Chapter 5
"The Renovation"
The Day found Imbalech and Sam locked in his study. The window was open and the midday sun streamed in hot and sluggish. There were papers scattered all around the room and two unopened bags of pipeweed on the desk.
"So you just train the vine to hold the curtain up?" Sam said throughly fascinated being an avid gardener and all.
"Yes," Imbalech said. "It's simply a matter of the right mix of water and sunshine." She grinned at Sam's pure amazement.
"You can do that here- in Bag-End- under the ground?" Sam pushed.
"Yes, I think so," Imbalech said, but "I hope so," would've been more like it. Sam looked around at what was once his master's room and sighed. How could they ever get it ready for his homecoming. Sam looked at Imbalech and smiled.
"I really needed your help," Imbalech tried not to meet Sam's gaze but looked around the room.
"I think we'll have to clean first...," she said. But Sam was his own pushy self again and he jumped in front of her.
"No Imbalech, I mean it, I don't know what I would've done without-,"
"I simply delivered my message sir," Imbalech said feeling her face flush red. Sam sighed and thought to himself "No Imbalech you woke me up." Just then there was a knock at the door and Sam and Imbalech looked at each other in excitement.
"They're here!" Sam rushed to the door and put on his most noble expression and opened the door. He bowed low at the feet of several tall elves all clad in grey silk. They looked down at the hobbit with a quaint smile which erupted into joy when they saw Imbalech come running down the hall (she had gotten lost in the confounded arrangement of tunnels).
"Elf1, efl 2 mae Govanen!" she cried and they embraced. She turned to Sam
"These are my kin," she said and made the proper introductions. Sam nodded his head like one of Elanor's dolls and repeated "please to make your acquaintance," in a bewildered tone. He had been prepared to greet the guests in his "mayor voice" but somehow, no matter how much he prepared himself, he always got flustered when dealing with elves. Of course Imbalech and one other were the exception.
"What dear sister, no welcome for me?" a gentle voice said from behind the other elves on the front step. Imbalech froze and tears came to her eyes. Sam recognized the voice too and his eyes widened. The other elves stepped aside and there in the door way of Bag-End stood Legolas, the legendary archer of the Fellowship of the Ring. Beside him stood a very annoyed dwarf.
"Doesn't anyone care that Im here?" Gimli muttered. Imbalech and Legolas couldn't hear him they just looked at each other for a moment as if to preserve it in their memory and them embraced.
"Brother," was all the overjoyed Imbalech could get out until Legolas finally released her. They stood just looking to each other's eyes as if they could see all that had transpired since their last meeting in their reflection. Finally Imbalech asked
"What are you doing here- I thought you were finally taking The Ship." Legolas smoothed a strand of her golden hair behind her ear and talked softly.
"No, dear one. The Ring-bearer has returned. I have yet one more task in Middle-Earth." She smiled through her tears. Sam just slipped into a corner and tried to stay out of the way. Legolas looked past his sister to the hobbit.
"Master Samwise," Sam jumped to attention and walked toward the elf. The elves made way for him. He glanced from side to side at their somber faces. When he reached Legolas, he attempted to bow but Legolas stopped him and got on bended knee.
"No, Master Samwise, it is I who should bow before you. I can not give you the gratitude my heart holds for what you did in The War." Sam started to object but Legolas continued.
"No blow fell that was as mighty as what you did for your master," Sam swallowed and replied.
"Was just doin' my job." Legolas motioned for him to turn around to face the others and he raised his voice.
"I, Legolas Greenleaf of the house of Thranduil, do declare Samwise Gamgee, Mayor of the Shire, an honorary Prince of Mirkwood," Sam's eyes widened and in the corner of his eye he spotted Rosie and Elanor standing behind the elves in wonder. Legolas looked at Sam and said in a softer voice.
"It would please our people much if you would accompany our sister to our kingdom by the 13th of March, that we may as one house journey to Gondor for the celebration of the downfall of the Ring." Sam looked at Legolas and then at Imbalech
"So she's my honorary sister?" the entire hole echoed with laughter.
Dinner found the table of Samwise and Rosie Gardener bursting with excited conversation. The elves delighted in Samwise's humor almost as much as they delighted in Rosie's cooking.
