My friend Eleon and I are always pretending to be Sam and Frodo when we get together, so one day I e-mailed her and asked her if she wanted to write letters as Frodo and Sam, and she said yes. So now we are posting them here. I wrote Frodo's, she wrote Sam's. They take place about the time when Sam is nine or ten and has just learned to write well enough to send letters, so Sam's spelling is not that great. This is no fault of the writer, Eleon has impeccable spelling, it's just the way we decided it should be writ. Er, written. Enjoy!

God bless,

Elanor Silmariën

Dear Sam,

I am writing this on my way to Buckland for the summer. By the time you get it I will probably already be there. My Uncle Sara said Merry is very excited I'm coming, and apparently he has my whole summer planned! It should be very exciting. Uncle Sara said they got a new kitten and Merry wanted to name him after me, but they stuck on naming him Muffin because he got into Merry's muffins the first morning they had him. I'd best end now, we're coming up on an inn, and my stomach is telling me it's time for lunch! Please write back soon, I'll be waiting!

Your friend,

Frodo

Dear Mister Frodo,

It is me Sam.

I don't rightly know when you'll get this, but I hope it's soon.

It'd be very strange to have a kitten named after yorself I'd be thinking, but it's no wunder they named it "Muffin".

I've hav not seen Merry in a while, but I know the lad enugh to know for sure he is very carless with his little daintes.

Not that I'm comparig him to anyon. And I doo hop your litle adventure is exciting! Doo not tell anybody I sayd that. I'd never hear the end of, "Samwise, you oght to be mor carful with yor words.", and "Sam Gamgee, doo not bee encuragin such nonsens in someons hed. Especaly since yuu doo not no haf of wat you are saing".

That is wat they'd all be saing. No encuragin adventurs, evn litle ons.

Oh, bother!

I have just gon ther and spiled the ink. Just wait till my old Gaffer heers about this. and of corse, he will want to reed the leter.

Oh, but I do love him.

Good buy for now Mister Frodo,

Samwise Gamgee

Dear Sam,

I do hope your Gaffer wasn't too angry with you for spilling the ink. I do that very often, but somehow Uncle Bilbo manages to have an endless supply of it. If you run out, just tell him I said you can have mine. Muffin is a very nice cat, though it's a good thing they didn't name him after me, as he's nothing like me. He's too bouncy. Merry was very glad to see me, and he wanted first off to introduce me to his new cousin (who is also one of my cousins several times removed on my mothers side) His name is Peregrin, though Merry calls him Pippin, because he says it's easier to say, and that a baby doesn't need a name as long as Peregrin. Our adventure hasn't started yet, but Merry says we shall go adventuring tomorrow, after Pippin's family leaves. (Though I don't think I need much encouraging for an adventure, I rather enjoy them!) Perhaps one day you and I will go on an adventure! What would your Gaffer say to that?

Your friend,

Frodo

Dear Mister Frodo,

I supose it was not as bad as I was thinkeng it was goeeng to be.

The botle tipped ovver, but not all the ink sppilled, I gess I was orev-overecteng...ov-er-re-act-ing. overreacting.

I couldn't reely see you beeng boucy, but you can get full of exsitment at timmes.

Peregrin? Wat dose that make him? Of, you know- family names, like Baggins and Gamgee?

You havve not started your adventure? I thought leaveeng Hobbitin in itself wood be a adventure.

What is srange, is that, in all the story's , the people that go on these adventures, don't seem to plan them. But, I supose that is Merry for you, he hass just got to have all his things in order, planed, and werking like a littlle grane mill.

IF I told anyone about an adventure, with you and me, they'd all be sayeeng, " Sam, you little fool, adventures do not make you respectable, but they dose just the differece". But, I almost would like to go. Just to provve them rong a little.

The Cottons invitted us for dinner and supper yesturday. And we had a grand timme.

I've got to go, and do my chores now,

Good buy,

Samwise

A/N: His spelling does get better, he is working very hard on it!

