by Silent Draco
Chapter 10, Part 1 – Pause and Remember
Elanor Fairbairn stood outside the damp-room, examining several trays of mushrooms. She wanted a good flavor match for the roast boar and apples, one of Fastred’s favorites, for his birthday dinner. Two of the youngsters bounded down to hall toward her, in alarm. “Ma, Ma, there’s a stranger, a Man, to the door! We heard a tapping, but did not hear his horse or him moving! We dursen’t open the door without …” “Hush, my dears, let me come see. And please use ‘dare not,’ as we wouldn’t want the Lord of the Downs or the King himself to think you are ignorant of good custom.” She hastened back out to the main door, stick firmly in hand, and peered out the visiting-shaft. Westmarch was growing faster than they expected, but this was an innovation of Fastred’s with which she heartily agreed. Better to peer out and see company first, instead of receiving an awful surprise.
She gazed over the bluebells and nasturtia, and had a greater surprise. The visitor upon the threshold was tall like a Man, but fairer by far than the Dunedain. A dark horse stood patiently, his harness glistening with crystals and small bells. “Oh my dears,” she half-whispered, “’Tis one of the Elf-folk!” She opened the door and made him a curtsey, and inquired politely “Good day to you sir, and we are well met! May I inquire about what brings one of the Fair Folk to our humble door? Oh! May I offer you and your steed refreshments for the road?” The last was added in a rush, for she was flustered by the sight of a tall, very handsome Elf.
He bowed, smiling, and replied most courteously in Westron. “Madame, may a star shine on the hour of our meeting. I am Calmithil, of the House of Turgon, and I journey to Fornost and Rivendell on business for Lord Cirdan. He had also charged me to deliver parcels to Frodo Gamgee, the Gardener, and to you, on behalf of Gandalf the White.” At Elanor’s puzzled look he continued gently, “Lord Cirdan received messages from Across the Sea, concerning your father. It is not my place to speak more of this, but to present you and your brothers with these parcels from the White Wizard. All is explained within.”
She set the parcel carefully on the desk, and looked about in dismay. Her mending was out, and Undertowers was in no condition for a distinguished visitor like him! She curtseyed again and asked, “My lord, would you take a bit with us in the gazebo yonder, while my youngest son draws cool water and fodder, and perhaps a few apples, for your mount?” Calmithil inclined his head graciously in assent, and soon they had a light repast of pickled vegetables, fruits, fresh bread with honey and butter, and the best of the fruit-wines from two years back. A delightful hour passed; then he rose and bowed, saying, “My thanks for your hospitality, Elanor the Fair Bairn, daughter of Samwise. I have broken bread in greater grace, but in few cases with more charm and honor.” He paused a moment and continued, “I was honored to meet your father once, across the Sundering Sea. For a quiet Halfling, he was filled with great courage and honor; glad I was to meet such a Hero, and glad I am to meet his daughter. Farewell.” He mounted, and raising a hand, began the ride across the Downs track to the Great Road, and eastward.
With a start, Elanor realized she looked across lonely pastures. She went inside and sat down at the desk, marveling at the large parcel addressed to her.
ELANOR THE FAIR BAIRN
UNDERTOWERS
WESTMARCH of the SHIRE
in Elvish and Men’s script. The parcel contained another package, almost as large, and a single sheet of fine paper, folded and addressed to her. She opened and read the note.
Forlond
F.A 122
Madam Elanor,
I wished to add my own greetings to accompany the enclosed package. While I will receive messages or artefacts for our own folk on occasions, this was most extraordinary: three packages arrived from beyond the Sea for Halflings, mortals, if you will pardon the distinction made here. Such messages have not arrived for many a year, and packages are unheard of. My directions were to provide them by first available courier to the Master of Bag End and the Lady of Westmarch, which again are most extraordinary charges. Lord Calmithil most graciously undertook this duty, as part of his mission to Rivendell, and as you read this missive, please be aware that I have most honorably acquitted the charge placed upon me by the Lords of the West.
I suspect that some of the contents were also part of missives to The Havens, Rivendell, and Fornost, as all are to be delivered with best speed commensurate to secure delivery. Should any of the contents be of further interest to the Eldar, I ask that at your discretion, please journey unto the Forlond and the Havens, to discuss such with me.
May Varda Tantiquel guide and guard your path.
Cirdan the Shipwright
Master of the Grey Havens
Now thoroughly confused and alarmed, she carefully undid the folds and broke the seal on the inner package. This was sealed with white wax, with markings of two trees and the elf-rune for G on the seal. This contained another folded note and an inner package with a letter attached to it; within this was a manuscript and – of all things, a note from her father. She paused to read the outer note, first, fearing the worst. It was written in a beautiful, flowing script of the kind she had seen copied in the Great Book, and carried sad but expected news, with an unusual address.
The Homely Smial West of the Sea
Eldamar, on the Farthest Shore
My Dear Elanor,
I regret to inform you that your father, Samwise Gamgees, passed away peacefully on September 22. What year this was, I cannot quite place; time runs at its own pace and in its own streams, on Farthest Shore. What I may say is that they were all laid to rest in a small flower plot adjacent to their garden, in the Last Homely Smial (I dare say the only homely smial) West of the Sea. This, I fear, was one of Bilbo’s final jests, which only a hobbit would make: comparing their humble, rambling cottage to Master Elrond’s house and fortress in Rivendell. I must say that the Elves found it amusing, as they found the three of them charming. The Elves planted flowers of Middle-Earth upon their graves in joyous memory, and surrounded these with other delights of Elvenhome, particular favorites of the three of them.
