A/N: I'm sorry for yet another long wait but it is not because I've been
idle but this chapter was in its production phase for a long while. It took
me a while to work it out quite right and another while to write it all
down. Usually I have the opportunity to sit down and finish a chapter a
day. For this chapter it was not the case so once again apologies but I
hope the little flashback in this makes up for it ^^
~~~
At last the day of departure came, and a great and fair company made ready to ride north from the City. --- Return of the King, Many Partings.
~~~
A fair company was gathered and made ready as a great eored of knights rode up, accompanying Eomer, now king of Rohan. The elves of Lorien and Rivendell sat upon their pure white steeds in all of their splendour. Upon a great wain was brought a golden bier which held the body of Theoden, king of Rohan. King Elessar was already on his horse and to his left rode his wife, fair as a summer's eve, and to his right rode Gandalf upon his old companion Shadowfax. Pippin rode with the knights of Gondor and Merry, being Theoden's esquire, sat upon the wain holding aloft the arms of the king. Legolas and Gimli rode together upon Arod and hailed Emáten as he came forward with Sam and Frodo at his sides.
Legolas dismounted, helping Gimli, and came forward to greet Samwise. "Steeds have been furnished according to your stature, my hobbit friend, come and I shall assist you." Sam nodded and grabbed Frodo's hand as he was led towards their small ponies.
"Oh dear," said Sam, gripping Frodo's hand. "I don't think he can ride alone."
"Ah but Aragorn has brought forth his mildest of beasts for you master, Samwise. Come and we shall meet him. Then you may decide if he is fit for your master." Legolas patted one of the cream colored ponies and stroked his soft mane. "I call him Nostale for in my tongue it means kind. I do not know of his true name for the master was all too obliging to give his best pony for use of the Ringbearer, and was too honoured to sputter a word, never mind give his name."
Sam laughed, "Well let's see here." He went round to the pony's head and patted his nose gently. "There, there lad." Sam smiled and knickered gently to the pony, Legolas laughed.
"Do you speak their language, dear Sam? I would love a lesson if you have the time."
Sam blushed, "I-it just calms 'em a mite."
The pony was all too content with hearing his language and licked Sam's hair. Sam laughed as his curls stood on end and he tried to smooth them out. "Come here, Mr. Frodo, he might like to meet you."
Frodo shuffled forward and stared at the pony with awe. He rose a hand tentatively and let it hover over the Nostale's nose, not sure if he should pet him. The pony didn't care for waiting, he nuzzled gently against Frodo's hand and licked it. Frodo's eyes brightened and his smile broadened as he stroked Nostale's nose.
"Here," Legolas bent down and put an apple in Frodo's hand. Frodo stared from the apple to Legolas, then back at the apple. The elf wrapped Frodo's small fingers about it and he pointed to the pony. "Feed him." Frodo now looked from the pony to Legolas, even more confused. Legolas kept his features impassive even though his heart wept. He wrapped his hands around Frodo's warmly and held his arms out. The hobbit allowed his hands to be brought to the pony's nose. When Legolas uncovered his hands it revealed the apple in Frodo's grasp. Nostale licked it and nuzzled Frodo's hands as if telling him to let it go. Frodo drew one hand back and the pony snatched the apple in tentative teeth. He bit down contentedly and gave a knicker of joy. Frodo laughed aloud and tugged at Legolas for another apple.
The elf smiled and handed it to the eager hobbit who readily fed Nostale. Sam just stood back and nodded sadly. "Yes, very well, they seem to be getting along. But I don't reckon Frodo knows how to ride by any miracle in my book." At this point Sam ran the back of his hand along his eyes. "Will Nostale know what to do?"
Legolas nodded solemnly. "Indeed, and his bridle will be tied to your pony so he will follow obediently."
~~~
The day began to wane and finally the company made leave. Sam found himself alone with Frodo as they sat readily on their ponies. Sam bent down and made sure the knot he secured to his pony's bridle was tight enough to hold Nostale close. Frodo shifted uncomfortably and looked down fearfully.
