A/N: There are two references in here one about an event that occurs in The
Two Towers movie and an event in The Two Towers book. I hope it's not too
confusing.
~~~
Sam's eyes fluttered open. He found himself awake yet so very weary as if worn to the bone by a pain inside of him growing outward. He gasped slightly at the feel of a cool cloth on his forehead, covering his eyes. His limbs felt lethargic and the simple motion of pushing the cloth away wore him out. He felt a hand on his wrist as he let it drop and his half lidded eyes strove to focus.
"Shh, Sam, you've worn yourself out. Your still not up to such strain."
Sam tried to sit up but failed and fell back with a cry. His stomach was sorely cramped. "Where's Frodo?" he gasped finally.
Envin smiled at seeing Sam's determination, "He is well, but not too happy at the moment. He won't let me tend him so he has settled for jittering over in that corner."
"Please, let me see him." Sam strove to sit up again and Envin's gentle hands were straightening his back so that he would not fall. "There, Sam, take it easy now. You may have to stay here for the rest of the day. Get your rest. You understand."
"I understand mighty well, but it don't mean I'm gonna do it," said Sam with a leer. "I know you mean well but I'm not a child and I've been off my feet for too long now. Can't go lazing about, that ain't good for your body either, says me Gaffer."
Envin's face set sternly, "When your sick you should be lying down."
Sam rubbed his eyes to better clear his vision. His gaze scanned the room before he caught sight of Frodo quaking in the corner. "Mr. Frodo, naught be afrightened." The hobbit gazed at him blankly hugging himself tight as if he were cold.
"I've been trying to get him out of there for an hour at least. Ever since we found you two and brought you in he just dashed over there."
Sam sighed, "He's afrightened of everyone but me. I think it's because I'm the only one his size."
"Or-" said Envin slowly as he dipped the cloth into a cool basin, "Or maybe somewhere in the back of his memory he can see someone who was always beside him. Someone who he knew he could forever trust when he was helpless. Someone who protected him when all seemed lost."
Sam blushed, "I don't think he remembers me, Envin. But he does seem to look to me for protection." Sam tried to get up but he was pushed back down again. "Now see here!" He began then lowered his voice. "Now see here. Nothin' and I mean absolutely nothin' has kept me from me master's side not hunger nor thirst nor madness nor death. I was ready to lay down and die beside him out there, I was hopin' for it. But now that it turns out we're still alive I'm not gonna go leavin' him even if he is..." Sam swallowed hard, "Simple." He breathed heavily and continued in a slow, aged voice, "Now you just step aside and either let me go to him or him come to me." Envin understood and bowed deeply before he turned and went over to his healer's bag to search for bonds and herbs.
Frodo's eyes followed the threatening man until he was safely in the distance at which time Frodo dashed to the bed and jumped on it wildly. "Easy there, Mr. Frodo," said Sam in a weary voice. Envin watched out of the corner of his eyes and clucked his tongue. "Not healthy for him at all."
Frodo gazed at Sam with some excitement bursting in his eyes like a child about to be told one of his favorite stories. Sam smirked. "And what do you want?" He raised an eyebrow but Frodo did not seem to care about the words he said, as usual. Instead Frodo huddled next to Sam, content, he began tediously plucking at the bandages around his head. "Now, let that be, Mr. Frodo." Sam pried his nimble fingers away from the bandage. The simple hobbit obeyed but scratched the back of his head curiously.
"It's healing," said Envin in a whisper "Quite common for it to be a little irritated."
Sam nodded as Frodo had become enamored in his hand. The simple hobbit gazed at it like it was a thing of wonder. He held it up and traced his pale fingers along the thin lines weaving in the depths of Sam's palm. He etched around his broken nails that showed his toil in clawing up the mountain side. But also signs of the old gardener were left that Frodo did not overlook. There was a slight cut between Sam's forefinger and third one on his left hand that was the result of an incident with sheers quite a few years back. Frodo noticed the tiny scar and traced it eagerly. He spread his fingers between the gaps that Sam's fingers left and noticed something strange. There was still a gap that could not be filled no matter how he spread his fingers. He jerked Sam's hand up roughly so that he may closer examine it. Sam aloud him to and watched curiously.
