Thank you soo much for the reviews! Squee!! LOL I haven't seen "My Fair Lady" but I'll have to rent it! I'm glad you guys like the story so far! Also this story will be kinda gradual so bare with me.
Darkness screamed around him, Sam ran towards the small fraction of light ahead of him. Frodo! Where's Frodo? Sam spun, colours blurred together around him, the more he moved towards the light the farther it seemed to get.
"Sam!"
He heard Frodo's scared voice call out to him. He was somewhere in the darkness, unable to see or hear Sam. Tears fell from Sams' eyes unnoticed. He had to find Frodo.
"Frodo! I can't see you! Where are you?"
The tunnel was dark and sticky...the shadowy figure of a Ringwraith passed infront of Sam momentarily blocking out the small amount of light that shone in. Sam ignored it and kept looking, it was then that he heard a noise behind him.
"It's too late," Frodo's tired voice spoke. Sam spun around to see Frodo directly behind him.
"It's mine...my own forever," He then gave a horrible twisted sort of laugh and Sam watched in horror as Frodo's travel torn figure morphed into that of a Ringwraith.
"Frodo!" Sam yelled bolting up out of his sleep.
Breathing hard Sam raised a hand and combed it through his hair. It'd just been a nightmare...nothing more. What a horrible dream... Sam thought. He hadn't had many nightmares, but when he did they were usually about Frodo and the quest. Looking out his window Sam saw it was just coming up to dawn. Sighing he shook off his dream and jumped out of bed. Dressing quickly Sam opened his door; the sound of the door across from him closing caused his head to jolt upwards. Was Frodo up already? He wondered as he stared at Frodo's now closed door.
Sam looked down at himself; he needed a bath. Sighing he walked into the kitchen to get pots to warm some water. After setting a few pots going Sam walked into the sitting room to clean up. He knew it would be a while before he had all the water he needed. But as Sam went to pick up the empty wine glasses a glare of red caught his attention. The Red Book Sams' mind thought. Hesitantly he lifted the book from its spot on the table. Placing the glasses back onto the table he glanced around to make sure Frodo wasn't up yet. Cautiously Sam opened the first page. As Frodo had said the beginning was Bilbos' part. While chewing on his lip Sam flipped through the pages till he found the neat handwriting of Frodo Baggins.
Looking nervously around the room once again Sam began to read to himself.
...The nightmares never really went away, I get them still. Sam knows of only a few; I don't want to worry him. The scar from the wraiths blade has been hurting a lot more these last few weeks, I have a feeling it will get worse as the anniversary of it's creation approaches. I wish it were only the wound that is hurting, but it seems it's started to take a toll on my health of late. When I do manage to sleep it is usually filled with the most horrid nightmares...things that haunt me in my waking hours. Sam manages to feed me well, despite my lack of appetite. I don't know what I'd do without him. Sam paused in his reading; this section was clearly Frodo's thoughts of late. Sam scanned the page to see that halfway down Frodo's thoughts seemed to stray back to the quest.
A whistling sound broke Sam's concentration, the water! he thought and quickly abandoned the book back to its resting spot on the table. A few moments later Sam was carrying two large pots of water towards the bathing room. After pouring their contents into the tub Sam went back collect the others. Soon the tub was filled with nice warm water. Sam sighed running his fingers through its watery surface. He hoped Frodo's invitation for him to use the bath was still open.
Removing his clothes Sam submerged himself in the soothing water. Seeing a few pretty coloured bottles sitting on the edge caused Sam to reach for one and smell it's contents. Mmmm lavender Sam's mind thought. Taking a cap full of the flowery scent Sam poured it into the bath and swirled it around. The purple liquid mixed in with the water causes a light layer of bubbles and lovely smell to descend upon the water. Sam sighed and lay back in the water; closing his eyes he let the calming sensations wash over him.
The peace didn't last long though, not ten minutes after settling in did Sam here a light knock at the door. Opening one eye Sam glanced at the closed door, inwardly groaning before he responded.
"Y-Yes?" he asked, clearing his voice.
