It was a clear September night, and the stars shone brightly over The Shire. A few shops, and inns in Hobbiton still had lights glowing in their windows, and some music floated from the open door of the Green Dragon Inn. At Bag End all of the lights were out, save for one. A faint glow emanated from the study fire, where Samwise Gamgee sat, staring reflectively into the dancing flames. The pipe in his hand had long since gone out, but still he sat, just staring and thinking…remembering so many things. His marriage to Rose Cotton. The birth of Elanor. His master Frodo and their last farewell at the Grey Havens…memories were the only thing that kept the aged hobbit company in the hours before bedtime. His 13 children had been a delight to tell stories to, and often they would ask him to relate his adventure to Mordor and back on stormy evenings, and he would comply, for though the memories of Mordor brought him no joy, the looks of wide eyed astonishment on his children’s faces caused him to smile, and continue so that they could hear the end, how everything turned out alright at the journey’s finish.
But eventually, all his children grew up, and moved out of Bag End, leaving only himself and Rose in the large house which seemed so empty without their cries of “Daddy’s Home” and “Dad, Goldie’s eaten a roly-poly bug!” After the children had left Rose and he had often reminisced over their life together, but then Rose died, leaving Sam with periodical visits from his children and their spouses and his grandchildren. Rarely did he visit the Green Dragon. When he did he remained out, talking with Merry and Pippin until the stars were bright. He would return home early in the morning, and Bag End would be empty, it’s windows dark and sad.
The aged hobbit sighed. Something was missing…something was tugging at his heart…a thing that had not stirred since that day he had returned home from the Grey Havens. His life with Rose and their children had taken over his priorities, and his responsibilities as mayor of Hobbiton had nearly overwhelmed him to the point of absolute exhaustion, he had forgotten the sight of the sea, and the sound of Frodo’s voice, and now memories came back in a torrent so fierce it bore Sam to his knees and brought tears, both sweet and bitter to his eyes. Memories of lembas, and elven singing beneath the stars, beneath the mallorn trees of Lothlorien…of the Lady Galadriel. Memories of stinking marshes festering with rotten vegetation, and ashy plains that choked the throat, and dampened hope. But the memories of the sea were clearest. Greyish green waves spreading forever into the west, the sun setting beyond the grey horizon. And a grey ship, fading, fading into the distance.
It was then, kneeling on the hearth rug that he knew…it was time for one more adventure. That night Sam’s dreams were of the sea, grey ships, and a white shore fading to green hills, and white gulls wheeling above the ship calling the elves home to Valinor. He woke the next morning and began preparations for his last journey across the sea.
The farewell between Sam, Merry, and Pippin was bittersweet. Merry and Pippin had advanced in years, though none of the vitality had faded from either of the 2 younger hobbits eyes. Merry blinked back his tears as he hugged Sam good-bye, but Pippin wept openly. Before leaving the two Sam gave them farewell gifts. To Merry he gave a small box, empty save for the lingering smell of Lothlorien. It was the same box that Galadriel had given Sam so many years before that had held soil from Galadriels orchard and one single mallorn nut. To Pippin, Sam gave a sword, one with a steel white blade and a brown wood handle inlaid with silver leaves and vines. “I won’t be needin’ a sword, nor nothin’ I call my own here in the Shire. These are f’ you t’ look at an’ remember me an’ our adventures by. I’ll be alright. Don’t you lads worry.” Those were the last words that Sam ever spoke to Merry and Pippin. Sam gave Bag End to his son Frodo Gardener who seemed more inclined to the stable side of things “An’ Bag End needs a good stable owner, who’ll stay put an’ not let it go to rot” Sam thought to himself as he took his few belongings and went to live with his daughter Elanor and her family. 2 weeks after that he gave Elanor a large red book wherein was the story of Frodo’s quest to the Mountain of Doom “You must carry on the story Elanor…handin’ it down from generation t’ generation, alterin’ little or none of it so that you can keep alive the story, hand it down, so that when we ‘obbits fade from memr’y those tha’ come after can at least catch a glimpse of our simple life ‘ere, in the Shire.” Reaching out he stroked her cheek and his hand came away wet. His little granddaughter gave him a hug and a kiss. Putting her down he embraced his daughter, and turning went to the Grey Havens.