"Don't worry none, Mr. Frodo," said Sam, putting a hand on Frodo's shoulder. "Just hold tight to Nostale and we'll take it nice and slow like."
Frodo's bright eyes bore into Sam even when he stopped speaking and the gardener began to feel uncomfortable. "What is it?" he shifted uneasily under that hallow stare.
Frodo's eyes softened a bit and he smiled slightly, then reached out his arms but found he could not reach Sam from his position. He frowned and then tried to steady himself, frightened of the height. Sam helped steady him then tried to think of what Frodo was reaching for. The thought suddenly occurred to him and he smiled as broadly as he could.
The simple hobbit seemed content with this and nodded. Yes that was what he wanted. It was then that Emáten rode near and stopped his horse next to the ponies. "Lord Samwise, my brother has given me strict orders not to let a scratch become of you."
"Aye, and I won't mind having someone to talk to none," Sam smiled.
"Have you everything you need?"
Sam reached over and took the little brown bag hanging from the pony's saddle. A few garments, nothing much, the phial Galadriel had given Frodo, his little grey box the Lady had given him, and a little brown one, in which bore the white stone. Sam put a hand to his neck absently and let it fall. "Alls here," he said, closing the bag. And with a upraised hail from silver trumpets the great company set out to bring King Theoden to his final resting place. But Samwise's thoughts were elsewhere...
~~~
"Listen here, Sam-lad, I won't be wantin' no daydreamin' from ye t'day. You hear me lad?"
The wee thing nodded eagerly, "Yes Pa. No daydreamin'."
"You know what we need, right son?"
Sam cocked his head and looked up to the sky, "Some tater seeds and a new uprootin' tool for the daisies?"
Hamfast slapped a hand to is head and gave an exhasperated sigh that sounded more like a grunt to the child. "Tater- tater seeds!? Where's your head lad? Ain't no such thing as tater seeds you ninnyhammer! And why in the name of the Shire would I want to uproot daisies?!"
"For the stew?" Sam grinned at his joke but his Gaffer was in no way amused.
"You got cotton in your ears lad? I said daisy seeds and a new *trowel* to uproot the taters. It's a trowel, lad, not an 'uprootin' tool'. Where's that head o' yours? Off dreamin' bout elves and trolls I gander. Ain't for the likes of us, I tells ye. Now up and get to the market before I box those deaf ears."
"Yes Pa." Sam looked down at his feet, blushing at his foolishness. Yes, he had been thinking about elves and trolls. But he couldn't help it! Master Baggins had told him the most ear bending tale the other day! How was he supposed to not think of it?
The lad stuffed the small copper coins in his pockets and trudged down the path. "Don't think a' no elves, Sam Gamgee. That's easy enough. I'll stop thinkin' of em now. Wait! No! I thought of 'em then. Alright. Starting now!" Sam looked up obviously confused. "How can I not think of somethin' anyway! Wouldn't I just be thinkin' of not thinkin' of 'em? Alright, maybe I can think a' somethin' else. How 'bout... taters! Right I'll think a' the garden at Bag-End. I got a whole lot of chores back up there ta do."
Sam looked down at his feet, "Maybe if he ain't too busy, Mr. Frodo will keep me some company." He blushed. "Now, Sam Gamgee, he's much to busy for the likes a' you. He's got all them fancy books and things in his room he's always readin'. Not that I spy on him or none! But I wish I could read least one a' them books." He twiddled his fingers nervously. "Oh but I've tried. Really hard I try. I seen one a' them books sittin' all alone on the shelf. And no one was readin' it or none. I swears I put it right back, I did. But I did take a rest, just a moment mind ye, and I opened that old book, nice and gentle-like, really old it was, so I showed it all the respect it'd be deservin'. But it seemed the more I stared at them lines and letters the more jumbled and mixed up they got for me. Made me dizzy." Sam wiped away a few tears. "Just wish I could," the little lad whimpered.
