Memories Of Tomorrow

A gentle breeze came through the Shire carrying on it a fresh scent of newly blossomed roses. Five months had since passed after Frodo returned from Rivendell and now it seemed as if everything was back in proper order. It was April and the day was warm and clear. Not a cloud was to be found in the soft blue sky as Frodo made his way from Bag End and out into the Party Field. As he came around the hill a smile drew across his lips, for there was Sam kneeling next to a small tree with a watering can. Frodo came up the hill quietly and stood behind Sam as he admired the beautiful tree. Frodo then watched as Sam pulled up a few weeds near the base of the tree trunk, before he stood up finally taking notice of his visitor.

"Hullo Frodo!" Sam replied as he stood up brushing the dirt and grass from his hands. "I didn't even know you were here. How are you today?"

"Quite well Sam." Frodo said with a smile. "I feel rested. More so then in days past."

"Splendid!" Sam said looking back down at the sapling. "Did you see Frodo that our mallorn has blossomed lovely golden flowers today?"

"That I have." Frodo replied peering over Sam's shoulder. "And on your birthday too. Who could ask for a more beautiful present."

"I think no one could." Sam laughed. "If it keeps growing the way it is by the end of the summer it will be up over my head. It was such a surprise to see that seed bore forth this gem of Lothlórien."

"And what a wonder it is to have it here in the Shire." Frodo replied.

"Aye." Sam said softly. "It's like having a part of our journey with us to remember for all time." All was silent and then he looked to Frodo. His face seemed to be long and troubled. Sam then wondered if he should have spoken word of the journey again but Frodo just sighed and the turn seemed to pass.

"So…" Frodo said taking in a deep breath. He looked over to Sam and a smile came to his face. "When are you going to move in and join me Sam?"

Sam looked to Frodo a bit awkward. He didn't know what to say. His question had caught him quite off guard.

"There is no need to come yet." Frodo replied feeling that Sam was somewhat hesitant. "Not if you don't want to. Your Gaffer will still be close at hand."

"It's not that Mr. Frodo." Sam replied his face turning very red.

"Well then, what is it?" Frodo said with a soft laugh.

Sam blushed all the more red and he held his head down as a childish grin came to his face.

"Well sir, its Rosie, Rose Cotton." Sam muttered. "It seems she didn't like my going away at all. She never said anything until you and I stayed with them before the new row was finished. But I hadn't spoken for her hand so she couldn't say so, but now I have spoken. I feel torn in two as you might say."

Frodo smiled and looked at Sam shaking his head gently.

"I see." Frodo replied softly. "You want to get married and yet you want to come and live with me too."

"That I do." Sam said as he looked up to Frodo.

"Sam, how easy!" Frodo replied. "Go and get married as soon as you can and then move in with Rosie. There is more than enough room in Bag End for a family as big as you could wish for!"

"Are you sure Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked softly.

"I am." Frodo said putting his hand on Sam's shoulder. "I wouldn't want to have it any other way."

A tear seemed present upon Sam's face as he smiled taking Frodo into his arms embracing him tightly.

"So it is settled." Frodo replied as he patted Sam's back.

"That it is." Sam said cheerfully. "The two of us together again!"

*******

As the days passed by they soon brought with them the first day of May. It was on this beautiful day that Sam and Rose would be wed near the garden at Bag End. Before the sun had even come over the horizon Sam was pacing in front of the door not wanting to knock fearing he would wake Frodo. Hours passed by as Sam watched the sun slowly rise high in the distant sky. When the sky finally turned a soft shade of blue Sam reached to the door to knock and as he did it opened and there stood Frodo smiling.

"How long have you been standing there?" Frodo said with a soft laugh.

"Too long." Sam replied cheerfully. "I think three hours have gone by since I first came by but I didn't want to knock and wake you."

"Well come in then!" Frodo said leading Sam through the door. "When I said to come by at the crack of dawn I didn't mean before the sun ever rose!" Frodo laughed.

"I couldn't help myself." Sam stuttered. "I'm more nervous then I've been in all my life."

