Wow! Thank you so much for the generous reviews! I think it's time for an
author's response (which I'm so bad at!)
Ron-Weasley-Luver: Hmm, I think this chapter will answer that... ;)
Loveofthering: Aww! That was about the nicest thing anyone has said!! *hugs loveofthering tightly*
Lindalerial: Thank you for wishing me a happy birthday! ;)
Isadora quagmire: 'Teen girl puddle'! LOL, I do that a lot hehe...
Aemilia Rose: Hehe, perhaps your encouragement worked...!
MadamStella: Aww, well I love you too Stella! *looks out window to see socks* Hey! Socks! Well, you probably need these back to keep your toe-ies warm!! LOL
Lollipopsaretears: Thank you for the great review! ;)
Aragorns-gurl33: Oooh, you're so sweet, I'm glad you like my story!
*Hope you'll enjoy this...the end leads into the next two chapters events ;)
Chapter 12: Summertime Berries
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
In the back of the Gamgee smial on Rosie's day off, you could find both Samwise and Rosie in the middle of their garden. Rosie would be seated on the back fence of brick watching Sam while he gardened below and they talked for hours. And every time before she left, Sam gave her morning glory for her room.
The summer of 3017 was a colorful and lush one. Every summer seemed to be getting better in the Shire with the fruit ripening on the stems and vines and the sun warming the fields with soft rays. Parties were thrown for no apparent reason, only just to enjoy the early rich harvest.
Bell decided to take advantage of the good year and found Sam and Rosie outside with nothing really to do. She set out baskets on the back porch, "Would you mind getting me some berries in town? I think it's time for some pies after supper!" She chirped and they agreed to.
They walked on the path the longer way down to the village and they both spotted fields of berries the opposite direction of the town. Rosie took Sam's hand and they bounded down the steep hill to pick the fruit for Mrs. Gamgee.
They wove in between the long stems of fruit and picked them off until their baskets were full. It was the perfect day for being outside and Rosie loved being with Sam alone like this. She couldn't keep herself from always smiling and staring at Sam, and he was doing the very same thing. Sam and Rosie had little contests with each other like finding the biggest blackberries or catching blueberries in their mouths. Until long, they were done and they had a better time than they would have than buying their berries from town.
They walked back up the hill very close together and Rosie swung her basket, "...you should have been there when those Boffins walked into the Green Dr---. Sam!" Rosie yelped and Sam stopped chewing with berries in his hand. "You'll ruin your appetite for later if you eat all of them!"
Sam stopped, "Ruin my appetite?"
Rosie, "Aye, for supper of course!"
Sam gave an innocent look and shrugged, "Oh, come now. One raspberry won't hurt," He said softly and blushed.
She looked so beautiful today in her sundress, even though Rosie always looked beautiful to him. Her laughing eyes were shining and the sunshine made her curly head look golden. He wasn't sure what made him do it; perhaps it was from the deep desire to be close to Rosie in his heart. He took a raspberry and held it up to her lips and she smiled coyly and ate it. His fingers lingered there and he leaned in and kissed her cheek in the moment.
She stood their speechless and he walked away slowly smiling with pink cheeks and her knees almost buckled. Her first kiss came from her Sam.
She jumped up to his side and clutched her basket, "I--I suppose you are right. One more then?" Rosie stammered grinning, wanting to kiss him back the same way, and Sam shook his head.
"No. I think you were right about spoiling my dinner," Sam said demurely when she came to his side and she pouted.
"Sam, really. Just one more?" Rosie asked holding up a raspberry and Sam put his hand in his pocket, swinging the basket with the other.
"Nah---really, I'm fine, Rosie," Sam persisted teasingly with a crooked grin and Rosie stomped her foot. He knew teasing with her would make her mad and he burst out laughing on how serious she was taking this whole thing.
"Sam Gamgee! You're so...so stubborn!" She yelped and Sam turned around.
"Stubborn? Me?" Sam laughed and Rosie skipped up to him impatient.
