Valinorean Tales 1
The Valinorean Tales take place after Frodo s departure from Middle-Earth with Gandalf, Galadriel, Lord Elrond and his uncle Bilbo Baggins.
Contributions by Frances Barratt and Lassie Rowan Gamwich from Archet
DESTINY by Frances Barratt Part 1 Frodo stood in the prow of the ship trying to discern the shape of the mass appearing out of the mist. It looked to be white sandy beaches stretching out left and right as the white-sailed ship glided closer. Behind him -- far, far behind -- were the western shores of Eriador; that part of Middle-earth which encompassed the land he'd been born in and left only once before. What a leaving that had been! Such haste and urgency and all because of a Band of Gold... He sighed. On the next intake of breath, he heard a voice at his shoulder and turned towards it. "So... there is no going back." "Would you wish to?" Gandalf questioned softly. "If I had a choice..." Frodo raised his eyes to the White Wizard. "For their sakes -- yes!" he said passionately. "But there was no choice; not this time or the other," and Gandalf took a seat on a wooden chest, bringing him into level eye-contact with the hobbit. "Did you know that -- when Sam and I first set out?" "Know what?" "That this is how it would end." "No, not entirely; it was always a matter of your decision." "It was duty, Gandalf. My duty to repair the damage done to Bilbo." Gandalf frowned. "Is that how you saw it?" "Partly. Bilbo would have been blamed for bringing It into the Shire. As his heir, my duty lay in removing the Ring from the Shire and restoring his good name." "Hm; an interesting point of view, Frodo," and Gandalf put out a hand to touch the hobbit's arm. "Destiny is not always fulfilled. A road may be mapped out but the journey along it often presents unforeseen potholes." He smiled at the still-careworn face. "So I was always just the Hope in the Quest?" Frodo asked. "The Last Hope." Frodo turned away and again beheld the destination drawing ever nearer. "Will I die out there?" as he pointed. "Is death permitted in an Elven sanctuary?" "That... sanctuary is beyond death as mortals understand it." "I had hoped for some kind of spiritual haven where I might again meet my parents -- and my friends," he said emotionally. Turning to hold Gandalf's gaze, Frodo said with regret: "To have endured so much; for our Fellowship to be split asunder and forced to go on without hope of each other's survival; to then find solace in our Company restored and be separated again, seems a cruel act on the part of..." He paused. "Who or what ordained this, Gandalf?" "That same Power which sent me back to give council and aid to the beleagured peoples of Middle-earth." "Why was that Power not able to destroy the Ring of its own accord?" Gandalf smiled and a twinkle shone out from his blue eyes. "Influence is one thing; physical ability quite a different matter. Like a parent watching a child learning to walk, the child has to take the steps for itself, no one can do it for them. So with the Valar themselves: they watch and send others like me to do their bidding -- as much as we may, given the frailty of flesh!" "Pieces on a gaming board," Frodo said wistfully. "I was happy to leave and the sickness doesn't seem so bad now, but my heart still yearns to know that my friends will not grieve too much." "Nature being what it is, they will mourn for a while; but you have not died, Frodo. Where we are bound is as vibrant as any corner of Rivendell or Lothlorien." "Except I was able to visit them as I willed." Gandalf understood the torment in Frodo's heart and a portion of his own regretted the circumstances which had denied the hobbit the mortal happiness his three companions would all enjoy. "It will not have been all sacrifice," the White Wizard declared. "You will be happy, Frodo, I promise." Frodo turned to face Gandalf and saw a hint of mischief on the kindly face. "Gandalf?" But the Wizard did not elucidate. TO BE CONTINUED...
