Simple and Clean

A/N: Finally, twelve days later, I update! I'm very sorry that the updates take so long. I try to update every week, but it is difficult. And this week I had to work on Exchanged (which I just now posted......two days late......cursed computer.). But, as I said before, this is one of my favorite chapters of this fic. As I was writing it I came across this song that fit with it perfectly: I Could Fall in Love by Selena Quintanilla-Perez. I added it to this chapter as an afterthought and was pleased with the results. The lyrics to Simple and Clean will continue probably around Chapter 14 (I'm running out of the lyrics!! GAH!) Until then I hope to find a snippet of a song to go with each chapter. Reviewer challenge!! If you have any song you'd like me to put at the end of a chapter let me know! Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Also, for you folks that don't like slash very much, you may want to be warned. This chapter is a bit slashier than others. My goal for this chapter (if anyone is interested) was to show that Frodo and Sam's relationship is growing, albeit not nearly as strong as it will be by the end of this story. Also, this is mixed: movie canon and book canon. The scene with the elves is right out of the movie. I absolutely loved that scene; it was possibly my favorite in the entire Extended Edition. However, the fact that Pippin is there is book canon. I like book Pippin very much; he's very cheeky. Not that he isn't adorable in the films; I simply write Pippin and Merry much more in book canon than movie canon because that is what I'm used to.

To the reviewers:

Shawntee: Thank the Valar indeed! Sorry I did not get to you last chapter; I found your review only after I'd already posted chapter four. Oops. ^_^

Lila: We wants it?! Gah!! Another Gollum in our midst! ::Tosses fish in opposite direction then runs away.:: .....Nah, its okay. Gollum speech is very fun, no? I myself have begun to call my puppy (Who is named Meriadoc or Merry for short, by the way) 'Precious.' She gives me a rather nasty look sometimes, but that could be because I neglect giving her treats. Spoiled little thing, she is.

Shawntee: Again! Deja vu....well, hello anyway!

Luthien: Thank you! ::passes Luthien a cookie, then gives one to other reviewers as it is only fair.::

crazytook: Hmm......I'm glad you're enjoying the fic, even though you aren't a fan of slash. To each their own, I always say. And Simple and Clean is the basis of this fic, so don't run away!! Yes, I have been listening to the commentary. The first time I listened to it I was crying from laughter. About Sean getting hit in the shoulder: it doesn't say exactly where Gandalf hits Sam in the books, so yes, I did borrow that insight from Sean. Very observant!! You earn a prize! ::Hands crazytook Boromir.:: Be very careful with him......he's rather cranky at the moment.

VioletRaven: I am very glad you liked that part! It was my favorite part of that chapter as well. Enjoy the Dedication Award. There are more awards to come!! By the way, I have been trying very hard to review your works, but this blasted (but beloved) sight refuses to let me.

AnimeKris: Here is the update! I hope you enjoy!!

Bakemono: ::Gazes at the Magical Donut Crown of Magicalness in wonder:: Weeeeeeeeee!! Thanks much!! Now I just have to keep Merry from stealing it from me (the dog, not the hobbit.....)

Seregon: Yep, every chapter will be about the length of this chapter (I am quite long winded....). I'm glad that makes you happy; some folk do not like long stories. I too love details, to the point where it gets annoying. Also, I do not want to rush either, the story or the relationship between our two stars. Re: The long time period where Sam does not speak to Rosie: There is a "lost chapter" before this one that is very short where Sam bumps into Rosie in the market, but does not speak to her. Merry sees and does mention something to her. I plan to post the chapter after the entire story is completed, under a different fic name. As for Frodo's diary, I always thought he would be apt to keep one. He's so reserved most of the time, surely he has much going on inside that head of his.

Bunnybeanburrito: Very interesting pen name, BBB! ^_^ Here's the update. As for the fic growing on you, Fic-Be-Gone should take care of that. Too bad I swiped all the bottles from the corner store......mwahahaha.....

Chapter Five

Beginnings

"I've got blankets....change o' clothes....shovel....food.....water.....oh ninnyhammers, what am I forgettin'?" Sam grumbled as he rummaged through his pack, making last minute checks. He had already rechecked his overstuffed backpack three times but he still could not shake the feeling that he was forgetting something. He was thoroughly muddled.

