The End of the Way
Chapter One- - Setting Up Samwise, Part One
Levanna watched as Frodo lay awake, watching Sam sleep. Her heart gave an odd wrench as she saw the love and anguish in Frodo's eyes. Sam was the brother he had never had. And of late it had killed Levanna to see them bicker. A sudden odd feeling of fullness came upon her, and her heart fell more as her own father's words repeated in her head.
'You shall fall in love my daughter, and from Elvish blessing conceive in your womb without marital activity. If your lover loves you as you him, he will understand, and happiness shall bless you also, if not, you shall have to live with society's ranking of you, alone with your son.'
Tears in her eyes Levanna looked at Omartrique. 'Why do you wish such on your only child and daughter? Why would you burden me so?'
'Nay my flower, it is the prophecy set unto the Beradan.'
'How do you know I am she?'
'Because you are the first helf ever born.'
Levanna sniffled, wiping away her tears, unaware of Frodo's watchful eye on her, having witnessed her crying. "Oh dear child of mine womb, if you are within tell your loving mother!"
"What is it you speak of?" She jumped at Frodo's words, her expression not changing as she felt something stir within her. Frodo stood, eying Sam again, then Levanna.
"Have you not heard the songs?"
"Which songs?"
"About me, about the Prophecy of the Beradan?"
Frodo nodded. "Aye, I've heard them, what has that to do with this?" He sat next to her/\.
"Dark in features, light in grace
Her valor is most high
Upon the moon
And all the stars
Without once having to lie,
Inside her womb she will conceive
A son for whom she loves
And if in return he loves her too
They shall be shrived and vowed.
But if this man loves her not
Or trust she does not earn,
The son inside will grow quick, quick
And soon it would be born."
She dared not look at Frodo, shaking with the fear of his rejection and denial, and with the fear of motherhood, childbirth, and worse... Marriage. Marriage to her had always seemed a cage, perhaps because she had been pledged to Legolas at birth without any choice. Or maybe she was terrified of the idea of going from a highly honored warrior to a petty housewife, doing chores and raising babies. But it was more than likely both.
To be truthful, she loved children, but she hated the feel of being tied down. Her cheeks were scarlet and when she felt Frodo's hand on hers, a tear released from her stormy brown eyes onto the matched hands.
"Levanna, you're really serious?" She looked at him, he was concerned, shocked and even a little excited.
She shook her head. "Yes I'm serious but I... I'm not certain if I am now, I mean I'm very sure but not certain."
He grinned slightly, kissing her hand. "You know, my luck is improving."
"Come hobbits! We must go now! Up, up!"
Sam's eyes fluttered and shut open, he looked at the two who gazed at him, seeing the rings under Frodo's eyes. "Did you not sleep Mr. Frodo?"
Frodo shook his head and with a frown Sam stretched and looked around. "I've slept too much, must be near e'ening."
"No, it isn't even noon." Frodo said. "The days are getting darker."
Sam went into his pack, grabbing some lembas. "This is it."
"What?" Frodo asked as he received a piece.
"This is all we have left, just this little bit. I've rationed it though," Sam uncomfortably shifted. "Should be enough for the journey."
"Mordor's so close now, though."
"I meant the journey home, sir." Frodo looked at the bread awkwardly. "You go ahead and eat that."
Frodo looked at him. "What about you?"
"Oh, nah, Mr. Frodo. I'm not hungry." Sam tried to show indifference. Frodo took a bite, then broke it in half and placed some into Levanna's hand.
"Frodo, I'm not..."
"Hush! You need to start eating more." Sam watched curiously as a blush spread over her face.
"We aren't sure..."
"My point exactly." He smiled and she rolled her eyes and slowly ate the bread.
The day had sped by and soon Frodo and Sam were asleep. Levanna lay at Frodo's side, eyes closed, ears alert to the always awake Gollum. He had gone to the nearby stream, and she listened to him coax Smeagol.
"And we takes it once they're dead! All three of them!"
Sam stirred and she realized that he was now awake and listening, he grabbed a pan and stood silently, then whacked him over the head with it. Frodo shot up and witnessed Sam punching and whacking the howling creature.
"Sam! Sam!" He shouted, prying him off.
"Right from his own mouth Mr. Frodo! He wants the Ring! He's planned to have us killed for it!"
"No, not us, Master! We wouldn't!"
"I don't trust him not one bit, and I'm sick of it!" Sam said, his voice threatened by tears.
Frodo took a deep breath. "Sam, we cant let him go. And I need you at my side."
"I'm at your side."
"Now both of you quietly stay away from each other, we should get moving, I'm going to wake Levanna."
Levanna closed her eyes and when he kneeled next to her and gently patter her arm, a warm smile spread over her features. "Levanna? Darling, we have to get moving."
She opened her eyes and sighed, stretching and standing with his help. "Oh, thank you."
She carefully made her way to Sam, not showing any sign of having heard them all, she whispered to him as Gollum approached Frodo. "Don't worry, I heard too." She signaled his silence.
"He wants the Ring, Master. We sees it in his eyes we do!"
Frodo looked at Sam, who was making his way over with Levanna, then shook his head. "Come on you two."
End Chapter One