Empty tears

by Soulreciever

From the mysery of Cirith Ungol is spawned an adventure of danger, excitment and love. Slash in later chapters

8. Havens

Empty tears.

                                          8. The Grey Havens.

T: The last actual chapter and defiantly the longest of the lot, thus I suggest you don't drink anything for a while. LOTR not mine, if it were then I so would have sent Sam with Frodo rather than tearing him in two. Right as is my little tradition I will be twisting unexpectedly in this chapter and those of a volatile nature might wish to find something soft and pliable to squeeze. Warnings the same with addition of my favourite STUPID FRODO, a must in all Grey Haven scenes! Also due to the decision last chapter timeline will now be chapter 10.

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It was after nightfall when, wet and tired, the travellers came at last to the Brandywine, and they found the way bared. For at either end of the bridge stood now two great gates, and on the far bank of the river they could just perceive come new houses, tall, murky and un-Hobbitish in their construction.

They hammered on the outer gate and called, but at first no answer came. Then, to their surprise, someone blew a horn, and the lights in the new houses went out. A voice shouted in the dark:

"Who is there? Be off! You cannot come in. Can you not read the notice? No admittance between sundown and sunrise?"

"I'm afraid I lost my sight while wondering away from home, not that I could read in the dark anyhow." Sam shouted back. "But if Hobbits of the Shire are to be kept out in the wet on a night like this then I have a suggestion or two of what to do with that note if my wondering fingers ever come upon it." At that a window slammed, and a crowd of Hobbits with lanterns poured out of the house on the left. They opened the further gate, and some came over the bridge. When they saw the travellers they seemed frightened.

"Come along," Said Merry, recognising one of the Hobbits. "If you do not know me, Hob Hayward, you ought to. I am Merry Brandybuck, and I should like to know what all this is about and what a Bucklander like you is doing here. You used to be on the Hay Gate."

Bless me! It's Master Merry, to be sure, and all dressed up for fighting!" Said old Hob "Why they said you were dead! Lost in the Old Forest by all accounts. I'm pleased to see you alive after all!"

"Then stop gaping at me through the bars, and open the gate!" Said Merry.

"I'm sorry Master Merry, but we have orders."

"Whose orders?"

"The Chief's up at Bag End."

"Chief? Chief? You mean Lotho I suppose?" Said Frodo.

"Yes Mr. Baggins: Or leastways that's who it was. We have to call him ` The Chief` nowadays so perhaps leadership has changed hands."

"Perhaps." Said Frodo. "Well it is goof that he has dropped the `Baggins` at least. Even so it is clearly time that the family dealt with him and put him in his place."

A hush fell on the Hobbits beyond the gate. "It won't do no good talking that way." Said one. "If you keep making that sort of noise you'll wake The Chief's Big Man."

"Then we will have to ensure we wake him in the biggest way possible." Said Merry as he sprang from his pony and spotting the notice in the pail light tore it up and threw it over the gates. The Hobbits backed away and made no move to open it. "Come on, Frodo, let us see if we can do our bit shall we." He said. The pair climbed the gate, and the Hobbits fled. Another horn sounded. Out of the bigger house on the right a large heavy figure appeared against the light in the doorway.

"What's all this," He snarled as he came forward. "Gate breaking? You clear out, or I'll break your filthy little necks!" Then he stopped for he had seen the gleam of swords.

"You recall me I hope, Bill Ferny." Said Frodo, "And that I am back now will be as an ill omen to you. Open the gate, or you shall live to regret it. Then once the gates are open you shall step through them and never return." Bill Ferny flinched, for he did indeed recall Frodo and knew well what his return signalled. And he unlocked the gates and tossing the key at Merry's head he sprung away into the darkness.

"Well I like that. But we have the key at least." Merry said as he pocketed the object in question. "And we have dealt with your Big Man. The Chief we shall see later, I think. But for the moment we need lodgings for the night and as the Bridge inn has been replaced by this dismal building, you shall have to put us up."

"I'm terribly sorry, Mr. Merry." Said Hob, "But it isn't allowed."

"What is not?"

"Taking folk in off hand and eating extra food, and everything else like that." Said Hob.

"What has been happening to this place since we left?" said Merry, "I thought we had had a fine harvest."

"And we did sir," Said Hob. "But the food has been taken up to be shared in equal amounts. Or so they say, but it gets gathered and eaten for we never see it again."

"This is all rather tiresome."  Said Pippin yawning. "We have food in our bags. All we need is a room to lie down in and we shall be better off than we have been at other times."

*

And though the Hobbits at the gates still seemed ill at ease, most likely as some rule was being broken, they had no wish to gainsay the travellers, especially when both Merry and Pippin were now uncommonly tall for Hobbits. Frodo asked that the gate be locked again, for it made sense to keep the guard still while ruffians were still about, and the four companions retired to the guard-house.

"Well it could have been worse." Sam said once they were settled before a rule breaking fire, their stomachs full and their hearts eased a little for they had shared their supplies with the guards, hopeful that the small kindness would settle the guard's nerves.

"I would say that it was bad enough as it is. No welcome, no beer and no smoke. I had hopped for a bit of a rest when we got here, but it seems there is work to do." Pippin said.

"Yes, but it can all wait until the morning." Frodo said.

At dawn they began to trek to Hobbiton at a fare pace, aware always of the smoke rising about them from many different points and of the change in atmosphere. And as they came to the East end of Frogmorton the confrontation they had expected came. For there they met a barrier with a large board saying NO ROAD; and behind it stood a large band of shirriffs with staves in their hands and feathers in their caps, looking both important and rather scared.

"What is all this about?" Asked Frodo, feeling rather inclined to laugh.

"You have been arrested, Mr. Baggins." Said the leader of the shirriffs, a two feather Hobbit, "And your companions also, for gate breaking, tearing up the rules, assaulting gate keepers, trespassing, sleeping in Shire-buildings without leave and bribing guards with food."

"And what else?" Said Frodo.

"That'll do to go on with." Said the shirriff leader.

"I can add some more, if you would like it," Said Pip. "Calling your Chief names, wishing to punch his pimply face and thinking you shirriff's look like a lot of tom-fools."

