Chapter 3
Not Home Yet
"Just when all hope was lost that the day had come, the last beams of the sun meet the first beams of the moonlight through the clouds. They saw the beams shine on the door and they heard a great crack and a crash. They tried again to pull on the rock, but then, Bilbo remembered Thorin's key."
Arwen had a captive audience of eight little Gamgee's, listening to the story of Bilbo's journey. Arwen became better aquatinted with the story since she read Bilbo's personal account in the Red Book, so much so that she know knew the whole story by heart. Story time with Arwen had become one of the things the children looked forward to the most.
"Bilbo shouted, 'The key! The key! Try it now while there is still time!' So, Thorin took it from around his neck and was able to turn it in the keyhole that was visible in the moonlight. It turned with a great snap, just as the sun beam disappeared and they were finally able to open the door."
"And this is where Smaug the dragon comes in, right?" asked Ham.
"And then the attack on Lake-Town?" added Prim.
"And the Battle of the Five Armies!" Bilbo started bouncing with excitement, "Don't forget the Battle of the Five Armies!"
Arwen laughed at their enthusiasm for the story. "We will have to save those stories for another night. Now, it's time for bed. Please go to your rooms."
The children all moaned, but did as they were told without argument. After Arwen and Rosie had gotten all the children in bed, they sat down with Frodo, Goldie, and Faramir to read the letter that Sam had sent Arwen from the White City. They had been gone six months and this was the first they had heard from them.
"The White City is just as big and beautiful as I remember it and you described it," Arwen read aloud. "The King has been wonderfully hospitable. Queen Arwen has her hands full with their two little girls, just as we have had our hands full with baby Tom. They all talk about how they miss you, especially Eldarion. He misses you something awful. He asked me to tell you that he misses you and still thinks of you…often…"
Arwen paused momentarily, slightly caught off guard by what she read, but then continued, "Give all the children our love and tell them we miss them. Thank Faramir for helping you and tell Frodo, Rosie, and Goldie I'm proud they have been working so hard to help you manage our household. Although we are enjoying our visit, we can't wait to come home to be with our family again. Best wishes, Samwise Gamgee."
"Sounds like they are having a wonderful time!" Goldie said with excitement, "I hope I get to see a city that wonderful someday!"
"Maybe someday," Arwen agreed, "But now that we have read the letter, Faramir and Goldie have to go to bed. That was our agreement." They still had to stick to a bedtime, because they were both only eleven years old.
"Fine!" they both huffed as they got up from the table.
Arwen added, "And Faramir, please don't sneak into Robin and Ruby's room again! You know how easily they are frightened!"
Faramir protested, "But Merry and Pippin started it! They dared me to do it!"
"It doesn't matter! I already talked to them about it, but you are responsible for yourself."
"How did you know I was involved?"
"Daisy and Prim heard everything! You know they have the best ears in Hobbiton! If you do anything else, I'm either going to make you move to the other room with Bilbo and Ham, or I'm not going to allow you to stay overnight anymore and you'll have to walk home every night. Understand?"
He sighed and said, "Yes, I understand."
"Good. Then I'll see you two in the morning."
Just as Faramir and Goldie were walking away, a small head of blonde curls peeked out from around corner.
"Ruby?" Arwen asked, "What are you doing still awake at this hour?"
"I miss Mama and Papa!" she said, wiping her tired eyes, "Will they be back soon?"
"It will be a long time before they are back, but we will all be here together until they do. It will fine, sweetie."
Little Ruby crawled onto Arwen's lap. Arwen sang to her for a few minutes but she fell asleep quickly, and Arwen put her back in her bed. Frodo and Rosie looked at Arwen with surprise when she returned to the kitchen.
"What? Did I do something?"
"How do you so much about getting children to listen and obey?" Frodo asked.
"I don't know. It just kind of comes naturally, I guess. I did see the King and Queen give good discipline when I lived with them, so I guess a lot of it came from them."
"That letter made you miss them and Eldarion, didn't it?" Rosie knew Arwen well enough to hear the longing in her voice.
Arwen sighed and confessed, "Yes it did. I do love it here in the Shire, but Eldarion was my first and closest friend, and the King and Queen treated me as their own daughter. Although I do love living here and being a part of this family, I miss them so much. I also miss Ada, with all my heart."
"I know how proud he would be if he knew all you have done for our family, and what a fine hobbit lass you've become." Frodo encouraged her.
Arwen smiled. "Thanks Frodo."
Rosie said, "I now know a little of the pain you have with your longing to see your father, since Papa has been gone for all these months, but I know I will see him again, just as you will see your father again."
Arwen stood up and embraced Rosie with a smile, asking, "Have ever I told what a remarkable friend you are?"
