The sun was just beginning to rise over the horizon as the sound of soft footsteps fell upon the dew-covered grass near the shores of Eldamar. Golden hues of amber shone upon the clear blue sea as the sun rose high warming the face of one lonely soul standing near the waters edge. The air was still as the sea rushed up onto the sandy shore surrounding the bare feet of the visitor gazing out into the distant sky. The footsteps that fell upon the grass soon came to rest within the sands of Eldamar along side their missing companion. It was Sam. He looked to Frodo’s face while he stood with the sun shining upon his visage as he looked out over the endless sea. Frodo then turned to Sam his face stricken with tears. A deep sigh passed Sam’s lips as the pain within Frodo’s face was felt deep within the pit of his heart. Sam let his staff fall to the ground as he opened his arms. Frodo fell into Sam’s grasp and he pulled him in close. Frodo muffled his cries within Sam’s chest as Sam softly drew his hand along the back of Frodo’s head.
"He’s gone dear Sam." Frodo whispered through his tears. "Gone forever."
Sam tried in vain to hold back his own tears as Frodo cried but they could not stay within any longer. He couldn’t help but remember the smiling face of the kindly old hobbit who taught him his letters. The stories he told to him about the elves and of an adventure that he only dreamed of having at his young age. Now at last he had found his peace in this place of healing. Bilbo’s road had indeed gone on but it had finally come to its end in Eldamar.
Frodo stayed within Sam’s warm embrace for what seemed like an eternity before finally leaving his arms and sitting upon the shore. Sam sat at Frodo’s side as the cool water came in around their feet. All was quiet. No words were spoken but those of the wind. Sam looked to Frodo as he sat silently beside him gazing out over the clear blue sea. The sun shone upon Frodo highlighting the long years that had finally etched their way onto his somber face. A gentle breeze swept through Frodo’s hair caressing his thick curls that had now begun to turn grey. Frodo then took his gaze away from the sky and looked to Sam, his pale blue eyes still wet with tears.
"So many years have passed dear Samwise." Frodo replied softly. "Time has went by so slowly that I never wanted it to end. I just couldn’t seem to imagine the day ever coming when Bilbo would no longer be here with you and I."
"Nor did I." Sam replied. "But he has lived well beyond his years he would have had in the Shire. His healing has ended dear Frodo. As one day so shall ours." Sam spoke quietly.
"Perhaps." Frodo said softly in return. "Someday within the shadows of time."
A deep sigh passed Frodo’s lips as he looked back out over the calm waters. He then stood to his feet and turned to the path that led up from the shore up over the hill to home. Sam reached for his staff and he too rose to his feet taking a moment to brush the sand away from his trousers. Frodo began making his way up the shore towards the path as Sam followed slowly behind. Sam soon came into stride with Frodo walking along his side as they came to the open doors that lead into Elrond’s great hall. Frodo stopped for a moment looking up to the mallorns that rose high into the sky. Their leaves shone brightly in the sunlight as they wavered in the wind. He closed his eyes taking in a deep breath as a gentle breeze passed by. Frodo opened his eyes and looked to Sam who was still standing beside him with a faint smile upon his lips. Frodo too smiled as he placed his hand on Sam’s shoulder.
"I’m so glad you are here with me." Frodo said softly. "You’re all I have left now Samwise."
Sam reached up to his shoulder and placed his hand over Frodo’s as a single tear found it’s way down his face. No words were spoken for no others were needed. Frodo then began his way inside Elrond’s hall where he faded away into the shadows with Sam at his side.
Late that evening a faint knock was heard upon Frodo’s door. When no reply was given the knob began turning slowly and a face peered in through the doorway. It was Sam. Within the room he found Frodo sitting in front of the open window staring out into the moonless night. A fire burned within the fireplace filling the room with a faint warm glow as shadows danced upon the walls. Sam came into the room and slowly closed the door behind him. He walked towards Frodo guiding his footsteps with the aid of his staff. The sound of the wooden staff tapping upon the stone floor echoed out into the silence within the room. Sam came to Frodo’s side and placed his hand on his shoulder. Frodo turned around and looked at Sam, his face wet with tears wept long through the night.
