A/N; Just wanted to thank everyone for your reviews they are wonderful and
encouraging! Thanks a bunch!
MlynnBloom: I am so glad you really like my story, I am having so much fun writing it. I love to put just a little twists in a story to keep it interesting. I have too big of an imagination..yikes!
Aemilia Rose: Thank you again for hanging in there to read and review! Your Awesome!!!!! I took the tree story from Two Towers (movie) when Merry was telling Pippin about it. Since he never heard the story before, I had to make him fall asleep.so in the future it would fit..(well I had to think of something to scare our Sam just a little... "tee hee" Sorry of going off in my imagination about the bog (quicksand) bit...I think you will always see a little AU in all my stories..
ShireElf: Thank you so much for your reviews! I really appreciate it! You too are Awesome! Don't worry about Sam and Rosie...I think they will find each other in the up coming chapters...Sam is so shy! It will take him sometime to get his courage up...
Anyway on to the next Chapter.......
Chapter 15
A Bad End
Sam watched the Gaffer as he walked a short distance with aunt May. They seemed very serious in their conversation. Sam did not know what to think as he saw his aunt suddenly turned to wrap her arms around him and kissed the side of his cheek. Whatever they were talking about it sure made his aunt happy, but Gaffer looked too serious. Sam wondered what they spoke about. He wished he could have been under a window so he could eavesdrop on what they were talking about.
Aunt May rushed to her husband and whispered in his ear. He to seemed overjoyed by her news.
The Gaffer pulled Halfred away from Opal's side. Walking a short distance away and he began to explain something to him. Sam's curiosity grew as he watched them intently.
Halfred grasped his father's shoulders with excitement written on his face. He motioned to his sisters to come over to him. Daisy and May were overjoyed at what the Gaffer told them. Sam smiled seeing his family's happiness with what they were talking about.
Sam could not wait any longer to hear the wonderful news. He anticipated that the news would be something that would make him just as happy as the others. Sam rushed up to the Gaffer with such great hopes.
"What are you scheming?" asked Sam crossing his arms in front of him with a big smile of his face.
"Sam, I've giving earnest thought after seeing the North Farthing. Halfred over there, has a fine job and good future ahead o' him. He'll do fine here. The girls are happy here, or have you not noticed? Bagshot Row is no place for hem either. I giving hem my leave to stay here permanently."
"What the plague are you thinking!" shouted Sam angrily as his eyes darted up looking into his father's eyes glaring.
"Now don't go off, Sam!" insisted the Gaffer as he held up his hands in front of him.
"That's our family you're giving away. Halfred's grown, but the girls are not!" Sam shouted trying to reason with him.
"They are grown as much as can be. It's lovin' hem that I do this for hem. It's their time, and it can be your time too, Sam. There's gardens here too," said the Gaffer.
"I'll not leave Bagshot Row, Gaffer. And the girls shouldn't either!" Sam told him stretching his arm out in their direction.
"Think on it. You could have a good life with your Aunt May."
"No! I'll not think on it. My mind is made up. Bagshot Row is where I belong!"
"I'm in my last years, Sam. I want to know you'll have someone," The Gaffer said as he tried to reason with him.
"You're talking nonsense, you'll live longer than old Mr. Bilbo," Sam told him.
"Sam, listen. Love hem enough to let hem go!" stated the Gaffer. He shook his head and walked away from Sam.
The Gaffer knew there was no pushing Sam once he had his mind made up and he agreed that Sam should stay with him.
Sam spoke to his sisters. They convinced him that they would be happier in the North Farthing. Sam cried as he hugged them and told them that he would miss them terribly.
~*~
Sam could not sleep a wink as he lay on the small hard mat on the floor with Halfred and the Gaffer just a few feet away from him. He had much on his mind that kept him awake. His poor dear Rosie, What would she think when he told her that Halfred would not be coming back. Sam wondered if she would cry. It broke his heart thinking how sad she could be. Sam thought about his sisters and how much he was going to miss them, but it comfort him that they were happy about living in the North Farthing with their aunt.
Sam turned to find a more comfortable spot on the hard floor, but no matter where he lay it still gave him a great bother. He turned and turned, but still nothing helped. Then having the Gaffer snoring so loudly only made it all the more uneasy to fall asleep. Sam stuffed the pillow around his head to block out all the noise.
The next morning they prepared to go back to Bagshot Row. Halfred pulled Sam to the side to talk to him for a moment.
