CHAPTER 16

The next morning, the five hobbits ate a hurried first breakfast. They were just finishing up when Sam arrived, with his friend Tom Cotton, who was also going to help that day.

A short while later, the carters arrived with two large covered waggons. Armed with the lists he had made and the tags he had placed on different items, Merry directed the loading.

Second breakfast and elevenses brought only brief breaks, but near time for luncheon, Marigold Gamgee and Rose Cotton were spotted with a large hamper between them, struggling up the hill. Sam and Pippin, who had just finished placing a chair in one of the waggons, raced down to meet them and relieve them of their burden.

It was quite heavy. In addition to bread, cheese, fruit and cold sliced meats, the lasses had also brought jars of pickles and preserves, two large chicken and mushroom pies, and a salad of apples, celery and nuts. They had packed as well a jug of newly pressed cider and a jug of the Gaffer’s home brew.

After lunch, Pippin and Folco sprawled upon the grass for a nap, while Fatty, Merry and Frodo sat on the bench by the front door for a leisurely smoke.

Sam and Tom helped Rosie and Marigold clear up and take the leftovers into the kitchen. There was quite a bit of bread and fruit left, a little of the meat, and half of one of the pies.

Pretty soon, Tom and Marigold went out hand in hand, leaving Sam and Rosie to finish the washing up. Sam watched them leave with a smile. Tom was a good friend, and he trusted him with his sister. Just like Tom trusted Sam with his sister, Rosie. And now Sam was going to have to hurt her. If only he could tell her. But it was Mr. Frodo’s secret, not his own. He’d told it once already, to Mr. Merry, and he still felt bad about that, for all that it was necessary. But though he could not tell her why, he had to tell her not to wait for him. It was only fair.

But before the painful words could form, Rosie spoke.

“Don’t you say it, Samwise Gamgee.”

“What?”

“Don’t you go saying something daft, like ’don’t wait for me, Rosie’." She looked at him fiercely. “I know there’s more to Mr. Frodo’s leaving than just a move to Buckland. I don’t know what, it’s none of my affair. But when it’s all over and done, you come back to me, Sam.”

He looked at her sadly. “But I don’t know if I will be able to come back or when.”

She glared at him for an instant. Then she reached up and wrapped her arms around him and began to kiss him very thoroughly. In all their years of “walking out” they’d never exchanged more than a brief chaste peck. Rosie made up for it now, kissing him till his knees started to buckle.

They broke apart and stared at one another for an instant, breathing hard.

“That’s to bring you back to me, Sam Gamgee!” Her face was flushed, and her eyes sparkled with tears.

Sam was still in a daze. “Aye, Rosie. Whatever you say, Rosie.”

 xxxxx

After such a nice luncheon break, everyone quickly went back to work. In only a few hours, everything was loaded securely. The carters would park the laden waggons in their own yards until the next day. Then they would make their way to the Bridge Inn, where they would be met by Merry’s father. Esmeralda had offered to supervise the unloading until Merry and Fatty could arrive, aided by Merry’s lists which he was sending with the carters.

When the waggons finally left, Sam and Tom went to their homes, and Frodo and his guests made an early supper with the leftovers from the luncheon. Tired out from the day’s hard labor, they then went early to bed in a Bag End that echoed strangely.