The Grey Havens Story (here it is!)

[Pil]

Ok sooo...here goes... (hope you like it) :angel:

The Grey and Passing of the Pallid Smir

The Undying Lands. The final resting place of the Eldar who feel that their time in Middle Earth is spent. They hear its call from the gulls of the sea, it pulls constantly at their hearts and in it they wander in Elvish dreams.

I have taken it into my own hands to continue where Tolkein left off, to help satisfy the desire that I found very hard to quench. I have written a description of what I imagine to be the journey from the Grey Havens, as seen through the eyes of a certain Mr. Frodo Baggins Esq…

[Pil]

"It was not a very long journey, I believe. Not more than a few hours or so - for the wind was in our favour. The Elves say it will be so until the last of the Eldar join us here. Once we were on our way time seemed rather irrelevant. All I knew was that I was, and my companions on the boat were also. I could not really remember Pippin, Merry or dear old Sam, yet they were all I could think of. As I fingered the faintly glowing Phial of Galadriel; I knew that I wept, but I could not distinguish the water that meandered down my cheek.
I was in this state for most of the journey - almost with loss of self-awareness; when Bilbo tottered into my quarters and I slipped the Phial into my silk breast pocket. He was as teary eyed as I must have been, but he had a smile of a man of serenity and calm. We sat by the slightly open window on lush silken pillows as if waiting, for what I did not know. The gelid sea-mist numbed my face, but I did not, or could not think to close the window. I could sense that we neared the Havens, but it had not been the enlightening experience I had presumed it to be. All I been able to do ere the departure was presume - for none who sail on the vessels of the Elves ever return.
As my head began to clear, unlike the mist, I almost regretted leaving the safe familiarity of the Shire, indeed Middle earth; and I missed my friends more than ever before. I remembered feeling the same way when I was being kept alone in the tower at Cirith Ungol. I had thought I would never be found…
But all thoughts of those evil times were put out of my mind - as I realised that Bilbo’s hand was clasping mine unbearingly fast. As I went to softly loosen his grip he grasped me harder than ever. I gave out a cry - but was silenced as I turned to where Bilbo stared. Gandalf drifted through the open door and drew it to behind him. His silver white robe rippled about his frame and Narya smouldered inside its ruby jewel, the power almost extinguished but not quite. There was a restless air about him and his face was uneasy and drawn. I wondered what troubled him.
The wizard brought Bilbo and I to our feet and pushed open the perfectly round window with a groan and uncanny grimace. It came to me that I was as exhausted as Gandalf seemed to be - and I could feel Bilbo trembling with effort. I looked up at Gandalf. One hand was in a fist on his chest, the other clutching his smooth staff. He gazed out over the calm, milky waters and I looked towards the bow of the ship, where his sight was fixed. I gave another cry. Not one of pain, but a gasp of desire. Bilbo swayed on his frail legs and I steadied him blindly, as I kept my eyes on the figure Gandalf had spotted.
Barely visible to Elven eyes, through the growing gloom of night - was a mountain. It was not large compared to those I saw in the Misty Mountains, but to those who had been sailing on the monotonous sea of unbroken horizontal - it seemed tremendous. It did not loom over us, rather it smiled down on us - as many a kindly Elf had on my travels. It reminded me of the Lady of the Golden Wood - its summit amused to see such a party finding refuge at her feet, as we had at the foot of her great tree.

[Pil]

Soon I became aware that the ship was barely moving. It created no froth on the inconspicuous waves. The sky had become pitch and each star glimmered and shimmered as a polished diamond. The water reflected them as a mirror of undying love and praise. They were one, the sky and the sea. I felt guilty for breaking their bond with our ship. I glanced around the room and everything shone white. Ah, what a white. Gandalf's face bathed in a light not deathly or cold, but warmer than the deepest of crimson hue. Bilbo was no longer a frail, aged Hobbit, but he seemed as a traveler who had finally returned home. His light seemed to glow from inside him and it glinted on his grand mithril buttons. The moon shined down, content with her work. I have often wondered how I looked on that night when we began to pass through the Pallid Smir; a wall of tiny silver white droplets enclosing the Haven's sea boundaries. Once gone through, there would be no going back.

[Pil]

Beauty stole my breath from my lips, coaxing out every last gasp, with fingers of seducing silk. I felt myself give way to the throbbing air around me, and I dropped onto a small barrel of Elrond's finest wine. I felt as if my eyes were not made quite correctly for such a task as to see everything and miss nothing, for that is what I knew I must do if I was to truly savour that moment. My view was blurred with glinting tears, but I could now make out what had been trying to pick out through the mist.

[Illuvatar]

Nice job Pil...

So far a seemingly warm tale. I like the draw to unknown drama as Bilbo hurts Frodo and Gandalf stroll in. Had me believing that there was another dangerous adventure about to be thrust upon them on their journey to the Havens.

You probably would want to edit post # 3, as directly after this "half blinded by the rising sun as she shone down to greet us. " You've pasted in that section of the story again and it starts over.
:p

Otherwise a very good read, and Thanks.

Illu:cool:

[A! Elbereth]

I LOVE YOU! On one of my posts I freaked out becuase I would never know what had became of Frodo... even tho its an opinion... it seems like it was really in the book! You write just like J.R.R Tolkein... and *whew* I LOVED IT! But I have to admit... I had a huge lump in my throat reading it... becuase I mean.. poor Frodo! His best friends he will never see again, and he cant if wanted to with every fiber in his being... doesnt that just make you want to cry? I mean I got all teary eyed when I read the end of the book... this is worse! (in a good way)
PLEASE! POST MORE! You should enter this into a story contest becuase it could win anything! *Applause*

[Pil]

I'm gonna put my other story up either tonight or tomorrow night. It's about legolas and more informal...i prefer the grey havens one but i still would like to have u guys read this one too! Stay tuned! :whoohoo:

[Beregond]

Awesome. I can't wait.

[Pil]

Soz peeps...i left the floppy at home. I'll b putting the legolas story up tonight though hopefully! :p

[WinterSoul]

Good work Pil!
:)

[Pil]

Thanx! :)

[Aaliyah Baggins]

It was Sad!!

[Bess the Bard]

Pil, I didn't know you had this lovely story lurking in your past. The descriptions are quite beautiful. I especially like

"They were one, the sky and sea. I felt guilty for breaking their bond with our ship."

Did your ever finish it? If so, I'd like to see more.

[Pil]

:elfeek: :o :elfeek:

I thought this would never be found!

Thank you so much Bess for your comments. Unfortunately this story kinda got left unfinished....so i reckon i'll just leave it as a one off kinda thing..... :huh: :p

Glad u like it! :)

[The Lady of Bree]

Such beauty and imagery within your words Pil..... I only wish I would have found this sooner. The Havens too are a favorite subject of mine and just as you I have written about them but mine come to the time when Sam sets sail over the sea to once again set his eyes upon his dear master Frodo.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful tale with us all and I look forward to reading more of your writings!

[Pil]

Thank you so much ladyofbree, and everyone else who has posted. Your comments are so appreciated, they really do mean a lot to me. :)