A/N: Thank you for the reviews! You guys are the best! Here's the next two chapters.


Frodo stared at the stout hobbit who eyed him nervously. Was he nervous or giving him one of those wary looks? Frodo could not tell and found himself agitated by the silence until Sam finally uttered a faint…

"Hullo."


Chapter two: Lunch with the Gamgees

Frodo made sure he didn't just 'stand there' like Lobelia had said and greeted Sam with a pleasant smile. "Hullo," he replied.

After the awkward introduction, a relieved Frodo Baggins sat at the table beside his uncle. Hamfast had been the one babbling while they ate heartily.

"What do you think of Bag End?" Master Gamgee asked Frodo.

"I like it," he answered, giving Bilbo a quick glance. "I'm happy to be here." Frodo gave another brief glance, this time at Sam who seemed to be very preoccupied with eating his stew.

Hamfast continued. "For a long time I tended your uncle's garden. But, I'm old now and my bones ache, too stiff to be doing anymore garden work. Sam will do the tending now."

Those words tugged Sam's attention away from his soup. He looked up at his father and then he mentally shoved himself to make eye contact with Frodo. "I asked your Uncle Bilbo and he said it's all right. I hope you don't mind, Mr. Frodo, sir."

"Hmm?" said Frodo, taken aback for a moment at Sam calling him 'Sir' what he wasn't used to hearing from anyone.

"The garden," Sam repeated. "Hope you don't mind?"

"No, not at all."

"I can take a look at it now if you like?"

"Of course," Bilbo cut in gratefully.

After Sam left the table, Bilbo eyed his nephew with a hint to follow the gardener.

"Excuse me," Frodo told them politely. He headed toward the open door and when he had gone outside, he hesitated at the top of the steps. His arms crossed behind the chestnut vest he wore. Frodo watched in silence while Sam studied the lifeless garden like the professional he was.

"I'll start working on it right away, planting seeds and all. Soon it'll be time for the flowers to bloom," Sam said eagerly. "I'll start tomorrow if you like?"

"Tomorrow will be fine." Frodo thanked him with a warm smile. He then folded his arms across his chest and despite standing in the sun; he shivered a little from the late March chill. It would have been too cool for a picnic. Again, his mind wandered, thinking, "I wonder if Sam would like to go on a picnic one day? No, I cannot ask. He's too busy with gardening and he must have other friends he would rather spend time with."

Sam trotted back up to the smial and then he stopped a few steps down from where Frodo stood. He had to think of something to start another conversation. "Your Uncle Bilbo is a good cook. I love chicken stew, and roast chicken."

"He told me you're a good cook, too."

Sam's cheeks turned a quick shade of deep red. He was never comfortable with accepting compliments, especially from a Baggins. Struggling with what to say next, the gardener uttered, "Mr. Bilbo is very kind."

"It sounds to me like you don't believe my uncle, that you really are a good cook."

"Well--," Sam paused timidly. He shrugged his shoulders and peeked down at the steps.

"I bet you can cook a delicious roast chicken."

"I'll try." Sam looked up, squinting from sunlight in his eyes. "One day, Mr. Frodo. One day."

A faint smile crossed Frodo's lips and then he nodded.

Sam said, "We ought to go inside before we catch a cold, and before my Gaffer wonders why we're not back yet."

Frodo followed him back into the hole where they feasted more of Bilbo's delectable lunch.


Evening came quickly. The Gamgees thanked Bilbo and Frodo for the lunch. It had been time to leave and during their trip down to Bagshot Row, Hamfast noticed his son was strangely quiet as they walked.

"Sam? Come now, lad, what's troubling you?"

"It's Mr. Frodo. I don't think he wants me tending the garden. Mr. Bilbo, I know he doesn't mind, but--,"

The Gaffer halted beside his son. "Samwise, that's nonsense. Why would Mr. Frodo not want you working in the garden? I don't think he's like that at all. Mr. Frodo, from what his uncle told me, and now that I've met him, is a nice gentle hobbit, very much like Mr. Bilbo. You'll see things differently once you get to know him better."

Sam nodded and yet unconvinced by what Hamfast said. Nevertheless, he strolled alongside his father as they continued onward to their home.

Frodo picked up the last wet plate. With a cloth he wiped it in a circular motion until the plate was good and dry, and then Frodo placed it inside the pantry. After the kitchen had been cleaned up, he sauntered into the parlor where Bilbo sat in his favorite chair near the hearth. Frodo sat down in the other chair and warmed by an inviting fire beneath the mantle. He watched Bilbo puffing on his pipe and blowing out smoke-rings.

Bilbo stopped puffing for a moment and said, "Well, Frodo, what do you think of Master Hamfast and Sam?"

"They're good folk, like you said, uncle." Frodo rested his chin upon the heel of his hand, looking as if he pondered something. "I believe Sam will do a wonderful job with the garden, but I'm not so sure he--,"

"Likes you?" said Bilbo, leaning over the armrest and gazing steadily into Frodo's eyes. "That's what you're trying to say, isn't it?"

Frodo shrugged his shoulders and unsure of what to think about the gardener.

"Sam can be a bit shy at times and he's respectable, more than I can say for some of the folk in hobbiton. Give it time, Frodo. He's a good lad."


During the next morning, Frodo peeked out the window. He watched Sam scurrying about and planting numerous seeds. The question he wanted to answer had persisted despite his reluctance…

"Sam, when you're done, do you want to go for a walk?"

Frodo pushed aside his fears of what Sam thought of him and stepped out into the garden.

"Good morning, Mr. Frodo!" said Sam on his knees and covering a few seeds with dirt.

"Good morning, Sam." Frodo looked around the garden, and though there had been only shrubs with bare branches (some began to come alive with a few buds on them), he imagined all sorts of flowers: Red, pink and white roses, lilies, daisies and orchids blooming bright and cheerful. "It's going to be beautiful! The garden I mean."

Sam paused for a moment. He was surprised at Frodo's excitement or rather, his acceptance of him working on the garden. "I promised Mr. Bilbo I'll do my best."

"I know you will, Sam," and just as he mustered courage to ask the question, he faltered when Sam looked up at him anxiously.

"Mr. Frodo, uh, do you want to go to the Green Dragon tonight?"

Shocked, Frodo's eyes brightened and with a wide grin on his face he answered, "I would love to go!"

TBC