Rosie smiled brightly, "Only a couple dozen times."
"Good," Arwen chuckled slightly, "Just making sure I did."
Frodo came up behind them and joined their embrace. It made them all laugh.
Arwen was grateful for the friendship she had at this time in her life. Her life wasn't perfect and she still missed Eldarion, Aragorn, and her Ada, but she was content in that moment.
When Samwise, Rose, Elanor, and baby Tom returned to Bag End, it was as if they had never left, for Arwen kept the house in excellent order and the children were well-behaved. Arwen was quite happy for their return. The last year had been long and hard while she was managing the household, and she was happy to be relieved from that duty. She was also excited to listen to stories from their time in the White City. She listened to Sam's stories as he worked on his garden for the first time in a year.
"Eldarion seriously had to chase down this little boy to get his bow back?" Arwen laughed.
"He apparently was the son of one of the guards." Sam explained, "When Eldarion set his bow down, he wanted to play with it. Eldarion chased him around for at least five minutes. He was pretty tried out after that one."
Arwen laughed even louder and harder. "That is so funny!"
"There was quite a lot of amusing things that happened while we were there." Suddenly Sam seemed sadden by memories of something far off.
Arwen sensed what was wrong. "Returning there made you miss my Ada, didn't it?"
Sam replied, "Aye, Miss Arwen. It brought back a lot of memories of our journey, being with the King and his family."
Suddenly Arwen was saddened as well. She looked down and said, "I still wish I could have gone with you."
Sam put a gentle hand on her shoulder, and said, "I know, but we needed you here. I am very grateful for all you did for us while we were gone. It was not your time…yet."
Arwen looked up and said, "Wait, are you saying I will return to the White City soon?"
"You will, Miss Arwen, when your time comes."
Arwen smiled, but then she thought of a question to ask.
"Sam, I know I asked you so much about my Ada already, but there is something else I've been thinking about recently that I want to know – why did my father have to go through so much pain and nearly face death, only to never again truly enjoy the life in the Shire he fought to protect?"
Sam sighed slightly. He knew this was an important question, but it was difficult for him to remember the pain from the time when Frodo left Middle-earth. Still, he knew she needed to understand this for what she would someday face. He thought for a moment before he finally replied.
"I remember exactly what Mr. Frodo told me when I asked him. He said, 'I tried to save the Shire, and it has been saved, but not for me. It must often be so when things are in danger. Someone must give them up, lose them so that others may keep them.' Do you understand what that means?"
"Well…kind of…" Arwen answered, a little unsure.
"Then I believe you will have to learn for yourself what he meant."
"Aren't you going to explain it to me?"
"Your father had to discover what it meant for himself, as did I, and so will you, Miss Arwen."
Arwen kept her father's words of wisdom close to her heart for years to come as she tried to figure out what he meant.
Life for the Gamgee's and for Arwen was unchanging after the trip to the White City, for many years. Sam was elected to the office of mayor again, but this was not a surprise to anyone, considering it was his fourth term. Arwen continued to receive reticule from her kin, but she always found protection, hope, and strength from those that loved her most, so she continued to endure it with great patience. But she still longed for the day when she would be reunited with the King's family and her best friend, Eldarion.
Much of their lives remained the same, until the time that Elanor was betrothed to Fastred Fairbairn. Arwen was so happy for Elanor to marry someone was kind and loving as Fastred, as was Elanor's family. The Gamgee's worked hard to give Elanor the wedding she always wanted. Because Arwen's thirtieth birthday was so close, Arwen agreed that the celebrations should be combined. There was much preparation for this grand celebration, but the Gamgee's also worked hard to be sure that Arwen felt special.
"Happy Birthday Arwen!" Ruby and Robin ran into the room, even while she was still in bed, with a bouquet of flowers. They jumped onto the bed with her.
"But my birthday was two weeks ago!"
Robin answered, "But today is the day of the party, so we are celebrating today too!" His sister cheered in excitement.
She laughed at their sweet childish spirits. "Thank you for the flowers! They're beautiful!"
"There's a special breakfast for you too," Ruby added.
After they let Arwen dress, they led her by the hand to the kitchen, where there was quite a bit of food. The moment she was out, the rest of the little ones went to embrace Arwen. Tom jumped straight into Arwen's arms. He was already nine, but was still small for his age, and he loved Arwen more than any of the younger children. She smiled at the love this family had for her.
Samwise embraced her, kissed her on the cheek, and said, "Oh, Miss Arwen, if only your father could see you now. I know he would be proud of you for all you have done for us and all you have become. You have grown up so much."
"Thanks Sam."
