Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. As must as I wish I do.
AN: Just to remind you, the next chapters will be in Willow's POV. I find it easier to write in this form. Thank you for reading.
I followed Bilbo's words and found the path we'd seen Frodo run down as he left. I made my way down, noticing the steepness of the slope understanding why the hobbits large feet must give them an advantage. Soon enough, the murky slope soon spilled into a meadow or orchard, as fresh blossoms were beginning to grow within the number of apple trees dotted around. It was breathtaking, mesmerising. I ran through the gaps, laughing as the falling blossoms tickled my skin. Noting that neither Frodo nor Bilbo had made any comments upon my appearance, mainly my skin, I looked down at it. Obviously being a star was not common. In cases, it was rather dangerous as I had heard many tales on witches of the land eating the hearts of stars to gain immortal beauty. I knew of few witches who I'd been warned would not harm me in anyway. My skin was nearly white within the day, I was peculiarly pale, not ill pale, just pale. Several sparkles glistened my skin against the peach blossom I held within my palm. I realised I was not normal, I never would be.
I carried on walking; there was no life, none at all even in such a beautiful place. Soon enough, I detected a dark, curly head that belonged to Frodo. Though he wasn't alone, he was looking up a tree where another figure was, laughing. I sneaked closer and hid behind a nearby tree listening into their conversation.
"Frodo! Stop laughing and just help me down!" A small, angry voice said. Still Frodo carried on laughing.
"You can't even climb trees Pippin! What made you think that you could climb this one?" He spluttered. I could hear small curses from the one…higher up.
"I saw a red, juicy apple and thought I'd get it!" The other, Pippin, moaned pathetically like a small child. I tried to stifle a chuckle but I'm sure one of them could hear me. "Who's there?" Pippin whispered as the silence grew. I peeked out from the tree to be stared at by the two pairs of eyes.
"Hello," I said nervously, "Your uncle told me to come and find you." I continued looking down at my feet, and then I noticed Pippin still stuck in the tree. "Are you okay there?" I said to him walking closer to the tree. He nodded vigorously but I could tell from his startled expression that he wasn't. Slowly, I guided him through the tree until he was on the lowest branch, happily, jumping down he thanked me.
"I'm Peregrin Took, milady, But you can call me Pippin." He said grinning while I shook his little hand.
"Will do, you can call me Willow." I replied as Frodo watched the transaction. I smiled at him as he watched Pippin fumble within his waistcoat looking for something. Soon enough, he pulled out a large pocket watch, eyebrows raised as he read the time.
"Goodness me! Sorry Frodo, Willow, I must meet Merry, my partner in crime." He smirked before running toward the slope. We called our goodbyes before settling for a walk. It was peacefully, silent for a while until I asked him of his past which he seemed rather uncomfortable to talk of. Stopping at a nearby river, I noticed a large boat and oar and had an idea.
"Want to go for a boat ride?" I asked him mischievously. He looked up confused but nodded as I pointed to the boat. It was very large, for a hobbit, comfortable for me. I wondered who used it. Soon we were off darting through sharp turns, leaping over small falls, waving to hobbits on the riverbank.
"What I love most about rivers is you can't step in the same river twice." I sang, remembering a song that was sung by elves from Rivendell. Ignoring Frodo's confused look I carried on.
"The water's always changing always flowing.
But people I guess can't live like that; we all must pay a price,
to be safe we lose our chance of ever knowing.
What's around the River bend?" I noticed a steep fall, Frodo's horror struck face jerking violently to me to the fall. "Waiting just around the river bend." Soon we plummeted down it, sprayed with the warm water I laughed as we resurfaced from the mist; Frodo clung to the sides of boat petrified.
"I look once more, just around the river bend,
Beyond the shore, where the gulls fly free,
Don't know what for, what I dream the day might send,
Just around the river bend, for me,
Coming for me."
I finished the song as we stopped with a thud on the edge of a riverbank. I laughed as I hauled myself and Frodo out, our clothes damp from the dew of the water. Wringing my damp hair out, I laughed as Frodo shook himself dry, almost like an animal.