"Hullo." Frodo softly whispered. "How are you dear Sam?" Frodo said drying his eyes.
"I am well Mr. Frodo." Sam said quietly. "But let’s not speak of me. I came to see how you have been fairing since I have not seen you out of your room since this morning."
"As well as can be expected." Frodo replied taking another glance out the open window. "I found myself lost in my memories of Bilbo when you came in. Remembering those many nights when he told me the tales of his adventures with the Drawves when I was just a wee lad. Thinking of the many walks we shared on evenings such as this." Frodo said softly. "But they are all I have now…..the many fond memories and the songs within my heart." Frodo sat quiet for some time looking out to the sky watching as the stars began to litter the sky. One by one they began to shine like small burning embers lighting the darkened night. Frodo then turned to Sam and sighed deeply.
"I feel as though my healing shall never find its end." Frodo replied looking over to the fire as it burned slowly, shining its golden hues upon his face. "I’ve lost so much yet gained so little in return."
Sam was silent. No words could seem to find their way to his lips. He too knew the meaning of loss but Frodo had lost so much more within his long years than Sam had during his lifetime in the Shire. No heart within the whole of Middle Earth ached as much as Frodo’s did now. Sam’s eyes looked to Frodo as the amber glow from the fire shone upon his face. Frodo closed his eyes and took in a deep breath and he opened them again looking back at Sam.
"You are all I have left in this world now dear Sam." Frodo said quietly. Frodo then stood to his feet making his way towards his bed. He pulled back the covers and crawled beneath them, pulling them in close. He leaned over the side of the bed and blew out the candle on the side table. Frodo then laid his head within the soft embrace of his pillow drawing it close to his face with his hands. Sam stood near the open window silently watching Frodo as he drifted away into a peaceful slumber. Hours soon passed and within that time Sam found himself sitting in a chair at the side of Frodo’s bed. He held his hand over Frodo’s gem that hung around his neck thinking of Lily and his dear sweet Rose. All the pain and anguish from the memories of the past had long left Sam’s heart. The pain from this day too would soon be lost but Sam felt as if Frodo could use the gem more now than he had in the years before. Sam’s fingers found their way to the back of his neck where he undid the clasp to the silver chain. He held the necklace in the palm of his hand watching as the fire danced within the clear gem. Sam then stood to his feet and walked towards Frodo, as he lay lost within his peaceful rest. Sam reached down to Frodo and gently pulled back the covers that he had drawn close to his face. Sam placed his hand under Frodo’s head and guided the silver chain around Frodo’s neck fastening the clasp under his hair. Frodo rolled onto his back as Sam pulled his hands away, letting out a gentle sigh. The gem lay upon Frodo’s chest catching the last light of the fire as it faded away into nothing. Sam then took his staff from its resting-place and made his way to the door where he stopped looking back at Frodo once again. Frodo’s hand was now resting upon his chest holding tightly onto the gem. He seemed at peace as a faint smile came to his lips within his sleep. Sam grinned softly and turned back to the door opening it and then closing it again as he left, making his way to his room for the night.
*******
The sun rose with the dawning of a new day, casting its golden rays upon Frodo’s face as he sat on his bed looking out his window. Within his hand he held his gem that Sam had left around his neck while he lay fast asleep. Frodo glanced down at his open palm as the gem caught the sunlight within its facets. He smiled and drew his hands up fastening the silver chain around his neck. The gem fell upon his chest bringing a new peace into his heart that he had not felt in some time since arriving on the shores of Eldamar. Frodo then came down from his bed making his way to his door. He opened it slowly and stood looking to Sam’s closed door. Frodo made his way across the hall and reached up to knock upon the door but his hand fell back. He then drew his hand up to the knob and turned it slowly. The door opened with a soft creak and Frodo peered inside. Sam still lay sleeping on his bed with his covers thrown aside on the floor. Frodo came in quietly and reached down to the floor. He picked up a blanket and went to Sam placing it back upon him. Sam then awoke smiling brightly seeing Frodo standing before him.
