A/N: Thank you Aemilia Rose for pointing that out. I could use all the help
I can get. I have been borrowing some idea's from Tolkiens book and misread
the paragraph, Faramir gave Sam and Frodo dried fruit and small slip of
cured meat (page 211 on TROTK) while Sam still had Lembas in his bag. I
wanted to use time frames from Tolkien so those who read this story could
predict when he would return and give a balanced situation between Rosie
and Sam in what they both had suffered during the time they were apart. I
guess I should not write so late at night when I am so tired. (I made
another mistake in my review of your story..face red as a beet! I told you
that the review was my 100th, and that I was glad it landed 'ON' your
story.Not 'you' your story..I definitely need more sleep!) lol
Rose Cotton: I love to take the smallest mention of what Tolkien wrote for ideas in a story. Tolkien is simply awesome! The reunion will be at the end of this story and I have already written it. I did make me cry and I hope you will really like it. Be patient with me as I need to tie-up all the loose ends. I love your stories! You are a brilliant writer and I am amazed at your stories. I have so much going on right now, but I'll be dropping by your stories and you can count on me to review them!
MlynnBloom: It is sad every time a story ends, as I too want to read more. I am thinking about ending this story at the reunion for Sam and Rosie. However, I am thinking about doing a sequel about Sam with his children. I have a lot of idea's for that. Thank you again for all your wonderful reviews as they keep me wanting to write more.
ShireElf: Thank you so much for your reviews and such kind words. It really helps me a lot and very much appreciated.
Part 4
Chapter 24
When Evil Walks
The mid-summer evening brought a slight chill in the air as Rosie made her way home after visiting with the Gaffer at Daddy Two Foot's home. She had brought him a basket of fixings that they could spare after Jolly decided to ride out further on a two-day hunting trip. He had managed to bag a wild turkey and a small string of rabbits. He was able to sell a few mink skins in Bree, from his traps by the pond. With the money he purchased a small bag of flour and corn meal.
As Rosie walked home, the sun was beginning to set she came upon two shadowy figures of men as they were heading into Hobbiton. She ducked behind a group of bushes and watched them from a safe distance.
The taller man had a look of nobility as he walked straight and tall. He had long white gray hair and a brilliant white beard. His long flowing black cape draped on the ground as he walked. From under his cape, Rosie could see a long white robe that he wore. In his hand he carried a long walking stick that was black as night.
Beside him walked another man, a very dark sinister man. He had long curly black hair that almost looked blue. He skin was of ivory, pale as winter snow. He walked hunched over and his coal black cape dragged at his heels. Upon seeing this man, it made Rosie's skin crawl and goose-bumps to appear from fright at such an odd looking creature of man.
Rosie waited a long while until they were well pass the top of the hill and slowly descending down the other side before she continued her walk back home. She did not know what to make of the pair, only that she did not feel safe around them.
~*~
Word spread rapidly among the men that Sharkie was in the Shire, so by the time Sharkie entered Bag End, his men stood ready to greet him.
"Greetings Master, been waiting for you. We've everything prepared just as you say so," said Mortimor.
"The two hobbits are here?" asked Sharkie.
"Yes, sir. Locked up in there, they are," he said.
"Good we have much work to do," said Sharkie as he glared at the door that housed Pimple and Ted Sandyman.
"All the leaf has been taken from the fields and we can start grinding corn as soon as you give the word," said Mortimor.
"That won't be necessary any longer. I have come to destroy and not to build," said Sharkie in a low deep tone of voice. "Unlock the door and bring the hobbits to me now."
Within moments Pimple and Ted Sandyman stood before Sharkie. Their eyes squinted in the light after being in darkness for so very long.
Sharkie approached Pimple and asked, "Do you know of the families of Baggins?"
"Yes," said Pimple.
"You will point them out to me, ever single hobbit who bares that name."
"No Sharkie, I'll not nor would any other hobbit of the Shire," said Pimple.
