Return to Valinor

Frodo waited under the great apple tree for Carantaliel and her escort to arrive. Guests had ranged themselves around the glade to watch the proceedings, but Gandalf stood with him under the tree, as did Bilbo. Figwit had remained nearby for support and the hobbit cast an envious glance at the elflord’s placid demeanor.

The wizard sensed his friend’s anxiety and put a calming hand on his shoulder, “Patience, my lad. She will be here soon…”

As if Gandalf’s words had called her, Frodo and the other guests heard happy music coming from down the lane. The maiden escort was singing a joyful canticle as they walked, so different from the sad laments he remembered accompanying the Elves on their way to the Gray Havens as they moved to depart from Middle-earth. The hobbit did not understand all the words and he realized the song must be in Quenya rather than the more common Sindaran that he was used to hearing. He did not bother to strain to translate. That the song had a happy sound to it was enough for him.

Nervously he tugged at his collar. The newly tailored clothes fit perfectly, but he still felt constricted. His pale blue damask waistcoat had been altered to fit him more closely rather than to hang loosely on a wasted frame as when he first arrived in Valinor. The dusty blue trousers and frock coat had both been lengthened to fit him as well. His shirt was pristine white linen and surprisingly soft and fluid. He had been delighted upon donning it to find that someone had embroidered delicate elanor flowers around the cuffs and collar. Due to the formality of the occasion, Frodo had added a dark blue silk cravat, which he was beginning to wish he had forgone. Again, he ran his finger around the tight collar.

At last the procession emerged from the sheltering trees. The ladies of the court came first, all arrayed in muted shades of sea and wood. They continued their blithe refrain as they gathered around the great tree and then Celebrían and Galadriel entered the glade.

Elrond’s lady looked calm and smiled, though Frodo thought she seemed somewhat wistful. He regretted that he still had not entirely won over Carantaliel’s grandmother. Yet, her torment at the hands of the orcs rivaled his own with the Ring. Perhaps it was her deep scars that kept her from feeling the joy of the day. She took a place next to Figwit while Galadriel moved to Frodo’s side. Quietly Fimbelis slipped in behind them bearing a draped item in her slender hands.

And then it was that Carantaliel was revealed, the Light of the Eldar shining brightly within her. Elrond walked solemnly beside his granddaughter, but with a pleasant smile gracing his noble face.

The Elven princess was dressed like the dawn, her raiment hinting at the pale rose of a morning horizon. A wreath of blush roses crowned her red-gold head like the rising of the sun and her clear blue eyes held the promise of a fair sky to come.

Those azure orbs saw only her beloved before her and the smile that lit Carantaliel’s face melted any last corner of despair in Frodo’s heart. Here in this lovely creature was his healing and his salvation. As long as Carantaliel’s love was his, Frodo had no need for dark thoughts.

As she took her place next to Frodo, Elrond placed Carantaliel’s hand in the hobbit’s and murmured, “May the Valar bless you, my friends.”

His granddaughter kissed his smooth cheek and Frodo offered his other hand, which the elflord clasped fervently in both his own.

Then Elrond stepped back a pace as Galadriel moved gracefully before the lovers.

“Rejoice, my friends,” she spoke to those gathered in the glade. “We have not had so much reason to be joyful in such a long span of years. Nor have two such as Carantaliel Tarsulëwen and Frodo Baggins had more reason to be happy than they do today.” Then the Lady of Light spoke directly to the pair, “Cara… Frodo… I know your feelings for one another are strong and unshakeable, but I must remind you that once you have spoken your intentions there is no turning back. You are no longer mortal, Frodo Baggins. If you say you would be wedded to Cara, then it is for now and for all the ages to follow.”

“I am prepared for that, my lady,” Frodo replied without qualm.

“As am I,” echoed Carantaliel.

Galadriel acknowledged their confirmation with a bow of her head then stepped back slightly as Elrond moved again before the couple, this time bearing the draped object he retrieved from Fimbelis. When he removed the veil, the hobbit discovered it was a delicate crystal plate upon which rested a single cake of lembas.

