Authors Note: I would like to thank my new beta Kitty Rose, who has checked the rest of my story. Also thank you to everybody who has reviewed my story, it means a lot to know people enjoy my stories.

Chapter 7

Sam looked up from the weeds as he heard a crash inside. He scrambled up, brushing mud from his breeches, and quickly ran inside.

He found Frodo in a swoon of the floor. A knife lay a few feet from Frodo's hand, but he was not injured. "Mr. Frodo!" he cried. Frodo was unconscious, his face ashen. Sam quickly grabbed Frodo by his thin shoulders and dragged him to his bed. He lifted Frodo onto the bed gently, and pulled some blankets over his slim frame.

Sam stood, looking at Frodo fretfully. "Sir," he said, waving his hand over Frodo's face. There was no response. Tears welled in Sam's eyes. He lightly touched Frodo's forehead, and gasped as ice bit his fingers.

"I'd better get my Ma," he mumbled to himself. Half tripping, half stumbling, he raced from Bag End to Bagshot Row.

Sam found Mrs. Gamgee at the sink, washing dishes. "Ma!" Sam cried, and burst into tears.

"Sam, Sam, my lad, what's wrong," she said, hugging a weeping Sam to her breast.

Sam looked up at her with red eyes. "It's Mr. Frodo. He's sick. I found him collapsed in the hall."

Mrs. Gamgee frowned. "Where is he now?"

"I put him to bed. But his forehead is like ice to touch!"

Mrs. Gamgee dried her hands on the tea towel. "All right. I'll go and see how poor Mr. Frodo is doing."

Sam took his Ma's hand, and half dragging her, ran to Bag End. They found Frodo still unconscious in his bed. Mrs. Gamgee frowned at Frodo's pale countenance. She pressed her hand to his forehead and was surprised how cold it was.

"He doesn't eat enough," she thought. "He needs a proper meal, with lots of vegetables and meat. He's too pale as well. A bit of sun would do him good, I reckon."

Mrs. Gamgee stood up. "Sam," she instructed, "you stay here with Mr. Frodo and I'll go and get some more blankets and a hot water bottle."

Sam nodded solemnly as she bustled out of the room. He took Frodo's hand and rubbed it, trying to instil some warmth into Frodo's cold body.

"Oh, Mr. Frodo," he murmured. "Look what I've done. I go surprising you with my news and now you're sick. I didn't mean it, sir. I don't deserve to be you're servant. Your too beautiful, to special, to be friends with a common hobbit like me."

He looked upon Frodo's face, and despite it being pale and cold, he *did* look beautiful. His curls were a lovely chestnut brown and his chin so perfectly chiselled as if by magic. His full lips were twisted into a sad smile. Long dark lashes hid Frodo's clear blue eyes.

Sam was reaching out to stroke Frodo's cheek, when Mrs. Gamgee came back, carrying a bundle of blankets and a hot water bottle. Sam was helping her with the load when he heard a moan.

"Sam."

Sam raced to the bed and clutched Frodo's hand. "I'm here, sir," he whispered. Frodo's eyelids fluttered.

"Sam, I'm sorry," he murmured, struggling to open his eyes.

"No, sir, you've got nothing to be sorry about," said Sam, as his tears dripped onto Frodo's hand.

"Now, Sam," said Mrs. Gamgee briskly, "give Mr. Frodo some room. Be a good lad and go make some nice hot broth. I'll get Mr. Frodo into his nightshirt and all fixed up."

Sam nodded reluctantly and disappeared into the kitchen. Mrs. Gamgee found Frodo's nightshirt and gently lifted him up from the bed.

"Mrs. Gamgee, you don't need to do that," Frodo protested weakly.

"Now, Mr. Frodo, I've raised three boys, yer ain't got nothing I haven't seen before."

"Just-just don't wash my clothes, I have..something important in one of the pockets."

"All right, lad," said Mrs. Gamgee. "It's none of my business. I'll just put them in the corner." Frodo nodded and let her undress him.

Mrs. Gamgee said nothing, but frowned at Frodo's thin, pale body. He really needs a good wife to look after him, she thought.

After she had settled Frodo back into bed, she kissed him on the forehead and sighed. Mrs. Gamgee carefully folded Frodo's clothes, and left the room to find Sam in the kitchen cooking the broth.

