Pippin watched from afar as Diamond and Frodo walked back up the path to Bag End. He had followed at a distance; never quite close enough to hear what was spoken, though he thought Frodo might have caught sight of him once.
He slowly followed them back to the house, careful not to walk too quickly. The sun had already begun to cast its last rays over the Shire as it ducked down behind the trees. Try as he might, Pippin could not think of a reasonable excuse for his sudden absence, and decided that, if asked, he would claim he had forgotten something in the woods.
He slowly pushed open the large green door and stepped inside. Merry and Diamond sat by the fire drinking tea, while Sam had taken to the gardening. Pippin did not notice that Frodo had walked up behind him, and gave quite a start when Frodo tapped him on the shoulder and motioned silently for them to step out of the house.
When they had walked down near the lane, well out of even Sam's earshot Frodo said laughingly, "I know why you followed us, but do not be troubled. I have no liking to come between you."
"I know not what you speak of. I had simply forgotten something in the woods before and had gone to retrieve it," Pippin lied, knowing full well his older cousin would see right through his excuse.
"Deny it if you like, but I may have a way to help you," Frodo said.
"Help? In what way?"
"You know of her father's agreement of course. I think I may know a way to convince her father into relieving her from it," he said watching a smile rise to Pippin's face.
"How? I was planning to try myself, but I do not think he would listen."
"He would listen if my own riches doubled the price he was getting from the other suitor. Diamond said her father worked in Overhill, if we make haste we can reach it tonight. The others shall not miss us, for it seems as if everyone is keeping to themselves recently, and besides I would like to visit the pub in Underhill one last time." Pippin stared at him queerly at this statement, but spoke naught of it for he was too caught up in Frodo's sudden willingness to help.
"You would give away some of your inherited fortunes to help a Hobbit you just met?" asked Pippin amazed.
"You would give anything for her would you not?" Frodo asked in reply.
"Of course, she is my friend. I do not wish to see her unhappy, nor married to Horro Boffin for that matter," he replied, his disgust openly shown at the mention of Horro's name.
"Horro Boffin? This is the suitor her father has chosen? A steep price we shall have to pay I fear."
"You know of him?" asked Pippin. "I have not known him long but in the short time I have he has given me reason to despise him."
"I am a friend of his brothers, as are you and Merry. You did know that Folco was his brother didn't you?"
"Yes, though I only just uncovered this. They are most unlike each other; I could hardly believe they were brothers," said Pippin.
"Indeed they are. As for my riches, I care not for them, and have been meaning to find a good place to use my inheritance. With the proper help fate can be undone, and destiny's paths altered. We may be just the help Diamond needs. Come let us tell the others we have an errand in town and be off. Do not tell our true destination for we do not wish to give false hopes ere we fail."
The two went inside Bag End and told the others they would be back before second breakfast of the next day. With that said they departed for Overhill.
The road grew quite cold once the sun's face was totally hidden from sight and the two cousins drew their cloaks tightly around them. After close to an hour of walking at a good pace they began to see lights in the distance. Shortly thereafter they came upon the village, and made for the pub, as anyone who would be out this late at night would most likely be found there.
Pippin looked around at the almost deserted streets of Underhill. The village was completely devoid of any livelihood, but laughter could be heard from Hobbits who were happily drinking their fill not too far away. They followed the laughter until at last they came upon the pub, and they slowly opened the doors, welcoming the warmth and light of the place. Frodo walked over to the bartender and quietly asked, "Do you know where I can find Aradin of Long Cleeve? I am told he is often here on business, and I wish a word with him."
"You are in luck, sir. He is here tonight I believe, ah yes I see him. Over there at that table in the corner," said the bartender, pointing to a table in the far corner of the room. A man sat there, very neatly dressed for a Hobbit. One could tell in a single glance that he was wealthy and influential. Frodo and Pippin slowly crossed through the crowded pub, which proved a rather difficult task.
They reached the table where Aradin sat conversing with several others, and the men looked up to face the newcomers. One man said, "Well it's Frodo Baggins, rightful heir to Bag End. How about a round for us all, out of the goodness of your heart and the depth of your pocket?"