“Lembas…” Frodo sighed.

“Lembas, indeed, my friend,” replied Elrond, his deep resonant voice tinged with amusement, “but not like any lembas you’ve had before…”

The elflord held out the plate for all to see as he explained, “This Elven waybread was baked by Carantaliel herself, signifying that she is offering you sustenance on this journey you have asked her to take with you, Frodo. The ingredients, too, are symbolic. The flour represents plenty and the butter richness in life. The fragrance of the lavender baked into the bread speaks of the beauty of love’s first bloom, while the honey stands for the sweetness of love’s companionship. The lemon is a reminder of the bitterness that may grow when love is neglected.” No one but Galadriel noticed Elrond’s briefest of glances at Celebrían who was standing next to her mother. “All this and more may be in store for your union. Will you share the bread, and therefore this journey, with one another?”

Carantaliel picked up the cake and broke it in half then offered Frodo a bite. Her eyes were shining as she spoke, “Frodo, I would speak to you what is in my heart, but it is so full I hardly know where to begin. I have been sad and lonely for so long I did not remember what bliss was. You have given me hope that the future is not so bleak and empty as I imagined it, but that it holds the promise for much joy and richness. The Valar have brought us together, for what purpose I do not fully understand, but I am grateful to them nonetheless. Will you share this journey with me then?”

She held the bite of lembas to his lips, which he accepted. The bread smelled fragrant and tasted sweet, though with the barest hint of tang. Frodo chewed slowly to savor every crumb and when he swallowed, warmth filled his body. He felt strong and confident, and he loved Carantaliel more in that moment than he ever thought he could love another person.

Holding her gaze, Frodo picked up the other half of the cake and broke off another bite to offer to Carantaliel.

There was no hesitation as he spoke, “Cara, my heart too is filled with much I would say to you. I have lived my life in Middle-earth in a largely masculine world. My mother died when I was a child and I grew happily enough to adulthood with Bilbo. I had the love of many friends and they bore me up in my darkest hours. I was content. I had no thought of marrying at this stage of my life. Nor if I had even entertained it would I thought myself fit to be a spouse.” Frodo reached up to caress her cheek, “But then I met you… I realized that content does not necessarily mean happy. Contentment is a passive emotion and requires no active participation. True happiness is an emotion worth gaining, an opportunity to strive towards joy and goodness. You have made me want to attain happiness, melethnín. And I believe in your company, I may reach it. I too am grateful to the Valar for bringing us together. I have accepted your offer to take this journey. Will you now accept mine?”

Frodo then put the bite of lembas to Carantaliel’s lips and she received it, chewing it as slowly as he had. When she had swallowed, Carantaliel smiled brightly at him and Frodo thought the white-stoned pendant shone even brighter as well. He reached up to caress it and the stone seemed to hum with her life force.

Before Frodo could register his surprise, Gandalf put a hand on each of their shoulders and spoke in his ringing voice, “My Lord Elrond, Lady Galadriel and all those worthies gathered here, Carantaliel and Frodo have accepted one another for this journey. We must help them on the road as best we can. Let no one unravel the knot of love which has bound them together!”

A joyful shout echoed within the glade as Frodo and Carantaliel sealed their pledge with a kiss. Apple blossoms rained down upon them like snow from the great tree above as the reveling began. Such rejoicing had not happened for an age and the merriment could be heard for miles.


The celebration was such a whirlwind of laughter, singing and feasting that Frodo barely registered half of what was happening in the glade. Many of the guests had not seen a hobbit hole and he spent a good deal of time taking them around his new home. There were more than a few surprised comments at how light and airy the dwelling was for being built into the hill, and only a few of the elves actually had to stoop through doorways.

Finally Belegcalion took over the tours and Frodo could return to his new bride. As he exited through the large round door painted a misty blue, the halfling felt that same odd, anxious sensation from earlier in the day. He caught Figwit’s eye across the glade and the elflord nodded slightly. They both stole a quick glance into the woods, but all seemed quiet.

Trying to shrug it off again, Frodo sought out Carantaliel who was speaking seriously with Gandalf.

