Hello, another chapter, quicker then the last one, as promised.

I seem to be having problems receiving some of my reviews at the moment, so if you sent in a review for the last chapter, and a reply is not found below, I'm very sorry.

Mousegal- You were very quick in reviewing the last chapter, the review came through only half an hour after I had posted it, which seems to be some sort of record! Right place at the right time! I'm glad you're enjoying the story.

Bookworm 200- yes indeed I do like your name, maybe everyone likes it because it seems to tell of what most of us are, I mean, when I don't have my head stuck in some book or other, I'm reading fanfic! The thought about leaving the path was slightly based upon Frodo having dreams in the future, but also is based on that maybe Frodo and Sam share some sort of bond, and maybe they can tell where the other is when the other is scared and things like that.

Obelia Medusa (My Number one Jellyfish fan)- I'm glad you thought my interactions were `darn cute`. And the changing points of view worked well? Oh I am glad, it was something I wasn't sure about, maybe if they switched too often, or if it was hard to keep up with what was happening or something. But I'm glad it worked out OK. My story was really the only one you were keeping up with? Oh I feel so special!

No1fan- Where do I get my ideas? Hmm..Well there's an interesting question, because I don't really know! Things just seem to come to me (usually at the most stupid times, like when I'm in the bath, or sat on the bus, or something like that!)

LegyLuva (Sam)- You still have your own conker ay? I still have mine too! And like I sent to you in that e-mail, sometimes when letters are missed out or placed in silly places, they're hard to spot! I am sorry about the formatting of the last chapter, I decided to try and save it as a different type of document, but it seemed to think that where ever I put a space, I wanted a new line! I tried and tried and tired to sort it out, but I couldn't. Hopefully this one won't be as bad!

Celebrindal- I did say I was sorry for making you wait so long, but this chapter is up slightly quicker. I just have so much going on at the moment; it's hard to find time to post these things! I'm sure you understand. Thanks for being so patient. (And I gave you a poem to ease the waiting process, just see how kind I am?)

Canadian-Hobbit- Glad to have a new fan! I hope you do enjoy up and coming chapters!

arwen undomial3- Aha! The wonderer returns! You came back I see! So long has it been since I had a review from you that I almost fell off my chair in shock! (No, I'm only joking, don't go away again!) My best work yet you say? Would that be the whole story, or just the chapter? Sorry, I was just interested!

Crystal Gamgee- I know you haven't reviewed this story, but I also know that you do read it, so this is just a short `hello! ` From me to you!

Just to let you know, normally chapters from this story visit Sam when he is older first, and go back to Sam being younger. This time however, the chapter begins when Sam is younger, and we'll visit older Sam at the end. Just to solve any confusion that is caused!

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Memories Of A Gardener

By Michelle Frodo

Chapter 5 – The Tooth Elf

Frodo loved to spend time with the gardener's son. He always felt that he didn't have to act grown up around Sam, that he could be himself, and that Sam would like him just as he was.

For his part, Sam loved his Mr Frodo's imagination, how he could always think of something for the two of them to play. How there was never a time when Frodo was too busy, or too tired. He would always find the strength and energy to teach Sam a new game.

Frodo and Sam loved to play games together. Frodo taught Sam to play games that he himself had played when he was younger. It gave Frodo some relief from his normal `grown up` tasks to go back to playing his old favourites.

The game that Sam liked the best was one that he and Frodo had made up together, called `The Adventures of Samwise and Mr Frodo`. In such games Bilbo was usually involved, playing either a dragon, or an elf, or sometimes a wizard, depending on what was required by the storytellers. Sam loved these games, especially at the end, when the dragon or elf or wizard would bring out a picnic for the two adventures to share in the garden.

One particular day, Bilbo was playing a troll. Samwise and Mr Frodo had gone in search of a lost jewel that had been stolen from the caverns of the elvish king. But a mean and nasty cave troll, who liked to eat young hobbits, guarded the jewel.

Mr Frodo told Samwise that the best way to deal with a hobbit-eating troll was to run away from him, but run round in circles until the troll became so dizzy he fell over. Sam giggled. Frodo could be so silly sometimes. Samwise saw himself as Mr Frodo's protector, so he felt it was his duty to tackle the cave troll.

Bilbo was sat on the bench underneath a tree, pretending to be asleep. Samwise crept up to the sleeping cave troll, trying not to make a sound, and prodded him in the stomach.

With a roar, the cave troll stood up, and promptly began to chase Samwise. Sam ran round the garden in a big circle, Bilbo chasing him, with Frodo cheering on his comrade.

Sam found the whole thing absolutely ridiculous, for the cave troll didn't seem to be getting any dizzier. He opened his mouth to say so, when he lost his footing, and fell over.

Bilbo stopped running, and Frodo stopped cheering. They both went over top see if Sam had hurt himself. The young hobbit sat himself up to say that he was all right, when something fell out of his mouth. Suddenly Sam felt a sharp pain, and could taste blood. He started to cry.

