Chapter Rating: PG (pipeweed smoking) Chapter Title: Early Summer

May 16th

The next day Frodo was up and about early. He had no intention of the doctor coming over again and finding him asleep. The day was overcast and threatening rain. After the mantle clock chimed ten the front door bells jingled and there was a knock at the door. It was Iris, as expected. She was wearing a light grey cloak to keep out the misty rain, and had brought a covered basket of fresh-baked scones with her. The bakery next door to the Hobbiton Apothecary was back in business.

Frodo invited her inside for a late second breakfast. Iris sat down as they shared some tea and scones. Frodo took tea, but declined the scones.

"Where's Sam and Rosie?" Iris asked, noting the silence in the house.

"They are visiting the Cotton's today and tomorrow, getting a few things of Rosie's we forgot," Frodo replied. "They will return tomorrow evening. That gives me a little time to do some washing. I need to clean up the guest rooms before they return. Merry and Pippin did leave their rooms a bit messy."

That was actually an understatement. Merry and Pippin hadn't left the Bag End guest bedrooms too bad off, but they certainly needed airing out and all the sheets washed. Sam and Rosie were too busy with sorting out their belongings to pay much attention to the guest rooms.

Frodo stopped talking and absentmindedly stirred his tea, lost in thought.

After a few awkward minutes, Iris finally asked, "Well, how was your sleep last night?"

"Oh, sorry. Guess I blanked out for a moment there. I had trouble clearing my mind last night as well," Frodo replied. "I eventually tried the breathing exercise you showed me yesterday, and I really cannot remember falling asleep after that. No nightmares either. But I am very tired today and my stomach is a bit upset."

"That's normal," Iris assured him. "I'm not surprised you feel exhausted after an intense emotional session. You're doing quite well. Just take it easy today. If you feel up to it, work on your book. Put down your thoughts onto paper. No strenuous physical activity like putting in a floor or doing two rooms of laundry. Puttering around in the garden is fine though if the rain lets up."

"No, no." he laughed, "that is Sam's domain and I dare not trespass! He is extremely jealous of that garden. He tells me I have a brown thumb for gardening, and I trust his judgment on that. His Gaffer would never let me garden either! Besides, I had already decided to work on Bilbo's book today. There is a tremendous amount of organizing to do on his notes first. Bilbo had also written and collected a lot of poetry as well. I would love to have you read through this as I get it written. I know I shall have Sam read it too.

In fact, Sam will probably have to write some sections of it himself. Significant things I was not aware of, but which have relevance to the history. And I am sure I am going to have to do extensive interviewing of Merry and Pippin in order to archive their activities during the War. We were completely separated from each other during most of the months we were away.

Merry and Pippin were witnesses and even instigators in some of the most important actions during the War. They have told me quite a good deal of their trials, but I need to re-hear their stories and take better notes this time. And there are some things Merry is quite reluctant to talk about. I shall have to be patient with him. If I push too much he closes up and drowns himself in ale. Pippin is fine, but Merry needs more time to think about things.

I might have to travel down to Gondor and interview the King and Queen as well. Perhaps I should go to Rivendale again before the Elves leave. It is going to take me a long time to write all this down, organize it, and get it copied out properly. But would you be interested in helping me by reading through sections and giving me your reviews?"

"I would be honored," she replied. "I'm so glad you and the elder Mister Baggins care enough about history to record this all properly. Not enough hobbits care about what goes on outside the Shire. But you are in a unique position to tell this story, and I'm grateful that you're writing about it."

"There are historians in Gondor and bards in Rohan who have already written and composed lays and poems about the War," Frodo mused. "I should include some of those as well. That way us hobbits will be exposed to more ideas from other cultures in Middle-Earth. We are such an insulated race. Hmmm.I should send a message down to both places and ask for copies of their stories and lays."

"Well, I see you are going to be quite busy for some time," Iris said as she stood up. "I'll be getting on now, if you'll excuse me." Frodo quickly stood up and escorted her to the front door.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me," he said as he placed her rain cloak about her shoulders and opened the green circular front door.

"One thing though, before I go," she said looking directly into his wonderful blue eyes. "Shall we continue our Friday walks?"

"Yes, let's," he replied. "And thank you for the scones. I shall try them later."

"Oh, and another thing," Iris said, "I am going to have Sam grow you some special pipeweed in the garden. It's the same herb I had you smoke last March. I want you to smoke a bowl or two of it whenever your stomach is upset, or if you have lost your appetite. Don't let anyone else smoke it, as it is a medicine. I'll send some seeds over tomorrow after Sam's back. Until then, Tandy has some of the herb at the Apothecary. Come down and get it.I'll have some reserved for you."

"All right and thank you again," Frodo waved her goodbye.

She smiled and went out the gate and down the road towards Hobbiton. Frodo watched her walking down Bag Shot Row for a few minutes, mindless of the misty rain falling. Either she was going to be a tremendous problem for him, or else the best thing he'd ever found. With that he went back inside and started his work for the day.

Mid-year's Day

"Gentlehobbits one and all! May I have your attention, please?" Mayor Will Whitfoot bellowed at the top of his lungs as he climbed atop an overturned apple crate. When that didn't stop the loud chattering among the extraordinarily large crowd, Frodo signaled Merry by elbowing him in the ribs. Merry let out a large blast on his silver bugle, bringing an instant quiet to the celebration.