Sam stopped and rubbed two, tiny fists to his watery eyes. He looked up and saw a sign with two arrows. One pointed straight in front of him and said MARKET in clear bold letters, the second arrow pointed to his left and said MILL in the same letters. "Oh dear," said the lad who only saw a bunch of jumbled letters. "Pa always took us to the market on the wagon. Tain't never seen the sign afore." The twiddled his fingers again and rubbed his feet together. "Now, don't worry none, Sam Gamgee, someone'll come along. Just sit here and wait a tick."
He fell down with a sigh and put his head in his hands, his chubby little cheeks cupped in his tiny palms. "Oh," he fretted wringing the end of his shirt. "Pa will be awful sore when I get back, late and all." He wiped a few tears from his eyes. "Wish I could read."
"What's this! Sam Gamgee can't read, can he!?" There came a gaggle of laughter as none other than Ted Sandyman and Lotho Sackville-Baggins came striding up. "Aye, Lotho, maybe we can assist him," snarled Ted.
Lotho smirked, "Can't read? What's wrong with him, is he simple or something." The lank haired hobbit bent to Sam's level and stared at him coldly. "Sure looks simple."
"Course he is!" Ted grabbed Sam by the hair and dragged him to his feet. "See look, he don't understand a word we're saying, does he?" Sam whimpered as two fat tears rolled down his cheeks and he was forced to look directly at the sun.
"I ain't- I ain't-" he sobbed and tried to shake his head as best he could while his hair was still in Ted's cruel claws.
"Look he can talk, I didn't think simpletons could talk," said Lotho, unknowingly portraying his utter stupidity.
Ted snarled as Sam seemingly contradicted what he had just said. "Course he's a simpleton." He let go and let Sam fall to the ground and get a faceful of sand. He coughed meekly and tried to get to his feet. "Stay below us, simpleton!" commanded Ted.
Sam ignored them and got to his feet but he stared down at the road and sniffled. "Just don't show 'em you are crying," he thought. His face was red up to the tips of his ears and tears were completely blinding him. The small splatters on the ground at his feet were betraying him. That and the fact that his shoulders were hitching with sobs. Oh why wouldn't they go away! Why did they always pick on him! He always tried to be nice and obliging like Mr. Frodo told him to. Oh, he wished Mr. Frodo was there now. To pat him on the back, to tell him that he wasn't stupid, that they were just being mean. Was he really simple? He felt that way. Simple and worthless.
"My dad says that there ain't no Gamgee been a scholar. Says they can't even make up for what they doesn't got in perspicacity for what theys try to call decent scruples. Workin' for them queer Bagginses don't show no scruples, if you ask me," Ted crowed.
A sob betrayed Sam and made the two villains laugh all the harder. A small, flawless, gold coin landed at Sam's feet and he dared to look up for a moment. There hanging upside-down in the tree was Frodo Baggins, looking not at all pleased. Ted and Lotho stopped their laughter to look up at the infuriated hobbit.
"Looks, to me, Mr. Sandyman, that you need to attain an independent thought of your own, if you ask me. I'm correct when I guess that you don't even know what perspicacity or scruples mean." Frodo raised an eyebrow which made him look all the more comical as he hung there upside-down. "Now I am betting that pretty gold coin that Sam here has more wits about him than the two of you put together." He swung back up into the foliage and for a while leaves shook and some floated to the ground before they were followed by a blur as Frodo landed neatly on his feet. He brushed off his waistcoat and breeches and stood straight and proud. "First off, I'd like to state, plainly and sincerely, that the two of you throw around the word 'simple' quite often, without a thought or care about what that kind of person would have to go through. But I assure you, gentlemen, if I may use the word so obscurely, that I would rather befriend a 'simpleton' as you call him, than two foul-mouthed little truants. But I assure you, that Sam here, is no simpleton. He has the same brain capacity as I, he just has not tapped into it yet. I thank you, though, for I haven't realized how smart this little lad is."
