Tucked Away

A flash of color caught Sam’s eye, and he tossed his dirty shirt on top of it before Mister Frodo could see. He shouldn’t ought to have done it, keepin’ that ribbon, and he knew it. But it all happened so quick, hearin’ Gandalf talk with Mister Frodo and leaving the Shire all in a night. He hadn’t had time to leave it!

“Now, no lies, Samwise Gamgee. Marigold would have delivered it.” But he’d kept it, and that pretty pink ribbon, all grey and tattered now, had slept next to his heart all the way there and back again.