Too Long to Wait: Sam's Visit
Frodo ran down the stone steps two at a time, a wide smile on his face, but by the time he reached the courtyard below his chamber, he was out of breath, his vision clouded by a black haze. He blinked it away, flinging his arms around Sam, who embraced him back.
“Mr. Frodo, I’ve missed you so. And you look better - much, much better since last time.” Frodo leaned on Sam, who supported him while he caught his breath. He glimpsed a tiny hobbit lad standing shyly behind his father. “Now who might this be?”
“I’ve brought young Pippin, the lad closest in age to your Ellohir. I thought they might play together. Seeing how Ellohir’s half hobbit, he should get to know at least one hobbit his age.”
“Oh, Sam.” Frodo said, embracing him again. “I’m just so happy I’m finally meeting one of your little ones. I do so want to see the Shire again…want Ellohir to meet Merry and Peregrine, as well as Rosie and your other little ones!”
“Hallo, Uncle Frodo,” a young hobbit lad of eight or so said. Frodo released Sam, and fell to his knees, hugging little Pippin, kissing his golden curls.
“I can’t believe it’s been nearly twenty years,” Sam said, blinking away tears of happiness. “And me only seeing you twice in that time. It’s not right. And you don’t look as if you’ve aged hardly at all. You are better, aren’t you?”
“I feel wonderful today,” Frodo said, forcing a smile. He did not wish to get into a discussion about his poor health so soon after Sam’s arrival. “Come, Sam, I’ll lead you to our quarters. You must meet little Ellohir. Well…he’s not so little anymore. He’s six, but he already comes to my shoulder! He looks like me, but I think he’s got more of Aragorn in him as far as size, which is good, I suppose, since he must grow up to rule a kingdom of mostly Men.”
When they reached Ellohir’s room, the boy leaped up, screeching in excitement.
“Ellohir, where are your manners?” Frodo scolded.
“I’m sorry.” Ellohir skidded to a stop in front of the hobbits, looking down at his feet. “Ellohir at your service.”
Sam shoved Pippin in front of him. Pippin barely came up to Ellohir’s shoulder.
“Pippin, son of Samwise Gamgee, at yours!”
“Do you want to see my toys?” Ellohir said brightly, taking Pippin by the arm. “On Frodo’s birthday he sent for special dwarf-made puzzles from Dale! They’re magic! Come, they’re in Frodo’s chamber next door.”
When they entered Frodo and Aragorn’s chamber, the boys settled on the floor with their puzzle beside the table where Sam and Frodo sat with their hobbit feet dangling from their chairs. Frodo called out to a servant to bring wine, bread, mushrooms, and cakes.
Frodo was pleasantly surprised when only a few moments later Aragorn came in and rested his hands on Sam’s shoulders.
“I received word that you had arrived. Frodo’s hardly done anything but look out his window for you the last week. How are you, old friend?”
“I’m just fine, Strid-King Elessar. That’s a long journey and no mistake.”
Aragorn smiled, releasing Sam’s shoulders before settling in a chair at the table. “I will always be honored to be Strider to you. How are the roads between the Shire and Gondor?”
“We faced no trouble,” Sam said. “You’ve done a fine job as king.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Aragorn said before turning to Frodo. “Did you send for food?”
“Of course. Need you ask?” Frodo looked fondly at Ellohir and Pippin. “They will be good friends. Sam, Pippin has all the qualities a hobbit lad should have. Look at the hair on his feet, so thick and curly.”
“Rosy cheeks, too,” Sam said, looking as though he would burst with pride. “He’s got that from Rosie, of course.”
“I do miss hobbit children,” Frodo said wistfully. “Come, Sam, tell us everything about the Shire.”
“Everything?” Sam chuckled. “That would take a year.”
“So be it! Sam, I can’t tell you enough how glad I am that you’re here. There’s nothing like hobbits for good company.” He glanced at Aragorn and laughed, blushing. “Well, you can be an honorary hobbit for now.”
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Sam dug into his pack. “I brought a present for you both.” He dug out a leather pouch filled with the finest pipeweed of the Shire. Frodo breathed it in deeply and let out a content sigh.
“You’re the best, Sam. This is good quality.”
“The best,” Sam said, nodding in pride.
“Thank you, Samwise,” Aragorn said, grinning in delight. “It will be well used, you can be sure. Shall I get your pipe, Frodo?”
