"And then your Uncle Samwise cranked the handle as fast as he could--" This was accompanied by much bouncing. "But the jack kept getting stuck--" This was a jerky stop. "And then his face turned just as red as yours does when you're hungry!" This involved a finger poke to Manny's middle. "But he made a beautiful long rope so he can tie it to the Hill tree and swing over the whole of Hobbiton--"

Sam laughed along with his Aunt Cammie as Andwise swung the baby around, clearly more for his own entertainment than the baby's, who just looked somewhat surprised. That long rope Sam had made was now curled up carefully at the bottom of his pack, along with a few other smaller ones that Hamson had given him as they toured the Works.

"Andy, you'll make him sick with all that," his aunt warned. Her fingers hadn't stopped flying across her lace-making pillow, flipping and weaving the wooden bobbins as she created a collar. And Sam was completely entranced. It went so fast he couldn't tell how she knew which bobbins to pick up and move, no matter how closely he watched. But he knew there was a pattern in her head. She would stop and move a pin here and then put one there, turn the pillow and start up again. And the collar took shape under her fingers, all while she listened to Andwise and to Hamson, as he went back to talking excitedly about the orders that Cord had brought in.

"It's being built in Grindwall, and it'll be the biggest yet to ply the Brandywine. Can you imagine?" Hamson held his arms out, as if they could tell the length of the boat being built by that scale.

"A lot of work for us, that's for certain," Andwise commented, settling Manny back into his basket again.

"Well, they want good quality rope. There's nowhere else," Hamson said proudly.

Sam smiled at his excitement.

"I set a place for Halfred, but we can't wait any longer for him or it will get cold," Abby announced from the kitchen doorway.

"He'll come, as he always does, in time for afters," Andwise joked.

Camellia wrapped some of the bobbins to mark her place, pinned her work securely and put the pillow aside. Sam leaned in to look closer, wondering if May could get the knack of it with the right tools and a good teacher. She was a quick learner when it came to needlework and he had seen her studying the lace bits and bobs on the clothing she sometimes took in to repair.

"Now Andy, I stood up long enough to make my special apple tart today, I can certainly walk to the table." Camellia waved her arm at her husband, who was hovering above her. He stepped back with a look verging on alarm as she levered herself up on two canes and smiled at him.

Sam jumped to his feet, watching her halting, lopsided walk towards the head of the table with concern. He saw his uncle breathe a sigh of relief as she smiled smugly at all of them after lowering herself into the chair.

"Can I help carry sommat?" he offered to Abby, following her into the kitchen.

"Well, at least some hobbits in this hole have manners," she complained loudly, then handed him a bowl of buttered carrots and one mounded with steaming potatoes that smelled of rosemary just as Hamson arrived, a bit pink in the face, to offer to carry the roast chicken to the table.

A big basket of fresh bread, still hot, was already on the table, and Camellia's apple tart waited on the side board.

Sam sat down quickly in the chair his aunt motioned to and looked up as his Uncle Andy proudly walked to the table with a bottle of wine.

"This is one of Brandy Hall's best vintages that Cord brought in for me last spring. Three bottles. One we opened when my Cammie got back on her feet for the first time."

Camellia smiled and dipped her head in acknowledgement.

"One we opened when little Manny there was born. And this one is for our Samwise, come to visit us at last."

It felt as if he had spent all his time of late either blushing or crying, seemingly. And now he felt like doing both as Andwise quickly poured everyone a bit of the precious vintage.

"To Samwise Gamgee, who's reminded us of who we are, and what we mean to each other as a family. Samwise!"

It tasted like Old Winyards, only not quite as smooth.

Andwise sat down quickly. "Now, pass that bread. I'm starving."

Everyone quickly filled their plates and set about emptying them almost as quickly. For a while, there was only the sound of cutlery on plate, as is proper in a hobbit hole. And eventually, second helpings were requested.

But Hamson was eager to talk about the news Cord had brought. "So, this new contract. Do you think we should go to Buckland to see if there is anything else they need?"

"I trust Cord to sell them everything we can make for 'em," Andwise responded.

