Chapter 35

A Rose for Sammy

The next project for Sammy and Frodo was to enlarge the barn for the horses, with the addition of a small carpentry shop on the south side. Amidst the glee of the celebration, Doderic Brandybuck offered Sammy his assistance in mentoring him in his carpentry skills. Sammy humbly accepted and this began a friendship that brought understanding of each other and long years of profound respect.

The new shop was adequate for Sammy to perform his work. And as if that didn't keep him busy enough, he also added more to Sam's garden which they tended with care side by side, every day. All of this completely delighted Mrs. Rosie, as Sammy fondly called her, for she truly appreciated the abundance of food and a new piece of furniture here and there.

He came inside one night with a small kitchen stool that he had made at her request and a large basket of cucumbers. The stool was not perfect, in fact a little wobbly. But Rosie was so delighted with the intricate elven runes and flowers carved into the wood, that she hugged him, making him blush in front of young Rose. She then promised to make him a salad for second supper.

Rose jumped up and took hold of the basket and said, "I'll make it Mama, you go sit down. You've worked far too hard today."

Rosie giggled at her daughter, knowing full well her intent, then took up her knitting basket and went into the parlor.

Sammy shyly smiled at Rose as she passed in front of him, eyeing him with a smile of her own as the cucumber basket bumped against her hip. His thoughts warmed as he absorbed her sweet eyes and golden hair that flowed so long it disappeared in the folds of her skirt. Longing was ever in his heart with her presence and he pondered over and over how to approach her. But thoughts of how Sam might feel about that stayed him for fear of disapproval.

"It would just complicate things" he thought. Then he would attempt to turn his thoughts to the other young girls who had been paying him attention. One in particular was very pretty with soft black curls that fell long just like his Mother's. She was a distant cousin of Merry's, far removed from Sammy's side of the family and she had the personality to match her beauty. But his mind always turned back to Rose somehow, as though he had no choice in the matter.

Suddenly there was a loud bang at the door. Hurriedly, Sammy opened it and in ran Gwinto Proudfoot, son of Sancho, heaving desperately out of breath.

"Miss Rose! Angelica rang the alarm! It is Maxi! And from the sound of the bells, it's bad!"

Rose looked desperate. Angelica Baggins, another distant relation to Sammy, lived alone on a small patch of land east of Hobbiton. She had bred Maxi, her milk cow, in hopes to sell the calf providing her the means to get by for the next year. But the cow had been having difficulties.

"She's not due to birth for another week!' Cried Rose, "Why that's over two hours away! Mr. Hardbottle was supposed to be taking care of her. He is much nearer and there's no way I can get over there sooner, especially since Pop is away with Bill Jr."

She was referring to the only pony they had and Sam had taken him up to Brandy Hall to help Merry, with some tree trimming.

Gwinto replied, "I know, Miss Rose, I tried finding Mr. Hardbottle, but found he was called away to the White Downs to tend those Labradors of Mr. Whitfoot. Seems they got a tangled up with a briar thicket, chasin a fox and were cut up real bad. We've already lost much time!"

Sammy stepped in. "Rose, you could take Strider. He'll get you there in half the time, I'll guarantee!"

Rose grew pale. As much as she loved animals and she loved Sammy's horses, she was still terrified of riding them, for their size was immense; far too large for a small, Hobbit lass.

She cried, "Oh, Sammy. I can't ride him! He's way too big! Oh what shall I do?"

"Don't worry Rose, I'll take you. You can ride with me." He said.

The look of fear did not leave Rose's face. "There's nothing for it." She said, "I'll have to take you up on that offer."

As she grabbed a large brown bag that was hanging in the foyer, Mrs. Rosie, who had heard the entire conversation, came through the parlor door. "Please, be careful Sammy, be careful with my Rose."

Sammy turned and faced her. "I will Mrs. Rosie, I promise."

They flew out the door as they slipped on their coats. When they got to the barn, Sammy quickly led Strider out. He then turned to help Rose up onto the massive horse and she faltered.