“Mithrandir, I have had not opportunity to check on Thorondil today. Would you mind terribly going down to the beach before returning to Enedvása?” she asked with concern.

“I will be glad to, my dear,” he assured her. “I should have thought to do it myself.”

“Hannon lle, herumin,” she sighed with relief.

“Don’t give it another thought!”

Carantaliel reached up to salute his weathered cheek with a kiss, which pleased Gandalf a great deal. As she stepped back, however, she saw Lord Figwit heading their way and she was suddenly tense.

Frodo put a calm hand on her shoulder and said, “You have nothing to fear from Figwit, melethnín. I think you should hear him out.”

She did not quite know what to think at his words, but she trusted Frodo and tried to relax as the elflord came upon them. “Mellon nin,” he grinned at Frodo and offered his hand, which the hobbit heartily shook, “Congratulations!”

“Hannon lle, herumin! Hannon lle…” Frodo grinned back easily. Carantaliel was mystified by this display.

Figwit then turned to her and bowed deeply, “Arwenamin … I owe you a profound apology. I would not blame you if chose not to forgive me.”

“Herumin?” she was bewildered by his humility.

“My pride got in the way of both your happiness and my own, truth be told. Though I hold you in the greatest respect, arwenamin, you were right… I do not love you. Those feelings are reserved for another, and have been for some time…” Wistfully Figwit looked in the direction of Fimbelis who was attending Celebrían at a table set up under the apple tree.

“She loves you, herumin,” Carantaliel said earnestly.

He nodded slowly, “Perhaps… but I have treated her ill. Worse than she ever did to me. I still have much for which to atone.”

“If you apologize as sincerely to her as you just did to me then I don’t see why you cannot be back on the road to reconciliation, Figwit,” she assured him.

“Then you forgive me?” he asked hopefully.

“If you will forgive me my churlishness too,” Carantaliel replied. “I did not treat you very well in return.”

Figwit shook his head, “It was well-deserved, but no matter, Cara. Let us forgive one another and be friends.”

Her smile lit up the dusky evening, “I could not receive a better gift from you, mellon nin.”

“You are a gracious lady, Cara,” he kissed her hand. “I am sincere, too, when I say that I wish all the happiness for the ages for you and Frodo.”

Carantaliel squeezed his hand warmly and Figwit bowed to them both and took his leave to seek out Fimbelis.

“That was well done, my girl,” said Gandalf.

“I know how hard it was for Figwit to swallow his pride,” she answered. “I never wanted to be at odds with him. He’s been a devoted and loyal friend to my family for many years. I wish him the best and hope that he and Fimbelis may find their way back to one another soon.”

“I feel sure that they will,” said Frodo.


They were soon caught up again in the reveling, but the groom was beginning to weary of the festivities. “You look tired, Frodo,” murmured Carantaliel as she handed him a pint of good Elvish ale.

He took a tentative sip and licked his lips appreciatively. “It’s been a busy week,” he sighed. After taking a long pull from his tankard the hobbit added, “To be quite honest, I’m ready for our guests to head back to Enedvása so I can have you all to myself.”

“I like that sound of that,” Carantaliel grinned playfully in the moonlight. “You know…” she fingered his cravat, “the party could go on for hours. I don’t think anyone will miss us if we slip away…”

Frodo’s answer required no words as he grabbed her hand and led her through the round blue door. Belegcalion raised an eyebrow at them as they passed through the entry, and his halfling friend put a quiet finger to his lips as he mounted the stairs with his new bride in tow. The architect attempted to look unperturbed as Carantaliel let a quiet giggle escape and in a moment they were gone. It took the elflord only a few moments to clear the home of any touring stragglers.

“Nalmet er vedui!” he sighed lustily as he shut the bedroom door behind them.

Frodo quickly found himself on his back as Carantaliel urged him onto the soft bed saying, “Eglerio Valar!”

His new wife’s eager lips required only one response from his own.


-end of Chapter Sixteen-

"Nalmet er vedui!" -- We are alone (at) last!
"Eglerio Valar!" -- Praise (Glorify) the Valar!