A LONG AWAITED JOURNEY

"All is ready for us to leave." Sam said softly. "A rider just left for Hobbiton with your letter to Hanna. It should arrive in two days."

"Thank you Sam." Frodo said as he began tapping his pen against his face. He stared down at the map lying on his bed and then folded it up placing it in his pocket.

"What is on your mind?" Sam asked as Frodo got up off the bed.

"Many things dear Sam." Frodo replied as he placed his cloak around his shoulders. He clasped the broach at his neck and then reached down for his pack on the floor. He slung it over his shoulder and began walking to the door. Sam picked his bag up off a nearby chair and quickly made his way to Frodo as he walked down the hall.

"It will be about a five week ride Sam." Frodo said quietly once Sam came in stride with him. "Are you sure you want to follow me all the way to Gondor?"

Sam was quiet for a moment. He sighed deeply and then looked to Frodo.

"I am sure." Sam replied. "Besides I made a promise."

"A promise?" Frodo said coming to a stop.

Sam continued walking and then turned around when he noticed Frodo no longer at his side.

"Yes." Sam whispered. "Hanna made me promise that I would look after you and bring you home safe and I could not refuse."

Frodo smiled as a tear fell down his cheek. He went to Sam and put his hand on his shoulder.

"And I thank you for making that promise to her and to me." Frodo replied.

"It is the least I could do." Sam replied with a smile. "Besides, you should not have to go all this way alone."

"You are such a dear friend to me Sam." Frodo said patting his shoulder. "But let us go now. The day is passing and our journey has yet to begin!"

Frodo and Sam left the Pony and rode out onto the south road for nearly eight hours before they came to rest. The sun had long ago fallen below the horizon and the soft glow of the moon now filled the evening sky. Frodo and Sam made their way to the side of the path where they made camp beneath the large flowing branches of a willow tree. Sam had already begun a fire and he had gone to his pony to fetch some pans that Frodo had brought along so he could make some bacon and eggs for a late night supper. When he came back he found Frodo sitting close to the fire poking at it with a long stick as he watched small burning embers fly high into the night sky. Sam came and placed a pan on the fire and filled it with some eggs. He then sat next to Frodo watching as their meal cooked upon the fire.

"I’ve been wondering about something." Sam began. "Why was it that I found you on the floor when I woke this morning. It is unlike you to fall out of bed Frodo."

Sam looked at Frodo and he seemed to be staring into the fire lost in thought.

"Frodo?" Sam whispered tapping him on the shoulder.

Frodo turned to Sam and sighed deeply and then looked back to the fire.

"My night was restless Sam." Frodo replied. "It was filled with many dreams. Horrible dreams. Ones I dare not wish to relive again." Frodo said looking to Sam. He then looked back to the fire poking at it once more. Sam sat in silence not knowing what to say. He then glanced back at the eggs and stirred them quickly adding some bacon into the pan. Frodo appeared to weigh heavy with thoughts but Sam dared not to ask him what they were. He knew Frodo had more than enough on his mind already and it was not his place to bring to mind those dreams again. Soon supper was ready and Sam filled up a plate handing it to Frodo.

"Here you are." Sam replied. "It’s not much but it will fill you for the evening."

Frodo smiled and took his plate quickly eating every spoonful to be had. He then put the plate down on the ground beside him and looked up to the stars.

"You suppose he is looking at the same stars tonight?" Frodo whispered.

"Perhaps." Sam said as he too sat his empty plate on the ground. "Your father gazed upon the stars on many nights just as you are now."

"It seems hard to imagine that here we are, you and I on the road to Gondor. Off on an adventure of our own." Frodo said with a sigh. "Only our adventure will not bring as great a story as my father’s."

"You never know." Sam said putting his hand on Frodo’s shoulder. "There is still much road left to travel and many more people to see along the way. You can not tell what the days ahead will hold."

A smile came to Frodo’s face as he took in a deep breath.

"Well put Samuel." Frodo replied. "Yet no matter the outcome a story will be at hand to tell on those rainy nights by the fire."

"Aye." Sam said with a laugh. "And much laughter will come of the part where Aldamar took hold of your leg!"

