The White Ship Sails
Rating: K+ for angst and grief.
I wrote this series about 9 years ago, when The Lord of the Rings consumed my life. But with The Hobbit now on the horizon, I thought it would be nice to share my old stories again. My writing style has changed dramatically since then, but I won't change a word. I'd hate to lose the depth of compassion I felt when I wrote of my beloved hobbits all those years ago. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed once writing it.
Chapter Two - A Weary Spirit
His first awareness was of a soft pillow beneath his head. Eyes slowly slid open to view a latticework of amazing beauty welded to the ceiling of the White Ship; shapes of elven warriors, graceful maidens, peaceful times and eras of war floated above him.
Memories flooded and with them came a weariness of spirit he could not fight. Easing himself to a sitting position, Frodo ran a hand over his aching eyes, strained from the bout of tears he had yielded to in the Lady Galadriel's gentle embrace.
Carefully placing his feet upon the constantly shifting floor Frodo stood, moving with the gentle rock and sway of the ship as it bore him further from his heart's dwelling. "Frodo, my lad," came a hoarse but cheery voice from the doorway, causing Frodo's head to swivel toward the sound.
Hobbling upon his cane, Bilbo cautiously shuffled into the room. Frodo's feet landed with a gentle thud upon the ornate flooring and he moved toward the elderly Hobbit. "Uncle Bilbo, you should be resting. Your arduous journey to the Grey Havens reduced strength you couldn't spare." Bilbo only smiled with fondness at his cousin, and accepted the arm offered him, purposefully ignoring the kind reproach.
Settling into a nearby chair, Bilbo relaxed in contentment, then reached out and gently smoothed a loving hand down Frodo's tear-stained cheek. "The parting was far more difficult for you than for me, Frodo." "Yes, Bilbo, it was." A sigh punctuated these words, "Yet, the pain is easier than it was, and in time, it may ebb entirely. At least, that is my hope and desire. Never to lose the memories, but the anguish associated with them."
A crinkled smile appeared at the very edges of Bilbo's bright eyes, "Frodo lad, remember this, when the memories threaten to overcome your soul, when your life seems darker than you could have possibly imagined, remember all that you did accomplish. Life in Middle Earth is no longer threatened by an overshadowing evil."
"Now the only concerns our Shire folk will experience are where to purchase their flour this season, what should be done about the neighbor's livestock which constantly invade private property, or where they should spend their holiday. There's no longer a threat looming on their horizon, Frodo. You are the one who made an accomplishment out of loss, who traded sorrow for joy where so many are concerned."
Frodo's eyes locked with Bilbo's. Two souls who had shared a potent and deadly burden now connected. Frodo's chin quivered slightly, and yet tears did not fall. Frodo had lost something entirely precious to his existence, yet the thought had finally penetrated. The losing was utterly painful at this very moment, yet when Sam finally returned to him, their reunion would be made all the sweeter by the impenetrable distance.
Frodo's warm grip clasped Bilbo's hand tightly, and he tugged the elder Hobbit tenderly to his feet. Determinedly swiping tears from his cheeks, Frodo smiled, hesitant, shimmering as if from a distance arising from the part of himself which had become lost for a brief time. "Thank you, Bilbo. You will never fully know how much I needed to hear those words, especially from you, dear Bilbo."
A wide grin spread like sunshine across Bilbo's ancient cheeks, and he tugged Frodo toward the door. "Well, Frodo lad, now that we've recovered the piece of you which was absent, there is something I would have you see." With his head cocked slightly in curiosity, Frodo's lips turned up in a vague semblance of a smile, and he followed Bilbo through the door, and toward the stairs which lead toward the upper deck.