"Elanor feed your sister," Rosie scolded as baby Rosie drooled. She tried to grasp the peas on her plate but found her almost two year old fingers still to fat and clumsy. Elanor sighed and spooned up a great big mouth full to Rosie who preceded to chew on the spoon, knocking all the peas into her lap. Elanor wasn't looking at the baby but at the tall kingly elf across from her. His long blonde hair was like hers (minus the curls) and his grey eyes made her think of rain. Legolas turned from his conversation with his kinsmen for a moment and caught her glance. One moment of looking into his eyes was like an eternity. It was as if elvish eyes were tunnels into their very beings and when a mortal looked through them what was revealed was time itself.
"Elanor!" Rosie yelled as the spoon followed the rest of baby Rosie's plate onto the floor. Elanor sprang to catch it but missed it by a second. She got down on bended knee and began scooping it up into her skirt. She was not the most mannerly hobbit lass as she took after her father far more than her mother. Her hands were already showing garderners callouses and she was only six. They rough and under the nails was dirt that no amount of motherly nagging could remove. When she looked at them she didnt see unkemptness but love. Love of work, service and all the grows. That was what she wanted, to be like her dad. She would hang on his every word and follow his every nuance and mannerism. She insisted on talking "just like dad," and nothing could change her mind. She watched how he dotted on her mother, doing odd jobs for her, helping with her cleaning even when he had returned from a long meeting of the council. She also noted how he never had returned to Rosie once, without a flower for her. All through the year he would save a zinnia here, a daisy there and plenty off the roses bushes that lined their property, and he would hang them in the shed and dry them so that when winter came he never broke his custom.
Now her gardener hands were picking up peas and carrots and that put her in a sour mood. Frodo put his head under the table and stuck his tongue out at her.
"You mind your own or I'll pull that right out!" he sucked back in his tongue and cleverly sat up straight in his chair just as Rosie popped her head down vindictively.
"Young lady, what are the guests going to think?"
But the elves paid the children no heed. They had had enough warning from the tales of Legolas's adventures that hobbit life didnt put them out too bad. Elvish children are restrained and at most overly creative- but rarely obnoxious.
Legolas had just finished his drink when he turned to Imbalech beside him.
"Now tell me sister, what are you doing here?" Sam pricked up his ears- if there was one thing he had learned on is adventure it was that when a new member of the party asked to be caught up on what had happened so far, it was in his best interest to listen and make sure he had it all straight.
"Well," Imbalech began making eye contact with Sam to make sure she could tell their secret. He nodded faintly.
"We're preparing Frodo's room- for his return." Legolas looked at them with wonder.
"Why the hurry?" Imbalech began to reply but Sam, unable to contain himself burst in.
"He's goin' from The West to here!" he said gesturing to Bag-End and to the Shire that contained it. In his mind he could see the fair city of Valinor- white splendor. The beautiful faces moving along the streets which glittered themselves. He could see tall silver towers putting Eclithilion to shame and he could hear sweet voices, and all the while the murmuring of the ebb of the tide. All that one could feel there was peace and a purity as deep and ethereal as the water itself. How could Frodo leave that all behind and return to Middle Earth. After his vision even his beloved Shire felt old and dusty. He felt a great weight on his shoulders as if earlier he could barely keep his feet on the ground and now he carried a great burden. It reminded him of their desperation at the slopes of Mt. Doom, he had carried Frodo and The Ring on his back. Frodo was returning to the place of great pain and for what? Rosie put her hand on his and he started. The room came into focus again. The Mountain and the pain was but a memory. His heart softened as he felt his wife's warm touch and his eyes cleared at the sight of elvish faces. Apparently he had only day dreamed for a minute or two.
"Like Sam said," Imbalech continued.
"We want to make The Ringbearer feel as much at home as possible." She eyes Legolas and responded to a question he had asked her in his mind.
"We do not yet know why he is returning, but it is a matter of great significance to King Aragorn," her voice grew quieter and more tense.
"None other has ever returned from the White Shore, he carries great tidings." Legolas's eyes narrowed in concentration and he became aware of the serious tone and the silence that gripped the hobbit's dinner guests. He gracefully turned the subject to the lighter.
"So I take it you have enlisted the elves of Mirkwood to turn a hobbit hole into an elvish castle?" Imbalech laughed and gave a look of thanks to her brother for his sense.