"I've brought you some tea Sam, I know I usually like a cup while in the bath. Also I don't believe you have a towel in there do you?" Sam glanced around; he had forgotten a towel he thought blushing at his own foolishness Sam sighed.
"You're right Mr.Frodo, and yes thank you I'd love a cup of tea." Sam watched the water hoping it would stay as bubbly as it was. There was a hesitation before Frodo replied,
"I'm coming in now, okay?" he asked. Sam swallowed hard and stared at the door.
"Alright," he said.
A moment later the door opened and closed again. Sam watched as Frodo kept his eyes averted and placed a towel on the counter. Sam mumbled a thank you. Frodo stood motionless for a moment, the cup of tea sitting in his hands. His eyes were focused on anywhere but at Sam. They both seemed to realize at this moment that Frodo would have to look at Sam in order to give him the tea. Sam watched as Frodo fidgeted for a moment longer. This was silly really; they had seen eachother bath before...on the Quest there wasn't much of an option. Of course on those occasions they had always kept their eyes averted from personal places.
Sam looked to his right to see Frodo had made up his mind and was now kneeing at the tubs edge.
"Here you are Sam," he said holding out the cup of tea.
Sam gratefully reached out to take the cup from Frodo, as he took hold of it his hands closed overtop of Frodos'. For a moment neither moved, both seemingly lost at the touch. Slowly Frodos' hands pulled away from the mug and rested in his lap. Sam blinked back into reality and raised his cup to take a drink. At first taste of the warm liquid Sam felt himself relax more. Frodo was right a tea while bathing was lovely. Placing the cup on the side of the basin, Sam looked at Frodo whose eyes were focused on the ground.
"Thank you Frodo," he said.
Frodo's eyes darted up to meet Sams'. Then Frodo smiled at him, and Sam couldn't help but smile back,
"You know I quite like it when you drop the 'Mister' from my name, "
Sams' eyes widened, "I...I didn't even notice..."
But Frodo just smiled and stood from his kneeing position on the floor.
"How about I make breakfast this morning hmm? I can't guarantee it won't be a little charred but I can try!" he said brightly.
Sam watched him for a moment before nodding, "Alright if you'd like. But I'll be out soon to check on you," he said teasingly.
Frodo looked back at him from the doorway, "You'd better not Samwise! You just enjoy your bath!" he said with force before closing the door.
Sam had to laugh a little at their exchange, he just hoped the breakfast waiting for him would be eatable, not that he wouldn't eat it anyway.
Leaning back into his bath Sam sighed and set to drinking his soothing tea. Letting his eyes drift close Sam sat taking in the flowery scent of the water. A realization hit him that he hadn't even wet his hair yet. Leaning in some more Sam dunked his head beneath the waters' surface. Coming back up for air Sam reached for his tea once more and took another sip. Having finished most of his tea Sam set about to washing his hair and body. As Sam was rinsing the soap from his hair, the sound of something shattering echoed throughout Bag End. Bringing his head out from the water Sam bolted out of the tub and grabbed the towel from the counter. Once it was wrapped securely around his waist Sam ran from the bathroom towards the front of Bag End.
Looking into the kitchen Swam was surprised to see it abandoned, turning on spot Sam saw Frodo standing at the entrance to the sitting room. Shards of what looked to be a mug lay scattered at his feet. Sam approached Frodos' back and moved to see the hobbits face, Frodo was staring intently at the table set and chairs. The corked half-drunk bottle of wine still sat lonely on the table and Frodo seemed unwilling to look away from the display. Sam swallowed...last night...they almost
"Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked, and hesitantly reached out and placed one of his wet hands on Frodos' shoulder. Frodo jumped at the touch and regarded Sam as though he'd just realized he was there. "Are you alright Sir?" Sam asked.
Frodo said nothing and just stared at the dripping hobbit infront of him. Sam could have sworn for a moment he saw the same look burning in Frodo's eyes as he had the night before...but the next it was replaced by a look of embarrassment,
"Yes Sam, the mug...it slipped, must not have been holding onto it very well," He gave a convincing smile, but Sam could see the awkwardness in it.
