Sorry if I've been updating too often! I just love writing this and I'm
almost done with Chapter 16...wow! I'm home sick today (pretty much a bad
thing since I can't be missing any school like I could in elem. school...
good times!) and I figured I should edit and update the next chapter. So, I
hope everyone has a great Valentine's Day, single or not, go ahead and buy
yourself a box of chocolates!
Hmm, this chapter really doesn't fit the Valentine's mood, especially if you were looking forward to some serious Sam/Rosie romance...you might have guessed by the chapter title! Oh no, Nolfarm's back!
Just a curious question (sorry for the long author note!) but my FanFiction lingo is very bad LOL! Can somebody explain to me what an AU fiction is? I've probably written one without realizing what that means! Thanks!
Chapter 10: Nolfarm's Announcement (The year is 3016 by the New Year)
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
From then afterwards the wedding of Halfred Gamgee and Poppy Banks, Rosie no longer overlooked Sam's sweet gestures or stares and poor, innocent Sam naively never saw the difference in Rosie's looks to him. He still thought that he and Rosie were only friends in her eyes. Love was a funny thing to figure out.
Almost everyday after or before work at the Green Dragon, Rosie would pass by Bag End or Bagshot Row to see if Sam was outside in the gardens. And if he weren't, she most likely would see him down at the Green Dragon buying a drink at the booth waiting for her.
Another winter came and Yule was being prepared. It seemed like only weeks ago to Sam when he was over at the Cottons helping Farmer Tolman while he was bedridden. This year, the Gamgees invited the Cottons over for Yuletime supper the day before the new year, just like last time.
Both families obviously saw the connection between the Cotton's eldest and the Gamgee's youngest, Tom and Marigold. They could have figured the same from Rosie and Sam if they paid much attention, but neither of them were as open as Tom or Marigold. They would hold hands at the dinner table, spend time by themselves by the fire and once Nibs was seen making fun of Tom for catching him kiss Marigold out on the front porch. For Sam and Rosie, they talked with each other quietly while others started conversations and would walk out in the snow out on the paths of Bagshot Row or in the frozen garden.
Just like last year, the parents went to bed early (and extra beds were made for the Cottons) and their children stayed up. The only difference in someone from the year before on that day was Sam, who stayed up the whole night until midnight with Rosie.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The sight of green grass poking through the frozen ground was always the signal of early spring. The soil of the Shire was perfect for gardening and harvesting and everyday was a beautiful day to go outside.
Rosie worked nights at the Green Dragon Inn during this time of the year and many hobbits that traveled during the blooming time of the Shire stopped by for food, drink or rest. During the day though, Rosie made her way over to see Sam and her parents found this all right. They trusted Sam and Rosie knew they wouldn't be so lenient if it was a hobbit-lad such as Nolfarm.
Sam knew of Rosie's afternoons off and would come by her house after he finished the gardening early in the morning. She still helped around the house and such with her mother and one afternoon, Sam found her in the stable, like he had nearly a year and a half ago when he volunteered to help at the Cottons.
"Sam! I was just about to ride Cobfoot over to number Three. Poor pony, he's been locked up all this time," She said and she unlocked the wooden door and attached the bridle on him. She gave him a handful of oats and they walked out with Cobfoot.
They walked a little while with the young pony, who stopped at every bush to eat and before long, Sam suggested to Rosie that she should be riding on top of him, for it was only proper. Rosie felt funny being guided by Sam from so up high and so Sam joined her from behind after she persuaded him to come ride with her.
Sam guided the reins from behind Rosie and she could feel her cheeks burning. More than anything, Rosie hated feeling so vulnerable around anybody. She was thankful that Sam didn't see her face and she kept quiet with Sam's arms around her.
"Sam, will I be seeing you at the Green Dragon tonight?" Rosie leaned back and asked.
"Aye, of course you will," He whispered in her hair.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
That night, Rosie found herself having difficulty keeping on task. Sam had been over for almost nearly half an hour and she hurried herself with the customers to finish her conversations with him.
