Disclaimer: I don’t own any of Tolkien’s characters, just the imagination behind this story. Many thanks to MaddyLakeDeep for her editing and encouragement!

Chapter 1 – Frodo’s Plan

Frodo is sitting with his back against a tree, it is obvious that something is weighing heavy on his mind, not as if the Ring wasn’t enough, but it seemed to Eowyn that something more was troubling him.

She walked over to where he was thinking and sat down in the grass beside him, “What’s troubling you, Frodo?” she said with a look of true concern on her face.

Ever since she had met up with Faramir who had been holding the two hobbits captive to take them to Gondor until their encounter with the Nazgul, it was then that he finally understood what Frodo had to do; In fact, he was willing to forfeit his own life in order to let Frodo and Sam go free. They planned to leave the camp first thing in the morning. Eowyn admired the two hobbits for their courage and determination.

“I’m worried,” Frodo replied, still deep in thought.

“About anything in particular?” Eowyn asked him, knowing about his heavy burden of the One Ring, but wondering if there was something else troubling him.

“Everything!” he replied quickly, but then as he lowered his voice, he slowly revealed what really troubled him. “Sam.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about him, Frodo.” Eowyn reassured her hobbit friend, “he’ll always be there for you, loyal till the end.”

Frodo replied solemnly, “To the very end. That’s what troubles me. I don’t want any harm to come to him, but it seems inevitable.”

After thinking for a moment, Eowyn said to Frodo, “He has made it safe this far. Your friendship has kept you both strong. Without each other,” she paused, “you might have failed before now.”

“That is true.” Frodo replied, “I don’t know what I’d do without Sam.”

Both Eowyn and Frodo were startled by Sam’s voice calling as he came up into the army camp carrying a handful of herbs and his trusty cooking pot.

“I’m planning on fixin’ some broth, if that sounds good to you, Mr. Frodo.”

Frodo smiled, he was pleased at more than just the future meal, he was grateful for his loyal companion. “My dear Sam,” he said, “that sounds wonderful.”

“Well, then,” said Sam, “I best get started so it’ll be plenty ready for eatin’ by the time you’re all hungry.” He set his pot over the campfire and broke up the herb leaves and tossed them into the black kettle.

“Fuddlecakes!” grumbled Sam, frustrated that he didn’t pick enough herbs earlier, “I’ll be needing more sour weed, if I can find some. If you’ll keep an eye on the broth, Mr. Frodo, I’ll go pick some more.”

“I can go get it,” offered Frodo. Sam replied, “No, that’s alright. I already know where to find some, it’ll only take half a minute.”

With that, Sam scurried off in searched of sour weed, and Frodo picked up on his conversation with Eowyn where they left off.

“I need you,” Frodo began, “I need you to help me get Sam to go with Faramir to Gondor while I go on to Mordor alone.”

Eowyn studied Frodo’s face for a moment, then, realizing the seriousness of his request, she replied, “Faramir already agreed to let you go on to Mordor, but Sam will want to go with you.”

“I know,” said Frodo, “but he can’t go with me.” He paused for a moment, then, with tears welling in his eyes. “I couldn’t stand to watch him die, and,” He took a deep breath, “I know that to finish the quest brings almost certain death.”

Eowyn asked, “What do you need me to do?”

“Help me sneak away.” Frodo explained his plan to her, “I will leave after he falls asleep tonight. What I need you to do is,” Frodo hesitated It was hard for him to even think about leaving his beloved friend, but he knew what he must do. He continued, “Try to explain to him why I had to leave him behind. I fear he will not understand, but he must realize that it is for the best, he will be safe in Gondor.”

Eowyn looked at the courageous hobbit and said, “I will help you, and I will make sure that he is taken care of.”

“Thank you,” said Frodo with mixed emotions. He was grateful for her help and for her promise to watch over his friend, but at the same time he did not want to leave his dear Sam. He knew this would be better for Sam, however, and he would do anything to keep his loyal companion safe from harm.

“Run!” broke in a Rohirrim Soldier, “Orcs are upon us!”

The Gondorian camp was under attack by a band of fierce orcs. Eowyn guided Frodo under a small patch of brush and told him, “Stay hidden!” She then pulled her sword out of its sheath and ran into the battle.

TBC

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