Chapter Sixteen: Frodo's Leave-Taking
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Their last supper in Bag End was pleasant in its own bittersweet way and they made many toasts towards a safe journey, good health, and a promising return. They had talked little of the journey's purpose and Frodo would check every few moments where he had placed the ring incase it had fallen out of his pocket. The dirty dishes were left on the table and the sun was falling under the pink clouds and wisps of gold. Frodo knew they would have to start on the trail soon.
He stood in the front entrance of Bag End, almost trying to etch a picture of his beloved hobbit hole into his memories. He had a feeling he would not see it again for a long time. In fact, it was hard to let go to Bag End knowing that the Sackville-Bagginses would be living under its roof. And at that he gave a little shudder. But what's done is done. He somewhat wished Bilbo was there with him.
Pippin took his pipe between his teeth and left for a walk in the garden to clear his mind. Sam's heart beat fast as the thoughts of leaving the Shire grew. He knew it was coming, he even had prepared at home. He knew when he would see Rosie behind the bar he would want to stay. He could not leave without telling Rosie, or even without saying his farewells. He headed for the door.
He passed Pippin on the way out and he called as Sam dashed down the hill's road. "Don't delay us, Sam-chap! We'll be taking leave in less that three quarters of this hour!" Pippin chuckled and Sam waved behind him offhandedly in response.
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The Green Dragon was most busy in the day's closing hours especially after most of the hobbits hard labors in farming or whatnot. The drunkest of hobbits hollered loud drinking songs and the sober numbers of them would laugh and cheer at their childlike stupidity. She wasn't surprised to see Nolfarm standing on his chair; lucky for him his brother caught him after swaying backwards.
She helped every fallen hobbit up off the floor and made sure they didn't drink too much to the extent. There was one elder hobbit who had a few too many drinks and his wife scowled in the corner at his nonstop giggling. Rosie helped him keep on steady feet and opened the door for his wife and him when they left for home. She made sure they walked down the path without any trouble, but before the door had closed all the way, she could have sworn she heard footsteps coming back up the hill.
She peeked outside for a brief moment and suddenly in the early night, the door was swung open and there was Sam. He grabbed her hands before she could ask, he took her to the side of the Green Dragon.
"Sam, what are you doing here? What is the trouble?" Rosie gasped and Sam gasped for air. She saw him glance back at the sunset and he swallowed hard while searching for what to say.
"Rosie, darling... I haven't been completely honest! I am leaving now with Mr. Frodo-sir and it's not to where I told you. The place is far from my imaginin' and the duty is evil from what I know. Try not to ask me of what and why because I can't tell you myself for I'm not sure. I was sworn not to tell a soul, or Gandalf would surely turn me into a toad---but I would have if he had not threatened me. If fact, it would have probably been better telling you earlier then so suddenly and now I feel like a fool!" Sam said all very fast and Rosie was overwhelmed.
She remained speechless and Sam embraced her, "I'm so sorry, Rosie. I feel so awful and if I was to lie to you ever again, then you shall be without me!"
Rosie pulled back and faced him, and choking said, "Samwise, don't leave..."
Sam did not respond and after a few silent minutes she spoke with a faltering voice. "Well, if there's a job to be done, then it must. Keep you're eye out on Mister Frodo on your way and be brave. Land outside the Shire is dangerous for all we know." She sniffled with a weak smile, "I'll look out for your return and I'll try to stop being so selfish!"
The clamor inside the bar became louder as someone stuck up a fiddle they brought and a pipe. The noise was merry and many slapped their hands on the tables and some even got up to dance. The contrasts from inside and outside the bar were strangely melded together in a way.
"Oh, no, Rosie, don't say that. What's selfish out of caring for me? After all, I do s'pose that this whole journey will be strange and risky in a way, goin' into foreign lands and such. I will bring you back something, perhaps maybe something from some elves if they cross our path. " He said softly in a hopeful way and she rested her forehead against his. The Green Dragon cast lovely long shadows.
"I just thought of something," She whispered, "Do you remember the time long ago when you and me, maybe ten years of age, made our way off from the Pool without our parents knowing? We thought we were so clever...you found this hill and we rolled down it together." Sam smiled slightly and she continued.
"And then I noticed you smiling at me and I said something like, 'Sam, if I didn't know any better I'd say you liked me!'."
