Time Turner
. . . fiction by Odyssea
. . .A Useful Talent. . .
Samwise Gamgee was generally considered to be a garden hobbit. This was a perfectly respectable lifestyle for a hobbit, who were very close to the land, provided, of course, that the land respected them as well. Some hobbits were skilled in the creation of fine wines and ales, able to judge the finest crops of grapes or grain at a glance. Others were food hobbits, some excellent farmers, others using the fine crops of the Shire to create culinary masterpieces (on occasion, these chefs were more respected than the farmers who cultivated the crops, hobbits being, in general, deeply attached to their dinner). There were hobbits trained to develop exquisite furniture from local woodland, while others wove fine cloth.
So, it can be seen, hobbits are very in tune with their homeland of the Shire, and respectful of using its resources. Sam often took jaunts, never over long distances, visiting nearby towns to find new and different plants to use in his garden. Sometimes he would venture into the woods to find shrubs and flowers. Being fairly attuned to the natural world, Sam learned the sounds of local wildlife, from the rustle of tiny squirrels in the underbrush to the high pitched calls of mating birds. It was a hobby, and he always felt a tiny hint of pride when he could point out to a friend the sound of a chaffinch or blue tit.
Sam prided himself in a small way on this useful skill, which was why he was distressed when he heard the call of a moorhen in the middle of a wooded area. Why, moorhens were only found near rivers - why should he be hearing one now? He was quite worried, though neither Frodo nor Gollum seemed to care.
A few minutes later, Sam knew that his skills in bird calls were quite good. Pity he didn't have any to help with defeating large, armed men!
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