The Travelers.

On the Journey Home...

Prologue

"Merry!" Pippin exclaimed. "There's a baby in here! A hobbit baby!"

Merry rushed over and peered into the basket, surprise on his face. Frodo felt a thrill of pride when he heard the soft cooing sounds Fael was making. He couldn't wait to introduce his son to his cousins.

"A baby!" Merry repeated. He looked up and stared at his two friends. "Where on earth did it come from?"

"He," Sam corrected, drawing a small barrel of ale off the back of the cart.

Pippin looked around the busy camp, smoothing his fair hair down and smiling in anticipation. "Where's his mother?" he asked eagerly.

"Good question," Frodo muttered under his breath.

"Maybe you should sit down," Sam suggested. "It's been a long day."

"He's very small," Merry said curiously, peering into the basket. "Where is his mother?" He looked up suspiciously. "And his father come to that."

Pippin raised his brow. "Is one of you his father?"

"Another good question," Frodo said, accepting a mug from Sam and sitting down with a sigh. "Sit down, lads," he invited. "Sam has quite a story for you."

Sam's hand jerked and foam from Merry's mug hit the grass. "Hey," Merry protested, rescuing his brew.

"Why me?" Sam asked. "They're your cousins, you tell them."

"Is it a secret?" Pippin asked curiously, accepting his own mug. "Because you know I can keep a secret."

Merry, Sam and Frodo all turned to stare at him, mugs halfway to their lips.

"What?" Pippin asked blankly. "I can!"

Frodo shook his head and sipped his drink. "Well, all right," he agreed. "Sam is his father, I suppose there's no doubt about that."

"Absolutely none," Sam nodded.

"Congratulations, Sam!" Pip exclaimed, raising his mug.

"Yes, congratulations," Merry echoed, his gaze traveling from Sam to Frodo and back again, a dubious expression on his face. "So what's the big secret?"

"That I'm his father too?" Frodo said, testing the words to see how they sounded. They sounded a bit odd actually, and it was obvious Merry and Pippin thought so, their eyebrows rose and they shared a glance.

"How?" Merry finally asked. "And also, what?"

"Now I really want to meet his mother," Pippin said enthusiastically.

"Oh just spit it out," Bilbo said grumpily from the back of the cart. "Someone help me down and pour me a drink, will you?"

Merry and Sam lifted the old hobbit down and settled him by the fire with a mug in his hands. "A fine mess you boys make of explanations left to yourself," Bilbo grumbled into his ale. "You should have seen the way they faffed around trying to tell me! As if I didn't notice that big belly Frodo was sporting."

"You thought he was getting plump," Sam accused, while Frodo watched the frowns of confusion on his cousins faces. He couldn't help chuckling. How Bilbo loved to set the cat among the pigeons.

"Nonsense," Bilbo scoffed. "I took one look at him and knew he was pregnant."

"Pregnant!" Pippin exclaimed.

"Yes," Frodo confirmed. "I was pregnant, with Fael." He nodded towards the basket.

"It was an elven spell," Sam elaborated as Pippin stood up and peered back into the basket at Frodo's knee. Merry just sat with his eyes narrowed, looking from Sam to Frodo and back again.

"You had a baby, Frodo?" Pippin asked in amazement. "Why?"

"Because Frodo was dying," Bilbo said bluntly. "And the spell saved his life. How many more reasons do you need?"

"Dying?" Merry exclaimed. He looked at Sam. "You said he was ill in that letter you sent, you never said he was dying!"

"But you're all right now, aren't you Frodo?" Pippin asked anxiously, sitting by Frodo and touching his arm softly. "Having the baby saved your life?"

Yes, Pip," Frodo said affectionately, squeezing his cousin's hand. "I'm fine."

Pippin grinned. "Those elves can do anything!"

"They didn't do it alone," Merry said slowly. "You and Sam made this baby together, Frodo?"

"The spell just made it possible for me to conceive," Frodo confirmed. "Fael is our baby, Sam's and mine." He looked over at Sam, loving the gentle smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes.

Pippin opened his mouth eagerly but at that moment Fael began to cry, his thin wail surprisingly loud in the quiet camp.

"We're late for his feed!" Sam said, shaking his head at their forgetfulness.

