Return to Valinor

Bilbo found Frodo dozing in a chair by the open terrace. Another day had brought even more miraculous help from the unknown source. Still, Frodo worked very hard on his new dwelling and he nodded off before he even realized he had settled in his chair.

“Wake up! Wake up, my boy! It’s almost time for dinner…”

“Wha…?” Frodo started. “Dinner?” Shaking the cobwebs from his mind, he realized his kinsman stood before him, jostling him awake. “Oh! Bilbo… you go on ahead. I’m very weary and not really that hungry at the moment.”

“Gandalf said not to take ‘no’ for an answer,” the older hobbit said pulling Frodo out of the chair. “He said there is a surprise waiting for you in the dining hall.”

“No thank you. The last surprise I got there I ended up in bed for several days.”

Bilbo looked him squarely in the eyes, “Humph! Don’t be an old stick in the mud. You haven’t joined us for dinner in weeks. You’ve been missed.”

“That’s kind of you to say, Bilbo, but…”

“What if the Lady Galadriel asked?”

Frodo raised an eyebrow, “Did she?”

“Well… no…” Bilbo blustered, “but I will get her to!”

The younger hobbit was ready to challenge his kinsman to do just that, but suddenly he gave in and said, “Very well. But I won’t be staying up singing into all hours of the night with you. I need to get back to the clearing early tomorrow.”

“Whatever you say, my boy. Just get cleaned up and put on a nice suit of clothes. Really, you’ve been looking quite disreputable lately. Those trousers of yours have shrunk!”

Frodo looked down at his trouser legs and suddenly discovered they had gotten quite short on him. As if he did not already have his hands full bartering with the different artisans on designs for his home, now he had to find a tailor?

With assurances that he would follow him soon to the dining hall, Frodo sent Bilbo on his way and wearily headed for his bathing chamber.


Carantaliel greeted Lord Elrond joyfully upon his entrance into to dining hall.

“My lord, I am happy to be home and even happier to see you again,” she said with a brief kiss on his lean cheek.

“And I you, Cara,” he replied. “Was your mission successful?”

A fleeting look of confusion crossed her delicate features. However, she pushed her doubts about the Ainur’s message aside to turn to her companion and say, “Fimbelis, come meet my grandfather. My lord, this is Fimbelis, daughter of Galion of Mirkwood. It was my task – and my pleasure – to accompany her here to Enedvása.”

“Mae govannen , Fimbelis,” he greeted her formally with a slight bow.

Her response was a deep curtsey with a breathless, “Hannon lle, herumin.”

“I hope you will like here by the Sea. It is much different than the dense forest of Mirkwood.”

“It is indeed, my lord,” Fimbelis answered. “It is taking some getting used to, but I will learn to bear it eventually. I have come to make amends to one who is dear to me, and the discomfort is worth the effort.”

“Which reminds me…” said Carantaliel. “Have you seen Lord Figwit, my lord?”

“Figwit?” Elrond raised a tapered eyebrow. “Not yet this evening. Shall I send him to you when I do?”

The smile on Carantaliel’s face gave Elrond pause. He sensed it did not bode well for the elflord. However, after his last conversation with his granddaughter regarding her suitors he decided to remain out of her personal affairs unless asked otherwise. Lord Figwit had to fend for himself.


With a yawn Frodo entered the dining hall. He had all the things he needed to do in the morning on his mind, so he did not pay attention to anyone or anything at first. It took him a few moments then to see that Belegcalion had hailed him from across the room.

“Your pardon, my lord,” he apologized. “I feel like I’m walking in my sleep.”

“You should take a day off, my friend,” chuckled the architect. “You’ve been working very hard.”

“There’s so much to do!”

Belegcalion nodded, “But I think you will have to for a day or two. Those supplies you need will not come to Enedvása for several days, and I don’t think your mysterious benefactor can provide them overnight.”

Frowning, Frodo sighed. “It can’t be helped, I suppose. Well, I have other things I can do in the meantime. I’ve been wanting to transplant some bushes and trees…”

“Ah, then there is someone you should meet…” he looked around the room. “I cannot see him. Let me go find him…”

Before Frodo could protest, the elflord was off searching for his elusive friend. Too weary to worry, he decided to look for Bilbo and Gandalf.