"Well if you want to just step over here," Sam said helping Frodo around the shards. "I'll get this cleaned up," Sam saw that Frodo was shaking his head though,
"Don't be silly Sam, look at you! You're dripping everywhere, go on and finish your bath. It's my mess I can clean it up,"
Sam nodded, "Alright, you just be careful," he said and started to walk back to the bathing room.
"Oh by the way Sam," Sam stopped and turned to face Frodo. "Your sister Daisy came by with some fresh clothing for you, I put them by the bathing room door."
Sam smiled. "Oh well I'll have to go thank her this when I'm done," He then walked off to finish his bath.
Upon returning to the kitchen after his bath Sam found the table had two plates set up with bacon and sausages on them. In the middle on the table sat a large amount of different fruits. Frodo looked up from the book he'd been reading and smiled at Sam.
"I wasn't sure how much you'd like, there's more on the counter if you'd like any," Sam smiled and sat down across from Frodo.
"Thank you Mr.Frodo this looks delicious," he said genuinely reaching for an apple to cut up.
Frodo laughed a little, "I'm surprised I managed not to burn anything this time," he said picking at his food.
"I knew you could do it," Sam said in-between mouthfuls. Sam noted that Frodo was still only picking at his food, only once and a while taking a small bite.
"You know," Sam said getting Frodos' attention. "It's not good to pick at your food, lest it decides to pick at you," he said repeating a phrase he remembered his mother saying to him as a lad.
Sighing Frodo put down his fork and smiled sadly at Sam. "You'd think after going through all the trouble of making it I'd be more inclined to eat it, but it seems my stomach is not all that fond of me this morning. I think I may have had one glass too many last night." Sam paused his folk halfway to his mouth, this was the first time either of them had mentioned the night before. What does Frodo remember anyway? Sam wondered.
"Oh," he said completing the movement and swallowing the now tasteless food. "Not feeling too sick I hope?" he asked watching Frodo carefully.
Frodo shook his head and smiled reassuringly. "Just a bit of a headache is all, it'll fade in an hour or two, they usually do," he said. Sam nodded but was unsure of how truthful Frodo was being.
"I've just remembered that I need to thank my dear sister for these fresh clothes." Sam said and stood from his seat. Out of habit he reached for their unfinished plates but found his hand slapped away by Frodo.
"Oh no you don't Sam, I'll clean up you go see your sister," Sam started to protest but Frodo gave him one of those looks. One of those looks that told Sam no matter what he said he was not going to win this one. Sam smiled and shook his head a little.
"Alright then Mr.Frodo, I'll be back in a little bit then,"
Frodo nodded and waved him off.
The sun shone brightly as Sam walked down the lane towards his home. As he rounded the corner Sam could see his old Gaffer sitting on the bench out front smoking his pipe. Sam smiled brightly as he opened and closed the gate behind him and approached his Gaffer.
"There's that son of mine! Finally decided to come see your family after how many days this time?" he asked taking another puff of his pipe.
Sighing Sam sat down next to him and pulled his own pipe out, packing it full and lighting it. Sam inhaled the sweet smoky taste and turned to regard his Gaffer.
"Now da' you know Mr.Frodos' needing all the help he can get up there. Been through a lot he has."
The Gaffer just nodded and took another haul off his pipe. "Well it just so happens Sam my lad, that I had a talk with your Mr.Frodo a few days ago about this very matter."
Sam looked up at him in shock; and started coughing on the smoke he was inhaling at the time. "Wha...what did you say to him?" he felt a swell of panic rising in his chest. Frodo hadn't mentioned a talk with his Gaffer.
"Now don't go getting your trousers in a knot, I was jus' telling him that seeing as you practically live there now that maybe you should move in!"
Sam stared at him wide-eyed. "You wha..."
But the Gaffer cut him off, "Now it was all in good fun, of course I wasn't actually suggesting that you move in with him! I mean how would that look hmm? But you know what he said?" he paused waiting for Sams' response; Sam numbly shook his head at the question. "He said I was right! And that it was a wonderful idea as long as it was what you wanted," Sam stared stunned at his Gaffer. Frodo wanted him to move in with him? "Yes I know, I was right stunned myself," he said.
