The room was dark and silent as Sam's eyes fluttered and then opened. Feeling very disoriented, he looked around. Frodo seemed to be asleep in the chair by the fire, and Sam smiled before the full force of his memory of what had happened hit him. Panicked, he sat up and slid both his hands beneath him to feel for a warm, sticky substance he was afraid to find there.

Pulling his hands out, only to find they were dry and free of blood, Sam sighed with relief. He felt better. His head was beginning to clear, and from the large round bump under the blankets, he reassured himself that the baby was still where it was supposed to be. There was no pain anymore, besides the ache in his back, which he had become accustomed to over the last few weeks.

Reaching over to the bedside table, he lit the small candle there to throw some light to see by. Frodo woke with a start and jumped to his feet as the light spread through the room. His eyes cleared from their sleepy blur and fell on Sam. His face softened and he crossed the room in what seemed to be only two steps, though it was more like ten.

"How do you feel?" he demanded softly, resting his palm on Sam's swollen belly reassuringly.

Sam swallowed, not sure his dry throat would let him speak. ".... Better...no pain...water?" he was able to stutter out. Frodo visibly relaxed after this. Nodding, he poured a small glass of water and handed it to Sam, never taking his crystal blue eyes from him.

Sam drank the cool water in large gulps. It felt very good going down, and seemed to rush down his chest like an icy waterfall. He felt his stomach lurch slightly as the water hit it, but he knew it would stay within him. Grateful for the drink, he lay back against the pillows and closed his eyes. Sleep and tiredness seemed to wash over him. His body feeling numb from the adrenaline rush he'd suffered only a few hours before.

"Stay?" he whispered in plea to Frodo.

His only response was the feeling of Frodo climbing onto the bed, and sliding his arm behind Sam's shoulders. Cradling him as he'd done for Frodo so many times before. Frodo began to hum softly, singing one of the songs Sam remembered most from his childhood. He loved to hear Frodo sing, and relaxed instantly. Laying his head against Frodo's chest, he slowly drifted off into a deep sleep feeling warm, protected and sheltered in his love's arms.

Morning broke the following morning, bright and cool. The birds were singing softly outside the window, and the sun was trying it's best to burst through the closed curtains. Sam woke slowly, still feeling very drained and tired. He was alone in the room, and started to wonder where Frodo had gone, when there was a soft knock at the door.

Looking up, he saw that Frodo was standing there, a slight smile on his face.

"You're up!" he said, genuinely pleased. "I'm glad. How do you feel this morning, dear heart?" Sam swallowed, he hadn't really been awake long enough to take stock of how he was feeling.

"Good, I think." Remembering the events of the night before, his face suddenly became dark. "Oh, Frodo! I'm so sorry to have ruined your birthday. It was never my meaning...." He was cut off by Frodo's fingertips touching his lips.

"Hush. That doesn't matter. All that matters now is that you and our child are well." He smiled, and placed his hand on Sam's abdomen. "Oh goodness! That reminds me, the Healer said he would come by this morning to check on you. I'm just thankful we were able to stop those pains before something terrible happened."

"Me too." Sam stated plainly, shutting his eyes remembering the fear of the previous night. Then remembering suddenly that there had been others in the smail last night besides the Healer, Frodo and himself, he felt compelled to ask. "Merry and Pippin? Oh! I must have given them such a fright last night also."

Frodo shook his head and began to softly stroke Sam's stomach. "Don't you worry about them, love. They're fine, and I filled them in last night after you fell off to sleep. I was forced to tell them everything though, dearest. I know you didn't really want others to know of your condition, but after last night we will have to come up with some explanation."

Just then there was another very soft knock at the door, and Pippin stuck his head around the corner, a smile growing on his face to see that he wasn't really interrupting anything.

"The Healer has just arrived, shall I show him in?" Both Frodo and Sam nodded.

Sam could hear the pleasantries exchanged in the hallway before the Healer stepped into the room, and nodded in greeting to them both.

"Well, Samwise, you gave us quite a scare last night! How do you feel? Any pain?" the Healer asked walking to the bed. "No? Very good. The herbs must be working. I'm afraid I shall have to ask you to remain in bed until I can be certain that your pains will not return until their proper time."

Sam nodded, feeling the hot sting of tears beginning. He would not cry. He had brought this on himself, he had, pushing himself too far yesterday. Things could have ended far worse, and he knew it was his own fault. Not only had he ruined Frodo's birthday, but he had endangered the live of their unborn child, and himself in the process.

Laying his head against Frodo's shoulder he felt himself sigh in defeat. He couldn't afford to be so stubborn anymore. From now on he would have to listen to his body, he would have to take things easy. Sam looked up into Frodo's face and finally gazed into his eyes.

Relief and love was all he saw there.