Here with a second chapter as promised!
Lots of people expressed a great interest in this story, so I am going to give a brief outline of how I plan the story to go from now on.
Each chapter will be concentrating on a different item from the box, therefore connected with a different memory of our beloved gardener. If all goes to plan, the story will show Sam and Frodo slowly growing up. It seems to me that whenever you remember something happening, you never remember all the bits in between, so if they seem a lot older in one chapter then they did in the last one, that's because they are. I'm not sure how long this story is going to be, I have several chapters already mapped out, so we'll have to see.
Many thanks to all my reviewers
Shirebound- So Fan Fic ate your first review? Hmm. Well, thank you for re- doing it! And thank you for being my first ever reviewer of this story! I assure you, you are soon to find out exactly what is in the box!
No.1 fan- Well.having a number one fan! What can I say! I've never really spoken to you before, but thanks for all the lovely reviews you never fail to leave for me! (a little bit of information about yourself?)
Obelia medusa-Ta da! I finally got to talk to my reviewers! And thank you for your review, and I'm doing my best to make this `brill`.
Cosmo-queen- I'm glad you enjoyed it! The letter sign off, if you didn't notice, was several lines from some of my poems that I have written in the past. Keep your reviews coming, and I hope you enjoy the story, a brief look at Frodo and Sams childhood, and an even briefer look at Sam's life without Frodo.
Samwise the brave- Aww, I had you close to tears? That's so nice. Keep coming back for more little adventures, stories and ideas.
Arwen undomiel 3- I know you were away, and I fully understand why you didn't review, but now that you're back, I'm expecting you to be prompt! Especially since you have nothing else to do during these long summer holidays!
October- Am planning on keeping this story going, as long as you plan to keep reviewing for me!
LegyLuva- Hey! No dying of suspense while there are chapters for you to review. Understand?? You're not going anywhere till I get reviews off you! It's bad enough you leave me alone for 2 weeks, now your planning on dying on me?? I don't think so madam! Here's your next chapter!
Celebrindal- I did receive a review off you, though somewhere along the way FanFic seems to have eaten it! I'm not sure what you said, because it didn't come through on e-mail, but I'm sure it was something nice, as your many reviews so often are. Thank you!
So here it is, chapter Number 2.
~*~
Memories of a Gardener
By Michelle Frodo
Chapter 2- Good Luck
The first thing that Sam pulled out of the old wooden box was a small, silken, folded piece of cloth, which was almost purplish in colour.
He placed the cloth on his hands, and carefully began to unfold it. Held within it, was a very tiny four-leaf clover. Sam almost laughed to think that Frodo had kept this for so long.
Memories started to come flooding back to him. The events that had led up to Sam first meeting with Mr Frodo, and his first real adventure as a child.
~*~
The floor of BagEnd was littered with objects and mis-matched pieces of clothing. A half-full pack lay open in the hallway.
The old hobbit walked excitedly from room to room, picking up anything he thought he might need, oblivious to the mess that he was making in his excitement.
He only stopped when he stubbed his toe on the side of the bed.
"Botheration" he sighed for the third time that day. He sat down on the nearest chair that wasn't occupied with bits and bobs, and rubbed his toe to try and stop the bruising.
He wondered if he should slow down a bit. At the rate he was going, he was going to do himself an injury. But he wanted to be ready.
It had been along time ago when the young and inexperienced Bilbo Baggins had run out without a pocket-handkerchief. Now that he was older, he had to be prepared. He was setting off for Buckland in less then 2 days.
But at the thought of Buckland, of where he was going, and what he was going to do, the excitement flooded through the old hobbit once again.
He stood up quickly, and without any sign of having slowed down, ran into the living room to find his second best pipe.
Later that day, Bilbo headed down Bagshot Row. It was usual for The Gaffer to accompany Bilbo on his trips to Buckland. Though Bilbo insisted that he was `quite capable of looking after himself thank you very much for your concern`, Bell Gamgee insisted that her husband went along, and Bilbo was often glad of his company on the long road.
Bilbo knocked on the door of number 3, and the Gaffer answered.
"Good day to you Hamfast. I'm just checking that you're all ready for our trip tomorrow?"
"That I am Mr Bilbo Sir" replied the Gaffer, before turning aside and doubling over with a nasty cough.
Bilbo looked at his friend, and realised that he was obviously ill. He looked pale and weak, and well, very `Un-Gaffer like. `
"Oh no you don't Hamfast Gamgee!" came a voice from down the hall. Bell ran to the door, taking the chance to talk to Bilbo while the Gaffer was still coughing.
