Disclaimers: I do not own The Simarillion and The Lord of the Rings. The Silmarillion, The Lord of the Rings and other Middle-earth works belong to J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson, New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers, Turbine and Standing Stones Games. All other canon material belongs to their respected owners. All original material—original characters, original locations, etc.—belongs to me, the authoress of this fanfiction story.

Inspiration Theme Music for Fanfic: Disney's film, "Prince of Persia" song, "I Remain".

Inspiration for Chapter 4: "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King".

Inspiration Music for Chapter 4: Lindsey Stirling's song, "Moon Trance".

*.*.*

Frodo waited until his nurse went away, before he rushed over to his mirror. The mirror stood on a black frame, next to the open door leading to his bathroom. Yes, he certainly looked better. Ever since he received the Black Breath from the Witch-king, as Gandalf told him was the one who placed his hand on Frodo's left shoulder, Frodo checked himself whenever he could find a mirror.

Color restored on his face. Even Merry admitted that he himself was looking just as good as Frodo. Merry had also suffered from the Black Breath, thanks to stabbing the Witch-king's back. Like Frodo, his color had restored to his face and body, something which Frodo felt relieved about.

Frodo smiled, glad that he was pretty much almost healed. Truthfully, he feared it would take months to years for him to recover from the effects the One Ring gave him. He hoped it would take months. He hoped his nurse was wrong, that he could find a way to heal, to be his old self again.

But then, he knew that maybe his nurse was right. Soldiers didn't come back from the wars the same afterwards, did they?

His gaze turned to the large screen. Beatrice was still staring at the screen, watching him to see what he would do. She was tired, but at least she had gotten some rest. Frodo smiled, relieved that she found sleep. It made him feel good, knowing she was well.

"Frodo," Gandalf re-entered Frodo's bedroom, a warm smile on his face. "The Elves are sailing West to the Undying Lands."

"I know. I saw them leave Middle-earth, during my journey," Frodo said, remembering the Wood Elves.

"Well, my task is done. I was wondering if, maybe, you would like to sail with me to the Undying Lands, get some peace afterwards," Gandalf said, thinking this was the best way for Frodo to go.

Frodo looked at Gandalf in intrigue. Did he have a choice? "What about Sam, Merry, Pippin? Won't they go to the Undying Lands?"

"Sam is allowed passage to the Undying Lands. He is a Ring-bearer," Gandalf said.

"Sam is?" Frodo asked, confused. "How?"

"I'm sorry, Frodo. Sam told me himself. After you were knocked unconscious, Sam carried the Ring for a time. When you came to, Sam gave you back the One Ring. This happened in Rivendell, as well as in Shelob's lair," Gandalf pointed out. "This means that Sam can come with us to the Undying Lands, should he choose to go with us." He added, "You'd be making a fine choice to come with me. We can heal you fully there."

Frodo nodded. "All part of the plan?" He asked, not knowing if there was any say in the matter.

"I'll let you decide this when we get back to the Shire. Thanks to Saruman being killed, the world is at peace now," Gandalf said, curtly. "And the Shire really ought to be the same as it once was."

"But I won't be the same," Frodo admitted.

"Ah! Well, that is a question, now isn't it?" Gandalf said, standing up. "Come on, Frodo. We have work to do."

"Right," Frodo said, walking away from his mirror.

.

Frodo made his way to the Houses of Healing's atrium. The growing green grass stood out in the atrium's center space, complete with its own stone gazebo, made Frodo feel better about himself.

The last thing he wanted was to feel unrestful, given what he just went through.

Gollum was gone, but the memory of his absence sent shivers up Frodo's spine. The last thing he wanted was to forget the creature. Frodo wanted to help the poor creature, even at the expense of his own life.

Frodo would give anything if Gollum had been redeemed. But the creature was gone. Gollum had fulfilled his purpose, or so Frodo thought as he meandered into the gazebo, finding a spot to sit on a wooden bench.

The sounds of coughing resounded in the Houses of Healing. Frodo sighed, debating on whether he should assist the healers. Maybe if he was more useful, then he'd be able to do something.

He sighed, nodding to himself. Sam, Merry, and Pippin deserved recognition. Frodo, on the other hand… he sniffed. Why then did he feel like he was losing everything? Whoever penned his story down, whether it was his book self or his movie self, certainly knew how to make his life miserable.

Still, the story had to be told, and it had to be finished. It was the only thing he could do to ease his mind. It wasn't easy.

He looked up at Gandalf, as the white robed wizard sat down beside him on the bench. The wizard's silver hair flowed down his shoulders, while Gandalf's silver beard flowed down his chest. Frodo smiled. Gandalf hadn't changed.

"You said I had work to do. What is it?" Frodo asked.

"Hmm?" Gandalf faced him. "Oh yes, your work needs doing."

"Gandalf, I cannot help but wonder," Frodo said, cautious, "something is on your mind, isn't it? What is it? What aren't you telling me?"

Gandalf looked at him in wonder. Frodo hadn't changed.

Gandalf shook his head, saying to him, "There are things that even we cannot foresee." He looked at Frodo, saying, as the wizard carried his white staff in his hands, "Frodo, you have changed, but I do believe you've been molded into something new, something beyond your wildest imagination."

Frodo grunted. "Hmm. That what's I thought." He looked at the atrium's green grass, hardly surprised that he was here, instead of somewhere else. "But still… how can I put this… I saw Beatrice. She said yes to Sauron. She thought she saw the good in him. But I don't understand. How can this be? How did she know Sauron is good? Isn't there anything we can do to help them? Or what? What is it? I don't understand."

