I'm sorry all that this chapter has been a bit late in coming, but I've been on exams the last few weeks, and that means more revising then anything else! But it's here now; at last your wait is over!
Replies to Reviews:
My Very Own Sam- well done for guessing finger! Did you also spotsome of the words that you suggested to me when I was running out of F words? And you may also notice some stuff in this chapter, just keep remembering who taught you to play backgammon! And now I have you in a corner, because I know your exams have finished now, and you have no need for short reviews!
BookWorm2000- Well, Frodo was the one I was going to have, but I wanted the one game to last all through the chapter, and I thought somebody may have guessed at Frodo the minute he turned up.
Laurajslr- I suppose considering fingers as the answer does count. The fact that if you had been there, you probably would have made a guess. And I agree, there is no one sweeter then Gamgee children, (well, not in my eyes anyway), and your right, there isn't enough stories about them about. That is why I added them to mine!
Shirebound- I do take criticism quite well, and I promise that as soon as I have finished posting the whole story, I will go through and change all the chapters! You can be my editor, let me know if you spot any more!
GamgeeFest- Gamgee's are adorable aren't they? I wish they made pocket size versions, so you could keep one about you always, to brighten up those dull and dreary mornings!
No1Fan- I'm sure you can't be that rubbish at the game, and I didn't really expect as many people to guess it as did, I was quite surprised, because I don't think I would have got it either! And I'm not telling you what I'm writing next, its s secret. I don't know if the idea will work yet.
Anarane- Thank you!
Gina- I'm glad you enjoy my dialogue, it is the one thing that I am most proud of, and one of the reasons that I write mostly hobbit related stuff. I have a vivid imagining of how they talk and react with each other. I do try and include as much of the lesser characters, such as Fastred, as much as possible, because there are very few stories out there which do notice them, and I feel that they need a mention!
Tersa- Welcome, welcome my friend, pull up a seat, I always welcome visitors! Especially when they speak so highly of my story! And of course I will continue to post, just as long as you continue to review!
Lady Freesia- Quick question, what did you mean when you said "Frodo & the rest leaving for Imladris"? You do know that Imladris is the elvish name for Rivendell right?
Weaver of Words- There is nothing wrong with being the sentimental sort! I think its very nice.
Cosmo-queen- So you still play eye spy? And you think there is anything wrong with that? I'm 17, and I still play all the time, where do you think my inspiration comes from?? Hey, you've just finished your exams? Me too! I hope they went ok for you. And by the way, I know I owe you an email, but I've been a bit swamped lately. I have set aside some time tomorrow, so look out for it! And yes, I think you should use Finger as your eye spy next time you play, just see how many guesses it takes them, and report back to me! I'll feel so glad if my idea makes you win! Hehe. Anyway, on with the story, since you have waited so long for it!
Memories of a Gardener
By Michelle Frodo
Chapter 14- Checkmate
It's just not possible, Sam thought to himself. Time simply can't pass that quickly. But it could, and it had. It seemed like only yesterday that all of his children were running around Bag End, fully of cuts and scrapes and scabby knees. Now his youngest son, the only one still living at home, was leaving, to take up a trade as a roper with Sam's brother Hamson.
The hobbits living around had organised a small farewell party in Tom's honour, and Sam was hating every minute of it. Though he put on a brave face, and exclaimed how happy he was for his last-born, he wished with all his heart that things weren't going to change. Not that he wanted to stop his son from moving on to bigger things, he just didn't like to think that everyone around him was growing up, and that he was growing old.
This night was reminding him so much of another party, though nobody there was aware that the host was planning to leave before the end. Wondering if Frodo had remembered the happenings of that night, he excused himself from the gathering, and wondered into his bedroom. He picked up Frodo's old box, and opened the lid. He searched for a few moments, and came across what he was looking for. It was a carved piece of wood, meant to represent a king. Sam remembered how grand it had looked when it was surrounded by its knights and bishops, when it used to sit on the chess board in Bilbo's old living room.
"Frodo-lad, there's someone at the door again!" Bilbo whispered.
Frodo came cautiously and quietly out of his bedroom, and the two of them creeped round to the front window, trying not to make a sound. They were kneeling just below the level of the windowsill, looking out to the right to see the front door, but keeping out of sight. All the pair of them could see was the back of someone's head.
Whoever it was and whatever they wanted, they soon gave up, and walked down the path and out of the gate. Bilbo sighed.
"Bothersome things door-bells. That's the third caller we've had this morning!"
"And also the third time you've made me hide beneath the window. What's going on Bilbo?" Frodo asked with a glint in his eyes. He knew his uncle was up to something.
"Nothing lad nothing." Bilbo insisted, but didn't quite meet Frodo's eyes, and mumbled something under his breath.
