A/N: I am so glad to finally get to part 3. Ever since I was thinking about
writing these chapters this is the place I was mostly looking forward too.
What can I say, I am an action type of a person (part 3) and love romance
(part 4)! What I have planned for the romance part 4 will be worth waiting
for. That's if the muse hangs in there with me long enough. Yikes!!!!!!
Reviewers:
MlynnBloom: The Return of the King is going to be the best film of all three! I am bringing a huge box of Kleenex's and I am prepared to cry my head off! I will more than likely be covered from head to toe with Kleenexs by the time the movies ends! LOL Also Decemeber 17th in my birthday! So for the past couple of birthday my gift was going to see the LOTR. (10 times, 11 times, 12 times..what can I say, I am LOVE IT!!!! I am totally peeing my pants for the extended version of Two Towers just so I can see all the extra footage they shot and special features. I can not get enough of all that. Especially Sam! I cried hysterically when I saw Sean Astin cut his foot in the river during filming on the special features of the DVD Two Towers Movie! I love you Sean and I love you, SAM! Oops! You should not of asked me about my favorite subject..LOTR, as I can go on about this for a long time.
Rosa Cotton: Thank you for staying with the story and all your reviews. It sure keeps me inspired and writing.
TheWhiteDevil: Oh my gosh! You made me smile! Thank you for your review!
Aemilia Rose: I had so much fun writing that chapter, I must have giggled to myself a dozen times, I wanted to really get back at him for making our Sam cry! Thanks again!
ShireElf: I am glad you like my story and I love your reviews. Your Great!
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Part 3
Chapter 20
Where He's Gone
The Gaffer rushed as much as his aching joints and legs would carry him. The folk of Bywater watched the old hobbit and tried to greet him but he would not answer them back. He just kept walking intent upon reaching the Green Dragon.
The Gaffer opened the door wide and shouted out loud, "Samwise Gamgee! Where be you?"
All eyes stared at the Gaffer as he walked up and down the room looking at each table where a hobbit sat. Rosie rushed over to the Gaffer and asked him, "Sam is not here. Have you lost him?"
"Yes, he did not come home last night," said the Gaffer.
"Well maybe he slept over at Bag End with Frodo,"
"No! Been their first. There's no one about. Looks of mischief about Bag End. Things is turned over there," stated the Gaffer as he still peered around the room.
" Frodo is now living by himself and no ones comes around for tidying," Rosie commented as she tried to reason out the possibilities.
"I know my own Sam. Sam would never get to a place without telling his Gaffer first. He's not liken to sleep anywhere but his own bed. He takes care of his old Gaffer. He wouldn't let me fend for myself. I'm telling you, someone made off with him," said the Gaffer as worry set about his old wrinkled face.
"Sit yourself down here Gaffer. I'll bring you a cup of my best soup to calm your nerves a bit. We'll think on this and find out what has happened," Rosie said as she tried to comfort the old hobbit as her own worry mounted in her heart.
The Gaffer graciously excepted the soup from Rosie. She told him, "Now don't you fret any. Jolly will find Sam for you. There's no better tracker than him. I'll send for him right away."
"Thankee, dear Rosie. He has to find my Sam!" the Gaffer pleaded.
Jolly sat on his pony as Rosie ran out with a basket of food for him on his journey. "Don't worry Rosie, I'll be finding him for you. I'll track him until I run out of land of which I know of. Beyond that I can not do. Those being foreign to me and all. I'll not go further than the wild lands. Take heart Rosie, He still should be in the Shire."
Jolly kicked his pony and took off at a trot heading out of Bywater.
~*~
Each day that past, Rosie became more worried. She would often stand by the window of the Green Dragon in hopes of catching Sam or Jolly riding up. Each day Rosie's heart would sink in despair. She sat at the booth were Sam and her often would sit hold hands. She gently ran her fingers across the tabletop as she remembered the last night that she saw him. Sitting at the booth she laid her head down onto her folded arms and allowed the tears to flow from her gentle blue eyes.
Rosie's shoulder shook as she sobbed trying to fight the growing despair. Without warning she heard many pony's hooves racing up to the Green Dragon.
Rosie's heart leaped in her chest and a rush of excitement to her feet as she ran to peer out the window thinking that Jolly had just rode up with Sam by his side.
Instead she saw many fancy dressed hobbits just getting off their ponies. The finely dressed older hobbit with long, gray curly hair barked orders to the younger hobbits that rode with him as she heard him say, "Berilac! Ride further into Bywater and Hobbiton to see if anyone has seen him! Check under every stone!"