"Sam when you get home again, I want you to take care of Rosie for me." Halfred told him.
"How can you hurt her like that, when you promised you would marry her?" Sam asked.
Halfred looked at Sam in surprise not knowing how he found out about that. "I did ask her to marry me, she turned me down. She told me that she loved someone else," Halfred told him.
"Who?"
"I do not know, she would not tell me," said Halfred.
"Oh, I see. I did not know."
"That is what you get for eavesdropping," Halfred teased him.
"Then I'll be asking your pardon," stated Sam as he looked down at the ground ashamed of what he had been thinking about his brother.
"For what?"
"I thought ill of you for a time, not knowing.." Sam looked into his brother's eyes as a sadness took hold of his own expression.
"Good-bye Sam. Take care of yourself. I'll be back to Bagshot Row from time to time, just so I can see how you fair," said Halfred as he extended his hand to his brother. Sam pushed his hand away and hugged him. Halfred patted his back, "It'll be okay, Sam. I promise. I"ll be see you soon."
Sam turned to his sister Daisy and held his arms open to her. She wrapped her arms around Sam and hugged him, "I'll miss you, Sam. We'll be seeing you for each holiday and spend a long summer together."
May walked over to Sam and Daisy. She too wrapped her arms around the two as Sam reached over to place his arm around her as well.
The Gaffer knew that in his heart he had done the right thing by his children. Bell wanted for her children to be happy and today they were, all except Sam...
Aunt May walked over to Sam as she too hugged him and then said, "Sam, I know this is hard for you, but I promise you that I will take very good care of your sisters. I love them. They are like my own girls. Sam I love you too. Anytime you want to come live with me, you just say so, you are always welcome here."
Aunt May waved good-bye to them as the Gaffer led Sam to the wagon.
The Gaffer snapped the reins on the horses and headed down the road back to Bagshot Row. Sam watched Aunt May's home disappear into the far horizon before he turned away. He hardly spoke a word all the way home. Sam had too much on his mind.
~*~
A few days had past as Sam and the Gaffer kept themselves busy with the gardens at Bagshot Row. Hobbiton was in a buzz about Bilbo's 111th birthday and Frodo's coming of age. It was to be a party of great magnificent. Even though Biblo invited 111 guests, there was talk of the entire Shire showing up for his party.
Biblo asked Sam to help with the grounds at the party tree because he wanted them to look their best. Sam labored in taking extra time tended to the flowers and trimmings for Biblo's party.
Frodo saw Sam working and noticed how sad he seemed. It made Frodo worry about his friend. Even after his mother had died, Sam was sad for a long time afterwards, but this time he seemed like there was no tomorrows for him. It was as if he gave up on everything. Frodo walked over to him. "The Gaffer told me about your sister's and Halfred leaving. I am sorry Sam, I know this must have been hard for you."
"Everyone these days seems to leave me and I end up alone. The Gaffer tells me I'll come to a bad end. I suppose he's right as he is wiser than any."
"No Sam, you won't. I am here for you anytime you have need. Remember Sam, I am your friend, I will always be. I'll never leave you."
"Your kind, Mr. Frodo. Kinder than most."
Frodo tried to cheer Sam up with stories of the party and Gandalf coming with his fireworks, but still Sam only nodded as he listened. The light in Sam's eyes had gone out.
Sam had never personally talked with Gandalf before, but knew of him from the few times that the old wizard had stopped by Bag End. He had seen his fireworks before and enjoyed them as all the hobbit did. Sam had heard all the stories and magic spells of this wizard. Which caused Sam to be concerned, but it also made him very curious of him.
Frodo also told him that Merry and Pippin would be coming from Buckland and Tuckborough to celebrate his birthday.
"That is great news for you, Mr. Frodo. I know that will make you happy," Sam said in a quiet tone of voice.
"I know that the Cotton's are coming also," Frodo told him.
Sam looked up and for an instance Frodo thought he saw a sparkle enter his eyes. "It will be good to see them also," said Sam with a little more enthusiasm.
~*~
On the Day of the party Sam and The Gaffer got up early and went to the party tree to help set up the signs and decorations. Tables were being set up next to the plat form area were Bilbo would give his speech as he had always done with each birthday that he had.
