Disclaimer: Characters belong to Tolkien.

Title: Nice Hobbit

Author/Email: Anemone Frost/[email protected]

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Frodo and Sam start their journey with Gollum.

Feedback: Yes, please. I live for reviews. ;)

Warnings: Mild violence, angst.

Archive: Hm, if you think it's good enough. Contact me first.

A/N: It's an AU fic, but may contain movie spoilers. Don't ask why I put them in.

Rage. It swelled inside Sam's mind like a raging inferno as he saw Gollum tackle his master. The sight filled his entire vision. Gollum thrashing on the ground with Frodo and pinning the hobbit, trying to entangle his fingers around the Ring.

In the moonlight, Sam could make out Frodo's contorted face of fear and panic. He was struggling to maintain his own hold around the Ring, but Gollum seemed far stronger, pressing his hands closer to the hobbit's chest. With a snarl, Sam bore down on the creature, violently ripping him from Frodo. Gollum bucked and hissed, clawing his way out of Sam's hold. The hobbit fell back in shock, and gasped as the creature spun around and entwined his slim legs tightly around Sam's waist. Jagged teeth sank into his shoulder, producing a yowl of pain from Sam. A light trail of blood was trickling down. He fell to the ground, breathing raggedly as a limb wrapped around his throat and began to squeeze. Heat flushed on Sam's cheeks as his airway was slowly cut off, causing him to gasp for air.

"Let him go or I will cut your throat," came Frodo's voice.

Sam snapped out of the trance, wincing at the ache still remaining in his shoulder, gazing back at his sleeping master. A day had passed since the incident with Gollum. He let out a disgruntled sigh as he felt hot breath near his neck. He wished his master had cut the vile thing's throat and had never allowed it to roam free.

Gollum slipped between the two, keeping his piercing gaze on the slumbering Frodo. Cautiously, Gollum extended his hand, lowering it toward the hobbit's neck. The creature flinched as Sam snatched his hand, surprised to find the hobbit awake.

"What do you think you're doing, Stinker?" Sam growled, clenching his fist around the creature's wrist. He was half tempted to bury the steel of his own blade inside Gollum's belly. "Answer me!"

"We were just wondering how the master was doing," Gollum whimpered, cowering before the hobbit. "We just wanted to make sure the nice hobbit was fine."

"He's doing well enough," Sam snapped. "You just keep your distance from him and make sure those wandering fingers stay away too!"

"We means no harm," Gollum protested.

"All the same, if I wake up and find you pawin' at him, I'll chop your head off!" Sam yelled.

Gollum shook his head. "No! No! Don't use the nasty, cruel steel on us! No, my Precious!"

Frodo jerked awake, glancing at the two before him. "What is going on here?"

Sam smirked, "I caught the stinker snooping around. He was probably after the Ring, Mr. Frodo. I told we couldn't trust him. We should tie him back up, just to be safe."

Gollum knelt to the ground, shivering and gazing up at Frodo with a pitiful expression. "We were doing no such thing; no Precious! We just wanted make sure the nice hobbit was all right! The last thing we wants is for something nasty to happen to him!" He groped Frodo's arm, massaging it lightly. "The master of the Precious must be kept safe. Yes. Besides, we made a promise to the master. We wouldn't break our vow to the nice hobbit. No."

A frown formed on Sam's face as the creature continued to knead Frodo's arm, moving his skeletal palm up his collar bone. He couldn't believe the nerve of Gollum, touching his master like that. Confusion soon came over the hobbit as Frodo allowed the disgusting creature to continue its ministrations. Perhaps Frodo was too weary to protest; it was the only explanation that Sam could muster. The creature's boney fingers were traveling toward chain around Frodo's neck. A low growl grew in Sam's throat as he finally caught on to Gollum's intentions. He was after the Ring again.

Sam shot up, grasping Gollum's arm with a ferocious grip, shaking him roughly before shoving him aside. Gollum wailed and raised his arms to cover his face.

"Sam! What are you doing?!" Frodo yelled, moving toward Gollum.

Sam stopped him and immediately let go as glazed blue eyes peered into him. Anger was flashing in those eyes. The hobbit yanked his arm away from Sam, leaving the other in a bewildered state, and glanced down at Gollum.

"Are you all right Smeagol?" Frodo asked.

"Yes, Smeagol is good," Gollum answered, crouching on all fours. "Nasty hobbit not hurts us."

"Why did you do that, Sam?" Frodo asked, his voice wavering with controlled fury.

"Mr. Frodo, he was pawing after the Ring," Sam replied, rushing to his master's side. "I saw it, Mr. Frodo. I'm telling you, he can't be trusted. He'll be after the Ring any opportunity he gets. Please, let's just tie him up for the night."

"No!" Gollum screeched. "The rope burns us! Please don't hurt Smeagol with awful, Elvish ropes! Please, master?! Precious." The creature's face softened, turning to a warm smile, nodding slightly. "Nice hobbit?"

"I think you've frightened him enough for one night Sam," Frodo rebuked. "Leave him alone."

"But Mr. Frodo— " Sam begged.

"I said leave him alone!" Frodo shouted, eyes flickering with a menace.

Sam blinked, shocked at his master's reaction. Gollum's grin widened, and he patted Frodo's arm before bounding away into the brush. Frodo's eyes welded and he reached toward Sam, clutching at his shirt.

"Sam— I'm sorry," Frodo apologized. "I don't know what came over me. It's just— I haven't been feeling well for the past few days and my temper has been on edge. I'm sorry."

"It's alright, Mr. Frodo," Sam murmured, using his sleeve to wipe at his watering lids. "I just wish I knew why you were placing so much trust in Gollum. He's going to be trouble. I just know it."

Frodo sighed, gazing over to the spot where Gollum disappeared. "Even if I told you, Sam, I doubt you would understand."

The statement stung at Sam's heart. It hurt hearing that his own master couldn't confide in him. Sam tilted his head, also gazing at the area Gollum had been. His eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. A different feeling was starting to take over.

To be continued.