To: King Aragorn, son of Arathorn,
of the Royal House Strider
Lord of the Reunited Kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor
Royal Palace, Minas Tirith,
the Kingdom of Gondor

From: your loyal subject and friend, Frodo
Bag End, The Shire, Kingdom of Arnor

My dearest Aragorn,

I am writing to you in the still hours before dawn. Before my household awakens and the quiet of a chill midwinter’s night is replaced by the joyful celebration of Yule Day. I wish to share my own joys with those I love who are far away. Hence, the book which accompanies this letter.

This book is my account of what happened during the Quest and the War. I have been working on it since arriving back in the Shire two years ago. I hope you do not mind my conceit in titling it “The War of the Ring and the Return of the King.”

I tried to include the actions and accomplishments of all races and peoples, but it is essentially a hobbit’s tale. Legolas and Gimli stopped by last year while on their way to Erin Luin. They provided the missing details of your travels along the Paths of the Dead.

I have finished writing my part of the tale, though my proofreaders tell me it needs more interesting details. Merry says it needs to include a history of pipeweed. Pippin is keen on inserting all our family genealogies. Ever since he started dating his distant cousin he’s been preoccupied with lineage and tales of the Thains. Samwise wants to add a chapter about hobbits in general, as he believes not many people in your kingdom will automatically know what a hobbit is. And I still await the details on Dwarvish settlements in Moria between the activities by Bilbo, Thorin Oakenshield and Company and now. Gimli promised me this last year. Oh well. I will send any additions to you as they occur.

One thing of note: I changed the ending of the story substantially. You will see that I have myself sailing off to Tol Eressea with Bilbo, Gandalf, the Lady Galadriel, Lord Elrond, Lord Cirdan and the other elves. I did this so that any who read the tale will believe I have left Middle Earth for good. That way they will not be tempted to try and find me. It is not that I have become a recluse, though Sam nags at me for failing to attend each and every social event in the Shire. He will be elected Mayor some day if he keeps that up!

The reason I wish to “disappear” is more personal. I fear for the safety of those close to me. In case word has not reached you yet, the Captain of the reorganized Easterling Army has placed a bounty on both our heads. I doubt if you have anything to worry about since you are protected night and day by the Royal Guard. I, on the other hand, am a private citizen living in a poorly-patrolled area of the Northern Kingdom.

Two attempts on my life have already occurred – one within the Shire and one while on a trip to Rivendell. Merry and Pippin have organized the Shire Muster (our border patrol), but it is quite easy for a determined Man to cross into the Shire at any number of points. The good Big Folk of Bree, supported by Master Barliman Butterbur, are assisting the Buckland Patrol in policing the East Road between the Brandywine Bridge and Bree’s West Gate. But more and more Big Folk refugees are settling into the Wild around the Greenway, placing them in close proximity to the South Farthing. I fear more will be tempted to locate the Halfling Ringbearer of the Nine Fingers, and bring his head on a pike back to claim the reward.

If it was simply myself in danger, I would have truly left a long time ago. But I am afraid for my family – Iris, Sam, Rosie, and little Elanor (Sam’s daughter). Iris has already suffered as a hostage in the incident on the Road to Rivendell, and I fear the same might happen to the others.

Therefore I have rewritten the tale so that I am no longer present in Middle Earth. Would you ensure that the story is copied and told so that the rumor of my “death” is spread? If enough people hear it, they might start to believe it and leave the Shire alone.

I know you and Queen Arwen were disappointed that Iris and I chose to remain in the Shire instead of coming to Minas Tirith. Your offer to become your councilor was very gracious. I accept, but will remain here in the Shire. Perhaps some day some of us will make the long journey South to visit. Or perhaps you and your lovely Queen will come North to reestablish a royal city in Arnor. Bag End is not as elegant or sophisticated as Minas Tirith, but I know you have slept in far worse locations. We would be honored to have you as our guests any time you wish to come. I do need a little bit of a warning, so that the Shire border patrols allow you inside.

As for myself, I am content for the most part. I still endure bad days when the memories and pain threaten to overwhelm me. But with the help of my beloved wife and physician, your dear Queen’s pendant, and my dearest soul mate, Sam, I am finally “home.” I spend my days organizing and translating the Elvish histories Bilbo began. They are a jumbled mess. I do not know if I will ever succeed at the task, but I shall continue to plug away at it.

I wrote a little adventure book for a Hobbiton lad, and now must write two more for his sisters and another for a neighboring family. It has become the fashion in Hobbiton to own a child’s adventure book. Sam has already asked me to oversee Elanor’s education, and the Underhill children come once a week to the little classroom I have set up at Bag End #3 to learn their letters. Perhaps I am destined to be a teacher. I can think of no more noble profession.

Ah – I hear Rosie putting the kettle on to boil in the kitchen. She is well along with her second child and is up early. Sam will soon have a son to add to our joint family. Yule has started, and I must away to awaken my bride with her gift.

May joy precede and contentment follow your footsteps, my King and my friend.

Your loyal subject,
Frodo Baggins
Bag End, The Shire, Arnor