Sam tried to open his mouth to speak but found he didn't know what to say.
"By the gods, you're actually thinking about doing it aren't you?" The Gaffer said turning back to his pipe. He made a 'humph' sound and took a long haul. "Well can't say as I blame you, grand home he's got there. Not to mention you'd be set wouldn't you? Not need to worry bout a thing." Sam shook himself out of his shocked state,
"Now listen here, if I decide to move in with Frodo it won't be cause he's well off or any such like that. I care about him and if I move in then it'll be so I can look after him better."
Gaffer raised his hands in surrender. "I know Samwise, you wouldn't think of such things. I know you two have become good friends, but sometimes I wonder where your head is at." The Gaffer shook his head and then turned to regard his now empty pipe. "Bah...I'm done." He stood from the bench and turned back to Sam. "Whatever you decide to do lad, I'll support you,"
Sam smiled at him. "Thanks da," he said.
The gaffer nodded and turned to go back inside, "Oh by the way why did you come around?"
Sam jumped to his feet, "Oh! Daisy! She came by with some clothes for me, I wanted to thank her,"
The Gaffer nodded. "Ah well she's at the market right now, I'll tell her for ye, she's left you a pile to bring over to Bag End just inside here, you want to take it now?"
And so Samwise Gamgee whose arms were now filled with a large box in which things peaked out of on various edges, walked back up the lane towards Bag End. As the hobbit approached the great Smial a loud crash could be heard from within.
"Oh dear," Sam mumbled to himself and he pushed his way through the gate and came to the great round door. Sam began fumbling with the box in his hands trying to find a way to get the door open without spilling all his stuff everywhere. "Oh fiddlesticks!" Sam cursed.
"Sam?" he heard Frodos' voice question.
Sam peaked around his box to see Frodo standing in a now open door. His eyebrows were raised and looked as if he was ready to burst into laughter.
"Erm...Mr.Frodo would you mind...I mean this box in kinda heavy..."
Frodo snapped back into reality and moved aside for Sam to enter. "Oh silly me, sorry Sam, come on in,"
Sam walked into the Smial and with some awkwardness placed the box on the ground just inside the door. Frodo watched as Sam straightened himself out, smoothing out his clothes the best he could.
"Well I see you've talked to your Gaffer." Frodo said turning to walk into the kitchen. Sam stood still for a moment unsure if he should follow, "I had hoped to talk to you about it first," he heard Frodos' voice from the other room. Sam walked over to the kitchen and sat down in the first available chair.
"Would you like some Tea? Or water perhaps? You look like you could use it,"
Sam smiled, "Some water would be nice," he said.
He was of course parched; carrying a heavy box up the hill in the mid-day sun was no easy activity. Frodo walked and over and passed Sam a glass of cool water and sat across from him.
"So they couldn't wait to pack you full of stuff and send you out the door eh?" Frodo laughed with some awkwardness,
Sam smiled at this. "Seems so," he responded.
There was a few more minutes where they sat in silence and Sam inhaled his water.
"If..." Frodo started but his words failed him. Clearing his voice he tried again, "If you don't want to stay here I'd understand, I mean I keep you here too much as it is." Frodo looked around anywhere but at Sam.
"Mr.Frodo..." but Frodo kept talking,
"I understand you have a life, you can't always be here to look after me, nor I expect you want to..."
"Mr.Frodo..." Sam tried again but once again Frodo just kept talking.
"I just get lonely when your not here but I know I'm just being selfish..."
"Frodo!" Sam yelled and reached out for Frodos' hands. Frodos' eyes met Sams'.
"Do you really think I'd carry that heavy box all the way up here if I didn't want to stay?"
Frodo opened and closed his mouth a couple times before settling for a smile.
"Now," Sam said standing. "Where shall I put this all this stuff," Sam asked and held out his hand to Frodo.
"Oh!" Frodo said and jumped to his feet, "Follow me,"
"Frodo?" Sam paused.
Frodo turned around and looked at Sam, "Hmm?" he asked.
"What crashed?"