"I reckon I'll remember soon as we leave and I can't get at what I need," Sam said aloud, looking through the pile of odds and ends once again before sighing in resignation and putting everything back into the knapsack.

Outside the air was crisp with September bite, the leaves beginning to fall from the trees in a ballet of color and the flowers shrinking back into their winter dens, preparing for the inevitable first frost. The long planned for and long awaited day had at last come.

Samwise Gamgee puttered slowly around his room bidding farewell to the place he called home. The bed he had slept in for as long as he could remember, where his mother had tucked him in at night with a bit of a song and a kiss on the forehead; the potted plants he had grown from seeds with loves perched on the windowsill; the tattered old desk May insisted they have; all of them received their just good-bye. Sam stood aimlessly in the center of the room when he was finished, a nervousness like he had never felt before churning in his belly. Stubbornly he told himself that he was being nervous for no reason.

*Like as not Mr. Frodo and me will be back before the Bywater freezes.......* Sam thought to himself. Frodo's plan was to head to Bree where they would meet Gandalf and go on to Rivendell. Gandalf was originally to have accompanied the two companions from the Shire, but the wizard had failed to return as he had previously promised. The fact unsettled Sam as well as his master, although Frodo had convinced himself that Gandalf had been delayed and would meet them at the inn. Sam was not as sure, but if his wise employer said so then it must be true.

As he picked up his heavy pack from the bed and slung in onto his back, Sam vaguely wondered how far Rivendell was. He knew very little geography outside of Hobbiton and even less beyond the Shire. Mentally he shrugged and thought no more of it. *No doubt Mr. Frodo knows the way.*

The Gaffer was waiting for his son outside the smial, lounging in a rocking chair and blowing smoke rings up to the sky through pursed lips. His brows were deeply knitted together with age and long years of toil. Hamfast had had his share of grief, more than his share one would argue. Now the last of his children was leaving home to go live with Mr. Frodo at his new home in Crickhollow (or so it was that Frodo told everyone; except Sam, of course). Hamfast had always been a hard man, proud and stubborn. Few saw his emotional side; he hid it very well.

"Samwise!" the gaffer huffed as Sam came out of the quaint hobbit hole, pack hoisted on his back and eyes shining with unshed tears. Embarrassed and not wanting to be called 'soft', Sam quickly blinked the tears away and sniffed bravely.

"G'bye, dad. You'll be takin' care?" Sam asked slowly, knowing too much affection would only make his father even more closed off and irritable than usual.

The gaffer grumbled something incoherent and took another few puffs on his pipe. At length he said, "I'll be takin' care 'bout as much as I can with them nincompoop Sacksville-Bagginses as me new neighbors." Ham paused a moment then rocked backwards, giving Sam a sideways glance. "You're gettin' that key back, ain't ya lad?"

Sam nodded. "Mr. Frodo said I could run it over 'afore we leave. He don't want them Sacksville-Bagginses in Bag End anymore than you do, da."

"Then why in the Shire he do it then?" the gaffer asked reasonably, blowing another smoke ring. Sam winced and fought the urge to shove his fist down his own throat. If he had blown his master's cover......

But Hamfast merely cleared his throat and rocked the chair forward again. "Eh, I suppose he had no choice in the matter. After all, they's his relatives. The only proper thing to do....but I'll keep that key! Leastways then I can be sure no real mischief goes on in dear old Bilbo's place. I won't have them fools routing up al your hard work in the garden neither, Sam."

Sam smiled a sad smile. For a moment his resolve wavered and he wanted nothing more than to stay at home and take care of the old gaffer, safe in the hill. He wanted to retreat to the familiarity of his own bed and never think about the outside world again.

But.....

The feelings lasted only a moment. Sam had made a promise, both to himself and to Gandalf, that he would watch over Frodo and take care of him. Also, Sam knew that if he did not go with Frodo, if he remained behind, then he would live to regret it and become lonely and miserable without his master's kind companionship.