Pimple quaked as the wizard approached him looking down upon him. "We will see what you speak after my men have loosened your tongue," said Sharkie. "Take him away." Sharkie nodded to his men that held the hobbits and they knew his meaning.
They picked up the halflings from the ground and carried them as their feet kicked wildly upon the open air. The hobbits feared the water as they slowly approached the large tank. The icy water hit them with shock as the men held their faces under the water. Pimple struck out with all of his strength, but he could not force his head above the water. His lungs burned as he tried holding his breath. They waited until small bubbles began to surface before pulling them out again. Before they could fill their lungs again, they were forced down into the water gain.
Sharkie stood watching them as Grimma crawled to the corner and watched.
Pulling the hobbits up again, Ted screamed out in between choking coughs, "There in Tuckborough!"
Sharkie nodded as they placed the two hobbits in front of him.
"Give me their names," snarled Sharkie.
"Why do you want the Baggins?" asked Pimple choking the words from his mouth.
"I tend to kill them, all of them. Until there is not a Baggins left," Sharkie said in an evil tone of voice.
Ted looked at Pimple wide eyed and in fear for his friend.
"If you do not tell me their names, I will kill all the hobbits," Sharkie stated.
"I do not think that it will be as easy as you think, Sharkie!" Pimple snapped at him.
"Lock them up, and send your men to Tuckborough!" said Sharkie as he turned to leave.
~*~
"Come on! Home is just over that hill!" exclaimed Sam
"Easy on Sam, as badly as my eyes wants to see the Shire again, our ponies don't have the strength to rush. We'll be there soon enough, now slow yourself down some," encouraged Pippin as he led the three hobbits through the familiar ground just before the Brandywine River.
"Tis been over a year since my feet has touched our homeland soil or laid my head on my own bed. To see Bagshot Row again and my Gaffer will bring a tear to my eyes," said Sam so excited as his anticipation grew the closer they came.
"Mine too, Sam. Now that I know I'll be back in the Shire again makes my own feet want to hasten," commented Frodo.
"I am going to sit myself on my porch and never go no further," said Sam as he pictured it in his mind and a faded memory etched its images of telling this to Rosie long ago.
"Me, I am going to pour me the finest ale that only could be made in the Shire," said Merry.
"Oh, you're making me homesick thinking about it and we're just inches from home," Pippin said as his pony began the climb up the hill.
"I only wish the sun was rising instead of the night sky, so we could get a better look of it," said Merry.
"I am going to the gardens first and cut me a bunch of mushrooms and tomatoes," Pippin said as his mouth watered thinking about all the home cooked meals he had missed.
"Pip, you are always thinking about your stomach!" teased Merry as he began to laugh and the others joined in too, feeling so happy at finally being home.
Pippin pulled back on the reins of his pony as he came to sudden halt on top of the hill looking down at the Brandywine bridge. His eyes froze in shock as he looked upon it.
"What you have a change of mind Pippin?" asked Frodo as he kicked his pony a little faster.
The full moon glow cast a darken shadow over the iron spiked gates that barred the entrance on the Brandywine bridge. Tall two-story houses stood just behind the gates and they could see a dimly lit light shining from its narrow window.
Frodo cast his eyes further from the bridge and looked over the darken horizon which was unrecognizable in its appearance from all the trees that had been taken down.
Panic and sorrow replaced his excitement of being home and Frodo too sat upon his pony frozen in place.
"Can't stop looking at it, can you?" asked Sam with a huge smile on his face, as his pony topped the hill and he too looked down upon the Shire.
His stomach knotted so hard it felt like someone had just punched him. Sam's anger grew as his eyes focused on the gates that barred his entrance. Sam kicked his pony hard and he dashed down the hill as his ponies feet frantically tried to find its footing.
"Sam wait!" shouted Frodo as he too kicked his pony to follow. He knew that Sam would tear the bars off the gate himself if need be.
Merry and Pippin also followed behind Frodo rushing after Sam.