The Gaffer grabbed his hammer and began pounding in stakes for the many tents that were being set up. Sam helped him. There were four or five dozen hobbits working constantly putting the party in order. Kegs of ale by the score was brought in and lined up on rows of tables.
The women folk worked in cooking huge pots of favorite dishes and baking all sorts of treats. Biblo spared not a coin to make sure this was a party to be longed remembered.
They worked long into the afternoon when Sam first noticed Gandalf's arrival at Bag End. The children of Hobbiton kept a watchful eye on him incase he would let some fireworks loose.
Merry and Pippin sat next to Sam as he took a rest with a cup of tea just as some the hobbits were beginning to come to the party.
"I thought this was to be a party, Sam?" asked Merry
"It is," said Sam.
"Then shouldn't you be pouring yourself an ale, my friend?"
"I was waiting for Mr. Frodo before I started my celebrating," commented Sam.
"Well, then Sam, you can now start," teased Frodo as he came up behind him. Frodo sat a pint mug in front of him.
"Thankee, Mr. Frodo and Happy Birthday!" Sam said.
"Yes, Frodo. Happy Birthday and many, many more!" Merry shouted as he too held up his glass and drank to him. Pippin did also.
More and more guest began to arrive, first in tens, then twenty and thirty at a time. Gifts were being handed out to those who had an invitation.
Just like other parties that Sam had attended when the Cotton's entered the party grounds, Sam took notice of them. Especially Rosie who looked more lovelier than she had in past years.
Sam's eyes followed her when she was not looking his way. Sam did not hear Frodo trying to gain his attention. After trying a few times, Frodo looked around to see what Sam was looking at. Frodo saw Rosie and he smiled. Frodo knew in that moment of Sam's feelings for Rosies.
Frodo sat down next to Sam and asked, "Why don't you just go over and talk to her?"
"I couldn't, Mr. Frodo. My tongues just goes in knots every time I try."
"You care for her don't you?" asked Frodo.
"More than anything," commented Sam.
"Then tell her that."
"She loves someone else. It is hopeless. I'm hopeless," said Sam.
Sam put his elbow on the table and placed his chin in his hand. Frodo looked up at Rosie and she was glancing over at Sam. So Frodo thought there was something that he could do.
"Excuse me Sam, but I have some party matters that I need to tend too," said Frodo as he walked in the direction of the Cotton's.
MlynnBloom: I am so glad you really like my story, I am having so much fun writing it. I love to put just a little twists in a story to keep it interesting. I have too big of an imagination..yikes!
Aemilia Rose: Thank you again for hanging in there to read and review! Your Awesome!!!!! I took the tree story from Two Towers (movie) when Merry was telling Pippin about it. Since he never heard the story before, I had to make him fall asleep.so in the future it would fit..(well I had to think of something to scare our Sam just a little... "tee hee" Sorry of going off in my imagination about the bog (quicksand) bit...I think you will always see a little AU in all my stories..
ShireElf: Thank you so much for your reviews! I really appreciate it! You too are Awesome! Don't worry about Sam and Rosie...I think they will find each other in the up coming chapters...Sam is so shy! It will take him sometime to get his courage up...
Anyway on to the next Chapter.......
Chapter 15
A Bad End
Sam watched the Gaffer as he walked a short distance with aunt May. They seemed very serious in their conversation. Sam did not know what to think as he saw his aunt suddenly turned to wrap her arms around him and kissed the side of his cheek. Whatever they were talking about it sure made his aunt happy, but Gaffer looked too serious. Sam wondered what they spoke about. He wished he could have been under a window so he could eavesdrop on what they were talking about.
Aunt May rushed to her husband and whispered in his ear. He to seemed overjoyed by her news.
The Gaffer pulled Halfred away from Opal's side. Walking a short distance away and he began to explain something to him. Sam's curiosity grew as he watched them intently.
Halfred grasped his father's shoulders with excitement written on his face. He motioned to his sisters to come over to him. Daisy and May were overjoyed at what the Gaffer told them. Sam smiled seeing his family's happiness with what they were talking about.
Sam could not wait any longer to hear the wonderful news. He anticipated that the news would be something that would make him just as happy as the others. Sam rushed up to the Gaffer with such great hopes.
"What are you scheming?" asked Sam crossing his arms in front of him with a big smile of his face.
"Sam, I've giving earnest thought after seeing the North Farthing. Halfred over there, has a fine job and good future ahead o' him. He'll do fine here. The girls are happy here, or have you not noticed? Bagshot Row is no place for hem either. I giving hem my leave to stay here permanently."