"Yes, we are hoping to grow moon vines on the windows- I was telling Sam all about them."
"Moonvines in a hobbit hole! Imagine that. I bet in all of their existence they have never held a curtain over a round window before." The table laughed and Gimli spoke up( he had been quite silent throughout dinner as a hobbit table can be quite a delicacy to a journeying dwarf).
"Mr. Baggins is not just an elf-friend but also accounted among the dwarves! I could lend you my skill and make some fine metal work for his comfort! I could make you beautiful handles for his dwarfs, made in the likeness of leaves, lightly frosted with gold and oh- I should shape black iron rods like vines to hold the curtains- if your ole' moon plant doesn't quite take to being under the ground and all," Gimli smiled and looked at the elves hoping his comments had not been to forward for elvish customs. He still could not quite understand all of them.
"It is a wonderful idea Gimli!" Legolas said and looked to Sam for his approval. He spoke softly with an enchanted look on his face.
"Maybe what Mr.Frodo'll need most when he gets back, is to be reminded of why he ever when off to save the Shire in the first place. Wasn't so he could keep it but so others might come here, and see that green is green whether in elvish or- um whatever language dwarves speak, begging your pardon Gimli,"Sam meant to speak in his 'mayor voice' but it came out quite 'Sam.'.
"I think it will take the skill of both the elves and the dwarves to get those curtains up," Imbalech added.
That night after the elves had retired Sam heard a noise down the hall. He had his hand on the door knob of his room when he swore he could here rustling in the Master bedroom. "That isn't right," he thought and began creeping quietly down the hall. As he pasted the main hall he grabbed an umbrella and raised it over his head threateningly as he opened the door to Frodo's room with a jerk. Elanor gave a cry.
"Dad you scared me!" she said. Sam sighed and put the umbrella down and scratched his head. Elanor was sitting on the bed, a book in her lap.
"You should've been in bed hours ago," he said trying to sound stern.
"Frodo took the covers," she protested
"And I couldn't sleep..." Sam sat down beside her.
"What's this?" he said taking the great book off her lap. It was the Red book. He knew she couldn't really read yet but he didnt let on.
"What part are you at?"
"The part where you kill the dragon and save Mr. Frodo," she said matter of factly. Sam couldn't recall a dragon but he smiled. He had read her the entire book three times, without exceptions. He didn't think he should keep any of it from it. But she refused to believe that he didn't kill more monsters in the story.
"You should be proud Dad," she looked up at him seeing his smile and sensing that he didnt believe her.
"I wish I could do that." He looked at her concerned.
"Why would you want to go and do that?" she looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"That's what you did..." he took her onto his lap and smoothed her golden curls. " Don't you remember what your mama says about you?"She shook her head even though she had heard this story a million times.
"Well," Sam. began and he shifted her to one knee so he could see into her blue eyes.
"One day I was working in the garden and I heard your mama callin'. So I raced home and I found Grandma Lilly and Aunt Daisy and Aunt May all rushin' around like the house was on fire. They told me," his voice got quiet like he was telling her a secret
" 'rose is having the baby'," Her eyes widened as they always did at this part.
"What did you do?" she asked.
"What could I do? I waited, and then hours later your mother called me in." she looked like she was going to bust with anticipation.
"There I saw a little shining star in your mothers arms,"
"Daddy, no you didn't - you saw me!"
"There I saw you, and suddenly I realized that here on your mama's most important day- I had no flower to give her- and she said that I had given her the most lovely flower that day,"Elanor put her arms around his neck and clung tightly. Sam could feel tiny tears wetting his shirt.
"What's this?" he said.
"It's a happy story."
"I know..." she sniffed.
"But I need a master," Sam looked at her confused.
"I need someone to look after... like you. First you had Frodo, then Mama, now me... but I got no one!" Sam looked at her in wonderment. He couldn't believe that his little part in such a grand story had made such an impact on her. He hugged her tight.
"Don't you worry little one, you'll find you're master. Maybe not for a while but someday a handsome young hobbit will come to you needn' plenty of lookn' after and you'll-," He stopped because he could hear her breathing had slowed. She was asleep. "Well look at this," he thought and carried her gently down the hall to her and Frodo's room. He tipped toed in, shutting the door quietly behind him. Hobbits can be very quiet, but somehow hobbit children can usually detect their parents no matter their efforts. Frodo stirred.
