So what am I doing here in the world of men after all this time?  The hobbits have disappeared, the elves have long since moved on and men control the world and have for many centuries.  Or have they?

That is the question to ask my friend, the very question to ask.  Have these many generations of men really controlled the world?  Yes, yes, you want to know what happened to me.  It is not very important but I will tell you, but I warn you that it may not be a very interesting story.  When it is done don’t blame me.  You have asked, quite insistently I might add.

Elrond knew that I was wounded, growing old and dying just as surely as if I had a cancer.  And it was a cancer that I had carried around with me until Gandalf forced me to leave it behind and Frodo picked it up and took it to the mountain.  What an amazing thing that was, particularly as the ring knew where it was going.  Frodo was a delicate boy, not nearly as hardy as the Baggins of my day and my father’s day.  It really finished him you know.  He definitely had to go beyond…where was I?

Oh yes.  Well, when I got on that boat I discovered a few things that were, shall we say, quite fascinating and depressing at the same time.  I must explain that to you so the rest of my story makes some sense.  So, first things first, as they say, and last things last, as I always say, and let the middle fend for themselves.  Alright, alright, back to my story…

I’ll just make a cup of tea and we can settle in.

Back in a flash.