On the page was a picture of a princess. She was standing by a pond. There were trees standing in the back ground. While in the foreground was a frog on a lily pad.
Abira's little eyes scanned the picture. Her head then pointed towards Pimpernel. The two of them looked at each other for a second.
The puppy then went back to looking at the picture. Pimpernel turned the page to revile the first few words. She scanned the first couple of lines.
"You'll like this story pup" Pimpernel told her.
"I did when I was little"
The hobbit then started to read. The puppy looked around, Pimpernel continued to pretend that the puppy could understand what she was saying. Even though she knew that she couldn't.
A puppy, identical to Abira was being cuddled by his owner. Lunch time was nearly upon the hobbits coming back from Rivendell.
Diamond was snoozing under a blanket. Origo was covered in a large blanket. His eyes were closed and his nose wet. His fur could have been cleaner. But he was excused.
Small bits of mud were embedded in his paws. It had been a few hours since he had last been fed. And he was getting hungry.
His snooze was broken by a large, cold gust of breeze. It touched his fur. The puppy instantly started to whimper. He didn't like being woken up. his small eyes slowly started to open.
The light was now brighter then last time he had been awake. He could see his Diamond sleeping again. Pippin was sitting up. Origo had been wrapped in a large Elven blanket.
Origo, who was still very tired, didn't notice it. He tried getting up, but was held back. The puppy, unaware that he was still wrapped up, tried again.
Pippin noticed the pup struggling. He smiled and helped Origo get out. Pippin held Ori.
"You alright there pup?" he asked.
But Origo was more interested about getting to his Diamond then he was in Pippin. Pippin sighed as he placed Ori on the floor of the cart again.
He watched the pup walk over to Diamond. she had been asleep for just a few hours when Origo started to lick her. Diamond slowly, but surely, awoke from her sleep.
She opened her eyes to see a puppy standing there.
"It must be lunch" she said.
Tiredness was still gripping her. Origo had now scurried over to the basket and was now waiting for his Diamond.
"That pup doesn't like me" Pippin said to his wife.
Diamond, who had now sat up, gave her husband a confused looked.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
The basket was then handed over. It was light and near empty.
"He just seems to ignore me" Pippin told her.
Diamond picked out the last packet of turkey in the basket. Diamond pushed it away and smiled. Origo always got excited at the sight or even smell of turkey.
His little tail wagged quickly. Diamond ripped open the packet and got out a small piece. Origo bounded towards her and placed his front paws on her leg. His eyes were now only focused on the white meat in his owners hands.
"Take a bit of turkey and he might start to like you" Diamond told him.
Diamond went to pass a piece of turkey over to Pippin. But it never made it to him. Origo, who had been watching what Diamond was doing.
When she had extended her hand, Origo saw his chance. He snatched the piece of turkey out of his owners hands before she could anything about it.
"Oh Origo!" said Diamond.
Origo started to chew as fast as he could. Diamond smiled.
"Naughty puppy" she said.
It only took a few seconds to eat the full thing. Pippin smiled and watched the pup beg for more.
"Sit Origo" Diamond said.
But the pup wasn't listening. He stood there, eyeing the turkey.
"Sit"
There was a hint of order in her voice. Pippin now had a large smile.
"Ori, why wont you sit?" Diamond asked.
She sounded a bit disappointed that she could get her own puppy to sit. Pippin watched his wife and her puppy. Origo was fed another piece, he was becoming happier and happier.
After a few minutes, Origo had had his fill of food. He was now in a playful mood. His eyes were now fully open and his energy was full.
Diamond sat there, yawning, wishing she could go back to sleep again. Pippin's eyes were drooping down.
"Ori, why have you go so much energy?" Diamond asked, watching Origo spin around, trying to catch his tail.
The cart continued to roll on. The snow before them was untouched by any humans. Tracks of different winter birds and animals criss-crossed the path.
The track left prints in the snow. Two solid lines a few meters apart and lots of hoof marks. The snow crunched under their large feet.
The snow had been lain on nearly every inch of the land. The white carpet covered the whole of the Shire, including Long Cleeve, Hardbottle, Michel Delving and Little Delving. Waymeet was also covered in a deep snow blanket. So was Tuckborough, Bywater and Hobbiton.
