AN: I don't own any of the hobbit characters I am just taking them out of Tolkien's toy box and playing with them.
"Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like eskimos
Everybody knows a turkey and some
Mistletoe
Help to make the season bright"
Traditions – Day 11.
Bilbo hung the wreath at his green front door and forced down a dramatic sigh. For years now he had decorated his home for Yule, hung the garlands, wreaths and swags of greenery, lit the candles, baked cookies, roasted chestnuts and mulled wine. A wave of nostalgia washed over him as he remembered Yules of his past. The halls of Tooksborough filled with giggling aunts, merrily singing uncles, beaming cousins and hyper active kits. He could still recall the scents of cinnamon, cloves and pine filling the air as they gathered in the large room at the centre of his grandfather's home, music flooding the senses as hobbits of all ages came together to play and sing the traditional songs. Candle light reflecting off leaded windows as he and his young cousins snuggled down in the hope they would get visited by Father Yule on the following morn. His mind wandered to the years he was alone, neither visiting nor being visited. Of the empty halls of Bag End. Of uneaten food and his loan voice faltering over the lines of song.
A small form grasping his legs shook him from his memories and he glanced down with a sudden surge of affection. He swooped in and lifted his squealing cousin into his arms peppering his young, round face with kisses. Brilliant blue eyes blinked at him in surprise and with a pang Bilbo decided that he would make Frodo's first Yule with him memorable. Invites were written and delivered, post haste, Frodo's small hands clasped in his as he walked from door to door, or his cousin swung onto his back as he trekked to Tooksborough. He showed the giggling faunt how to weave branches of Yew, Holly and Ivy together to make the garlands for their smial and laughed alongside his kit as they thread ribbons, pine cones and bells onto them. Frodo's favourite toy took pride of place at the top of the live tree he heaved into the living room.
Yule Eve came and he dressed Frodo and himself in their best festival clothing, gave the guest bedrooms one last check and laid out a feast that had the tables groaning. Cinnamon scones, nutty cookies, fruit chocolates, sherry trifle, roasted nuts and vegetable crisps sat alongside a clove studded ham and orange roasted duck. Bowls of boiled sweets, roasted chestnuts, honey glazed carrots and parsnips, Kirched cherries and roast potatoes were dotted among platters of cheeses, crusty breads and sliced meats. Nodding to himself Bilbo placed the finishing touches to the intricate Gingerbread house he had built and straightened the glasses around the steaming bowls of mulled wine and mulled cider. A knock sounded at his front door and he straightened his shoulders, "Onwards Frodo my lad to new beginnings and new traditions. Let us make this a night to remember aye."
AN: Leave me a review and let me know what you think.
There will be 24 chapters in this collection dedicated to the days of Advent. 1 chapter dedicated for Christmas day. And 12 chapters leading us up to the Twelfth Night and through the Twelve Days of Christmas.
Any and all requests will be taken into account. If I can't fit them in this I will dedicate them to you in one of my other collections of short stories as a Christmas present.
