Samwise visits Tighfield
Author - Leelee
Written on - Tuesday 21st July 2009 (10:13pm)
Samwise Gamghee whisled loudly as he turned the corner of the finely dust powdered path that had been made so long ago noone in recent history remembered, and then stood stock still.
There about a hundred yards away in the clearing was uncle Andwise's rope-walk, an inheritance from Andy's own father and still maintained and operated with the same skill and zeal as had been done long ago.
"well that there is a fine looking business and those ropes stretched out give me kind of a queer feeling, don't know why' the hobbit told himself out loud.
Something about looking at hundreds of newly made rope stretched tightly in the afternoon sun caused anxious butterflies to flit about in the pit of his stomach. Like a brilliant flash of lightning that suddenly illumes the fierce night sky Sam saw himself using a rope, only nothing like he had seen before, on a high precipice somewhere far far away.
Just about anywhere was far away as far as Sam was concerned,seeing as he had never been outside the Shire in the whole of his life.
Then the vision vanished and the hobbit was left standing with a feeling of mixed fear and excitement.
'Now what do you suppose that was about, that there vision Samwise, eh?' I daren't tell it to the old Gaffer when I return home. No, he'll only squint his eyes like so and say, finger wagging' now see here you young whippersnapper, that's what comes of listening to elve's tales and minding the business of your betters, meanin' that of the master Bilbo Baggins and that nice nephew of his. what's okay for them aint necessarily okay nor safe for a simple gardner's son, do you get my meanin?'
No, Sam would keep this queer event to himself.
Shaking himself mentally Sam proceeded into the clearing and was looking around at the handful or so of Hobbits who were moving about working on ropes not yet put up for stretching.
Just as Sam was about to enquire of one of them where his older brother Hamson might be, a clear , fine voice called ' over here Sam my dear brother, over here.'
Sam's eyes fastened on those of his brother and he hurried forward, delight on his features.
'well if you're not a feast for tired eyes Ham, I don't know who is. Sam grabbed his brother who now stood before him and gave him a bearhug. Hamson laughed heartily and hugged Sam in return, then both brothers stepped back in order to inspect the other.
You've lost some weight Ham, are you eating proper? The Gaffer would be worried if he saw you so thin. Everything alright?
Ham, a little taller than his brother and with a touch of blue-grey to his light brown eyes nodded and winked. "Oh sure sure I am just fine, it's just the busy time of the year and everyone has to work that much harder. We all lose weight for about a month, but make it up when our largest orders are sent on to the dwarves and men such as need them.'
Ham looked his brother up and down and smiled. 'and look who is talking little brother. I am quite sure you too have lost weight, and a fair amount. why your face has never looked so thin, nor your body. What is it, our dad giving you a hard time like usual, making you do all your work over ten times before he is satisfied?
'Sam shook his head and laughed. "No no I aint bothered by him like I was when I was younger. Back then I was always afraid that he didn't love me and I couldn't do anything right. But since you and Halfast have taken trades away from home we have been gettin kind of close, in a rough sort of way you know. I mean he yells something fearful still, but there's not bite to it,if you take my meaning. I can see he loves me now, and not just because you are both gone.'
Well then what can be the ......Hamson's voice trailed off and he looked intently at his little brother with the soft gentle face and wistful eyes, the same wistful eyes that were always looking toward the woods, hoping to see an elf or two.
Suddenly Ham laughed out loud in his clear melodic way. " I've got it my brother, my own, you are pining away for our sister's sister in law, that girl, now what, ..oh right Rosie. Rosie Cottontail.
I'll bet my dinner that's it, am I right?'
Sam looked down and began to move dirt with his hobbit foot. His face colored and he scowled.
'Now don't go gettin ahead of yourself with guesses about my private life Hamson. '
'But I am right. well why don't you quit fooling around and ask the girl for her hand in marriage. It's no secret in Hobbiton as I hear,that that little barmaid is terribly sweet on you. What's your problem?"
Sam blushed again and muttered' it ain't so easy as you think. I mean I have finished my pint a hundred times and walked over to where Rosie was working and started to tell her how I feel, and sure enought ten other hobbits rush up and start wooing her. I get so discouraged I could just sit down and cry.' Sam gave a little sniff and Ham , though feeling badly for his brother, quickly covered his mouth to stifle a smile.