That got a good laugh from the table, but Frodo ignored Shirno's comment "It is a pleasure seeing you again too Shirno. I have seen your son, Horro, around town recently. Is he to take over the family business?"
"Indeed, and a fine job he'll do too. Quite a catch he'll land for a wife as well, Aradin's lovely daughter." Pippin gave Shirno a cold stare, before tapping Frodo and whispering, "Perhaps we should talk to Diamond's father privately. It is easy to see where Horro got his personality."
Frodo nodded and said to Aradin, "Could we possibly speak to you alone. We have a business proposition we would like to discuss with you."
"Whatever it is you can say it in front of us all," said Shirno laughingly, but he was silenced by a hand from Aradin, who surprisingly stood and followed Frodo and Pippin outside the pub.
Once they were outside he said, "What is this deal you speak of?"
"It relates to what Shirno spoke of inside," Frodo started warily. "We wish to offer you a large amount of wealth."
"For my daughter's hand?"
"Nay, for her release from your binding agreement. We would wish that she be free to choose whom she will. True love cannot be forced, and happiness cannot be achieved without love. Do you want Diamond to be miserable for the rest of her life?" shouted Pippin.
"My daughter is still not yet of age, and she must answer to me. If I do this, what shall I tell her? That two men I do not know came and bargained for her freedom to choose a husband? This shall sound strange to her, as it sounds strange to me now. What are you willing to offer me?"
"Double what Shirno is paying you, if you sign an agreement allowing her freedom," said Frodo. "Shirno was right in hinting that I have not used my inheritance on anything yet. I shall gladly give it up here, along with some of Pippin's money."
"Double! That is quite an offer, do you know what Shirno has promised me?" asked Aradin.
"Nay, we do not know, however we are willing to pay it," said Pippin.
"How could I refuse such an offer? Shirno and his son have offered more than anyone else could manage to pay, and you offer me double this! Consider it done. Fetch the papers, and I shall sign them now, however I should like to tell Diamond myself. I shall be in town shortly, where can I find you?"
"We are staying at Bag End with Frodo, on Bagshot Row just outside of Hobbiton," said Pippin. "Diamond traveled there with my friend Meriadoc and I from Buckland."
"I shall come tomorrow then, for Hobbiton is a short distance. Can you keep this news to yourselves for a day?" Aradin asked.
"We shall keep to ourselves until you arrive," said Frodo happily, going inside to draw up the papers.
"Actually," said Pippin as soon as he had gone, "I was wondering if perhaps, you could tell her you changed your mind and not mention that we came?"
"Certainly, my boy. It would be an honor, though I am sure she would look on you both with a different light if she knew. Are you sure you wish to keep it quiet?"
"It is the chance that she would look upon us differently that makes me sure. If she knew it would most likely anger her, and she would assume we thought her too weak to handle it on her own," said Pippin, knowing full well from experience.
"That sounds like my Diamond," said Aradin, "though I rarely see her or her sisters anymore. Daisy is to be married in Wedmath, and Maggie has been promised to a suitor already as well. Tell me, do you know of whom my Diamond has taken a liking to? For I assume that you have come on his behalf as well."
Pippin was caught of guard, but fortunately Frodo walked back with the papers before he could answer and Aradin's attention was no longer on him. Frodo had drawn up a rather straightforward agreement, and before signing Aradin carefully looked over the document.
On this day, the 18th day of Afteryule, I do hereby agree to the release of Diamond of Long Cleeve from her former agreement. In compensation for the release I shall receive twice the price I had originally been offered. No other offer can be made for her marriage, hence breaking this agreement and forfeiting the wealth. Diamond shall be free to be courted by whomever she will without direct consent.
If this contract is breached, the amount received shall be paid back in full.
X
Aradin seemed satisfied that the contract was legitimate, and he signed his name at the bottom. Frodo and Pippin signed their names as well, thereby verifying the contract. Then Aradin turned to walk back inside the pub, but stopped to face the pair once more. "I shall be in touch," he said with a nod, before returning to his table.
