Sam's final journey

[Hot, crispy nice hobbit]

Guys, I believe I know where this was stated.

"Take this ring, Master," he said, "for your labours will be heavy; but it will support you in the weariness that you have taken upon yourself. For this is the Ring of Fire, and with it you may rekindle hearts in a world that grows chill. But as for me, my heart is with the Sea, and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you."

This is at Third Age, Appendix B of LOTR, at the part where Cirdan gave Gandalf Narya. So it is to be presumed that he stayed until every single ship left.

In fact, where we given any evidence that there were no more elves in the 4th Age? Hardly. But that does not conclude that those elves that prefer to stay are now stranded on Arda.

[Boromir88]

Celeborn did end up leaving, but I think it was sometime long after Sam had left.

It is said that Celeborn went to dwell there (Rivendell), after the departure of Galadriel; but there is no record of the day when at last he sought the Grey Havens, and with him went the last living memory of the Elder days in Middle-earth.

I also thought that somewhere it said Cirdan remained until all the elves (or the ones that could and would) left too. But, I'll have to look for it, if it's even there.

[Formendacil]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Celeborn did end up leaving, but I think it was sometime long after Sam had left.

I also thought that somewhere it said Cirdan remained until all the elves (or the ones that could and would) left too. But, I'll have to look for it, if it's even there.

Actually, for all that we know, Celeborn and Cirdan left on the same boat. I'm not necessarily tied to that idea, but it would explain the statements concerning both without conflicting with the other.

[Lhunardawen]

But as for me, my heart is with the Sea, and I will dwell by the grey shores until the last ship sails. I will await you. (Cirdan to Gandalf)

Now what does "I will await you" mean as Cirdan said it? He would wait until Gandalf finishes his task and have his ship back to Valinor prepared by then? (Ooh...more Elven foresight!) Or is it, "I will wait, then we'll go back to Valinor together?"

[Essex]

Let's talk about Sam. He's far more interesting that those Elves anyway......

In my view he DID depart for the West, as why would Tolkien put this in the Tale of the Years if it didn't happen? I can understand why Tolkien wrote it this way, as isn't it actually Hobbits who have written and kept the book (and therefore the tales of the years) up to date? Therefore, if they didn't see him actually depart, they would 'presume' this was the case as he was heading for the Havens when he gave the Book to Elanor. ie

1482 - Death of Mistress Rose, wife of Master Samwise, on Mid-year's Day. On September 22 Master Sam-wise rides out from Bag End. He comes to the Tower Hills, and is last seen by Elanor, to whom he gives the Red Book afterwards kept by the Fairbairns. Among them the tradition is handed down from Elanor that Samwise passed the Towers, and went to the Grey Havens and passed over Sea, last of the Ring-bearers

And of course Sam left on the same day he did for his other journey, so romantically I believe he was taking another long journey, this time his last.

But I've always wondered if Sam saw Frodo again. In my heart I would like to think so, but isn't Frodo's journey to the West signifying his death? I'm sure someone's mentioned on this site that that's what Tolkien alluded to in one of his Letters.

It was 61 years between Frodo and Sam leaving Middle-earth. I'm not sure if Frodo could have lasted that long with his wounds of Sword, Sting and Bite to contend with. I hope he did, but I wonder if Sam's next view of Frodo was his Grave.........

[Neferchoirwen]

I haven't the appendices yet, and I do think it's romantic, even poetic, that Sam left on Sept the 22. I believe they did see each other, Essex. Frodo's final journey into the West is more like a time for him to heal. He needed it, and the elves, as well as Gandalf, knew it.

That's what I think, at least.