ^^ Actually I think what makes someone adult is certain points in their life that have been oh-so-wonderfully named cusps by Heinlein. Basically a point in life when there's great tension and great choices to be made and whatever choices you do make can alter your life. They are what defines you and the more defined you are the wiser you are. ::clears throat:: Which is why Frodo's state is so shocking. He is a grown hobbit with so many experiences that defined him so gracefully in others eyes. Others saw his noble decisions, his brave choices, his level-headed wont, all parts of his personality developed as he grew. Now he is utterly stripped of these. A child. I'm sorry my Merry did not fit yours but alas Tolkien I am not though I do hope you liked Merry better here as this was a more jovial side of him. Now that you've seen the strong dominating Merry and the silver-tongued sweety there will be a darker more bitter side of him in a few chapters, a side created by the Quest. I think all of Tolkien's characters were completely three- dimensional and that's why we love them so I try to give them the same dimensions as well.
Ariel3 – I'm glad you think that way about my writing as your opinion is particularly important to me. I have just recently been reading some of your fics and they are exquisite! I do love your style so it is an honor to meet your approval. I favor book-Frodo as well though the movie version was still wonderful and I still give him that dilectible appearance. But who wouldn't? I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Rachel Denise Martin – Welcome! Hope you enjoy!
Iorhael – Development is most of the writing process. I'm glad you like this.
Ailsa Joy – I'm glad you updated! You should do it more often ::grins sheepishly:: I am anxious to see where you are going with your fic! I can't wait to post Chapter 29 as it is one of the small climaxes and was oh so fun to write. Ah well enjoy our sweet hobbits and grim fortune telling elves for now ^^;;
ShireElf – Thank you very much for the complement as it is one of the greatest and author can receive. It seems I am definitely doing my job then, holding your anticipation, keeping you guessing, keeping you interested, and stringing emotions like playing a harp ^^.
Samwise felt no hunger, sorrow and his embittered thoughts was all that filled him. He was sitting, his knees bent and his elbows supporting him as he watched the horizon. Pippin sat quietly at Sam's feet chaffing Frodo's hands tenderly. The day waned as the three tarried there, upon a hill of smooth turf and pale green grass, looking out at the wonders of Rohan. Frodo was consumed with wonder, watching the sky and the grasses sway in a scented breeze. The pale stones rose up from the mountains and the sunlight glimmered off of their white faces. Frodo leaned his curly head upon Sam's knee and felt the warmth and wonder of peace, so fleeting were these feelings that Frodo would often forget them in his prolonged times of terror. There was a darkness in the simple hobbit's mind that frightened and confused him, for he knew not from wither these rivers of flame arose.
A small shudder took Frodo's frame and snatched Sam's attention away from his shadowy thoughts. He felt Frodo's body shiver and saw his dark curls tremble. Pippin too, looked up from the pale hands he sought to keep warm to their owner who seemed achill. The silence only darkened until all three hobbits saw Merry's figure striding up the hill, returning from the Hall.
"They have noticed our absence, cousin." Merry smiled at Pippin, "But I have explained for us all. I come bearing small tidings, loaves of bread and some fruit. They will be quite angry to see us eating so plainly but I say we shall picnic and picnic we shall." Merry handed a roll to Frodo who took it up eagerly. Despite his earlier attempts at food Pippin found he was returning to his normal self, eating contentedly. Sam, however refused.
"Come Sam," said Merry. "If Frodo refused you would have chided him so."
Sam quirked a grin and took an apple. As the four hobbits ate in silence, all attention seemed fixed on Frodo, though all of Frodo's attention was on the loaf of bread he was gingerly chewing. It was then that Sam, Merry, and Pippin saw what seemed to be Frodo's hand acting on its own accord. As the one hand cradled the bread and Frodo's gaze did not leave his task, his other hand was working quite well on its own.
The three spectators felt their breath stop as they watched one of Frodo's hands rummage through his pocket searching calmly. It stopped soon and stayed within the warmth of the pocket having found what it sought.
Unable to stop himself, Sam came to Frodo's side and grasped his elbow gently. Frodo did not seem to care, knowing it was his protector he let his hand fall from his pocket, between the two fingers was pinched a small dried stem. All three worried hobbits released a breath they did not know they were holding. But confusion only replaced worry.
