Disclaimer: None of these characters are mine except for me, Jaell Brandybuck, they are Tolkien's creations and belong to Tolkiens except for my own creations, of course.
Meet Jaell Brandybuck: Chapter OneIt's hard to imagine that the guy who is courting me once went on such an adventure… but everyone knows about him! Perhap you do as well! His name is Frodo Baggins and he lived at Bag End with his relative, Bilbo Baggins, the Baggins who started it all.
But… I am not here to tell you about the Bagginses, I'm here to tell you about myself. For starters, my name is Jaell Brandybuck. The last name may be familiar as I am sister to Meriadoc Brandybuck (Merry), who went with Frodo in the Fellowship to Mordor. I am a young Hobbit, barely out of my tweens at 34 years of age. I am fairly short - even for a Hobbit - and I usually wear an outfit that consists of green coat, red blouse and black long skirt that practically reaches the floor. I have longish black curly hair and my eyes are brown.
On with the life. I live in the Shire of Hobbiton, near Bag End. I did live with the other Brandybucks, but moved out to start my own life. I was one of the rare, 'independent' Hobbits. Don't get me wrong, I love my family but there's only so much of them you can take at one time. You know what I mean.
My romance with Frodo all began two years before he left, on his 48th birthday. Because I was only 29 at the time, people thought I was crazy for liking him… but they found out only half my story. They all also thought I was 'lusting' after him, wanting his family's money and Bag End, which was no such thing. He was rich, he did have a nice place but there was definitely more to it…
One day, on September 16th, around a week before his 48th birthday, I was getting the house ready for a sidebar to his party and this was still when I lived at home with the Brandybuck clan. He had come over to personally invite Meriadoc and our family to his party. He didn't want as big a fuss this year as he had put on other years, for I felt something was on his mind and heart that was weighing on him. Being the only one home next to my mother, who was napping [a sleepy one she is!] before getting ready for dinner - a major event - I, of course, opened the door when I heard him harking at the door. I opened the door to find a beaming Frodo Baggins. "Yes, Frodo? May I help you? Would you like some tea?"
"No," he said as he shook his head. "Is Meriadoc or the family in?" He stepped into the warm, Hobbit-sized house.
"He's out in the field with Da, picking mushrooms and tending to the cattle… may I take a message for him, Frodo?" He smiled lightly and took his coat off.p
"May I sit, Jaell?" I nodded, of course. I thought he was so polite for even asking while others took it upon themselves to answer that question in their own heads. I led him to a more comfortable place to set himself down and he thanked me. "May I take you up on that offer for tea?" I couldn't help but smile.
"Of course, my dear Frodo. Oh, and I have the perfect gift for you for your birthday next week." Frodo seemed very puzzled, as it was Hobbit custom for the birthday whose person it was to give away presents rather than receive them. I had to laugh again. "I know it sounds peculiar, but I couldn't help it once I saw it. You'll like it, you must believe me!" Frodo gave a sigh of relief and nodded. I handed him his cup of hot tea and he thanked me.
"How old did you say you were, Jaell? 25?" I blushed because, to me, looking younger didn't insult but rather the opposite.
"29… drink up, you look thirsty." Frodo nodded and sipped then returned to the conversation after a few silent moments.
"I ran over here from Farmer Maggot's place, I'm a bit worn. Thank you for your hospitality. I suppose I should mention why I came rushing over here like an excited wind on a summer day." I always loved the way he spoke. It reminded me of Bilbo's songs and stories he told to us tweens a little while back. Oh, the memories. Coming back to reality, I straightened up and nodded.
"Yes, why did you come so hurriedly?" I waited patiently as he took another sip of his tea and savored the flavors of the homemade brew my mother and I had concocted ourselves, a usual practice in Hobbiton.
"I came to tell Meriadoc or your Da that you are all invited to my birthday party next week. I'll have a special place for you, the Brandybucks, the Tooks, and the rest of the Bagginses. All the others who come will leave a tad bit earlier than usual and we'll have our own party." A slight glimmer of happiness flashed through his eyes. I still couldn't help but smile myself. Those piercing blue eyes were so powerful. Yes, that was when I first realized I had an inkling of my romantic feelings towards this wonderful, courageous Hobbit. And I stared into his eyes and couldn't help but get lost for a moment… "Jaell…? You okay?" I came back to reality again and grinned, more to myself than to him.
"Yes… do tell me, Old man, what's it like turning 48?" I said with a slight laugh. He grinned at my poke in the ribs.
"Feels wonderful, actually, little child. Wait until you're my age, you'll take on a more liking to life. Trust me."
more to come...