Chapter two, Many meetings.
Samwise was sitting in an armchair warming his cold feet by the fire. Rosy was singing quietly to herself of tales of old as she was sewing Eleanor's pinafore. Elanor was asleep in her cosy bed. Sam leaned back in his chair and shut his eyes. He thought of all the work that would come tomorrow, weeding the garden, picking the last of his roses before the winter comes and taking Elanor to Pippins to play. He felt exhausted and was glad to rest his eyes. As he was drifting in and out of sleep he heard a knock on the door. Rosy got up to answer it.
"I'll get it dear." Samwise said. He stretched and rose from his chair. "I'm coming" he called grumpily. He padded to the door. He opened it and saw a hooded figure in the shadows. He gasped and took a step back. His mind raced back to the journey of long ago and thought of the cloaked riders also known as the ring wraiths. He grabbed a walking stick off the wall and held it like a sword. "Who goes there? What do you want from us? "We are nought but humble Halflings." The figure stepped forwards. Sam saw that it was a blue cloak the figure was wearing and was drenched at that too. The figure looked weak and shivered. "I said, state your claim sir."
"Samwise, how I have missed your fierce temper and caution to strangers." The strange man replied.
"How do you know my name? Actually more to that how do you know me?" Sam asked sternly.
"Oh Sam, don't you recognise me?" With that the man flung his hood off and smiled broadly.
"M-Mr Frodo is that you?" stuttered Sam
"Aye it is me and I am in great need of some warmth and food for I have been on a long journey. If you would allow me to enter I shall explain all."
They sat down and Rosy pottered into the room with freshly brewed tea. Frodo drank with great pleasure. Now he talked of what has happened. He told of how Elrond returned to middle earth and how Bilbo had stayed behind and Sam gasped at the sad parts and smiled at the good.
"I'm overjoyed that you have returned Mr Frodo. You may stay the night with us as bag end is too far for you to travel to at so late in the evening. For now we shall eat!" Sam, Rosy and Frodo ate a meal of bread, cheese and goblets of milk from Farmer Maggots farm. It was a happy company but soon Rosy saw that both Frodo and Sam grew weary.
"Come Mr Frodo I have made a bed for you in our living room and I hope it is to your satisfactory." Rosy said politely.
"Thank you Rosy, you are too kind." Frodo replied. Frodo lay down his weary head and fell asleep instantly. Sam sat for a while watching Mr Frodo sleep.
"Come to bed Sam you have been here for over an hour." Rosy said softly.
"I feel as if this is a dream and therefore I cannot go to sleep for then I might lose him again." All the same Sam arose and took hold of Rosy's hand and together they went to bed.
The next day Frodo awoke to a cry and a thump on his bed.
"Uncle Frodo!" The voice cried.
"Hullo Elanor. How are you?" He asked groggily.
"I am well thank you. Guess where I'm going today." Elanor said excitedly. Frodo looked at her. "I'm going to Pippin's to play!" She exclaimed gleefully. Frodo smiled.
"Well that's great to hear Elanor. Tell me, what is the time?"
"It's just gone 7. Mother is in the kitchen and Father is in the garden."
"Thank you, I will go and see them." Frodo said. He waited for Elanor to leave and then he got up and changed.
Frodo walked out into the garden.
"Hullo Sam, how are your plants doing?" He enquired.
"Mr Frodo, you're awake." A smile broadened on his face. "I was just picking the last of my roses before the winter comes and kills them." "I'm glad you're still here Mr Frodo."
"Did you think I would leave you after all we've been through?" Frodo asked him.
"No but I felt as if last night were a dream because I have had so many dreams like that." He blushed.
"Oh Sam." Frodo's eyes welled up with tears.
Rosy walked into the garden, "Samwise Gamgee, It is breakfast time and you've never missed one of my breakfasts before." She said stubbornly. She looked at Frodo, "Mr Frodo, are you staying for breakfast?"
"I should like that very much thank you Rosy." Frodo smiled broadly.