"What the plague are you thinking!" shouted Sam angrily as his eyes darted up looking into his father's eyes glaring.
"Now don't go off, Sam!" insisted the Gaffer as he held up his hands in front of him.
"That's our family you're giving away. Halfred's grown, but the girls are not!" Sam shouted trying to reason with him.
"They are grown as much as can be. It's lovin' hem that I do this for hem. It's their time, and it can be your time too, Sam. There's gardens here too," said the Gaffer.
"I'll not leave Bagshot Row, Gaffer. And the girls shouldn't either!" Sam told him stretching his arm out in their direction.
"Think on it. You could have a good life with your Aunt May."
"No! I'll not think on it. My mind is made up. Bagshot Row is where I belong!"
"I'm in my last years, Sam. I want to know you'll have someone," The Gaffer said as he tried to reason with him.
"You're talking nonsense, you'll live longer than old Mr. Bilbo," Sam told him.
"Sam, listen. Love hem enough to let hem go!" stated the Gaffer. He shook his head and walked away from Sam.
The Gaffer knew there was no pushing Sam once he had his mind made up and he agreed that Sam should stay with him.
Sam spoke to his sisters. They convinced him that they would be happier in the North Farthing. Sam cried as he hugged them and told them that he would miss them terribly.
~*~
Sam could not sleep a wink as he lay on the small hard mat on the floor with Halfred and the Gaffer just a few feet away from him. He had much on his mind that kept him awake. His poor dear Rosie, What would she think when he told her that Halfred would not be coming back. Sam wondered if she would cry. It broke his heart thinking how sad she could be. Sam thought about his sisters and how much he was going to miss them, but it comfort him that they were happy about living in the North Farthing with their aunt.
Sam turned to find a more comfortable spot on the hard floor, but no matter where he lay it still gave him a great bother. He turned and turned, but still nothing helped. Then having the Gaffer snoring so loudly only made it all the more uneasy to fall asleep. Sam stuffed the pillow around his head to block out all the noise.
The next morning they prepared to go back to Bagshot Row. Halfred pulled Sam to the side to talk to him for a moment.
"Sam when you get home again, I want you to take care of Rosie for me." Halfred told him.
"How can you hurt her like that, when you promised you would marry her?" Sam asked.
Halfred looked at Sam in surprise not knowing how he found out about that. "I did ask her to marry me, she turned me down. She told me that she loved someone else," Halfred told him.
"Who?"
"I do not know, she would not tell me," said Halfred.
"Oh, I see. I did not know."
"That is what you get for eavesdropping," Halfred teased him.
"Then I'll be asking your pardon," stated Sam as he looked down at the ground ashamed of what he had been thinking about his brother.
"For what?"
"I thought ill of you for a time, not knowing.." Sam looked into his brother's eyes as a sadness took hold of his own expression.
"Good-bye Sam. Take care of yourself. I'll be back to Bagshot Row from time to time, just so I can see how you fair," said Halfred as he extended his hand to his brother. Sam pushed his hand away and hugged him. Halfred patted his back, "It'll be okay, Sam. I promise. I"ll be see you soon."
Sam turned to his sister Daisy and held his arms open to her. She wrapped her arms around Sam and hugged him, "I'll miss you, Sam. We'll be seeing you for each holiday and spend a long summer together."
May walked over to Sam and Daisy. She too wrapped her arms around the two as Sam reached over to place his arm around her as well.
The Gaffer knew that in his heart he had done the right thing by his children. Bell wanted for her children to be happy and today they were, all except Sam...
Aunt May walked over to Sam as she too hugged him and then said, "Sam, I know this is hard for you, but I promise you that I will take very good care of your sisters. I love them. They are like my own girls. Sam I love you too. Anytime you want to come live with me, you just say so, you are always welcome here."
Aunt May waved good-bye to them as the Gaffer led Sam to the wagon.
The Gaffer snapped the reins on the horses and headed down the road back to Bagshot Row. Sam watched Aunt May's home disappear into the far horizon before he turned away. He hardly spoke a word all the way home. Sam had too much on his mind.
~*~
A few days had past as Sam and the Gaffer kept themselves busy with the gardens at Bagshot Row. Hobbiton was in a buzz about Bilbo's 111th birthday and Frodo's coming of age. It was to be a party of great magnificent. Even though Biblo invited 111 guests, there was talk of the entire Shire showing up for his party.