Sam came to a sudden halt as he jumped off his pony. Sam raced to the barred gates with Frodo just behind him.
Frodo stretched out his hand and pulled Sam's shoulder around to face him.
"It's not fair, Mr. Frodo! All you've been through, all you've suffered and it is still not over with!" shouted Sam in despair.
"Nothing is fair, Sam. And what we face behind these gates will hurt us more than anything we have suffered so far. Evil has walked to all corners of our world. But we must keep our thoughts and carefully find our paths," Frodo told him as he turned and got a closer look at the gate.
They hammered on the gates as its keepers came in view of seeing the four hobbits standing before them. All four of them argued with the hobbits that they recognized and were shocked to see Billy Ferny of Bree that they had met when they first began their journey, now living in the Shire. Their minds fought to make sense of what had happen since they have been away, but they convinced them to open the gates. While inside Frodo realized that it was just too much going on to deal with all the things that the hobbits were telling them. The rules the hobbits quoted only made Sam all the more upset. There was no welcome, no ale to drink, no smoke and little to nothing to eat except what was in their pack. After they ate what little they had left, Sam took out his blanket and pulled it over his head as he could not bear to hear another word about what was happening in the Shire.
~*~
When the sun just crested the horizon Sam got to his feet and slowly walked out of the shirriff's house. He had hardly closed his eyes to sleep as he fought hard not wanting to believe this had happened to their home. He silently hoped that everything he saw and heard was only a bad dream. . Sam opened the door quietly as he walked out of the house.
He glanced up over to were the trees once stood, but now were only stumps, while some of the downed trees lay in disarray on the ground. Branches upon branches lined in every direction. Dead leaves clung to their branches left to die in the hot sun. Huge runts lined the dirt roads that would lead to townships of the Shire.
The ugly gray brick building that stood two stories were the only thing that gave structure to the horizon and the black iron gates that barred any from coming or going.
Sam could feel his heart heave inside his chest as he took in the full morning view and his mind tried hard to fight against the imagines it was taking it. It could not be real.
~*~
Rosie lit the stove in the kitchen and found a pan to begin frying the cornmeal that her mother had mixed to make patties for morning breakfast. As they fried Rosie put her hand over her face and began to cry. The months of hardship began to take its toll on her spirit and she began to doubt in her heart that Sam would ever come back.
Rose Cotton: I love to take the smallest mention of what Tolkien wrote for ideas in a story. Tolkien is simply awesome! The reunion will be at the end of this story and I have already written it. I did make me cry and I hope you will really like it. Be patient with me as I need to tie-up all the loose ends. I love your stories! You are a brilliant writer and I am amazed at your stories. I have so much going on right now, but I'll be dropping by your stories and you can count on me to review them!
MlynnBloom: It is sad every time a story ends, as I too want to read more. I am thinking about ending this story at the reunion for Sam and Rosie. However, I am thinking about doing a sequel about Sam with his children. I have a lot of idea's for that. Thank you again for all your wonderful reviews as they keep me wanting to write more.
ShireElf: Thank you so much for your reviews and such kind words. It really helps me a lot and very much appreciated.
Part 4
Chapter 24
When Evil Walks
The mid-summer evening brought a slight chill in the air as Rosie made her way home after visiting with the Gaffer at Daddy Two Foot's home. She had brought him a basket of fixings that they could spare after Jolly decided to ride out further on a two-day hunting trip. He had managed to bag a wild turkey and a small string of rabbits. He was able to sell a few mink skins in Bree, from his traps by the pond. With the money he purchased a small bag of flour and corn meal.
As Rosie walked home, the sun was beginning to set she came upon two shadowy figures of men as they were heading into Hobbiton. She ducked behind a group of bushes and watched them from a safe distance.
The taller man had a look of nobility as he walked straight and tall. He had long white gray hair and a brilliant white beard. His long flowing black cape draped on the ground as he walked. From under his cape, Rosie could see a long white robe that he wore. In his hand he carried a long walking stick that was black as night.
