Walk To Rivendell" aka "The Eowyn Challenge"

[Alatáriël Lossëhelin]

The weeks spent in Ithilien passed in a blur of feasting and celebration—the days full of talk and laughter and song—the nights filled with peace without fear. But although our Enemy was defeated and our camp filled with valiant soldiers, I discovered I could not rest easy in the tent appointed to me. So each night, after all were drowned in slumber, I found myself still standing watch over Frodo and Sam, unseen in the shadows of the trees surrounding their tent. For their protection no longer, but only for the comfort that their company brings to me. Watching unseen was more difficult in Minas Tirith, and even more unnecessary than in Ithilien, but I was compelled, nonetheless.

It has been balm to my spirit to watch my companions honored by the people that they sacrificed so much for, and to see our Fellowship re-united once more. The crowning of Aragorn Elessar, and his wedding to Arwen Undómiel on Midsummer Day seemed a fitting end to all our labors, but I saw the bitter disappointment on Frodo’s face when the one he had longed to see was not with the company from Rivendell. As the days passed one into another, it was plain to me that the halflings were becoming restless, and I knew they were longing for their own home.

Minas Tirith now lies several days behind us on our long journey, and we travel first to Rohan to return Théoden King to his home. It is a large and splendid company that escorts the fallen to their rest—King Elessar and Queen Undómiel, King Éomer, Prince Faramir of Ithilien, Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, my lord Elrond with Elladan and Elrohir, Gandalf, Legolas and Gimli, Merry and Pippin, many of the Firstborn from Rivendell and Lórien, as well as many knights of both Gondor and Rohan. And, of course, the Ringbearer and his devoted Sam. I watch them riding beside Aragorn and Gandalf from my place amidst the folk of Rivendell, and remember the closeness of days past that are now gone...

...but not forgotten.


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…and Aragorn said: “I know what you have come to say, Frodo; you wish to return to your own home. Well, dearest friend, the tree grows best in the land of its sires; but for you in all the lands of the West there will ever be a welcome…”

“It is true that I wish to go back to the Shire,” said Frodo. “But first I must go to Rivendell. For if there could be anything wanting in a time so blessed, I missed Bilbo; and I was grieved when among all the household of Elrond I saw that he was not come.”

“Do you wonder at that, Ring-bearer?” said Arwen…“He is ancient in years now, according to his kind; and he awaits you, for he will not again make any long journey save one…A gift I will give you. For I am the daughter of Elrond. I shall not go with him now when he departs to the Havens; for mine is the choice of Lúthien, and as she so have I chosen, both the sweet and the bitter. But in my stead you shall go, Ring-bearer, when the time comes, and if you then desire it. If your hurts grieve you still and the memory of your burden is heavy, then you may pass into the West, until all your wounds and weariness are healed. But wear this now in memory of Elfstone and Evenstar with whom your life has been woven!”

And she took a white gem like a star that lay upon her breast hanging upon a silver chain, and she set the chain about Frodo’s neck. “When the memory of the fear and the darkness troubles you,” she said, “this will bring you aid.”