Samwise Gamgee turned in his bed and pulled the pillow over his brown curls as he tried to muffle out the insistent knocking on the door. He wished the person would go away so he could remain in his warm bed with his youngest child, little Frodo and his wife, Rosie. Finally it awoke even his deep sleeping spouse and she turned and reached over their son to shake his shoulder.

"Sam, Sam, please go see who it is. They'll wake the shire if they continue," She said groggily. Finally, Sam rolled out of bed and pulled on his night robe, which hung on the footboard.

He yawned as he walked down the hall and saw several of the bedroom doors open. Several figures huddled at the round windows by the door, trying to see the figured in the inky darkness.

Sam shooed them along to bed before he opened the door. He opened his mouth to scold whatever hobbit had woke him and his family in the dead of the night, but no noise came out and his mouth remained hanging.

In front of him loomed a huge dark figure, cloaked and hooded with a coal black beard and thin mouth. He could make out the man's eyes, but he could feel them like he was a rabbit starring into the eyes of a hawk.

Behind the man were two smaller figures, both cloaked and hooded, indistinguishable in the night's shadows.

"Am I addressing Mayor Samwise Gamgee?" The huge man asked and Sam nodded voicelessly. The man reached into his robes and produced a piece of parchment that looked like it had seen better days. "My name is Allanon, my companions and I come bearing a message from your master, Frodo Baggins,"

Sam felt his heart pound against his ribs, "From Mr. Frodo? Is he well?"

"Worse," Allanon said, holding out the parchment, "He's dying,"

(really short I know, but I'd like to see if I get any reviews before I pour my heart and soul into this story *plus I have others to finish * I'll add at least two more chapters before leaving it up to reviewers whether I continue or not. Thanks.)