Part 3: Rosie

I sigh as I dry a mug and look up into the night sky before turning back to my duty. A smile is on my lips as I say good night to the patrons.

I glance up, and my heart jumps as I see Sam and Frodo in the doorway. Smiling at them, I give Frodo a respectful look and then turn my attention to Sam. Our eyes meet, and I feel myself drowning in the never-ending pools of blue.

"Good night, lads." I am surprised at how steady my voice is.

Sam gives me a look that is not quite a smile. Frodo, however, returns my smile with a broad one.

"Good night," they say in return and walk off.

My eyes follow them for a moment and then return to another patron. It is Ted Sandyman. My eyes widen, and my smile begins to fade as he gets down on one knee.

"Good night, sweet maiden of the golden ale!" he says grandly in a stuttering voice, grinning up at me.

I force my smile back in place. I can feel my cheeks burning. Patrons turn towards us and laugh. I glance out of the corner of my eye towards Sam and Frodo. They watch over their shoulders. Frodo looks as though he is trying not to laugh out loud at the scene; Sam, however, looks as though he wants to wring the neck of the drunken lad settled at my feet. I have never seen him look like that before, and it melts my heart because he is concerned for me.

I turn my attention back to Ted. I keep smiling, give a nod of my head, and mumble, "Thank you." All the while what I really want to do is bash the mug I am drying on his head in feminine outrage.

I watch in relief as he gets up and waddles off, as do the other patrons. I return my gaze to Frodo's and Sam's retreating backs.

I cannot help but get my hopes up. Sam has always treated me like a friend. But I wonder if that is the only way he sees me. He has never shown so much concern for my well-being before tonight. Maybe, just maybe…

As the hobbits go, I suddenly wonder when I will see them again. It is a strange thought, but it worries me. I feel as though this is the last time I will ever see them. I watch them with uncertainty and a little fear.

Sam looks back at the Green Dragon and meets my eyes. I do not smile. I look at him with no mask over my unease. I print his face onto my heart. He looks at me for a few moments and then turns away, head low.

I swallow hard. I would watch them for as long as I could except that I am called back into the inn.

"Take care of yourself and Frodo," I whisper into the darkness before going inside.