SANGOCHAN: Hey everybody! Here's SANGOCHAN and Lloyd with Chapter four!
Lloyd: We don't have anything to say but…
Both: R&R.
Chapter Four: Tom Bombadil
"Torishio! Time for breakfast."
"Please five more minutes Mom." I mumbled.
"Mom?" Said Frodo-san's voice very stunned.
I blinked.
"AHHHH!" I yelled, "FRODO-SAN! SORRYSORRYSORRY!" I was beet red from embarrassment.
"Uh…Farmer Maggot said breakfast's ready…"
I rolled out of bed and pulled on my pants. I was so embarrassed! How could I mistake Frodo-san for my own mom? I entered the kitchen and sat down in-front of a plate of bacon, scrambled eggs, and pancakes. Good thing I was better at using a fork and knife now.
"After you boys finish breakfast, I'll get me wagon ready." Farmer Maggot said between mouthfuls of scrambled eggs.
X After Breakfast...X
We all loaded into the wagon I chose a seat more inside as to avoid attracting attention. Pippin-san had a basket of mushrooms on his lap, finally the wagon set off down the trail.
I hope I can get something in Bree that won't make me stick out like a stick in the mud…I thought nervously.
Several hours dragged by, I was sleeping peacefully until a rather painful poke in the back woke me up. I blinked and rolled over.
"We're at the Old Forest." Sam-san said.
I shouldered the rucksack on and followed the others towards the forest. We watched Farmer Maggot vanish in the distance with his wagon.
"Ok, let's get this over with…" I said, "Bree, here we come."
A trip though the Old Forest definitely wasn't like a walk to Grandma's house. We constantly tripped over tree roots and tore our pants on brambles. I felt sorrier for Frodo-san, Sam-san, Pippin-san, and Merry-san; I had shoes on so my ankles were left untouched while theirs' were covered in scratches.
"So…tired…must nap…" Sam-san groaned.
The sun burned the back of my neck, but thankfully, I had no sunburn-I don't burn that easily. Takeshi and Yoko will probably wonder how I got a tan so fast…I thought exhausted.
"Can't nap now…" Merry-san said wiping sweat off his forehead, "Just a little further…"
Up ahead, I could hear running water. At least we could cool off our feet. We dropped our packs and sat down in the shade of a weeping willow tree. Pippin-san started snoring loudly.
"Maybe we should collect some of this water for the rest of the trip," I said taking off my sneakers and plunging my feet into the river.
"I can't carry water in my pockets." Sam-san said.
"You didn't think to bring a canteen?" I asked.
"What's a 'canteen'?" Frodo-san asked, "Is it like a water skin?"
"Yeah…" I said awkwardly, "But…it's not made from animal skin…It would be too hard to explain."
That was close…I really didn't want to have to explain what plastic was.
"I'm going to have a look around." Sam-san said.
"Ok."
I stretched out on the grass and yawned. I really could use some rest and I was considering buying a bow and some arrows at Bree. Good thing I did after-school archery. A sword would be no better than a stick for me.
SPLASH!
I sat up and looked around for the source of the sound. Than I noticed Frodo-san had rolled into the river. I got up to fish him out. But before I even got my toes wet, the tree to my left started moving.
"THE TREE'S ALIVE!" I shouted.
Sam-san came out of nowhere and dragged Frodo-san out. As soon as Frodo-san's head left the water, he coughed and spluttered.
"That tree threw me in the river! Then it tried to pin me down."
"Um…" I said, "I think we have bigger problems now…"
Both Merry-san and Pippin-san were being sucked into the willow tree.
"Should we build a fire?" Sam-san suggested.
"And barbeque Merry-san and Pippin-san?" I asked incredulously, "I don't think so."
"OUCH!" Pippin-san shouted as the willow squeezed him painfully.
"What do we do?" Frodo-san croaked.
I grabbed Merry-san's ankles which were protruding out of a large crack in the willow and pulled as hard as I could. Nothing happened. Sam meanwhile was starting a fire. Smoke snaked up into the air and a blaze started.
"PUT IT OUT! PUT IT OUT!" Merry-san shouted, "He says he'll squeeze me in two if the fire's not put out!"