"Dad?"
"Shush now, and give back some of those covers." Sam blew them both a kiss and left the room. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I never thought anything could be harder ta grow than tomatoes!" He walked down the hall and entered into his own room. The candles were still burning brightly, Rosie sat up in bed with a book an her lap. "Sam looked at her for a moment as sitting there she looked just like her daughter, who had also been up 'reading'.
"I've been waiting for you," she said closing the book. Sam sighed and then smiled at her.
"The kids...," he said and she nodded. She patted his side and he walked over and flung himself down next to her.
"You were lovely tonight," he turned to her. She stroked his check.
"Tonight I sleep next to a prince," he blushed.
"Some prince I'll make. And I don't know how im going to be able to get away for that celebration in Gondor-," she kissed him to make him stop worrying and talking. It was a short and to the point kiss- very much like Rosie herself. She wasn't a girl of many words or actions for that matter, but what she did and said counted.
"I love you Sam." He looked at her gratefully.
"I love you too,"
"Don't worry about the journey. Don't you see what's happened?" he thought for a moment but she didn't wait.
"The Shire and fair folk have made a bridge- slowly the different peoples are come'n together, under The King."
"Rosie! You're right! Its not that are families are linked, but our people- Frodo will like that..." He looked at her to judge her reaction to his last comment. When both Frodo and Rosie had been in his life he had used to worry that perhaps one day they would feel jealous of each other, but long ago that had been disproved, but every now and then he would make sure things were still okay.
"I've missed him..." she thought out loud, she quickly looked to Sam to judge his reaction. She had taken to Frodo Baggins as a childhood friend long before her marriage. She loved Sam. truly and purely. She also cared for Frodo, very much they Sam did. She would sometimes worry that her fool of a husband might one day get it in his head that she CARED for Frodo, and she didn't really want to be around when that happened. She didn't think of Frodo as another hobbit whom she could've married, but as this sweetness that had always graced her life. It was very sad when she could no longer feel that sweetness, for it had sailed away.
"Me too," Sam agreed clumsily. He took her hand into his and looked into her eyes. They were green and specked with little flecks of grey. She looked a little tired but her face was lively all the same.
"Sam., I've got somethin' to tell ya," she said a hint of urgency in her voice. Sam looked at her a wave of fear passing over him.
"What is it?" he said sitting up but not letting go of her hand. She sat up too and looked away.
"Im expecting...." she said looking up at him. He sat there for a moment and said
"Expecting what?" she smiled and looked at him coyly for all his innocence. Just then it hit him and he probably woke the entire hole up with his cry.
"Really!?" He just sat there with his mouth open.
"I've only been sure for a little while," she said. But he just kept asking "really?" and she decided to wait and let it sink in before she tried to talk to him again. Eventually he shut his mouth and looked at her with less vacant eyes. She touched his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he nodded.
"It's just so wonderful," he whispered as if he was out of breath. She had told him the same news three times before but it seemed that each time he was more amazed than the last. Now the wheels were turning overtime in Sam's head he wasn't even sure what he was saying.
"We'll have to think of names, and clean out that extra sitting room, we can move Frodo and Elanor into there, and then well, I suppose we could move little Rosie into their room- and the new one could go where Rosie was- or maybe they could share I don't know- do you think the new baby would mind sharing a room?"
"Sam."
"Or I could just knock out that wall- you've been asking me to do it and then all the kids could grow up together in the same room- but do you think the new baby will cry as much as Elanor did cause if it does than it will wake all the kids up and-,"
"Sam,"
"Yes dear?" and he noticed how she was grinning at him and they both broke out into laughter.
"I know, I was getting ahead of myself,"
"Far ahead, Dear.' she said.
"But this really does make me worried about that journey- I can't leave you like this?" He said looking at her seriously.
"You've left me before," she reasoned.
"Never like THIS!" Sam protested and she could see his mind was made up. She had known him long enough to know when he had won simply based on his own stubbornness.
"You know best," she said. She kissed the dimple on his chin and blew out the candle.
"A baby..." Sam thought out loud in the dark and fell fast asleep in spite of all the excitement.