Sam looked up at him, his eyes shining with disbelief. "Yes Sam," Frodo smiled at the lad. "You are very sharp. I didn't doubt you had it in you, but you stood right here and took all those wicked things they were saying and proved it anyway. That's a great show of character, Sam! Be proud of yourself." Frodo lifted the child and dusted him off. "Oh but they got a bit physical with you didn't they? Probably because they think you are smaller and weaker than them. Well I'm not." Frodo turned his head to them and smiled. "Would you like to have a go with me, gentlemen. You may strike first if you wish."
Ted scowled and bore his fists. "I'll have at you, Baggins!"
Frodo's eyes darkened. "If you insist on continuing this utter stupidity." Frodo set Sam on the ground and approached the two hobbits, Ted about his height and Lotho towering over him. "I'm no match for two, but I'm willing to defend my friend's honour. Sam's most definitely worth it. And I would not mind sending you two truants home by the scruff of your necks, but alas it seems I have something better to do. Never you mind you can have at whomever you would like."
"You're pretty sure of yourself, Baggins," growled Lotho.
"Oh this really isn't fair," said Frodo in mock fright. He put his hands on his hips and looked up to the sky letting out a shrill, keen whistle. Two more hobbits swung down from the tree. "Fatty, Merry, this is Lotho and Ted, I'm sure you've seen them around."
The two hobbits smiled slyly, "Why yes, cousin," said Merry. "I never forget a... face." Fatty rolled up his sleeves and smiled from ear to ear.
"Now this is what I call fair," said Frodo. "I hope you don't mind I'll have to leave but it seems my friend Sam here has some market business to attend to. You will be alright?"
Merry and Fatty nodded, "We'll play fair!" shouted Merry as Frodo took Sam by the hand.
"Now," said Frodo, "This," he pointed to the arrow pointing straight. "This says MARKET, it'll lead you in the correct direction. Come and while we are purchasing what you need we can talk about reading lessons in your future, aye lad?" Sam's wide, brown eyes just gazed at Frodo in sheer reverence and gratitude.
~~~
The memory shattered as Sam was aware of someone tugging at his sleeve. He looked up and saw Frodo staring at him confusedly. The simple hobbit blinked a few times and whimpered putting a hand to his stomach. Sam looked down and then back up to the distraught hobbit. "You hungry?" Frodo's ears perked up at the sound of Sam's voice but he just shook his head and pressed his forehead on Sam's shoulder, whimpering softly.
~~~
At last the day of departure came, and a great and fair company made ready to ride north from the City. --- Return of the King, Many Partings.
~~~
A fair company was gathered and made ready as a great eored of knights rode up, accompanying Eomer, now king of Rohan. The elves of Lorien and Rivendell sat upon their pure white steeds in all of their splendour. Upon a great wain was brought a golden bier which held the body of Theoden, king of Rohan. King Elessar was already on his horse and to his left rode his wife, fair as a summer's eve, and to his right rode Gandalf upon his old companion Shadowfax. Pippin rode with the knights of Gondor and Merry, being Theoden's esquire, sat upon the wain holding aloft the arms of the king. Legolas and Gimli rode together upon Arod and hailed Emáten as he came forward with Sam and Frodo at his sides.
Legolas dismounted, helping Gimli, and came forward to greet Samwise. "Steeds have been furnished according to your stature, my hobbit friend, come and I shall assist you." Sam nodded and grabbed Frodo's hand as he was led towards their small ponies.
"Oh dear," said Sam, gripping Frodo's hand. "I don't think he can ride alone."
"Ah but Aragorn has brought forth his mildest of beasts for you master, Samwise. Come and we shall meet him. Then you may decide if he is fit for your master." Legolas patted one of the cream colored ponies and stroked his soft mane. "I call him Nostale for in my tongue it means kind. I do not know of his true name for the master was all too obliging to give his best pony for use of the Ringbearer, and was too honoured to sputter a word, never mind give his name."
Sam laughed, "Well let's see here." He went round to the pony's head and patted his nose gently. "There, there lad." Sam smiled and knickered gently to the pony, Legolas laughed.
"Do you speak their language, dear Sam? I would love a lesson if you have the time."
Sam blushed, "I-it just calms 'em a mite."
