Author: Arinya
Rating:R
Summary: Sam is forced to retell all the things that happened after the Fellowship had succeeded in destroying the Ring. All the members of the Fellowship have their own problems. Darkness returns, and Love struggles to conquer all. But as the problems mount up to a peak, can they survive? And can Sam bear telling his audience the true story?
Chapter Twenty Six: Sam and Gandalf
Gandalf fondly toussled Sam's curly hair as they rode, horse and pony. Bill was very old now, but had found a nice mare back at the Shire. So Sam now rode a young colt. Dane was his name, and a fine pony he was.
"Where are we headed Gandalf sir?"
Sam's habit had not fallen from him all those years.
"To Rivendell good Samwise"
"Rivendell..." Sam's voice dropped a few notches in happiness.
"Now Sam, don't let your spirits be dampened too much, what good is a gloomy hobbit?"
"It's just that I thought Rivendell was...sacked. And yet we're going there"
"Do you know what a palatiri is Sam?"
"Denethor was driven crazy by it...a seeing stone"
"Yes, we are retrieving one that Celeborn and I had hidden not long ago"
"Great. A palantir, just what we need" said Sam sarcastically.
"Come now Sam, quicken the pace"
Gandalf shook the reins to Shadowfax, still in good health and very vigorous. Sam flipped the reins slightly, Dane trying to outmatch the wizard's horse.
"Gandalf, you know I'm riding a pony!"
The hobbit and wizard rode for some while before it was nightfall and Gandalf had picked a nice rocky overhang for them to sleep under. Sam took out his tinder and flint, striking up a small fire which Gandalf had permitted. Then started to cook, bringing out his trusty miniature cauldron. He poured some water, peeled and sliced potatos, then added those. Gandalf watched, impressed, smiling.
"Have you brought your entire garden with you Samwise?"
Sam smiled.
"Just a few crops"
He proceeded to add carrots and herbs, finishing his vegetable stew.
"As Bilbo would say, it looks scrumptious"
Gandalf laid his staff down momentarily.
"Do you want a little Gandalf?"
Gandalf looked at the hobbit-sized cauldron and stew yet to be cooked.
"Oh I think that would be appropriate"
Sam looked down at his handi-work.
"Oh...right" he said, realizing.
Gandalf took out his pipe a little while later, gently running his finger down the wood.
"I haven't used this in a long time...it seems as if my old habits are leaving me"
"I have some pipeweed if you're going to smoke some Gandalf" offered Sam.
"Yes. Some pipeweed would be nice, reminising wouldn't be so bad right now"
He accepted a paper wrapped package from Sam and stuffed the dark greenish weed into his pipe, taking a flame from the cooking fire to light the weed.
Sam sighed.
'Now that I see Gandalf smoking his pipe again...it's almost as if everything's back to normal. Like Mr. Frodo is still here...like everyone's happy again'
He stirred his stew which was almost ready. Taking out his dishes, he scooped the stew into them, and handed Gandalf one. Gandalf raised the dish slightly as if a toast, removed his pipe and drank it. His eyebrows shot up for a moment.
"Delicious Samwise, you haven't lost your touch with food"
"Thank you sir" said Sam, and started to dig in with a spoon.
"Arwen? What is wrong?"
Aragorn rushed her his wife's figure on their bed.
"Arwen?"
He lay on the bed next to her and she twisted around. Tears ran down her face.
"He cried out to me. He was dying Aragorn, dying!"
"Shh...Elrond is a strong elf. He will survive, and we shall find him"
"But will you find him soon enough my love?"
He hugged her tightly, for the security she needed.
"Ada...you once asked if you had my love...you do not know how much love you possess from me" she whispered, oblivious to her surroundings.
'Elrond, for Arwen's sake. Stay alive, stay safe enough so that I may find you well, and so that Arwen does not fade away in grief' Aragorn prayed.