gamgee_fics: artwork by Ted Nasmith (Avallone)
gamgee_fics ([personal profile] gamgee_fics) wrote2012-09-11 06:16 am

To The End of His Days

Title: To the End of His Days
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Genre: General, Drama
Length: Tribble
Summary: In the year 1384 SR, after the death of his wife, Sam leaves Middle-earth and sails to Valinor.


Continued from 16. Avallónë



17. Friends

There’s a feast that night and everyone is in attendance. Gandalf meets me at the door and introduces me to so many elves I soon forget their names. I’m most eager to meet Elrond’s wife, and I sit with them and Galadriel as the food is served. I see in Celebrían a quiet strength that I’ve oft seen in her daughter, and she has the same blue eyes and snowy complexion as Arwen. She has Galadriel’s hair though.

The food is grand and the wine smooth as silk and delightful as children’s laughter. After the food comes songs and poems. There are silly songs and mournful ballads; some are clearly made up on the spot. At one point, Gandalf nudges me to stand. Hands behind my back, I begin reciting The Man on the Moon Came Down Too Soon. Those there who know it smile, remembering their old friend.

Celebrían then sings a ballad I can’t understand. Gandalf translates the words: it’s a song she composed about her children in Middle-earth, wondering about their adventures and hoping their lives will be peaceful now. I think of my own children and of Arwen, and it strikes me as we both have families left behind we won’t be seeing again.

Several others of Elrond’s folk are here as well. I speak with Lindir, Erestor and Glorfindel and make plans for visits at some future point. Near the end, I find myself alone with Gildor, one of the first Elves I’d ever seen.

“Did you guess all those years ago as we’d both be standing here someday?” I ask him.

He smiles warmly. “I knew only that I was in the company of great beings. How great even I could not then foresee. I am glad to see you again, elf-friend.”




GF 9/11/2012





Continued in Gandalf

[identity profile] mews1945.livejournal.com 2012-09-11 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I love it that Sam recited The Man In the Moon for them. And Gildor called him Elf-friend.

[identity profile] gamgee-fics.livejournal.com 2012-09-13 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Sam is certainly enjoying himself. And if there's anyone after Frodo and Bilbo who deserve the name Elf-friend, it's Sam. :)

[identity profile] periantari.livejournal.com 2012-09-17 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
I like the descriptions of Celebrian and how Sam likens himself to Arwen and his fate of not seeing his family again.

[identity profile] gamgee-fics.livejournal.com 2012-09-18 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, he and Celebrian do have something in common, which will be a comfort when he's feeling homesick.