Chapter 2:
To Bree
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Tolkien made, just the hobbits I made (Cassa, Lobbo, and Talat) and a few other things. This goes for Chapter 1 also.
Cassa Baggins adjusted the pack on her shoulder again. She hadn't even brought a lot of things, yet it seemed to weigh her down. Lobbo walked beside her, not even seeming the least weary. Behind them, Talat stumbled. His pack was the heaviest, although quite small. Lobbo didn't even notice. He went on ahead, humming to himself. Cassa fell back.
"Would you like some help," Cassa offered.
"No thanks," Talat puffed. "The load'll be lighter after we get past Buckland Gate."
Cassa shrugged, then winced as a burst of pain went through her shoulder. She trotted up to Lobbo. He was still humming. It was one of the poems in the Red Book. It sounded like Perry-the-Winkle. He stopped suddenly. Cassa saw ahead of them the Buckland Gate.
"How do we get past?" Lobbo asked.
"We walk through," Cassa said.
"No, no, I mean without the story spreading," Lobbo said, glaring at Cassa.
"We bribe the Guards," Talat said, stumbling up. He turned his pack out. All kinds of odds and ends fell out. A clock, some coins, an umbrella, a small feather pen, about thirty rolls of parchment, a travelling cloak, and some mushrooms.
"Whoa!" Lobbo exclaimed. "How did you get all that stuff?"
"I go to a lot of birthdays," Talat replied.
Lobbo laughed and said, "Well, the journey can now continue."
The Trio continued, going past the rolling green hills of Buckland. They went by a small stream and came to the gate. It was massive. It had been built when Saruman had taken control of the Shire. It was made out of a gorgeous red wood. It stood twenty feet high and twenty feet wide. An iron frame supported the huge thing. Cassa felt awe staring up at the massive barrier.
A high-pitched hobbit voice came down, "Where do you be off to?"
Lobbo called up, "We are going to Bree."
"Bree," a voice muttered. "Alright, pass through travelers."
"You mustn't tell anyone about this, either," Lobbo yelled up.
The hobbit came down. Cassa was astounded. It was the first hobbit in mail she had seen. He had small iron rings that covered him from torso to waist, with some small rings covering his thighs. He had a helm on too. He had a small dagger. Thankfully, it wasn't drawn.
"Young hobbits," he said, his surprise apparent. "Even though, I still can't allow that kind of talk. It ain't hobbitish. Where're you going and why the secrecy?"
"None of your business," Talat said, emptying his pack. Sweat was seeping out under his dark hair, and trickling down onto his travelling cloak. All the packed items poured out and onto the dusty path. "Take these and be quiet."
The guard stared at the items. Where're these mushrooms from?"
"Farmer Maggot's, the best," Talat said, grinning broadly.
"Well, I guess you ain't going to hurt nothing. I'll let you pass." The guard took the miscellaneous items up into the small keep on the north tower.
Talat wiped his brow as Lobbo heaved a sigh.
* * * * * * * * * * *
The group walked a little while longer. After some time they found a "sleep spot". A sleep spot was a small house that was built along any busy road. Elessar had made a decree that there be sleep spots on any road. Rivendell and the Forsaken Inn were considered sleep spots as well as any inn, Green Dragon, Prancing Pony, all were sleep spots.
This sleep spot was a small hut. It had four rooms and a small creek in the back. Cassa went out and washed. When she came back in, Talat was humming and fixing a meal. It had a delicious aroma, with a sharp sweetness to it. Lobbo came in with fresh fruits and some roots. The fruits shined with cleanliness, meaning they were washed in the creek. The roots were thick and looked rather juicy. Cassa's mouth watered, and she hid her disappointment when Lobbo took them to the kitchen.
Cassa got out a small book, Herblore of the Shire. It was a book written by Master Meriadoc, containing many interest facts about herbs. Cassa was lost deep in a legend about trees in the Northfarthing when Lobbo announced, "Cassa the meal is ready!"
Cassa leapt up and went into the kitchen, which also had a small table. The meal was as good as Cassa had hoped. There was juicy meat, covered with luscious gravy and carrots peas and potatoes. The sweet aroma that Cassa had smelled earlier was this grand stew. There were apples and strawberries with cream. Apple cider was poured out into mugs that were a crystal clear, very fine make. Cassa dug in with a will.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Talat poked a carrot with his fork and put it in his mouth. With his swallow, he leaned back with a contented sigh. Lobbo drained his cider. Cassa had already gone to bed, being the youngest.
