Herb Tea

Sam's head felt like a lump of lead, his eyes stones, weighing him down. He opened them, his eyesight blurry. He could tell he was in his room, and there were a bunch of people. He blinked and his vision became clearer.

"Oh, he's awake!" he heard Pearl squeal, and then he saw her face in front of his.

Sam tried to sit up, but his arm was still in agonizing pain. "What.?"

Pippin said, "Sam! What in the name of all Tookness happened to you?!"

"This is his way of showing concern, by the way." Frodo said, "Are you allright?"

"Fine." Sam said, looking down at his arm, it was still twisted, looking grotesque and unnatural.

"I think he dislocated his elbow." Rosie said. Rosie? Sam looked up again and noticed that Rosie was in as well. Everyone was! He began to feel lightheaded again and he felt as if he was going to pass out any moment.

"Not a problem." Pervinca said, she was on his left side and looked into his eyes. "Feeling okay, Sam?" Pervinca was skilled with herbs and medicine, having a natural caring sense around her. Though, sometimes, she took the healing process a bit to seriously. Once, he saw her practically carrying Bilbo back to Bag End after breaking his ankle. Sam also remembered hearing that Bilbo hadn't gotten out of bed for the next three days.

"Yeah." he replied, "Just a little-" His words got stuck in his throat and his eyes widened. Pervinca had suddenly grabbed his arm and pushed it back into the socket, something that he wished never to experience again. He looked at her with wide eyes and tried to speak, but all that came out was a "meep." and he slipped into unconsciousness again.

** *

Sam awoke again, this time there was no one in the room. He looked around, his head still hurt but not as badly anymore. His arm, which still ached, was feeling a lot better though a bit stiff and someone had bandaged his leg. He sat up, and surprisingly it wasn't so painful. It was late afternoon now, Sam wondered how long he had laid in bed. Then he realized he wasn't really alone.

"Sam?" Rosie asked, Sam turned and saw her at his left side, sitting in a chair, looking concerned.

"Rosie, you're here!" Sam blushed immediately after saying so, thinking it sounded very rude.

On the contrary, she smiled at him and said, "Oh, we were so worried! After you fainted, I bandaged up your leg after Pervinca cleaned it, then we let you sleep. You were so tired." She was blushing, not like her graceful self, but she smiled all the same. How he loved that smile.

Sam lifted a hand to his head, saying, "I feel better now, but I could use something to eat! Who knows how many meals I've missed!"

Rosie smiled happily, glad to know that he was feeling better, "I'll get you something. Pervinca doesn't want you to get up until you're 'fully recovered' she said." She hurried out of his room.

Sam leaned back onto his pillows, overwhelmed. He fell out of a tree and dislocated his elbow if that was enough, and then he fainted twice, then there was Rosie. Sam contained a sigh, though he felt thoroughly confused. 'Too much for one day.'

She came back into the room, carrying a tray that held the aroma of beef stew. Sure enough, there it was, a large bowl of stew, a mug of some herbal tea, about four slices of thick wheat bread, and a pitcher and cup of water. Enough for about three full grown men to eat. But Sam looked at her instead, her eyes sparkling and holding a happiness and light. Her hair was like silk, smooth and shiny. His heart felt fluttery, happy, singing with joy. How he wanted her, to hold her and to kiss her. He couldn't help it, he loved her too much. 'She's perfect.' He thought, then blushed. Sam looked away, and she placed the tray on his nightstand and sat back down in her chair.

Sam swallowed, sat up straight, then finally said, "Rosie?

She looked at him, and he almost lost himself in the brown pools of her eyes, she leaned closer to him and his stomach fluttered.

Sam knew so badly what he wanted to say, it was blaring inside of him, his heart ached for it, but he couldn't say, he wanted to with all the love he possessed, but he couldn't say. He lowered his head in embarrassment as his courage failed him, saying instead, "Thank you for helping me today. for helping me up and bandaging my leg." He was disappointed, angry at himself for loosing his nerve. He wanted to.so badly to tell her his feelings, why did it have to be so difficult for him!? Pippin could win ladies with ease, why was it such a challenge for him?

Rosie smiled at him all the same, saying, "It was no problem at all, Sam. Now, you better eat some of that stew before it gets cold." She looked Sam straight in the eye, saying in a regretting voice, "I need to go home, now, Sam, my mother will expect me. I'm sorry."

She took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. Sam looked at her, saying, "You've done more then anyone else could, Rosie, I can never repay you enough."

Rosie smiled, then bent down, kissing him once again on the cheek. Usually Sam would blush, fluster, and go red in the face. But surprisingly he smiled back confidently and gratefully, and she got up and left, quietly closing the door behind her.

Sam felt surprised by himself, "What did I just do?" He asked himself. In response his stomach grumbled noisily. Sam grabbed the tray, and began to attack the food hungrily.