"Fael doesn't like to miss a meal," Frodo chuckled, carefully lifting the crying baby from his warm nest. Fael instantly ceased his louder cries but kept grizzling, little fists waving, his pink cheeks red. "There, there," Frodo soothed, lifting him to his shoulder and patting his narrow back.

"He's so wee," Pippin cooed. "Can I hold him, Frodo? Can I feed him?"

"He does have a bottle doesn't he?" Merry asked, panic on his face.

Bilbo sputtered into his mug. "That's something we missed out on," he cackled. "Breast feeding!"

"He has a bottle," Sam confirmed, bringing one over. "It's not heated, Frodo, but it's not cold either."

"Can I?" Pippin beseeched and Frodo carefully put Fael into his arms.

"Hold him close to your chest," Sam advised.

"Support his head." Frodo slipped his hands out from under the baby and Sam handed Pippin the bottle.

"I have held babies before," Pippin protested. "Look, he likes me!"

"He likes milk," Sam corrected, showing Pippin how to hold the bottle correctly. While they fussed over the baby Frodo met Merry's eyes over their heads. His cousin was still frowning when he stood and crossed to Frodo's other side, where he stood and looked into the flames.

"Sam should have told us how ill you were," Merry said quietly.

"He didn't know how bad it was."

Merry turned a sharp look on him. "But you knew?"

"I suspected."

"Why didn't you tell us then?" Merry demanded. "We would have come with you!"

"That's why I didn't tell you," Frodo said quietly as Sam and Pip's attention was drawn to them. "It was bad enough Sam's life was being disrupted. I thought you two deserved a bit of time at home."

"It should have been our decision too, Frodo," Pippin said earnestly. "We've been terribly worried about you."

"You lads stuck together through thick and thin during those adventures of yours, didn't you?" Bilbo said and they all turned to look at him. "If half those stories you tell me are true." He looked at the four of them around the fire. "But when the time came you went your separate ways, because you all had your own jobs to do. Did them all pretty well too, didn't you?"

The four young hobbits glanced at each other and nodded.

"Well, it seems to me that Frodo and Sam had a job to do as well," he finished gruffly. "And a darn fine one they did too! So stop worrying about who should have done what! And pour me another ale!"

Frodo chuckled and Merry and Pip joined in. Shaking his head at the grumpy old hobbit Sam emptied the last of the small barrel into his mug.

"And now I get the dregs," Bilbo muttered, drinking it down. "Well, how about some supper then? Or is it goats milk for all of us?"

"We bought food," Pippin volunteered.

"And I better get those ponies tended to," Merry said, jumping to his feet.

"I'd help you, but..." Pippin nodded at the suckling baby and shrugged.

"Nice one, Pip."

"I'll help." Frodo followed Merry to the tethered ponies and helped unbuckle their saddles while Sam bustled about gathering his cooking pots.

"You must have a hundred questions."

"At least," Merry returned. "But right now I can only think of one." He turned to face Frodo. "Are you happy, Frodo?"

Frodo gave this question the serious attention it merited. It took him about five seconds and then he grinned. "Yes."

Merry just looked at him for a while. "Then the other ninety and nine questions can wait," he finally said, and together they finished their task.

Part One

Frodo stretched his toes and yawned, careful not to disturb Bilbo's snuffling doze. He'd thought sleeping his life away had ended with his pregnancy, but no matter how hard he tried the gentle rocking motion of the cart and the soft sunshine would have him snoring in no time. He peered into Fael's basket, and carefully smoothed the blankets around him again. The hobbit baby hated his feet tucked under covers and spent most of his waking time trying to kick them off. Frodo reflected how glad he was the weather was warming up and soon Fael could have his way.

His hand lingered at Fael's chin and he stroked the smooth skin tenderly, unable to resist the loving touch. He never got tired of touching his baby.

His baby.

Frodo huffed a laugh at how that sounded in his head, his other hand going to his soft belly and pressing ruefully. If it wasn't for this he might have been able to convince himself it had all been some crazy dream. What had Sam called it? Cracked? It was certainly an accusation he'd heard before. Those Baggins under The Hill. Mad, crazy, cracked, those were just some of the opinions expressed by the good drinking hobbits of Hobbiton, and their wives too, come to that.