"Dad...." Sam began, looking down at his father.

"You best be goin'," grumbled the gaffer without raising his eyes. "You don't want to keep Frodo waitin'."

"Da....." Sam swallowed the heavy lump in his throat. It would do no good to make a scene. Hardening his will, Sam placed a hand lightly on his father's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "I'll be back one day, da."

Catching the odd tone in Sam's voice Hamfast looked up and cocked an eyebrow. "'Course you will, ninny, you're goin' to Crickhollow, not the moon." He turned his attention back to his pipe. "Now scat, a-fore Mr. Frodo leaves without you and you have to find your own way."

Tears pricked at the back of Sam's eyes once again, but he refused to allow them to fall. Nodding he whispered a clumsy farewell to his gaffer, stole a last look at Number Three Bag Shot Row as if to memorize its image, and then marched down the short walkway and up the road to Bag End.

Hamfast watched him go with a heavy heart. "You'd best take care of my lad, Frodo Baggins," the gaffer said, more to himself than anyone else. "You'd best watch out for him...." With creaking knees the old hobbit stood up and hobbled into the smial. There were still daily chores to do. Time stood still for no one.

*************************************************************

"..........we shall have to change all this around of course, and move that, and paint over that," Lobelia Sacksville-Baggins had not been in Bag End for more than 45 minutes and already she had begun plans for rearranging. She moved like a tornado through each room, squawking to her rascally son Lotho about one thing or another that just had to be altered or gotten rid of.

Frodo sat at the dining room table, rubbing his forehead in irritation. His cousin, Peregrin Took, sat opposite of him munching contently on a tea cake.

"Oh come now Frodo, stop that!" Pippin scolded.

Frodo raised his head and gave his cousin an inquiring look. "Stop what?"

"That ghastly scowling. You shall look worse than Lobelia if you aren't careful."

Frodo had to fight to suppress a laugh; he didn't want Lobelia coming into the kitchen. "You had better not let Lobelia hear that cheek of yours. I am really in no mood to hear her shrieking."

"Why should she shriek? Its only the truth. She should know it; she does own a mirror, doesn't she?" quirked Pippin, reaching for his tea cup.

"Pippin!" cried Frodo with a laugh.

"What!" She can't hear me; she's too busy rifling through your things. I would bet that she is still squawking when we leave. Pass me another cake!" Pippin snatched at the basket greedily as Frodo pulled it beyond his reach.

"You have had quite enough. I fear to see what would happen if you'd anymore sugar in your body. We shall wait for Sam. He should be here shortly; you will survive the wait, I promise," Frodo said with a wistful wave of his hand.

Pippin leaned back in his chair and sulked. "I daresay Frodo, you are becoming rather old. I hope something cheerful happens to get you to lighten up. You have been very close of late.....where is that Sam!"

"Here I am, sir!" Sam called coming in through the front door to hear Pippin's rather loud exclamation. Frodo turned his head toward the kitchen entrance and a moment later Sam Gamgee appeared with an overstuffed pack hoisted high on his shoulders. Pippin took advantage of Frodo's inattentiveness and snatched the basket of tea cakes back.

"Rascal!" cried Frodo. " Come Sam, you'd best sit down before Pippin eats everything on the table. Leave your pack by the door; the only ones who may trip over it are Lobelia and Lotho and that would hardly be much of a crime. "

Sam obediently did as instructed and took a seat beside Frodo. As Frodo poured his friend a cup of tea he asked, "Are you all ready to go, Sam?"

"Yes sir," Sam replied with a nod. "Leastways as ready as I will be. I can't shake this feeling that I'm forgettin' somethin'."

"Maybe its just nervousness," suggested Pippin. "About the move, I mean," the youngster finished quickly.

There was a pause as Lobelia exclaimed from one of the bed rooms: "Just look at these scratches. I would bet my life that that little ragamuffin did that on purpose!"

Frodo sighed loudly. "Not even a moments peace in my last few hours here," he said sadly.

"Is that Lobelia? What's she hollerin' about anyhow? Any respectable, lived in home is gonna have a few nicks here an' there. Its only natural," Sam said, frowning at his master's sudden downtrodden mood.