DESTINY by Frances Barratt Part 2 The ship docked. That same aura of tranquility experienced by Frodo in the haven that was Lothlorien, now permeated every breath of air that he inhaled. He breathed deeply, closing his eyes as he did so; aware of the ethereal passengers brushing lightly past him like leaves rustling on a summer breeze. Then came the voice of Gandalf again. "Time to gain land, Frodo," the Wizard murmured. Frodo opened his eyes and they immediately alighted upon those who had made this journey with him: the Lords Elrond and Celeborn; Galadriel, that 'Lady of Light' who had committed the notion of self-sacrifice into his brain, and there was Bilbo also; and beside him, an Elven Child. Frodo squinted, wondering who the Child might be and why she -- for that much he had discerned -- amongst all elf-kind, had been chosen to greet the arrivals. "Who is that?" he questioned, gazing up at Gandalf. "Someone who has been waiting a long time to greet us," smiled the wily old man. For to all, Gandalf had ever appeared as such. "Will you permit her to do so?" and he gently pushed Frodo towards the gangplank. Dreams and reality collided as Frodo took those last steps. He noticed that everyone drew back from The Child, leaving her isolated on the quayside. For a split-second, he thought it an odd thing to do until he realised that it was no Elven-child standing there -- she was a hobbit like himself! The waves rushed into his ears and he swayed, murmuring: "Jess..." Tutting, Gandalf knelt down beside the prone hobbit and carefully lifted the head from the flag-stones. "Frodo? Frodo, can you hear me?" Waking to a wobbling world, Frodo's bleary eyes met the white beard and wrinkled features of his old friend. "Now where am I?" he croaked. "I dreamed I was on a white ship and then... then I saw my Jess." "No dream, Frodo," the soft voice proclaimed. He bolted up into a sitting position; his head cranking to seek out the owner of that almost-forgotten lilt. Her face lowered to his and he saw the same girl he'd taken to be the Elf-child; and yet she wasn't. Words refused to come; movement failed him and he just stared at her. "I am sorry you are not pleased to see me," she said. "Gandalf thought you would be happy." "Gandalf thought?" Frodo said at last, and narrowed his eyes at the Wizard. "So I am dead?" "No," a chorus of voices assured. The bewildered hobbit gained his hairy feet and looked about him. His travelling companions formed a circle around him but it was Bilbo who inched forward. "This was to be your reward for your troubles, my lad," he said. "But she died -- more than thirty years since!" "Let me explain," the Lass begged, gliding towards her former sweetheart -- who took a pace backwards. "Explain! Explain why they took you away from me? Why could they not have healed you?" Jess smiled at Frodo; put out a hand and touched his face. "Life's choices are never easy, my love, but I was not taken from you -- rather, I was given to you." Frodo shook his head. At that moment, Gandalf interrupted and suggested the discussion be taken elsewhere. There was no return journey for any of them, and time measured in Valinor did not run as Frodo had come to understand it. "This is a rebirth of spirit as well as the healing of the flesh and this sweet girl can guide you through that process. She can also answer any questions that I know are burning in your heart," Gandalf told him. "Trust her as much as you once loved her. Let her be that guide. She was not as fortunate." Resignation settled uneasily and Frodo allowed himself to be led towards the city. Adjusting to the warmth of the climate; the exquisite nature of the buildings and the idea of having Jess by his side, he let go the initial anger and the sense of having been robbed of his one true-love. And therein lay the crux of it all. "I was bitter too," Jess told Frodo as they sat in the most beautiful garden he had ever seen. "It took a long time before I was convinced that we were part of some Great Scheme; a scheme that relied upon setting you apart for a Quest. I was chosen for you to love; to ensure you would never want to wed. I know it sounds cruel -- to wrench me away and leave you for so many years, then to push you into this near-hopeless task." "What about my parents? Were they deliberately taken too?" "No. Children grow up and leave home anyway; but their deaths were not part of the Scheme. Accidents do occur, Frodo." "If I'd been wed then I would not have been as eager to leave the Shire," he realised. "Exactly. Kin keep us tied to one place. You knew that when you saw Sam with Rosie. His reward for loyalty -- unforeseen also -- is to live his dream. But," and she paused; smiled then resumed. "Eventually, Sam too will make the journey. Sam will come here. As a Ring-Bearer, he earned the right." Frodo sighed heavily. "And what becomes of me now? Of us even?" "Whatever you wish. Didn't Gandalf once tell you that 'all you have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given to you'?" "Yes." "Have you decided?" "Yes. I want to spend my time with you." And so he did. THE END