** *

Sam knew that Pervinca would kill him if he got out of bed, but he did anyway. Sam wobbled as he stood up, he was weaker then he thought he was. 'How far up was I in that stupid tree?' he wondered, grasping the headboard of his bed for support. His leg still hurt, but he refused to be confined to his bed and waste the day. He limped to the door and slowly, quietly opened it. The hallway was empty, but he could hear voices in the living room. He continued down the hallway as quietly as possible .
"He fell out of a tree, Frodo!" he heard Pervinca snap. "I'm surprised you aren't gnawing your fingernails in worry!"

"Sam's tough, he can survive." He heard Frodo reply, trying to be patient. "And if I know Sam, which I do, then he would absolutely refuse to be stuck in his bed all day. Why, I wouldn't be surprised if he crawled out right now, demanding a shovel so he could plant a bush or two."

He heard Pippin laugh, "How true is that! Remember the time he fell out of the speeding wagon a couple of years ago? Two hours later he was pottering around in the garden again, saying that the roses needed to be pruned!"

Sam walked around the corner, trying hard not to limp, "Talking about me behind my back, huh? Not very nice!"

They were all sitting around the table which held some cakes and cups of tea. Pearl was, of course, right next to Frodo and Pervinca was standing up, her arms folded sternly in front of her, trying to glare at Pippin and Frodo at the same time.

Pervinca opened her mouth in shock, as if to say something, but she stood there for a moment, then gathered herself up and said, "Samwise Gamgee, what in the Shire are you doing? You fell out of a tree, back in bed, go! Now, I won't take any more of this-"

"I can assure you, Pervinca, I am feeling quite fine. The stew was enough to put a man an inch from death back on his feet and waltzing." Sam replied, sitting down in the empty rocking chair and picking up a cake. He was still very hungry.

Pervinca went red in the face then sat down as well, muttering something about, "Stubborn Gamgees", but could hardly be heard because Frodo exclaimed, "Sam! You're allright!" overcome with joy.

"Of course, Mr. Frodo, I wouldn't be able to stay in that room for more than an hour." Sam replied, trying to stuff the rest of the cake in his mouth.

"So, Sam," Pippin said with a crafty look and a sly tone, "did anything.happen?"

Sam had no clue what he was talking about, but Pearl looked shocked and slapped Pippin's head. "What-?"

"Oh, you know." Pippin continued and Merry buried his face in his hands, trying to hide a grin. "I mean, when we left it was just you and Rosie.alone.together.with a bed."

Sam choked on his cake and turned beet red, glancing around the room. Frodo took to beating Pippin along with Pearl and Pervinca looked offended. Trying hard to contain control of his coughing, Sam beat his chest and looked around. "Pippin! I don't know where you get these ideas, but." Sam broke off coughing here, his voice catching in his throat.

Pervinca practically leapt up and declared, "True proof Sam needs some tea and a nice rest! Come on, Sam."

"No." Sam said, raising a hand in defense, "I'm fine, but some warm tea doesn't sound bad, think I've slept enough today."

Pervinca pursed her lips disapprovingly and busied herself with the tea while Pearl giggled and then rested her head on Frodo's shoulder. While Pervinca handed Sam a cup full of steaming tea, Merry laughed and said, "Well, Sam, you're our miracle of the day! Falling out of a tree! Geez, Sam, we didn't even notice it!"

"It's because Merry's dense, Sam." Frodo said, dodging a punch aimed by Merry, then adding for more effect, "Pipeweed must've gotten and clouded up his head."

Merry tackled Frodo and they wrestled around on the floor, Pearl screaming and Pervinca trying to get them to stop while Pippin cheered them on. Sam leaned back in his chair and took a sip of the tea, which was surprisingly bitter and foul smelling. Sam gave a cough and held the tea out at arm's length, "Pervinca, I told you not to give me any of your-"

"You never said anything about my medicines!" Pervinca said, trying to sound dignified, "You just said that you didn't want to go to bed!"

Sam refrained from scowling, but did give her a glowering look. "I bet you put some knock-out drops in it or some sleepy herbs."

Pervinca simply sat down again, looking at her feet. Sam did start to feel a little heavy-lidded, and cursed himself for not paying closer attention to what she was doing. Pervinca had a face that was a cross between amusement and guilt, holding her tea cup in a way to hide herself but also sitting very straight. Sam held back a yawn and tried to glare, but he found that soon he was feeling very drowsy indeed. 'I hate medicine.' he thought bitterly.

"Why did you do that?" Frodo asked Pervinca, who went red, but still held herself up in a proud way.

"He is ill and needs the sleep." She responded in a crisp voice, though it was clear she was feeling at fault.