Stock and Scary seemed to had less snow then the other parts of the Shire. Yet there was still enough to create good snowballs with.
The day continued to go on. In Hobbiton, there were still lots of hobbits out. But lunch would be ready in a small while. The elders had gone back to their homes. Lunches were being made.
Elanor Gamgee was now back inside her own home. She was sulking in her room. Her hair was dripping wet along with her cloths.
She had been ambushed by her younger brother and his friends. Snowballs had been thrown at her and her friends. Elanor had one snowball right in the face. It had knocked her back, making her fall.
Her friends had run away from the bombardment of balls. Elanor was laying in the snow. Her arms over her face. The balls had stopped.
Frodo and the rest of his friends had laughed and ran off. Elanor had began to cry. She knew that they knew she didn't like getting wet.
The snow around her was cold.
"Elanor, Elanor!" said a voice.
It had been one of her friends.
"Are you alright Elanor?"
But Elanor was angry. She quickly got up and walked away. a tear ran down her face.
The door to her room opened and in came Samwise. He slowly closed the door and walked over to the bed. He gave his daughter a smile.
"Are you alright?" he asked, sitting down on the bed.
Elanor sniffled and grumbled. Sam gave a warm smile.
"Lunch will be ready soon, it's your favourite" he told her.
A small smile came over her lips.
"Is mummy making them?" Elanor asked.
Her voice was small and glum.
"Yes, she's doing them now"
Sam looked at his daughter. She was looking more and more like Rosie every day. Her golden hair was getting longer and longer.
Sam then stood up and lifted his daughter up. the two of them then went out of the room.
Pimpernel, meanwhile, continued to read. The small puppy that had been placed on her lap had now fallen asleep again. The pup's small eyes were closed.
Pimpernel's free hand had been stroking her puppy subconsciously. Nelly closed the book and placed it on the bed next to her.
Abira's little chest was rising and falling. Her ears were flopped over the side of her small head. Pimpernel took the pillow and placed it flat on the bed again.
The knocks then came at the door. Pearl burst in.
"Lunch is…"
But Pimpernel silenced her. Pearl looked down in her hands and knew what she meant.
"Oh" she mouthed.
The puppy was carefully placed her small and very cute puppy on the pillow. Abira gave a small whine, cuddled up by herself, but didn't wake up.
Pimpernel found this very adorable. But knew that she couldn't wake her puppy up. she got slowly off of the bed and walked towards her sister.
"Lunch will be ready soon" Pearl whispered.
Pimpernel nodded. For some reason, she felt happier. Pearl smiled and walked away again. Pimpernel slowly closed the door. She knew that she had nothing to do. Normally, she would have cleaned the house by now, but hers had been destroyed.
She walked away from the room. Pimpernel's feet carried her to her sister's small library. Shelves of old and new books lined the walls. Nelly's eyes scanned the shelves. She needed another book to read. Sounds echoed though the house. It was of Pearl getting lunch ready.
Pimpernel needed something to read for what she thought would be the rest of the day. The sound of plates being taken out of their cupboards echoed though out the house.
Elsewhere, hobbits everywhere were getting ready for lunch. For some of them, it was their third or even fourth meal of the day.
Yule was now firmly set in everyone's sights. Presents had been hidden from the prying eyes of the children. The stress level started to rise.
The post man was working harder in this time of year then before. Some of the hobbits had posted their invitations by themselves. Large bags were filled with letters and invitations. The bags were heavy as he put them over his shoulder. They weighted him down, his shoulder started to hurt a few seconds later.
The post office was a bit empty. A woman hobbit sat behind a table that ran all the way along the wall. There were no fireplaces in the building. A metal chandler hung from the ceiling. The candles had been lit and were now flickering.
A large gust of cold wind came into the post office. The candles flicked as the wind died out.
Abira continued to snooze as the hours rolled on.
Lunch time came and went. Pearl had called her sister in. a large lunch had been prepared. There were many things to eat. Parsnips, carrots, potatoes, sprouts, a boat of brown gravy.