"I nearly fell over," Sam interjected with a sheepish grin, "And so I said, 'Why would you think that?' and you told me, 'You smile at me funny.'" They laughed and Sam proceeded, "And you were right on the nose with that one, but I never told you."
Rosie held his hands harder, "Then I remember when you started to wander off and I thought you were heading home and I said, 'Sam, don't go just yet and leave me here!' and you promised me you would never leave me to be alone. I wish we were that age again... where simply going home was the only time we had to leave each other."
Sam bowed his head. He knew saying goodbye to her would be hard. He subconsciously blinked his tears away. He stroked the tops of her ears and kissed her. Rosie was on the verge of bursting into tears but she kept a steady face with a smile. "Our last kiss..." She said sadly.
"No, not our last," Sam assured with a painful smile, "Rosie, you must not tell anyone where me and Mr. Frodo and Peregrin has gone." And before he had any second thoughts of the matter of staying or leaving, he turned toward the road. Rosie was frozen to the spot and she cried abruptly, "I will be expecting you in the Spring!" Sam turned around and gave a nod as in an oath.
Rosie stood there for a while longer as the customers passed in and out of the Green Dragon. The merriment inside continued
Sam made his way to Bag End and Pippin was walking further into the gardens. Frodo was gone elsewhere for the moment and Sam needed time alone, time to think before they left. He couldn't get Rosie out of his mind, and more than anything, he almost wished he hadn't been listening in on Mr. Frodo's conversation nearly six months ago. But he knew it had been coming, he had even written a letter to Rosie about it that very day, even though she would never read it.
He went into the dusty cellar of Bag End and found a full keg of beer. He figured it would be his last mug of ale until they reached Bree to meet with Gandalf. Our travels will be far tonight, I s'pose, and I best be in a well enough mood not to cause any troubles from Mr. Frodo, he thought solemnly, and he refilled his mug.
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How a week went by without Samwise, Rosie didn't know. It went by so fast even though every separate day felt like five in one. The talk of Frodo, Peregrin, Samwise's (and even Meriadoc from Buckland) absence lingered in the Shire for days the morning after they had officially left. Rosie heard news from gossips at the bar that Mrs. Took and Gamgee were taking their disappearance miserably and Rosie wanted more than anything to stand on a table and announced to everyone that her Samwise and his companions were alive and well. She felt like she was lying to the poor Gamgees.
But that seventh day of their leave, Rosie was working late in the Green Dragon and two hobbits that had come from east of the Brandywine River came bursting into the bar doors. Everyone was still and they stumbled into the head of the tavern.
"Fear! Fire! Foes...!" The old hobbit gasped and collapsed in a chair. The middle age hobbit that had followed him stood next to the elder and caught his breath.
"What?! What is all the commotion about in me bar?" Holman yelped and the younger hobbit straightened up.
"Men on horses! Black and hooded they came and invaded our land! Trouble has been brewing and now it is here, no doubt of that! They brought down our guards by the gate and swung their heavy blades! There will be more threats of attack and invasion like this and this is much more than a warning! People have already gone mad; a younger lad who goes by Fatty was babbling like mad when the Riders came by!"
"Scary folk they are...we ran, oh aye, we ran like mad when the horns were blown!" The old hobbit exclaimed and Myawl the barmaid offered them drinks.
Talk rose in the bar:
"I knew this! I knew this would be happening! We must inform our kin elsewhere and the head offices! They're looking for something, or wanting something, for any matter."
"Don't you all find it funny? Riders come raiding our land after those hobbit-lads got themselves missing!"
"I heard they got themselves dead..."
"I don't see how that has to do with anything. I worry of that Lotho lad...up to no good, he is. Selling and spending, he is--- with our leaf!"
An ignorant hobbit by the door lifted his mug and took a swig, "I say it's a false alarm. Why worry anymore now? They left, haven't they? We can't do anything against such meddling and Big Folk...on horses none the less!"
Rosie gave a highly disturbed face and retorted in the sea of talk, "Why worry, you ask? Don't you have any concern over our land? We can stand against those who try to control the Shire if we try!" The hobbit gave her a sour look and continued to anyone else who would agree to him. Holman clasped her shoulder and pulled her aside to the bar shelf.
"Rose-dear, do not get involved. Matters of war and revolt shouldn't concern a pretty young lass like yer'self." He said and walked into the arguments to try and settle them.