"You know, if people keep calling and you're supposedly not in, they might think you've gone away, and start selling your furniture again." Frodo said with a chuckle.
Bilbo looked startled. "I never thought of that. That would never do. No no." He chewed his bottom lip, a habit he had picked up from somewhere recently. "Maybe from now on you should answer the door for me Frodo."
"Why can't you just answer it yourself?" Frodo asked bewildered, a little annoyed, and determined to get some information out of his secretive uncle.
Bilbo mumbled something about good practice, and walked down the hall way back to his study.
"Bilbo!" Frodo called questioningly, following him down the hall. Just as Bilbo was about to shut the door on his cousin, Frodo held it open with his hand. " I know something's going on Bilbo. Don't think you can hide this from me because you can't. Is it to do with the party tomorrow?"
Bilbo looked back, but said nothing, and seemed to have a far away look in his eyes. "Are you even listening?" Frodo almost shouted.
Bilbo seemed to jump out of some sort of day dream. He hadn't even realised Frodo was there, let alone that he had been speaking to him.
"What…what was that my lad?" Bilbo stammered, but didn't even wait for a reply. "You'll be all right Frodo. You'll be all right."
"Bilbo your talking nonsense." Frodo said, but Bilbo shut the study door, and Frodo was left standing in an empty hall way, pondering over this strange mood that had come over his uncle recently, and wondering if it would ever go away.
xxx
"Wonderful party. Mr Baggins knows how to put on a good do all right."
"And such tasty food!"
"Come on Daisy, we all know food wasn't goin' through your mind not one bit."
"What do you mean by that?"
"I mean you and Tom. We all saw you dancin'."
"And what about Sam? Dancin' with Rose Cotton hay?"
"The Ale was good. Wasn't anythin' like the Green Dragon."
"I heard that Mister Bilbo bought it all the way from Buckland. Can't be too sure though, rumours you know."
"and the Fireworks!" Chirpped in a very happy Marigold. "Did you ever see such big pretty fireworks?" and she giggled.
The Gamgee clan were on their way home from the party field. Similar conversations could be heard all over Hobbiton, as the tired and content hobbits made their way to bed. Bilbo's eleventyfirst Birthday party had been a great cause for celebration, and had gone of with a bang. The only one not joining in the conversations was Sam. He was walking a few steps behind the rest of his family.
"Your apple pies went down a treat Mam. Not a piece left from what I hear." Hamson called out to his mother, who was escorting her husband a little way ahead.
"Did you try some of Mrs Bracegirdle's treacle fudge?"
"Why so dejected Sam?" May turned to ask. "What's the matter?"
"Nothin'" Sam mumbled, but his brothers and sisters weren't fooled.
"aww come on Sam, you got to dance with Rosie Cotton didn't you? Why so glum?"
"I'm just worried about Mr Bilbo is all." Sam replied. The conversation came to a halt. So far, they had managed to avoid discussing the mysterious disappearance of their employer. "And" Sam continued. "Mister Frodo."
"Why so worried 'bout Mister Frodo? T'was Mister Bilbo who up and disappeared."
Sam sighed. "May, I tend to spend more time up at Bag End then you do, since as how I'm employed to look after Mister Frodo and all. Mister Frodo has known for a while now that Mister Bilbo would be leavin'."
"Leavin'? What do you mean leavin'? Where's he gone?" asked Halfred, who had always been rather fond of his mad Master.
"Mr Bilbo's been actin' really odd lately."
"What, more then usual?" Said Daisy with a whisper, not wanting her father to overhear.
Sam smiled. "Yes, more the usual. I think..I think he's gone to stay with the elves." All the Gamgee children stared at Sam in amazement. It wasn't usual for sensible hobbits to believe in elves, but having Bilbo for an employer simply made the Gamgee children believe.
"Mr Frodo rightly didn't want Mister Bilbo to leave, but he didn't want to be stoppin' him either, if you follow."
"But he's comin' back ain't he?" Marigold asked, sounding quite distressed.
Sam bit his bottom lip, uncertainly. "I don't think he is." Everyone was silent.
"So, Mister Frodo's all on his own now?" Hamson asked.
"I think so." Sam replied. "That's why I'm worried about him."
They had reached the door step of number three by now, and Bell was already opening the door.
"Mam!" May called. "Sam's left his handkerchief up at Bag End again." Sam was startled. He could feel his handkerchief in his pocket, and he opened his mouth to say so. But Halfred caught his eye and mentally told him to wait.
"Oh Samwise not again!" His mother complained. "I won't have you loosin' another handkerchief. Go up and get it. And make sure you apologise to Mister Baggins for disturbin' him."
