Newly Wed

Title: Newly Wed: I. An Understanding
Author: Andarta Wildhearth
E-Mail: andarta_wildhearth@adelphia.net
Completed: Ongoing
Characters: Rose, Sam, Frodo
Pairings: Rose/Sam, Frodo/Rose, Frodo/Sam
Slash: Yes (Hints and character discussion)
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Romance/PWP
Summary: A collection of stories about the honeymoon of Samwise and Rose Gamgee.
Disclaimer: I own none of what I am writing about nor am I being paid for any of it.


The sweet smell of vanilla and pipe smoke lingered in the dimly lit great room at Bag End. The distant sounds of dishes clanking together could be heard above the muffled laughter and talk of the remaining servants in the kitchen. After the last of the revelers and well-wishers left the party, Rose found herself standing before a roaring blaze in the enormous fireplace. The embers reflected a deep russet hue upon her white wedding gown.

Her wedding gown…

She looked down the front of its delicate bodice, a slippery satin cloth with the most intricate elven patterns inlaid. Its squared neckline revealed only the slightest hint of her bosom. The sleeves clung softly to her upper arms and quickly widened to long points that hung gracefully just above the floor. She smoothed her hands from beneath her breasts and across her lithe belly as the material held on to her middle and flared out below her waist.

How much longer would she be able to keep her sleek, flat stomach? She smiled to herself and secretly blushed in anticipation as her hands wandered down to the silver-chained belt (also of elven make) that draped itself loosely across her shapely hips, dangling to a long point between her ankles, nearly touching the ground.

As she glanced over her shoulder she smiled contentedly and her eyes focused on the length of train that spread an arm’s length on the floor behind her.

Her appearance was ethereal and certainly elven and mysterious. Earlier that day, at the start of the wedding ceremony, Sam’s breath hitched and he became light-headed the moment she stepped into his view at the end of the isle. Sam stood motionless until Frodo’s hand caught the small of the gardener’s back to nudge him forward.

Rose was pleased, she felt beautiful in this gown, a gift to her from Frodo Baggins.

“You truly are the loveliest hobbit-lass I have ever laid eyes upon,” Frodo whispered into her ear as they danced in Party Field after the service. “Rose, your beauty and grace rival that of Queen Arwen’s. Sam is the luckiest hobbit in all of Middle Earth.” His arm tightened around her as they moved across the earthen floor. “Samwise loves you so,” he breathed into her ear.

As they danced slowly through the crowd Rose pulled her head back and searched Frodo’s eyes, not sure if she should tell him what had possessed her thoughts for years now, especially since Sam had proposed to her. She smiled and gently cupped Frodo’s cheek in her hand. His endless blue eyes seemed to beg for comfort from the new bride.

Rose took in a breath and mustered her courage to speak the words she knew Frodo needed and wanted to hear from her.

“My dearest gentle Master, I know how you feel about Sam and meself and I know how much you are sacrificing for the two of us. I love you Frodo Baggins and I’ll never be able to thank you or repay you for giving Sam to me.” Her knowing green-eyed gaze met his surprised blue eyes as she leaned her mouth against his ear. “I know about you and our Samwise. I’ve known for years now. Thank you for this precious gift.”

The moment overwhelmed them both.

Little did she realize how the word ‘precious’ quickened him. Never had he considered his Sam as a ‘precious’ gift, yet he was precisely that to Frodo and now to Rose as well. She did not see Frodo’s wide-eyed astonishment as he buried his face into her long reddish-gold hair and stopped dancing. He slid his arms tightly around her waist as she returned the strong hug. She knew how he felt about Sam, but did the bride know how Mr. Frodo felt about her?

“Oh sweet Rosa, we meant no harm,” Frodo softly whimpered into her curls.

“I know Mr. Frodo. I never had the heart to take him from you. Please believe me. Oh please, Mr. Frodo, don’t hate me for this!” Her voice became broken and panicked as she went on. “By Elbereth, I don’t want to hurt either of you, but I just love him so much! I lived in such fear that you were both dead for so long.” Her voice finally cracked and she fought back the sudden urge to sob uncontrollably as both she and Frodo pressed their cheeks and faces against each other. He kissed her face again and again as her eyes welled up and tears sprang forth. “I won’t come between you, even as his wife, please, Mr. Frodo, oh please forgive me!”