"Who?" Sam asked as he put the fire out.
"The tree!" Merry-san shouted.
"I told you not to start a fire. These trees have brains of their own!"
"SOMEONE HELP!"
Hey dol! Merry doll! Ring a dong dillo!
Ring a dong! Hop along! Fal lal the willow!
Tom Bom, jolly Tom, Tom Bomdadillo!
We looked around trying to spot the singer, and then the song started again.
Hey! Come merry dol! Derry dol! My darling!
Light goes the weather-wind and the feathered starling.
Down along under Hill, shining in the sunlight,
Waiting on the doorstep for the cold starlight,
There my pretty lady is, River-woman's daughter,
Old Tom Bomdadillio water lilies bringing
Comes hopping home again. Can you hear him singing?
Hey! Come merry dol! Derry dol! And merry-o,
Goldberry, Goldberry, merry yellow berry-o!
Poor old Willow-man, you tuck your roots away!
Tom's in a hurry now. Evening will follow day.
Tom's going home again water-lilies brining.
Hey! Come derry dol! Can you hear me singing?
Eventually a tall blue hat with a feather came into view. Then…Boing! A man-shorter than me but too tall to be a Dwarf- leapt into the air. He had a sky-blue jacket on and bright yellow boots. He was holding a large leaf like a tray full of water-lilies high over his head. Both Sam-san and Frodo-san rushed towards the man.
"Whoa! Tom's in a hurry now. What's the fuss about? Eh! Don't crush my water-lilies."
"Our friends are being eaten alive by that willow tree!" I shouted trying yet again to yank Merry-san out with no luck.
"Ho! Old Man Willow? Well, I'll sing his roots off."
Just don't let it be anything annoying…I thought desperately.
Tom put one hand on the tree and said, "Old-Man Willow! You should not be waking. Go back to sleep, dig deep, eat earth, and drink water."
Merry came shooting out as if someone had kicked him out and Pippin fell to the ground with a thud on the grass; both got up shakily. We all said our thanks.
"Please, come with me to my house." Tom said, "The table is topped with delicious food and Goldberry is waiting." He picked up his leaf and bounced along the trail with us following him. He began singing again. And all along the trail he kept singing until a large house came into view. A young blonde woman was sitting by the front door. The moment she saw us she came dashing over to us.
"Welcome dear guests. I am Goldberry, Daughter of the River." She said. She had a forest green gown on with silver clasps at her waist.
"Um…hello…" I said awkwardly.
"Son of Man, what be your name? I have not seen many Sons of Men pass this way."
"Ummmm…I'm Torishio Higrushi…" I said remember how people usually addressed boys in Middle-Earth.
"Please," Goldeberry-san said, "Come in. Leave all terrible things outside. Dinner is on the table. Let us make merry."
Gurgle…gurgle…gurgle…gurgle…
"AH!" I gasped. That was my stomach.
"Thank you Lady Goldberry." Frodo said bowing politely.
"Yes, yes, come in." Tom-san said, "Come in and fill your bellies and come your tangles."
Unfortunately for me…it's pointless to try to get my mop neat…I thought.
(Insert "Sweatdrop")
Then Tom-san and Goldberry-san clasped hands and began singing again.
O slender as a willow-wand! O cleverer than water!
O reed by the living pool! Fair river-daughter!
O spring-time and summer-time, and spring again after!
O wind on the waterfall, and the leaves' laughter!
We followed them inside. They sang every now and then down the hallway. It was such a strange feeling not to take off my shoes before going into someone's house.
"Welcome!" Goldberry-san said, "I had not known that people of the Shire were so merry tongued. You, Frodo Baggins must be an Elf-Friend; I can tell by that gleam in your eyes."
I was suddenly reminded of Final Fantasy VII.
(A/N: Don't ask)
"Fair Lady…" Frodo-san said, "I don't mean to be rude but who is Tom Bomdadillo?"
"He is," Goldberry-san started. We all looked at her questioningly.
"He is the Master."
"So…" Pippin-san said, "He owns the land around here?"
Goldberry-san laughed, "No that would be too much of a burden."
