Frodo's heart leaped when he saw that the waves were picking up. The current did not push the boat as much. This could only mean that they were approaching the Grey Havens.

Galadriel and Celeborn could tell as much. Astrida was with them. Elrond and Gandalf spent much time talking together. Sildion and Ledolorn were there, much to the protest of Sildion.

Frodo, while overjoyed, was worried. They could only be going back if things were really bad. So they must be. Would anyone still remember him? Would everyone be alive? And Sam...dear Sam.

He leaned over the edge of the boat, tears threatening to spill over. He was scared at what he might find...or what they might find in him. How different would he seem to them?

"I can tell your are worried, Frodo Baggins." said a voice behind him. Astrida. Her black hair hung loose, down to the small of her back. She wore white robes.

"I am afraid." Frodo admitted. It felt easier to say, now that it was out. "At what I will see."

Astrida gave him a knowing smile. "As am I." Frodo looked at her. What did she have to worry about?

"I lived in Lothlórien. I can only hope that it will still be how I remembered it." She looked quite sad, but very determined at the same time. He could tell, that, despite whatever Sildion said, she was a very good elf. Her laugh made him jump, it was so unexpected. "Ah, well. No point in hoping."

"Hope is all that got me through the War of the Ring." Frodo said. "It is what kept me going. Well, most of the time." He cringed in guilt at what he did to Sam. Of course, Sam still served and loved Frodo, but it still hurt.

"Hope is all we can have." said a new voice. It was not as clear and high as Astrida's, but it was gentle and stern all at once. Ledolorn. He held Astrida's hand, ans she smiled. They must love each other, Frodo thought. He knew two elves would not casually hold hands.

Ledolorn smiled at Astrida. "I have hope. In us."

Frodo sighed. "I still worry." He walked away. But he smiled. "Love." he said quietly to himself.

Astrida remained on the deck with Ledolorn. "I have hesitations about going back to Middle-earth. You could die." he said. "I will not die. It's you that needs to watch out." Astrida teased.

"But what if there really is a Dark Lord, risen from the ashes of Mordor?" Ledolorn fretted. "I will not enter this war lightly."

"Our love will carry us through." Astrida said. "Besides, I could kill more orcs than you, any day." She laughed. "Is that so?" Ledolorn asked. "If I recall, I taught you how to fight, not some petty mortal."

"I could beat any mortal." Astrida said, in mock offense. They both looked at each other. Then, they hugged tightly, for they knew not if they would ever come back to Valinor. "I was so close to Fading, but you held me close." Astrida said. "I almost sacrificed myself, but you talked rationality into me." Ledolorn said. "We both owe each other."

"No." Astrida said. "Love owes nothing."

At that moment, they heard the cry of a gull. They both looked up suddenly. The gull, dazzlingly white, soared overhead. "I wish I could be free like that bird." Astrida said. "You could be there, too."

()()()()

Aragorn dismounted his white horse. Next to him were Legolas and Gimli. Eowyn, Faramir, and the hobbits were in the back. Dawn rode a black horse, and stayed several paces behind everyone. Fifi and Haddy had stayed with a lot of coaxing. Merry had not wanted to leave.

"What If I die? Or Serafina dies?" Pippin had looked him hard in the eye. "Merry. Fifi will be fine. Rosie will be fine. Haddy will be fine. Everyone will live."

Now, Merry rode his horse silently, holding a locket with a small drawing of his wife and Fifi.

"We approach!" cried Aragorn. "I hear the gulls!"

Eowyn dismounted, flying off her horse. She had always wanted to see the Grey Havens. She was not disappointed.

Small elvish dwellings lined the cliffs, and the dock had a smooth, polished, light wood floor. Lush trees and plants were everywhere. And in the distance, gulls flew out of a gap in the fjord. In that opening, a bright, golden light made it impossible to see what was coming. But they did not wait long.

A serene, silver ship, shaped like a swan, glided out of the light over the tranquil water. A distance behind the ship, more poured into the fjord. An entire fleet. It brought tears to Aragorn's eyes to see so many volunteer to help, even though none knew what they were truly fighting. And, peering over the brim of the first ship, he saw two elves. One had midnight black hair, and skin white as pearls, and the other had cream skin and blonde hair. Both wore white robes.

As the ship glided to a stop in the harbor, the group held their breath. They knew not what they would see.

The two elves got off first. Behind them was an elf with red hair and a scowl. Following them, Elrond and Gandalf. Then came a certain hobbit, followed by Galadriel and Celeborn.

Everyone was in stunned silence. Then came a small cry of glee. "Mr. Frodo!"

Sam sprinted to Frodo, and the two hobbits hugged tightly. Sam was crying. Frodo breathed a sigh of relief. "It's good to see you , Sam." he said. Merry and Pippin were there as well. The hobbits all danced and laughed, overjoyed to be together.

Galadriel and Celeborn walked up to Aragorn. "How go things?" Celeborn asked. "Not well." Aragorn answered. "I can only thank you for this fleet." he said, motioning to the hundreds of ships filing into the fjord.

"They did not come at my command." Celeborn said. "Nor Galadriel's. They came of their own accord."

As the hobbits chattered, the elves helped load their supplies onto wagons. They would begin the long trek to Minas Tirith the next morning.

()()()()

Dawn sat on the back of a wagon, arms crossed. Where was Legolas?

It just so happened that Legolas was with Gimli, discussing what they thought of the whole situation.

"I think this is rubbish!" Gimli said. "Eru himself granting passage to the elves? Impossible."

"I have seen a great many impossible things in my day, Gimli." Legolas said. "I just thank the Valar that they are here." Gimli scoffed. "I think we'd be better off without these elves, lad."

Dawn watched silently. "I can't Imagine how those two stand each other." she muttered. Gimli walked off. Aragorn called him.

"So, princeling. We meet again." Dawn spat at Legolas. "Your hair's getting a bit long, aye." Legolas stared wide eyed at her. He never thought he'd have to deal with Dawn again.

"Sure. But I see that you've pushed all that is good away from you, Dawn Sapphire." he said with venom. "I will not deal with you today." Legolas walked off.

"You cannot escape that which is your family!" Dawn shouted after him. "The past will find you!"