A/N: This chapter is rated PG. I know I ratedthis story'G' at first but sometimes the muse goes in a different direction during the middle of a story.
Chapter three: A night at the Green Dragon
Frodo and Sam headed toward the Green Dragon Inn on a chilly evening. Their gray cloaks kept them warm. Bright stars were clearly seen in the indigo sky, and shining down upon the two hobbits was a full moon greeting them with its brilliance unwavering. They strode inside the inn packed with boisterous hobbits, drinking hobbits and those who danced and sang.
While Sam searched for a table, Frodo walked alongside him. At the same time, he hadn't overlooked the nosy hobbits and their eyes darting toward his way. He sighed inwardly and wished the folk didn't make it so obvious about him being 'Bilbo's-nephew-who-just-moved-in-to-Bag End.'
"Here's a table," said Sam and they sat nearby the wall.
Frodo watched the gardener as he peered around the crowd; every now and then, his eyes glanced shyly at the barmaid serving mugs of ale.
"Who is she?"
"Huh? Oh--," Sam started and embarrassed Frodo noticed what he was doing. "That's Rosie Cotton."
Rosie spotted them and ambled her way through the crowd.
Sam whispered, "Here she comes!"
Miss Cotton stopped by their table, holding a tray in both hands and smiling amiably at the two hobbits. "Hullo, Sam!"
"Hullo, Rosie," he answered shyly. "Oh, this is Mr. Frodo, Bilbo's nephew."
"Hullo, Mr. Frodo," she shouted above the noise.
Frodo stood politely from the chair. "It's a pleasure meeting you, Miss Cotton."
And when Frodo sat down, Sam said to Rosie, "We'll have two pints."
The gentle hobbit watched Rosie leave the table, then his attention skirted back to Sam. He had a feeling his gardener was very fond of Rosie, but Frodo carefully avoided talking about her. He dared not make awkward matters such as this one any worse.
While waiting for their ale, Sam decided to say something. "Mr. Bilbo told me you have two cousins."
"Yes, Merry Brandybuck and Peregrin Took." Frodo thought it odd that Sam seemed to be shielding the left side of his face with his hand. "Oh no, he's ashamed to be with me. I knew it. What is it Samwise Gamgee, are you concerned about what the others think? I'm sure they gossiped to you about me. Please, I hope it isn't true…I need a friend."
"Are you all right, Mr. Frodo?"
"Yes, I'm—I'm fine." Frodo shook his head and suddenly troubled. "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
Distracted, Frodo peeked over Sam's shoulder at the table behind them. There sat four hobbits and it seemed a ruckus was starting to brew. He glanced back at Sam.
"Forget it. It's nothing."
"Mr. Frodo, there's somethin' on your mind."
"Well, I was thinking…did Uncle Bilbo tell you about his adventure?"
Sam's hazel eyes were wide and his lips fell at hearing the word 'adventure' "He told me many tales about his adventure!" Sam's eyes widened even more. "He talked about the elves, sir."
At that moment, Rosie stopped by again with the tray. She grabbed hold of one mug, setting it down in front of Sam, and then she took the other and did the same for Frodo. She gave them another endearing smile and walked away.
Sam picked up his mug and as the rim touched his lips, he hesitated. The commotion behind him grew worse. Among the four young and drunk hobbits, two argued.
"Sam," said Frodo. "We ought to sit at another table."
The gardener nodded agreeably but before he could search for another table, the two hobbits behind him leapt up from their seats. By now the argument was clearly heated and caught the attention of others sitting nearby. The hobbit closest to Sam had stumbled backward, bumping against his chair. Annoyed, Samwise jumped onto his feet and whirled around. "Hey!" he yelled. But the quarreling hobbits ignored him. The one who bumped into Sam quickly ducked an oncoming fist. Instead, it struck the gardener with such force that he had no time to do anything. He spun, fell and hit his head with a thud against the edge of the table.
Screams bellowed from many lasses and among the screams another voice was heard.
"Sam!" Frodo knelt over the gardener. Blood peeked from beneath Sam's golden curls and snaked down the side of his face.
A dazed Samwise searched for the gentle hobbit and when he saw Frodo kneeling over him, he whispered, "Mr. Fro--," the rest of what he wanted to say had been silenced by unconsciousness.
Frightened and stunned at what he never expected, again Frodo shouted, "Sam!"
TBC
A/N: I apologize for these short chapters but I felt it was better this way instead of writing it all in one chapter. The next one is coming very soon.
