Frodo leaves for the Grey Havens: Sam and Rosie must learn to live with their memories. No slash/no violence.
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the Master, JRRTolkien. I borrow them only to love them and promise to give them back.
A Longer Road.
Chapter 2
Sam was up with the dawn; he dressed quietly and slipped out into the kitchen to make a cup of tea for Rosie and Frodo. As he waited for the kettle to boil he gathered together the rations he would need for the journey and stowed them neatly into his pack along with his pots and pans. He whistled to himself as he worked, his happiness at the prospect of travelling with Frodo for a few days evident on his countenance.
"I'm not sure you should look quite so happy at the prospect of leaving me here on my own, Samwise Gamgee!" Sam turned to see Rosie in the doorway, her eyes heavy with sleep. Sam could see Elanor peeping at him from the bundle of shawls in her arms.
"Oh, I'm not happy to be leaving you, my love, never think that" he said sheepishly.
"I know Sam, I'm only teasing," she said planting a kiss on his cheek. "Now where's my tea, this young lady woke me up to demand breakfast and I need something to wake me up proper"
"You don't mind my going, do you? Asked Sam, now ashamed of his eagerness to go travelling.
"Of course I don't mind. Marigold is going to stay with me until you return. We plan to be busy with bottling the fruit and making jam and cleaning through the burrow from end to end. A job that will be much easier without you under our feet!"
Sam wasn't fooled by her brisk tone "I do love you Rosie, what ever did I do to deserve you?"
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It was mid morning before they were finally organised and ready to leave. Sam saddled Strider and Bill and they were now waiting patiently, tethered to the gate. Frodo moved from room to room, saying a final farewell to his home, trying to imprint each room into his memory. When he reached his study he checked through the documents on the desk to ensure that all were in order. Finally he took a sealed envelope and a bunch of keys and placed them on top of the large, red, leather bound journal. With a final glance around the room, so full of memories and lost dreams, he closed the door.
"Ready, Mr Frodo"
"Nearly Sam".
At the round, green door Frodo turned to Rosie. He embraced her and whispered softly "Look after him for me, help him to understand, for he is dearer to me than life itself", further words were impossible as he fought to contain the emotions that threatened to overwhelm him.
"I will make him happy, for his sake and for yours. It has been an honour to know you Frodo. Go now and find the peace you seek".
"Thank you, Rosie". With a last kiss he turned and walked to the gate.
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They travelled at a leisurely pace and for the first few hours of the journey they travelled in companionable silence. The sun was warm and the autumn breeze played gently over the grass as they followed the road towards Woody End. Frodo's face was hidden from Sam within the hood of his cloak, although he looked around as if drinking in the sights as they passed. Sam was constantly surveying the surroundings to check on the state of the trees as they passed and making mental notes of areas that still needed attention to repair the ravages caused by the ruffians.
As the afternoon wore on Sam suggested that they find a place to stop, he pleaded tiredness but this was merely an excuse. He had noticed that Frodo was sagging in the saddle, his head nodding down to his chest as he rode. They found a sheltered glade in the green hills and camped by a small stream.
"Come on now Mr Frodo, let me help you down". Frodo wanted to resist his help but found he was too tired and stiff to dismount unaided.
"I seem to be a bit out of practice Sam, maybe I have been spending too long over my books!"
"Never mind that. You sit here while I light a fire and sort out the ponies"
By the time Sam had a fire going Frodo had fallen asleep, curled up in his cloak, his head resting on his outstretched arm. Sam smiled down affectionately at his master "I guess it has been a hard day". He laid out the bedding rolls and prepared some supper. When all was ready he gently roused Frodo.
"Come on Sir, I hate to wake you but supper is ready and you need to keep your strength up." He helped him to sit up and pulled a blanket around his shoulders. "Have some tea first it will help you feel better". They sat side by side in the light of the fire. Several times Frodo seemed on the point of saying something but each time he faltered and lapsed into silence. Sam placed a hand on his shoulder "Come on Sir lay yourself down and get some rest, we have further to travel tomorrow".
"Thank you Sam, but you must rest too"
"Now don't you go worrying about me, you just rest. I think I'll just sit and watch the stars for a while". Frodo lay down and pulled his blankets and cloak around him. Within minutes he was asleep.
Sam looked on the tranquil face of his companion. In the moonlight the fair contours of his face glowed with an inner beauty that tugged at Sam's heart. As if sensing that their days together were numbered Sam ached to sooth away the cares and the shadow that had blighted the happiness of his dearest friend. With a sigh he pulled his bedroll up close and lay down on his side facing Frodo, he sought for the maimed hand under the blanket and enclosed it within his own. "Good night, my friend, Sleep well."
********
Sam was again up with dawn. He washed himself in the stream and set about preparing breakfast and a hot drink. When all was ready he roused Frodo gently, a mug of tea to hand to ease his friend into the day.
Frodo tried to turn over to lever himself into a sitting position, but failed miserably and lay back with a groan.
"What is it Mr Frodo?" Asked Sam in alarm.
"I can't move Sam" said Frodo with a grimace.
"Are you in pain?"
"Yes, but it's not that so much as the fact that my arms and legs don't seem to want to obey my commands" he added with a wry grin. "It seems that when it comes to travelling I am more out of practice than I thought!"
"Well you have been spending rather a lot of time in your study just recently!" said Sam, "but I'm sure you'll get back into the swing of things in a day or so"
"That's not much help now though is it?"
Sam put down the mug and helped Frodo to sit up. He moved one of the saddles over for him to lean against and handed him his drink. They finished their drinks in silence. Then Sam proceeded to massage his master's legs to warm the muscles and bring them back to life.
"Thank you Sam" said Frodo struggling to rise to his feet; he limped painfully towards the shelter of the trees. Sam rose to follow.
"It's alright Sam; there are some things I can manage on my own!" He said with a distinct twinkle in his eye. Sam blushed and turned back to attend to the breakfast, pleased to see the flash of humour that had been so rare of late.
An hour later they were on the road again. Frodo had announced that he would walk for a while to try to ease the stiffness in his limbs. They walked side-by-side leading the ponies. Frodo was again lost in thought and was rather startled when Sam turned to him, rather hesitantly, and voiced a concern that had been growing in him since breakfast.
"Mr Frodo, meaning no disrespect but how are you going to manage when I turn and head back to Hobbiton? It's obvious to me that you are not strong enough to travel without help. Much as I would love to see Mr Bilbo and Rivendell again I did promise Rosie I would be gone only a week or two!"
"Don't fret Sam, for I will be travelling with Elves: indeed, if we are lucky we should meet up with them this evening. I think you can trust them to care for me nearly as well as you would." Frodo turned his face towards the horizon, guilty that he had still not the courage to tell Sam the real intention of his journey. "Come on, let's ride for a while and see how far we can get before lunch." He hoped to change the subject without Sam realising.
"It will be grand to see the Elves again" said Sam "I hope Rosie will get to meet them before they all leave for the West", he continued wistfully. Frodo pulled his hood down over his face so that Sam wouldn't see the shining rivulet run down his cheek.
*******
*TBC*
A/N Many thanks to those of you who have reviewed and given me such positive feedback- your comments are much appreciated.
Please review, even if you think it's awful- I write for my own pleasure but know I can only improve with your help. Thanks.