Chapter 14 Title: A Toast Chapter rating: G

Frodo returned to Bag End only to find it empty. However, there was evidence that Sam and Rose were recently in, as the windows were open to the beautiful autumn breeze and the kettle was still hot. Frodo poured himself a cup of tea. There was a new crock of honey open on the kitchen table, so he added a spoonful of the nectar to his cup. The combination of his early morning activities with Iris and the brisk walk from Hobbiton had whetted his appetite to an unusual degree for him. Frodo sat down at the table and helped himself to a slice of fresh wheat bread and some left-over melon he found in a bowl. The melon tasted a bit unusual. Was that a wine sauce in there? It was good, whatever Rose had done with it. He wolfed it down.

Frodo could see Sam out in the back tool shed. He evidently had not noticed Frodo's return, as he was absorbed with gathering tools for his day's work. Rose was nowhere to be seen, but that was not unusual. She often helped at her family's farm for the day. Frodo finished with his breakfast and took the tea into his study.

Someone had been looking through his papers and writings again. This wasn't the first time he had noticed it. Everything was where it should be, but there were subtle changes in how things are re-arranged this time. The blue inkwell was now atop the far left stack of papers on the desk, when it should have been the black inkwell there. The map of the Shire he usually kept under the desk no longer had a light coating of dust and was propped up against the table leg instead of lying flat on the floor. The little table beside the chair next to the fireplace had a half-empty mug on a coaster. Frodo padded over and sniffed. From the aroma he could tell it was some of the peach tea Sam liked to drink.

Aha! Frodo had known Sam was tempted to steal in and read through his writings. Ever since Bilbo had taught Sam his letters he had taken to sneaking into the Bag End study to try to find books about the Elves. It was Sam's secret passion and he was somewhat embarrassed by it. Now Frodo had the evidence of Sam's obsession. Frodo smiled. Caught him! Something important must have interrupted Sam's reading. He was usually much more circumspect than to leave evidence behind. Something, or someone. Aha again! Rose. It had to be Rose.

Frodo smiled at his own deductive reasoning. He had the evidence to tease Sam unmercifully for at least one good joke. Maybe two if he could verify it was Rose who interrupted Sam's surreptitious reading. This was going to be fun.

Another thought came unbidden to Frodo's mind. Sam was reading his history of the Quest and the War. The chapter under development and lying on top of the stack of virgin parchment dealt with Shelob. It was in plain sight for anyone looking on the desk. Sam would have read it.

"Iris is right," Frodo thought as he sipped his tea. "It is time I talked to Sam about Cirith Ungol. I cannot possibly put some of that into the book. It would not be fair to him, or to me, or to whomever reads this book when it is finished. And I have no idea of what he went through to find me in that dreadful tower. I wonder how much he knows?"

Frodo looked outside the study window and could see Sam working in the flower garden beside the front door. "Now is as good a time as any," he thought.

Frodo had to do a little trespassing of his own. He went into Sam and Rose's bedroom and located Sam's favorite pipe. He then retrieved his own pipe, a small pouch of Longbottom Leaf and a brand, and opened the front door. Sam had just started weeding and trimming back the boxwood and primroses.

"Mister Frodo, I didn't see ya come in. Welcome back home. Hope you and the doctor didn't run into more trouble in Hobbiton because of me and my foolishness."

"We spent the day visiting all the businesses and stomping out rumors, but it was very productive." Frodo handed Sam his pipe and the two friends wandered over to the little stone bench set into the garden wall. "I think it was good for Iris too, as just about everyone we met was very supportive of her. However, I think I may have done some foolishness of my own."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked as he loaded his pipe. "I can't believe you would get into a fight!"

Frodo laughed and took a long pull on his own pipe. "Oh no! Nothing near as physical as you. But I think I made a mistake at the tailors. I ordered a new dress for the doctor, and also ordered a matching vest for myself. Iris didn't take too kindly to either, but really protested about the matching vest."

"Lasses do get peculiar notions about what is and what isn't proper, particularly when concerning their own clothes," Sam chuckled. "I have sisters even, and I haven't figured that out yet. I don't think I ever will either. I don't see nothin' wrong with having matching clothes, as long as they're not gaudy or nothing. Er. you didn't order anything in a print pattern, did ya?"

"Um . well. does paisley count as a pattern?" Frodo said rather sheepishly.

"Beggin' yer pardon, but that's probably not a good choice," Sam grinned. His master was so smart about book-learning, but could be so thick about everyday things. "You'll stick out like a sore thumb ifin the two of you wear them outfits at the same time." Sam was rather enjoying Frodo's discomfort. It was the easy teasing of long-time friends.

"Perhaps I should instruct Mistress Chiswell change the paisley to something else. I think she was trying to talk me out of that vest too. Well, I shall do that tomorrow." Frodo tried to change the subject. "How are your ribs doing?"

"Not near as sore as my ears were yesterday," Sam smiled. "I got a right royal tongue-lashing from Rose about getting into that fight. Me lass has a temper and isn't afraid to speak her mind." Sam chuckled and crossed his legs in front. "But I like that in her. I know I shouldn't let ole Sandyman get to me though. I promised her last night that I wouldn't be getting into no more fights."

Sam suddenly sat upright and turned to Frodo. "Rose and me . well, we got some important news to tell ya." Sam was beaming. "Rose is in the family way! I'm goin' to be a dad! And I want to name the little lad after you, if you don't mind."

Frodo's eyes crinkled in merriment. He gave Sam a big hug. "Sam, that's wonderful! Congratulations! I am terribly flattered, to say the least. What if it's a girl, Sam?"

"Well, I dunno, Mister Frodo, sir. Guess we'll deal with that when we come to it. But I'm sure it's a boy."

"This calls for a toast," Frodo said as he and Sam got up. They went inside the smial and split up. Frodo went to retrieve a couple of mugs from the kitchen while Sam ambled off into the cellar. Frodo joined Sam in the small cool room deep within the Hill. Sam tapped the little ale barrel (Barliman's Best Ale from the Prancing Pony, which was a house-warming gift from Merry) and they took the beer outside, re-lighting their pipes and toasting Rose and Sam and the baby.

"To the latest addition to the Gamgees!" Frodo raised his mug on high. "May your children bring you joy and happiness. Here's to Samwise Gamgee, the truest friend a hobbit could ever have."

"Aw, gee, Mister Frodo," Sam blushed, "thank you. Here's to me Rose and our bairn, and to you too of course."

The two friends drained their beers and spent the rest of the morning talking about good times to come. The hard discussion about Cirith Ungol could wait.