Chapter 3: An Unwelcome Stranger
Diamond thought hard about her father's deal over the next few weeks. She did not want to choose someone to marry unless she was truly in love, but she also did not want to be stuck with someone who was angry and old.
Merry and Pippin had asked what her father had wanted, but she was reluctant to tell them about her father. It embarrassed her in a way, for she wanted to appear free and rebellious to her new friends.
This day in particular she was showing off more than usual, for Pippin had claimed that Diamond was too afraid to steal from one of the carts in the market, and so naturally Diamond was eager to prove him wrong. She walked casually up to one of the fruit sellers, and proceeded to look over the goods, as if deciding on which ones were the ripest. Then, when the seller turned to help another customer, Diamond grabbed three ripe apples and hid them casually in the pocket of her dress.
She was walking back over to where Merry and Pippin sat laughing hysterically by the road when a Hobbit walked up and took her by the arm, leading her in the other direction. Diamond looked back at Merry and Pippin, pleading with her eyes for them to help her. They stopped laughing and casually followed Diamond and the man who held her arm.
"You are a beautiful young Hobbit-lass, and I would hate to have to turn you in for stealing," said the Hobbit.
"I do not know what you are talking about," replied Diamond calmly.
"Indeed, then how might you explain these?" asked the Hobbit, as he reached into her pocket and removed the three apples.
"I was simply borrowing them," replied Diamond snatching one back from him, and taking a large bite out of it. "I meant to return this, but I seem to have found a better use for it," she added, laughing quietly to herself at the phrase Pippin used so often.
"I am sure," replied the Hobbit.
"So are you going to turn me in?" asked Diamond, growing slightly annoyed.
"Well, you have spirit. Not many Hobbit-lasses would talk to me in such a manner."
"Why should I respect you?" asked Diamond.
"Perhaps because I am one of the wealthiest men in the Shire, and your fate rests in my hands. The Sheriff would not dare question my accusations," he replied, as if Diamond should have already known this.
"Wealth does not impress me, sir. It may surprise you to learn that I am quite well off myself, as are my friends, and I knew when I borrowed these apples that I ran the risk of getting caught. I am not afraid to face the consequences of my actions. Getting caught is simply another part of the adventure."
"I shall not turn you in but I do wonder, If you are wealthy, then why do you steal? That does not make sense," replied the Hobbit.
"Thank you for keeping my secret, but I must be going," replied Diamond. "My friends are waiting for me. Good day, sir." She turned to walk away when the Hobbit called out, "Horro Boffin."
"Pardon me?" said Diamond, turning to face him once again.
"That is my name," he replied.
"What makes you think I wished to know your name, sir?" replied Diamond.
"I would remember my name if I were you, for your father may consider me more than just a worthy candidate for your hand if the time came. Do you not agree?" Horro said with a smirk.
Diamond, who had been paying little attention to Horro, suddenly looked up, anger openly portrayed on her face. After a moment, Diamond pulled herself together and pondered what to say to this man.
"That is not your business, and I suggest that you pursue the subject no further," was all that she could think to say. Pippin, who was following at a close distance, thought he saw a tear behind her eye. A sudden rage filled him, but he did not reveal his position. "I will wait and see how this plays out," he thought to himself.
Diamond was about to leave, when suddenly she stopped once more and asked, "How did you come by this knowledge, Mr. Boffin?"
"I am the son of a close business partner of your father. If you do not choose a worthy suitor within a year, it is more than likely that we shall be wed. I doubt your father would agree to your marrying one of your friends. They may be wealthy, but they are not respectable."
"I fear you speak of something you know not about. I shall remember your name, if it pleases you, but I shall remember it with distaste. Good day," said Diamond again. Pippin could see that she was quite disturbed, and he decided to put Horro Boffin in his place.
"Pleasure meeting you," said Horro charmingly.
Diamond tossed her auburn curls over her shoulder, and turned to find Merry and Pippin. She had not gone far when Merry walked up beside her. "What was that about?" he asked.