"The Renovation"
The Day found Imbalech and Sam locked in his study. The window was open and the midday sun streamed in hot and sluggish. There were papers scattered all around the room and two unopened bags of pipeweed on the desk.
"So you just train the vine to hold the curtain up?" Sam said throughly fascinated being an avid gardener and all.
"Yes," Imbalech said. "It's simply a matter of the right mix of water and sunshine." She grinned at Sam's pure amazement.
"You can do that here- in Bag-End- under the ground?" Sam pushed.
"Yes, I think so," Imbalech said, but "I hope so," would've been more like it. Sam looked around at what was once his master's room and sighed. How could they ever get it ready for his homecoming. Sam looked at Imbalech and smiled.
"I really needed your help," Imbalech tried not to meet Sam's gaze but looked around the room.
"I think we'll have to clean first...," she said. But Sam was his own pushy self again and he jumped in front of her.
"No Imbalech, I mean it, I don't know what I would've done without-,"
"I simply delivered my message sir," Imbalech said feeling her face flush red. Sam sighed and thought to himself "No Imbalech you woke me up." Just then there was a knock at the door and Sam and Imbalech looked at each other in excitement.
"They're here!" Sam rushed to the door and put on his most noble expression and opened the door. He bowed low at the feet of several tall elves all clad in grey silk. They looked down at the hobbit with a quaint smile which erupted into joy when they saw Imbalech come running down the hall (she had gotten lost in the confounded arrangement of tunnels).
"Elf1, efl 2 mae Govanen!" she cried and they embraced. She turned to Sam
"These are my kin," she said and made the proper introductions. Sam nodded his head like one of Elanor's dolls and repeated "please to make your acquaintance," in a bewildered tone. He had been prepared to greet the guests in his "mayor voice" but somehow, no matter how much he prepared himself, he always got flustered when dealing with elves. Of course Imbalech and one other were the exception.
"What dear sister, no welcome for me?" a gentle voice said from behind the other elves on the front step. Imbalech froze and tears came to her eyes. Sam recognized the voice too and his eyes widened. The other elves stepped aside and there in the door way of Bag-End stood Legolas, the legendary archer of the Fellowship of the Ring. Beside him stood a very annoyed dwarf.
"Doesn't anyone care that Im here?" Gimli muttered. Imbalech and Legolas couldn't hear him they just looked at each other for a moment as if to preserve it in their memory and them embraced.
"Brother," was all the overjoyed Imbalech could get out until Legolas finally released her. They stood just looking to each other's eyes as if they could see all that had transpired since their last meeting in their reflection. Finally Imbalech asked
"What are you doing here- I thought you were finally taking The Ship." Legolas smoothed a strand of her golden hair behind her ear and talked softly.
"No, dear one. The Ring-bearer has returned. I have yet one more task in Middle-Earth." She smiled through her tears. Sam just slipped into a corner and tried to stay out of the way. Legolas looked past his sister to the hobbit.
"Master Samwise," Sam jumped to attention and walked toward the elf. The elves made way for him. He glanced from side to side at their somber faces. When he reached Legolas, he attempted to bow but Legolas stopped him and got on bended knee.
"No, Master Samwise, it is I who should bow before you. I can not give you the gratitude my heart holds for what you did in The War." Sam started to object but Legolas continued.
"No blow fell that was as mighty as what you did for your master," Sam swallowed and replied.
"Was just doin' my job." Legolas motioned for him to turn around to face the others and he raised his voice.
"I, Legolas Greenleaf of the house of Thranduil, do declare Samwise Gamgee, Mayor of the Shire, an honorary Prince of Mirkwood," Sam's eyes widened and in the corner of his eye he spotted Rosie and Elanor standing behind the elves in wonder. Legolas looked at Sam and said in a softer voice.
"It would please our people much if you would accompany our sister to our kingdom by the 13th of March, that we may as one house journey to Gondor for the celebration of the downfall of the Ring." Sam looked at Legolas and then at Imbalech
"So she's my honorary sister?" the entire hole echoed with laughter.
Dinner found the table of Samwise and Rosie Gardener bursting with excited conversation. The elves delighted in Samwise's humor almost as much as they delighted in Rosie's cooking.
