Chapter
13 "The Departure of the Undying Lands"
Frodo,
Sandy and Gandalf stepped on the edge of the white shores, as water
came up and around their feet, and then pulled back out to sea. Frodo
looked back and bowed at Galadrial and Elrond, they bowed back at
him, and then Bilbo spoke "My dear boy, be sure to bring me back
a piece of the Shire, for memory." "I shall Bilbo, do not
worry, do not weep, for not all tears are evil" Frodo said, and
with that he looked at Gandalf swiftly after he had said it, because
it had been something he had told him, Sam, Merry and Pippin before
they left for the Undying Lands. A big smile broke on the wizards
face and he placed his hand on his shoulder and spoke "you never
cease to impress me Frodo Baggins." "And you never cease to
be such a wise and brave wizard, and a loyal friend at that"
Frodo said smiling. Gandalf smiled and proceeded to step unto the
ship, he turned slightly to bow one last time to Elrond and
Galadrial, who bowed back at him. Frodo and Sandy then proceeded to
follow Gandalf, and suddenly, they heard the soft voice of Galadrial,
she was singing, and Elrond joined in, as well as many elves around,
it was a farewell song to those who ventured back, the sound of the
singing put a big smile on Frodo's face.
"Farewell for
now Elrond, Galadrial, and dear Bilbo, for I shall return in the many
hours" Frodo said. "Take care Frodo, and many hopes that
the visit is one of great memory" Elrond said bowing. "Thank
you Elrond" Frodo said bowing back. "And farewell to you
Sandy, and many hopes that you enjoy your first time visit, to the
Shire" Elrond said. "Thank you Elrond" Sandy said. "I
bid you both a very fond farewell, and we will see you in the hour of
your return, tell everyone in the Shire, that I send them hello's"
Galadrial said. "We will Galadrial, and thank you" Frodo
said running up to Galadrial and hugging her tight. "If it
werent for you, I would not be well at this moment of time, I would
be back at the bed, taking my last breathes at this very moment, but
because of you, I am well, and the best of all, I going to the Shire,
what a blissful day" Frodo said. "Your welcome Frodo, its
always a pleasure to help someone like you out, your a strong brave
hobbit, youve battled the evil and won, not only did I help you, but
that you have also helped yourself with your strength and courage
Frodo Baggins, and that is a gift" Galadrial said kissing Frodo
on his head. "Go now, the ships are waiting" Galadrial
said. "Thank you Galadrial, I will see you soon" Frodo said
hugging her and then he walked towards Bilbo and Bilbo's eyes began
to water. "Bilbo, are you crying?" Frodo asked. "Me?
no no, I am not crying, no" Bilbo said wiping away the tears and
pretending that hes not crying. "You are crying Bilbo, why must
you cry?" Frodo asked. "Well lad, its just that, your
growing up so quickly, and your parting from the undying lands, is
quite emotional for me, as if your leaving on your own" Bilbo
said. "Bilbo...its only a visitation, you know that, I will be
back, don't you worry, I will never leave your side" Frodo said
hugging Bilbo. "I am glad to hear that my dear boy, go now,
ships are waiting, you wouldnt want them to leave without you"
Bilbo said. "No Bilbo, I do not want them to sail without me,
but I shall see you soon" Frodo said walking to the ship. "See
you soon Frodo" Bilbo said.
Sandy ran over and hugged
Galadrial and Elrond as well, and a little tear escaped from her eye.
"Thank you both for being there for me during the dark times of
Frodo, thank you for everything" Sandy said. "You are most
welcome Sandy" Elrond said. "It was no problem Sandy, we
will always been here for you and Frodo, do not worry" Galadrial
said. "Come now Frodo and Sandy, the ships are waiting"
Gandalf said. Sandy gave Elrond and Galadrial another hug and
proceeded to walk to the ship, Elrond, Galadrial and Bilbo started to
wave as Galadrial began to sing "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." Frodo grabbed
Sandys hand and they followed Gandalf unto the ship, Frodo, Sandy and
Gandalf took one last look of the Undying Lands and set out into the
open sea, towards Middle Earth. "Naamarie (Farewell)"
Elrond said softly as Galadrial continued to sing, her voice was a
soft and as beautiful as a ocean breeze. The ship left the shore and
headed out, as it gotten far out into the sea, Galadrials voice began
to fade, Frodo let out a sigh and sat down, he was feeling so much
excitement coming over him, he was so thrilled that he was able to
head back to Middle Earth and to the Shire for one visitation to see
everyone, but he felt weary and tired, he wanted to sleep the whole
way there, so it would be such a quick trip there, but he would not
sleep without holding Sandy in his arms, he and Sandy cuddled up next
to the corner of the ship with a blanket around them and fell asleep
in eachothers arms.
Gandalf smiled at them as he continued to
sit and watch them sleep peacefully in eachothers arms, and suddenly
Frodo opened his eyes "Gandalf..what are you doing?" Frodo
asked. "Oh nothing Frodo, just sitting here watching you two be
so peaceful" Gandalf said. "Oh! Well, are you excited to go
back? to the Shire I mean for visitation, I mean whats a return
without the great wizard, right?" Frodo asked. "I am very
well excited Frodo, it will be like the old times when I would come
to the Shire for visits, and your dearest uncle Bilbo would be
scoundering in those old maps of his" Gandalf chuckled. "But
no more will he have to do to so now that the Ring is gone"
Frodo said. "But that will not stop your uncle, for wanting to
go out and do another crazy adventure" Gandalf said. "Well
you know Bilbo, always adventureous" Frodo said. "Yes
indeed" Gandalf said. "And I am sure not one person knows
of my returning, not yet, ohh I can't wait to see the looks on their
faces!" Frodo said.
"Yes yes, they will be so happy
to see you, and very well blessed of your return, now Frodo, get some
rest, we have a long time ahead of us" Gandalf said walking to
another part of the ship. "Yes we do, and I must need rest"
Frodo said laying his head back on Sandy. His eyes slowly drifted
back to sleep, nothing now could awake him from the deep sleep he was
in and all hopes that when he awakes, he will find himself in Middle
Earth.
