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Chapter 6
MANY PARTINGS
When the days of rejoicing were over at last the Companions
thought of returning to their own homes. And Frodo went to
the King as he was sitting with the Queen Arwen by the
fountain, and she sang a song of Valinor, while the Tree grew
and blossomed. They welcomed Frodo and rose to greet him;
and Aragorn said:
‘I know what you have come to say, Frodo: you wish to
return to your own home. Well, dearest friend, the tree grows
best in the land of its sires; but for you in all the lands of the
West there will ever be a welcome. And though your people
have had little fame in the legends of the great, they will now
have more renown than many wide realms that are no more.’
‘It is true that I wish to go back to the Shire,’ said Frodo.
‘But first I must go to Rivendell. For if there could be anything
wanting in a time so blessed, I missed Bilbo; and I was
grieved when among all the household of Elrond I saw that
he was not come.’
‘Do you wonder at that, Ring-bearer?’ said Arwen. ‘For
you know the power of that thing which is now destroyed;
and all that was done by that power is now passing away. But
your kinsman possessed this thing longer than you. He is
ancient in years now, according to his kind; and he awaits
you, for he will not again make any long journey save one.’
‘Then I beg leave to depart soon,’ said Frodo.
‘In seven days we will go,’ said Aragorn. ‘For we shall ride
with you far on the road, even as far as the country of Rohan.
In three days now Éomer will return hither to bear Théoden
back to rest in the Mark, and we shall ride with him to honour
the fallen. But now before you go I will confirm the words
that Faramir spoke to you, and you are made free for ever of