Author's note: I DO own these people! HAHAHA! Yep, they're all mine...I keep Frodo in my closet, Legolas in the basement, and the rest of the fellowship in the attic. Okay, okay, you caught me. I don't own these people. Thanks to all that reviewed, and please continue to review.

Random Song Line of the Chapter:

Back on the road again, feeling kinda lonely and looking for the right guy…

Chapter Four: Return to Rivendell

"Rivendell?" asked Pippin. "Are you sure he'll…you know…make it?"

"Should we really move him?" added Merry.

Sam had been gently stroking Frodo's hair, when he suddenly whirled around and hissed, "If he does not receive help, he will die. Can't you see that?"

Merry and Pippin were clearly shocked by the fire in Sam's eyes…they had rarely seen that fire on the round face of Sam, and it scared them.

"We…we know he needs help, but…but are you sure we should move him?" Merry asked timidly.

"We don't really have a choice, do we, Meriadoc?" Sam replied, more fire leaping from his eyes.

Just then, Frodo began to moan softly. He was overtaken by another bout of shivers and began to thrash weakly. The three healthy Hobbits watched him in silence. After a moment, Frodo lay still again.

"He needs help, and we have not the skill he requires." Sam said quietly, and Merry and Pippin nodded.

~*~*~*~

While Merry stayed behind to keep an eye on Frodo, Sam and Pippin went back to their Hobbit-holes to pack their things.

"Samwise Gamgee! You disappear with hardly a word, and then you come back and start tearing your bureau and our pantry apart! What do you THINK you are DOING?" yelled Rosa.

"Mr. Frodo is ill. Merry, Pippin, and I are taking him to Rivendell to receive help." Sam said shortly.

"Oh, no you're not! What about our child? What about your life? What about ME?" she said, her eyes wide with hurt and fury.

"Mr. Frodo is ILL. I shall return as soon as he is well, do you understand?" Sam asked, a muscle twitching in his cheek.

"But…but what about--" Rosa began, but Sam cut her off.

"I am sorry, but I must go! I will return. If you need help with the baby, ask the neighbors. I love you." Sam said. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, then hurried to the baby's room, where he kissed her as well. He cast one final glance at his wife before shouldering his pack and hurrying off towards Bag-End.

~*~*~*~

Sam grabbed his favorite pony (which he had named "Bill the Second" or "Bill" for short) for Frodo to ride on.

When he finally got back to Bag-End, Merry and Pippin were waiting anxiously for him.

"You've been ages! What held you?" asked Merry.

"Rosa…has anything happened?" Sam asked, instantly concerned by the paleness of his friend's skin.

"No, he just moaned a little more…and he asked for you…again." answered Merry.

Sam nodded, then headed back to Frodo's room. His friend was drenched in sweat again, but he was quiet. Sam leaned over him, and said, "I'm here, Mr. Frodo. We'll get you to Rivendell, and then everything will be all right." With that, Sam carefully picked Frodo up and carried him back to Bill. He once again noted how light his Frodo was, and felt his heart sink.

Halfway to Bill, Frodo woke up again, and asked blearily, "Gonna go fer ride?"

Sam nodded and replied, "Yes, we're going to see the elves, Mr. Frodo."

Frodo smiled drunkenly, and began to rhyme words with "elves" for Sam to hear. "Elves…melves…smelves…delves…"at this he began to giggle before dropping back off to sleep.

"That's right, Mr. Frodo- you just sleep now." Sam said quietly.

~*~*~*~

Frodo awoke to Sam's arms and loping stride. He didn't know what was going on, but his brain was so foggy that he wasn't really surprised by this. He gathered his wits and tried to ask, "Are we going for a ride?" but that wasn't what he heard himself say.

From what seemed like a great distance, Sam said something about elves. Frodo found himself rhyming words with "elves" (Oh, what fun! was his thought) before sleep enfolded him back in it's merciful arms.

~*~*~*~

Sam carefully put Frodo on Bill. After propping him up, he was suddenly struck by how much this whole thing reminded him of when Frodo had been stabbed by the Nazgul. Sam shuddered, remembering how close to death he had been then, and how close to death he probably was now.

The Hobbits adjusted their packs, then (followed by Bill) began their journey to Rivendell.

They gave last longing looks at the Shire and all of the places they knew and loved. Sam saw Rosa in the window and raised his hand with a forced smile. She didn't return the wave, nor did she return the smile, forced or otherwise. She merely watched them go pass.

"I think she's a touch annoyed at you, Sammy boy." muttered Merry, with a small smile curling the edge of his mouth.

"I think so too, Merry…I think so too." Sam sighed, wondering what would happen when he returned home. Would she speak to him? Or would she be gone, digusted at his sudden departure? Sam didn't know, and wasn't sure if he wanted to know just then.

Author's Note: I hope you liked this chapter (Sam appears to becoming an important character…who woulda guessed? :-P). As usual, please review, I love to read comments. Thank you (once again) to all that have been reading this story and reviewing, I get ideas from your reviews! And don't worry, the rest of the Fellowship may still show up in the next few chapters…*grin* IF you review…