· Mae govannen means "well met"

· Perhael is Sindarin for "Samwise"

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Diamond laid back on her bed thinking about the conversation with her father.  Why wouldn't he want her to help Peregrin?  He had never protested before?  Did he know what had happened in the kitchen earlier?  She tried to sleep as these questions raced through her mind, but found it impossible, so she gazed out her window into the night, blocking out all the noise of the house.

            As she laid there peacefully, Pippin opened the door a crack and peaked in at her.  He wanted so badly to just hold her for the rest of the night, but he knew he would get chucked out if he was discovered.  So, he crept in and sat down on the chair next to her bed.

            "Couldn't you sleep either?"  Her voice was so soft, yet the sound of it sent his heart skipping.  "I heard you come in, Peregrin.  You shouldn't be here."

            "I know.  I couldn't help it.  After all that we said to each other this evening, I couldn't stay away.  I wish I could hold you."  He gazed at her peaceful face.  "So, why didn't you come back?  I don't understand why your brother is taking care of me."

            "That is my father's doing.  I think he can tell that something more is going on between us.  Either that or he knows only my feelings and is afraid of seeing me get hurt.  He insisted that if you were to remain under our roof, Debreon would see to your needs."

            "Ah, well, that would explain it, now, wouldn't it…"

            "Peregrin, you and I should both get some rest.  We have a long day ahead and only a few more hours until daylight."

            "We?"

            "Yes, the lasses and I are traveling to Bywater tomorrow.  And you are going with us."

            "Ah, Peregrin, Knight of Gondor is now a bodyguard for the fair lasses of the Shire.  It sounds like just the job for me."

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            After a hearty breakfast the next morning, the four travelers set out for Bywater on horseback.  Estella and Rosie rode quite a ways behind Diamond and her handsome knight, watching all of the grins being exchanged between the lovebirds.  They arrived in Bywater by midday, riding up to the Cotton home just in time for luncheon.

"Rose, dear, I have been worried sick.  Your father said you went off somewhere with Estella Bolger…hello, dear…and he couldn't remember where.  I spoke with Rosamunda and she had no clue where you had gone to.  She just said that Estella had been speaking earlier with Miss Diamond Grenthumb…oh, goodness, hello to you as well, dear…and I told her that you would never go north without your best dress and you had left it here…I have been worried sick."

            "My apologies, Missus Lily.  She didn't take her best dress because I didn't exactly tell her where we were going until we were on our way."

            "Madame Cotton, thank you for this kind welcome.  Your daughter was my guest last night.  I sure hope that you don't mind."

            "Of course not, dear.  Rose, next time, don't bother telling your father.  Just write a note, dear.  That Tolman Cotton, has a memory like a sieve, he does.  Well, Master Took, are you going to come down off of that horse and help the lasses or do I have to call my…"  Lily Cotton began to point toward the field her son Tom was in, but she turned back in shock.  "Master Peregrin!  You've returned safely!  Mister Samwise Gamgee was worried about you last night when he stopped by.  Now, all we need is Master Brandybuck with Master Frodo.  Then we can rest easy."  Pippin dropped down from his pony and began to help the lasses down.

            "You mean Merry and Frodo haven't arrived yet?"

            "No.  I asked Rosamunda Bolger this morning if she had seen the two, as they were to stop in and visit before coming here, but she's seen no sign of them."

            "No sign of whom?"  Estella turned about to see Merry and Frodo riding up to the house.

            "No sign of you, Meriadoc!  Oh, I knew you would come back eventually."  Merry jumped down and ran to Estella.

            "Fatty said you've been worried.  He said that you were the only other hobbit he knew of who still held hope for us."  Looking from Estella to Rosie and Diamond, he smiled.  "Obviously, you weren't alone.  I'm sorry I didn't come back to have tea with you.  I have been wanting to explain why the whole time I was gone.  I even planned what I'd say, but now that the time has arrived, I find myself speechless."

            "You don't have to say a word.  I know everything.  Diamond told me everything she knew."  Frodo smiled at Diamond.

            "Ah, yes, our guardian angel.  I understand I have you to thank for Glorfindel's quick arrival.  If he hadn't been following us, I could very well be a wraith by now.  I have been waiting to thank you all this time, Miss Diamond.  I am glad that the Shire's most famous rumor is true."

            "Believe me, Mr. Frodo.  I am just happy that you have all returned safely.  That is enough of a prize for me."  Rosie surveyed the scene.  Merry was hugging his 'dear friend' Estella.  Pippin was whispering to Frodo and gazing lovingly upon Diamond.  But someone was still missing.

            "Mum, did Mister Samwise say when he would return?"

            "I don't recall ever saying that he left, dear child.  He's out in the field, with Tom."  Rosie took off in a run, leaving the others behind as she ran toward her family's field.  Diamond and Pippin mounted a pony and took off after her, with Merry, Estella and Frodo close behind.

            Rosie ran through the rows in the field, trying to find someone she could hug, someone she could greet, someone she had missed deeply.

            "SAM!  SAM!"

            "Over here… Who…?"  Rosie ran towards his voice, going faster than she had before.

            "Sam, it's me, Rosie!"

            "Miss Rosie…"  They finally saw each other through the rows. And began to run towards each other.  As they met, the others rode up on their ponies.

            "Mae govannen, Miss Rosie."  Diamond quickly corrected Sam.

            "Merilien, Sam.  Not Miss Rosie."

            "Aye, Merilien.  That's perfect.  Mae govannen, Merilien."  Rosie blushed, knowing that Sam was speaking to her in the Elvish tongue, not caring that she didn't know what he said.  She didn't move her glance as Diamond whispered to her what Sam had just said.

            "Rosie, he said 'well met'.  It's a greeting, lass."

            "Mae govannen, Perhael."