Imladris: Chapter Four - The Awakening

Disclaimer: The characters from The Lord of the Rings belong to the franchises for Tolkien ™ and The Lord of the Rings ™. I do not claim possession of any copyrighted characters. Any and all other characters belong to me and may not be used without my permission.

Rating: G

Characters: Practically Everyone

I never thought I'd actually post this on I wrote it about a year and a half ago, when The Lord of the Rings reigned eternal in my mind. But I suppose it should be shared. And here is the fourth and final chapter. I do hope you enjoyed my little tale.

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The guest hall was filled with elves, singing in melodic voices, the sound of their laughter rippling like waves upon a shore. They were majestic; their hair streaming past their shoulders, their eyes piercing, and their features stern yet kind. Sam was seated quietly in a corner, watching the coming and going of elves with eyes wide with wonder, and lips slightly parted in awe. He had barely strayed from Frodo's room since they had first arrived at Rivendell, so being party to this feast was a gift he would not soon forget. Thanks to the healing speech of Bilbo and Gandalf, Sam's spirit was reviving and his hope was strengthening. Things would never be as they were before, but Sam could again see the good in Middle Earth, his guilt had lessened, and he was content.

Merry and Pippin whipped past on their way toward Elrohir and his brother Elladan, causing Sam's smile to widen. Those two had been such a comfort to him. He had expected reproach, even accusations, yet Merry and Pippin had treated him with the utmost kindness. Merry even reminded him a bit of Frodo to a degree. They shared the same blood so it was to be expected, yet Sam had been surprised. Sam's attentiveness toward the other Hobbits had grown by incredible bounds since being in Imladris, and he watched them now from beneath shadowed lids, his brown eyes shining with a protective light. They were so happy, their joy infecting anyone near them.

The elves seemed almost fascinated with their diminutive companions, for Merry and Pippin were not at all uncomfortable with the noble lords surrounding them, and were weaving tales of the Shire and their homes. Elrohir hardly left Merry's side, his smile briefly shining through whenever he laughed. The two had bonded and were now the closest of friends, which caused Sam to remember Frodo. Oh, how Mr. Frodo would love this. As soon as he wakes, I'll show him all I can before we start back for The Shire. Somehow, Sam didn't even believe his own thoughts. The Ring had come this far, but would it be safe here, even here with all the power of the elves to protect the menace? Sam always had a special sense concerning his master, and even now he believed that their part to play in this battle was far from over.

What can one do against such an evil power as the Ring. It's like a leech that latches on tight and drains you of all that's good. Sam had grown to hate the thing his master carried, not for what it was, but for what it was doing, to him, to Frodo, to the whole of Middle Earth. The change in Frodo was only slight, but it was there nonetheless, sensed by the one who knew him best. The light touch at his shoulder snapped Sam from his dreams, and he turned to find the gentle eyes of Elrohir watching him. The elf spoke only two words, "He's awake." Sam jolted from his seat in a desperate motion, his eyes widening in shock and joy. "Go to him." Sam's lower lip trembling with unimaginable joy and gratitude welling 'til his heart felt like it would burst, Sam was out of the hall in the time it took for Elrohir to draw a breath.

Merry strolled over quietly, Pippin trailing him like a puppy, and questioned curiously, "What's happened?" "Your Ringbearer has awakened from his long and deadly sleep. All is well." Their eyes widened in such shock it caused a smile to dawn across Elrohir's fair cheeks. "We must go to him at once," Pippin demanded, absently bouncing on his toes in excitement. Merry's gaze locked with that of the elf's and he sighed softly, "No, Pip. We need to wait until Sam has had time with Frodo. He needs it, they both do." Pippin's eyes turned dejected, but slowly the wrinkles across his young brow smoothed away, and he nodded firmly, then turned back to his elf companions who had been abandoned in the excitement. Elrohir smiled down at his miniature charge and said, "You have learned much, Meriadoc." "Well, I had a good teacher, Master Elf. For now, Frodo needs Sam more then he needs me or Pippin. And I'm glad." Rivendell shone all the brighter, for the knowledge had now reached the ear of every inhabitant. The Hope of Middle Earth had been restored.

Finis