Title: Nice Hobbit
Author: Anemone Frost
Email: Weepingwillow987@aol.com
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Sam tries to take the Ring.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Warnings: Mild violence
Frodo froze as the jagged tip pressed against his neck. He was petrified, and in shock; in shock that Sam was threatening his life; in shock that his dear Sam wanted the Ring. This wasn't like him, and he knew immediately that the other hobbit must have been under the Ring's influence. Frodo winced at the thought. He knew all too well what it was like to be trapped by that force; lost in the madness, the lust for power, and the yearning to have domination over everything. Now Sam was experiencing it.
Frodo trembled, keeping his gaze straight ahead, watching Gollum. The creature shivered, his eyes wide with fear, muttering to himself before scampering off into the brush. The hobbit shook, wondering if their guide had permanently run off due to Sam's transformation, but he realized that wasn't true. The creature would be back, or at least would trail after them just to be near the Ring. Frodo pushed the thought aside. Gollum was the least of his worries, now anyway.
"Give me the Ring," the hoarse voice repeated.
"Sam, please, listen to me— " Frodo began.
He gave a sharp cry as the blade cut into him, causing a warm trail of wetness to seep down his back. Frodo stumbled forward, grimacing at the sharp pain, groping at the wound. He was relieved to only find a small gash, nothing fatal, though it could have been. He spun around, gazing over Sam. The hobbit stood tall, menacing, and there was a blaze of fury in those once soft, caring eyes.
"I told you to give me the Ring!" Sam snarled. "Hand it to me, or I will take it from you!"
The statement made Frodo growl, and his hand, driven by an unknown instinct, wrapped securely around the Ring under his tunic. In his eyes, the hobbit before had him changed. He was nothing more than a filthy thief after his precious prize. He wasn't about to let the scoundrel take it. Frodo's other hand trailed to his waist, gripping at the handle of his sword. No, he wouldn't let this foul thing to take his Ring. His teeth gritted in a snarl. The rage was swelling inside, quickly spiraling out of control. However, a memory ran through his mind. It was his dear Sam, kneeling on the ground with an ugly welt on his cheek. Frodo remembered the result in his lose of composure. He had hurt his friend, his dear Sam. The anger gradually dissipated, turning to an unbearable sorrow.
Frodo gasped as he drew out of the trance, blinking as tears trickled down his cheeks. His face softened, and let go of the handle. He wasn't going to attack Sam, yet he wasn't going to allow the Ring to be taken, no matter what the consequences would be.
"I won't give it to you, Sam," Frodo murmured. Sam's face contorted with fury, and he stormed toward Frodo. "You are not fit to carry it, right now. Please, Sam, you have to listen to me! Fight this awful urge! You're strong! I know— "
Frodo was cut off as Sam drove the handle of his sword into the other's forehead. The hobbit's eyes rolled back as his head was whipped backwards, and he roughly collapsed to the ground in a motionless heap. Sam crouched next to Frodo's form, thrusting his hands under the tunic, searching for the Ring. His fingertips grazed the surface of the trinket, sending tingles down his spine. It felt so smooth, so silky against his flesh. He had to hold it.
Sam yelped as he was shoved forward, causing his face to scape on the stony surface. The burning pain made his anger grow to a dangerous level, and rose up, knowing who had dared to attack him.
"You foul thing!" Sam snarled.
Gollum growled, "We won't let you takes it from us! The Precious belongs with us! Nasty hobbit! Nasty, wicked hobbit!"
"I'm going to cut you to bits and leave your pieces for the crows to peck at!" Sam yelled lunging for the creature.
Gollum pivoted to the side as Sam wildly slashed at him. Sam spun around, running after the fleeing creature. Gollum sprang up a rock formation and leapt high into the air, landing violently on the hobbit. The wind was knocked from him, and Sam fell to the ground, losing his grip on the sword. Gollum sprang up again, pinning Sam down. The hobbit was shocked at the creature's strength. He thrashed about, doing his best to get Gollum off, but he was so tired. His lungs burned, and his chest ached from drawing in quick gasps of air.
"Stupid hobbit!" Gollum spat. "You did most of the work for us! Yes, my Precious! You killed the master! You killed him for us!"
The anger gradually died down, and realization came to Sam. The haze over his eyes had vanished, and tilted his head, glancing in Frodo's direction. The hobbit was lying on the ground, blood staining the rocks beneath his neck. Tears came to Sam's eyes.
"What have I done?!" Sam screamed, struggling against Gollum. "How could I allow myself to be taken over by that horrid object! Oh Mr. Frodo!" Frodo's chest slowly rose. "He's still alive!"
"Not if we have anything to do with it," Gollum snickered, grinning wickedly at Sam. "We'll kill you quickly, perhaps snap your fat neck. Then, we moves onto the master, and we makes his death slow, and painful."
Rage sweltered back, but it was a rage brought on his love for his master, his friend. He couldn't allow Gollum to do such a thing. With a cry, Sam bucked, throwing Gollum off. The creature spat in alarm, shocked at Sam's returning strength, and attempted to run away. Sam took a few strides, and tacked the creature to the ground. Sharp agony coursed through his knuckles as he rained blow after blow upon Gollum's face. His vision had blurred from the onslaught of tears.