"What is it?" asked Pippin in a whisper.
"A youngin sprout," replied Sam taking it from between Frodo's fingers. "He had picked it mighty long ago and I scolded him cause it wasn't nearly bloomed yet."
"Why does he keep the rotten old thing?"
"I'm not sure," said Sam now looking up to see Frodo had finished his bread and was watching them. Frodo slowly plucked the dead flower from Sam's hand and twirled it in his fingers.
"Dead," he murmured.
There was a rasp from Merry and Pippin but Sam only looked at them beseechingly. "It's all he knows. That's what I was saying afore. Such despairing thoughts... the only ones he has."
Pippin barely listened to Sam's words. "You spoke Frodo! Speak again! Tell me my name!" Frodo did not seem to hear. He laid back on the grass and folded his hands on his chest. His sparkling eyes were half closed as he gazed at the sky, half hearing the gentle flow of senseless words from the other three hobbits. "Please, Frodo. Please."
Another shiver trembled through Frodo and he winced at this now. He had not the energy to lift his eyelids again but his brows furrowed as if he had forgotten something. The three hobbits waited expectantly until Sam saw Frodo's lips part in a slight whimper. Sam took his place beside Frodo and laid the curly head in his lap, running his hands through the dark hair and hushing him warmly.
Merry suddenly thought of Sam's words earlier when he was asked what he was thinking of lying in the road. "He's a child like those that sit at the edge of dreams and nightmares watching with curious fright."
Frodo's eyes were open now and full of sadness, staring at something no one else could see. But Frodo saw it and it frightened him. A great wheel of fire burned into his mind. An agonizing wheel singed into his eyes forever and anon. Why did it burn and fill his ears with ghostly words? Like thunder in his stomach and howls of wolves crashing against shields and steel in his head. Why was there an emptiness nagging at the cloudy edges of his mind? Why was he barricaded in, alone in the dark, shivering while he burned, screaming in silence?
Frodo sat up, his imploring eyes looking to Sam, Pippin, and Merry. There, the three hobbits saw the desperate plea, screaming, weeping, groveling for some help to fight a darkness not even he understood. In desperation those eyes beseeched a knight of Rohan, a guard of the Citadel, and the most loyal and truehearted of servants. All three bowed their heads, helpless to it all. Long silence crept up into them making them shiver. The wind stirred quietly and the vast land once revered in its beauty now seemed empty of solace. A noise startled all four hobbits out of their thoughts to see the Lady Eowyn approaching.
She held out her arms, flowing sleeves welcoming them like the wings of a swan, free of the cage she always feared. All of her was golden areigned in a white raiment, shimmering with the gentle beauty of a bloom. "My friends! You have not heard the word of my betrothal to Faramir. I so hoped to see you among my people at my brother's table. King Eomer of Rohan sought his esquire." She turned to Merry.
"My lady," he bowed. "May you forgive me for my words now, but my cousins and dear friend needed me and I dare not deny their company for any king."
She laughed and it seemed that the sun shone brighter upon them all as they uplifted their heads to hear such music. "That is why I have come," she whispered warmly, kneeling before the hobbits. "Meriadoc of the Shire and Holdwine of the Mark. May you ride to good fortune, and ride back soon to our welcome. My brother sought to laden you with gifts that a wain could not bear for your deeds upon the fields of Mundburg."
"My lady, I want nothing but my arms and your blessing."
Eowyn stood. "Very well. Then I beg of you receive this as my gift to you." The lady presented Merry with a small horn, wrought all of silver and a baldric of green. Runes of great meaning and fortune were wrought all upon it and horsemen bold and silver, swiftly riding in a line, winding from the tip to the mouth. It shone in magnificence, bright and clear as the sound that would issue forth from it. "This is an heirloom of our house. It was made by the Dwarves, and came from the hoard of Scatha the Worm. Eorl the Young brought it from the North. He that blows it at need shall set fear in the hearts of his enemies and joy in the hearts of his friends, and they shall hear and come to him."
Tears glistened in Meriadoc's eyes. "I will take it, my lady, and ever think of you and your brother and my lord may he now rest among the heroes of old in shining halls of victory!" Merry laid a kiss upon her fair hand and the lady stooped and swung the small knight round, embracing him lovingly and kissing his cheek.