Frodo nodded, and after Aragorn lit his and the hobbits’ pipes, the food arrived. Aragorn sat in silence, smoking with a content smile on his face while Frodo barraged Sam with questions about life in the Shire. It was not long before the food had been devoured by the two hobbits.
Their conversation was brought to an abrupt halt by Pippin’s piercing cry, and grunts of rage from Ellohir as he pummeled Pippin mercilessly with his fists. Before a shocked Aragorn and Sam could act, Frodo was on the floor, pulling Ellohir back.
“Stop at once!” Frodo cried, wrapping his arms around Ellohir to restrain him.
Pippin jumped into Sam’s lap, sobbing, his nose bleeding. Ellohir tried to bolt after the hobbit child, his face fierce, and Frodo strained to hold him.
“For shame, for shame!” Frodo cried, shocked by the violent change in his normally gentle boy.
Aragorn helped Frodo pull Ellohir to a settee by the window. Aragorn knelt on the floor, gripping Ellohir’s upper arms.
“What ails you, Ellohir?” Aragorn glared at his son. Frodo had rarely seen him stern with Ellohir. In fact, Frodo fully acknowledged that they were both far too doting on him.
“How is Pippin?” Frodo whispered to Sam, bringing him a wet towel for Pippin’s nose. Frodo tilted Pippin’s teary face toward him, checking for other injuries. He would later have bruising on his cheek.
“Oh, he’ll be all right, won’t you, my boy?” Sam looked flustered and somewhat embarrassed that his son had been in a scuffle with the king’s heir. “You can stop crying now, that’s a good boy.”
Pippin nodded, cradling his nose, tears still streaming down his face.
Aragorn was talking to Ellohir in a soft voice. “Now, you’re much bigger and stronger than Pippin. There was no need to be that rough. What was that about?”
“He broke one of the pieces from the new puzzle I got for Frodo’s birthday!”
“It is but a thing,” Aragorn said, clearly unsympathetic. “But Pippin is a precious boy. He’s a hobbit, like Frodo. Did you know that?”
“I want…” Ellohir sniffed. “I want to be a hobbit.”
Frodo joined Aragorn and knelt beside Ellohir. “There now, Ellohir, you are half of a hobbit. But you are also half of a Man. That will one day serve you better since you will rule many Men.”
“But you like hobbits better,” Ellohir said, his blue eyes, nearly identical to Frodo’s, filling with tears. Pippin stopped crying to watch the family drama.
“What makes you say that?” Frodo asked, his lips twitching. He struggled to keep his face stern. Glancing at Pippin’s blood-soaked cloth did the trick.
“You said…you said…there’s nothing like hobbits for good company. And that you miss seeing hobbit children…” Ellohir sobbed into Aragorn’s chest.
“Ellohir,” Frodo said in a quiet voice, rubbing his back, though he knew he shouldn’t. The boy needed to be punished for his appalling behavior. “I haven’t seen my home in nearly twenty years. That is a long time. I wish more than anything that we could go together to the Shire.”
“So you could, Mr. Frodo,” Sam said. “How about it? Why don’t you go back with us? We could take Ellohir!”
Frodo glanced at Aragorn, who looked doubtful.
“Frodo is still not well, Sam.”
“I’m feeling as well as I’m ever going to be,” Frodo said, standing. “I haven’t taken to my bed in over two months. I think it’s a splendid idea. Ellohir should know all the distant corners of his future kingdom.”
“Let us discuss this later,” Aragorn said. “For now, Ellohir, you must apologize to Pippin. Then you’re to spend the rest of the day in your room.” When Ellohir looked up at Aragorn, lips trembling, his big blue eyes filled with new tears, the king looked helplessly at Frodo.
“Alone.” Frodo added firmly, crossing his arms. “Then tomorrow perhaps you will show young Pippin around the castle. Without giving him a black eye.”
***
“Were we too rough on Ellohir?” Aragorn asked, pulling Frodo close under the covers. The moon was full, and its dim pale light splashed over their bed. “I heard him weeping before he fell asleep.”
“I don’t think so,” Frodo said. “We are not firm enough with him as it is. He must learn that he can’t act out like that. Pippin could have been badly hurt.”
Aragorn chuckled. “And all because he wished to be a hobbit. I can’t imagine why.”
Frodo cuffed his shoulder gently. “Do not forget you are an honorary hobbit.”
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