A/N: ::shuffles near with a overly large shield and a white flag:: ok ok
I'm sorry please don't hurt me! I'm having some trouble getting out of a
slump. Please forgive me! Perhaps this may pick up some momentum if I get
lots of reassuring reviews?... ::gets pelted with rotten fruit:: Achsss!
::flees with shield and flag trailing behind::
~~~
Sam could slowly feel himself returning to consciousness. For once, he had slept well, dreamless and peaceful. He did not want to leave it, but he could sense something near him and his eyes slowly peeked open. At first through the haze and mist of sleep he saw only a blur of blue. When his eyes finally focused he jumped backward and gave a startled yelp.
Frodo sat up his bright eyes peering into Sam's. This did not daunt the curious hobbit, however and he just leaned closer as if the longer and closer he looked he might find something he missed. Sam inched backwards, "Mr. Frodo, what are you looking for?"
Frodo crawled closer his keen eyes darting across Sam's features curiously. His face portrayed a stern confusion as he put his fingers in Sam's mouth and pulled up his lips.
"Wha awe oo oin'?" Sam spit out Frodo's fingers and put his hand to his mouth.
"I think he wants you to smile, Sam," Envin laughed as he set a tray of food on the bed. "Not a bad idea, if you ask me." The healer uncovered a few dishes and the steam leaden with fragrances that made Sam's stomach gurgle wafted into the air. Frodo's nose twitched and he turned hungrily toward the food.
His hands wrapped around a piece of bread and he chewed it thoughtfully. Sam inched forward and looked over the food. "You didn't have to bring so much! I can't eat that even with Mr. Frodo helpin' me."
"It is your last day here, enjoy it," Envin answered solemnly.
"I suppose," Sam mused.
The rest of the morning was finished in quiet peace. Envin and Sam spoke long of sad and comforting things. Sam told Envin all about the Shire; about green fields under a lazy sunrise and sparkling rivers that even Sam could be fond of (at a distance). He spoke long about the gardens of Bag- End and every flower he easily named as if they were children he brought up over many long winters and harsh summers. He spoke of his vegetable patch fondly and the ale at the Green Dragon. He dwindled long in spring days spent with Rosie and the Cotton boys or learning to garden from his Gaffer.
Envin smiled at these stories and sighed wistfully. "If such a place as the Shire exists, Sam, I could have never dreamed of it until now. But now I do hope that I often dream long and well of your home."
"If you ever happen to be in the South Farthing," Sam laughed, "you must drop by Number 3 Bagshot Row if you do not mind slouching it's a might small for Big Folks."
Envin smiled warmly, "Indeed, but let me tell you of Gondor."
Much was said of both of their homes and it was evident that both desired to return to them. But of sad things they spoke of as well. They thought of times not long ago when Frodo was as still as a reflection in a pond. Sam rubbed the back of his hand to his eyes. "Elrond saved my master once before, this time I reckon he was too deeply injured to find."
"I've been meaning to ask you, Sam, how did Frodo get this?" Envin pointed to the stitches in the back of Frodo's head. Frodo turned quickly and looked from Envin to Sam wondering just what they were talking about. He leaned forward on his elbows pretending to understand what the words meant. Every time someone turned to him he'd perk up and smile and Sam returned it weakly to make his master content.
"Sam, what happened in Mordor?" Envin asked again.
Sam sighed, "I was afraid to ever say much about it but seein' is how he don't understand." Sam's eyes filled with tears and he bowed his head afraid to look at Envin and see what judgment he would make. With a short shaky breath, Sam began.
~~~
"Sam," Frodo whispered and the younger hobbit turned his tear filled eyes to his master.
"Yes sir?"
"Take Sting out of my belt."
"Sir?"
"Just please Sam. Do it. Give me Sting."
Sam obeyed not sure why. He held out Sting and wondered at its elvish beauty. Slowly he turned it to his master and Frodo grasped it violently and desperately. Sam recoiled.
"Mr. Frodo?"