But there was so much that she did not realize…

By this time a small group of shocked onlookers were watching what transpired between Rose Gamgee and Frodo Baggins. Included in this group were Merry Brandybuck, Pippin and Pearl Took, and the stunned groom himself: Samwise Gamgee. The latter’s look of horrified surprise was almost as compelling as the embrace and conversation of the once-dancing couple.

Rosie knew!

‘Oh no!’ Sam thought, ‘And she ought not be cryin’ like this on her weddin’ day. Next thing Mr. Frodo will be gettin’ all weepy and then I’ll go off sobbin’ as well.’

“I think I need another ale,” Sam mumbled to himself.

“Here, take mine,” Merry passed his mug over to the groom as neither of them took their eyes from Frodo and Rose.

Pippin slapped Merry on the back. “There he goes Mer, you win. Looks like he’s gonna’ cry all over her!” Pippin said as he handed the Brandybuck a gold coin.

Sam darted a harsh look at Merry and Pippin as both hobbits shrugged their shoulders.

“But just look at him Sam,” the Took spoke in his own defense, “He’s weepin’ like HE was the mother of the bride. Merry wins. I made the bet that YOU would be the first out of the two of ya’ to start blubberin’.”

Merry slapped a hand over his mouth to keep himself from laughing out loud as Pearl Took giggled uncontrollably behind the three hobbit-men. Sam quickly finished off the ale that Merry had given him.

“Here’s mine too, Mr. Gamgee,” Pippin chuckled, “Looks like you’re gonna’ need it tonight.”

The Brandybuck and both Tooks burst into laughter as Sam accepted the drink and finished it off in a matter of seconds.

“Oh sweet Rose-love,” Frodo sighed as he pulled back from her, all the while holding her face in his hands. Tears welled in his own eyes as he lifted his face to the night sky in anguish. The tears raced down both their cheeks as the rest of the world went unnoticed around them. Rose choked back another sob at seeing Frodo’s pain and Frodo wished he had the power to ease the bride’s guilt.

Sam looked on, speechless.

Frodo brought his fto Rto Rosie’s and their foreheads and noses touched.

“My life is spent, Rose. In this world I am now a shadow of who I once was. I have nothing left to give you except each other. Treasure him, Rose; love him--for I no longer have the strength to give him what he needs. I cannot make him happy anymore. And Rose, always know in your heart that you are the most loved and dearly cherished hobbit-woman in all of Middle Earth and beyond.”

He ever so slightly pulled her face to his own and rested his full lips upon hers with a sigh.

“Had my life been different, I surely would have tried to steal you away from him and make you my own, instead of giving you both away.”

Frodo pressed his lips against Rose’s and the two of them lingered that way for a long moment, at first with closed eyes that slowly fluttered open to bright wide-eyed gazes.

And then their moment passed.

Smiles of relief crept over both their faces as they embraced and began to laugh with a bittersweet joy.

“I love you, Rose Gamgee.”

“And I love you as well, Mr. Frodo.” A peaceful feeling of warmth and comfort passed between Mrs. Gamgee and Mr. Baggins.

Sam handed the empty mug to Merry and stepped toward his wife and his best friend.

“Um, excuse me for breakin’ up such a passionate love scene,” Sam interrupted, “But might I get the chance to have a dance?” The trio burst into gales of laughter as they exchanged surprised glances. Frodo and Rose finally realized that Sam had been close by and had heard all that was said.

Sam placed his hand on Frodo’s good shoulder and the two hobbits embraced warmly before enclosing their arms around Rose in an affectionate hug full of joy and laughter, tears and kisses. As the embrace ended and the three of them pulled back, Frodo looked at Sam and asked, “Sam, what about that dance you wanted?” The ring bearer raised his eyebrows and gestured toward Rose.

“I thought you’d never ask!” Sam laughed loudly as he grabbed Frodo’s arm and the pair made a grand show of whisking themselves away. Rose’s mouth dropped open in amusement before she broke into a fit of giggling and exchanged befuddled looks with Merry and Pippin.

“Well Merry,” Pippin began, “Care to take a step with me?” He snickered as he offered Merry his elbow.

“Why of course Pip,” Merry replied with a dead serious expression on his face, “But I’m leadin’.”

“Remember boys, NO kissing!” Pearl Took shouted after the four Hobbits danced away.

By this time the new bride was laughing so hard; Pearl had to help Rose find a place to sit.