First glance showed no sign of his friends either and he seriously considered heading back to his room. Once again he paid little attention to anyone else as he started for the door, so Frodo was startled to hear a sultry voice ask, “So, Frodo Baggins, you have finally returned?”

When Frodo looked up he blinked hard as he thought he might be dreaming again. Before him was Carantaliel in that same indigo dress from his vision, carrying a graceful ewer and drinking vessels. Her smile was gently teasing as if she knew a secret he did not, but as his azure eyes met hers Carantaliel’s gaze softened tenderly and her smile grew into a breathless laugh.

He stared dumbly at her for a long moment, still unsure if she was really there. Finally he murmured, “Cara?”

“Are you all right, Frodo?” she cocked her head in puzzlement.

Suddenly the otherworldliness of the moment passed and he grinned awkwardly, “I’m… I’m fine! I just didn’t expect to see you! This is a welcome surprise indeed!”

“I’ve heard you’ve been very busy while I was away. Do come sit down with us and tell me all about it,” she invited eagerly.

“Us?” he asked warily. “I don’t want to intrude…” He thought perhaps Lord Figwit might be at her table.

“It’s no intrusion at all,” she assured him. “I’d like you to meet a new friend…”

Frodo was introduced to Fimbelis who was very keen to ask him questions about his quest and the Fellowship. He would rather not discuss the ordeal, but nevertheless answered all her questions patiently. As they were mostly general inquiries, he found it not as difficult as he first anticipated.

“How was Prince Legolas when you last saw him, Master Baggins?” she asked eagerly.

“Must you always torment me with talk of Legolas, Fimbelis?” asked an angry Figwit who seemed to appear from nowhere. “I hoped in coming to Enedvása I would be spared from his overwhelming presence.”

Fimbelis blushed fiercely, appalled that the object of her affections should overhear talk of his now nonexistent rival. She tried to voice an apology, but the words stuck in her mouth.

Instead Carantaliel spoke up for her friend. “Fimbelis and Legolas have known each other since they were children, my lord,” she said reasonably. “It is only natural she should ask about a childhood friend from someone who has knowledge of him.”

Figwit raised an eyebrow at her then turned to Frodo expectantly. Uncertain of just what was expected of him, he looked to Carantaliel who encouraged him to answer with a barely perceptible nod.

“Er…” he stammered a little, “Legolas is well, my lady. Last I heard he was still off traveling with Gimli the Dwarf. They are surprisingly good friends.”

Carantaliel then nudged Fimbelis ever so slightly who got the message and replied with forced brightness, “I am glad to hear it, Master Baggins. It sounds like he will stay in Middle Earth for some time. Dwarves live a good, long while, do they not?”

“They do indeed, my lady,” he concurred.

The elflord’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he did not speak again. Carantaliel saw sadness deep behind his aloof mask and her heart thawed a little for him. She still had no romantic feelings for him, but perhaps she would refrain from baiting him so openly in the future.

Giving them all a curt nod, Figwit turned on his heel and headed for the other side of the hall. Frodo breathed a sigh of relief, but Fimbelis would have followed after the elflord if Carantaliel had not grabbed her hand to keep her at the table.

“You do not owe him an explanation, Fimbelis,” she whispered. “Leave him be for now.”

Looking from one she-elf to the other, the hobbit realized there was some machinations going on that were beyond him, so he refrained from commenting on the last few minutes.

Dinner was served soon after that and Bilbo and Gandalf joined them at the table to eat. The antics of the pair distracted them all from the tense moments of before, and the bad feelings were quickly dissolved.

Between the moments of hilarity, Carantaliel asked Frodo about his project, which he readily shared with her.

“This hobbit hole sounds curious, Frodo,” she said. “I cannot wait to see it.”

“You’re welcome anytime, Cara,” he replied gallantly. “However, be prepared to be put to work if you do!”

Laughing lightly, Carantaliel said, “I shall consider myself warned!”


-end of Chapter Seven-

Hannon lle, herumin - Thank you, my lord