Sam clapped his hand on Frodo’s shoulder, “No need to be sorry.” He nodded, but his eyebrows raised at Frodo’s next words.
At the mention of Rosie, Sam wrung his hands together nervously, a sheen of sweat appeared on his brow. “She isn’t ready to have the baby, not yet, I’m told that is.” He stammered, “A few more months, that’s what Rosie says the healer said.” Sam sucked in a deep breath and peered up at the sky for a moment as if trying to compose himself.
“Oh! Everything’s fine.” Sam drew his attention back to Frodo, “Jus’ fine indeed. Rosie… Well she…” Sam trailed off and glanced sheepishly at Frodo, “She wanted some time to herself and some of her friends. She hasn’t seen them much since she left the Dragon you see.” Sam explained.
“And I’ve been hoverin’ over her.” He let out a quiet chuckle, “I don’ mean to, Mister Frodo… After what happened with Miss Diamond.” He sucked in another breath, he didn’t even want to think of it. He looked after Rosie to make sure she was comfortable, but Pippin doted over his wife too, yet they had lost their child. Sam thought of it sometimes and felt sick to his stomach. His heart ached for his friends and worry clouded his mind for his own wife.
Frodo placed a gentle arm on Sam’s shoulder and shook his head. “I’m sure she loves the attention.” he said, smiling. “Rosie knows you care for her… You need only give her a little space, I think. The baby will be here in no time, and you’ll have a whole new concern to worry over.”
Frodo wasn’t sure he’d ever have children. It wasn’t something that he thought about often… not even before the journey. He was always wrapped up in his books, and he was just recently becoming able to enjoy them again.
No, Frodo was nearly certain that no lass would ever truly be able to love him… and he knew that he would never be able to love her… not how a lass deserved to be loved. It didn’t much matter anyways… Frodo wasn’t the marrying type… he was a peculiar hobbit, and some would say he was turning into his Uncle. Not that he gave it much thought… Frodo was content to live his life the way he wanted to now… He’d earned that much.
He looked back at the trail to Bag End and then back to Sam. “Would you like to come over for a bit of tea?” he asked, trying to comfort his friend… It wasn’t often that he was able to do this nowadays, and he hoped that keeping Sam’s mind off of the things that could go wrong would ease his nerves.