Hullo all! Nice to see everyone. :)

*blushes and giggles* Kellen? You are so fond of making me blush. ;) No, really, I'm very glad you liked it! I'm certainly not on par with Cassia and Sio, but I enjoy writing, and it appears that some enjoy my writing to, so it's good enough for me! :D

Oh, I reeeeeeeeeally like A Walk To Remember! We just watched it again last night, and I liked it even better, I think, because I knew that she was going to die, and when and how it would happen…woopsies! Sorry, guys. SPOILERS FOR A WALK TO REMEMBER HERE!…. ;)

Anyways, I liked the part where Landon asks Jamie for help, and she says "All right. Then I'll pray for you." lol! That was cleaver. :)

Sorry, sorry, Rosie and Sam have nada to do with Jamie and Landon, huh?

Hullo Sarah! Oh, I'm glad you liked it! And it didn't CUT OFF YOUR REVIEW!!! Yay!! ;) Woopsies! Sorry about the slip-up. Yes, PORtrayal is what I had meant to say. *sigh* ah well. At least it was only feedback, and not in the story! :)

Oh, and besides. I really don't much care for the word Betrayal any more. *glares at Cassia* OH Legolas is in for a mucho grande probelemo!

HI Rose Cotton! Yeah, Rosie's 'premonition' as you called it, I thought, gave her a bit more character outside of just being a hobbit-lass who happens to like Sam. And, yes, as annoying as Gollum is, I found that in the end, he was one of the most fun characters to write. ;)

Whoah! Angel of the Elves, I'm glad you're enjoying it!….SO MUCH! ;) Yes, I very much enjoyed the Extended Cut of Fotr. Hey, if nothing else, we got to see more of Rosie, right? :D Oh, and you like Ducky? *grins* amazing the kind of things one picks up on, even from a 5-year-old's cartoon! Yep yep yep! ;)

Yeah, Siri, they're cute. Adorable. The most darling little being in Middle Earth! :D Sorry for cutting you off like that. The conclusion of the last chapter is right here anyways. :)

Yeah, I know, Sam goes to fight Shelob, and all the while, starts whispering "I'm not afraid of Dragons" or, you know, we could go ahead and say "There ARE no dragons" and be done with it!…..nah, Nio and Sam just *don't* mix. ;)

Well, onto the next post! (2nd to last) my, my, how the time flies! *sigh* AACK! No, that rhyme wasn't supposed to be there. ;)

Kay, on we go!

Chapter 5

Her Love For Me

Sam sat on a stool in the Green Dragon, draining the last of his ale, and sighed contentedly. He glanced over the counter where Rosie stood, drying out a clean mug, and chatting animatedly with Yarrow Brandybuck over the glossy counter.

"Sam?" Frodo was waving farewell to Nick and Jolly Cotton as he made his way towards his friend. "Sam! There you are, I was beginning to fear you had returned to Bagshot Row and not bid me goodnight!"

Sam smiled slightly, and Frodo caught the hesitant look. "Is Ted Sandman spreading rumors about me again? Honestly, Sam, I really *don't* care that they think I've completely cracked! Goodness, let them think what they wish."

"No, sir, it's nothing like that."

"Then what's wrong? For any with eyes can see there is something troubling you."

"It's Miss- it's Rosie. She's been looking over at me a great deal, and I can't say why."

Frodo glanced over at the hobbit-lass in time to catch her automatically averting her gaze, and focusing back on Yarrow. "Why would she look at you so?"

"I don't know!" Sam exclaimed, pushing his empty mug across the table. He sat back shaking his head, and sighed. "I'm greatly sorry, Mr. Frodo, for being short. Especially with you." he shook his head again, and looked over his shoulder at Rosie one last time. "Let's go. I daresay I could use rest."

"Of course Sam, but I must bid farewell to Farmer Cotton first, for he is here with young Tom this evening to help Rosie."

"Of course, Mr. Frodo, I'll go and wait by the door." Sam got up, and moved towards the Green Dragon's doorway, leaning against it, breathing in the cool air outside, and simply thinking.

"Sam?"

He jumped, and turned around. "Oh, evening, Rosie."

"Are you leaving?" she asked, an unfamiliar insecurity in her voice.

"Well, soon as Mr. Frodo has said his farewell to your father and young Tom, yes."

She moved forward, and looked deep into his blue eyes. "And will you come back?"

"Of course, Rosie, we always do. Perhaps even tomorrow!"

"Don't make promises you're not sure you can keep." she warned, still looked a little worried, but a smile tugging at her thin lips. "Will you promise to help me plant some more Gentians and Bluets in the garden in Spring?" she asked hopefully.

"Why of course, though you told me not to make promises I'm not sure of keeping."

"Well, you shall have to keep it then." she smiled softly, and paused a moment. "They won't be planted until you're here to help me, and my family shall be ever so disappointed if there aren't any Gentians this Spring."

"Then, unless I want to face Nibs, and young Tom, for they have been the fondest of your flowers, I shall help you with your garden, Rosie. That's a promise."

Again she smiled, but there was a look of concern still there. Sam began walking back to the doorway, and then stopped, and turned. "I'm not afraid of dragons anymore, Rosie."

This time the smile was completely genuine. "I love you, Sam. How I do."

Sam went bright red, but managed to answer. "I love too, Rosie."

She smiled, if possible, even bigger just as Frodo walked up behind Sam. "Goodnight then, lads!" she called as they both walked into the evening air.

Sam was glad of the dark, for Frodo couldn't see how flushed his face had become at the outright answer he'd given Rosie. What he didn't know, was that Frodo had not entirely missed the conversation, and was smiling broadly.