"Enjoy it?" I asked as we wandered back to Hobbiton, deciding we'd better get back for the party.
"I liked the song, the ride was…" He admitted, not being able to finish his words.
"Exhilarating?" I laughed at his expression, he shrugged his shoulders as we reached Bilbo's door. I wondered what he would say if he saw us but before I could say anything, Frodo had already knocked. Bilbo opened the door, smiling at the sight of us then looking at our damp clothing, his smile dropped.
"What have you been doing?" He asked as we stepped inside, luckily I was just tall enough to fit inside. He provided us with towels as we sat to a cup of tea and cake with him and Father. Father's expression identical to Bilbo's as we came in. "Well?" Bilbo asked us again, his voice was slightly stern but I could tell he was not incredibly annoyed.
"We went for a walk…" Frodo started looking up at me encouragingly. I sighed then fiddled with the ends of my hair.
"Then we found a boat and we went for a ride." I finished looking up at them from under my eyelashes. Both looked at us then at each other and shrugged. That was easy.
The evening had arrived, I noticed looking out of the window of my room. I appreciated how cosy Bilbo had made it, considering I was the only female to be living within the hole. Frodo had decided to go down earlier, to make sure all the preparations were in order while I, Gandalf and Bilbo were going later. I picked out a dress of shiny blue, metallic if such. It flowed down just above my feet as I know I was probably going to be dancing. For a change, I plated my hair into a neat updo on the back of my head. When I was certain I was ready, I left my room to find an empty house. Looking at the clock on the mantelpiece, it read quarter to seven. Confused, I looked out of a window at the front of the house, finding my answer; I saw Bilbo and Gandalf smoking their pipes as they looked out at the Shire. Hoping not to disturb them, I rapped on the window, capturing both of their attentions. They nodded as they hurried back into the hole grabbing their cloaks and staff.
"My, my how beautiful you look!" Father said as he stood at the door ready. I blushed, not used to the compliment but smiled. When Bilbo was prepared, we walked out of the door into the warm breeze. It was a perfect evening for a party.
We could already hear the music as we started walking towards the party. There were hobbits as far as the eye could see. Suddenly, I felt eyes on the back of my neck. I turned to see Bilbo staring at me, almost shocked, but mostly curious as he looked at my skin. It had indeed, began to glow a faint bluish-white already even at seven o'clock. I looked back and opened my mouth but instead he patted my arm sympathetically.
"Gandalf has told me everything, don't you worry." He finished with a nodded and continued walking towards the entrance of the party with me following hot on his heels. I felt my face being followed by many eyes as I walked past groups, determined to find someone I knew. Finally, I found Pippin, his mass of light brown hair in the crowd of Halflings, with a larger hobbit who seemed to have the same mass of curls but only strawberry blonde, they seemed to be whispering and narrowly searching around them.
"Hello Pippin!" I smiled at him. He turned sharply, managing to knock into several passing hobbits who were carrying a large cake decorated with candles and edible flowers. I laughed at his clumsiness as he regained composure.
"Hello Willow! Sorry I had to run, I had to find Merry!" He said pointing to the hobbit next to him. I knelt down and introduced myself to him as I noticed him looking at my skin. He examined my hand, thick eyebrows narrowed. Pippin too gave a questioning look. I swallowed, not too sure on how to explain to them that I had fallen out of the sky.
"I will explain another day." I said smiling at them. They nodded but carried on looking before I decided to change the subject. "You don't know if Frodo is around, do you?" I asked scanning the many hobbits.
"He and Sam were dancing I think, over there." Merry pointed to a large group where a number were playing instruments. Before I could thank him, they were gone. Shaking my head, walking towards the music, I whispered to myself.
"Funny hobbits."
