Ithildaeforever BananaBam03 GadSul

Sam watched helplessly as Frodo followed Gollum over the edge and into the raging fires of Mount Doom.

Quickly, Sam rushed to the edge, holding onto a frail and dim light of hope that just maybe the Ring bearer had not perished. His hope was not in vain as he looked down and saw Frodo holding on with his good hand.

The brave hobbit reached out his hand to his dear friend.

"Don't you let go!" Sam commanded.

Frodo's life hung in the balance, worn and weak from the journey. One last bolt of strength entered him as he claped unto Sam's hand.

It was not long before the bloody mess of his four fingers had begun to slip.

"Hang on Mr. Frodo!" Sam yelled, fear flooded his voice.

Frodo looked up, life slipping away fast.

"Sam." He spoke with a heavy and forced breath.

His hand fell and Sam lurchered further to save his friend. He was too late. With blurry vision he watched Frodo fall, his body hitting the burning lava and was caught prisoner underneath.

"NOOOOO!" Sam screamed loud and long. Not willing to accept what has befallen him. Tears streamed and a wail escaped his throat.

Through the pain and anguish a voice inside his mind spoke softly and gently, advising him to leave this place.

"I made a promise, Mr. Frodo!" Sam yelled out. His words aimed at the lava that had continued to rise.

The voice again spoke, more urgent this second time.

Lamely, Sam stood and with a broken heart, he ran.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Through a misty and troubled sleep he relived his nightmares. Over and over again Frodo fell to his death, other times he was eatten whole by Gollum. It was always the same story, Frodo died and Sam had failed.

One day he could hear voices, whispers of doubt and fear muddled his nightmares. The voices blurred and mixed so badly he had no idea if they were even human. After some time he fell back asleep.

The next thing he knew a cold splash of water had hit his face. His tired eyes fluttered open and there sat Aragorn. In his hand, a damp cloth.

"You're finally awake. We feared the worst." The old ranger stated.

"Where are we?"

A voice in the doorway boomed. "We are in the house of Elrond."

Sam looked to the speaker and was surprised to see Gandalf, alive and well.

"You were-"

"Dead? There is much to tell. Are you well enough to eat?"

As a hobbit, his first instinct should have been to laugh and jump out of bed. Now in his current position he only shrugged.

The meal was lavish and hearty. Old friends of the fellowship sat around a grand table. Sam glanced over at Merry and Pippin who were, for once, quiet and could not even finish their second plateful. The discussions seemed staged. No mention of the Ring or Frodo. Sam had to force himself to swallow bite after bite.

That night, after the feast had ended and tales were told, Sam lay awake in the darkness. He knew it would soon be time to leave for the Shire. The mission was complete.

"The Shire." Sam whispered aloud. The name did little but send chills through his bones. Through his hard journey the sound of the Shire on his lips filled him with hope and determination to one day lay eyes on his home. Now that hope didn't come, the determination long gone.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Samwise made his way downstairs to meet the fellowship. This was to be their last day before the return journey. The night before he had thought long and hard about his future. What more could he live for? What could the Shire do for him? What was the point of returning home? Hobbits are a happy and carefree bunch, his misery would have no place among such cheerful folk.

He entered the room and gathered his words. He knew his companions would not think highly of his idea but he had to tell them.

"Good morning Sam!" Gandalf said cheerfully.

"We were making plans for the marrow." Gimli said, his eyes gleamed as he thought of his treasured mines.

"I'm not going back." Sam said evenly.

Merry and Pippin jumped to their feet.

"What? Why?"
"Where would you go?"

"I can't go back. The Shire holds nothing for me."

"I know you hurt but you're not thinking-" Aragorn began gently.

Sam gave a frown. "I've thought a good deal about everything. I won't go back. I can't without Frodo."

At the name, the room was silenced. All of them hurt because of the hobbit's death.

"I made him a promise. Don't you leave him Samwise Gamgee. And I don't intend to." Sam spoke.

"But Sam, There is nothing more you can do for him." Merry spoke quietly.

"If I go back home it's like I am leaving him out there. Besides, I don't belong in the Shire now."

Gandalf furrowed his eyebrows.

"I will consult Lord Elrond first."

As Gandalf left the room Pippin looked at Sam thoughtfully.

"Maybe none of us should go back to the Shire."

"Pippin! You're talking crazy!" Merry then glanced at Sam. "No offense."

"No. You and Merry belong in the Shire."

"Where will you go?" Legolas spoke for the first time since the debate had begun.

"I don't know. But when I get there I'll know."

Gandalf returned, Elrond followed close behind.

"Sam, over and again you have proven your bravery and worth. Now, cloaked in your grief you wish to go out on your own into the untamed wild. I cannot support this." Elrond spoke camly.

"I'm not looking for support."

"Then why did you tell us?" Asked Aragorn.

"I don't think it right to leave without saying goodbye."

Elrond glanced over at Gandalf.

"We cannot force you to return home." The elf spoke quietly.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

With a pack on his bag and a walking stick in his hand he left Rivendell. The early morning was just breaking through and behind him, the remainder of the fellowship walked in the opposite direction.

He took but one glance behind him and said aloud.

"This is truly the furthest I've ever been from home."

The end!!!