"That it will!" Frodo chuckled. "Much laughter indeed."

Sam smiled brightly as he pulled his blanket tight around his shoulders to hold out the crisp night air. He looked back to the sky at the stars that were now shining brightly in the heavens above. Frodo took his gaze away from the sky and looked down to the ground with a deep sigh. His mind was clouded with the thoughts of his dreams from the night before. Sam’s mind too was full of many thoughts only his came with the wonder of what the days ahead would bring. He had never been away from home in all his years living in the Shire and he was as happy as a young child would be on his birthday. Sam took in a deep breath and turned to Frodo who was still looking down at the ground lost in thought. The smile soon came away from Sam’s face as he looked upon his dear old friend.

"What is troubling you Frodo? It is unlike you to keep to yourself." Sam said softly.

"Just thinking." Frodo replied. "About those dreams Sam. They seemed so real to me but I know it was just my mind playing tricks."

Sam sat quietly as Frodo slowly looked up from the ground. Frodo looked to the burning fire seeming to lose himself within the warm glow it cast upon his face. He then sighed deeply looking over to Sam.

"Something happened Sam. On the way to Gondor. It is all dark to me now but something drew us away from the road. We were gone. Gone for some time. Hanna became worried with fear and she came for us. Looking for us Sam. She never found us and then she was lost. Lost forever." Frodo said as his voice trailed off to a whisper.

Sam’s eyes grew large as his heart pounded within his chest. He could not think of a word to say. Indeed the vision of his dreams was enough to drive one to madness if they were to be true but he prayed they were only what they seemed, a dream.

"I can not lie and say that I was not worried leaving on such a long journey. It has been some time since I last traveled this far with my father but my heart weighs heavy knowing Hanna is alone, without me by her side."

"All will be well." Sam replied. "Time shall pass quickly and we will be home again before you know it."

"That it shall." Frodo sighed. "And soon enough I will be home once again."

Sam smiled and patted Frodo on the shoulder.

"Forget about those thoughts Frodo. We should rest now. Tomorrow is yet another day." Sam whispered as he lay down on his blanket on the ground. "Sleep well."

"Goodnight Sam." Frodo replied watching as Sam slowly drifted off to sleep. Frodo looked up to the stars once again as a deep sigh passed his lips. He sat awake for hours gazing into the night sky before finally lying down near the fire losing himself within a peaceful sleep.

*******

Three weeks soon passed by as Sam and Frodo came to the southern edge of the Misty Mountains near the Gap of Rohan. Sam was in awe at the beauty of the mountains as he looked up to their glorious snow covered peeks. Golden shades of orange and amber shone upon the mountain as the sun began to slowly fall down the sky. Frodo smiled as he looked at Sam who dried tears of happiness from his eyes. In all of his days Samuel never thought he would see the world beyond the Shire and here he was riding along the foot of glorious mountains that none in his family had ever seen. Frodo was beginning to tire for they had been riding for eight hours without a bit of rest or a bite to eat. Soon a large tree came into view that was surrounded by large fallen rocks from the mountainside. It was the perfect place to set camp for the night. He stopped in the path and came down off his pony and then went to Sam helping him down from his. They both walked to the tree with their ponies where Frodo took both sets of reins tying them to a low branch. Sam then began searching for some wood to start a fire while Frodo rolled out their blankets near the tree. Frodo sat down on his blanket and began rubbing the small of his back with the palm of his hand. Sam then came throwing the logs and sticks he had found on the ground and began making a circle out of stones in which to start the fire. He looked over at Frodo as he arranged the stones and smiled shaking his head.

"Riding starting to get to your hind side." Sam laughed as he began placing the sticks inside the stone circle.

"It is." Frodo replied smiling. He then lay down on his blanket stretching his arms high above his head. Sam started the fire and then came to the tree sitting on his blanket next to Frodo.

"Only two more weeks Sam." Frodo replied folding his arms under his head. "Then we shall finally arrive in Minas Tirith."