What would they say now, those good hobbits? What would they have said if they could have seen him a few months ago, round and full of baby, content to be so?

Frodo chuckled again and turned his face to the front of the cart where Sam sat with the reins in his hands, lost in his own thoughts. He couldn't find it within himself to worry about that. His friends and neighbors were his least concern. Sam and Fael were all that mattered now. His love and his son.

Cracked, crazy, mad. And the best thing that had ever happened to him.

Not that he'd always felt that way, not by a long chalk. Certainly not when this all began. Back then he'd still been confused by a lot of things, still haunted by the darkness he'd carried within him for so long. Even when the spell had been cast, even when the darkness was being dispelled from his body he'd found he couldn't dispel it from his heart, not completely.

Frodo recalled how it had been back then, feeling the life come back into him, feeling the sun on his skin after so long in the bitter cold

He'd never told Sam about that cold, not really. About the veil that had seemed to descend between him and the rest of the world after the Ring. How it seemed to muffle sound, suppress taste, distance him from emotion. So maybe even Sam had never really understood what it had been like to feel that veil lifted after the spell was cast. To feel the sun on his skin again.

Frodo leaned back and squinted against the light, smiling a little at the memory of that first reawakening. How joyous those moments had been! His smile faded a little when he remembered that even then he'd managed to wipe the joy from Sam's face. When he'd denied their baby.

He wondered if he'd ever be able to forgive himself for that. Sam just kissed him and said he understood, but Frodo knew he didn't, not really. He'd forgiven Frodo because Sam's heart was so big, so full of love that he would forgive Frodo anything. But he had never really understood.

Frodo shivered a little at the memory. He hated to remember the days of Sam's suffering, how sad his eyes had been when he thought Frodo wasn't looking, how they would linger longingly on the swell of Frodo's belly as if he could not help it. Frodo hated to remember how long he had let that go on before he had finally gathered the strength to fight it.

And Sam had forgiven him.

Sam had laid wondering hands on the swell of their child, such strong hands, such gentle hands. And Sam had wept his heart out on Frodo's breast.

Frodo wished Sam were beside him in the little cart now instead of up front driving it. He longed to wrap his arms around his love, to apologize again with touch and kiss for all the grief he had suffered at Frodo's hands.

He knew he would be trying to make up for it for the rest of his life.

Fael stirred and Frodo turned and gently gathered him up, lifting him and resting him at his shoulder.

"Shh," he soothed, rubbing his cheek against the soft skin for comfort. What was he doing, getting lost in the past again today? He brooded too much these days, dwelled too long on old hurts. Hadn't all this been settled long ago? When the last of the dark poison had been driven from his body? When all that had been left was the darkness in his heart, which he had conquered, was still conquering every day.

Frodo knew he should be remembering the good times now, when the life inside him ceased to be a burden and became a joy. When he stopped being ashamed of carrying a baby and began to feel the pride of it. It was too bright and sunny a day to brood about past mistakes. They were only miles from home, Merry and Pippin rode with them, Bilbo was by his side and he had Fael in his arms.

His baby.

Frodo kissed downy curls, wondering at how he could ever have seen any of this as a burden. Perhaps it had been because he hadn't understood love then, not really.

"Ready for a break?" Sam called over his shoulder. "Looks like we're stopping here for an hour."

Frodo looked around at the sunny patch of forest. He supposed the elves stopped as often as they did just for the hobbits sake. They could probably keep going for the entire journey left to themselves, but still they stopped at noon and evening every day, set up camp and rested.

"I could stretch my legs," Frodo admitted. Bilbo snuffled and snorted beside him.

"One spoonful please!" he said, then opened his eyes. "Time for a cup of tea?" he said hopefully.

Merry and Pip reined in behind them.

"I'll take the baby, Frodo," Pip said eagerly once he'd dismounted, and Frodo handed him over with a grin. Pip was in love.

"Look who's awake then!" Pippin crooned into Fael's yawning face. "Is you hungry den? Yes?" He bent over and kissed a soft rounded cheek. "Oh, you're so sweet!"