"Elanor feed your sister," Rosie scolded as baby Rosie drooled. She tried to grasp the peas on her plate but found her almost two year old fingers still to fat and clumsy. Elanor sighed and spooned up a great big mouth full to Rosie who preceded to chew on the spoon, knocking all the peas into her lap. Elanor wasn't looking at the baby but at the tall kingly elf across from her. His long blonde hair was like hers (minus the curls) and his grey eyes made her think of rain. Legolas turned from his conversation with his kinsmen for a moment and caught her glance. One moment of looking into his eyes was like an eternity. It was as if elvish eyes were tunnels into their very beings and when a mortal looked through them what was revealed was time itself.
"Elanor!" Rosie yelled as the spoon followed the rest of baby Rosie's plate onto the floor. Elanor sprang to catch it but missed it by a second. She got down on bended knee and began scooping it up into her skirt. She was not the most mannerly hobbit lass as she took after her father far more than her mother. Her hands were already showing garderners callouses and she was only six. They rough and under the nails was dirt that no amount of motherly nagging could remove. When she looked at them she didnt see unkemptness but love. Love of work, service and all the grows. That was what she wanted, to be like her dad. She would hang on his every word and follow his every nuance and mannerism. She insisted on talking "just like dad," and nothing could change her mind. She watched how he dotted on her mother, doing odd jobs for her, helping with her cleaning even when he had returned from a long meeting of the council. She also noted how he never had returned to Rosie once, without a flower for her. All through the year he would save a zinnia here, a daisy there and plenty off the roses bushes that lined their property, and he would hang them in the shed and dry them so that when winter came he never broke his custom.
Now her gardener hands were picking up peas and carrots and that put her in a sour mood. Frodo put his head under the table and stuck his tongue out at her.
"You mind your own or I'll pull that right out!" he sucked back in his tongue and cleverly sat up straight in his chair just as Rosie popped her head down vindictively.
"Young lady, what are the guests going to think?"
But the elves paid the children no heed. They had had enough warning from the tales of Legolas's adventures that hobbit life didnt put them out too bad. Elvish children are restrained and at most overly creative- but rarely obnoxious.
Legolas had just finished his drink when he turned to Imbalech beside him.
"Now tell me sister, what are you doing here?" Sam pricked up his ears- if there was one thing he had learned on is adventure it was that when a new member of the party asked to be caught up on what had happened so far, it was in his best interest to listen and make sure he had it all straight.
"Well," Imbalech began making eye contact with Sam to make sure she could tell their secret. He nodded faintly.
"We're preparing Frodo's room- for his return." Legolas looked at them with wonder.
"Why the hurry?" Imbalech began to reply but Sam, unable to contain himself burst in.
"He's goin' from The West to here!" he said gesturing to Bag-End and to the Shire that contained it. In his mind he could see the fair city of Valinor- white splendor. The beautiful faces moving along the streets which glittered themselves. He could see tall silver towers putting Eclithilion to shame and he could hear sweet voices, and all the while the murmuring of the ebb of the tide. All that one could feel there was peace and a purity as deep and ethereal as the water itself. How could Frodo leave that all behind and return to Middle Earth. After his vision even his beloved Shire felt old and dusty. He felt a great weight on his shoulders as if earlier he could barely keep his feet on the ground and now he carried a great burden. It reminded him of their desperation at the slopes of Mt. Doom, he had carried Frodo and The Ring on his back. Frodo was returning to the place of great pain and for what? Rosie put her hand on his and he started. The room came into focus again. The Mountain and the pain was but a memory. His heart softened as he felt his wife's warm touch and his eyes cleared at the sight of elvish faces. Apparently he had only day dreamed for a minute or two.
"Like Sam said," Imbalech continued.
"We want to make The Ringbearer feel as much at home as possible." She eyes Legolas and responded to a question he had asked her in his mind.
"We do not yet know why he is returning, but it is a matter of great significance to King Aragorn," her voice grew quieter and more tense.
"None other has ever returned from the White Shore, he carries great tidings." Legolas's eyes narrowed in concentration and he became aware of the serious tone and the silence that gripped the hobbit's dinner guests. He gracefully turned the subject to the lighter.
"So I take it you have enlisted the elves of Mirkwood to turn a hobbit hole into an elvish castle?" Imbalech laughed and gave a look of thanks to her brother for his sense.