'Well, well, come home with me now brother Samwise. We can talk over a nice meal of hot pasties and fruit and cream and a pint of the best ale around, compliments of old Jeremy Brandibuck who has moved here to retire. He is living at his siters and she gets powerful angry at his making spirits. so he is always giving it away and then when his sister is over being upset, he sneaks about and makes a whole new batch.'
The luscious and very filling meal having been disposed of and the hobbit brothers settled nicely on two large armchairs, feet up on hassocks, Sam took the last sip of his ale, lit his clay pipe and said ' Well I don't usually hold with giving a sister a hard time and all, but I am glad that Mr. Jeremy Brandibuck sticks to his guns. That was wonderful ale. thankyou.
Ham laughed and lit his pipe too.
'I am glad your are come little brother, I miss Hobbiton and number three so much some timees it hurts. Uncle Andy is a great guy and a lot of fun and good company and all that, but there isn't really any place like home. I miss all the folk there , even the cantankerous ones and all.
'Sam blew a smoke ring and then said' why don't you just come on back ome then.? The Gaffer would be so pleased to have you back.'
Ham was silent a while and then answered' I would do it in a heartbeat, only I have been here a while now and made friends and uncle Andy has been so good to me, teaching me the trade of rope making and I realy love my job. I feel such pride every time I look over and see my work stretched out and ready to make someone's life easier. No, and besides you're not the only one sweet on a girl. I too have my eyes on a real nice pretty girl, and I know she would like to stay in this area with all her family here and whatnot.
Sam's eyes widened in surprise. His older brother was the shy one and the whole family had bet this son would stay single .
'Well, who is it then, come on out with it."
Hamson laughed and shook his head. 'Nope, not until I have talked to her will I tell you who it is. I don't want things spoiled, do you get my meaning?'
Sam nodded and the two went back to pipe smoking in the quiet of the handsome cottage, a nice fire burning and rain softly falling outside.
When he was done his pipe, Ham went into his bedroom, then came out with a thin but very strongly made white rope, coiled neatly in his hand. He handed it to Samwise who accepted with joy.
'Oh this is so wonderful, I love it, thankyou. I'll get a lot of use from it I know. Thank you Ham.'
'My pleasure Sam, use it in good health.
Oh I will' answered Samwise as he continued staring at it.
'I wish it was elven made, or that I could at least make it like them' said Ham almost apologetically.
Sam shook his head vigorously.' No No, no elven rope could mean more to me than this one and I thank you for it brother.'
Three days later as Sam hugged his brother farewell, he found his lips quivering.
"I can't explain it and all Ham, but deep in my heart and in my bones too, I have this feeling that I am about to go through things I never dreamed and it scares me and exciteds me too, if you take my meaning.'
"What sort of things little brothers? Ham's eyes were worried, there was something about the way Sam spoke that gave him chills.
'Oh maybe it's just my overactive imagination, forget it.Well, see you soon I hope and take care of yourself, for the Gaffer I mean.' Sam was not good at emotional talks.
'I will, I will, and you too' ansswered Ham with a kind smile. Oh and if you do go through unexpected things, don't forget to take this rope. It may help you along the way Sam.'
I won't, least ways I hope I won't , I am forgetful at times. Well thanks and goodbye for now.'
Sam turned away back to the small footpath nestled between thick trees and began to make his way home. He has left later than he planned and did not want to worry his father.
As he walked along Sam began to whistle a favorite tune from the pub and was deep in thought when a noise stopped his walking. He stood still and listened intently and was about to continue when the melodic sound of singing met his ears. He ducked down behind a large bush and waited. Presently a dozen or so Elves from Imladris came walking by. Sam gasped at the tall thin beings majestically garbed in greys and silver and all wearing tiny silver crowns upon their fair brows. The elves, both men and women wore their long hair straight and their locks glistened like well polished precious stones.
As the procession passed by and Sam was watching with deep longing to follow ,the elf who was in the rear suddenly turned around.
"Good day to you master Samwise, gardner to Master Frodo' called the elf and laughed when she saw Sam pop up from behind the bush in utter astonishment. She bowed her noble head slightly and then turned around and was gone.
'Now what do you suppose is happening, first a vision of rope and now an elf I never met saying 'Good day to you master Samwise." Am I dreaming or going mad or is something magic about to happen.?I don't know but I am going to be ready, you can count on it' Sam shivered and pulled his cloak tightly about him.
For the rest of the way home Sam was silent. and when the Gaffer asked him how his visit went he merely answered ' oh you know ' and the Gaffer nodded and went to make them both some tea.