"There now, mister, that'll do. It's the Chief's orders that you're to come along quiet. We are going to take you to Bywater and hand you over to the Chief's men: and when he deals with your case you can have your say. But if you don't want to stay in the Lockholes any longer than you need, I should cut the say short, if I were you."

To the discomfort of the shirriffs Frodo and his companions all roared with laughter.

"Don't be absurd." Said Frodo. " I am going where I please, and in my own time. I happen to be going to Bag End on business, but if you insist on going too, well that is your affair."

"Very well, Mr. Baggins." Said the leader, pushing the barrier aside. "But don't forget that I've arrested you."

"I shall not." Said Frodo. "Never. But I may forgive you. Now I am not going any further today, so if you will kindly escort me to the floating lodge I shall be obliged."

"I can't do that Mr. Baggins. The Inn's closed. There's a shirriff-house at the far end of the village. I'll take you there."

"All right." Said Frodo. " Go on and we shall follow."'

As they continued on Sam listened to the talk of the Shirriffs until he heard a voice he recognised well. "Come here, Robin Smallburrow!" He called. " I want a word with you."

With a sheepish glance at his leader, who looked wrathful but did not dare interfere, shirriff Smallburrow fell back and walked beside Sam, who dismounted from Frodo' pony and walked at its side, one hand clutched still to the saddle.

"Look here, cock-robin." Said Sam, "You're Hobbiton- bred and out to have more sense, coming a-waylaying Mr. Frodo here and all. And what's all this about the inn being closed?"

"They're all closed." Said Robin. "The Chief doesn't hold with bear, or at least that's how it began. Now though I reckon it's his men that have it all now a days.  He doesn't hold with folk moving around either, whether they have to or whether they wish too and so they have to come to the shirriff houses now to explain their business."

"You ought to be ashamed of yourself for being mixed in with such nonsense." Said Sam, "You used to be inside the pubs so much that ye could describe each by heart. Always popping in you were, on duty or off."

"So I would be still, Sam, if I could. But don't be so hard on me. What can I do? You know how I went for a shirriff seven years ago before any of this happened. It gave me a chance of strolling about the country, and seeing folk and hearing their news, and knowing where the beer was good. But now that's all gone."

"Ye could kick it all in if it has stopped being a respectable job." Sam said.

"We're not allowed to."

"If I hear not allowed much more often I'm likely to get angry and that'll do no one any good, no how." Sam said.

"It might yet, Sam." Robin replied.

"Are ye daft, cock-robin? Or are ye just unobservant? Blind as a bat I am."

"True." Robin countered, his voice lowering as he did so "But ye are still fare impressive to look at, Sam and you would make a good leader for any resistance we may wish to form. For banded together we might yet make a difference."

"Aye, but folk'll be scared of standing up and it'll take more than the likes of me to stir 'em to frenzy." And with that Sam settled into thoughtful wondering.

The Shirriff house at Frogmorton was as bad as the Bridge House had been and the travellers were glad to bid it farewell at the last. They road with an escort, yet Merry made them walk in front as the travellers followed in ease behind. Yet soon they tired of this also and worked their horses into so fast a gallop that by the time they reached the Three Farthing Stone they were again on their own

On they moved until at sun down they came to Bywater by its wide Pool; and there they had their first really painful shock. This was Frodo and Sam's country, and they had found that they cared about it more than any other place in the world. Many of the houses Frodo had known and loved were lost, some burned and others just simply destroyed. Along the Pool side were several new and ugly houses, destroying an avenue of trees that had once had stood there. Up the road towards Bag End there was a tall chimney of brick just visible in the distance.

"How bad is it, me dear?" Sam enquired. Frodo tried to find idle comfort or even a soft way to tell the news, but knew that there wad nothing he could do now but honour the truth.

"It is terrible, Sam, as you have described Mordor to me but all the worse for the reality and being here upon our doorstep." He replied eventually, the words snuffing a little more of the contentment from Sam's eyes.

"Aye, I feared it might be as such."

"Let us continue on shall we? Scout out someone who can tell us what has been going on."

But in the village of Bywater all of the houses and holes were shut, and no one greeted them. They wondered at this but they soon discovered the reason for it. When they reached The Green Dragon, the last house on the Hobbiton side, now lifeless with broken windows, they were disturbed to see half a dozen large ill-favoured men lounging against the inn-wall; they were squint eyed and sallow-faced.

"Like Bill Ferny's companion." Said Frodo.

"Like many that I saw at Isengard," Muttered Merry.

The ruffians had clubs in their hands and horns by their belts, but they had no other weapons, as far as could be seen. As the travellers rode up the left they left the wall and walked into the road, blocking the way.

"Where do you think you're going?" Said one, the largest and most evil looking of the crew. "There's no road for you any further. And where are those precious shirriffs?"

"Coming along nicely." Said Merry. "Though they were a little footsore so we promised to wait for them here."

"Garn, what did I say?" Said the ruffian to his mates. "I told Sharky it was no good trusting those little fools. Some of our chaps aught to have been sent."

"And what difference do you think you could have made?" Merry enquired. "We did not expect footpads in this country but we know well how to deal with them."

"So that's your tone is it? Change it or we'll change it for you. You little folk are getting too uppish for my like, but Sharky's here now and he'll ensure things get done."

"What things might this be?" Frodo enquired.

"Why a waking up of this country and a setting to rights also. It's in Sharky's power to do it and he will make no mistake. And you'll learn a thing or two before the year's out, you little rat folk."

"I am glad to hear your plans." Said Frodo. "And as I am on my way to call on Mr. Lotho I shall make sure he knows of them as well."

"Lotho knows alright and he'll do what Sharkey says. Because bosses can be changed and trouble makers sent away somewhere quiet, do you see?"

"Yes I see." Said Frodo. " I see that you are behind on things. For your day is over now; the Dark Tower has fallen and there is a King again in Gondor. Isengard has fallen and your master is a beggar in the wilderness now. I passed him on the road. The King's messengers will pass up the Greenway now, not bullies from Isengard."

"The man starred at him and smiled, "A beggar in the wilderness!" He mocked. "Oh, is he indeed? Swagger it, swagger it, my little cock-a-whop. But that won't stop us living in this fat little country where you have lazed long enough. And" He snapped his fingers in Frodo's face, "King's messenger's! That's for them! When I see one I'll take notice, perhaps."