"Yes, we are hoping to grow moon vines on the windows- I was telling Sam all about them."
"Moonvines in a hobbit hole! Imagine that. I bet in all of their existence they have never held a curtain over a round window before." The table laughed and Gimli spoke up( he had been quite silent throughout dinner as a hobbit table can be quite a delicacy to a journeying dwarf).
"Mr. Baggins is not just an elf-friend but also accounted among the dwarves! I could lend you my skill and make some fine metal work for his comfort! I could make you beautiful handles for his dwarfs, made in the likeness of leaves, lightly frosted with gold and oh- I should shape black iron rods like vines to hold the curtains- if your ole' moon plant doesn't quite take to being under the ground and all," Gimli smiled and looked at the elves hoping his comments had not been to forward for elvish customs. He still could not quite understand all of them.
"It is a wonderful idea Gimli!" Legolas said and looked to Sam for his approval. He spoke softly with an enchanted look on his face.
"Maybe what Mr.Frodo'll need most when he gets back, is to be reminded of why he ever when off to save the Shire in the first place. Wasn't so he could keep it but so others might come here, and see that green is green whether in elvish or- um whatever language dwarves speak, begging your pardon Gimli,"Sam meant to speak in his 'mayor voice' but it came out quite 'Sam.'.
"I think it will take the skill of both the elves and the dwarves to get those curtains up," Imbalech added.
That night after the elves had retired Sam heard a noise down the hall. He had his hand on the door knob of his room when he swore he could here rustling in the Master bedroom. "That isn't right," he thought and began creeping quietly down the hall. As he pasted the main hall he grabbed an umbrella and raised it over his head threateningly as he opened the door to Frodo's room with a jerk. Elanor gave a cry.
"Dad you scared me!" she said. Sam sighed and put the umbrella down and scratched his head. Elanor was sitting on the bed, a book in her lap.
"You should've been in bed hours ago," he said trying to sound stern.
"Frodo took the covers," she protested
"And I couldn't sleep..." Sam sat down beside her.
"What's this?" he said taking the great book off her lap. It was the Red book. He knew she couldn't really read yet but he didnt let on.
"What part are you at?"
"The part where you kill the dragon and save Mr. Frodo," she said matter of factly. Sam couldn't recall a dragon but he smiled. He had read her the entire book three times, without exceptions. He didn't think he should keep any of it from it. But she refused to believe that he didn't kill more monsters in the story.
"You should be proud Dad," she looked up at him seeing his smile and sensing that he didnt believe her.
"I wish I could do that." He looked at her concerned.
"Why would you want to go and do that?" she looked at him with tears in her eyes.
"That's what you did..." he took her onto his lap and smoothed her golden curls. " Don't you remember what your mama says about you?"She shook her head even though she had heard this story a million times.
"Well," Sam. began and he shifted her to one knee so he could see into her blue eyes.
"One day I was working in the garden and I heard your mama callin'. So I raced home and I found Grandma Lilly and Aunt Daisy and Aunt May all rushin' around like the house was on fire. They told me," his voice got quiet like he was telling her a secret
" 'rose is having the baby'," Her eyes widened as they always did at this part.
"What did you do?" she asked.
"What could I do? I waited, and then hours later your mother called me in." she looked like she was going to bust with anticipation.
"There I saw a little shining star in your mothers arms,"
"Daddy, no you didn't - you saw me!"
"There I saw you, and suddenly I realized that here on your mama's most important day- I had no flower to give her- and she said that I had given her the most lovely flower that day,"Elanor put her arms around his neck and clung tightly. Sam could feel tiny tears wetting his shirt.
"What's this?" he said.
"It's a happy story."
"I know..." she sniffed.
"But I need a master," Sam looked at her confused.
"I need someone to look after... like you. First you had Frodo, then Mama, now me... but I got no one!" Sam looked at her in wonderment. He couldn't believe that his little part in such a grand story had made such an impact on her. He hugged her tight.
"Don't you worry little one, you'll find you're master. Maybe not for a while but someday a handsome young hobbit will come to you needn' plenty of lookn' after and you'll-," He stopped because he could hear her breathing had slowed. She was asleep. "Well look at this," he thought and carried her gently down the hall to her and Frodo's room. He tipped toed in, shutting the door quietly behind him. Hobbits can be very quiet, but somehow hobbit children can usually detect their parents no matter their efforts. Frodo stirred.