"Pippin!" Merry exclaimed in disgust, but Pip just poked his tongue out and turned his back to them. "You realize he only wants to hold the baby to get out of gathering firewood," Merry continued.

"Uncle Merry is a grouch, isn't he, Fael?" Pippin crooned. "Can you say grumpy? Yes?"

Merry shook his head and stomped off and Frodo grinned. "I'll help you," he volunteered, following him to the edge of the wood.

"Don't go far," Sam called after them.

"Yes, mother," Merry said over his shoulder.

"Actually I'm the mother now, Merry,' Frodo joked, bending to pick up a stick, grateful at being able to move so easily again.

"Oh yes, very funny," Merry said, and Frodo saw with surprise that his cousin's brow was stormy.

"It's kind of funny," Frodo said cautiously. "Pip's right, you are grumpy today."

"I'm not grumpy,' Merry said grumpily. He heaved a sigh and his frown faded. "I'm not grumpy," he repeated a little more convincingly. "I'm just trying to get used to all this, that's all."

"Poor Merry," Frodo sympathized, picking up some more sticks. "Starting to come up with more of those questions are you? Well, just you think how I felt! It took me a long time to come to terms with it, so I don't expect you to in a single day."

"You saying you have come to terms with it?" Merry said bluntly. "I've been watching you all morning, those were some pretty dark looks you were throwing around."

Frodo paused, looking at Merry in surprise. "You were watching me?"

Merry shrugged. "I'm worried about you! I've been worried about you for months! And then when we do finally see you again you arrive with this story. Of course I'm worried, of course I've been watching you."

"Oh, Merry," Frodo commiserated.

"And what I've seen hasn't comforted me much." Merry kicked moodily at a stone. "In fact the more I think about it the angrier I get at that Sam Gamgee!"

Frodo felt a shock run through him. "Angry at Sam?" he repeated in surprise. "Why?"

"For taking advantage!" Merry exclaimed. "I always knew he was devoted to you, but I never knew he wanted you so much he'd take advantage of your illness to-"

"Now you wait just a minute!" Frodo interrupted fiercely, dropping his armful of sticks on the ground. "I won't have you saying one word against Sam, do you hear me?"

Merry shook his head, his eyes worried. "You're so close you don't even see it yourself. He's got you wrapped around his little finger, he talked you into that crazy spell, made you have a baby for goodness sake!"

"That's enough!" Frodo said firmly. "You're talking about things you don't understand. And I won't have you say one word against Sam. You have no idea what he's been through, Merry, for me. All for me."

"What he's been through?" Merry said incredulously. "What about that scar you were flashing about last night? Those marks on your belly like silver lines? Looks to me like Sam got away easy!"

Frodo shook his head in exasperation. "Oh, Merry, how can you say that? Because it's all turned out well, all you see is the happy ending. I suppose I can't blame you for not understanding what Sam gave up to love me, when all you seem to see is what he gained."

"You. A baby. Bag End." Merry looked stubborn. "Stop me when I'm wrong."

"Stop." Frodo returned smartly. "Sam didn't want me, he loved me as I loved him, but he wasn't scheming somewhere in a corner to get into my bed! As a matter of fact..." Frodo trailed off, then set his jaw and continued. "As a matter of fact there's someone waiting for him at home now, though he didn't ask her to. I'm not looking forward to her pain when she finds out I've stolen Sam right from under her nose."

Merry gaped at him in disbelief.

"As for Fael, well, Sam couldn't love him more." Frodo breathed a sigh of regret. "He loved him long before I could, and I was carrying him under my heart. But, Merry... There'll be no more babies for Sam." Tears pricked Frodo's eyes and he blinked them away. "If he and I stay together, and I tell you now I will do everything in my power to make sure we will, then Fael will be the only child Sam will ever father. If you think that doesn't weigh heavy with me at times you're wrong."

"Frodo," Merry whispered, his eyes darkening.

"And as to Bag End, that's the silliest accusation of all. Sam's been my heir since the week we got back to the Shire. All I have would have been his if I'd died of my illness. Half of everything I own will be his just as soon as I can arrange it upon our return. So he didn't need to wed me or bed me to get his hands on that."

"Enough, Frodo," Merry exclaimed. "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have said that Sam was to blame for this."

