Interlude – Sam

~

I can't believe he's gone. I always thought that if someone fell, it would be someone like me or Mr. Pippin or Merry, trying to defend Mr. Frodo. Or perhaps that Kayli girl, she seems a bit clumsy, and it would be a terrible shame, as she's the only one out of our female companions that I can stand.

The other ones ruffle my hair. I once heard Mr. Pippin expressing an opinion about something similar just before Caradhras.

Mr. Gandalf thought she was special. You know, I think she is, too.

I reach up and tug her sleeve. She turns to me and smiles, a slow, tired smile. Unlike the blonde and the redhead, Miss Kayli seems affecting by what the rest of us feel. Those two...unnatural things, they only show emotional, false emotion, if they think it'll get them something.

Maybe Pippin's right, and they are after power.

I did see Mitanna, at least I think that's the redhead, the one that's chasing Strider, staring at Mr. Frodo's ring.

And don't they have the decency to chase someone who's single?

"What is it, Sam?" Kayli asks quietly, touching my hand on her arm.

I shake my head. Well done, Samwise, gettin' distracted after you ask for the lady's attention. "I was just wonderin' if you were all right, Miss Kayli."

Kayli smiles at me, and it's a smile apart, I can tell you that. "I'm fine, Sam. Thank you."

There she is again, that Mitanna, staring at Mr. Frodo.

She better not. Will kill her if she tries anything.