THE LONG JOURNEY HOME

-1-

Indeed it was a time for silence. Sam looked onward to the road ahead. It was going to be a long journey home. Sam sighed deeply. The Shire would no longer seem the same without Frodo. The sun was just now beginning to fall under the horizon and the air was growing cold. Sam pulled his coat tight around his shoulders and looked to the sky. Tears filled his eyes as he thought of Frodo and the look upon his face as they stood in silence at the Havens. The days had only been few since he last seen him but they seemed too far already. Sam could still feel the kiss that Frodo had left upon his brow before boarding the ship and sailing away. Sam stood there at the water’s edge until the ship was swallowed by the shadows and he could see it no more. For hours he stood, listening as the waters rushed in about him. Frodo was gone and he was never coming back.

Sam looked away from the golden sky and down to his beloved Bill. He patted him on the head as they rode down the path towards Hobbiton. Glowing lights could be seen over the hill. It was home. Sam came into town and jumped off of Bill. He held his reins in his hand and lead him to Bag End. There at the door stood Rose holding Elanor in her arms. She smiled. The sweet smell of dumplings filled the air. Rose expected Sam home soon and supper was ready. Sam tied Bill’s reins to the fence outside and walked up the path. Rose took Sam inside and sat him in his chair before the fire. Sam looked at Frodo’s chair across from him sitting empty. A sigh passed over his lips. Rose then came to his side placing Elanor in his lap. Sam looked up at Rose and smiled drawing in a deep breath.

"Well, I’m back." Sam said softly.

"You are." Rose replied as she sat beside Sam in her chair.

"It won’t be the same without him here." Sam replied looking at Frodo’s chair once again.

"I know." Rose said quietly. "It’s what Frodo wanted but our hearts will mend with time."

"We’ve just lost so much within a short time." Sam replied softly.

"That may be." Rose replied standing up from her chair. "But we have our own lives to begin now, here with Elanor."

Sam looked down in his lap at Elanor. She was smiling and tugging at the buttons on his shirt. Her eyes gleamed as she looked up at Sam. Sam drew her close to him and she giggled.

"Come now Sam." Rose said walking out of the den. "Let us eat. The days have been long and you’ll need some rest." Sam then stood up from his chair and followed Rose to the supper table.

Days passed and then weeks. Sam often found himself in the study on many nights reading from Bilbo’s book while he lay in Frodo’s bed. Thoughts of Frodo often came to Sam as he read, for Bag End no longer seemed the same without him there. This evening in particular Sam’s head was clouded with thoughts of Frodo and he could not keep to the book. It was then when Sam caught a glimpse of something shimmering on Frodo’s desk. Sam had not noticed anything on the desk that would shine; but then again the desk had not been disturbed since the day Frodo left. Curious, Sam sat up and looked over to the desk. Again the shimmer caught his eye.

"Hullo?" Sam whispered softly to himself. He sat the book down on the bed and walked over to the desk. He pushed aside some papers and there on the desk lay the white gem that Frodo always wore around his neck upon its silver chain. Sam reached down and picked up the necklace. He held it in his hand and then closed his fingers over it. He then noticed a folded piece of paper lying on the desk with his name written upon it. He picked it up and unfolded it reading it softly to himself.

Dear Sam,

If you have found this letter than you have finally stumbled upon my gem. I shall not need it here in this land of healing for I have relied on it too much already in life. It seems I have been hurt too deeply and that is why I chose to leave. In its place I now wear Lily’s ring. It is all I have left of her dear Sam. I will miss you my friend and I pray this gem will bring you comfort on the days that grow too much to bear.

Frodo

Tears fell from Sam’s eyes as he folded the piece of paper up and held it in his hand. It seemed that Frodo had held much weight on his shoulders that he never spoke word of to Sam. That is why it troubled him so when he heard Frodo say he was leaving for the Gray Havens. He could not understand why he wished to leave the Shire but now he knew. It was not only the past wounds but also the pain of letting himself grow so close to someone he could not have. Sam then placed the letter in his pocket and laid down on the bed looking at the white gem. His eyes were wet with tears and his heart ached. Thoughts of Frodo and of Lily soon clouded his mind. For hours Sam lay within the study surrounding himself with memories until his eyes grew heavy and he fell into a deep sleep.

