Drowning
A story of how Frodo met Sam
By Nevaeh Elenath

Chapter 1
Goodbyes

“Frodo do you really have to leave us?” asked a teary-eyed Merry. “We don’t want you to go! Bilbo can live by himself! He doesn’t need you!”

“I’m sorry lads, I have to go.” I said smiling. “Now, please, I need to get my baggage.”

“Frodo please no! We need you! How can we play Tak-Bak without you?” inquired Pippin, clutching my leg.

“Let go please. Why can’t Pimpernel play with you?” I replied, freeing my leg of his grip.

“Pim is a girl, Frodo,” Pippin answered in an insulted voice.

“She can play Tak-Bak better than I can, and you know it,” I said, grabbing my bags.

“He’s got a point Pip,” Merry answered.

“You’re not helping!” he said through clenched teeth.

“Frodo, Bilbo’s waiting!” yelled Uncle Saradoc.

“I’m coming!” I called. “Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, please act your age! Merry you’re a tweenager for heaven sakes! And Pippin you’re nearly there, now, please! I have to go!” Their sad faces softened my anger. “I’ll miss you both dearly,” I ruffled their curls and walked out my bedroom door.

“What took you Frodo?” asked Saradoc.

“Ran into a bit of trouble, don’t be too hard on Merry and Pippin, Hobbiton’s quite a ways away. But they need to act their age, honestly!” I said in fake distress.

“See you soon, Frodo,” Saradoc said giving me a quick embrace.

“Good-bye. Have you seen Reg?” I asked.

“I saw him go out the door,” he answered.

“Thanks,” I said. Walking out the door I stared into the scenery I had grown accustomed to. “Well, I guess some new scenery will be good for me,”

“It most certainly will,” Bilbo said walking up to me. “Now load your things on the wagon, and we’ll head for the river,”

“Alright, but have you seen Reg?” I asked.

“‘Fraid not,” Bilbo said helping me load my things.

“Are you going to leave without telling me good-bye?” came voice that made me jump. I spun around, there was Reginard Took, standing there with an impish grin on his face.

“You rapscallion!” I said, “you go off and disappear then blame it on me!”

Reg just kept grinning, “I am not a rapscallion! You just don’t look hard enough!” with that, he pounced, hugging me fiercely.

“Reg I can’t breathe!” I said. He let go.

“I’m going to miss you Frodo, you’ll write though, won’t you?” he said.

“Of course I’ll write! I’m not mean! But thanks for being there when I needed you most,” I said.

“Fwodo, wait! Wait!” came another voice. I was then aware of a small body hugging me around the waist.

“Everard, how could I forget about you?” I said ruffling his curls.

“You’ll come and visit wight?” he asked.

“Of course I will, take care of Reg for me okay? Make sure he doesn’t get onto any trouble.” I said.

“I will, I pwomise, he won’t get into any twouble!” he said defiantly.

“Come on Frodo, the ferry is waiting for us,” Bilbo said.

I nodded my farewell, then climbed onto the seat by the driver’s. Looking back one more time, I saw Reg, his arm around his little brother’s shoulder. Both were waving sadly. I gave a quick wave, then turned around again.

“You’re really going to miss them aren’t you?” Bilbo asked.

“I really am,” I replied, “you never realize how much you miss something until gone,”

“I know exactly what you mean,” Bilbo said smiling. “But look on the bright side: Bag End isn’t quite as noisy and crowded as Brandy Hall is,”

“I bet you’re right.” I answered. “I think I’m going to like the solitude.” I leaned back, and watched the scenery roll by.