It's Quiet in the Shire
So Avram and I were going back and forth on Twitter last night, playing with Hamilton and Lord of the Rings. After a day's steeping, this is what I typed out instead of doing what I should be doing right now. (Original here.)
[GALADRIEL]
There are prices that the stories don't count,
There is suffering too terrible for songs.
You bear the Ring as long as you can.
The aftermath is unimaginable.
That moment at the end of things
It feels easier to fall into the fire.
[GALADRIEL/ELVES]
The hobbits return to the Shire
And learn to live with the unimaginable.
[SAMWISE]
I spend hours in the garden
And sit and smoke by the door.
And it's quiet in town;
I never liked the quiet before.
[FRODO]
When I walk the woods in summer
A longing that I can't ignore
I miss home.
That never used to happen before.
[ELVES]
If you see him in the woods
Walking by himself
Singing to himself
Have pity.
[FRODO]
Gollum, you would like it in the Shire
There is fishing in the Shire.
[ELVES]
He is working through the unimaginable
[RANGERS]
His skin is so pale.
His hands are so frail.
They say he haunts the woods like a spirit.
[FRODO]
And every year, I fall apart.
[ELVES]
Can you imagine?
[FRODO]
Look at where I am.
Look at me and Sam.
I know we're only mortals, just hobbits.
But hear me out. That would be enough.
If I could leave this world,
If I could flee from Middle-Earth,
I'd be on the road right now
And I'd forget, and that would be enough.
I don't pretend to know
The weight of what we carried.
I know the damage buried in my flesh.
And you go West.
But I'm not alone.
I walk with your people.
Just let me walk you to the shore.
That would be enough.
[ELVES]
If you meet him on the road,
Walking through the Shire,
Longing for the sea,
Have pity.
[FRODO]
Samwise, do you like it in the Shire?
It's quiet in the Shire.
[ELVES]
They are trying to bear the unimaginable.
See them standing on the ship,
Ready for the trip.
Ready for the journey to the Havens.
[BILBO]
Is it you? Is it you, young Frodo?
[ELVES]
It is time to leave the unimaginable.
[GALADRIEL]
There are journeys that the Ring can't shape.
There is a home too far away to leave.
We sail away from what we never cease to love
To leave behind the unimaginable.
They are standing by the mainmast,
Bilbo Baggins by his nephew's side.
He lights his pipe.
[FRODO]
It's quiet on board.
[ELVES]
The Grey Havens. Can you imagine?
The Grey Havens. Can you imagine?
If you see Sam at the shore
Waiting for the ship,
Watching for the ship,
Have pity.
He's the last to bear the unimaginable.