The pony was all too content with hearing his language and licked Sam's hair. Sam laughed as his curls stood on end and he tried to smooth them out. "Come here, Mr. Frodo, he might like to meet you."
Frodo shuffled forward and stared at the pony with awe. He rose a hand tentatively and let it hover over the Nostale's nose, not sure if he should pet him. The pony didn't care for waiting, he nuzzled gently against Frodo's hand and licked it. Frodo's eyes brightened and his smile broadened as he stroked Nostale's nose.
"Here," Legolas bent down and put an apple in Frodo's hand. Frodo stared from the apple to Legolas, then back at the apple. The elf wrapped Frodo's small fingers about it and he pointed to the pony. "Feed him." Frodo now looked from the pony to Legolas, even more confused. Legolas kept his features impassive even though his heart wept. He wrapped his hands around Frodo's warmly and held his arms out. The hobbit allowed his hands to be brought to the pony's nose. When Legolas uncovered his hands it revealed the apple in Frodo's grasp. Nostale licked it and nuzzled Frodo's hands as if telling him to let it go. Frodo drew one hand back and the pony snatched the apple in tentative teeth. He bit down contentedly and gave a knicker of joy. Frodo laughed aloud and tugged at Legolas for another apple.
The elf smiled and handed it to the eager hobbit who readily fed Nostale. Sam just stood back and nodded sadly. "Yes, very well, they seem to be getting along. But I don't reckon Frodo knows how to ride by any miracle in my book." At this point Sam ran the back of his hand along his eyes. "Will Nostale know what to do?"
Legolas nodded solemnly. "Indeed, and his bridle will be tied to your pony so he will follow obediently."
~~~
The day began to wane and finally the company made leave. Sam found himself alone with Frodo as they sat readily on their ponies. Sam bent down and made sure the knot he secured to his pony's bridle was tight enough to hold Nostale close. Frodo shifted uncomfortably and looked down fearfully.
"Don't worry none, Mr. Frodo," said Sam, putting a hand on Frodo's shoulder. "Just hold tight to Nostale and we'll take it nice and slow like."
Frodo's bright eyes bore into Sam even when he stopped speaking and the gardener began to feel uncomfortable. "What is it?" he shifted uneasily under that hallow stare.
Frodo's eyes softened a bit and he smiled slightly, then reached out his arms but found he could not reach Sam from his position. He frowned and then tried to steady himself, frightened of the height. Sam helped steady him then tried to think of what Frodo was reaching for. The thought suddenly occurred to him and he smiled as broadly as he could.
The simple hobbit seemed content with this and nodded. Yes that was what he wanted. It was then that Emáten rode near and stopped his horse next to the ponies. "Lord Samwise, my brother has given me strict orders not to let a scratch become of you."
"Aye, and I won't mind having someone to talk to none," Sam smiled.
"Have you everything you need?"
Sam reached over and took the little brown bag hanging from the pony's saddle. A few garments, nothing much, the phial Galadriel had given Frodo, his little grey box the Lady had given him, and a little brown one, in which bore the white stone. Sam put a hand to his neck absently and let it fall. "Alls here," he said, closing the bag. And with a upraised hail from silver trumpets the great company set out to bring King Theoden to his final resting place. But Samwise's thoughts were elsewhere...
~~~
"Listen here, Sam-lad, I won't be wantin' no daydreamin' from ye t'day. You hear me lad?"
The wee thing nodded eagerly, "Yes Pa. No daydreamin'."
"You know what we need, right son?"
Sam cocked his head and looked up to the sky, "Some tater seeds and a new uprootin' tool for the daisies?"
Hamfast slapped a hand to is head and gave an exhasperated sigh that sounded more like a grunt to the child. "Tater- tater seeds!? Where's your head lad? Ain't no such thing as tater seeds you ninnyhammer! And why in the name of the Shire would I want to uproot daisies?!"
"For the stew?" Sam grinned at his joke but his Gaffer was in no way amused.
"You got cotton in your ears lad? I said daisy seeds and a new *trowel* to uproot the taters. It's a trowel, lad, not an 'uprootin' tool'. Where's that head o' yours? Off dreamin' bout elves and trolls I gander. Ain't for the likes of us, I tells ye. Now up and get to the market before I box those deaf ears."