At nearly nine, she approached Myawl, the other nighttime barmaid, with a handful of ales and stopped her in the kitchen. "Myawl, would you mind taking over my night shift for today? I will make it up to you, I promise," Rosie asked hurriedly as she thought of the customers and Myawl helped her with the drinks.
"Tonight! But there are nearly thirty mouths to feed out there! What's so important?" Myawl yelped crossly and Rosie grinned guiltlessly.
"I know, but please, Myawl! Just this once!" Rosie pleaded and Myawl set the cups down.
"It's that blonde hobbit-lad you keep flirting with by the booth, isn't it!? The gardener of Mr. Baggins, isn't he?" Myawl guessed and she lifted an eyebrow, "You're goin' off with him tonight, aren't you?!"
"I haven't been flirtin' with him!" Rosie replied crossly and bit her tongue as she tried not to look red in the face, "Only tonight, yes. He was wondering if I could come with him after work, but I don't know, I mean---I cannot wait until closing at ten, Myawl! But I see where you're coming from and there are a lot of hobbits out there tonight..." Rosie said and Myawl gave her a sympathetic look.
"You know what, Rosie-lass, I'll let you off tonight and I'll tend to the hobbits by myself if it kills me. My, my, Rosie, I've never seen this side of you in the time we have known each other. Have a good night," Myawl grinned rolling her eyes and Rosie hugged her and took the drinks to the table.
She came up to Sam in her cloak and he finished his drink, "Where are you off to, Rosie? Has some hobbit-lad asked to take you out tonight?" Sam asked with a smile, "You didn't need to take off work, Rosie. I could have waited." But Rosie didn't take one look back at the booth and they walked out of the bar together. Polo Burrows saw this and thought about the reaction on his brother face, Nolfarm, when he would tell him who Rosie Cotton went off with that night.
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The dark night was cold and quiet and Sam and Rosie walked aimlessly into the open fields. The crescent moon in the sky shimmered pearl-like in the midst of the stars and both of their necks were craned back to look up at the stars.
"Rosie, are you alright? I mean, you don't look ill, but you're---quiet. Not that I'm sayin' you talk a lot or anythin'! It's just...oh, I'm at a lost at what I was trying to get across," Sam mumbled.
She laughed, "No, I'm alright, Sam. I believe I do get ahead of myself with talking at times, and I guess that tonight I don't have much to say," Rosie said and she rubbed her neck as she looked up. Sam pointed out the stars over his head and Rosie decided to lie down on the ground instead.
"Rosie?" Sam asked and he turned around to nothing. She tugged at his pant leg and he laughed to see her on the ground.
He laid down next to her and he pointed out the constellations he learned about. He brought up Elves and their stars, since he could talk easily of things he knew most about and Rosie listened. He tried hard not to get lost in talking too much but he couldn't help himself.
Rosie tried to imagine what Elves would look or act like and she turned to him, "Sam, do you think you tell me one of their stories or sing me an elvish song?"
Sing? He thought as he gulped and he saw the stars sparkle in her eyes. "I suppose I could try one of Bilbo's that he made up," he murmured and he looked straight up to the stars. He closed his eyes as he thought up the courage to sing in front of her, especially her, and remembered a song.
"Water ripples turn to waves; past rollin' hills is where he'd be. And across those waves of foam and spray; lay a ship and Elf on open sea..." Sam started and continued with his hands folded across his stomach.
He sang for a long time very quietly and she didn't stop him. It was mournful and bittersweet and afterwards they talked infrequently until Sam brought her home and bid her goodnight.
Rosie walked through the door after Sam left their porch and her father was still up by the fire reading, "Busy night at the Dragon, Rosie-dear?" Her father asked and she noticed the time over the mantle piece. She should have been home over half an hour ago and she nodded as she pinched herself for lying, "Yes, Papa."
"Sleep well and have a good night then, darling," He smiled and she came over to kiss his cheek.
She came upstairs quietly and got herself ready for bed. Nick was fast asleep in his bed and she crept into her own blankets and glanced at the window on the right. The song he sang was still fresh in her mind and she felt for his music box in her drawer next to her bedside.
