Title: When Frodo Meets Sam
Author:
spikessweetgirl
Fandom: Lord Of The Ring triology
Ship: Sam/Frodo friendship
Disclaimer: Sadly the hobbits and Gandalf belong to Tolkien and not myself
Summary: After the death of his parents a grieving Frodo goes to live with his Uncle Bilbo in the Shire
Rating: G
Warning: This is not a slash story. It's a friendship, so if you looking for smut or male kissage, sorry. But check out the Aragorn/Legolas story below this post. No smut, but plenty of slash.
Notes: Happy Holidays </a></b></a>fienchen Our friendship has really been fun and has seen me through dark times working at that factory, so this story is dedicated to you. I wish that it could be better, I promise, my next Hobbit story will be a more wonderful work of art:) *hugs* You may want to check out the Why story again to make up for this one. Well, enough babble. On to the story...
When Frodo Meets Sam
It was a typical sunny day in the shire. Crops were growing and the hobbits were going about their every day activities. Nothing was out of place in the small village. Everyone was where they were supposed to be and a peaceful quiet fell over the town. Well…it was quiet until that damn wizard Gandalf came in with his baying horse and loud fireworks that always got the children round up in a frenzy of oohs and ahs. Only one Hobbit looked forward to Gandalf’s visits. Bilbo Baggins. The only hobbit known in all hobbit kind to leave the shire and travel the world outside.
Today’s visit wasn’t the ordinary visit Gandalf usually made to his old hobbit friend. Today he had a task and a somber task at that. He smiled warmly at the pouting hobbit child that sat next to him. Frodo Baggins. Son of Wilber Baggins. Brother to Bilbo Baggins. Sadly, Wilber and his wife Lucy were killed in a fire, leaving their young son all alone. Their will had stated that Frodo was to leave Hobbiton Falls and go live with his Uncle Bilbo in the shire.
“Come on now, young Frodo. You’re off on an adventure to Uncle Bilbo’s. You should be smiling,” Gandalf tried to elicit a smile from the child, but Frodo only looked at Gandalf, his frown deepening. It was evident that there would be no smiles from Frodo anytime soon.
“I want mama and da,” Frodo wiped away a stray tear. He had hoped not to cry at all. After all, crying was for babies, and he was no baby. But he couldn’t help it. His mama and pa were gone and no one would bring them back. They just told him that he had to leave his home and go live with his Uncle Bilbo, who Frodo thought of as great fun, but he was not mama and da.
“I already told you. Your mama and da are off in shire Havana. They want to come back to you but can’t. So they’ve sent you to your Uncle, who you always have fun with.”
Frodo didn’t reply to this. He just continued to glare straight ahead as hobbits came out the doors to watch Gandalf pass by, wondering when he‘ll let the fireworks off this time, disturbing their quiet atmosphere. But to some hobbit’s disappointment, there were no fireworks. Not this time. Not when death and loss surrounded his young charge.
“Be good for your Uncle, Frodo. He may tell you some stories if you’re good.”
“I don’t want stories,” Frodo grumbled, crossing his arms, trying to prevent his interest from being peaked. Normally, he’d love to hear his uncles tales of heroics and adventure. But this wasn’t normal. Normal was his parents accompanying him, begging his Uncle not to tell him anything too violent. But his parents were gone, so there was no more normal.
“Whoa!” Gandalf brought the horse to a stop in front of Baggins manor. Frodo’s eyes widened. He had never been to his Uncle’s before and seeing how big the house was…it was just too much for his little mind to handle at the moment. “Come Frodo!” Gandalf hoped down from the carriage and lifted the little boy down. Slowly, they approached the manor. Just as they stepped onto the porch, the door was flung open and there was Uncle Bilbo, happily greeting the both of them. Frodo found himself swept up into his Uncle’s arms, held close.
“Little Frodo, my poor boy. Don’t you worry about a thing. I will take care of you. No worries!” Bilbo held the boy close, looking at Gandalf, who sadly shook his head.