"It can not come soon enough." Sam laughed as he opened his pack taking out a pan and a loaf of sweet bread. He cut two slices from the bread handing one to Frodo and keeping the other for himself. Sam took a bite of the bread and then stood up from the ground. He went to the ponies and took down the large bag that held all their food. He took out some sausages and tomatoes and picked a few mushrooms that grew near the tree. He went back to the fire and sat down near Frodo slicing them up and putting them into the pan. He then placed the pan on the fire and watched as they slowly began to cook. The sky was starting to turn dark as the sun finally fell out of sight and Frodo sat up looking out to the road that still lay ahead. It seemed as if they had been gone for months but the days were finally starting to go by steadily. Just then Frodo heard something behind him and he turned around quickly. Sam was still sitting next to the fire and he too was looking down the road they just traveled.

"What was that?" Sam whispered looking over at Frodo. Frodo held his hand up and put his finger to his lips. Sam became still looking all around trying to listen for another noise. All was silent but then another snap was heard close by. Frodo turned to the sound and listened.

"It is like the sound of twigs giving beneath ones feet." Sam replied faintly.

They both listened for quite some time for another sound but one never came. Frodo then turned away from his glance and looked back at Sam.

"I have had a feeling as though someone has been following us Sam." Frodo said leaning over to Samuel. "I did not want to say a word fearing I would worry you but now I feel as though it may be true."

"But who?" Sam asked as he took the pan off the fire. He spooned some of the contents onto two plates and handed one to Frodo.

"I am not sure." Frodo replied as he put a few mushrooms into his mouth. "I know of no one who would want to follow us." Frodo then looked back down the road. All was silent once more. He finished everything on his plate setting it down near the fire. Frodo then stood to his feet and walked towards the path looking down it both ways. The moon was now in the sky and the stars were beginning to shine in the sky. Frodo sighed deeply and looked back to Sam who sat near the fire with his blanket pulled around him. He went back to Sam and sat near the fire throwing in a few small twigs.

"Rest now Sam." Frodo replied. "I will keep watch tonight. It seems as though we may need to keep a watchful eye on the road before us."

"But what of you?" Sam said as he lay down next to the fire. "You shall need your rest too."

"I will rest when I can." Frodo said softly. "You should not worry yourself about me Samuel. Goodnight and sleep well dear friend."

"Goodnight." Sam replied quietly. His heart raced in his chest as he lay there watching Frodo stare off into the distance listening for the faintest sound. Sam took in a deep breath and reluctantly closed his eyes. It was going to be a long night.

Sam slowly opened his eyes as a soft rain began to fall. It was morning and the fire had long faded with the passing night. Frodo was lying on the ground across from Sam having finally given into sleep. Sam sighed deeply and sat up looking off into the western sky. He seemed to see something standing far off in this distance. He rubbed his eyes and then looked again wondering if his eyes deceived him. Indeed there was a figure on horseback standing along the distant horizon. Sam quickly scurried over to Frodo and shook him waking him from sleep.

"Frodo! Frodo!" Sam whispered as he shook his arm. "Wake up!"

Frodo opened his eyes and sat up quickly realizing that he had fallen asleep.

"Confound you Samuel what is the matter with you!" Frodo yelled grabbing his arm. Sam said nothing but pointed off into the west, as his eyes grew large with fear. Frodo turned around slowly and his heart quickened in his chest as he seen the figure in the distance. Frodo and Sam both sat still for some time wondering if the figure be friend or foe but it did not move. Frodo leaned back towards Sam as he slowly took his blanket up from the ground.

"Get your things and go back to the ponies. Let them loose and ride ahead down the path." Frodo whispered.

"I can’t leave you!" Sam replied grabbing at Frodo’s arm.

"Go now!" Frodo snapped shaking him away. "I will catch up with you soon enough."

Sam quickly gathered up his blanket and pan and then ran over to his pony. He untied the reins watching as Frodo slowly made his way up from the ground and over to him. Sam climbed up on his pony and turned him towards the path that lay ahead. Frodo took the reins to his own pony and walked to the path with Sam at his side.