*******

The next week Sam sat in the study at Frodo’s desk with Bilbo’s book. Sam opened the book and took a pen from the desk drawer. He dipped it into the ink well and began to write. At first the words came easy and then his mind drew blank. He had added his own descriptions of his and Frodo’s adventure but then another thought clouded his mind. Lily. Sam had been thinking of her for days. Sam knew he promised Frodo that he would keep her stay there secret but his hand overtook his heart and he began to write. He wrote about how Frodo came to find Lily and of her stay in Bag End. He told of how she fell into sickness and of Frodo staying by her bedside as he himself had done for Frodo in Rivendell. Sam continued on about how Lily spoke of not wanting to leave the Shire but later decided to return home to Bree. He even told of Frodo’s journey there and of the gift Lily had left for him. Hours later Sam finished and lay the pen down on the desk. He read over what he wrote and sighed.

"I can not break my promise." Sam replied to himself as he began tearing out the pages he wrote Lily’s story upon. Sam took the pages and folded them up and placed them in the desk drawer. He blew out the candle beside him and then left the room closing the door tightly.

Two months passed and the cold of winter arrived. It was now December. Sam sat within the den on many nights by the roaring fire writing for hours in Bilbo’s book about his journey with Frodo. He often paused in his writing to look at Frodo’s empty chair but a smile would come to his face with the memories of his master. On this night Sam sat in the study going over his writings and making corrections here and there. A soft knock then came to the door and Sam watched as Rose passed by the study into the den. He heard a familiar laugh and hullo come as Rose welcomed the guests inside. He turned around in his chair and seen two faces peering into the study. It was Merry and Pippin.

"Hullo you two!" Sam said with a smile. "It has been some time since I’ve seen your faces! Come in! Come in!" Sam replied getting up from his chair.

"It has!" Merry replied coming into the room. "We just couldn’t stay away any longer than we have. How have you and Rose been keeping?"

"Quite well." Sam replied sitting back down in his chair.

Merry and Pippin then sat down on the bed. They looked to each other and then to Sam. Sam looked troubled but he spoke none of it.

"Are you alright Sam." Pippin said quietly.

Sam sat quiet for a moment and then turned around in his chair to Merry and Pippin.

"I’ve found myself often thinking about him. Mr. Frodo I mean." Sam spoke softly. "It has only been three months but it seems he’s been gone for more than a year."

"He’s crossed our thoughts time and again too." Merry said looking to Sam. "But we can’t let Frodo get the best of us. He’s where he wants to be and I know he’s thinking of us as often as we are of him."

"That is a comfort to know." Sam said quietly. He then looked at Bilbo’s book and closed the cover. Sam said not a word afterwards for quite some time. He just sat at the desk looking as if he was lost in a dream.

"Sam." Merry replied standing up and coming to Sam’s side. "We came by for more than just a visit. We wanted to invite you with us."

"With you?" Sam said turning around in his chair. "To where?"

"Well to Bree Sam." Pippin replied. "We wanted to stop at the Pony and see old Barliman again. I do believe that you said his ale is the best around."

Sam laughed.

"That I did." Sam replied. "But I would trade it any day to see Lily’s face once again."

"And that you may." Merry said placing his hand on Sam’s shoulder. "She will be there too."

"Then we shall leave first thing in the morning!" Sam replied standing up. "Come now, let’s sit in the den with Rose and enjoy each other’s company. I am sure we have much to talk about!" Sam said leading Merry and Pippin out the door.

Many hours passed as Sam sat within the den sharing stories with Merry and Pippin. Soon they all grew weary and longed for a nice warm bed. Sam showed Merry and Pippin to Frodo’s old room and offered them the bed. They gladly accepted the invitation and quickly jumped onto the soft mattress and nestled themselves below the covers. Sam then retired to his own room where he soon fell fast asleep.

In the morning Sam awoke rubbing the sleep from his eyes with a yawn. He looked out the window and seen it was covered in frost. It had been a cold night. Sam sat up in bed and shivered. He then went to where Merry and Pippin slept to see if they were awake. When Sam came into the room they were busy gathering up their things. Merry put his knapsack over his shoulder and walked up to Sam.

"You ready?" Merry asked.

"Not quite." Sam said with a smile. "I just woke up. Besides I don’t want to leave with an empty stomach!"

"Right you are dear Sam!" Pippin replied walking up beside Merry. "Nor do I! It seems as if Merry is always in a hurry to get where he wants to go."

Merry shook his head and smiled.

"Just like you Sam." Merry replied. "Always thinking with your stomach!"

They all laughed. Sam then went and began to make some hotcakes with eggs and bacon. Hours later with bellies full and goodbyes said, they all left and began making their way towards Bree.