Rosie watched the dispute crossly until she went into the back for clean mugs hurt. Of course I cannot get involved, she thought, all the other lasses and I can do is watch our fathers and brothers go and try to solve what has happened. And is that all I can do? No, I will not just watch and wait. Oh, Sam, stay safe and I'll try to do what I can to keep the Shire the same for you.
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Each month got worse and everyday, the hope in everyone's hearts for the hobbit's return became thin. Some merely forgot about them now that the new situations were brewing. Before the frost, the hobbits that did remember paid their respects for the missing (rumored dead) hobbits by placing the last of their garden's flowers around the Party Tree. It was rumored that the family of young Peregrin Took was considering holding a ceremony for their child and many suggested to the Gamgees that it was proper that they would do the same.
But Gaffer Gamgee protested, "No, there will be no such thing held for one of my sons while I'm still breathing! He's still out there, I say, out and alive under Mr. Frodo Baggins's eye, no doubt! He's still livin'!" And for months he kept to his belief.
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Jolly walked by Rosie's side down by Bywater and scoffed at the carts and shops around. "I don't think I would ever see the day when every shop in town is out of leaf! Even tea leaf is low!" A light flurry blew at his face and Rosie bought a bag of yeast, the only thing that was there on their list.
Jolly took the bag after paying the amount and Rosie spotted Marigold across the path with Mrs. Gamgee. Rosie excused herself from Jolly and skipped over to Marigold.
"Marigold, how have you been?" Rosie asked and Marigold turned away from her mother.
"Rosie! It has been awhile. I am fine," Marigold said plainly and she took Rosie's arm quickly, "Come take a walk with me, Rosie."
Rosie followed and she glanced at Mrs. Gamgee. She shifted through the dry goods inattentively and Marigold was tense in her steps. She held her hand and Rosie stopped her on the borders of town. Marigold's hand shimmered and Rosie took her hand. "Tom proposed?" She choked and her stomach flipped. An unusual pain went through her and she thought of Sam.
Marigold blushed lightly and she handled the ring on her finger and they walked on, "Yes, he has---nearly a month ago. He just bought the ring for me two days ago and we planned to get married soon, but with conditions these days...It's hard to see when we will be able to fit our marriage in with situations these days..." Her voice faded. "My, Rosie, you have been well?" She asked.
"For my part, yes. This winter is bad for us though. We can barely afford the change in prices, when there is any goods left anyhow," Rosie said and Marigold gave her a sad look.
"Well, I meant well with the fact of Samwise. I do not want to believe that he is gone," Marigold said quietly and Rosie looked down.
"Do not believe what others say, Marigold. He is fine. He will be back," Rosie said shortly but Marigold was unconvinced. Rosie remembered Sam's words: Do not tell anyone of their plan. They stood in an uncomfortable silence until Marigold looked up. "In the name of the Shire, what now...?"
A black cart rolled down the small path, its wheels scratching ugly trails into the soft ground around the path. It was unusually large compared to the hobbit carts and a hooded man pulled the reins to the stout horses in front. He stepped out with his boots and carried a large bag over his shoulder. He passed by the hobbits that hurriedly moved out of the way for the man. He approached a booth and mumbled a few things to the caretaker of the stand. The nervous hobbit reached under the booth and pulled out a fresh bag of leaf and put it inside the man's bag. It was the same booth Jolly and Rosie stopped by earlier and asked if they had any leaf from south of the Shire. He responded (and obviously lied) with a no. The cart rolled away and the town remained quiet for a few minutes.
Marigold drew a hand over her face, "Everyday, these ruffians come and go as they please, taking and never buying our harvest! They call it 'equal proportioning' as I've heard, but all it is is stealing! It's all Pimple's fault, and to think a hobbit would do such a thing and keep it going in his own homeland!"
"Pimple?" Rosie asked and Marigold answered shortly, "Lotho. Lotho Sackville-Baggins."
Rosie caught a last glance of the cart rolling away and Jolly came to Rosie. "Come on, Rosie. Let's head home. It's nice seeing you again, Marigold. Bless your family and have a safe winter," Jolly said a bit shaken and he drew his arm around Rosie.
They walked away silently and Rosie looked up. The sky was abnormally dark for the time of day and smoky clouds built in the south. And for the first time, doubt of Sam's safety hit Rosie.
