I Will Return

Horsing Around



Frodo stood there on the steps of Bag-End watching Gandalf ride away. His head was awhirl with confusion. What was the exact reason for Gandalf's sudden departure?
        Frodo stared at the sealed envelope in his hand. Had it to do with the ring? He recalled Gandalf's instructions: "Keep it secret; keep it safe."
        Frodo quickly turned back into the house and stowed the envelope away in a chest.
        *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
        "Wake up, Mr. Frodo!"
        Sunlight suddenly hit Frodo's face; he groaned and sleepily rubbed his still closed eyes.
        "Good morning, Sam."
        "Good morning, Mr. Frodo. Isn't it a lovely day?"
        Frodo sat up and peered at Sam with tired eyes. "What has made you act so cheerful this morning?"
        "Uh . . It's just that the day is so lovely. ."
        "Or rather she is so lovely," Frodo said with a teasing grin.
        Sam lost grip of the curtain cord and was blushing hotly.
        "You were at the Green Dragon this morning, weren't you?"
        Sam nodded sheepishly.
        Frodo then smelled the aroma of bacon and eggs coming from the kitchen. "Well, you shall tell me about it over breakfast." *~*~*~*~*~*~
        "So, then she said that the ale would be of no charge if I would come by and visit the Cotton farm house tonight.
        "What? Are you calling on her, then?"
        Sam went scarlet. "Oh-no, I don't think she looks at me in that way, Mr. Frodo."
        "Don't be such an ass, Sam, of course she does!"
        "Do you really think so?"
        "Does Farmer Maggot keep vicious dogs?"
        "You do then!" Frodo nodded.
        "Oh, I hope you're right."
        For awhile after that breakfast proceeded in silence while Sam began washing up the dishes Frodo already used. Frodo began to sip his tea when Sam asked.
        "So, have you heard from Peony Turnbuckle lately?"
        Frodo choked and nearly dropped his mug. It was now his turn to blush
        Samwise grinned. He now had the perfect outlet to get back at Frodo for teasing him about Rosie.
        "Not lately," Frodo said with a horse voice.
        "Have you ever thought about calling on her?"
        "That's it, son of Hamfast!" Frodo cried jumping from his chair.
        "What are you going to do about it, son of Drogo?"
        "This!" Frodo threw his half eaten muffin at Sam. Sam in turn threw a cupful of soapy water his way, and the childish antics began.
        *~*~*~*~*~*
        Peony knocked on the green door of Bag-End. No one answered. She heard shouting coming from inside. Alarmed, Peony opened the door. There she beheld a very bedraggled Frodo and Sam, holding each other by the collar with one hand, and a fist formed with the other. When the door had opened the two had froze and stared at the intruder with a startled gaze.
        "Good morning, Master Baggins, Master Gamgee," Peony said slowly.
        "Good morning," they both said in unison, still both frozen in fighting position.
        The three stared at one another for a long time until suddenly, Peony broke out into peals of laughter. Frodo and Sam began to laugh as well and released their hold on each other.
        "In the name all that is good, what on Middle-Earth happened here?" She asked once the gaiety died down.
        "We were just horsing-around," Frodo answered. Then Sam spoke up.
        "'Twas my fault, really. I was teasin' him about-OW!"
        Frodo had stepped hard on Sam's foot before he could blurt out the rest.
        "I see.well, I came by to announce that my family is having a small party at our new house, we are inviting all the neighbors." Peony then said in a softer voice, "And I would like it especially like it if you came, Frodo." Then after a pause she hastily added, "and you to Master Gamgee."
        "Thank you, Miss Turnbuckle," Sam replied with a gracious nod. When Frodo didn't do anything but stare at Peony, Sam nudged him. "Oh! Yes, thank you, Miss Turnbuckle."
        When Peony left Sam said, "a party, that sounds nice!" Frodo didn't answer, but looked at the place where Peony had been standing moments earlier. Sam grinned, then said, "I should've thought twice before reactin' when you threw that muffin at me, because I'm the one who's gonna have to clean all this up!"