Soon, I managed to Frodo who was indeed dancing. Samwise, Frodo's gardener and good friend sat on a nearby bench, a pint within his hand as he watched the dancing. Frodo had briefly introduced me to him before pulling me into the crowd. I loved dancing, my feet light on the ground, swishing my dress as I spun, whatever music, you could always dance to it. Fireworks exploded above our heads, as I saw my Father lighting them for nearby children. It was perfect and I was glad to be part of it. Soon as the music finished and a new song filled the atmosphere, Frodo and I snatched this time to take a breather. We walked over to Sam, who smiled at us briefly, before turning again, his eye on a pretty hobbit dancing nearby.
"Go on Sam! Have a dance with Rosie!" Frodo patted him on the back. Sam looked at us nervously then stood to his feet.
"I think I'll just get another ale." He said, I looked into his mug that was still half full.
"You've still got some in your mug Sam!" I pointed out taking it from him. Quickly, Frodo pushed him into the crowd, caught into the arms of Rosie; he clumsily danced around in a circle. I laughed as I watched him taking a sip of ale for myself.
"I think I'll go and find Gandalf." I said to Frodo, using his name, I knew the hobbits knew him as that. He nodded then started dancing again. Being taller than everyone else had benefits, I was easily able to find Father who was enjoying some drink for himself. Children surrounded him, beckoning for his fireworks. He saw me approaching and smiled.
"How about I do some of Gandalf's fireworks?" I asked the children watching them nod fiercely. I walked them away, grabbing several from the cart we had arrived in. Lighting the first, I watched as an array of golden butterflies flew around the children, they screamed in excitement as they went to chase them. They begged for more, I nodded and went to get some until I was met with a very guilty looking Merry.
"Merry, what are you doing?" I asked quietly. He looked up and grabbed my wrist pulling me into a tent. There was Pippin holding a large, orange one. "Oh no…" I said backing away from them. They nodded with smiles on their faces. I shook mine making my way for the exit of the tent, not realising they had lit it. There was a boom, and the tent was no more. I looked up to see a bright dragon emerge from the flames, it spun then started to well…fly towards the party. There was an eruption of screams as many ran as fast as their little legs would carry them. Soon I was pulled down by Frodo as we watched the dragon explode into many fireworks. Screams changed to applause as we all watched in awe.
"Speech Bilbo!" Was a distant shout.
"Speech!"
"Speech!" Frodo cried out as we settled on a bench. I watched as they elderly hobbit made his way up to a small stage. He waved as we all applauded him.
"My dear Bagginses and Boffins, Tooks and Brandybucks, Grubbs, Chubbs, Hornblowers, Bolgers, Bracegirdles, Proudfoots and of course my distant friends Gandalf and his lovely daughter Willow!" He shouted, each family earning a cheer of delight as they were mentioned. I dipped my head as he pointed at me laughing. "Today is my 111-11th birthday!" He shouted arms in the air. Many shouts of happy birthday were heard through the crowd.
"Alas, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits! I don't know half of you as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve!" The shouts and cheers then silenced. The many hobbits turned to each other wondering whether they should be flattered or offended. I noticed Bilbo slightly stumble as he spluttered out his next words. "I have things to do," He continued, I notice him reach into his waistcoat pocket and pull something out. I twinge of pain hit my temple as he did so. I gasped and rubbed it gently as it slowly stopped. "I regret that this is the end, I'm going now, I bid you all a fond farewell!" He cried as we all stared at him, going? But we had just arrived! Turning, I looked at my Father who sat a bit behind, looking confused as anyone. Then, he vanished. There was a shocked uproar as everyone searched around them, hoping Bilbo may be pulling their legs. I looked at Frodo who just stared before sprinting away through the crowds, I stood up to follow him, but the pain hit me again, causing me to stumble.
"You okay there lass?" I heard a deep voice ask me as I sat back down on to the bench. I nodded not looking up. Never before, had I experienced this sort of pain. Composing myself, I stood up again to see that Father, too, had disappeared. Knowing where he would be, I started to pull through the huge crowd of panicked hobbits.
AN: I do not own Just around the Riverbend. Many will know that it is from Pocahontas but I felt it fitted perfectly within the chapter. Thanks for reading. Au revoir!