A few hours into their journey it began to snow. Sam sat upon Bill drawing his coat tight around his shoulders. He looked over at Merry and Pippin. They didn’t seem to be bothered much with the cold. Along the way they all sang to themselves to warm their hearts. Time and time again Sam wished to stop to take his blanket from his knapsack but he soon lost thought of it when he thought about seeing Lily’s face. Soon evening drew near and the three of them came to rest along side the road near a row of tall bushes. Merry went and gathered some wood for a fire and there was plenty to spare. Sam took out some cakes from his knapsack and offered them to Merry and Pippin. There before the fire they all sat eating Sam’s cakes and sipping on some cider. They drew themselves close to the fire later that evening covering themselves with all the blankets they had. Merry threw more logs onto the fire and soon they were warm enough to finally drift to sleep.

In the morning Pippin was the first one to wake. He opened his eyes and peered out from under his blanket at Sam and Merry. They were both still lying next to the smoldering fire hiding under the cover of their blankets. Their soft green woolen blankets could barely been seen under the layer of snow which covered them both. Pippin laughed. He then came out from under his covers and went off looking for some more wood for the fire. Soon he returned and found Merry and Sam awake sitting next to each other shivering.

"Fine day for traveling don’t you say?" Pippin replied with a smile as he put the logs onto the smoldering fire.

"Fine day indeed!" Sam replied pulling his blanket tighter around him. "I’d settle for a nice warm fire and a cup of hot cider! Get the fire going quickly Pippin and I’ll get my pan ready to warm the cider." Sam replied getting into his knapsack. He pulled out a jug of apple cider and a small silver pan. Sam then took out another one of his cakes and broke off two pieces for Merry and Pippin. Soon the fire was burning and Sam’s cider warming. He poured it into three cups and they all sat before the fire warming themselves inside and out before going on the road once again.

The snow was still lightly falling but the air seemed warmer with their bellies full of warm cider. They traveled on all through the day without a stop to eat or rest. Their only wish was to see the inside of the Pony and sit within its warmth drinking a pint of beer. Hours later the sun fell below the horizon and glowing lights could be seen in the distance. It was Bree. Sam urged Bill to move on faster and Merry and Pippin followed on their ponies closely behind. Soon they came to the gate where they were greeted and welcomed inside. Sam took the ponies to the stables and met Merry and Pippin at the door to the Prancing Pony. They came inside but the atmosphere seemed quite odd. There was barely a soul inside save for two men sitting at a table in the common room talking quietly among themselves. Merry and Pippin made their way to a table and sat down. They looked around but seen no sign of Mr. Butterbur, nor of Nob.

"Where do you suppose everyone is at?" Merry said quietly looking at Sam as he sat down at the table.

"I have no idea." Sam replied. "It seems odd that there are but a few of us here. Hey you!" Sam shouted to the men sitting at the table near the other end of the room. "Where is Nob and Mr. Butterbur?"

All was silent for a moment and then one of the men spoke up.

"Did you not hear?" He replied turning to Sam. "Mr. Butterbur passed away yesterday afternoon. He has been ill for quite some time."

Not one knew what to say. Merry looked at Pippin and then to Sam. His face seemed long.

"What about his niece Lily?" Sam yelled back to the men. "Have you word of her?"

"Aye, the poor lass." The other man replied. "She took off late last night with a mare from the stables. The last anyone seen of her she was heading to the west."

"We’ve heard nothing since." The first man replied. "Nob sent her cousin Rowin after her but he came back this morning empty-handed. The mare she took was the fastest one around these parts. She could be anywhere."

"She should be found quick." The other man said taking a drink from his mug. "It’s too cold out there for her to be wandering away in her condition. She was never quite right after she returned home in the spring."

"Not right?" Sam asked with concern. "Please tell me what was wrong."

"I don’t see why it matters to strangers such as you." The older of the two men replied. "Do you know the lass?"

"That I do!" Sam said sharply. "She was within my care while she was away!"

"No need to grow upset little master." The younger man replied. "She was weak is all I can say. She needed the aid of a crutch to walk after a few months went by." He then turned away drawing his mug up to his lips for a drink. Sam looked to Merry and Pippin his eyes wide. He then reached down and took his knapsack up off the floor.

"Hurry!" Sam replied. "We don’t have much time."

"Time for what?" Pippin replied. "I haven’t even had an ale!"

"To find Lily." Sam replied walking towards the door.

"Find her!" Merry yelled. "She could be anywhere!"

"I know that Merry." Sam said turning around. "But I think I know right where she is headed."

With that the three of them gathered their things and went back out to the stables for their ponies. Soon they were on their way again out into the bitter cold.