Valentine’s Day Challenge
Beta read by Dinah
Class: Gentle Slash
1/1
Pairing: Frodo/Sam
Author’s note: According to Tolkien’s Appendix, Sam, like Frodo, Gandalf and Bilbo, eventually left the Shire and headed to the undying lands. It was not stated, however, that Sam went in the last boat with Legolas and Gimli who were the last to leave Middle Earth. So I am!
Time: Grey Havens, The Undying lands
Disclaimer: I don’t own them. Ok, feel better? All Rights belong to Tolkien and New Line Cinema...I am making no money and after the short story everything goes back to the way you want. Happy now?***
It seemed like forever and a day.
Sighing, Frodo Baggin’s sat next to the embankment and stared out at the ocean in front of him. Behind him, he could hear the laughter and song of the elves. It had brought him peace and healing from the pain of Middle Earth.
He had suffered terribly from the weight of the One Ring and Sauron’s evil. After his Quest, Frodo had longed in the Shire to have the pain leave his body and now that he had truly healed here in the Undying Lands, Frodo desired only one more thing. That which he couldn’t have.
Sam.
Dear, sweet Sam, his companion and friend who had helped him to destroy the One Ring.
Without Sam, Middle Earth would have fallen to ruin and darkness as far as Frodo was concerned. Because of Elrond, the king of the Elves in Rivendell, Frodo had been permitted to leave Middle Earth and with Gandalf and Bilbo he had found a home in the undying lands. He should have been happy. Here everything was beautiful and tranquil.
Anything he wanted was his. All Frodo had to do was ask. The Elves had more than taken in the two hobbits, they had all in time come to love the halflings as if they were their very own, catering to their every whim.
He should have been happy, but instead Frodo felt only a wave of deep longing and sadness.
Sam had decided to stay behind. He had a life yet to live in the Shire, marriage to Rosie, and children.
Sam had been torn however, for he also did not wish to be parted from his master, Frodo. In return, Frodo had left Bag End to Sam and his children. Frodo feared it would be the last gift he would ever be able to give to Samwise Gamgee.
‘To remember me Sam.’
‘Oh, now Mr. Frodo, I could not forget you, not ever. I will join you later, I promise. It is just, I can‘t leave Rosie and the children. Not yet, and there is still so much work to do in the Shire."
Frodo stared wretchedly into the cool waters and felt the tears glisten in his eyes.
-Surely by now, Sam had forgotten all about me.-
Two days before, word had come to Elrond, that the last ship was sailing for the Grey Havens. Legolas and Gimli son of Gloin.
Sadly, Arwen, Elrond’s Daughter had not come, choosing to live her life with her mortal lover and husband Aragorn.
It should have brought Frodo comfort and happiness to know that two more members of the old fellowship were coming. They would bring news of Middle Earth and yet all Frodo could feel was great sorrow.
Sadness at knowing that Aragorn would die a mortal’s death, and Arwen would be left alone. The worst was Sam.
Never would Frodo look upon the face of his best friend again. Sam, of course had also been told by Elrond that if he chose could come to the Undying Lands. But Frodo knew before the words were said that Sam would choose to remain in the Shire he loved. To his gardens and family, Sam was a loyal hobbit who would and could not abandon his kin.
Frodo still remembered when he watched from the bow of the ship, as they left Middle Earth, the small figure of his friend on the shore waving to him. Frodo waved back, putting on a brave face and a forced smile. Once Sam’s figure had dwindled to a small speck, Frodo crumpled to the floor and wept.
Gandalf had flown to him and tried to provide him with comfort, but there was no comfort. No hope, no Sam.
One by one, the tears fell into the deep salty waters. Frodo did not wipe them away nor did he hide them.
He was loved here, and whole once more, but his heart, his heart was breaking.
"Frodo?"
Hearing an elderly voice speaking, Frodo looked up and beheld the sight of Elrond. The Great Elf King stood in his royal robes, staring, almost equally grieved, at the waters.
"I have been told you have not eaten today. Nor yesterday. Are you all right, little one?"
Frodo tried to smile, but couldn’t bring his lips upwards. He only shook his head.
"I am fine, Thank you Elrond. I just..."
He stopped and looked back out into the ocean. His eyes almost screamed out the words that were clearly and silently spoken in his spirit.
*Sam, Why have you forgotten me?*
"I know little one, I know what is in your heart. For it is also in mine. Galadrial has asked for you. She wants to see you. You have not seen her for days and she misses your companionship."
Frodo shook his head and returned to staring out at the waters. Even the beautiful face of Galadrial could not bring him comfort.
"Later I will come, not now. Please, I just want to be alone."
Nodding once, Elrond followed Frodo’s stare and allowed his own tears to be shed.
After a long time of silence, Frodo turned to ask Elrond when the last boat of Middle Earth would arrive, to find that the Elf king was gone.
***
She found him later, as the sun fell and the sky lit up with a thousand stars. She walked silently and without a word. Frodo did not have to look to know that the Lady of Lothlorian was behind him.
"Frodo?"
He would not look up. He continued to clasp his hands together and rub the stub where his fourth finger was suppose to be.
Sometimes it still hurt- the memory of Mordor and Gollum. He could still see Gollum falling into the flames and lava. Poor Smeagal, poor Gollum.
"Frodo, come. Bilbo and Gandalf are waiting for you in the House of Rest."
Frodo refused to move.
