Title: Mist and Shadow

Author: Olivia Adams Smith

Rating: PG

Genre: Angst, hurt/comfort, drama, AU

Summary: Frodo has amnesia, no memories of the Quest. Sam is relieved his master doesn't remember, but is this a good thing for both of them?

Disclaimer: I don't own any character or anything else in Middle-Earth.

Feedback: Definitely! Let me know what you think. I always appreciate reviews and constructive criticism.

Author's note: I'm back with another LotR fic. This story is also written for someone who was very dear to me and my husband; our best friend David Carpenter…teacher and LotR fan. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't know anything about LotR and writing stories I enjoy immensely. He opened my eyes to Tolkien's world that I will always cherish. He was a wonderful person who brought joy into our lives, his family, friends and those of his students. Mist and Shadow is dedicated to him.

Chapter one: The Overlook

"Sam," said Pippin as they approached the white gate of Bag End. "You're certain Frodo would want to come along?"

Sam unconfidently eyed Pippin and Merry beside him. He had known his master at times had been reclusive after the horrific and traumatic events of the Quest. But even when Frodo had preferred staying home, Sam managed to persuade him into changing his mind. At that, Samwise Gamgee shoved away the annoying doubt and his face beamed with absolute certainty to his friends. "I know Mr. Frodo has been keepin' to himself lately, but he'll want to come with us."

The sun blazed down on them, surprisingly hot for early May. Merry squinted, trying to shield the sun out of his eyes. He then cut in to say, "You haven't told us where we're going?"

"I told you, I'm keepin' it a secret until we get there." Sam pushed open the gate. Merry and Pippin followed single file behind him, up the stairs and then finally arriving at the round green door of Frodo's home. And as Sam's finger neared the bell, the door unexpectedly opened.

"Mr. Frodo?"

"Hullo, Sam, Merry, Pippin." Frodo stood in the doorway with arms crossed against his chestnut vest.

"How did you know we were--,"

"Through the window. I was taking a look at the garden and saw you coming this way. It's one of the many things I've missed about the Shire."

Sam gave Frodo a sheepish grin, not knowing what to say and wishing there was something he could do to ease his master's pain. That had been the frustrating thing. Although Frodo smiled cheerily and appeared to be doing well, Sam had known what he really felt…the suffering of wounds too deep. He despised the memories of the Quest, what it had done to Frodo and when his master was distant, what it had done to their friendship.

"If only it never happened," he said silently. "If only--," He stopped, shifting the attention away from him and back to what Frodo had said. Smiling warmly, Sam told him, "I know, Mr. Frodo. It's why I especially worked hard to make it beautiful."

Frodo peeked outside the door. He smiled a little and stared gratefully at the flowers: Red, pink and white roses. And there were orchids, daisies, sunflowers and many others. While Frodo appeared as if lost in a pleasant daydream, Sam went on to say, "Uh, Mr. Frodo, we were wonderin' if you'd like to take a walk with us into the woods."

Pippin shoved his way cheerfully into the conversation. "It is a delightful day!"

And Merry said, "A delightful day indeed for a walk."

"Alright, you convinced me," Frodo answered. "Why waste a beautiful day by staying inside." He shut the door, followed them down the stairs, through the gate and out onto the lane.

Strolling through the woods, Frodo wondered when they would find a spot to relax. There were numerous places beneath trees for shade. Puzzled, he eyed Sam walking beside him. "When are we going to rest?"

Merry halted and stepped in front of Sam. "That's what me and Pip want to know? You kept it a secret long enough."

"What secret?" Frodo asked and arched his eyebrow at Sam. "Alright, Sam, where are we going?"

Samwise huffed and said, "We're almost there."

They continued to follow him uphill until stopping at a bank near willow trees swaying lazily in the slight breeze. Looking down, they spotted a small stream wedged between the woods where they stood and straight ahead, more trees towered proudly as if to want to touch the cloudless sky—a shade of blue topaz.

"I don't think I've ever been here before," said Pippin.

Merry added, "I can't say I have either."

They were 20 feet above the stream. Sam leaned further but careful to keep a safe distance. "I was taking my usual stroll yesterday and somehow I ended up here. I thought, it's beautiful, how did we ever miss it? It's an overlook I reckon, though I'm not sure if anyone else knows about it. Well? What do you think?"