This was too much for Pippin. His thoughts went back to the field of Cormallen, and here was a squint-eyed rascal calling one of the Ring-bearers `little cock-a-whoop. ` He cast back his cloak, flashed out his sword, and the silver and sable of Gondor gleamed on him as he rode forward.

"I am a messenger of the King." He said. "You are speaking to the King's friend, and one of the most renowned in all the lands of the west. You are a ruffian and a fool. Down on your knees in the road and ask pardon, or I will set this troll's bane on you."

And the ruffian laughed then and asked, "Do you expect me to believe that threat? You hold that sword like some foreign thing, for I am guessing it belongs rather in that broken arm of yours." Yet Pippin did not shy away, but rather gripped harder to the hilt of the sword, even though as the ruffian had supposed he was more used to fighting left handed than right. Yet he was not alone and Merry road up to greet him, Frodo following not a moment later, his face grim.

The ruffians gave back at last. Scaring Bree-land peasants, and bullying bewildered Hobbit, had been their work. Fearless Hobbits with heard hearts and bright swords were a great surprise. And there was a note in the voices of these new comers that they had not heard before. It chilled them with fear.

"Go and if you ever set foot here again you'll regret it." Merry said as he and the others advanced. Having about as much as their yellow hearts could take the ruffians turned and fled, though they were blowing their horns as they went.

"Well we have come none too soon, it seems."

"Yes, not a day too soon." Said Frodo. "Though we may yet be too late to save Lotho."

"Save Lotho. Whatever could you mean? Wouldn't to make more sense to destroy him?" Sam enquired.

"I do not think you quite understand, love." Said Frodo. "He did not ever mean it to come to this. He has fallen into a trap, for the ruffians have taken over control, looting and bullying all in his name. And it will not even be in his name soon enough. He's a prisoner in Bag End now, I suspect, and very frightened. We aught to try and rescue him."

"Well I am with Sam." Pippin said. "For all the ends I could imagine while out in Gondor this is the worst. To have to fight even on our own doorstep"

"Fighting will be better than staying silent while they continue to destroy out homeland. But there is to be no slaying of Hobbits, even if they have gone over to the other side. And I mean really gone over, not just obeying ruffians orders because they are scared."

"I admire the spirit, Frodo, but those horn calls a minuet ago were obviously for back up and we are just two as far as able fighters go."

"What do you suggest Merry?" Pippin enquired, for he knew well the light in his Cousin's eyes and comprehended well that it ment some plan was formulating within that sharp mind.

"We raise the Shire." Merry replied. "It is evident that none care for this apart from a few who like the power. They are tinder waiting for a match and I have just the thing." And Merry lifted up the horn Éowyn had given to him and pressed it to his lips. The sound that immerged was the most compelling that ever the Hobbits had heard, but a moment later the note changed and Merry's voice rose out into the Horn Cry of Buckland,

"Awake! Awake! Fear, fire, foes! Awake! Fire, foes! Awake." And that seemed to do it, for a moment later the doors about them opened and the Hobbits poured forth.

 They gathered together into units and then some at Merry's orders began setting barriers to either end of the village and others set a fire to ease the chill in the bones and there the travellers made their base. Soon enough a familiar face came over to group and made himself known with a greeting of,

"T'is good to see you living still, Sam lad and you too Mr. Frodo."

"Just as it is good to hear your voice again, Mr. Cotton."  Sam said, his sightless eyes turning to face his old friend. Frodo watched Farmer Cotton flinch just slightly before a grim comprehension filtered onto his face.

"I heard the whisper of your ailment as I worked through the rank, Sam, but I'd half hoped to find it no more than a rumour."

"I've made my peace with it." Sam replied, something in his voice as a trigger to Cotton, for he nodded once to himself and then turned his attention to Frodo,

"What's our next move then, lad?"

"We can do little more until we are sure of a few details."

"Ask me what you will and I'll answer best I can."

"What are their numbers?" Frodo enquired.

"T'is hard to tell accurately as they're constantly on the move. But I'd say fifty here in Hobbiton."

"Then there are more elsewhere?" Pippin said.

"Aye I'm afraid so. A good few in Longbottom, Sarn Ford and the Woody End also. There's the Lockholes to consider also, the tunnels at Michel Delving that they've turned into a prison for those that oppose them.

"But I'd say there's no more than three hundred in the Shire all told, mayhap even les than that. If we stick together we'll win out."

"Perhaps. First we kneed to know about their weaponry." Merry said.

"Naught more than whips, knifes and clubs. Or at least that's all they've shown. T'is something else when they fight and a few have bows, for they shot down one or two of our folk."

"Then we have cause to start fighting back, for they have struck the first blow." Merry said.

"Beggin your pardon, sir." Said Cotton. "But that's not exactly true. T'was the Tooks that began the shooting. Your father's never had much love for Lotho, Mr. Peregrin, not even at the beginning of the thing. Said that if any were to start being chief t'would be the right Thain of the Shire and not some up start. And when Lotho sent his men they got no change out of them. The Tooks can hide away in the deep holes of the Green Hills and the Great Smials and keep well out of the ruffians reach.

"Not that they'll suffer 'em to come onto their land. One foot across the border and the Tooks'll hunt 'em. They shot a few for prowling and robbing, but the ruffians didn't care for that and their keeping a closer watch on Tookland now. None are getting in or out."

"Good for the Tooks!" Cried Pippin and was about to say something else before Merry stopped him.

"No. I do not care if it is your right or if it shall help, you are not going, Pip."

"Why? It is only fourteen miles over the fields and I could be back by morning."

"Because I can not see you walk away into danger again, not willingly." Merry replied, his bravery crumbling for a moment in the face of his fear. Pippin took him into a one armed hug,

"Merry…Meriadoc, do not be foolish. I shall come back to you as I always have and then I shall never again leave you. Anyway, it is for the best, you know that well enough."

"Fine, fine. But I shall hold you to that promise Master Took."

"Then I am off to the Smials. Will anyone come with me to Tuckborough?" He enquired. A dozen hands were raised and soon Pippin was mounted again on his horse.

"I shall bring you an army, Merry." He said. Merry was silent a moment then blew a horn-call after his Cousin's retreating back. The people cheered.

