6: Sam’s Confession

Sam had also tried on his party clothes – but unlike the Tooks, he was not particularly pleased with his. Since he came from a poorer family, he did not have clothes specially made for every important event that he was invited to. Instead, he, and all his family, had one set of clothing reserved for special occasions. As Sam looked at his outfit, he did not think that it was special enough.

“Oh, Miss Pervinca won’t look at me twice if I look like this!” he groaned to himself. “I’ll look like I’ve been gardening all day after walking across the Shire, and she’ll look…she’ll look beautiful. No doubt she has silks and all lovely clothes like that!” With a defeated sigh, Sam changed back into his regular clothes.

“Sam? Sam? Where are you?” a small voice called. The face of Marigold Gamgee, Sam’s youngest sister, appeared in the doorway of the room he shared with his brother Halfred. “There you are. What are you doing?”

“Hullo, Marigold,” Sam forced a smile. “Come in, come in. I was just trying out my party clothes.”

Marigold smiled broadly. “I cannot wait!” She blushed slightly. “The Cottons are invited to the party too, aren’t they?”

“Yes, of course they are.” Sam was quite aware that his younger sister had a fancy for Tolman Cotton, or Tom as he was usually known as. In fact, it was much like the fancy young Rose held for him. “And if you’re lucky, Tom might even ask you for a dance.”

“Oh, Sam, do you think so?” Marigold blushed, then said: “I mean, I don’t know what you’re talking about! By the way, I was looking for you. Mister Frodo came by earlier and said Mister Bilbo wants you to finish trimming the hedge at Bag End.”

“Of course, I completely forgot, what with me trying on my clothes and all.” Sam wanted to kick himself. He had always been so good when it came to the garden at Bag End, but since meeting Pervinca, he had been neglecting his duties far too much. “Oh, I will be in a spot of trouble!” He ran passed his sister and all the way to Bag End. 

Bilbo and Frodo were sitting outside with a large figure Sam immediately recognised as Gandalf the wizard. He must have arrived that morning.

“It’s about time you showed up, Master Gamgee,” Bilbo scolded, though he seemed to be in a much better mood than in previous days. “My garden can’t trim itself, you know.”

Sam bowed his head. “Sorry, Mister Bilbo. I was caught up trying on my party clothes and all.”

“Trying on your party clothes? I thought it was only lasses who did that!”

“Not at all Bilbo,” Frodo said, with a grin. “I’ve tried mine on and I caught you doing the same thing just last night.”

“Well, you have me there, Frodo-lad,” Bilbo admitted. “Off to work with you, Master Gamgee. The garden has waited long enough.”

Sam nodded and ran off to collect his gardening tools. It did not escape Frodo’s notice that something seemed to be troubling Sam. Something other than being on Bilbo’s bad side. He excused himself from Gandalf and Bilbo’s company and followed Sam. When he found the young gardener, Sam seemed lost in thought, absent-mindedly trimming the rose bush.

“Something bothering you, Sam?” Frodo asked, startling poor Sam.

“Mister Frodo!” Sam cried. “No, not at all. What would make you think that?”

“Well, firstly, you have that rake upside-down.”

Sam was quick to fix his mistake, but said nothing.

“Sam, what’s wrong? You’ve been acting strangely ever since yesterday morning, when Pippin and Pervinca were here…”

Sam blushed and said in a voice harsher than he meant to be, “But that had naught to do with anything!”

Frodo smiled knowingly. “My dear, Sam. You’ve developed a bit of a fancy for my cousin, haven’t you? I can’t say that I blame you. Pervinca is a very beautiful young lass.” Sam remained silent, so Frodo continued. “I suppose I understand why you’ve been acting so. It must be difficult; she is a Took after all.”

“Yes, and look at me,” Sam said quietly and sadly. “I’m just a gardener. I have nothing to offer her. Not to mention the fact that I already have someone who’s been lined up to marry me someday.”

“Rosie’s a pretty lass too. Poor Sam; you’ve captured too many hearts.” Frodo placed his hand on Sam’s shoulder and hoped that his words would comfort the very confused hobbit. “I know that there’s a good mind in that head of yours, despite what others may say. I know you’ll know what do to when the time comes.”

Sam was about to complain that Frodo’s words did not exactly help his situation, but he then realised that they had. Sam felt like a huge weight had been lifted. He no longer had to hold it all secret, and Frodo had not only listened to him, he had offered his support. Sam smiled. “Thank you, Mister Frodo.”

“Not a problem, my dear Sam. You had best get back to the gardening, and hope that Bilbo doesn’t catch you daydreaming about Miss Pervinca.” Frodo laughed as Sam blushed furiously.

But once Frodo had left, Sam smiled to himself. He was lucky to have a master that cared for him so much.

* * * * * *

Just a few days before the party, Pippin had discovered that Merry was going to stay the night after the party at Bag End. Apparently Bilbo had suggested it, believing that Frodo would need some assistance the day after. Pippin, being young, did not think it strange that Bilbo had not mentioned what he himself would be doing the day after.

Pippin complained bitterly at how unfair the whole situation was. His mother’s argument that he was too young was only met by more whining. “I’ve grown up now!” Pippin declared.

Finally, Eglantine had no choice but to give in to her young son. She told him that they would ask Bilbo at the party, and that if it was fine with Bilbo, he could spend the night at Bag End. Pippin then promptly demanded that Pervinca also be allowed, since her sisters had been so horrid to her lately. Eglantine gave in without a fight, as she did not have the energy to deal with yet another argument with her son.

“You are a right little brat, Peregrin,” Pervinca stated after the argument had been sorted out.

Pippin grinned. “That I am. But I learnt from the best.” And he looked a Merry.

Merry smiled. “Did it at any time occur to you that maybe I didn’t want you staying at Bag End? I’ll remind you that Frodo used to live at Brandy Hall with me. Like a brother he was.”

“So, like you are to me?”

“That’s right.”

“No it did not occur to me at all.”

Merry could not help laughing as he ruffled little Pippin’s hair. “You will be the death of me one day, Peregrin. I swear it.”

“I hope that’s not true,” Pippin said, quite solemnly for a small child. “For I don’t know what I’d ever do without you.”

* * * * * *

Translators note: In the Red Book, the Gamgees and the Cottons are not actually included in the list of guests at Bilbo and Frodo’s party. But I’m not sure if this list refers only to those who were part of the 144 present for the speech. I think it would make sense that the Gamgees, at least, would be invited, since they are close neighbours and almost friends to both Frodo and Bilbo. And it would hardly be fair that Sam, who managed to spread so many rumours about the party, was not invited. Besides, the Gaffer states in his conversation with Sandyman and others that “everyone’s invited”.