Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Lord of the Rings not the characters, or setting or plot. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.
Author's Note: I was having a hard time with another Sam/Rosie story, so I wrote this. Those two just won't leave me alone. But I think this is pretty good. Hope you like it. Don't forget to let me know what you think.
Dedicated: To all hobbit-romance writers!
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Reception
I have returned. I look sadly around at the Shire, but it is not the Shire I remember. This one is dark and gray. Trees are gone. Sacks for houses dot the countryside. Some hobbit holes are ruined. The ground is mostly muddied from being trampled upon. Flowers are dry and wilted.
I turn the steed down a lane and continue feeling sad about how all has changed. I jump off the pony. "I have returned!" I call to Farmer Cotton and his boys. They look at me in shock. But my attention is drawn to a lass hurrying down the walk from a hobbit hole to the gate. A weight like a boulder rolls off my shoulders. The Shire has changed, but its Rose has not died.
"Who is it, Pa?" Her soft voice rings clear in my ears and makes me shiver.
I walk to the gate. "Hello, Rosie." I then fall silent, not sure what else to say.
Her eyes widen, and a look of disbelief crosses her face, slowly replaced by dawning joy. "Hello, Sam. Got back finally? You sure took your time. Where have you been? Many thought you were dead," she says, looking me over from head to toe, then vice versa. "But I think you look fine all the same," she says, looking me in the eye.
Seeing her again, I momentarily forget that I have a job to do. "Aye, I have returned with Mister Frodo and his cousins. We are going to rise up the Shire and get rid of these ruffians. I promised Mister Frodo I would hurry back to him."
"Well, off with you!" she retorts, her eyes blazing. "Don't abandon your master after being off with him for so long and when he is still in need of you." Her angry words sting me, and words are stolen from my mouth. Does she think so little of me? Of my stopping here to make sure she is still alive and well? Or does she have no idea…?
She turns to go; without thinking, I grab her arm and find her hand. She turns back to me, the fire in her eyes dimming slightly. "Wait for me?" I ask simply. The fire is gone from her, and her eyes sparkle. She smiles for the first time at me. And I see the Rosie I remember before the Quest, my friend for years – and perhaps someday this Shire Rose will grace my garden.
"Just do not make me wait too long," says she. "You've already made me wait over a year. Aye, I will." My heart grows wings and flies. In her eyes I am certain I read the words that I long to speak, though right now is not the time. I want to embrace her but instead simply return her smile and tenderly squeeze her hand.
It is I who turns away first. I leap onto my steed and take off to meet Mister Frodo and Merry and Pippin. But my heart stays behind with the hobbit lass who stares after me. Do not despair; I will return! I silently shout.
THE END