"I'm so sorry Mr Bilbo, but Hamfast has come down with a touch o` the flu. Doctor says he's not allowed to travel. I'll send Hamson with you instead."
"Now woman stop your fussin '," the Gaffer said croakily, having just recovered from his coughing fit.
"I can travel all right, and besides, Hamson's working at the Proudfoots this week, and I ain't havin` him leavin` half a job. Halfred aint too well himself, and don't even think that you'll be sending any of the girls. I'll go with Mr Baggins. Doctor don't know what he's talkin` bout. Tis just a cough and nout else."
"Now Gaffer, I won't hear a word of it. Not if you're ill. You rest up, and make sure you're well for the time I get back. I can go by myself."
"Da! Da!" came a voice from behind the flowerbed. "I'll go with Mr Bilbo Da!" And so, that's how it came to pass. That 2 days later, Sam was setting off on his first adventure.
* *
Sam had never been out of Hobbinton before. In fact, if truth were told, he hadn't even ventured far from Bagshot row in the years he could remember.
As they were walking, Sam twisted his head from one direction to another, wishing he had about 6 more eyes. He wanted to take in everything about his journey, so he could tell his sisters when he got home.
"So, Sam" said Bilbo "Gaffer tells me you want to become a gardener." He purposely started a subject that Sam would want to talk about. It was after all, the one subject he excelled in.
"Yes Mr Bilbo Sir. Da` says I have a `way with the posies`. He's bin teaching me. I'm already in change of our garden at home, though not the vegey` patch, Da's very proud of his carrots. But Da says that next year I might get to look after a bit of BagEnd's garden too."
Bilbo thought for a moment. "Sam" he said finally "I do believe that there's a plot of land behind BagEnd which needs tending to. I've never really planted anything there, and sure as weeds are weeds Gaffer hasn't had time. How about I give you that bit of land, to do whatever you like with, start off your gardening career?"
Sam was speechless. He was very much in awe of the master of BagEnd, and had had little reason for talking to him until now. He knew that his Gaffer said he was the kindest hobbit this side of the Brandywine, but Sam never really understood how nice Bilbo really was, until he was offered this simple plot of land.
"Why.why thank you very much Mr Bilbo Sir!.. I mean..It's righ' nice of you.. Just.just thank you!" he finally managed to stammer. Bilbo laughed, and they continued walking.
* *
Sam noticed that the closer they got to Brandyhall, the more excited Bilbo became. A smile lit up his old face, and he seemed to grow younger with every step. He had a strange sort of spring in his stride, so that by the time they were 15 minutes walk away, Sam was practically having to run to keep up.
The young gardener knew that they were going to visit Bilbo's many relations, and one in particular, who Bilbo called `My Frodo` or `Frodo- lad`. Sam bit his bottom lip. He was shy around people. He suddenly realised that he didn't know what he should call this `Frodo`. Mr Frodo-lad? Mr Baggins? Or would Mr Frodo do? But before Sam could think about it anymore, they had rounded a bend in the road, and there was a sudden cry of "Bilbo!" "Bilbo!"
~*~
Momentarily Sam was brought back to the present, sat on the floor in Frodo's old bedroom. Realising that he had a pain in the bottom of his back from being sat in an uncomfortable position on the floor for so long. He moved his seat to the bed.
~*~
"Bilbo!" "Bilbo!"
The old hobbits face lit up with a smile bigger then any Sam had ever seen.
"Frodo!" Bilbo called back, and spread his arms wide. Sam saw a hobbit a few years older then himself with dark curls practically tearing up the road towards them, and he fell into Bilbo's arms. The force knocked them both onto the floor, but neither seemed to notice, and if they did, they didn't care.
"Oh Bilbo I missed you!"
"I missed you too Frodo-lad, missed you something dreadful."
"I've been waiting for you for two days. Uncle Saradoc said you weren't coming till tomorrow, but I've been waiting anyway."
Bilbo's arms were wrapped almost protectively round his young cousin, and Frodo was almost sat on his lap.
Sam was stood at the side, watching with an open mouth. Realising what he was doing, he shut his mouth quickly. Gaffer had always said it was rude to stare. But he couldn't help it. He had never seen anything like the young hobbit with dark curls.
Bilbo and Frodo laughed and stood up.
