THE LONG JOURNEY HOME

Within the days that followed Merry and Pippin journeyed back home. Sam had also made Lily a large walking stick with an arch at the top that she could place it under her arm to help her walk when she grew weak. Lily smiled brightly when Sam presented it to her for he had carved large beautiful flowers upon it with ivy vines sweeping up along the sides. She used it often and even when she was able to walk freely she carried it with her always. The cold of winter soon passed followed by a warm and refreshing spring. The flowers blossomed with a gleam of beauty surpassing the blooms from the year before. The cool rains of April swept through the Shire and burst forth the golden flowers from the silver mallorn tree behind Bag End. Merry and Pippin came by now and again and Sam soon noticed that they had become fond of Lily’s company, especially Merry. He would often sit with her near the fire telling her of his great deeds in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. The days were passing quickly and Lily soon found herself growing restless. She longed to be outside walking through the grass breathing in the cool spring air. That day she came to Sam as he sat in the study writing.

"Sam." Lily replied softly walking into the room. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is that dear Lily." Sam replied turning around in his chair.

"I want to go for a walk outside." Lily said looking down to the floor. "I know what you’ll say but I can’t bare to stay indoors a moment longer. If you want we can walk under the cover of the moonlight as I did with Frodo."

"That shouldn’t be necessary." Sam replied standing up. "We’ll go have a walk now out back for a moment in the light of day. I think we shall be safe from the eyes of anyone back there. At this hour everyone is more than likely inside enjoying their supper." With that Sam made his way to the back door and Lily followed with her staff in hand. She reached to the hook by the door for her cloak and fastened it at her neck. Sam then opened the door and they made their way outside.

The sunlight warmed Lily’s face as she stepped out the door and into the soft green grass. The little mallorn tree reflected the sunlight off its blossoms shining golden hues upon the ground. Lily took in a deep breath enjoying the fresh crisp air. She took a few steps out into the field and stood silently looking out into the western sky.

"Do you suppose he’s thinking of us Sam?" Lily replied quietly.

Sam then came to Lily’s side and looked into the distant horizon.

"That I do." Sam replied. "Frodo never really wanted to leave but he knew the Shire could one day be healed and he could not." Sam then heard a yell shout out behind him and he quickly turned around. There near the edge of the field stood Mirabella Bolger, a young hobbit lass still in her tweens. She took off running back for home dropping the basket that she was carrying.

"Quick!" Sam shouted. "We’ve got to get back inside." Sam said hurrying Lily along. They rushed inside and Sam quickly locked the door and closed all the shutters tight. Rose hearing all the commotion came out into the den where Sam stood with his back against the front door.

"What is going on?" Rose replied coming into the den.

"It’s Mirabella." Sam replied trying to catch his breath. "She seen Lily and I outside and she took off running for home."

"Oh dear." Rose said shaking her head. "That young lass has the fastest mouth in all of Hobbiton. Everyone will know Lily’s here before the day comes to an end." Just then a loud pounding knock came to the back door. Sam didn’t dare answer it but it came again and this time with a loud voice calling out his name.

"Farmer Cotton?" Sam yelled out.

"Open this door Samwise Gamgee before I break it down!" Farmer Cotton shouted banging on the door once more. Sam ran to the back door and opened it letting him inside.

"What are you trying to do?" Farmer Cotton yelled pointing his finger at Sam. "You trying to scare everyone out of Hobbiton bringing strangers into town?"

"No sir." Sam replied a bit shaken. "It’s just Lily is all."

"Frodo’s Lily?" Farmer Cotton asked looking down the hall trying to see if she was really there.

"Aye." Sam replied. "She came her to see Frodo only she didn’t know he had gone." Sam then leaned close to Farmer Cotton and whispered in his ear.

"Begging your pardon though sir." Sam said softly. "Her uncle passed away and she has no where to go. I’ve had a mind to let her stay here with me."

"Well you’d have a lot of convincing to do. You know how no one feels as if they can trust strangers anymore." Farmer Cotton replied. "I know she means no harm but no one else knows that."

"That I know." Sam replied. "I had thought of calling everyone together and explaining to them that she is a long time friend from Bree and that she means no harm."

"Well you better get started." Farmer Cotton said as he turned around and opened the door. "I wasn’t the only one heading this way." He then left closing the door behind him. Moments later a knock came to the front door followed by another. Then Sam heard the bell ring. Lily peeked out of the study into the den and seen many faces peering in the front window. She quickly hid back inside and Sam took in a deep breath as he made his way to the front door.

"Where you going?" Lily whispered as Sam walked by the room.

"To tell everyone you’re here and that you mean no harm." Sam said stopping by the door. "You don’t want to stay hidden in here forever do you?"

Lily shook her head no and watched as Sam walked away. She then went and sat down on the bed in the study listening contently as she heard Sam open the door and walk outside.

"Who are you hiding in there Sam Gamgee?" Moro Proudfoot yelled from the back of the crowd.

"Tell us!" Many voices shouted back in return. "We want to know!"

Sam looked over the crowd who had gathered in front of Bag End and seen more coming down the path. He held up his arms and yelled out above the chattering crowd.

"I don’t know what you’ve heard." Sam began. "But I’m not hiding anything. A friend of mine has come to stay with me from Bree and she means you no harm. She is a friend of mine and of Master Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck." Sam replied.

The noise of the crowd soon grew as everyone gathered at the front door began chatting among themselves. Wilcome Hornblower then came to the front of the crowd and held up his hands. Everyone grew silent.

"If she is a friend of yours and of Master Took and Brandybuck then she is a friend to us." Wilcome replied. Everyone then cheered. "Bring her before us." Wilcome said coming up to Sam. "And let us welcome her to the Shire." Sam then turned around and went back inside. He went to the study and found Lily inside sitting on the bed.

"Come Lily." Sam replied holding out his hand. "Everyone wants to welcome you here."

"Everyone?" Lily replied with a quiver in her voice.

"Everyone." Sam said with a smile. "Come now. Let’s go outside." Sam took Lily’s hand and she walked along with him holding her staff in the other. Seeing everyone outside Lily took a step back hesitant to go further.

"I’m scared." Lily replied. "What will they say?"

"Nothing." Sam said urging Lily to go forward. "They just want to say hullo."

Lily then took in a deep sigh and went on her way. She and Sam soon came to the front door and she bent down so not to hit her head on the doorway as she went out. When she came outside everyone was in silence but then a loud cheer and a clap of hands came over the crowd.

"Welcome to the Shire." Wilcome replied bowing low. "Any friend of Sam’s is a friend of ours."

Lily didn’t know what to say as he faced blushed red. A few of the onlookers then began making their way back for home and others stayed whispering among themselves. Sam led Lily back inside and he closed the door. The day was coming to an end and the sun was starting to fall. Lily went and sat down in Frodo’s chair placing her staff down on the floor beside her.

"Well when something is going on around here, everyone wants to be the first to know about it." Sam replied as he sat in his chair with a smile.

"It seems that way." Lily said with a soft giggle. She then yawned and reached her arms high above her head stretching.

"If you don’t mind Sam, I think I’ll go and have a bit of rest." Lily replied standing up. "I seem to be rather tired this evening."

"Go and rest." Sam replied. "It’s been quite a day for us both. I too think I shall go and have a nap."

"I’ll see you in the morning Sam if I don’t wake before then." Lily replied as she made her way to Frodo’s old room.

"And I you." Sam said as Lily walked away closing the door behind her. Sam then stood up and made his way for the study where he laid down on the bed soon falling into a peaceful sleep.