"Well, can't you see that I'm trying to kiss you back?!" Rosie asked and in her headstrong ways, she took Sam's shoulders and gave him a forceful peck on the cheek.
She pulled away and he beamed and blushed all at the same time. He was light-headed with happiness and Rosie took a strawberry out of his basket and shoved it in his mouth for teasing her like that. They walked home holding hands, both nervous on what to do next.
That night, Sam started another letter to Rosie.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The end of August came and slowly more and more people suggested that Sam and Rosie were smitten with each other. They weren't for sure but they could tell something was between them by the amount of time they spent with each other.
Sam was seated at the writing desk in his room and he dipped his quill into the inkbottle and continued his writing. He had already gone through three pieces of parchment until he finally gave up on retrying and realized he couldn't write a letter without a spelling mistake of some sort. Finally, he reached the end of his letter and dipped his quill again. He started on his 'S' to sign his name until a tap from the window made his jump.
He whipped around alarmed and could make out Rosie from behind his thin drapery. He put his quill down over his letter and his heart jumped at the sight of her at his window. He pulled the curtains back, unlatched the window, and swung the round window aside.
"Rosie! What are you doing here outside my window?" Sam laughed and Rosie clutched her cloak around her.
"Just took a longer road down from the Dragon to see you. And is there a reason I should not?" She asked and Sam shrugged shyly. There were times where her blunt remarks caught him short with nothing to say but as stern as she might sound she always ended up with a soft smile on her face and that was what won Sam over.
He poked his head out his window. It was hours after the sun came down and the garden outside his window was silent and blanketed by shadows.
"It must be freezing out there. I would invite you in but it is quite late and I'm afraid it would take some time for you to get through my window!" Sam said sarcastically and Rosie leaned over the window frame.
"Aye, but I could try!" Rosie giggled and Sam stood back dumbfounded at her boldness. She swung her leg over and propped herself up on the frame. She cast her other leg over and they laughed uncontrollably as she sat halfway inside Sam's room.
Then a soft knock came from Sam's room and they covered their mouths to stifle their laughing. Sam rushed to the door to make sure it didn't open suddenly and Rosie wavered and fell backwards into one of the thistle bushes and she yelped.
Bell Gamgee opened the door and found Sam sitting (very tense) at his desk with his bedroom window open. Sam looked up and grinned, "Hello, Mama."
She bent over and gave him a slight hug, "It's late, Sam. You should consider gettin' to bed. And what's with your window open?" She asked and Sam searched for any excuse.
"Err, it's actually very nice out tonight and I just wanted some air, Mama," Sam said and Bell walked over and stuck her hand out.
Rosie looked up silently and crouched down lower when she spotted Mrs. Gamgee's hand over her head. She brought it back inside, "Hmm, it is a cool night, but make sure you close it before you get to bed. You can't afford a cold!" She commanded and Sam nodded and kissed her cheek goodnight.
The second Mrs. Gamgee left, Sam shut the door and Rosie stood up. "Sam! Out of all the gardeners in the Shire, you just happen to grow a thistle bush growin' under your window!" She winced and pulled the thorn branches out of her hair and dress.
"I'm sorry, Rosie, I never wanted you to get hurt," Sam smiled sympathetically, "I usually don't have lasses trying to climb through my windows in the dead of night!" And they laughed.
Rosie quickly gave up on the idea of coming in and they spoke in between the open window for a time. It wasn't until they yawned and realized it was extremely late that Rosie had to cut their conversation short.
"Anyhow, Sam, it is terribly late and I should have been home a long time ago. I'll speak with you soon, alright?" Rosie said and Sam nodded. He remembered his letter on his desk and bit his tongue hard.
"Before you go, though, I have something to give you," Sam said and he hurried over to his desk. He finished signing his name and quickly scribbled a note at the end. He folded it up and sealed it with stamp and came back to the window.