"Thank you, Captain Brandybuck," the Mayor continued. "Ladies and gentlehobbits.lads and lasses. It is my distinct privilege and honor to declare the Free Fair of 1420 open!"

Earlier in the morning a special ceremony was held in front of the Green Dragon Inn, whereby Frodo resigned his position as Deputy Mayor, and Will Whitfoot was reinstated. The doctor had declared the Mayor fit for public duty, much to Frodo's relief. He could now retire to the privacy and relative peace of Bag End without any more expectations being placed on him to participate in Hobbiton society. This was a great liberation to Frodo as he needed more time to deal with his slowly declining health. That, plus the strange dynamics of suddenly living in a household with Sam and Rose.

Hundreds of families from around the Hobbiton area were in town for the annual Free Fair and public celebration. All the Hobbiton and Bywater public and private buildings were in prime shape, having been recently rebuilt or renovated. The Green Dragon Inn had reopened its doors to its loyal public on May 6th, much to the delight of all the Hobbiton residents and travelers such as Pippin and Merry.

The business district gleamed with gaudy banners and festive ribbons. Vendors of all manner of goods lined the streets and spilled into the Party Field. Carved and painted fantastical wooden toys from Dale, smoked meats and sausages from Bree, venison jerky and rare evergreen trees from the North Farthing, musical instruments and books from Micheldelving, fine cotton cloths and wine from the South Farthing, and even imported exotic honeys all the way from Ithilien in Gondor were offered in tents and booths. Few hobbits knew where Ithilien or even Gondor were, but that made the goods even more exotic in their eyes.

The most popular items at this year's Fair were short swords made by the Hobbiton blacksmith. Even in the midst of revelry the hobbits could not forget the previous year's terrible troubles. They would not be caught unawares again.

Out in the back portion of the Party Field the livestock show and auction took place. Sheep shearing contests, sheep dog trials, pony and cart races, contests of strength and agility, archery and slingshot contests, and judging of the best homebrew and pies were held in the fields, or in large pavilions on the green. It was the largest and finest celebration offered in the Shire, and folk came from miles around.

In previous Free Fairs the occasional Dwarf from the Blue Mountains or Big Folk from Bree operated booths selling their exotic wares. But this year's celebration was an all-hobbit affair. Unbeknownst to most Shirelings, the King of Gondor and Arnor had declared the Shire to be 'off-limits' to Men for the Big Folk's own protection, since the hobbits were still keenly aware of the ill-treatment they had received from Men under Sauruman's occupation. Hobbits like Freddy did not forget or forgive past wrongdoings.

Word had spread around the rest of Middle Earth about the fierceness of the hobbit's ousting of the ruffians. The Men of Gondor and Rohan had seen for themselves the courage, determination and selflessness of Merry and Pippin during battles. And listening to the new songs glorifying Frodo of the Nine-Fingers and Samwise the Faithful left no doubt as to the resourcefulness and unquenchable resolve of the race of halflings. Leaving the hobbit populace alone to govern their own affairs was agreed to by the King of Gondor, the King of Rohan, and even the Elf-lords. As to what the Dwarves thought about the hobbits, no one knew and the Dwarves were not telling. But they also avoided traveling through the Shire after the War.

Sam had placed a special "No Tramping" sign and white picket fence around the young flowering mallorn tree in the center of Party Field, and jealously stood guard over it throughout the day. Merry, Pippin, Frodo, Rosie and Freddy spelled him occasionally so he could enjoy the festivities, but he never wandered too far from 'his' special tree. Any mischievous youngster who tried to slip inside the picket fence received a quick swat with a willow branch as a reminder to keep their hands off the golden flowers.

As twilight deepened into night, Frodo returned to a silent Bag End. Sam had vowed to spend the night at the base of the mallorn tree, defending it with his life if need be. Rose had packed the two of them a couple of bedrolls and extra food for the night watch. Merry and Pippin were spending the night at Bag End with Frodo, but they wouldn't be arriving until the wee hours of the morning, knowing their fondness for the lasses and the availability of all the homebrew in the tents. Bag End was an island of peace and tranquility overlooking the music and merriment ongoing in Party Field.

Frodo sat alone outside on a bench which had been set into the stone wall separating Bag End from the road. He took out his pipe and lighted up a small bowlful of his medicinal weed. Ever since his problems on March 25th he had lost his tolerance for regular pipeweed, but the herb Iris had prescribed seemed to taste unobjectionable and certainly helped his increasingly poor appetite. He noticed he felt very relaxed after a pipe full, almost like drinking a couple glasses of wine, but without disturbing his sensitive stomach. His beer consumption had been reduced considerably as a consequence. A stray curl of smoke passed his lips and wafted away on the evening breeze.

"Better not let Pippin have any of this," he idly thought. "Good luck, Mayor Whitfoot. When you finally retire, think of Sam. Best hobbit in the Shire." The night was young, but he felt old, tired and a bit achy. "Best go on to bed and leave a candle burning for the Captains," he thought as he turned his back to the view of the Party Field festivities. "I wonder if this is how Bilbo feels? I now understand what he meant when he said age was finally catching up with him."