"All right!" Said Merry after a moment, "I have a plan."

"Yes, I thought you might." Said Frodo. "So you can make the arrangements." Just then some Hobbits, who had been sent out in the direction of Hobbiton, came running in. "They're coming. "They said. "A score or more. But two have gone off West across country."

"To Waymeet, that'll be." Said Cotton, "To fetch more of the gang. Well it's fifteen miles each way. We needn't trouble about it just yet."

Merry turned to give orders and Farmer Cotton sent all but the older armed Hobbits into the houses. Soon enough they heard voices, and the tramping of heavy feet. Presently a whole squad of ruffians came down the road and perceiving the barrier broke into laughter. They did not imagine that there was anything in this little land that would stand up to twenty of their kind together.

The Hobbits opened the barrier and stood aside. "Thank you." The men jeered. "Now run home to bed before you're whipped." Then they marched along the streets shouting, "Put the lights out! Get indoors and stay there! Or we'll take fifty of you to the Lockholes for a year. Get in! The Boss is loosing his temper."

No one paid any head to the ordered, and as the ruffians continued on they closed in silently behind them and followed. When the men reach the fire they found only Farmer Cotton standing alone and warming his hands against the fire.

"Who are you and what do you think you are doing?" Said the Ruffian-leader.

Farmer Cotton looked at him slowly. "I was about to ask you something similar, for this is not your land and none wish you here."

"Is that right?" said the leader." Well we want you. Take him to the Lockholes lads and give him a little something to shut that quiet mouth."

The men took one step forward and then stopped. All about them a roar of voices had began and they realised suddenly that Farmer Cotton was not alone. They were surrounded. In the shadow beyond the firelight stood a ring of Hobbits that had crept up out of the night. There were nearly two hundred of them, all holding some weapon.

Merry stepped forward. "We have met before," he said to the leader. "And I warned you never to return. I warn you again, though there is little I would like more than to kill you myself, stand aside. Oh, and before you consider fleeing again I rather recommend you use that simple mind of yours, for you are standing in the light and I have archers everywhere in the gloom about you. Now lay down your weapons."

The leader glanced about him, imagining bright arrows pointed at his heart in every shadow. Yet he was not scared, not now that he had a good score of men behind him. This sudden wash of bravery and the fool notion that he was dealing with nothing more than simple folk who had never lifted a weapon in his life coalesced into the decision to break through.

"Charge."  He cried.

With a club in his right hand and a knife in the other he rushed the ring, trying to burst out towards Hobbiton. He aimed a savage blow at Merry who stood in his way. He fell dead with four arrows in him.

That was enough for the others. They gave in. Their weapons were taken from them, and they were roped together, and marched off to an empty hut that they had built themselves, and there they were tied hand and foot, and locked up under guard. The dead leader was dragged off and buried.

"Feels all too easy after the fuss wouldn't you say?" Cotton enquired. "Though mayhap all we needed was a call. Ye came in good time, Mr. Merry!"

"The battle is not over yet, Mr. Cotton." Said Merry. "If you are right then we have not even dealt with a tithe of them yet. But night has fallen and I think the next stroke must come in the morning. For our next task is to call on The Chief."

"Why wait?" Sam enquired. "It's no more than six if my reckoning is sound and I wish dearly to be assured that my old Gaffer is well."

"He is as well as can be expected, Sam" Cotton said. "For they dug up Bagshot Row and that t'was a hard blow to him. He's living in one of The Chief's new houses now, not a mile from Bywater. But he comes over to us, when he gets the chance, and I make sure he's better fed than most. All of it against the rules of course. I would have had him living with me, but t'wasn't allowed."

"Thank 'ee Mr. Cotton, it'll be kindness not easily repaid." Sam said,  "Well there's naught for it now then to go to him and let him see the trouble his son's fallen into."

"If you are set, Sam, then my Jolly here will guide you in his direction." Farmer Cotton said after a moment.

"And I shall come with him." Frodo said as he came to stand at Sam's side. Cotton regarded them for a moment and then he set a hand to Frodo's shoulder and said,

"Keep him safe, lad." In such a low whisper that even Frodo had to strain to hear it.

*

As they travelled Jolly informed them of how things in the Shire had come to this pass and the pair listened inventively at first, but soon Frodo dropped their horse back a little their guide and his words washed away on the wind.

"Thank you for coming with me, Frodo."

"I am doing it because I want to, not only because you need more protection than one guide can offer and also because you shall need support."

"Do you think he will comprehend why I did it? Why loosing my sight seems only as small penance for the reward of getting you back?"

"I do not know, love. Your father is a wise man and he might, like Bilbo, already see the reasons behind your actions."

"If not this ring shall tell him," Sam said as he touched the object in question with the tip of his thumb. For the briefest of moments Frodo found himself encapsulated by the object, found all his thought and desire snared into its simplicity, then in the blink if an eye he was himself again, though he felt almost the ghost of a chain, dragged down still by heavy burden, about his neck.

"T'is the next house, Mr. Frodo." Jolly said, his voice breaking the spell entirely.

"Thank you." Frodo replied as he dismounted from the horse and offered a hand so that Sam might do the same thing.

As they drew up to the building Frodo could se that it was, as Farmer Cotton had said, another of the cold brick houses that seemed to define the ruffian's architectural prowess.

"I'll wait for you out here, Mr. Baggins."

"What if there is an attack?"

"Then I'll fend them off as best as I can." Jolly replied. A glint in his eyes telling Frodo all he needed to know.

He tapped on the door and then when no response was forth coming, Sam took his turn beating the door with his fist and adding a shout of,

"Dad, dad. It's me, I've come home." And that got the reaction they had hoped for.

Gaffer Gamgee had not aged in the passage of time, but there were lines on his face that had not been there as they parted. Lines that all but faded as he took his son into his arms,

"I thought ye were dead. Lost in the Old Forest. But if ye haven't been dead all this time, lad, what have ye been up to?" He enquired as he moved back so that he might look his son in the face.

