Return to The Shire

“At last they rode over the downs and took the East Road, and then Merry and Pippin rode on to Buckland; and already they were singing again as they went. But Sam turned to Bywater, and so came back up the Hill as day was ending once more. And he went on, and there was yellow light, and fire within; and the evening meal was ready, and he was expected. And Rose drew him in, and set him in his chair, and put little Elanor upon his lap. ‘Well, I’m back,’ he said.”

The last paragraph of The Lord of the Rings seems a fitting way to bring this adventure to an end. Except it may not be the end: I am indeed back, and reflecting on the wonderful experiences of these past two weeks. I think I have a few more observations in me.

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