"Frodo, I'd like you to meet Sam. Sam, this is Frodo"
Sam looked up into Frodo's face, to say `how do you do` or `pleased to meet you` or something similar, but when he first looked into Frodo's clear blue eyes, all thoughts of being polite just vanished.
"`Tis like a sky from a summer's day and stars from a winters night mixed themselves all together." Sam said, not even realising he had spoken out load, until he saw a puzzled look on that almost elven face.
"Oh.So sorry" he said, realising his mistake. "Pleased to meet you Mr Frodo" he hurriedly added, blushing to the roots of his blond hair.
Frodo shook his hand, staring at Sam almost as hard as Sam had stared at him.
"You must be one of the Gaffer's sons?" Frodo asked. Sam nodded.
"You have a look of your father" Frodo explained. Sam couldn't understand it, but with these words, he felt rather then heard the older hobbit sighing, almost sadly, and a great ache welled up in Sam heart.
Bilbo seemed not to have noticed.
"The Gaffer's ill Frodo, and couldn't make the trip, so Sam here said he'd accompany me instead."
Frodo turned away from Sam to look at Bilbo and smiled.
"The Gaffer's not here did you say? Molly won't like that."
Bilbo laughed. Molly was a kitchen maid at Brandyhall, and had been quite taken with the gardener ever since his first visit. Hamfast had taken to hiding in the potting shed whenever he saw her coming.
"Come on then," said Bilbo, picking his bag up off the road where it had fallen. "Lets get a move on"
* *
Over the next few days, Bilbo, Frodo and Sam spent an awful lot of time together.
They would take picnics and go on long walks, sometimes not returning till after supper. The cook didn't approve of this, because besides having to feed another 3 hungry mouths when they returned, she felt that she was sending too much food up to the main hall.
(Frodo and Bilbo suspected that a growing Brandybuck had a lot to do with the fact that their share of the food was always eaten.)
It seemed to Sam that Bilbo must have indeed missed Frodo very much. His Gaffer had been working for Bilbo since before Sam was born, and Sam had never seen him this happy before.
Sam, for his part, grew very close to Frodo. He had to keep reminding himself that Frodo and Bilbo were gentle hobbits, and that he was only a gardener. There were plenty of hobbits around Brandyhall who were more suited of their company and friendship.
The fact remained however, that both Frodo and Bilbo seemed to enjoy spending time with him, and treated him as a member of the family.
Having what the Gaffer called a `sensible head on his shoulders` Sam didn't believe in things like fate and destiny. But he was becoming, though he couldn't even explain it to himself, almost `protective` of Frodo.
Ever since that moment on the road when Sam had felt his heart would surely burst with Frodo's sadness, the gardener felt as though he wanted to do everything in his power to stop it happening again.
He mentally shuck himself. Frodo was older then he was, and more educated at that. He could take care of himself better then a simple gardener would ever be able to.
* *
About a week before Bilbo and Sam were due to be returning to Hobbinton, Sam was alone in the gardens of Brandyhall.
It was a warm night with a gentle breeze. Sam knew that Bilbo was spending the evening with master Saradoc, something that Bilbo had been reluctant to do, but which he felt was his duty, having come all this way.
Sam knew that Frodo would probably be alone, and he wondered whether the older hobbit would care to take a walk with him on such a nice night.
He walked into Brandyhall and up the stairs to Frodo's room. Sam still didn't like living on two floors. It felt so unsafe, and so unnatural He reached Frodo's door and knocked.
"Come in " came Frodo's cheery voice from the other side of the door.
Sam pushed the door open, and had to bring his hand to his mouth to stop himself crying out. Frodo was sat on the windowsill, his arms around his knees. More then that, the window was open. The breeze was blowing the hobbits hair across his face.
"Hello Sam"
"Mr Frodo! What are you doing?" Sam asked, startled.
"I would have thought it was obvious what I was doing Sam." Answered Frodo with a laugh. "I'm sat on the windowsill"
"But Mr Frodo!" Sam stuttered "It's so high up! And with the window open and all, I mean to say, you could fall out!"
Frodo laughed and jumped off the sill, landing in front of Sam on the floor.
"Is that better? Now, what did you want Sam?"
"Well, it's just such a nice night, and you were up hear by yourself, I wondered if you'd like to take a walk with me?" Sam asked carefully. He still didn't know if it was right for him and Frodo to be friends, and he didn't want to bring offence.
"Sam, there is nothing I would like better" Frodo answered. "There's a nice walk up by the stream which I don't think we've done yet. Shall we go there?" Sam nodded, and they set off.