"Here. Just a little somethin' I wrote, for, well, you know," He tried to explain and he held the letter out for Rosie. He held her hands for a minute when she took the letter and he gave her a sincere smile. "Get home safe."
Then in minutes, Rosie found herself walking home after they bid goodnights and Sam closed his window. It was peacefully quiet out in the dark and Rosie walked slowly and fingered the opening to the letter. Having a letter written to her in her hands made her heart jump and she finally broke the seal on the folds.
~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~
Dear Rosie,
Lately, I have found myself with notheng to do when it is too dark for gardening or being with you at the Dragon. I hope you dont mind my script or spelling!
My Dad and Ma wish that I took up writing more oftan other than study my reading. I have told you before, it was mr. Frodo and Bilbo who taught me and I cannot stop reading the books they have given me since so long ago. I shall show you them sometime.
I realised I have written to you whenever I think of things that I have forgottin to say, but that's quite impossible because I know I would have to write 100 letters to tell you many things. Things like how pure youre voice sounds to my ears or how I wish I could slow time when we are together under the sun.
Rosie, there are many days where I wake up and first think of how I will plan my day to see you at least once. For a long time I have become fond of you, so very fond. I dont need sunshine for my shadows when I can just see your smile.
Ma made her pies from the fruit we picked and every time I have a piece, I think of that day, but it is not the same. The taste of pies is nothing compared to the fresh berrys in the field where I watched you standing so lovely and still. Just being with you leavs me in bliss. I can remember the taste of berrys that you left on my lips and I want to remember it someday again.
I will write to you again, Rosie, and you are on my thoughts. Sleep well.
Love,
Sam
~Tomarrow night, I will wait for you by the party tree after your work.
~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~
The last part was the endnote he had obviously scribbled down before she left. She reread the letter several times until she finally folded it up for the last time and held it to her chest. It sounded as if he had written her a letter or two before. Had they been lost in the post? Nevertheless, it didn't matter now. She had already made her mind of being there tomorrow and for Sam to remember her lips. He had to know that she loved him.
Dim lights shown through the Cotton's windows and Rosie went around to the back and slowly opened the back door into their dining room. She came through the room very quietly and was stopped even before her hand touched the staircase railing.
Her mother sprung from her seat when she heard Rosie and her father put his pipe down that he had been chewing at very intensely. Instead of her mother taking her into a hug she stood crossly in front of her, her emotions threatening to snap. Farmer Cotton stood up next to Mrs. Cotton and Rosie noticed Nibs sitting on the stairway. They had been worried sick of her state.
"Rose Cotton, what in blazes do you think you are doing comin' in through the door at this time of night?! The bar closes at 10 and usually you have been home even before that because Holman knows that nighttime is not a time for any hobbit to be out goin' home alone! Do you have any idea what has been goin' through our minds while you were missing? It's half an hour 'til one and you had me and everyone else on our toes hopin' you were lost or eaten or kidnapped---" Lily burst out and Rosie gave a flustered look.
"Eaten? Kidnapped? Mother--!" Rosie asked skeptically and Lily grimaced.
"You never know these days! There have been strange things passing by the forests now, from talk I've heard, and anything can happen to you! Well?! Aren't you going to say something?"
"I will, once you're done scolding me before I can explain!" Rosie snapped and her parents gave her stern glares. She bowed her head, "I'm sorry, but can't you see that I'm all right now?"
"But where have you been, Rosie? And give us a truthful answer," Tolman asked and Tom, Jolly, and Nick came out rubbing their eyes from their rooms onto the stairway.
"I was out by Sam Gamgee's," She mumbled.
Lily threw her arms up. The worry that she had caused her had finally exploded, "Out with Sam!? This late? My child, why?! Can you not wait until daylight on your times off, even though you already do? You spend every waking moment with that lad and I will not have you comin' home like this from now on. I trust Samwise, and as much as I love Sam---" Mrs. Cotton explained.
"---and as much as Rosie loves Sam," Nick interjected in a mutter and Rosie threw him a look of daggers.
