Chapter Nine
For some strange reason, Holly did not feel comfortable with 'doing the right thing'. It seemed to her now that doing the right thing was going to cause more tears than smiles. But of course . the consequence of doing the wrong thing would also cause tears . eventually .
After thinking the situation through again and again in her mind, the young Brandybuck came to the conclusion that the right thing was not to allow Nina to be carted off to a wedding to wed a hobbit she did not love. The only right thing in the situation was to let Nina love whom she wishes . despite family wishes. Of course, all wishes must be respected . but it was the family's wishes which had caused all this commotion in the first place.
Holly got up from the breakfast table and rushed to find her blue clock.
"Aren't you eating those lass?" Pippin asked his mouth full of over cooked mushrooms and tomatoes.
"I'm sorry but no, Pippin," Holly said, turning back to her confused brother and cousin. "There's something of great importance I have to do"
"Concerning Frodo and Nina?" Merry raised an eyebrow. Holly nodded.
"And what is it now may I ask sister? I hope you are not trying to get yourself into any trouble"
"Oh Meriadoc Brandybuck, that is so rich coming from you! You and Pip are the masters of trouble-causing! Why would you be so concerned if I got into any trouble?"
"Because we wish to keep our crowns!" Pippin joked.
"Well don't worry, I can not possibly cause any amount of trouble you two have managed over the years" With one final laugh, Holly turned on her heel and headed out of the door.
//
"Nina, you hurry and eat your breakfast child" Lilla Roper rushed around the kitchen . serving plates here and washing pots there . the poor mother was rushed off her hobbit feet.
"Why the rush Mama?" Nina yawned.
"Good Gracious child!" Lilla gasped at Nina's exhausted face. "Have you been having nightmares child?"
"Nightmares? Oh no Mama! In fact, quite the opposite!" Nina couldn't resist a little chuckle at the night's events, that her parents still had no suspicions over. Well . until now .
"Then why is it that every morning you awake looking so tired and desperate for sleep?"
"Well . " Nina paused, trying to find a suitable cover up. "I suppose it is all this excitement over that Broadbeam . though I take little interest in the matter . it seems that everybody else's excitement is wearing me out"
"Nina!" Lilla called disgusted. "How dare you speak like that of your fiancé?!"
"I only speak the truth! Is it so wrong?!"
"Truth?! Truth! My, how your father would wail and shout if he heard such nonsense escaping your lips like that!"
"But -"
"No buts Nina Roper! That is final!"
Nina sighed, but then remembered Holly's words: 'Remember, just play along with Friado and your family for a while . they may suspect . '
"Although . " Nina started. "Friado is a nice hobbit and I suppose that there are not many of those in The Shire . " Nina couldn't help but pull a face whilst her mother was not looking.
"Exactly, my girl" Lilla agreed. "I am glad that you are coming out of your shell . especially at this point in the engagement . "
"What's so special about this point of the engagement?" Nina asked.
Lilla turned and sat beside her daughter and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Well . your father suggested it had to be me to tell you . as I am your mother . "
"Tell me what?"
"Well . you are a woman now Nina Roper . and the time has come, to prove that . "
"I do not understand Mama" Nina frowned.
"Actions speak louder than words" Lilla smiled. "Soon . you'll be expected to . sleep with your fiancé . to prove your love and yield it to him . and possibly . he'll be able to place a child within you . "
"What?!" Nina leapt up. "That's impossible!"
"Why the impossibility darling?" Lilla frowned. "don't you want to be a mother?"
"Well . yes ."
"then what is the problem?"
"I don't want to . not yet anyhow ."
"Well it's already been decided . and Master Friado says he wants nothing more then to be the father of your child. He's such a sweetheart Nina, you deserve him you know."
"Decided?"
"Oh, yes. Your papa wants this plan to go forward, as we all do. Friado suggested that after you have found a home together in Hobbiton, you would be able to try for a wee one. I can't tell you enough Nina, how happy I am for you"
"Speak for yourself," Nina muttered. She had obviously thought of the facts that she may be carrying Frodo's child . it was a possibility seen as though she had slept with Frodo a couple of times. But the possibility remained. She wouldn't mind having Frodo's child but in this particular situation, it wouldn't be the best of ideas.