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Their last supper in Bag End was pleasant in its own bittersweet way and they made many toasts towards a safe journey, good health, and a promising return. They had talked little of the journey's purpose and Frodo would check every few moments where he had placed the ring incase it had fallen out of his pocket. The dirty dishes were left on the table and the sun was falling under the pink clouds and wisps of gold. Frodo knew they would have to start on the trail soon.
He stood in the front entrance of Bag End, almost trying to etch a picture of his beloved hobbit hole into his memories. He had a feeling he would not see it again for a long time. In fact, it was hard to let go to Bag End knowing that the Sackville-Bagginses would be living under its roof. And at that he gave a little shudder. But what's done is done. He somewhat wished Bilbo was there with him.
Pippin took his pipe between his teeth and left for a walk in the garden to clear his mind. Sam's heart beat fast as the thoughts of leaving the Shire grew. He knew it was coming, he even had prepared at home. He knew when he would see Rosie behind the bar he would want to stay. He could not leave without telling Rosie, or even without saying his farewells. He headed for the door.
He passed Pippin on the way out and he called as Sam dashed down the hill's road. "Don't delay us, Sam-chap! We'll be taking leave in less that three quarters of this hour!" Pippin chuckled and Sam waved behind him offhandedly in response.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The Green Dragon was most busy in the day's closing hours especially after most of the hobbits hard labors in farming or whatnot. The drunkest of hobbits hollered loud drinking songs and the sober numbers of them would laugh and cheer at their childlike stupidity. She wasn't surprised to see Nolfarm standing on his chair; lucky for him his brother caught him after swaying backwards.
She helped every fallen hobbit up off the floor and made sure they didn't drink too much to the extent. There was one elder hobbit who had a few too many drinks and his wife scowled in the corner at his nonstop giggling. Rosie helped him keep on steady feet and opened the door for his wife and him when they left for home. She made sure they walked down the path without any trouble, but before the door had closed all the way, she could have sworn she heard footsteps coming back up the hill.
She peeked outside for a brief moment and suddenly in the early night, the door was swung open and there was Sam. He grabbed her hands before she could ask, he took her to the side of the Green Dragon.
"Sam, what are you doing here? What is the trouble?" Rosie gasped and Sam gasped for air. She saw him glance back at the sunset and he swallowed hard while searching for what to say.
"Rosie, darling... I haven't been completely honest! I am leaving now with Mr. Frodo-sir and it's not to where I told you. The place is far from my imaginin' and the duty is evil from what I know. Try not to ask me of what and why because I can't tell you myself for I'm not sure. I was sworn not to tell a soul, or Gandalf would surely turn me into a toad---but I would have if he had not threatened me. If fact, it would have probably been better telling you earlier then so suddenly and now I feel like a fool!" Sam said all very fast and Rosie was overwhelmed.
She remained speechless and Sam embraced her, "I'm so sorry, Rosie. I feel so awful and if I was to lie to you ever again, then you shall be without me!"
Rosie pulled back and faced him, and choking said, "Samwise, don't leave..."
Sam did not respond and after a few silent minutes she spoke with a faltering voice. "Well, if there's a job to be done, then it must. Keep you're eye out on Mister Frodo on your way and be brave. Land outside the Shire is dangerous for all we know." She sniffled with a weak smile, "I'll look out for your return and I'll try to stop being so selfish!"
The clamor inside the bar became louder as someone stuck up a fiddle they brought and a pipe. The noise was merry and many slapped their hands on the tables and some even got up to dance. The contrasts from inside and outside the bar were strangely melded together in a way.
"Oh, no, Rosie, don't say that. What's selfish out of caring for me? After all, I do s'pose that this whole journey will be strange and risky in a way, goin' into foreign lands and such. I will bring you back something, perhaps maybe something from some elves if they cross our path. " He said softly in a hopeful way and she rested her forehead against his. The Green Dragon cast lovely long shadows.
"I just thought of something," She whispered, "Do you remember the time long ago when you and me, maybe ten years of age, made our way off from the Pool without our parents knowing? We thought we were so clever...you found this hill and we rolled down it together." Sam smiled slightly and she continued.
"And then I noticed you smiling at me and I said something like, 'Sam, if I didn't know any better I'd say you liked me!'."
