Not Alone


The ringbearer tossed and turned, dark dreams haunting his sleep. Sam watched over his master and friend, a slight frown on his face. Poor Mr. Frodo... the hobbit thought to himself. It's that awful ring doing that to him. I do hope he makes it...I don't know if I could take the Ring by myself...

Frodo whimpered and pawed at the air, fighting some invisible enemy. The sight broke Sam's heart.

"Mr. Frodo," he said in his quiet baritone. "Wake up, Mr. Frodo." Sam gently shook the trembling Frodo.

Frodo awoke with a start, staring wide-eyed at his servant. He blinked and rubbed his eyes. "Sam?" he questioned.

"You were having a nightmare, Mr. Frodo," he explained.

"Oh..." My entire life is a nightmare. he thought bitterly.

"I'm worried about you, Mr. Frodo, sir. You don't eat like a proper hobbit, nor do you sleep like one, if you follow me," Sam said, frowning.

Frodo sighed. "Sam...I..." he found himself gazing into deep green eyes. "...can't do this alone..." he finished in a whisper.

Sam put his hands over Frodo's. "I know, Mr. Frodo, but you're not alone. I'll never abandon you," the stout hobbit declared, sounding determined.

"Oh, Sam..." The ringbearer faltered. "Sam...I...need to tell you something..." he took a deep breath.

"Yes, Mr. Frodo?" the younger hobbit found himself lost within the blue eyes of his companion. Oh dear...I'm feeling quite out of sorts...but...not really in a bad way...

Frodo interrupted his thoughts. "Sam, I want you know I'm so glad you're here. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Sam smiled. "I'll always be here, Mr. Frodo. Don't you worry, you have your-"

Frodo cut in. "Let me finish, Samwise."

The other hobbit looked sheepish and turned his gaze downard to his hands, which still held Frodo's. His hands are so...so... Sam struggled to think of the right word. Elf-like...

"I--I love you, Sam."

Sam's grip on Frodo's hand tightned slightly. "I love you too, Frodo." For once he dropped off the formal title.

Frodo shook his curly haired head. "N-No, Sam...I mean..I...well..." He leaned close to Sam, and found Sam doing the same. He pressed his lips against Sam's, pleasantly suprised with Sam's reaction.

"I love you too, Frodo." Sam repeated, once their kiss had broken.

"Oh, Sam!" Frodo exclaimed, pulling the other hobbit into a tight embrace. Sam giggled girlishly and nuzzled his new-found lover.

Frodo laid down, Sam following suit. The ringbearer circled his arms around Sam and smiled. Never alone, Sam...never alone...

~Fini~