She wound it up tight and fell asleep to it.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The ringcrafter went to the back of his workshop and came out with a velvet parcel, "Here it is, young sir! Such a piece of gold you have here, so be careful with it! Come back if it don't fit the lucky lass's finger, eh?" The old artisan chuckled and Nolfarm set it deep in his pocket.
"Oh do not worry yourself, I'll only be back for another ring after our first anniversary!" Nolfarm declared and he looked down to the best-cut diamonds in the case. He had no doubts at all now with the ring in his pocket, even if Polo did say Rosie was with another hobbit-lad at the bar nearly two months before. Now the ring was sculpted and ready and she couldn't refuse his proposal now.
He walked smugly out, thinking about how he could boast to all his friends afterward they heard that he had just won the finest-looking lass around. He passed a booth of fresh-cut roses and bought one just for her. Now all he had to do was come to her door, charm his way through her parents, and win her over with the ring.
Suddenly his face lit up and he had a better plan. There was Rosie in town with her elder brother, Tom, in the middle of a crowd of hobbits ready to use their money on goods. There was no better way than letting everyone see his proposal.
He strutted through to her, making sure all the lasses around knew that he was taken and he put a hand on her arm. "Rosie-love!" He proclaimed loudly and she turned her head to him, almost not believing her name was being called.
"Nolfarm? W-what a surprise to see you!" She said trying to smile and he ran his hand through his dark curls.
"Rosie, dear, I have a confession to make!" He said even louder and the crowd that they had been swamped in the middle of, now backed away to stop and watch what the son of the richest hobbit in the Southeast farthing had to say. "I'm deeply in love with you and I want you to be my bride!"
He handed her the rose and pulled the box out of his pocket, revealing a band of gold with small diamonds encrusted all around. He held her hand with the other and tried to look as handsome as ever. Half the crowd smiled at the cute couple and the other half almost scolded upon young hobbits getting married at their age. Rosie looked helplessly around for anyone to start another commotion or whatnot and tried to talk, "Nolfarm, I'm flattered---."
"Then, it is final! In June, you are all invited---" Nolfarm declared and Rosie put her hand top of his.
"Nolfarm, wait. I am very, very flattered but...I cannot marry you, I'm sorry," She said and he looked up to her baffled. Rosie knew she could never marry Nolfarm; personally, she knew she could never get close to him with his bragging of himself and money. Tom stood behind her and waited to hear what she said to Nolfarm, whom he hadn't been fond of before he proposed to his sister.
Nolfarm stood there with a blank expression and stammered, "Why not? Is it the ring?" He pleaded, trying to spare the embarrassment of rejection and Rosie shook her head.
"No, I cannot marry you," Rosie said and searched for any excuse she could make up on the top of her head, "I am----I am engaged already."
"What?? But to whom, my love?" Nolfarm cried and Tom looked wide-eyed to Rosie.
"I, uh, it's...Sam. Samwise Gamgee," She blurted out and Nolfarm stood up.
"Sam? Gaffer Gamgee's son? But---but, Rosie, I have anything for you! A ring, a house, stability...everything! Please, Rosie, turn him away and marry me!" He stammered and Rosie stepped back abashed.
"Nolfarm, I can't just do that. I'm sorry, but no," Rosie argued once more and Nolfarm couldn't believe that his plan was crumbling right under him.
He tried to keep his patience but he blurted out everything on his mind, "Rosie, how could you do this, you're a smart girl! Sam can't give you everything that I can! He doesn't have half the wealth nor wit I do and in three years you'll wind up with nowhere to go with too many mouths to feed! He's a gardener with no future but the dirt on his hands! Only then you'll be wishin' you had married me! Now, Rosie---!" He shouted but she smacked her hand across his face before he could continue.
