Chapter Thirty Eight
They travelled a further two days before Merry spotted the first sighting of the East Farthing. Lömadia squirmed and wiggled, trying to get a slight glimpse, but Frodo made her sit down to rest her ankle.
"As soon as we get home, we shall take you to Dr Proudfoot" he said, placing a light kiss on Lömadia's cheek. "He shall make your foot better and then you can play"
Lömadia smiled slightly as Krystal, Daisy and Frodo crawled over to their father. Frodo gladly let them all sit with him as he told them all about Gandalf.
"Dear, I thought you were not going to tell anymore tales" Nina smiled with a hint of humour behind it . . . when it came to his children; Frodo completely forgot harsh rules he had made.
"Hush Mama!" Lömadia whispered. "I love the tales of Gandalf!"
Faramir had also joined the small group, leaving Pippin and Merry on the front of the cart to drive. Holly stood up and joined her brother and husband on the front.
Nina rocked a sleeping Samwise in her arms, listening also.
//
It wasn't much later that Merry called out that they were not far from Hobbiton, and Frodo sure wished he hadn't for his children all leapt up in excitement, trying to look at all the town folk.
Nina began to get restless . . . she would be home soon, and maybe even get a glimpse of her parents. She would have to make peace with them if she wanted her children to grow up happily and gracefully. Family arguments would have to become the past.
"Here, now, Meriadoc, Peregrin" Frodo said. "Let me drive now, you both deserve a rest and I have not done anything to help on this journey"
"But cousin, you have an ill daughter and a pregnant wife to care for" Pippin answered. "Besides, we're nearly home; I can see the Green Dragon not far into the distance!"
"We are approaching Brandyhall also" Merry added.
"I propose that as soon as we reach Brandyhall, you both, along with Faramir and Holly get back home. I shall drive from there to our new home" Frodo smiled, now beaming with excitement.
Pippin and Merry would not argue. It was true, they deserved well cooked food and comfy beds . . . they needed to sit by the fire and smoke some Old Toby's. Faramir would also have to get used to his surroundings.
"Alright cousin Frodo," Merry said as they turned the corner to Brandyhall. "I do hope the Hornblower's have kept their word and taken care of our home!"
They stopped the cart and helped Holly and Faramir out of it. Portia, Nissa, Friagrin and Sogrin announced that Pippin had offered them a home at Brandyhall for a while and they had accepted.
After unloading heavy bags from the carriage, the hobbits exchanged goodbyes and good lucks (for their confrontations with their parents of course)
Frodo got back onto the front of the cart and drove it through Hobbiton, smiling down at speechless hobbits.
"Master Baggins?! Is that you Sir?!" Ted Sandyman called up, running at the side of the cart.
"It is," Frodo smiled to his old neighbour. "How are you Sir?"
"We heard you ran off ta that magical place where the Elves were. What about Miss Roper? 'er parents ain't too keen on the matter and said ya weren't returnin'!"
"Mr and Mrs Roper still reside here in Hobbiton?" Frodo asked, louder so Nina could hear from the back.
"Aye, Sir, they do, they do." Frodo stopped the cart to listen to Ted. "They 'ardly come out ere in the market. They don't think they're proper after losin' all their children. They like to keep 'emselves locked up, they do. They bin callin' us gossipers an scoundrels, they have. Course, we ain't bin doin' no gossipin' at all Master Baggins, we dunno the 'ole story. All we know is that that scoundrel Broadbeam beated and hurted Miss Nina an that you an 'er loved each other and ran off"
"We did not run off, I assure you" Frodo said, as more hobbits circled the cart. "We went with a few friends to Rivendell to wed. We decided to stay there, that's all, to remain happy and have troubles to deal with"
"That Mr Gamgee told us, he did" Fatty Bolger said, overwhelmed to see his old friend Frodo Baggins again. "He told us you 'an Miss Nina got yourself a few young'ens"
Frodo smiled and invited Ted and Fatty up on the cart. "Take a look, my friends" he smiled as Ted and Fatty peered into the back of the cart.
"Well I'll be!" Fatty smiled, looking at Nina, who was sat cradling a baby . . . four other children lay fast asleep next to her. "I say Frodo, you've done it lad!" he slapped Frodo's back with a chuckle. "And I see yet another is on the way!"
Frodo laughed as he urged the pony to ride forward again. "And that is not all . . . Pippin Took and my cousin Holly Brandybuck are wed also"
This emitted gasps from Fatty and Ted.
"Peregrin Took 'an Holly Brandybuck?!" Ted could not believe his ears.
"And have a son . . ."