"So what is the errand about?" Talat asked curiously, stabbing a strawberry and forking it into his mouth.
"I don't have any idea," Lobbo said.
"Well, what would Merry want with someone in Bree?" Talat said, his thoughts considering.
"Master Meriadoc probably has some old friends that live there or nearby," Lobbo said, getting up as if to go.
"Yeah, but who is it? Or they?" Talat asked, his curiosity beginning to grow.
Lobbo sat down, rather disgruntled. "How would I know?"
"Hmm… Elessar perhaps?" Talat mused.
"Not the King of the West!" Lobbo exclaimed. "Probably just some local person, a friend or relation."
"Uh uh," Talat said. "I'm sure it's someone important. Merry's a pretty important fellow. He may be having some pretty important people in the Shire. Maybe some princes, nobles, perhaps elves!"
"Why not throw in some dwarves," Lobbo muttered.
"Yeah those too," Talat said.
"And fairies and goblins and princesses and gold, silver, spices, fireworks, and squalling troll children," Lobbo added.
Talat's eyes widened. "No way! There would be some of those, but no troll children. Now there would be…"
Lobbo headed up to bed.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Cassa yawned. Sunlight streamed in from the windows, slanting lazily across her bed. She leapt up and went rummaging through her pack for clothes. She found some nice blue linen garments and put a warm green cloak over it. It settled warmly on her shoulders. It was nearing winter and the days were getting colder. She pulled out Herblore of the Shire. She walked out of her room, and into the small living area. Talat was flopped down on a small rug, eating a few leftover strawberries.
Lobbo came out of his room. He stretched and tried to smooth his curly brown hobbit hair. It didn't work. "Talat, you left me to straighten out the bedclothes. Next time, you do it. I'm going to see about breakfast." He walked into the small kitchen.
Talat tossed another strawberry into his mouth. Cassa noticed he pulled out a small piece of parchment he was reading. It was the letter Master Meriadoc gave Lobbo! "Hey! You can't read that!" She exclaimed.
"Sure I can, little Cassa." Talat resumed reading. Cassa charged forward and dived for the parchment. Talat dodged and Cassa narrowly avoided the strawberries.
"Lobbo!" Cassa yelled.
Lobbo looked in. Talat shoved the letter in the back of his belt. "What is it, Cassa? I'm busy."
"Talat's reading the mff nff!" Talat put his hand over her mouth. Cassa bit him, hard, and said, "The letter!" before the hand was replaced.
Lobbo looked at Talat sternly. "Talat! Was the letter yours?"
"No," Talat said, his mischievous grin sliding off his face.
"Why did you read it?"
"Curiosity."
"You are one hopeless little hobbit," Lobbo snatched the letter from Talat's belt and stormed back into the kitchen.
"Well, what did it say?" Cassa asked.
"Ain't tellin'" Talat said, as he resumed eating the strawberries.
"Fine!" Cassa opened the volume and began reading.
* * * * * * * * * * *
That night, the group came over a hill. Below them lay Bree, with Staddle, Archet, and Combe around the hill. The hobbits descended and came to the gate. By Elessar's decree, the gate was now open anytime except in war. Cassa and Lobbo went inside. Bree was so different from the Shire. The buildings were much bigger. Carts went past on the road, their wheels grating on the cobblestone paths. People outside neat, clean shops displayed their wares and proclaimed their quality of their goods.
Cassa stared at everything. Talat grinned and pointed. "A sweet shop!" he exclaimed. Cassa saw all the people, the Big Folk and hobbits. Cassa then laid eyes on her most favorite kind of place. It was a library. She saw through the windows, books, dusty volumes, scrolls, and even maps. She ran over, giggling like a hobbit child. Lobbo slowly walked in. Talat and Cassa had already went into their respected stores. Lobbo began questioning people where the Prancing Pony was.
Most gave vague descriptions, until Lobbo found a hobbit. He exclaimed, "Why, I work there! The name's Nob, I've worked for Mr. Butterbur since I was a lad."
"Just wait a minute! I'll get my companions!" Lobbo rushed off to find them.
He came back with Cassa, who had a few more books added to her pack, and Talat who had a small pouch with honeyed leaves, peppermint sticks, and small little candied fruits. Nob was tapping his foot impatiently. The four hobbits turned at set off. At long last, when the moon was high up, they came to a building with a sign of a pony rearing that read, The Prancing Pony By Barliman Butterbur.
"Well I guess we've reached the end of the errand," Lobbo said as they entered.