Things were going right smoothly for the two hobbits. Sam settled in nicely and was slowly getting used to not having to ask Frodo to do certain things and so on. Of course he was still Frodos' gardener but he knew even if he wasn't getting paid he'd end up in those gardens anyways. Sam was careful when around Frodo; trying his best not to let his thoughts stray to things they shouldn't. The Red Book thankfully had been placed back into Frodos' study where Sam couldn't stumble upon it again. Not that he'd let Frodo know that he'd read anything from it. But Sam was keeping a closer watch on Frodos' sleeping patterns and eating habits. He seemed happy enough most of the time, but Sam could tell when those sudden moods would take him.
It was a week and a half later; Sam was busy re-planting one of the rose bushes. Frodo, Sam was happy to say was laying in a homemade hammock a in-between two trees near by with a good sized book in his lap. Sam sighed and wiped his brow with his hand, the noon sun was shining down on him and he found himself getting more then a little thirsty. Standing Sam walked over to the well around the corner and got himself a big gulp of water. Upon returning he looked down at the bush he had succeeded in removing...there really was no point with winter approaching, but he thought the roses needed a new spot for when the new buds came in the spring. Sam carried the bush to the spot he'd picked out and set it in the already dug hole.
A profound thump from behind him caused Sam to turn his head in Frodos' direction. The hobbit now lay half-on/half-off the hammock. Frodos' torso and all but one leg it seemed had fallen off the hammock. The leg in question was now twisted in the hammock and when Frodo tried to move to untangle it he fell backwards and only managed to get it caught more.
Letting out a good hardy laugh Sam saw Frodo glare in his direction, though as an upside-down glare it wasn't as effective.
"Oh you think this is funny do you Sam?" he asked trying to untangle his leg once again but somehow managed to flip right around the hammock, his leg still caught and land on the other side. Sam burst into laughter then, the sight was just too funny not to laugh.
"Sorry Mr.Frodo but yes I do," he said and piled some dirt around the rose bush before standing.
Sam walked over to the tangled Frodo and looked down at him,
"Now Mr.Frodo how'd you end up like that?" Frodo was upside-down on the other side on the hammock and his leg still stuck.
"Come down here and I'll show you..." Frodo muttered.
Sam chuckled and moved so he was on the same side as Frodo; shaking his head Sam grabbed hold of Frodos' leg.
"Alright, you've got it right and twisted in here you know,"
He heard Frodo give a light chuckle, "Really? I hadn't noticed!" he exclaimed.
"Hold on," Sam said, and after a moment of twisting both Frodos' leg and the hammock Frodo tumbled forward and knocking Sam to the ground and falling on top of him. Sam landed on his back and had the joy of Frodos' legs narrowly missing his head and coming to halt on either side of his head. Sam swallowed hard...this wasn't good. Frodo had landed face down onto Sam.
Sams' mind whirled as he realized where Frodos' face had landed and most of all where part of Frodos' anatomy he was so close to. Sam tried to breath in, this was making his control your thoughts rule very difficult to follow. Sam felt a deep blush rise in his cheeks as Frodo managed to role off of Sam and to the side. They both sat up and looked at eachother, Sam was sure his face must have been at seven times brighter then the pink shade Frodo was wearing.
"Well that was interesting," Frodo said breaking the silence.
Sam nodded in agreement, "Is you leg alright?" Sam asked seeing Frodo absentmindedly rub it.
"Yes," he said looking at it, "just a little sore I think,"
Sam couldn't suppress his grin at the memory of Frodo all twisted up in that hammock. "You should have seen yourself!" Sam burst out.
Frodo made the best fake-shocked expression he could manage.
"Oh and I suppose you'd enjoy hanging upside-down with your leg twisted in a hammock would you?"
Sam stood and reached out his hand to Frodo who took it. "I imagine I would," Sam said.
Frodo stepped closer to him, a mischievous little grin on his face. What's he up to? Sam wondered.
Sams' question was soon answered when Frodos' hands shot out and proceeded to tickle him.
