[Child of the 7th Age]

Taure --

I will admit that I have wondered about this question more than once.

First of all, the book clearly states that Frodo loved Bilbo more than any other in the world, and wanted to be with him. So I imagine that initially he spent much time with Bilbo.

My guess is that Bilbo had some modest gains in health and mental clarity because of the simple fact of being in Amon. But I also believe Bilbo needed a great deal of care to help him through the day. Strangely enough, that is what I see Frodo doing. If Frodo truly loved Bilbo with all his heart, he would have done these things with compassion, not minding that they were simple, menial tasks. In effect, he would be learning how to be a "Sam", to be the one who cares for another and provides for their needs.

There is also the question of whether Frodo was able to regain his health in Amon. Tolkien says in his Letters that we don't really know the answer to this. I find it very hard to think of Frodo in Tol Eressea without also believing that he did find a way to be healed, both physically and spiritually.

Again, the beginning of Frodo's healing probably stemmed from his relationship with Bilbo. Frodo strikes me as the kind of hobbit who does better when he gives of himself to others in some way. (The Ring quest incidentally would be an extreme example of this.) I think this is one reason why both Bilbo and Frodo preferred younger friends. They both found fulfillment in looking out for them, offering advise, teaching Sam how to read, etc. Bilbo did need Frodo, and in that need, I believe, lay the possible beginnings of healing.

Incidentally, I don't think it's coincidence that Frodo's health continued to deteriorate after Rosie married Sam. She undoubtedly spent many hours running around and waiting on her houseguest. She did this out of love, but it may not have been the best thing for Frodo. He needed to begin doing things on his own and, even more importantly, to reach out to someone he cared for and help them. This is the role he might play with Bilbo.

In a while, Bilbo must have felt it was time to go beyond the circles of the world. Remember that he could pick and chose his date of death. So I can see a poignant scene where Bilbo "falls asleep" in the arms of the grieving Frodo. Then Frodo would have had more time to get to know his Elven and Maiar neighbors. There would be those he already knew like Galadriel or Gandalf, or later Legolas and the dwarf Gimli. I can see Frodo learning more of Quenya and Sindarin, lstening to songs and poems, meeting some of the fabled Elves of the Silmarillion, perhaps even picking up some Osanwe skills.

No, the latter wasn't the usual province of a hobbit, but Frodo had shown an affinity for this with Gandalf when he carried the Ring. And Osanwe was said to be much easier to do in Amon than in Middle-earth. He'd probably take a trip to Valinor to see the sights there as well.

Finally, Sam would come. They would catch up on each other's news, and decide after a little while that it was time for the final journey. Then they'd have laid down with trust, and fallen asleep to go on to whatever lies beyond.

By the way, look in the fanfiction for Mithadan's Tales of Tol Eressea. These are lovely stories and at least one deals with the hobbits.

sharon, the 7th age hobbit

[ October 16, 2002: Message edited by: Child of the 7th Age ]