Saruman chuckled grimly. “So you’ve heard the name, have you? All my people used to callme that in Isengard, I believe. A sign of affection possibly. But evidently you did not expect to see me here.”

Pippin could almost see a look of annoyance on Frodo’s face, as if he were dealing with an unruly child instead of a powerful wizard.

“I did not,” said Frodo. “But I might have guessed. A little mischief in a mean way: Gandalf warned me that you were still capable of it.”

As Saruman went on with mocking them and about his plans, Pippin had a great desire to merely attack now and ask questions never. He was about to do so before Frodo cut in.

“Well, if that is what you find pleasure in,” said Frodo, “I pity you. It will be a pleasure of memory only, I fear. Go at once and never return!”

During all of this, hobbits had been crowding around the open door of Bag End. When they heard Frodo, they called out their own commandments.

“Don’t let him go!”
“Kill the murderer!”

“Get that villain!”

But yet again, Frodo ordered him away.
“It is useless to meet revenge with revenge: it will heal nothing. Go, Saruman, by the speediest way!”

Saruman turned and called, “Worm!”

Like a reprimanded pet, Wormtongue crawled out of a nearby hut. Saruman turned to leave, Wormtongue following behind him. But when Saruman passed by Frodo, Pippin glanced the flash of a knife as Saruman stabbed Frodo quickly. The knife broke against the mithril coat, leaving Frodo more surprised than hurt. That was it for Sam. He leapt, along with a dozen other hobbits, including Pippin, and pinned Saruman to the ground. Pippin and Sam both drew their swords and were about to make short work of Saruman when Frodo reprimanded them.
“No! Don’t kill him even now! He hasn’ t hurt anyone, and besides, I don’t wish for him to be killed in this evil mood. He is fallen, and his cure is beyond us; but I would still spare him, in the hope that he may find it.”

As Pippin clambered to his feet, he was certain that Frodo was mad. To think that this rotter could ever be good again was crazy. Saruman sneered at Frodo momentarily, then again turned to leave. Wormtongue hesitated, then followed his master.
“You don’t have to follow him, Wormtongue. You have done no evil to me; you are welcome to have rest and food here for a while.”

Wormtongue again hesitated, but Saruman cackled.
“Of course he has done no evil. He disappoints me with his incapacity to do so. But then of course, there was Lotho...”

Wormtongue merely cowered and whimpered.
“Worm killed your precious Chief, your nice little boss. Stabbed him in his sleep I believe. Yes, Worm has done evil; you’d best leave him to me.”
“You told me to; you made me do it,” Wormtongue snarled through clenched teeth.
“And you obeyed my every word. Well, my word now is follow.” Saruman kicked Wormtongue severely then started to leave. But in a flash, Wormtongue sprang up, drew a hidden knife, hopped onto Saruman’s back, and slit his throat. He began to run off down the road, but he didn’t get very far before three hobbit-bows twanged and three arrows stuck out of his back.

“And that’s the end of that,” said Sam with a sigh. “A nasty end, and I wish that I hadn’t seen it, but at least it’s over.”

“Hopefully the War is over too,” added Merry.

“I hope so,” said Frodo, sighing as well. “The very last stroke. To think that it should fall here, at the very door of Bag End! Among all my hopes and fears at least I never expected that.”

“I won’t call it the end until we’ve cleaned up the mess,” said Sam. “And that will take a lot of time.”

Indeed, it did take time, but not as long as was expected. Every hobbit in Hobbiton was part of the job of repairing their home, including Diamond. But Diamond wanted to be reunited before having to go to work. She had to wait until all of the prisoners had been rescued from Lockholes, but it was well worth the wait. Crouching in a painful position, Diamond tossed through a pile of debris that was laying near where the Party Tree had been. It was a futile search to see if any of the small, green saplings that had once grown in abundance were still there. She was becoming quite disappointed with her search when a familiar voice interrupted her.
“Excuse me, Miss Diamond, I was wondering if I could get your advice.”

She turned around quickly, a large smile on her face.
“Sam!”

Sam grinned as well.
“It’s nice to see you after so long, Miss Diamond. I hope you’ve kept well.”
Diamond nodded and noticed the small box Sam was carrying in his hand. Sam noticed where her eyes went.
“It’s what I’ve come to ask advice about.”
Dusting off her hands on her apron, she took the box and peered inside. She gently pulled out a small, silver colored seed.
“Sam the All-knowing Gardener asking me advice about seeds. Now I’ve seen everything.”
“Well, I’m just curious as to where or how I should plant it.”

Diamond shook her head and handed the seed back to Sam.
“I really wouldn’t know, Sam.”
“Alright then, I’ll ask the others.”
Sam started to walk away, but Diamond ran and caught up with him.
“I’m coming with you, I need to be reacquainted with everyone else.”

Diamond’s stomach tightened a bit; she knew she was going to see Pippin, but she tried to get her mind off of it. She examined Sam.

“My goodness Sam, what have you been eating? I could mistake you for one of the Big People!”

Sam chuckled.
“I doubt you could. I’ve seen enough of them to last me a lifetime.”

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Wow, I got over my writer’s block momentarily. Anyway, now that I’m halfway fired up, the next chapter should be arriving shortly. Au revoir!