DISCLAIMER: Not mine. Oh well, can't win them all.

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The little group of visitors were led deep into the warm silence of Rainwall House. It made Sam drowsy to walk in the heat, but his senses awoke when they entered a huge dining hall where a fantastically large table was covered with a lavish spread of food and drink. There was fragrant, sweet bread, hot soup, fresh vegetables and fruit, and huge cuts of meat, all laid out for their enjoyment. Sam was in wonder; he had never seen such food, and in such abundance, ever before.

In moments, the hungry travelers had seated themselves at the table and were helping themselves to the luscious food. The meat fairly melted on their tongues, and even the bread of Lothlorien could not compare to the loaves of Rainwall. Sam ate quickly, barely listening to the flow of conversation around him, but Kerra's clear voice could not be blocked out, and reluctantly he found himself listening.

"Sutta Hooe, I must tell you: the stakes in this quest are high. Lanal has already captured the four pivot point. She has grown more powerful than we ever anticipated. She has the ability to reach into Eressea."

Sutta Hooe's knife clattered to her plate, but her face remained impassive. "Then she has taken the Lady Radika?" Only her eyes betrayed any emotion, and it was both sad and angry.

Gandalf nodded. "We were not quick enough to save her."

Sam felt a thick clot of guilt building in his chest. Here he was, eating his fill, surrounded by friends and comfort, and Anemosi and Elanor were suffering, possibly even dead. He pushed his plate away and stood up. Sutta Hooe's dark eyes followed him as he walked stiffly out of the room.

He had no idea where he was going, but he kept walking. His thoughts were pained, his heart was shivering, and tears were blinding him by the time he reached the door to the outside. He could still hear the stone humming outside, but the sound brought him no comfort. Sam shoved the door open and stumbled out into the cool night air.

He collapsed on the top of the steps, sobbing hopelessly. He felt the death of hope in his heart as he thought of Anemosi and Elanor, trapped in Mordor under the shadow of Mount Doom. He hated that place, but more than he hated it, he feared it. He and Frodo had survived Mordor's danger once; would they be so lucky again? How could he save his love when she could not defend herself?

Sam's sobs wracked his body, and he was unable to stop them. All the pain that he had been holding in since he had left the Undying Lands was released as he sat on the steps of Rainwall House. He could not stop crying; he had not felt this helpless since Frodo, under the influence of Shelob's poison, had been carried away into Barad-Dur all those years ago.

As if summoned by a tug on an invisible heart-string, Frodo quietly stepped outside. The air was chill, and he had brought his cloak, but a look at Sam sobbing and shivering on the steps made him forget his own discomfort.

Who bears he who bears the Ring? Frodo thought sadly. Sam had born so much, and complained so little, and Frodo was damned if he could not offer comfort to his dearest friend at this time.

He walked over to Sam slowly, not wanting to scare him, and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. Sam jumped slightly, his breath catching in his throat, but then a work-roughened hand clutched Frodo's.

"I want her back, Frodo," came Sam's broken voice. "I thought I had lost her for the longest time, and I had her back for so little...I just want her back!" His voice cracked and he broke into sobs again, tears streaming down his face.

Frodo sat down beside Sam and wrapped his arms around him. "Hush, Sam," he whispered. "You'll get her back, and Elanor too. I promise you, you will get them back, and Lanal will pay for what she has done."

He felt Sam swallow hoarse sobs against him. "What if they're dead, Mr. Frodo?" he cried out. "What if we're too late? I couldn't bear it if she's gone! I don't think...I don't know if I can live without--"

Frodo hushed him again, stroking his back gently. "Don't say that, Sam! Please don't say that! She'll be all right..."

Sam looked up slowly, eyes and nose red from crying. "But Mr. Frodo--"

"Sam." Frodo's blue eyes met his, love and sadness and loyalty and determination and a strange, unfamiliar expression mixed together in their depths. "I think that after all our years together you can call me Frodo."

Sam smiled slightly. "If you say so, Mr--Frodo."

"That's better." Frodo smiled sweetly at him. "Sam, you stood by me when I had to go through Mordor. And I will stand by you on your journey through that hell. As long as I can breathe, I will fight for you and your Anemosi to be together again."

Sam leaned his head against Frodo's shoulder. "Thank you," he breathed quietly. "Thank you."

Frodo held him until the morning sun rose and Sutta Hooe came to greet them. She awoke them gently, and as they were rubbing the sleep from their eyes, she spoke.

"My friends, we are beginning. Come with me."