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

CHAPTER NOTE: Chapter 1 has been changed a bit. Thank you to "Hobbits Rule" and "Elenillor" for the excellent suggestions.

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Chapter 7: Farmer Cotton

Rating: G

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When Sam awoke the next morning, it was with a lightness of heart that he had not felt before. He had experienced more than most hobbits' share of both suffering and of joy, but he had never felt such a sweetness in his soul. "It's more inside-like," he thought to himself, "Lorien and the Lady, and Aragorn's coronation, and when they sang to Mr. Frodo an' me in Minas Tirith – all of that was joyful and beautiful and filled up the heart. But this is different somehow." All he had to do was picture Rosie's face, or think of her voice, and tingling shivers ran up his spine and fluttered in his chest.

If Sam had considered keeping his newfound joy a secret, he would not have been successful. As he came in for breakfast that morning, a grin wider than Anduin was plastered upon his honest face. His Gaffer was standing by the table, finishing a quick bite before the day's work on the New Row Gardens, which were just about finished.

"Well, son," said the Gaffer, suppressing a smile, "You came in awful late last night. Did ye finish all the plantin' of the saplin's and such?"

"Yes," said Sam, taking a bite of biscuit and talking around it, "We finished 'bout mid-afternoon…"

Hamfast Gamgee examined his son's expression, then burst out laughing. "Aye, an' ye spent the rest o' the day sweet talking with Miss Rosie, I'd wager. I can read it all over ye, lad, and glad I am of it, too."

Sam grinned back, "Yep. We finally shared all that's been burstin' inside us, just yesterday. And today I must be off to see Farmer Cotton."

"Aye," said the old gardener seriously, "Right off, too, I'd say. Rumors don't keep long 'round here, 'specially happy ones, these days. I suspect he knows already, but still, y'should speak up quick."

"I mean to," said Sam, "Right away, if you can spare my help one more morning."

"I've a feelin' I'll need to be doing without yer help oft', from now on," laughed the Gaffer, and he slapped Sam across the shoulders affectionately as he went out the round door.

Sam finished breakfast quickly, and trotted off towards the Cotton farm. He received a few knowing smiles and nods from hobbits that he passed, and he guessed that many had seen the two of them, sitting by the lake's edge and talking the evening before. He ran a bit faster, eager to reach Farmer Cotton as quick as he could.

When he arrived, he cast his gaze about the yard, and stopped to scratch Gandy over the sty fence. Not seeing the farmer, he climbed the front steps and rapped on the door. Mrs. Cotton opened it at once, and she was grinning at him, just like his Gaffer had. Sam blushed. "Morning, ma'am." Rosie suddenly appeared at her mother's shoulder. She smiled at Sam like the sunshine after a week's rain, and Sam grinned openly back at her.

"All, right, Sam," said Mrs. Cotton, "I figger you're here to see my Tom, and truth be told, he's expecting you. He's round back at the fence, near the cornfield."

"Thank'ye," said Sam, "I'll come back up after I speak with him, if that's alright."

Mrs. Cotton reached out and patted Sam's arm, "You are always welcome Sam!" she said, and drew back into the house, tugging Rosie after her.

Sam turned and trotted around to the back of the farmhouse, then down the fields towards the fenceline. It was a little ways to where the farmer was at work, and he looked up as soon as he saw Sam approaching, pausing and leaning on his axe. Sam ran up and stopped before the farmer.

"Sir," began Sam, panting a little, "I need to speak with ye. It's about Rose."

Farmer Cotton handed Sam a coil of rope and a small knife. "Well, lad, help me as you speak, if you don't mind. Cut me some lengths of rope, 'bout your height."

Sam set to work, and Farmer Cotton resumed his axe-work, cutting a sturdy post to the length he wanted. The fence was in good condition, but some of the posts had begun to rot near the bottom, and Farmer Cotton was not one to wait until they tumbled over before making repairs. His was a farm to be proud of, and it showed in every building, in every line and curve, and in every beast and growing thing.

After several moments of silence, Sam spoke again.

"Mr. Cotton, Sir," he said sincerely, "I love yer daughter. I love Rose. With all my heart and soul I love her."

The farmer set the post into a deep hole with a solid thump. He reached out his hand, and Sam handed him a length of rope. "Aye," said the farmer, bending and lashing the base of the post securely, "I've seen it – in her, and in you."

"Well, Sir," said Sam, "I'd like to hear your word on it." He watched the older man intently. "Now that the truth of our feelin's is out, well, before we start courtin' officially that is, I'd like your blessing."

Farmer Cotton straightened up. He wiped his hands on his coveralls, then turned to Sam, looking at him from under the brim of his hat. His eyes twinkled.

"Sam, lad," he said, "You have it. My word and my blessing, that is. You're the best hobbit in the Shire, by my reckoning, and the missus's too, truth be told. Your courtin' our Rosie would bring us nought but happiness." He put a large calloused hand on Sam's shoulder. "And I'd dearly love to have ye as a son-in-law, Samwise, if't comes to that."

Sam looked at Farmer Cotton gratefully. "Thank ye, Sir. It means a great deal to me. I wouldna felt right about it without your approval, and yer missus too."

Old Tom Cotton slapped Sam on the shoulder. "Good! Then why don't you run on up to the house and see her; Rosie, I mean. I'm sure she's got her face plastered to the glass anyway, watching for ye, if she knows you're here."

"She does," grinned Sam, "But could I come back and help with this fence, after I tell her? It'd go quicker with both of us, and I'm not needed up at the Row until afternoon." The farmer nodded, and Sam ran back up the field towards the house, as fast as his legs could carry him.

~TBC~

Notes: CHAPTER 1 HAS BEEN CHANGED A BIT. THANK YOU to "Hobbits Rule" and to "Elenillor" for the excellent suggestions.

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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 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. There are some slight departures from the timeline of The Lord of the Rings, for which I apologize; however, creative license is a part of fanfic, right? smile.

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