Sam reached the Havens on the 22nd of September, early in the evening, just as the stars were beginning to shine. As he walked up into the harbor he saw 3 figures standing under the light of a tall harbor lamp. Legolas and Gimli were talking with Cirdan the aged shipwright that had lived in Middle Earth since the 1st age. Gimli turned at the sound of Sam’s shy cough. A sudden grin broke the dwarfs grizzled face “LADDIE!!!” he cried as he ran to embrace his hobbit friend. Sam grinned back, and ran to embrace both the ecstatic dwarf and the smiling elf. There was much telling of stories and laughing. Gimli had taken a band of dwarves to Moria and had cleared out all of the orcs, and now it was once again one of the greatest wonders of Middle Earth. Only one thing surpassed the mines in beauty, and that was the Garden of the King in Minas Tirith…the garden that Legolas and his kinsmen had helped plant and cultivate at the beginning of King Elessars reign, and now it was flourishing. Both the elf and the dwarf had felt a longing for the sea, but being a dwarf Gimli could not rightfully pass into the western lands, but Legolas had interceded for him, and the remaining elves had given him permission to pass with them into Valinor named as Elf friend and companion to the Prince of Mirkwood.
Finally, it was time to board the ship. Gimli and Legolas boarded first, laughing and bantering as they went. Sam lingered for a bit, and then with gentle guiding from Cirdan, he boarded the grey ship. It took him awhile to gain his sea legs, but when he finally regained his balance the hobbit was able to enjoy the smell of the sea and the sight of the stars over the ocean. Cirdan guided the ship with ease, and the wind gave the ship a quick passage. Early on the morning of the 23rd, just before dawn the ship reached the grey curtain, the veil that separates Middle Earth from the lands of the Valar. Sam had never seen anything so obviously magical as the curtain. It was like thin gossamer…you could see the Undying Lands beyond the curtains grey surface, but it was like you were looking through a misted window, and all the detail of the green hills and the rolling white sands on the shore were dimmed. But the curtain in itself was a beautiful thing. It seemed to ripple and waver like ocean waves, and as the new light hit it’s surface at the very top, individual droplets of water caught it, and reflected the dawn in all it’s morning brilliance, and as the light waxed, the sunrise began to be reflected in the prisms of water, so every color, from the dark blue of the night sky, to the pink and coral of the aurora and the grey of the sea were reflected in the curtains surface. It’s rippling waves interspersed the colors and for a moment it did indeed seem like a curtain of the most beautiful fabric woven by the elves of Lorien from the leaves of the mallorns and the nimrodels waters…but then the sun rose, and the veil became like grey glass once again. Sam stood next to Gimli, his eyes wide, and his mouth slightly agape, never before had he seen something so brilliant and so Elvish in his life. Even nothing in Lorien could’ve prepared him for that.
The ship moved on, and as it came closer, the curtain parted in a thousand drops of silver water that shone with the suns light. The droplets fell on the passengers, and they all found…everyone from the ancient shipwright, to Sam that the weariness of years had passed from them. Gimli’s iron grey (more grey than iron now) hair darkened to a deep iron color with no grey. Legolas smiled and laughed, the memories of terrible wars erased from his eyes. And Sam…Sam saw the new world through eyes undimmed by age, and so thankful was he for that. Valinor was more beautiful than anything Sam had ever seen. A white shore faded slowly into yellow grass, and then into bright distant green hills that rose higher and higher to become great looming mountains covered in trees, and cascading waterfalls.
Sam began to laugh, the deep fruity laugh of all hobbits after they have had an excellent meal. Gimli then joined in, and soon even the stern shipwright was chuckling with joy at being home. The boat came closer to the port where a wooden dock, firmly planted in the white sands, and partially sheltered by a roof of limestone jutted out into the water, waiting for the ship to come to port at it’s side. A few white buildings were scattered here and there alongside the roof of limestone, but other then that, the port was simple, and without much to-do. A lone figure, stood on the dock, watching the boat come in. He had heard the laughter coming from it, and smiled…there was indeed a hobbit aboard…Frodo would not be disappointed. The figure turned and went to hide in the shadow of a pillar that was supporting the sheltering limestone.
