Mistress-Samwise: Yo! Happy Easter, evweybody! How has yours been going? I got anime and a Gollum! ^___^ My precious. Anywho… I've got a real treat for you! Let's see what happens if we make Frodo meet up with Lotho. This is going to be soooo much fun! Okay? Ready… Set… GO!

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            As he leaned back in his chair, Frodo felt the breeze coming in from the open window. He smiled contently and ran his fingers through his hair. From behind the door came frantic knocking.

            "Mister Frodo! Mister Frodo!" Sam called excitedly. Frodo chuckled.

            "It's open. Come in."

            Sam opened the door and quickly dashed up to Frodo while waving a piece of parchment in the air.

            "Look, Mister Frodo!" he cried, handing the parchment to Frodo. "It's the first verse of the Lay of Luthien!"

            "Well, let's see…" Frodo examined Sam's firm, careful script. Sure enough, his well-formed cursive had written out the extensive line of lyrics. Frodo smiled.

            "That's amazing, Sam," Frodo grinned beamingly. "Your script is getting along nicely."

            It had been two years since Sam first spelled out his name on slate, barely able to read at all. Now, he was ten years old and he was using ink and quill on parchment, reading at a brilliant pace. For many months, he had worked hard with Bilbo to learn how to write in script. Now each letter he wrote was full of skill and care. Even his father was impressed with his progress. But Sam was saving his father a big surprise. For his final test, Sam was going to write all of the Lay of Luthien in cursive, and then recite it to Hamfast.

            "Picking the Lay of Luthien as your final test is a lot to ask for, Sam," Frodo pointed out. Are you sure you can write it all out?"

            "Yes, sir!" Sam replied confidently while blushing. "Wait until my Gaffer sees it when I'm finished!"

            "He's going to be so proud of you, just like I am," Frodo stated. Sam blushed even brighter.

            "Thank you, sir," Sam mumbled, shuffling in place. Frodo chuckled.

            "Well, you've been working hard all morning, so I think you've earned a break."

            Before leaving the room, Frodo pocketed a fistful of coins from his saved-up allowance. It had been two years since he started earning an allowance, not to mention a return to his Brandy hall stash, and it all had piled up nicely.

            "So, Sam," Frodo said while they were strolling outside, the sun shining momentarily before disappearing behind a thick cloud. "How do you feel about going to the market?"

            "Where you're going is where I'm going, sir," Sam replied.

            "I figured you'd say that," Frodo added. He let out a loud sigh. "Why do I even bother?"

            Sam blinked.

            "What are we going to do at the market, Mister Frodo?" Sam asked. Frodo grinned.

            "You'll see."

            Sam was silent with curiosity while he continued to follow behind Frodo. Once they reached the market, Frodo pulled out all his money and looked it over.

            "Hmm… A bit more than expected," Frodo mumbled to himself. "Here." He handed a coin to Sam. "Why don't you go buy something you like while I finish some business?"

            Sam stared wide-eyed at the coin, then at Frodo as he walked away into the crowd. He stood there holding the coin until Frodo came back many minutes later, a package in his hands.

            "Oh, Sam," Frodo groaned. "Don't you know how to enjoy yourself?"

            Sam then looked ashamedly at the money in his palm and he tried to hand it back to Frodo. The elderhobbit gave an exaggerated jump backwards, as if in recoil.

            "No! You keep it, you keep it!"

            Sam hurriedly stuffed the coin into his pocket. Frodo laughed.

            "Relax, Sam," he chuckled while wrapping an arm around the hobbitlad. "I've got something else you might like."

            Frodo handed the package he was holding to Sam. Sam looked at it and Frodo in slight confusion.

            "F-For me, sir?" Sam asked timidly.

            "Yes," Frodo replied, smiling. "Open it."

            Sam was reluctant at first. The package was small, but fairly heavy. He looked up at Frodo again. The elderhobbit's blue eyes were shining brightly as he smiled warmly. Sam carefully tore away the paper and opened the box. Inside was a deep indigo crystal inkwell.

            "Mister Frodo!" Sam gasped as he took it out to examine it in the sunlight. "I-It's for me?"

            "Yes, Sam," Frodo answered, smiling. "Look… See those Elvish characters engraved on it? It stands for your name."

            Sam looked even more surprised and taken-back.

            "Oh, sir!" he cried, blushing. "T-There's no way I can accept this!"

