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After destroying the ring life returned to mostly normal for the fellowship. Everyone went back to living the way they had for years, all except Frodo.
He was able to return to the Shire normally but he couldn’t shake everything that happened on his adventure. He found himself constantly thinking about it. It was even subconscious, like the ring still had an effect on him. He would occasionally reach in his pocket for the ring or even try to grab it from the chain he once wore.
Good thing Sam was always there for him. Over the course of the journey Frodo became much closer than just a gardener client relationship. They were best friends and loved each other very deeply.
When Frodo found himself thinking about the ring or journey Sam was always there to calm him down and say that the Ring Wraiths couldn’t hurt him anymore. Sam was there for Frodo through thick and thin and understood the way he felt.
Sam was always there for no matter what time. Sam woke up many times a month to Frodo knocking at his door.
Even when Frodo was struggling Sam always tried to get him to return to normal hobbit life. Frodo appreciated it. He appreciated feeling normal once again sitting in The Green Dragon.
Frodo enjoyed doing normal hobbit things, especially with Sam. He loved being with Sam. He was the person he was closest with.
One night there was a party. Everyone in Hobbiton was invited. Everyone attending was drinking and dancing as you do at parties when Sam noticed Frodo was missing. He slipped off quietly to go find him.
Sam walked around tables, Hobbits, tents and more trying to find Frodo. He eventually found Frodo standing alone on the outskirts of the party staring out into the fields
“Mr. Frodo?” Sam said softly. “What are you doing out here all by yourself.”
Frodo turned around slowly, his hand on his chest where the ring would’ve been.
“Sam, this party reminds me of that night.” Frodo said.
“Which night Mr. Frodo?” Sam asked. “There are an awful lot of parties round the Shire.”
“Uncle Bilbo’s birthday party from many years ago.” Frodo answered. “That was the night the ring came into my possession. I had it for many years before I began to be corrupted by it.”
“You don’t have to worry anymore Mr. Frodo.” Sam said softly, stepping closer. “We destroyed it. You destroyed it. It can’t hurt you anymore.”
“Imagine if we didn’t.” Frodo said. “I could’ve turned out like Sméagol. I could’ve hurt you more than I already had, Sam.”
“That’s in the past now.” Sam said now standing right next to Frodo. “We can move on. Live in the Shire like we always have.”
Sam reached out his hand towards Frodo’s. His skin was soft compared to Sam’s rough skin. Frodo turned to look at Sam.
“Thank you, Sam.” He said softly. “For being here for me. For helping move through this. I wouldn’t have come far without you, Sam.”
“I’ll always be here Mr. Frodo.” Sam said reassuringly.
They looked at each other softly a while before Frodo began to think to himself about things. He wanted Sam to be with him forever. He loved him so deeply. Then it occurred to him. Could he possibly love Sam more than just a friend?
Frodo looked away back at the fields. He was now deep in thought.
“(Me? In love with Sam?)” He thought. “(There’s no way. I do love him, as a friend, but romantic love?)”
“Is something the matter Mr. Frodo?” Sam asked, now concerned that Frodo’s mind has gone back to thinking of the ring.
Frodo snapped back into reality. “I’m fine, Sam. I was just thinking.”
“Thinking what?” Sam asked, still concerned it was related to the ring.
“That we should…….” Frodo said trying to think of something else to say other than that he thinks he may have romantic feelings for his best friend. “Go back to the party. I’ve been off on my own long enough.”
“Oh.” Sam said relieved. “Alright then, after you Mr. Frodo.”
Frodo and Sam walked back to where everyone else was. The party hadn’t stopped one bit. Everyone was still drinking, dancing, and singing. Pippin and Merry were even singing and dancing on a table.
“Frodo!” Pippin said noticing his return. “Come join me!”
Before Frodo could react Pippin had grabbed his hand and pulled him onto the table. Sam just stood there looking at Frodo and laughing. Frodo, being a hobbit, couldn’t resist. He joined Pippin and Merry in their singing and dancing. He mostly did it to take his mind off things but he couldn’t say he wasn’t having fun.