"Ride hard Sam!" Frodo replied slapping the hind end of Samuel’s pony. The pony reared up and bolted away down the path as Frodo quickly climbed onto his own pony’s back. He turned towards the figure and seen that it was moving in his direction. Frodo held his hand to his belt where he kept his small knife as he slowly backed away down the path. He could hear Sam yelling his name far off in the distance as the figure quickly began riding towards him. Frodo snapped the reins and his pony reared up taking off down the path. Frodo’s heart pounded within his chest for he knew his small pony could never outrun the horse and the rider behind him. He looked behind him as he rode and seen the rider growing closer to him. He turned back and looked ahead seeing Sam just ahead. Sam had finally brought his pony to a slow gallop and he was reaching back to Frodo as he rode towards him. Frodo pressed his pony on trying to catch up to him. It was then that Sam yelled out to Frodo as the rider finally drew near to his side.

"Frodo!" Sam screamed as the rider galloped around Frodo stopping in front of his pony. His horse let out a shrill yell causing Frodo’s pony to rear up. Frodo clung to its mane to keep from falling to the ground. Sam quickly pulled back on his pony’s reins stopping in the path far ahead of Frodo. Frodo then turned his pony away from the path and began riding off towards the northeast.

"Frodo no!" Sam shouted into the pouring rain as the rider took off after Frodo. Sam slapped his reins together and bolted off after them falling away from the south road.

"Stay to the road!" Frodo yelled looking back seeing Sam following behind him. Sam rode hard coming around the rider and up to Frodo’s side following him towards a distant forest shadowed in the fog of the morning rain. They continued to press on keeping ahead of the rider until they at last came into the dark forest. Frodo’s pony reared up as they came into the wood knocking him off his back before galloping away. Sam quickly jumped from his pony running to Frodo’s side. Frodo sat up holding his shoulder as he looked out through the trees. The rider was just now coming through the clearing.

"Quickly now, to your feet." Sam said helping Frodo up from the ground. "That rider is still behind us!" Sam then went for his pony but found that he had bolted away with Frodo’s.

"What now Frodo." Sam replied clinging tightly to his friend.

"Just run Sam." Frodo said through clenched teeth as he tried to hide the burning pain within his shoulder.

Sam grabbed Frodo’s arm tightly and began running off into the forest towards the light in a distant clearing. They both looked behind them watching as the rider came closer upon them. The sound of the horse’s hooves beating upon the ground echoed into Sam’s chest as he ran as fast as he could pulling Frodo along behind him. Soon he came to the clearing and he ran through the trees coming out on the eastern edge of the forest. There they came to the bank of a fast moving river that ran along the edge of the forest to the south. Frodo stopped as the rain poured down around him trying to catch his breath. Sam looked back and seen the rider at the outer edge of the forest reaching behind his back. Sam took hold of Frodo’s arm urging him to go on. Sam glanced back into the wood once again only to see the rider putting an arrow into a bow and pulling it taught aiming it straight at Frodo. Sam yelled out pushing Frodo aside just as the rider released his grip on the bow. Frodo fell to the ground and looked up just to see Sam get struck by the arrow and fall back down the riverbank.

"Sam!" Frodo screamed reaching out to him as he sank beneath the water in the river below. Frodo stood to his feet and ran down the bank jumping into the quickly moving stream. Once Frodo came above the water he looked down the stream and seen Sam’s hand sticking out above the water as he was quickly swept away. Frodo swam as fast as he could towards Sam catching him by the arm as his head came above the water one more time. Frodo held onto Sam as the current pulled them further downstream until they came to a large tree that had fallen onto the bank. As they went by Frodo reached out his hand taking hold of a branch that was resting in the water. He began pulling himself and Sam out of the water and onto the shore. Sam was gasping for air as Frodo lay him down in the grass. Sam coughed up some water and took in a deep breath as he clutched at the arrow that stuck out from his right shoulder.

"Leave it for now." Frodo said pulling his hand away. Sam opened his eyes and looked at Frodo as a faint smile drew across his lips.

"Maybe I should have learned to swim." Sam laughed softly.

Frodo smiled as Sam tried to cover his pain with laughter. He knelt down on the ground beside Sam and opened his shirt to examine the wound. It was deep. Just then Sam’s eyes grew large and he reached up pointing behind Frodo. Frodo quickly swung around just as a large shadow came down upon him knocking him to the ground. He remembered nothing more.