"I believe she is just shouting to make noise and to inform Frodo that he is no longer the master of Bag End," chirped Pippin, eyeing the cakes that Frodo had put on Sam's plate.

"But he still is, for another couple o'hours yet. She don't get it 'til after midnight to-night, if I'm understandin' properly," said Sam.

"Well, Lobelia sees it differently. She's mad I tell you! Did you know, Sam, that she brought with her an inventory of every single item Frodo had promised her?" Pippin declared incredulously. "She has been going from room to room, marking things off as she goes!"

"Has she? Don't she have anything better to do?" Sam pondered, eliciting a smile from Frodo. He had been thinking the exact same thing. The smile grew as Pippin tried to snatch one of the powdered cakes from Sam's plate only to have the gardener slap the younger hobbit's hand away. Pippin gave Sam an innocent look before dissolving into giggles. Sam raised an eyebrow but soon dissolved into laughter as well. Frodo , too, laughed, but inside he felt the weight of a deep sorrow. He looked upon his young cousin and thought *I wonder if I shall ever see Pip again. I can only hope that whatever evil is pursuing the.....the trinket I must carry does not ever reach the Shire.* Very suddenly Frodo was aware of the ring in his pocket, light against his breast. It was very strange, but the band of gold did not seem to be laying still, but vibrated ever so slightly with every breath Frodo took. It seemed almost........alive. And after all Gandalf had told Frodo.....it did not seem entirely impossible.

A shiver shot down Frodo's spine but he forced himself to think of pleasanter things. Sam was coming with him, they were going to Rivendell, and they were going to see Bilbo again. *I really could not ask for a better holiday,* Frodo told himself. He gazed at Sam, who was trying to scold the young Took but failing due to the chuckles that still escaped his lips. Sam, so innocent, so free.

*Only to Rivendell.....* Frodo vowed. *We shall only bring the ring as far as Rivendell. Sam shall see his elves and then we shall come home. We shall come home...*

But even as Frodo thought this, a fell voice seemed to whisper in his ear, You shall never come home.....

*************************************************************

"I am absolutely starving!" Pippin wailed, staggering around the road melodramatically, his pack swinging around on his shoulders.

Frodo sighed. "Peregrin Took if you are ever full then all the rivers in Middle Earth shall dry up and the fish shall fly like the birds. We halted just a little while ago."

"But that was at noon!" Pippin cried. "Look, the sun is almost setting. You cannot expect me to go hours without a proper meal!"

"Heaven forbid it!" retorted Frodo with a laugh. He looked at Sam, who had remained quiet for the last few hours of the journey. They had walked part of the previous night and slept (rather uncomfortably) under the stars. Now once again evening was falling cool and swiftly, and Frodo admitted that he himself was feeling empty in the belly.

"How about you, Sam?" Frodo asked, looking at Sam with a smile in his eyes, his fey mood from yesterday's tea now nothing more than a vague memory. "Could you do with a rest?"

"I could go another few hours yet, sir," Sam replied stoutly and a little untruthfully, as was immediately proved by the loud growl of his stomach. Sam blushed and tried to pretend that the noise had not come from him.

Pippin laughed loudly. "Your stomach is truer than your mouth it seems! Good old Sam! Now we must stop, Frodo!'

"Alright, alright. Let's go off the road a ways. I do not wish to be seen by any unwanted travelers." Frodo led his two younger companions to a cozy little alcove in the trees a short distance away from the road. The trio lay down their packs and took out their pipes to have a bit of smoke while Sam made a small fire to cook their dinner. Pippin collapsed at the foot of a tree and leaned heavily against the trunk.

"No more walking tonight! My feet cannot take it! Oh, the stitch I have in my side!" Pippin rubbed at his hip, moaning pitifully. "I do hope Merry has bed and bath ready when we reach Crickhollow. I intend to sleep for three days straight."

"In my house?" Frodo asked as he dug in Sam's pack for the bowls and plates.

