Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. I just like to write about them

To Kaewi, Breon Briarwood, Lindaloyhand, and Siegle who have faithfully read and reviewed this story with encouragement and helpful comments. Enjoy this last chapter!

He's Not Alone:
Chapter 7 Story Summary: Frodo is recovered enough to travel back to Rivendell and has to the hardest thing he had ever done, say goodbye to Samantha.

"Where's Frodo?" Sam asked as he woke to an early fire within the cave. Something startled him and when he found his master's bedroll empty, he began to panic. Aragorn had been letting the fire burn down to just glowing embers, keeping the cave warm. When it was early morning, he stoked it again, adding more sticks.

Gandalf merely chuckled, his teeth still clamped to the pipe and pointed to the corner of the cave, just a few feet away from where Sam slept.

Barely recognizable in the dark was a mound of fur in the corner atop a shireling. There was not a blanket on Frodo, but he seemed very cozy cuddled against Samantha, lying on his side within the spans of her front legs. His small body was turned inward toward the bears underside, his head buried into the fur as Samantha's muzzle laid gently on his back, rising and descending with each slow breath his master took.

"It still ain't natural, animal taken on somethin' not its own," he sighed rubbing sleep out of his eyes to focus better on the forms. "Is he all right?"

"He was there when we woke, Samwise. I am sure he is fine. Remember, he had relied on the bear for warmth and protection for the last couple of days during his memory loss," the Wizard reminded him.

Aragorn reached into his medicinal bag, taking out some green leaves, placing them in the boiling water. As the steam rose from the pan, Estel frequently stirred the contents taking it off the fire after a few minutes. Sam watched with fascination, remembering when Frodo had been stabbed, Aragorn used Kingsfoil to help keep the poison at bay.

Inhaling deeply, Sam choked on the aroma. Tears welling up to reddened eyes, "What is that?" he asked when he found his voice.

The Ranger tried to suppress a giggle, the expression on the gardener's face priceless. "I should have warned you earlier, Sam. This is Comfrey, not Athelas. It is for the bruises and swelling on Frodo's cheek. I will make a compress from it."

Turning his nose up at the smell he added, "Well, he won't be likin' it any more if you were to make him drink it and no mistake."

"No, I guess not Master Gamgee. The Athelas has good qualities, but the Comfrey is better for his type of injuries. I had just found some this morning," Aragorn defended himself.

"Well, I should go out and get some fresh water for some drinkable tea, and make some breakfast," the gardener decided, getting up from his bedroll, straightening out his weskit. He stopped by the big folk picking up a small pot for water before exiting the cave.

Gandalf turned to the Ranger, observing him soaking the cloth in the pungent smelling Comfrey, undoubtedly making a compress for the Ring-bearer. "Will he be able to travel today?" he asked, turning his nose up as the cloth was rung out, sending the aroma filled steam toward the ceiling of the cave.

"I think so. We cannot travel fast. I do not want his stitches pulling apart from the shoulder. I would think he would appreciate that he would not have to endure that pain again. Even though he was unconscious, he put up a fight, nearly rendering Legolas useless," Strider grinned as it was the Elf on the receiving end of the hobbit's feet this time instead of him.

"And the bear, how is she faring?" Gandalf inquired as Aragorn made to get to his feet, approaching the Ring-bearer.

"I can answer that, my friend," Radagast the Brown announced as he entered the cave, lowering himself to the ground beside the Gray Pilgrim. "She will be quite all right. The wound is mending quite well, with the help of the Athelas poultices Aragorn here has provided her with," he said nodding his thanks to the Ranger. Strider returned the gesture, as he bent over the inert form between the Bear's legs.

Gently, Estel brushed back some of Frodo's dark curls exposing the swollen cheek, then applied the Comfrey compress to the tender spot. It was not even a few seconds before a small hand came up to swat at the offending odor penetrating his nostrils. Strider caught the hand, holding it with ease in his. At this, the hobbit tried to bury his face further into the Bear's fur emanating a small groan. "Shh, Tithen Min, it will only be a minute. Just relax," the Ranger crooned, smoothing back the curls from the small forehead. After a few moments, Frodo's hand went lax in Strider's, falling asleep from the tender caress. Strider patted Samantha's muzzle before getting to his feet. He then stopped at the fire picking up his medicinal bag," I am going out to stretch my legs. I'll let Legolas know that we will be leaving today and to start saddling the horses."

"I am sure Sam will be glad to get Frodo back to civilization," Gandalf smiled knowing that the stout hobbit felt out of his element, especially when he had to share the caring of his master with a bear.

