Wk14 Bk6 Ch9: The Return to the Shire

[Stormrider]

From: Storrmrider (Original Message) Sent: 6/23/2003 10:15 PM

Mithlond by Alessandro Maccari	Spirit of Frodo by October Rose

Of course, Gandalf was thinking ahead again! He sent for Merry and Pippin to accompany Sam back to the Shire. We could always count on Gandalf to watch out for his hobbit friends!

I guess their individual thoughts were their own way of privately dealing with the departure. They were able to silently return home so that each of them could have the time they needed to put Frodo's departure into perspective and to go on with their lives.

What thoughts do you think went through Sam, Merry, and Pippin's minds as they stood silently together watching the ship vanish and as they made their way home?

How did each deal with accepting Frodo's, Bilbo's, Gandalf's, and their Elf friends departure?

Did knowing that Frodo was going to Valinor help them accept it more easily and put their minds at ease?

[Stormrider]

From: Colleen Sent: 6/26/2003 7:00 PM
I always get the thought that Frodo really 'left' his companions long before he went to the Grey Havens. As a result, this was really the end of a long goodbye. I believe, at least amongst the Hobbits, that it was most difficult for Sam -- but knowing that he'd see Frodo again in Valinor, I'm sure, was at least of some comfort.

Since their reunion on the Pelennor, I felt like Frodo was on the outside looking in on Merry's and Pippen's lives. They still loved Frodo dearly, but they were moving on with their lives while Frodo could not.

Colleen