Disclaimer: Lord of the Rings does not belong to me.
It was a stormy night. Thunder crashed on the horizon and rain pelted hard the windows of each hobbit hole. From deep within the Gamgee home, came the agonized sounds of straining and pushing, a female in labour. Lightning flashed in a sudden streak and a final cry of pain was heard.
Outside, pacing furiously, was Gardener Gamgee. It was his first child and he was worried. Then, he perked up his head as a sudden thought occurred to him. Instantly, he picked up his feet and ran pell-mell to the window-box, hoping to save some of his wife's lovely flowers. He lifted the pane of glass and squinted into the gloomy dark, the warm light of the fireplace casting a soft, but barely adequate glow on the plants.
He worked fast pulling all the plants out of the box, careful to keep their roots intact. Then he laid them one bye one out on the rug, ignoring the watermarks they were bound to leave. He surveyed the soggy mess sadly; the pretty blossoms had been crushed by the merciless rain. Then his eyes lighted up as he spotted one bloom, still perfect among the ruin. He had snatched it up, wary of the thorns, when the scream shrilled through the room. A moment later, it was followed by the sound of a wailing hobbit-baby. The nurse threw open the door and laughingly beckoned Gamgee into the bedroom.
"Congratulations!" She said, warmly pumping his hand. "That's a beautiful boy you've got there."
Bewildered, he entered the room. There, lying among the plump pillows, was his beloved wife. In her arms she cradled a tiny creature, bawling his lungs out. The tiny hobbit's eyes were squeezed tightly shut but his mouth was wide open, wherein issued his hearty screams. Gamgee inched timidly towards the bed, awed by this being. Suddenly, he was reminded of the flower in his hand. He hurried over to his wife and smiled delightedly at her.
"Look, I managed to save this. A rose, full-blown."
His wife lifted her head from the babe and turned to look at Gamgee. Her tired expression melted away and she tenderly stroked the deep-red petals. Plucking one, she held it over her newborn. The baby's eyes screwed open and he scrutinized the petal in wonder, his crying ceasing immediately. His small nose was tickled with it and he gurgled in pleasure. Then, reaching out with his tiny baby-hands, he struggled to grasp the petal, but to no avail. Lying back, he watched as his mother breathed in the fragrance of the blossom and saw her give his father a kiss.
"It's glorious, dear. The perfect rose."
:Rose: thought the baby.
Then he snuggled in the crook of his mother's arm contentedly and closed his eyes to take a peaceful slumber. His parents surveyed him proudly and Gamgee wrapped his arm around his wife.
"Let's call him Samwise."
A/N: How was it? Review please! More to come.
