Hi everyone. Next chapter is here at last. Sorry that it took so long again but I have so much work and several stories on the go at once. Thank you for being patient.

A growing cloud

It had been almost a week now since Frodo had arrived. Sam had watched his friend over the days, growing slowly weaker and slower as he walked. He hated to see him like that but there was nothing he could do.

Entertaining Frodo wasn't difficult. Frodo had now met nearly al of Sam's children. He had met Daisy, Primrose and Ruby the day after Merry and Pippin's visit. They had all travelled from Waymeet, where they all lived and had spent the day being introduced to the hobbit they had heard so much about.

Yesterday had seen the visit of Sam's children, Merry, Pippin, Holfast and Tolman. They all lived in Woody End and had too spent the day laughing at stories they were told.

Sam could now see that the past few days visits had taken their toll on Frodo. He always looked tired and worn out and began to eat less and less, most unusual for a hobbit.

It was now mid afternoon and Frodo was relaxing in the large chair in the living room. Sam and Frodo were talking but Sam could see that Frodo was getting tired.

"Do you want to sleep for a while Mr Frodo." Sam asked.

Frodo thought for a moment before replying, "That would be very nice Sam. I am getting dreadfully tired."

Sam helped Frodo back to his room and then left him alone while he went to find Rosie. He had seen so little of her this past week.

"Hello, darling." Sam greeted her. "Frodo has gone for little sleep He needs his rest."

"That he does, Sam." Rosie replied. "I could see he was getting weary."

"Oh Rosie I'm so worried about him." Sam confessed, unable to hold back his emotions. "I know why he came here, I really do, but I can't bare the thought of loosing him again."

"Come on now Sam." Rosie walked over to him and put an arm a round his shoulder as he sat on one of the high stools in the kitchen. "I know you love Frodo very much but you cannot let yourself get too worked up about it. You will miss him once he gone but you must make the most of the time you. If you get scared so will Frodo. You must stay strong for his sake."

Sam nodded. "I know your right Rose, but it's so hard. I don't think I can do it." One lonely tear managed to escape his eyes and it slid down his cheek and onto the work top. "It's like one big cloud has come and is slowly taking over him. Like the ring took over him all those years ago, but I know he won't get through this and there is nothing I can do to help. He's going to leave me."

"Sam, he will never leave you. You will always be together no matter how far apart you really are. Nothing could ever break the bond you share. I have seen you together and it is though he and you are one person." Rosie smiled sympathetically down at Sam.

"I know Rosie. I know you're right." Sam dried his cheek. "I love you." He added afterwards.

"And you too." Rosie gave him one last hug before returning to baking her large fruit cake. She would make especially for Frodo and Sam's tea.

Sam stood up from his stool and took a walk out in the garden. he wanted to be alone for a while.

Sitting on the bench under the large over hanging tree, Sam looked around him. He thought back to the many years he and Frodo had spent playing under this tree. Frodo would be sat reading and would love Sam to read along, or sit quiet while he read to him. They would invent games that would occupy themselves for hours on end and Sam would never want to go home.

Sam's mind then wandered to the many times he had sat and watched his own children playing under the tree. Elanor had begun to teach Goldilocks to read while sitting here. Frodo, Merry and Pippin would invent games of trolls and orcs from the stories Sam had told them. Many happy hours had been spent playing right where Sam sat now.

How many happy memories would this tree see? Sam thought. He wandered how many times it had ever been involved in a child's game. All that was over now. His children had left home and Frodo would soon leave him too. Whoever moved into Bag End, hopefully one of his children, would contribute to the endless memories this tree had, but Sam would never again be able to look at it without feeling an endless aching in his heart.

Sam was quickly brought back to his sense as he felt something dripping onto his arm. Then he realised he was crying. Huge wet tears were streaming down his cheeks as the chilly wind whipped at his face. Wiping them away with the back of his hand he blew his nose on an handkerchief. Then he made his way back inside and decided to help Rosie make an extra special tea for Frodo.

Hi. I'm very sorry that I didn't have chance to reply to all of your reviews this chapter but I promise I will next chapter. Thank you all for your reviews and constructive criticism. It has been taken on board and I do try to improve wherever possible. Again I'm sorry for not replying but I thought it would be better to post this chapter now without replies than make you wait any longer.

Thank you for being so patient.

LegyLuva