Late the next day, the weary travelers bound for Bag End finally arrived. They were pleased to see that their good friend Folco Boffin was already there to help them move. They all unloaded the cart and brought the empty boxes and crates inside so that they could fill them. It would take most of the next day to finish the packing, and once it was finished Frodo would officially leave his beloved Bag End for Crickhollow.
The group talked merrily, especially the four younger Hobbits, and soon Pippin's spirits were high and his sadness forgotten. Everything was going fine, until Folco Boffin brought up an unfortunately painful subject.
"Have you heard of my brother's engagement to Diamond of Long Cleeve?" he asked cheerfully. "I, for one, can't believe that he managed to court her, especially after that night in the Ivy Bush."
Merry looked instinctively at Pippin, who was trying his hardest not to break down in tears again. Frodo looked up suddenly, realizing what Folco had just said.
"I had not heard," Frodo began cautiously. "When did this occur?"
"Just two nights ago on the edge of Farmer Maggot's fields. My brother did not tell me the details, only that Diamond was horribly upset when he found her and that he comforted her and asked her hand, which she happily accepted," said Folco, not noticing the uneasy silence that had settled over the room.
"That is not what happened!" said Pippin suddenly, unable to contain his anger any longer.
"And how would you know, it is not like you were there," said Folco, laughing.
"What if I was there? Your brother did not comfort her in the least, Folco! He brought her more terrible news, which was completely deceptive and false, and the tricked her into courting him," Pippin replied, taking leave to the kitchen.
"What was that about?" asked Folco.
"He spoke the truth, Folco," said Merry. "Your brother took a copy of the agreement that Pippin and Frodo made securing Diamond's freedom and altered it so that it looked like they bought her instead. He showed the false agreement to Diamond, who was already distraught about -- other matters -- and she was driven into a reckless rage. Pippin had gone to try and comfort her, but when he found her she condemned him for buying her and told him that she never wished to speak to him again. Soon after she accepted the proposal from your brother, but I do not doubt that it was out of rage, and not love at all."
"Why did Diamond believe Horro over Pippin?" asked Frodo.
"Because the agreement that Horro showed her was signed in what appears to be Pippin's and your own hands. Even I had to admit that the signatures were completely accurate," replied Merry.
"That makes sense," said Folco, anger creeping into his voice. "My brother is an expert at Penmanship. Forging a signature would be something he could accomplish quite easily. I cannot believe that he would sink so low!"
"Does Diamond know that the agreement was false?" asked Frodo, fearing the answer was no.
"Nay, but she has gone to find out. Diamond, Estella, and Chrysie Burrows should have left yesterday for Overhill to find Diamond's father and discover the truth," replied Merry.
"Does Pippin know that she has gone to find her father?" asked Folco.
"Nay, she told me not to tell him, lest she discovered that they agreement was accurate."
"I can tell you now that it is inaccurate!" cried Frodo. "I signed an agreement with Aradin saying that Diamond was free to choose whom she will, not that she was bound to us."
"Diamond said that she would meet us at Crickhollow since we would all be there to help you unpack for sometime. If, for some reason, her father does not tell her the truth you may tell her then Frodo," said Merry.
"Yes, indeed I shall!" said Frodo. "I shall also give Horro Boffin a piece of my mind and turn him over to the authorities for forgery when I see him again!"
On September 20th two covered carts went off laden to Buckland, conveying the furniture and goods that Frodo had not sold to his new home, by way of the Brandywine Bridge. The next day Frodo became really anxious and kept a constant lookout for Gandalf. In the evening Frodo gave his farewell feast: it was quite small, just a dinner for himself and his four helpers; but he was troubled and felt in no mood for it. The thought that he would so soon have to part with his young friends weighed on his heart. He wondered how he would break it to him. After dinner they went outside for a sniff of air, and a glimpse at the stars, and then they went to bed. Frodo's party was over, and Gandalf had not come. (Tolkien 66-67)
The next morning they were busy packing another cart with the remainder of the luggage. Merry took charge of this, and drove off with Fatty. "Someone must get there and warm the house before you arrive," said Merry. "Well, see you later - the day after tomorrow if you don't go to sleep on the way!" (Tolkien 67)
Folco went home after lunch, but Pippin remained. Frodo was restless and anxious, listening in vain for a sound of Gandalf. He decided to wait until nightfall to leave. (Tolkien 67)
(A/N: Sorry about the book cannon, I had to use it because there was no way to easily sum up this part, and it was essential to the timeline of the story. That's why I have the citations stating that its Tolkien's writing, not mine.)
