AUTHOR'S NOTES -
CHAPTER 12: HOMECOMING
The smell of lavender filled the air, and Frodo relaxed into Sam’s hands.
Lavender oil has been much maligned as a cliché in fanfiction, however I am not going to deny Frodo (or later Rosie, in Chapter 22) its aromatherapy properties. Lavender is calming, and helps sleep, so it is a very appropriate choice for Sam to make.
‘When are you going to move your things in, Sam?... You know the Gaffer is close at hand, and will be well looked after by Widow Rumble. And if you’ve any second thoughts about actually living here, there’s no need to come yet, if you don’t want to.’
‘It’s not that. Of course, not that.’
The Return of the King, The Grey Havens: “When at last all was ready Frodo said: ‘When are you going to move in and join me, Sam?’
Sam looked a bit awkward.
‘There is no need to come yet, if you don’t want to,’ said Frodo. ‘But you know the Gaffer is close at hand, and he will be very well looked after by Widow Rumble.’
It’s not that Mr, Frodo,’ said Sam, and he went very red.”
‘I said I didn’t want to take away your chance for a pretty wife and lots of children,’ said Frodo, stroking Sam’s face. ‘It’s what you used to talk about, in this smial, a whole world away.’
‘Yes, a whole world away is right.’ Sam’s anger was bubbling to the surface again. ‘And last time you said that, I told you : “Without you, I’m nothing”! That’s as true now, as it was then.’
This is a reference to a conversation Frodo and Sam have in my story The Field of Cormallen
You want to have a family and want to live with me at Bag End too. And I say “How easy!” Get married as soon as you can, and then move in with Rose. There’s room enough in Bag End for as big a family as you could wish for.’
Frodo did not expect that this offer would have him reaching for the Red Book to write “And so it was settled.” Which was just as well, because Sam was nigh apoplectic at the suggestion.
The Return of the King, The Grey Havens: “‘I see,’ said Frodo: ‘you want to get married. and yet you want to live with me in Bag End too? But my dear Sam, how easy! Get married as soon as you can, and then move in with Rosie. There’s room enough in Bag End for as big a family as you could wish for.’ And so it was settled.”