Sam, Pippin, and with a clear ringing like fresh scented rain upon silver glass, Frodo too, laughed and joy shone in all the hearts of the hobbits and the lady. Sam turned in surprise at Frodo and embraced him warmly, tears streaming down his eyes, but they no longer stung or burned, they were fresh and clean. Frodo shook with laughter in Sam's arms, his eyes shining as the dark clouds of pain dissipated as if a quick wind sent them asunder and broke their misery.
When Eowyn set Merry down his face was red and the tips of his ears burning from the kiss the lady bestowed upon him. Pippin fell over with laughter at the look upon his cousin's face.
"That is my blessing, Master Meriadoc, to you and all of your kin. May hobbits never know a dark day ever again, in all their lives and may the Shire thrive forever out of the reach of any shadow."
"I do hope so! Farewell my lady! Farewell!" Merry cried as she departed.
The hobbits rose and journeyed back to the stables where they would once again make ride. When Eowyn mentioned the Shire Sam's mind fled home to the shining wheat fields as golden as she. Sam wondered if he thought of the Lady Eowyn or Rosie but only concluded that it did not matter. He was going home. Home where the grass shone greener than any emerald jewel and the strawberries were now growing the sweetest. Sam nearly felt the Shire's sunlight, somehow much warmer than any light he could name. The taste of ale at the Green Dragon and the grace of Rosie Cotton as she spun about the tavern. The songs in humble voices, not so grand and golden as those that rose in these halls that were far too large in splendor for any sensible hobbit.
When the hobbits arrived there was a great bustle as the company of elves and Aragorn's knights made ready. Strider would be riding with them for some time though his lady chose to stay. Sam caught a glimpse of the lady Arwen atop a hill, sitting with her father. Sam saw bitterness in their parting and sorrow as they spoke long and clasped hands. Arwen rested her head on her father's shoulder and he kissed her forehead. Sam could see no more as he was lead to his pony.
Frodo was in joyful spirits ever since Eowyn shone her light upon him. Sam found it not so difficult to coax him upon the pony. Emáten appeared beside them and Sam greeted him kindly.
"I have not seen you for such a long while," said the knight. "It seems I shall be accompanying you for a little while longer, I am truly blessed."
Sam smiled, "I am glad to see you, Emáten. Things be lookin bright for a little while."
"I harkened there was magic in you!" laughed Emáten, "I see it shining like sun in your faces, Lord Frodo and yourself! But most of all the young knight of Rohan, whom is also of your kin. He glows bright as day and red as roses!"
Sam laughed again, "Aye, that he does."
~~~
"Please, Father, do not begrudge me my decision."
"I know now, my jewel, that you will never be truly happy unless you are with him. You have my love." Elrond placed his hands upon his daughter's shoulders and smiled into her face. But there was a bitter sorrow between them and the words tasted foul in their mouths. Arwen bowed her head and felt her father's warmth entering her heart. She knew what he was thinking. How cold she must be, without the light of the Eldar within.
"You suffer."
"I shall miss you every day." She whispered leaning against his chest and letting his arms hold her close as she did when she was young. "I have seen so much and none of it has prepared me for this. You have given me your gift, Father, but it only gives me shadows of what may come. I fear what I see but not for me, for me I see long life and many daughters and a son like his father and my father united."
Elrond smiled down at his beloved daughter. "You see more than I."
"I do not see you." Her head lifted and her eyes were shining with unshed tears. "That future is blind to me."
"So it must be, in choosing your mortality you have forsaken all vision of what may come to pass under the Light of the Trees in the Undying Land." He cupped her chin affectionately, "Do not despair, for you will share a lifetime of love and splendor. You have chosen a clear path and life is what lies before you."
"And what of what lies behind? Father I shall never see you again!"
Elrond held his daughter close and ran his hand over her hair. "My daughter do not weep. My love and light is within you and that is forever undying be you mortal or elfkind. Such times must come to pass and they fall like the rain with bitter weeping. But the rain will soon end, and all of the land will shimmer under warm dawn. So it must be the rain and weeping that must usher in the light, it always must be and it always will be. That is for certain. You go with my blessing, child, and all the love in my heart. You have chosen the path of hope when I had urged you to despair and flee west. Your rain will end, your dawn approaches. Love him and you will get all the stars and dawns that will brighten your life in return."