"I am not sure. He was rather conceited, and most annoying. Where is Pippin?" said Diamond suddenly noticing his absence.
Merry looked back, and saw that Pippin was indeed gone. "I have no idea," said Merry.
"Come on, we might as well find him before he is caught for stealing," replied Diamond jokingly.
They walked back to market, looking for Pippin. Suddenly Diamond said, "There he is. Why is he talking to Horro?"
"Horro?" asked Merry.
"The Hobbit who was talking to me earlier," replied Diamond. "Wait here Merry, I will handle this."
Diamond walked over to where Pippin was having quite a heated argument with Horro. They were attracting quite a crowd, and Diamond had to push her way through.
"You realize your wealth means nothing. We are all wealthy, but we choose not to let it turn us into cold, heartless Hobbits such as you. I believe you," shouted Pippin.
"Hello again, Diamond. Your friend here seems to think I acted wrongly by talking to you. The sneaky little pest was eavesdropping on us. He does not seem to know of your father's arrangement, Diamond of Long Cleeve. I should think you would not keep such a thing from a friend. As for the matter of us talking, I ask you, Can a Hobbit no longer talk to a beautiful girl when he wishes?" said Horro calmly, turning his attention to Diamond.
Diamond saw straight through his cool defense. It was people like this that sickened her, and made her despise her sister's love for suitors even more. "I shall have to remember to introduce Maggie to this Hobbit. He is quite her type," thought Diamond to herself.
Horro made to take Diamond's arm again, and lead her out of the circle of nosy onlookers, but Diamond stepped back out of his reach. Diamond turned to Pippin, and proceeded to give him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"This is a real friend, someone who defends you against people such as yourself. If you ever wish to have a chance winning me over, then I suggest you talk to Pippin, or Merry. They may be able to teach you something useful. Now, we really must be going. Good day."
"Good day," said Horro, scowling.
Diamond and Pippin then walked out of the crowd, and to where Merry was waiting. The three of them walked away down the road, leaving Horro to the crowds.
They walked a ways down the road, until the mass of Hobbiton was out of sight. Then they sat, and rested for a little while, eating some, but mostly talking. "Diamond, what was that horrible Hobbit talking about when he said your father had an arrangement?" asked Pippin curiously.
"I had hoped not to speak of it, but I fear I must now. After you defended me back there, the least I can offer in return is an explanation. My father is a wealthy businessman, whom I rarely saw growing up. Back when we returned late that day from Farmer Maggot's, he was waiting with a proposition for my sisters and I. He wanted to arrange our marriages. None of us being of age, we had no choice but to agree, however I did not wish to marry someone heartless such as Horro Boffin. My father agreed to allow me one years time to find a suitor, if I do not find someone within that time my father shall force me to marry."
"That is terrible. I have always despised the whole process of groveling for the affection of one, only to be rejected time and time again," said Merry. "I do not see how some Hobbits move from one lass to the next until their proposal is finally accepted. It is a miserable way to live."
"I agree, but how did Horro Boffin know of your father's arrangement?" asked Pippin.
"Apparently, he is the son of one of my father's business partners. He is a likely candidate for my hand, if I do not choose a husband."
"The arrangement is not so bad," replied Pippin, trying to lighten her mood. "You have a year to choose someone to your liking."
"It cannot be just anyone, however," said Diamond, sorrowfully. "My father must approve of the Hobbit I choose. It is not only wealth he looks for, but honor and respect as well. He shall turn down any I would choose, and I shall be forced to marry despite the arrangement. My father is a crafty man. He never makes a deal that he cannot control, but come. Let us speak of this matter no more, for it darkens my heart. We must reach The Ivy Bush inn before nightfall, if we intend to stay there the night."
The three stood up, and began to gather their things once more. As they left the quiet spot for the safety of the Inn, Pippin vowed to himself that he would not allow Diamond to marry Horro Boffin. "I will go to Diamond's father, and try and make him release her from the arrangement. It seems he is won over by two things: wealth and respect. I have considerable wealth, but I must make myself respectable," Pippin thought to himself. "Somehow."
