A loud knocking awoke everyone and Pippin promptly fell over the side of the bed with a loud thump!

""What time is it?" Merry moaned, cuddling Rashelle close to him and throwing his arm over his eyes.

"Nearly ten O'clock," Sam said groggily as he rolled out of bed, careful to avoid Pippin and pulled on a pair of pants and a shirt. The stranger was still knocking most insistantly when he opened the door.

"Good Morning, can I help you, sir?" Sam asked stifling a yawn when he saw it was no sir, but Rosie Cotton.

"Hello yourself, Sam Gamgee," She said bitterly and looked over his groggy appearance. "I take it you spent all night with that white-toed harlot?"

"Now see here, Miss Rose, you have no right to speak about Miss Rashelle in that manner!" Sam fumed and crossed his arms in front of his chest, "Now what can I do for you?"

"What I have to say is for Frodo and not you," She said her pretty face full of venom.

"Well, Mr. Frodo is still asleep, so either you tell me and I tell him when he wakes, or you come back at a decent hour," Sam said. Rosie narrowed her dark eyes at him.

"Fine, a group of big folk were at the Green Dragon yesterday, asking for a hobbit girl that sounded a whole lot like Miss Rashelle. I told them where Frodo lived and I came over to tell him whatever business he has with Big Folk to keep it out of the Inn. We lost a lot of customers yesterday, as you would have known if your were there,"

"Well no big folk came over yesterday so it must not have been important. Now if you'll excuse me, Miss Rose, I need to put the kettle on for tea," He said looking for an excuse to get away from his ex-lover.

"Whatever, but you listen to me, Sam Gamgee," She warned, her dark eyes glittering. "If those men want that little white-toed vixen so bad tell Frodo to tie her up and shove her out the front door! She isn't any good. We've had enough trouble from that Sharkey Saruman person and don't need anymore man trouble!"

"That is quite enough, Miss Rose! Now good morning and good bye!" Sam said sternly and shut the door.

Sam took a deep breath and rested his head on the door as his mind reeled. What were Big Folk doing looking for Rashelle?

"Sam, who was it?"

Rashelle's voice invaded his thoughts as her arms snaked around his waist from behind.

"Oh, it was only, Miss Rose," He said softly and he felt her tighten her embrace in response.

"Sam, are you okay?" She asked and Sam could feel the guilt rush through her as her arms continued to hug him firmly. "I know you and Rose were so close before I came. If you ever. . . " He voice faltered and she nestled into his back. "Sam, if you ever wanted to go back to her, I'd never hold it against you,"

Samwise gave a bitter smile and turned in her arms. He tilted her head with his hand, meeting her reddish-brown eyes.

"That's not necessary, Miss Rashelle. I may have loved Miss Rose in the past, but it is you I love now,"

The silver toes hobbit-lass smiled and Sam dipped down and kissed her forehead.

"Rashelle, could I speak with you?" Frodo's voice called from down the hall. With a grin to Sam, Rashelle broke the embrace and hurried down the hall.

************* ************************** ****************

Sam sat himself down at the table in the garden with a smile. He knew what Frodo wanted. A very special even indeed, it would need more planning than the birthday in the garden. Quiet moments ticked by and then Sam felt his heart warm over when he heard Rashelle's cry of happiness. There was the patter of feet in the hall and the door to the garden and Rashelle eyes found him.

"Rivendell! We're going to Rivendell!" She laughed happily and Sam gave her nod and felt in his pocket for his pipe. She gave a squeal of laughter as she fled back inside as Sam lit his pipe and puffed on it thoughtfully.

Rivendell was where the ceremony would take place, but he didn't think she'd be so excited about the place rather than the event. There was more pattering through the house and then the sound of the large green door opening and Merry and Pippin voices mingled with Rashelle's as they made their way down to Hobbiton.

Lastly came the slow, heavy footsteps of Frodo, who came through the back door and walked over to where Sam was. Sam was not ready for the look of crushed hope on Frodo's face as he sat heavily beside the gardener.

"Dear Mr. Frodo, what ever is the matter. This is a time for happiness! You and Miss Rashelle getting mar-"

"I couldn't do it. I didn't ask her, Samwise," Frodo rasped and bent over, hiding his face in his hands.

Sam's pipe nearly fell from his slack lips as he starred at his master in surprise. "But, Mr. Frodo, why? You love her so much and she loves you,"

"Aye, it sounds so easy, but I'm not the only one who loves her. You love her, Meriadoc loves her, Peregrin loves her, and she loves all of you. To ask her to marry would make her feel like she's choosing. I can't ask that!"

"But, dear master, we've talked about it. Just the day before your birthday remember. You, Master Merry, Master Pippin, and me. Nothing will change, nothing at all, just you and she will be wearing rings on your fingers,"

At the word rings Frodo looked at his hand were the One Ring once rode. The ring finger on it was missing. All that was left was a stump. Not that the rings of marriage bothered him. He would give up his whole hand to be with Rashelle.

"But, what if she refuses or just marries me cause she fells indebted to me or-" Sam hushed him, gripping his shoulder.

"Mr. Frodo, if you are not ready, you are not ready. Don't push yourself. Why don't you come into the kitchen with me and I'll start up breakfast?"

"Yes, Sam, that sounds wonderful," Frodo mused, standing with Sam and ambling inside.