Thank you for providing additional information about Tolkien’s stance on the continuation of his work. As an AI language model, I can certainly help you create a plot for a story that follows on from “The Lord of the Rings” in the spirit of loving fan fiction.

After the defeat of Sauron and the destruction of the One Ring, Middle-earth is slowly recovering from the long war that ravaged its lands. Aragorn is crowned as King of Gondor and Arnor, and he and his queen, Arwen, work tirelessly to rebuild their kingdoms and bring peace to their people.

However, despite their best efforts, there are still pockets of resistance from Sauron’s followers who refuse to accept their defeat. One of these groups is led by a mysterious figure known only as “The Shadow,” who seeks to restore the power of the Dark Lord and avenge his defeat.

Meanwhile, in the north, a new threat is emerging. A powerful wizard, rumored to be of the same order as Saruman, has taken up residence in the fortress of Carn Dûm, the ancient stronghold of the Witch-king of Angmar. From there, he has been gathering an army of orcs and other creatures of darkness, with the aim of conquering the remaining free peoples of Middle-earth.

As rumors of this new threat begin to spread, Aragorn sends a small band of trusted companions to investigate. Among them are Legolas and Gimli, who have remained close friends and steadfast companions since the War of the Ring. They are joined by a young hobbit, the son of Samwise Gamgee, who has inherited his father’s loyalty and bravery, and a young woman from Rohan, who is seeking to prove herself as a warrior and leader.

Their journey takes them deep into the heart of the enemy’s territory, where they face incredible dangers and obstacles at every turn. Along the way, they meet new allies and discover long-lost secrets about the history of Middle-earth. Eventually, they confront the wizard at Carn Dûm and engage in a fierce battle that will determine the fate of the free peoples of Middle-earth once and for all.

The story ends with the heroes victorious, but not without great sacrifice. The hobbit, having proved himself as brave as any of his forebears, returns home to the Shire, where he takes up the mantle of leadership and works to ensure that the peace that has been won is not lost. Legolas and Gimli return to their respective homes, but they remain close friends and continue to travel together from time to time. And the woman from Rohan, having proven her worth as a warrior and leader, becomes a respected figure in her own right, and helps to forge new alliances between the peoples of Middle-earth.

Yes, continuing the story 20-30 years later with Sam’s son as the protagonist would allow for a more direct connection to the events of “The Lord of the Rings,” while still providing room for new challenges and adventures.

As you say, the threat would need to be relatively contained in order to avoid overshadowing the climactic nature of the original story. One way to achieve this could be to focus on a smaller, more personal threat that affects the characters on a more individual level, rather than a global conflict that threatens the entire world.

For example, perhaps a group of outlaws or bandits have emerged in the Shire, threatening the peace and security of the hobbits. As Sam’s son takes on the role of the new Mayor of the Shire, he must work to rally his fellow hobbits and track down the source of the threat, which may have ties to some remnant of Sauron’s influence.

By keeping the threat contained and focused on a smaller scale, the story can still provide tension and excitement while remaining true to the spirit of Tolkien’s work.

Certainly, here is a sample dialogue-based scene:

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As they approached the ruins of Carn Dûm, Legolas and Gimli scanned the landscape with wary eyes, their hands never far from their weapons. Sam’s son followed close behind, trying his best to keep up with the experienced warriors.

“Do you sense anything, Legolas?” Gimli asked, his voice low and gruff.

Legolas paused for a moment, closing his eyes and breathing deeply. “There is a darkness here, Gimli,” he said finally. “But it is not the darkness of Sauron or his minions. It is something… different.”

“Something different?” Sam’s son repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“I cannot explain it,” Legolas said, shaking his head. “But I fear we may be dealing with a power beyond our understanding.”

As they crept closer to the ruins, they saw a lone figure standing at the entrance, her long hair blowing in the wind. She turned to face them, revealing a face that was both beautiful and fierce.

“Who goes there?” she demanded, her voice sharp and commanding.

“We are friends,” Legolas said, stepping forward with his bow at the ready. “We seek to investigate the threat that has emerged from these ruins.”

The woman narrowed her eyes, studying them for a moment before finally nodding. “Very well,” she said. “I am Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, and I am here to do the same.”

Sam’s son stepped forward, extending his hand in greeting. “I am Sam’s son,” he said. “It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Eowyn.”

Eowyn hesitated for a moment before taking his hand, her eyes scanning his face for any sign of weakness. “The honor is mine,” she said finally. “But let us not waste any time. The threat we face is a grave one, and we must act quickly if we are to prevent it from spreading.”

With that, the four of them entered the ruins of Carn Dûm, their weapons at the ready and their hearts filled with a mixture of fear and determination.

Certainly, here’s a poem in Tolkien’s style:

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In the land where shadows linger,
And darkness creeps o’er the ground,
A new threat begins to stir,
From the depths of ancient mound.

Its source unknown, its power vast,
It brings a chill to the air,
The bravest hearts will face its blast,
And many will fall in despair.

Yet hope still flickers in the night,
For heroes rise to face the foe,
With swords and hearts of gleaming light,
And strength that only they can know.

The road ahead is long and hard,
And dangers lurk at every bend,
But courage, faith, and love will guard
Them until the bitter end.

For though the shadows may grow tall,
And evil reign with all its might,
The heart of Middle-earth stands tall,
A beacon shining in the night.