Diamond thought hard about her father's deal over the next few weeks. She did not want to choose someone to marry unless she was truly in love, but she also did not want to be stuck with someone who was angry and old.
Merry and Pippin had asked what her father had wanted, but she was reluctant to tell them about her father. It embarrassed her in a way, for she wanted to appear free and rebellious to her new friends.
This day in particular she was showing off more than usual, for Pippin had claimed that Diamond was too afraid to steal from one of the carts in the market, and so naturally Diamond was eager to prove him wrong. She walked casually up to one of the fruit sellers, and proceeded to look over the goods, as if deciding on which ones were the ripest. Then, when the seller turned to help another customer, Diamond grabbed three ripe apples and hid them casually in the pocket of her dress.
She was walking back over to where Merry and Pippin sat laughing hysterically by the road when a Hobbit walked up and took her by the arm, leading her in the other direction. Diamond looked back at Merry and Pippin, pleading with her eyes for them to help her. They stopped laughing and casually followed Diamond and the man who held her arm.
"You are a beautiful young Hobbit-lass, and I would hate to have to turn you in for stealing," said the Hobbit.
"I do not know what you are talking about," replied Diamond calmly.
"Indeed, then how might you explain these?" asked the Hobbit, as he reached into her pocket and removed the three apples.
"I was simply borrowing them," replied Diamond snatching one back from him, and taking a large bite out of it. "I meant to return this, but I seem to have found a better use for it," she added, laughing quietly to herself at the phrase Pippin used so often.
"I am sure," replied the Hobbit.
"So are you going to turn me in?" asked Diamond, growing slightly annoyed.
"Well, you have spirit. Not many Hobbit-lasses would talk to me in such a manner."
"Why should I respect you?" asked Diamond.
"Perhaps because I am one of the wealthiest men in the Shire, and your fate rests in my hands. The Sheriff would not dare question my accusations," he replied, as if Diamond should have already known this.
"Wealth does not impress me, sir. It may surprise you to learn that I am quite well off myself, as are my friends, and I knew when I borrowed these apples that I ran the risk of getting caught. I am not afraid to face the consequences of my actions. Getting caught is simply another part of the adventure."
"I shall not turn you in but I do wonder, If you are wealthy, then why do you steal? That does not make sense," replied the Hobbit.
"Thank you for keeping my secret, but I must be going," replied Diamond. "My friends are waiting for me. Good day, sir." She turned to walk away when the Hobbit called out, "Horro Boffin."
"Pardon me?" said Diamond, turning to face him once again.
"That is my name," he replied.
"What makes you think I wished to know your name, sir?" replied Diamond.
"I would remember my name if I were you, for your father may consider me more than just a worthy candidate for your hand if the time came. Do you not agree?" Horro said with a smirk.
Diamond, who had been paying little attention to Horro, suddenly looked up, anger openly portrayed on her face. After a moment, Diamond pulled herself together and pondered what to say to this man.
"That is not your business, and I suggest that you pursue the subject no further," was all that she could think to say. Pippin, who was following at a close distance, thought he saw a tear behind her eye. A sudden rage filled him, but he did not reveal his position. "I will wait and see how this plays out," he thought to himself.
Diamond was about to leave, when suddenly she stopped once more and asked, "How did you come by this knowledge, Mr. Boffin?"
"I am the son of a close business partner of your father. If you do not choose a worthy suitor within a year, it is more than likely that we shall be wed. I doubt your father would agree to your marrying one of your friends. They may be wealthy, but they are not respectable."
"I fear you speak of something you know not about. I shall remember your name, if it pleases you, but I shall remember it with distaste. Good day," said Diamond again. Pippin could see that she was quite disturbed, and he decided to put Horro Boffin in his place.
"Pleasure meeting you," said Horro charmingly.
Diamond tossed her auburn curls over her shoulder, and turned to find Merry and Pippin. She had not gone far when Merry walked up beside her. "What was that about?" he asked.
"I am not sure. He was rather conceited, and most annoying. Where is Pippin?" said Diamond suddenly noticing his absence.
