1 Sam's Tale

Reviews coveted and appreciated!

"I asks, yes, I asks. And it that isn't nice enough, I begs!"

Author: Nilramiel@aol.com, aka RosieCotton

Genre: General/Romance

Setting: The Shire, year 1419

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Chapter 3: The Invitation

Rating: G

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The following morning Sam got up early. He packed some food, and several trowels, and the Lady's box, and taking his medium-sized barrow, he set out towards the South end of the Shire. He had begged leave of his master to stop work on the gardens and "see to the trees" as he put it, and Frodo had given him his blessing.

"It's a wonderful idea, Sam," Frodo had said, squeezing Sam's hand, "You're as wise as old Gandalf, in a way!" And Sam had blushed, thinking the idea came more from the small box itself than from his own head.

The dawn was still peeping over the hills as Sam trundled his barrow down the path. The trees were still thick in the Southern part of the Shire, perhaps because fewer folk lived there, and the plundering ruffians had concentrated their vandalism on the more habited areas. Sam knew every inch of the Shire, and he was heading for a young wood near a stream, not far from Farmer Cotton's land. There was something he needed, and he knew exactly where to find it. He whistled cheerfully as he walked.

When he passed by the lane that led to the Cotton Farm, he stopped a moment. Thoughtfully he looked down the lane, and an idea came into his mind that surprised him.

"Perhaps Miss Rosie would like ter come along on this little venture," wondered Sam aloud. He did not consider the Cotton boys, for knew that Young Tom, Nick, Jolly, and Nibs, along with their father, were busy helping to rebuild the important buildings in the heart of Hobbiton, and that atop of their own farming chores, which normally used up all of their time and strength. "She does love growing things, s'much as I do," thought Sam, "and perhaps she would like a bit of an adventure herself." Sam had not seen Rosie in many days, since moving back to new Row #3 with his Gaffer, in fact, and he was filled with a desire to see her.

Sam turned down the lane, and trundled his wheelbarrow up towards the house, resuming his whistling. The sun was up now, so he knew the Cotton family would be moving about. Like most farming families, they began their day well before the Western stars went out.

Sure enough, just as he reached the garden gate, Mr. Cotton appeared round the corner of the house, carrying a medium-sized piglet in his arms. The piglet was struggling to get loose.

"Ay, Sam!" called Mr. Cotton, "Give me a hand, will yer? I've got my hands full 'o this piglet and I need the sty door opened."

Sam dropped his barrow at the gate and hurried after the farmer, who despite his strength was having a hard time hanging on to the squirming animal. He trotted past the farmer to the sty, and swiftly opened the gate. Tolman dropped the piglet into the sty and shut the gate fast again, fastening the catch securely.

"Whew - that'un gives me nought but trouble," sighed Mr. Cotton, drawing a sleeve across his brow. How he escapes so oft I cannot figger, yet half the mornings he's about running in the missus' garden, and he's nearly eaten all of her radishes!"

Sam laughed, and turning to the sty, looked the fence and gate over carefully. He could see no weak spot, nor any place under or round the fence where a piglet could squeeze past.

"Well, Sir," said Sam, "I canna see any place where a whopping big piglet like that could escape! He must be awfully clever, that one! What do you call 'im?" Sam gave names to all animals, and he felt sure that this cheeky piglet must have one.

"T'aint got one," said the farmer with surprise, "Tho' my Rosie tends to give names to animals, even the piglets and the baby chicks."

"Well," said Sam, leaning between the sty slats and patting the piglet's head, "I shall call you Gandy. For you're almost as much of a wizard as my dear friend Gandalf!"

Laughing, the old farmer cleaned his hands on the pants of his overalls. "Well, Sam, what brings you to my home so early in the morning? I know ye didn't come to assist me with my pigs. Aren't you helping yer gaffer out up at the New Row these days?"

"Yes Sir," said Sam, "but my master has released me, to do something special, and I was wondering if maybe Rosie would like to come along."

The farmer laid his strong arm over the shoulders of the younger hobbit, suppressing a grin. "Well, lad, let's see then." They walked together around the path and back up to the round door. Entering the smial, they found Rosie and her mother, busy in the warm kitchen. Breakfast was laid on the table, and Sam felt his stomach rumble.

"Why, Sam!" exclaimed Mrs. Cotton, genuinely happy to see him, "Come in! And sit down with us - are you hungry? Jolly and the other lads have had their breakfast, and are out in the fields already, but we were just about to have a bite, ourselves."

"Well, yes, ma'am, I am that," admitted Sam, sinking to the table and glancing at Rosie with a smile. She smiled back, and Sam felt his heart flutter.

The others sat down about the table, and set to. Sam had eaten a quick bite before he had left the Row, but that was nigh unto an hour ago, and it wasn't more than some bread and a bit of cheese. He had packed some food to take with him today, but he welcomed the hot eggs and sausages, and he thanked Mrs. Cotton and Rosie many times, between bites.

When the hobbits reached the "filling the corners" stage, which didn't take long, Farmer Cotton sat back and lit his pipe.

"Well, young Sam," he said, "Tell us of this venture yer settin' out on today. It must be important, for Mr. Frodo and your gaffer to give you leave from the garden work up at the Row."

"It is, Sir" said Sam, "I'm to set the trees aright, all over the Shire!" and he showed them the little box of soil and the silver nut. He told them of the Lady's gift, and of the breeze yesterday, and of his plan.

"Oh Sam, how wonderful!" exclaimed Rosie, "Could I come along, and help ye?"

Sam grinned at her. "That's exactly the purpose for my coming by this mornin', if you take my meaning. I intended to ask ye along, but then we were dealing with l'il Gandy, and then breakfast."

"Oh, yes!" clapped Rosie, looking for a moment like the young girl who tagged after them in childhood. "Let me change my clothes, Sam, and we'll be off straightaway!" She ran to put on some outdoor clothes, and Sam finished his mug, wiping his mouth on the back of his sleeve and thanking the Cottons again for their hospitality. Rosie was back in a wink, and taking up the barrow again, Sam headed southward along the path toward the young wood. Rosie skipped by his side, and her parents watched them as they moved down the path.

Old Tom Cotton laid his arm around his mistresses' shoulders, and suddenly drawing her near, kissed her.

"What was that for, ye old rascal?" asked Mrs. Cotton, pinching him playfully.

"Just thinkin' romantic thoughts," he replied, as Sam and Rosie vanished into the distance. I think they'd be a fine match, don't you?"

"Aye," said Mrs. Cotton, and her arm went round her husband's broad waist. "I hope she speaks soon, though Sam won't turn his eyes on another, I think." She bent her head to her husband's shoulder, and sent up a small prayer from her sweet hobbit heart.

~TBC~

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Please do not copy or post this story to another website, or use it for your own purposes, without my permission and/or without the introductory comments. Feel free to link away!

Acknowledgements: The characters, setting, and much of the dialog belong to J.R.R. Tolkien, and I give full credit to him. This story focuses on the relationship of Samwise Gamgee and Rose Cotton, and it is how I imagine the events following the Hobbits' return to the Shire following the War of the Ring and King Aragorn's coronation and marriage. If you have read the book, The Return of the King, you will find the events and much of the dialogue familiar. I have tried to "fill in the gaps," regarding Sam's courtship to Rose Cotton. Sam is my favorite character in Tolkien's work, and this is written with the deepest respect for both Tolkien and the noble Samwise.

Rating: The first several chapters are rated G; however, eventually I may include a sweet romantic chapter, or more than one, involving Sam and his Rose.