"Yes indeed, in your house. You have forced me to walk the entire way, cousin. Therefore it is only fair that you share your house for a few days." Pippin yawned. His eyelids drooped sleepily. "I would be a very...." he yawned again. "very quiet guest."

"Oh?" Frodo smiled. "Aha!" he declared as he located the china.

"Supper's 'bout ready, Mr. Frodo," Sam stated proudly. "Few minutes more, I'd reckon."

Hearing this, Pippin tried to shake himself awake, but was soon nodding off again. The dying sunlight sparkled dazzlingly through the trees, falling on Sam's shoulders as he toiled over the cooking fire. Birds chirped merrily. Leaves chattered softly in the gentle breeze. It was pleasantly warm, and the air felt fresh against Frodo's cheek. No one spoke, save for the Sam's cheerful humming.

Growing tired himself in the peace and serenity of the wood, Frodo pulled himself up onto a low branch of the tree Pippin was dozing under. Relaxing in the cradle of the thick bough the hobbit placidly puffed on his pipe. The tree gently rocked him like a mother would her child. The sunlight kissed his face. Frodo closed his eyes and listened to Sam's humming and the wind that almost seemed to sing to him.....

"A Elbereth......"

Frodo's ears perked up and he opened his eyes. Were those voices truly that of the breeze through the trees. Inhuman they sounded, more akin to the very voice of the earth than anything that walked upon it. Frodo lowered his pipe and listened.

"Gilthoniel......"

The last note of the word was held long and a chorus of other voices rose to join it with perfect counter melodies. Frodo's heart leapt with joy. This most certainly was not the voice of the wind. This was a ballad belted out by a choir of immortals.

"Sam!" Frodo cried in an excited whisper, looking down from the branch at his friend. Sam looked up from his fire quizzically.

"Wood elves!" Frodo said the word in a way akin to that of telling a great personal secret. "Listen! They are distant but unmistakable."

Sam's eyes grew wide as he looked up at his master. Elves! Here, within the boundaries of the Shire? Not daring to make a sound Sam held his breath and listened.

"Silivren penna miriel...."

Frodo watched with delight as Sam's keen ears caught the sound. The gardener gasped and his face lit up like a child's on Yule morning. Frodo grinned and slid off the tree branch back onto the ground.

"Real elves, Mr. Frodo?" Sam breathed, turning his wide eyes back to his master, who was putting his pipe back into his pack. Frodo caught Sam's eyes and compassion for the young hobbit filled Frodo's soul. As much as Frodo revered the elves he knew that Sam thought of them as something godlike, too precious and powerful to be thought of being in the Shire. Looking into the depths of Sam's chestnut colored eyes Frodo was aware of an intense vulnerability and innocent naivety. For a minute Frodo saw not Samwise the gardener and servant, but Samwise the lad who had eagerly listened to Bilbo's tales and lore. In that moment in the glade near the road, Frodo wanted nothing more than to fulfill Sam's longtime wish and make him happy.

With a secretive smile on his face Frodo crept over to his friend and, stooping close to the gardener's ear, whispered "Let's go see them, Sam."

Sam nearly dropped his cooking fork. The thought of seeing something he had heard stories of so many times seemed incomprehensible. "See them, sir?"

Frodo nodded. "Did you not want to see them?"

"Oh yes, sir, I did. that is I do.....But......do you think we could Mr. Frodo?"

Frodo nodded again, causing his dark curls to bounce off his forehead. "Of course we can, but we must hurry. Elves move quickly."

Still Sam hesitated. His eyes strayed to Pippin, now fast asleep with his arms folded across his chest and his head lolling onto his shoulder. "What about Mr. Pippin?"

Frodo followed Sam's gaze and chuckled. "I daresay he shall be fine. We shan't be gone long. Come, quickly now." Frodo caught Sam's fee hand in his own and tugged him to his feet.

"Wait a bit, Mr. Frodo, sir, can't have this burnin'," said Sam, taking the pan fro the fire and setting it on a nearby stone. Then, leaving the dying fire to burn out on its own, the two hobbits tore through the foliage towards the sound of the ghostly voices. They had not gone far before the song had grown louder. Sam was in a daze as he ran swiftly after Frodo; Frodo with a smile on his face running towards a music that seemed to shape the very earth they stood on. Elves, they were real, and they were in the Shire, and in a few more moments Sam was going to lay eyes on them. It was a notion both thrilling and frightening. Then Frodo caught his hand again and the fear vanished, replaced with excitement.