The noble hobbit opened the door of the Green Dragon as his clan followed directly behind him. "Merimac! Get us rooms for the night! Seredic! Take your group and stand guard over the streets!"
The noble hobbit stood in the center of the Green Dragon and placed his hands upon his hips. Rosie heard some of the Bywater town folk whispering, "Those are Bucklanders!"
"What are Bucklanders doing in Bywater?" another questioned.
"Listen here, all of you!" shouted Saradoc Brandybuck. "We are looking for a missing Bucklander, his name is Meridoc Brandybuck. He is known in these parts as Merry and cousin of Frodo Baggins. Has anyone seen him?"
They all shook their heads 'No' as they stared at the noble hobbit before them. Will approached Saradoc first and told him that Frodo is missing also. That no one has seen him anywhere. They told him that Sam Gamgee was missing also. A local of Bywater.
"We have already been through Bag End awhile ago. We could not find a clue any where," stated Saradoc. "We will be here for a few days while we begin our search. If anyone knows anything, please come forward and tell us."
Rosie's heart fell knowing more hobbits were missing. Whatever string of hope she had, now dissipated. Trouble was about the Shire and she could hear the whispers confirming her worry. Will whistled at Rosie which brought her from her thoughts. She rushed to fill trays full of mugs as the Bucklanders filled all the empty chairs of the tavern.
The Gaffer approached Saradoc Brandybuck as he took a chair at a table.
"I tell you, Master Saradoc, they've been taken. Robbers stolen 'em out of the Shire!" the Gaffer insisted.
Rosie pulled the Gaffer away and told him, "Now Gaffer, please! You must'nt fret so. You need your rest. I'll have Nick take you home. I'll make sure you have plenty of my finest cooking in your cupboards. I'll send for Nick to see you home, Please Gaffer go with him," pleaded Rosie.
The Gaffer nodded and Rosie ran into the kitchen to pack a basket of fixings for the Gaffer to eat. She sent for Nick to come to the Green Dragon to take the Gaffer home.
When Nick got there Rosie handed him her basket and hugged the Gaffer around his neck. "Take care of yourself, you do Sam no good if'n you make yourself ill."
Ted Sandyman cowered in the corner of a darken booth and he watched the Bucklanders drinking their ales.
Ted slipped out of the tavern and went in search of Lotho.
~*~
Lotho walked into the post service and handed a runner an envelope and said, "Get this to Bill Ferny in Bree at once! You be quick about it and there'll be plenty of coins to fill your pockets," Lotho snickered. "Get back here fast and I'll put you on my payroll. Let's say double of what you are getting now!"
"Yes sir, Lotho. Anything you say. I'll make sure of it!" the Runner said as he took the envelope and mounted his fastest pony. Kicking his pony he took off racing in the direction towards Bree.
~*~
After an exhausted night in the tavern, Rosie wearily locked the front door. She wiped the sweat from her brow and tossed her towel over she shoulder. Her feet and ankles ached from running all night filling mugs and plates for the Bucklanders.
Will was smiling as he counted the coins that filled his cash drawer but it was two folds as he was sadden by the disappearance of Sam and Frodo. His heart ached for Rosie as he watched the despair that was etched deeply in his niece's face. Rosie walked up to her uncle and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Goodnight Uncle."
Will patted her hands gently as she walked to the backroom and opened her bedroom door. Shutting it, Rosie leaned against it taking in a full breath of air.
Rosie walked to her window and gazed outside at the starlit night as images of Sam roamed through her mind. "Oh Sam, please hurry yourself home again," said Rosie to herself. She lowered her head into her folded arms as her shoulders began to shake. Her breaths came in labored sobs as she cried deeply into the dark night.
~*~
The Bucklander's occupied all the rooms of the Inn while others camped just outside of Bywater. On the fourth day from their arrival one of the Bucklanders escorted Farmer Maggot into the tavern and brought him before Saradoc. He told Saradoc that he had chased both Merry and Pippin out of his fields the day before they were reported missing.
A loud clamor of many pony hooves echoed in the streets of Bywater just outside the Green Dragon. Saradoc walked outside to see who was coming. The Took clan charged up and stopped their ponies directly in front of Saradoc.
