Disclaimer - I don't own the characters in this story. They all belong to J. R. R. Tolkien.
Samwise the Brave
The bar was busy tonight and, while she was usually quite happy to pass out the mead and ale to the thirsty and fun-loving Hobbits about her, Rosie Cotton's mind just wasn't in the Green Dragon tonight.
It had been months since she had last seen Samwise Gamgee, too long a time for her, and she was sure that she would never see his face again.
This thought saddened her like no other thoughts could. She had loved him for a while now, but both herself and Sam were too shy to say anything about it. That is, if the gardener felt the same way she did for him.
Almost a year now, and still no sign of him. But still, life in the Shire carried on about her, as did her job which was quickly losing her interest now.
Tonight was quite busy, busier than normal. She was passing out ale to a Hobbit that she knew would instantly try to talk to her, maybe even try courting her. She ignored him, watching as he moved to a table that had been hidden from view from a raucous party that was being held that night.
It was then she spotted them sitting for the first time in their lives quietly. Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took, taller than she remembered and wearing armour in different styles, armour from the Mannish places.
Next she spotted was Frodo Baggins, staring deep into a cup of ale he held but did not drink from. To Rosie, it seemed that he had had the world on his shoulders and still carried the weight of Middle-earth about.
Frodo moved a bit and then she spotted him, her Sam, sitting with a mug in front of him. A smile lit up her face then as she realised he was back. A second later and he was looking at her, a small smile creeping on to his face before he looked away.
Rosie sighed. It was useless to ever have thought that Samwise Gamgee would ever love her the way she loved him.
It was then that her night was made much better. Sam came walking towards her, a determined look on his face. She smiled sweetly at him and asked what it is he wanted.
"You, if you will have me," he answered, a silly grin spreading across his face.
Rosie couldn't believe her ears. Sam wanted her. Her! And had come out and said so, a feat that would not have happened before he had disappeared with the other three Hobbits he was with.
"How is it that the shy Sam I know could ask something I have been wanting to hear for years now?" she asked, stating that she was confused by what he had just said, but accepting the offer of his courting her.
With that, Sam smiled. "I am Samwise Gamgee, Samwise the Brave to Men, Ringbearer for a while and one of the Nine members of the Fellowship."
Rosie had no idea what he was talking about, but if Men thought him to be brave then there was no mistake. Her ideas of Sam had changed, but she didn't mind. He was still her Sam and if she had her way, they would be together for the rest of their lifetimes and beyond.
Her love had been returned. In more ways than one.
For the first time in months, she rejoiced.
A/N - This idea has been in my head for a while, but stayed unwritten. I decided that at the last minute, this short little fic might be a good one to enter into Marigold's Challenge Nine. The open challenge, horray! Hope someone enjoys this fluffy little Rosie Movieverse fic.