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 Four - Heart's Ease
Frodo's soul overflowed with a peace which touched every inch of his being. The agony had faded, the memories were strong, and he realized that if this gentle peace had come while he was still on shipboard, who great would be his comfort when he arrived in Valinor.
Leaning his head back against the solid sides of the ship, he gazed from a portal, watching the storm slowly settling until the water barely rippled with the wind's force. Bilbo's comfortable form was snug beside him, head resting upon curled arms, and eyes firmly shut, his mouth twitching in tiny motions as if he were conversing with a loved one in his dreams.
Gandalf's weathered figure ducked through the doorway and into the room, pausing to bestow a kind smile upon Frodo and his companion, then motioning for Frodo to join him. Easing carefully away from Bilbo lest he accidentally disturb the sleeper, Frodo slid to his feet, and joined the figure waiting for him, grasping the extended hand and accompanied the ancient wizard to another corner of the cabin.
Settling down into a pile of embroidered cushions the exact shade of Shire greenery, Frodo relaxed and restrained a chuckle as Gandalf cautiously lowered himself into a high-backed chair. Even a wizard and one of the Valar felt the rock and sway of a ship at sea. Gandalf's gaze twinkled at Frodo, and immediately he wiped all mirth from his features save for his eyes which he knew revealed all to his dearest friend.
"Frodo, in a very short time now, you'll find yourself in Valinor, and yet it seems that already you have discovered some semblance of the peace you sought." Shrewd eyes pierced Frodo's soul, and a strong hand withdrew a pipe, lit it, and placed it between straight and even teeth, sending a puff of shimmery white cloud upward.
Frodo ran an idle hand through his flyaway curls, ordering his thoughts before speaking them aloud. Drawing a deep breath, Frodo nodded, "Gandalf, I don't truly understand it myself. You remember how I felt just a few days ago, as if the enemy had won and taken my life with him into a void."
"Now," he struggled for the words, searching to locate ones which would convey his meaning, "now, I can see life again, the joy I once had I thought was forever lost to me, and yet, I've found it again. Somehow, someway, this journey has reawakened something I believed to have been gone for the completion of my lifetime, a sense of happiness, peace, and above all contentment."
Gandalf rested a hand on Frodo's head, causing the Hobbit to gaze into gentle pools of wisdom and compassion. "Frodo, you have managed to find the comfort I myself never thought to witness you enjoying again. And for whatever reason you came by it, I am glad of it, dear Frodo."
Settling back once more, Gandalf exhaled a contemplative puff of smoke, "Honestly, Frodo, I would have been deeply concerned had you remained in that pool of misery you found yourself in for the first few days. Your melancholia was of the highest worry for myself and the Lady Galadriel."
At the mention of the White Lady's name, Frodo's eyes lit with fire and a grin surged to his lips. "Gandalf, she's the one who truly helped me recover. She understood, I don't know how, but she did. She knew my longing for home, for Sam, just for things I knew and remembered. And she helped me move beyond those desires to, I suppose the only description I could give would be, a comfort of mind. Thanks to her, and you of course, dear Gandalf, I found myself again."
Sending a loving gaze toward the slumbering form of Bilbo, Frodo's voice rang with tenderness, "Even Bilbo was concerned for me, I'm afraid. I never meant to give way to the pain, but that was really the only way to bring healing. To experience the anguish and move forward. And now, I can look ahead to a new life, and one that in time Sam will share with me once again!" The final words burst from Frodo's heart, and Gandalf laughed.
"Indeed, he will, Frodo, indeed he will."
The sudden musical shout, caused both companions to gaze toward the doorway where an elf appeared with a joyous smile forming across normally severe lips. "We have arrived! Valinor is visible from the railing, if you would prefer to join the company." With his words dutifully spoken, the elf vanished to view his heart's desire.
Frodo scrambled to his feet and was at Bilbo's side in an instant. Gently shaking a shoulder, Frodo urged the Hobbit awake, and whispered in his ear, "We've arrived, Uncle Bilbo. It is time."
A cheery grin touched Bilbo's features, and then he stood with Frodo's supporting arm braced against his back. "Well, lad, what say we see what all the fuss is about?" Frodo's smile was answer enough, and the two Hobbits joined Gandalf who had waited patiently near the door. The gentle cadence of feet upon wood faded as the companions swiftly hurried topside where a land of infinite tranquility and harmony awaited their sight.