And suddenly it was to Frodo as perceiving Bilbo in that one moment before the Quest had truly begun, a much loved face changed and distorted, not this time by desire or anger, but by grief inconsolable. With tears in his eyes the Gaffer raised a shaking hand to brush his son's forehead then catch hard to his face,

"My boy, my boy." He mumbled, his voice catching. Sam lifted his own hands to touch his father's and smiled, such a smile that it melted Frodo's heart to see it.

"T'is alright, dad. I suffer this small thing in punishment for leaving my Master's side. But I've been repaid five times over for it by being allowed to come back there again." Sam said. The Gaffer stared blindly at his son a moment, his hands smoothing those pressed to his until he found the ring. Turning to better see the object he examined it only a moment before he began to laugh.

"Well if this isn't the greatest of things for an old man to behold, proof positive that he wasn't going daft in the head like his dear departed wife might have him believe. `You'll be seeing elves next, Hamfast Gamgee.` She said to me, well Bell I wish you could be here to see this, if only so I could brag." He said once his mirth had petered slightly.

"What are ye one about, Dad?" Sam enquired, perplexed in the sudden change of mood.

"Why the band upon your finger, me lad and what it means." And lifting his eyes away from Sam for a moment he saw Frodo at last and his smile broadened.

"Well Mr. Frodo, or Frodo as it should be now I suppose, I hope ye never have cause to regret this choice."

"Which choice would this be?"

"Why to take my lad as yours until the end of all things, for that is what an engagement ring signifies."

"That it does." Frodo replied and though he felt a thrill go through him at the thought of it, he doubted now whether he would ever see such a future or whether he even deserved such a thing even in the present.

"Well come in, come in, lads. I'm sure you've got quite a tale to give me between you."

"We have, dad, but it's best we were getting back, for Master Merry will need all the support he can get." Sam said.

"Fine, fine, but I'll walk if ye don't mind. Horses aren't for me."

*

By the time the four of them returned to the fireside the Gaffer was beaming with parental pride and Frodo had all but forgotten his fear and doubt. Farmer Cotton was glad to see that the Gaffer was little aggrieved by Sam's news, indeed he seemed in much greater sprits now that he had his son with him again. After talking over the plans for tomorrow Frodo, Sam and the Gaffer retired to Farmer Cotton's home for as much rest as they could muster in these troubled times.

They rose early to the news that all had been quiet,

"But the trouble will come." Cotton said, "For the group from Waymeet will be here soon enough." But good news came not long after this dire prediction in the form of a messenger from Tuckborough,

"The Thain had raised all his country," He said. "And the news is going like wildfire all ways. The ruffians that were watching our land have fled off South, those that escaped alive. The Thain has gone after them, to hold the big gang down that way; but he's sent Mr. Peregrin back with all the other folk he can spare."

The next news was less good. Merry, who had been out all night, came riding in about ten o'clock. After taking a moment to catch his breath and to smile at the messenger's news he gave his own, "The Waymeet lot are coming. We've prepared for them, true, but the friends they've gathered might be a bit more than we can handle." He said. "And they are burning as they come. Curse them!"

"Ah! This lot will not stop to talk, they'll kill if they can." Said Farmer Cotton. "It seems we'll be making a valiant stand less the Took come before the ruffians."

The Tooks did come first in a troop a hundred strong with Pippin riding at their head. Once he had been greeted with a strong hug from Merry, he told all that he knew of the enemy's movements and the last of the plans were set.

The ruffians came up the east road, and without halting turned up the Bywater road, which ran for some time between hills and hedges. As they turned around a bend no more than a furlong from the main road they came to a barrier of upturned farm-carts which halted their path. They became aware, then, that the hedges lining the roads were filled with Hobbits and that a group of Hobbits had pushed out wagons to block their path backwards. A voice spoke to them from above.

"So you have strolled into a trap have you?" Merry enquired. "Well so did your Hobbiton lot and we have killed one of them. Lay down your weapons and step back twenty paces and I shall ensure that is not your fate also. Oh and I assure that anyone trying to break out will be shot."

But these ruffians were not as easy to cow as the previous group and though a few of the more timid obeyed the command they were set on by their fellows. A score or more of the group broke into retreat and charged the wagons, but as Merry had warned they were shot by his archers. Six fell but the rest broke through the line, slaying two Hobbits, and then scattering in the general direction of the Woody End. Two were felled as they fled. Merry blew a loud horn-corn, and there were answering calls from a distance.

"Our hunters shall deal with them now." Pippin said.

The other men had climbed the barriers and the hills, their number large enough so that even though many were killed by arrow or axe the strongest and the bravest soldiers broke free and began to kill Hobbits with great ferocity, for they wanted their captors deaths now more than they wished escape. Moral dropped as more and more Hobbits fell to this attack, but in the darkest moment Merry blew his horn again and charged into the fray. There he met Frodo, sting clenched in his hand, its blade already filthy with blood and once he acknowledged his Cousin's presence by a slight nod of the head he drew sword and began to fight. It was Frodo that found and slew the leader of the ruffians, a great Orcish like bruit with a squint eye and a slow parry. Merry drew the forces off then, encircling the remnant of the men in a wide ring of archers.

At the last all was over. Almost seventy of the ruffians were dead, and a dozen had been taken prisoner. Nineteen Hobbits were killed and some thirty wounded. The dead ruffians were hauled by wagon to a nearby sand-pit and buried there and later the grave was named the Battle Pit and visited by all those who wished to recall the horrors of war. The grave of the fallen Hobbits (set on a hill and later marked with a great stone) also became a landmark of this kind and the names of all those who has died was recalled and honoured each year in that place and on the anniversary of the battles end.

The greatest of honours went to Merry, Pippin and even to Frodo and even many generations after the battle their names were set amongst the greatest Hobbits in history.

And with the battle over and the later labours ordered the hardest moment of the traveller's journey had come.

"It must be done I suppose." Frodo said.

"Yes and the sooner the better." Said Merry. "Lotho has to pay penance for the atrocities those ruffians have committed."

"Then you must go with escort." Farmer Cotton said. "For there may yet be ruffians at Bag End." And so under guard they went, walking now rather than riding, their minds and their hearts heavy with the tasks they had already had to perform this day.

The destruction wrought on the land over the bridge was unimaginable and as Frodo's eyes scanned the field where Bilbo had held his party he stopped mid step.