"Frodo, there are some things even I cannot tell you," Gandalf said.

Frodo shook his head, lowering his head. "Great. Thank you." He sighed. "This was the last thing I wanted to hear."

Gandalf looked at Frodo, hoping he could change the hobbit's mind, "But if it's any consolation, I think what you and Beatrice did was very brave. No one could have thought that Sauron has some good in him."

Frodo grunted. "So, you think what Beatrice and me did was wrong? Sauron put me in a mind prison. He tortured me, but I also defended myself against him. I said there is still good in him. I made a vow that I would protect Beatrice from Sauron, but that I would find a way to heal Sauron. To heal them both."

Gandalf moved back, leaning back on the bench, while Frodo spoke up. "Gandalf, I did everything I could and it wasn't enough!" Frodo sighed, pressing his hands against his forehead. "Oh, what am I to do? Sauron's spirit could still be out there!"

Gandalf nodded. "Yes, this much is certain. Sauron cannot take another form, not another physical form, while he is in these timelines. The Second and Third Timelines do not allow Sauron to return. Maybe in the Fourth Timeline, we shall consider this reasoning." He added, cautious, "I cannot guarantee that Sauron will be very happy with you. Sauron will return. But without his ring, I'm afraid he is powerless."

He added, with great disdain, "He poured all his evil into the One Ring, and now that Ring is gone. Sauron is nothing more than a spirit in these timelines, broken and withered."

"Do you think he could do it? Sauron becoming good again?" Frodo asked, seeking a way to redeem Sauron. He added, admitting to Gandalf, "I saw the good in Smeagol. I almost had him redeemed. I swear I can redeem him and Gollum. They've got to be two different people, Smeagol and Gollum. It cannot be just one person in two bodies."

Gandalf nodded. "Well, Gollum came from the One Ring and affected Smeagol's mind. The Ring manifested itself in Smeagol. It was the Ring that beat Smeagol down, changed him into an entirely different creature, wretched and pitiful."

"Do you think I can save them: Smeagol, Gollum, and Sauron?" Frodo asked.

Gandalf shrugged. "I see no sense in trying."

Frodo sighed in relief. "Good. That's good."

"But you must know that not everyone will agree with your decision. To redeem a villain is… deadly," Gandalf said.

Frodo shrugged, all smiles. "I've got to try. There's no harm in trying, is there?"

Gandalf shrugged. "Well, I mean you could try your hardest to redeem them. But they will not be happy with you. And with no Ring to bind them, Sauron, Smeagol, and Gollum will feel helpless and afraid. Like a wounded animal, they will come for us. Saruman, too. Gríma Wormtongue was on the verge of being redeemed, before he was killed."

"What happened to them? Saruman and Gríma?" Frodo asked, curiously.

Gandalf paused. "Saruman was stabbed by Gríma. Legolas shot Gríma with an arrow, pierced his heart." He sighed, "It was bloody. Let me tell you."

"I'm sure I want to know," Frodo said.

Gandalf smiled, looking at him with renewed eyes. "I'm sure you do. But come. We've spoken long enough. It's time to teach you something. Your work begins now."

Frodo stood up, saying, "Well then, let's get started. I can't wait to try something new."

Gandalf grinned, loving this. "Yes, I'm sure you do, Frodo."

.

Gandalf waited for the healers to discharge Frodo. The white robed wizard sat patiently on a bench, just outside Frodo's room. The wizard would wait all day for him, if he knew he could train Frodo in the mystical arts.

From being a grey-robed wizard to a white-robed wizard meant a status change. But this was not the only thing that occurred. During his time in Mandos' Halls, Gandalf found himself speaking with Eru Ilúvatar about a great number of things, including Frodo.

The way Eru smiled at Gandalf meant that He knew something.

"What aren't you telling me?" Gandalf asked.

Eru shook his head, informing Gandalf, "Frodo has a destiny, one you will see fit to finish. After the books and movies' timeline are complete, I instruct you teach the boy about becoming a shapeshifter. The shapeshifters in your time, as well as in the future, will be able to shapeshift at will.

"Don't ask me yet how. I know this much is certain. New worlds will open up. Characters are coming to Earth, straight from books and movies, even video games. Characters can enter worlds through video games, too." Eru nodded. "It's impressive."

"And you know this how?" Gandalf asked.

Eru turned and faced him, telling him, "Because I've seen it happen before." He grunted, adding, "Teach the boy how to become a shapeshifter. It's his gift. He was born with it. He needs to unlock it. Then, and only then, can he do whatever he wants." He added, "Trust me. This will work."

Gandalf nodded. It was better to trust Eru, than to get Him angry. "I trust you. I will train the boy."

Eru smiled, placing a hand on Gandalf's shoulder. "Then I trust this will work, Gandalf. It is time."

And that was how Gandalf recalled his meeting in the Mandos' Halls, right before his return to Middle-earth, on Mount Silvertine.

.

Gandalf looked up at Frodo, as the hobbit re-entered the room. The smile on Frodo's face made Gandalf happy.

Yes, Gandalf was happy for the hobbit. He would train Frodo on how to tap into his powers. Only how were they to do it? That was another question, one that Gandalf would need to experiment on with Frodo by his side to aide him.

"Well, I'm discharged!" Frodo announced, pleased. His smile faded, as he observed Gandalf's sullen expression. "Are you okay?"

"Hmm?" Gandalf looked at him, remembering where he was. "Ah yes, I'm ready. Let's go." He said, walking down the hallway with Frodo.