"Blame doesn't come into it, Merry," Frodo said earnestly. "Truly it doesn't."

"I suppose I have to believe it, if you say so." Merry shrugged. "But the way you're talking about Sam now, Frodo? You had to be with him to make this baby, I understand that, but are you in love with him now? Like a happily ever after kind of love? How did that happen?"

"How does any love happen?" Frodo said reasonably.

"But you've known him forever! How can that turn to love?"

"What better way? Who could I trust more than Sam?" Frodo looked down at his mutilated hand, flexing his fingers absently. "I don't trust so easily any more, Merry. Don't let folk get close." He huffed a small laugh. "Never really have, come to that. But I've always been able to trust him... Of course it's Sam! Who else but Sam?"

"I suppose," Merry said uncertainly. "But, wasn't there another way, Frodo? So you've made the best of it all, you seem happy enough now, but you just looked so sad today, so lost. Was a cure really worth breaking your heart over?"

"Dear Merry," Frodo said, reaching out and hugging his surprised cousin all of a sudden. "You couldn't be more wrong! I'm not just making the best of it. It is the best, and I'm the happiest I've ever been."

Merry still looked doubtful but Frodo only smiled at him fondly. "I think it's only time that will convince you of this, Merry. You'll see. And it's all right to doubt. I know you're just worried about me, aren't you?"

"Of course I am!" Merry exclaimed. "You're riding back to the Shire with a baby you can't explain to the world, and with Sam Gamgee by your side. Who wouldn't be worried?"

"Traveler," Frodo said simply.

"Huh?"

"Sam Traveler. And I'm Frodo Traveler now, no more mad Baggins, at least there won't be once Bilbo leaves us."

"You've taken new names?" Merry said incredulously. "The same names?"

"And our lad is Fael Traveler. Nice, isn't it?"

Merry was opening and closing his mouth in disbelief. "Are you crazy?" he finally spluttered. "You might have got away with it if you just moved Sam in as your help, made up some story about adopting a hobbit baby. But if you take the same names... Everyone will guess, Frodo. At least about you and Sam."

"Yes," Frodo agreed. "I do know that, Merry. I'm not as blind and foolish as you seem to think. Don't worry about it," he counseled. "We'll sort things out, we're quite a team you know, Sam and I."

He bent down and gathered his sticks back up, wincing just a little now at the tender spot. "And I was in a dark mood this morning, Merry, you were right about that. I brood too much sometimes, get caught up in the past, play the mistakes over in my head. Next time you see me with that expression on my face I'd appreciate a tap on the shoulder to shake me out of it." Frodo chuckled, just a little. "If Sam hadn't had his back to me that's what he would have done. He takes very good care of me, you know?"

"I know," Merry agreed thickly. "I just forgot for a while, that's all." He threw one arm around Frodo and hugged him close to his side. "I guess I have a lot to sort out, don't I?"

"I understand," Frodo said gently. "Like I said, it took me a long time to sort it all out in my head, and I'm the one it was happening to. Just don't get mad at Sam again, all right? It makes me see red."

"I wouldn't dare!" Merry exclaimed in horror. "I'd as soon poke sticks at a hornet's nest!"

Back in camp Sam had a fire going already, pot beginning to boil.

"We gave up on your firewood," he said pointedly as they tossed their sticks by the stones.

"Just enjoying a walk in the woods," Frodo said lightly, sitting down with a small wince.

"All right?" Sam said more quietly and Frodo nodded and smiled.

"Look, Merry!" Pippin exclaimed. "He's smiling at me!" He cooed down into the infant's face. "You know your Uncle Pip, don't you, Fael? Who's a clever boy, den? Hmm?"

"Oh, Pippin," Merry said in disgust. "Hand him over here."

Pippin reluctantly handed him over and Merry laid the baby back on his lap, letting his strong little legs kick happily. He held out his finger and chuckled when Fael stared cross eyed at it for a moment and then grasped it strongly. "You know," Merry said in surprise. "I think he has your nose, Sam."

"D'you think so?" Pippin mused. "I thought he had a bit of a Took nose. And that's a Brandybuck chin, if I ever saw one."

"He's the image of Sam," Frodo interjected.

"But those are your eyes, Frodo," Pippin pointed out.