"Nick, keep your mouth shut!" Rosie snapped and Farmer Cotton stepped in before any arguments started.
"Rosie, this is such a disappointment to us. Your coming of age is next month and you have shown us such an extreme act of irresponsibility. I have seen it frequently of late and there is changes to be made. From now on, until you are responsible again, you will spend your mornings here helping your mother, other than disappearing before you have the chance to. I will speak to Holman at the Dragon to change your working times for the time being, so you work straight through early afternoons to early evenings. No more nighttime shifts. Afterwards, you will come straight home. I will not have you spending all your time out into the late hours of the night," Farmer Cotton explained and Rosie clutched her letter.
"But--but, Papa! Please don't isolate me from everything else! I promise it won't happen again, but can't I stay out after my work?" She pleaded and he shook her head.
"Not until you change your ways, Rosie. I'm sorry. There is no more to explain," He said straightforwardly and Rosie made her way up the stairs furiously and closed her door.
She threw herself on her bed and sobbed in her pillow. She couldn't believe how much was going to change just because she had been out late. She knew she got herself into her own punishment and she held her letter closer to her. There was no way now that she could see Sam tomorrow at the party tree, there was just no way. Sam would probably think she hadn't cared or remembered what he wrote but she did and she cried at the thought.
She stayed up under her covers listening to her parents talk downstairs and she set her letter in between her mattress. Nick came back in after a time and Rosie pretended to be asleep as he fell into slumber. Then she cried once again.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The black sky was dotted with clear stars and everything was in peace except for Sam's thoughts. The Party Tree trunk was hard against his back and for nearly an hour now, he had waited to Rosie. He had debated whether he should go by the Green Dragon but he was scared she'd come along while he left. Had she forgotten? Maybe she hasn't read my letter yet---or maybe she did read it, he thought and he started to doubt himself. He should have kept it with all the other letters he never gave her; perhaps he had told her too much.
Under the silver moon, he waited and waited for a long time until he lost his patience. There was not a sound around the Shire and Sam finally decided to head home alone.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
Ron-Weasley-Luver: Hmm, I think this chapter will answer that... ;)
Loveofthering: Aww! That was about the nicest thing anyone has said!! *hugs loveofthering tightly*
Lindalerial: Thank you for wishing me a happy birthday! ;)
Isadora quagmire: 'Teen girl puddle'! LOL, I do that a lot hehe...
Aemilia Rose: Hehe, perhaps your encouragement worked...!
MadamStella: Aww, well I love you too Stella! *looks out window to see socks* Hey! Socks! Well, you probably need these back to keep your toe-ies warm!! LOL
Lollipopsaretears: Thank you for the great review! ;)
Aragorns-gurl33: Oooh, you're so sweet, I'm glad you like my story!
*Hope you'll enjoy this...the end leads into the next two chapters events ;)
Chapter 12: Summertime Berries
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
In the back of the Gamgee smial on Rosie's day off, you could find both Samwise and Rosie in the middle of their garden. Rosie would be seated on the back fence of brick watching Sam while he gardened below and they talked for hours. And every time before she left, Sam gave her morning glory for her room.
The summer of 3017 was a colorful and lush one. Every summer seemed to be getting better in the Shire with the fruit ripening on the stems and vines and the sun warming the fields with soft rays. Parties were thrown for no apparent reason, only just to enjoy the early rich harvest.
Bell decided to take advantage of the good year and found Sam and Rosie outside with nothing really to do. She set out baskets on the back porch, "Would you mind getting me some berries in town? I think it's time for some pies after supper!" She chirped and they agreed to.
They walked on the path the longer way down to the village and they both spotted fields of berries the opposite direction of the town. Rosie took Sam's hand and they bounded down the steep hill to pick the fruit for Mrs. Gamgee.