Dear Sam,

I am very glad you didn't get in too much trouble. I'm proud of your spelling overreacting! You're learning very quickly, my Sam! Keep working at it, and soon you will have it mastered. Peregrin is a Took, as Merry's mother is a Took, and is Pippin's father's sister. So Pippin is Merry's first cousin on his mother's side. Leaving Hobbiton to me is more like going back home when you haven't been there in a long time. Hobbiton is just as much my home, but I feel very much at home in Buckland. No one here gives me strange looks, and in Hobbiton they think I am strange because I come from across the river. There really is no difference between hobbits on this side and hobbits on the other, aside from that we in Buckland go boating. Bucklanders are just as normal as Hobbiton folk. As for our Big Adventure, Merry and I went out two days ago after Peregrine's family left, and went exploring all around Brandy Hall, which is where Merry lives. As he is much younger than I, he hadn't yet found all of my favorite hiding spots, so I got to show him those. He is planning an excursion to the swimming hole this weekend, though I must admit I am a bit scared, Sam. I haven't been swimming since my parent's accident, and I'm not sure I want to. How was your time at the Cottons? Was Rosie there? Did you talk to her this time? Well, it's all right if you didnt, dearest. You will one day. This letter is rather long! I'd best go, and not take up too much more of your time.

Your friend,

Frodo

Dear Mister Frodo,

Thank you. I'm been trying to learn that word really hard since my friend, Mackeyl Proud-Foot, very odd fellow he is, always says it, sinse he's always doin' it.

I see how you are all related now. All by the Took side. I say you're all done for, if you get together agan when you're older. I supose that you've got in trouble alot

already? I wouldn't really know what you mean. No ones ever looked at me strange, except that dirty, grinner Ted. He's always lookin' at me as if I was and idiot, and it's  just to get atention, too.

As for swimming, I think you'll do just fine, Mister Frodo. If not more than fine.

Rosie was there, and I did talk to her! It was so hard, but after a bit of just sitting there with her and the boys, (we were in their big tree in the south field), I got kinda' thinken' about Mister Bilbo's story's and how, even thogh he got a scared a bit he kept going, so I started to recite one of his songs! Pretty soon I got intoo one of my own songs. But then of all things the worst hapened, I started on a very secret song I wrote about Rosie! They didn't know it, but when I relized it, I stoped right there, and They all lauffed at my siting there in the tree, just chanteeng away, then just stoping.

No one knew that the song was about her, except her.

Oh, dear.

 It gettin' late, I had better get going! Have a good swimming trip!

Your Samwise.

Dear Sam,

We went swimming this morning. I was frightened at first, but then I saw Merry splashing about and enjoying himself as though the water was no more harmless than his little kitten, and I couldn't help but join in. I didn't go very far though. Just to my waist, I think. But it was enough. I don't think I am afraid any more. The river didn't mean to kill my parents. It just happened. Oh, I do hope Ted isn't giving you too much trouble without me there to help. Just thinking of him teasing you or bullying you makes me tense. Oh, Sam, I laughed so hard when I thought of you sitting in a tree singing to Rosie and her brothers! And singing about her, no less! Well, I should go to bed, and blow out my cande, Merry is taking me on another adventure tomorrow. His father, my Uncle Sara, said we could go on a walking trip and stay the night in the forest, just like Bilbo did, just him and me. I am surprised Uncle Sara trusts me this much, seeing how much trouble I used to get into when I lived there. But I suppose I have changed since I left Buckland. How is your family doing? And your garden? Are you marigold's growing yet?

Yours,

Frodo

Dear Mister Frodo,

I'm glad you had a good time swimming. Ted's not really all that bad, I guess. He's just a plain show-off. Dosen't believe in any of Bilbo's story's. He's really got no imagination.

I turn red every time I think of my adventure, and yet I can't help smiling 'cause I realy know that Rosie knew who was singing about, even though no one else did. Even today, she smiled when I passed her in the road, going down for a litle walk.

