“Where are you going, Master?”
“To the Havens, Sam.”

You’re leaving? Just like that? Mr. Frodo, how can this be? Did I displease you in some way? You never said anything about this. I thought you were going to Rivendell and we’d be coming back together. But no, you’re going over the sea, and you’re not coming back. That seems unthinkable after all we’ve been through together. I thought we were both going to enjoy the Shire for many years.

“But I have been hurt too deeply, Sam.”

I know you were hurt, Mr. Frodo. I can’t imagine anyone being hurt more than you were, unless it was me having to see you like that. But you were healed, and honoured on the Field of Cormallen. You even laughed and assured me that you were all right when we woke up together in Ithilien. You never told me you were still in pain. Why not, Master? I would have been there for you; Rose would have been too. You must have known that? How could you possibly not have?

“You will have to be one and whole, for many years.”

How can I be without you? You’re the best friend I ever had. You’ve been such an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. I thought you felt the same way about me, but maybe I was wrong. You didn’t tell me what was happening until we were half way here, and that was in the middle of a crowd. This hurts, Mr. Frodo, more than anything has in my life. Still I’m going to forgive you. I won’t let hurt and
bitterness spoil the memories of our friendship.

Beside him stood Merry and Pippin, and they were silent.

Well, at least I don’t have to go home along. That would have made it very much worse. I can’t believe you were going to leave without saying good-bye to Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin. They must be almost as hurt as I am. Maybe you were afraid they’d try and stop you from leaving? I don’t think so, they’ve really grown and it had nothing to do with that Ent draught either. Maybe, seeing as you were hurting yourself, you were kind of out touch with the hobbits around. Still, you might have left them a good-bye letter. On the other hand, the letter might just have raised more questions in their minds that no one could answer.

“Well, I’m back.”

Rose has the fire lit, and I can smell dinner cooking. I don’t know how she knew I’d be back at this time. Did she also know I was going to be alone, that you were going over the sea? No, she would have told me, knowing how hurt I’d be finding out like I did. What’s it like in Valinor, Mr. Frodo? Are you happy there? You must be, from what I’ve heard about it. I’m starting to feel happy too, for the first time since you left. I still have Rose and my beautiful little Elanor, and who knows? Maybe some day we’ll meet again, over the sea.