Merry looked up at him and smiled lopsidedly and after a moment Frodo smiled back.

"He's a Traveler," Sam said firmly. His was the last word.

Part Two

"I hope you're in a better mood tonight." Pippin plumped his bedroll down and smoothed it out.

"Who said I was in a bad mood?"

Pippin rolled his eyes. "I don't know, Merry. Possibly it was the stomping around and snapping my head off this morning that gave it away."

"I wasn't in a bad mood," Merry denied. "I was just worried about Frodo."

Pip sat down on his blankets with a tired sigh. "And do you feel better now?" he yawned.

"Frodo and I had a chat," Merry confided. "I see you're taking this all in your stride as usual. Doesn't anything ever bother you? Our friends go away and when they come back they're in love with each other and have a baby! You take things too lightly sometimes, Pip."

"I was as surprised as you," Pippin said reasonably, laying back and tucking his hands under his head. "You could have knocked me down with a feather when I saw that little one!" He smiled and then chuckled. "He is cute though, isn't he?"

"That's hardly the point, Pip," Merry said in exasperation. "I was just worried about everything that Frodo went through, that's all." Merry cast his thoughts back to that morning, traces of worry still on his mind. "And I'm not sure he's entirely well, whatever they say. His mood seemed a bit dark this morning."

Pip turned on his side and gazed at his cousin in the firelight. "Which part bothered you, Merry? That Frodo had a baby? That you think he's not well? Or that he and Sam are in love?"

Merry opened and closed his mouth. "How about all of it?" he finally managed. "And why on earth doesn't it all bother you?"

"Well first of all I think Frodo is well. The poison that was killing him is gone, Sam said so and I believe him. If Frodo still has bad memories, well, who doesn't? There's a few things I'd like to forget as well. You?"

Merry shrugged. "I suppose," he allowed.

"And as to the baby, I've got a lot more questions about that to ask Frodo, don't doubt it! But I only have to look at him to see how happy he is. How much in love."

"Maybe that is the part I still have trouble with" Merry admitted softly. "Frodo said it would take time, but I don't know if I'll ever get used to it."

"I'd trust Frodo on this one, if I were you. And trust Sam too! He loves Frodo, that's as plain as can be!"

"I've known Frodo all my life. I've known Sam most of his. Do you blame me if I have trouble believing that the two hobbits I know so well could change so much in such a short time?"

"Oh, Merry," Pippin said sympathetically. "Maybe I do take things too lightly at times, but I think you take them too seriously. Frodo's happy, Sam's happy, I'm happy. Can't you just be happy for them? And if Frodo's not completely healed yet, well, I can't think of a better way for him to finish healing than with the hobbit he loves and their dear little baby back home in the Shire."

"Easy as that, hey? I'd rather take things too seriously than just accept everything at face value," Merry proclaimed, jumping up and walking away from the firelight.

"Merry?" Pippin called, but Merry ignored him and kept walking, arms crossed, hands tucked under them. He was trying to trust his friends, he really was. Frodo's sincere words had reached him that day, but part of him still felt that Frodo had been pressured into this new relationship and was just making the best of it. Perhaps pride had him insisting otherwise?

The camp was quiet and Merry stopped just out of reach of the next circle of fire light. He could see Sam's broad form as he stood by the campfire, tossing twigs idly into the low flames. There was a small tent set up and even as Merry watched he saw Frodo stoop and step out of the tent flap. He crossed to Sam's side and Merry felt a little embarrassed as Sam held out one arm and Frodo curved his body to Sam's sturdy one.

They were in profile and Merry watched them curiously, wondering anew. They had always been friends, never closer than after the quest. But what made that different to them now? How did they know it was love?

Sam murmured something to Frodo and slid one hand down over his belly and Merry flushed in embarrassed distress. Surely Sam wasn't going to grope Frodo out here in the open where anyone could see them?

But then he saw that the gentle hand was resting on the lower slope of Frodo's belly, and that Frodo was nodding and smiling. Merry recalled this was the place Frodo had indicated last night, when he told them how Fael had been born.

Merry flushed with embarrassment again, but this time it was directed at his own evil suspicions. Of course Sam was worried about Frodo, they'd confided about the hard time he'd had at the birth. Of course he wanted to make sure Frodo was all right.