"Father." She pulled him tighter, burying her face in his chest and closing her eyes to the warmth that he filled her heart with. "There is darkness still. I fear for the futures that I see."
"Why did you not give him passage then, my child?"
"There are many paths I see for Frodo, all end in sorrow, though some are still unclear to me. I have foreseen this;" And Arwen released her father's embrace and stepped away gazing at the mountains among the horizon. She closed her eyes and recalled a vision: "Sam takes Frodo with the company in passing, grey in the shadows under moon and star. They pass under trees and veil of twilight. Samwise weeps and Frodo does not understand. There is a ship, a white vessel shimmering in the waters grand in its splendor upon the waves. A golden glow fills the sails and shines upon the company now glimmering as they board. Sam leads Frodo but cannot step foot upon the white deck. He leads him, both are atremble but the wonders are unheeded by the grieved Samwise and all his thoughts turn black for the rest of his days. Sam watches Frodo board, held up by the hands of Mithrandir and Frodo is full of wonder. He steps upon the deck and does not look back, the world is bright and clear, glimmering open before him and carpeted with stars. He does not see Samwise fall.
Sam is on his knees and his heart is too overcome with bitterness and sorrow to stand again. All his world is darkness and no flower, no sprout, no shoot shall ever again grow by his hand. The grass withers at his feet and in darkness falls the doom of Samwise Gamgee. He is consumed with grief that his heart burns to weep and he cannot. He could not save his master. He is broken by his own failure. Samwise never saw his master again and he cannot recall when Frodo had left him. His mind reaches back to this day and knows that Frodo was gone then. His mind grasps back to Mordor and knows Frodo is gone then. Desperately he seeks Emyn Muil, Lothlorien, Moria, Rivendell. He does not know where upon the road his master was truly lost and this doom was sealed. But Samwise Gamgee grieves for the soul that he could not save or find again. He weeps ever in bitterness for the master he had failed, for the soul sacrificed somewhere along the road but where he knows not. In shadow falls the heart of Samwise Gamgee. Never again will he turn his face towards the sun. Never again will he bring life from the soil. Never again will Samwise Gamgee know a day of peace until at last time claims his withered soul as it does all things.
Frodo is on the ship. He is blinded by wonder for he still cannot understand. All he knows is warmth and light and no memory of what was can reach him for he is still barricaded by some dark force that will not let him free. He is at peace, Samwise and the quest forgotten, until the grey raincurtain turns all to silver glass and his eyes rest upon a white shore and a far green country under a swift sunrise. It is then that the light of the Eldar bursts through the barricade and Frodo Baggins returns. Frodo turns to Mithrandir, his eyes afright. 'Where is Sam!' he cries 'I cannot recall what has come to pass! There was a veil before my eyes! Where is Sam!' Mithrandir seeks to explain but not even words from the lips of the white wizard can console him. Frodo looks to his maimed hand. 'What have I done! Oh Sam! What pain have I brought upon you!' And it comes to pass that Frodo, long blinded and lost, has been given sight only to see what he has done. Frodo sees that he has left Sam alone in the dark without hope or chance of solace from his grief. Sam's back breaks with the burden of his failure and Frodo cannot bear this. 'Forgive me Sam.' Mithrandir tries to stop him but he can do nothing. Waves and the white sand churning beneath them. Frodo shares the doom of his parents and both Ringbearers fall in darkness and in doubt. Thus the last vengeance of Sauron's malice is wrought."
Arwen opened her eyes to feel the sting of tears in them and their cold trails along her pale, shimmering cheeks. She turned to her father and sees he too has been weeping. "I cannot give him passage, Father. Not until Samwise gets one last chance to see his master and Frodo sees Sam beginning his new life and sees fit that he can leave him in good hands. Both will feel they have failed if they are not assured the safety and happiness of the other."
"Is this the vision you gave the young healer?"
"No. There was so much ahead of Frodo, so many deaths or twists in his path that it branched off as many tree limbs entwining. It was every small action he made or made by others that dettered his path and sent him swiftly one way and then spun him in another in an unmerciful torrent of fate. And now as the rivers of time have flowed and sent him drifting in aimless rivulets I try to change his course before he reaches some terrible end. Long before, I was overwrought with the burden of it for I saw no way until Envin became a wind in Frodo's fate and blocked off some of his paths and opened up many others. That healer has set something into motion far beyond his own foresight."