The sisters ate to their fill. Pimpernel didn't eat as much as she normally did. Pearl noticed that her sister had only helped herself to two more servings.
Pearl had helped herself to four of five. There was hardly anything left in the bowls. Pimpernel's loss of appetite had not gone unnoticed.
"Not hungry?" asked Pearl, finishing up her dinner.
Pimpernel slowly shook her head as she laid her knife and fork down. A mug of ale sat before her. A hand wrapped around the handle and she picked it up.
Pearl finished a few minutes afterwards.
"I guess you'll want some cake then" Pearl said, clearing up the table.
"Yes please" Nelly answered.
Pimpernel took a few gulps of her ale. If there was one thing that would make her happy, cake would. Pearl placed every bowl, dish, plate, knife, fork and spoon onto the work top.
"I wont be a minute" she said.
The cellar door opened. Pimpernel watched her sister vanish from sight. A knock echoed though the door. Both of the girls heard it. Pearl, who was busy finding the cake, heard the knock as well. A scrape of a chair on tiles came to her. Pimpernel had gotten up and was now walking out of the room.
As she walked though the house, three more knocks came though. Nelly's feet slapped on the tiles as she reached the door. the door swung open. Cold air started rushing into the house.
Standing before her was the post man. He had two rectangle pieces of card. He smiled and handed the two cards to Pimpernel.
"Thank you" Pimpernel said.
The post man smiled and walked away. The door was slowly closed. Pimpernel was looking at the cards that she had just required. Her eyes skipped over the well decorated card.
A small smile came across her lips. Pimpernel slowly walked back to the kitchen where Pearl was.
"Who was it?" Pearl asked as her sister walked back in.
Pimpernel and her sister looked at each other.
"This came for you"
Nelly extended her hand. Gripped was a small card. Pearl looked confused. She slowly walked over to her sister. The card was then taken out of Pimpernel's hand. Pearl's eyes quickly scanned over the few words. Her eyes slowly looked back up at her sisters.
"Have you got the same?" Pearl asked, trying to hide her excitement.
Pimpernel smiled.
"Yeah" she said.
Nelly seemed excited too. Pearl was now reading the words over and over again.
The Green Dragon
Would Like To Invite
Pearl Took
To Our Yule Feast
Yule Two
Five O'clock.
Pimpernel had exactly the same one.
"It'll be our first Dragon feast" Pearl told her sister.
The hours rolled on. One o'clock came, Pimpernel had sat back down on her chair again. The cake was still sitting there, on the table.
"I think" said Pearl, picking up the cutting knife.
"This calls for a large slice of cake"
Pimpernel smiled and sat up. She adored for sisters cake making. Pearl started to cut the round cake into eight. Two plates were by the cake. Pearl lifted a piece over to the plate. She then picked it up and handed to her sister. Pimpernel smiled as she took it. There was no need for knives or forks.
Pearl had cut her piece and placed it on her own plate. She placed the knife down. The chair was then pulled out and sat.
Pimpernel had already taken her first bite. She could instantly taste the chocolate. Pearl started to eat as well. The two girls were now eating in silence. Only the crackles were present in the room. Small crumbs fell down to the plate.
Nelly took her last bite and looked at her fingers. This was the best part. She started to lick her fingers, getting all of the chocolate off of them.
Pimpernel then started to eye the cake again. Two pieces were now missing out of it. Pearl looked at her.
"You can have another piece if you want" Pearl told her.
Pimpernel smiled and picked up another. She didn't place it on the plate, she instead started to eat it straight away. Pearl took her second piece a moment later.
Once again, there was silence once again.
Half past one came upon them. The girls had now been fed and were now filling up their mugs. Pimpernel continued to sit as her sister got the drinks.
Her eyes were now focused on the card that she had been given. The writing was very well done as well as the decoration. The card was then looked at a bit more closer.
The ivy was very well drawn on. To Pimpernel, it looked almost printed. Pearl walked out of the cellar with two mugs full to the brim with golden ale.
She placed it on the table as Pimpernel looked up. The card was placed on the table as the drinks were. Pimpernel smiled. It had been a few days since she had had a drink of ale.
