Chapter 12- The Ring goes South.

Sam wandered around the halls of Rivendell. Frodo was speaking with Bilbo again and she really didn't want to disturb him. Merry and Pippin were off somewhere, Sam had no idea where.

If someone asked her what she was doing she would tell them 'nothing' but in truth she was looking for some elves to speak with. They all seemed to be gone. Sam eventually went to the very border of the city and listened to the trees. She couldn't hear them sing, nor see a single one.

She thought she heard the rustle of the wind behind her but a warm hand touched her shoulder making her jump. She turned around to see the elf, who had sworn his bow to Frodo, Legolas, standing over her.

" My young lady wanders alone? Where are your companions?" He asked with a heavenly melodic voice. Sam was almost swept away in it.

" I am not sure where Frodo's cousins are, but Frodo is having some time alone with his uncle." Sam said, more certainty in her voice then she could have even thought be there. The corners of his mouth curved into a smile. " Is something amusing, my lord?"

" They underestimate you. You know at all times where Frodo is if you are not with him, which even that is seldom." He grew serious, " If there is something that you seek, my lady, I would advise you to do it closer to Imladris. It is not safe in the evening hours to be in the woods, even close to a place so safe. An enemy could easily come down that slope with out a sound, perhaps even an Orc."

" How do you know where I am at all times?" Sam asked dwelling on his first thought.

" I have been watching you and the others." Legolas replied, the small curve at the corners of his mouth showing again. Suddenly he perked up and looked to their left towards the mountain, after a second his face relaxed. " We should return," he told her and turned. She followed.

In a flash a large wolf left out of the undergrowth at her. She shrieked as it knocked her down and gnashed its teeth close to her face. It made a move to bite her neck, she held her arm up and screamed as it scratched her face with its paws.

It fell dead with an arrow protruding from its chest.

Legolas came over quickly and helped her sit up.

" Are you all right? Did it get you?" Sam took hold of his shoulder and tried to get herself up.

" Yes, I am fine though." She wiped blood from the side of her face walked back to Rivendell, too stunned to say or do anything. She turned for a moment, "Thank you Legolas."

~*~

Sam finished packing and went out to where the group was assembling. Frodo had taken the chance for one last good-bye to his Uncle. As she walked out she heard the Man Boromir, Aragorn, Elrond and Gandalf talking,

" Is it wise my lord to bring let the little ones come?" Boromir said.

" Why do you ask, they did after all volunteer?" Elrond answered him.

" It is just that, they are unaware of how dangerous this can be. If it not be the younger two why not stop the girl? I don't think it right, to endanger someone who couldn't do much in our defense."

" I wouldn't stop Samantha, if I knew what were best for Frodo." Aragorn told him.

" I agree," Gandalf said. " In all truth, she isn't the best fighter, or the best with knowledge of you all, but she is fiercely loyal and common sense is coming upon her more then it used to."

" Then it is settled, no changed will be made to the Fellowship, Samantha will continue with her master, " Elrond told them. Boromir seemed annoyed but didn't protest.

~*~

The fellowship came to rest. It had been about 30 days since they left Rivendell. Frodo and Sam together were practicing self-defense with Boromir. He kept telling them how was the best way to block. It became dreadfully much for Sam to remember,

" I think I shall forget all this if we are ever in the heat of battle."

" I should hope not young Hobbit, for your safety." Boromir told her.

" Please don't call me young," Sam muttered between pars.

" And why not?" Boromir told her.

" For I am three months older then you." Sam told him with a smile. Boromir stopped and looked at her strangely. He shrugged his shoulders and swung his blade around to touch her side lightly.

" Watch your left side." Boromir told her. Frodo snickered.

" Oh I suppose that's funny?" Sam turned slightly and side kicked him in the backside.

" Our turn!" Pippin said. He jumped down as Sam and Frodo sat up on a rock and ate their lunch. It soon became clear that Merry and Pippin were better fighters then Frodo and Sam, or Sam for that reason.

Pippin took one particular sharp blow to his hand. Sam and Frodo couldn't help laughing as Pippin kicked Boromir in the shins. Then the two of them attacked at the same time, screaming battle cries.

" He's got my arm, he's got my arm!" Merry yelped. Sam turned to look at Frodo, a shade of a strange color drifted through the clouds in the distance,

" What is that?" she asked.

" Nothing! It is but a whiff of clouds." Gimli answered. Boromir finally managed to get them up. He looked up at them with alarm.

" It's moving fast...against the wind." Legolas used his sharp senses to identify them, he shouted in reply,

" Crebain from Dunland!"

" Hide!" Aragorn shouted. Frodo grabbed Sam by the shoulders and ducked under a small crevice under a rock, no one was nearby.

Sam could feel Frodo's breath against her neck as he held her tight, waiting for the birds to fly over. Sam shut her eyes as she felt Frodo draw her closer to hide from the birds.

She swallowed hard as she felt Frodo's nose and lips in her hair and neck. All at once Sam wanted either to hit Frodo, to push him away or for Frodo to kiss her, tell her that he loved her, embrace her, ravish her, something… anything.

His touch was more to bear without allowing herself to love him, or was it tell him she loved him.

The bird were gone Frodo let go of her arms, she pulled herself out and turned. Frodo was looking at her with eyes of blue. Usually Sam could read his thoughts instantly by looking into his eyes, but she had never seen them like this, they were almost like a sapphire flame or was it the endless blue sea long after a storm has passed, yet his usual innocence and fear of the ring that had been there for a long while. It was so strange Sam turned away quickly.

Sam tried to avoid Frodo for a while after that, she was so scared of her feelings for him. Everyday she told herself what she did before that fateful night when he was cursed with the possession of the Ring, 'He is an educated Hobbit and doesn't need the likes of you Samantha Gamgee. He's just trying to be a Gentlehobbit, he deserves better.'

It was almost funny now, the things that they went through and thought were big things. Getting caught in the storm, even gardening together. Now everything was so different, so complicated.