Author's Note: Before we begin, I would just like to say that I don't
really like the first chapter of this fic (why does this always happen to
me??). I've tweaked it and prodded it all I can but it still won't go
right. But please don't run away yet! I truly feel that the fic improves as
we go on, so give it a chance! If you spot anything amiss please let me
know.
There are nine chapters in total and I will upload one every two days. It's all written!
Brownie points for anyone who can guess why Sam's pony is called William.
Remember to review!
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Saying Goodbye
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Chapter One- Memories
Sam felt old. He knew that he was old well enough, but this was the first time he had really felt his age. His face had become paler and less jolly of late, and the weariness that he felt almost daily was beginning to show. As he sat atop his sturdy pony, fondly named William, his back ached and his knees and elbows felt stiff.
"I'm far too old for riding," he had muttered to himself as he mounted, wincing slightly as he shifted around in the saddle.
These aches and pains did not bother him as much as they should done. He had something else to compare them to that was not a physical ailment, but a mental one. The feeling of sadness that had bored itself deep into his chest was the thing that pained him the most. Ever since he had lost his beloved Rose it had firmly rooted itself there and hadn't left him since. Even though he could forget it or ignore it for a few hours or a few days, it was always there and sooner or later it would come back. He could feel it now, aching dully as he thought of Rosie, her eyes shining bright and her face smiling even though she was growing old. Even when she had been ill she had managed a small smile for Sam whenever she woke and saw him sitting by her side, holding her hand tightly.
After she had died he had learnt how it was to be lonely. Although he was often surrounded by people, his children and grandchildren, kindly friends and neighbors (for Sam and Rosie were well loved all over the Shire) there was nothing that could console him. 'It's amazing how you can be surrounded by people but still be lonely,' he had said to himself after yet another long day of visitors. No, nothing was binding him to Bag End anymore. He had nothing to stay for.
A stray tear slid down his cheek, and he hastily wiped it away with the back of his hand. He shouldn't be sad, not everything was lost. He was going to sail over the Sea.
He had remembered what Frodo had said to him when he was lying alone in his bed the night after Rosie had died. He was wide-awake and unable to sleep and kept on recalling thoughts and memories, wanted or otherwise.
He had first remembered their wedding day, how beautiful Rosie had looked and how happy he was. He smiled, in spite of himself, at the memory of Merry jumping up from out of the blue and catching Rosie's bouquet. He had given young Estella Bolger a sly kiss on the cheek, and she had blushed furiously. Sam remembered his children, and how it was when Bag End was full of childish laughter and games.
Then he began to think of Frodo and the time when they had lived together at Bag End. Those had been some of the happiest times of his life. Elanor was born and she was healthy and beautiful. The Shire was blooming again and although Rosie was busy and often tired, nothing could wipe the happy look off her face when she looked upon the smiles of her baby girl.
Sam's memories of Frodo came flooding back, and he felt how he had felt when the boat that held Frodo disappeared over the horizon. It was then he remembered what Frodo had said.
"You were too a Ring Bearer, if only for a little while. Your time may come."
And through his grief he felt hope. He knew that his time was close and began to subtly prepare for the day when he would leave.
Now that day was here, and Sam felt hope in his heart again as he thought of Frodo. He would be seeing him again. His master, Mister Frodo. But there were things he had to do before he left for the Grey Havens. He had to say goodbye to some old friends.
*-*
There are nine chapters in total and I will upload one every two days. It's all written!
Brownie points for anyone who can guess why Sam's pony is called William.
Remember to review!
*
---------------
Saying Goodbye
---------------
*
Chapter One- Memories
Sam felt old. He knew that he was old well enough, but this was the first time he had really felt his age. His face had become paler and less jolly of late, and the weariness that he felt almost daily was beginning to show. As he sat atop his sturdy pony, fondly named William, his back ached and his knees and elbows felt stiff.
"I'm far too old for riding," he had muttered to himself as he mounted, wincing slightly as he shifted around in the saddle.
These aches and pains did not bother him as much as they should done. He had something else to compare them to that was not a physical ailment, but a mental one. The feeling of sadness that had bored itself deep into his chest was the thing that pained him the most. Ever since he had lost his beloved Rose it had firmly rooted itself there and hadn't left him since. Even though he could forget it or ignore it for a few hours or a few days, it was always there and sooner or later it would come back. He could feel it now, aching dully as he thought of Rosie, her eyes shining bright and her face smiling even though she was growing old. Even when she had been ill she had managed a small smile for Sam whenever she woke and saw him sitting by her side, holding her hand tightly.
After she had died he had learnt how it was to be lonely. Although he was often surrounded by people, his children and grandchildren, kindly friends and neighbors (for Sam and Rosie were well loved all over the Shire) there was nothing that could console him. 'It's amazing how you can be surrounded by people but still be lonely,' he had said to himself after yet another long day of visitors. No, nothing was binding him to Bag End anymore. He had nothing to stay for.
A stray tear slid down his cheek, and he hastily wiped it away with the back of his hand. He shouldn't be sad, not everything was lost. He was going to sail over the Sea.
He had remembered what Frodo had said to him when he was lying alone in his bed the night after Rosie had died. He was wide-awake and unable to sleep and kept on recalling thoughts and memories, wanted or otherwise.
He had first remembered their wedding day, how beautiful Rosie had looked and how happy he was. He smiled, in spite of himself, at the memory of Merry jumping up from out of the blue and catching Rosie's bouquet. He had given young Estella Bolger a sly kiss on the cheek, and she had blushed furiously. Sam remembered his children, and how it was when Bag End was full of childish laughter and games.
Then he began to think of Frodo and the time when they had lived together at Bag End. Those had been some of the happiest times of his life. Elanor was born and she was healthy and beautiful. The Shire was blooming again and although Rosie was busy and often tired, nothing could wipe the happy look off her face when she looked upon the smiles of her baby girl.
Sam's memories of Frodo came flooding back, and he felt how he had felt when the boat that held Frodo disappeared over the horizon. It was then he remembered what Frodo had said.
"You were too a Ring Bearer, if only for a little while. Your time may come."
And through his grief he felt hope. He knew that his time was close and began to subtly prepare for the day when he would leave.
Now that day was here, and Sam felt hope in his heart again as he thought of Frodo. He would be seeing him again. His master, Mister Frodo. But there were things he had to do before he left for the Grey Havens. He had to say goodbye to some old friends.
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