-Prologue- By Lassie Rowan Gamwich from Archet Part 1 After the farewell dinner that Frodo given in honour for his uncle Bilbo at the inn at the Grey Havens, he had not the heart to tell his loyal friend Samwise and his cousins Pippin and Merry that he was leaving too. During dinner Frodo had looked restlessly around him. This behaviour was even obvious for Sam to spot. �Anything wrong, master Frodo?� he asked worriedly. Frodo answered: � Where has she gone to, Sam? Our Lassie Rowan has disappeared into thin air �, He said this with such disappointment in his voice and added: �I wanted so much to thank her for everything she�s done for my uncle.� The only thing Sam could say for comfort was: �She�ll be here, don�t worry�. But I never showed up at the inn that evening, but I did go to the Grey Havens with the four Hobbits, and I was aware that Frodo was also going to be upset when he didn�t see me at his farewell to Bilbo dinner. The reason that I couldn�t be there was that I had important business to attend to. After excusing myself to Frodo, Bilbo, Pippin and Merry, I embarked the Elven ship and met up with Elrond, Gandalf, Galadriel and a delegation of Valineorean Elves for a counsil meeting. With the departure of Frodo and Bilbo from Middle-Earth my task that the Valar had sent me out to do was complete, so I too was going home. Now I was amongst my family and befriended Elves again. The group welcomed me: �Nevdiliel, Half Elven, the counsil welcome and greet you, for you�ve done great things� �Now is the time that you can return home and live amongst your kindred souls again.� I also given permission to wear my Elven robes and most important of all revealing my true identity to Frodo. Immediately after the counsil had ended the meeting ,I went to the my quarters and found that my wardrobe trunk which had been delivered from Valinor was put at the foot of my bed. I opened it and my gowns were still as neatly folded as I had left them all these years. I took them out and put them on the bed, so that I could make a choice what to wear. Hopefully I could still fit in them. I chose my light blue woven silk gown that was richly decorated with little colourful gems and embroidered with geometrical motifs on the bodice and sleeves. The colour of the robe that I wore on top was dark blue and was made of velvet, It was decorated with the brooch of my family�s coat of arms. A symbol of Imladris and the Gamwiches entwined together. I heard Gandalf summon to Frodo that it was time to embark the ship. Then came a swift silence as it was a big shock to everyone that Frodo too was going to leave Middle-Earth. It was a very emotional moment for the four Hobbits, as they had been through both numerous perils and joyous events together. Frodo said goodbye to his loyal friend Samwise after handing him over the keys of Bag End and the Red Book of Westmarch and then walked over to his two cousins Merry and Pippin and wished them the best. It was also a very emotional for me as I knew what Frodo had to give up, he was too hurt to stay in The Shire. I too was in tears, because I knew that Frodo had to leave his friend Samwise behind with his wife and family. Frodo wasn�t aware that I was to accompany him to Valinor. When I finished changing I walked up the stairs to the deck of the ship. Then I saw Frodo embarking the ship, he was although very sad, he managed to smile to Sam, Merry and Pippin. His friends were standing on the docks waving to him. Once on board he was welcomed by his uncle Bilbo, Elrond and Galadriel. The ship set sail a short time later and there was no turning back now. I felt very nervous, but I decided that now was the right moment to walk over to Frodo. I stood behind him and heard Frodo speak to his uncle about his mixed feelings about his departure from The Shire he used to love so much. He once had an ideal life there, but after the war everything changed and everything that was familiar to him and he knew so well was lost forever. Saying goodbye to all of his friends was the most hardest thing he ever had to do. I heard the sadness in his voice and saw that he was in tears. At that point I put my hand on Frodo�s small shoulder, which of course took him by surprise. He turned around and looked up at me with his big blue eyes filled with tears. Frodo was too surprised to react and just stood there looking at me in shock. But after a few seconds he could only say :� Lassie Rowan, is that really you? Where were you and why are you dressed in Elven clothes?� I nodded and said calmly: � Yes, Frodo, it�s really me and I�m truly sorry that I couldn�t make it to the inn last night. It wasn�t my intention to set you up, but I had to go to my uncle�s council meeting,� Frodo looked at me and asked: �Your uncle? Who is your uncle, Lassie Rowan?� In the meantime Elrond and Galadriel had taken their place behind us. Elrond answered: �I am Nevdiliel�s or Lassie Rowan�s uncle, Frodo Baggins.� Frodo then looked at me, then you�re an elf too, Lassie, I�ve always thought that there was something special about you.� I answered: � Frodo, I�m half Elven. My father was a distant relative of master Samwise, and my mother was from the house of Elrond.� Frodo then looked at his uncle Bilbo and asked him: � You knew about of this all these years, didn�t you, why didn�t you tell me?