Here's the last chapter, and I'm very sad...*sniffle*! I'm planning a short
epilogue and that should be up if things don't go as badly planned as they
have LOL (i.e.: lemonade on the keyboard is not good and will cost you a
new one LOL). Again, another quote from Tolkien by the end, which seemed
very sweet and appropriate that is only mentioned by Sam a little by the
end. (From Grey Havens chapter, pg. 1001, 2003 trilogy version---disclaimer
rules I should have been doing earlier ;) )
Anyway, here is how I will end the main story line of Morning Glory...be on the lookout for an epilogue.
Chapter 20: The Mallorn
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
Nothing would have never prepared Samwise for what the Shire would be like when he had gone back, not even from the image in Lady Galadriel's Mirror. He never thought it possible that it would be like this, his home. It tore him up inside to see trees fallen and the ground scorched, but he knew the fight would soon be over for the Shire, for good or bad, and stubbornly told himself they'd win it back after all the toil they had been through. But he quickly got rid of that thought because past the doubt he had high hopes and even more faith with his Dad beside him.
He was the same. Not much grayer on his crown but he had indeed gone at least a little deaf in both ears. Sam kept his arm around his Dad and helped him up the porch stairs to the Cottons.
"Watch your step, Dad!" He warned and the Gaffer perked up.
"Watch my...?" He asked and when his foot hit the side of the steps he said, "'Look for the steps!' I know! Aye, I heard ya'." He assured himself and Sam shook his head smiling to have his Dad by him, and hopefully soon, to have his mother and sisters back as well.
They walked into the Cotton's house and Farmer Cotton stopped his talk to Merry and Frodo and pulled up a seat for the Gaffer.
Rosie had been on the slope of the stairs with her younger brothers as Farmer Cotton and Tom explained the situation in the Shire for what seemed like hours. She listened quietly to what Frodo and Merry said subtly of their travels and even though her father was impatient with proceeding about what might happen in Bywater, Rosie was eager to hear what Frodo had to say. He looked very tired and worn, even older than her old father did. She had noticed his poor maimed hand and he seemed to loose much of the stomach that he used to carry. He seemed very sad in his eyes. Merry, although she hadn't seen him a long time ago when they were both much younger, was a proud hobbit with a strong stance and steady light eyes on his dark, bold face.
And then Sam came in with his Dad and her heart jumped. His stance seemed as bold as Merry's and he flashed her a soft look once his father had himself settled. She still was in disbelief that he was right here alive, and she wondered why she gave up hope after believing in the first place that he would make home in the end.
They spoke shortly and the Gaffer said, "...And I hope my Sam's behaved himself and given satisfaction?"
"Perfect satisfaction, Mr. Gamgee," Frodo said and he smiled, "Indeed if you will believe it, he's now one of the most famous people in all the lands, and they are making songs about his deeds from here to the Sea and beyond the Great River."
And then Sam turned pink and Rosie smiled at him. She knew Sam must be very pleased with the foreign men and perhaps elves singing songs, and nonetheless, about himself. He saw Rosie looking at him and he glanced back at Frodo. He didn't need his help anymore with pleasing Rosie but he was grateful.
The night was long and slow with talk of preparing a revolt and Rosie made her way to bed early to prepare for tomorrow. The rest stayed and discussed and Rosie noticed Sam watching her make her way to her room. She dreamed they won the Shire back and it was very different in way, with the lush grasses she remembered but with a tall white tree in which was foreign to her.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The next morning, everyone was up early preparing for the day that, everyone felt in their hearts, would be the day they would gain the Shire back. Rosie was up early with her mother and younger brothers fixing breakfast and Mrs. Cotton insisted that the house should be in tip-top condition for her guests. And before Rosie knew it, Samwise, her father and brothers, and the others left the house and Rosie felt the worse feeling in her stomach all day. She was scared of losing her brothers or father, and of course Samwise. The house was dark and dismal as Rosie was left alone with her own thoughts of what might happen to them, or Samwise now that he had actually come back. She wouldn't lose him now, she told herself, and after a long while, she convinced herself that they would be all right.
And later that day, just after sundown, it was as if her prayers were answered and everyone returned for a brief while. She hugged her brothers tightly and Tom said, "You shouldn't be fretting over our sake, Rosie-dear. We'll always come home to you."
However, as soon as they came home they were out again to work and only until the midnight hours did Mrs. Cotton and Rosie see them again. Mrs. Cotton drew Farmer Cotton into his chair with a hearty meal he could not finish. Guest beds were made for Frodo and Sam until they rebuilt and revived Bagshot Row and Bag End.