"Oi!" Sam yelled as tickled in all the spots he knew well. "That's...that's cheating that is!" Sam said trying to catch his breath, but as Frodo kept on with his assault that was becoming very difficult. Frodo just laughed at him and continued his attack, Sam lunged his own hands forward trying to get him back. This was after all, a two-player game. To his disappointment he found Frodo wasn't as ticklish as he used to be.
"Frodo!" he said in-between breathing and laughter. But it was too late and Sam felt himself fall backwards and land with a thump on the grass. To his surprise Frodo followed, sitting on his lap and continued his tickle-war. Sam tried again and this time was lucky enough to find one of Frodos' ticklish spots. Frodo laughed louder and tried to fight off Sams' hands.
"No...no...Sam...not fair!" he said between breaths. "Alright..." Frodo said laughing, "I give in!"
Sam smiled widely and stopped his attack; Frodo slumped tiredly on top of Sam.
"Oi!" Sam said, his need for air evident. Sam lay unmoving as Frodo caught his breath above him. Slowly Frodo moved away from Sam and Sam began to sit up.
They came to a halt when both were in a sitting position. Frodos' eyes shone with laughter, and as Sam met Frodos' eyes he felt the laughter begin to fade away from his lips. Frodo sat still, his legs straddling Sam. Breathing in Sam wondered...when had they become so close? He could feel Frodos' breath on his own, and Sam could feel some unseen force drawing them together. Sams' heart beat loudly in his ears as Frodo leaned in so their lips were a mere centimeter apart...all Sam had to do was lean in...
"Frodo!"
Sam blinked, confused for a moment,
"Oi! Frodo you out here?"
Frodo bolted off of Sam and jumped to his feet. A confused look crossed Frodos' face for a moment; Sam turned his head towards to voice to see Merry and Pippin stride up to them.
"Hello cousin!" Merry said as they approached.
Pippin looked down at Sam, "What are you doing down there Sam?" he asked looking from Frodo and then back at Sam.
"I...um..." Sam started,
"We had an incident with the hammock," Frodo finished for him.
Sam sighed relieved and pushed himself to his feet.
"No offence Merry but what are you doing here?" Frodo asked.
Sam watched the two hobbits curiously; it was true they weren't supposed to be down till next week.
"Why Frodo for your birthday of course! We sent a reply that we'd be here, you did say the day before didn't you?" Frodo nodded looking at them both. "I did Merry, but my birthday's not till next week!" he explained.
Merry laughed a little, "Oh Frodo I think you need to re-check that calendar of yours, your birthday is tomorrow mate!" Frodo started at them his mouth hanging open for a moment,
"Uh oh..." he said and ran into the Smial.
Merry looked at Pippin and they both shrugged.
"Are you two serious?" Sam asked.
They looked honestly at him, "Of course we are!" Pippin replied.
"Uh oh..." Sam repeated and jogged back to the Smial. If tomorrow was Frodos' birthday then he had a lot of food to prepare.
As it was it was indeed Frodos' birthday the next day. Sam spent the entire day and the first half of the evening preparing the dinner he had planned for the week after. Merry and Pippin had been given one of the spare guest rooms to use, but unlike Frodo they were both up bright and early. Sam of course had to as politely as possible tell them they had to fend for themselves that day.
As evening began to grow on them Sam sighed with satisfaction at his creation. A large chicken lay on the table, surrounding it were an assortment of cooked and raw vegetables. A dish of mashed potatoes, two loafs of freshly baked bread and two pumpkin pies for dessert. A bottle of wine was on the counter along with four glasses, incase anyone wanted some with dinner. Sam was so happy marveling at his creation he didn't notice Frodo walk up behind him. "It smells lovely Sam," he said causing Sam to jump and turn around.
"Mr. Frodo!" he smiled. "I just hope it tastes as good as it smells, and I hope you like it,"
Frodo smiled at him. "I'm sure I will,"
Just then there was a loud thump on the door,
"Now whoever could that be," Frodo muttered and walked to the door.
Sam followed him into the entrance hall a little curious himself. Frodo opened the door and almost dropped the cup his was holding.
"Gandalf?" Frodo said astounded. Sams' eyebrows raised and he ran over to the door as well.
"Happy Birthday Frodo!" They all heard Pippin yell from behind them.