"This is turnin' out to be quite an adventure for ya!" Ted shook his head as he chuckled. "I say we celebrate ya comin' back Frodo!"
"A party?" Frodo gasped.
"I'll bet ya young ones would love a jolly ol' hobbit party. We may not be graceful elves but we like ta party!"
"Of course, of course!" Frodo gasped again, too overwhelmed. "However I do have a small problem . . ."
"Ah . . . the Roper's, we understand, that we do" Ted huffed.
"Well, of course the Roper's" Frodo started. "But my eldest daughter had an accident on our way down here . . . attacked by a boar. Her ankle seems sprained of fractured and I want to get her to Dr Proudfoot as soon as possible. Tell me, are the Proudfoot's still here?"
"That they are Frodo" Fatty answered. "You just get ya self to Bag End to the Gamgee's. Ted and I shall get Dr Proudfoot and send him over!"
"Oh thank you, thank you both" Frodo said as they both jumped off the cart.
Fatty and Ted made their way down the opposite side of the road, running as fast as their hobbit-feet could take them.
Frodo smiled as the gasps and whispers became louder as he passed through the village, finally making the way up to Bagshot Row. He winced when he caught sight of the Roper's home - the curtains shut tight and hardly any light escaping through the window.
//
"Did you hear that me dear?" Lilla Roper asked, as she set a cup of tea down in front of her husband.
"Hear what?" he muttered.
"I heard a cart of some sort pull up. Do you suppose we have visitors?"
"Visitors? Bah!" Meruda Roper called. "We'll be havin' none of them round here! Tongue wagglers!"
"Perhaps they have gone to Bag End to see Sam and Rosie? I heard mrs Gamgee was soon to have her second child"
"Where did you hear that?"
"In the market"
"So . . . those gossipers have other things to talk about besides us!" Meruda grumbled.
"Dear, I do not think they have been gossiping about us as you say they have. When I go out for groceries, they are incredibly kind and polite . . . I do think we should make our peace with the Hobbiton folk"
"Bah!" Meruda grumbled. Lilla looked to her husband, wanting the ground to swallow her whole. Ever since her children had upped and left, Meruda had done nothing but lock himself away from the world . . . banishing himself from the idle gossip he thought was going on. "Oh go on woman! Look and see! But i tell you! it'll be nothing but trouble if it's outside Bag End!"
Without further hesitation, Lilla walked to the window and opened the curtain slightly. Her face froze in place and her mouth dropped open.
"Well?! What is it?" Meruda asked aloud.
"It's . . ." Lilla could not control her emotions. "Nina . . ."
"Nina?!" Meruda got up quickly, spilling his tea on the floor as he did so and walked to the window. It was whom his wife said. They both looked as Sam and Rose Gamgee ran out of Bag End laughing and greeting Frodo Baggins who jumped off the cart happily. Next, they saw Frodo jump into the back of the cart, and minutes later, their daughter with a very swollen stomach walked out of it, tears streaming down her face in happiness as she embraced Sam and Rose. In her arms, was a tiny baby . . . which shocked Meruda and Lilla.
"She . . . she has a child?" Lilla gasped. Meruda said nothing as two identical children, a boy and a girl rushed out of the cart, then out came Frodo, carrying a young child and an older hobbit child, whom Lilla recognised as Lömadia, Nina's first born.
"My goodness" she breathed. "Look . . . how Lömadia has grown . . . and oh my . . . the other children . . . we have five grandchildren . . ."
"Baggins" Meruda hissed. "They're all Bagginses"
Lilla was about to reply, when Nina's gaze went directly to the window and caught her parents staring. Meruda quickly pulled Lilla back and closed the curtains again.
//
"Well I'll be Mr Frodo!" Sam exclaimed. "A boy?! And you named him Samwise?!" tears sprung up in the Gardeners eyes. "My goodness!"
Nina handed him the baby. "Frodo and I have a reckoning he'll turn out just like you" she smiled.
Rose smiled and put an arm around her husband's waist as he cooed and hugged the child who was named after him.
"We will not be intruding Samwise" Frodo said. "I have every means to take my family to our new home, but I must ask if we can come in and lay my Lömadia down . . . we had an accident on our journey"
"Oh dear!" Rose exclaimed, noticing Lömadia's ankle. "That looks nasty! Of course, bring her in!" Rose hurried them all into the house as Frodo laid Lömadia down on the couch.
"Ted Sandyman and Fatty Bolger are bringing Dr Proudfoot here to check on her" Frodo explained. "I hope he'll be here any minute"
"I'm sure he will Mr Frodo" Sam said, helping Nina to a seat and handing back baby Samwise.
Rose hurried off to the kitchen to get them all food and drinks.
