It had been one week since Sam had made his decision of leaving The Shire to Rivendell, and he was sure he would be leaving very soon as Diamond was not getting any better. Sam had spent his week with Diamond and Pippin asking Diamond questions of exactly what she was feeling and examining her illness (even though he didn't find it particularly pleasant).
Sam had found that Diamonds illness was not contagious so Elanor, Rosie, Rose and even Merry and Pippin had visited them bringing flowers and food, which is the very hobbit thing to do. Pippin seemed very worried but he was still cheerful as usual. Sometimes everyone though that nothing could stop him from being his jolly, hopeful mood. Even Faramir and Peter seemed hopeful and their normal self.
Pippin, Diamond, Faramir and Peter spent a lot of time as a family, as Pippin would be leaving to Rivendell with Sam soon. Rosie was already packing Sam's things for the journey: Food, clothes, blankets, even Sam's old pans and cooking equipment. It was the 26th of August and Sam and Pippin would be leaving to Rivendell the very next day.
Sam awoke to another warm bright day in The Shire. He was quite relieved that it wasn't raining because that would make it all the more harder to travel on their ponies. Sam got dressed and went to the kitchen to have his last warm and proper breakfast in two weeks. But Sam knew that he would be fed well when he reached Rivendell, and maybe even a feast in Gondor. Elanor and Frodo were in the living room reading too Goldilocks, Hamfast and daisy.
Meanwhile Merry and Pippin were playing outside together (as usual) and Rosie was feeding Prim, while Rose was sweeping the kitchen. Sam sat down next to Rosie. "Morning my dear" Sam said and gently kissed her forehead. Rosie smiled and handed primrose to Sam and then she told Rose she would finish off sweeping so Rose joined her brothers and sisters in the living room. "Elanor?" Sam called. "Yes father?" Elanor answered. "Could you take Prim, I need to go and check on Pippin and see that he is ready to leave. Could you also get Bill set up for me?" Sam asked. Elanor nodded and carried on feeding Prim.
Sam quickly told Rosie where he was going and made his way to Pippin's. He knocked and Merry answered. "Hullo Sam my fellow! Ready to go are we? Come in come in" Sam stepped inside and immediately could here coughing. "Hello Merry. Is Estella and the boys here already?"
"No, they will be making their way here very soon. I'm looking after Diamond whilst Pippin is getting himself packed."
"He hasn't packed yet? Why am I not surprised" Sam said. Merry laughed his joyful merry laugh. "He's in the living room. Go and help him, I think he's nearly finished. Sam went straight on into the living room where Faramir and Peter were eating and Pippin was stuffing loads of things into a bag. "Hello Pippin" Sam said. "Hullo Sam! Sorry I'm not packed yet I have been looking after Diamond all morning! Merry only got here a few moments ago."
"What are you packing then?" asked Sam. "Oh just some things for the ponies and some more food for the journey."
"Pippin, we don't need that much food, we are only going to Rivendell. And on Ponies it may only take us maybe three days to get there"
Sam said taking some apples and seedcakes out of Pippins bag. "And, we don't want to be full when we get there or we won't be satisfied with the food they give us." Sam chuckled, and Pippin smiled in reply. They spent the next few moments finishing off the packing. Pippin went off to get his pony ready whilst Sam helped Merry by brewing some tea for Diamond. Sam went to Pippin and Diamonds room and handed her the tea. "How are you feeling today Diamond?" Sam asked with a hopeful smile. Diamond was lying on her back in bed with a white face. She looked very ill however everyone knew Sam had seen worse but that didn't stop him worrying. Diamond held Sam's hand and smiled "thank you Sam, for everything. You'll take of our Pippin wont you? You know what he's like"
"I will. I promise you that we will find a way to make you better. Elrond is one of the wisest elves you will find in middle-earth. He will know what to do" Sam said squeezing her hand a little tighter and then letting go. Sam took Merry by the arm and led him out of the room. "Merry there is something I need you to do for me. I want you and Rosie to contact me if anyone else falls ill whist I am away. You will send a letter to Rivendell but if it is sooner than three days when someone falls ill you can send a letter to Brée, to the prancing pony. Pippin and I will rest there for maybe a night and then we will be off again. Just make sure you send the letter right away. Make sure that everyone in The Shire lets you know if someone falls ill. Will you promise me this?" Sam asked looking deeply into Merry's eyes still gripping his arm tightly. Merry nodded and Sam released his arm. Merry put both of his hands on Sam's shoulders."Sam, are you alright? But before Sam could answer the question there came a gentle tap on the door.
Sam opened it to see three hobbits at the door. Standing on Merry's front porch was Lily Hornblower and her sister Pansy and Largo Proudfoot. "Sam you must come quick, our mother Dora woke up this mornin and looked as sick as old Frodo Baggins." Lily exclaimed. "Oh no…" Sam muttered. "Merry you stay here and look after Diamond I will be back as soon as I can." And with that, Sam rushed off with Lily, Dora and Largo. Merry stood by the door befuddled. When his senses came back to him he closed the door when there was another knock at the door.
Merry opened the door to find his two boys and Estella standing by the door holding a basket of seedcakes and buns. Merry breathed a sigh of relief and took the basket from Estella's hands. "Is everything alright Merry? I just saw Sam running off with Largo, Lily and Pansy" Estella asked. "Yes, they all came from here. Another Hobbit of The Shire has fallen ill."