01-11-2002
Meet Jaell Brandybuck: Chapter Seven
About a fortnight or so later, I was walking to the marketplace for my mother sent me for sugar and flour and other necessities. As I was walking across the bridge, I heard rapid footsteps behind me and I looked only to find Sam trying to catch up to me. After trying to catch his breath and in between breaths, "Hullo, Jaell… Top o' the morning!" I nodded, as if to say the same. "I was working in my garden but then I needed to head off to the market for some small things… where are you off to?"
"I was also off to market to get some sugar and flour and things of the sort." I stopped because he stopped, still getting his breath together. "Are you okay, Sam?" He nodded and put his hands on his knees and replied, rather weakly.
"Yes, I am quite fine." That was before he crumpled up on the ground. I ran to him, scared half to death.
"SAM?? SAM?!? SAM!" I rolled him over, yelling at the top of my lungs. "Someone… help me, please!"
LATER… …
I was gently putting a cool cloth on Sam's forehead, per doctor's suggestions. Frodo, Merry, and Sam's mother were nearby, either keeping watch or tending to something that needed tending. I couldn't help but feel responsible, even though I had nothing to do with his condition. Sam's mother came around and put an arm around me. "Sam would be glad that you are taking care of him. He cares for you quite a bit, Jaell." She looked at me with pleading eyes. "He really truly does." I nodded and glanced at Frodo who glanced back for a moment, then went back to whatever it was he was busying himself with.
I felt sick to my stomach at that point in time. I needed time off, that's what I needed. A vacation was long overdue, even for a young Hobbit such as myself, especially at that time. I stood up, about to say something to Sam's mother but then she gasped, looking at Sam. I looked back and his eyes were fluttering and finally opened. His mother rushed to hug him. "You're okay! Oh, my precious baby, you're okay!"
No one can know how relieved I felt at that point and went to stand closer. He grabbed my hand after Mrs. Gamgee climbed off, which seemed an eternity. "Dear Jaell, you're here?" He looked around the room. "Frodo? Merry??" They nodded, seemingly relieved as well. He turned back to me. "What happened?" I explained what happened then and then what the doctor said was wrong. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, those sorts of things.
"You must have been working for a long time, friend!" Frodo chimed in, adding a chuckle to the half-tense atmosphere.
"Listen, friends, I must be on my way… my mother may be worrying about me."
"Yes, I must be going as well. I'll walk Jaell and Merry home." Sam nodded but before letting my hand go, said softly as only I could hear.
"Thank you, dear Jaell, for the care you bestowed me. Please come back tomorrow…? Or when you get a chance, I ask that you see me again." I nodded and stroked his hair a bit.
"Do not worry, Samwise Gamgee, I'll be back to look after you. After all, you're a like a dear brother to me… which is more than I can say for Merry!" We chuckled again and we were on our way.
On the way home, I stood on the far right, with Frodo in the middle and Merry on the far left. Frodo gave a sidelong glimpse at me and started the chatting first. "Merry… will you promise not to tell a soul of a secret your sister and I harbor… but my heart is bursting to tell another close friend." I nudged Frodo.
"What are you talking about? Of course you can tell me!" The sound of clipping shears nearby was the only sound heard after Merry's response.