Not long later, Dr Proudfoot entered Bag End, a medical bag in his left hand.
"Why Master Baggins! I thought my ears deceived me when Teddy told me you had returned!"
"No indeed, they have not" Frodo said. "We are here to stay"
"And where is the patient?"
"Right here doctor," Frodo showed him to Lömadia, as the doctor knelt beside her.
"There now, she's a pretty lass, what seems to be the trouble?"
"Her ankle" Nina said. "I think it is sprained"
"Oh, I see" Doctor Proudfoot noticed the tiny leg propped up on a pillow. "Let me take a look at it Little One" he gently touched the ankle, and Lömadia winced in pain. "There now, there now . . ." the doctor soothed as he took it fully and felt it.
"It hurts" Lömadia cried out.
"There, there darling" Frodo said, "Just let the doctor make it better for you"
"Certainly is not broken or fractured . . . but I have to say, it is sprained" the doctor concluded, letting go of the hobbit child's leg. He reached down in his bag and pulled out some bandages.
"Can you not do anything for the pain?" Nina asked.
"Give her daily does of Athelas, that should ease the pain. I shall just try and make this a little more comfortable for your daughter and then bandage this up. She will have difficulty walking soon after"
Frodo nodded as the doctor took Lömadia's foot again and began massaging around the ankle area and on her foot. She winced again in pain, but it seemed to dye down, the more the doctor massaged.
After Dr Proudfoot finished massaging, he gently bandaged up Lömadia's foot and ankle.
"There we go!" the doctor stroked Lömadia's golden curls. "All done"
"When will it get better?" she asked weakly.
"It'll get better, don't you worry Miss Baggins"
Lömadia quite liked the formal name.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice" Frodo said gratefully, shaking the doctor's hand.
"Think nothing of it! When Teddy and Fatty told me you and Miss Nina had returned with an injured child, I knew I had to come to see you! Good day to you all! I hope we see each other soon to catch up on memories past!" "Thank you again!" Nina called as he exited.
"Well," Rose said, smiling as she set down the drinks. "Let's toast to your happy and safe return . . . in some cases" she looked to Lömadia, cocking her eyebrows with a smile.
"Mama?" Daisy called.
"Yes, darling?"
"Who are the two people coming to the house?"
Nina frowned and walked to the window. Her heart stopped as she laid her eyes upon them . . .
They travelled a further two days before Merry spotted the first sighting of the East Farthing. Lömadia squirmed and wiggled, trying to get a slight glimpse, but Frodo made her sit down to rest her ankle.
"As soon as we get home, we shall take you to Dr Proudfoot" he said, placing a light kiss on Lömadia's cheek. "He shall make your foot better and then you can play"
Lömadia smiled slightly as Krystal, Daisy and Frodo crawled over to their father. Frodo gladly let them all sit with him as he told them all about Gandalf.
"Dear, I thought you were not going to tell anymore tales" Nina smiled with a hint of humour behind it . . . when it came to his children; Frodo completely forgot harsh rules he had made.
"Hush Mama!" Lömadia whispered. "I love the tales of Gandalf!"
Faramir had also joined the small group, leaving Pippin and Merry on the front of the cart to drive. Holly stood up and joined her brother and husband on the front.
Nina rocked a sleeping Samwise in her arms, listening also.
//
It wasn't much later that Merry called out that they were not far from Hobbiton, and Frodo sure wished he hadn't for his children all leapt up in excitement, trying to look at all the town folk.
Nina began to get restless . . . she would be home soon, and maybe even get a glimpse of her parents. She would have to make peace with them if she wanted her children to grow up happily and gracefully. Family arguments would have to become the past.
"Here, now, Meriadoc, Peregrin" Frodo said. "Let me drive now, you both deserve a rest and I have not done anything to help on this journey"
"But cousin, you have an ill daughter and a pregnant wife to care for" Pippin answered. "Besides, we're nearly home; I can see the Green Dragon not far into the distance!"
"We are approaching Brandyhall also" Merry added.
"I propose that as soon as we reach Brandyhall, you both, along with Faramir and Holly get back home. I shall drive from there to our new home" Frodo smiled, now beaming with excitement.
Pippin and Merry would not argue. It was true, they deserved well cooked food and comfy beds . . . they needed to sit by the fire and smoke some Old Toby's. Faramir would also have to get used to his surroundings.
"Alright cousin Frodo," Merry said as they turned the corner to Brandyhall. "I do hope the Hornblower's have kept their word and taken care of our home!"
They stopped the cart and helped Holly and Faramir out of it. Portia, Nissa, Friagrin and Sogrin announced that Pippin had offered them a home at Brandyhall for a while and they had accepted.