"I can imagine so." Frodo replied as he closed the door behind Sam. "Well let us go into the study and get you together for Rosie." Frodo said walking through the den. Sam followed close behind holding his hand in his trouser pocket fumbling with something within.

"Why is it that you wanted me to come by so early?" Sam muttered bringing his hand out of his pocket.

"You'll see." Frodo replied opening the door to the study. He held his hand out into the room and Sam looked in but saw nothing. "Go on, go inside." Frodo said smiling. Sam then went in and Frodo followed behind him. Sam stood in the middle of the study watching as Frodo came in and sat in his chair that was before the desk. A large looking glass stood in the room on a wooden easel and next to it on small stool sat a package tied with a golden bow. "That is for you Sam." Frodo replied pointing to the present upon the stool. Sam looked to Frodo as a soft smile came to his lips. His heart pounded within his chest as he came to the parcel wrapped in brown paper wondering what it could contain. He reached out and untied the bow letting the ribbon fall to the floor. Slowly he began to pull away the paper and there before him was revealed a beautiful ivory colored vest coat and a pair of matching trousers finely embroidered with shimmering gold thread. Sam reached down and took the vest within his hands running his fingers along the golden buttons.

"It was my father's." Frodo said softly. "It is the only thing I have in my possession belonging to him." Sam then looked to Frodo his eyes wet with tears.

"I can not accept this." Sam replied setting the vest back down.

"Nonsense." Frodo said coming up from his chair. He went to Sam and took the vest within his hands helping Sam draw it up over his shoulders. Frodo then buttoned it up and smoothed out the fabric looking into Sam's eyes smiling brightly. "There you are now." Frodo replied stepping away from Sam so he could see himself within the mirror. Sam looked up into the mirror and staring back at him was a face that he had not looked upon for some time. He shone with elegance and the sunlight played upon his face as his cheeks filled with radiance. A deep sigh passed his lips and he looked back to Frodo as he stood admiring his dear friend. Sam put his hand back into his trouser pocket and took it back out holding his closed hand before him.

"What have you there?" Frodo asked softly.

"It's for Rose." Sam said opening his fingers. "I hope Bilbo don't mind but I used a bit of the gold he gave me to get this while we were still in Rivendell." In his hand was a beautiful mithril silver band engraved with fine elvish runes and polished to a brilliant shine.

"I do not think he would mind at all." Frodo said smiling as he closed Sam's fingers over his treasure. Sam then sighed and looked back to the mirror. "Whatever is wrong Sam?" Frodo asked softly.

"I feel awkward you might say with all this finery." Sam said turning back to Frodo. "Does it suit me well?"

"That it does." Frodo said putting his hands on Sam's shoulders. "This is your day to shine Sam." Frodo replied smiling. "Go on now and finish getting ready. The hour is fast approaching." Frodo then turned away and went to the door but as he went through the doorway Sam called out his name.

"Frodo." Sam said softly.

"Yes Sam." Frodo replied looking back to his dear friend.

"Thank you for everything." Sam whispered.

"You're welcome Sam." Frodo said with a smile. He then began on his way once more leaving Sam to his own within the study.

*******

The hour had long come and gone as the festivities drew on into the late hours of the evening. Music and song filled the air as all who attended the wedding stood round in a circle in the party field dancing under the light of the stars. Sam and Rose stood in the middle arm in arm joyfully prancing round to the beat of the music. Yet through all the merriment Frodo sat near the edge of the garden far from all the laughter and friends. It was not until Merry and Pippin came to Sam's side as he sat trying to catch his breath exhausted from dancing, that he noticed his beloved master was no where to be seen.

"Where do you suppose he could be?" Pippin said softly as Sam stood to his feet looking for Frodo.

"I do not know Pip." Sam whispered. "It is not like him to go off like this. Tell Rose I'll be back shortly. She will understand." Sam then began walking through the party field and around the side of Bag End. There sitting in the garden next to a beautiful rose bush was Frodo looking high into the midnight sky at the brilliant full moon.

"There you are." Sam replied as he came to Frodo sitting at his side. Frodo said nothing as he looked away from the sky and to Sam before taking his eyes away and looking down to his hands as they lay in his lap. A deep sigh then passed his lips.