Aradin was delighted that he would receive twice the wealth he had originally bargained for, but then he realized that he had the unfortunate task of informing Shirno. He returned to the table in the pub, and noticed that everyone sat silently expecting an explanation for what was going on.
Aradin decided he had to tell them of the agreement, and began slowly. "It seems the two had an interest in making a deal with me, perhaps the largest of my life."
"What did they want?" asked one man.
"They wanted my daughter," he said finally, realizing it could not stay hidden.
"What!" said Shirno angrily. "I hope you mean one of your elder daughters."
"Nay, they spoke of Diamond. Do you know what they offered me, Shirno? Double our price, double!" said Aradin, hoping Shirno would understand, being a man of business himself.
"Frodo Baggins wishes to court Diamond? He is more than twenty years her elder!" said Shirno, unable to contain his anger and disgust.
"Nay, my friend. Neither wished to court her, they wished for her to be free to choose her own husband. They bought her freedom."
"Her freedom? That is quite a waste of wealth indeed. Imagine, the wealth of Bag End spent on one lasses freedom to choose a husband. Who would have thought?" said Shirno, obviously admitting defeat.
"Shirno, all is not lost for your son. Horro may still win her yet; all he must do is win Diamond's affection on his own, without the aid of wealth and power. It can be a challenge for him, and one I am sure he will gladly take on," said Aradin, realizing he may yet win the wealth of Bag End and the suitor he desired for his daughter at the same time.
Shirno appeared thoughtful, as he had obviously not considered this option before. "Listen my friend. I shall go to Hobbiton tomorrow to inform Diamond of her release. Come with me, and tell Horro of what has gone on," added Aradin.
"Alas, as soon as you tell Diamond that Frodo Baggins and the other have freed her she shall wish to court one of them, the younger seems more likely. Horro shall have no chance of winning her over," said Shirno.
"Ah, but the younger has requested that Diamond not know they have come. He is correct in saying that if she knew that her freedom was bought, she would grow angry, thinking they did not deem her worthy enough to handle the problem on her own," Aradin replied, lifting Shirno's spirits greatly.
"If she were to find out her freedom was bought, she would scorn Frodo and the other?" asked Shirno, realizing the potential of this knowledge.
"I believe she would, as she does not like to be seen as the maiden in distress, rather the hero in charge of her own destiny," reflected Aradin.
"Aradin, for business's sake I would ask for a copy of the agreement written and signed in your own hand. Horro shall wish to see it. Since he will not take the news lightly, I should like to have some form of legitimate proof to show him," stated Shirno.
"That is a reasonable request," replied Aradin. "Fetch me a parchment and quill and I shall draw up a copy for you to have."
Shirno got up to fetch the parchment and quill, and on his way he passed a table where Frodo and Pippin sat conversing. He walked over to have a word with them.
"Congratulations on your deal with Aradin," Shirno started. "I am a business man myself and realize that if and when a better offer presents itself it wise to accept it. This said, I realize my son shall not take the news so well. Aradin has agreed to draw up another copy of the contract and sign it for my son to see. Would you sign as well?"
Frodo nodded, seeing no harm in this, and Shirno turned to Pippin. "I do believe we have been introduced. Shirno Boffin is my name, and who might you be?"
"I am Peregrin Took, son of Paladin. Should I sign as well, since I signed the original copy?" asked Pippin.
"Yes, it would be a good gesture to sign as well Pippin," said Frodo.
"I shall return when we need your signatures," said Shirno, walking off. He found the parchment and quill, and brought them back to Aradin. When Aradin had finished copying the contract and signed his own name, Shirno took the copy to Frodo and Pippin.
"You may sign at the bottom," he said, laying it down on their table.
Frodo and Pippin both read the copy, making sure it was the same as the original, then both signed their names at the bottom. Shirno walked off, unusually pleased with himself. He delicately rolled the contract into a scroll and tucked it into the inner pocket of his jacket.
"This shall win Diamond of Long Cleeve for my son, and with her shall come the inheritance of her father's newfound wealth," thought Shirno, as he withdrew to his residence in Overhill to celebrate his plan.