Frodo slowly opened his eyelids shielding his eyes with his hand, from the bright sunshine that met his gaze. Waking up a bit more he started to feel a great pain in his legs and felt how his right arm was nearly lame. Everything around him was new and unfamiliar, but yet it felt like he had been there for a long time. Blurry memories of what had happened came back to him and now he realised he was laying in a real bed with clean sheets and a soft pillow. His head was spinning and still his sight had not fully recovered from the dust and dark of Mordor, but what he could see was that he was all alone.

His heart sank in his chest when thoughts of Sam filled his mind. Where was his best friend and loyal servant?

He wished so dearly that he was not dead, but it felt like there was little hope of survival within him. Frodo had almost been caught by the evil of the ring, but Sam noticed and with his last strength he had managed to destroy the ring.

Frodo put his hand under his shirt, but felt no ring and no chain, they were all gone and the burden that he had carried was lifted off from him. He could see and feel the moment when he saw Sam's foot kicking the jewellery off the edge and to Frodo's temporary dismay it fell and disappeared in to the roaring fires burning his skin.

Now he felt anger and remorse over his inexcusable behaviour! Had he not been warned and had he not so many times wished the ring had fallen in to the hands of someone else, someone who was stronger and bigger than himself.

With difficulty he managed to sit up in bed but he knew he would not be able to use his legs yet, they were to soar and weak. "Oh Sam" he cried silently. "What have I done to you dear friend? You did not deserve this, and now you are most likely dead"

A warm, almost burning tear, rolled like a raindrop over Frodo's pale cheek. How many hours, days or weeks had he been laying here? In one second he started to wonder if it was all a dream, but within his heart he knew that it was all real and never would his life be the same again. While he sat and cursed himself for his stupidity, the door on the far end was slowly opened. Frodo feared for whom would come and still he had little hope that he would ever see any of his friends again. Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli... Bilbo. Through the door came a fresh breeze of air and stilled his mind before getting the chock of his life. In the doorway he saw an old man with long grey beard, bushy eyebrows and a pointy hat. Now he was certain that he had gone insane, but he could just not let go of the feeling that it was so real.

"You are awake I see" The old man said.

"Are you? No it can't be… you're dead... am I so sick I can not control what I see?"

There was no answer. The man walked over to Frodo's bed and sat down on a chair.

"I can not tell you what you see and how you see it, but I can tell you that I am glad to see you the way I see you"

Frodo threw his arms around him and it felt like all his pain was gone. "Gandalf!" He cried out. "You're alive!"

Gandalf laughed. "Yes I am, Yes I am dear boy"

"This is too much for my poor hobbit-heart" Frodo said with a smile. "It has switched so fast from nightmare to joy"

Gandalf patted Frodo's shoulder. "Indeed and I suppose you want to know where the others are?"

Frodo's smile faded. "I can only guess what has happened to Sam" he said with deep sadness. "But I don't know abo-"

"With Sam?" Gandalf interrupted.

"Dead, isn't he?" He said with sudden insecurity.

Gandalf didn't change expression and Frodo, who wanted to believe that Sam was still alive, misinterpreted the wizard's face.

"It's my fault..." Frodo begun, but Gandalf looked thoughtfully at the boy's tear-wet face.

"There is no fault Frodo my boy, Sam is still alive, but I will not deceive you, his condition is unstable and he is still not awake. All though seeing you does bring me hope to have him back soon"

Frodo had to clutch his chest. "Can I see him?"

Gandalf smiled. "Of course you can, but not today I'm afraid, you still need to rest"

Frodo did not feel like resting. He felt his stomach growling loudly.

"And I would love to have a bite to eat" he smiled.

Gandalf nodded. "Of course, how forgetful of me, I will send Merry with a tray"

Frodo lit up. "Is Merry here?"

Gandalf got up from the chair. "They are all here Frodo, the fellowship is not lost..." then he added: "Except for.. Boromir"

Frodo nodded. "I know..."

Gandalf smiled at the pale, but happy hobbit one last time before he left the room.

"Oh Sam, I am so glad you are alive, but will you ever fully mend? Will you survive? I know you are strong… but you have been wasting so much strength on me, how much is left? Will I ever see my lovely gardener again, or someone else? Another Sam…?"