Soon, under Cirdans deft guidance the ship had come to rest next to the white weathered dock. Legolas breathed in deeply and smiled his eyes closed and his face lifted in pure rapture. Gimli joined him, his eyes open wide and his mouth slightly agape…but no word came from his mouth. Sam just stood, his mouth closed, yet curled in a small smile, and his arms firmly crossed. Finally the boat came to rest completely by the dock, Cirdan lowered the boarding plank and came ashore. As soon as the ancient elf’s feet touched the dock, the man appeared from the pillar shadows. He was young, with long dark hair, a kindly smile, and wisdom unfathomable in his grey-blue eyes. “He is a maia, one of the beings created to help the valar in their work on Middle Earth.” Legolas whispered to Sam as the tall maia went to embrace Cirdan. “Welcome back friend, it is good to see you again” The shipwright laughed and hugged “It is good to see you again as well my friend” The shipwright had changed little in the passage through the curtain…his beard was still white, but his voice was strong, and his eyes were full of joy. The maia patted Cirdan on the shoulder and then turned to Legolas “Greetings friend Legolas. Welcome to Valinor…I am known as Olorin.” Legolas bowed “We have heard of you before Olorin. Thank you.” Olorin smiled and then turned to look on Gimli who reddened, and averted his eyes “Master Gimli!” Olorin exclaimed “Welcome to Valinor…all dear friends of the elves are welcomed here with open arms. Make yourself at home.” Gimli nodded and bowed. Motioning the 2 elves and the dwarf to him Olorin smiled and said “Come let us eat and feast. I’m famished really.” Sam began to follow, but the maia stopped him with a curt “No. You stay here.” Sam’s face fell, but the maia winked at him and smiled encouragingly “I think you should stay here Samwise. Someone will be along shortly” he whispered. He straightened and began to walk towards a rise beyond the harbor “Well, on to the feast dear friends!” The others followed him, glancing concernedly behind. Sam merely nodded, blinking back tears of confusion. What was going on? Was he to be sent back? Lighting his pipe he sat on a coil of rope, and as is the nature of most hobbits who find themselves alone and bored he began talking to himself. “Well Sam lad…somethin’s happenin’ an’ you won’t be left out…or will you? Was it too much to hope that you could come to the Undyin’ Lands? Well of course not you numbskull. You’re a friend of the elves…an’ Frodo said tha’ after everythin’ was done you could come here. You’ll find your way if someone don’t come, but master Olorin had an honest look to ‘im, ‘e’ll send someone, though why he didn’t take you with ‘im is beyond me. I dunno…you can’t die here in Valinor so stayin’ here till ye die would be a little pointless…” The hobbit prattled on and on and on, periodically taking a puff of his pipe, completely oblivious to the figure that was watching him from behind a pillar and trying hard not to laugh. The figure stepped out from behind a pillar and smiled through welling tears. “Sam…is it really you?” was all Frodo managed before the tears spilled onto his cheeks. Sam twisted in his seat in midsentence and then stood abruptly “Frodo? Frodo?! It’s YOU! Frodo!” Sam began to weep with joy at finding his master with clear eyes, all the pain that had occurred during his life on Middle Earth forgotten “it’s been so long and I’ve missed you so.” Smiling through his tears Frodo went to embrace his friend “Sam…my dear dear Sam. You will never have need to miss me again. Your long years of service have finally come to an end, and here we are…standing on the shores of Valinor. My dear Samwise…it is good to hear you again, to see your face” Sam nodded “It’s good to see yours too Mr. Frodo. I’d forgotten your face…an’ your voice.” Frodo stood back and looked into Sam’s brown eyes. Frodo’s sky blue eyes burned with an intensity that would’ve scared anybody that had not known Frodo was a gentle and kind soul “I am no longer Mr. Frodo. You and I…we’re no longer master and servant…we are friend and friend. Come let’s go to the feast.” As they were leaving the port Frodo began to describe what awaited them over the hill ” All the elves will be there, the Lady Galadriel, and the Lord Elrond.” Frodo paused “And also the valar and the maia…you’ve met Olorin right?” Sam nodded “You wouldn’t believe it Sam, but Olorin is…or was…he’s changed a lot since you knew him…he was Gandalf” Sam gaped “He met us at the dock! An’ he didn’t tell me!” Sam began to laugh “Funny I didn’t see it before Frodo. But he winked at me, and his eyes have stayed the same. I’ll have to talk to him about deceivin’ new folk. ” Frodo laughed “Yes Olorin is still much like our Gandalf. He speaks in riddles continually and never explains what he’s doing, but he’s merrier and has not a care in the world. But as far as “new folk” Sam…you are the last, there will be no more ships” Sam stopped walking “No more? But what about Pip? And Merry? And the lady Arwen? Surely they…” Frodo shook his head “No Sam. You, Bilbo and I were Ringbearers, and because of the burdens we carried we are allowed passage to Valinor. Gimli is a very dear