As they journeyed in the direction of Bag End, a voice heavy with much ale, rang from the doorway behind them. "Sweet maiden of the golden ale!" the drunk hobbit slurred, as he grinned stupidly at Rosie, and made his way from the Green Dragon.

Sam glanced over his shoulder, and muttered hotly "Boy, mind who you're sweet-talking."

"Don't worry, Sam." Frodo admonished, giving Sam's shoulder a squeeze. "Rosie knows and idiot when she sees one."

"Does she?" Sam asked, and when Frodo saw the look of distress on his face, he almost laughed.

"Trust me here, Sam. I doubt very much that Rosie thinks you among them!"

Sam looked slightly uncertain a moment, and a look of extreme discomfort came across his face. Then, Rosie's words flew through his mind.

"I love you, Sam. How I do."

And Sam had the happiest of thoughts all the way back to Bag End.

Rosie watched Sam go, Frodo in step beside him. She barely even noticed the drunken hobbit grinning next to her, and even when she smiled courteously, and glanced a goodnight to him, her thoughts were on Sam. "I'll see you in the Spring, Sam." she whispered, so only she could have heard the words.

And Rosie would have certainly stayed there, with thoughts of that shiest, calmest, dearest hobbit keeping her more than company, had she not had to turn into the Green Dragon again, to keep Pipin from having more ale.

*****

"She couldn't have *known* Sam." Frodo pointed out, putting another empty water-bottle in his pack, it's contents being shared between the two, but now was no more. So caught up were they in talking of Rosie, Frodo barely noticed his burning throat anymore.

"I know that. But maybe- she knew that I'd be needing to do something great someday, and thought now was the time to talk of it."

"Maybe," Frodo leaned against the dirt wall again, and sighed. "Who would have supposed it possible to bring cheer into Mordor?"

Sam shook his head. "Only Rosie could have done it."

"Indeed. You should tell her, when we get back to the Shire."

Sam nodded, swallowing hard, and suddenly turned from his master. Maybe he wouldn't notice. But Frodo had seen the tears, and moved forward, putting a hand on the hobbit's shoulder. "You *will* see her again, Sam. You were meant to be together. Forever. Trust me, dearest friend, you'll see her again."

Sam's voice shook as he responded. "You know, Mr. Frodo? Dragons aren't the only thing to be afraid of. What about heartache?" and at this, he turned, his blue eyes filling with tears prompted by an uncharacteristically miserable heart, and he looked pleadingly at his friend. "'cause I know I might be risking it, so afraid am I of losing Rosie. And I don't think I can conquer *that*. I don't think I can go on without her, Frodo sir, I don't!"

"You won't need to conquer it." Frodo whispered softly, pulling his friend into a hug, and wrapping his arms protectively around him, as if to shut out the despair seldom seen in his dearest of companions. "Oh Sam. I promise you'll see her again." he felt Sam bury his face in the other's shoulder, and his own shoulders shook gently.

"I wish I knew." Sam, could barely whisper through his constricted throat, and Frodo's thick cloak.

"You do." Frodo pulled him back, holding him at arm's length. "You promised you'd help with Rosie's garden, and if you have to walk all the way to the Shire in order to make it for Spring, then that's what we'll do."

Sam smiled slightly. "Don't make promises you're not sure you can keep, master."

"Well then." Frodo said, carefully brushing the salty tears on Sam's face off with his sleeve. "I guess I'll have to make sure I keep it." gently, he steered his friend towards one of the travel-packs lying on the ground. "You take the first rest, Sam. Dream about Rosie and those memories of her. Cling to them. For I daresay you will not find such happiness in the wakeful hours in Mordor."

Sam nodded, and lay his head on the pack, not at all ashamed of the tears he'd shed in fear, for his friend had been to understanding to bring on embarrassment. "Thank you, Mr. Frodo."

"Thank Rosie." he told him softly. "When you go back to the Shire and help her with her garden. When you two are planting the Garardias, tell her of all we said today, and thank her. I can almost hear her laughing now."

Sam laughed lightly, closing his eyes, he could almost hear her as well.

"I'm blushing Sam! You didn't *really* quote my comments on dragons to Mr. Frodo, did you? He must've laughed, for I daresay, I don't make a good reference to wise advice!"

He could just see her speaking those very words. In her high, sweet voice…"Mr. Frodo?"

"Yes?" Frodo responded, leaning wearily against the dirt pit's wall again.

"We were going to plant Gentians."

Frodo smiled. "Of course, Sam. I don't know the difference between Virvain and Lobilia, remember? And besides. Only *you* would know the difference. And I am glad of that."

Sam laughed, and rolled over, letting his mind travel back to the Shire to help Rosie with her flowers; momentarily oblivious to the dark land of Mordor around him.

Frodo watched him doze off, and did his best to keep his weary body awake to stay on watch. His mind also drifted, but to a few days, but then perhaps only a few hours ago, to the conversation he'd had with Sam.

"…Samwise Gamgee, my dear hobbit-indeed, Sam, my dearest hobbit, friend of friends-I do not think we need to give thought to what comes after that. To do the job as you put it-what hope is there that we ever shall? And if we do, who knows what will come of that? If the One goes into the Fire, and we are at hand? I ask you, Sam, are we ever likely to need bread again? I think not…"

But he had been wrong to say this. True, there was little hope for their survival, even if they reached Mount Doom. More so, really. But he didn't need to say such things to Sam.

He felt his shoulder ache slightly, and was reminded of the wound there, left by the Black Rider's morgal blade. There was not much hope left for him now, for even Gandalf had said that the wound would never truly heal. But Sam still had so much.

He glanced down at his sleeping friend again, and sighed. Sam had everything to lose, and so much yet to gain. Had Frodo smashed all hopes of getting these things back? He dearly wished he had thought further before mentioning such dark thoughts to his yet hopeful friend.