Journey's End

Author: Pathvain Aelien

E-mail: pathvain_aelien@yahoo.com

Synopsis: Frodo reaches an important decision.

Thanks to Marigold, for her Challenge opportunity!

"You have come to Journey's end"

            -Into the West by Annie Lenox

            "I don't think that I can."

I've whispered the words aloud this time, but that's all right, because Sam and Rosie are outside with little Elanor.  Sam suspects something, of course, but he hasn't said anything, and so neither have I.  The time is drawing near, however, and I must make a decision.

            How can I?  How can I leave Sam?  He never left me, not when I had to leave the Shire, not when I went into to Shelob's lair…he even went with me into the Cracks of Doom.  I hear myself sigh.  No, the journey had not ended there.  It was still going, but I am not. 

            Do I really want to burden Sam?  He has so much to do, and he has Rosie.  As long as I am here, he will want to look after me.

            There he is now, Elanor in his arms.  He hands her over to me, and I accept.  His brown eyes are warm, and the merest flicker of a sad smile goes across his lips.  My eyes widen, and I look quickly down at Elanor. 

            He knows! 

Sam rests his hand on my back, just for a moment, and I am sure of it.  But he understands.

            "I'm so sorry Sam," I say softly.  Elanor's blond hair looks brighter than the sun through my tears, but still I feel a wonderful relief.  It's almost over.

            "Don't have nothin' to apologize for, Mr. Frodo," Sam answers, "I reckon you did everything you could."

            His voice is gentle but gruff, and as I look away from Elanor and focus back on him, I see that he, too, is crying.

            "Don't worry, Sam.  Perhaps we will see each other again someday." Sam looks startled at this, but then he smiles.  I smile back.  Yes, I think I will see him again, when the time is right.

            "Are you going to tell Mr. Merry and Pippin?" Sam asks as he takes Elanor back from me.  I chuckle, which startles me because I have not heard that sound from myself in a long time.

            "Are you going to tell Merry and Pip?" I counter, well remembering my previous attempt to leave them without a goodbye.  Sam ducks his head and blushes.

            "I reckon somebody has to tell them.  They've got a right to know, sir," he says sheepishly, and I wonder if he will ever just call me "Frodo."  I smile again, thinking of Gandalf and the last time I saw him.

            "Oh, I have a feeling they already know, Sam.  Or at least, they will soon enough."

Our smiles are true, but the sorrow is there, too.  Will it always be there?  No.  Sam is making a joke now, just something to cheer me up, but this is the first time that I have been able to smile so much, to feel almost whole again.  The thought of the grey ships, and the white shores…oh, yes.

             I will finally be able to heal, soon enough.

            When the journey finally comes to an end.