Frodo held the hilt against his breast tightly and trembled. He sucked in a gasp of breath and turned his tear streaked face to Sam. "Walk away, Sam."
"Mr. Frodo! No!"
"Just listen to me Sam!" Frodo screamed his voice harsh and cruel. "Walk away! Turn and run!"
"No, Mr. Frodo I won't leave you!"
"You won't have to then!"
Frodo looked up at the sky once more. His voice lowered into a whisper. "I have to do this." He closed his eyes and let the tears roll down his cheeks. When he opened them again they seemed to be filled with a bitter resolve as he stared at the dark sky. "I just wish I could see the stars.. One last time."
He turned again to Sam. "You see Sam I have to do this. I have honour, Sam, and I do not wish to turn into a monster again! No not again! I won't let him win! And I won't let the Ring win! Promise me Sam! When it's over you'll take the Ring and destroy it! Promise me you'll move on!"
"Don't do this Frodo!" Sam wailed. "Don't do this!"
"I'm sorry Sam. Please. Don't cry for me. I died long ago."
~~~
"I was afraid for him, I knew what he wanted to do, so I- I took it. I screamed and snatched it clean out of his hands. He didn't want me to, he was angry and he struck me. I don't blame him for it at all! Don't get me wrong he was just- the Ring- it was the Ring." Sam shook his head fiercely. "No please!" he put his hands to his ears and clenched his eyes tight. "Don't make me go back there! Don't make me go!"
Envin grabbed Sam's arms tightly and held him close, "Shh, Sam! What happened! Tell me!"
"He- he FELL! I pulled too hard I made him fall! He hit his head."
"Shh, it wasn't your fault. You saved him from himself, Sam."
Sam looked up, his eyes wide with fright and with a wild light to them that Envin did not quite like the look of. "When I was carrying him, he kicked me. He didn't mean to he was dreamin' but he fell again. If only I could have held him tighter! If only I could have kept my footing! And on the mountain!" Sam gasped for air before continuing. "That nasty, wicked creature! That lying snake did him in! He took my master by the neck and threw him! Oh if that filthy thing had not fallen into that fire I would have wrapped my hands around his wretched neck and squeezed the life out of him!"
Before Sam could finish Frodo burst into tears and grasped at Envin full of fear. Envin held the weeping hobbit close. "Sam," he said softly. "When I first tended Frodo he was completely still as if his spirit fled the body entirely. When Lord Elrond came it was a blessing. He found a small shred of hope, a tiny light inside of Frodo, just a spark but it was there. When Frodo returned to us he was lost, frightened, confused. You helped with that, Sam, you showed him protection and trust. Don't you see he loves you and he looks to you for understanding? Emarin's kitten showed him that not all things are threatening. A flower showed him death, a knife showed him evil. He is learning, Sam. Don't you see? There is hope. Of all the things that were against him; the Ring, Gollum, Mordor, thirst and hunger. You stuck by him. I have once heard of a saying 'Where there is life, there is hope' but I no longer believe it. I think it is better stated; 'Where there is Samwise there is hope'."
Frodo stopped weeping and pulled his head from Envin's robes. He rubbed his nose and sniffled. Sam smiled at him and reached out to him. Frodo fell into his arms as if it were all he had ever truly needed. Sam smiled and stroked his hair, "We'll get you back, Mr. Frodo, as long as I'm Samwise Gamgee. You ain't dead yet, and you'll keep on livin' if I got any say in it."
Frodo's eyes saddened. He heard something he knew and he did not like the sound of it. Slowly he reached into his pocket and pulled out some crumbled item that was now undistinguishable. Sam looked at it curiously. A tiny black thing, withered and drooping as if it had born such a heavy burden that it broke its back..
"Oh," said Sam, "you kept it?"
Sam looked from the flower to Frodo whose eyes filled with tears. He pocketed the dead bud and stared confused and frightened at Sam. "Dead..." he murmured almost inaudibly.
There was a loud clatter as Envin dropped the empty dishes and Sam stared gaping at Frodo who had bowed his head and fallen back into Sam's arms as if he hadn't said a word.