Hamson's face fell.

"But, if you wanna go to Buckland to see if'n you can sell even more rope for this ship those river hobbits are buildin', I think it'd be a fine thing."

Sam watched his brother's face light up with pride.

Andwise looked at Camellia and nodded his head. "Now, I think it's time we discussed something else -- something Samwise needs to hear, and Abby as well." He put down his fork and folded his hands over his plate. "Hamson and Halfred already know this story, all too well--"

"Da wouldn't like this--" Hamson looked around the table. "This gossiping about him and Mum, and Grandda-- It's-- It's private family business--"

"Samwise is family. And so is Abby. The time has come to do something about this." Andwise took a slow breath. "The time has come to tell the story. And if need be, Daisy and May and Mari will hear it as well. Of all of us, they deserve to hear it most."

"Da never talked of it. Never explained himself," Hamson said, his disapproval apparent in his expression.

"That was his choice, Hamson. He's made a lot of choices, not all of 'em good. Just like me. Just like you, truth be told." Andwise took a breath. "And I think if you are determined to take Abby to Hobbiton, as you seem to be--"

Hamson grimaced.

"Then Abby needs to hear it," Andwise finished.

Sam watched as Abelia looked from her husband to Andwise curiously, then Hamson put his hand on hers and nodded at his uncle who nodded back.

"As Samwise knows, his grandda -- his mum's da -- Bert Goodchild, owns most of the land around here, he and the Tighs. And between 'em, they pretty much grow all the best hemp in the Westfarthing -- maybe even in the Shire," Andwise smiled "But lucky for us, they have long been rivals, which means our price for the best hemp in the farthing has always been reasonable and those two were always competing to improve their crop."

Sam thought that sounded good for everyone involved.

"Well, Bert and Mim Goodchild had one daughter, Bell -- your mum. They tried long and hard for more, hoping for a son or sons, to inherit and run the place. But Bell was the only Goodchild," Andwise went on.

"Your da, Ham, and Bell grew up knowing each other. They sometimes even played in the rope works while your Grandda Bert and your Grandda Hobson did business. Ham was fascinated by the hemp your Grandda Bert grew -- any plants for that matter. It was clear that he weren't gonna be a roper by trade. His heart was in the soil."

Sam saw Hamson nod in agreement.

"And your Grandda Bert invited his curiosity, since it seemed to make Da -- your Grandda Hobson -- inclined to do business with him, and him competing with Tigh. So Ham followed old Bert around, learning all about the plants and how the crop was harvested, what made the strongest fibre. And all the time, Bell was right there trailing after both of 'em. And them just faunts." Andwise frowned. "I even teased him about her."

"But Da came to Hobbiton when he was a teen," Sam interrupted. "He apprenticed--"

"He did indeed. It comes clear later." Andwise nodded at him. "So Ham becomes a teen and is determined to learn hemp farming, and to marry Bell when he's old enough," Andwise went on. "And, being a teen, and quite sure of himself and Bell, Ham of course proceeded to let everyone know about it."

Abelia smiled and looked at Hamson. "Well, I decided who I wanted to wed when I was that age."

"And no one takes teens too serious when they start talkin' that way," Andwise added with a smile.

"No one but old Grandda Bert who didn't want some tradeshobbit inheriting his land," came a dramatic voice from the parlour. "Why are we revisiting this old tale, and what is that wonderful aroma?"

"Halfred. In time for afters, as usual," Andwise exclaimed, standing up.

Sam rose to his feet just as his brother walked into the dining room. Halfred was smiling fit to light up the room, but his gaze swept the table and he frowned as his eyes found Sam.

And those eyes were grey, like Sam's mum. Like Daisy. And his hair, well, it was like Sam's. He looked Sam up and down with a puzzled frown.

"What-- Who is this?"

"It's Sam-- Samwise," Sam stuttered.

Halfred looked at Camellia, who nodded affirmation.

"Samwise? Come to Tighfield? Samwise!" Halfred rounded the table and took his shoulders, searching his face. "It is you! And just look at you! My baby brother all growed!" He hugged him and pounded on his back. "Look at him Hamson! He's a sturdy fellow, ain't he!"