Frodo thought the fault may somehow lie in Sam's callused, brown hand but it seemed whole enough. Then he looked upon his own. The bandage covered most of it but it was not bulk any longer so the full image of his hand could be seen. It covered something. Frodo was immediately angered at the bandage and he furrowed his brow as he struggled to tear it apart. Sam's hands tried to stop him but he batted them away and grunted as he pulled the wrap off. He pressed his hand against Sam's again and saw the same problem. One of the gaps that his finger was supposed to fill... did not. *Well if this wasn't frustrating! Why were they different.?*
He checked Sam's other hand along with his other one. Now that time the gaps were filled. He tried again with each hand now and saw it was only one of his that left a hole. He sighed and fell back now enamored with his own hand leaving Sam's free to do whatever they wished. Sam folded them on his lap and watched Envin.
"What are you doing?"
"Thinking," said Envin bluntly as he pulled out his surgical knife.
"You're thinking of doin' it again, aren't you?"
"Yes I think I'm thinking I am." Envin smiled shining the knife in the fire light.
"He won't stand for it now."
"No, But maybe he'll learn something." Envin gazed at the knife thinking deeply before he shook his head and put it away. "Not now. We should focus on his fears now. Make him see everything is not going to hurt him."
Sam nodded and his gaze fell on the hobbit next to him that was slowly letting his left forefinger fall on each finger on his right hand. When he got to the missing one he paused and went on never quite seeing the problem.
"Where did Mr. Pippin and Mr. Merry go?"
"When they tried to get your master out of the corner they only further frightened him so I sent them away. The elf prince and the dwarf man came by a while ago quite ruffled. They seemed so irritated that they hadn't seen or spoken to you or Frodo that they demanded at least to sit by your bedside. I sent them off too since they would most definitely frighten your master. But now I think I have come off as some sort of tyrant to them all." Envin laughed heartily and he noticed the corners of Sam's mouth twitch.
"I hope they aren't too angry with me. I haven't been speakin' with them at all, have I?"
"Angry with you?" laughed Envin, "Why if you cut down all the trees and pulled the very stars from the sky I suppose they'd blame me now. But I could never see a one of them ever being angry with you for anything, Sam." Then Envin said, in a very serious tone, "They all have deep feelings for you."
"I know. And I miss them something awful! But things have changed so much. I remember Merry and Pippin told me Legolas and Gimli are friends now, well if that isn't something I just have to see! Oh you didn't know them but I did, all along that quest they were bickering like children, something awful to hear I tell ya! T'would dive us all crazy. Mr. Frodo would always sit with me at the campfire at night, especially the nights when you could hear Legolas and Gimli hollarin' at each other o'er yon, and Mr. Frodo'd say, 'Sam one of these nights, you wait and see, I'm going to go off my head and then they may start to fear the little Ringbearer they're trying to protect.' "
Sam burst into laughter that startled the little being beside him. Frodo watched him curiously. *Now this facial expression was new!*
Sam looked down at his hands again. "Mr. Frodo never really did go off his head about it. He came mighty close sometimes, I think. But he always had a cooler temper than me. If it weren't for him I suppose I would go a' hollarin' right back at 'em. One time I was about to, they were arguing so awful that they were just pacing back and forth until Gimli kicked over the stew I was brewing after Legolas gave him a push, of course. But Mr. Frodo just held my fists, I think they were just movin' on their own too, my fists I mean. I bet my face must have turned the silliest shade of red too because they did look really sorry after it, though it might have been because they lost another meal. I know Pippin and Merry weren't too happy with them, they lost their meal too. I know Gandalf and Aragorn were mighty furious too and they gave that elf and dwarf the what for later that night. Boromir-" Sam choked a bit before continuing, "Boromir just laughed. He did seem to see the bright side of it. After Merry and Pippin went off to sulk and Gandalf was keeping watch while Aragorn was giving Legolas and Gimli the what for, me and Mr. Frodo sat beside Boromir and he offered us some of his bread and dried fruit. It was mighty kind of him- mighty kind. I miss those times the most. The only time things got bad was when dinner was spoilt."
Envin was laughing, "That graceful elf and that proud dwarf did all that?!"
"I should say, in my defense, that it was not intended!" came a hard voice. "And! If I were not pushed-"
"Pushed, friend dwarf? Twas you who asked for it," came another fairer voice.
Envin and Sam glanced to the tent flap where Gimli and Legolas emerged. Frodo scuttled closer to Sam and closed his eyes tight. "Don't get any closer!" cried Sam putting a protective hand over Frodo.