"Dad?"
"Shush now, and give back some of those covers." Sam blew them both a kiss and left the room. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "I never thought anything could be harder ta grow than tomatoes!" He walked down the hall and entered into his own room. The candles were still burning brightly, Rosie sat up in bed with a book an her lap. "Sam looked at her for a moment as sitting there she looked just like her daughter, who had also been up 'reading'.
"I've been waiting for you," she said closing the book. Sam sighed and then smiled at her.
"The kids...," he said and she nodded. She patted his side and he walked over and flung himself down next to her.
"You were lovely tonight," he turned to her. She stroked his check.
"Tonight I sleep next to a prince," he blushed.
"Some prince I'll make. And I don't know how im going to be able to get away for that celebration in Gondor-," she kissed him to make him stop worrying and talking. It was a short and to the point kiss- very much like Rosie herself. She wasn't a girl of many words or actions for that matter, but what she did and said counted.
"I love you Sam." He looked at her gratefully.
"I love you too,"
"Don't worry about the journey. Don't you see what's happened?" he thought for a moment but she didn't wait.
"The Shire and fair folk have made a bridge- slowly the different peoples are come'n together, under The King."
"Rosie! You're right! Its not that are families are linked, but our people- Frodo will like that..." He looked at her to judge her reaction to his last comment. When both Frodo and Rosie had been in his life he had used to worry that perhaps one day they would feel jealous of each other, but long ago that had been disproved, but every now and then he would make sure things were still okay.
"I've missed him..." she thought out loud, she quickly looked to Sam to judge his reaction. She had taken to Frodo Baggins as a childhood friend long before her marriage. She loved Sam. truly and purely. She also cared for Frodo, very much they Sam did. She would sometimes worry that her fool of a husband might one day get it in his head that she CARED for Frodo, and she didn't really want to be around when that happened. She didn't think of Frodo as another hobbit whom she could've married, but as this sweetness that had always graced her life. It was very sad when she could no longer feel that sweetness, for it had sailed away.
"Me too," Sam agreed clumsily. He took her hand into his and looked into her eyes. They were green and specked with little flecks of grey. She looked a little tired but her face was lively all the same.
"Sam., I've got somethin' to tell ya," she said a hint of urgency in her voice. Sam looked at her a wave of fear passing over him.
"What is it?" he said sitting up but not letting go of her hand. She sat up too and looked away.
"Im expecting...." she said looking up at him. He sat there for a moment and said
"Expecting what?" she smiled and looked at him coyly for all his innocence. Just then it hit him and he probably woke the entire hole up with his cry.
"Really!?" He just sat there with his mouth open.
"I've only been sure for a little while," she said. But he just kept asking "really?" and she decided to wait and let it sink in before she tried to talk to him again. Eventually he shut his mouth and looked at her with less vacant eyes. She touched his shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he nodded.
"It's just so wonderful," he whispered as if he was out of breath. She had told him the same news three times before but it seemed that each time he was more amazed than the last. Now the wheels were turning overtime in Sam's head he wasn't even sure what he was saying.
"We'll have to think of names, and clean out that extra sitting room, we can move Frodo and Elanor into there, and then well, I suppose we could move little Rosie into their room- and the new one could go where Rosie was- or maybe they could share I don't know- do you think the new baby would mind sharing a room?"
"Sam."
"Or I could just knock out that wall- you've been asking me to do it and then all the kids could grow up together in the same room- but do you think the new baby will cry as much as Elanor did cause if it does than it will wake all the kids up and-,"
"Sam,"
"Yes dear?" and he noticed how she was grinning at him and they both broke out into laughter.
"I know, I was getting ahead of myself,"
"Far ahead, Dear.' she said.
"But this really does make me worried about that journey- I can't leave you like this?" He said looking at her seriously.
"You've left me before," she reasoned.
"Never like THIS!" Sam protested and she could see his mind was made up. She had known him long enough to know when he had won simply based on his own stubbornness.
"You know best," she said. She kissed the dimple on his chin and blew out the candle.
"A baby..." Sam thought out loud in the dark and fell fast asleep in spite of all the excitement.