Rivendell_librarian
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A short chapter to tidy up loose ends and see how the various main characters fare in the aftermath. With Saruman and Wormtongue both dead, the war of the ring has drawn to a close. Frodo rides to Michel Delving to release the prisoners from the Lockholes: notably resistance leader Fredegar Bolger and the redoubtable Lobelia Sackville-Baggins. Frodo becomes deputy mayor for a while to help Will Whitfoot, Merry and Pippin root out the remaining ruffians and Sam sets to setting the Shire to rights. Galadriel's humble seed box gift is used to transform The Shire to a greater glory and the seed inside it grows into a beautiful Mallorn tree to replace the destroyed party tree; surely a place for parties and weddings of the future.
Sam and Frodo stay at first with the Cottons while Bag End is sorted out. Frodo suffers at certain anniversaries: the knifing on Weathertop and the destruction of the Ring. Rose Cotton nets Sam of course and they agree to live with Frodo at Bag End. Merry and Pippin live at Crickhollow in Buckland. They keep on their fine clothes whereas Frodo and Sam revert to ordinary attire with an occasional airing of their elvish cloaks. Rosie starts giving Sam regular gifts of children: no more "adventures" for Sam except the adventure of family life. Frodo continues to withdraw from active life as he hands over the nearly completed Red Book to Sam to finish. Sam is sad that Frodo has so "little honour in his own country": an obvious allusion to Jesus in the gospels.
Two years after they left Bilbo in Rivendell, Frodo and Sam retrace their steps to Woody End, and again meet Gildor with many fair Elven folk including Elrond, Galadriel (poor Celeborn - but he loves Middle Earth), who now openly show their rings. Sleepy Bilbo is with them and Sam now realises what will happen.
“‘But,’ said Sam, and tears started in his eyes, ‘I thought you were going to enjoy the Shire, too. for years and years, after all you have done.’
‘So I thought too, once. But I have been too deeply hurt, Sam. I tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me. It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them. But you are my heir: all that I had and might have had I leave to you. And also you have Rose, and Elanor; and Frodo-lad will come, and Rosie-lass, and Merry, and Goldilocks, and Pippin; and perhaps more that I cannot see. Your hands and your wits will be needed everywhere. You will be the Mayor, of course, as long as you want to be, and the most famous gardener in history; and you will read things out of the Red Book, and keep alive the memory of the age that is gone, so that people will remember the Great Danger and so love their beloved land all the more. And that will keep you as busy and as happy as anyone can be, as long as your part of the Story goes on.”
They ride on together through the Shire and arrive at The Grey Havens where Cirdan greets them and Gandalf is waiting (with Shadowfax I believe). Merry and Pippin ride up and tearful farewells are made. The ship departs and Frodo at last smells a sweet fragrance and hears singing: will he be healed in Avallone?
Sam is deeply affected and stares out to sea for a long time: he hears what the waves are saying (Dickens allusion). Sam, Merry and Pippin ride back and Merry and Pippin start singing again when they reach the Shire. Sam turns off at Bywater and finds supper ready at Bag End. "Well I'm back" he said.
Sam and Frodo stay at first with the Cottons while Bag End is sorted out. Frodo suffers at certain anniversaries: the knifing on Weathertop and the destruction of the Ring. Rose Cotton nets Sam of course and they agree to live with Frodo at Bag End. Merry and Pippin live at Crickhollow in Buckland. They keep on their fine clothes whereas Frodo and Sam revert to ordinary attire with an occasional airing of their elvish cloaks. Rosie starts giving Sam regular gifts of children: no more "adventures" for Sam except the adventure of family life. Frodo continues to withdraw from active life as he hands over the nearly completed Red Book to Sam to finish. Sam is sad that Frodo has so "little honour in his own country": an obvious allusion to Jesus in the gospels.
Two years after they left Bilbo in Rivendell, Frodo and Sam retrace their steps to Woody End, and again meet Gildor with many fair Elven folk including Elrond, Galadriel (poor Celeborn - but he loves Middle Earth), who now openly show their rings. Sleepy Bilbo is with them and Sam now realises what will happen.
“‘But,’ said Sam, and tears started in his eyes, ‘I thought you were going to enjoy the Shire, too. for years and years, after all you have done.’
‘So I thought too, once. But I have been too deeply hurt, Sam. I tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me. It must often be so, Sam, when things are in danger: some one has to give them up, lose them, so that others may keep them. But you are my heir: all that I had and might have had I leave to you. And also you have Rose, and Elanor; and Frodo-lad will come, and Rosie-lass, and Merry, and Goldilocks, and Pippin; and perhaps more that I cannot see. Your hands and your wits will be needed everywhere. You will be the Mayor, of course, as long as you want to be, and the most famous gardener in history; and you will read things out of the Red Book, and keep alive the memory of the age that is gone, so that people will remember the Great Danger and so love their beloved land all the more. And that will keep you as busy and as happy as anyone can be, as long as your part of the Story goes on.”
They ride on together through the Shire and arrive at The Grey Havens where Cirdan greets them and Gandalf is waiting (with Shadowfax I believe). Merry and Pippin ride up and tearful farewells are made. The ship departs and Frodo at last smells a sweet fragrance and hears singing: will he be healed in Avallone?
Sam is deeply affected and stares out to sea for a long time: he hears what the waves are saying (Dickens allusion). Sam, Merry and Pippin ride back and Merry and Pippin start singing again when they reach the Shire. Sam turns off at Bywater and finds supper ready at Bag End. "Well I'm back" he said.