Pippin sighed and said, "Per, he's been in bed all bloody day! If I was him I'd like a long walk outside or something. Get some fresh air."

"Couldn't put it in better words." Sam said, putting his teacup down on the table. 'I refuse to fall asleep, no I won't!' he told himself as his eyelids pleaded for sleep. 'I won't fall victim to Pervinca's smelly herbs!'

"Sam? You allright? Oh, Per, look what you did! He's going to be sleeping like a baby now!" He heard Pearl say, but didn't see, for he closed his eyes and that was all he remembered.

** *

Sam woke again, this time to find the moonlight streaming in through his windows. Back in bed again. He sighed and kicked off the covers, feeling surprisingly very energetic. He looked around his room, someone had picked up all of his dirty clothes that had laid scattered on his floor. He walked over to the window and looked outside, trying to ignore the stiffness in his leg. The crescent moon was in the black sky, the dotted stars scattering the havens. He could see the trees' branches shuddering in a night breeze.

Sam smiled to himself, then whispered, "Nothing like a midnight stroll."

Sam grabbed his cloak off the hook near the door, pulling on a light jacket as well. The days might be warm, but nights were still as cold can be. Sam opened the door wide and a blast of chilly wind hit him, waking him up possibly even more. Sam breathed deeply, soaking in the night and the silence of it all. Sam rather liked nighttime, though it might be dark (and sometimes a little intimidating). It was always silent and peaceful, a good time to think or ponder about something. Sam, whenever he found himself troubled, would often sit outside on the front steps, accompanied by a pipe at times, and think carefully or just enjoy the beauty of the dark.

Sam sighed and started to stroll around Bag End, looking at the gardens he so carefully tended. He could see that some parts of the grass needed trimming, it always grew so fast, and that some flowers had little weeds poking up around them. He frowned to himself, weeds. Before he knew it he was crawling around the violets, pulling out the little wisps of weed surrounding their stems. Gardening, that also was a time to reflect. Some people thought it a waste, but he found it amazing. There were so many things one could learn about the earth through gardens!

Sam stood up again, brushing the dirt from his callused fingers. The night was cold, but refreshing. And being cooped inside all day in a bed, and the herbs! Sam was still amazed that Pervinca did that to him, but in a way he knew it'd happen. He wandered over to the vegetable garden and look over them. Just as he expected, and knew, the vegetables were ready to be picked. He knelt down and began to pull out carrots from the ground, humming to himself. 'Might as well, while I'm up. Maybe we can have vegetable soup tomorrow, with these.' Before he knew it, he was singing softly to the night.

"A fine day for singing, don't you think so today?
The sun is shining brightly, what more can I say?
The flower's blooming brightly in lush gardens of green
Never was a finer day Mother Nature has seen
With sweet spring water and rippling brook
All you'll ever need is just one look
So don't delay the wait, lift your voices and sing
Who knows what other joys the day can bring
So lift up your voices and gaily sing!"

Sam was about to start on another verse, but he heard footsteps behind him and paused, his hand closing around the stem of a cucumber.

A sneering voice pierced the night, "Not very appropriate to sing of day in night, Sam. And with a voice like that."

Sam contained a sigh, Ted Sandyman. Would he never leave him alone?! Everywhere, when he wanted to be by himself, he was there to torment him.

"What do you want now, Ted?" Sam said, turning around and standing up. Ted was looking very bitter, more bitter then usual, and he was red in the face. His hair was messy, ruffled, but he didn't seem to notice.

"I passed Rosie Cotton today." He said, but Sam kept a plain look on his face.

"Nice to know, Ted." Sam replied, even though he was a bit curious of what was happening.

Ted now was looking sour, and he spat with venom, "I asked her if he wanted to be accompanied home."

Sam kept the simple look on, "That was very nice of you."

Ted went on, in a very loud and angry voice, "You'd think that, wouldn't you? But Rosie didn't think so, obviously. She just denied and went on her way, in my face she denied me!"

"Perhaps she wanted to be alone." Sam suggested, hoping Ted would catch the hinting tone in his voice.

Ted ignored him and glowered, saying in a menacing voice, "What are you doing to her, Sam? It's almost as if she has eyes for only you. Like you are the only one who exists in this bloody world."

Sam kept himself calm, refusing to get angry, "I can't speak for Rosie."

"Just watch out, Sam." Ted said, getting ready to leave, adding, "At parties she always danced with me, now you come up and expect her to run to you."

Sam remained silent, unable to think of a reply, and Ted stalked away, hands in pockets, shirt wrinkled. Sam knew that Ted had eyes for Rosie for a long time, and he would often threaten others who tried to win her as well. But he never pushed it this far, to come out in the middle of the night and to warn someone.

"Things are too confusing for my simple self." Sam said, and then turned back to his gardening.