Title: To Lighten Up the Burden

Author: Eärillë

Rating: G

Warnings: First Draft, (possibly) Out of Character

Summary:
The Elf-lord Elrond is somber and scary, and his nice look and nicer demeanour do not deceive Sam into dismissing his power and danger. But Sam will do anything, everything, to serve his master, especially in this moment of need – and ahead.

Genres: Ficlet, Friendship, Vignette

Place and Timeline: Rivendell, the Ring War

Characters: Samwise Gamgee, Elrond

Words (in MS Word): 469

Point of View: Third Person Limited, Past Tense

Challenge: Day 2: Losgar:
Defiance is defined as the willingness to contend or fight. Write a story or poem or create artwork where the characters defy authority in some way.

Story Notes:
There are references here from The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, from the chapter The Council of Elrond. The copied sentences are done in bolded text.
The “Out of Character” warning stems from the fact that I never wrote in Sam’s point of view, and so I never got the chance to explore his personality and everything else about him. This is my debut piece about him, so to say. Please help me if I stumble or veer; I do not mean to.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sam crouched in one corner of the council area, which was in itself a secluded nook in the Last Homely House. Frodo was attending the secret meeting held by Elrond, and he and Bilbo were the only hobbits invited; but things such as this never deterred Sam from serving his master. Carefully he observed the words and the gestures and the looks exchanged by the various people, all the time marvelling at the dream-like situation.

And of course, watching out for his master too.

It was how he, after acquiring cramps in various places of his folded body and losing interest so many times, noticed how Frodo stood up and tried to gain everyone’s attention, all the while gripping the Ring tightly as if wanting to break it by sheer physical force. Warning alarms blared in his head; the same that had forewarned him of Frodo’s attempt to leave the Shire alone.

And this time, his instinct was not mistaken either. Dear, foolish Mr. Frodo wished to carry the bothersome evil ring to… somewhere – the place of its forging, or so Lord Elrond had said. His master had too much Tookish and Brandybuck blood in him, certainly. And did he desire to embark on the mad quest alone? Oh no no, Sam would not allow it. For one, Masters Merry and Pippin might let him drown in the Brandywine River. (Well, but most importantly, he would not be able to live with himself if he knew Frodo came to harm when he was not beside his master to help prevent it.)

No, no, it would not do. Mr. Frodo would not go alone to that place. Sam would be with him. Lord Elrond was scary, but Masters Merry and Pippin could be scarier when they wanted to. – And, deep down, Sam believed he could be just as scary if the situation really required it.

He would serve and protect Frodo with everything he had, and no one would deter him from this.

He jumped out from his corner, addressing the fearsome Lord Elrond with an anxious cry, "But you won't send him off alone surely, Master?" And if the Lord would indeed send Frodo alone, then it was time for the Conspiracy to be enacted again…

He quailed from the Lord’s sharp, penetrating, knowing gaze, but not for long. And then those bright, bright eyes seemed to laugh (of all things) at him. "No indeed!" said Elrond, smiling. "You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."

Mission accomplished.

Sam just hoped Frodo would not harm himself trying to carry that thrice-accursed piece of magic jewel in the quest; after all, he had someone to lighten up his burden.