“We got here as soon as we could. Poor boy misses his parents. I don’t know how you’re going to deal with his grief, Bilbo. He’s inconsolable,” Gandalf sighed, suddenly feeling very old and tired. Dealing with death and a child’s grief were something he wasn’t used to. He knew he was terrible at it. Hopefully Bilbo could think of something to cheer the lad up.
Hearing the sound of soft childish singing outside the window, Bilbo had an idea. Young Samwise Gamgee, the son of his gardener, was about Frodo’s age. Maybe a new friend would cheer the boy up. Placing Frodo on the ground, he pointed to the door leading out into the garden.
“If you’d like some air, you can step out into my garden Frodo, my boy. Every time I get upset or find myself in despair, I always find that a sweet smell of a rose is all I need to cheer me up. Go. Try my remedy. See if it’ll lift your spirits.”
Frodo looked up at Gandalf, a bit unsure if he should listen to his Uncle, or stay where he was, almost hidden by Gandalf’s long robes. The wizard only smiled kindly and nodded.
“Go on Frodo. Go out and play while your Uncle and I square everything away.”
Feeling as if he had been an ungrateful brat during the trip over, Frodo hugged Gandalf tightly, knowing that this would be good-bye…at least for a little while. Gandalf just chuckled and ruffled the child’s hair. He felt a tear in his eye as Frodo ran out to the garden, probably looking forward to whatever surprise Bilbo had in store for him.
“What’s out there, Bilbo old friend?” Gandalf asked, just as Frodo disappeared through the door.
The elder hobbit just smiled knowingly, and winked. “The one thing Frodo is least expecting. Something he needs the most of right now.”
Gandalf frowned, not sure what Bilbo had in mind or if he would approve. Sighing, he looked out the back window, keeping an eye on Frodo. No matter what may happen now, the boy was to play a huge part in the future.
*************
The garden Frodo Baggins ran out into was in full bloom with roses, lilies, fruits and vegetables. But none of this was on little Frodo’s mind. What he thought about was the fact that his mama and da wouldn’t see this garden ever again. He sat down on the small bench next to the building and began to cry. He was homesick and hungry, plus he didn’t want to be here. He wanted to be back in Hobbiton Falls and have his da read him a story. But that was never going to happen again. His head fell into his hands as more tears began to fall. Frodo was so into his grief that he didn’t hear the sounds of yells and shouts coming in his direction until he looked up to see two boys, one he recognized as his cousin, running away from another boy swinging a gardening hoe.
“Get out of here! Brandybuck and you fool of a Took! Master Bilbo will have your heads for trying to steal his mushrooms!”
The boy known as Merry Brandybuck just turned around and stuck his tongue out at the angry boy and kept running, not even bothering to greet his cousin.
“Ah, Samwise Gamgee. You have to get better at chasing off those vagrants if you’re ever going to take your da’s place here someday,” The boy sighed, tossing the hoe aside. His eyes narrowed with suspicion as he spotted Frodo setting on the bench. Funny. He hadn’t seen anyone setting there before, but maybe that was because he wasn’t paying attention. Was this another thief? Here to steal his master’s mushrooms? “Who are you? What are you doing here in my master’s garden? If you’re here to steal…”
“I’m not here to steal anything,” Frodo got to his feet, beginning to panic and dash back inside where Gandalf and his trusty magic stick now resided. Uncle Bilbo told me to come out here. I’m living here now and he wanted me to know the garden. Who are you? And why are you in our garden? I can tell my Uncle that you were chasing my cousin if you don’t tell me now!”
“Ah…you must be Master Frodo. My da told me you’d be coming. Just wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow. I’m sorry you had to witness that with Merry and Pippin. They’re constantly trying to steal Master Bilbo’s mushrooms, and thought that just because today my da had off, they’d be able to. Taught them right, I did. No one steals Mushrooms when Samwise Gamgee is on the case.”
“Samwise? What a funny name. What kind of name is that?”