"What is it, Frodo?" Sam enquired and taking a moment to ease his own shock Frodo replied,

"They have cut down the party tree, love." And as if this was the last horror that Sam could bear he broke down into tears.

A laugh put an end to that. There was a surly Hobbit lounging over the low wall of the mill-yard. He was grimy-faced and black handed. "Don't care for it do 'ee, Sam?" He sneered. "T'is a pity ye can't see it for yourself but we can't have everything can we? Especially now we've work to do in the Shire."

"Work?" Sam enquired, "Ye wouldn't know the meaning of the word, Sandyman, for all your money's come from bullying others to ye work for 'ee. But I've come now to stop ye bullying anymore folk."

"Ha! Ye can't even see me, let alone hurt me." Ted Sandman replied, "And if ye think ye friends scare me then think again. I'm a friend of the Boss's and he'll kill anyone of ye at my word."

"A pretty threat, Sandyman." Frodo said. "But we are on our way to talk to your Boss now and we have already dealt with his men."

And Merry made a sighs and their escort began the trek over the Bridge. Dashing back into his mill, Sandyman ran out with a horn and blew it loudly.

"I rather fear I have something better than that." Merry said as he raised his silver horn to his lips and winded it. At the sound of its note the Hobbiton Hobbits came forth and followed the company up the road to Bag End.

At the top of the lane the party halted, and the travellers went on towards the once well-loved place.

The garden was full of huts and sheds, some located so near to the western windows that they cut away the light. There were piles of rubble everywhere. The door was scared and the bell chain hung loose and useless to one side. When knocking brought no answer they crossed over the threshold into the filth and disorder beyond.

"Well it is clear that no one has lived here for some time." Merry said. "Let us get out of here and search the sheds shall we?"

"All the light and happiness has gone from this place and it is as the darkest thing in my nightmares. Indeed it is Mordor, for ever has Saruman done Mordor's work, even when he believed himself to be doing his own." Frodo said.

"If I had know that this was the mischief Saruman was up to I would have shoved my pouch down his throat." Merry said.

"Of course you would have. But of course you did not and so I am here to welcome you home." There standing in the door was Saruman himself, looking well-fed and well-pleased; his eyes gleamed with malice and amusement.

A sudden light broke on Frodo. "Sharkey." He cried.

Saruman laughed. "So you have heard the name have you? All the troops in Isengard used to call me that. A sign of affection I believe. But it is clear you did not expect to see me here."

"No I did not guess." Said Frodo. "But I was warned by Gandalf that you might yet be capable of a little mischief."

"Quiet capable." Said Saruman. "And of more than a little. I was very amused by you Hobbit princes, riding in such great company, so content and so proud of yourselves. You believed your victories amazing, and thought you could destroy my home, and turn me away but none could touch the Shire. Gandalf would ensure it."

Saruman laughed again. "But as always Gandalf has forgotten you now that you have done as he wished. Yet you followed him still, taking the longer route of course and suddenly the thought came to me that I could ride ahead of you and teach you a little lesson. One that might have more of a point if you had let me have more time to gather my men. Still I have already caused irrevocable harm and it will please me no end to set that against the wounds you have caused me."

"If that is where you find your pleasure then I pity you." Said Frodo. "For it will be a pleasure in your memory only. Leave and never return"

The Hobbits of the villages had seen Saruman come out of one of the huts, and at once they came crowding up to the door of Bag End. When they heard Frodo's command, they murmured angrily.

"Don't let him go! Kill him! He's a villain and a murderer. Kill him!"

Saruman looked around at their hostile faces and smiled. "Kill him!" He mocked. "Kill him, if you think there are enough of you, my brave Hobbits!" He drew himself up and stared at them blankly with his black eyes. "But do not think that when I lost all my goods I lost my power! Whoever strikes me shall be accursed. And if my blood stains the Shire, it shall wither and never be again healed."

The Hobbits recoiled. But Frodo said: "Do not believe him! He has lost all powers save that of his voice, which can daunt and deceive you should you allow it. But he is not to be killed. For what is the use of matching blood with blood, revenge with revenge? It shall change nothing. Leave, Saruman, and by the speediest road."

"Worm! Worm!" Saruman called; and out of a nearby hut came Wormtongue, crawling, almost like a dog. "To the road again, Worm!" Saruman, "These fine lordlings are casting adrift again. Come along!"

Saruman turned to go, and Wormtongue shuffled after him. But even as Saruman passed close to Frodo a knife flashed in his hand, and he stabbed swiftly. The blade turned on the hidden mail-coat and snapped. A dozen Hobbits led jointly by Merry and Sam, leapt forward with a cry and flung the villain to the ground. Sam drew his sword.

"No, Sam!" Said Frodo. "You too know the wisdom of sparing his life this day and of pushing away the anger in your heart." Sam sheathed his sword again and Saruman rose to his feet, looking first to Sam and then to Frodo. There was a look in his eyes of mingled respect and hatred and wonder. "You both have grown." He said. "Far beyond the greatest of even the heroes of men. You are wise, and cruel. You have taken the sweetness from my revenge and made it bitter, for I must leave now indebted to your mercies. I hate them and I hate the both of you. But there is comfort still for me for I see well your future together; for what comfort will you find in the darkness from a blind servant my smart one?" He walked away then, and the Hobbits made a lane for him to pass; but their knuckles whitened as they gripped on their weapons. Wormtongue hesitated, and then followed his Master.

"Wormtongue!" Called Frodo. "You need not follow in his shadow. For I know of no evil that you have done to me. You can stay here, resting until you are strong enough to carry on."

Wormtongue halted and looked back at him, half prepared to stay. Saruman turned. "No evil?" He cackled. "Oh no! For even when he goes missing in the night it is only so he might look at the stars. But I heard you asking where poor Lotho might have gone. Worm knows, do you not? Will you tell them?"

Wormtongue cowered and whimpered: "No, no!"

"Then it is my task." Said Saruman. "Worm killed your little Boss. Did you not, Worm?  I believe he stabbed him in the sleep and buried him. Though Worm has been very hungry lately. No Worm is not really a nice man at all and is best left to me,"

A wild look of hatred came to Wormtongue's red eyes. "You asked me to do it. Forced me to even." He hissed.

