Hello again all you people out there in FanFic land! This chapter is going to be a little different, there isn't any `Memories` as such in this one, I am setting up for an event in Sam's later life, (which you can find details of in the appendices). Also, I shall warn you now, his chapter does not have an ending. The story will be continued next chapter. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Ok, so I can't really say that I own the idea for this story, as I said, Tolkien did mention this in his Appendices. I don't own the characters either. So what do I own? The walking song is mine, if you want to know.
Replies to Reviews:
Bookworm2000: I'm glad I made you smile! That is, after all, what fan fic is all about. And If I don't succeed in making other people smile, I make myself smile, so that's ok. I also like walking in the wind, though not when the wind is cold very early on a winter morning on my way up the hill to college, that's no fun at all!
GamgeeFest: Thank you so much for your help with my little word document problem! I don't know if I was actually successful, but I followed your instructions to the letter. I hope it makes for better reading in the future! You say you don't often get falling leaves where you live? That's such a shame! We get them every year here in England. And our Summers are never that hot either, in fact, often here you can't tell the difference between Summer and Spring temperature wise. But I'm not complaining on that part, I too tend to burn easily! And your mum used to keep pine cones did she? The story has so many parallels with real life!
No1Fan: actually, I do like Winnie the Pooh, but the blustery day song did not enter my head at all, until you mentioned it. I'm glad you liked my line about the Nonsense too, because it is so true, that only special people ever truly understand what you are talking about! Thank you once again for keeping up with your many reviews, they always make me smile!
LegyLuva (My very own Sam): I still have my little hedgehog made out of pistachio nutshells in my box too, along with my half of the conker. See, so many things from our own growing up days that I can fit into my story! (ok, so it wasn't that long ago, but still) I'm glad you liked my nonsense line, several people have commented on it. It just seemed fitting, the number of times that we have little, almost half conversations, where we don't even have to finish our sentences, and no one knows what we are going on about! You're one of the only people that I ever talk Nonsense to who actually understands me. I'm not sure if I'm the one who's cracked or you are!
Celebrindal: Sam as a hedgehog? Now I never said that! But hey, now you have a whole little woodland hobbit creatures thing going on! And actually, Merry being a rabbit is quite fitting, because my two pet rabbits are called Merry and Pippin, so there you are! Merry really is a rabbit in my house! Let me know if you came up with creatures for everyone else! (Oh, and No I did not know that I shared a Birthday with Aragorn. You learn something new every day!)
Shirebound: I try to go for the carefree walks and talks as much as I can with this story. It seems very important to try and put across the vision that is in my mind of what a nice, easy, some might say `cosy` life that the hobbits had before they had ever heard of rings. I'm glad you appreciate it!
Arwen undomiel3: Hi Ho to you too! Hi Ho, Hi Ho, its off to work we go! (Hey, I wonder if the 7 dwarfs were residents of Middle Earth?) I did try very hard not to leave my update so long, but hey, life gets in the way, I'm sure you can understand! I will try not to leave the next one so long though.
Cosmo-queen: On a completely off topic subject, thank you so much for my little Birthday message! It made me smile so much! More about that in my next e-mail though. As for your review, I'm glad the last one was one of your favourites! I actually didn't start out to included that one in my original story plan, but the one which I had in its place just didn't seem to work, so I had to do a re-think, and this was what I came up with. I can way imagine Frodo having a party on the Undying lands! Maybe he would have a beach party, with all the elves, and Gandalf, having a barbecue! Wouldn't that be great? I'm glad the `older brother` relationship came across very well, I wasn't so sure if I could get it to work or not. I had already established in previous chapters that Sam was given the job of Frodo's `protector`, but I felt that he would not be taking it too seriously at this stage, he is, after all, only very young yet. I felt that maybe at this stage of their lives that Frodo was doing most of the looking after, if not on a physical side then on the emotional side of things, if you take my meaning. I was also quite glad that you commented on the `always greens` bit. It took me nearly 10 minutes to find a well fitting alternate word of `ever greens`, and no body else even commented on it! Thanks for that, and speak to you soon! (honestly, the more babbling you do in your review, the more babbling I do in my reply!)
Samwise the Brave: awww…thank you! And I love you to, my faithful reviewer! I'm glad that after reviewing nearly everything that I have ever posted, you have still not tired of my writing styles, and still seem able to find something nice to say!
Mousegal: No worries that you took so long to review, I took so long to update, it's understandable! And now that you don't have the Internet at home, I know its hard finding time to read and review, but thank you for trying so hard! And yes, Rotk is Brill, no need to tell me that! And don't be sorry about mentioning it, I should call it a compliment, when my early characters resemble so closely the ones they are based on! Thanks for your review!
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Memories of a Gardener
By Michelle Frodo
Chapter 10 – Many Meetings (Part 1)
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"Please can I come?"
