Chapter 7: Tunnels

Eowyn returned to Sam's room to find the two hobbits talking softly. She did not want to interrupt this moment, knowing full well that it might be the last minute the two friends would have together. But Faramir would be back soon and they needed to be ready.

"I have a pack of supplies for you, Frodo. Do you have your things ready?" Eowyn asked Frodo as she stepped into the quiet room and laid the pack on the floor to the side of his chair.

"Yes, I do." Frodo replied sadly as Sam's sorrowful eyes met his own. Frodo was completely terrified at the thought of continuing the quest without Sam at his side, but for his friend's sake he kept those feelings to himself. "I'll be ready to head out as soon as Faramir returns."

"Good." Eowyn told Frodo. She then turned to Sam and informed him of their plan. "Sam, you will stay with me. I will take care of you until you are well enough to travel. Then we will see about getting you back to the Shire."

Sam swallowed hard as he heard Eowyn's intentions. He knew she meant well, but the words she spoke stirred anger in his heart. She is going to try and keep me from going with Mr. Frodo. I must go with him. He needs me!

Sam's thoughts argued within his mind. No. Clear your head, Samwise! You're in no shape to travel. You would only slow Mr. Frodo down if you went with him. It will make it easier for that eye to find him.

Although he realized that his thoughts were true, Sam still struggled to let his beloved Frodo slip from underneath his protection. I would give anything to be well again. That way I could go with Mr. Frodo on the rest of his quest. I could protect him and keep him safe. He needs me with him so that he doesn't get overcome by that Ring. Oh, Samwise! Why'd you have to go and get hurt. That was the most foolish thing you've done! You knew Mr. Frodo would have to leave without you if you couldn't travel.

Sam's thoughts were interrupted by a swift knock on the door. Without waiting for a reply, Faramir barged into the room and quickly rambled off the plan to Eowyn, Frodo, and Sam.

"Leave out this door to the left and go down that hallway until you reach an aqueduct tunnel that turns to the East. Follow the tunnel until you clear the city walls and then you can be on your way. Mordor is to the South-East. I trust you should be able to find you way." Faramir turned to Eowyn and continued. "I fear Denethor knows of your connection to all of this, Eowyn. I have set some supplies for you and Sam in a small room that branches off from the aqueduct tunnel. I'll return for you both when I am assured that the danger has cleared. You'll be safe there. Come, we must be off." Faramir motioned to the others as he grabbed one of the packs and slung it over his right shoulder.

He walked over to Sam's bed and almost effortlessly hoisted him upon his back. Frodo's heart was racing as they stopped out the door and cautiously ran down the hallway.

After entering the aqueduct tunnel, Frodo's worries shifted from the evil steward to his dear Sam. He couldn't see Sam's face as he was bounced up and down on Faramir's back, but he could imagine that Sam was also deeply troubled about their situation. Frodo feared being separated from his friend. Since they had left Hobbiton many months earlier, Sam had hardly left Frodo's side. It pained them both to be torn apart at such a crucial time of the quest.

They finally reached the room that Faramir had chosen as Eowyn and Sam's safehaven. It was more practical for the small band to part company rather than at the end of the tunnel. They each looked about the room as they entered through the door. Frodo took a long deep breath as Faramir set Sam down on a bench inside the room. Eowyn sat down beside him and gently put her arm around his shoulder in an effort of comfort, but there was no comfort in all of Middle-earth to be found for Sam. He was a simple gardener who was thousands of miles from his home and was about to lose his best friend.

Sam tried to be strong. "For Mr. Frodo," he kept telling himself. "I need to be strong. It's all that I can do for Mr. Frodo right now." But as much as he tried to fight it, sorrow overtook Sam. He fell into tears as Frodo took his pack from Faramir and said goodbye to the steward's son.

"I will never be able to repay you for what you've done for me, Faramir. I really appreciate your help."

"You are most welcome, dear hobbit. May your journey go as well as possible." Faramir said as he firmly patted Frodo's shoulder.

Frodo turned to Eowyn. A tear streamed from her beautiful eyes down the side of her face. "I will miss you greatly, Frodo Baggins." She admitted as she bent down to embrace him in her arms.

When she pulled back, Frodo thanked her from the bottom of his heart. "Thank you. For everything." He said as he gave a knowing glance toward Sam.

Eowyn smiled slightly, "You're very welcome, Frodo." Her smile faded as she worried about her hobbit friend. "Be careful." She encouraged.

"I will." Frodo assured her.

There was a long pause that seemed to last hours. Frodo turned to face his beloved friend. Fresh tears trailed Sam's tear-stained face as he gazed into Frodo eyes. Both were silent for a moment. Then Sam fell into Frodo's arms and they wept together.

Sam whispered, "Please don't go, Mr. Frodo."

Frodo held Sam tight, "I have to leave, Sam. I have to destroy the Ring." He took a deep breath and tried to believe the hope within the words he told to his loyal gardener. "I will destroy the Ring, and then I will come back to the Shire. You just be there to meet me when I return, okay?"

"Okay." Was all that Sam could manage to say in-between sobs.

"Take care." Frodo said as he pulled himself away from Sam. "I will miss you, Samwise Gamgee."

"Oh, Mr. Frodo. Please don't go!" Sam grasped after Frodo as he stood up and left his friend's embrace.

"Please, Mr. Frodo." Sam cried as Frodo turned his back and started out the door.

Frodo turned his head around just enough to see Sam collapse into Eowyn's arms.

Eowyn's thoughts were screaming in her mind: You can't do this, Frodo! Can't you see? He needs you…and you need him. Don't leave him, Frodo! Despite her thoughts, Eowyn held true to the promise she had made to Frodo earlier.

Frodo saw the sadness in Eowyn's eyes as she held Sam close. This was it. He had planned to leave Sam behind for many days now, but it was much harder than he ever imagined to turn his back on his dear friend and walk away. In his heart, however, Frodo knew that it was for the best. He walked down the aqueduct towards Mordor.

Sam's cries still echoed within the closed tunnel. Frodo refused to let himself look back at Sam again for fear that he wouldn't have the strength to go on as he left his dear friend in such sorrow over their parting. Instead, he kept his eyes on the light at the end of the tunnels. Frodo imagined that it was not only the view from within the aqueduct, but also within the battle from Middle-earth. He hoped that someday he would look at the road that lie ahead of him and see a bright light of hope clearly shining in the night. A light that would announce the end of his terrible mission. But from where he stood, any hope seemed faint in the overwhelming tunnel of evil darkness.

TBC