“Er, Aster, dear, I want to ask you a question.” Doll Brandybuck’s voice was secretive and low and Sammie paused before he went into the healer’s quarters. When Sammie woke from another nap Aster had gone to help Doll with tea for the invalids and he had decided to find her and help.
“Are you really Samlad’s friend?” Sammie pulled back into the deep shadow next to the door. He’d heard that deceptively sweet tone before.
“Yes. He’s my best friend.” Aster said. Sammie cautiously looked into the room. Doll was leaning over Aster who was obviously trying hard not to step back. Doll’s daughter, Rivendell, was there, too, and she frowned at her mother as she arranged the tea things on a large tray.
“Now, Aster, I’m only saying this because you’re sweet and I’ve become quite fond of you.” Doll patted Aster’s cheek. “I think, when you go back to Hobbiton, you should leave Samlad alone.”
“Mum! She’s too young for that sort of thing to matter!” Rivendell reproached.
Doll sniffed. “Hardly. This one’s thirteen and in need of a warning. Since her mother obviously hasn’t said anything then I’M going to.” She turned back to the girl. “My dear, the Gardners are great people. Legends. Heroes. Wealthy and learned. Powerful. They’re used to doing what they like, however they like.” Rivendell put the sugar dish on the tray with a loud clatter. Doll ignored her. “People will judge you badly if you mix with that sort.”
“Heroes?” Aster asked and her eyebrows drew together in confusion.
“Scandals. Of course give Master Frodo and the Mayor the respect they deserve but at a distance. Samlad’s your best friend NOW but do you think he’ll stay your best friend in a year or two? A rich, troublemaking bastard boy with no sense of right or wrong, ‘cause certainly his parents aren’t setting a decent example…” Doll paused for breath. “A boy like that and a pretty little thing like you? You could get hurt. He could take advantage of you.”
Aster’s face went white at the word ‘bastard.’ Sammie, used to it, didn’t so much as blink. “Take advantage of me?” she gasped.
“He could do bad things. Touch you. Lie to you. Ruin your reputation. And you’d have no justice because everyone would blame YOU for not staying away from him in the first place.” Doll’s face was red and her daughter looked over at her with surprise.
Aster’s eyes were horrified and Sammie felt was afraid. He could count his friends on one hand, just one hand.
But Aster’s eyes narrowed. “He would never,” she said. “He’s never done a bad thing to me before and I doubt he ever will. You don’t know what you’re talking about. I love him all to pieces. And I’m leaving.” Doll stepped back in shock and Aster went out the door without a further word. She didn’t see Sammie there in the shadows. He took one last glance into the room and saw Rivendell smiling and Doll looking insulted. Then he silently followed after Aster. She ducked into an empty side room and stood in the middle of the floor, sniffling. He had never seen her put someone so thoroughly in her place before and he was amazed.
“Aster.” She whirled around. Sammie came into the room and shut the door after him. The room was dim and warm. Quiet. “I love you all to pieces, too.” She wiped her eyes and came towards him. He threw his arms around her and they stood there for quite a while.
“You know I would never, ever…” he began.
“I know.” Aster sniffled into his shirt.
Sammie murmured into her hair. “May I kiss you?” She looked up at him, surprised and Sammie wanted to kill himself. She was so warm and the room was so peaceful and they were all alone and, oh, please don’t let her think he was taking advantage but he liked her so much…
“Yes.” she suddenly said. Sammie felt a sudden panic but he stifled it, bent his head and kissed her lips. He straightened and she gave her mouth a quick swipe with her fingertips. He wanted to laugh and cry. He stepped back and she smiled at him. He smiled, too, and they hugged again. They held hands as they walked back to the others and Aster swung his arm as she always had done before they ever went into the forest.
~