"H-- Halfred!" Sam managed, between poundings.

"And he talks too!" Halfred laughed. "Oh my. I need to sit down." And he took his seat beside Sam, his hand on Sam's shoulder. "I need some refreshment, nourishment, something. I'm having visions."

"Oh Halfred, shut it," Hamson complained.

But Abelia was laughing. And Camellia simply took his plate with a smile and filled it up.

Sam sat back down, still smiling.

"Your da and Samwise had a-- well, a parting of the ways, and Samwise's come to visit us at last," Andwise said.

"Well, it's about time I say," Halfred commented, patting Sam's shoulder.

"And about time for us to go back there and end this thing, I'm thinkin'," Hamson said.

"Right. Like it can be ended that easy. You think he's just gonna--" Halfred began.

"Lads." Andwise cut the debate short with a word. Halfred subsided, then smirked at Sam.

Sam recognised an old argument. And he also realised, sitting there, that this same discussion, and many others about many topics, had taken place at this table over the past years. Arguing and laughing. So much his da had missed not seeing his brothers through their tweens. So much he and the girls had missed too.

Halfred patted Sam's shoulder once more, as if reassuring himself that Sam was really there, then tucked into the food.

"Before Andwise talks our ears off, how about some tea and apple tart, or blackberry cordial for the rest of you?" Camellia asked quickly.

Sam made to get up and help clear dishes, and help with the tea, but Halfred put his hand on Sam's sleeve. "You just stay right there brother," he said softly. "How're my sisters then? Cord tells us they're fine, but he's inclined to seeing what he wants. Are they fine? And happy?"

Sam nodded.

"Still pretty? All of 'em?"

"Prettiest in the Shire."

Halfred grinned around a bite of carrots. "And May, she still on the sickly side?"

Sam frowned. "She gets headaches sometimes. Mostly when the weather's turnin'. But she's not so skinny as she was."

"And Daisy? She's likely tweenin' now, I bet." He winked at Sam.

Hamson made a derisive noise on the other side of the table.

"I-- I don't think so. I've not seen--" Sam had to think about that. Daisy didn't seem to have much time for that kind of thing.

"Stop badgering the poor lad, Halfred," Andwise chimed in. "Everyone got their tea and some of Cammie's delicious cake now?"

Sam looked around to find a big slice of apple tart and a steaming cup of tea at his place.

"I don't!" Halfred exclaimed around a mouthful of potatoes.

"Like you'd miss afters," Hamson growled.

"All right then. Halfred got a little ahead in the story, but you had it right, Samwise. Your Grandda Hobson suddenly decided to send Ham -- your da -- to learn to be a gardener under his cousin Holman in Hobbiton," Andwise went on. "Before we even knowed it, Ham was gone."

Sam frowned and Andwise gave him a knowing look.

"That's about the way I felt about it too. And half of the folks around here. Everyone thought Ham would go into farming hemp or flax somewheres hereabout -- even rent a parcel from Bert Goodchild and learn the land. He was a natural farmer and he knew what made good fibre. But all of a sudden, he was off in the middle of the Shire making a gardener."

"Nothing wrong with making a gardener, mind," Halfred said quickly, and poked Sam.

"Not at all, but it were pretty clear that Ham didn't want to go -- to me anyways. Even Mum -- your Gammer Iris -- didn't seem happy about it all, but Ham respected Da's authority and did what he was told."

Sam thought that sure sounded like his da.

"I think Mum -- your Gammer Iris -- knew more than she was telling. But she was never one to go up against Da neither," Andwise continued thoughtfully. He took a bite of tart and a quick gulp of tea.

"That was her way, Andy," Camellia said in a soothing voice.

"Maybe." Andwise was thoughtful for a moment. "Anyways, Ham had us all beat for stubbornness and sheer will,"

"That doesn't sound like Da," Halfred whispered in a derisive tone, just for Sam's ears.

