Author’s Note: I wrote this because I found it difficult to work out what and who “Into the West” was about.  This is what I came up with..

Sam sits outside Bag End quietly contemplating as the banter of his family drifted over him from inside the smial. Sometimes he thinks of what he needs to do in the coming days, his family’s hopes and dreams, his duties as the Mayor or what to plant in the garden for next spring.  But not tonight ……

Tonight his thoughts are drawn towards the west, towards the sunset and towards the seaport of Grey Havens.  The sunset, with its mix of golds and reds, is also a bittersweet mix of memories. 

He had travelled to the Grey Havens with Frodo knowing that he would be returning to the Shire, his Rosie and family alone.  He had reluctantly resigned himself to this inevitable conclusion before they travelled.  This did not make his coming home any easier but as with all things that have already come to pass it is no use fretting over what might have been.

Sam is happy that he still had the memories of his trip to the sea.

~~~

They had arrived at the Grey Havens on the night before the Grey Ships sailed and had been offered a small room in a house by the harbour. The balcony that swept out from their room faced towards the west and gave a magnificent view of the harbour entrance with its imposing walls and gold and red evening sky.  The time spent with each other that evening was almost surreal, a strange calmness had enveloped them, knowing that they may not be together again for almost an eternity – if they did actually find each other again.  But also knowing that they had a bond that could not be broken even though it may need to be spread very thin to cover both distance and time that would be separating them.

As the sun slowly set, they ventured out onto the balcony to watch the evening finally succumb to darkness.

In Sam’s reckoning, Frodo was still fretting about leaving Hobbiton, the Shire, Middle Earth and the people he loved, and needed soothing into a peaceful sleep.  Sam cradled him in his arms on the small cushioned bench they sat on, laying Frodo’s head into his lap and smoothing dark curls in a loving caress. Sam gently stroked the worry lines from his soulmate’s brow and the tears from his eyes as he looked out towards the sea, and began to croon:

Lay down your sweet and weary head.

The sun continued its journey past the horizon, scattering shards of light throughout the sky.

Night is falling

The journey that he and Frodo had taken had been long and arduous.  It had taken its toll on Frodo but he know that while his part of the journey still had a way to go, Frodo could finally rest.

You have come to journey’s end.

Sam thought back to when the he and Frodo saw the wood Elves travelling to the Grey Havens.  He had felt sad to see them leave Middle Earth but that feeling had intensified a thousand fold as he dreaded having to watch his dear friend leave from the same harbour they had been destined for.

Sleep now and dream of the ones who came before

Sam thought that the faint breeze was carrying whispers of those migrating Elves.  Voices that soothed and healed.  If he had to hand the care of Frodo over to anyone, Elves that sang so sweetly and with such comfort would be his choice.

They are calling from across a distant shore

Tears continued to tumble down Frodo’s cheeks and dampened Sam’s breeches.

Why do you weep?

What are those tears upon your face?

Sam tightened his embrace of Frodo.  He hoped that just by holding him close he could make all of his fears disappear and allow him to relax and sleep.

Soon you will see all of your fears will pass away

Safe in my arms

You’re only sleeping

As the sky slowly faded to black, Sam’s resolve began to falter.  The long years that they had shared had been bittersweet.  There had been wonderful times but there had many circumstances that had overshadowed these.  Many of these instances had left Frodo physical and emotional scarred.  

Hope fades into the world of night

Through shadows falling out of memory and time

Sam didn’t want this to be the end, but he reasoned that Frodo could not live in this world.  He needed the help of the Elves and Sam needed to stay.  Family and community anchored Sam to Hobbiton and Middle Earth.

Don’t say we have come now to the end

Sam hoped that one day, somehow, he would step onto the white shores of a far off island and be able to hold Frodo in his arms again.

White shores are calling

You and I will meet again

Sam hoped more than anything that someday, in the future, he could cradle Frodo in his arms and sit and watch the sunset while his friend dozed.

And you’ll be here in my arms

Just sleeping

Frodo slept safe in Sam’s arms for the rest of the night and Sam savoured every moment of their last night together.  He hoped with all his heart that they would see each other again and be able to watch many more evenings slowly fall into night but at least he had the memory of this evening and that would have to do.

~~~~

Sam slowly pulls himself out of his remembrances as the sun finally dips below the horizon, over a green hill in the Shire, rather than over the calm waters of the Grey Havens.

It is nice to have memories can warm you as the last spark of the sun drifts off for another day, Sam thinks.  But he knows that there is one place, buried deep within his heart that can not be warmed by anything this side of the sea.  Not by Rosie or thirteen lovely bairns.

In the back of Sam’s mind a small portion of the lullaby lingers –

White shore are calling, you and I will meet again….

……. But the white shores will have to wait a little longer yet.