"It is late, the boat will not come until morning. Come, eat and sleep."
But the tears came to his eyes once more, and closing them tightly, he shook his head in rebuttal.
"All is not lost, not all is dark. Frodo. Do you know what tomorrow is?"
She waited, and seeing he would not respond, she replied softly.
"Valina day, the day of hope and the day of reuniting of lost hearts and lost loves. Do not give up just yet. Sam never gave up on you."
With the tears falling bitterly down his cheeks, Frodo turned to Galadrial and shrugged.
"It has been too long. He has surely forgotten me by now. I know it. I can feel it."
Turning back to the embankment, Frodo lowered his head and wept.
Warm arms wrapped around him and held him close, and after the river of tears and the exhausted heartbroken hobbit had finally succumbed to sleep, the Lady carried him from the embankment and back to the main dwellings.
Frodo was put to bed. The lady watched as Bilbo took up the vigil of his nephew.
Shaking his head, he smiled up at the lady and nodded.
"He misses him." Bilbo knew he did not have to say the name. Galadrial knew of whom he spoke.
"I know, all is not lost. For with the coming of the sun, so shall come hope."
***
Gandalf was the first to rise from his bed. He had popped in to check on Frodo and Bilbo to find them both sound asleep in their beds.
The tranquility of The Havens had worked its healing and had finally put both of them in a blissful, dreamless sleep.
Heartened by this, he walked quietly out into the courtyard.
Finding a place on a small scaffold, Gandalf took his watch over the waters. A few moments later, another tall figure joined him. Gandalf smiled at the Elf king and together they waited.
They did not have to wait long. A horn was sounded, and a few moments later, a speck appeared in the horizon.
A small white ship making its way towards the island.
***
Frodo awoke to the sound of the horn.
Sitting up, Frodo saw Bilbo was nearby, but unlike his young nephew, had not been awoken by the horn.
Smiling lightly, Frodo got to his feet and started to get dressed.
Careful not to wake his Uncle, Frodo made his way slowly out into the hall.
With his head lowered and his eyes on the ground, Frodo made his way slowly towards the courtyard. Although his heart was heavy with sadness over missing Sam, he knew that it would not be right if he did not welcome Legolas and Gimli.
He had missed his old friends and it would be good to once again drink in their presence and hear their voices once more.
Joining Gandalf and Elrond on the scaffold, Frodo did not look out at the boat. Instead he stared at his feet.
A gentle arm wrapped itself around his shoulders and Gandalf the White placed a soft kiss on the hobbit’s forehead.
"Take heart Frodo, for love is not always forgotten. Look, do you not see? Look Frodo. There are more then two figures on the boat coming in."
It took a moment for the words to sink in, and when they did, Frodo looked up and saw the boat was just coming into port.
The Elves were waiting to greet the new arrivals.
Gimli the son of Gloin had aged, but he was still wrapped in his familiar, old warrior clothing.
Legolas stood behind him, dressed in silver and gold. However, unlike Gimli, he still looked the same as Frodo had last seen him. Young and handsome and untouchable.
Legolas was the first to spot the Elf king, wizard and hobbit.
For the first time in many ages, he smiled.
Gimli spotted them a few seconds later.
Looking to each other, they both nodded and pointed to the side of the boat.
Looking rather green, a small figure was leaning against a railing and almost seemed to be grateful to see land once more.
Frodo’s heart leaped, and with tears in his eyes, he began to run for the boat.
"SAM!"
Standing straighter, the smaller figure spotted the approaching hobbit and smiling, he too took flight, making for the platform and to land.
It was seconds later they were in each other’s arms.
They held each other tightly, the tears mingled with their own. They wept openly and joyfully.
After a long moment, Frodo broke the hold and stared up at the familiar and dear eyes of Samwise Gamgee.
He was older now, wrinkled, and his hair had turned to a lush silver, but it was still his Sam.
His Sam!
"You did not forget me?" Asked Frodo.
Sam smiled and shook his head and replied.
"Forget you Mr. Frodo? No. How could one miss that which is a part of ones own heart."
Sam, pulled his friend and dearest love into his arms and kissed him gently on the lips.
Frodo returned the embrace and felt peace once more fill him.
Sam knew he had much to tell his friend- the death of Rosie, the children growing up and going off on their own and the emptiness of living alone in the Shire without his one real love.
No, right now was a time for reuniting and catching up on lost time.
Holding his hand tightly, Frodo began to lead Sam towards the courtyard and the waiting of old friends.
Sam paused, and smiling, he pulled a small box out from his pocket.
"Wait, Mr. Frodo, I have brought you a present. Legolas said today when we arrived at the Grey Havens that it was Valina day and I thought I should bring you a present."
Frodo took the small box and put it into his pocket carefully without looking at it, then he tightened his hold on Sam’s hand.
"I have my present. Come Sam, You’ve come home, at last."
Sam smiled, feeling himself blush slightly at the loving words spoken and the eyes that sparkled speaking more then words ever could. He was home, finally!
Laughing, the two ran to the courtyard and the waiting of their friends.
The remains of the Fellowship crowded around each other, laughing and all trying at the same time to be heard, therefore no one saw the lone figure of the Elf King make his way to the embankment and stare out into the ocean.
For though one wish had been granted, the other had not.
No one saw him go, no one saw his tears and no one heard him call out to the wind, to his dear daughter, Arwen, lost to him forever.
The end.