I get knocked down but I get up again - you're never going to keep me down.

[mormegil]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

The Shire has lost its innocence - how could it ever go back to the pre-Saruman days?

But did it really loose it's innocence? The landscape was destroyed but that can and was mended to a degree and will be to it's full in due time. However, think of how the Shire may have reacted if one of the more notable families lost one of their own in this war? That coupled with the desecration of the Shire would truly have lost their innocence and you immortalize this in their memory.

I guess my point is that most authors seem to balk at the prospect of killing of one of the beloved and good characters because the audience will not react kindly to it, but it could be used to be more a poignant story.