Chapter 4: Sam and Frodo Fight

Every day the two hobbits would talk. Sometimes it would be for an hour and some days it would be for much more. Sam's Gaffer did not mind that Samwise was not doing his work, he was just pleased to see Frodo Baggins smiling. He remembered the lad when Frodo's parents were alive – laughing and carrying on. However now, Frodo would only do that when Sam was around.

The two hobbits were out having a picnic. Sam had cooked the food and packed everything, even though Frodo had insisted on helping. Sam would not hear that his 'Mr. Frodo' pack a thing. The food Sam had cooked – ham, tomatoes, carrots and fresh bread, which his mother had supplied – was all spread out on the blanket that Samwise had found. Both hobbit boys were laughing and talking about all sorts of things – from Bilbo's stories to their own 'adventures'. There was a pleasant breeze blowing, making a day that could be very hot cool and comfortable.

The breeze turned from light and airy to strong and brisk. The wind blew their cloaks away from the picnic site and into the waters that they were near. "I'll get them, Mr. Frodo," Sam said. He stood and scampered to the water. Sam and Frodo's cloaks were in the middle of the wide stream. It don' look too deep, Sam thought. He trotted over to the water's edge and peered down and into it. The water was slightly swollen from the rain they had received this spring and so the water was swifter than usual. Taking a deep breath, the gardener got into the water and began to carefully wade towards the cloaks. He made it over to them with ease. However, as Sam retreated back to the bank, he slipped upon one of the mossy rocks at the bottom of the river. The hobbit went down with a splash and a startled cry.

Frodo, meanwhile, was gathering up the picnic items. He looked up when he heard the splash. "Sam," Frodo called. When he got no answer, he called out again. Standing, he went to the river. "Sam! Samwise Gamgee," Frodo cried. Panic came into his eyes when he saw the younger hobbit floating face-down. Hastily, he jumped into the water and grabbed a hold of the back of Sam's shirt. Frodo wadded to the edge of the water and heaved the unconscious hobbit onto dry land. "Sam," Frodo called. When he got no answer, he beat on Sam's chest, trying to remove the water from his lungs.

Sam started coughing. Water poured out of his mouth. "Mr. Frodo, thank-ye," Sam said breathlessly as he continued to cough. Looking over at Frodo when Frodo did not answer, he frowned. "Mr. Frodo," Sam asked with uncertainty in his voice.

Frodo wore a scowl on his face. His chest raised and lowered harshly. "You could have died," he said suddenly, "Don't you ever do that again Samwise." Frodo stood and he paced. "Water is a dangerous thing. You are so careless, Sam! If I hadn't come, well, you wouldn't be here right now!" Frodo threw his hands in the air and his voice rose in anger. Frodo was not angry at Sam at all for all most drowning. He was trying to push Sam away. Frodo did not want to get closer to Sam for fear of loosing him. The hobbit did not think he could bare loosing another person.

The half-drown hobbit frowned at the ranting hobbit. What has gotten into Frodo? Why was he reacting like this? Sam frowned as he thought about it. Slowly, the frown left and was a look of understanding. "Mr. Frodo, you ain't gonna get rid of me tha' easily. Yeh think you can push me away by gettin' mad? Well, if you're mad…get mad. Don' hold it all inside. Come on and talk to me now. Hey, what you got to hide? I get angry too…I'll stand by you." Sam smiled up at Frodo with eyes shining with emotion.

The dark haired hobbit felt as if he could cry. He smiled down at his wet comrade. "Oh, Sam," Frodo whispered as he hugged his friend.

The End