* *
They had been walking for nearly 15 minutes. Frodo was right; it was a lovely walk. They walked in silence, enjoying the sound of the stream, the birds and the wind in the trees. Sam was pulling up the courage to ask Frodo a question that had been on his mind for a while.
"Mr Frodo?"
"Hmm?"
"You know the other day when you said that I looked like my Da`? Why did it make you so sad?"
Frodo stopped in his tracks, this had been the last thing he had expected. "How did you know it made me sad?"
"I don't rightly know `how`. It never showed on your face or anything, it just seemed to me that you were. I'm sorry Mr Frodo, I didn't mean to upset you, I won't mention it again"
"No, it's all right Sam." After a pause, he said, "Let's sit down."
They sat in the lengthening shadow of a great chestnut tree, and Frodo stared at the running water of the stream, as though trying to put his thoughts into words. Sam sat and waited patiently.
"Sam" he said at last "did anybody ever tell you why I came to live in Brandyhall?" Sam thought for a moment. It seemed obvious to him now, he knew that Frodo was related to the Brandybucks, but was not one of them himself.
"No" Sam said aloud.
"Well, many years ago, my parents were killed in a boating accident."
Sam was startled. He tried to imagine what his life would be like without his own parents. The thought almost brought tears to his eyes.
"I came to live at Brandyhall because I had no where else to go. I was still very upset about my parents' death, but because the place is so big, nobody ever really noticed that I was suffering. People used to tell me that I looked an awful lot like my father, just like you. Some of the older women even used to call me `Drogo` by mistake, and it..it made me sad."
Sam was almost crying by this stage, only strong will was enabling him to hold his tears back. He wanted to tell Frodo to stop, but now that he had started, it was easier to keep going.
"Nobody ever really understood, and I never had anyone to really talk to. I was alone, and I felt so lost. It was only when Bilbo came to visit me, a few months after I had moved in, that I started to find myself again. He let me speak my mind. If ever I was lonely or sad, he wanted to know about it, he took the time to listen to me. That was years ago now, and I still spend most of my time here looking forward to Bilbo's next visit.
Of course I'm grateful to uncle Saradoc for taking me in, but he never really has time for me, having the whole of Brandyhall to run. I'm not as lost when Bilbo is around, but some things still remind me of what happened, and saying that you looked like your father was one of those things."
Frodo paused for breath. Tears spilled out of his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. Sam had lost the battle to fight back tears also. Just thinking of Frodo being so lonely and lost made him sad. At seeing Frodo's own tears, he was distraught. He wanted to say something, some words of comfort, but he had never been good with words.
He cast his eyes down to the ground, and leafed his hands through the blades of grass. Something caught between his fingers, and he pulled up a four-leaf clover.
"Wow! Mr Frodo look!" Sam gasped. In shire legend, four-leaf clovers bring good luck to whoever holds them.
Frodo smiled between his tears at Sam's find. Clovers with four leaves were very rare.
Sam looked from his clover to Frodo. He smiled. His Gaffer always said that gestures were worth a thousand words. Sam held Frodo's hand, and pushed the clover into it.
"Here Mr Frodo. It seems to me that you need more luck then I do."
* *
Sam was in the kitchens at Brandyhall, preparing drinks for Frodo and Bilbo. Ever since their talk by the stream, Sam tried to give Frodo as much room to talk with Bilbo as he possibly could.
Bilbo had called Frodo into his room nearly 20 minutes ago, and Sam thought that they might be wanting a cup of tea. He was waiting for the water to boil, when he heard his name being shouted.
"Sam! Sam! Where in the Westfarthing are you? Sam!"
"I'm in the kitchen Mr Frodo" Sam called. He walked over to the door, which nearly hit him in the face as Frodo pushed it open.
"Sam? Oh, there you are! Oh Sam you'll never believe what's just happened! Your four-leaf clover worked Sam! It's brought me the best look in the world!"
"And what might that be Mr Frodo?" Sam asked excitedly.
"Bilbo asked me to come and live with him! I'm coming to Hobbinton with you! I'm going to live in BagEnd with Bilbo! Sam isn't it wonderful!"
Frodo had the world's biggest grin on his face, and Sam soon joined him.
"It's all to do with my clover Mr Frodo, that's what it is, it was my Good- luck clover that did it! Oh hurrah! You're coming to Hobbinton!"
~*~*~
May Elbereth bless my reviewers, Flames will be used in destroying the Ring.
This chapter was brought to you by Lembas, one bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man.
