Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, all you don't recognize is mine.
Chapter 2 – The Departure
The next day when Gandalf left, Frodo was still in shock. He knew deep inside him that his spirits were troubled, that the wound he had gotten on Weathertop could never heal and that he should go, but, in his heart, he wasn't ready to leave the Shire.
Well, he thought about it and decided that a bit of peace would be welcome after all. He was worried about Sam though. How would he take the news ? Since they had gone to Mount Doom and back again, they had almost always been together. Merry and Pippin would be affected too for, they had done such great things together, the four of them.
During the two weeks before his departure, Frodo wanted to tell his friends about it but he just couldn't make up his mind. Discreetly, he was preparing his things but no one knew.
The night before he had planned to leave, he called up his friends for dinner and there, he announced it.
« I have invited you tonight to announce that Bilbo and Gandalf will be leaving for the undying lands with Lord Elrond, Celeborn and Lady Galadriel.
« Gandalf is leaving ? » Pippin asked
« Yes, his work is ended and he has walked this earth a very long time, now he must rest »
Pippin shed a tear.
« And Mr. Bilbo too ! I'll miss Mr. Bilbo! » Sam added
« Frodo, is that all ?» Merry asked
The two others looked at him, inquisitively.
« No » Frodo said.
« What is it ? » Sam asked.
Frodo took a deep breath.
« Bilbo and Gandalf are leaving Sam, and I'm going with them.» Frodo said in practically a whisper.
Nobody talked, there was a silence you could cut with a knife. They could'nt imagine life without Frodo.
« No. You can't leave » Sam said, hopelessly.
« I have to, Sam , Middle-Earth was saved, but I gave my life to do it, time has come for me to be at peace.
Sam was crying by now. The three of them were.
«I'm leaving tomorrow morning.»
« I'm coming » Sam said.
« Me too » Merry added.
« Me three » Pippin joined in. « Where are we going ? »
The next morning, they left for the grey havens. They all looked a bit depressed. They rode without stopping all day except for a small lunch at mid-day. They didn't talk much, only a few words about the weather and Sam telling them how his daughter, Elanor, had cried all night.
When they stopped for dinner, Sam said:
« Frodo, since everyone goes to the Undying Lands, you will see Boromir again won't you ? »
Flashback
Pippin saw himself and Merry looking at Boromir, helpless, as an arrow penetrated his chest, then came the second one, and the third.
End Flashback
Pippin shivered at the thought he just had. Merry looked at him, understandingly.
« I might » Frodo answered.
He hadn't thought about that. How would it be if I met Boromir again ? He wondered.
« I might » He said again, pensive.
They reached the grey havens early the next morning, the sun was rising and in the morning light they found themselves looking upon a fairytale like sight. Everything was made of stone, there were grand statues and columns. A ship laid anchored, a large ship with purple-blue sails flying in the wind. Elrond, Galadriel, Celeborn, Gandalf and Bilbo were waiting by it.
The hobbits bid farewell to the elves and Bilbo, then Gandalf approached and took Frodo's hand. « It is time Frodo »
Frodo's friends cried, for, even though they had cried the night Frodo had told them, they had still hoped he would stay in the end. When Frodo climbed on the ship, they realized he looked different, he looked peaceful already and they understood he was right when he said he had to go, and that eased their sadness.
The ship left, sailing smoothly in the pale light of the morning, leaving three desolated hobbits on the shore of the sea.
So that was the end... Thank to my only reviewer.
Jenifaelfe