"Over here, Sam," Frodo whispered, crouching low to the ground. Sam crouched as well. "Quietly now!" Hand in hand they crawled though the underbrush, their skilled hobbit feet making little sound. The song of the elves was very clear now, and as the two hobbits huddled close together behind a fallen log they saw it: the passing of the elves.

Never had either halfling seen such a sight. To Sam it seemed that the pictures Bilbo had drawn with care had sprung to life right out of the paper and into the forest. Snow white horses, silver banners, hair of silver, eyes of moonlight, tall and graceful, seeming to hardly touch the ground. Elves, all singing, all radiating with a light that stemmed from the very core of their being and, to Sam, seemed oddly familiar. The voices of the immortals rose and fell in perfect harmony; no note was sour, no word malformed. Wraith-like they were, appearing like apparitions, there and yet not there like a living dream. Sam did not blink, fearing that if he did so the urethral caravan would disappear into the sky. the song filled the air with its magic, making each breath feel like the very first ever taken.

"Oh......" Sam sighed wistfully, raising his other hand to search for his master's without removing his eyes from the procession. "Oh...Mr. Frodo...."

Frodo's pale, delicate hands found Sam's calloused brown ones. Their fingers intertwined, both hands clasped now, joining the two hobbits.

"I know Sam. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?"

Sam looked down at his hands meshed with Frodo's then looked up at the elder hobbit's cerulean eyes. He realized why the light of the elves seemed so familiar. It was the light he had grown to love so much. Yes, he had seen something as beautiful, but there were no words in his vocabulary to possibly explain that to Frodo. So instead Sam swallowed and turned his gaze back to the ghostly procession.

"Where do you suppose they're goin'?" Sam whispered.

"They are going to the Grey Havens," was Frodo's soft reply. "Beyond the white towers."

"They're leavin' Middle Earth...." Sam was abruptly struck with a deep sense of sadness, though for what reason he could not tell.

"Never to return." Frodo's voice, too, was edged with sadness. His own words echoed in his hears like some sort of foreboding physical presence. His hand tightened on Sam's. Sam squeezed back.

"I don't know why." The gardener's voice held a tone that Frodo had not heard before. "It makes me sad."

They sat for a while, hand in hand, sharing a common sadness that neither understood. Frodo subconsciously moved so that he was closer to his companion, so that their arms were touching.

"My dear Sam...." Frodo's sadness melted away and was replaced with another, stronger emotion. His heart pounded in his chest and his palms began to sweat. The world seemed to swim in slow motion.

~I cold lose my heart tonight

If you don't turn and walk away...~

*My Sam....* Suddenly Frodo did not want to "Mr. Frodo," Sam's employer. Looking at the elves, hand in hand, heading out on a quest with uncertain results, leaving the Shire for the fist time together.... Frodo felt at that moment closer to the simple gardener than he had felt to any one. Sam was his best friend, his dearest companion. Though Sam was not as educated as some, or as rich as most, the Gamgee lad often shared the same kind of thoughts as Frodo did. Frodo trusted Sam as he trusted no other, with the possible exception of Bilbo and Gandalf. Like a lightning bolt Frodo knew.......he loved Sam.

~Cause the way I feel I might

Lose control and let you stay~

Perhaps he had from the day when a young Samwise had said so nonchalantly "Mr. Frodo, it ain't proper for you to play in the mud." Perhaps he had from the night of Bilbo's party when he had watched Sam disappear with Rosie with a sinking heart. Perhaps he had from the night Bilbo left for good and Sam had been there to comfort, to listen. Whenever it had started, it had grown and now it was trying to tear its way out of the hobbit and envelope the one before him.

~Cause I could take you in my arms

And never let go....~

Samwise Gamgee, gardener, friend, unrelenting protector......

~I could fall in love with you~

All those years Frodo could not have gotten through the loneliness if it hadn't been for Sam. He did love him.