� De old Hobbit explained:� Frodo my dear lad, your right, I�ve known about Lassie Rowan�s secret ever since Gandalf brought her to Bag End to help me look after you. It was a promise that I had to make to Gandalf, Elrond in name of the Valar�. Frodo wanted to know more about the promise: �Why all the secrecy, Lassie?� he asked me. �Well, that was because the Valar had seen a vision of a Middle-Earth in turmoil. He also saw that the Dark Lord was desperately searching for a powerful ring he had forged and now was lost. Then the Valar saw a vision of a young Hobbit, with that ring in his possession. That young Hobbit was first your uncle Bilbo and then his eyes caught you Frodo. The Valar sent me to The Shire to see to it that you were safe and would be prepared when the time came for you to leave The Shire to undo the force of the ring.� It became quite clear that Frodo needed a little time to let it all sink in. �Even carrying the ring to Mordor was my task all along. Why me Lassie and not uncle Bilbo, as he had it in his possession for over 60 years?� The Valar saw in foresight that your will against the power of the ring was stronger. They were pleased with you and your on going courage.� But Frodo wasn�t convinced and said: � I failed and if it wasn�t for Gollum snatching the ring away from me��..� �No Frodo, you didn�t fail the quest, the ring was cast back in to where it was forged and that was all what mattered.� I reassured him. I didn�t know if I had convinced him but he remained calm, until he suddenly started to feel a striking pain in his shoulder and sat himself down on one of the chairs. Frodo squirmed and took a deep breath to relieve the pain. It was obvious that the memories of the attacks were going to stay with him during his new life in Valinor. Frodo needed treatment at the house of healing as soon as possible. For now I could only help him with the limited sources we had on the ship: some dry Athelas leaves to make an antiseptive tea and my own healing touch. Not as strong as Elrond's, but it was enough to make Frodo feel more comfortable. I walked over to him and put my hand on his small tormented shoulder. �This will ease the pain somewhat for now. You�ll get proper treatment when we arrive in Valinor in the house of healing and you�ll be feeling better in no time.� Frodo smiled at me and said: �What am I going to do without you, Lassie?� TO BE CONTINUED
-On The High Seas- -Halfway There- Part 2 By Lassie Rowan Gamwich From Archet The next day I remembered that Frodo had finished writing his journal which was called the �Red Book of Westmarch� In which he wrote about The War Of The Ring. He had given his journal to his friend Sam to finish writing the last pages. This was an important part of the long history of Middle-Earth, which must be never forgotten. Frodo had spent the last two years writing everything about his journey, which wasn�t always easy for him. He relived the attack at Weathertop and the horrendous attack by Shelob. It wasn�t only a psychical suffering by the re-occurring pain in his shoulder, but the visions in his mind he had of his ordeal were just as bad. By writing it all down Frodo was trying to give this a place in his heart and also to finish the book as he had promised his uncle��.. The voyage to Valinor was long and there wasn�t much else to see than the miles of sea flying flocks of Seagulls. It was quite a day for us all, and quite emotional. After I had told Frodo the truth about myself, I could feel a slight distance between us. It was very confusing for him to comprehend and he needed to be alone for a while, so I decided to leave him alone for a while and go below to my quarters below deck hoping that he wasn�t going to dislike me that much and resent my friendship. I opened my wardrobe chest and took a dark blue journal out which had lavish Elvish lettering on the hard leather cover. The pages were unwritten and there was also a wooden carved box containing an inkpot and a quill. It was once given to me by one of my friends in Valinor before I left for Middle-Earth many years ago. It was a suitable gift for Frodo now he had nothing to put his writing in. Would he want to accept it? I put the journal and hid it under my cloak and went back upstairs to find Frodo who was standing at the railing of the ship and stood there staring over the wide blue sea deep in thought. �Are you all right Frodo?� I asked him in concern. He looked up at me and answered: �Yes, I�m fine now, thanks for asking Lassie.� The tracks of his tears were still clearly visible on his cheeks and I put my arms around him. �You know Frodo; life in Valinor isn�t all that bad. Tol Eresse� is a beautiful place and you�ll enjoy walking in the forest. It�s so peaceful and green. The air is suitable for you, more than it is on the other islands in Valinor. Those islands are not open for us, only for the Elves and the Valar.� �Not even for you, Lassie?� Frodo asked curiously. �You are an Elf?� �Well, I�m half Elven, so I�m not allowed to travel further than Tol Eresse�. It doesn�t matter, as I have no business there.� By the way, you must be missing your journal writing aren�t you?