Rosie tried to busy herself in the kitchen with nothing of important. For some reason, she couldn't get herself to face Samwise. She cleaned the spotless counters and then Sam came in. He set his empty plate in the sink and he gave Rosie a small smile. She started to clean the dishes quietly with her tongue faltering to say anything out of comfort and Sam seemed to linger in the kitchen just to be by her.
"You've had a hard day, Mr. Samwise. You better get yourself into bed for tomorrow," She said efficiently and he came up beside her and she stopped her cleaning.
"Mr. Samwise?" He said and gave his silly grin that Rosie loved and he looked into her face. "You shouldn't have to call me that, it so very formal."
Rosie didn't say anything and he continued after a short silence, "Yes, I s'ppose it has been a long day and I must get myself to sleep just a little while." He said and Rosie spoke sincerely for the first time.
"Were you scared out there today?"
Sam's face was solemn and he said, "I have been scared many times of late since the day I left." They kept their looks steady and they did not continue until Sam finished before he left. "Promise me I'll see you tomorrow at least once. It will make my work away lighter for me." He said truthfully and after he stepped out of the room her heart melted for him like it had so many times before.
Sam could tell she had changed within the time he had gone. She seemed to have closed herself up to everyone and he knew she had grown up with the way she talked and acted and Sam wished it was only temporary. He loved Rosie for the free-spirited, openhearted darling she was.
The night was very late and Rosie was still up unable to sleep and a childish thought (or so she took it) came to her to check on Sam. She stepped down the stairs soundlessly and crept over to the living quarters their quests were sleeping in. And there she saw Sam at the fireplace down to its last embers with his back turned to her. He smoked his pipe stone- still with the little weed he still kept in his pack throughout the whole journey and for a while Rosie stared at him.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The year 1420 came and the winter of the year before seemed to disappear just as the year did. A new sky hung over the Shire and the sun came out brighter than it had for a while. There was no more winter, as they knew it, until mid-October of course, but for now the Shire was experiencing a beautiful pre-Spring. The recovering fields were bathed in a warm sunlight, which was strange for January and February, and many homes rebuilt and erected, like Bagshot Row, and ruffian houses were brought down. The weed was grown again and the harvest started early and the year was known as 'The Great Year of Plenty'.
Many hobbits were outside more than they had in over a year and Sam saw this as he trotted down the paths with his pony Bill. He had been doing this quite often just to see how the Shire was doing. He had been busier than he expected he would be when he came back home and he was impatient to see what Lady Galadriel's dust did to the lovely Shire. It had already started its work and he remembered how excited he was only a week ago when he brought the 'Travelers' round the mallorn sapling that had began to grow, and they had cried in front of it, for happy and sad, and for many other reasons.
The Party Field was starting to come into view and Sam slowed Bill down as his heart trembled. Rosie had been walking across the field in her yellow summer dress toward the mallorn sapling as it already stood a few feet over her head. The lace of her sleeves draped gracefully down and her shoulders were bare under her curls. She looked up overhead and Sam felt as if he was seeing an angel as the mallorn's silver leaves fluttered above her. They had both been very quiet, and all the while the subtle silence had been eating them up inside.
He guided Bill of the trail and she noticed him coming to her. He stopped Bill before the mallorn and slid off his back. Rosie stepped forward after a standstill moment and stroked the side of his nose and said softly, "It's a beautiful pony."
"Aye," He nodded and they said no more. She walked away after a few moments and sat in front of the mallorn. The whole Shire had been in awe of it and Rosie had only seen it today. The bark was sleek and the leaves were silvery white and thin and the branches could have fooled anyone of being made of glass.
"Lovely tree, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Have you been well of late?"
"For the most part."
And after she spoke, Sam took a deep breath and stood by his pony. "You were quick with tongue with me when we first spoke...will you not say anymore than a few words now? Yes, we have spoke, but so very shortly." His eyes seemed to be smiling softy and his voice was meant to be gentle but Rosie didn't turn around.
"And what would you have me say to you? It is very strange, Samwise, to see you after your death day ceremony and dressed up in metal and mail," She said steady and clear and Sam remained quite. She looked blankly at the mallorn's bark as she waited.
He sighed shortly to himself as he thought and stepped forward, "Alright then," He said, "I will take it off. I haven't changed under my suit of mail, Rosie, if that's what you are worried of." He was desperate for her to accept him again and he messed with the buckles on his shoulders in the attempt to remove his breastplate.