He grabbed her elbow and gently said, "It is alright Rose. He will not let you fall."

She drew a deep breath and cried, "But there is no saddle!"

Sammy placed his hand on her shoulder and soothingly said, "He is like his father, he will not allow it. It is alright Rose. He will not let you fall, I promise."

Sammy took her hand and helped her climb upon the fence and then gently she slipped onto the horse as he cooed to the animal, instructing him to stop, to be still. "Daro, Strider, Daro!"

Thankfully, her dress was full and did not hinder her as she straddled the animal. Sammy then climbed on in front of her, taking the bag and placing it before him. "Hold on tight," he commanded.

Closing her eyes in fear, Rose slipped her arms under his and laid her head onto his back and squeezed his belly as he spoke the words, "Yro Strider, noro lim!"

The horse jumped forward with a dash and Rose further tightened her eyes and hands. Off they rode with a swift breeze, flying down the lane and creating a dust cloud as it swirled behind them.

They made it in less than an hour and by the time Rose let go, Sammy's shirt had two circular crumples right at the belly and her fear had been too intense to even notice how smooth the ride was. Sammy jumped down and turned to catch her, but she hesitated, unsure of what to do.

He reached up and said, "Just drop Rose, I will catch you." She hesitated again. "Come on, I will catch you," he said motioning with his hands.

Slowly she slithered off of Strider and grabbed his neck when she landed; she found herself in his arms. For a second, maybe two, they stopped, their eyes locked upon each other with their arms holding a tight hug. Warm exhilaration filled the moment, but she shook off the desire and quickly ran into the barn.

Angelica Baggins was getting on in her years with a weathered face that showed she had snuck a puff or two of the pipeweed, which she had grown for selling. Being alone all of her adult life, she had been very resourceful in many ways to survive and it made her hard and virile. When Rose entered the barn she found her lying on a blanket on the ground behind Maxi, her arm deep inside the vagina with a look of frustration and fear on her face.

She shook her head as she slowly pulled out and cackled with a raspy voice, "It's bad Rose. She went to labor this mornin'. Heavin' and pushin'…nothin' was happenin' so I tried to help things along. It's a tangled mess in there and I can't make anythin' out."

Sammy came in just then, carrying the bag and eyed the scene with alarm as he saw the blood and fluid that saturated Angelica's hand and arm.

Rose quickly tied her hair back and opened the bag. Pulling out the special soap she had made, she immediately began washing her hands and arms in a basin that Angelica had set up.

Angelica drew closer, wiping her hand on her apron and looked at Sammy, with her eyes squinting and her lips smacking around what few teeth she had left. "Well bless me, if you don't look 'xactly like Frodo Baggins his self!"

Sammy smiled and his dimples creased his cheeks as he said. "Samwise Geren Baggins is my name, my Lady." He bowed politely in the fashion of the elves he had grown up amidst.

Angelica's eyebrows shot up as she giggled with delight and she slapped his back, "And as odd as our cousin Bilbo, we see!"

Sammy turned to Rose, as she knelt down to look into the cow's eyes. He watched her feel the belly, poking the massive animal here and there. Then to his surprise, she went around the back and slipped her arm all the way inside to determine the situation. Repulsed, he turned away, but peeked back as his curiosity grew stronger. She stayed that way for a long while, twisting and turning, a small grunt coming out of her mouth every once in a while. Poor Maxi held on, letting loose a bellow, pushing and wiggling in pain as Rose worked on her situation.

Finally after a while, she said, "Well Angelica, it seems the problem is that there are two calves in here. They are mighty tangled up with each other and if I could just…" She hesitated with surprise, "well, at least one is alive. I just felt a lick on my hand."

Sammy smiled. Rose continued her efforts to help, Maxi. She grunted and pushed with all her might, working the calves another long while with a frown shading her face and sweat beading on her cheeks.

