by The Barrow-Wight
Chapter 1 - Journey to Shiremeet
In the Summer of 1280, Gerontius Took, the Thain of the Shire, prepared for the bi-annual Shiremeet (not to be confused with the Shire-Moot). Every two years the Thain met with the community leaders of the Four Farthings, the Westmarch and Buckland to discuss various matters of government, agriculture and trade. On this particular year, the Meet was scheduled to be held at Brandy Hall, and Gerontius had decided to make a holiday of it.
Along with his wife Adamanta, he was taking his three youngest children, Donnamira, Mirabella and Isengar, and several of their friends and cousins, including two of Mungo Baggins' boys, Longo and Bingo. The large group filled two carts and required two wagons to bring their baggage. In the early morning light of a late Forelithe morning the hobbits, young and old, climbed aboard their carts and wagons and began the trip down to Buckland.
Isengar Took sat in the back of the second cart as it bounced along the lane that led from the Smial down to the Stock Road. He was more excited that he had been in a very long time. This was the first Shiremeet he had been allowed to attend, and he couldn't wait to get to Brandy Hall. Though he knew the Meet was supposed to be what he was most interested in, it was the festivities that were to follow that inspired his enthusiasm. Let his older brothers, who had left with their families the previous day, worry about governing and such. The fireworks and food were what really made the Meets worthwhile.
This year was going to be particularly special. This was the first time in over 20 years that the Meet had been held in Buckland, and on a Leap Year, no less. Marmadoc, the Master of Buckland, had been boasting for months that this celebration would be even better the seven-year Free Fair on the White Downs. Isengar looked back at the last wagon in their small train. Though it was supposed to be a secret, he knew that several of the crates under the heavy tarp contained fireworks specially prepared for the occasion by Gandalf the Wizard.
A rut in the road caused Isengar to fall backwards as the cart bounced out onto the Stock Road.
"Hey, watch it!", shouted Longo, whom Isengar had fallen on. He punched Isengar on the shoulder, and the two hobbits were soon wrestling on the wooden floor of the cart.
"Don't let papa catch you fighting again", said Mirabella from the front seat. "He just might make you boys walk all the way to the Brandywine."
Bingo laughed from her side on the seat, "If we left these two on the their own they'd most likely walk only as far as Pincup."
Longo looked up from where he lay pinned beneath Isengar. "Listen, Iss. Can you hear it?"
Isengar cocked his head. "Yes. The 'Broken Cup' is calling!"
The two hobbits laughed.
"Oh no!", said Mirabella. "There will be enough ale at the Overlithe Fest! But you've got to get there before you can enjoy it."
The two hobbits sat up from their wrestling, grinning. Longo was known for dragging his friends into most of the pubs between Overhill and Longbottom.
"We'll have plenty of time for celebrating after the Meet," said Isengar. "But 'Bella's right. If we don't behave, Dad's going to have us working the entire holiday instead of celebrating."