I was thinking of how Mackeyl got in trouble for going to dinner at someone's house and getting his foot stuck in a mopping pail, (even though the pail was in a closet).He's such a Tom-fool somtimes.

But I was walking and thinking and I happen'ed to walk farther than I thought. Down by the Cotton's when Rosie was walking about trying to remember one of the very verses I said about her. She looked up and said "Hallo, Sam.".

I didn't even know she was there, and I jumped out of my wits! She said she couldn't remeber that one verse, so I gave her the paper it's wrote on, (which happed to always be in my pocket), and she skipped away and said I'll keep it safe, Sam.

 I've gone on and writen too much already. I'm running out of ink.

My marigolds are finally starting to grow.

I'm sure your Uncle Sara trusts you more than he does, Merry.

Goodbuy,

Samwise

Dear Sam,

I pity those who do not have enough imagination to believe a thing however outrageous it may sound (There's a spelling word for you, Sam, outrageous). You and Rosie make such a lovely pair, I'm sorry if I embarrass you by saying that, but it is true, and I had to say it. I can't wait to see your marigolds when I come home, but at the moment I cannot see much other than the wall of my room. You see, Merry came down with a fever the day before we were supposed to go on our walking trip, and so we couldn't go. And then the next day I got it, only much worse, so now I am stuck in bed, and the only thing Aunt Esme will let me do is read and write this letter to you. I've sent a letter on to Uncle Bilbo telling him to give you that bottle of blue ink you were admiring last time you were over at Bag End. I hope you got it, and I know you will use it well. I shall go now, Aunt Esme is coming to try to make me take some horrid medicine she has concocted. You know how much I hate taking medicine. Write me back soon, Sam.

Your friend,

Frodo

Dear Mister Frodo,

What's does outrageous mean? Mister Frodo, how could you say that. But really, I am glad you did.
The marigolds are bloomming well, there nice yellow ones but I must have acindentily mixed them with some orang ones, because ther are some of those together with them. I'm very sorry about  you're being sick and all. What does Merry have that you can read? Probably just simple things, least-ways simple for you. I did take the ink bottle, though I felt strange doing it. You know, no offence to him, but Mister Bilbo is almost scary. He's so happy, unnaturally happy. He is a bouncy one. Is 'concocted' worse than 'maid' or 'mixed up'? I neerly forgot to tell you! I don't know how I could, seeing as how--well anyhow, here's what hapened. All of us Gamgee's, (us 'children' I mean) were over down, where the dasie feild is. We were playing tag, and after we got tired, Ham said, "Sam, I bet you can't climb up there", says he pointeing to the tree in the middle of the feild. "Oh, really.", says I. I got up that tree as quick as I could, and what do you know? the second branch was rotted, so I go up and grabb it, next thing I  know, I'm on the ground with a broken left arm, and a broken ankle, saying, "I'll never climb a tree again!". So you're not the only one stukk in bed. This is getting a bit long, and if I don't get in bed, I'm gonna' get in trouble.
Get better so you can come home,

Your Sam

Dear Sam,

Outrageous means something unreasonable, or "unnatural", as you might say. Oh, orange is one of my favorite colours! There aren't many marigold's around here, but plenty of dahlias and lillies. Yes, Merry's books are very simple to read for me, but Uncle Bilbo sent me some lovely stories about Elves. Perhaps while I'm stuck here I can write them for you to read. They're all in Sindarin (you know Bilbo's trying to teach me to translate it). Bilbo is a bouncy hobbit, and he can be scary at times, but I do love him very much. Once you get used to him being that way, he's not so scary any more. I'm so glad you could use the ink! Though I'm not so glad about you falling out of a tree. Oh, dear, did it hurt bad? I wish I were there to make it feel better.  I suppose concocted would be a 'worse' way of saying mixed up or made. It's got a different meaning than those, but I'm not entirely sure what it is. Why? Did they get a healer to see to your arm and ankle? How long do you have to stay in bed? I'm coming home in about two weeks, and I'll most likely be all better by then. Don't try to walk too much, dear, and it'll heal faster.