"Hullo Frodo." Sam said softly rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "What a surprise to see you here this morning."
"Surprise indeed." Frodo replied with a gentle laugh. "What a surprise I had when I awoke finding my gem around my neck once more."
"It seemed as if you needed it more than I." Sam said sitting up stretching. "It is rightfully yours and I have no need for it any longer Mr. Frodo. All the pain from the past has left my heart as it will one day from yours."
"That it may dear Sam." Frodo replied sitting in a chair next to the bed. He took the gem within his hand and looked into it as if trying to find memories lost among years long past. For some time he gazed at the gem before looking back at Sam.
"I left this behind hoping it would bring you peace after my leaving." Frodo whispered.
"That it did." Sam replied softly. "I found much comfort on many lonely nights holding that gem within my hand. And then Lily came along."
"Lily…" Frodo sighed.
Sam then came down from his bed and stood at Frodo’s side.
"She too found comfort within its embrace Frodo. I gave it to her for I knew you would have wished it come to her if she ever returned."
Frodo let the gem fall from his hand and it came to rest on his chest. He sighed deeply looking out Sam’s window that overlooked the sea.
"I really miss her Sam." Frodo replied softly. "I should have never cast her necklace out into the sea."
"Do not let it trouble you Frodo." Sam said placing his hand on Frodo’s shoulder. "If she would have known how much weight bore on your shoulders while wearing it, she would understand."
Frodo was silent for some time before saying another word. His voice was soft, as though he was speaking to himself.
"I suppose I will never see the ring nor Lily again." Frodo said turning away from the window.
"You may Mr. Frodo." Sam whispered. "Your time will come when you can see her smiling face once again. And when you do you will have found your healing."
As the morning drew into the afternoon a soft knock came upon Sam’s closed door. Sam quietly made his way to the door opening it slowly letting his visitor inside.
"I have come looking for Frodo." Gandalf replied coming into the room. "Bilbo will be laid to rest within the hour and it is time he be at his side, but I can not seem to find him. Is he here with you?"
"That he is." Sam said softly. "He has been with me here since this morning looking out the window. He has not come away since."
Gandalf then came further into the room and made his way to Frodo. He placed his hand on his shoulder but he would not turn away from the window.
"Frodo, it is time." Gandalf replied. "Come now with me and Sam as we lay your uncle to rest."
Gandalf took his hand from Frodo’s shoulder and stood silently behind him. Frodo took in a deep breath and slowly shook his head from side to side. Gandalf turned away and looked to Sam standing near the door. He then walked slowly to the door and past Sam stopping in the hall. He held his hand out before him motioning for Sam to follow.
"What about Frodo?" Sam muttered. "We just can’t leave him here."
"We can and will." Gandalf replied. "The pain is still too near to his heart. He needs his moment alone. He will find his way to us when he is ready. Come now, you shall see."
Sam turned and looked at Frodo as a tear fell from his eye. He took a step towards Frodo but Gandalf came back inside taking Sam by the arm, leading him out into the hall.
"Frodo!" Sam yelled out hoping he would follow, but he never came. Sam’s heart weighed heavy as he thought of Frodo, still sitting before the window, tears streaming down his face. He called out again and his words fell upon Frodo’s ears as he closed his eyes tightly trying to hold back his tears. The pain and remembrances from the past had once again found their way into his heart as he thought of all he had lost. His hands trembled as they rested within his lap until he reached up to his gem grasping it with his hand. Frodo breathed in deeply and opened his eyes as a single tear steamed down his cheek falling to the floor below. A long forgotten peace came over Frodo as his hand strayed from his gem, gently falling onto his chest over his heart as he thought of his dear Uncle Bilbo.
Soft melodies filled the air as Sam and Gandalf made their way to the edge of the golden woods at the eastern edge of Eldamar. There beneath a flowering mallorn lay a silver tomb inscribed with golden elvish ruins. As Sam came near he could see Bilbo lying inside with his hands folded upon his chest. Sam came to the side of the tomb and reached inside placing his hand over Bilbo’s.
