Chapter Text
It was a fair Spring morning, the kind of morning that was perfect for picnicking with loved ones or fishing in the Brandywine; a sweet breeze rustled the grassy hills, birds sung in tree branches, clouds drifted lazily across the sky, and hobbits awoke and went about their daily lives with nary a heavy thought in their hearts. All was peaceful and right in the Shire.
One hobbit, in particular, was already hard at work in the garden of Bag End, tending and trimming and watering the many beautiful blossoms that blanketed the front lawn and bordered the windows in vibrant colors. She had wavy light brown hair, worn in a loose bun as to keep it out of her face while she worked, and donned a simple pair of brown breeches and a loose cotton blouse for ease of movement. Her name was Samwise, but everyone always just called her Sam, though she didn’t mind what people called her either way.
Currently, she was planting red and yellow snapdragons in the planter box that hung just below the kitchen windowsill. With practiced and careful movements, she would dig a small hole, place a few seeds, then sift some soil over them, then move on to the next one. So absorbed in her work was she, that a light rapping from the window startled her, and she almost dropped her packet of seeds.
On the other side of the window was another hobbit; paler and daintier than Sam’s, whose body was strong from heavy work and skin dark from the sun. This hobbit was fair, both in demeanor and appearance; her black hair was curly and short, and she wore suspenders over a long-sleeved button-up and a pair of black breeches. In one of her hands, she carried a book. Smiling, she opened the window.
‘Hello, Sam! Forgive me, I didn’t mean to startle you like that. I just wanted to ask if, when you’re done and if you don’t have any plans, if you’d like to come with me to run an errand or two? I have a few groceries to pick up in town, and I’d like you to help me pick out the best produce to use for dinner tonight. I want to make something nice for Uncle Bilbo since he’s arriving back from his vacation in Rivendell today, and the pantry is running a tad thin.’ She then held up the book so Sam could read the cover; "Tales of the North" was embossed on it.
‘Afterwards, would you like to read together? I found this in Bilbo’s library and thought you might like it, since you’re so fond of stories about different places and people, and I’ve found that stories are much more enjoyable when shared with people you care about.’
Sam flushed, half-embarrassed from being startled and half-flustered from the kind invitation.
‘Oh, uh, I’d be honored to, Miss Frodo! I just finished here anyway, an’ I don’t have no plans for the day. I just gotta tell my old Gaffer where I’ll be, then I’ll come right back here an’ we can start walkin’ there. Don’t you go nowhere, I’ll be quick as a rabbit!’ She pocketed her trowel and picked up her shears and straightened up, her brown eyes shining. With a grin and a wave, she turned and ran out of the front gate and down the road towards her family’s hole.
Frodo watched her go with a soft gaze and a light, fluttering feeling in her chest, before closing the window once more.