"No," She said and turned around midway, "Don't take it off."
He stopped and all his thought lost him as he looked upon her profile as she kept her head cast down. Her honey-coloured curls trailed down her bosom and her face was so fair, save her rosy cheeks and ruby lips, and her voice so sweet that Sam's defenses melted. He came to his knees down to her and she grazed the ground with her eyes before she looked up at him.
The birds chirped above them and the leaves stirred. "I heard there are songs being sung of you down by the foreign places," She said and he bowed his head as he nodded and smiled; he was still uncomfortable with the attention. She fiddled with the soft yellow ribbons that crossed over the front of her dress as she spoke again.
"Did you see an elf?"
"Aye, I saw many. One is my companion...I wish you could have seen it, the places they lived in, their language! Every day was like years, and it was very pleasant in a way, I s'pose. I could've lived in their dwellings for years...but--but I came back for my life sitting in front of me... I hope you see what I mean, Rosie. I missed you dearly."
Rosie kept her gaze on Sam and his dark eyes and felt herself go numb. Now she didn't know why she was so quiet with him, after wishing all this time he would be alive and well! He sat there in front of her and she saw her Sam again after assuming that he was different and changed, and in a way he was. But here he was spilling his heart out to her like he had done so many times before, blushing and smiling, his eyes still sparkling when he spoke of elves...he was golden. Golden under the sunlight, golden with his armour, golden with his locks and beloved face. His rustic voice was the melody to her ears that she had tried to remember the tune to for months and his gentleness was what she had missed for so long.
"Rosie, please don't be so distant with me," He said with searching eyes and she choked.
"Sam," She said and she felt as if she had to argue with his words,"It's hard to pretend like none of this has happened. We've been through so much...it's all so different now," She finished and he moved closer to her. A breeze picked up through the long grasses and the smell of thyme was lifted up through the air. His hand was so very close to hers and he felt shy like children do.
"But it doesn't have to be. I've been gone and I am back," He stated and he slowly brought his hand into hers. She took it in with a soft clasp around his strong hand.
"Yes," She whispered and she spilt everything from her mind, "But... do you know what it feels like to think that your beloved has died? Sam, it's still hard to believe you are back with me." Her face grew terribly sad and their faces were so close that she rested her forehead against his and he didn't take his eyes off her. And after a great while, she closed her eyes and tears fell from her eyes and he stroked her fingers and said, "It's hard for me to believe that I am here with you after so long. Rosie, I didn't want you to cry when I came back." He finished softly and he put a hand on her cheek, as tears of his own threatened to fall from his eyes.
She opened her eyes and met with his lovingly, and he leaned in and both pairs of their lips met. And soon their honest kiss out the pity of their toil grew passionate for the love that had built up inside of them all of those days and weeks and months and years. It was what they longed for... it was each other, heart and soul. Both of them had hearts like children which was blanketed by time's worries and problems, and when that blanket was pushed beside they acted out of innocence. And everything seemed right although much change had ensued. Samwise's soft hands on her face seemed right to Rosie, and the same to Sam with Rosie's sweet lips moving with his own. They held one another tightly against each other and after they had pulled away, their hearts desired for each other's love again completely and they rested their faces tenderly together.
Rosie's fingertips played with the curls down his neck with her face buried within them. She felt herself in complete ecstasy with him again. Sam's hand strayed to his pocket and he whispered a prayer in his thoughts to the heavens. Out of everything he wanted, he wanted her and this moment to go right. He had been carrying it around with him for months. Rosie opened her eyes after Sam stroked her arm and he had both of her hands soon. He stood her up on her curly-topped feet with him and he kept his face so lovingly by hers that his lips brushed her cheek as he spoke.
He smiled fondly and suddenly he slipped a thin gold band on her left hand from his pocket with three diamonds encrusted into it. "Rose Cotton, please marry me and I will be forever in love with you, I can promise you that," He vowed and he kissed her hand.
Rosie's heart jumped in her throat and she looked gently at him as she stumbled with the right words to respond. "Of course, Samwise...yes, yes, I'll marry you." She said and they kiss sweetly again. And in each other's eyes, they knew they were marrying the most beautiful person they knew, inside and out.
They embraced closely and after a short while, Rosie faced Samwise as she twisted the ring on her finger and laughed. "I was waiting for you to ask me all this while," she joked playfully and Sam tussled with her auburn curls as he beamed, "And well, you've wasted a year, so why wait longer?"