Maxi was beginning to falter and bellow horribly. Frustrated, Rose pulled out and began washing her arm, intensely pondering the situation. She pulled some powder out of her bag and mixed it with some water. Then she coaxed the huge tongue from the animal's mouth and began to massage the paste deep into the back of its throat. This settled the animal significantly after a few minutes, so back inside the womb she slipped her hand, to untangle the calves.

Sammy watched her, thinking how brave she was working so near the massive hoofs as they kicked here and there. But she managed to dodge the ones that came too close, even though she was in a very precarious position. She was a mess, blood and fluid was all over her now, her wavy golden hair began falling from the ribbon she tied it with, and sweat was soaking her underarms and forehead. But all he thought about was how beautiful she was.

She had her father's sweet eyes that twinkled green when she smiled and her mother's high cheeks that looked as soft as milk on her round face. Her blonde hair was very long and rippled softly in gentle waves as it thickly covered her back. But it was her lips that drew his attention the most when he looked upon her. Rosy pink and supple, they were so inviting he had longed to touch them since he first saw her. He was still shy around her, even after all these months, and they spoke little to one another. But the smiles were ever present and the thoughts kindled.

She had been working on the animal for quite a while and Angelica had gone inside to make them some tea. Rose began to get tired and she groaned, "It is so difficult, they are so big and one is turned wrong! The problem is he wants to come out first. If only Maxi could just relax."

Sammy felt helpless, wondering what he could do to help. He looked at the cow's face and noted her despair. The medicine had helped, but the pain was just too much. Slowly he knelt down to her and began stroking her behind the ear singing a gentle song to calm her. But the cow began to struggle more.

Rose pulled out, grabbing a towel and began wiping herself clean again, a look of deep worry on her face. "It is no use. I am not strong enough and my arm is too short. We are going to have to ride, to find Mr. Hardbottle." She looked down at Maxi, who was beginning to succumb to the ordeal with exhaustion. "Problem is I don't think she will make it that long."

Sammy had never felt so useless. His sorrow for the poor cow was strong. "Let me try." He said to Rose's surprise. "My arm is longer and I am stronger than you are. You can instruct me as I go. I have to try, Rose!"

"Yes!" she cried with hope as she gave him the soap to wash up.

Fear seared through Sammy as he realized he could fail at this. But he had to try, not only for Rose, not only for the pity he felt for Maxi, but his love of animals drove him as he quickly washed. This was nothing like the birth of his two horses. He had only watched and aided his Grandfather Geren as the colts slipped almost effortlessly from Nessa each time she had given birth. So he did not feel experienced enough for this.

He hesitated as he knelt down to the cow, his throat began to tighten. He swallowed quickly, desperate to stop the heaving that erupted with the odor.

"Breathe deep and slowly." Rose instructed, aware of his reaction.

He smiled to ease his stress.

Rose showed him the opening and slowly he slipped his hand in, forcing its way against the contractions and wondering how in the world a calf was going to fit through. She instructed him at first guiding him around each limb and torso so he would be able to assess the situation for himself. Then she explained what needed to be done, how the torso needed to be turned causing as little trauma as possible to the limbs or neck.

"The bones are young and flexible, but they will break" she warned. Sammy drew a deep breath in need of air, but was repulsed by the smell. Once again he gagged and then recovered with a slow deep breath as his determination held and he put forth every effort.

He worked on the calf for quite some time as Rose assisted by pushing and turning from outside the belly. She talked constantly, giving directions and helping him. He was impressed with her knowledge of the cow's body and noted how natural it all was for her.

Time slipped by, hours passed. Sammy's arm was aching. Finally, Rose stopped talking. She stood with a heaviness that weighed her down. She was about to give in and call Sammy off as she noted Maxi slipping away. Then suddenly Maxi let out a weak bellow and a calf began slipping through as Sammy gently pulled.

Rose shrieked! Laughing, she ran back to help and before they knew it the two calves were out, wailing as they gasped the thick warm air. Almost immediately Maxi's strength grew a little in relief and she weakly began to clean her babies. Rose assisted her by placing the babies near her head so she would not have to move. She stroked the cow's face and wondered if she was going to survive this.