Legolas and Gimli stopped mid stride and stood with a stricken look upon their faces. "Now, Sam, don't tell me you're still indignant toward us for that. It really was an accident and we *were* acting childish," said Legolas in serious disbelief.
"No, no!" Sam laughed lightly. "It's Frodo."
"Merry and Pippin told us," said Gimli. "But surely we can speak with you."
"Very well, but please keep your distance."
Legolas and Gimli tried to hide the hurt look on their faces and sat on the ground as to appear less menacing. They spoke for a while about every little thing. Sam felt his heart lighten at the sound of the elf's gentle voice and his eyes fill with mirth at the dwarf as he told of his encounters with horses, trees, spirits, and the men and women of Rohan.
".....and the horse got away from her somehow, throwing him right off! Lady Eowyn had to help him up."
Sam burst into laughter as Legolas finished his tale with a grin. Gimli just grumbled. "Now wait a minute Master Elf! I have one too. You can imagine before that that I never really rode on my own. I was never one for beasts of burden. Whatever you can't carry on your own sturdy back is not worth taking. As for riding them, well you can never really trust a beast when it is startled. But we needed speed so I rode with Legolas. It seemed the trees got to his mind. The elf went mad, galloped us straight back into the forest. I could do nothing until Aragorn stopped us. Never could trust those treespells."
Legolas laughed despite himself. Sam chuckled, "I never heard of an elf 'fraid of trees."
"These were mighty wrathful trees, Samwise," said Legolas in his defense.
Sam tried to hide his laughter gracefully but Gimli made no attempts. His laughter was hearty and strong but it seemed to frighten Frodo who yelped and gripped Sam strongly. Sam let out a squeak as Frodo's nimble hands pinched his arm. "Shh, Mr. Frodo it's alright."
Gimli quieted right away but Frodo was still shaking. Tears started to roll down his cheeks and blot the sheets as he hid his face in the crook of Sam's neck. The hobbit seemed inconsolable. Envin could watch no longer and stood up. He felt a great protectiveness for Frodo growing in himself, like a child to him, and he could not bear seeing him upset. There was a hint of anger in his voice when he spoke, "Master Elf, Master Dwarf, you have had your wish. Now, perhaps, you may leave this poor tormented hobbit in peace."
"See here!" said Legolas defending Gimli, "You know nothing of what we've all been through."
"You know nothing of what this hobbit has been through! I am a healer and by my skills I have learned his trials."
Legolas stood up and was in front of Envin before the man could know the elf had moved. There was a fire behind his keen, piercing eyes. If Envin thought Sam's could be intimidating the elf made his heart quail yet his protective nature for Frodo stood true. "Simple man," the elf spat, "You were not there when this brave hobbit stood up in front of a council of men, elves, and dwarves; in front of people of high status, rangers, princes, lords, and kings. He was but a hobbit then. He was so small barely any one took notice of him for there was such a fire in that council that it kindled all hearts with fear and anger. No one would see it destroyed for that meant his doom! But we could not hide it, and for our fear we fought. And amongst the chaos this little hobbit stood up and took on a burden he should never have had to bear! I saw him do it. It broke my heart. He knew nothing of the peril, the danger, the sacrifice. I believe he was just as frightened as all of us, but he overcame it as no ranger, prince, lord, or king could ever do!"
Envin was speechless. A long silence drifted in the tent save for the weak sobs that came from Frodo. Sam gazed on with wide eyes. He had never seen an elf so furious. He had never heard words spoken with such heart and love. Legolas settled a bit and Envin watch the blaze in his eyes slowly sink behind the grey light. He could feel his hands trembling but he clenched his teeth and muttered through them. "If you care for this hobbit so then you will give him peace. Look. He is afraid of you."
Legolas turned around, his fair hair thrown into Envin's face as his eyes came to rest on the two hobbits in the bed. Sam was watching him, mouth agape, but Frodo was buried in Sam's shoulder weeping like a frightened child. Legolas could not move, his heart shattered anew. Now he had been the cause of the hobbit's pain. "Frodo," he choked, "Forgive me." He was still frozen in his stance when Gimli put a hand on his elbow and lead him out. When they reached the tent flap Gimli looked back. "We never meant to cause him this torment," the dwarf whispered in a choked voice. Then they were gone. Envin was struck where he stood but the spell upon Sam was broken and he wrapped his arms around Frodo trying to console him. He lay his head on his masters back and wept as well, so many things did change.