"Master Samwise, sir?" Emáten peeked into the tent. "We are getting ready to depart."
~~~
Sam could slowly feel himself returning to consciousness. For once, he had slept well, dreamless and peaceful. He did not want to leave it, but he could sense something near him and his eyes slowly peeked open. At first through the haze and mist of sleep he saw only a blur of blue. When his eyes finally focused he jumped backward and gave a startled yelp.
Frodo sat up his bright eyes peering into Sam's. This did not daunt the curious hobbit, however and he just leaned closer as if the longer and closer he looked he might find something he missed. Sam inched backwards, "Mr. Frodo, what are you looking for?"
Frodo crawled closer his keen eyes darting across Sam's features curiously. His face portrayed a stern confusion as he put his fingers in Sam's mouth and pulled up his lips.
"Wha awe oo oin'?" Sam spit out Frodo's fingers and put his hand to his mouth.
"I think he wants you to smile, Sam," Envin laughed as he set a tray of food on the bed. "Not a bad idea, if you ask me." The healer uncovered a few dishes and the steam leaden with fragrances that made Sam's stomach gurgle wafted into the air. Frodo's nose twitched and he turned hungrily toward the food.
His hands wrapped around a piece of bread and he chewed it thoughtfully. Sam inched forward and looked over the food. "You didn't have to bring so much! I can't eat that even with Mr. Frodo helpin' me."
"It is your last day here, enjoy it," Envin answered solemnly.
"I suppose," Sam mused.
The rest of the morning was finished in quiet peace. Envin and Sam spoke long of sad and comforting things. Sam told Envin all about the Shire; about green fields under a lazy sunrise and sparkling rivers that even Sam could be fond of (at a distance). He spoke long about the gardens of Bag- End and every flower he easily named as if they were children he brought up over many long winters and harsh summers. He spoke of his vegetable patch fondly and the ale at the Green Dragon. He dwindled long in spring days spent with Rosie and the Cotton boys or learning to garden from his Gaffer.
Envin smiled at these stories and sighed wistfully. "If such a place as the Shire exists, Sam, I could have never dreamed of it until now. But now I do hope that I often dream long and well of your home."
"If you ever happen to be in the South Farthing," Sam laughed, "you must drop by Number 3 Bagshot Row if you do not mind slouching it's a might small for Big Folks."
Envin smiled warmly, "Indeed, but let me tell you of Gondor."
Much was said of both of their homes and it was evident that both desired to return to them. But of sad things they spoke of as well. They thought of times not long ago when Frodo was as still as a reflection in a pond. Sam rubbed the back of his hand to his eyes. "Elrond saved my master once before, this time I reckon he was too deeply injured to find."
"I've been meaning to ask you, Sam, how did Frodo get this?" Envin pointed to the stitches in the back of Frodo's head. Frodo turned quickly and looked from Envin to Sam wondering just what they were talking about. He leaned forward on his elbows pretending to understand what the words meant. Every time someone turned to him he'd perk up and smile and Sam returned it weakly to make his master content.
"Sam, what happened in Mordor?" Envin asked again.
Sam sighed, "I was afraid to ever say much about it but seein' is how he don't understand." Sam's eyes filled with tears and he bowed his head afraid to look at Envin and see what judgment he would make. With a short shaky breath, Sam began.
~~~
"Sam," Frodo whispered and the younger hobbit turned his tear filled eyes to his master.
"Yes sir?"
"Take Sting out of my belt."
"Sir?"
"Just please Sam. Do it. Give me Sting."
Sam obeyed not sure why. He held out Sting and wondered at its elvish beauty. Slowly he turned it to his master and Frodo grasped it violently and desperately. Sam recoiled.
"Mr. Frodo?"
Frodo held the hilt against his breast tightly and trembled. He sucked in a gasp of breath and turned his tear streaked face to Sam. "Walk away, Sam."
"Mr. Frodo! No!"