"No"
Pretty please?"
"No"
"But I want to come"
"No" Sam continued to pack, his eldest daughter following him round the room.
"Why can't I come?"
"Because I said so"
"I won't be a bother"
"No"
"I promise I'll be good"
"You're going to stay with your aunt May, be good there instead"
"Can't I come with you?"
"No"
Elanor tugged on her fathers hand, to get him to look at her. Sam looked down; he knew exactly what she was about to do. He knew it would work. She knew it would work too. Elanor gave the slightest of frowns; she allowed a few tears to come to her eyes. Still holding Sam's hand in her own, she said
"Please Daddy?" Sam looked down at his daughter. He loved being a father. He had so much love to give out, and he had never known that it was possible to love something this much. So much that it hurt. He sighed.
"Go and ask your mother."
Sam, Rosie and Elanor were on their way to Buckland, to the Brandywine Bridge, for a very important meeting. They had been walking for a long time.
"Are you all right Ellie?" Rosie shouted back, stopping to give her daughter time to catch up.
"I'm fine," Elanor said determinedly, not wanting to admit that she was very tired. Rose could tell that her daughter was struggling with the fast pace. She leaned into her daughter, and whispered, so that Sam couldn't hear.
"Why don't you ask your Da' for a walking song?"
Sam was slightly up ahead; trying to remember which of the two paths was the quickest. Forgetting her tiredness, Elanor ran to her father's side.
"Can we have a walking song Da?" she asked.
Sam looked from Elanor back to where Rose was walking towards him. She gave him an innocent smile.
"Come on Da', what can we sing while we walk? You must know a million trillion different songs."
"Ellie, t'wasn't me who used to sing, it was Mr Frodo, I haven't really got the voice for it."
"Liar" Rose said with a smile. "Come on Sam, something to keep us going."
"All right, all right." Sam gave in. he made a mental note never to travel far with females, and taught Ellie a walking song.
It was a familiar tune that Elanor had heard several times before, set to just the right walking speed. It was a very fine Hobbity song, with mentions of ale, food, bed, and other such things that Hobbits like to sing about.
To sample all the finest ale,
along all rivers I will sail
Up over mountains and under dale
Oh won't that be a merry tale.
Oh Everything I've ever seen
I wonder what it all can mean
And All the many shades of green
For All the things that might have been
To set my soul and spirit free
I walk past stone and rock and tree
With my friend walking next to me
A better life there could not be
I wonder where my feet might tread
The whole world waiting up ahead
But in the end I know I'll head
Back to home and back to bed.
It was getting dark. Sam hoped they would be there soon. They had been walking for many days, and he was sure they were nearly there. Elanor gave a yawn. She was being carried on Sam's back. He hoisted her into a more comfortable position.
"Nearly there flower, not long now."
"Oh thank heavens" Rose said, coming up behind them. "I think I can see a light up ahead."
Sure enough, the three were soon stood outside the Hanging Gate Inn. The lights twinkled from the windows; there was friendly chat and singing in the air, and delicious smells of fried fish and potatoes. The place looked so friendly and welcoming. Elanor lifted her head from her fathers' shoulder where it had been resting.
"Is this it? Is this where we're meeting uncle Merry and uncle Pippin?"
"This is it blossom. Now let me help you down" Rose lifted Elanor off Sam's back, and stood her on the floor.
"Come on then, let's go inside." Sam pushed the door open.
The main room was quite small; nothing compared to the Dragon or the Ivy Bush back in Hobbiton. But it was richly furnished with comfortable chairs, benches and tables of polished oak. The Inn relied heavily on passing trade between the Brandywine Bridge and the White Downs. The locals and a few guests had just finished their super, and were gathered round a roaring fire in the far corner. Stood with their backs to the fire, and facing their audience, were two familiar faces. The hobbits turned as a draft was let into their cosy room by the opening door, as Sam, Rose and Elanor entered.
"Well here you are!"
"You're just in time!"
"We we're just reaching the interesting part!"
"Everyone, this is Samwise Gamgee!"
And before Sam could do or say anything, chairs scrapped on the wooden floor as the hobbits ran over to shake his hand. It was like being caught in a storm. Rose had to pick Elanor up again for fear she would be trampled on, as Sam was surrounded by people.
Merry and Pippin fought their way over to where Rose had taken refuge in the corner.
"Hello Rosie-lass, good trip?"
"Don't you `Rosie-lass` me." She said, looking annoyed. "What have you been telling people about Sam?"
"Aw come on Rose, you know people love a good story."
"And you know that Sam doesn't like fuss. Just look how uncomfortable he is!"
Pippin looked across to the `people storm`, Sam was in the centre, having gone very red, and kept trying to escape, but somebody always blocked his path, asking him questions and shaking his hand.