friend of the elves…they beseeched long on his behalf, all the rest here are elves, vala or maia.” Tears sprang to Sams eyes and he looked down at his feet hoping that Frodo would not see “So Pip, and Merry…they’re…gonna die?” Frodo raised Sam’s head with a hand and wiped a tear away “Yes Sam…but think. Honestly Pippin has a family, so does Merry. Do you really think they would shirk their duties to live forever? No…it’s best that they pass peacefully.” Sam blinked and nodded “I’ll miss ’em, and Pippin would love this feast ‘ere” Frodo smiled “I’ll miss them too…but we’ll see them again…I’m sure of it. The vala will not part dear friends for long. Now cummon, we’re missing a feast, and the food here is beyond compare.” Chuckling and smiling the two hobbits climbed to the summit of the rise hand in hand and ran down the other side, to where spread on soft green grass next to a clear, and calm stream, was a magnificent feast. Everybody that had come from the ships to Valinor was there. Galadriel sat next to Celeborn who sat talking with Gildor. Gimli obviously was taken away by Galadriels beauty. It was the first time in years he did not dig into food immediately after it was set in front of him, but later on he managed to finish his meal. And Legolas was talking with his Father Thranduil over a large cup of good wine. There were many more elves there, Glorfindel, and Elrond and his sons Elrohir and Elladan, but as Sam came closer he saw a wondrous site. There at the high table sat many tall, proud people, more beautiful than elves, and more wise than wizards, yet as gay and merry as hobbits in May. They were the Valar and the maia. Gandalf was talking with a valar dressed in green and brown…a man not unlike Legolas save for the ancient wisdom in his forest green eyes, and the long black hair that fell to his shoulders. Frodo smiled and whispered to Sam “That’s Orome…the one talking to Gandalf. He is the father of the hunt.” Frodo indicated a tall female vala with long yellow hair, and shining eyes talking with a strong looking male valar with iron hair, and glinting black eyes “That is Yavanna, and her husband Aule…she created the Ents of whom we saw briefly on our journey home, and he created the Dwarves. I think that by the way he glances at Gimli he means to have a talk with him. I wonder what Gimli’s reaction will be” Sam chuckled. Frodo pointed to a young looking vala in flowing robes with dark hair cut short and sparkling, mischievous brown eyes “That is Tulkas,” He pointed to a brooding vala with grey green eyes and a stormy appearance” that is Ulmo the lord of the ocean” And then Frodo gestured to two particularly beautiful valar, one female, and one Male. The male had a face like a craggy mountain, stern, majestic and lofty. His eyes were a pale grey, and they spoke of stormy winds raging through the high mountain passes. His wife had soft brown hair, and midnight blue eyes that reflected the stars. Her face was smooth and gentle, but wise. “And they are Manwe and his wife Elbereth.” Sam gaped “Elbereth…the lady of the stars…why…she’s more beautiful than the lady Arwen, and the lady Galadriel combined…but if she were to come to The Shire I would’ve passed her as a hobbit wife” Frodo nodded “Yes…she would have chosen a hobbit guise…she is very modest…I’ve talked to her and her husband once or twice” He pulled out a chair for Sam “Cummon…sit down…” Sam had at the same time pulled out a seat for Frodo and now stood shaking his head “no Frodo…you sit first…you…”Frodo shook his head vehmententally “now Sam don’t you do this. Sit down for goodness sake…what did I tell you about the whole Mr. Frodo business…you left that behind. Now…you sit in that chair…I’ll sit in this one and we’ll call it even…get yourself some food. It’s time to do what we hobbits do best”
Thus ensued the best feast Sam had ever had in his life. The rest of the years that followed were pure bliss. Frodo and Sam rarely left each others side and would often go together to Yavanna’s garden to enjoy the flowers and trees. Aule indeed had discovered Gimli and after the feast nearly scared the dwarf to death by calling him to his side and asking him many questions concerning himself, and the dwarvish colonies. Legolas would talk with Orome now and again…but only when the vala summoned him. And of course all the friends that Frodo had made on his quest remained friends, and often went for long walks together, or would stay late under the stars singing and dancing, and time passed slowly and blissfully for them, but back on middle earths shore time passed. Aragorn, Merry, Pippin and Arwen died. Many generations passed, and as invaders and wars came and went the story began to fade from memory. Hobbits nearly became extinct. They managed to stay alive by marrying some of the big folk, and that continued through the generations, until only a few signs of hobbit ancestry remained, and an observant person will be able to find the children of the little folk that have passed from Memory, into Legend, and from legend into myth, and from myth into obscurity. And despite all the forgetfulness and the apathy, the story is still told, and will continue I suppose until the end of time.