"I nearly fell over," Sam interjected with a sheepish grin, "And so I said, 'Why would you think that?' and you told me, 'You smile at me funny.'" They laughed and Sam proceeded, "And you were right on the nose with that one, but I never told you."
Rosie held his hands harder, "Then I remember when you started to wander off and I thought you were heading home and I said, 'Sam, don't go just yet and leave me here!' and you promised me you would never leave me to be alone. I wish we were that age again... where simply going home was the only time we had to leave each other."
Sam bowed his head. He knew saying goodbye to her would be hard. He subconsciously blinked his tears away. He stroked the tops of her ears and kissed her. Rosie was on the verge of bursting into tears but she kept a steady face with a smile. "Our last kiss..." She said sadly.
"No, not our last," Sam assured with a painful smile, "Rosie, you must not tell anyone where me and Mr. Frodo and Peregrin has gone." And before he had any second thoughts of the matter of staying or leaving, he turned toward the road. Rosie was frozen to the spot and she cried abruptly, "I will be expecting you in the Spring!" Sam turned around and gave a nod as in an oath.
Rosie stood there for a while longer as the customers passed in and out of the Green Dragon. The merriment inside continued
Sam made his way to Bag End and Pippin was walking further into the gardens. Frodo was gone elsewhere for the moment and Sam needed time alone, time to think before they left. He couldn't get Rosie out of his mind, and more than anything, he almost wished he hadn't been listening in on Mr. Frodo's conversation nearly six months ago. But he knew it had been coming, he had even written a letter to Rosie about it that very day, even though she would never read it.
He went into the dusty cellar of Bag End and found a full keg of beer. He figured it would be his last mug of ale until they reached Bree to meet with Gandalf. Our travels will be far tonight, I s'pose, and I best be in a well enough mood not to cause any troubles from Mr. Frodo, he thought solemnly, and he refilled his mug.
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How a week went by without Samwise, Rosie didn't know. It went by so fast even though every separate day felt like five in one. The talk of Frodo, Peregrin, Samwise's (and even Meriadoc from Buckland) absence lingered in the Shire for days the morning after they had officially left. Rosie heard news from gossips at the bar that Mrs. Took and Gamgee were taking their disappearance miserably and Rosie wanted more than anything to stand on a table and announced to everyone that her Samwise and his companions were alive and well. She felt like she was lying to the poor Gamgees.
But that seventh day of their leave, Rosie was working late in the Green Dragon and two hobbits that had come from east of the Brandywine River came bursting into the bar doors. Everyone was still and they stumbled into the head of the tavern.
"Fear! Fire! Foes...!" The old hobbit gasped and collapsed in a chair. The middle age hobbit that had followed him stood next to the elder and caught his breath.
"What?! What is all the commotion about in me bar?" Holman yelped and the younger hobbit straightened up.
"Men on horses! Black and hooded they came and invaded our land! Trouble has been brewing and now it is here, no doubt of that! They brought down our guards by the gate and swung their heavy blades! There will be more threats of attack and invasion like this and this is much more than a warning! People have already gone mad; a younger lad who goes by Fatty was babbling like mad when the Riders came by!"
"Scary folk they are...we ran, oh aye, we ran like mad when the horns were blown!" The old hobbit exclaimed and Myawl the barmaid offered them drinks.
Talk rose in the bar:
"I knew this! I knew this would be happening! We must inform our kin elsewhere and the head offices! They're looking for something, or wanting something, for any matter."
"Don't you all find it funny? Riders come raiding our land after those hobbit-lads got themselves missing!"
"I heard they got themselves dead..."
"I don't see how that has to do with anything. I worry of that Lotho lad...up to no good, he is. Selling and spending, he is--- with our leaf!"
An ignorant hobbit by the door lifted his mug and took a swig, "I say it's a false alarm. Why worry anymore now? They left, haven't they? We can't do anything against such meddling and Big Folk...on horses none the less!"
Rosie gave a highly disturbed face and retorted in the sea of talk, "Why worry, you ask? Don't you have any concern over our land? We can stand against those who try to control the Shire if we try!" The hobbit gave her a sour look and continued to anyone else who would agree to him. Holman clasped her shoulder and pulled her aside to the bar shelf.
"Rose-dear, do not get involved. Matters of war and revolt shouldn't concern a pretty young lass like yer'self." He said and walked into the arguments to try and settle them.
