The Mirror of Galadriel - Chapter Four

"SAMANTHA GAMGEE!! Get in here right NOW!"

"um... I can explain!" Sam looked at the ground and fidgeted under the scrutiny of the older hobbit.

"Sam, really, you've got to outgrow these silly pranks. Your Father Samwise was such a respectable hobbit. Can't you follow his example even in the tiniest bit?" Lila Brockhouse was an intimidating woman, even for a hobbit. Her large stature contrasted sharply and completely overshadowing the slight frame of the youthful hobbit. Miss Brockhouse had been the hobbit's school teacher for as long as Sam could remember. Conversations like today's seemed commonplace between them.

"well Miss Brockhouse, t'wasn't more n' he deserved! The little lazy lob, callin' me all sorts of names with his mates there, jeerin' him on. I figured stealin' his clothes when they all went skinny dippin' was a suitable punishment, don't you?" Sam didn't look up, but a smile crossed her face. "Quite a sight, wasn't it though? Bungo Danderfluff and his friends, sneakin' back home without a stitch on 'em!"

Lila Brockhouse's mouth twitched, but she didn't smile, "Miss Gamgee, that was entirely inappropriate. It's ten swats with the paddle for an act like that and look at me when I'm talking to you, I-" she grabbed Sam by the shoulder and their eyes met. Lila had to take a step back. She felt as though those eyes would suck her in. Sam just smiled back at her, completely untroubled. Sam knew her eyes were strange, she'd always known that. It was just so fun to get a reaction out of people though. She took advantage of Miss Brocktree's surprise to make her escape. After a long moment of running barefoot through the hills of Hobbiton, Sam thought she heard Miss Brocktree yelling something like "get back here this instant!"

In just a few minutes, her feet had taken her to the outskirts of Hobbiton, a great place to relax and sleep under your favorite tree. Or plot more mischief, whichever came first.

"Sam, what took you so long?" a hobbit close to her own age hastened over to meet her. He had messy light brown hair and always a goofy smile on his face.

"Miss Brocktree, as usual..." Sam frowned and sat in the thick carpet of grass.

"Again? Sam..."

"Ah shut up Pimpernel, I've heard it already... 'Sam, why don't you act more like your father?' or 'Sam, when are you going to grow up and start acting like a decent young lady'..." Sam rolled her eyes and lay back, hands behind her head. She plucked a piece of grass and chewed it thoughtfully.

"Actually I was going to say, 'Why'd you get caught?'" Pimpernel snickered. "but when have you EVER acted like a decent young lady? What do they expect, a miracle?"

Sam smirked, "That's what I told 'em, you'd think they'd catch a hint."

Pimpernel shook his head and sat a few feet away. "So you still leaving today? There's the summer holiday starting in a few days, so we won't be having classes for a bit."

"yeah, my dad'll expect me. Been a while since I seen him last." Sammy stared up and the sky through the leafy shadows.

"Why doesn't he come back here? or why don't you go live with him?"

"We've been over this Pimpernel. My Dad is a stickler for 'doing what's best.' He doesn't think Grey Havens is a good place for young hobbits to grow up. He'd rather his kids live here, at least get a bit of learnin' done... Let 'em decide for themselves where they want to live. And since my older brothers and sisters all still live here, at least I've got a place to stay. Rose, Frodo, Elanor and the rest... they're all decent enough."

Pimpernel laughed, "I'll be sure to tell Miss Brocktree you'll miss her while you're gone too."

Sam chuckled, "you do that one and you'll be one dead hobbit when I get back."

* * * * *

"Dad, you in? I'm back!" Sam trudged in the door of her father's small, but cozy hobbit hole. She dropped her bag at the door and dropped into one of the soft, well-worn chairs nearby. The trek over to Grey Havens was one she didn't make often, since it was at least week's journey on foot, but she'd been lucky enough to catch a ride with a hay wagon and a merchant caravan.

"Ah Sammy, you're back already? I thought the summer holiday wasn't for a week yet." Samwise sauntered in. His age was starting to show and patches of grey dotted his dark blonde hair. He was followed quickly by his wife of many years, Rose Cotton.

"Samantha! Get over here and give your mother a hug this instant!" Rose smiled broadly at Sam and took her in her arms.