[piosenniel]

Orual's Post

The stars twinkled comfortingly overhead as Sam guided the pony and cart home, humming softly to himself. Rose was nearly asleep beside him, and all of his children were quiet in the back, having worn themselves out in the Great Pudding War. He glanced back and saw Ellie lying on her back, Goldilocks and Rosie-lass asleep by her, and the boys all either asleep or too quiet for Sam to know the difference. What a night it had been. All of the children left the Inn covered in pudding but quite jolly, and the parents had all resigned themselves to a bit of cleaning up afterwards, but none considered that price too steep for a lovely evening.

"...fun, Sam?"

"What?" Sam turned at his wife's half-heard query. She had a smile on her face, but her eyes were weary and she had to fight to keep them open.

"Did you have fun tonight?" she repeated, resting her head on his shoulder. Hamfast was sleeping on his mother's lap, his chest rising and falling gently as Rose stroked his curls.

"Oh, yes, very much," Sam said, and didn't meet his wife's eyes. He had enjoyed talking with Cami, that was true...and it was nice to see Merry and Pippin again...and it was certainly wonderful to see his children having fun, and most especially seeing Elanor meet Frodo.

"I'm so glad that you talked to Frodo before we left," Rose murmured, beginning to fall asleep. "It will be so nice for the two of you to be able to really talk again, and don't think I didn't see how awkward you both were at the beginning of the party..."

Sam smiled a little as Rose trailed off. He pulled off of the road and sat her up straighter, putting Hamfast on a blanket in the back next to Rosie-lass. He then climbed back into his seat and continued on the way home.

Rose was so sure that he talked with Frodo after the party--and he did, in the most literal sense of the word. But they hadn't actually said anything. It had been more of the sort of talk that strangers used with each other..."My, Elanor's grown." "Nearly thirteen now, she's quite the little mother--helps Rose with the children all the time, without ever being asked. We couldn't do without her!" "She's quite the young lady now. She's very beautiful...I imagine that you need a stick at all times to beat off the lads." "Oh, yes, she has lots of would-be suitors, but she's got enough sense not to let them too close. She's very good about that."

Come to think of it, most of the talk had been about Elanor. Sam looked at the now-sleeping girl. Her lovely face, framed by her golden locks, was peaceful and content. Once again Sam found himself envying his eldest daughter, and once again he immediately pushed the feeling away.

Perhaps Frodo would come by Bag End, and then they could talk. Really talk, without the pressure of prying eyes, maybe even take a long walk through the Shire, away from everyone, and truly get reacquainted.

Or maybe they wouldn't.

Just don't let this chance go by, or you'll always regret it." Merry's words came back to Sam in a rush, and he winced. He would regret it, he knew, if Frodo left again and they had not truly spoken. Because though Sam did not fully understand how or why Frodo and Bilbo were back in the Shire, he was sure that they would not come again. This would be the last time that he would see Frodo in Middle-earth, of that he had no doubt. Perhaps what Frodo had said when he left for the West had been correct, and someday Sam would join him there, but that would not be for many, many years. Surely it would not be until all of his children were grown, and he and Rose had no plans of stopping at eight--as he had said in his letter to his sister, they were shooting for thirteen. So if he did not speak to Frodo now, another chance would not come for years, perhaps ever again. He resolved to talk to Frodo, really and truly, before he left.

He stopped the cart as they arrived at Bag End, and gently woke Rose. He helped her out of the cart and they brought the children in, washed the little ones, and sent them all to bed. Rose put Hamfast back to sleep while Sam read to the older children from the Red Book. When they were both done they returned to the living room, and Rose pretended to faint onto the couch.

"What a day this has been," she sighed. "The children had fun, though, and so did I. It was nice to talk with Diamond--though she is a bit stuffy, don't you suppose? She didn't seem to approve of the children's pudding fight. I thought it was funny, if a bit tough to clean up after--I don't envy Cami and Piosenniel the mess they'll have to deal with at the Inn. I should have offered to help, but I was so tired I'd probably only make a bigger mess than there was to start with! I think I ought to see if I can help tomorrow, though. Even Cami and Pio must sleep, and I imagine they'll let the mess sit until the morning. I know I would."

Sam was only half-listening to Rose's talk, and she was only half-listening herself. "I'd wait until the morning myself, as well, but for now it's time for bed. Shall I carry you?"

Rose laughed. "What a lucky lass I am. No, you don't have to carry me, but I wouldn't say no to an arm to lean on. I'm tired myself--let's turn in for the night."

Sam didn't respond, but led her to bed, then climbed in himself. Rose was quickly asleep, but Sam stayed awake long after, thinking on the night's happenings, and resolving to meet with Frodo at least once before he left.

[ March 05, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]