Pippin swallowed. "All right, maybe we did play up his part a bit."
"You just can't help but get carried away." Merry agreed.
Sam had finally managed to quell the rush of people. He walked over to where Merry and Pippin were stood with Rose.
"What by all of Gondor was that about?" Sam looked at Merry and Pippin.
"Well, you know." Said Pippin, shrugging his shoulders. "The more exciting a story is, the more drinks people will buy you."
"Well, as you've had all those free drinks, you can go ahead and order us some food." Rose said sternly.
"Two fish and chips is it?" Merry asked.
"Three" Sam corrected. Pippin laughed at him.
"You couldn't possibly eat more then one helping Sam."
"No, not for me you turnip" Sam sighed. "It's for Ellie." Elanor peeped out from where she was hiding behind her mothers' skirt.
"Ellie!" Merry gasped "what is she doing here Sam? I thought it was just you and Rose coming down?"
"Well" Sam shrugged "She wanted to come, and you know what she's like."
"No Sam" Pippin laughed. "We know what you're like! Three it is then, and I'll tell old Parker behind the bar that you need another bed in your room."
It felt to Ellie as though she had barely laid her head on the pillow, before her mother was waking her.
"Come on Ellie sweetheart, we have to get going."
"Do we have to?"
"Do you want to come and meet him or not?"
"Oh! Of course I do! I'd forgotten for a minute then!" she jumped out of bed excitedly, and started to get dressed.
An hour later, they were on the road again, this time joined by Merry and Pippin. On their way to the Brandywine Bridge.
Merry, Pippin and Ellie were walking up ahead, holding hands in a line, with Ellie in the middle. Every now and again, Pippin and Merry would swing Ellie up into the air, and back down again. Sam and Rose walked behind.
"You all right?" Rose asked, Sam had been quiet all morning.
"Yes, I'm just a little…. Well I'm…."
"Nervous?"
"I don't know why." Sam confirmed, blushing slightly.
Midday had passed, and the afternoon was waning. Elanor had again taken refuge on Sam's back. Pippin was discussing his son's latest habits with Rosie, and Sam and Merry walked a step behind in silence. The landscape around them was becoming slightly less hilly, with fewer fields and more trees.
By the time the sun had nearly completed her westward journey to bed, the travellers were approaching the Brandywine Bridge. Ellie was walking hand in hand with her mother. As they walked down the path, the bridge came into view, and Ellie gasped at the sight which met her young hobbit eyes.
Across the river stood a circle of tents. Not the ordinary tents which some of the older more adventurous hobbits sometimes took with them on excursions through the fields. These were large pavilions of many sizes and colours, all bearing the same symbol of a white tree with seven stars.
As they approached, a trumpet call rang out, and the campsite became a hive of activity. Someone was coming up the path towards them. Ellie took a sharp intake a breath, and hid behind her mothers' skirt. It was one of the big folk!
"Mayor Gamgee, Thain Peregrin Took and Master Brandybuck" The hobbits bowed as their names were called.
"You're a little later then we expected, we were ready for your arrival yesterday morning, I'm afraid you caught us a bit unprepared this evening. Never the less, the king has been informed of your arrival, and he awaits you in the meeting tent. If you would just follow me."
He turned and strode off down the path. Sam took Rosie by the hand, as she was looking quite startled by the whole affair. He took Ellie in his other hand, and followed the messenger over the bridge; Merry and Pippin walking close by.
As they were led through the campsite, big people everywhere turned and called greetings to them. Ellie was quite speechless. She had always thought of her Da' as being tall, and Merry and Pippin even more so. Now she discovered that in fact they were small, and seemed somehow insignificant in this huge campsite where people moved so fast. She didn't like it, and kept close to her mother and father.
The group was led over to the largest tent, which was pale yellow in colour. As they approached, the flap seemed to open of its own accord, and their guide walked straight in. They hesitated at the door way.
"Pip, you've got a dirty mark on your jacket, I think you'd better wipe it off."
"Come here Flower, let me do something with your hair."
"Is there anywhere we can maybe wash our hands?"
Normally Ellie would have complained had someone fussed over her appearance, but she was going to meet the king, so she allowed her mother to straighten her dress and wipe her cheek with a cloth.
"My friends" came a voice from inside the tent. "I shouldn't worry about your appearance, I have seen all three of you in a far worse state before now. And besides, I am not altogether presentable myself."
Sam, Merry and Pippin smiled at each other, and with a final brush at Elanor's dress, they entered the tent.
"Strider!"
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May Elbereth bless my reviewers; Flames will be used in destroying the Ring
This Chapter was brought to you by The Prancing Pony Mail Delivery Service. `Speedy Mail from here to the Havens. `
(We tried to ask Butterbur about the whole affair with Frodo's letter, but he was unavailable for questioning.)