Sam rocked with her back and forth and smiled. The brilliance of the morning light had lingered just for them and the raw blossoms of the mallorn seemed to appear for the first time. "Wasted? I wouldn't call it that."
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
Anyway, here is how I will end the main story line of Morning Glory...be on the lookout for an epilogue.
Chapter 20: The Mallorn
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
Nothing would have never prepared Samwise for what the Shire would be like when he had gone back, not even from the image in Lady Galadriel's Mirror. He never thought it possible that it would be like this, his home. It tore him up inside to see trees fallen and the ground scorched, but he knew the fight would soon be over for the Shire, for good or bad, and stubbornly told himself they'd win it back after all the toil they had been through. But he quickly got rid of that thought because past the doubt he had high hopes and even more faith with his Dad beside him.
He was the same. Not much grayer on his crown but he had indeed gone at least a little deaf in both ears. Sam kept his arm around his Dad and helped him up the porch stairs to the Cottons.
"Watch your step, Dad!" He warned and the Gaffer perked up.
"Watch my...?" He asked and when his foot hit the side of the steps he said, "'Look for the steps!' I know! Aye, I heard ya'." He assured himself and Sam shook his head smiling to have his Dad by him, and hopefully soon, to have his mother and sisters back as well.
They walked into the Cotton's house and Farmer Cotton stopped his talk to Merry and Frodo and pulled up a seat for the Gaffer.
Rosie had been on the slope of the stairs with her younger brothers as Farmer Cotton and Tom explained the situation in the Shire for what seemed like hours. She listened quietly to what Frodo and Merry said subtly of their travels and even though her father was impatient with proceeding about what might happen in Bywater, Rosie was eager to hear what Frodo had to say. He looked very tired and worn, even older than her old father did. She had noticed his poor maimed hand and he seemed to loose much of the stomach that he used to carry. He seemed very sad in his eyes. Merry, although she hadn't seen him a long time ago when they were both much younger, was a proud hobbit with a strong stance and steady light eyes on his dark, bold face.
And then Sam came in with his Dad and her heart jumped. His stance seemed as bold as Merry's and he flashed her a soft look once his father had himself settled. She still was in disbelief that he was right here alive, and she wondered why she gave up hope after believing in the first place that he would make home in the end.
They spoke shortly and the Gaffer said, "...And I hope my Sam's behaved himself and given satisfaction?"
"Perfect satisfaction, Mr. Gamgee," Frodo said and he smiled, "Indeed if you will believe it, he's now one of the most famous people in all the lands, and they are making songs about his deeds from here to the Sea and beyond the Great River."
And then Sam turned pink and Rosie smiled at him. She knew Sam must be very pleased with the foreign men and perhaps elves singing songs, and nonetheless, about himself. He saw Rosie looking at him and he glanced back at Frodo. He didn't need his help anymore with pleasing Rosie but he was grateful.
The night was long and slow with talk of preparing a revolt and Rosie made her way to bed early to prepare for tomorrow. The rest stayed and discussed and Rosie noticed Sam watching her make her way to her room. She dreamed they won the Shire back and it was very different in way, with the lush grasses she remembered but with a tall white tree in which was foreign to her.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The next morning, everyone was up early preparing for the day that, everyone felt in their hearts, would be the day they would gain the Shire back. Rosie was up early with her mother and younger brothers fixing breakfast and Mrs. Cotton insisted that the house should be in tip-top condition for her guests. And before Rosie knew it, Samwise, her father and brothers, and the others left the house and Rosie felt the worse feeling in her stomach all day. She was scared of losing her brothers or father, and of course Samwise. The house was dark and dismal as Rosie was left alone with her own thoughts of what might happen to them, or Samwise now that he had actually come back. She wouldn't lose him now, she told herself, and after a long while, she convinced herself that they would be all right.
And later that day, just after sundown, it was as if her prayers were answered and everyone returned for a brief while. She hugged her brothers tightly and Tom said, "You shouldn't be fretting over our sake, Rosie-dear. We'll always come home to you."
However, as soon as they came home they were out again to work and only until the midnight hours did Mrs. Cotton and Rosie see them again. Mrs. Cotton drew Farmer Cotton into his chair with a hearty meal he could not finish. Guest beds were made for Frodo and Sam until they rebuilt and revived Bagshot Row and Bag End.
