** I really wasn't planning on writing this chapter. I meant to go straight to the Samwise the Brave but this scenario would not get out of my head.

***A sweeter infatuation Oh you'd be hard pressed to find He loved so deeply and madly He nearly lost his mind***

Time seemed to slow to a deathly crawl in the Shire. Within the last month many hobbits had been taken in for interrogation and had failed to return. Many were starving from the lack of food, it was no wonder that many hobbits hand begun to join Lotho's proclaimed New Age.

" There are days when I think it'd be easier just to give in." Tolman Cotton whispered sadly, his shoulders sagging with defeat.

"No father!" Jolly protested. "We still have enough food to see us through a few more months. I'm sure---"

" And what of after those months?" Tolman shouted. "What will we do when the food runs out, when our money is no longer good?"

" There is always hope." Rosie argued, shocked at seeing her father so crushed. " We have to be brave, we have to survive!"

"You can't survive on hope my daughter and bravery will do you no good when you're starving. It's not just the food rationing."

" That what? What could possibly convince you to become one of those ruffians?" Rosie begged.

" Peace of mind. Hobbits are disappearing daily. What if I, or your mother, get taken? What if you get taken away again Rosie? I know how that Ted Sandyman looks at you. It would be the death of me if something happened to you and I could have stopped it." Her father looked at her wearily, his clothes that had once fit so fine had become frayed and loose, his skin was sallow and baggy. These hard times were wearing on them all.

"Father, I beg you, hold out a little longer. Give it more thought. Just do not react needlessly!" Rosie pleaded once more. Please, she prayed, if there is still hope in this world let it come now!

**

Heartbroken, Rosie left for the sanctuary of her room. And what she saw nearly succumbed her to tears. Her plant, which had survived its fall during the search of the house, had finally wilted and died.

The last flower of the Shire had truly died.

**

" I knew your pride could hold out for only so long." Ted Sandyman snickered, settling himself in a nearby chair. He poured liberal amounts of pipe weed into his pipe before continuing. "No one can resist me."

" Let's not make idle chit-chat." Rosie said sharply, unwilling to discuss the horrid matter further. "I've told you my terms."

" And I have most..willingly, agreed to them." Ted smirked once more. " But first I must hear the words."

"The words?" Rosie repeated confused.

" Those magic little words.. with lots of heartfelt emotion. I need to believe it." Ted grinned again, clearly enjoying his position in this game.

Then it dawned onto Rosie. She looked at him and seeing only a slimy scoundrel she suppressed the bile rising within her at the thought of what she was about to do. Rosie closed eyes in search of something to comfort her, to ease this happening. Sam's face floated into her mind.

" I love you." Rosie said loudly, speaking the truest words she had ever said. But Sam's face floated away from her and Ted Sandyman's face replaced it. She never felt so empty in her life.

**

"Mother, I need to speak with you." Rosie said drawing her mother aside.

" Go ahead dear." Lily Cotton said, sensing the seriousness of the situation.

"Not here." Rosie whispered gravely. " Away from father."

Lily Cotton followed her daughter into the barn. Looking into her daughter's ashen face and ill feeling swept through her. "What have you done?" She murmured, not wanting to know the answer

" I've made a deal with Ted Sandyman. He has agreed not to let the tall men harm us in anyway, and most of our food will be returned to us. We're going to be okay."

Lily Cotton narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Ted Sandyman does naught for others unless it directly benefits him. What was the price for such a generous offer?"

Rosie looked down, avoiding her mother's steely gaze. She felt undone. " I was."

"Rose Cotton! What did you do?" Her mother screeched, " I can't believe I'm hearing this." She paced.

" In favor of the safety of our family, I've agreed to marry Ted Sandyman. It's been signed." Rosie said desperately. "I'm doing this for us! For the family!"

Lily Cotton moaned towards the cloudy night sky. "We could have found another way. We would have! Why must you do this to us!"

Rosie was slight for she knew her mother wasn't speaking directly to her. " I'm sorry." She apologized. "But what is there left for me to hold onto? I've realized that the Shire's time is ending; the only way to survive this cruel new time is to..adapt. In anyway possible."

"Not like that..." Her mother cried, suddenly rushing to her daughter and enveloping her in a hug. " I'm so sorry it has had to come to that Rose. I've failed you."

" No." Rosie said, tears streaming down her face. Her eyes shone brilliantly in the moonlight. " Hope has failed us."

"How long we have you for?" Her mother asked quietly, disentangling herself from her daughter's arms. "How long until he comes for you?"

Rosie sniffled wiping her eyes dry. " Not long enough. Two days to pack and prepare."

"This will be the death of your father." Lily Cotton muttered softly, her voice barely hearable over the sounds of the night. "If only..."

" I know mother." Rosie agreed. "Many things have happened that we cannot change, we can only go forward with our chins held high."

" You're so intelligent." Lily Cotton said, her voice wavering once more. More tears threatening to break loose. "Comes from my side of the family."

"I don't want to tell father until I absolutely have to." Rosie pleaded. "When the time is right."

"The time will never be right Rose. You could have done so much better." Her mother smiled darkly. " But if you want to run away, or leave I promise you no one will think less of you."

"No." Rosie said sadly, her voice filled with bitterness. " I've made my choice."

** Okay, so 2 chapters in one day! Wow, never knew I had it in me. Hopefully nest update is tomorrow but if it isn't please understand.

Oh and as always. Roses need water to grow. Writers need feedback to write. Don't let me wilt.