"He would make the trip from Hobbiton as often as the seasons would allow and old Holman would give him leave. Helped Mum with her kitchen garden and even laid out flower gardens here -- out front there -- and out at Goodfields -- that's the Goodchild place." Andwise shook his head. "He never said a bad word about Da nor about being stuck in Hobbiton when he clearly wanted to be here. Not one. Not even when he could have--"

"Always one for being respectful," Halfred said.

"To them as deserve it," Hamson shot back.

"And Bell was close to a lass from up towards Gamwich way," Andwise went on, grimacing at both of them. "Lily Goldworthy. Spent a lot of time together those two. Tweenin'. Leastways, that's what we thought."

Sam had to think on that a while. He couldn't imagine his mum tweening.

"Then, when he came of age, Ham come back -- that very day -- and went straight and asked your Grandda Bert for Bell's hand. Just like that." Andwise snapped his fingers. "He didn't say a word to no one on it. Just went to old Bert and asked him. Kinda stole my thunder 'cause I hadn't even got around to hinting about marrying Cammie yet."

Sam caught his Aunt Cammie's eye over her cup of tea and she smiled.

Andwise caught the exchange and smiled at his wife. "I suspect he kept it to himself because of sommat was said when he was sent off to Hobbiton. Sommat that made him think on how open he'd been about his intentions towards Bell when he was younger. Perhaps Da said something about him overreaching himself and not realising his proper place. Those were things your Grandda Hobson would say on a pretty regular basis."

Sam nodded in recognition and saw Halfred smile.

Andwise took a bite of the apple tart. "Delicious as always." He took another and washed it down with a gulp of tea.

Sam realised he had let his tea cool and hadn't touched his cake. He dug in quickly.

"Well, as it turns out, Ham'd been courtin' Bell for a while, secret like, under all our noses, and Lily Goodworthy had been in on the whole thing. Every chance he got, when he was here, he'd seen Bell. Cammie found all this out from Lily years later--"

"Lily still talks about it to this day. She thought Ham was the most romantic of hobbits," Camellia interrupted.

Halfred snorted.

"So no sooner did Ham go to see old Bert but all of a sudden both he and Bell both was down here and him in the study talking to Da and Mum. I remember to this day that pretty Bell standing right there--" He gestured towards the parlour. "All stiff and nervous, and me standing and sitting and not knowing what to say or do. And Ham comes out absolutely red-faced and furious." Andwise shook his head. "Worse than I ever saw him. Then, they were gone. Just like that. Both of 'em. Off to Michel Delving and married, then off to Hobbiton. And neither of 'em ever came back."

Little Manny started to fuss to himself and Abelia got up to go check on him.

"Ever?" Sam asked.

"Ever," Halfred repeated.

"Well, needless to say, there was a lot of gossip. Half of Tighfield had Ham snatching Bell away in the middle of the night and afeared to show his face back here ever again; the other half had him and me exchanging blows over who would run the rope works and Da telling him never to come back, and-- well, there was worse, but no need repeatin' it."

Camellia nodded solemnly.

"And your Grandda Bert let it be known soon after that he had settled his estate on his cousin Sigmund Weaver and drawn up legal papers to that effect, so there was a lot of speculation about that. But that was all we knew." He held out his cup and Camellia quickly poured him more tea. "Other than that he must've got together with old Tigh, 'cause they made things pretty tough for the rope works for a while, till old Tigh passed on and the eldest Tigh son decided it might be best not to run us clean outta business. And Da -- your Grandda Hobson -- just got real quiet. He wouldn't talk about it at all.

"I went to Hobbiton to try to find out what had happened -- what was said. But Ham would only say that he and Bell were happy in Hobbiton and they were starting a new life. I knew there was something else going on, but it was Ham's business. And we've always been a family that respected that." Andwise drank his tea.

"And a family that keeps a lot of secrets," Halfred grumbled.

Andwise frowned at him. "So, when I married Cammie, I took her to Hobbiton to visit. Of course, she and Bell became fast friends, but Bell never shared what it was kept them away from Tighfield, did she Cammie?"