Pippin volunteered first. "It's beautiful like you said!"

Merry nodded. "I agree! We can have picnics here."

It had taken a while before Frodo gave his opinion, for he stared at the stream as if daydreaming again, as if he still could not believe he was back in the Shire.

"Mr. Frodo?"

"It is beautiful," Frodo replied softly.

Sam was pleased he liked it and said, "We can go down to the stream."

Again they followed him down a winding path until they were now closer to the water flowing serenely over pebbles. There they sat down on the grass. Pippin had been the first to ease his furry feet into the water, and then the others had done the same.

"Sam," said Pippin amid the splash, splash of his feet in the water. "Now that it's not a secret anymore, you ought to let Rosie know, eh?" He winked his eye and Sam's cheeks were no longer pink but a soft shade of crimson.

"I'm sure Rosie would love it here," said Frodo while gazing at sunlight broken into shimmering fragments above his feet under water. "And it's a wonderful place to have picnics." Sitting beside Sam he told him gratefully, "I'm glad you brought us here."

Sam gave them all a warm 'you're welcome' smile. "I knew you'd like it."

They stayed for a while in the midday sun peeking at them through leaves that were still young and some already full grown. And when the hobbits' stomachs began to beg for food, they had decided to leave, trekking up the path until they were back at the overlook. Frodo stood at the edge again and looking down. "I don't want to leave," he said solemnly.

"We'll come back, Mr. Frodo," said Sam. "Tomorrow, if it's another beautiful day."

Frodo turned to glance at his beloved Sam and his cousins. He smiled and joined them as they strode back into the woods.

In the morning, would all those in the Shire wake up to the sun? Would it decide to take a break and sleep behind a wall of clouds? Or would the sky have one of its bad days and keep everyone inside because of torrential rain? Sam pondered about it during the night and opening his eyes, a wide grin lifted his cheeks at the sight of cheery sunlight flooding his room. Lifting his head from the pillow, Sam stared at the round window. "I promised Mr. Frodo we'd go back," he thought. "And we shall."

The hobbits returned to what was now their favorite place…the overlook. This time they bought wicker baskets filled with chicken pies, seed cakes, strawberries and shiny red apples. Relaxing beneath willow trees, they ate their lunch and enjoyed the savoring delicacy of pipeweed. All puffed on wooden pipes and blew smoke-rings that stayed round until caught and stretched in a slight breeze, and then they dissipated in the air.

Frodo laid his head back against one of the trees. Plucking the pipe out of his mouth, he said to Sam, "Have you told Rosie about this place yet?"

Sitting next to his master and before answering, Sam blew one more smoke-ring. He then said, "She doesn't know."

"What do you mean she doesn't know?"

Sitting across from them, Pippin eyed Sam with a puzzled expression and Merry leaned forward to say, "You didn't tell her?"

"I'll tell her," said Sam defensively. "And besides, I don't want to be too quick about it."

"You've already danced with her."

"But we've never been—you know—alone."

"Ahhh," Pippin replied. "You're right about that, Sam."

Frodo added, "Whenever you're ready to tell her, I'm sure she'll love it here." Smiling, he gave Sam a light pat on the shoulder and then Frodo stood onto his feet.

Sam watched the frail hobbit and wondered where he was off to until Frodo stopped at another spot near the edge. He also stood and followed his master, halting beside him. They both looked down at the stream for a moment until Sam broke the silence. "Mr. Frodo?"

"Yes, Sam?" answered Frodo, keeping his blue eyes fixed on the water.

"Have you ever thought, well--," he hesitated awkwardly then starting again. "Is there someone you fancy? I've seen you dance with many lasses and, well, I was wonderin' that's all."

"The lasses I've danced with were beautiful, but--," He looked up and eyed his best friend sadly. "I don't think I could love anyone, not now. Sam, so much has happened--," he stopped again and glanced briefly at his left hand with four fingers. His eyes then darted up to Sam. Wanting to change the subject, even if he had to repeat himself, Frodo smiled. "Whenever you're ready, tell Rosie about this place." He walked away, leaving a grieved Sam behind.