Beside him walked another man, a very dark sinister man. He had long curly black hair that almost looked blue. He skin was of ivory, pale as winter snow. He walked hunched over and his coal black cape dragged at his heels. Upon seeing this man, it made Rosie's skin crawl and goose-bumps to appear from fright at such an odd looking creature of man.
Rosie waited a long while until they were well pass the top of the hill and slowly descending down the other side before she continued her walk back home. She did not know what to make of the pair, only that she did not feel safe around them.
~*~
Word spread rapidly among the men that Sharkie was in the Shire, so by the time Sharkie entered Bag End, his men stood ready to greet him.
"Greetings Master, been waiting for you. We've everything prepared just as you say so," said Mortimor.
"The two hobbits are here?" asked Sharkie.
"Yes, sir. Locked up in there, they are," he said.
"Good we have much work to do," said Sharkie as he glared at the door that housed Pimple and Ted Sandyman.
"All the leaf has been taken from the fields and we can start grinding corn as soon as you give the word," said Mortimor.
"That won't be necessary any longer. I have come to destroy and not to build," said Sharkie in a low deep tone of voice. "Unlock the door and bring the hobbits to me now."
Within moments Pimple and Ted Sandyman stood before Sharkie. Their eyes squinted in the light after being in darkness for so very long.
Sharkie approached Pimple and asked, "Do you know of the families of Baggins?"
"Yes," said Pimple.
"You will point them out to me, ever single hobbit who bares that name."
"No Sharkie, I'll not nor would any other hobbit of the Shire," said Pimple.
Pimple quaked as the wizard approached him looking down upon him. "We will see what you speak after my men have loosened your tongue," said Sharkie. "Take him away." Sharkie nodded to his men that held the hobbits and they knew his meaning.
They picked up the halflings from the ground and carried them as their feet kicked wildly upon the open air. The hobbits feared the water as they slowly approached the large tank. The icy water hit them with shock as the men held their faces under the water. Pimple struck out with all of his strength, but he could not force his head above the water. His lungs burned as he tried holding his breath. They waited until small bubbles began to surface before pulling them out again. Before they could fill their lungs again, they were forced down into the water gain.
Sharkie stood watching them as Grimma crawled to the corner and watched.
Pulling the hobbits up again, Ted screamed out in between choking coughs, "There in Tuckborough!"
Sharkie nodded as they placed the two hobbits in front of him.
"Give me their names," snarled Sharkie.
"Why do you want the Baggins?" asked Pimple choking the words from his mouth.
"I tend to kill them, all of them. Until there is not a Baggins left," Sharkie said in an evil tone of voice.
Ted looked at Pimple wide eyed and in fear for his friend.
"If you do not tell me their names, I will kill all the hobbits," Sharkie stated.
"I do not think that it will be as easy as you think, Sharkie!" Pimple snapped at him.
"Lock them up, and send your men to Tuckborough!" said Sharkie as he turned to leave.
~*~
"Come on! Home is just over that hill!" exclaimed Sam
"Easy on Sam, as badly as my eyes wants to see the Shire again, our ponies don't have the strength to rush. We'll be there soon enough, now slow yourself down some," encouraged Pippin as he led the three hobbits through the familiar ground just before the Brandywine River.
"Tis been over a year since my feet has touched our homeland soil or laid my head on my own bed. To see Bagshot Row again and my Gaffer will bring a tear to my eyes," said Sam so excited as his anticipation grew the closer they came.
"Mine too, Sam. Now that I know I'll be back in the Shire again makes my own feet want to hasten," commented Frodo.
"I am going to sit myself on my porch and never go no further," said Sam as he pictured it in his mind and a faded memory etched its images of telling this to Rosie long ago.
"Me, I am going to pour me the finest ale that only could be made in the Shire," said Merry.
"Oh, you're making me homesick thinking about it and we're just inches from home," Pippin said as his pony began the climb up the hill.