Cammie shook her head. "Only that she had all the family she needed in Ham and the children and us, of course. I-- I did get the impression though that some terrible things were said to both of them by their fathers, some things that could never be forgiven," she said softly. "But that's all."

"They neither one breathed a word of it to us," Halfred added.

Hamson looked like he wanted to say something, but Abelia reached over and stroked his hand and he subsided.

"So, we went on that way. Da acted as if Ham had never existed. Your old Grandda Bert acted as if he never had a daughter and me and Cammie and Anson went to Hobbiton now and again, feeling like we had two different families. One with you in it, and one without you. But you were all happy. Ham and Bell were happy. It was all we could hope for, really." Andwise sighed.

"Then Da died. Without having seen any of you. Without having spoken to Ham again. It seemed so-- so senseless. I had to understand it, so I asked Mum -- your Gammer Iris -- once more, begged her really, to tell me what had happened, what had been said between them that had made Ham so set against them. She said she didn't remember it any more, only that Da accused Ham of being selfish and thinking with, well, parts of him he shouldn't be thinking with."

Sam blushed furiously, remembering his da's angry words to him over the kitchen table.

"And Da told Ham not to bother coming back if he left with Bell. That he wouldn't be his son any more-- he wouldn't have a family."

It was like some strange echo for Sam, to hear those words again in his uncle's voice.

Andwise shook his head. "Stubborn old hobbit. He said words like that, not realising it meant that he wouldn't have a family, that he was the selfish one, wanting his own way -- taking the chance to have a family away from all of us.

"It was like one awful thing after another then. Mum died. It weren't unexpected, her following him so fast. But she didn't get to see Ham again, nor see any of you either. And I realised how-- how very unfair it was. To all of us."

Camellia made a sound and Sam looked over to see tears in her eyes. Even Halfred was staring at his plate as if dreading the next part of the tale.

"Then Bell took ill."

Oh. Sam felt as if the room had dimmed and gone suddenly cold.

He felt Halfred's hand rub up his arm until it cupped his shoulder and stayed there, a welcome weight. His brother knew what he was feeling.

"I think our Samwise remembers that part of the story, Andy," Camellia said softly.

Andwise glanced over at Sam. "Well, old Bert Goodchild would never admit he had ever had a daughter, but Cammie felt it was only right to say sommat to your Gammer Mim and to Sig about Bell being so ill, and before I knew it, they was following us to Hobbiton in that fancy cart of theirs. I think the old hobbit just came along 'cause he was afraid she might just up and leave him too."

"Da hated Grandda Bert, and he never told us why," Halfred said heatedly. "All we saw was this broken old hobbit who wouldn't say two words and Gammer Mim standing there asking to see mum, before--"

"And him not letting her. Him not letting them see mum at all," Hamson blurted out. "What were we supposed to think?"

Sam looked from one to the other, remembering the raised voices and tears that day. Remembering Marigold shivering behind him as her brothers walked out the door.

"I shouldn't have let them follow us," Andwise said in an agonised tone.

"Andy--" Camellia protested.

"It's not like they could'na got to Hobbiton themselves, Uncle," Halfred responded.

"But they hadn't. All those years. Da acting like he didn't have a son. And him acting like he didn't have a daughter. Her lettin' him." Andwise shook his head. "And then when I thought it was gonna come to blows, I tried to stop it."

"I woulda done the same, Uncle Andy. It weren't right, no matter what, for Da to do that. Not there," Hamson spoke up.

"With what we know now--" Andwise glanced at Halfred. "Well, I wish I had let them have it out. Right there in front of the Master and all of you." His face went red and Camellia leaned in to grasp his hand.

"Just remember--" Camellia began, then softened her voice, looking around at the three brothers. "Just remember this. Your da loved your mum more than life itself. I've--" She looked at Andwise . "I've had a long time to think on this, to think on things your mum said to me. And your da-- He might have been keeping his word to Bell that day. It may have been the only thing he could do for her."

Sam blinked, trying hard to control his quivering chin. He felt Halfred's hand rub his arm and looked over to find his brother's eyes wet as well. Hamson was staring stonily at the table.

