"I can't believe it's only been a week since I moved in!" Rosie chattered away happily, plumping up the cushions on what was once Bilbo's chair.
Frodo nodded in agreement, finishing off his book by signing it, blowing on it gently so that the ink dried properly before he shut it for the last time.
"Rose -"
"And what a week it's been. I still can't believe all the stories Sam tells me every night before we go to sleep." Rosie interrupted, sighing contentedly before picking up her duster and going over every inch of the room.
Frodo tried again.
"Rosie, I need to ask -"
"Samwise is such a wonderful Hobbit. But you know that already Frodo, I'm sure. He was so sweet, when I suggested to him that we got married. The first thing he did was say no, he couldn't leave his master. Fancy that, calling you master and all that as if you meant something to him that I couldn't understand." She leant over the chair which Frodo sat upon, and was starting to dust his book before Frodo pulled it away, crying out in protest.
"Rosie!" he cried. Rosie stopped her cleaning, her eyes widening in shock. "I'm sorry." Frodo said, his tone instantly softening.
"That's alright, Frodo. I haven't let you speak a word, have I? I've been that caught up in my own happiness. What was it you wanted to ask?"
"I wanted to ask you a really big favour." Frodo said, biting his lip and shifting from foot to foot nervously. Rosie raised an eyebrow in uncertainty. "I was wondering if I could take Sam with me for…well, I suppose it will only be a fortnight."
"Sam, leave?!" She cried out in dismay. Frodo nodded slowly. "I've only been married to him for a week and your already stealing him away!" she put her hands on her hips, but Frodo could tell that she wasn't seriously annoyed, she knew how important this was to Frodo. "Well, what for, if you don't mind me asking."
"Yes, Mr. Frodo. What for?" Sam asked, appearing from around the corner. Rosie laughed.
"And how long have you been listening for, Samwise Gamgee?" she asked. Sam blushed, looking at his feet, but did not answer.
"I want him to say goodbye to an old friend." Frodo said slowly, watching Sam carefully to make sure that he comprehended.
"Old Mr. Bilbo?" Sam asked. "He's leaving with the elves on the last ship to the Undying Lands, isn't he, Mr. Frodo?" Sam said this more to explain it to Rosie than to let Frodo know that he understood.
"Merry and Pippin are ready to leave as soon as you are." Frodo said.
Sam walked up to Rosie, taking her hands in his.
"I'll see you soon." He kissed her.
Frodo said nothing as he kissed Rosie on either cheek, before leaving to prepare a pony for the ride.
"Look after Sam. He's more of a hero than anyone will ever know." Was the last thing Frodo said to Rosie before he walked out the door and left.
Rosie watched in confusion as Frodo and Sam walked together down the path to the road, Frodo taking Sam's hand in his and smiling sadly at him.
"Now I wonder what he means by that." She said, and went back to her cleaning.