I thought of this at like…2:00 in the morning…so please, R&R…but be gentle!! enjoy….

Long has been the bond between us
Strong, it will forever be.
It will live in each of us unto our dying days
For it is such a part of us now, and we cannot forget.

Long was the road, and overwhelmingly unwelcoming
But always tolerable, for we were together.
Days of driving rain and plains of jagged rock, ash and heat,
We braved alongside each other, never forgetting our task.

The long, deadly road’s harshness lessened by your laughing presence.
Heavy the burden, but never was your heart.
You were brave, therefore was I.

Cold, tired, hungry, wet and frightened as we were, we kept each other going
With the promise of home…and of forever.
We could see our homeland and in it found strength,
You found your drive, and in you I found my reason to push on.

Many lands trekked, nights in strange places,
And teary moments of self doubt.
We all have paid our price…but no one more than you.

I watched you begin to fade
To slip away and forget.
Creatures of evil and darkened thoughts you befriended.
I forsook you once, but ne’er again.

I must protect you from the evil that will never leave your soul.
A part of you has died,
And you are now touched by a malevolent force you will never be rid of,
And it is my job, now, to numb the pain.

We neared our goal
And at your expense, we were near the fruits of our suffering.
You slipped away and left me…a feeling I could not bear.
I held you close and soothed.

All the things we held on to, all the beauty of this good, green earth we strived to protect,
I gave you to linger on…and for the last time…find solace in my words.
But you were lost.
And with the completion of our horrific journey so near,
I would not allow you to let go.

Mountains of fire, creatures of darkness and times when the ending of your suffering seemed the only way,
I was there for it all.
Heart, mind, body and spirit unbroken.

Now you sail to a place forbidden to me.
A land were I can no longer protect you, or hear your clear ringing voice….
Each day without you, after all we braved, seems to pain me more and more.

But I know you are safe
And I know you had to leave…to heal.

We will never be the same.
No one touched by the malice of the Ring ever will be.
But we have changed the most.

I remember you now, Frodo Baggins,
As a strong hobbit, with endless courage and an undying will to go on.
A friend and master.
A sharer of woes and the person I will feel closest to for eternity.

You will live much longer than I
And I hope you remember me as I do you.
Hope you wake to the morning sun and are reminded of the mornings
I woke by your side.

We all had our own reasons for going on.
Our own drives and personal goals to achieve.
The journey was long, tiring and painful, but we made it through.

Your journey was for Middle Earth…
My journey was for you.