They wove in between the long stems of fruit and picked them off until their baskets were full. It was the perfect day for being outside and Rosie loved being with Sam alone like this. She couldn't keep herself from always smiling and staring at Sam, and he was doing the very same thing. Sam and Rosie had little contests with each other like finding the biggest blackberries or catching blueberries in their mouths. Until long, they were done and they had a better time than they would have than buying their berries from town.
They walked back up the hill very close together and Rosie swung her basket, "...you should have been there when those Boffins walked into the Green Dr---. Sam!" Rosie yelped and Sam stopped chewing with berries in his hand. "You'll ruin your appetite for later if you eat all of them!"
Sam stopped, "Ruin my appetite?"
Rosie, "Aye, for supper of course!"
Sam gave an innocent look and shrugged, "Oh, come now. One raspberry won't hurt," He said softly and blushed.
She looked so beautiful today in her sundress, even though Rosie always looked beautiful to him. Her laughing eyes were shining and the sunshine made her curly head look golden. He wasn't sure what made him do it; perhaps it was from the deep desire to be close to Rosie in his heart. He took a raspberry and held it up to her lips and she smiled coyly and ate it. His fingers lingered there and he leaned in and kissed her cheek in the moment.
She stood their speechless and he walked away slowly smiling with pink cheeks and her knees almost buckled. Her first kiss came from her Sam.
She jumped up to his side and clutched her basket, "I--I suppose you are right. One more then?" Rosie stammered grinning, wanting to kiss him back the same way, and Sam shook his head.
"No. I think you were right about spoiling my dinner," Sam said demurely when she came to his side and she pouted.
"Sam, really. Just one more?" Rosie asked holding up a raspberry and Sam put his hand in his pocket, swinging the basket with the other.
"Nah---really, I'm fine, Rosie," Sam persisted teasingly with a crooked grin and Rosie stomped her foot. He knew teasing with her would make her mad and he burst out laughing on how serious she was taking this whole thing.
"Sam Gamgee! You're so...so stubborn!" She yelped and Sam turned around.
"Stubborn? Me?" Sam laughed and Rosie skipped up to him impatient.
"Well, can't you see that I'm trying to kiss you back?!" Rosie asked and in her headstrong ways, she took Sam's shoulders and gave him a forceful peck on the cheek.
She pulled away and he beamed and blushed all at the same time. He was light-headed with happiness and Rosie took a strawberry out of his basket and shoved it in his mouth for teasing her like that. They walked home holding hands, both nervous on what to do next.
That night, Sam started another letter to Rosie.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The end of August came and slowly more and more people suggested that Sam and Rosie were smitten with each other. They weren't for sure but they could tell something was between them by the amount of time they spent with each other.
Sam was seated at the writing desk in his room and he dipped his quill into the inkbottle and continued his writing. He had already gone through three pieces of parchment until he finally gave up on retrying and realized he couldn't write a letter without a spelling mistake of some sort. Finally, he reached the end of his letter and dipped his quill again. He started on his 'S' to sign his name until a tap from the window made his jump.
He whipped around alarmed and could make out Rosie from behind his thin drapery. He put his quill down over his letter and his heart jumped at the sight of her at his window. He pulled the curtains back, unlatched the window, and swung the round window aside.
"Rosie! What are you doing here outside my window?" Sam laughed and Rosie clutched her cloak around her.
"Just took a longer road down from the Dragon to see you. And is there a reason I should not?" She asked and Sam shrugged shyly. There were times where her blunt remarks caught him short with nothing to say but as stern as she might sound she always ended up with a soft smile on her face and that was what won Sam over.
He poked his head out his window. It was hours after the sun came down and the garden outside his window was silent and blanketed by shadows.
"It must be freezing out there. I would invite you in but it is quite late and I'm afraid it would take some time for you to get through my window!" Sam said sarcastically and Rosie leaned over the window frame.
"Aye, but I could try!" Rosie giggled and Sam stood back dumbfounded at her boldness. She swung her leg over and propped herself up on the frame. She cast her other leg over and they laughed uncontrollably as she sat halfway inside Sam's room.