“What kind of name is Frodo? Sounds like a pups name to me,” Sam frowned, his eyes shining with hurt, making Frodo regret his teasing. He hadn’t wanted to hurt his feelings. He just felt like teasing him a little.
“I was named after my great great grandfather. So now.”
“Well I was named after my great grandfather. But people usually call me Sam. It’s easier that way.”
“Oh. Ok. Sam,” Frodo shook the other’s hand, feeling sheepish for teasing someone he hardly knew. His mama would have had a fit if she knew.
“Frodo my boy!,” Bilbo stuck his head outside the door, his eyes dancing merrily. “Come! Gandalf and I want to tell you a story. Come!”
The two boys looked at each other. It was widely known among all young hobbit kind that Gandalf told the best kind of stories. It was a treat to be able to set at the wizard’s feet and listen to tales of daring and woe. Sam smiled, trying to be happy that this new kid…Frodo, got such an honor. He was probably close friends with Gandalf. He probably got told stories all the time. He only wished that he wasn’t some lowly gardener’s son so he too could set and listen to Gandalf’s tales, maybe with a cup of strawberry juice and mushroom bread.
“It’s ok, Mr. Frodo. Go on ahead. I’m sure Gandalf has a wonderful story to tell,” Sam forced a smile, looking down from the other boy’s gaze, blushing as he called him Mr. His father would be so proud of him. At last he was using the correct titles for his superiors. Obviously this Frodo had a connection to Mr. Bilbo, and should be addressed as such.
“Aren’t you coming?” Frodo frowned, not knowing how to respond and what was with the Mr.? Shire hobbits were so strange.
“I’m sure they don’t mean for me to come, Mr. Frodo. I’m the Gardner’s son. To hear one of Gandalf’s stories…why it’s a pleasure that is way beyond my understanding…or rather that’s what my Da always says.”
Frodo laughed and shook his head. Who was this kid? And why was he talking such stupid stuff. “Don’t be dumb. Anyone can listen to Gandalf’s stories. What does being a Gardner’s son have to do with any of it. Come Sam. If you don’t, you’ll hurt my feelings and it’s not very polite to hurt the feelings of someone who had lost his parents and have to live with his eccentric uncle.”
“But Mr. Frodo…”
“No. If you don’t go, I won’t go. Gandalf will just have to come out here to tell that story and then you’ll have to listen.”
Sam was overcome with emotion. All the other kids accepted that having fun and games and listening to stories was above him. They could care less if he ever had a moment’s pleasure in his young life. But this Frodo…he refused to accept Sam’s lot in life. He was going to force fun upon Sam. Even if it was seemingly what Sam did not want. Of course, it was what Sam wanted and he was grateful to Frodo for not letting him talk his way out of listening to the story.
“Frodo! Sam! The story is fading from our idle minds! If you keep lollygagging out there, it’ll be gone! Come!” Gandalf called out, a bit impatient.
“Coming!” Frodo called, taking Sam’s hand and pulling him towards the house. “Come Sam. Things are going to be different around here, now that I’ve arrived. You are going to do fun things for now on. Do you hear me? Starting now.”
“Yes Mr. Frodo,” Sam nodded, not knowing what else to say. Obviously this Frodo didn’t realize the laws of propriety. But he’ll learn, and then he’ll let Sam be, learning the way of the gardener from his father.
As Sam and Frodo sat at Gandalf’s feet, listening to tales of fighting dragons and saving princesses, Gandalf looked into the boy’s futures and his eyes gleamed. This was the beginning of a strong, beautiful friendship. Samwise’s mundane childhood was about to change into one of games and make believe. Frodo had gained, a loyal and true friend that will never leave him. Even when things turn rocky and dangerous in the young hobbit’s life. Watching the two youngsters, his heart filled with joy. The bond between them was already formed and strong. Nothing was going to come between them and that was going to be what Frodo needed to survive. Sam’s undying loyalty and love.
The End