While Frodo was dancing with Merry and Pippin he noticed Sam was talking to Rosie Cotton. Sam always had a crush on her but never had the courage to tell her. Frodo never minded Sam talking to Rosie but now that he noticed his feelings he couldn’t help but feel the slightest bit of jealousy rising.
He soon hopped off the table with Merry and Pippin. They went to grab some ale when the other two noticed Sam taking to Rosie.
“When will Sam confess to Rosie?” Merry said longingly.
“Watching him is quite sad.” Pippin said. “He’s loved her for years and can never bring himself to tell her.”
“He’s such a nice guy.” Merry said. “She would surely marry him on the spot if he were to asked.”
Frodo found himself now uncomfortable with the thought of Sam talking to Rosie. He obviously agreed with Merry on Sam being a nice guy but he didn’t want him to confess. He didn’t want him to marry her on the spot. Frodo was still unsure about if he actually had romantic feelings for Sam or if he was just jealous but he didn’t want to let someone take his best friend away.
Frodo didn’t do anything about it in the end. He wasn’t just going to march right over and stop the interaction. Then the fact he may have feelings would be to obvious. He just stood and watched from afar with Merry and Pippin laughing at Sam’s nervousness.
After Sam was done talking to Rosie he came over to his three friends.
“How did it go?” Merry asked him teasingly.
“Oh it was nothing much.” Sam said sheepishly. “We were just catching up, that’s all.”
“Just catching up?” Merry said in a teasing manner. “Whatever you say.”
The group partied for a while but Frodo still couldn’t shake his discomfort with Sam and Rosie’s interaction. Frodo knew that Sam was always there for him. Hell, even Sam said it himself. But if he were to ever fall in love with Rosie would he still feel that way?
Eventually the party was over and it was time to go home. They all parted ways except for Sam and Frodo. Sam’s house was the same way as Bag End so he didn’t mind walking with Frodo.
“Sam, what were you talking about with Rosie?” Frodo asked.
“She was mostly just asking about our adventures.” Sam said grinning at the thought of Rosie. “We’re now like Bilbo. Everyone asking about our adventures.”
Frodo looked down at the ground biting the inside of his mouth. He loved the thought of telling tales like Bilbo but he didn’t want Rosie to know those tales. He never had anything against Rosie but now he did.
“(I must really love Sam.)” he thought. “(I do have feelings for him. I can’t tell him now. I’ll tell him soon, just not now.)”
“That’s great Sam.” Frodo forced himself to say. “I’m glad that you get to tell your story.”
They eventually reached Bag End. Frodo walked through the gate before turning around.
“Goodnight, Sam.” He said waving.
“Goodnight Mr. Frodo.” Sam said in return before going home.
Frodo laid awake in bed. He thought all about the night. It was the first time in ages he didn’t think about the ring before sleeping.
“(If I really do love Sam.)” he thought. “(I should tell him how I feel. He won’t just know, I have to tell him.)”
The next day was Saturday. That day Sam and Frodo had planned to do some gardening. Even though Frodo could hire Sam to do it Sam always insisted that they do it together because it was funner that way. Frodo agreed with Sam, he enjoyed his company long before the ring was in his possession.
While Sam and Frodo were gardening it was peaceful. There was soft chirping from the birds and a slight breeze. Sam was telling Frodo all about the different types of flowers they were planting. The out of no where Frodo decided to do something completely rash.
“Sam, can I tell you something?” He said when he didn’t even mean to.
“What is it Mr. Frodo?” Sam replied setting down his spade.
Frodo was now panicking as he didn’t mean to say that. He wasn’t ready to confess.
“I was wondering if you’d like to come to the Green Dragon with me.” He said avoiding an almost accidental confession.
“Of course Mr. Frodo.” Sam said. “It sounds nice after all our hard work.”