"Nolfarm, you have no right in tellin' me who I get married to or not! There is no way on this earth now that I'll ever accept your proposal and if you had half the decency that Samwise had, then maybe I would have spared you this!" She cried and she slapped him again and stomped off with Tom laughing at her heels. She threw her rose down from him and Nolfarm pushed his way through the crowd in a rage to return the ring.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
Hmm, this chapter really doesn't fit the Valentine's mood, especially if you were looking forward to some serious Sam/Rosie romance...you might have guessed by the chapter title! Oh no, Nolfarm's back!
Just a curious question (sorry for the long author note!) but my FanFiction lingo is very bad LOL! Can somebody explain to me what an AU fiction is? I've probably written one without realizing what that means! Thanks!
Chapter 10: Nolfarm's Announcement (The year is 3016 by the New Year)
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
From then afterwards the wedding of Halfred Gamgee and Poppy Banks, Rosie no longer overlooked Sam's sweet gestures or stares and poor, innocent Sam naively never saw the difference in Rosie's looks to him. He still thought that he and Rosie were only friends in her eyes. Love was a funny thing to figure out.
Almost everyday after or before work at the Green Dragon, Rosie would pass by Bag End or Bagshot Row to see if Sam was outside in the gardens. And if he weren't, she most likely would see him down at the Green Dragon buying a drink at the booth waiting for her.
Another winter came and Yule was being prepared. It seemed like only weeks ago to Sam when he was over at the Cottons helping Farmer Tolman while he was bedridden. This year, the Gamgees invited the Cottons over for Yuletime supper the day before the new year, just like last time.
Both families obviously saw the connection between the Cotton's eldest and the Gamgee's youngest, Tom and Marigold. They could have figured the same from Rosie and Sam if they paid much attention, but neither of them were as open as Tom or Marigold. They would hold hands at the dinner table, spend time by themselves by the fire and once Nibs was seen making fun of Tom for catching him kiss Marigold out on the front porch. For Sam and Rosie, they talked with each other quietly while others started conversations and would walk out in the snow out on the paths of Bagshot Row or in the frozen garden.
Just like last year, the parents went to bed early (and extra beds were made for the Cottons) and their children stayed up. The only difference in someone from the year before on that day was Sam, who stayed up the whole night until midnight with Rosie.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The sight of green grass poking through the frozen ground was always the signal of early spring. The soil of the Shire was perfect for gardening and harvesting and everyday was a beautiful day to go outside.
Rosie worked nights at the Green Dragon Inn during this time of the year and many hobbits that traveled during the blooming time of the Shire stopped by for food, drink or rest. During the day though, Rosie made her way over to see Sam and her parents found this all right. They trusted Sam and Rosie knew they wouldn't be so lenient if it was a hobbit-lad such as Nolfarm.
Sam knew of Rosie's afternoons off and would come by her house after he finished the gardening early in the morning. She still helped around the house and such with her mother and one afternoon, Sam found her in the stable, like he had nearly a year and a half ago when he volunteered to help at the Cottons.
"Sam! I was just about to ride Cobfoot over to number Three. Poor pony, he's been locked up all this time," She said and she unlocked the wooden door and attached the bridle on him. She gave him a handful of oats and they walked out with Cobfoot.
They walked a little while with the young pony, who stopped at every bush to eat and before long, Sam suggested to Rosie that she should be riding on top of him, for it was only proper. Rosie felt funny being guided by Sam from so up high and so Sam joined her from behind after she persuaded him to come ride with her.
Sam guided the reins from behind Rosie and she could feel her cheeks burning. More than anything, Rosie hated feeling so vulnerable around anybody. She was thankful that Sam didn't see her face and she kept quiet with Sam's arms around her.
"Sam, will I be seeing you at the Green Dragon tonight?" Rosie leaned back and asked.
"Aye, of course you will," He whispered in her hair.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
That night, Rosie found herself having difficulty keeping on task. Sam had been over for almost nearly half an hour and she hurried herself with the customers to finish her conversations with him.
At nearly nine, she approached Myawl, the other nighttime barmaid, with a handful of ales and stopped her in the kitchen. "Myawl, would you mind taking over my night shift for today? I will make it up to you, I promise," Rosie asked hurriedly as she thought of the customers and Myawl helped her with the drinks.