And then they turned their heads and kissed, just for a moment, soft and quick. And Merry saw the way Sam's big hands stroked so gently down Frodo's arms, and how affectionately Frodo curled into his embrace. Then Frodo murmured something and Sam laughed softly, and it was so intensely intimate, so loving, that Merry all at once realized that he was spying on his friends and he turned away.

Head spinning he stumbled back to the fire, relieved to hear Pip's customary gentle snores.

So that was how they knew. That was what had changed. That was how they made that baby together, with soft kisses and tender touch.

Merry lay back on his bedroll and stared at the stars wheeling slowly across the sky above him. To think he'd pitied Frodo his hard choices and trials off at Rivendell with Sam! Now all he could feel was glad for his friends, and shame for his suspicions.

And oddly, a kind of envy.

Part Three.

"You joining me?" Sam asked in surprise as Merry climbed up next to him on the front of the wagon.

"I'm tired of riding." Merry slanted Sam a glance, his eyes drawn irresistibly to the strong calloused hands fondling the reins, remembering how gentle they had been the night before when they touched Frodo.

"You'll be tired of this hard wooden seat soon too," Sam chuckled. "All set back there?" He flicked the reins and clicked, setting the cart into gentle motion.

"Tonight we'll be on the border of the Shire," Bilbo said in satisfaction. "You know I'm quite looking forward to seeing it again."

"And I'm looking forward to closing the front door behind me and knowing our journey is over," Frodo added. He stood up behind Sam and held his shoulders as the wagon began to speed up a little. "Even when we lingered all the way home from Gondor we didn't seem to go this slow."

"Pip and I will ride with you to Hobbiton," Merry said over his shoulder. "We've arranged for Bag End to be cleaned and aired, but we couldn't stock it with food, because we didn't know when you were coming."

"Good Shire food again," Sam said with anticipation.

"Nothing wrong with elven food, if Frodo's plumpness is any indication," Merry joked and winced when Frodo pinched his ear.

"I was eating for two you know!" he exclaimed. "Sam, tell him."

"He was eating for two, Merry," Sam said dutifully.

"You're no help," Frodo groused. "We'll be taking a few long walks about the Shire when we get home, my lad. I'll walk this tummy off."

"I want to check my trees anyway," Sam agreed. "And there'll be plenty of gardening to do to get Bag End back into shape." His hands flexed. "I can't wait."

Merry had to smile at the greedy anticipation in Sam's voice. Everything seemed brighter this morning, especially his mood. Pippin was right. He should just be grateful that his friends were home and safe, and not worry about the details.

"You feelin' better this mornin'?" Sam asked quietly a little while later.

Merry looked at him in surprise. "I'm fine."

Sam shot him a look, brows raised. "It's all right, you know. To be uneasy about all this. We sure were when it all began!"

"I imagine you were!" Merry exclaimed.

"You should have heard what Sam said when we heard about it for the first time," Frodo called up.

"Don't tell him that!" Sam said, ears turning red.

"Tell tell!" Pip called out, moving his pony closer to the cart.

"I bet Frodo has plenty of stories to tell," Merry said slyly. "Might take copious amounts of ale to loosen his tongue. It seems to me a party is in order, once we get home."

"Great idea!" Pip cheered.

"I'm up for that!" Bilbo agreed.

"Let's at least settle in first," Sam interjected.

"No problem, it'll take a few days to plan and get invitations out," Merry said rubbing his hands together gleefully.

"And after all," Pip said reasonably. "We've got to wet the baby's head. Hurrah! Party at Bag End!"

"I suppose that's that then," Sam sighed and Merry laid a hand on his forearm, feeling the solid strength and vitality of him under his fingers.

"A party will make it official, Sam," Merry said firmly. "That the Traveler family have arrived home, and that their family heartily approve."

"That's right," Bilbo called up.

"Welcome to the family, Sam!"

Frodo leaned over his shoulder and smiled. "Let's hope you don't regret it!"

Sam gave the reins a loose shake and turned a knowing smile on them. "Too late now if I did!"

"Much," Frodo agreed with satisfaction.

To Be Continued!