Lots of people expressed a great interest in this story, so I am going to give a brief outline of how I plan the story to go from now on.
Each chapter will be concentrating on a different item from the box, therefore connected with a different memory of our beloved gardener. If all goes to plan, the story will show Sam and Frodo slowly growing up. It seems to me that whenever you remember something happening, you never remember all the bits in between, so if they seem a lot older in one chapter then they did in the last one, that's because they are. I'm not sure how long this story is going to be, I have several chapters already mapped out, so we'll have to see.
Many thanks to all my reviewers
Shirebound- So Fan Fic ate your first review? Hmm. Well, thank you for re- doing it! And thank you for being my first ever reviewer of this story! I assure you, you are soon to find out exactly what is in the box!
No.1 fan- Well.having a number one fan! What can I say! I've never really spoken to you before, but thanks for all the lovely reviews you never fail to leave for me! (a little bit of information about yourself?)
Obelia medusa-Ta da! I finally got to talk to my reviewers! And thank you for your review, and I'm doing my best to make this `brill`.
Cosmo-queen- I'm glad you enjoyed it! The letter sign off, if you didn't notice, was several lines from some of my poems that I have written in the past. Keep your reviews coming, and I hope you enjoy the story, a brief look at Frodo and Sams childhood, and an even briefer look at Sam's life without Frodo.
Samwise the brave- Aww, I had you close to tears? That's so nice. Keep coming back for more little adventures, stories and ideas.
Arwen undomiel 3- I know you were away, and I fully understand why you didn't review, but now that you're back, I'm expecting you to be prompt! Especially since you have nothing else to do during these long summer holidays!
October- Am planning on keeping this story going, as long as you plan to keep reviewing for me!
LegyLuva- Hey! No dying of suspense while there are chapters for you to review. Understand?? You're not going anywhere till I get reviews off you! It's bad enough you leave me alone for 2 weeks, now your planning on dying on me?? I don't think so madam! Here's your next chapter!
Celebrindal- I did receive a review off you, though somewhere along the way FanFic seems to have eaten it! I'm not sure what you said, because it didn't come through on e-mail, but I'm sure it was something nice, as your many reviews so often are. Thank you!
So here it is, chapter Number 2.
~*~
Memories of a Gardener
By Michelle Frodo
Chapter 2- Good Luck
The first thing that Sam pulled out of the old wooden box was a small, silken, folded piece of cloth, which was almost purplish in colour.
He placed the cloth on his hands, and carefully began to unfold it. Held within it, was a very tiny four-leaf clover. Sam almost laughed to think that Frodo had kept this for so long.
Memories started to come flooding back to him. The events that had led up to Sam first meeting with Mr Frodo, and his first real adventure as a child.
~*~
The floor of BagEnd was littered with objects and mis-matched pieces of clothing. A half-full pack lay open in the hallway.
The old hobbit walked excitedly from room to room, picking up anything he thought he might need, oblivious to the mess that he was making in his excitement.
He only stopped when he stubbed his toe on the side of the bed.
"Botheration" he sighed for the third time that day. He sat down on the nearest chair that wasn't occupied with bits and bobs, and rubbed his toe to try and stop the bruising.
He wondered if he should slow down a bit. At the rate he was going, he was going to do himself an injury. But he wanted to be ready.
It had been along time ago when the young and inexperienced Bilbo Baggins had run out without a pocket-handkerchief. Now that he was older, he had to be prepared. He was setting off for Buckland in less then 2 days.
But at the thought of Buckland, of where he was going, and what he was going to do, the excitement flooded through the old hobbit once again.
He stood up quickly, and without any sign of having slowed down, ran into the living room to find his second best pipe.
Later that day, Bilbo headed down Bagshot Row. It was usual for The Gaffer to accompany Bilbo on his trips to Buckland. Though Bilbo insisted that he was `quite capable of looking after himself thank you very much for your concern`, Bell Gamgee insisted that her husband went along, and Bilbo was often glad of his company on the long road.
Bilbo knocked on the door of number 3, and the Gaffer answered.
"Good day to you Hamfast. I'm just checking that you're all ready for our trip tomorrow?"
"That I am Mr Bilbo Sir" replied the Gaffer, before turning aside and doubling over with a nasty cough.
Bilbo looked at his friend, and realised that he was obviously ill. He looked pale and weak, and well, very `Un-Gaffer like. `
"Oh no you don't Hamfast Gamgee!" came a voice from down the hall. Bell ran to the door, taking the chance to talk to Bilbo while the Gaffer was still coughing.