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"Are you ready, Frodo?" Aragorn asked the hobbit, sitting beside him on the river bank.

"It all depends if you are going to slap another stinking compress on my face again," he mused grinning up at the Ranger. "That was not an appeasing smell to wake up to."

"It all depends if you will take your compresses without a fuss," he rebutted, returning the gesture.

"I was wondering where Radagast had gone to with Samantha. I wanted to say goodbye," the Ring-bearer confessed. "If it were not for her, I would not be here now with my friends. Those bounty hunters would have had me and the Ring on our way to Isengard, or worse Mordor," the hobbit shuddered just thinking on what would have been, a dark cloud hovering over his thoughts.

Squinting his eyes against the reflecting sunlight, Strider looked up the river then down again seeing if he could spot an odd dressed man walking alongside a furry beast. He was sure the pair would have turned many heads, if they had ever entered a very populated town. It never occurred to look behind him as he jumped at a the sound of a growl.

"Arrrrr."

Frodo turned around at the sound to have a long wet tongue lick him in the face. He smiled as he in turn scratched the bear behind her ears. "There you are, my Lady. I was hoping to see you before I had to leave," the hobbit said, a hitch in his voice.

"She conveyed to me that she too wanted to say her farewells, Master Baggins," Radagast said standing staff in hand above the hobbit and bear.

Frodo sat on his haunches to be at head level with the bear. Still scratching behind her ears, he whispered,"Thank you, Samantha. I owe you my life. You were there when I needed someone," the Ring-bearer finished wiping a tear with his sleeve as it slid down his cheek.

Samantha shook her head up and down frantically, licking Frodo in the face again.

Strider sniffed as he watched the touching scene. Clearing his throat he said,"Ready now, Frodo?"

The master of Bag End nodded and started to rise to his feet, faltering a little as the ground seemed to swoon toward him. Samantha growled in alarm as a big hand landed on his shoulder, steadying him. Samantha growled again.

"She wants to take Frodo to the horses herself," Radagast translated the bears' intentions.

Strider picked up the halfling setting him upon the Bear's back and walked alongside the pair to ensure that the Ring-bearer had no problem staying on.

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Sam saw the pair riding up to the horses, his mouth dropping. He had never seen such a sight if he had ever seen an Oliphant. "Ain't natural," he said again.

"Hello, Sam," Frodo smiled watching the exasperated look the gardener displayed. "Samantha wanted to give me ride up here," he fibbed, not wanting to alarm his friend that he had not quite recovered his balance.

"Aye," the gardener said turning back to his duties, rolling the bedrolls and packing the pans.

"Sam, do you not want to say good-bye?" the Ring-bearer asked.

Sighing, Sam turned around coming face to snout with the Lady. Taking his hand, he rubbed along the Bear's snout and whispered,"Thank you for taking care of him."

Samantha nodded, licking the gardener on the nose. Sam cracked a smile as he rubbed the bear behind the ears.

Soon, the horses were packed. Sam sat in front of Gandalf as Frodo took a seat riding with Aragorn. Legolas' horse carried much of the supplies, but did not mind it. Radagast stood beside the bear sending the rescue party off with good tidings.

"Do not make it long before I hear word of you, Radagast. I may be in need of your services again," Gandalf spoke to the Maia.

"You are leading this Fellowship?"

"Yes. I feel we will be hindered throughout our journey. Saruman will try his best to detect our route and deter us from it."

"I'll see if I can perchance mislead his minions. I cannot say how long they will be deceived," the Brown Wizard conveyed.

"So long my friend," the Gray Pilgrim said raising his hand as they departed the hillside.

"Take care."

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Frodo had fallen asleep to the slow rhythm of the horses hooves hitting the dirt road not long after he had lost sight of the brown bear watching them leave. As Aragorn promised, he took the road home slow and steady to not jostle the Ring-bearer's re-healing shoulder. He thought long and hard on Frodo's narrow escape from certain evil. He knew then that he made the right decision to protect the halfling to the best of his ability. He was also aware that Legolas had not regretted his choice either by joinging the Fellowship joiningwherever it may lead the Prince of Mirkwood.

The gate to Imladris came into sight as the rescue party rounded the last bend. Standing in front was Lord Elrond, his face relaxed as he witnessed an alert, but tired hobbit riding with Estel. A sadness grew in his heart knowing it was just the beginning of a long hard journey for the Ring-bearer, that the quest will eventually claim his life, but he would never be alone.

The End.