Chapter Text
“Where are we going again?” asked Bilbo.
“We’re going to the Havens,” Frodo reminded him. “The Elves have offered you a place on the last ship to leave for Valinor.”
“Oh yes, I remember now,” said Bilbo before falling asleep.
When they arrived at the Havens, the four hobbits escorted Bilbo to the harbor, followed by Gandalf. They were received by Galadriel, Celeborn, Thranduil, and Elrond at the ship.
“Welcome, Bilbo,” said Elrond.
“I think I’m quite ready for another adventure,” Bilbo responded, as he hobbled over to the boat, and Elrond boarded with him.
Thranduil and Celeborn were the next to board, leaving only Galadriel, Gandalf, and the four hobbits.
“Come, Gandalf,” said Galadriel.
“Wait. I think we may have another passenger,” he said.
Frodo nodded. “There is nothing left for me in the Shire. I have accomplished everything I set out to do. I have saved the Shire, but not for myself.”
“But Mr Frodo!” cried Sam. “You can’t go!”
“I must. You and Merry and Pippin have things to look forward to, families and accomplishments. I will see you again someday, when you too come to Valinor,” said Frodo.
The three remaining hobbits hung their heads in sadness as Frodo, Gandalf, and Galadriel boarded the last ship to sail to the Undying Lands.
The ship slowly faded away into the West.
**
After a long, long journey, the ship was finally within sight of Valinor. Each and every one of the beings on board the ship had someone they missed dearly waiting for them in Valinor, and there would be many tearful reunions when the ship docked. Some had not seen each other since the First Age of Middle-Earth, and some just for a few decades, but either way, the reunions were long overdue.
//Bilbo\\
During the long journey to the Undying Lands, Bilbo had begun the transformation back to a younger body. Already he had his sight back, and he thanked the Valar for that as they grew nearer to Valinor, so that he could pick out those who were waiting for him in the crowd. He could see all of the Company, and the one person he had missed the most in the sixty some years since his quest—Thorin Oakenshield. Thorin and his nephews had been taken far too early, but the fate of Middle-Earth might have been quite different if they had lived—Bilbo would have had much more of an incentive to stay in the Lonely Mountain, and the ring might never have come to Frodo.
//Elrond\\
Even the normally serene elves were positively giddy (at least by their standards) at the prospect of seeing those who had sailed for Valinor already, or had died. Elrond was waiting to see his wife, Celebrian, who had sailed long, long ago, and his sons, Elladan and Elrohir, who had sailed when the elves first began to leave Middle-Earth. Even though Arwen had stayed with him—she remained in Middle Earth still—he had missed the twins’ antics, and had almost forgotten the sound of his wife’s laughter. Oh, how long he had waited to see her smile again. He would also see his parents, Eärendil and Elwing, again, and his twin brother, Elros, who forsaken the Eldar in favor of Men, many, many years ago.
//Gandalf\\
Gandalf alone had no one in particular to see. He would visit his brethren—Alatar and Pallando, and visit the elves he had known who had departed, and Thorin’s Company, and of course wait for the rest of the Fellowship, but his existence in Valinor would be much the same as in Middle-Earth—that of a wanderer.
//Thranduil\\
In leaving Middle-Earth, Thranduil had to leave his son behind, but he knew that Legolas would join him when he was ready. For right now, all he cared about was seeing Elanorien once again. Once more would he hear his wife’s laughter, would he see hear smile, and hear her voice. Many lifetimes of men ago she had died in giving birth to Legolas, and he had missed her with all of his heart since. What he would not have given to see her one last time, to say goodbye, until I see you again in the Undying Lands.
//Galadriel and Celeborn\\
Even the serene lord and lady of Lothlorien had dropped their usual nonchalance in favor of happiness. They had not seen their daughter, Celebrian, for many, many years. After she left Lothlorien for Imladris, they had seen her seldom, and then she had sailed in to the Undying Lands. Galadriel would also be able to see her parents and her many brothers and sisters once again.
//Frodo\\
Despite the fact that Boromir had tried to take the ring, Frodo had still missed him, as Boromir had been a brave man and a good friend for the short time they had known each other. It would be good to see him again and have company other than Gandalf to wait for the rest of the Fellowship to arrive with. He would be honored as the destroyer of the One Ring, but it wouldn’t be the same until the rest of the Fellowship, Sam especially, arrived.