A Homecoming Story
John Ronald lay in bed struggling to breathe, each drag more laborious than the previous. He knew the end was near, his lungs were filling with blood and fluid faster than his body could work to clear them. Making peace with the inevitable, he closed his eyes and waited. His wife had long since crossed over and there was nothing left for him to hang on to in this world. His kids, standing at his side in these final moments, would get on just fine after he’d gone. They were supposed to outlive him anyway.
At ease, he began to drift. Aimless at first but soon he was riding the crest of a current pulling him toward the light. Moving faster as his life passed before him until he was immersed in the glow. Everything faded in an instant as he crossed the threshold. Nothing more than a brief flash before arriving in a small shire on the other side.
Drawing in a long easy breath, he surveyed his new, yet familiar surroundings. There was an energy about this place that bristled through the thick morning mist. Although he could only glimpse moments of movement through the scattering sunlight, the bustle of this place was evident. The inhabitants flitted and danced about their business, filling the sweetly scented air with joy, song and raucous laughter.
As the air cleared and the scene settled into focus a shoeless half-man in a green vest, grey shirt and potato sack pants stepped up next to him. The halfling paused, taking a moment to look out across the scene before them. Then scrunching up his face he spoke, “Welcome! Welcome, Mr. Tolkien, it is a pleasure to have you back in Hobbiton. Your place in the hillside is ready for you and as luck would have it, you are just in time for second breakfast.”
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Sadje’s What Do You See? #197.
Image Prompt: Click Here
Date: 2023-07-31
Tags: #wdys, #WhatDoYouSee
Fandango’s One Word Challenge.
Prompt Word: arrive
Date: 2023-07-30 | Tags: #fowc
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I loved this ending, he went back home.
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This is just perfect Greg. Thanks for joining in and bringing the great author with you too.
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Nicely done!
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It also reminded me of Tolkien’s story “Leaf by Niggle”. After the painter Niggle dies (called the journey in the story), he finally comes to a land and sees the tree he spent his life working on standing there vividly before him. It’s one of his few allegorical pieces.
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I am not familiar with that story. Now I will have to look it up.
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I was reminded recently, in looking up something else about him, that he didn’t like allegory generally speaking.
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No he didn’t like allegory. He mentions this in the prologue of The Lord of the Rings. Nevertheless his two stories Leaf By Niggle and Smith of Wootton Major have elements of allegory to them.
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Sorry I meant the preface to The Lord of the Rings, not prologue.
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I’ll be looking for “Leaf by Niggle.”
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