After unloading heavy bags from the carriage, the hobbits exchanged goodbyes and good lucks (for their confrontations with their parents of course)
Frodo got back onto the front of the cart and drove it through Hobbiton, smiling down at speechless hobbits.
"Master Baggins?! Is that you Sir?!" Ted Sandyman called up, running at the side of the cart.
"It is," Frodo smiled to his old neighbour. "How are you Sir?"
"We heard you ran off ta that magical place where the Elves were. What about Miss Roper? 'er parents ain't too keen on the matter and said ya weren't returnin'!"
"Mr and Mrs Roper still reside here in Hobbiton?" Frodo asked, louder so Nina could hear from the back.
"Aye, Sir, they do, they do." Frodo stopped the cart to listen to Ted. "They 'ardly come out ere in the market. They don't think they're proper after losin' all their children. They like to keep 'emselves locked up, they do. They bin callin' us gossipers an scoundrels, they have. Course, we ain't bin doin' no gossipin' at all Master Baggins, we dunno the 'ole story. All we know is that that scoundrel Broadbeam beated and hurted Miss Nina an that you an 'er loved each other and ran off"
"We did not run off, I assure you" Frodo said, as more hobbits circled the cart. "We went with a few friends to Rivendell to wed. We decided to stay there, that's all, to remain happy and have troubles to deal with"
"That Mr Gamgee told us, he did" Fatty Bolger said, overwhelmed to see his old friend Frodo Baggins again. "He told us you 'an Miss Nina got yourself a few young'ens"
Frodo smiled and invited Ted and Fatty up on the cart. "Take a look, my friends" he smiled as Ted and Fatty peered into the back of the cart.
"Well I'll be!" Fatty smiled, looking at Nina, who was sat cradling a baby . . . four other children lay fast asleep next to her. "I say Frodo, you've done it lad!" he slapped Frodo's back with a chuckle. "And I see yet another is on the way!"
Frodo laughed as he urged the pony to ride forward again. "And that is not all . . . Pippin Took and my cousin Holly Brandybuck are wed also"
This emitted gasps from Fatty and Ted.
"Peregrin Took 'an Holly Brandybuck?!" Ted could not believe his ears.
"And have a son . . ."
"This is turnin' out to be quite an adventure for ya!" Ted shook his head as he chuckled. "I say we celebrate ya comin' back Frodo!"
"A party?" Frodo gasped.
"I'll bet ya young ones would love a jolly ol' hobbit party. We may not be graceful elves but we like ta party!"
"Of course, of course!" Frodo gasped again, too overwhelmed. "However I do have a small problem . . ."
"Ah . . . the Roper's, we understand, that we do" Ted huffed.
"Well, of course the Roper's" Frodo started. "But my eldest daughter had an accident on our way down here . . . attacked by a boar. Her ankle seems sprained of fractured and I want to get her to Dr Proudfoot as soon as possible. Tell me, are the Proudfoot's still here?"
"That they are Frodo" Fatty answered. "You just get ya self to Bag End to the Gamgee's. Ted and I shall get Dr Proudfoot and send him over!"
"Oh thank you, thank you both" Frodo said as they both jumped off the cart.
Fatty and Ted made their way down the opposite side of the road, running as fast as their hobbit-feet could take them.
Frodo smiled as the gasps and whispers became louder as he passed through the village, finally making the way up to Bagshot Row. He winced when he caught sight of the Roper's home - the curtains shut tight and hardly any light escaping through the window.
//
"Did you hear that me dear?" Lilla Roper asked, as she set a cup of tea down in front of her husband.
"Hear what?" he muttered.
"I heard a cart of some sort pull up. Do you suppose we have visitors?"
"Visitors? Bah!" Meruda Roper called. "We'll be havin' none of them round here! Tongue wagglers!"
"Perhaps they have gone to Bag End to see Sam and Rosie? I heard mrs Gamgee was soon to have her second child"
"Where did you hear that?"
"In the market"
"So . . . those gossipers have other things to talk about besides us!" Meruda grumbled.
"Dear, I do not think they have been gossiping about us as you say they have. When I go out for groceries, they are incredibly kind and polite . . . I do think we should make our peace with the Hobbiton folk"
"Bah!" Meruda grumbled. Lilla looked to her husband, wanting the ground to swallow her whole. Ever since her children had upped and left, Meruda had done nothing but lock himself away from the world . . . banishing himself from the idle gossip he thought was going on. "Oh go on woman! Look and see! But i tell you! it'll be nothing but trouble if it's outside Bag End!"
Without further hesitation, Lilla walked to the window and opened the curtain slightly. Her face froze in place and her mouth dropped open.
