Imladris: Chapter Three - The Guardian

Disclaimer: The characters from The Lord of the Rings belong to the franchises for Tolkien ™ and The Lord of the Rings ™. I do not claim possession of any copyrighted characters. Any and all other characters belong to me and may not be used without my permission.

Rating: G

Characters: Sam, Gandalf, and Bilbo

I never thought I'd actually post this on I wrote it about a year and a half ago, when The Lord of the Rings reigned eternal in my mind. But I suppose it should be shared. Now I bring you Chapter Three Only one left to go.

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Sam was exhausted from his constant vigilance kept over Frodo, but refused to sleep. The guilt and anger pressed in upon him, though everyone had attempted to shake it from his mind. Merry and Pippin were Frodo's cousins true, but Sam was his guardian, his protector, and now he felt that somehow he had failed in the calling. His eyes moved slowly about the room, vaguely admiring the magnificent tapestries with all the colors of the rainbow and the carefully designed tile floor. When he looked close enough, the tiles seemed to resemble a garden of flowers. But not even the delicious palate of colors could shake his melancholy.

Looking back to the bed he sat besides, Sam's heart swelled with immense sorrow. Frodo was so very pale and still; nearly every hour on the hour Sam checked to make certain he was still breathing. At the touch of his masters light breath against Sam's cheek, he sighed with relief and leaned back against his chair. The calm voice from behind didn't startle Sam nearly as much as when he heard it that fateful day in The Shire. "So here you still sit, Master Samwise." Sam's eyes met the kindly ones that twinkled with ancient wisdom, "Yes, Mr. Gandalf, I'd rather not leave him just yet." With a cautiousness that bespoke of old bones, Gandalf sat quietly down beside Sam, his eyes going from Frodo's white features to Sam's look of concern.

"Sam, Frodo won't blame you for what happened. As Merry has already learned there was nothing either of you could have done in saving him. The choice was taken from your hands." Though Gandalf's words were somewhat harsh, his gentle voice softened the impact of them. "It's hard for me to accept that, Mr. Gandalf. I was there with him, so close I could touch him, but there was nothing I could do to help save him. And I despise myself for it." The gentle voice cracked with emotion, as the soft brown eyes filled with dewy tears. The last words were spoken in a voice so filled with self-disgust, Gandalf felt compelled to turn Sam toward him. Tears were mixed with fire in Sam's eyes though they did not yet fall, and Gandalf could see into this Hobbit's very soul.

Sam couldn't face the wizard, and tried to turn away, but Gandalf's strong hand on his chin prevented any movement. "Sam, what will be, will be. We cannot stop the future from occurring or ourselves from looking back. But moving on is what makes us grow and learn, shaping who we are." A single tear slipped silently down the Hobbit's cheek, making a path through the anguish. Gandalf gently pulled Sam onto his knees, looking at him with affection and an understanding that could only come from long-learned and hard-won wisdom. "What about Mr. Bilbo, sir?" The question was forced from Sam in a hoarse whisper. "I couldn't protect Frodo when he needed me most; how can Mr. Bilbo even look at me straight?" "Very easily, my boy." Both heads turned in unison toward the hunched character standing in the doorway. Bilbo had aged considerably from the last time Sam had seen him, with nearly pure white hair, and several wrinkles that accented his chipper blue eyes. Sam hurried down from Gandalf's lap and stood before Bilbo with his head bowed, expecting a scolding like his Gaffer used to give him for being "cheeky."

"Sam, my lad, I could never blame you for Frodo's injury," the familiar voice said quietly. "You and he have a connection that I could never doubt, and I know you did all you could for him. Even now, here you are waiting for Frodo to awaken, when you could be outside watching the elves, for which you have a deep love."Listening to the words, Sam's head lifted inch by inch, until he could look at Bilbo directly. "As much as I love elves, Mr. Bilbo, I could never leave him, not like this." A knowing smile touched the edges of Bilbo's mouth, and he nodded, "I know, Sam. Which is why I'm glad that my boy has one as loyal as you. He could never ask for any better. You are the one who is bringing healing to Frodo, just as much as Elrond's touch. You are his gardener, Sam. Tenderly caring for him until Frodo becomes strong once more." A hesitant smile touched Sam's lips and then grew into a genuine grin that Bilbo and Gandalf recognized as the Sam they knew. Bilbo's frail hand gentle squeezed Sam's shoulder as he whispered, "Welcome back, Sam."

Sam looked at them both, standing there smiling at him, and his understanding finally came. He truly had done all he could, and Frodo would never blame him. A half-smile touched the corner of his mouth as he remembered. Frodo always had been that way. Always loving, never blaming or condemning. The memory of Leo Baggins came to Sam's mind. I had thought myself guilty of some wrong doing. But Frodo knew better even then. Mr. Bilbo's wrong. It is I who am lucky to have Frodo. Bilbo's firm voice broke into Sam's thoughts with a jolt, "Now, Sam, I know you haven't been eating much since you arrived and I'm sending you down to the dining area for a bite." Sam's mouth opened slightly, but Bilbo spoke first, "Now no arguments from you, my boy, your master will still be here when you get back."

Sam reached over and gently stroked Frodo's hand for a brief moment. Frodo's color was brightening. It was no longer the death shade of white, and his arm was warming again. Sam could see it now, Frodo's improvement, where his grief had blocked the knowledge out before Gandalf and Bilbo had spoken with him, healing him of the guilt and anger. His smile was brilliant and lit up Sam's entire face. "If you'll stay with him, Mr. Bilbo, I'll go." Bilbo's eyes crinkled and he nodded, "I'll stay with him Sam. There is nothing for you to fear, for Frodo is coming back to us even as we speak." Sam nodded then said, "Well, I'll go see if I can find Mr. Pippin and Mr. Merry." Gandalf laughed, "No doubt you will find them wherever there is food. Now be off with you, Samwise, and have no fear for your master." Sam gazed at Frodo once more, and then, with a smile playing at his lips disappeared out the door.