"I only wish the sun was rising instead of the night sky, so we could get a better look of it," said Merry.
"I am going to the gardens first and cut me a bunch of mushrooms and tomatoes," Pippin said as his mouth watered thinking about all the home cooked meals he had missed.
"Pip, you are always thinking about your stomach!" teased Merry as he began to laugh and the others joined in too, feeling so happy at finally being home.
Pippin pulled back on the reins of his pony as he came to sudden halt on top of the hill looking down at the Brandywine bridge. His eyes froze in shock as he looked upon it.
"What you have a change of mind Pippin?" asked Frodo as he kicked his pony a little faster.
The full moon glow cast a darken shadow over the iron spiked gates that barred the entrance on the Brandywine bridge. Tall two-story houses stood just behind the gates and they could see a dimly lit light shining from its narrow window.
Frodo cast his eyes further from the bridge and looked over the darken horizon which was unrecognizable in its appearance from all the trees that had been taken down.
Panic and sorrow replaced his excitement of being home and Frodo too sat upon his pony frozen in place.
"Can't stop looking at it, can you?" asked Sam with a huge smile on his face, as his pony topped the hill and he too looked down upon the Shire.
His stomach knotted so hard it felt like someone had just punched him. Sam's anger grew as his eyes focused on the gates that barred his entrance. Sam kicked his pony hard and he dashed down the hill as his ponies feet frantically tried to find its footing.
"Sam wait!" shouted Frodo as he too kicked his pony to follow. He knew that Sam would tear the bars off the gate himself if need be.
Merry and Pippin also followed behind Frodo rushing after Sam.
Sam came to a sudden halt as he jumped off his pony. Sam raced to the barred gates with Frodo just behind him.
Frodo stretched out his hand and pulled Sam's shoulder around to face him.
"It's not fair, Mr. Frodo! All you've been through, all you've suffered and it is still not over with!" shouted Sam in despair.
"Nothing is fair, Sam. And what we face behind these gates will hurt us more than anything we have suffered so far. Evil has walked to all corners of our world. But we must keep our thoughts and carefully find our paths," Frodo told him as he turned and got a closer look at the gate.
They hammered on the gates as its keepers came in view of seeing the four hobbits standing before them. All four of them argued with the hobbits that they recognized and were shocked to see Billy Ferny of Bree that they had met when they first began their journey, now living in the Shire. Their minds fought to make sense of what had happen since they have been away, but they convinced them to open the gates. While inside Frodo realized that it was just too much going on to deal with all the things that the hobbits were telling them. The rules the hobbits quoted only made Sam all the more upset. There was no welcome, no ale to drink, no smoke and little to nothing to eat except what was in their pack. After they ate what little they had left, Sam took out his blanket and pulled it over his head as he could not bear to hear another word about what was happening in the Shire.
~*~
When the sun just crested the horizon Sam got to his feet and slowly walked out of the shirriff's house. He had hardly closed his eyes to sleep as he fought hard not wanting to believe this had happened to their home. He silently hoped that everything he saw and heard was only a bad dream. . Sam opened the door quietly as he walked out of the house.
He glanced up over to were the trees once stood, but now were only stumps, while some of the downed trees lay in disarray on the ground. Branches upon branches lined in every direction. Dead leaves clung to their branches left to die in the hot sun. Huge runts lined the dirt roads that would lead to townships of the Shire.
The ugly gray brick building that stood two stories were the only thing that gave structure to the horizon and the black iron gates that barred any from coming or going.
Sam could feel his heart heave inside his chest as he took in the full morning view and his mind tried hard to fight against the imagines it was taking it. It could not be real.
~*~
Rosie lit the stove in the kitchen and found a pan to begin frying the cornmeal that her mother had mixed to make patties for morning breakfast. As they fried Rosie put her hand over her face and began to cry. The months of hardship began to take its toll on her spirit and she began to doubt in her heart that Sam would ever come back.