Elrond placed a kiss upon his daughter's brow. "Trouble yourself naught and sit with me a while longer before we bid farewell."
"Yes, Father."
~~~
A/N: Well I shall take this opportunity to do something I've never done before and I don't know why. Shameless plugs! First of all if you like the character Emáten go read Ailsa Joy's fic (for she is the author that invented him) "Memories of Home". Envin, Emarin and the kitten are mine though ^^. Also you should go read laurajslr's first Lord of the Rings fanfiction entitled "The Actions of a Hero" it's sweet especially if you like Sam and Frodo. I've also been wandering around fanfiction and discovered that Ariel3 has some of the best writing I've ever seen so visit her too! And of course the perfect feel good fic "In the Hands of Friends" is just sweet delicious fluff ^^. Well these are things that have brought me joy and I hope they bring it to you as well.
CStini – yes more chapters! ::sips coffee, hunches over laptop, nimbly taps keys:: Tick! Tick! Tick!
laurajslr – You should know by now Sam never cuts himself any slack. He probably has a nice Gaffer quote to explain why too. "Lyin' bout in beds is only good fer tulips and laze-a-bones and no Gamgee fer certain. Sleep in and the sun, she'll be ahead o' you and ever after you'll be a-slackin'. Blink once clear yer eyes blink twice and all you do is attract fireflies." Kinda weird... the Gaffer is more difficult to write than Arwen or any of the noble fair-spoken folk. I'm glad you liked my old writing style but one must always be harder on oneself. I am so enjoying your fic I hate to see it end! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Saiya*Queen*Vega – Thank you for your lovely review. I'm glad you like my style and I have a lot of fun with poetry. I am currently working on a poem for class a fun spin on Little Red Riding Hood. Perhaps I'll post it on fictionpress it's quite a lovely ballad so far about a saucy warrior woman named Red ^^ I loathe the weak little female character. You are right about looking back at past work and it goes for more than just writing. My advice is save everything you ever wrote, drew, etc even if you hate it utterly. I'm also glad you like my Merry I hope you like the more cheerful colorful side of him in this chapter. There will also be a dark side of him but that's in one of the later chapters. Just trying to give him dimension ^^.
Tersa – Writing is my play! I wouldn't do something this much if it weren't fun. Glad you like my style I just like watching it improve.
Endymion2 – Me? A child? ::huff:: ^^ Actually I think what makes someone adult is certain points in their life that have been oh-so-wonderfully named cusps by Heinlein. Basically a point in life when there's great tension and great choices to be made and whatever choices you do make can alter your life. They are what defines you and the more defined you are the wiser you are. ::clears throat:: Which is why Frodo's state is so shocking. He is a grown hobbit with so many experiences that defined him so gracefully in others eyes. Others saw his noble decisions, his brave choices, his level-headed wont, all parts of his personality developed as he grew. Now he is utterly stripped of these. A child. I'm sorry my Merry did not fit yours but alas Tolkien I am not though I do hope you liked Merry better here as this was a more jovial side of him. Now that you've seen the strong dominating Merry and the silver-tongued sweety there will be a darker more bitter side of him in a few chapters, a side created by the Quest. I think all of Tolkien's characters were completely three- dimensional and that's why we love them so I try to give them the same dimensions as well.
Ariel3 – I'm glad you think that way about my writing as your opinion is particularly important to me. I have just recently been reading some of your fics and they are exquisite! I do love your style so it is an honor to meet your approval. I favor book-Frodo as well though the movie version was still wonderful and I still give him that dilectible appearance. But who wouldn't? I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Rachel Denise Martin – Welcome! Hope you enjoy!
Iorhael – Development is most of the writing process. I'm glad you like this.
Ailsa Joy – I'm glad you updated! You should do it more often ::grins sheepishly:: I am anxious to see where you are going with your fic! I can't wait to post Chapter 29 as it is one of the small climaxes and was oh so fun to write. Ah well enjoy our sweet hobbits and grim fortune telling elves for now ^^;;
ShireElf – Thank you very much for the complement as it is one of the greatest and author can receive. It seems I am definitely doing my job then, holding your anticipation, keeping you guessing, keeping you interested, and stringing emotions like playing a harp ^^.