            "Please," Frodo shook his head. "It's a gift. You've earned it." He smiled wryly. "But if you don't want it, then I suppose I can take it back…"

            "No, Mister Frodo!" Sam exclaimed. "I like it very much." He embraced the elderhobbit. "Thank you, sir."

            "That's quite alright," Frodo grinned and squeezed Sam. "I'm glad you like it. I placed the order for it weeks ago. I wanted to make sure they got the Elvish right. It's for my best friend, after all."

            "Oh, Mister Frodo!"  Sam squeaked. "Thank you so much!"

            "What do you say we go home and try that out right now?" Frodo proposed. Sam nodded his head eagerly. While they both were returning to Bag End, Sam idly fiddled with the inkwell in his pocket, along with the coin. He silently wondered over the display of friendship Frodo had showed and was not certain what to think of it. Never before had anyone other than his family show so much friendliness and concern to him. From the moment he met Frodo two years before, Sam had known that he was different.

            Just then, Sam's thoughts were interrupted as Frodo suddenly stopped dead in his tracks.

            "Wait," Frodo said while stopping Sam at his side. He was staring ahead intently.

            "Damn it," he muttered under his breath. "It's Lotho."

            Sure enough, just up at the side of the road was Lotho Sackville-Baggins, quietly smoking on a pipe while reclining against a fencepost.

            "What the hell is he doing here?" Frodo grumbled. He looked over at Sam. "I'm sorry about the swearing, but it's an impulse with Lotho."

            "Lotho?" Sam inquired. "My brothers told me about him. They really don't like him."

            "And I don't blame them," Frodo replied. "Those Sackville-Bagginses have been after Bag End ever since Bilbo returned from his adventure nearly fifty years ago." He paused. "Plus, I haven't had a good history with Lotho in particular."

            "He's started fights with my brothers before," Sam said.

            "Me too," Frodo added with a sneer. "It doesn't matter who it is to him, just as long as he gets to be the one left standing." He shuddered. "And I've learned that the hard way."

            Sam was just about to say something when he was interrupted.

            "Hey, Baggins!" Lotho called from up the road. "If you have something to say to me, then do so. Stop talking behind my back like some gossipy lass."

            Frodo growled.

            "Bug off, Lotho!" He turned to Sam. "Let's go. I don't want to waste my breath on him."

            Sam nodded professionally and they started off again, this time at a much faster pace. Before passing him up, Frodo slipped Lotho a snide gaze. Lotho let out a piqued laugh.

            "Pathetic, Baggins," Lotho commented. He smirked. "I see you've lowered yourself yet again. Someone from my own family babysitting a Gamgee… Disappointing."

            Frodo came to a dead halt and whipped himself around.

            "You leave him alone, Lotho!"  Frodo yelled. "I guess I am right… You'll pick on anybody, including ten year-old boys."

            "Who said I wanted to fight with him?" Lotho asked. "Stop jumping to conclusions, you silly fool." Frodo clenched his fists at his sides.

            "Sam," he said through his teeth. "It would be best if you continued on home."

            "Mister Frodo—"

            "Go home, Sam."

            Sam mumbled and nodded his head in obedience before scampering off. Frodo waited until Sam disappeared around the corner of the road. He let out another growl and turned to face Lotho.

            "What the hell are you doing here, Lotho?"

            "I should be the one asking that," Lotho replied. He idly tapped the ashes out of his pipe and placed it back into his vest pocket.

            "It's been a while, Baggins…" Lotho stepped up to Frodo and looked him over. "You're still the skinny, little hobbitlad that was carted away from Brandy Hall several years ago."

            Frodo said nothing, but gave Lotho an even sharper gaze.

            "And about that," Lotho continued. "It's funny… The only reason you're even here is because of your… unfortunate anger problem." He laughed cuttingly. "And to think we left on such bad terms. I hardly think punching me in the face and then trying to strangle me is a way to say good-bye to your cousin."

            Sam, who had been hiding behind the corner listening to the conversation the whole time, let out a small gasp of surprise. All of this came as a shock to him. He had never completely known why Frodo had come to live at Bag End, even with the two years he had been here. Frodo had been one of the nicest, kindest persons Sam ever knew. What was this dark side to Frodo and was it really the reason he had to leave his family at Brandy Hall?

            "You were asking for it!" Frodo snapped.