Yours,

Frodo

Dear Mister Frodo,

I really like the orange marigolds also. Rosie likes 'em too. I don't think I'd ever be able to read Elvish, though it would be nice. And I like Bilbo too. He was just a bit odd, when he stoped my to give me the ink botle. I would've thought he's send it home with my old Gaffer, but he just cumes right up and nocks on the door and says, "I've got somthing for Master Samwise." He is very nice, though. Isn't he? He caled me "Master Samwise"! When I fell out of that tree, it didn't exakly hurt until I hit the ground. All I said was, "I'm never climming no blasted tree again!" I'll be in bed for 2 and one half weeks, though my arm will take 3 or maybe 4 weeks to heal. It is such a bother, because now everione is making such a fuss over me. I had to take some nasty liquid for the pain. I told them that I'd rather to deal with pain than with that horid stuff, but how it did make me sleep. I'll be very glad for your comming home. Ted came over today. To send his "regards and sympathy", says he. His mother was over too, and all she did was say ,"How aweful it is to let a child up in a tree."  I saw Ted's smerk as he left with his mum. He was down-right happy I'm "injured". It's so...outrageous! But he'll nevver catch me going up a tree agan.

I'll be glad to see you soon,

Your, (very tired), Samwise

Dear Sam,

I think you'll get to elvish someday, but it is very difficult. I'm halfway through translating the story for you, and it's helped my learning the language very much, as well as knowing I'm doing it for you. You will like it, it has plenty of stories of the Elves, just the kind you like, full of adventures. Uncle Bilbo is the nicest, best hobbit I've ever known (aside from you of course, Sam). If that had happened to me I don't think I'd want to be climbing a tree again soon, either. I know you don't like people making a fuss over you, but they only want your good. I agree with you about the medicine, though. I have a hard time keeping medicine down sometimes, just the smell of most of it makes me feel even sicker. I'll be home as soon as I can, though now that Merry and I aren't as sick as we were we are having a fun time being sick together. I've been reading to him, and Aunt Esme lets us out of bed to play with Merry's toys. We've been having little inside adventures with his stuffed animals, which i think makes up for us missing the adventures Merry had planned for my visit. Though the healers said this fever is spreading around Buckland, and one said she thought it was spreading to other parts of the Shire. Has anyone gotten sick in Hobbiton? I'm sure Ted would send "sympathy and regards." I can just see him being glad you've been hurt. I know it's not nice of me, but sometimes I wish somebody would give bullies like Ted and Lotho Sackville-Baggins a taste of their own medicine. Is there someone there keeping you company while you're stuck in bed? I miss you.

Your friend,

Frodo

Dear Mister Frodo,

I realy woud like to hear the story. I realy do love elves. But don't compare me to Mister Bilbo. He is the nicest Hobbit there ever was and I coud never be any bettur than I am. And I honestly won't go in a tree again. I'm sereous obout that. I knoe folks just wasnt the best for evryine else but all them ladies comeover and say, "you poor little dear". It's very...tiresome! That's it! I realy do you need you home now Mister Frodo. I realy don't let anyone come and keep me compenny if it can be helped. I suposse I do need a story, to cheer me up a bit. It has been raining for the past few days, which doesn't help the looks of things much, but I;ve been trying to put a good face on it. I'm healing quiker than expekted for I've just been laying obout. It's not that I had much of a choise. Do tell Merry "Hallo" for me, and tell him that his animles ought to go on their adventurs without given up. I don't think anyone has gotten sick. Maybe. Oh, yes. Mackeyl did. But he's always sick, (least-ways, he looks sickly pretty often). Well, Ted and Lotho are quite a pare. I wonder if they'd hurt eachother real bad if we locked them in the same room?

I miss you as well. Please come home "safe-and-sound", so you can read me your story?