Saruman laughed. "Yes and you always do what Sharkey asks you to eventually, do you not Worm? Well Sharkey asks you to follow now!" He kicked Wormtongue in the face as he grovelled, and turned and made off.  But at that something in Wormtongue snapped and pulling out a hidden knife he sprang onto Saruman's back, pulling his head back and slit his throat. Then in the blink of an eye he was off down the lane, but he did not get far before the archers shot him down.

About Saruman's body a mist gathered, straying to the west for a moment before the wind from that direction blew it into nothingness. Frodo looked at the body in pity, for it had aged beyond reckoning, the skin of the face shrunken into nothingness. Lifting up the skirt of Saruman's cloak he covered the body over and turned away.

"Well that is the end at last." Merry said, "A hard end that will not be easy to forget but an end none the less."

"Yes the very last stroke," Frodo replied "But it is a shame that it had to fall here at my doorstep."

"Well it will not be the end until we get this mess cleared." Pippin said. "Though with a little help from our friends it should not take that long."

*

Two months after Saruman's loss, things in the Shire were almost entirely back to normal. Those Hobbits who had been within the Lockholes had been released and Lobelia had given Bag End back to Frodo, having nothing left for her in Hobbiton as she did. Bagshot Row was re-built to a higher standard and the Gaffer was restored to number three.

Only the restoration of the Shire's greenery was needed now and when at last Sam had time to think on the problem he recalled both Aragorn's words and the Lady's gift. A plan formed in Sam's mind and guided only by memory he made his way into the garden of Bag End and allowed his fingers to settle again into the soil. It was as if coming home, yet still he perceived nothing but darkness and his hope faltered.

Then a faint haze of light filtered into the darkness, nothing entirely clear but he knew from memory that each bright light marked where once a beloved plant had grown and blossomed. This was gift indeed and having no wish to squander it all in the need to recall his homeland again, Sam reached into his pocket and pulled out the little box. Setting it to the ground and freeing his hands for the moment from the soil he pushed the lid open and placed his fingers into the container. It felt as no more than dust and a small nut in one corner of the box, but he knew, somehow, that it was much more than it seemed and placing it again into his pocket for the moment he went in search of the plants he would need to restore his homeland.

Using the faint sight given to him by the magic of the soil, Sam planted trees and flowers back were they belonged, covering the soil about them with a handful of the dust. At the last he had only the nut left and that he planted where once the party field had stood, hopeful that it would exceed the greatest of his expectations.

The passing of time had fallen hard upon Frodo's shoulders, his mind weighted always now for the desire of the Ring and all that it might have given him. At first he kept that desire to himself, having no wish to burden his friends with what he still believed no more than a passing thing. Yet as the months had passed, ever slower, the burden had grown rather than decreased and he found himself striking out against those that had been party to the loss of this Thing.

First Merry and then Pippin had tried to aid him in pushing away this burden at last, yet both failed and had no choice but to watch as Frodo turned away from himself and at last began to hate Sam. For he had been the one to take the Thing from him, to steal away Frodo's potential to be great, to grow above the pain of stab, sting and heavy burden. Yet though the hatred mouldered within his heart as some fetid thing, growing always and poisoning all that was good as it went, Frodo managed always to refrain from striking Sam, his love for the Hobbit as a temporary relief from the madness.

It was only a matter of time, though, before he did the unthinkable and thus he began to keep himself away from Sam's presence as much as he could, finding always some convenient lie to tell his friend. Both Saruman's parting words and Gandalf's early wisdom rose often in his mind, the one as taunt and hard truth and the other as the choice that lay clear ahead of him.

Eventually, but a month after the restoration of the Shire, Frodo had made his choice and had come with Sam to the Gaffer's so that he might implement that choice.

"Frodo?" The Gaffer enquired, his voice bringing Frodo back to the future.

"Forgive me, my mind was wondering."

"Aye, my lad tells me it's been doing it a lot of late." The Gaffer said as he gestured with one hand into the kitchen, where Frodo could see Sam lent against the wall, his eyes crinkled with laughter due to something Marigold had said.

"It is because of my behaviour recently that I have come to you Master Gamgee," Frodo said. The Gaffer shifted slightly in his seat and his face became grim,

"Well t'ain't good news, that much I can tell right off. For you've not called me Master Gamgee since ye were but a slip of a lad still fresh here from Buckland."

"I am scared of myself, scared of what I have become of late." Frodo said, his eyes moving again to fix onto Sam. "He cannot help me now you see, because he does not know that I am failing, can not see the signs and help me in the darkness. And it becomes to late, far to late…" He trailed, words lost to him for the moment.

"Ye are scared of harming him? Scared of doing something ye shall never be able to take back?"

"Yes."

"And ye want me to take that fear from you? Ye want me to have my lad back with me?"

"Yes."

"And that doing such a thing will destroy my lad has no meaning to you I suppose."

"It is better to harm him this way than to kill him. You see I love him far to well, Hamfast, and if I hurt him…"

"Aye. It is all to clear to me now. That's why your face froze up when I mentioned the bonds of an engagement ring, for ye knew even then that the threat of this shadow was on ye.

"I will do it, Frodo, but only until I think it right for my lad to come back to you. Only until I myself feel the threat has waned."

"Thank you, Hamfast. I shall take my leave now before I begin to doubt and take back this choice." Frodo said, gaining his feet and with another glance to Sam turned and left the room.

The sound of the front door closing alerted both Marigold and Sam's attention and they came into the living room together, Marigold quickly picking up the other's absence and enquiring,

"Where has Frodo got to, dad?"

"I'll tell ye in a moment, lass. Let me have a moment with ye brother first though will ye?" He enquired and Marigold knew that tone of voice well and once assured that Sam was sat down excused herself into the kitchen again.

"What's going on, dad?" Sam enquired.

"Things are going to be a little hard for a while, lad, hard to comprehend for the both of us. But we'll get through, don't ye worry and everything will be again as it was."

"Dad."

"Frodo's asked that ye stay here with me, just for a while." The Gaffer replied. Sam's face froze and that was all the encouragement the Gaffer needed before he stood and crossing the space between them, caught the lad into a hug. Some of the shock must have filtered away at that, for Sam began to shake and mumble the steady repetition of the word "No" as he cried. And all the while his father held him, trying vainly to keep his son from the shadow of something he himself little comprehended.

