A/N chapter two, not exactly as I had planned it in my head but the story has a way of writing itself. All reviews welcome.
Chapter 2 Dances and Excuses.
It had been quite a few weeks since Bungo had seen Belladonna. After all, she did live in Tookborough and he in Hobbiton. It was not until the Fall Festival that they ran into each other again. Bungo was browsing the boutiques, admiring some pots and pans, when he saw Belladonna two booths down, browsing through some silk scarves. She noticed him looking her way and gave a little wave.
"Don't you move Mr Baggins, I'll be right back" she called. Then skipped away into the crowd. Bungo wasn't sure whether he should walk the complete opposite direction and hide, or wait. He glanced around to see if anyone he knew was around. It would be no good at all for them to see him with the trouble making Belladonna Took if she returned. Or course, she did return, with a pouch in her hand. She handed it to him.
"I believe I owe you this Mr Baggins." she said, giving him a little leather pouch. "I'm sorry that I caused you to spill yours" Bungo accepted the pouch. He didn't have to look inside it to know that it was tobacco.
"Thank you," he said, simply. "You really needn't have bothered, my father owns the biggest tobacco field in all The Shire. I'm really not lacking any."
"I felt it only right" she replied, smiling at him. There was a hint of mischief it that smile. Her hair was in it's usual state of disarray, piled in a messy bundle at the back of her head that might pass for a bun if you used your imagination. She was wearing a fairly simple, brown dress with no frills or lace on it, no jewelry at all. Bungo took note that she was all together too skinny for a hobbit and that she could take better care of her appearance. Despite all that, her eyes still had an attractive twinkle to them that he couldn't help notice. There was life and excitement in the depths of them that seemed to be lacking in his own life. Bungo averted his gaze to escape the entrapment that Belladonna's eyes seemed to be luring him into.
"Well I really must be going" he said, trying hard to think of some imaginary place that where he absolutely had to be. Luck had been on his side and no one of renown had seen him talking to her but he did not want to push his luck.
"You are going to the dance aren't you?" Belladonna asked. The fall dance was being held that evening and all The Shire was abuzz with anticipation. Rumors were spreading that Gandalf the Grey was in town, and that there would be fireworks. Some complained that it was a little dry and high risk for fireworks, while others said that it was perfectly safe as Gandalf was a wizard after all, and therefore, had magical abilities to prevent fires. The latter was just rumor and speculation of course. Hobbits love fireworks and would look for any excuse to have them.
"I shall be there," replied Bungo.
"Then I shall see ya there, and I do hope you'll save me a dance or two" Belladonna said with a little curtsy. Bungo didn't have time to reply before Belladonna spun around and ran off towards a group of hobbit lasses near the jewelry salon. She was soon busy in the midst of giggling conversation.
Bungo was staring gape jawed in her direction, trying to think of all the excuses he could muster not to dance with the controversial Took lass, 'I sprained my ankle, I have two left feet, I'm finding the flooring a bit slippery to dance on, I really need to use the privy just now,' It was during these thoughts that Camillia Sackville gracefully approached, elegantly carrying her lace umbrella in one hand, and a pair of white silk gloves in the other.
"Why Bungo Baggins," she said with a high and mighty air to her voice, "Charming to see you." She tucked the gloves into her hand bag and extended her hand to him expectantly. Bungo took her hand and kissed the back of it politely.
"Hello Camillia" he said. "Lovely to see you also." Camillia smiled at him with that sickeningly sweet smile of hers. She held herself gracefully and proudly. Bungo noted how neatly her hair was brushed back into a perfect twist, a gem embedded clip holding it firmly in place. Not a single hair seemed to be astray. Camillia was neither plain, nor beautiful but she knew how to present herself well. She wore a lovely pink dress, ruffled at the hemline with a paler pink over skirt caught up at the waist on either side. A tight fitting pink corsette was laced around her middle to excentuate her generous cleavage.
"I do hope to see you at the dance this evening. I've kept my agenda open for several dances with you, especially the first one. Don't disappoint me" she said with an overly pleasant smile. Then she turned with a haunty air and strutted off with out another word.
'Oh dear' Thought poor Bungo. How would he juggle the two of them, for of course, if Belladonna saw him dancing at all, most of his excuses would be useless. "The Privy one will still work" he decided as he headed off towards the inn to get ready.
The autumn festival and dance rotated locations all over The Shire. This year it was to be held in an open field in Buckland over looking the Brandywine River. Tents had been set up displaying orange and gold colours, tables were laid out ready to receive all kinds of wonderful food that the women were preparing for the evening.
