Yay! Chapter 1! This first chapter kinda explains things but it also makes more questions. This story wants to be the kind that figures itself out as it goes along (I know, it told me so). But don't worry, I do have a general idea where the story it going to go (which is more than I had before)!

Thank you sooooo much to my lovely reviewer, Rasberry Jam! Your kind words were greatly appreciated. Now, Courtney, you forced me to write you this story, so I think the least you could do is review it for me! I would never threaten to stop writing if I got no reviews, especially because I'm new at this sight, but they are a great encouragement!

Disclaimer: If anyone out there thinks that I am JRR Tolkien, I am greatly flattered, but you are sadly mistaken. I am not Tolkien and I do not own any of his characters or plots. I'm going to go and cry now.

Chapter 1: Early Morning

Sam had awoken that morning with a pain in the back of his throat. It was well before the dawning of the day and Sam knew that sleep would, until the sun did grace the sky, elude him. He slipped out of bed, his mind afire with unanswered questions and unsettled injustices, and, kissing the sleeping Rosie on the cheek, dressed and was gone.

The nightly mists still clung to the little hills and valleys of the Shire. It was autumn, golden leaves hung on the cold branches, only awaiting a good stiff breeze to dislocate them from their lofts. It was at this time, six years prior, that Frodo had departed from the Havens. And it was at this time of year, every subsequent year, that Sam would regress into the turmoil of that fated parting.

He dressed in the weather stained clothing and the tattered cloak, which Sam had worn throughout his journey. As he trudged through the fog and dew, his memories became more realistic to him than the obscured world around him. Images of the journey, toilsome and pleasant alike, flashed through Sam's head. As the parade of memories wound their way towards their final destination, Sam's feet subconsciously retraced their prior steps, to the point that Sam had always considered to be the end of his journey; the Three Farthing Stone.

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Sam shook himself out of his reverie. He was here, again.

"Looks to be as if this year'll be much the same as the last." Sam murmured to himself. He sat himself down atop the stone and prepared for a long day of painful recollection and frustrating futility.

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Rosie awoke to find an empty space beside her. She sighed, knowing where her husband was certain to be and preparing herself for his inevitable depression. The first return of autumn following Frodo's departure brought unbearable worry and grief to Rosie. Fore she knew not how to comfort her Sam in his misery, although she well knew what had brought on this melancholy.

She rose, dressed, and began to prepare breakfast for their growing brood of children.

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Pippin awoke with a smile on his face. It always brought back a feeling of contentment and purpose to awaken after a night of sleeping on the cold ground. Merry lay, still wrapped in slumber, besides him. Pippin roused himself, groaning at an assortment of aches and pains, and commenced the process of tending the fire.

The embers of the previous night's fire sputtered and flickered back into life. As the infamous "eggs, sausages, and nice crispy bacon" began to cook, Pippin roused his yet sleeping companion. The splash of cold water was somewhat less than appreciated by Merry. After regaining his composure to a tolerable level, he addressed his comrade.

"Pippin, it's not that I don't enjoy a nice cold shower in the morning to wake me up, it's just that I would rather be awake when I take it."

"I thought that you might like to be informed that your breakfast has been prepared, Master Merry the Magnificent! And may I remind you that the purpose of this little excursion is not to wake at your leisure and enjoy the scenery. We have a job to do and if I must throw you into the Brandywine to get you up, than that is what I will do!"

"Quite right," Merry replied with a yawn. "Well, then let us to it." With this the two hobbits helped themselves to their meal and packed up their camp. This trip was no great journey, as had been their previous travels. However, in the opinions of the pair, it was almost as important.

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Author's Note: (Hehe, I love referring to myself as the "author.) Yes, the story is vague. The plot will revile itself all in good time (whether anyone reads it or not)! I encourage any and all readers to hang in there. Please, reviews are greatly appreciated. and they also help me to correct any gaffes or things that just bug people. Any questions, comments, or concerns will be responded to (I promise)! Advice is also a plus!