August 16, 2004

Re: the Last Ship
Everett

Rosie, I'm tempted to tell to read the book and leave it at that, but I won't.

Frodo is permitted to sail to the Undying Lands because of what he endured as the Ringbearer. Simply put, bearing the Ring from The Shire to Orodruin (Mount Doom) takes so much out of him that there is no place on Middle Earth, including The Shire, Rivendell and Lorien, where he can find peace and refreshment. Because of this, and out of gratitude for his role in the destruction of the Ring, the Elves and Gandalf (I suspect Gandalf played a very significant role in this, he being a high-ranking Maia) decide to permit Frodo and Bilbo (for discovering and keeping the Ring safe for so long) to accompany them to the Undying Lands. Indeed, Sam, because he is also a Ringbearer, will one day be permitted to sail to the Undying Lands to be with Frodo (and possibly Bilbo) and live out the remainder of his days in peace.