Chapter 5: The Next Corner

Frodo was awakened by movement next to his head. He bolted upright to see Sam's finger rubbing the bed sheet and his eyes fluttering open.

Frodo let out a squeal of glee, "Sam! You're awake!"

Eowyn, who was sleeping in the next room down the hall heard Frodo's joyful cry and rushed into the room. Just a glance at Frodo's beaming smile warmed her heart. She watched as Frodo grasped Sam's hand and excitedly spoke to his friend.

"How are you feeling?" Frodo asked.

"Alright, I guess." Sam spoke slowly, but he appeared to be doing well. His cheeks were rosy and his face and hands had a healthy color to them.

"What happened?" Sam asked.

Frodo's smile faded and he looked as though he was going to cry once more. "I thought I was going to lose you, Sam." He admitted.

"Oh, Mr. Frodo." Sam exclaimed. "You need me with you to finish the quest that Mr. Gandalf sent us on. I would hate to think of you going on alone!"

Frodo smiled at his loyal gardener. "Sam. My dear Sam." He said as his thoughts drifted to his previous plan to leave for Mordor while Sam was asleep. Here his friend lay in bed, dreadfully near death only hours before and Frodo was still foremost in his mind.

Sam's words echoed in Frodo's thoughts.

"You need me with you…I would hate to think of you going on alone."

"It's wonderful to see you awake, Samwise," said Eowyn.

Frodo suddenly realized that he had dazed out for a moment and added, "Yes it is. I am very glad you are alright, Sam."

"Me too, I reckon." Sam said with a smile. He truly was grateful to be alive. Now he didn't have to worry about his dear Frodo, because he would be sure to take good care of him.

Faramir joined them and said, "You are very strong, young hobbit. I underestimated your will to live, yet I am very glad to see that you are doing well."

Sam nodded.

Faramir quickly added, "Eowyn, I need to speak with you. Outside."

Eowyn gave him a puzzled look, yet she followed him out into the hallway. Turning back towards the room she said with a smile, "I am very happy for you both." Then she disappeared out the door.

"Mr. Frodo?" Sam began, "Can I be honest with you for a bit?"

Frodo was surprised at Sam's question. "Of course." He replied. "What's on your mind?"

"Well," Sam took a deep breath, "When the battle started I was so afraid. I thought I was going to die. All that ran though my head was how much I missed home and how much I wished I was back there." Frodo nodded solemnly as Sam continued. "I miss the Shire, Mr. Frodo. I miss the flowers and the town market. I miss the hobbit children playing in the creek, and the Green Dragon." Sam paused for a moment, "and especially Rosie. I wonder if I'll ever get to see her again. I never told her how much I love her."

Frodo again thought of his life in the Shire, picturing it in his mind and seeing every detail as if he was home again. Tears began to form in his deep blue eyes. He wished he could be back at Bag End listening to Bilbo telling of one of his many adventures.

"What I'm trying to say is," Sam said, "Is that I don't know if we'll ever see the Shire again, and that scares me more than anything in all of Middle-earth."

"You'll see the Shire again, Sam." Frodo assured his friend. "I promise."

A soldier who was sent by the Steward of Gondor to summon Faramir to the throne room interrupted Faramir and Eowyn's conversation. Faramir left Eowyn and went to see what his father wanted. As he quickly walked up to where his father sat, he was curious as to the nature of the conversation.

"You wished to see me, my lord?" Faramir spoke as any other citizen of Gondor would to the steward as he kneeled before the throne.

"Yes, Faramir." Denethor replied as a sly look sprawled across his face. "I hear that the Ring of Power is nearby."

Faramir was taken aback. How could he possibly know of Frodo's possession? "Where did you hear that?" Faramir asked.

"From one of my officials. He heard one of the soldiers talking about it in the town hall." Denethor added as he shot a glance of hatred at his son, "One of your men. So I was wondering why I have yet to see this Ring. Perhaps you were planning to use it to overthrow my rule!"

Faramir was shocked at the accusation. "No, father. I would never do such a thing!"

"Then why haven't you brought this Ring to me?" Denethor demanded.

"Because," Faramir wasn't sure of whether he should tell his Father about Frodo or not, and wanting to protect the hobbits he replied, "Because I wanted to surprise you for your birthday."

"Surprise me? Yes." Denethor said coldly. "My birthday is only a week and a half away, but I hardly believe that Mr. Baggins and Mr. Gamgee would stick around that long, do you?"

Again Faramir was surprised at how much his father knew of the situation. "What do the hobbits have to do with this?" Faramir asked innocently as he tried his best to protect his friends.

"Everything!" Denethor answered. "Especially since one of them carried the Ring into Gondor."

Faramir could feel his heart begin to beat faster as the steward continued. "I am no fool, Faramir. Mr. Baggins told me that he was a companion of Boromir, from Rivendell. I sent my son to the House of Elrond to bring back the Ring of Power to Gondor. Obviously they formed a fellowship to travel safer and these hobbits betrayed my beloved Boromir at the River Anduin."

"You don't know that is what happened. You're just assuming they are guilty." Faramir replied.

"Whether they are guilty or innocent, I care not! Only two things remain certain; My beloved son is dead and the Ring of Power is within my grasp." Denethor gave a stern look directed at Faramir. "Is there anyone here who will follow his lord's will and retrieve the Ring for his beloved lord?"

"Yes." Faramir sighed. "I will, my lord." He said as he kneeled before the throne. His deepest longing was for his father to love him as he did Boromir. "Perhaps if I bring you the Ring, then you will have reason to love me."

"Perhaps."

Faramir shivered at Denethor's frigid reply. He took one last glance at his father, and then walked quickly out of the throne room and to the door of the hobbit's room.

Faramir slowly opened the door to find Frodo, Sam, and Eowyn quietly talking. The smiles on their faces made him regret all the more for what he had to do. He longed to let their peaceful conversation continue, but he knew what must be done.

He walked over to Eowyn and the hobbits, and their smiles vanished as they gazed upon his worried face.

"What is the matter, Faramir?" Eowyn asked.

Slowly, these words came from his lips, "I have bad news."

TBC