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

Rating: G, PG

Genre: General/Romance

Setting: The Shire, year 1420

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Chapter 11: Bag End

Rating: G

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The week after Frodo's illness, which was the week before Sam and Rosie became engaged, Bag End on the New Row was finally, completely finished. If anything, it was cozier and more beautiful than the original. Sam had made sure of it. Merry and Pippin and Fatty Bolger brought up from Crickhollow two carts laden with all of Frodo's things from the house in Buckland. All of Frodo's friends pitched in, and they soon had everything ready. They had made Frodo promise to stay away from Bag End for two days, until they finished moving everything in, and until Sam was satisfied that everything was perfect. They were extremely pleased with his reaction. Frodo walked from room to room, exclaiming over and over his amazement and gratitude.

By the time Frodo was settled into his home, almost everything in the Shire was back to normal; in fact better, for it was the most bountiful spring in memory.

Sam was back to his normal routine as well, working for his best friend, and four days after Sam proposed to Rosie, he was weeding the garden at Bag End and whistling cheerfully when Frodo came out of the house and sat down cross-legged on the ground near him. "Hey Sam," he said, looking at the ground, "I'm afraid the garden is giving you a lot of extra work this year. Can I give you a hand with it?"

"Oh, that's alright, Mr. Frodo," said Sam, sitting back on his heels, "It makes me glad. I just think about how it looked the day we rode up here to deal with that wretch Saruman, and I compare it to now, and it don't feel like work at all."

Frodo smiled and nodded. He reached out and touched one of the flowers, and his eyes were full of memories.

"Sam," Frodo asked, "Do I tell you often enough how much I appreciate you?"

Sam blushed crimson, "Now, master, you know you don't need to tell me such things." He reached out and took Frodo's hand, "We've been through more together than most anyone has. You know I'd take an orc arrow for you without even blinkin'."

"I know," said Frodo sincerely, "and I would for you, though I haven't always been as faithful as you, Sam." He squeezed Sam's hand, then looked off towards the east for a moment, and Sam was alarmed to see his master's eyes suddenly fill with tears.

"Oh, Frodo, don't," said Sam gently, "don't think of it! It's all past. All that darkness is long over. Please don't think of it!" He pressed Frodo's hand between both of his own, as if he could somehow shelter the older hobbit's heart with the strength of his fingers.

Frodo turned back toward Sam, his face full of gratitude, "Dear Sam, you are such a comfort to me. What would I do without you?"

Sam said nothing, but stroked Frodo's hand reassuringly. He felt oddly torn inside. Such joy was within him over Rosie, and such pain over his friend and master. He was not sure how to reconcile them.

"Sam," said Frodo in a lighter tone, "I almost forgot - I have something to ask you."

Sam sighed inwardly with relief. Sometimes Frodo's sad moments were much more intense. This one seemed to have passed quickly. "What is it?" he asked, releasing Frodo's hand and picking up his trowel again.

"Well," Frodo said, and his voice was merry again, "I was wondering, when are you going to move in and join me, Sam?"

Sam felt immediately awkward. He shifted a bit uncomfortably.

"There is no need to come yet, if you don't want to," Frodo quickly added, "But you know the Gaffer is close at hand, and he will be very well looked out for by Widow Rumble."

"It's not that, Mr. Frodo," said Sam, and he went very red.

"Well, what is it?" Frodo asked, pretending bewilderment. He suspected that he knew exactly what it was, but he was determined to make Sam say it out himself.

`It's Rosie, Rose Cotton," said Sam. "It seems she didn't like me going abroad at all, poor lass; but as I hadn't spoken, she couldn't say so. And I didn't speak, because I had a job to do first. But now I have spoken, and she says, `Well, you've wasted a year, so why wait longer?' `Wasted,' I says, `I wouldn't call it that.' Still, I see what she means. I feel torn in two, as you might say." Sam looked at the ground.

"I see," said Frodo, and his blue eyes twinkled with amusement, "You want to get married, and you want to live with me in Bag End too? But my dear Sam, how easy! Get married as soon as you can, and then move in, with Rosie! There is room enough in Bag End for as big a family as you could wish for!"

Sam looked up, and seeing the laughter in his friend's eyes, broke into a grin. "Do you mean it, Mr. Frodo?" he asked, "Could we? Ah, that would be so wonderful!"

"Yes, Sam," Frodo agreed. "Of course I mean it. Bag End is too big for one hobbit, and there is no one in middle-earth who I would rather have with me than you and Rosie."

Sam suddenly embraced him, "Thank you, Mr. Frodo," he said, "You've taken a great load off me mind and heart. I couldn't bear to choose between you and my Rose."

"Ah, Sam," thought Frodo to himself, returning the embrace, "You have chosen, and chosen well, and it is a good thing, Sam. I want nothing more in all the world than for you to be happy." But he did not say this aloud. And Frodo's heart was as filled with joy as it had been since he returned from his journey.

~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. 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.