"I'm so sorry Mr Bilbo, but Hamfast has come down with a touch o` the flu. Doctor says he's not allowed to travel. I'll send Hamson with you instead."
"Now woman stop your fussin '," the Gaffer said croakily, having just recovered from his coughing fit.
"I can travel all right, and besides, Hamson's working at the Proudfoots this week, and I ain't havin` him leavin` half a job. Halfred aint too well himself, and don't even think that you'll be sending any of the girls. I'll go with Mr Baggins. Doctor don't know what he's talkin` bout. Tis just a cough and nout else."
"Now Gaffer, I won't hear a word of it. Not if you're ill. You rest up, and make sure you're well for the time I get back. I can go by myself."
"Da! Da!" came a voice from behind the flowerbed. "I'll go with Mr Bilbo Da!" And so, that's how it came to pass. That 2 days later, Sam was setting off on his first adventure.
* *
Sam had never been out of Hobbinton before. In fact, if truth were told, he hadn't even ventured far from Bagshot row in the years he could remember.
As they were walking, Sam twisted his head from one direction to another, wishing he had about 6 more eyes. He wanted to take in everything about his journey, so he could tell his sisters when he got home.
"So, Sam" said Bilbo "Gaffer tells me you want to become a gardener." He purposely started a subject that Sam would want to talk about. It was after all, the one subject he excelled in.
"Yes Mr Bilbo Sir. Da` says I have a `way with the posies`. He's bin teaching me. I'm already in change of our garden at home, though not the vegey` patch, Da's very proud of his carrots. But Da says that next year I might get to look after a bit of BagEnd's garden too."
Bilbo thought for a moment. "Sam" he said finally "I do believe that there's a plot of land behind BagEnd which needs tending to. I've never really planted anything there, and sure as weeds are weeds Gaffer hasn't had time. How about I give you that bit of land, to do whatever you like with, start off your gardening career?"
Sam was speechless. He was very much in awe of the master of BagEnd, and had had little reason for talking to him until now. He knew that his Gaffer said he was the kindest hobbit this side of the Brandywine, but Sam never really understood how nice Bilbo really was, until he was offered this simple plot of land.
"Why.why thank you very much Mr Bilbo Sir!.. I mean..It's righ' nice of you.. Just.just thank you!" he finally managed to stammer. Bilbo laughed, and they continued walking.
* *
Sam noticed that the closer they got to Brandyhall, the more excited Bilbo became. A smile lit up his old face, and he seemed to grow younger with every step. He had a strange sort of spring in his stride, so that by the time they were 15 minutes walk away, Sam was practically having to run to keep up.
The young gardener knew that they were going to visit Bilbo's many relations, and one in particular, who Bilbo called `My Frodo` or `Frodo- lad`. Sam bit his bottom lip. He was shy around people. He suddenly realised that he didn't know what he should call this `Frodo`. Mr Frodo-lad? Mr Baggins? Or would Mr Frodo do? But before Sam could think about it anymore, they had rounded a bend in the road, and there was a sudden cry of "Bilbo!" "Bilbo!"
~*~
Momentarily Sam was brought back to the present, sat on the floor in Frodo's old bedroom. Realising that he had a pain in the bottom of his back from being sat in an uncomfortable position on the floor for so long. He moved his seat to the bed.
~*~
"Bilbo!" "Bilbo!"
The old hobbits face lit up with a smile bigger then any Sam had ever seen.
"Frodo!" Bilbo called back, and spread his arms wide. Sam saw a hobbit a few years older then himself with dark curls practically tearing up the road towards them, and he fell into Bilbo's arms. The force knocked them both onto the floor, but neither seemed to notice, and if they did, they didn't care.
"Oh Bilbo I missed you!"
"I missed you too Frodo-lad, missed you something dreadful."
"I've been waiting for you for two days. Uncle Saradoc said you weren't coming till tomorrow, but I've been waiting anyway."
Bilbo's arms were wrapped almost protectively round his young cousin, and Frodo was almost sat on his lap.
Sam was stood at the side, watching with an open mouth. Realising what he was doing, he shut his mouth quickly. Gaffer had always said it was rude to stare. But he couldn't help it. He had never seen anything like the young hobbit with dark curls.
Bilbo and Frodo laughed and stood up.