"I did not mean to take you away." Frodo said quietly.

"Take me away. What do you mean?" Sam replied.

"From everything Sam." Frodo mumbled softly. The Shire and now your Rose. You should have not left her side Sam. This is your day. You do not need to worry about me."

"It is my job to worry about you." Sam said putting his hand on Frodo's shoulder. "If I did not no one else would. Come now tell me what is troubling you Frodo. It will do you no good to hold it all inside."

"I do not know how to say it." Frodo replied looking to Sam. "Though I am here with you and with Merry and Pippin I feel…" Frodo said growing quiet.

"Feel what?" Sam questioned.

"Alone." Frodo whispered as began to rub his hands together. "It just seems as though a part of me has been missing since returning back from Mordor."

"In a way there is." Sam said quietly as he placed his hand over Frodo's. "But you need to leave the memory of the past behind you and think of what is to come Frodo. You can not live with those haunting memories for all time."

"I know." Frodo sighed. "I need something more in my life to take my mind away from those days of the past." Frodo then looked to Sam with a faint smile upon his lips before he stood to his feet. For some time he stood looking off into the distant sky seemingly lost in thought. All the while Sam sat at his side until Merry and Pippin came to them with Rose.

"Everyone has gone." Rose said softly holding her hands out to Sam helping him from the ground. She then took her glance to Frodo, as he stood silent still gazing into the vastness of the night. Merry and Pippin too stared at their dear friend for he looked cold as stone and lost within a dream. Frodo closed his eyes and then opened them slowly looking to everyone around him. No words were spoken as he took a deep breath and turned away walking along the side of Bag End where he disappeared for the remainder of the evening.

*******

Two days after the wedding Sam and Rose came and lived at Bag End with Frodo. Sam thought himself lucky to be so close to his master now, but Frodo knew that he was more lucky himself. There was not a hobbit in the Shire that was looked after with such care. Frodo soon resigned his position as Deputy Mayor at the Free Fair that mid-summer and then he took to a quiet life, writing a great deal and going through all his notes. All things seemed to go well now, with hopes that they would be better still. Sam was busy and full of delight more so than any hobbit could ever wish. Nothing for him was marred that year until the autumn came. It was then that Sam noticed Frodo had quietly dropped out of all the doings of the Shire. Sam was also pained to notice how little honor Frodo held in his own county. Few people knew or wanted to know about his deeds and adventures. Their admiration and respect were mostly given to Merry and Pippin, and if Sam had know it, to himself. It was now eight days before Frodo's birthday and Sam quietly left his master late in the evening long after he had fallen asleep. He slipped out the front door and made his way into the streets of Hobbiton. There awaiting his arrival at the far end of the row was Merry and Pippin shrouded in dark cloaks. Merry took down his hood as Sam came near holding his finger to his lips.

"We must keep our voices down I don't want Frodo to hear." Sam whispered softly.

"But Sam he is back home sound asleep in bed." Pippin replied quietly. "He can not hear a thing."

"I know, I know." Sam said with a sigh. "I'm just worried about him and all. Frodo has been keeping to himself all too much lately. What do you suppose is wrong?"

"I can not say." Merry replied. "There is more weight on his shoulders than any of us can fathom."

"Maybe we could find him a nice lass." Pippin said with a smile.

"Pip." Merry replied sharply. "Now is not the time for jokes. He needs us now more so than ever to get his mind off things." Merry grew silent for a moment and then a thought came to mind. "Perhaps a dinner Sam. We will stop by tomorrow evening and pay a visit. Then we can share stories and songs by the fire. Perhaps that will bring his spirits around."

"Perhaps." Sam said softly. "I just hate seeing him like this, sulking around the halls constantly holding that gem he wears around his neck in his hand."

"Very well then." Merry replied as he pulled his hood back up over his head. "Pippin and I will to the Green Dragon and spend the evening there. We will come by tomorrow about an hour before supper."

"And tell Rose to fix that mushroom pie I love so much!" Pippin shouted as they walked away. Sam then raised his hand and waved goodbye before turning away and heading back for home. He hoped that the 'morrow would finally bring about a change in Frodo's life.