Merry looked back, and saw that Pippin was indeed gone. "I have no idea," said Merry.
"Come on, we might as well find him before he is caught for stealing," replied Diamond jokingly.
They walked back to market, looking for Pippin. Suddenly Diamond said, "There he is. Why is he talking to Horro?"
"Horro?" asked Merry.
"The Hobbit who was talking to me earlier," replied Diamond. "Wait here Merry, I will handle this."
Diamond walked over to where Pippin was having quite a heated argument with Horro. They were attracting quite a crowd, and Diamond had to push her way through.
"You realize your wealth means nothing. We are all wealthy, but we choose not to let it turn us into cold, heartless Hobbits such as you. I believe you," shouted Pippin.
"Hello again, Diamond. Your friend here seems to think I acted wrongly by talking to you. The sneaky little pest was eavesdropping on us. He does not seem to know of your father's arrangement, Diamond of Long Cleeve. I should think you would not keep such a thing from a friend. As for the matter of us talking, I ask you, Can a Hobbit no longer talk to a beautiful girl when he wishes?" said Horro calmly, turning his attention to Diamond.
Diamond saw straight through his cool defense. It was people like this that sickened her, and made her despise her sister's love for suitors even more. "I shall have to remember to introduce Maggie to this Hobbit. He is quite her type," thought Diamond to herself.
Horro made to take Diamond's arm again, and lead her out of the circle of nosy onlookers, but Diamond stepped back out of his reach. Diamond turned to Pippin, and proceeded to give him a soft kiss on the cheek.
"This is a real friend, someone who defends you against people such as yourself. If you ever wish to have a chance winning me over, then I suggest you talk to Pippin, or Merry. They may be able to teach you something useful. Now, we really must be going. Good day."
"Good day," said Horro, scowling.
Diamond and Pippin then walked out of the crowd, and to where Merry was waiting. The three of them walked away down the road, leaving Horro to the crowds.
They walked a ways down the road, until the mass of Hobbiton was out of sight. Then they sat, and rested for a little while, eating some, but mostly talking. "Diamond, what was that horrible Hobbit talking about when he said your father had an arrangement?" asked Pippin curiously.
"I had hoped not to speak of it, but I fear I must now. After you defended me back there, the least I can offer in return is an explanation. My father is a wealthy businessman, whom I rarely saw growing up. Back when we returned late that day from Farmer Maggot's, he was waiting with a proposition for my sisters and I. He wanted to arrange our marriages. None of us being of age, we had no choice but to agree, however I did not wish to marry someone heartless such as Horro Boffin. My father agreed to allow me one years time to find a suitor, if I do not find someone within that time my father shall force me to marry."
"That is terrible. I have always despised the whole process of groveling for the affection of one, only to be rejected time and time again," said Merry. "I do not see how some Hobbits move from one lass to the next until their proposal is finally accepted. It is a miserable way to live."
"I agree, but how did Horro Boffin know of your father's arrangement?" asked Pippin.
"Apparently, he is the son of one of my father's business partners. He is a likely candidate for my hand, if I do not choose a husband."
"The arrangement is not so bad," replied Pippin, trying to lighten her mood. "You have a year to choose someone to your liking."
"It cannot be just anyone, however," said Diamond, sorrowfully. "My father must approve of the Hobbit I choose. It is not only wealth he looks for, but honor and respect as well. He shall turn down any I would choose, and I shall be forced to marry despite the arrangement. My father is a crafty man. He never makes a deal that he cannot control, but come. Let us speak of this matter no more, for it darkens my heart. We must reach The Ivy Bush inn before nightfall, if we intend to stay there the night."
The three stood up, and began to gather their things once more. As they left the quiet spot for the safety of the Inn, Pippin vowed to himself that he would not allow Diamond to marry Horro Boffin. "I will go to Diamond's father, and try and make him release her from the arrangement. It seems he is won over by two things: wealth and respect. I have considerable wealth, but I must make myself respectable," Pippin thought to himself. "Somehow."