Well, as for Legolas, it is written somewhere that he and Gimli travels around M-E, going through Fangorn and to the glittery caves, then they build a boat and sail to the undying lands, but it says nowhere whether or not they acctually reaches the shores of Aman. I hope they do, though. Even if Legolas is not one of the high elves (or am I wrong here? Is he not one of the Laiquendi?) I bet he really wanted to go to Aman. Once he heard the seagulls he had a constant longing for the ocean. Perhaps he just found himself a nice little island on which he could see and live with the ocean all of his life. As for Gimli he would probably die when his time came. I think Gimli and Legolas were together to the end of Gimli's days. I think their friendship was much deeper than properly described in the book. Just the fact that they both left their lives in M-E with all they had treasured so much up until then, the trees, the animals, their family, the caves etc, to go to Aman together, it indicates a deep (and friendly kind of) love.

As for Frodo, I read a discussion here somewhere where someone said that he and the other mortals that went to Aman would probably not become immortal, but die after a while. The only difference would be that they could find happiness and love for life again in Aman, something they could not find in M-E.
I don't think Frodo regrets he leaves M-E. He stayed there one year after the War of the Ring and he was probably constantly longing for the Ring. When he went to Aman he could shake all of that off him. Perhaps he missed Sam, but somewhere in the back of my head, I don't know from where, I read that Sam, Pippin and Merry went to Aman as well. Also, he had Bilbo with him, and Gandalf. The people he had learned to love was with him, he could live a happy life all his years. If he had stayed in M-E I think those years would have been much much shorter, as the thought of the Ring and the constant longing would have made him fade away. Like Bilbo said after 50 years of carrying the Ring: "I feel thin.. sort of stretched like butter scraped over too much bread". Now he had had the ring while it was still quite passive. Then another 20 years passes and the Ring is starting to wake up. Imagine having it during the one year it is as most active, when it is struggling to get back to its master, deceiving every person who holds it and using all its massive power on the bearer's mind 24/7. That can tear the strongest mind into pieces.
I found that the following two years in march (which is when I think the ring was destroyed) Frodo gets ill. The first time he says: "It is gone now", referring to the Ring. I think that by coming to Aman he can also put that aside and just get to enjoy life for what it's truly worth; The love to your family and friends.

The reason to why there is nothing really written down about this is probably that there isn't really anything to make a story about. They recieved the grace of the Valar and went to Aman where they lived a quiet but happy life amongst those they loved.

[Edited on 23/9/2003 by Airecristiel]

As Virumor mentioned, you can find out a lot of stuff that happened in the 4th age after the War of the Ring in the appendices of ROTK pages 418-420. The following is just a general postBody to anyone who hasn’t read the appendices in ROTK, READ THE APPENDICES PEOPLE!

I’m not trying to single anyone out, but I’m constantly amazed by the amount of people I know who have read ROTK, but have never even bothered to read the appendices. There is a virtual treasure trove of information in the appendices of ROTK that is absolutely essential to the overall history of M. E., and to one’s understanding of the complete story of LOTR. Again, I can’t stress it enough, the appendices are a must read!

Now in regards to your specific questions EE, I’ll try to shed some light for you, and I’ll try to be as brief as I can. First off, Sam does eventually go to the Havens, and then to Aman (last of the Ring-bearers). This happens in the year 1482 of the 4th age after Rose dies. Secondly, Legolas and Gimli also go to Aman after the death of King Elessar in 1541. Legolas built a ship, and off they went. Gimli was the only dwarf ever allowed into the Undying Lands, and it is said that Galadriel herself secured this favor for him. Merry and Pippen did not go to Aman. They died in Gondor somtime after 1484 of the 4th age.

In regards to your question about Frodo, I personally don’t think he ever regretted his decision to go to Aman. In fact, he knew that was the only thing he could do. He certainly knew that he couldn’t stay in the Shire, or anywhere else on M.E. for that matter. Frodo was damaged physically, mentally, and spiritually. The only way he was ever going to be healed, and to ever find peace was to go to Aman, and he knew it. By then, Frodo understood that was his fate, and he knew that his place was with the rest of the Ring-bearers. Hope that helps!

Yes, this is why I haven't read the appendices. I really want to read them though, does anyone have any tip of where I could find them?

My red leatherette slip-covered single volume has the Appendicies as do all of my three volume versions; however, it may be that some non-English versions three volume versions do not so always check the final pages of RotK to ensure that they are included. Most of you may wish the English version three or four (includes The Hobbit) volume sets eventually anyway.

I recently purchased another four volume boxed paperback set as I have worn out one set used as a reference here on the forum.

small timid Evithian quietly whispers I have read mostof the appendices. then stares around her bewilrered at how much these people know and feels a bit looked down on. yet i understand what deep passion stirs the upmost corners of their hearts.

It truly is sad but it was her choice....sorry Arwen

Don’t worry EE, nobody is looking down on you, I’m certainly not. Like I said, when I made that statement, I wasn’t trying to single anybody out, and I definitely wasn’t trying to be disrespectful towards anyone who hasn’t read the appendices. I was merely trying to emphasize to people who haven’t read them how critically important they are.

If anything, I was probably talking about most of my own friends who have read ROTK, but have never read the appendices. I also meet people all the time who have read LOTR, but not the appendices. I just feel like some people are missing out, and I don’t want people to miss out anything. Looking back at my post now, I realize that I probably came off the wrong way, and I should have been a little clearer about what I was actually trying to say.

PT is here for people to celebrate, and learn more about Tolkien, so please don’t ever feel intimidated, or stop asking questions. Personally, I really enjoy talking about Tolkien, and answering questions for people, and trying to pass on whatever I know that can help other people better understand Tolkien’s world.

Again, I definitely don’t look down on anyone who doesn’t know as much as myself, or others. I’m certainly no expert, I’m still learning new things all the time, and I ask a lot of questions myself. I hardly knew anything before I came to PT (I just knew I loved Tolkien), but since I’ve been here I’ve learned soooo much, and you will too. That’s one of the many things that makes PT so special. I’m extremely passionate, and obsessive when it comes to Tolkiens work, I guess sometimes to a fault.

Well, if they cart you off to Angband for breaking the law we will understand. We will say you gave it all for the betterment of Tolkien