"But, what's done's done." Andwise picked both of Camellia's hands up in his. "As I told Hamson, we've all made mistakes in this."

"Da too. Da and his pride," Halfred muttered.

Andwise took a deep breath. "I shouldn't have let him push you lads out like he did. He was grieving and confused and couldn't even see straight. But I couldn't get him nor you to listen -- nor talk neither," Andwise's voice quavered.

"We thought to let Ham have time to grieve. Then we contacted him, through dear Cord, just asking when the boys could come home," Cammie said quickly, putting her hand over Andwise's on the table.

"Ham's answer was pretty clear." Andwise cleared his throat and rubbed at his eyes brusquely. "He acted like he didn't know what Cord was talking about. Like he didn't have a brother, had never had. Nor any sons 'cept you Samwise. It was like-- Well, it was like Da all over again. Poor Cord, having to deliver that message--"

No wonder the old merchant was so happy to deliver him to Hamson. Sam looked around at his family and thought about all the letters Frodo exchanged with his cousins -- even young Pippin could write. He couldn't imagine it, but if he ever had any faunts of his own, they would learn their letters. They wouldn't need to have the Postmistress read it to them, nor use some go between, no matter how kindly or good intentioned.

"The Goodchilds-- Well, your Gammer Mim took to wearing that same black dress all the time. And your Grandda Bert slid back to being a faunt -- looking for his mum and wanting to go home, hardly able to feed or dress himself, nor remember anything much at all." Andwise shook his head. "Sig had his hands full."

"So Uncle Andy and Aunt Cammie had to take us in, like we was orphans or sommat," Halfred grumbled.

"Shut it, Halfred," Hamson said half-heartedly, scrubbing at his own eyes. Abelia leaned in to kiss him on the cheek and whisper something.

And Sam found himself thinking of Frodo, and how different it was to be a real orphan. How different from knowing your own da didn't even want to know you any more. And the Gaffer had felt that way too, and his mum. The whole family was in a tangle. One he couldn't see the end of. Like the Knot.

"We wanted so to come back, Samwise, but we were afraid it would make things worse for you -- for us. We wanted to--" Camellia began. Andwise leaned over and put his arm around her.

"And then we almost lost Cammie, and just living through that took all we had. And Anson left to go start up his own place in the Northfarthing. Any thought of going back to Hobbiton disappeared," he said. "All we could do was use Cord to keep up with all of you and keep you in touch with us."

Halfred leaned over. "And then I discovered the pact."

Sam frowned. Pact?

"Your Gammer Goodchild's partial to Halfred. I think it's because he looks so much like your mum. Has her eyes and all. So I send him over there to do whatever business is needed." Andwise leaned back. "Go ahead, Halfred. I'm talked out."

Halfred patted Sam's shoulder reassuringly and cleared his throat. "Well, Grandda Bert just sits in the front parlour over there most of the time, talking nonsense to hisself. So Sig always has me come in the kitchen way to his study when we talk about the crop or orders, just so the old fellow doesn't get all upset and confused like he does some times when he sees one of us." Halfred nodded towards Hamson who frowned like he didn't want to be reminded of the old hobbit.

"And we was sitting there. This was just weeks back, about the time little Manny was born. We was talking about how much he was planting and what contracts we was anticipating this year, when in walks Gammer Mim and just takes me by the hand. She pulled me off with her to the family smials, with Sig following close and wondering what was up. And she opens this door with a key and shows me Mum's room," Halfred said eagerly.

Sam drew in a breath.

Halfred nodded. "I felt the same. It was all just like it was when she left. All dusted and polished, with some of her clothes in the press--" His voice shook. "All of it. Then Gammer started talking-- to herself really, but I was there listening, and so was Sig. She said as how Grandda Bert thought of nothing but who would inherit the land. The land was everything to him. He loved it more'n her, more'n Bell. He was determined Bell would marry well, perhaps one of the Bolgers or Boffins or even a Took, someone who would do right by the land."

Hamson made a frustrated noise.

