A/N: Have you ever had the experience of going through your files and finding a story that you wrote AGES ago that you don't remember writing... until you start to read it, and then you are overcome with a vague sense of familiarity.... Well, that happened to me with this story. Going through some old files, I stumbled across this story, and didn't recognize it at first. According to the date on the file, it was written three years ago. I have no idea why I didn't put this up here before (perhaps I intended to write more?), but now that I've found it, here it is for you to read... =)
Disclaimer: As always, I don't own anything related to Lord of the Rings.
Lies and Deceit
Each step he took downward sent a new pain coursing through his heart. How could Frodo have ever suspected Sam of wanting to do him wrong? If he hadn't been so weak, emotionally and psychologically, he never would have believed that nasty Gollum.
Sam glanced upwards, hoping beyond reason that his master would be climbing down after him. But of course, all he saw was a long empty mountainside. Frodo was nowhere in sight.
Fresh tears poured down Sam's cheeks. Even if it was the influence of the Ring taunting him, Sam still didn't understand how Frodo could have turned against him so easily. Gollum was nothing but evil and lies. Why couldn't Frodo see that? What had happened to the amazing trust they shared; the trust, which had been built through years of friendship? Why couldn't Frodo understand, that was all he needed to get through this quest. All he needed was the love and constant reassurance that friends were nearby.
One friend would always be there. One friend who was willing to share the burden; not as a way of deceit, to steal the Ring… but as a sign of love, so his master, his friend, wouldn't have to suffer quite so much.
He chanced a look down; he was almost to the bottom. How could he just go home when he knew what still lay ahead of Frodo? How could Frodo expect him to? And how could Frodo sentence his truest friend to cross those dangerous plains alone?
Sam cried out in fury. Angry at Gollum…at the Ring…at this desolate, forsaken part of the world... There was no chance for happiness here. Everything was black; and the sun never once shone through the thick clouds.
His poor master. Alone with that wretched creature. Sam had half a mind to climb back up just to keep an eye on Frodo. But no, he couldn't do that. What would Frodo think? He would probably attack him, thinking that he had come for the Ring. Of course Gollum would tell him that. Not that it was his own life he was worried about. But he couldn't do that to Frodo; once he came to his senses and realized what he had done. And besides, Frodo was still his master, and out of respect for that, he would obey his master's command. He would go home. Or at least attempt to.
Just a few more steps and he would be at the bottom. Suddenly the ground gave out from underneath him and he felt himself falling the rest of the way. What he found when he finally regained his composure made his heart lurch. Lembas bread. Anger boiled over inside him. Gollum had gone too far! His master was in danger.
Without a second thought, Sam began the long climb back up the mountain. Whatever that stinker, Gollum, was up to, Sam just hoped his master could hold on until he arrived.
'Be careful, Mister Frodo,' Sam whispered, wishing his master could somehow hear him. 'Hold on, I'm coming.'
The End