"Samwise, you fool!" he thought, berating himself. "Why did you ask him that?" The stout hobbit sighed deeply. He then moped back to where they sat beneath the trees.

They stayed for a while longer and when it had neared evening, the hobbits gathered their picnic baskets and strolled back through the woods. There was a path that led to Bag End and when they stepped onto it, a sudden squeaking and galloping of hoofs thundered down the lane.

"Out of the way, out of the way!" shouted a young hobbit trying desperately to stop his cart with two wheels about to give way and a frightened pony refusing to halt.

Merry and Pippin stopped short, jumping backwards. Sam lunged toward his master and about to pull him back but he had been too late. They collided with the cart, bounced off and were tossed to the other side of the path. Sam hit the ground with a thud and for a moment it seemed the air had been knocked out of him while pain burned along his back. Trees spun around him. He could still hear the cart squeaking out of control until it finally crashed; then came the sound of footsteps rushing toward him. Wincing from the pain, he looked up into the concerned faces of Merry and Pippin.

"Sam?" they said in unison and then Merry said, "Are you all right?"

"No," Sam muttered. "I hurt my back." He was hoisted up in the arms of Merry and Pippin. Suddenly Sam seemed to have forgotten the pain when realizing something…

"Mr. Frodo!" His eyes frantically scanned the area until he saw Frodo's body sprawled out upon the grass. "Mr. Frodo," Sam called again. Though he had been hurt, he pushed himself onward to where Frodo lay. Merry and Pippin weren't far behind. Sam grimaced from his injury but ignored it as he gently lifted an unconscious Frodo into his arms. He noticed blood on an old tree stump and when feeling a sticky liquid on back of Frodo's head, Sam looked at his hand…more blood. "Oh no, no…Mr. Frodo!"

Sam, Merry and Pippin waited impatiently inside the parlor. At the sound of footsteps shuffling down the hall, the hobbits leapt from their seats.

Pippin quickly asked the doctor, "Is he going to be all right?"

The stout elder hobbit (even more stout than Sam) breathed and answered, "I managed to stop the bleeding and tended his head wound, but it's not merely a small injury. He may be unconscious for a while. It could be some time before he wakes up. If there are any other problems or when he wakes up, let me know as soon as possible. Oh, and Sam, make sure you get plenty of rest for your back."

Sam nodded. "Yes, sir."

After the doctor had gone, Merry and Pippin were the first to go inside Frodo's room and stood at his bedside. Sam, still achy had lagged behind until he then joined beside the two. They stared at Frodo with a white cloth bandaged securely around his head. Since the time they returned to the Shire, Sam hadn't seen Frodo look so peaceful as if…

"No," he mumbled to himself. "You can't die. Please, Mr. Frodo, don't die."

Sam hoped the doctor was wrong. Frodo had been unconscious for a few days and that alarmed him greatly, for his master was unable to eat or drink anything. He had been frail enough and lost more weight. His skin, deathly pale and beneath his eyes were sunken and dark. Sam never let a day go by and not sit at his bedside. He would stare at him lovingly and hold his left hand. "Mr. Frodo, please…wake up," Sam whispered. "If you don't, you'll die."

At first Sam thought it had been a trick of the brain when feeling Frodo's fingers jerk slightly. He waited to see if it happened again and to his surprise, it did. Not long after, Frodo's eyes fluttered open. "Mr. Frodo!" Sam grinned. "You're awake!"

Frodo's eyes were fully open and then he turned his head slightly to look up at Sam. He frowned as if to comprehend who sat beside him and where he was at.

Sam grew worried again. "Mr. Frodo? How are you feeling?"

"Mr. Frodo?" he replied weakly. "Is that who I am?"

Bewildered, Sam leaned closer. "Mr. Frodo is your name and it's me, your Sam."

Frodo squinted. "Sam? You don't look familiar to me, nor do I know who I am."

Sam added, "Do you know where you are? It's your home, Bag End."

"Nothing," said an irritated Frodo. "Nothing looks familiar." He touched his head, feeling the bandages and suddenly, when looking at his four fingers, his eyes widened with fear and confusion. "What happened to my hand?"

At that, Sam's own fear had escalated and with an alarmed expression he said, "You don't remember…anything?"

TBC