Frodo turned over in bed, facing the wall but finding that it was just as intimidating as facing the room. The wall was dark and looming. Goosebumps formed on his neck as he realised that his back was open to any unseen attacker.

He turned back to face the room again, closing his eyes and willing sleep to consume him. It didn’t work. He opened his eyes again and looked at the dark shapes in the room. The desk, the two chairs with clothes strewn over them, the bookcase… usually familiar objects that now looked huge and intimidating in the shadow-filled darkness. With a sigh he turned to lie on his back, staring up at the ceiling he was satisfied that he would see any attacker before they had a chance to harm him – but he did not dare to close his eyes.

He lay like that for a long time, listening to the sound of the wind outside the window, and looking at the shapes that shadows cast on the ceiling. Suddenly, he was aware of something on his shoulder and sat up abruptly; every muscle tensing as he got ready for a counter-attack.

"Shhh… easy, Mr. Frodo, it’s just me."

"Sam?" Frodo’s voice quivered slightly.

"Yes, just your Sam." Sam’s voice bore the gentleness of someone calming a frightened beast or a small baby.

Frodo released the breath he hadn’t quite realised he was holding in, and relaxed as Sam’s hand found his. "Don’t you go sneaking up on me like that again, Sam." Frodo said slowly. Sam didn’t reply.

They sat like that for quite some time, silently hand in hand, until finally Sam spoke. "Do you want light, or company, or both – if you get me, Mr. Frodo?"

Frodo thought about this for a moment. Both would be a big sacrifice for Rose, she did not like to leave lights on at night (what if the house caught fire when they were all fast asleep?), and Frodo was sure she too wanted Sam to keep her company at night.

"Company would be nice, Sam." He said at length. Sam nodded and went to fetch his bed clothes.

Fodo was left alone in the room for a while, hoping that Sam would be back soon. A nagging and familiar throbbing had started in his shoulder, spreading up his neck, and he hated to be alone at times like these. He shivered and crept further under the duvet to wait for Sam’s return.

"Come and lay down by my side

‘Till the early morning light

All I’m taking is your time

Help me make it through the night"

As Sam came back Frodo rolled over to make room for him on the bed. Sam lay down, placing a gentle arm around Frodo to pull him close. Frodo shivered again.

"You’re cold." Sam murmured softly, rubbing Frodo’s back with slow, gentle, movements.

Frodo nodded against Sam’s chest and felt heat starting to radiate into his own body. He hadn’t realised how cold he was before.

Sam’s heartbeat was clear in Frodo’s ears as he rested against his chest – so much calmer that his own, it’s gentleness soothing him.

Sam continued to fuss over Frodo for a while, murmuring soothing words and rubbing his back. Occasionally he reached a hand to brush away some stray lock or another that kept falling into Frodo’s face.

As Frodo relaxed, sleepiness crept up on him. He stifled a yawn, but Sam noticed.

"You go ahead to sleep, Mr. Frodo, I won’t be going nowhere tonight. I will still be here when you have a mind to wake up again."

Frodo sighed and thought of the nightmares that haunted his sleep, night after night. He was so tired.

Sam pulled him closer to him and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Sleep, Mr. Frodo, and I’ll worry about the rest."

Finally, Frodo nodded and closed his eyes, thinking that nightmares seldom come to those who are not alone in the night. It wasn’t long until he fell into a deep and dreamless slumber.

Sam lay awake for a while, watching Frodo’s peaceful face and listening to his calm breathing, before he too fell into a content sleep.

"And it’s sad to be alone

Help me make it through the night

I don’t wanna be alone

Help me make it through the night"