"Just listen to me Sam!" Frodo screamed his voice harsh and cruel. "Walk away! Turn and run!"
"No, Mr. Frodo I won't leave you!"
"You won't have to then!"
Frodo looked up at the sky once more. His voice lowered into a whisper. "I have to do this." He closed his eyes and let the tears roll down his cheeks. When he opened them again they seemed to be filled with a bitter resolve as he stared at the dark sky. "I just wish I could see the stars.. One last time."
He turned again to Sam. "You see Sam I have to do this. I have honour, Sam, and I do not wish to turn into a monster again! No not again! I won't let him win! And I won't let the Ring win! Promise me Sam! When it's over you'll take the Ring and destroy it! Promise me you'll move on!"
"Don't do this Frodo!" Sam wailed. "Don't do this!"
"I'm sorry Sam. Please. Don't cry for me. I died long ago."
~~~
"I was afraid for him, I knew what he wanted to do, so I- I took it. I screamed and snatched it clean out of his hands. He didn't want me to, he was angry and he struck me. I don't blame him for it at all! Don't get me wrong he was just- the Ring- it was the Ring." Sam shook his head fiercely. "No please!" he put his hands to his ears and clenched his eyes tight. "Don't make me go back there! Don't make me go!"
Envin grabbed Sam's arms tightly and held him close, "Shh, Sam! What happened! Tell me!"
"He- he FELL! I pulled too hard I made him fall! He hit his head."
"Shh, it wasn't your fault. You saved him from himself, Sam."
Sam looked up, his eyes wide with fright and with a wild light to them that Envin did not quite like the look of. "When I was carrying him, he kicked me. He didn't mean to he was dreamin' but he fell again. If only I could have held him tighter! If only I could have kept my footing! And on the mountain!" Sam gasped for air before continuing. "That nasty, wicked creature! That lying snake did him in! He took my master by the neck and threw him! Oh if that filthy thing had not fallen into that fire I would have wrapped my hands around his wretched neck and squeezed the life out of him!"
Before Sam could finish Frodo burst into tears and grasped at Envin full of fear. Envin held the weeping hobbit close. "Sam," he said softly. "When I first tended Frodo he was completely still as if his spirit fled the body entirely. When Lord Elrond came it was a blessing. He found a small shred of hope, a tiny light inside of Frodo, just a spark but it was there. When Frodo returned to us he was lost, frightened, confused. You helped with that, Sam, you showed him protection and trust. Don't you see he loves you and he looks to you for understanding? Emarin's kitten showed him that not all things are threatening. A flower showed him death, a knife showed him evil. He is learning, Sam. Don't you see? There is hope. Of all the things that were against him; the Ring, Gollum, Mordor, thirst and hunger. You stuck by him. I have once heard of a saying 'Where there is life, there is hope' but I no longer believe it. I think it is better stated; 'Where there is Samwise there is hope'."
Frodo stopped weeping and pulled his head from Envin's robes. He rubbed his nose and sniffled. Sam smiled at him and reached out to him. Frodo fell into his arms as if it were all he had ever truly needed. Sam smiled and stroked his hair, "We'll get you back, Mr. Frodo, as long as I'm Samwise Gamgee. You ain't dead yet, and you'll keep on livin' if I got any say in it."
Frodo's eyes saddened. He heard something he knew and he did not like the sound of it. Slowly he reached into his pocket and pulled out some crumbled item that was now undistinguishable. Sam looked at it curiously. A tiny black thing, withered and drooping as if it had born such a heavy burden that it broke its back..
"Oh," said Sam, "you kept it?"
Sam looked from the flower to Frodo whose eyes filled with tears. He pocketed the dead bud and stared confused and frightened at Sam. "Dead..." he murmured almost inaudibly.
There was a loud clatter as Envin dropped the empty dishes and Sam stared gaping at Frodo who had bowed his head and fallen back into Sam's arms as if he hadn't said a word.
"Master Samwise, sir?" Emáten peeked into the tent. "We are getting ready to depart."