Good morning Mister Frodo,

Your Samwise

Dear Sam,

I'm almost done translating the story! It's amazing what one can get done while lying in bed. I'm almost all better, but Merry's fever got worse this morning, so he had to go back to his room and stay there. Aunt Esme said I can get up now, just so long as I don't get sick again from Merry. Oh, Sam, what am I to do with you? Don't say I can't compare you to Bilbo. Of course I can! You both took me in and looked after me when I moved, and hardly anyone else in Hobbiton has done so. Aunt Esme says that if Merry doesn't get better soon, they'll send me home, because they don't want two of us sick again. So I may be home sooner than I expected. At any rate, I'll be home before you're out of bed, so I can come read to you and keep you company. Merry's animals didn't give up in their adventures. They had a very good adventure trying to find the mathom room, and going through all the old mathoms trying to find something valuable. Though we did run into a dragon! (My Uncle Sara, of course, found us a dragon for the stuffed animals to fight) Merry was so glad of that! Lotho and Ted in the same room? I think I'd be too frightened to try that! The two of them together would be a very frightening thing. I'll be home soon, my Sam.

Your friend,

Frodo

Dear Mister Frodo,

I 'm going to say something very selfish. I almost want Merry to get more sick so that you can come home. It's not very nice, but there's simply nothing to do. I just sit here and do nothing. And I need to take care of my marigolds, and I really don't know what's worse, to have folks feeling bad for you when you meet them on the street or when they walk by your window. I supposse it's my turn to need you, now. You needed a friend when you came, but I guess, so did I, but that came second. And you were so different and nice, not to say that you haven't groun in that, but I realy think it's my turn to need you priamrily, then second, you need me. Do you still need me? When you're at your old home? I'm shure you've got lota of memories there and don't want to leave. But you have been pretty good about having to change. Better than I could've done. You know, I don't think I could leave the Shire, ever. Unles...unless I was with you. You could help me enjoy myself. And I would come back of course, after a while. Any how, tell Merry to be good, stay in bed, and to...to get better soon.  I had to say that, Mister Frodo! I didn't want to, but it was the right thing to do. They'd sceme up a storm, Lotho and Ted would.

I'll be very glad for your homecomeing,

Good bye,

Your Samwise

Dear Sam,

I've finally finished the book! I'm sending it with this letter. Oh, Sam, I just knew you needed me, and here I am away in Buckland with no way to help. Merry's not any better, but he's not any worse. I told him about you being hurt, and he (with no suggestion from me, I might add) said I should go stay with you. Of course I'll still need you, Sam. I do miss living at Brandy Hall sometimes, but I suppose I'm too much like Bilbo. I prefer a quieter place with a few close friends. And I really don't have many friends here, except Merry. I haven't spoken to my old friends at all since I've been here. But perhaps it's all for the best. They were the ones I got in trouble with, and I don't want to get in any more trouble, Sam. Which is probably why I need you the most. You keep me out of trouble. Oh, here I am talking about everything but what I intended to tell you. I am coming back! Uncle Sara said he'd drive me up to Hobbiton tomorrow morning, since Merry told me to go home. If I ever leave the Shire, I don't think I would want to without you or Bilbo with me, at least. But it would be some adventure, you and me out there, don't you think? Well, I must go pack my things. I will see you very shortly, my Sam!

Your friend,

Frodo

Sam got Frodo's last letter only a few hours before his return.

As it was given him by his brother, he opened it quickly and read it's contents.

When he had finished, he had tears in his eyes. "I really do mean alot to 'im", he said to himself as he sat by a warm little fire. "He really does need me. And I need him. He knows that. I wanted to see if he knew that I need 'im. And he does care about himself being needed by me."

Sam sat there for quite a while, reading again and again those lovely words: I knew you needed me.....Of, course I still need you, Sam.....I need you the most. 

"I need you the most", he repeated to himself, "Samwise, he needs you. You'd better to help 'im whenever and however you can."

Sam waited to read the elvish story until Frodo came home. He couldn't possibly read it himself anyway, with all those tears of joy, contentedness, and overwhelming love blocking his sight.

"Sam! Mister Frodo's back!"