            "Be that as it may," Lotho answered coolly. "It still was a mistake on your part. Something your parents would definitely not approve of."

            "You leave my parents out of this," Frodo growled darkly, his hand flying out and grabbing Lotho by the shirt collar. It was like Lotho to play such cheap moves against Frodo like that.

            "Calm down, Baggins," Lotho said cynically. "We both know that fighting is not your strongest suit."

            "I'm not afraid of you," Frodo stated firmly, tightening his grasp on Lotho's shirt collar.

            "Of course you're not," Lotho replied. "Let's prove for Mommy and Daddy that we're not a frightened, little boy anymore and beat Lotho into a bloody pulp."

            Frodo yanked on Lotho's shirt collar, nearly ripping it off.

            "Damn it, Lotho…!" he snarled while staring daggers into Lotho. "If you say one more word about my parents…"

            "Don't worry, Baggins," Lotho answered, still composed. "I won't." He smirked crookedly. "And besides…" He slowly traced a finger down Frodo's smooth, white cheek. "We wouldn't want to mess up your soft, beautiful, nubile face, now would we?"

            Frodo's blue eyes suddenly flashed with violent rage. He instantly released his grip on Lotho and took a step back, clenching his fist.

            "You son of a bitch!"

            Frodo sent his fist flying straight into Lotho's jaw and sent him reeling backwards. Lotho hastily regained his footing, stood up straight, and held his fingers to the thin trickle of blood at his lip. He wiped it away and smiled amusedly while chuckling under his breath.

            "Stupid bastard…"

Grabbing Frodo by the shoulders, he swiftly and powerfully kneed him in the stomach. Frodo instantly felt all the air rush out of him, and before he could let out a strangled cry, he wordlessly crumpled to his knees, grasping at his waist in pain. Sam let out a shocked yelp and charged out of his hiding place.

            "Hey!" he shouted while dashing up to Lotho. "Leave Mister Frodo alone!"

            "And what are you going to do about it, Gamgee?" Lotho asked snidely, looking down on the hobbitlad.

            Sam said nothing, his anger silently boiling. Frodo weakly curled up, practically sick with pain as he struggled to keep his growing tears from streaming out onto his face. Lotho let out a cruel chuckle.

            "If I were you," he said to Sam. "I wouldn't be friends with somebody so… angry."

            Lotho then stepped over the pain-ridden ball that was Frodo and strolled off casually, his hands in his pockets. Before he reached the corner of the road, he turned around one last time.

            "Oh, and one more thing," Lotho added. "I'm so sorry about that, Baggins… I truly am. But I was raised not to hit girls." He walked off again. "Heh heh…So long, chumps."

            Sam watched in contained hatred as Lotho disappeared around the corner. Suddenly remembering his master, he kneeled over to Frodo, helping him up off the ground.

            "Mister Frodo!" Sam cried. "Are you alright?"

            "Sam…" Frodo whimpered faintly, tears now flowing freely down his face. He coughed and grimaced in pain. "I thought… I told you to go home…"

            "I didn't want to leave you alone with that creep!" Sam replied. "I knew he was going to do something bad to you!"

            "You could have gotten hurt yourself…"

            Sam tried to assist Frodo in standing up, but Frodo just shook his head.

            "No, Sam…" he said while struggling to lift himself up. "Don't help me… Don't even come near me."

            Sam furrowed his brow in worry and slowly stepped back. Frodo got to his legs and hobbled over to the fence, collapsing onto the fencepost. He dug his nails into it and painfully gasped for air.

            "Mister Frodo…" Sam squeaked while placing a hand on Frodo's shoulder.

            "Go home, Sam," Frodo replied weakly but firmly. "Leave me alone."

            Sam silently frowned and reluctantly turned away, leaving Frodo hanging onto the fencepost. Frodo heard Sam's footsteps in the dirt grow further and further away until he heard nothing but his own weak panting. Tears ran hot down his face and he clenched his jaw in anger.

            "God damn it…"

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Mistress-Samwise: Ooo. Fun. But the only problem is that the next chapter I have is a little… ify. If I post it, I will be very worried about the rating for this story. *nervous grumble* Ohhhh… But it's very important in keeping the plot going! I don't know how else to set off the chain of events that I have laid out… Maybe I'll think of something…

Oh, and by the way, I might be posting another story soon. Keep a look-out for that.