"Do you know what's wrong with him?" said Sam, as he stirred the hot liquid.

"I don't know," she said wearily. "He needs a good meal, I don't doubt. But something seems to be bothering him. Do you know what it is?"

Sam shook his head sadly. "I don't know, Ma. He seems so sad lately. It breaks my heart. I tried talking to him, but he wont say anything."

Mrs. Gamgee smiled dejectedly and kissed Sam on the cheek. "I've got to go and cook the Gaffer's lunch. You stay here and look after Mr. Frodo. Let me know if he gets worse, we might have to fetch the doctor."

Sam sipped some of the broth from the spoon. "Thanks, Ma."

Mrs. Gamgee nodded and left the kitchen. When the broth was ready, Sam put a few cupfuls into a bowl and took them to Frodo.

"Sir?"

Frodo opened his eyes lazily. "Samwise," he barely whispered.

"I've got some hot broth for you, it will warm up your insides."

Frodo sighed and a cruel pain clutched his heart. "I don't think I can eat anything."

"Please, sir, just a few mouthfuls, for your Sam."

Frodo nodded. "All right, Sam, I'll do my best."

Sam grabbed some pillows and help Frodo sit up. Frodo sighed slightly at his touch and Sam was careful after than to make sure he didn't touch Frodo unnecessarily, lest he hurt him again.

Sam sat at the edge of the bed and balanced the bowl awkwardly on his lap. He scooped a little broth onto the spoon and blew on the liquid to cool it a little. Without dripping any, he placed the laden spoon into Frodo's open mouth. Sam watched as Frodo's lips curved over the spoon, enjoying the warmness on his tongue. He swallowed and gave Sam a little smile.

"That's very nice, Sam."

"Would you like some more?"

"I don't think I can eat anymore. I'm sorry."

"You've got to eat, sir," said Sam desperately.

Frodo began to slide down under the sheets, and Sam quickly arranged the pillows so Frodo could sleep.

"Sam, are you really going to marry Rosie?" asked Frodo sleepily.

"Yes, sir."

A shadow crossed Frodo's face and he closed his eyes and was soon asleep. Sam sat on the bed, tears numbing his eyes. He took Frodo's hand and kissed it gently, Frodo's cool skin gentle on his lips.

Sam held his master's hand until his back ached and his arms turned numb. Wearily, he grabbed a spare blanket and pillow, and arranged them by Frodo's bed. Soon he was asleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Frodo and Sam were by the creek, sitting in the tall grass. The water gurgled noisily and the hot sun reddened their cheeks.

Frodo sighed and picked at the grass. "Sam?"

"Yes, sir?"

Frodo was looking at him intensely, and Sam felt his cheeks heat. He picked up Sam's hand. Sam was surprised his hand was warm, almost hot, as though his very blood was boiling. Frodo's eyes were dark, and Sam found something inside him cry out.

"Sam do you remember the time when you first came to work for me?" Sam nodded. The Gaffer's joints had gotten painful at his old age, so Sam had taken over as gardener.

"I remember seeing a young hobbit, with sparkling eyes and sandy hair, run up the path to the Hill and announce that he was going to be the Gardener of Bag End. And I laughed merrily at your eager face and let you in for some tea." Frodo paused. "Do you remember?"

"I remember," said Sam quietly.

"And do you know, my dear Samwise, that day changed my life forever."

"In what way?"

Frodo squeezed his hand. "I fell in love."

Quietness descended over them and Sam felt his mouth open and close in shock.

"Surely, sir, you don't mean."

"I do," said Frodo simply.

Suddenly Frodo's lips were brushing his, and Sam felt himself pressing himself closely to Frodo's body. Next Frodo's mouth was kissing his hair, and then he was trailing kisses down Sam's neck.

"I love you, Sam," he murmured, lips still pressed against Sam's skin.

"Sir, sir, I love you too," Sam found himself whispering joyfully.

Frodo looked up and smiled. "Oh, Sam," he sighed.

And then they were wrapped in each other's arms, crying and kissing and hugging. Sam moaned as Frodo's mouth met his again. Sam couldn't believe he was enjoying this so much. He felt Frodo's hand playing with his shirt buttons and his fingers graze his hardened nipple when a thought crossed his mind. Rosie.

Sam awoke with a start.

End of chapter 7

To be continued...