Frodo and I were able to coax your father into reminisces and tales of his journey into the West. With the aid of the Elves, we were able to make manuscripts for you and your brother Frodo’s use; please bind these into the Great Book, as his tales were informative and may have bearing on the future. These were allowed by the Lords of the West. All who heard his tales were amazed; he was most quiet and abashed about some marvelous feats. However, I will leave this for you to read in his own words. At least, his own words as coaxed out and with the grammar slightly improved by his close friends. Though we have never met, I saw you in his eyes on Farthest Shore; I am glad he shared those memories and visions with me.
Farewell, and Fair Memories
Gandalf the White
With shaking hands, she now opened the final note, addressed simply to “Elanor.” It was in a very familiar round and slightly scrawling script, but hard to read; tears kept filling her eyes. Perhaps, this letter should wait until she finished her Papa’s tales. As Elanor sniffled, her children rushed in. “Ma, is something amiss?” She hugged them close, and gradually calmed enough to speak. “No, my dears. It was something not unexpected, and good news all at the same time. For now, please wash and put away the dishes from the unexpected tea. I have some notes to read and understand; this is Warden business which I must discuss with yer Da.” And with that, she settled in the good light illuminating the desk, and began to read the manuscript.
Elanor came to the last page, and sat back, gazing out the window at the white-painted gazebo, marveling at all which had happened. Had it been that long ago? It seemed like a brief season, but she recalled her father’s tales of visiting Elves, and what he had learned from Mr. Bilbo Baggins in those wondrous years. Perhaps things went differently, or perhaps the ship was delayed for some time? They warded the Great Road, and noted travelers east and west. Some were gone for short times, others vanished for years. There were other notes wrapped with the pages, ones she ought to read while there was a bit of quiet (but no too quiet). With shaking hands, she now opened the final note, addressed simply to “Elanor.” It was in a very familiar round and slightly scrawling script, but hard to read; tears kept filling her eyes.
The Homely Smial West of the Sea
Dearest Elanor,
I feel but do not fear that my time may be coming soon, and I so hope to be reunited with your ma. The Elves and the Great Ones found a way to heal me, and the nightmares went away at last. I feel myself in one piece again, after the long pains, an’ they were able to heal up the hip and the left arm too, but what they cannot heal is that I’m a creaky old hobbit.
The Great Ones gave me a special permission to send word to ye and to Frodo, that ye fear not about me coming to an awful end. All is well with us; it turned out that Mr. Bilbo and Mr. Frodo were also here for healing, and so we have some time together. But they also said there are things not to talk about or write down, like your ma and I did when ye were little, so I’ll say what I can. They set aside a cottage for us on some good land, with a little kitchen garden I could tend, an’ some fine flowers. Wonder of all, they made it look like some of the older smials in the Shire, the ones built above an’ in ground, and ‘twas a wonder to bustle about in place made for our size. An’ the gardens: we had two crops of taters in the year, and some very fine mushrooms and onions, and young peas; ‘twas like we had two full spring and summer seasons, the weather was so fine.
We had visits at times from Mister Gandalf, and Master Elrond. Most special of all we had a visit from her Ladyship, Lady Galadriel herself, an’ I was able to thank her once more for her Gift, the fine loam from her own garden and the mallorn-seed which grew as fast and straight as ye did, the tree ye loved to climb in. And then she looked through me somehow and said, “Master Samwise, your use exceeded the power of the gift-giver. I see in your eyes and words the care you took for the Shire and your family, and I see a golden-haired child, one you loved most of all, beautiful and of good heart. Truly you fill my heart with joy, that she may echo the grace of the Eldar among your people, as the mallorn will remind them of times past, echoing among them and going forward.”
I miss Rosie, your mother, terribly, and all of you children and the little ones, and of course Bill. He was always a good pony and companion. But Her Ladyship reminded me that I miss ye most of all, my little Elanor, for ye always minded me of the Elves and their wondrous fair and perilous homes. But we were at home in the Shire, an’ the memories were there of them folk, and I have my memories of all ye here with me. Should, well, when me time comes, yer memories will comfort me. An’ the times with you, dearest daughter, will comfort me most of all. An’ I’ll finish and seal this, so one day it’ll come to ye and yer children, to remember your dear
Papa
At this Elanor went from tears and sniffles to outright bawling, and the children rushed down the hallway and bounced in. “Ma, are ye well?” She hugged them close, and gradually calmed enough to speak. “No, my dears. It was sad news and good news all at the same time. For now, please help me put away the mending, and then go gather and shell beans from the upper bed. I have some notes to write, for your father too: Warden business.”
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To Be Continued…
Find Previous Chapters Here:
Chapter 9 – Part 2 Chapter 9 – Part 1
Chapter 8 – Part 2 Chapter 8 – Part 1
Chapter 7 – Part 2 Chapter 7 – Part 1
Chapter 6 – Part 2 Chapter 6 – Part 1
Chapter 5 – Part 4 Chapter 5 – Part 3
Chapter 5 – Part 2 Chapter 5 – Part 1
Chapter 4 – Part 2 Chapter 4 – Part 1
Chapter 3 – Part 2 Chapter 3 – Part 1
Chapter 2 – Part 3 Chapter 2 – Part 2
Chapter 2 – Part 1 Chapter 1