"Well?! What is it?" Meruda asked aloud.
"It's . . ." Lilla could not control her emotions. "Nina . . ."
"Nina?!" Meruda got up quickly, spilling his tea on the floor as he did so and walked to the window. It was whom his wife said. They both looked as Sam and Rose Gamgee ran out of Bag End laughing and greeting Frodo Baggins who jumped off the cart happily. Next, they saw Frodo jump into the back of the cart, and minutes later, their daughter with a very swollen stomach walked out of it, tears streaming down her face in happiness as she embraced Sam and Rose. In her arms, was a tiny baby . . . which shocked Meruda and Lilla.
"She . . . she has a child?" Lilla gasped. Meruda said nothing as two identical children, a boy and a girl rushed out of the cart, then out came Frodo, carrying a young child and an older hobbit child, whom Lilla recognised as Lömadia, Nina's first born.
"My goodness" she breathed. "Look . . . how Lömadia has grown . . . and oh my . . . the other children . . . we have five grandchildren . . ."
"Baggins" Meruda hissed. "They're all Bagginses"
Lilla was about to reply, when Nina's gaze went directly to the window and caught her parents staring. Meruda quickly pulled Lilla back and closed the curtains again.
//
"Well I'll be Mr Frodo!" Sam exclaimed. "A boy?! And you named him Samwise?!" tears sprung up in the Gardeners eyes. "My goodness!"
Nina handed him the baby. "Frodo and I have a reckoning he'll turn out just like you" she smiled.
Rose smiled and put an arm around her husband's waist as he cooed and hugged the child who was named after him.
"We will not be intruding Samwise" Frodo said. "I have every means to take my family to our new home, but I must ask if we can come in and lay my Lömadia down . . . we had an accident on our journey"
"Oh dear!" Rose exclaimed, noticing Lömadia's ankle. "That looks nasty! Of course, bring her in!" Rose hurried them all into the house as Frodo laid Lömadia down on the couch.
"Ted Sandyman and Fatty Bolger are bringing Dr Proudfoot here to check on her" Frodo explained. "I hope he'll be here any minute"
"I'm sure he will Mr Frodo" Sam said, helping Nina to a seat and handing back baby Samwise.
Rose hurried off to the kitchen to get them all food and drinks.
Not long later, Dr Proudfoot entered Bag End, a medical bag in his left hand.
"Why Master Baggins! I thought my ears deceived me when Teddy told me you had returned!"
"No indeed, they have not" Frodo said. "We are here to stay"
"And where is the patient?"
"Right here doctor," Frodo showed him to Lömadia, as the doctor knelt beside her.
"There now, she's a pretty lass, what seems to be the trouble?"
"Her ankle" Nina said. "I think it is sprained"
"Oh, I see" Doctor Proudfoot noticed the tiny leg propped up on a pillow. "Let me take a look at it Little One" he gently touched the ankle, and Lömadia winced in pain. "There now, there now . . ." the doctor soothed as he took it fully and felt it.
"It hurts" Lömadia cried out.
"There, there darling" Frodo said, "Just let the doctor make it better for you"
"Certainly is not broken or fractured . . . but I have to say, it is sprained" the doctor concluded, letting go of the hobbit child's leg. He reached down in his bag and pulled out some bandages.
"Can you not do anything for the pain?" Nina asked.
"Give her daily does of Athelas, that should ease the pain. I shall just try and make this a little more comfortable for your daughter and then bandage this up. She will have difficulty walking soon after"
Frodo nodded as the doctor took Lömadia's foot again and began massaging around the ankle area and on her foot. She winced again in pain, but it seemed to dye down, the more the doctor massaged.
After Dr Proudfoot finished massaging, he gently bandaged up Lömadia's foot and ankle.
"There we go!" the doctor stroked Lömadia's golden curls. "All done"
"When will it get better?" she asked weakly.
"It'll get better, don't you worry Miss Baggins"
Lömadia quite liked the formal name.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice" Frodo said gratefully, shaking the doctor's hand.
"Think nothing of it! When Teddy and Fatty told me you and Miss Nina had returned with an injured child, I knew I had to come to see you! Good day to you all! I hope we see each other soon to catch up on memories past!" "Thank you again!" Nina called as he exited.
"Well," Rose said, smiling as she set down the drinks. "Let's toast to your happy and safe return . . . in some cases" she looked to Lömadia, cocking her eyebrows with a smile.
"Mama?" Daisy called.
"Yes, darling?"
"Who are the two people coming to the house?"
Nina frowned and walked to the window. Her heart stopped as she laid her eyes upon them . . .