Sam smiled at his sister thankfully. "All right Mam."
"We'll probably be in bed when you get back, your farther ain't what he should be, worse for drink poor man. So don't you be makin' lots of noise when you come back in!" his mother warned with a murderous look in her eyes.
May winked at Sam, who mouthed a thank you before running up the path to Bag End.
xxx
Sam walked quietly up to the green door. He opened it gently, and walked into the hall.
"Mister Frodo?" he called as he peeped his head round the living room door. Frodo was sat curled up in an arm chair by the fire, his head resting on his knees. "Mister Frodo?" Sam said again more softly, as he walked into the room.
"Hello Sam." Frodo answered without looking up. His voice was croaky, missing its usual cheer, and not very Frodo like at all. Sam went and sat beside his friend, putting a comforting arm round Frodo's shoulder. Frodo began sobbing as though his heart was about to break.
"It's all right Mister Frodo, you cry all you want, just let it out, you'll feel better for it." Frodo continued to sob, and Sam held him, rubbing his back and whispering some little words of comfort into his ear, until Frodo was all cried out.
"Thank you Sam, I think I needed that." Frodo said, wiping a tear from his eye.
"Oh your quite welcome Mister Frodo. Are you all right now?"
"Yes, I think so." Said Frodo, sitting up. "It just came as a bit of a shock. Bilbo always said that he wanted to go adventuring again, but I never thought that he'd actually go without me." He sighed and looked around him. "He left me the whole of Bag End Sam. It feels so odd, and almost cold like. I can't see myself as master of all of this, none of it seems like mine, it all still belongs to him. How am I supposed to live here by myself? I think I just got so used to someone being around that it will never seem right to be on my own again."
"Mister Frodo, you will never ever be on your own. I'll always be here, an' the rest of the Gamgee's beside me. You ever think I could just walk out of this room and not come back? We've been friends far too long for that. You ever need anythin', you just shout, and I'll come runnin', and you know that full well without me havin' to try and tell you."
Frodo turned to look at Sam and smiled. Sam smiled back. People often thought that it was strange the way the two of them could have whole conversations without saying a word. This was one of those moments. Nothing and everything was said all at once.
Sat on the armchair together, they were silent for a minute. Then Frodo spoke.
"Do you think he'd ever forget me Sam?"
"Rightly I don't know if he ever could. I know I could never. I bet he thinks 'bout you only as much as you think 'bout him, if you take my meanin'."
"Yeah, I do." Frodo smiled. He thought for a moment, and his face fell again. "I hope he'll be all right."
"Well why wouldn' he be sir?" Sam asked questioningly.
"I'm just thinking, if he really has gone travelling, he's gone on his own, there will be no one to help him if…" he let the sentence hang in the air.
"Don't you be worryin' bout Mr Bilbo. He'll be just fine I'm sure. Look at all his adventures he's had, he's been through more then most of us ever will, and took care of himself all right."
"I suppose you're right." Frodo said. But he still looked a bit anxious. His eyes wondered the room for a moment, the warm fire burning in the fire place, the threadbare old rug on the floor, the dusty books on the shelf, the battered comfy old couch, and the half finished game of chess of the table. "I never was able to beat him at chess." Frodo thought aloud with a fond smile. "We were in the middle of this game last night, when he stopped me and sent me to bed." He studied the chess men carefully, and after a moment he doubled up with laughter.
"What's so funny Mister Frodo?" Sam asked, quite startled at this sudden change of mood. Frodo continued to laugh, and shaking his head in amazement, he moved his queen four places to the left. He had Bilbo in check mate.
"It's no small wonder he stopped the game when he did, he didn't want to put a black mark on his unbeaten record! He always was three moves ahead of me, he must have seen what trouble he was getting into."
Sam studied the board over Frodo's shoulder. "Have you won now then?" he asked.
"Yes." Frodo said. "I've got his king in check mate, see?" and he pointed to his queen, one of his knights and a bishop.
"Well no, rightly I don't see. I never did understand chess."
"Nobody ever taught you to play?" Frodo asked.
"Never." Sam answered. "I don't think my Gaffer knows how anyways."
"In which case, I shall have to teach you."
"Oh no Mister Frodo, there's no need to be doin' that."
"Oh yes there is. Who else am I ever going to play with otherwise?" Frodo pointed out.
Sam laughed. "All right then, but not tonight, I'd best be goin' home."
"No not tonight" Frodo said, realising for the first time how tired he was. "Tomorrow maybe."
"Aye, why not." Sam agreed. "You be all right now?" he looked at Frodo sceptically.
"Yes Sam." Frodo answered with a confident smile. "I'll be fine."
May Elbereth bless my reviewers; Flames will be used in destroying the Ring.