On the day that Frodo and Pippin waited for Gandalf before leaving, Diamond, Estella, and Chrysie reached Overhill at last. They made it there by midday since they had stopped to eat one last time on the road. Diamond knew that her father owned a shop just on the edges of the town, and he would be there until his nightly visit to the pub.
They left their cart by the road just before the entrance to Overhill. When they had fed the ponies and tied them to a nearby tree, the three took to their feet and walked the rest of the way into town. It was a beautiful fall day, and they sun shone brightly down on the small town.
They found Diamond's father's shop rather quickly, and went inside. There was Hobbit at the counter handling all of the sales. "May I help you?" he asked as they walked in.
"Yes, we are looking for Aradin of Long Cleeve. He owns this shop, does he not?" asked Diamond impatiently. She had come this far and was anxious to know the truth at last.
"He is in the back, miss, working. He will not like to be disturbed. Maybe if you came back another time when he was free?" suggested the Hobbit.
"No!" cried Diamond. "I must speak with him at once. It is urgent, and it cannot wait! I am his daughter, does that count for nothing?"
"Forgive me, I did not know that you were family. I will tell him at once, miss. Wait here."
The Hobbit disappeared into the back of the shop and came back shortly after with Aradin following after him. "Diamond!" cried Aradin, upon seeing her. "What an unexpected surprise. What brings you to Overhill?"
"Father, I need to know the truth," said Diamond. "Did you make an agreement with Frodo and Pippin?"
"I - well -- you were not to know. Please do not be upset, for they meant well. You must learn to accept things sometimes, my daughter," said Aradin. "How did you find out?"
Diamond's heart dropped. Her anger returned in strong amounts, and she found herself unable to control her emotions. "I found out when Horro Boffin showed me a copy of the agreement! I cannot believe that it is true, despite all that I had hoped! It seems that true love doesn't exist, at least not for me." Diamond stopped and took a second to regain herself. Then she asked, "Did they say why they bought me father?"
"Diamond, is it not obvious? They bought your freedom to choose a husband because they cared for you, and knew that you were unhappy. It was a valiant thing that they did. Both paid a good amount of money to override the amount that Shirno Boffin and his son were paying for your hand. Instead of being unhappy you should thank them for helping you," he said.
"They bought my freedom?" asked Diamond, very confused. "Nay, father, they bought my hand in marriage. Your memory must be beginning to fail you."
"I can show you the agreement myself Diamond. They bought your freedom," her father replied, turning to go and fetch the papers.
"There is no need, I have a copy here," said Diamond. She took it out of her pocket and handed it to her father. He read it, and a confused look rose to his face as well. "This is not the agreement that I signed, Diamond," said her father. "This is not the agreement that was made."
"What?" cried Diamond.
"It must be," cried Estella, speaking for the first time. "The signatures are all there, look."
"I shall get you the original copy of the agreement. Shirno made a copy for himself, and that I assume is what you have here, but that is not the agreement that was made," said Aradin, retreating to the back room to fetch the original copy.
When he returned, he handed the rolled piece of parchment to Diamond.
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.
Diamond gasped aloud when she finished reading the true agreement. "They bought my freedom?" she asked aloud, astonished. "Not my hand in marriage."
"Yes, dear. That is what I have been trying to tell you," replied Aradin.
"I have made a terrible mistake!" cried Diamond to her friends. "We must get back to Crickhollow and right this wrong."
"What about Horro?" asked Chrysie. "What are you going to tell him?"
"I shall deal with Mr. Boffin when I get the chance, but first I must try and make Pippin forgive me for what I have done. I should have known. I should have trusted him!" Diamond cried, growing rather worried.
"He will understand Diamond," said Estella. "I know he will, and when we tell them all the good news we shall have two weddings plan!"
"Oh Estella, do you really think so?" Diamond asked, realizing for the first time that it was truly possible, and not just a hopeless dream.
"I know so, Diamond. You are in love, and love doesn't fail."
A/N: Thank you so much to all of my wonderful reviewers. I may not have chapter fifteen up quite as quickly as the others, as I have run into a few timeline difficulties, but I should have it completed hopefully by the end of this week.