"And how when Mum was just a teen, Grandda Bert suddenly realised she was all moony over our da. But Gammer Mim said Grandda Bert didn't want Mum marrying some tradeshobbit--"

"Thinks he's better'n us," Hamson growled. "Thinks we're not the right class of--"

"Ssshhhh, Hamson. He doesn't think much of anything any longer," Camellia said.

"So Grandda Bert, he went to Grandda Hobson and worked out a pact."

Sam gaped at Halfred then looked over at his uncle, who nodded solemnly.

"He got Grandda Hobson to agree to send Da away to apprentice somewheres, as far away as he could, to keep him away from Mum, in exchange for guaranteeing the Gamgees got the lowest price and best quality of his crop, no matter what old Tigh offered him. Otherwise-- Well, otherwise he'd figure some way to ruin Grandda Hobson -- to put him out of business."

The room went silent. Sam realised he was staring at the table but not seeing it. "And that was what Da found out," Sam whispered. "That was why--"

"I suspect so," Andwise answered in a defeated tone. "And your Mum likely heard it all as well."

"That Grandda -- that both of them-- all of 'em--" Sam couldn't think on it. He couldn't imagine how his Da must've felt to know that not only had Grandda Bert wanted him gone and away so badly, but his Grandda Hobson had-- had let it happen to him-- to all of them.

"I don't think Mum -- your Gammer Iris -- knew anything about the pact. And Halfred here thinks maybe your Gammer Mim found out about it lately herself -- perhaps when your Grandda Bert's mind was wandering, and he spoke about it to her."

"He does that at times. Starts having arguments with folks that aren't there. Talking about things from a long time ago." Halfred looked distant for a moment. "I caught him talking to mum once -- plain as plain -- like she was a little faunt."

His aunt leaned over and clasped Sam's hand with both of hers. "It's horrible, Samwise, what your Grandda -- what both of them -- did to your mum and da," she said softly. "I think it must've been Bell who decided that-- well, rather than say anything bad about them to all of you, they would say nothing at all."

Sam nodded numbly. It sounded like sommat his mum would do. "If you can't fix it, Sammy, you move past it." Everything was tangled. Not just Frodo and him. It seemed the whole of the world was knotted up in this awful mess. He stared at his plate.

All of them jumped when someone knocked loudly at the door. Little Manny squeaked and started up crying. And Halfred nearly knocked over his chair trying to get up and answer the door.

It was Cord, his hat in his hands.

"I thought you'd wanna hear," he said apologetically.

Halfred motioned him in. "Come on in here. Everyone's at the table."

"I don't mean to interrupt. Miz Cammie, Miz Abelia." He nodded to each of them, then his eyes lit on Sam before he turned back to address himself to Andwise. "The Post come through. And-- And I thought you'd wanna hear. There was a bad storm hit Hobbiton -- trees down, chimneys over, folks hurt. No one killed though. But it's still raining, upstream too, and they're preparing for a flood."

Sam was on his feet, the words echoing over and over in his head -- folks hurt folks hurt folks hurt "I gotta go back."

"No, Samwise." Andwise stood, looking at Camellia, who nodded. "We do. Halfred, go get whatever you need. Hamson, can you and Abby see to Cammie and the smial while I'm gone?"

"Yessir." Hamson stood and went over to stand next to his aunt's chair, laying his hand on her shoulder. She covered it with her own. "And I'll handle things at the Works."

"I know you will. Halfred?"

Halfred, who was halfway through the door to the corridor, stuck his head back in the dining room. "Sir?"

"I want you to take Samwise here to see his Gammer Mim afore we leave."

Halfred grinned. "Yessir." He gave Samwise a wink and took off down the corridor.

"Cammie, love, I hate to leave you--" he began, turning back to his wife.

"It's time, Andy. Long past time." She started to push herself up.

"Just you sit--"

"Andy Gamgee, I have a stack of things to send to those girls. What do you think I've been putting by all this time in that box?"

He smiled, though Sam could see his eyes were bright with tears as he turned back to face him. "We're going to Hobbiton."

Sam watched as Cord furtively wiped his eyes on his sleeve.

***

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