Frodo and Sam both stood up and made off for the pub. As they were walking Frodo looked at Sam’s hand wishing it were entwined with his. They eventually made it there and grabbed two ales before sitting at a table.
They chatted about random things in life. Sam was telling Frodo more about plants that were now in the garden at bag end. Frodo listened as he loved learning things. Frodo told Sam about the book he was writing and how he had recently received a letter from Aragorn. Frodo thought that he might confess at the pub. He was just going to wait a bit longer.
Everything was great. Everything was great until she showed up. Rosie. Rosie worked at the pub. This was common knowledge. But she had just started her shift. Frodo knew that Sam liked her. He didn’t think that anything would happen. But he was wrong.
“I can’t take this anymore.” Said Sam standing up. “I’ve gotta tell Rosie how I feel.”
“Right now?” Said Frodo shocked.
“Yes, Frodo.” Sam said. “Wish me luck.”
Sam walked right on over to Rosie Cotton. Frodo was out of earshot but he was trying to make out what was being said. He didn’t catch any words but he saw Rosie laughing and nodding. That means it went well. Nobody laughs while shooting you down.
After he was done confessing Sam walked back to Frodo and sat down.
Frodo knew how it went but he still felt obliged to ask. “How did it go?”
Sam looked up in a love struck daze. “It went wonderful Frodo. I never thought I’d be able to find love while on our adventure hug I’ve been proved wrong. Thank you Frodo, for supporting me.”
Frodo fidgeted slightly and looked down at his hands. “I see,” he said. “I’m happy for you.”
Frodo reached up to his chest. He wanted to put on the ring and disappear forever but he knew he couldn’t do that. Everything hurt. He was so overwhelmed he could feel his scar from weathertop burning. He fought back tears with everything in him.
The night went on. Sam and Frodo continued to chat about things. After the confession though Frodo seemed cold and distant. Sam was too focused on his successful confession to notice.
It soon got late and they headed home. They walked together as they always do but it was different. Frodo was walking with a quick pace just so he could get home. He loved Sam but he didn’t want to be near him now. Sam still didn’t notice as he was lost in his own world with Rosie Cotton.
Eventually they reached Bag End and Frodo quickly entered the gate.
“Goodnight Mr. Frodo!” Sam said cheerfully.
“Goodnight.” Frodo said without turning around which was unusual of him.
Frodo entered his house and as soon as he closed the door he sank to the ground. He sat there and cried. Frodo loved Sam. He didn’t want him to be in love with Rosie. If Sam loved Rosie then he’d never have time Frodo. Frodo needed Sam. He wouldn’t have destroyed the ring if it wasn’t for him. Frodo wouldn’t be able to still live in the shire as normal without him. He wished that he had confessed right then and there. Why didn’t Frodo tell Sam when he rashly asked him to go to the green dragon?
It didn’t matter though. Sam already chose Rosie. There’s no way he’d go with Frodo now. He should’ve been quicker. Sam would’ve gone with him then……….. right? It wasn’t that common for two hobbits of the same gender so who knows if Sam would’ve been okay with it. It could’ve ruined their friendship.
What could he do now? There’s no way he could confess now. Frodo decided that it was pointless to be so upset about it. He’d at least try to remain Sam’s best friend.
As time went on many things didn’t change. Sam and Frodo still did things together. It was different though. Frodo was no longer Sam’s number one. He couldn’t always rely on him.
Frodo still deeply loved him as a friend but there was still a part of him that wished they were more. Because of his love for Sam he supported him and Rosie all the way until eventually they got married.
Since Frodo was planning on not having any children he decided that he would have Sam inherit his house and wealth. That’s why Sam and Rosie moved in with Frodo at Bag End after marriage.
The Ring still haunted Frodo though. Everything about that journey still haunted him. But now he was afraid to go to Sam. Frodo didn’t want to bother him since he was now busy with children and a wife.
Frodo was still happy for Sam. He was happy that Sam was able to live life normally after the journey to Mordor. Even if it hurt Frodo he still wanted to support Sam.
The end