Lament - by Cunien.
Disclaimer: I don't own it.

Thanks everyone for reviewing - please don't stop now - review this last chapter and let's see if we can make 100 reviews!

Thanks especially to Skye for the last review - I appreciate the honesty. I'm sad that the last chapter seems to have spoiled your enjoyment for the whole story. I starting writing this for myself, but it's really all for the readers now - I've never completed a story before and the reviews have really been an incentive to finish, and hearing your comments and over all enjoyment has been wonderful.
I know that these last chapters are not on a par with the rest - I have found them incredible hard.
I feel a bit worried now, because this last chapter will probably disappoint you all too. I'm finding it really really hard to finish nicely.
I appreciate the comment that the characters were out of character - I understand how you might see this, but in my defence - I've read that in that last moment between living and dying, you just give in to the inevitable and relax. Sam is thinking about all the things that he has done in his life, and is thankful that he has been allowed to live it well, healthily and happily, and had such good times and friends. He is drained and weak, and doesn't want to fight anymore. This is why he is giving up', however un-Samwise it seems.

The same goes for Frodo - he has finally accepted that if Sam is to die, then that is the way it has to be. He wants to help, and he hasn't given up hope, but he has stopped blaming himself, and realises that Sam would not want him to beat himself up over it. He would never give up the quest though, if Sam died or lived or whatever. Frodo has come to realise that in being the Ringbearer he really his holding everyone's fate in his hand. - he wouldn't let his own feelings get in the way of something so important.

If like Skye you find that these last two chapters disappoint, then that is your right to feel so. I have tried to do my best, and as this is my first finished story I feel I haven't done too badly. I'm glad most of you have enjoyed most of the story. Please, if you don't like these last two chapters, I only ask that you don't let it colour your opinion of the whole story. Thankyou very much. I mean it.
Sorry about all the blah blah - on with the story.
Epilogue - The Beginning and the End.

The chill flooded him. Not unpleasantly, for it seemed wholesome and clean. He shuddered slightly.

*

Frodo's heart began to pound in sheer hope. He could feel it like a drum in his throat. He had moved! They had all seen it, a tiny shiver, barely perceptible. Was that a good sign? It must be, mustn't it.
No one dared move, breath, make a single sound - as though they might inadvertently break the spell that seemed to have descended on the dwelling.

*

Tension filled Sam once more. Excitement even, if such an emotion was possible in his remote and muffled existence. All the calm silence had gone, and was replaced by a strange and distant drumming. Maybe there was still a chance, however remote. Perhaps it wasn't yet his time to give in and let go.

The dark was not dense and impenetrable now. There were clouds once more, that flowed and swirled, and patches were sometimes transparent so that Sam could almost see out. If he concentrated hard enough, he thought he could see shadowy ghosts of silent figures. But trying so hard to make them out only made his head pound, joining that strange drumming rhythm.

And that was the other thing that had changed.

There was pain where there had been none for some time.
Sam couldn't decide if that was good or bad. At least in the blackness of before there had been no feelings, pain or otherwise.

He gasped as it hit him, staggering in it's intensity.

*
Sam's body began to buck and thrash . Frodo shouted out and jumped up to help calm him, but Sam's strength was surprising. In seconds Aragorn was by his side, holding the hobbit down on the bed.
Sam's face contorted in pain.

*
The cold was coursing his veins. So cold it was like flames ripping through him. The drumming was getting louder and faster.
He could feel the cold light battling with the heat of the darkness. He wanted to let it out. He wanted to tear at his skin to release it!
There was no way he could hold it in.

The drumming pounded on and on in silent eternity, reaching it's excruciating crescendo,until Sam was gasping and begging for it to stop and be quiet once more.

*
And Sam suddenly stilled.
Aragorn, who had thrown his entire weight on to the small hobbit to stop him thrashing, jumped up, afraid of crushing Sam beneath him. As they watched, the dark veins faded, slowly at first and then faster, until there was nothing left to say it had ever been so.

Sweat beaded on the hobbit's forehead. And his eyelashes fluttered a little.

Frodo whispered uncertainly.

Sam's eyes were open a crack.

He croaked, and the noise sounded a little like Fro -'.

Frodo was gripping Sam's hand so tight that little bruises sprung up where his fingers dug in.
I can feel his heart! It's strong! Frodo managed to say.

Little black rivulets began to run out of the corners of Sam's mouth.
Help me sit him up Frodo, or he might choke. said Aragorn.

So Aragorn held his limp and weak form, and Frodo rubbed little circles on Sam's back as he was sick, his body rejecting the foul black poison.

*

Boromir sighed audibly.
There it was. The choice was no longer his to make, and the relief flooded the man as he thought what of might have been.
He turned and walked out into the bright sunshine.

*

Aragorn found Legolas leaning against the same tree where they had argued that morning. It seemed like ages ago, and he told the elf so.

How did you know, Legolas? What to do?
Varda blessed me. was all that Legolas said.
I feel as though I did nothing to help him. I shouldn't have given up so easily. the man studied the ground, too ashamed to lift his head and look the elf in the eyes for fear of the blame he might see there.

But Legolas stretched out a hand and took Aragorn's chin, raising it so that their eyes could meet.
I was so afraid of the responsibility, I-
Legolas smiled warmly at his friend.
I'm afraid to say anything, lest you see it as me being a patronising elf.
This made Aragorn laugh, and Legolas was glad to see him do so.

You lead the Fellowship, and yes, we look to you for answers. But you do not need to bear this burden alone. Everyone needs help. I thank Eru that he has let Sam stay here to help Frodo with his burden. Every member of this company, whether he be King or gardener, has a part to play.

*

No Pippin!
Oh Merry, you know I can't!
Leave him be - he nearly died Pippin!
That's exactly why I won't leave him be!

Frodo laughed quietly as the not-so-subtle hobbits bickered outside the room. The corner of Sam's mouth quirked up in a little smile, but he had not the energy to move any more.

The hobbit lay in bed, basking in warm contentment. His best friend held his hand gently, apologising for the little bruised finger marks there, telling him what has happened since he fell ill, talking about the elves, about Lothlorien. And Sam listened quietly, eyes half-closed, wondering that not two hours ago he had been ready to give all this up.


*

End. Finite. Y Diwedd.

Get back to me, please?

Oh wow - I can't believe, after years of writing stories that I've finally finished one. I feel quite strange.

That was quite fun, so I think I'll write another story soon. More Pippinpain? More Aragorn doubt? Sam angst? Any suggestions?