"Good, then afterwards you two can take Elanor to Pippins house." Sam and Frodo nodded and they all went inside. After eating a big breakfast consisting of ham, eggs and fried potatoes (Sam of course made the potatoes) Sam, Elanor and Frodo walked to pippins house.
Sam was just about to open the gate when a loud crash arose from Pippins house. Sam and Frodo exchanged glances and ran up to the house. The door was slightly open so Sam wearily pushed it open and took one step in. Frodo placed his arm in front of Elanor protectively. They walked cautiously towards the kitchen. There were shatters of plates lying on the wooden floor. Pippin turned around and when he saw Frodo he dropped another plate.
"Frodo?" he cried in astonishment.
"Oh Pippin I've missed you. What is all this on the floor?" Frodo asked Pippin
"Frodo?" He asked again. "Is it really you? I missed you so much but Sam told me I shouldn't because it's selfish and Merry told me that he was lying and that he missed you as well and oh is it really you?" He gabbled quickly.
Frodo walked up to pippin and hugged him tightly. Sam smiled and put his arm around his daughter.
"Sorry about the mess, I was trying to do some washing up. It went a bit wrong. What are you doing back though Frodo?"
"All will be explained. Where is Merry?"
"Merry doesn't know either?" Pippin asked surprised. Frodo shook his head. "Well he knew Elanor was coming and he was going to just sort out something at home and then come round. We might as well have a second breakfast until he comes." They sat and ate then Elanor went out into the garden to sit in the old apple tree. Soon afterwards there was a knock on the door.
"You should answer it pippin." Sam said. "We don't want to give him the shock of his life." Sam determined wisely. Pippin rose and walked to his door he opened it and Merry bustled in. "Merry! We have a guest." Pippin said excitedly. "You'll never guess who it is though."
"Is it Strider again?"Merry asked. "He was here just last week."
"No guess again" Pippin said.
"Well it can't be Elanor because I knew she was coming. Hmmm" He paused. "Oh no, It's not Legolas is it?"
Pippin rolled his eyes "No of course not silly. Come into the kitchen and see. "Pippin led the way into the kitchen practically bubbling with joy. Merry entered the room and saw Samwise sitting at the table.
"Is it Sam who's come to visit? Honestly Pip you make me nervous for nothing."
Sam stood up and said "Well I'm sorry that I'm not interesting enough." All the same he moved out of the way revealing...
"FRODO?!" merry cried. "Is it really you? Am I dreaming again?"
"No Merry you're definitely not dreaming. Come, now that we are all present I will explain all." Frodo told them the story with the aid of Sam filling in the parts he had forgotten.
"So where's Bilbo then? Is he waiting at Bag end?" Merry asked.
"I'm afraid not Merry, He decided to stay in the undying lands." Frodo explained. Frodo explained about Bilbo's decision. Merry shook his head in disbelief.
"Well, I suppose it's what he would have wanted... I can't deny I'll miss the old fellow though. It was good to listen to his stories."Merry wiped his eye and they all paused to think. "Well, Elanor will be fine with us. I'm sure you want to get back to Bag end Frodo don't you?"
"Actually yes I really would please." Frodo said. He got up and stretched.
"Will you come back Frodo?" pippin asked hopefully. Sam and Merry shot him a vicious glance. "What? I was just asking what you're both thinking." Pippin said defensively.
"Of course I will Pippin. What if you three come and have dinner at my house tonight? Shall we say seven?" The others nodded. Frodo bade them farewell and left the house.
Merry looked at Sam. "This may emotional for Frodo. You'd better go with him."
"But what about Elanor?" Sam asked.
"Don't worry, me and Pippin will look after her. We could take her to Farmer Maggots fields." Merry said hopefully.
"Absolutely not!" Sam said.
"Ok we'll just take her for a walk into the forest." Pippin said.
"Very well." Sam said He bade them farewell and ran after Frodo.
"Mr Frodo wait!" Sam called. Frodo turned around. "I thought you might like me to come along with you to Bag End. Merry and Pippin are looking after Elanor so I can come with you, If you like?" He added softly.
"Of course I would Sam thank you." The two walked up the lane towards Bag End.