"Frodo, I'd like you to meet Sam. Sam, this is Frodo"
Sam looked up into Frodo's face, to say `how do you do` or `pleased to meet you` or something similar, but when he first looked into Frodo's clear blue eyes, all thoughts of being polite just vanished.
"`Tis like a sky from a summer's day and stars from a winters night mixed themselves all together." Sam said, not even realising he had spoken out load, until he saw a puzzled look on that almost elven face.
"Oh.So sorry" he said, realising his mistake. "Pleased to meet you Mr Frodo" he hurriedly added, blushing to the roots of his blond hair.
Frodo shook his hand, staring at Sam almost as hard as Sam had stared at him.
"You must be one of the Gaffer's sons?" Frodo asked. Sam nodded.
"You have a look of your father" Frodo explained. Sam couldn't understand it, but with these words, he felt rather then heard the older hobbit sighing, almost sadly, and a great ache welled up in Sam heart.
Bilbo seemed not to have noticed.
"The Gaffer's ill Frodo, and couldn't make the trip, so Sam here said he'd accompany me instead."
Frodo turned away from Sam to look at Bilbo and smiled.
"The Gaffer's not here did you say? Molly won't like that."
Bilbo laughed. Molly was a kitchen maid at Brandyhall, and had been quite taken with the gardener ever since his first visit. Hamfast had taken to hiding in the potting shed whenever he saw her coming.
"Come on then," said Bilbo, picking his bag up off the road where it had fallen. "Lets get a move on"
* *
Over the next few days, Bilbo, Frodo and Sam spent an awful lot of time together.
They would take picnics and go on long walks, sometimes not returning till after supper. The cook didn't approve of this, because besides having to feed another 3 hungry mouths when they returned, she felt that she was sending too much food up to the main hall.
(Frodo and Bilbo suspected that a growing Brandybuck had a lot to do with the fact that their share of the food was always eaten.)
It seemed to Sam that Bilbo must have indeed missed Frodo very much. His Gaffer had been working for Bilbo since before Sam was born, and Sam had never seen him this happy before.
Sam, for his part, grew very close to Frodo. He had to keep reminding himself that Frodo and Bilbo were gentle hobbits, and that he was only a gardener. There were plenty of hobbits around Brandyhall who were more suited of their company and friendship.
The fact remained however, that both Frodo and Bilbo seemed to enjoy spending time with him, and treated him as a member of the family.
Having what the Gaffer called a `sensible head on his shoulders` Sam didn't believe in things like fate and destiny. But he was becoming, though he couldn't even explain it to himself, almost `protective` of Frodo.
Ever since that moment on the road when Sam had felt his heart would surely burst with Frodo's sadness, the gardener felt as though he wanted to do everything in his power to stop it happening again.
He mentally shuck himself. Frodo was older then he was, and more educated at that. He could take care of himself better then a simple gardener would ever be able to.
* *
About a week before Bilbo and Sam were due to be returning to Hobbinton, Sam was alone in the gardens of Brandyhall.
It was a warm night with a gentle breeze. Sam knew that Bilbo was spending the evening with master Saradoc, something that Bilbo had been reluctant to do, but which he felt was his duty, having come all this way.
Sam knew that Frodo would probably be alone, and he wondered whether the older hobbit would care to take a walk with him on such a nice night.
He walked into Brandyhall and up the stairs to Frodo's room. Sam still didn't like living on two floors. It felt so unsafe, and so unnatural He reached Frodo's door and knocked.
"Come in " came Frodo's cheery voice from the other side of the door.
Sam pushed the door open, and had to bring his hand to his mouth to stop himself crying out. Frodo was sat on the windowsill, his arms around his knees. More then that, the window was open. The breeze was blowing the hobbits hair across his face.
"Hello Sam"
"Mr Frodo! What are you doing?" Sam asked, startled.
"I would have thought it was obvious what I was doing Sam." Answered Frodo with a laugh. "I'm sat on the windowsill"
"But Mr Frodo!" Sam stuttered "It's so high up! And with the window open and all, I mean to say, you could fall out!"
Frodo laughed and jumped off the sill, landing in front of Sam on the floor.
"Is that better? Now, what did you want Sam?"
"Well, it's just such a nice night, and you were up hear by yourself, I wondered if you'd like to take a walk with me?" Sam asked carefully. He still didn't know if it was right for him and Frodo to be friends, and he didn't want to bring offence.
"Sam, there is nothing I would like better" Frodo answered. "There's a nice walk up by the stream which I don't think we've done yet. Shall we go there?" Sam nodded, and they set off.