"I hate you!" Sam yelled, punching harder. Gollum was screaming in misery, raising his hands to shield himself from the blows. Dark trails of blood were streaming down his mouth and nose. "I hate you! Oh, how I hate you, you vile thing! You've caused us nothing but trouble since the beginning! You made us go at each other's necks! You tried to get us to kill each other! How dare you! You filthy creature! You Stinker! I hate you! I hate you!"
Finally, the creature passed into welcome unconsciousness, leaving Sam sobbing in grief. The hobbit crawled off Gollum, and he returned to Frodo's side. He reached into his sack, pulling out an old cloth, using to bandage the wound on Frodo's neck. Gently, he plucked Frodo from the ground, placing him in a soft patch of grass. He rubbed the growing bump on Frodo's head, but stopped when he smeared red on the flesh. He gapped down at the blood on his hands, and wept.
"Sam?"
The hobbit opened his eyes, wiping at the tears. "Mr. Frodo?" The hobbit was wide awake, but there was fear in his eyes. Sam reached to touch Frodo's cheek, and winced as the hobbit jerked away. "I'm so sorry Mr. Frodo! I didn't mean to let the Ring possess me, honest sir! I didn't want to cut your neck, or bash your forehead! I didn't mean to do it! I'm sorry!"
As he broke down into sobs Frodo rose up, and took the hobbit into his arms. "Oh Sam don't apologize! It wasn't your fault! Now I have a taste of what you have to put up with. Is this the exact same treatment I give to you? I'm such a monster to you! You don't deserve this! Oh I wish I hadn't brought you on this dreadful journey! I should have made you stay at home in the Shire!"
"Don't say that, Mr. Frodo," Sam sniffled, appearing hurt. "I know I'm not the smartest hobbit, but— "
"That's not what I meant Sam," Frodo murmured, wiping a tear away. "It's just that you don't deserve to be trapped on this awful quest. I never thought that we would be in so much misery. If I had known, I would have never allowed you to come. You're my friend Sam, though lately I haven't been a very good one. I hate seeing you in so much pain." He touched the back of his neck, grunting in pain. "And don't keep blaming this on yourself, either. It was the Ring, plain and simple." He raised his hand, caressing Sam's cheek. "Oh, dear Sam. You don't deserve this torment."
"You don't deserve it either, Mr. Frodo," Sam muttered, "but I suppose that's the way the world is. There'll always be suffering in this world, for everyone, even if we do manage to destroy that thing."
"Their suffering will grow a lot worse if we don't succeed," Frodo groaned, rubbing at his neck.
"How is it sir?" Sam inquired. "What I mean is, how badly did I hurt you?"
Frodo smiled. "It's not bad at all, Sam. The cut isn't too deep, and it will heal over time. My head hurts too, but I'm sure it will pass."
"I'm so— " Sam began.
"No, Sam," Frodo interrupted. "I've received and given enough apologies to last me a life time. Where is Gollum?"
"He threatened to take the Ring, and kill the both of us," Sam stated, turning away from Frodo. "I— beat him badly— I couldn't control myself. He's alive, and well enough. The only thing that's damaged on him is his face. He should be awake in no time."
Sam expected another stern lecture, but he received a pat on the shoulder. He griped the hand tightly, and kissed it.
"I'm sure what you did was necessary," Frodo said. "You were right about him all along. I had my doubts too, but I wouldn't listen to them or you. I was so set on trying to change him, but now I can see there is nothing left inside him to save. His only reason for living is the Ring, and when it passes into the fires of Mount Doom, he'll pass along with it."
"What do we do with him sir?" Sam asked.
"What can we do?" Frodo sighed. "We have to keep him as our guide. I understand he can't be trusted, but he knows his way around Mordor, and unfortunately, we don't. He won't betray us to the enemy. He knows the Ring would fall into his hands if he did that."
"Very well sir," Sam groaned. "I don't like the idea, but I suppose there's no choice. What would you like to do now?"
Frodo yawned. "I'm very tired. I think I would like to rest for a bit. I have a feeling that there is going to be a lot of sleepless nights on this journey."
"As you wish master," Sam replied. "Just lay next to me, and I'll keep you safe for the night."
Frodo laid next to Sam, sighing in content as the hobbit securely wrapped his arms around him. Sam would occasionally tilt his head to view Gollum, always cautious to watch over the creature's movement. He wouldn't allow anything to happen to his master.
Why do you bother protecting him, Sam? He's going to die anyway. Why not just take the Ring? You were so close before.
'You leave me in peace!' Sam snarled. 'I don't want the cursed thing; not after what it almost made me do to Mr. Frodo! It turned me into a demon, and that's something I don't want to experience again! I love my master, and I won't do anything to endanger his life! Leave me!'
Silence followed. It was something Sam was grateful for. A growl rose in his throat as Gollum stirred, rising sluggishly on all fours. The creature wiped vigorously at his face, trying to get rid of the oozing blood. It made Sam remember the cuts on his face, and he grimaced at the returning pain. The creature stared at him, but stayed in place, shivering at harsh gaze he received from Sam.
Sam tightened his hold on Frodo, savoring the small comfort of being snuggled against his master. He could tell it was going to be a long, hard journey. Frodo was with him, though, and that gave him a reason to push on.
End