~I could fall in love with you....~

Frodo's throat felt suddenly dry. He wanted to say something, anything, to break this spell that had him, but no words would come.

The elves had gone, their song fading with them. The sun had set as well. Sam turned to his master. Frodo's face looked kissed with moonlight. Earendil sparkled in the dark sky above. Again the wind blew in Sam's ear: "Tell him..." Frodo's heart chanted "Tell Sam. Tell Sam."

As if drawn by another's will, both hobbits leaned ever so slightly forward.

"The elves, sir. They've gone now."

"I know," Frodo managed through his constricting throat.

~ I can only wonder how

Touching you would make me feel~

Hands still clasped, their faces grew closer still. They were nearly forehead to forehead now. Frodo listening to Sam's breathing. In. Out. In. Out. In.....their eyes met. Closer still....Lips mere inches apart.

~But if I take that change right now....~

Frodo closed his eyes. Felt himself lean forward. Sam mimicked his movements. Just a breath away....

~Tomorrow will you want me still?~

"Hoy! Frodo! Sam! Where are you!" Pippin's high and slightly panicked voice cut through the forest. Immediately the two fell back, both turning the shade of the Red Book.

*Tell him....I can't. It ain't right nor proper," Sam's inner voice scolded.

*What a fool! You shall terrify him; don't be so foolish!" Frodo's berated.

~So I should keep this to myself

And never let you know...~

The two hobbits stood, ignorant to the other's thoughts, the shared moment splintered into blurry fragments. They hurried back to the camp where Pippin was frantically looking about, calling the names of his missing companions. It was quite dark and Pippin certainly did not like being alone in the middle of the woods.

"Where in the Shire have you been!" Pippin cried as Frodo and Sam came into the clearing. The youngster put his hands on his hips angrily. "You just left me here! What if I had been hobbit-napped or robbed? What if I had caught fire or broken a leg or cut my foot? What is a wasp had stung me or a fox had bit me or....or........I had fallen down a hole? what would do then, Frodo Baggins? I do not believe my mum would be too pleased with you."

Frodo winced. Even though Pippin was being a little over dramatic there was truth in his words. Frodo knew that there were people seeking the Ring, but they were still in the Shire and Frodo did not yet see any danger. Still, he felt badly about his cousin's anguish. Sam too looked at the ground guiltily.

"I apologize, Pip, " Frodo said sincerely. "We did not wish to wake you."

"There were elves!" Sam blurted out, not wanting his master to take all the blame. "Beggin' pardon, Master Pippin, but we heard them and had to see...."

"Elves!" declared Pippin. "There aren't any elves in the Shire! I daresay you must have eaten some bad mushrooms, Sam. Now, to compensate for your irresponsibleness, I say you both give me half your share of dinner."

"Not on your life, you greedy little underling!" Frodo exclaimed with a good natured laugh. "You are quite alright, obviously, and we were within earshot the entire time."

"What! You left me here, alone! I am being gracious with your punishment, I would say," said Pippin stubbornly.

"Don't start with your generosity, Peregrin Took. Sam has made more than enough for all of us."

Pippin sighed loudly, accepting defeat for the moment. He was really rather more relieved that Frodo and Sam had returned, and had only tried getting their shares of the food as an extra perk.

The three of them sad down and ate the now cold meal together. Once finished, Pippin got out his blanket and cast himself onto the ground near the fire, leaving his elders to clean up.

"I am going to sleep. Don't you try to leave again or I shall set Merry on you the moment we reach Crickhollow," Pippin quirked, shutting his eyes and smiling despite his words.

"He would be more angry that you did not really fall down a hole," Frodo joked. "Then he would not have to worry about you stealing his breakfast."

"Always a laugh with you, cousin," Pippin muttered sarcastically. "Oh well. I forgive you. Good night!"

"Good night, Pip."

"G'night, Master Pippin!" Sam said, putting the dishes back into his pack and taking out his blanket.

"Are you going to sleep as well, Sam?" asked Frodo.

"I figured I might try, sir, if you follow me. Its awfully rocky out here." Sam rolled his blanket out near the foot of the tree.