"Yes Pa." Sam looked down at his feet, blushing at his foolishness. Yes, he had been thinking about elves and trolls. But he couldn't help it! Master Baggins had told him the most ear bending tale the other day! How was he supposed to not think of it?
The lad stuffed the small copper coins in his pockets and trudged down the path. "Don't think a' no elves, Sam Gamgee. That's easy enough. I'll stop thinkin' of em now. Wait! No! I thought of 'em then. Alright. Starting now!" Sam looked up obviously confused. "How can I not think of somethin' anyway! Wouldn't I just be thinkin' of not thinkin' of 'em? Alright, maybe I can think a' somethin' else. How 'bout... taters! Right I'll think a' the garden at Bag-End. I got a whole lot of chores back up there ta do."
Sam looked down at his feet, "Maybe if he ain't too busy, Mr. Frodo will keep me some company." He blushed. "Now, Sam Gamgee, he's much to busy for the likes a' you. He's got all them fancy books and things in his room he's always readin'. Not that I spy on him or none! But I wish I could read least one a' them books." He twiddled his fingers nervously. "Oh but I've tried. Really hard I try. I seen one a' them books sittin' all alone on the shelf. And no one was readin' it or none. I swears I put it right back, I did. But I did take a rest, just a moment mind ye, and I opened that old book, nice and gentle-like, really old it was, so I showed it all the respect it'd be deservin'. But it seemed the more I stared at them lines and letters the more jumbled and mixed up they got for me. Made me dizzy." Sam wiped away a few tears. "Just wish I could," the little lad whimpered.
Sam stopped and rubbed two, tiny fists to his watery eyes. He looked up and saw a sign with two arrows. One pointed straight in front of him and said MARKET in clear bold letters, the second arrow pointed to his left and said MILL in the same letters. "Oh dear," said the lad who only saw a bunch of jumbled letters. "Pa always took us to the market on the wagon. Tain't never seen the sign afore." The twiddled his fingers again and rubbed his feet together. "Now, don't worry none, Sam Gamgee, someone'll come along. Just sit here and wait a tick."
He fell down with a sigh and put his head in his hands, his chubby little cheeks cupped in his tiny palms. "Oh," he fretted wringing the end of his shirt. "Pa will be awful sore when I get back, late and all." He wiped a few tears from his eyes. "Wish I could read."
"What's this! Sam Gamgee can't read, can he!?" There came a gaggle of laughter as none other than Ted Sandyman and Lotho Sackville-Baggins came striding up. "Aye, Lotho, maybe we can assist him," snarled Ted.
Lotho smirked, "Can't read? What's wrong with him, is he simple or something." The lank haired hobbit bent to Sam's level and stared at him coldly. "Sure looks simple."
"Course he is!" Ted grabbed Sam by the hair and dragged him to his feet. "See look, he don't understand a word we're saying, does he?" Sam whimpered as two fat tears rolled down his cheeks and he was forced to look directly at the sun.
"I ain't- I ain't-" he sobbed and tried to shake his head as best he could while his hair was still in Ted's cruel claws.
"Look he can talk, I didn't think simpletons could talk," said Lotho, unknowingly portraying his utter stupidity.
Ted snarled as Sam seemingly contradicted what he had just said. "Course he's a simpleton." He let go and let Sam fall to the ground and get a faceful of sand. He coughed meekly and tried to get to his feet. "Stay below us, simpleton!" commanded Ted.
Sam ignored them and got to his feet but he stared down at the road and sniffled. "Just don't show 'em you are crying," he thought. His face was red up to the tips of his ears and tears were completely blinding him. The small splatters on the ground at his feet were betraying him. That and the fact that his shoulders were hitching with sobs. Oh why wouldn't they go away! Why did they always pick on him! He always tried to be nice and obliging like Mr. Frodo told him to. Oh, he wished Mr. Frodo was there now. To pat him on the back, to tell him that he wasn't stupid, that they were just being mean. Was he really simple? He felt that way. Simple and worthless.