Paladin got off his pony and approached him. They locked arms as they greeted one another. "I am glad you have come, Paladin! We still have no word of their disappearance, but a few has seen them about these parts. I have sent riders to search. It should not be too long and we shall know more," Saradoc told him.
"Don't worry Saradoc, we will find them. The Tooks and the Brandybucks will not stop until they are found. I assure you!" stated Paladin.
Saradoc nodded and stated, "I have sent Esmeralda to Tuckborough as we search for Peregrin. She needs the comfort of her family until he is brought home safely."
"She arrived just shortly after we left. Eglantine will see to her comfort," said Paladin.
~*~
Lotho walked away from his window as he cursed under his breath at seeing the two strongest clans in the Shire at one place. "This is going to ruin my plans. Sandyman you get yourself back to the tavern and listen to everything that is going on in there. You report back to me when you know something. We've got to get those clans out of Bywater and soon. They'll be coming in a forth night!"
Lotho threw a few coins at Sandyman and watched him run back to the Green Dragon.
Ted Sandyman ducked into a darken corner of the tavern and slowly sipped on a mug of ale. His eyes darted around the room and observed the Tooks and Bucklanders as they talked among themselves.
Two of the Bucklanders commented after the Gaffer had left the tavern after another night of insisting that robbers have taken them, "If a robber had taken Master Merry and we find him. We'll toss him into the Old Forest and let the tree herders squash him with their roots."
Ted remembered a story he heard years ago when he and Lotho spied on those four missing hobbits. An idea came to his mind and he rushed back to Lotho to tell him.
"Oh yes, I remember that story, it scared the wits out me. That's it!" Lotho shouted, "That is how we will get those Bucklanders away from Bywater. Find me a poor desperate hobbit. One that can be easily bought."
Within an hour a poor ragged hobbit covered in dirt and grime walked into the tavern. He approached Saradoc Brandybuck and told him, "a few weeks back, I hear two young hobbits a talking. One called him Merry, leastways as I recalls. They say to each other, "let's get ourselves down to the forest, Old one I'm assuming. Get us a look-see at a walking tree. I think to meself, the lads lost their senses with their odd queer talking, so to speak," said the ragged hobbit as he scratched himself and then continued, "If you got an extra coin about you, I could use it."
Saradoc tossed the filthy hobbit a coin and watched him walk out of the Green Dragon. A big smile broke the corners of poor hobbit as he jiggled a pocket full of coins.
Saradoc turned to Paladin and said, "He must be telling the truth. Very few know of the folklore of Bucklanders. He had to have seen Meridoc and Peregrin. But this is still very odd. Meridoc would never go near the Old Forest. No Bucklander would!"
A pony came riding up to the tavern and a hobbit got off and entered the door. Rosie's heart leaped in her chest as she ran to greet her brother Jolly. "Tell me what have you found?"
"I followed tracks leading away from Bag End. Large prints size of a big folk and two hobbit tracks. The big folk tracks went in another direction a short distance away from Bag End and the two hobbit tracks continued on together. They were joined by two more hobbit tracks heading in the direction of Bree, down by the river. There I lost them. I went directly to Bree and asked around. They say they saw 'em there. Four of 'em from the Shire. They tell me that a ranger took 'em off into the wild, but I've never been that far before. They're in foreign parts," Jolly told them.
"You were tricked my fine hobbit. Lied too, I'd say. No hobbit would willingly venture that far away. Surely no Shire folk to be sure. That ranger you speak is queer folk. Hobbits would be too afraid to speak to one," said Paladin.
"I agree with you, Paladin. It is unnatural for shire folk to go wandering foreign parts without good reason," Saradoc agreed. "Berilac! Take ten good Bucklanders and ten strong Tooks to the Old Forest. Look around for any signs of them. But do not enter the Forest. Come back to me with any news you will have."
"Paladin send your Tooks to Bree!" shouted Rosie. "My brother Jolly has found them, Please Paladin, you MUST!" shouted Rosie as she tried to reason with him.
"Nonsense, child!" shout Paladin back at her. "I'll not send Took's on a goose chase. I can barely spare them as is."
Rosie placed her hands over her face as she cried, "Then it is hopeless!" She ran from the room crying.
The Gaffer followed her and found her leaning against a wall crying. "There now, dear Rosie. Don't cry so," said the Gaffer. "I know my own Sam. If'n he found himself in foreign parts, twas good reason for it nor Sam wouldn't o' gone. Mark me words now, Rosie. Trust the Old Gaffer, he knows. Sam will be back in the spring. He would'nt miss a planting season, no matter what the harm. He'll be hurrying for sure."