"And you will sleep with him" Lilla added. "I can see through your mind dear and you are not particularly 'happy' with this engagement"
"Well done" Nina muttered, a hint of sarcasm escaping her lips.
"But in any case, this is mine and your father's wishes and you shall not ruin them with petty comments and smug remarks. Any hobbit lass in Hobbiton would love to be in your position; a nice caring family and fiancé . even Portia and Nissa are after a suitor just like master Friado. Be thankful for what you have child"
"Oh I'm thankful alright" Nina stood up and headed for the door.
"Excuse me young lady, where do you think you are going without breakfast?"
"Brandyhall. Pippin always cooks more than enough. Typical. I think food is the highlight of his day"
"But what about breakfast here?"
"I'm sorry mama, but I wish to eat breakfast without the subject of my so- called 'future happiness'. Goodbye"
Nina hadn't meant to be so rude to her mother . but what else could she do? Everytime she entered her own home she felt as though she was being drowned in an ocean of Broadbeams, weddings and suitors. And now babies!
'Ha!' Nina thought to herself. 'The only baby I shall ever have will be a Baggins!'
"Nina?!"
Nina recognised the voice of her best friend immediately. She looked up as Holly raced towards her.
"Oh, Nina, please forgive me! I am so sorry!" Holly sobbed.
"For what?" Nina frowned. "What have you to be sorry for? Oh no wait . my papa has told all at the Green Dragon Inn that I am to sleep with Friado and try and produce offspring. Oh what a joke. They'll be lucky . I doubt if I'll ever sleep in the same house as him, let alone bed"
Holly frowned at her friend. "So . you . haven't spoken . to . Frodo . yet?"
"Of course! I snuck round to Bag End last night and we spent the night together!" Nina blushed a little but did not let that interfere with her happiness. "But however, he did seem a little off ."
"Did he say anything to you?"
"He told me he loved me . after that I just thought he was missing Mr Bilbo . why? What should Frodo have said?"
"Oh nothing, nothing . but ."
"Frodo!" Nina rushed up to Frodo as he walked towards them. Frodo smiled at her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Holly?" Frodo looked to his cousin, who looked down at her toes. "I did not do as you wish . I'm sorry if it upsets and bothers you ."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Nina looked from Frodo, to Holly . a frowned expression upon her face. "What's . what's going on? Frodo? Holly?"
"See . I think I should explain ." Holly started. "I was feeling . a little worried about you and Frodo. You act all happy and I figured that you may get too happy that you'll forget your surroundings. It's a dangerous thing to do so I . asked Frodo to end our relationship . to save you both future heartache"
"What?" Nina breathed, looking into her friend's eyes. "But . I thought you . were happy for me? For us?"
"I am Nina, that's why I came back . I thought Frodo may have already ended it so . I came to tell you that I had a change of heart . and that I was sick of doing the right thing. Your happiness comes before anything else . and I was going to see Frodo too, to make things right again"
"Do you mean it truly?" Frodo asked. Holly nodded.
"Never felt more truthful," she smiled. "I, Pippin and Merry will continue to help you through, and I'm sorry that my brain went dead for a while there. We Brandybuck's rarely use our heads"
"Well . if you mean it, I can find it in my heart to . forgive you" Nina forced a weak smile. "But only if you mean it"
"I do. Frodo?"
"I forgive you too ." he walked up and hugged his cousin.
"Well what a day this has been ." Nina sighed.
"I'll help you through that too Nina . try and prevent it" Holly offered.
"Prevent what?" Frodo asked.
"Oh thank you Holly, it would mean a lot . I couldn't bear it if . if ."
"If what?!" Frodo asked again. "Someone tell me!"
Nina and Holly both looked up, not daring to speak. "See ." Nina paused. "My father wants me to sleep with Friado . to produce children ."
The look on Frodo's face was unbearable. Nina winced and looked back down.
"But we'll have to somehow prevent it" Holly spoke with confidence. "And the wedding, and the engagement and the housing. Somehow . we'll do it. Maybe not right away but in the end . I promise you both . I'll get you out of this"
For some strange reason, Holly did not feel comfortable with 'doing the right thing'. It seemed to her now that doing the right thing was going to cause more tears than smiles. But of course . the consequence of doing the wrong thing would also cause tears . eventually .