"Tonight! But there are nearly thirty mouths to feed out there! What's so important?" Myawl yelped crossly and Rosie grinned guiltlessly.
"I know, but please, Myawl! Just this once!" Rosie pleaded and Myawl set the cups down.
"It's that blonde hobbit-lad you keep flirting with by the booth, isn't it!? The gardener of Mr. Baggins, isn't he?" Myawl guessed and she lifted an eyebrow, "You're goin' off with him tonight, aren't you?!"
"I haven't been flirtin' with him!" Rosie replied crossly and bit her tongue as she tried not to look red in the face, "Only tonight, yes. He was wondering if I could come with him after work, but I don't know, I mean---I cannot wait until closing at ten, Myawl! But I see where you're coming from and there are a lot of hobbits out there tonight..." Rosie said and Myawl gave her a sympathetic look.
"You know what, Rosie-lass, I'll let you off tonight and I'll tend to the hobbits by myself if it kills me. My, my, Rosie, I've never seen this side of you in the time we have known each other. Have a good night," Myawl grinned rolling her eyes and Rosie hugged her and took the drinks to the table.
She came up to Sam in her cloak and he finished his drink, "Where are you off to, Rosie? Has some hobbit-lad asked to take you out tonight?" Sam asked with a smile, "You didn't need to take off work, Rosie. I could have waited." But Rosie didn't take one look back at the booth and they walked out of the bar together. Polo Burrows saw this and thought about the reaction on his brother face, Nolfarm, when he would tell him who Rosie Cotton went off with that night.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The dark night was cold and quiet and Sam and Rosie walked aimlessly into the open fields. The crescent moon in the sky shimmered pearl-like in the midst of the stars and both of their necks were craned back to look up at the stars.
"Rosie, are you alright? I mean, you don't look ill, but you're---quiet. Not that I'm sayin' you talk a lot or anythin'! It's just...oh, I'm at a lost at what I was trying to get across," Sam mumbled.
She laughed, "No, I'm alright, Sam. I believe I do get ahead of myself with talking at times, and I guess that tonight I don't have much to say," Rosie said and she rubbed her neck as she looked up. Sam pointed out the stars over his head and Rosie decided to lie down on the ground instead.
"Rosie?" Sam asked and he turned around to nothing. She tugged at his pant leg and he laughed to see her on the ground.
He laid down next to her and he pointed out the constellations he learned about. He brought up Elves and their stars, since he could talk easily of things he knew most about and Rosie listened. He tried hard not to get lost in talking too much but he couldn't help himself.
Rosie tried to imagine what Elves would look or act like and she turned to him, "Sam, do you think you tell me one of their stories or sing me an elvish song?"
Sing? He thought as he gulped and he saw the stars sparkle in her eyes. "I suppose I could try one of Bilbo's that he made up," he murmured and he looked straight up to the stars. He closed his eyes as he thought up the courage to sing in front of her, especially her, and remembered a song.
"Water ripples turn to waves; past rollin' hills is where he'd be. And across those waves of foam and spray; lay a ship and Elf on open sea..." Sam started and continued with his hands folded across his stomach.
He sang for a long time very quietly and she didn't stop him. It was mournful and bittersweet and afterwards they talked infrequently until Sam brought her home and bid her goodnight.
Rosie walked through the door after Sam left their porch and her father was still up by the fire reading, "Busy night at the Dragon, Rosie-dear?" Her father asked and she noticed the time over the mantle piece. She should have been home over half an hour ago and she nodded as she pinched herself for lying, "Yes, Papa."
"Sleep well and have a good night then, darling," He smiled and she came over to kiss his cheek.
She came upstairs quietly and got herself ready for bed. Nick was fast asleep in his bed and she crept into her own blankets and glanced at the window on the right. The song he sang was still fresh in her mind and she felt for his music box in her drawer next to her bedside.