Rosie wrapped her arms around the Gaffer and hugged him.
Reviewers:
MlynnBloom: The Return of the King is going to be the best film of all three! I am bringing a huge box of Kleenex's and I am prepared to cry my head off! I will more than likely be covered from head to toe with Kleenexs by the time the movies ends! LOL Also Decemeber 17th in my birthday! So for the past couple of birthday my gift was going to see the LOTR. (10 times, 11 times, 12 times..what can I say, I am LOVE IT!!!! I am totally peeing my pants for the extended version of Two Towers just so I can see all the extra footage they shot and special features. I can not get enough of all that. Especially Sam! I cried hysterically when I saw Sean Astin cut his foot in the river during filming on the special features of the DVD Two Towers Movie! I love you Sean and I love you, SAM! Oops! You should not of asked me about my favorite subject..LOTR, as I can go on about this for a long time.
Rosa Cotton: Thank you for staying with the story and all your reviews. It sure keeps me inspired and writing.
TheWhiteDevil: Oh my gosh! You made me smile! Thank you for your review!
Aemilia Rose: I had so much fun writing that chapter, I must have giggled to myself a dozen times, I wanted to really get back at him for making our Sam cry! Thanks again!
ShireElf: I am glad you like my story and I love your reviews. Your Great!
*** **** ***** ****** ******* ********* **********
Part 3
Chapter 20
Where He's Gone
The Gaffer rushed as much as his aching joints and legs would carry him. The folk of Bywater watched the old hobbit and tried to greet him but he would not answer them back. He just kept walking intent upon reaching the Green Dragon.
The Gaffer opened the door wide and shouted out loud, "Samwise Gamgee! Where be you?"
All eyes stared at the Gaffer as he walked up and down the room looking at each table where a hobbit sat. Rosie rushed over to the Gaffer and asked him, "Sam is not here. Have you lost him?"
"Yes, he did not come home last night," said the Gaffer.
"Well maybe he slept over at Bag End with Frodo,"
"No! Been their first. There's no one about. Looks of mischief about Bag End. Things is turned over there," stated the Gaffer as he still peered around the room.
" Frodo is now living by himself and no ones comes around for tidying," Rosie commented as she tried to reason out the possibilities.
"I know my own Sam. Sam would never get to a place without telling his Gaffer first. He's not liken to sleep anywhere but his own bed. He takes care of his old Gaffer. He wouldn't let me fend for myself. I'm telling you, someone made off with him," said the Gaffer as worry set about his old wrinkled face.
"Sit yourself down here Gaffer. I'll bring you a cup of my best soup to calm your nerves a bit. We'll think on this and find out what has happened," Rosie said as she tried to comfort the old hobbit as her own worry mounted in her heart.
The Gaffer graciously excepted the soup from Rosie. She told him, "Now don't you fret any. Jolly will find Sam for you. There's no better tracker than him. I'll send for him right away."
"Thankee, dear Rosie. He has to find my Sam!" the Gaffer pleaded.
Jolly sat on his pony as Rosie ran out with a basket of food for him on his journey. "Don't worry Rosie, I'll be finding him for you. I'll track him until I run out of land of which I know of. Beyond that I can not do. Those being foreign to me and all. I'll not go further than the wild lands. Take heart Rosie, He still should be in the Shire."
Jolly kicked his pony and took off at a trot heading out of Bywater.
~*~
Each day that past, Rosie became more worried. She would often stand by the window of the Green Dragon in hopes of catching Sam or Jolly riding up. Each day Rosie's heart would sink in despair. She sat at the booth were Sam and her often would sit hold hands. She gently ran her fingers across the tabletop as she remembered the last night that she saw him. Sitting at the booth she laid her head down onto her folded arms and allowed the tears to flow from her gentle blue eyes.
Rosie's shoulder shook as she sobbed trying to fight the growing despair. Without warning she heard many pony's hooves racing up to the Green Dragon.
Rosie's heart leaped in her chest and a rush of excitement to her feet as she ran to peer out the window thinking that Jolly had just rode up with Sam by his side.
Instead she saw many fancy dressed hobbits just getting off their ponies. The finely dressed older hobbit with long, gray curly hair barked orders to the younger hobbits that rode with him as she heard him say, "Berilac! Ride further into Bywater and Hobbiton to see if anyone has seen him! Check under every stone!"