~~~
Sam's eyes fluttered open. He found himself awake yet so very weary as if worn to the bone by a pain inside of him growing outward. He gasped slightly at the feel of a cool cloth on his forehead, covering his eyes. His limbs felt lethargic and the simple motion of pushing the cloth away wore him out. He felt a hand on his wrist as he let it drop and his half lidded eyes strove to focus.
"Shh, Sam, you've worn yourself out. Your still not up to such strain."
Sam tried to sit up but failed and fell back with a cry. His stomach was sorely cramped. "Where's Frodo?" he gasped finally.
Envin smiled at seeing Sam's determination, "He is well, but not too happy at the moment. He won't let me tend him so he has settled for jittering over in that corner."
"Please, let me see him." Sam strove to sit up again and Envin's gentle hands were straightening his back so that he would not fall. "There, Sam, take it easy now. You may have to stay here for the rest of the day. Get your rest. You understand."
"I understand mighty well, but it don't mean I'm gonna do it," said Sam with a leer. "I know you mean well but I'm not a child and I've been off my feet for too long now. Can't go lazing about, that ain't good for your body either, says me Gaffer."
Envin's face set sternly, "When your sick you should be lying down."
Sam rubbed his eyes to better clear his vision. His gaze scanned the room before he caught sight of Frodo quaking in the corner. "Mr. Frodo, naught be afrightened." The hobbit gazed at him blankly hugging himself tight as if he were cold.
"I've been trying to get him out of there for an hour at least. Ever since we found you two and brought you in he just dashed over there."
Sam sighed, "He's afrightened of everyone but me. I think it's because I'm the only one his size."
"Or-" said Envin slowly as he dipped the cloth into a cool basin, "Or maybe somewhere in the back of his memory he can see someone who was always beside him. Someone who he knew he could forever trust when he was helpless. Someone who protected him when all seemed lost."
Sam blushed, "I don't think he remembers me, Envin. But he does seem to look to me for protection." Sam tried to get up but he was pushed back down again. "Now see here!" He began then lowered his voice. "Now see here. Nothin' and I mean absolutely nothin' has kept me from me master's side not hunger nor thirst nor madness nor death. I was ready to lay down and die beside him out there, I was hopin' for it. But now that it turns out we're still alive I'm not gonna go leavin' him even if he is..." Sam swallowed hard, "Simple." He breathed heavily and continued in a slow, aged voice, "Now you just step aside and either let me go to him or him come to me." Envin understood and bowed deeply before he turned and went over to his healer's bag to search for bonds and herbs.
Frodo's eyes followed the threatening man until he was safely in the distance at which time Frodo dashed to the bed and jumped on it wildly. "Easy there, Mr. Frodo," said Sam in a weary voice. Envin watched out of the corner of his eyes and clucked his tongue. "Not healthy for him at all."
Frodo gazed at Sam with some excitement bursting in his eyes like a child about to be told one of his favorite stories. Sam smirked. "And what do you want?" He raised an eyebrow but Frodo did not seem to care about the words he said, as usual. Instead Frodo huddled next to Sam, content, he began tediously plucking at the bandages around his head. "Now, let that be, Mr. Frodo." Sam pried his nimble fingers away from the bandage. The simple hobbit obeyed but scratched the back of his head curiously.
"It's healing," said Envin in a whisper "Quite common for it to be a little irritated."
Sam nodded as Frodo had become enamored in his hand. The simple hobbit gazed at it like it was a thing of wonder. He held it up and traced his pale fingers along the thin lines weaving in the depths of Sam's palm. He etched around his broken nails that showed his toil in clawing up the mountain side. But also signs of the old gardener were left that Frodo did not overlook. There was a slight cut between Sam's forefinger and third one on his left hand that was the result of an incident with sheers quite a few years back. Frodo noticed the tiny scar and traced it eagerly. He spread his fingers between the gaps that Sam's fingers left and noticed something strange. There was still a gap that could not be filled no matter how he spread his fingers. He jerked Sam's hand up roughly so that he may closer examine it. Sam aloud him to and watched curiously.