Biblo asked Sam to help with the grounds at the party tree because he wanted them to look their best. Sam labored in taking extra time tended to the flowers and trimmings for Biblo's party.
Frodo saw Sam working and noticed how sad he seemed. It made Frodo worry about his friend. Even after his mother had died, Sam was sad for a long time afterwards, but this time he seemed like there was no tomorrows for him. It was as if he gave up on everything. Frodo walked over to him. "The Gaffer told me about your sister's and Halfred leaving. I am sorry Sam, I know this must have been hard for you."
"Everyone these days seems to leave me and I end up alone. The Gaffer tells me I'll come to a bad end. I suppose he's right as he is wiser than any."
"No Sam, you won't. I am here for you anytime you have need. Remember Sam, I am your friend, I will always be. I'll never leave you."
"Your kind, Mr. Frodo. Kinder than most."
Frodo tried to cheer Sam up with stories of the party and Gandalf coming with his fireworks, but still Sam only nodded as he listened. The light in Sam's eyes had gone out.
Sam had never personally talked with Gandalf before, but knew of him from the few times that the old wizard had stopped by Bag End. He had seen his fireworks before and enjoyed them as all the hobbit did. Sam had heard all the stories and magic spells of this wizard. Which caused Sam to be concerned, but it also made him very curious of him.
Frodo also told him that Merry and Pippin would be coming from Buckland and Tuckborough to celebrate his birthday.
"That is great news for you, Mr. Frodo. I know that will make you happy," Sam said in a quiet tone of voice.
"I know that the Cotton's are coming also," Frodo told him.
Sam looked up and for an instance Frodo thought he saw a sparkle enter his eyes. "It will be good to see them also," said Sam with a little more enthusiasm.
~*~
On the Day of the party Sam and The Gaffer got up early and went to the party tree to help set up the signs and decorations. Tables were being set up next to the plat form area were Bilbo would give his speech as he had always done with each birthday that he had.
The Gaffer grabbed his hammer and began pounding in stakes for the many tents that were being set up. Sam helped him. There were four or five dozen hobbits working constantly putting the party in order. Kegs of ale by the score was brought in and lined up on rows of tables.
The women folk worked in cooking huge pots of favorite dishes and baking all sorts of treats. Biblo spared not a coin to make sure this was a party to be longed remembered.
They worked long into the afternoon when Sam first noticed Gandalf's arrival at Bag End. The children of Hobbiton kept a watchful eye on him incase he would let some fireworks loose.
Merry and Pippin sat next to Sam as he took a rest with a cup of tea just as some the hobbits were beginning to come to the party.
"I thought this was to be a party, Sam?" asked Merry
"It is," said Sam.
"Then shouldn't you be pouring yourself an ale, my friend?"
"I was waiting for Mr. Frodo before I started my celebrating," commented Sam.
"Well, then Sam, you can now start," teased Frodo as he came up behind him. Frodo sat a pint mug in front of him.
"Thankee, Mr. Frodo and Happy Birthday!" Sam said.
"Yes, Frodo. Happy Birthday and many, many more!" Merry shouted as he too held up his glass and drank to him. Pippin did also.
More and more guest began to arrive, first in tens, then twenty and thirty at a time. Gifts were being handed out to those who had an invitation.
Just like other parties that Sam had attended when the Cotton's entered the party grounds, Sam took notice of them. Especially Rosie who looked more lovelier than she had in past years.
Sam's eyes followed her when she was not looking his way. Sam did not hear Frodo trying to gain his attention. After trying a few times, Frodo looked around to see what Sam was looking at. Frodo saw Rosie and he smiled. Frodo knew in that moment of Sam's feelings for Rosies.
Frodo sat down next to Sam and asked, "Why don't you just go over and talk to her?"
"I couldn't, Mr. Frodo. My tongues just goes in knots every time I try."
"You care for her don't you?" asked Frodo.
"More than anything," commented Sam.
"Then tell her that."
"She loves someone else. It is hopeless. I'm hopeless," said Sam.
Sam put his elbow on the table and placed his chin in his hand. Frodo looked up at Rosie and she was glancing over at Sam. So Frodo thought there was something that he could do.
"Excuse me Sam, but I have some party matters that I need to tend too," said Frodo as he walked in the direction of the Cotton's.