The sun outside was lower in the sky then normal. The winter coldness was in full gear. Snow was laying on the ground. Birds and hobbits alike were outside.
Lunch had come and gone. The hobbit children were now outside again. Their snow hobbits were still being finished off. Snowballs were being thrown at each other.
But there was one hobbit that was not enjoying the snow. Elanor Gamgee was still sulking in her room. Her hair was now dry and had been combed by her mother.
A small wooden horse was laying on it's side in front of her. The horse was in mid gallop. The candles around her reflected in the polished wood. The door to her room then opened. Rosie then walked in.
"I'm going to Auntie Marigold's, would you like to come?" Rosie asked.
Elanor took a deep breath.
"Will Frodo be there?" she asked.
Rosie shook her head.
"No, he's grounded for today" her mother answered.
Elanor thought quickly for a moment.
"Alright" she answered.
The young girl made her way off of the bed and onto the floor. Rosie smiled and followed her daughter out of the room. The door was then closed as Elanor walked down the corridor. Rosie, on the other hand, headed towards her room.
The room was cleaner then the rest of the house. The bed had been made and the candles had been lit. The fire place was harbouring a mature fire. It crackled every so often. The clock was ticking merrily by itself.
The clock started to chime once, then again. Two o'clock had just come.
Rosie walked over to her wardrobe and opened the door. There were cloths neatly folded on their shelves. The summer things had been put away and replaced with the heavier and more warmer winter cloths.
A large coat was then pulled out. the door was then shut, leaving the rest of the cloths tucked away. Rosie then walked out of the room. With her other hand, she took the door handle and closed the door behind her.
Elanor was already got her coat on and was waiting for her mother. Rosie walked towards her, stopped and put her coat on.
"Ready?" she asked.
Elanor nodded. Rosie then held out her hand and her daughter held onto it. The door to the freezing outside world was then opened. The cold wind started to push it's way into the cold house. Rosie and Elanor stepped out. Behind them, a small boy. Frodo had come out of his room. He had been crying and begging to be let out.
The door slammed on him, blocking out all of the sound that came though. Frodo stormed off to his room and slammed the door.
Abira was still asleep. The hours seemed quick to the small puppy. She continued to sleep though two o'clock. Pimpernel came back into the room, but she was not disturbed from her sleep.
Nelly sat slowly on the bed. The puppy was still snoozing on her pillow. The book was then opened. Pimpernel started to read.
Two o'clock continued to tick over to three. Everything around Pimpernel was still. Only a few echoes met her ears. But she was in a different place. Pictures, only visible to her eyes. Fair princess' and evil ogres raged across the pages.
Castles, trees and lakes were all projected into her mind. The book was long. Every so often, she would turn the pages. Sounds started rushing though her head too. Hooves and firing arrows rushed past her.
Pimpernel loved reading. It was the only time she could cross the boards of the Shire without having to be late for lunch or dinner. But then again, a few times she had been late for both.
The hobbit had learnt to read and write by her mother. For hobbits did not have schools or universities. They were simple folk. Only learning what needs to be known.
Three o'clock came a bit too quickly for Pimpernel.
"Has it really been that long?" she asked herself, looking up at the clock.
She had only read the first few chapters. The story had gripped her so much that she needed to continue reading. Her eyes were then pulled back to the words.
For sentence after sentence her eyes rolled over the words. The paper was turned again. Her eyes then started to take in the words again.
Meanwhile, there was a knock at the door. The hobbit looked up.
"I wonder who this could be" she said, getting up from the kitchen table.
A warm mug of tea had been left. A few more bangs echoed though the house. The door to the was then swung open. Standing before her was a child and her mother.
"Rosie?" Marigold asked.
"How are you? Come in" Marigold said, standing away from the door.
Elanor was followed in by her mother. The door was then closed.
"I've just put some tea on if you would like some" Marigold told her.
Elanor took off her coat, her mother had done the same. Rosie took her coat and hung both of them up.
"Oh, thank you that would be very nice" Rosie answered.
The three of them walked through the house. Marigold's tea was still sitting on the table. The kettle was hanging over the fire.
"There is enough water in the kettle for you" Mari told her.