Frodo thought the fault may somehow lie in Sam's callused, brown hand but it seemed whole enough. Then he looked upon his own. The bandage covered most of it but it was not bulk any longer so the full image of his hand could be seen. It covered something. Frodo was immediately angered at the bandage and he furrowed his brow as he struggled to tear it apart. Sam's hands tried to stop him but he batted them away and grunted as he pulled the wrap off. He pressed his hand against Sam's again and saw the same problem. One of the gaps that his finger was supposed to fill... did not. *Well if this wasn't frustrating! Why were they different.?*
He checked Sam's other hand along with his other one. Now that time the gaps were filled. He tried again with each hand now and saw it was only one of his that left a hole. He sighed and fell back now enamored with his own hand leaving Sam's free to do whatever they wished. Sam folded them on his lap and watched Envin.
"What are you doing?"
"Thinking," said Envin bluntly as he pulled out his surgical knife.
"You're thinking of doin' it again, aren't you?"
"Yes I think I'm thinking I am." Envin smiled shining the knife in the fire light.
"He won't stand for it now."
"No, But maybe he'll learn something." Envin gazed at the knife thinking deeply before he shook his head and put it away. "Not now. We should focus on his fears now. Make him see everything is not going to hurt him."
Sam nodded and his gaze fell on the hobbit next to him that was slowly letting his left forefinger fall on each finger on his right hand. When he got to the missing one he paused and went on never quite seeing the problem.
"Where did Mr. Pippin and Mr. Merry go?"
"When they tried to get your master out of the corner they only further frightened him so I sent them away. The elf prince and the dwarf man came by a while ago quite ruffled. They seemed so irritated that they hadn't seen or spoken to you or Frodo that they demanded at least to sit by your bedside. I sent them off too since they would most definitely frighten your master. But now I think I have come off as some sort of tyrant to them all." Envin laughed heartily and he noticed the corners of Sam's mouth twitch.
"I hope they aren't too angry with me. I haven't been speakin' with them at all, have I?"
"Angry with you?" laughed Envin, "Why if you cut down all the trees and pulled the very stars from the sky I suppose they'd blame me now. But I could never see a one of them ever being angry with you for anything, Sam." Then Envin said, in a very serious tone, "They all have deep feelings for you."
"I know. And I miss them something awful! But things have changed so much. I remember Merry and Pippin told me Legolas and Gimli are friends now, well if that isn't something I just have to see! Oh you didn't know them but I did, all along that quest they were bickering like children, something awful to hear I tell ya! T'would dive us all crazy. Mr. Frodo would always sit with me at the campfire at night, especially the nights when you could hear Legolas and Gimli hollarin' at each other o'er yon, and Mr. Frodo'd say, 'Sam one of these nights, you wait and see, I'm going to go off my head and then they may start to fear the little Ringbearer they're trying to protect.' "
Sam burst into laughter that startled the little being beside him. Frodo watched him curiously. *Now this facial expression was new!*
Sam looked down at his hands again. "Mr. Frodo never really did go off his head about it. He came mighty close sometimes, I think. But he always had a cooler temper than me. If it weren't for him I suppose I would go a' hollarin' right back at 'em. One time I was about to, they were arguing so awful that they were just pacing back and forth until Gimli kicked over the stew I was brewing after Legolas gave him a push, of course. But Mr. Frodo just held my fists, I think they were just movin' on their own too, my fists I mean. I bet my face must have turned the silliest shade of red too because they did look really sorry after it, though it might have been because they lost another meal. I know Pippin and Merry weren't too happy with them, they lost their meal too. I know Gandalf and Aragorn were mighty furious too and they gave that elf and dwarf the what for later that night. Boromir-" Sam choked a bit before continuing, "Boromir just laughed. He did seem to see the bright side of it. After Merry and Pippin went off to sulk and Gandalf was keeping watch while Aragorn was giving Legolas and Gimli the what for, me and Mr. Frodo sat beside Boromir and he offered us some of his bread and dried fruit. It was mighty kind of him- mighty kind. I miss those times the most. The only time things got bad was when dinner was spoilt."
Envin was laughing, "That graceful elf and that proud dwarf did all that?!"
"I should say, in my defense, that it was not intended!" came a hard voice. "And! If I were not pushed-"
"Pushed, friend dwarf? Twas you who asked for it," came another fairer voice.
Envin and Sam glanced to the tent flap where Gimli and Legolas emerged. Frodo scuttled closer to Sam and closed his eyes tight. "Don't get any closer!" cried Sam putting a protective hand over Frodo.