She wound it up tight and fell asleep to it.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The ringcrafter went to the back of his workshop and came out with a velvet parcel, "Here it is, young sir! Such a piece of gold you have here, so be careful with it! Come back if it don't fit the lucky lass's finger, eh?" The old artisan chuckled and Nolfarm set it deep in his pocket.
"Oh do not worry yourself, I'll only be back for another ring after our first anniversary!" Nolfarm declared and he looked down to the best-cut diamonds in the case. He had no doubts at all now with the ring in his pocket, even if Polo did say Rosie was with another hobbit-lad at the bar nearly two months before. Now the ring was sculpted and ready and she couldn't refuse his proposal now.
He walked smugly out, thinking about how he could boast to all his friends afterward they heard that he had just won the finest-looking lass around. He passed a booth of fresh-cut roses and bought one just for her. Now all he had to do was come to her door, charm his way through her parents, and win her over with the ring.
Suddenly his face lit up and he had a better plan. There was Rosie in town with her elder brother, Tom, in the middle of a crowd of hobbits ready to use their money on goods. There was no better way than letting everyone see his proposal.
He strutted through to her, making sure all the lasses around knew that he was taken and he put a hand on her arm. "Rosie-love!" He proclaimed loudly and she turned her head to him, almost not believing her name was being called.
"Nolfarm? W-what a surprise to see you!" She said trying to smile and he ran his hand through his dark curls.
"Rosie, dear, I have a confession to make!" He said even louder and the crowd that they had been swamped in the middle of, now backed away to stop and watch what the son of the richest hobbit in the Southeast farthing had to say. "I'm deeply in love with you and I want you to be my bride!"
He handed her the rose and pulled the box out of his pocket, revealing a band of gold with small diamonds encrusted all around. He held her hand with the other and tried to look as handsome as ever. Half the crowd smiled at the cute couple and the other half almost scolded upon young hobbits getting married at their age. Rosie looked helplessly around for anyone to start another commotion or whatnot and tried to talk, "Nolfarm, I'm flattered---."
"Then, it is final! In June, you are all invited---" Nolfarm declared and Rosie put her hand top of his.
"Nolfarm, wait. I am very, very flattered but...I cannot marry you, I'm sorry," She said and he looked up to her baffled. Rosie knew she could never marry Nolfarm; personally, she knew she could never get close to him with his bragging of himself and money. Tom stood behind her and waited to hear what she said to Nolfarm, whom he hadn't been fond of before he proposed to his sister.
Nolfarm stood there with a blank expression and stammered, "Why not? Is it the ring?" He pleaded, trying to spare the embarrassment of rejection and Rosie shook her head.
"No, I cannot marry you," Rosie said and searched for any excuse she could make up on the top of her head, "I am----I am engaged already."
"What?? But to whom, my love?" Nolfarm cried and Tom looked wide-eyed to Rosie.
"I, uh, it's...Sam. Samwise Gamgee," She blurted out and Nolfarm stood up.
"Sam? Gaffer Gamgee's son? But---but, Rosie, I have anything for you! A ring, a house, stability...everything! Please, Rosie, turn him away and marry me!" He stammered and Rosie stepped back abashed.
"Nolfarm, I can't just do that. I'm sorry, but no," Rosie argued once more and Nolfarm couldn't believe that his plan was crumbling right under him.
He tried to keep his patience but he blurted out everything on his mind, "Rosie, how could you do this, you're a smart girl! Sam can't give you everything that I can! He doesn't have half the wealth nor wit I do and in three years you'll wind up with nowhere to go with too many mouths to feed! He's a gardener with no future but the dirt on his hands! Only then you'll be wishin' you had married me! Now, Rosie---!" He shouted but she smacked her hand across his face before he could continue.
"Nolfarm, you have no right in tellin' me who I get married to or not! There is no way on this earth now that I'll ever accept your proposal and if you had half the decency that Samwise had, then maybe I would have spared you this!" She cried and she slapped him again and stomped off with Tom laughing at her heels. She threw her rose down from him and Nolfarm pushed his way through the crowd in a rage to return the ring.
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