"Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked, when he and Frodo were about half way back to Bag End.
"Yes, Sam?"
"Why did you help that servant, Mr. Frodo, beggin' your pardon, when you knew that you would be hurt?" Sam asked in quiet admiration for his new master and friend.
"Sam, there is great honor in being willing to help another, no matter the pain that you may go though in the process." Frodo tried to explain to the innocent, young, hobbit.
"Even if you become…dead?" Sam asked, with a slight tremble in his voice.
Frodo thought for a moment. This was a strange question even for a lad of his own age to ask, much less Sam's. "Yes, Sam, even if you died in the process. If you can spare someone else's death or pain with your own life, then you must do what you can. It's the truly noble thing to do Sam. Whether what you do saves many or just one person, your sacrifice is worth no less."
Sam stopped walking and faced Frodo. He looked deep into the older lad's eyes. "I would do that for you, Mr. Frodo." He said, sincerely.
Frodo's breath caught at this proclamation. No one had ever said anything like that to the often over looked child. He felt a tear roll slowly down his cheek. He wiped it away quickly before quietly saying, "Thank you, Sam."
Sam smiled up at Frodo and once again hugged Frodo's legs tightly. Frodo laughed slightly and then bent down to pick the younger lad up. He hugged the boy tightly to his chest before setting him back down.
Sam smiled happily to himself. He knew that he would do as he said, but he had no idea what his words would mean in the very distant future.
Soon they were in sight of Bag End. Frodo was only too happy to see his new home again. He wanted nothing more than to eat a good meal and perhaps later, Bilbo would read him a story. He smiled at the thought.
"Conversing again with commoners, I see, dear cousin." Someone said, coming up behind them.
Frodo turned quickly, only to find himself face to face with Lotho Sacksville-Baggins.
"And why wouldn't I? I'm no better than he is!" Frodo emphasized.
"Well, I can see that much is true." Lotho said, cruelly.
"Sam is my friend and I will converse with whom I please." Frodo said, indignantly, yet calmly.
"I've always heard that Brandybucks were queer, but I didn't know that they would actually befriend their servants!" Lotho exclaimed in his same demeaning tone.
"I see nothing wrong with it, cousin." Frodo continued, now with a slight edge to his voice.
"And that's your problem, Frodo, dear." Lotho spat.
Frodo wanted to say that maybe that was what Lotho's problem was, but he held his tongue.
"I can see that we are probably less than likely to ever see eye to eye."
"Especially with you being as short as you are." Lotho laughed, seemingly impressed with his humor, or lack of rather.
"Lotho, I'm not quite sure what your problem is with me. I've done nothing to you and with us being cousins I rather wish that we could get along better." Frodo said.
"Well, Frodo, that could never be."
"And why not?" Frodo asked.
"Simply because I hate you." Lotho said, all to calmly. He had said it with nearly no emotion at all in his voice, this greatly disturbed Frodo.
Sam, who had otherwise stood on quietly throughout this who ordeal suddenly said, "Mr. Lotho, you aren't very kind to Mr. Frodo and you have no reason to hate him, if you follow me. Mr. Frodo's a very nice hobbit!"
Lotho just laughed at the young hobbit. "Frodo's just pretending to be nice to you anyway, servant."
"He is not. Mr. Frodo is me friend!" Sam proudly exclaimed.
"Frodo!" Suddenly, Bilbo's booming voice could be heard from up the path. "Is that you, lad? Lunch is nearly ready, my boy. Come up here and bring young Samwise with you."
Lotho began slowly slinking away at the sound of Bilbo's voice.
"Coming, Uncle!" Frodo shouted.
Lotho started walking briskly down the path from whence he came.
'Coward.' Frodo thought. Frodo knew that Lotho picked on him because he was smaller and much more delicate than he was. As soon as someone older or bigger came around, such as Bilbo, Lotho would flee like a frightened kitten.
Frodo grabbed Sam's hand and quickly made his way back up to Bag End.
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First off, Happy Easter everyone! Six of my fingers got dyed pink, blue, and purple from painting hard-boiled eggs. I should actually use the egg-holder thing, but I like my fingers being pretty colors. Well, on to my reviews now.
hmsgirl: Frodo is rather heroic, isn't he?
LilyBaggins: Thanks! I don't have a problem with H/C either as long as there is comfort. I'm a sucker for happy endings. Be assured there are many obstacles that Frodo must overcome that help shape him into the hobbit we all love!
Senni: Yes, it is a scary thought that Sam would've been the S-Bs gardener. I'm very happy that you like my style and portrayal of Sam. He's actually my favorite book character ever and I hope to do him some justice. I do have comma problems. I usually use them way too often. As for using the wrong word, its usually just me. I'll type the wrong words by accident, and I don't usually catch them until many re-reads later. I especially have a problem with where and were. I know the difference, but sometimes I really have to think about it. Sorry, not much Bilbo in this chapter, that is coming next chapter!
Katini Petitedra: Does the whip really taste all that good? I've heard of physics…yum, but never whips…yum. Thanks for your comments and I really enjoy you insanity since, aside from this story, I'm hardly sane myself!
Obelia medusa: My favorite author at ff.net! I'm glad that my speech is more hobbity now. I'm also very happy that you liked my last paragraph so much. I really do too, despite the typo problem! Yes, Sam comparing his love for Frodo with his love of gardening does seem most natural for him. By the way, I've been meaning to answer your e-mail, I've just not had the adequate time yet. I will very soon though.
Chibi neko: That's Japanese for small cat, isn't it? I have a cat named Mikeneko. (Which means 3 colored cat.) Thanks for really dissecting my writing. I admit my writing is rather fast paced. It has something to do with my personality, my mind works quickly from point A to point B. I'm trying harder to slow down a bit though. I know descriptions are a very important part of the story and something that I have to work harder on. Don't worry! I'll make an effort. Perhaps we will get to see Bilbo more angry in later chapters. Yes, I'm fairly sure the S-Bs would be familiar with Sam, seeing as they were so dead-bent on inheriting Bilbo's possessions. It is a rather interesting prospect.
Michelle Frodo: My friend Elizabeth calls me Sadistic-Frodo, that must be why I hurt him so much in my story even though I love him dearly. Yes, Frodo is our very brave hobbit. Kill Lotho? But, Goonies never say die! (Heh heh, little Sean Astin!) Wow! I was at church today, helping set up for the Easter service tomorrow. So, there I was playing with little Elijah again, when two other little boys came out to play. Elijah demanded almost constant attention from me, little Jimmy accidentally sprayed me with the fire extinguisher, (Luckily it only had water in it.) and Angelo sat contently playing by himself. Finally it was just me and Elijah. He wanted to keep walking back and forth and all over the place. Man, my legs are protesting now. He also picked some dandelions. Later he put them on the ground and told me they were dead. Pretty smart for a little kid. And he is so cute, adorable actually, but he wares me out! My big eyes don't get me anything. Although its strange because once in awhile, someone will stop me while I'm talking to them and they will say, "Oh my gosh! You're eyes are really blue right now!" I always wish I could see my eyes when they say that, because my eyes are normally blue/gray. In fact Elizabeth said that to me on Wednesday and then she said, "Well, I guess you really are Frodo then!" Heh heh. Anyway please continue to write more of your lovely poetry, I will read and review more of them soon!
Please review!