A/N: I'm so sorry it's taken so long for this chapter! I just moved and it's been crazy around here. I almost lost everything during the move and I've been off my computer for so long I thought I was going through withdrawal.

I hope the story is living up to everyone's expectations. Please know that if you have any suggestions for what direction to take this story, I am more then happy to consider them. From one writer to another, there is nothing more helpful then an outside point of view.

Frodo's Sister: Thanks for reading. I'm glad you're enjoying it and I will keep updating it as long as people keep reading it.

Merry lad: Yay! More fans! Thanks for saying that the story 'rox'! Now the question is...What does the letter to the Gaffer say? Read and you shall find out

Ch. 8

Frodo watched Sam as he walked down the path from the front door, securely closed the gate behind him, as always, and started home to Bag Shoot Row. Leaning heavily against the wall, he rubbed his temples. His head had been pounding for almost 2 days now, and nothing seemed to help it.

Back in the kitchen, Frodo began to clean up the fried tomatoes that still littered the floor. They would have made a very good dinner. Sam was an excellent cook as well as excellent company. What had caused Sam to become so nervous and jumpy? It was true that Sam was known to be a bit clumsy, but he had never injured himself before. Especially not while in the kitchen. Something must be wrong.

The clock in the study chimed the 8th hour and Frodo, after all that had happened, felt exhausted. Without Bilbo around, Frodo had no one to talk to, like he did most nights before he went to bed. So he decided to get one of his favorite books and catch up on some reading. 'The first thing in the morning, though,' Frodo said to himself, 'I'm going to find out what's wrong with Sam.'

::

Before he knew it, Sam was standing outside the door to #3 Bag Shoot Row; his home. Just beyond that that door, he would have to face his father and the contents of the note that he now held in a clenched fist. Taking a few deep, calming breaths, Sam slowly opened the door and entered.

To his relief, his father was in a good mood. Something must have happened after he had left Bag End that made him so happy.

"Sam, lad," the Gaffer announced as Sam stepped into the living room, "it's your lucky day."

"Why, Da?" Sam asked as he quickly hid his injured hand behind his back before his father could question him about it.

"Well, after the 'incident' this afternoon, I was plannin' to speak with Mr. Frodo." Sam drew in a quick breath. Oh no. This just made things even worse. "I was goin' to ask him if he could spare you for a while. I thought you were spending too much time up there." Sam's eyes were nearly filled with tears. Mr. Frodo's letter said the same thing.

"But then a strange thing happened." The Gaffer continued. Sam looked up in anticipation. "When I was down in the market, I ran into Ted Sandyman. We got to talkn' about Mr. Frodo up at Bag End and Ted heard from Fatty who heard from some relative of his, that Mr. Merry Brandybuck and Mr. Pippin Took are gonna be visitin' Mr. Frodo next week." Sam stared at his father in disbelief. 'What does all this have to do with him?' he thought to himself.

"Then I started thinkin'," he continued, "with Mr. Bilbo gone, Mr. Frodo's goin' to be needin' an extra set of hands. Ya know what they say about those Brandybucks and Tooks. Who knows what they might be plannin'!" Sam knew his father didn't think very highly of the Brandybucks or Tooks. That's why he was always a little suspicious of Frodo, since he was over half Brandybuck.

"I don't have the patience to deal with them, and since I have so much work to do otherwise, I've decided that it would be best if you stayed up at Bag End until they've gone." Sam was in a state of shock. Everything had just done a complete turn around! Though, in his excitement, he had completely forgotten the letter from Mr. Frodo and his injury. That is, he forgot about them until his father reminded him.

"Samwise, what in Middle Earth happened?" Sam's injured hand had slipped into view.

"I...I burned myself, Da, while I was makin' dinner for Mr. Frodo." Sam knew he would get it now.

"And this?" The Gaffer asked, taking Frodo's note from Sam's grasp. Sam's heart stopped. This was going to change everything, again!

"It...it's a note, from Mr. Frodo." Sam answered quietly, not being able to look his father in the eye. Hamfast unfolded the parchment and took a long look at it. He then handed it back to Sam, who stood looking horrified.

"What's it say, lad?" He asked. Sam looked up at his father again. He had forgotten that he could read. It was something Hamfast was a bit ashamed of; that his son could read and he could not, but he would never admit it. So with a shaky hand, he took the paper, turned it over and began to read it aloud.

Dear Mr. Hamfast Gamgee,

I would just like to write to you saying what I have been feeling for quite a few years now. Your son, Samwise, is a wonderful lad, talented gardener and the best friend any hobbit could ask for.

After my parents died and I came to live with Uncle Bilbo, I thought I never could be happy again. That is, until, I met young Sam. He always knew what to say to make me smile and forget my pain. I am lucky to know such an honorable and caring hobbit as your son. You should be proud of him.

If it is not too much to ask, I would greatly appreciate it if Sam could spend this week here at Bag End. With Bilbo gone, it will be difficult for me to take care of everything on my own. Thank you greatly.

Respectfully yours always,

Frodo Baggins

Sam didn't know what to do. The letter had changed! Mr. Frodo didn't want to get rid of him after all.

"Well lad, I guess that settles it," Hamfast said as he headed to the kitchen to make tea. "Starting tomorrow, until Mr. Bilbo returns, you'll be stayin' up at Bag End to be helpin' Mr. Frodo."

"Ye...yes, Da." Sam stuttered out. He was speechless otherwise. Did Mr. Frodo really mean all those things he said in the letter? He must have, otherwise, why would he write it? Honorable? Caring? Was he really all those things?

"Ya better get your stuff ready," Hamfast said, interrupting Sam's thoughts.

"Alright, Da," Sam said quickly be for heading off to his room.

"Samwise!" Hamfast called after his son as he took off down the hallway. Sam stopped dead in his tracks and slowly walked back to the kitchen. 'Now what?' he asked himself.

"Yeah, Da?" He asked, hoping he wasn't about to change his mind.

"I just wanted to say, I'm proud of ya." Hamfast said. For the first time since his mother passed away, Sam heard true feeling in his father's voice.

"Thanks, Da." Sam said gratefully before heading back to his room.

TBC