~* Rivendell, September 21, 3019 *~

            At long last, the travelers came upon the valley of Rivendell.  The lights from the house of Elrond shone brightly, even to the place where they stood.  The journey had been long, and filled with sorrowful memories for Sam, he longed for rest.

            Slowly the travelers descended into the valley, crossing the bridge, the came upon the house.  Sam's mind drifted back to the moment when they had arrived in the valley almost a year ago; Frodo had been carried ahead of them by Glorfindel.  They had thought Frodo was to die then, but he had somehow lived.

              The doors to the house opened, and they were welcomed in.  Joy and song filled the house at Elrond's arrival.  But the hobbits did not join in; they set off to find Bilbo as soon as they arrived.

            They found the old hobbit in his room, sleeping peacefully in front of his fire.  As they entered, he opened his eyes and looked up at them.  "I see you're made it back," Bilbo said, staring around at the group of them.  His eyes shifted between them, and then tears filled his eyes.  "My dear boy," he muttered through the tears.  "And tomorrow is my birthday too."  The hobbits nodded, and came to comfort the old hobbit.  Sam stayed behind in the corner, his eyes glazed with tears.  All night they stayed with the old hobbit, sitting in silence.  For a time, Bilbo would seem that he had forgotten all about Frodo's death; then there would be times when the memory was clear, and he would cry in anguish. 

            The next day was the celebration of Bilbo's 129th birthday.  "In one more year, if I am spared, I shall equal Old Took," he had said.  There was much celebration and feasting, though their hearts were not into it.  For this day would have been Frodo's fifty-first birthday.  The hobbits tried to keep this from their minds, for Bilbo seemed so cheerful, as if he had forgotten that Frodo had died. 

But, Sam was not able to contain his sorrow.  During the celebration, he had broken down in tears.  Everyone else was so cheerful, but Sam's heart was overwhelmed with sorrow.  Even here in the fortress of Imladris, where he was at rest, he could not find peace and comfort.  The memories continually haunted him.  His mind could still picture Frodo's pale face, as if it was happening now.  At night his dreams were filled with the memories, during the day it was all he thought about.  It seemed there was no time or place where he could escape. 

His mind drifted again to Frodo.  Such a short time had he lived, and now, he was not able to share in the joy of his "uncle".  He was never able to hear his tale told, or even greet the one who was like a father to him. 

The other hobbits gathered around Sam, trying to comfort him.  But he pushed through them, and fled down the hall, and past the elves, who tried to stop him.  Tears flooded down his face, blocking his vision, but he continued to run.  He knew not where he was fleeing to, but he longed to get away from this.  The pain had never lessened; it only worsened with time.

Finally, he was stopped when he ran into an elf.  "Sorry," he muttered, and tried to walk away, but the elf stopped him.  Through the tears, he looked up at the elf's face, and saw it was Elrond. 

"I know what you seek," Elrond said.  "You seek freedom from you pain, but it is not to be found.  There is but one place that you can find healing, though it is only temporary.  When the time comes, you may follow us, if you wish."  And with that, he left Sam, and continued along the hall. 

For a moment, Sam contemplated over what Elrond had just said.  He did not know what he was talking about, but later he would.  Now, he longed for this healing Elrond talked about. 

After trying to dry his tears, Sam returned to the celebration.  He still did not take part, his mind was lost in thought, but no more tears did he shed. 

For many days, the hobbits continued to stay in Rivendell.  Most of their time was spent talking with Bilbo in his room.  They were careful not to mention anything about their journey, especially when Sam was around.  He stayed with Bilbo less, but spent much time alone in his room. 

Merry and Pippin talked much with Bilbo about the journey, and he tried to record everything, but often he would doze off, and then wake up, and they would continue the story from where Bilbo had dozed off. 

Bilbo did have one chance to talk to Sam alone, and the subject of his journey was finally brought up.  "Tell me of your journey Sam," Bilbo said, seeming to have forgotten what Sam had gone through.  "I have heard the rest from Merry and Pippin, but you have told me nothing."  Sam sighed, trying to begin, his eyes filled with tears.  His mind drifted back to that day, when they left for Mordor. 

"No, Sam.  Go back, Sam.  I'm going to Mordor alone."  Sam had waded farther into the water, not heeding Frodo. 

"And I'm coming with you." 

"You can't swim Sam.  Sam!"  Frodo had screamed, and the rest was a blur.  He had sunk under the water, almost drowning, and then Frodo had pulled him out, saving his life. 

"I made a promise, Mr. Frodo a promise: 'Don't you leave him, Samwise Gamgee' and I don't mean to, I don't mean to."