Then a soft knock came from Sam's room and they covered their mouths to stifle their laughing. Sam rushed to the door to make sure it didn't open suddenly and Rosie wavered and fell backwards into one of the thistle bushes and she yelped.
Bell Gamgee opened the door and found Sam sitting (very tense) at his desk with his bedroom window open. Sam looked up and grinned, "Hello, Mama."
She bent over and gave him a slight hug, "It's late, Sam. You should consider gettin' to bed. And what's with your window open?" She asked and Sam searched for any excuse.
"Err, it's actually very nice out tonight and I just wanted some air, Mama," Sam said and Bell walked over and stuck her hand out.
Rosie looked up silently and crouched down lower when she spotted Mrs. Gamgee's hand over her head. She brought it back inside, "Hmm, it is a cool night, but make sure you close it before you get to bed. You can't afford a cold!" She commanded and Sam nodded and kissed her cheek goodnight.
The second Mrs. Gamgee left, Sam shut the door and Rosie stood up. "Sam! Out of all the gardeners in the Shire, you just happen to grow a thistle bush growin' under your window!" She winced and pulled the thorn branches out of her hair and dress.
"I'm sorry, Rosie, I never wanted you to get hurt," Sam smiled sympathetically, "I usually don't have lasses trying to climb through my windows in the dead of night!" And they laughed.
Rosie quickly gave up on the idea of coming in and they spoke in between the open window for a time. It wasn't until they yawned and realized it was extremely late that Rosie had to cut their conversation short.
"Anyhow, Sam, it is terribly late and I should have been home a long time ago. I'll speak with you soon, alright?" Rosie said and Sam nodded. He remembered his letter on his desk and bit his tongue hard.
"Before you go, though, I have something to give you," Sam said and he hurried over to his desk. He finished signing his name and quickly scribbled a note at the end. He folded it up and sealed it with stamp and came back to the window.
"Here. Just a little somethin' I wrote, for, well, you know," He tried to explain and he held the letter out for Rosie. He held her hands for a minute when she took the letter and he gave her a sincere smile. "Get home safe."
Then in minutes, Rosie found herself walking home after they bid goodnights and Sam closed his window. It was peacefully quiet out in the dark and Rosie walked slowly and fingered the opening to the letter. Having a letter written to her in her hands made her heart jump and she finally broke the seal on the folds.
~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~
Dear Rosie,
Lately, I have found myself with notheng to do when it is too dark for gardening or being with you at the Dragon. I hope you dont mind my script or spelling!
My Dad and Ma wish that I took up writing more oftan other than study my reading. I have told you before, it was mr. Frodo and Bilbo who taught me and I cannot stop reading the books they have given me since so long ago. I shall show you them sometime.
I realised I have written to you whenever I think of things that I have forgottin to say, but that's quite impossible because I know I would have to write 100 letters to tell you many things. Things like how pure youre voice sounds to my ears or how I wish I could slow time when we are together under the sun.
Rosie, there are many days where I wake up and first think of how I will plan my day to see you at least once. For a long time I have become fond of you, so very fond. I dont need sunshine for my shadows when I can just see your smile.
Ma made her pies from the fruit we picked and every time I have a piece, I think of that day, but it is not the same. The taste of pies is nothing compared to the fresh berrys in the field where I watched you standing so lovely and still. Just being with you leavs me in bliss. I can remember the taste of berrys that you left on my lips and I want to remember it someday again.
I will write to you again, Rosie, and you are on my thoughts. Sleep well.
Love,
Sam
~Tomarrow night, I will wait for you by the party tree after your work.
~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~÷¦÷~
The last part was the endnote he had obviously scribbled down before she left. She reread the letter several times until she finally folded it up for the last time and held it to her chest. It sounded as if he had written her a letter or two before. Had they been lost in the post? Nevertheless, it didn't matter now. She had already made her mind of being there tomorrow and for Sam to remember her lips. He had to know that she loved him.