Rosie watched the dispute crossly until she went into the back for clean mugs hurt. Of course I cannot get involved, she thought, all the other lasses and I can do is watch our fathers and brothers go and try to solve what has happened. And is that all I can do? No, I will not just watch and wait. Oh, Sam, stay safe and I'll try to do what I can to keep the Shire the same for you.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
Each month got worse and everyday, the hope in everyone's hearts for the hobbit's return became thin. Some merely forgot about them now that the new situations were brewing. Before the frost, the hobbits that did remember paid their respects for the missing (rumored dead) hobbits by placing the last of their garden's flowers around the Party Tree. It was rumored that the family of young Peregrin Took was considering holding a ceremony for their child and many suggested to the Gamgees that it was proper that they would do the same.
But Gaffer Gamgee protested, "No, there will be no such thing held for one of my sons while I'm still breathing! He's still out there, I say, out and alive under Mr. Frodo Baggins's eye, no doubt! He's still livin'!" And for months he kept to his belief.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
Jolly walked by Rosie's side down by Bywater and scoffed at the carts and shops around. "I don't think I would ever see the day when every shop in town is out of leaf! Even tea leaf is low!" A light flurry blew at his face and Rosie bought a bag of yeast, the only thing that was there on their list.
Jolly took the bag after paying the amount and Rosie spotted Marigold across the path with Mrs. Gamgee. Rosie excused herself from Jolly and skipped over to Marigold.
"Marigold, how have you been?" Rosie asked and Marigold turned away from her mother.
"Rosie! It has been awhile. I am fine," Marigold said plainly and she took Rosie's arm quickly, "Come take a walk with me, Rosie."
Rosie followed and she glanced at Mrs. Gamgee. She shifted through the dry goods inattentively and Marigold was tense in her steps. She held her hand and Rosie stopped her on the borders of town. Marigold's hand shimmered and Rosie took her hand. "Tom proposed?" She choked and her stomach flipped. An unusual pain went through her and she thought of Sam.
Marigold blushed lightly and she handled the ring on her finger and they walked on, "Yes, he has---nearly a month ago. He just bought the ring for me two days ago and we planned to get married soon, but with conditions these days...It's hard to see when we will be able to fit our marriage in with situations these days..." Her voice faded. "My, Rosie, you have been well?" She asked.
"For my part, yes. This winter is bad for us though. We can barely afford the change in prices, when there is any goods left anyhow," Rosie said and Marigold gave her a sad look.
"Well, I meant well with the fact of Samwise. I do not want to believe that he is gone," Marigold said quietly and Rosie looked down.
"Do not believe what others say, Marigold. He is fine. He will be back," Rosie said shortly but Marigold was unconvinced. Rosie remembered Sam's words: Do not tell anyone of their plan. They stood in an uncomfortable silence until Marigold looked up. "In the name of the Shire, what now...?"
A black cart rolled down the small path, its wheels scratching ugly trails into the soft ground around the path. It was unusually large compared to the hobbit carts and a hooded man pulled the reins to the stout horses in front. He stepped out with his boots and carried a large bag over his shoulder. He passed by the hobbits that hurriedly moved out of the way for the man. He approached a booth and mumbled a few things to the caretaker of the stand. The nervous hobbit reached under the booth and pulled out a fresh bag of leaf and put it inside the man's bag. It was the same booth Jolly and Rosie stopped by earlier and asked if they had any leaf from south of the Shire. He responded (and obviously lied) with a no. The cart rolled away and the town remained quiet for a few minutes.
Marigold drew a hand over her face, "Everyday, these ruffians come and go as they please, taking and never buying our harvest! They call it 'equal proportioning' as I've heard, but all it is is stealing! It's all Pimple's fault, and to think a hobbit would do such a thing and keep it going in his own homeland!"
"Pimple?" Rosie asked and Marigold answered shortly, "Lotho. Lotho Sackville-Baggins."
Rosie caught a last glance of the cart rolling away and Jolly came to Rosie. "Come on, Rosie. Let's head home. It's nice seeing you again, Marigold. Bless your family and have a safe winter," Jolly said a bit shaken and he drew his arm around Rosie.
They walked away silently and Rosie looked up. The sky was abnormally dark for the time of day and smoky clouds built in the south. And for the first time, doubt of Sam's safety hit Rosie.
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