The noble hobbit opened the door of the Green Dragon as his clan followed directly behind him. "Merimac! Get us rooms for the night! Seredic! Take your group and stand guard over the streets!"
The noble hobbit stood in the center of the Green Dragon and placed his hands upon his hips. Rosie heard some of the Bywater town folk whispering, "Those are Bucklanders!"
"What are Bucklanders doing in Bywater?" another questioned.
"Listen here, all of you!" shouted Saradoc Brandybuck. "We are looking for a missing Bucklander, his name is Meridoc Brandybuck. He is known in these parts as Merry and cousin of Frodo Baggins. Has anyone seen him?"
They all shook their heads 'No' as they stared at the noble hobbit before them. Will approached Saradoc first and told him that Frodo is missing also. That no one has seen him anywhere. They told him that Sam Gamgee was missing also. A local of Bywater.
"We have already been through Bag End awhile ago. We could not find a clue any where," stated Saradoc. "We will be here for a few days while we begin our search. If anyone knows anything, please come forward and tell us."
Rosie's heart fell knowing more hobbits were missing. Whatever string of hope she had, now dissipated. Trouble was about the Shire and she could hear the whispers confirming her worry. Will whistled at Rosie which brought her from her thoughts. She rushed to fill trays full of mugs as the Bucklanders filled all the empty chairs of the tavern.
The Gaffer approached Saradoc Brandybuck as he took a chair at a table.
"I tell you, Master Saradoc, they've been taken. Robbers stolen 'em out of the Shire!" the Gaffer insisted.
Rosie pulled the Gaffer away and told him, "Now Gaffer, please! You must'nt fret so. You need your rest. I'll have Nick take you home. I'll make sure you have plenty of my finest cooking in your cupboards. I'll send for Nick to see you home, Please Gaffer go with him," pleaded Rosie.
The Gaffer nodded and Rosie ran into the kitchen to pack a basket of fixings for the Gaffer to eat. She sent for Nick to come to the Green Dragon to take the Gaffer home.
When Nick got there Rosie handed him her basket and hugged the Gaffer around his neck. "Take care of yourself, you do Sam no good if'n you make yourself ill."
Ted Sandyman cowered in the corner of a darken booth and he watched the Bucklanders drinking their ales.
Ted slipped out of the tavern and went in search of Lotho.
~*~
Lotho walked into the post service and handed a runner an envelope and said, "Get this to Bill Ferny in Bree at once! You be quick about it and there'll be plenty of coins to fill your pockets," Lotho snickered. "Get back here fast and I'll put you on my payroll. Let's say double of what you are getting now!"
"Yes sir, Lotho. Anything you say. I'll make sure of it!" the Runner said as he took the envelope and mounted his fastest pony. Kicking his pony he took off racing in the direction towards Bree.
~*~
After an exhausted night in the tavern, Rosie wearily locked the front door. She wiped the sweat from her brow and tossed her towel over she shoulder. Her feet and ankles ached from running all night filling mugs and plates for the Bucklanders.
Will was smiling as he counted the coins that filled his cash drawer but it was two folds as he was sadden by the disappearance of Sam and Frodo. His heart ached for Rosie as he watched the despair that was etched deeply in his niece's face. Rosie walked up to her uncle and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. "Goodnight Uncle."
Will patted her hands gently as she walked to the backroom and opened her bedroom door. Shutting it, Rosie leaned against it taking in a full breath of air.
Rosie walked to her window and gazed outside at the starlit night as images of Sam roamed through her mind. "Oh Sam, please hurry yourself home again," said Rosie to herself. She lowered her head into her folded arms as her shoulders began to shake. Her breaths came in labored sobs as she cried deeply into the dark night.
~*~
The Bucklander's occupied all the rooms of the Inn while others camped just outside of Bywater. On the fourth day from their arrival one of the Bucklanders escorted Farmer Maggot into the tavern and brought him before Saradoc. He told Saradoc that he had chased both Merry and Pippin out of his fields the day before they were reported missing.
A loud clamor of many pony hooves echoed in the streets of Bywater just outside the Green Dragon. Saradoc walked outside to see who was coming. The Took clan charged up and stopped their ponies directly in front of Saradoc.
Paladin got off his pony and approached him. They locked arms as they greeted one another. "I am glad you have come, Paladin! We still have no word of their disappearance, but a few has seen them about these parts. I have sent riders to search. It should not be too long and we shall know more," Saradoc told him.