After thinking the situation through again and again in her mind, the young Brandybuck came to the conclusion that the right thing was not to allow Nina to be carted off to a wedding to wed a hobbit she did not love. The only right thing in the situation was to let Nina love whom she wishes . despite family wishes. Of course, all wishes must be respected . but it was the family's wishes which had caused all this commotion in the first place.
Holly got up from the breakfast table and rushed to find her blue clock.
"Aren't you eating those lass?" Pippin asked his mouth full of over cooked mushrooms and tomatoes.
"I'm sorry but no, Pippin," Holly said, turning back to her confused brother and cousin. "There's something of great importance I have to do"
"Concerning Frodo and Nina?" Merry raised an eyebrow. Holly nodded.
"And what is it now may I ask sister? I hope you are not trying to get yourself into any trouble"
"Oh Meriadoc Brandybuck, that is so rich coming from you! You and Pip are the masters of trouble-causing! Why would you be so concerned if I got into any trouble?"
"Because we wish to keep our crowns!" Pippin joked.
"Well don't worry, I can not possibly cause any amount of trouble you two have managed over the years" With one final laugh, Holly turned on her heel and headed out of the door.
//
"Nina, you hurry and eat your breakfast child" Lilla Roper rushed around the kitchen . serving plates here and washing pots there . the poor mother was rushed off her hobbit feet.
"Why the rush Mama?" Nina yawned.
"Good Gracious child!" Lilla gasped at Nina's exhausted face. "Have you been having nightmares child?"
"Nightmares? Oh no Mama! In fact, quite the opposite!" Nina couldn't resist a little chuckle at the night's events, that her parents still had no suspicions over. Well . until now .
"Then why is it that every morning you awake looking so tired and desperate for sleep?"
"Well . " Nina paused, trying to find a suitable cover up. "I suppose it is all this excitement over that Broadbeam . though I take little interest in the matter . it seems that everybody else's excitement is wearing me out"
"Nina!" Lilla called disgusted. "How dare you speak like that of your fiancé?!"
"I only speak the truth! Is it so wrong?!"
"Truth?! Truth! My, how your father would wail and shout if he heard such nonsense escaping your lips like that!"
"But -"
"No buts Nina Roper! That is final!"
Nina sighed, but then remembered Holly's words: 'Remember, just play along with Friado and your family for a while . they may suspect . '
"Although . " Nina started. "Friado is a nice hobbit and I suppose that there are not many of those in The Shire . " Nina couldn't help but pull a face whilst her mother was not looking.
"Exactly, my girl" Lilla agreed. "I am glad that you are coming out of your shell . especially at this point in the engagement . "
"What's so special about this point of the engagement?" Nina asked.
Lilla turned and sat beside her daughter and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Well . your father suggested it had to be me to tell you . as I am your mother . "
"Tell me what?"
"Well . you are a woman now Nina Roper . and the time has come, to prove that . "
"I do not understand Mama" Nina frowned.
"Actions speak louder than words" Lilla smiled. "Soon . you'll be expected to . sleep with your fiancé . to prove your love and yield it to him . and possibly . he'll be able to place a child within you . "
"What?!" Nina leapt up. "That's impossible!"
"Why the impossibility darling?" Lilla frowned. "don't you want to be a mother?"
"Well . yes ."
"then what is the problem?"
"I don't want to . not yet anyhow ."
"Well it's already been decided . and Master Friado says he wants nothing more then to be the father of your child. He's such a sweetheart Nina, you deserve him you know."
"Decided?"
"Oh, yes. Your papa wants this plan to go forward, as we all do. Friado suggested that after you have found a home together in Hobbiton, you would be able to try for a wee one. I can't tell you enough Nina, how happy I am for you"
"Speak for yourself," Nina muttered. She had obviously thought of the facts that she may be carrying Frodo's child . it was a possibility seen as though she had slept with Frodo a couple of times. But the possibility remained. She wouldn't mind having Frodo's child but in this particular situation, it wouldn't be the best of ideas.
