Many Partings

           WhenthedaysofrejoicingwereoveratlasttheCompanionsthoughtofreturningtotheirownhomes.AndFrodowenttotheKingashewassittingwiththeQueenArwenbythefountain,andshesangasongofValinor,whiletheTreegrewandblossomed.TheywelcomedFrodoandrosetogreethim;andAragornsaid:

           "Iknowwhatyouhavecometosay,Frodo:youwishtoreturntoyourownhome.Well,dearestfriend,thetreegrowsbestinthelandofitssires;butforyouinallthelandsoftheWesttherewilleverbeawelcome.Andthoughyourpeoplehavehadlittlefameinthelegendsofthegreat,theywillnowhavemorerenownthananywiderealmsthatarenomore."

           "ItistruethatIwishtogobacktotheShire,"saidFrodo."ButfirstImustgotoRivendell.Foriftherecouldbeanythingwantinginatimesoblessed,ImissedBilbo;andIwasgrievedwhenamongallthehouseholdofElrondIsawthathewasnotcome."

           "Doyouwonderatthat,Ring-bearer?"saidArwen."Foryouknowthepowerofthatthingwhichisnowdestroyed;andallthatwasdonebythatpowerisnowpassingaway.Butyourkinsmanpossessedthisthinglongerthanyou.Heisancientinyearsnow,accordingtohiskind;andheawaitsyou,forhewillnotagainmakeanylongjourneysaveone."

           "ThenIbegleavetodepartsoon,"saidFrodo.

           "Insevendayswewillgo,"saidAragorn."Forweshallridewithyoufarontheroad,evenasfarasthecountryofRohan.