Chapter 16 Title: The Verdict Chapter rating: G

"Hear ye, hear ye! Gather round the news to hear!" Freddy stood atop an apple crate in the Hobbiton marketplace wearing his best brown suit, gay yellow weskit and an official red Deputy Mayor's ribbon pinned to his sleeve. "Hear ye, hear ye! Gather round for news!"

It was October 1st and the sun was directly overhead. Freddy had rung the small brass bell atop the Hobbiton market public posting board to get the crowd's attention. He was enjoying his official duties immensely. Not only did he get to wear the official red ribbon, but he had an official proclamation in his hands, itself a work of art with Amanda Whitfoot's neat handwriting and an official red ribbon attached at the closure wax seal.

Iris stood beside the posting board, one hand shoved into the pocket of her grey coat. Frodo was at her left side, his fingers intertwined with her free hand. To his left was Sam, wearing his best suit and looking a bit uncomfortable in it. He never did like dressing up, but Rose had insisted on it. She was on Iris's right, her strong arm around the physician's shoulders. Rose had a look of fierce determination on her face, practically daring anyone to say anything negative about her friend. Tandy Bofin and his wife, Opal, stood behind his cousin, and they were backed up by the Midwife.

Merry and Pippin had ridden over from Crickethollow to lend their support. They towered over the rest of the crowd. Merry was dressed in his Rohan outfit, looking extremely dashing in the green and yellow. Pippin was right by his side, as was normal, wearing the black and silver of Gondor. The two tall hobbits were whispering softly, occasionally glancing at a lass or two, then breaking out into a grin or a wink.

The Mayor and his wife, along with their guest, Doctor Thumo Havloc, waited off to one side near to the Hobbiton bakery. The Mayor was politely shaking hands and whispering banalities to his gathered constituents as they came up to greet the popular elderly gentlehobbit. Doctor Havloc was introduced to a few, but most merely nodded their 'hellos' or bowed politely. Mistress Chiswell and her apprentice Heili had put aside their needlework to attend the announcement. They joined a little group of business owners who had gathered outside the Tailor's shop. Businesses throughout the Hobbiton area suspended activities for the noonday hour in order to give everyone time to attend. Public investigations of this sort were extremely rare.

The Wyncots, their farm hands, and a few house servants clustered in a little group near the Green Dragon's front door. Chas Limekiln, the Inn's owner, brought them mugs of hot mulled wine as a gesture of sympathy for their loss. He and Rudy Wyncot stood aside, briefly chatting about nothing while waiting for the verdict to be read.

There were many more people in the marketplace than normal this day. Everyone in the Hobbiton and Bywater area knew about the medical inquiry and were supremely interested in learning its outcome. Word had spread throughout the countryside about the Micheldelving physician who had been brought in at great expense to the Mayor. The general consensus was favorable to the additional expense, since it practically guaranteed impartiality in the verdict. And that was more important for getting the question of Doctor Proudfoot's medical qualifications settled once and for all.

The previous evening Freddy made sure to let slip that an official announcement would be read aloud and posted at noon the next day in Hobbiton. He guaranteed a large crowd by letting the supposedly private information loose at the Green Dragon Inn while wearing his official red ribbon, and while enjoying a beer. The gossips took care of the rest. Everyone agreed that the public reading was an excellent idea, as the outcome of the malpractice investigation effected the entire population. Freddy had then walked to the Wyncot's farm and notified them of the public posting of the verdict.

Ted Sandyman loafed with arms crossed beside the vegetable stand in the marketplace. A few of his friends were also there, laughing and munching on fresh dappled gold and red apples brought in from the Bywater orchards. Ted hissed at them to shut up so he could hear the verdict. He, along with about half of the hobbit populace, had never been taught his letters, so it was important that he hear the town crier.

"Hear ye, hear ye!" Freddy's voice boomed. "Your attention please. The official inquiry into the question of Doctor Iris Proudfoot's qualification for practicing medicine is hereby completed. This verdict is rendered by Doctor Thumo Havloc, the teaching physician at Micheldelving, witnessed by his honor the Mayor Will Whitfoot, and scribed by Amanda Whitfoot in the presence of myself as secondary witness. Hear ye and attend."

Freddy broke the seal on the scroll and unrolled it. He cleared his throat as the crowd hushed to silence.

"Rendered this day, October 1st, Shire Reckoning 1420, in Hobbiton, the Shire; a verdict concerning a question of medical malpractice. Brought forth by Mistress Maybell Wyncot against Doctor Iris Proudfoot. Investigation into the procedures practiced upon one Ted Wyncot, lately deceased, were completed by Doctor Thumo Havloc, visiting investigating physician from Micheldelving, and witnessed by his honor, the Mayor Will Whitfoot. Witnesses called: Maybell Wyncot, Rudy Wyncot, Jack Wyncot, Iris Proudfoot. Verdict is hereby rendered. Doctor Iris Proudfoot is found to have performed her medical services in an appropriate, timely, and compassionate manner. She is hereby absolved from any wrong-doing in the matter of Ted Wyncot's death. Signed, Thumo Havloc. Witnessed by Will Whitfoot."

Cheering and hand-clapping broke out in the crowd. Merry and Pippin shook hands with Tandy and Opal, while Rose gave Iris a squeeze about the shoulders. Iris smiled weakly and suddenly took in a shaky breath. She hadn't realized she had been holding her breath during the reading of the verdict. Waves of relief caused tears to come unbidden to her eyes. She quickly brushed them away and smiled as Frodo kissed her hand.

Iris glanced around and locked eyes from across the marketplace with Maybell Wyncot. The farm wife appeared resigned to accepting the verdict. Evidently her husband and son had screwed up their courage to talk to her about the situation. She was not happy, but was satisfied that a thorough investigation had been made. Maybell had her arm about her husband's waist. As eye contact was made with a blushing Iris, Maybell frowned, but offered the briefest of nods, then took her son's arm and started out of the marketplace. Rudy Wyncot turned to follow, but not before catching Iris's gaze. He briefly touched his hand to his hat, then paced stiffly to catch up with his family.

"It's finally over," Iris sighed.

Rose gave her a kiss on the cheek. "We never had any doubts, love." Sam, grinning from ear to ear, slapped Frodo on the back and pumped his hands in a two-fisted handshake. Freddy tacked the official notice onto the bulletin board as people gathered around to read it for themselves.

Frodo was watching Ted Sandyman's reaction. Sandyman was frowning with arms crossed, eyes narrowed at Frodo's group. He could see that Sandyman's nose had healed off-kilter, thanks to Sam's well-placed fist. Frodo couldn't help but smirk slightly as how Sandyman had gotten what was due him. Frodo pushed the brief feeling of satisfied retribution out of his mind as being an unworthy thought. After all, Sam should not have punched Ted, no matter what the provocation. But even if he wouldn't admit it to himself, Frodo was pleased.

The crowd began to disperse, small groups walking away talking amongst themselves as the notice was posted. Everyone in Hobbiton was relieved that the situation had been resolved, and they still had their doctor. Everyone, that is, except Ted Sandyman.