Rosie tried to busy herself in the kitchen with nothing of important. For some reason, she couldn't get herself to face Samwise. She cleaned the spotless counters and then Sam came in. He set his empty plate in the sink and he gave Rosie a small smile. She started to clean the dishes quietly with her tongue faltering to say anything out of comfort and Sam seemed to linger in the kitchen just to be by her.
"You've had a hard day, Mr. Samwise. You better get yourself into bed for tomorrow," She said efficiently and he came up beside her and she stopped her cleaning.
"Mr. Samwise?" He said and gave his silly grin that Rosie loved and he looked into her face. "You shouldn't have to call me that, it so very formal."
Rosie didn't say anything and he continued after a short silence, "Yes, I s'ppose it has been a long day and I must get myself to sleep just a little while." He said and Rosie spoke sincerely for the first time.
"Were you scared out there today?"
Sam's face was solemn and he said, "I have been scared many times of late since the day I left." They kept their looks steady and they did not continue until Sam finished before he left. "Promise me I'll see you tomorrow at least once. It will make my work away lighter for me." He said truthfully and after he stepped out of the room her heart melted for him like it had so many times before.
Sam could tell she had changed within the time he had gone. She seemed to have closed herself up to everyone and he knew she had grown up with the way she talked and acted and Sam wished it was only temporary. He loved Rosie for the free-spirited, openhearted darling she was.
The night was very late and Rosie was still up unable to sleep and a childish thought (or so she took it) came to her to check on Sam. She stepped down the stairs soundlessly and crept over to the living quarters their quests were sleeping in. And there she saw Sam at the fireplace down to its last embers with his back turned to her. He smoked his pipe stone- still with the little weed he still kept in his pack throughout the whole journey and for a while Rosie stared at him.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The year 1420 came and the winter of the year before seemed to disappear just as the year did. A new sky hung over the Shire and the sun came out brighter than it had for a while. There was no more winter, as they knew it, until mid-October of course, but for now the Shire was experiencing a beautiful pre-Spring. The recovering fields were bathed in a warm sunlight, which was strange for January and February, and many homes rebuilt and erected, like Bagshot Row, and ruffian houses were brought down. The weed was grown again and the harvest started early and the year was known as 'The Great Year of Plenty'.
Many hobbits were outside more than they had in over a year and Sam saw this as he trotted down the paths with his pony Bill. He had been doing this quite often just to see how the Shire was doing. He had been busier than he expected he would be when he came back home and he was impatient to see what Lady Galadriel's dust did to the lovely Shire. It had already started its work and he remembered how excited he was only a week ago when he brought the 'Travelers' round the mallorn sapling that had began to grow, and they had cried in front of it, for happy and sad, and for many other reasons.
The Party Field was starting to come into view and Sam slowed Bill down as his heart trembled. Rosie had been walking across the field in her yellow summer dress toward the mallorn sapling as it already stood a few feet over her head. The lace of her sleeves draped gracefully down and her shoulders were bare under her curls. She looked up overhead and Sam felt as if he was seeing an angel as the mallorn's silver leaves fluttered above her. They had both been very quiet, and all the while the subtle silence had been eating them up inside.
He guided Bill of the trail and she noticed him coming to her. He stopped Bill before the mallorn and slid off his back. Rosie stepped forward after a standstill moment and stroked the side of his nose and said softly, "It's a beautiful pony."
"Aye," He nodded and they said no more. She walked away after a few moments and sat in front of the mallorn. The whole Shire had been in awe of it and Rosie had only seen it today. The bark was sleek and the leaves were silvery white and thin and the branches could have fooled anyone of being made of glass.
"Lovely tree, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Have you been well of late?"
"For the most part."
And after she spoke, Sam took a deep breath and stood by his pony. "You were quick with tongue with me when we first spoke...will you not say anymore than a few words now? Yes, we have spoke, but so very shortly." His eyes seemed to be smiling softy and his voice was meant to be gentle but Rosie didn't turn around.
"And what would you have me say to you? It is very strange, Samwise, to see you after your death day ceremony and dressed up in metal and mail," She said steady and clear and Sam remained quite. She looked blankly at the mallorn's bark as she waited.
He sighed shortly to himself as he thought and stepped forward, "Alright then," He said, "I will take it off. I haven't changed under my suit of mail, Rosie, if that's what you are worried of." He was desperate for her to accept him again and he messed with the buckles on his shoulders in the attempt to remove his breastplate.
"No," She said and turned around midway, "Don't take it off."