Bilbo picked up the weeping hobbit and carried him inside. Frodo got down on his hands and knees and felt about in the grass where Sam had fallen. He found what he was looking for, picked it up, and dashed inside to see how Sam was.

Frodo found Sam sat on the kitchen table, his legs dangling over the side, still hiccuping the occasional sob.

The bleeding had stopped, and Bilbo was getting Sam some water to drink. Frodo caught Bilbo's eye, winked at him, then walked over to his friend.

Frodo held Sam's hand in his own, opened Sam's fingers, and dropped a tiny white tooth into the palm of his hand.

Sam looked at the tooth in horror, then slowly, he moved his eyes up to meet Frodo's, and his bottom lip began to tremble.

"It's all right Sam don't cry," said Frodo, putting his arm around Sam's shaking shoulder. "You can leave your tooth out for the tooth elf."

At the mention of elves, Sam stopped trembling, and a twinkle returned to his eyes. "A tooth elf? What's a tooth elf Mr Frodo?" asked Sam, unable to control his excitement.

"Well" Frodo began to explain "every hobbit looses a tooth from time to time. Now a tooth elf is a very special elf with a very special job. If you leave your tooth out for him tonight, he'll find it, and will make a new one grow in its place. And if he thinks that you were brave when your tooth fell out, he'll leave a present for you as well."

Sam took a very deep breath. So full of excitement that he began to tremble again.

"Where should I leave my tooth for the tooth elf to find?" he asked.

Frodo looked as though he was pondering the answer. Finally he said, "I should think the best place to leave it would be on your front door step. Elves are very tall you know, so he wouldn't be able to get through your front door into your hole."

"Have I been brave enough to get a present do you think?" Sam suddenly burst out with.

"I'm not sure about that. Bilbo knows more about elves then I do. What do you think Bilbo, has Sam been good enough to get a present?"

"Elves can be funny people." Bilbo answered. "They can see bravery in your heart, even if you don't show it on your face. Are you brave in your heart Sam?"

Sam thought about this for a while.

"I suspect that I am Mr Bilbo, but I don't think I've found it in myself yet, if you follow me"

"Oh we do Sam. Now run on home, and tell your family about your tooth!" Frodo smiled, as Sam jumped off the table, ran down the hall way and out of the door.

Bilbo shook his head in amazement. You had to hand it to Frodo, he thought, he knows exactly what to say to make the boy happy, and what an imagination. Tooth elves in deed!

That night, after Sam had gone to bed, Frodo and Bilbo crept down Bagshot Row. They had baked a special current cake for Sam, as a present from the tooth elf for being so brave.

Frodo crept to the front door step of number 3, with the cake all neatly wrapped up in brown paper. He found Sam's tooth in an envelope, and picked it up, putting the cake in its place. Then he walked silently back to Bilbo who was waiting for him at the gate. They walked back to Bag End in the moonlight, Sam's tooth in Frodo's pocket.

The next morning Sam awoke extra early, he was so full of excitement. He rushed to the front door and opened it. Sure enough, just like Frodo had said, there on the front step, exactly where he had left his tooth the night before, was a parcel wrapped in brown paper.

Sam carefully carried his package inside and placed it on the table. Then he ran round waking everybody up. "Mam! Da`! Come n' look! Halfred, Hamson, see I told you Mr Frodo was right, he was tellin' the truth! Daisy, May, Mari`! Just look! The tooth elf thinks I'm brave!"

Being the kind hearted hobbit that Sam was; he cut up his cake for elevenses, and shared it with everyone. He made sure he kept a piece saved for Mr Bilbo, and of course, and extra big piece for Frodo as well.

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Sam held his tooth in his hand. It was hard to believe that it had actually fallen out of his mouth all those many years ago. It was so small.

He placed the tooth back in the envelope that it had come from, and placed it back in the box, closing the lid.

Suddenly there was a knock on the front door.

"I'll get it Rosie" Sam called, and went to open it. Stood on the doorstep was Rosie's cousin.

"Oh do come in Poppy, were you wanting to talk to Rose? I'll get her for you."

While Rose and Poppy were catching up in the front room, Sam took Elanor into the garden. He went to the spot where his tooth had fallen out, and sat down with his daughter on his lap.

"Honestly Ellie`." Sam said, "I do miss him, ever so much. I suspect that you won't remember him when you're older, but he really was someone very special." Elanor, too young to talk yet, and far too young to understand, just giggled.

Sam loved to hear her laughter, so bright and cheerful and carefree. He began to tickle her on the belly, and she laughed even more, and smiled up at her father. But it as a different smile then Sam remembered.

"Ellie! You've got your first tooth!"

Elanor giggled again.

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May Elbereth bless my reviewers; Flames will be used in destroying the Ring

This chapter was brought to you by lowest Dungeon Laundry services, doing laundry for Gandalf since he dropped in with the Balrog! (The dirt we got of his cloak you wouldn't believe it!)