Dim lights shown through the Cotton's windows and Rosie went around to the back and slowly opened the back door into their dining room. She came through the room very quietly and was stopped even before her hand touched the staircase railing.
Her mother sprung from her seat when she heard Rosie and her father put his pipe down that he had been chewing at very intensely. Instead of her mother taking her into a hug she stood crossly in front of her, her emotions threatening to snap. Farmer Cotton stood up next to Mrs. Cotton and Rosie noticed Nibs sitting on the stairway. They had been worried sick of her state.
"Rose Cotton, what in blazes do you think you are doing comin' in through the door at this time of night?! The bar closes at 10 and usually you have been home even before that because Holman knows that nighttime is not a time for any hobbit to be out goin' home alone! Do you have any idea what has been goin' through our minds while you were missing? It's half an hour 'til one and you had me and everyone else on our toes hopin' you were lost or eaten or kidnapped---" Lily burst out and Rosie gave a flustered look.
"Eaten? Kidnapped? Mother--!" Rosie asked skeptically and Lily grimaced.
"You never know these days! There have been strange things passing by the forests now, from talk I've heard, and anything can happen to you! Well?! Aren't you going to say something?"
"I will, once you're done scolding me before I can explain!" Rosie snapped and her parents gave her stern glares. She bowed her head, "I'm sorry, but can't you see that I'm all right now?"
"But where have you been, Rosie? And give us a truthful answer," Tolman asked and Tom, Jolly, and Nick came out rubbing their eyes from their rooms onto the stairway.
"I was out by Sam Gamgee's," She mumbled.
Lily threw her arms up. The worry that she had caused her had finally exploded, "Out with Sam!? This late? My child, why?! Can you not wait until daylight on your times off, even though you already do? You spend every waking moment with that lad and I will not have you comin' home like this from now on. I trust Samwise, and as much as I love Sam---" Mrs. Cotton explained.
"---and as much as Rosie loves Sam," Nick interjected in a mutter and Rosie threw him a look of daggers.
"Nick, keep your mouth shut!" Rosie snapped and Farmer Cotton stepped in before any arguments started.
"Rosie, this is such a disappointment to us. Your coming of age is next month and you have shown us such an extreme act of irresponsibility. I have seen it frequently of late and there is changes to be made. From now on, until you are responsible again, you will spend your mornings here helping your mother, other than disappearing before you have the chance to. I will speak to Holman at the Dragon to change your working times for the time being, so you work straight through early afternoons to early evenings. No more nighttime shifts. Afterwards, you will come straight home. I will not have you spending all your time out into the late hours of the night," Farmer Cotton explained and Rosie clutched her letter.
"But--but, Papa! Please don't isolate me from everything else! I promise it won't happen again, but can't I stay out after my work?" She pleaded and he shook her head.
"Not until you change your ways, Rosie. I'm sorry. There is no more to explain," He said straightforwardly and Rosie made her way up the stairs furiously and closed her door.
She threw herself on her bed and sobbed in her pillow. She couldn't believe how much was going to change just because she had been out late. She knew she got herself into her own punishment and she held her letter closer to her. There was no way now that she could see Sam tomorrow at the party tree, there was just no way. Sam would probably think she hadn't cared or remembered what he wrote but she did and she cried at the thought.
She stayed up under her covers listening to her parents talk downstairs and she set her letter in between her mattress. Nick came back in after a time and Rosie pretended to be asleep as he fell into slumber. Then she cried once again.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The black sky was dotted with clear stars and everything was in peace except for Sam's thoughts. The Party Tree trunk was hard against his back and for nearly an hour now, he had waited to Rosie. He had debated whether he should go by the Green Dragon but he was scared she'd come along while he left. Had she forgotten? Maybe she hasn't read my letter yet---or maybe she did read it, he thought and he started to doubt himself. He should have kept it with all the other letters he never gave her; perhaps he had told her too much.
Under the silver moon, he waited and waited for a long time until he lost his patience. There was not a sound around the Shire and Sam finally decided to head home alone.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~