"And you will sleep with him" Lilla added. "I can see through your mind dear and you are not particularly 'happy' with this engagement"
"Well done" Nina muttered, a hint of sarcasm escaping her lips.
"But in any case, this is mine and your father's wishes and you shall not ruin them with petty comments and smug remarks. Any hobbit lass in Hobbiton would love to be in your position; a nice caring family and fiancé . even Portia and Nissa are after a suitor just like master Friado. Be thankful for what you have child"
"Oh I'm thankful alright" Nina stood up and headed for the door.
"Excuse me young lady, where do you think you are going without breakfast?"
"Brandyhall. Pippin always cooks more than enough. Typical. I think food is the highlight of his day"
"But what about breakfast here?"
"I'm sorry mama, but I wish to eat breakfast without the subject of my so- called 'future happiness'. Goodbye"
Nina hadn't meant to be so rude to her mother . but what else could she do? Everytime she entered her own home she felt as though she was being drowned in an ocean of Broadbeams, weddings and suitors. And now babies!
'Ha!' Nina thought to herself. 'The only baby I shall ever have will be a Baggins!'
"Nina?!"
Nina recognised the voice of her best friend immediately. She looked up as Holly raced towards her.
"Oh, Nina, please forgive me! I am so sorry!" Holly sobbed.
"For what?" Nina frowned. "What have you to be sorry for? Oh no wait . my papa has told all at the Green Dragon Inn that I am to sleep with Friado and try and produce offspring. Oh what a joke. They'll be lucky . I doubt if I'll ever sleep in the same house as him, let alone bed"
Holly frowned at her friend. "So . you . haven't spoken . to . Frodo . yet?"
"Of course! I snuck round to Bag End last night and we spent the night together!" Nina blushed a little but did not let that interfere with her happiness. "But however, he did seem a little off ."
"Did he say anything to you?"
"He told me he loved me . after that I just thought he was missing Mr Bilbo . why? What should Frodo have said?"
"Oh nothing, nothing . but ."
"Frodo!" Nina rushed up to Frodo as he walked towards them. Frodo smiled at her and wrapped his arms around her.
"Holly?" Frodo looked to his cousin, who looked down at her toes. "I did not do as you wish . I'm sorry if it upsets and bothers you ."
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Nina looked from Frodo, to Holly . a frowned expression upon her face. "What's . what's going on? Frodo? Holly?"
"See . I think I should explain ." Holly started. "I was feeling . a little worried about you and Frodo. You act all happy and I figured that you may get too happy that you'll forget your surroundings. It's a dangerous thing to do so I . asked Frodo to end our relationship . to save you both future heartache"
"What?" Nina breathed, looking into her friend's eyes. "But . I thought you . were happy for me? For us?"
"I am Nina, that's why I came back . I thought Frodo may have already ended it so . I came to tell you that I had a change of heart . and that I was sick of doing the right thing. Your happiness comes before anything else . and I was going to see Frodo too, to make things right again"
"Do you mean it truly?" Frodo asked. Holly nodded.
"Never felt more truthful," she smiled. "I, Pippin and Merry will continue to help you through, and I'm sorry that my brain went dead for a while there. We Brandybuck's rarely use our heads"
"Well . if you mean it, I can find it in my heart to . forgive you" Nina forced a weak smile. "But only if you mean it"
"I do. Frodo?"
"I forgive you too ." he walked up and hugged his cousin.
"Well what a day this has been ." Nina sighed.
"I'll help you through that too Nina . try and prevent it" Holly offered.
"Prevent what?" Frodo asked.
"Oh thank you Holly, it would mean a lot . I couldn't bear it if . if ."
"If what?!" Frodo asked again. "Someone tell me!"
Nina and Holly both looked up, not daring to speak. "See ." Nina paused. "My father wants me to sleep with Friado . to produce children ."
The look on Frodo's face was unbearable. Nina winced and looked back down.
"But we'll have to somehow prevent it" Holly spoke with confidence. "And the wedding, and the engagement and the housing. Somehow . we'll do it. Maybe not right away but in the end . I promise you both . I'll get you out of this"