Sammy knelt down next to her and patted the cow's shoulder. "Is she out of pain now, Rose? Is she going to make it?" he asked.

Rose dug into her bag and pulled out a small pouch and another vial of powder as she answered, "I am not sure Sammy, but we shall see what time will tell. This should help with the pain."

She proceeded to the rear, to rub the powder into the cow's irritated and torn opening and then began to sew the tears. Maxi bellowed once more and jerked, but then she continued licking her babies until one by one they stood upon wobbling legs, bawling until Maxi nudged them to an utter and they settled down for milk while Mama rested.

Rose fell back onto the hay next to Sammy, laughing as her relief drained what was left of her strength.

He looked over at the babies. It amazed him how fast they had made it to their feet. Now they were contentedly nuzzling around Momma's utters.

Rose turned and looked adoringly into his eyes and taking his hand, she whispered, "Thank you!"

Just then Angelica walked in with the tea. "Oh! They're out!" She chortled at the sight and said, "They're so big! I'll get a pretty penny fer both, fer sure! I guess I must have fallen asleep in the chair and burnt up my teapot. Lucky, I got two. Well anyway, get you two washed up and I'll go fix some breakfast."

They got up and began to wash, wondering what time it was anyway. It was still dark outside and the crows were not yet calling, but they could smell the mist of the first dew in the air as they walked to the house.

Neither one was very hungry as the weariness began to settle upon them, but they politely took a few bites. Rose gave Angelica, a brief account of how the calves were born, praising Sammy with all the credit as he blushed and denied that he could have done anything without her. She instructed the elder lady to contact Mr. Hardbottle at first light so he could check on Maxi.

"For now, she needs rest. So please do not disturb or move her." Rose further instructed.

When they politely excused themselves from her hospitality the old Hobbit insisted on sending some of the food home with them, so they waited a moment while she packed it in a bag.

Sammy noted Rose's eyes getting heavy and he, himself felt more tired than he ever had since mortality settled upon his soul. Yet he was happier than he had ever felt in his entire life and he sighed with a contented smile.

"What?" Smiled Rose in reflex.

"Oh, nothing," blushed Sammy, "it is just that…well this night has been something else!"

"Here ye are!" Sang Angelica as once again she entered the room, interrupting them.

As they prepared to leave, Angelica grunted at Strider as Sammy led him from the barn. She then approached her two helpers and smiled at them. And to their surprise, she stroked Sammy's cheek and said, "Thank you, cousin." She then turned to Rose and hugged her before she sniffed a bit too loudly and rambled off into the house, hollering something about paying them with okra from her garden once it ripens.

Sammy instructed Rose to sit up front for the ride home. For he was too afraid she would fall asleep and not be able to hold on -and because his ribs were still sore from her squeezing on the earlier ride. On the way, he paced the horse slowly so she could rest without fear. And as he held her, he marveled at how sweet she smelled after all she had been through that night.

The stars above glistened in the crystal blackness, as the sound of Strider's hooves clipped clopped on the path. Sammy's thoughts heated his adrenaline as he marveled once again at how happy and wonderful his life had become in the Shire. Although he missed his family, he now had no regrets. He inhaled deeply into Rose's hair and squeezed her gently but she did not stir, for sleep had won her in the warm arms of a handsome, young Peredhil.

They arrived back at Bag End just as the sun began to glow on the horizon. He led Strider into the barn and gently woke Rose. Carefully he let her go as he slipped off the horse, then he turned and once again, offered up his arms to catch her. Now with full trust, she sleepily slipped down once more wrapping her arms about his neck. But this time they did not let each other go.

Their eyes met and suddenly all fear, all shyness, dissolved into ease as the sweetness brought them home. Then gently he laid his lips upon hers and held them as the moistness stirred their passion.

Rose inhaled Sammy, savoring his warmth to soothe her yearning. And as his kisses softened her lips, she returned his love in fluttering sighs.

"Yes," he thought. "I will be happy here."