� �Yes, Lassie I do sometimes and when I arrive in Valinor I want to start again and trust my feelings on to paper but I didn�t think of bringing a new journal with me from Hobbiton. The choice I made to leave together with Bilbo was a bit sudden, wasn�t it Lassie?� Then it occurred to Frodo that I originally had a different name too. �Sorry, how may I call you from now on? � �Frodo, you may keep calling me Lassie as I�ve been accustomed to that name after all this time, but you will also be hearing my Elven name �Nevdiliel� when we arrive in Valinor. Lassie Rowan Gamwich is also my real name in Middle-Earth which was given to me by my Hobbit father, one of Samwise�s forefathers�. �Frodo, do you really think that your departure was really so sudden, you must have been thinking about it for a long time. I�ve been observing you as you did your uncle Bilbo when he was studying his old maps when you were so-called not looking. There were also other signs: your resignation from your mayorship and staying home more than you used to. I know you and your ways Frodo, it was only a matter of the right time and when I saw you and Sam in your study at Bag End talking about The Red Book that was enough for me to understand that you�ve made your final decision to leave. Samwise was totally un aware of your plans that were clearly to see.� I added. �Yes, I did feel guilty about not filling him in on my plans, but I didn�t want to upset him. He married the most wonderful woman who bore him a child and Sam would have packed his bag to go on this journey with me, but it isn�t his time to go to Valinor just yet. Hurting his feelings was the last thing that I wanted to do.� �I know Frodo, he would have come with us if you had asked him to. Yes, but I would have had to bring him to his senses as he has Rosie and Frodo Gardiner at home waiting for him to return�. �You know Frodo, life in Tol Eresse� isn�t that bad. It�s a beautiful place and you�ll like walking in the forest. It�s so peaceful and green there. The air is more suitable for you there than on the other islands in Valinor. Those other islands are only open to the Elves and the Valar and not for us�. Lassie explained. �Not even to you, Lassie? Frodo asked curiously. �You are an Elf, you told me yourself. �I�m half Elven, so even I am not allowed to travel any further than Tol Eresse�. It doesn�t matter as I have no business there. The sea was calm and the sun was shining brightly across the rippling water The seagulls were flying high in the blue sky. It would not take too long before we could step on dry land again. During my stay in Middle-Earth I often felt homesick, but now it felt quite strange to be able to go back home. Could I fit in my old surroundings again after so long? �Don�t be silly Neffie, I told myself, sure you can fit in , it�s Frodo that you have to be worried about now�. Then I felt the journal that was in my robe pocket and took the blue book out and handed it to Frodo. �What is this?� he asked. � �It�s for you. I thought that you would like to have this to use it when you are taking notes on your wanderings through the Tol Eresse� forest�. Frodo was pleasantly surprised when he looked at the blue velvet cover with the gold coloured borders and lettering. There was also a quill and little inkpot, but as in a hurry to go to deck, I left them on the dressing table in my hut. The journey to Valinor was long, but when it became very foggy, I knew that we were halfway there. The fog was the sign of the border that devided the sea of Middle-Earth and the sea of the Undying Lands. You could also sense a change of the air, which seemed much lighter and fresher as if you were high up on the mountaintop. For those not used to it, this could cause you a bad headache. After a while the fog cleared up and there was a beautiful horizon in front of us. At the end lay a tiny green strip of land. �There it is Frodo, Tol Eresse�. We�re going to arrive there by tomorrow morning and feel solid ground under our feet again. We both stared at the green coastline and I sank deep into thoughts about what faith had in store for us. I didn�t notice that Elron came up from behind and startled me when I heard him speak to me. �I know of your fears and doubts Nevdiliel. You�ve been living amongst the Halflings for quite some time, but now your home in Valinor awaits you. �I know uncle, but it�s Frodo I�m worried about, he has no one there,� I said with a deep sigh. Elrond looked at me and said :�No one, Nevdiliel? Frodo knows you and therefore the Valar and I have given you the task of taking him under your wing and make him feel at home. �Yes, uncle Frodo can stay at my house and as we are both alone we could enjoy each others company. Where is Bilbo going to stay?� Elrond answered Gandalf, Bilbo and I spoke about this and we thought that it would be best that Bilbo is going to take residence next to Gandalf�s home, so he could keep an eye on him. Frodo stood there listening. �And Frodo, do you agree with these arrangements, are you alright with the idea that Nevidiliel is to take you in? � Elrond asked. �Sure, it�s alright, I know that my uncle is in good company� Frodo answered. That�s setteled then Frodo, welcome to Valinor� said Elrond Half Elven. To Be Continued���..
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