Note: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of the characters in it. I am simply an obsessed fan.

Note: This is my first story though it is not my first attempt at one. I really don’t know why I was able to finish this but I did and I’m really glad that I did. I hope that you guys like it. I would also like to say that I got the idea for this story from the wonderful story What are Friends For? by mirabella_baggins.

I Should Have Seen it Coming

It was a sad day as the three hobbits, Merry, Pippin, and Sam made their way back home. Frodo had just left for the Grey Havens and all was silent. They were unsure of what to say to one another, they had just lost a dear friend, and Merry and Pippin knew that Sam was hurting the most. “I’m sorry Sam…” Pippin said at last. Merry glanced, worried that this might upset Sam even more.

Sam stayed silent for a moment, only the hoofs of their ponies could be heard walking down the road. “I should have seen it coming. It is my fault that Mr. Frodo left.. I could have stopped him.” The other two hobbits exchanged glances.

“What do you mean Sam?”

“Well.. I.. he mentioned it sometimes.”

“He mentioned going to the Grey Havens?” asked Pippin as the wind blew his hair about his face.

“No… no I don’t mean that Mr. Pippin. I mean to say… that he dropped hints about it I guess, though today did suprise me.”

“Even if he did drop hints it isn’t your fault Sam. Frodo was going to leave anyway.” Sam looked at Merry and shook his head. Already tears had begun to develop in his eyes.

“You don’t understand… I could have stopped him.”

*Flashback*

It was a sunny day in the Shire and Sam had gone over to check on Mr. Frodo. He seemed to be a bit uneasy and Sam wanted to see if there was anything he could do to help. “I’m fine Sam, really.”

“No Mr. Frodo, I can tell something is the matter. You’ve been acting funny the last few days. I’m your best friend Mr. Frodo, I know when something is wrong.”

Frodo smiled sadly at Sam and nodded. “You’re right Sam, you’re right. I’m sorry I’ve been acting this way and bringing you down… it’s just… things are so different Sam, so different. Ever since we got back it hasn’t been the same… I love this place… I love the Shire but it’s not the same Sam. The water isn’t as blue, the trees and grass aren’t as green, my memories aren’t as bright…”

As Sam listened to this he grew more and more worried. “Mr. Frodo, let me stay with you for a couple of days. Maybe you’re just feeling a bit ill is all.” Frodo shook his head, smiling sadly still.

“No Sam, I’ll be alright. Besides, you need to be home with your family… I’m just a burden Sam, just a burden.”

“Now, don’t you say that Mr. Frodo! The only thing that was a burden was that ring… and that Gollum creature.” Sam smiled, hoping to make Frodo laugh a bit and he did. As Frodo laughed he felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. “What is it Mr. Frodo?” Sam said as he placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder.

“It’s… it’s nothing Sam. I’m alright, you should be off though… off to your own home. I can take care of myself… I promise…”

Sam nodded, a little upset that he had not uncovered any more clues about why Frodo was depressed. As he turned to the door Frodo stopped him. “Sam… before you go, I… I just want to say thank you.”

“For what Mr. Frodo?”

“For everything. For coming along with me to Mordor, I treated you badly on the quest and I am so sorry Sam. You’re the reason the ring was destroyed… I wanted to keep it for myself. I failed everyone…”

Sam shook his head and once again put his hand on Frodo’s shoulder. “No Mr. Frodo. You saved Middle-Earth. It wasn’t me, it wasn’t Gollum, it was you. You carried it all the way into Mordor and I could not have done that.”

“I’m just so sorry that I was a burden Sam. I did not mean to be, but I can see that you are a very loyal friend, for staying with me even though I may have been harsh with you. I want you to know that I did not mean anything that I said. You are the best friend anyone could ask for.”

Sam smiled and headed towards the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow Mr. Frodo.”

“Goodbye Sam… goodbye…”

*End Flashback*

“Sam, there is no way that you could have known… he didn’t tell you that he was leaving.” Merry looked at Sam sadly. Sam and Frodo were a lot closer than anyone he knew. “I know you think it’s your fault Sam but it’s not. It’s nobody’s fault… Frodo just wanted some rest.”

“Why didn’t he stay here? He could have rested here!”

“He needed a different kind of rest,” Merry replied, looking forward.

“I could have helped him a bit more… but I just left him. I just left him. Gandalf told me not to lose him… and I did…”

Pippin lowered his eyes, tears were filling them. “We all did Sam… we all did.”

*The End*