"Don't worry Saradoc, we will find them. The Tooks and the Brandybucks will not stop until they are found. I assure you!" stated Paladin.
Saradoc nodded and stated, "I have sent Esmeralda to Tuckborough as we search for Peregrin. She needs the comfort of her family until he is brought home safely."
"She arrived just shortly after we left. Eglantine will see to her comfort," said Paladin.
~*~
Lotho walked away from his window as he cursed under his breath at seeing the two strongest clans in the Shire at one place. "This is going to ruin my plans. Sandyman you get yourself back to the tavern and listen to everything that is going on in there. You report back to me when you know something. We've got to get those clans out of Bywater and soon. They'll be coming in a forth night!"
Lotho threw a few coins at Sandyman and watched him run back to the Green Dragon.
Ted Sandyman ducked into a darken corner of the tavern and slowly sipped on a mug of ale. His eyes darted around the room and observed the Tooks and Bucklanders as they talked among themselves.
Two of the Bucklanders commented after the Gaffer had left the tavern after another night of insisting that robbers have taken them, "If a robber had taken Master Merry and we find him. We'll toss him into the Old Forest and let the tree herders squash him with their roots."
Ted remembered a story he heard years ago when he and Lotho spied on those four missing hobbits. An idea came to his mind and he rushed back to Lotho to tell him.
"Oh yes, I remember that story, it scared the wits out me. That's it!" Lotho shouted, "That is how we will get those Bucklanders away from Bywater. Find me a poor desperate hobbit. One that can be easily bought."
Within an hour a poor ragged hobbit covered in dirt and grime walked into the tavern. He approached Saradoc Brandybuck and told him, "a few weeks back, I hear two young hobbits a talking. One called him Merry, leastways as I recalls. They say to each other, "let's get ourselves down to the forest, Old one I'm assuming. Get us a look-see at a walking tree. I think to meself, the lads lost their senses with their odd queer talking, so to speak," said the ragged hobbit as he scratched himself and then continued, "If you got an extra coin about you, I could use it."
Saradoc tossed the filthy hobbit a coin and watched him walk out of the Green Dragon. A big smile broke the corners of poor hobbit as he jiggled a pocket full of coins.
Saradoc turned to Paladin and said, "He must be telling the truth. Very few know of the folklore of Bucklanders. He had to have seen Meridoc and Peregrin. But this is still very odd. Meridoc would never go near the Old Forest. No Bucklander would!"
A pony came riding up to the tavern and a hobbit got off and entered the door. Rosie's heart leaped in her chest as she ran to greet her brother Jolly. "Tell me what have you found?"
"I followed tracks leading away from Bag End. Large prints size of a big folk and two hobbit tracks. The big folk tracks went in another direction a short distance away from Bag End and the two hobbit tracks continued on together. They were joined by two more hobbit tracks heading in the direction of Bree, down by the river. There I lost them. I went directly to Bree and asked around. They say they saw 'em there. Four of 'em from the Shire. They tell me that a ranger took 'em off into the wild, but I've never been that far before. They're in foreign parts," Jolly told them.
"You were tricked my fine hobbit. Lied too, I'd say. No hobbit would willingly venture that far away. Surely no Shire folk to be sure. That ranger you speak is queer folk. Hobbits would be too afraid to speak to one," said Paladin.
"I agree with you, Paladin. It is unnatural for shire folk to go wandering foreign parts without good reason," Saradoc agreed. "Berilac! Take ten good Bucklanders and ten strong Tooks to the Old Forest. Look around for any signs of them. But do not enter the Forest. Come back to me with any news you will have."
"Paladin send your Tooks to Bree!" shouted Rosie. "My brother Jolly has found them, Please Paladin, you MUST!" shouted Rosie as she tried to reason with him.
"Nonsense, child!" shout Paladin back at her. "I'll not send Took's on a goose chase. I can barely spare them as is."
Rosie placed her hands over her face as she cried, "Then it is hopeless!" She ran from the room crying.
The Gaffer followed her and found her leaning against a wall crying. "There now, dear Rosie. Don't cry so," said the Gaffer. "I know my own Sam. If'n he found himself in foreign parts, twas good reason for it nor Sam wouldn't o' gone. Mark me words now, Rosie. Trust the Old Gaffer, he knows. Sam will be back in the spring. He would'nt miss a planting season, no matter what the harm. He'll be hurrying for sure."
Rosie wrapped her arms around the Gaffer and hugged him.