To The End Of Her Days - A Fanfiction Sequel to The Lord of the Rings

Chapter 3 - Not Home Yet

"Just when all hope was lost, the last beams of the sun meet the first beams of the moonlight through the clouds. They saw the beams shine on the door and they heard a great crack and a crash. They tried again to pull on the rock, but then, Bilbo remembered Thorin's key."

Arwen had a captive audience of eight little Gamgee's, listening to the story of Bilbo's journey. Arwen became better aquatinted with the story since she read Bilbo's and her Ada's accounts in the Red Book, so much so that she knew their stories by heart. Storytime with Arwen had become what the children looked forward to the most at the end of the day.

"Bilbo shouted, 'The key! The key! Try it now while there is still time!' So, Thorin took it from around his neck and was able to turn it in the keyhole that was visible in the moonlight. It turned with a great snap, just as the sunbeam disappeared and they were finally able to open the door."

"And this is where Smaug the dragon comes in, right?" asked Ham.

"And then the attack on Lake-Town?" added Prim.

"And the Battle of the Five Armies!" Bilbo started bouncing with excitement, "Don't forget the Battle of the Five Armies!"

Arwen laughed at their enthusiasm for the story. "We will have to save those stories for another night. Now, it's time for bed. Please go to your rooms."

The children all moaned but did as they were told. After Arwen and Rosie had gotten all the children in bed, they sat down with Frodo, Goldie, and Faramir to read the letter that Sam had sent Arwen. They had been gone six months and this was the first they had heard from them.

"The White City is just as big and beautiful as I remembered and you described," Arwen read aloud. "The king has been wonderfully hospitable. Queen Arwen has her hands full with their two little girls, just as we have had our hands full with our little Tom. They all talk about how they miss you, especially Eldarion. He asked me to tell you that he hopes you are well and that he still thinks of you often. Give all the children our love and tell them we miss them. Thank Faramir for helping you and tell Frodo, Rosie, and Goldie I'm proud they have been working so hard to help you manage our household. Although we are enjoying our visit, we can't wait to be home with all of you again. Best wishes, Samwise Gamgee."

"It all sounds so wonderful!" Goldie said with excitement, "I hope I get to see a city that wonderful someday!"

"Maybe someday," Arwen agreed, "But now that we have read the letter, Faramir and Goldie have to go to bed. That was our agreement." They still had to stick to their bedtime, since they were only eleven years old.

"Fine!" they both mumbled.

Arwen added, "Faramir, please don't let me catch you sneaking into Robin and Ruby's room again! You know how easily they are frightened!"

Faramir protested, "But Merry and Pippin started it! They dared me to do it!"

"It doesn't matter! I already talked to them about it, but you are responsible for yourself."

"How did you know I was involved?"

"Daisy and Prim heard everything! You know they have the best ears in Hobbiton! If you do anything else, I'm either going to move you to the other room with Bilbo and Ham, or I'm not going to allow you to stay overnight anymore and you'll have to walk home every night. Understand?"

He sighed and said, "Yes, I understand."

"Good. Then I'll see you two in the morning."

Just as Faramir and Goldie were walking away, a small head of blonde curls peeked around the corner.