When Frodo woke the next morning, the first thing he was aware of was a constant pounding in his head. He sighed, what a time for a headache! At least it didn't hurt very much - he could put up with it. He sat up, wondering what time the Gamgee's expected him to pick up Sam. He thought about it for a while, before finally deciding that he would pack, have breakfast, and then go over there. Once he made his decision, he got out of bed and smiled - he was looking forward to the day. He got dressed, then pulled a bag off the top shelf of his closet. He was deciding what all he should take, when Bilbo knocked on the door.
Frodo, with a handful of clothes, couldn't open the door. "Come in," he said.
Bilbo walked in and, seeing Frodo packing, he smiled, "I think you'll have fun on your little 'trip.'"
Frodo nodded, "Me, too."
"Do you know where you're going?" Bilbo asked curiously. "You should probably figure that out so you don't get lost."
Frodo finished putting the clothes in his pack and looked up at the wall, thinking. Finally he looked over to Bilbo, "Yeah, you're right, that would help. But I hadn't thought of that, I'm not sure where to go…"
"I have an idea," Bilbo told him. "Come with me," he said, waving his hand for Frodo to follow. He led him into the Drawing room, and over to a table. "Here now," he said, picking a sheet of paper and handing it to Frodo. "What don't you take this with you?"
Frodo took it, and shook his head, confused, "What is it?" He started to unfold it.
Bilbo shrugged, "It's a map of the area. I thought it might be useful."
"Oh…" Frodo nodded, looking at the map. "Yes. It will. Thank you."
Bilbo started to leave, but when he reached the door, he turned around. "Oh, yes, I nearly forgot, there's one more thing. I know you're going to have fun with Sam, but I have a surprise for you when you return."
Frodo looked up, "A surprise? Like what?"
Bilbo shook his head and smiled, "I'm not going to tell you, it's a surprise!"
"Oh, come on," Frodo teased. "I won't tell…"
"Right," Bilbo said. "You won't tell yourself?"
Frodo smiled and nodded, "No, I won't!"
Bilbo shook his head and chuckled, "Naw, you might let it slip."
"Alright," Frodo sighed playfully, it wasn't very often that Bilbo kept secrets from him. He set the map down on the table, and studied it, considering where to go.
As Bilbo left the room, he patted his pocket, checking for something... Yes, the letter from Frodo's Aunt Esmeralda was still there…
~~~~~
"Hi Sam," Frodo said he he walked up to the Gamgee's home. Sam had been waiting outside for him.
"Hi Mr. Frodo!" Sam said excitedly.
Frodo chuckled, "You ready?"
Sam smiled, "Yes!" He took a step backwards, "Just let me tell my parents we're leaving…" He ran inside, leaving Frodo to wait. A short while later, he returned, "Okay, we can go!"
Frodo nodded and started walking up the road. He smiled, "Well, come on then."
"Where are we going?" Sam asked, walking beside him.
"North," Frodo told him. He looked at Sam's curious expression, "Don't worry, I have a plan…for now."
Sam shook his head, "Oh, I'm not worried, Mr. Frodo. I trust you." And he did. His face told Frodo that he was telling the truth - he trusted him completely.
Frodo smiled, "Thanks, Sam."
The two walked on for a long while, telling stories and laughing at each others jokes. Frodo told Sam about Brandy Hall and Buckland, and in return, Sam told Frodo about Hobbiton.
Finally, at about noon, Sam stopped and sighed, "I'm getting hungry. I haven't eaten nothin' since breakfast, and you haven't neither. Aren't you hungry, too?"
Frodo shrugged, "Yeah, I guess I am." He sat down and pulled two apples out of his pack, handing one to Sam.
"Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked thoughtfully. "Why did you ask me to come out here with you?"
"Well…" Frodo said slowly. He shrugged, "I wanted to go exploring for a couple o' days, and I didn't want to go alone. So," he smiled. "I thought I'd invite a friend."
"Oh…" Sam said, smiling.
The rest of the time was spent in silence. Frodo finished his apple, and waited for Sam to finish his.
"Ready to get started again?" Frodo suggested, once Sam was done.
"That's all?" Sam asked. He was still hungry.
Frodo chuckled, "Sorry, Sam. Yes, that's all for now. But, I have a nice dinner planned."
"Dinner? We have to wait that long?" Sam's face fell.
"I'm afraid so," Frodo sighed and stood up. "But you can have a snack along the way. Did you bring anything with you?"
Sam nodded, his mother had packed them some goodies. He stood up, "Are we going much farther?"
Frodo got out the map, and looked at it. He showed it to Sam, "I'm guessing we're somewhere around here." He pointed to a spot. Then he moved his finger a little further up, "I plan on going here." He put the map away again, and looked at Sam. "So, no. I don't think so. We shouldn't have much farther to go." He started walking again.
Sam nodded, and followed Frodo, "Okay." He shivered a little and looked to Frodo, "Are you cold?"
Frodo thought about it, "Yeah, it does seem a bit chilly out here, doesn't it?"
Sam nodded, "I'm gonna put on another shirt." He stopped and took one out of his pack. As he slipped it on, he coughed a little, and sniffled.
"You alright?" Frodo asked him.
Sam nodded, "Yeah…"
"Okay, come on," Frodo said, beginning to walk again. The way he was feeling, he was now sure he had a cold. Even though it didn't seem like much. Still, he would hate it if he gave it to Sam - especially with this chill in the air, it could make things worse…
~To Be Continued~