"Wait, is that because all the animals and trees around here listen to him?" I asked. Goldberry-san smiled.
"You are very wise beyond your years Torishio son of…"
"Uh…my dad's name's Shugo…" I said awkwardly and blushing.
"Yes, you are very wise beyond your years Torishio, son of Shugo."
Ahhh….I was SO embarrassed! Tom-san came back laden with a milk jug.
"Ah! Here is my pretty lady all dress in a fine girdle and silver clasps. Is supper ready? I see bread and honey and cream on the table."
"Yes, supper is ready." Goldberry-san said, "Please, our guests eat you must be hungry."
Thankfully dinner did not require the use of knife and fork. I really didn't want to make a fool of myself and I would also need some getting used to in this world. I spread some honey and cream on a nice thick slice of bread and took a bite. It was delicious!
(A/N: My mouth's watering!)
"After supper," Goldberry-san said, "I will show you to your rooms and you may bathe."
"Uh…Ma'am, you wouldn't happen to have anything I could wear?" I asked, "You see…I'm actually from another world and I really, really, really don't want to attract unwanted attention."
I explained the rest of my situation carefully so I wouldn't give away the fact that Middle-Earth and everything in it existed in a book on Earth. That's the rule of traveling to other worlds…I think.
"Yes, I believe we can find something for you." Tom-san said.
After about two hours we were all feeling full and sleepy. It was almost dark out. I yawned hugely while we followed Goldberry-san to our rooms.
There were five beds. All had jade green sheets, lavender pillows and a pair of slippers.
"Ok." Pippin said, "Who's going to bathe first? Oldest first or fastest first?"
"Fastest first." Frodo, Sam, Merry, and I all said at exactly the same time.
"We could 'Ro-Sham-Bo' for it." I suggested. I received blank stares.
GAAAH! I forgot! They probably have no clue what I'm talking about!
"Fastest first." Marry said, "Pippin's the slowest."
"There are three tubs here." Sam said poking his head into the wash closet, "So…I guess we can get through this quickly."
"I'll go first." I said thrusting my hand into the air, "I usually get done in about fifteen minutes."
"Ok." Frodo said.
After Bath-Time…
"Ahh…That feels better." I said stretching out on the bed in a pair of flannel pajamas, "When's Pippin? If he stays in the tub any longer he'll be super wrinkly."
Pippin came into the bedroom in his pajamas, "I'm tired." He said yawning.
"Well…we'd all better get some sleep." Frodo said, "We have along day ahead of us."
The next Day
I was the first one up. I rubbed my eyes and yawned.
"Whatimeisit?" I mumbled.
The door opened, Tom-san was there.
"Good morning my good fellows!" he said, "Should you rise early-you shall have grass and rain for breakfast!"
"It's the crack of dawn…" I moaned pulling the blankets over my head. I felt Tom-san pull them off, "Whatareyoudoin?"
"It is time to wake and have breakfast!"
"Please….ten more minutes…"
He dragged me out of bed. I was still half asleep so…I didn't put up a struggle. The smell of pancakes tickled my nose. I got up and dashed for the kitchen.
(A/N: He sure has a lot of energy for someone who is half asleep…sweatdrops)
I don't remember much of breakfast because I was half asleep most of the time…but after washing up. Some clothes for me were laid out on the bed. A soft leather jerkin, a long sleeve forest green tunic, leggings that fit loosely comfortably, a large belt, and knee high boots-I kinda looked like a Human version of Link-except I had jet black hair and grey eyes. It was time to go through the rest of the forest; I grabbed my pack and left the bedroom.
"Ok I'm ready." I said shouldering my pack.
"Now," Tom-san said, "Should you find yourselves in need recite this poem and I'll be there before you know it!"
Ho! Tom Bombadillo!
By water, wood and hill, by reed and willow,
By fire, sun and moon, harken now and hear us!
Come, Tom Bombadillo, for our need is near us!
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SANGOCHAN; Whew! FINALLY. Chapter four is done…
Lloyd keep on the look out for Chapter Five: The Old Forest. Huh? WHOA! A BARROW WIGHT!