Esmeralda West moves into the Shire with her uncle, a few houses down from the Bagginses. As years pass, young Frodo tries to break her out of her shell. Then, Gandalf the Grey tells him about the One Ring. Esmeralda joins the quest with her friend...
'How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep, that have taken hold.'
Frodo is sitting at his desk in his office, writing in Bilbo's book. His hair was messy, and there where bags under his eyes, blending in with his malnourished skin. After a moment, the door opens, just as Frodo grasped his shoulder in pain.
"Mister Frodo?" Sam asks, putting Frodo's mail on his desk. "What is it?"
"It's been four years to the day since Weathertop, Sam. It's never really healed."
Sam frowns, then notices the book in front of Frodo.
"'There and Back Again, a Hobbits tale by Bilbo Baggins, and the Lord of the Rings, by Frodo Baggins'. You finished it!"
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Frodo who closes the book, and looks up at his old friend. "Not quite. There's room for a little more."
A day later, the four Hobbits wait with their ponies for an approaching cart by the lake in Hobbiton. After a minute, they approach the cart, and noticed that Gandalf is driving it.
'Bilbo once told me his part in this tale would end. That each of us must come and go in the telling. Bilbo's story was now over. There would be no more journeys for him. Save one.'
As Frodo rode in the cart with Bilbo, he couldn't help but enjoy the beautiful view of the countryside. He knew that Esmeralda would have loved to see a sight like that.
"Tell me again, lad, where are we going?" Bilbo asked.
"To the harbor, Bilbo. The Elves have accorded you a special honor. A place on the last ship to leave Middle Earth."
"Frodo, any chance of seeing that old Ring of mine again? The one I gave you?"
Frodo looks away, with painful memories filling his eyes. "Um... I'm sorry, Uncle. I'm afraid I lost it."
"Oh, pity." He sighed, resting his head on Frodo's shoulder. "I would have like to have held it one last time."
Finally, they made it to the Grey Havens. At that moment, only Sam, Rosie and Gandalf knew that he would be leaving with his Uncle. The Five Hobbits walk towards the Wizard, with Frodo and Sam holding onto Bilbo's arms.
Suddenly, Bilbo raises his eyes in excitement. "Oh! Well here is a sight I have never seen before!"
The Hobbits look at the golden sea, and a beautiful ship drawn up to the jetty. Elrond, Celeborn and Galadriel stand by the boat, ready to greet them. Bilbo bows, and they bow back.
"The power of the three Rings is ended." Galadriel said. "The time has come for the dominion of men."
"I Aear cûn ven na mar."
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Bilbo smiles, and Elrond spreads him arms out to him.
"I think I'm quite ready for another adventure."
He walks towards Elrond, and he puts his arm around him protectively as they walk onto the ship. Galadriel smiles at them, and turns to the ship, followed by Celeborn. Gandalf moves forward, and turns to the Hobbits.
"Farewell, my brave Hobbits." He smiles.
They look at him with tears in their eyes.
"My work is now finished. Here at last, on the shores of the sea, comes the end of our Fellowship."
Merry and Pippin cry, as they hold each other.
"I will not say do not weep for not all tears are an evil."
He walks towards the ship, and Frodo watches intently. Then, Gandalf, stops and turns towards them. "It is time, Frodo."
The three Hobbits turn towards Frodo.
"What does he mean?" Pippin asked.
"Esmeralda and I set out to save the Shire. It has been saved, but not for me. I cannot stay here when there is too many painful memories."
Merry and Pippin look at each other in shock, as Sam bows his head in silence.
"You don't mean that." Merry protested, tearfully. "You can't leave."
Frodo looks away, and he brings up the book and hands it to Sam. "The last pages are for you, Sam."
Merry is crying, and Frodo brings him into his embrace. After a moment, they separate, giving each other a sad look. Frodo kisses the top of Merry's head, then moves to Pippin, and hugs him tightly. Pippin cries as they share the embrace, before releasing. Frodo kisses his head, then moves to Sam. They clasp in a passionate hug, before they release. Frodo kisses his forehead, then turns to Gandalf.
Once he was on board, he turned to his friends, and gave them a beaming smile. After a moment, he nods his head, and turns away. The ship glides silently out of the bay, into the sunset.
Merry and Pippin turn away, holding each other. Sam watches the ship disappear into the distance, before turning away too.
Back in the Shire, Sam walks towards his home. Elanor and Frodo Jr. runs out of the door to greet him. He gathers them up in his arms, and gives a kiss to each of their cheeks. Rosie then walks out of the door, holding Drogo to her hip.
'My dear Sam, you cannot always be torn in two. You will have to be one and whole for many years. You have so much to enjoy and to be and to do. Your part in the story will go on.'
Sam kisses Rosie, and they hug, before releasing the children to run into the house.
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