All eyes turned and looked at the Took.
"What?" he asked.
Frodo turned back to Gandalf and the wizard bent down to hug the hobbit.
"It's wonderful to see you," Frodo said embracing the wizard.
"And you Frodo," he replied.
Then Gandalf turned to Sam and placed a hand on his shoulder, "you think it's amazing seeing me, wait till you see who was following close behind," he then chuckled and walked into the Smial.
Frodo and Sam looked at eachother with wide eyes and then bolted out the door to look down the lane.
It was certainly a sight that was for sure; it seemed the entire fellowship with a mix of hobbits walking with them were headed their way. Frodo and Sam backed into the Smial as a wave of people passed by them all greeting Frodo and wishing him a happy birthday. Sam watched in wonder as one by one everyone from the fellowship and all the friends that had been made on their journey appeared at the doorway. Sam was amazed; it was like everybody had taken time off from his or her lives just to be here for Frodos' birthday.
"Oi Food!" Someone from within yelled.
Sam raised his eyebrows. Food! Their dinner! Sam ran inside just as King Elassar and his beautiful wife Arwen arrived at the door.
Making his way through the crowds Sam saw that the dinner he'd spent so much time on was being consumed by many hobbits. A passerby patted Sam on the shoulder,
"Wonderful food Samwise, but I'm thinking we'll need some more,"
Sam looked around; it was true. All these folks were gonna be hungry and thirsty. As that thought crossed his mind Sam saw four large barrels of ale being carried over the crowd to an available table.
"Ale's here!" Merry announced, standing on a chair near the barrels. There was an eruption of cheers from the crowds as they all tried to push their way to the barrels. Sam looked back at the door to see Frodo leaning on the doorframe looking horrified at the crowd around them.
Sam walked over to him,
"What's going on Mr.Frodo?" he asked, even though he was sure Frodo knew nothing of this either.
"I have no idea Sam," he responded.
It was then just by luck that Merry and Pippin we're walking by, cups of ale in their hands. They were headed for the kitchen.
"Oi!" Sam yelled at them. "There's no food left in there all these folks have eaten it!" he didn't mean to yell at them, but his dinner he'd spent the whole day working on had just been ruined in five minutes.
"Yes," Frodo agreed beside him, "Do tell us Merry, Pippin, what is going on?"
They smiled sheepishly at eachother, "Well you see cousin, we knew you'd forget all about your birthday," Pippin said,
"So we thought we'd help you out a bit, invited the fellowship months ago" Merry continued.
"And you know how word spreads in the Shire..." Pippin said.
"So you have a great ole' party going on here..." said Merry.
"Here have an ale," Pippin said shoving a mug of ale into Frodos' hands.
Frodo looked at them blankly for a few moments before sighed and shaking his head. "Sometimes I wonder what my life would be like without you two troublemakers in it," They smiled and both gave him a big hug.
Pippin turned to Sam and passed him a mug of ale as well, "Come on Sam, cheer up! It's a party!"
A couple hours later, Sam sat on the couch in the sitting room. Gimli and some random hobbit sat next to him drinking ale and talking, what it was about Sam wasn't sure but he would catch the comments that Legolas and Gimli would shout at eachother across the room. Sam had managed to find some more food to put out in the pantry; the ale it seemed kept re-filling itself. A bunch of hobbits danced around the rooms as music was played. Sam couldn't himself but to bounce a little to the beat.
A pair of arms wrapped themselves around Sams' neck from behind and Sam almost jumped out of his skin. He heard a light chuckle from behind him, which he immediately recognized as Frodos'.
"I'm sorry about your dinner Sam," he breathed into Sam's neck.
Sam sucked in a breath, "tha...that's okay Mr.Frodo,"
Frodo moved around the couch so he was standing infront of Sam and smiled. Sam could tell by Frodos' stagger that he was a little drunk.
"Sam," Frodo said and held out his hand.
Sam looked up at him in confusion.
"Dance with me?"
OK that's the spot I've been wanting to end it. Jeeze this chapter turned out a wee bit longer then usual! LOL Anyways review!