*

 A year passed, the movement of time marked as always in the Shire with the growth and spreading of rumours.  One subject never far from being discussed within the community was the reasoning behind Sam's reinstatement at Number three and Frodo's retreat into almost complete hermitage.

The latest belief was that the Frodo had propositioned the young Gamgee and had been turned away, thus retiring from polite society for the sake of retaining the last dregs of honour within the family name.  Those who disagreed with this theory were quick to point out that Frodo's Cousin's still visited regularly and that if anyone was to be sullied through such an event it would be the lower born Gamgee and as Sam had been seen just recently on the way to Cotton's farm this could not be the case.

And indeed it was not, for Sam's departure had been all for Frodo's fear as had Frodo's subsequent retreat from society.

Sam had not been idle in the passing of time, but had roped in Merry and Pippin to spy on Frodo, just as twenty years previously they had asked him to spy for them. Thankfully, though, they were a little more froth coming with their news than he had been and on the 20th of September the careful watch was greatly rewarded.

"It is as you suspected." Merry said as he placed his mug back onto the table. They had gathered in the Green Dragon, both to alleviate the chance of unwanted ears listening in on them and so that they might have a drink or two together.

"Then he is off to the Havens?"

"Tomorrow if the frantic packing is anything to go by." Pippin remarked.

"Aye t'would have been a last moment thing, for he would have had to work himself up to leaving me here to pine away for him. Fool Baggins can't see past his own stubbornness or he'd know I'd never let him go alone no matter what he thought best."

"I fairly well know the answer already but I will ask anyway, do you not think it might be for the best Sam? You may yet have a life here on Middle Earth."

"No, no I won't, Merry. Ye see I've suffered as he and the memory of the Ring has ensured that everything here is empty to me now. Any way, my heart goes with Frodo and if he left without me I'd fall into nothingness. No, this is best for us all."

"Then I think that Pip has something you will want to have." Merry said. And Pippin slid a small box over to Sam and one the other had it within his grasp he smiled.

"Aye, it eases me to know I have this and I have to thank ye both again for doing this for me. Well if everything goes as it should I shall see ye tomorrow."

*

Sam crossed the threshold of Bag End without knocking, for he knew well that Frodo would no answer such an impersonal request and that their was but one way to make any progress.

"Frodo?" He enquired.

"What can I do for you, Sam?" The voice same a little to his left and thus Sam turned, his hand moving forwards searching and finding the well remembered contours of Frodo's face.

"You've been crying." He remarked as he brushed the dampness away.

"I have been saying my last goodbyes."

"Aye to all but the most important thing."

"I wanted to leave without arguing or indeed without loosing the last picture of you in my head, safe and content as you should be."

"Such a thing you would have no need to recall if ye but let me come."

"I can not. You saved the Shire Sam, not just once but twice and now it is there for you to live within and love for the remainder of your years."

"Ye would have me live here with the tantalising memory of ye always in my head and nothing for comfort but the darkness behind my eyes. Yes I saved the Shire, but that was not my aim, at least not the first time around. All I wanted was for ye to be re-born into tales so that I could have you with me just a little longer before I let go.

"And I got so much more than that and I shall not let it go, not just because you are scared. To that end I wanted to say that as it was the Ring that drove us apart then perhaps another ring can bring us back to where we were before this foolishness." Sam passes a small box over into Frodo's waiting fingers then and waits.

Contained in the box is a simple ring wrought of pail silver and traced with Elvin script that Frodo quickly translates as reading `always and forever. ` He fingers the lettering a moment, the fog of his mind clearing until he knows. Then he places the ring onto his left ring finger, takes up Sam's hands and presses his forehead against the others.

"I doubted and through that doubt I lost all that was pure and true in my life."

"It is already lost, dearest heart." Sam said before he moved his head slightly and brought Frodo into a kiss.

*

On September the 21st the four travellers set out again upon their last journey together. Yet they felt no grief and as they travelled they talked of the memories awoken by the road and sung simple songs of a typically Hobbity nature. 

Eventually they were joined by a group of fair elves; among whom road Elrond and Galadriel. Both wore openly now their Rings and though there was a sadness in their eyes there was a great joy also. Behind the elves  rode Bilbo, a faint smile now on his aged lips.

"Well, Master Samwise." Galadriel said once Elrond has given his greeting. "I hear and see that you have used my gift well and that you perhaps now better understand the magic inherent within the soil itself." Sam bowed but gave no answer for he found his words clumsy now that he was again in the Lady's presence.

"Well, Frodo." Bilbo said as the travellers settled in to ride beside him, "It seems we have both done all that we wished and that our time is running low."

"Yes it is running low, but we go on to better things."

On they rode until they came at last to their journeys end, the docks at the Grey Havens and the vast sea beyond.

"It sounds beautiful." Sam remarked and Frodo smiled,

"It is beautiful, love, indeed it is the greatest thing that I have perceived in my life and it grieves me that you shall never see it."

"He may yet see it." Gandalf remarked as he came up from behind them.

"Then you are coming too?" Frodo enquired.

"Yes I am coming too, for I too bear a Ring of Power." An as he said this Frodo perceived that there was indeed a Ring upon his finger.

"It is time." Gandalf said once Frodo's wonderment had faded..

And Frodo and Sam took first Merry and then Pippin into their arms.

"Well my dear Hobbits, our time has come to an end." Frodo said, "But yours is just beginning." And then he passed to them a red leather bound book that they recognised well. "The remaining pages are for you to fill." And he took Sam's hand then and together they crossed onto the ship that was waiting for them.

Frodo cast up the phial of Galadriel and Merry and Pippin watched its light pail into nothingness on the horizon. Then together they turned  away and almost subconsciously they reached out and with their hands linked together began the journey home.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

T: Quiet a lot again here is direct quote…though some has been altered or given to another character where necessary. Basically most of the Scouring is direct q.

One main note here I think, visa vi the length that Pip's arm remains in a cast, hopefully I've done the math right and it's no more than a month but if not can you just pretend it is…ta!  Oh and yes, Pip is left handed for some odd reason.

There is an epilogue on its way just to tie off the loose ends and then a timeline for those confuzled.

R+R. Cheers.