"I suppose it is." Frodo toed at one of the said stones with his foot and reached for his own pack. He sighed. "And all my lovely pillows are back at Bag End being flattened by Lobelia and Lotho. But I guess that cannot be helped, not now, at any rate."

"I wouldn't fret about it, Mr. Frodo." Sam settled himself down on the ground with a bit of a grunt and pulled his blanket up to his chin. He tossed a glance over at Pippin. The lad was snoring lightly. Seeing it was safe to speak the truth of their journey, Sam went on to say, "I'm sure you'll be gettin' it back soon as we come back from Rivendell."

Sam broke off due to a yawn, then continued. "Or you could always lay up in Crickhollow, like you've been tellin' folk. Not that its anything like Bag End, but we could fix it up homey enough." He yawned again.

Frodo smiled at the thought of Sam and himself, two young male hobbits, attempting to make a house "homey." He scattered the remaining embers of their fire and laid down on his side, facing Sam. "We could," Frodo agreed. He slid his arm under his cheek to cushion his head somewhat. Great weariness had suddenly overtaken him now that he was lying down. His thoughts drifted backward in time to earlier that day, as evening had turned to night. The elves' song, Sam's hands in his, moving closer, heart beats melding together, Sam's soulful eyes locked on his own.

"Sam....?" The name popped from Frodo's mouth on a will of its own.

"Yessir?" came Sam's reply from the darkness.

"Sam.........Suppose we don't come back?" This was not what Frodo had meant to say, but it had been something that frequently nagged at him.

Sam was thoughtfully quiet for a while. "Well sir, I can't see any reason why we shouldn't. But I suppose if we don't it would be alright, if we were both 'not home' together."

"Say that I see Bilbo again and cannot bear to leave him," Frodo suggested.

Again, thoughtful silence. Then, "We'd be stayin' in Rivendell then."

Frodo smiled, deeply touched. "Sam?" He began again.

"Mr. Frodo?"

Frodo opened his mouth, but forgot what he had wanted to say. "Thank you." Was all that came out.

"Nothin' to be thankin' me for, sir. Its only reasonable."

Frodo hummed and turned over onto his other side. It was quiet once again, except for the Sam's shifting over the leaves. Frodo stared straight ahead into the darkness, thinking. Long minutes passed, and at last Sam seemed to have settled down. Frodo chewed at his thumb nail and decided to say something more.

"Sam?" He said, turning back over to face the gardener. Sam stared and opened his eyes sleepily, squinting through the darkness at Frodo.

"Sir?"

Frodo frowned, feeling guilty for waking his friend. ".........Never mind. I was just......thinking."

Sam peered at his master a moment longer, confused; but he was too tired to stay awake much longer. Smiling a weary smile at Frodo he settled back down and soon drifted off to sleep.

*It was probably just euphoria from the song of the elves.* Frodo thought this to himself, but he did not believe it. The feeling was unmistakable now, this deep caring and compassion that refused to diminish. And Frodo had no desire for this love to go away.

~And I know its not right

So I guess I should try

To do what I should do

But I could fall in love with you.....~

TBC

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A/N: Ah, this is just the beginning. I know that in the book Frodo, Sam, and Pippin encounter the Black Riders before they meet up with the elves but I didn't want any big evil in this chapter. Also, I recently got an English to Elvish dictionary (weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee), so after Rivendell (where, presumably, Frodo learns more of the language) I will be utilizing it.

Next Chapter: The journey to Crickhollow is darkened by the presence of the evil Nazgul. Merry makes his reappearance and speaks with Frodo about certain issues. The Ring begins to sing its song louder. Onward to Bree, and just who is that scruffy, mysterious, pipe blowing man in the corner? Could it be.........one Aragorn son of Arathorn? (Note: Tom Bombadil and the Barrow Downs are included in this story, but it two "Lost Chapters" which will be posted after the fic is finished. Come now, I could leave out old Tom Bombadillo and his Wight song, now could I? No, certainly not....)

Don't forget the reviewer challenge! Any song you think will fit, let me know!!