The sky darkened as the sun cast its final rays of crimson and violet over the waves. The hobbits had just finished their meal and Elara removed their dishes.

"Would you like anything, my lords?" she asked Aragorn and Faramir.

"A pot of strong tea would be excellent," Aragorn told her.

"And the same for me, if you don't mind," added Faramir.

"Of course, right away." Elara curtsied and they thanked her as left with her cart.

"You should go home, Faramir," Aragorn suggested. "There's nothing more you can do here. There's very little I can do, except be here."

"I prefer to be here, if I may," Faramir replied.

"Of course, but be prepared for a long night," Aragorn cautioned.

"Perhaps not as long as you think," commented Arwen, who entered with some bed clothes and warm blankets for the hobbits. Arrangements had been made for them all to sleep in the room, knowing Frodo would feel less vulnerable with his friends around him. After making sure the hobbits were comfortable, Arwen dimmed their lamps and joined Aragorn and Faramir. The three of them sipped their tea silently as the hobbits chatted in their room.

"Aragorn, do you think Frodo will be all right," Faramir asked when their room became silent. "Obvious he can never be the same again, but is there a chance he can find healing and peace?"

"I don't know, Faramir," replied Aragorn thoughtfully. "If he were human that question would be hard to answer optimistically, but if he were human I doubt he could have held up as well as he has."

"Then all we can do is hope for the best."

"And there is hope, Lord Faramir," Arwen stated firmly. "I can give that to him. I am the daughter of Lord Elrond and shall not got with him to the Havens but.." she stopped talking suddenly and became very still. "Excuse me," she said and went quickly into the hobbits' room.

Frodo lay paralysed with fear. No one could help him, he thought, because he was completely alone. His eyes snapped open involuntarily and he gasped, expecting to see the Eye of Sauron before him. Instead, he saw only a soft white light, glowing gently. He blinked, and then saw Arwen by his side.

"Frodo, it's all right," she whispered. Frodo gasped again, but with relief. Then he wept, all emotion he was keeping inside poured out as he lay in Arwen's arms, feeling safe and protected. Arwen simply held him without saying a word until she sensed he was completely at ease. Then she removed her Evenstar pendant and place it around his neck.

"It's a gift," she told him. "When the memory of the fear and darkness troubles you, it will bring you aid." Frodo looked at the white jewel with wonder. "Another gift I have for you," Arwen continued, "when the time comes and if you then desire it, you may pass into the West until all your wounds and weariness are healed."

Frodo was overwhelmed. How could he begin to respond to this? He struggled mentally to find the right words, but all he could say was, "Thank you." Arwen smiled to show him that was more than enough.

"Quel Kaima, sleep well my friend," she said, tucking him back into bed. Frodo did, he was asleep almost before his head touched the pillow. Arwen silently slipped back out to the sitting room.

"Now I understand," Faramir told her. "Frodo can go to the Undying Lands in your place and receive healing that would be impossible on Middle Earth." Arwen nodded. "A remarkable gift, my Queen, and most appropriate. But with great respect, why did you not offer it earlier?"

"The time needed to right," Arwen replied, "with no interrupts or distractions."

Frodo woke the next morning before daybreak feeling unaccountably at peace. He looked around the room. His friends were still asleep and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Then he looked down at the white gem around his neck and remembered what had happened during the night. There was hope for him, he knew that now. He could look forward to peace and healing, if not on Middle Earth, then in the West. He looked out at the sea with its healing waves for a minute, then smiled and went back to sleep.