Return to Valinor

Carantaliel thought a great deal about what Elrond had said to her while she rode to Valimar, the great city of Valinor. Why she was chosen to go was not made known to her and she was beginning to wonder if there was an ulterior motive behind it.

When Galadriel had sent for her from Frodo’s room, she did not think much of it. The Lady of Light did ask her after all to look after him and Bilbo and it was natural that she would be found there.

When she answered the summons, Galadriel told her that a message needed to be delivered to her from Valimar and it had been requested that Carantaliel be the message bearer. Carantaliel, of course, agreed without question.

She was questioning now. Why was everyone so concerned with her feelings for the hobbit? They had only just met a few days ago. “Was it really less than a week?” she mused. “It seems longer…”

Truth be told, her affection for Frodo was growing stronger with each passing moment. She could not explain it and so she refused to try. She had not given in to deep emotions for such a very long time and there was something about Frodo that stirred them in her once more.

She hoped Frodo would be all right now she was gone. The she-elf had not had much time to pen a note to him to explain her absence. Carantaliel would have to trust that her kinsmen would provide that explanation for her.



Frodo studied the beautiful Elvish script on the front of the parchment Elrond handed him. The lines were graceful and feminine even in the haste with which they were penned. Carefully, he unfolded the note and read, “Frodo, forgive the dispatch with which I must write to you now. I am sent to Valimar. For what purpose I cannot even tell… I hope it will be a brief trip, but I cannot be certain until I know my errand in full. I hope this finds you well and that you will continue to grow in strength in the time I am gone. Please convey my best wishes to Bilbo as well. Until I return… Cara.”

“Is everything all right, Lord Elrond?” asked Frodo as he folded the letter again. “The lady seems as bewildered as I at her sudden departure.”

“As far as I know all is well,” he explained. “Carantaliel was called by the Valar to Valimar to deliver a message back here to the Lady of Light.”

“I see,” answered Frodo, although he really did not see at all. “The Valar, you say? It must be a very important message indeed to send for her for this one task.”

“I suppose we shall see when she returns,” was Elrond’s only reply. “Come now, Frodo. How are you feeling today? You seem to have a little more color.”

“I am feeling much better, my lord. Yet, I must say that I am tired of feeling poorly. I haven’t felt myself since before I left on the quest. Do you think it’s possible that I will gain any measure of my health back?”

Elrond shrugged lightly, “I am rather surprised that you do not feel more like your old self already, my friend.”

“What can I do to get it back?”

“Honestly I do not know, Frodo,” Elrond’s brow furrowed deeply. “I would suggest trying to get into a routine of sorts. What you might do at home in Hobbiton.”

“That’s funny you should mention that,” the hobbit said thoughtfully. “Bilbo and I were just talking earlier how we rather missed living in our hobbit hole. If I were stronger, I’d dig it myself…” he sighed.

“There is nothing like that here,” mused the elflord. “However, I cannot imagine that it would be out of the question to come up with something similar. In the meantime, why don’t you start with something a bit less ambitious? Some gardening perhaps?”

Frodo considered the idea for a moment then replied, “Sam used to do all the gardening, but I think I could give it a try.”

“Pick a spot then,” Elrond offered. “Anywhere you like. There are plenty of plants and flowers in the area from which to choose. Find what you need and get started whenever you are ready.”

“Perhaps I will,” said Frodo. “Thank you, my lord.”

Elrond left Frodo’s chambers feeling relieved to have distracted the hobbit from further thoughts of his granddaughter so easily. He did not want to interfere with either of the pair, for his affection for both was deep and abiding. However, the Elven lord did not see how a deepening relationship between the two would be beneficial to either. In helping Frodo to regain his health, the hobbit would then not need to rely on Carantaliel as he had so far since coming to Valinor. Nor would the she-elf then be moved by Frodo’s wounded and flagging spirit.



The next day Frodo felt a great deal better and decided that it was time to start his new routine. He figured that he should first walk around the area and get the lay of the land, seeing if there was a good spot for a garden and where he might find plants and flowers to put in it. He asked Bilbo and Gandalf to join him, but neither the hobbit nor the wizard was interested in accompanying him at present.

So, alone, Frodo set out on his walk taking a path that led away from the Sea and into the woods. He did not have to walk very far. Within a half an hour, the hobbit found a glade in the middle of the woods. It was unexpected and rather large with a sloping hill on the left leading to another copse of impressive trees. On the right was a winding brook, bubbling with happy music as the water washed over the rocks and down a little waterfall. It was the most charming spot Frodo had visited in some time and he sat down in the middle of the glade to enjoy the sunshine as it bathed the lawn in bright light.