* *
They had been walking for nearly 15 minutes. Frodo was right; it was a lovely walk. They walked in silence, enjoying the sound of the stream, the birds and the wind in the trees. Sam was pulling up the courage to ask Frodo a question that had been on his mind for a while.
"Mr Frodo?"
"Hmm?"
"You know the other day when you said that I looked like my Da`? Why did it make you so sad?"
Frodo stopped in his tracks, this had been the last thing he had expected. "How did you know it made me sad?"
"I don't rightly know `how`. It never showed on your face or anything, it just seemed to me that you were. I'm sorry Mr Frodo, I didn't mean to upset you, I won't mention it again"
"No, it's all right Sam." After a pause, he said, "Let's sit down."
They sat in the lengthening shadow of a great chestnut tree, and Frodo stared at the running water of the stream, as though trying to put his thoughts into words. Sam sat and waited patiently.
"Sam" he said at last "did anybody ever tell you why I came to live in Brandyhall?" Sam thought for a moment. It seemed obvious to him now, he knew that Frodo was related to the Brandybucks, but was not one of them himself.
"No" Sam said aloud.
"Well, many years ago, my parents were killed in a boating accident."
Sam was startled. He tried to imagine what his life would be like without his own parents. The thought almost brought tears to his eyes.
"I came to live at Brandyhall because I had no where else to go. I was still very upset about my parents' death, but because the place is so big, nobody ever really noticed that I was suffering. People used to tell me that I looked an awful lot like my father, just like you. Some of the older women even used to call me `Drogo` by mistake, and it..it made me sad."
Sam was almost crying by this stage, only strong will was enabling him to hold his tears back. He wanted to tell Frodo to stop, but now that he had started, it was easier to keep going.
"Nobody ever really understood, and I never had anyone to really talk to. I was alone, and I felt so lost. It was only when Bilbo came to visit me, a few months after I had moved in, that I started to find myself again. He let me speak my mind. If ever I was lonely or sad, he wanted to know about it, he took the time to listen to me. That was years ago now, and I still spend most of my time here looking forward to Bilbo's next visit.
Of course I'm grateful to uncle Saradoc for taking me in, but he never really has time for me, having the whole of Brandyhall to run. I'm not as lost when Bilbo is around, but some things still remind me of what happened, and saying that you looked like your father was one of those things."
Frodo paused for breath. Tears spilled out of his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. Sam had lost the battle to fight back tears also. Just thinking of Frodo being so lonely and lost made him sad. At seeing Frodo's own tears, he was distraught. He wanted to say something, some words of comfort, but he had never been good with words.
He cast his eyes down to the ground, and leafed his hands through the blades of grass. Something caught between his fingers, and he pulled up a four-leaf clover.
"Wow! Mr Frodo look!" Sam gasped. In shire legend, four-leaf clovers bring good luck to whoever holds them.
Frodo smiled between his tears at Sam's find. Clovers with four leaves were very rare.
Sam looked from his clover to Frodo. He smiled. His Gaffer always said that gestures were worth a thousand words. Sam held Frodo's hand, and pushed the clover into it.
"Here Mr Frodo. It seems to me that you need more luck then I do."
* *
Sam was in the kitchens at Brandyhall, preparing drinks for Frodo and Bilbo. Ever since their talk by the stream, Sam tried to give Frodo as much room to talk with Bilbo as he possibly could.
Bilbo had called Frodo into his room nearly 20 minutes ago, and Sam thought that they might be wanting a cup of tea. He was waiting for the water to boil, when he heard his name being shouted.
"Sam! Sam! Where in the Westfarthing are you? Sam!"
"I'm in the kitchen Mr Frodo" Sam called. He walked over to the door, which nearly hit him in the face as Frodo pushed it open.
"Sam? Oh, there you are! Oh Sam you'll never believe what's just happened! Your four-leaf clover worked Sam! It's brought me the best look in the world!"
"And what might that be Mr Frodo?" Sam asked excitedly.
"Bilbo asked me to come and live with him! I'm coming to Hobbinton with you! I'm going to live in BagEnd with Bilbo! Sam isn't it wonderful!"
Frodo had the world's biggest grin on his face, and Sam soon joined him.
"It's all to do with my clover Mr Frodo, that's what it is, it was my Good- luck clover that did it! Oh hurrah! You're coming to Hobbinton!"
~*~*~
May Elbereth bless my reviewers, Flames will be used in destroying the Ring.
This chapter was brought to you by Lembas, one bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man.