"My dad says that there ain't no Gamgee been a scholar. Says they can't even make up for what they doesn't got in perspicacity for what theys try to call decent scruples. Workin' for them queer Bagginses don't show no scruples, if you ask me," Ted crowed.
A sob betrayed Sam and made the two villains laugh all the harder. A small, flawless, gold coin landed at Sam's feet and he dared to look up for a moment. There hanging upside-down in the tree was Frodo Baggins, looking not at all pleased. Ted and Lotho stopped their laughter to look up at the infuriated hobbit.
"Looks, to me, Mr. Sandyman, that you need to attain an independent thought of your own, if you ask me. I'm correct when I guess that you don't even know what perspicacity or scruples mean." Frodo raised an eyebrow which made him look all the more comical as he hung there upside-down. "Now I am betting that pretty gold coin that Sam here has more wits about him than the two of you put together." He swung back up into the foliage and for a while leaves shook and some floated to the ground before they were followed by a blur as Frodo landed neatly on his feet. He brushed off his waistcoat and breeches and stood straight and proud. "First off, I'd like to state, plainly and sincerely, that the two of you throw around the word 'simple' quite often, without a thought or care about what that kind of person would have to go through. But I assure you, gentlemen, if I may use the word so obscurely, that I would rather befriend a 'simpleton' as you call him, than two foul-mouthed little truants. But I assure you, that Sam here, is no simpleton. He has the same brain capacity as I, he just has not tapped into it yet. I thank you, though, for I haven't realized how smart this little lad is."
Sam looked up at him, his eyes shining with disbelief. "Yes Sam," Frodo smiled at the lad. "You are very sharp. I didn't doubt you had it in you, but you stood right here and took all those wicked things they were saying and proved it anyway. That's a great show of character, Sam! Be proud of yourself." Frodo lifted the child and dusted him off. "Oh but they got a bit physical with you didn't they? Probably because they think you are smaller and weaker than them. Well I'm not." Frodo turned his head to them and smiled. "Would you like to have a go with me, gentlemen. You may strike first if you wish."
Ted scowled and bore his fists. "I'll have at you, Baggins!"
Frodo's eyes darkened. "If you insist on continuing this utter stupidity." Frodo set Sam on the ground and approached the two hobbits, Ted about his height and Lotho towering over him. "I'm no match for two, but I'm willing to defend my friend's honour. Sam's most definitely worth it. And I would not mind sending you two truants home by the scruff of your necks, but alas it seems I have something better to do. Never you mind you can have at whomever you would like."
"You're pretty sure of yourself, Baggins," growled Lotho.
"Oh this really isn't fair," said Frodo in mock fright. He put his hands on his hips and looked up to the sky letting out a shrill, keen whistle. Two more hobbits swung down from the tree. "Fatty, Merry, this is Lotho and Ted, I'm sure you've seen them around."
The two hobbits smiled slyly, "Why yes, cousin," said Merry. "I never forget a... face." Fatty rolled up his sleeves and smiled from ear to ear.
"Now this is what I call fair," said Frodo. "I hope you don't mind I'll have to leave but it seems my friend Sam here has some market business to attend to. You will be alright?"
Merry and Fatty nodded, "We'll play fair!" shouted Merry as Frodo took Sam by the hand.
"Now," said Frodo, "This," he pointed to the arrow pointing straight. "This says MARKET, it'll lead you in the correct direction. Come and while we are purchasing what you need we can talk about reading lessons in your future, aye lad?" Sam's wide, brown eyes just gazed at Frodo in sheer reverence and gratitude.
~~~
The memory shattered as Sam was aware of someone tugging at his sleeve. He looked up and saw Frodo staring at him confusedly. The simple hobbit blinked a few times and whimpered putting a hand to his stomach. Sam looked down and then back up to the distraught hobbit. "You hungry?" Frodo's ears perked up at the sound of Sam's voice but he just shook his head and pressed his forehead on Sam's shoulder, whimpering softly.