Rosie and Elanor pulled out their seats and sat in them. Marigold got out two mugs and placed them on the table.
"Does Elanor want tea as well?" she asked.
Her niece smiled and nodded.
"Yes please auntie Marigold" Elanor said.
Mari smiled and picked up the cloth. She then turned around and picked up the kettle. The fire had kept it hot enough to make tea with.
The two cups were then filled with water. A few large tea leaves were then placed in the water as well. A drop of water hit the wooden table.
There was a clunk as Marigold placed the lighter kettle down on the hook. The tea leaves that had been put in the water were now floating. They were going around and around, sinking slightly.
Marigold handed Rosie and Elanor their own small spoons. They were to stir around the tea leaves to get the most out of them.
Mari sat down in her seat. Her tea had already been made. A small glass of milk for the tea had been placed in the centre of the table. There was also a small bowl of white sugar. A small spoon, much like the ones Rosie and her daughter were holding, was sticking out into the air.
"So, are you getting everything ready for Yule?" Rosie asked.
Marigold, who had been sipping on her tea, put it down on the table mat.
"Well, I've sent my invites out, but I have not had any word back yet. Then again, the post man did look like he was struggling with the load"
Rosie nodded.
"It gets very busy down there, I sent Sam around with the invites the other day" Rosie told her.
Marigold took a deep breath.
"I was hoping that I would have been invited" she said glumly.
Rosie started to feel guilty. She knew that the system would leave some of her friends out. But she had to write down the names that she was given. It was not up to her. If it were, she would have invited all of her friends all of the time.
"I'm sorry Mari, but I have to write the names that are given to me. Maybe you'll be on it next year" Rosie told her.
The mood was now very awkward. Elanor was looking between her mother and her aunt.
"Mummy?" she asked.
Rosie looked down at her.
"Mummy, I'm hungry" she told her.
"Alright dear, Auntie Marigold will get you some cookies" Rosie told her.
Marigold nodded and slowly got up. She was still a bit upset at not being invited. Marigold got out of her seat and walked towards her cellar. She opened it and walked inside. Elanor watched her walk out of sight. A few seconds later, she came back. Marigold shut the door and walked over to the work top. Elanor wondered what she was doing.
Her queries were soon answered. A plate had been set on the work top. The cookies were now being placed onto the plate. The empty packet was left on the work top as the plate was taken away.
Marigold placed the plate on the table. Elanor's sprits were now lifting. She started to reach for them. but her hand was stopped.
"What do you say to Auntie Marigold first?" asked Rosie.
"Thank you for the cookie Auntie Marigold" Elanor said.
Mari smiled.
"Your welcome" she said.
Elanor was then allowed to have a cookie. There were small chocolate pieces embedded into the cookie. Elanor took a bite and smiled. Rosie then picked one up.
"Are you not hungry then?" Rosie asked.
Mari shook her head.
"No, I had a big lunch an hour ago, I might need another one soon" she answered.
As the day wore on, the light from the sun was dimming. The snow on the ground had been well trodden into the path. Yet, during the night, more would come.
The coldness was now getting to them more then ever. The snow men had been made and left. Some were right in the middle of the road. This had been done purely by mistake. But they were now too big to move.
Smaller balls of snow had been raised to the top of the larger ball. This was the head of the snow man. Stones had been placed for it's eyes. There was a line for a mouth and a pipe had been stuck into the snow.
Birds flew over head.
Three o'clock ticked over. Three chimes came out from every clock in Hobbiton. Pimpernel had been reading now for a few hours.
The small puppy continued to snooze on her pillow. Abira's small, fluffy head was resting on her little paws. Every so often, she would change her position.
The candles were burning ever lower. The light that had once flooded into the room was now turning to darkness. The candle light lit the room more then ever.
Pimpernel's eyes were getting used to the low level of light. Her story was long and well detailed. There were no pictures in the book. The words alone were enough to transport her from the very room.
That's what she liked about reading. The sense that she could be who ever she wanted, when ever she wanted. At this time especially, it was more important for her to be someone else.
Origo awoke. Yet he did not want to. Unpleasant sounds met his ears. His large brown eyes slowly opened. The coldness was coming back to him. The wind was stronger and colder then ever.