After breakfast, Arwen, Rosie, and Frodo went into Hobbiton to pick up the flowers and other supplies for the wedding. Arwen and Rosie enjoyed helping with wedding preparations, but it was easy to tell Frodo was not amused. As they walked through the market, Frodo dragged along behind.
"What else could possibly be on the list?" Frodo asked impatiently, "Haven't we already brought out all of Hobbiton with these purchases?"
"Oh, Frodo! Quit your whining!" Rosie replied, getting irritated with her brother's nagging, "The only reason we brought you along to help us carry everything. All we have left to do now is pick up the last of the flowers."
"Don't you find it the least bit exciting that your sister is getting married, Frodo?" Arwen asked.
"I am happy for Elanor," Frodo replied, "I just don't see the reason to go to all this fuss for one day that will come and go so quickly. If you are going to put effort into planning something, then plan a grand adventure, into the mountains and through the country of the Big Folk," he paused, then mumbled in boredom, "not staying home in the hills planning a flowery wedding."
Rosie laughed at her brother. "Do you know how ridiculous you sound right now?"
"Well, I don't think it is! Arwen, what do you think?"
"Part of the thrill of an adventure is when it comes upon you unpredictably," Arwen answered, "at the moment you are not expecting it. Besides, I don't think you hate flowers as much as you make it sound. You love gardening almost as much as your father!"
"I guess you're right, Arwen," Frodo replied, slightly embarrassed, then he added, "But then again, you are always right! How do you always have the right answer to everything?"
"I guess I was careful to listen to those who were wise and learned what I could from them."
"It seems that was a good choice on your part," said Rosie, "You are one of the wisest people I know."
"Enough about me," said Arwen, trying to change the subject, "Tonight is for Elanor!"
"This night is just as much for you as it is for Elanor!" Rosie protested.
"We will see if that holds true," Arwen sighed doubtfully.
"I just hope they don't end up treating you like they treated Mr. Frodo when he was your age," Frodo added, "for he was always mistreated because he listened and believed Bilbo's stories. It got worse as he got older and…"
"Stop talking that non-sense, Frodo!" Rosie interrupted, slapping her brother's arm, "That's not going to happen tonight!"
Arwen tried to keep her spirits high but deep down, she had a feeling Frodo was right.
The wedding was joyous occasion, and over half the Shire came to the ceremony and the party that followed. Frodo, Rosie, Goldie, Faramir, and Arwen were all in the wedding party, and were all happy during the ceremony, for even Frodo was smiling.
The party afterwards was truly magnificent. Arwen spent most of her time giving her presents to the Gamgee's for her birthday. She made all the children new toys. For Frodo and Faramir, she bought them their own set of marbles. For Rosie and Goldie, she made new dresses with new hair ribbons. Arwen was happy to see the gifts she made give joy to their family. Arwen was surprised when she received a gift from Elanor: a new apron. Arwen was quite grateful for this gift, because she had worn out her old one.
However, no one else really paid attention to Arwen, for most of the people spent their time talking about how beautiful Elanor was. Arwen knew this would happen, so she tried her hardest not to let this upset her. At first, it was not difficult to think more about Elanor than herself, until Arwen, Rosie, and Frodo overheard a conversation of some Sacksville-Bagginses, the ones who make everyone else's business their business and value only their own opinions.
"What a lovely ceremony," one hobbit lass commented.
"There hasn't been a party in Hobbiton this grand since Bilbo's 111th birthday all those years ago," her husband added.
"I'm surprised his cousin hasn't pulled something tonight." Another remarked, "She's cracked, like her father and cousin."
"How can we be sure Mira is even a real Baggins?" the first hobbit asked.
"Well, I figure only a Baggins of Hobbiton could be that cracked. Since Bilbo returned from his adventure cracked and Frodo was cracked before he left on his adventure, Arwen was probably born cracked!"
All those who were sitting at the table burst out in laughter.
"I guess that explains a lot of things!" The hobbit-lass bellowed, "Mira will definitely not be as fortunate as Elanor in finding a suitable husband. She acts more like the Big Folk than like us!" The rest of the table continued to laugh.
Arwen threw the flower wreath from her head onto the table, so they were made aware of her presence. The table went dead silent as everyone just stared at her. Arwen quickly turned around, running toward the house. Rosie and Frodo tried to stop her, but she ran too fast. She ran into Sam, who tried to figure out what was wrong, but Arwen was so worked up she couldn't talk, and she pushed past him.
As Arwen continued to run, she remembered the days when Hallas and his friends teased her and she was helpless to stop their insults. She ran into the house, slammed the door behind her, ran for her bed, and wept for a long time. She could not believe this was happening, after all these years of trying to fit in. She now knew she would never truly belong, even among her kin. After a while, she cried herself to sleep.