Legolas and Gimli stopped mid stride and stood with a stricken look upon their faces. "Now, Sam, don't tell me you're still indignant toward us for that. It really was an accident and we *were* acting childish," said Legolas in serious disbelief.
"No, no!" Sam laughed lightly. "It's Frodo."
"Merry and Pippin told us," said Gimli. "But surely we can speak with you."
"Very well, but please keep your distance."
Legolas and Gimli tried to hide the hurt look on their faces and sat on the ground as to appear less menacing. They spoke for a while about every little thing. Sam felt his heart lighten at the sound of the elf's gentle voice and his eyes fill with mirth at the dwarf as he told of his encounters with horses, trees, spirits, and the men and women of Rohan.
".....and the horse got away from her somehow, throwing him right off! Lady Eowyn had to help him up."
Sam burst into laughter as Legolas finished his tale with a grin. Gimli just grumbled. "Now wait a minute Master Elf! I have one too. You can imagine before that that I never really rode on my own. I was never one for beasts of burden. Whatever you can't carry on your own sturdy back is not worth taking. As for riding them, well you can never really trust a beast when it is startled. But we needed speed so I rode with Legolas. It seemed the trees got to his mind. The elf went mad, galloped us straight back into the forest. I could do nothing until Aragorn stopped us. Never could trust those treespells."
Legolas laughed despite himself. Sam chuckled, "I never heard of an elf 'fraid of trees."
"These were mighty wrathful trees, Samwise," said Legolas in his defense.
Sam tried to hide his laughter gracefully but Gimli made no attempts. His laughter was hearty and strong but it seemed to frighten Frodo who yelped and gripped Sam strongly. Sam let out a squeak as Frodo's nimble hands pinched his arm. "Shh, Mr. Frodo it's alright."
Gimli quieted right away but Frodo was still shaking. Tears started to roll down his cheeks and blot the sheets as he hid his face in the crook of Sam's neck. The hobbit seemed inconsolable. Envin could watch no longer and stood up. He felt a great protectiveness for Frodo growing in himself, like a child to him, and he could not bear seeing him upset. There was a hint of anger in his voice when he spoke, "Master Elf, Master Dwarf, you have had your wish. Now, perhaps, you may leave this poor tormented hobbit in peace."
"See here!" said Legolas defending Gimli, "You know nothing of what we've all been through."
"You know nothing of what this hobbit has been through! I am a healer and by my skills I have learned his trials."
Legolas stood up and was in front of Envin before the man could know the elf had moved. There was a fire behind his keen, piercing eyes. If Envin thought Sam's could be intimidating the elf made his heart quail yet his protective nature for Frodo stood true. "Simple man," the elf spat, "You were not there when this brave hobbit stood up in front of a council of men, elves, and dwarves; in front of people of high status, rangers, princes, lords, and kings. He was but a hobbit then. He was so small barely any one took notice of him for there was such a fire in that council that it kindled all hearts with fear and anger. No one would see it destroyed for that meant his doom! But we could not hide it, and for our fear we fought. And amongst the chaos this little hobbit stood up and took on a burden he should never have had to bear! I saw him do it. It broke my heart. He knew nothing of the peril, the danger, the sacrifice. I believe he was just as frightened as all of us, but he overcame it as no ranger, prince, lord, or king could ever do!"
Envin was speechless. A long silence drifted in the tent save for the weak sobs that came from Frodo. Sam gazed on with wide eyes. He had never seen an elf so furious. He had never heard words spoken with such heart and love. Legolas settled a bit and Envin watch the blaze in his eyes slowly sink behind the grey light. He could feel his hands trembling but he clenched his teeth and muttered through them. "If you care for this hobbit so then you will give him peace. Look. He is afraid of you."
Legolas turned around, his fair hair thrown into Envin's face as his eyes came to rest on the two hobbits in the bed. Sam was watching him, mouth agape, but Frodo was buried in Sam's shoulder weeping like a frightened child. Legolas could not move, his heart shattered anew. Now he had been the cause of the hobbit's pain. "Frodo," he choked, "Forgive me." He was still frozen in his stance when Gimli put a hand on his elbow and lead him out. When they reached the tent flap Gimli looked back. "We never meant to cause him this torment," the dwarf whispered in a choked voice. Then they were gone. Envin was struck where he stood but the spell upon Sam was broken and he wrapped his arms around Frodo trying to console him. He lay his head on his masters back and wept as well, so many things did change.