Diamond, Pippin and Dolly were awake as well. Diamond was holding something that Origo did not like. A small noisy puppy. It seemed to be getting more attention then he did.
"He's not even cute" Origo thought sadly.
The pup had been sleeping on a woollen blanket. Ori had curled up on his own. His Diamond and Pippin had been talking. His energy had been spent on running long the small cart. To Origo, it was big enough.
Diamond looked over at the pup. He had now awoken. A smile came over her lips.
"That was a long sleep Ori" she said.
The pup shook of the tiredness as he got up. The blanket was very warm where he had been sleeping. His fur kept the coldness from effecting him like the hobbits. Faramir Took was whining in his cot. He seemed to be waking every hour or so, night and day.
It showed on Diamond's face. She and Pip had had only a few hours sleep in the last couple of days. But it would have been even worse without the help of Dolly and of their driver, Elladan.
Elladan was an elf. He was the son of Elrond. His brother, Elrohir, had been left in Rivendell until his return. The cart continued to rattle ever onwards.
Diamond and Pippin had now past Weathertop. Weathertop signalled the half way point. The Forsaken Inn was only a few miles away now. They would be able to stop there for a while before heading out again.
"I cant wait to have an ale" Pippin said.
Diamond smiled. She knew that it would have been hard for Pip to last this long without a drink.
"When we get there, do not drink the inn out of all it's ale" Diamond told him.
Pippin's eyebrows raised in surprised.
"Now when have I ever done that?" he asked.
He then started to think.
"I'm not saying you have" Diamond answered.
"I'm just saying don't drink a lot"
Pippin looked a little bit relived. For a moment, he had thought that one of his water holes had closed down. Origo slowly walked over to his Diamond. His head was hung low, he was still sleepy.
Diamond smiled warmly at her adorable pup. She then picked him up, her hands grabbed under his front paws. He was then placed on her shoulder.
Ori was whimper. He was cold, hungry and tired. Diamond kissed him on the top of his furry head.
"You OK pup?" she asked.
Origo yawned widely and whined. The first basket of food had been emptied of all food. The cover of the second basket had been pulled away. there were many bits of Lambas still inside.
There were packets of rich and juicy turkey in there as well. They had been put in paper packets. The Lambas bread filled up the rest of the basket. A few flasks lay at the opposite end to the turkey. They were full of Elven water.
It was very useful for these cold conditions. Only elves knew how to make the Elven water. The water was not normal water that hobbits or men drank. This type of water was special. It was revive the drinker of all tiredness and pains.
In cold weather, it would warm the drinker up so that he or she could continue with their journey. And in this time that Pippin and Diamond were in, it was more important then ever.
Diamond was handed the basket. The packets of untouched turkey were laying at the bottom. A pack was then picked up. The paper rustled as Diamond placed it on her lap.
But Origo didn't try and get it before the packet was open. He didn't seem to want any. Diamond ripped open the packet and waited for Ori to bound towards it.
But he didn't.
Diamond felt this was very odd. She knew that turkey was mainly the thing that he wanted. Origo was then slowly taken off of Diamond shoulder.
"What's up Ori?" she asked.
She hadn't noticed it, but Origo had been whimpering. He wasn't feeling very well. Diamond placed him on her lap.
"I don't think Origo is up to himself" she told Pip.
Ori was now laying on his side of Diamond's lap. Her hand slowly and gently ran up and down his fur. The pup closed his eyes again.
Abira suddenly woke up. Her eyes could not see anything in the darkness of night. A large cover had been drawn over her. Something big was laying to the side. It was Pimpernel.
The hours had past away. Abira had slept for almost twelve hours. But now, she was hungry. The pup tried standing up. but the duvet that lay over her was too heavy. She whined and then slowly started to crawl upwards. Pimpernel's eyes were shut and her breathing was calm. A small puppy emerged from the covers.
Outside of the duvet was much lighter then the inside. Abira could now see her Pimpernel's face. The puppy whined, but Nelly did not stir.
Abira then whimpered sadly. She then started to lick Pimpernel's face, hoping that that will get her to wake up.