“You know,” Frodo mused to himself, “this would be an ideal spot for a hobbit hole. When I’m strong enough…”

He considered that thought for a long time. Would he ever be strong enough for such a large undertaking? Lord Elrond seemed to think he should be getting healthier now he was in Valinor. He had to admit he did feel rather hopeful for the first time in a long time.

Not feeling any need to search longer, Frodo settled in the grass and closed his eyes. Having seen the beauty of the glade, he now drank in the fragrance of it, the scent of the grass beneath him, the earthiness of the trees and the headiness of the wild roses that grew over the brook. Between the redolent blossoms and the melodious stream, Frodo grew drowsy and was soon fast asleep.

While slumbering, Frodo had the most amazing dream.

He dreamed he was walking in the woods again, this time in a different part of the forest. It felt safe and familiar although Frodo did not recognize where he was in particular. Above him the trees seemed to be whispering, communicating with one another excitedly in a way that he did not understand, yet instinctively knew was not harmful to him.

In a way, the murmuring trees seemed to be leading Frodo, directing him onward to some unknown place. Yet, Frodo was not concerned. He knew the trees would not betray him.

He walked a long while and enjoyed the time he spent wandering the forest. Finally, though, Frodo stopped at the edge of a clearing. It was not the same glade he found earlier, for this one was ringed with Elven statuary. The spot reminded him a bit of Lothlórien, for the area was not bright with sunlight but was glowing with starlight. In the center of the clearing was a basin similar to Galadriel’s mirror, though it was smaller with a gurgling fountain in the center.

Frodo approached the basin and as he drew nearer a sudden thirst came over him. Yet, he did not know if it was permissible to drink the water. He looked at the water longingly, parched and suddenly weary, when he heard a familiar voice say, “Are you thirsty, Frodo Baggins?”

Turning, Frodo found Carantaliel near the fountain, ewer and vessel in hand. She was tantalizingly close to him, but the hobbit could not bring himself to touch her. The Elven princess was even more beautiful than he remembered her. She was a radiant star in the midst of the glade’s quiet glow, her blue-green eyes glittering like deep gemstones and red-gold hair smoldering like newly stirred embers in a banked fire. Clothed in indigo blue, the filmy gown lifted teasingly in the slight breeze, the bright silk parting slightly to expose the perfection of her alabaster skin.

Frodo found himself saying, “My lady, I am, but I did not know if it was safe to drink the water.”

Carantaliel began to pour water into the cup as she said, “It is not safe for all, Master Baggins. Few are allowed, but you have been chosen worthy enough to take all that you require from this vessel.”

As she handed Frodo the cup, their fingertips met and a physical spark seemed to pass through them. He quickly looked up at her and Carantaliel’s gaze seemed to urge him to drink his fill.

Drinking slowly, he did not let his eyes waver from hers. When the first cup was finished, he drank another… and another… and another until the ewer was empty.

“Is there more?” he asked.

“There is as much as you need, Frodo,” she replied in a sultry voice. “You have but to ask…”

Frodo stood considering her for a long moment. His thirst was slaked for the time being, though he knew not for long. Taking the ewer and cup from her, he set them nearby and then took each one of her slender hands in his. Tenderly, he kissed first the palm of her left hand and then the right in thanksgiving and said, “Cara, I thank you for your kindness and your goodness. You have given me much that I cannot repay.”

Leaning close to him, Carantaliel answered, “No recompense is necessary,” and lifting her two hands to his face she bent to kiss him. Frodo’s heart raced as he awaited that delicate caress of lips…

Suddenly Frodo started awake, his heart still beating excitedly. He glanced warily around the glade, looking to see what had awakened him, but all was quiet.

He sat there for a few more moments, trying to get his heart to slow down, when he noticed a small stone table to one side of the brook. On that table was an earthenware jug and cup and suddenly Frodo was very thirsty.

Without giving his dream a second thought, Frodo leapt up and seized the jug, pouring himself a draught into the cup. He drank the water that was in it greedily, his thirst seeming to grow worse with each drop he drank. The water was sweet and delicious and Frodo drank the entire jug before he even knew it.

It was only afterward as he was walking back to the palace that Frodo contemplated from where the water might have come. Finally, he theorized that someone from Galadriel’s household had found him and left the water to refresh him before returning. It was the only logical explanation and he soon forgot about it.

His dream, however, stayed with him a long time. Why had Carantaliel appeared in his dream? Where was this place? Did the Elven statuary have any meaning? What was the significance of the water and vessels?

Frodo thought about discussing it with Gandalf and Bilbo, but then decided the dream was too personal even to share with the two of them. Perhaps Carantaliel could provide an explanation when she returned from Valimar. He hoped her journey was proving a safe one.


-end of Chapter Four-