He stopped and all his thought lost him as he looked upon her profile as she kept her head cast down. Her honey-coloured curls trailed down her bosom and her face was so fair, save her rosy cheeks and ruby lips, and her voice so sweet that Sam's defenses melted. He came to his knees down to her and she grazed the ground with her eyes before she looked up at him.
The birds chirped above them and the leaves stirred. "I heard there are songs being sung of you down by the foreign places," She said and he bowed his head as he nodded and smiled; he was still uncomfortable with the attention. She fiddled with the soft yellow ribbons that crossed over the front of her dress as she spoke again.
"Did you see an elf?"
"Aye, I saw many. One is my companion...I wish you could have seen it, the places they lived in, their language! Every day was like years, and it was very pleasant in a way, I s'pose. I could've lived in their dwellings for years...but--but I came back for my life sitting in front of me... I hope you see what I mean, Rosie. I missed you dearly."
Rosie kept her gaze on Sam and his dark eyes and felt herself go numb. Now she didn't know why she was so quiet with him, after wishing all this time he would be alive and well! He sat there in front of her and she saw her Sam again after assuming that he was different and changed, and in a way he was. But here he was spilling his heart out to her like he had done so many times before, blushing and smiling, his eyes still sparkling when he spoke of elves...he was golden. Golden under the sunlight, golden with his armour, golden with his locks and beloved face. His rustic voice was the melody to her ears that she had tried to remember the tune to for months and his gentleness was what she had missed for so long.
"Rosie, please don't be so distant with me," He said with searching eyes and she choked.
"Sam," She said and she felt as if she had to argue with his words,"It's hard to pretend like none of this has happened. We've been through so much...it's all so different now," She finished and he moved closer to her. A breeze picked up through the long grasses and the smell of thyme was lifted up through the air. His hand was so very close to hers and he felt shy like children do.
"But it doesn't have to be. I've been gone and I am back," He stated and he slowly brought his hand into hers. She took it in with a soft clasp around his strong hand.
"Yes," She whispered and she spilt everything from her mind, "But... do you know what it feels like to think that your beloved has died? Sam, it's still hard to believe you are back with me." Her face grew terribly sad and their faces were so close that she rested her forehead against his and he didn't take his eyes off her. And after a great while, she closed her eyes and tears fell from her eyes and he stroked her fingers and said, "It's hard for me to believe that I am here with you after so long. Rosie, I didn't want you to cry when I came back." He finished softly and he put a hand on her cheek, as tears of his own threatened to fall from his eyes.
She opened her eyes and met with his lovingly, and he leaned in and both pairs of their lips met. And soon their honest kiss out the pity of their toil grew passionate for the love that had built up inside of them all of those days and weeks and months and years. It was what they longed for... it was each other, heart and soul. Both of them had hearts like children which was blanketed by time's worries and problems, and when that blanket was pushed beside they acted out of innocence. And everything seemed right although much change had ensued. Samwise's soft hands on her face seemed right to Rosie, and the same to Sam with Rosie's sweet lips moving with his own. They held one another tightly against each other and after they had pulled away, their hearts desired for each other's love again completely and they rested their faces tenderly together.
Rosie's fingertips played with the curls down his neck with her face buried within them. She felt herself in complete ecstasy with him again. Sam's hand strayed to his pocket and he whispered a prayer in his thoughts to the heavens. Out of everything he wanted, he wanted her and this moment to go right. He had been carrying it around with him for months. Rosie opened her eyes after Sam stroked her arm and he had both of her hands soon. He stood her up on her curly-topped feet with him and he kept his face so lovingly by hers that his lips brushed her cheek as he spoke.
He smiled fondly and suddenly he slipped a thin gold band on her left hand from his pocket with three diamonds encrusted into it. "Rose Cotton, please marry me and I will be forever in love with you, I can promise you that," He vowed and he kissed her hand.
Rosie's heart jumped in her throat and she looked gently at him as she stumbled with the right words to respond. "Of course, Samwise...yes, yes, I'll marry you." She said and they kiss sweetly again. And in each other's eyes, they knew they were marrying the most beautiful person they knew, inside and out.
They embraced closely and after a short while, Rosie faced Samwise as she twisted the ring on her finger and laughed. "I was waiting for you to ask me all this while," she joked playfully and Sam tussled with her auburn curls as he beamed, "And well, you've wasted a year, so why wait longer?"
Sam rocked with her back and forth and smiled. The brilliance of the morning light had lingered just for them and the raw blossoms of the mallorn seemed to appear for the first time. "Wasted? I wouldn't call it that."
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~