Tolkien Fan Fiction
| 41 |
| The Empty Shell |
Written for the LOTR Beauty of Arda poetic challenge. For Rhyselle for her birthday. Beta by Lindelea. |
He lay 'neath boughs of swaying beech, the leaves all fluttering, out of reach. Spring was now come, fulfilling each! It seemed life was his once more. All rejoiced in firm belief that gone fore'er were pain and grief. But as he watched each flutt'ring leaf he found his heart yet sore. Although the winter'd warmed and thawed, and all greeted him with praise and laud, he looked upon the trodden sod, knew himself worth nothing more. For joy was tempered with death and loss, scars barely hidden beneath the gloss of bright array, and he but dross, or so the doubts his dreams tore. Crowned was King, and raised was song! New Lord acclaimed by joyful throng. Yet he felt himself still in the wrong since he'd lost the Ring he once bore. Home he went, but it, too, was scarred for none had thought the Shire to guard. But even with gates now closed and barred he knew they could not ignore The outer world, for it was wide in which much evil might yet abide. The Little Folk couldn't think to hide from what might yet prove in store. Though Shire was scoured of evil Men, surely they might yet come again. (And the Sea, he knew, it called to him, its waves a constant roar.) Others the evil did chase away, Sam saw trees planted anew to sway in summer winds that among them play, and the damage did restore. But Frodo alone could find no cheer amidst the plenty or the laughter dear. It seemed he alone yet grief did fear, his heart but an empty core. He penned the tale of evil faced by folk of all sorts, and so he traced the history of Ring and challenge, and laced it all with ancient lore. But still he found he faded yet, his pain and loss could not forget. At last he knew a new course was set if his hope he would restore. He knew all now was at an end, the Shire no longer his to tend. He saddled pony, and with his friend went West in search of more. His sacrifice was now complete as those aboard the ship did greet his coming. Now all was mete as they sailed to distant shore. Now Sam was left behind to grieve to know his Master had had to leave behind all he'd loved. Now, all bereaved, Sam turned for home once more. Rosie's greeting was gentle kiss, drew him in, set his darling miss upon his lap, and fulfilled all this with the closing of the door. Yet Sam found he must daily cope with loss and grief, and through them grope to know each day's full joy with the hope Frodo's Light would shine once more. |