Bungo Baggins has contemplated not going to the dance at all, but he decided that he had best go as he'd never hear the end of it from Camillia Sackville if he didn't. He chose to wear tweed brown trousers, his best white shirt and golden brown waist coat but due to his last incident with Belladonna Took, opted not to take his hat. He carefully brushed his hair, not forgetting to carefully comb through the hair on his feet as well, and set off for the tents.
There was quite a gathering there already when he arrived. Hobbit lads and lasses all dressed in their best, hoping to find romance on the dance floor during the evening. Camillia Sackville had no trouble tracking him down so he cordially accepted her request at the first dance of the evening. One dance turned into three and the conversation droned on. Camillia discussed everything from the weather, to the latest scandalous gossip. None of which interested Bungo in the least. He just smiled and nodded politely, tuning out her endless chatter by concentrating on the music. Finally he politely led her back to her table and was thankful when Bodo Proudfoot came along and dragged him off towards the bar.
From this vantage point, he caught sight of Belladonna, merrily dancing with Milos Brandybuck and seeming to have a very good time. She was pleasantly pre occupied with someone else, much to his relief. Bungo managed to down two ales thinking he was finally safe from feminine whiles when the band began a lively jig known as the Took Two-step.
"This is my favorite, lets dance!" said an excited Belladonna Took who had snuck up behind him. She grabbed him by the hand and dragged him helplessly to the floor. He didn't have time to mention the privy or anything else before he was swept along merrily into the two step, not missing a beat.
"You dance very well Mr Baggins" said Belladonna, flashing a pretty smile in his direction.
"I do wish you would just call me Bungo" he replied. "and yes, I've had quite a few formal lessons." His mother was very fond of music and dancing. She had taught all her children every dance you could imagine. Bungo twirled Belladonna on que to the music then back into a waltz position for two steps to the left, two to the right. He noticed that Belladonna looked quite different than how he was accustomed to seeing her. Belladonna's bright auburn curls were partially swept back in side barettes revealing her ears which were adorned with sparkling emerald earrings that matched her eyes. She was wearing a pale yellow party dress, edged with lace at the neckline and sitting just off the shoulders. A string of pure white pearls hung around her neck. She looked quite lovely under the light of the lanterns which gave her hair golden brown highlights. There was such a contrast to Bungo's dances with Camillia who was stiff and formal compared to the fun loving bounce of Bella. She moved easily across the dance floor, taking his lead and even adding in some improvised moves of her own. Bungo found that he was beginning to rather enjoy the lively jig and his spirits began to lift. He began to forget all about who would see them and what they would say. Perhaps the Fall Dance wouldn't turn out quite as disastrous as he'd thought. He was sorry when the dance ended.
"You must meet my sisters" Belladonna said excitedly. Once again she grabbed him by the hand and led him towards a group of giggling lasses until Bungo was now amid three controversial Took lasses almost as if one just wasn't enough! "This is Donnamira and Mirabella" Belladonna introduced. "And this dear sisters is Mr Bungo Baggins of Hobbiton," then as her voice dropped almost to a whisper she said "the one I was telling you about."
"Pleased to meet you" The girls chorused together as if on que, then all three of them burst into giggles. Bungo began to wonder what exactly Belladonna had told them about him. He was hoping she hadn't mentioned the incident with the elves. What had happened to keeping it their little secret? Donnamira motioned to another group of lasses so before long, Bungo was surrounded on all sides by Tooks, Bucklanders, Bolgers and Boffins, all lasses.
"Hello Bungo" they all said one after another then burst into ridiculous giggles.
Bungo contemplated what could possibly be so funny. He really wished that somehow the ground would open up and swallow him whole for at that moment, while he was trapped between the Took sisters and their friends, along came Bodo Proudfoot and Thomas Bracegirdle.
"I trust that you are having a good time Bungo" Thomas said with an eye brow raised in his direction. Bodo gazed down his nose giving Bungo a disapproving look. Bungo could feel himself turning bright red. What a predicament he was in. He was sure that the entire Shire was going to be talking about this. Just when he thought things couldn't possibly get worse, Camillia Sackville arrived with toffy nosed Sapphira Brockhouse at her side.
"Bungo!" she said quite flatly with hands on her well curved hips. "What on earth are you doing over there." She said the word 'there' as if he was standing in positively the most undignified place that one would ever wish to be caught in.
Bungo stammered "I was just... just..." the three pairs of emerald green eyes were fixed on him as the Took lasses gazed at him curiously. One pair of deep brown eyes burned in his directioni as Camillia glared at him.
"I was just on my way to the privy." Bungo finally managed to say, feeling quite awkward and out of sorts. He pushed his way between Camillia and Sapphira heading in the complete opposite direction of the privies. What a giveaway! Just at that moment the fireworks began, but Bungo didn't even turn to look at them. The dance was clearly over for him.