Love, the Hobbit way By Arcangelic

Disclaimer: See, the point is, if John hadn't invented the hole thing I wouldn't be writing this story because I'm not nearly as creative as he was...and a world of thanks to Christopher for the editing and stuff he did after his fathers death, tough I don't think he'll read this.

Author's notes: This is my very first LOTR fic, so I would LOVE some feedback about it (in other words: PLEASE REVIEW, I BEG you).

Chapter One – Arrival

The wind was cold, but it wasn't the reason a shiver ran down his spine. He stood there, in the front of the great Elven ship, and tried to see past the horizon. In truth, he could hardly see the horizon, but he couldn't help it. He was anxious, very much afraid he had been forgotten after all the long years.

Was that what was going to happen? Would he just stand there, hoping anyone would come and get him, and bring him to...HIM? Would He come Himself?

He was afraid, very much afraid. When he couldn't take it anymore he went to the room the Elves had prepared for him. As he lay down on the bed he remembered how a feeling had seized him on day, a feeling he couldn't explain and the next he had set out for the Grey Havens. There he had found the ship, the leader of the Elves had welcomed him by name and had invited him aboard, telling him they had waited for him. If I had been forgotten, the Elves wouldn't have waited for me. Thinking that he fell asleep.

'Master Samwise, we are nearing Tol Eressea. Would you like to come and see?' Sam rose to his feet slowly, since he was now old and worn. What will He think when he sees me? Will He be disgusted, or could He love me even as an old hobbit? The leader of the Elves it was that had spoken to him, and together they walked to the front of the ship. Sam tried, but couldn't see anything through his old eyes. 'Tell me, what do you see?' The elf smiled, remembering not only that Elves could see much further than hobbits but also that Sam was old. 'I see the light emanating from the Blessed Isle. The light...it calls us, Master Samwise, every one of us on this ship. It calls us to it, so we can rest in it and forget our worries. That is what I see Master Samwise, and also what I hear. The wind brings sounds from the Isle, sounds of joy and laughter and music and many other merry sounds.' Sam closed his eyes, and tried to imagine. What place could be better for Him to find a cure, to find life itself, than on this indeed blessed Isle of the Elves. I hope he has found a cure, and life. But more so I hope that I will find him, and fit into his life.

Inch by inch they drew nearer to the Isle, and Sam suddenly found no rest on any part of the ship. So he went back to the front, standing beside the leader of the Elves. Slowly he indeed saw Tol Eressea, though not like it had been described to him. He saw the Havens, and close by the beach with it's pearly white sand that slowly rose to become a wonderfully green hill, which was rich with grass and went all the way along the coast line both to the north and south. And he saw that there was a road, leading away from the Havens, which passed through a sort of gap in the hill. He looked back to the Havens, seeing a crowd gathered there. Excitement rose within him as he searched the crowd with his weary eyes in vain. His disappointment must have been tangible, because the tall leader of the Elves put a comforting hand on his shoulder. 'Do not worry, my friend, I'm sure...' Sam knew what he was going to say, but was surprised to find the Elf turning him around slightly in stead of finishing the sentence. He saw the Elf point to something. 'O, my friend. I wish I could lend you my eyes. Nothing fairer I have seen in all my days.'

But suddenly Sam didn't need for the Elf to lend him his eyes. Clarity like never before came to his eyes, and he saw the two figures running. They were running on the hill, towards the Havens, and Sam's heart skipped a beat. He only had eyes for the first figure, which he now could see as if it was standing before him. 'It's him', he yelped. Indeed it was his Frodo, but unlike Sam had ever seen him before. His eyes more blue than the sky and the Sea combined, gleaming with life and joy and laughter and endless energy. His figure, Sam could see though he was clothed, healthy and slightly muscular but still slender as it had always been. His hair hanging over his eyes as he ran in thick and shining ebony curls, much the contrast of his alabaster skin which radiated joy and life. His face no longer weary, as it had been after the Quest, but full of life and joy now. Suddenly Sam could hear him laugh, and at first taught it was a memory. But the sound was a different one than he had ever heard Frodo make, even before the Quest. It was the sound of pure merriment and joy, and Sam was glad to see his Master finally healed.

Sam had the urge to kiss the ground beneath his feet but did not venture it because of his old back. Suddenly the crowd of Elves parted, and He came through. Looking into each others eyes, they forgot all else. They stood there a long time before Sam finally broke the silence. 'Frodo'. It was only a whisper, hardly noticeable even by the sharp Elven ears but in Frodo's face Sam saw that he had heard. Frodo reached out and wrapped his arms around Sam. Sam felt his warmth through their clothing and lost himself in the moment. To him the time they stood there felt like ages, though he didn't think it enough by a long shot. Suddenly Frodo ended the embrace however and looked Sam into the eye. 'There's someone I want you to meet, Sam', he said softly and turned around towards the figure that had been running after him on the hill. Sam looked and found it to be a hobbit lass barely out of her tweens so it seemed, exotic and slender like his Frodo was. She too had an Elvish air with her bluer-than-blue eyes, long ebony curls and slender figure. As he looked at her, he had no doubt whatsoever that she was Frodo's child. 'This is Bell, my dear Sam. Bell Baggins-Gamgee. She is ours, Sam.'


Once again: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE REVIEW