Chapter 3: Coming from where?
Bitty stared out her kitchen window anxiously waiting for Merry. Her parents had disappeared into the back garden. She didn't know how long they'd be gone. If they found her being accompanied to the Valentine party with a Brandybuck, they'd lock her in her room for good.
A figure strolled out from the shadows of the trees beside the straight-cut path leading to the Goodfellow hole. Bitty craned her neck to get a better look at the lad; it was Merry. She raced out the door as quietly as possible to meet him.
"Hullo Merry" she greeted.
Merry halted. "That was fast. You must of been watching for me."
"I was" she replied, uneasy. "I didn't want us to be late."
"There is no certain time for the party."
"Can we just go?" She looked at him with pleading eyes. A secret fear lay behind them that was obvious for her anxiousness. Merry nodded.
"Yes, let us be off."
Bitty sighed then smiled as he offered his arm. They walked into Hobbiton to Bilbo's tree where all parties had been since his 'disappearing act'. Along the way, Merry caught sight of Fatty Bolger and almost tumbled down with laughter. Fatty was trailing behind Azalea Hood carrying two large packages full of who-knows-what. You could tell they were heavy. Sweat was pouring off Fatty's brow. Merry thought ironically that could of been him then switched his gaze to the girl beside. *I think I received the better.*
The sunny sounds of the party flowed to their ears. The farther they climbed over the hill, the closer they got to it until finally they were there. Bitty's eyes widened. She had only been to a party in Hobbiton a couple times. Ever since she was old enough to be courted, hobbit lads had no desire for her. Even when someone did bring her to a party, they abandon her the rest of the night. The only one who did show any interest in her was Ted Sandyman, but not for positive reasons.
At the edge of the field, Merry stopped and turned to Bitty. "What would you like to do first?"
Bitty stood there, her mouth slightly agape not knowing what to say. She peered around. Many hobbits were already there dancing, eating, singing, eating, drinking, and also eating. It was too much to absorb, so, she picked the most popular thing. "Shall we eat?"
"I'm always up for eating" Merry answered with a grin. He spotted Pippin and Dahlia sitting by the open space for dancing. "You don't mind sitting with Pippin and Dahlia, do you?"
"Oh no, it's quite all right."
They made their way to the table. "Merry! You finally arrived!" Pippin said, taking a drink of his ale. Dahlia politely sat next to him wearing a content smile.
"I see you already attacked the food tent" Merry remarked, seeing the many plates scattered about the table.
"It's been very good so far, I might add" Dahlia informed.
Merry pulled out the chair for Bitty, but noticed she was about to sit in the next chair. "Bitty, you can sit here."
"That was for me?"
"Yes."
She blushed, and sat. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"It's perfectly fine. Now, I will go get you a plate."
Bitty reached out to stop him. "You don't have to do that. I can get my own plate."
"But I want to get it for you. You stay here. I'll be back soon." She watched as Merry shuffled off to the food tent.
"Do you care to dance, my darling Dahlia?"
"I'd love to." Dahlia took Pippin's hand, and they were off.
Bitty frowned at her frequent situation - alone. *At least Merry will be back soon.*
Meanwhile at the food tent…
"Merry!" Fatty cried, running up to his friend. He clutched Merry's arm. "I need you're help!" Merry looked at him strangely.
"What is it Fatty?"
"Will you trade lasses with me? Azalea is beautiful, but she has worked me like a pony the whole day. I need a rest."
Merry laughed. "You want to trade Azalea for Bitty" he statement more than questioned.
"You wanted Azalea anyway. I thought you'd jump at the chance."
"I'm not leaving Bitty, but maybe we can find someone who will take Azalea."
"You'll help me then? Thank you!" Fatty started to pull Merry along.
"I can only be a few minutes; Bitty is waiting."
Back to Bitty…
It had been several minutes since Merry had left to get her a plate. Pippin and Dahlia were still dancing. Bitty heaved. It couldn't be happening again. Merry actually seemed to like her, and had treated her kindly. He wouldn't ignore her now.
After about twenty minutes, Bitty bit her lip and turn to leave. "Bitty Goodfellow, I see you are alone…as usual."
Bitty was face to face with one lad she despised more than anyone. "Ted Sandyman, leave me be." She stepped to go around him, but he stopped her.
"Who were you with? Did he abandon you like they all do?" Bitty's eyes shifted to the ground, shamefully. Ted leaned close to her. "I told you no one would EVER want you. You should settle with me. I'll always have use for you."
"Please leave me be" Bitty said, almost in tears.
Suddenly, Ted was pulled abruptly from Bitty. Merry appeared between the two, protectively keeping Ted from her. "She said to leave her."
"So, you're the one who was stuck with Bitty" Ted said, pushing for an agreement from Merry. It never came.
"Bitty is a lovely girl, and I have had a good time with her today. If you'll excuse us." Merry grasped Bitty's hand, and lead her away - leaving Ted to stare off at them wearing a stunned expression.
"I'm sorry I left you for so long" Merry started when they stopped at a less crowded ((and less noisy)) area of the party field. "Fatty Bolger convinced me to help him find someone who'd take Azalea Hood, but it turned out to be a fiasco when Azalea refused to leave Fatty. I promise I did not forget about you, and I tried to get away."
Bitty's heart sunk. She assumed he'd abandon her like the rest of him. All that had happen in the pass few minutes told her otherwise. He actually defended her! "Thank you for helping me with Ted Sandyman" she murmured.
"No trouble at all." Merry smiled. "Would you like to eat now?"
"I'm not as hungry" Bitty said, looking around. "Can we dance? I've never have before."
"You've never danced? I'll have to teach you."
They walked to the dance area. Merry placed her hand on his shoulder, grasping her other hand and raising it in the air. Then he placed his hand around her waist, making Bitty flinch. She had seen everyone else dancing like this, but couldn't help wonder if it was proper. They danced for a good while. Bitty was started to loosen up and began to thoroughly enjoy dancing.
The music calmed as a tipsy hobbit tweenager hopped on stage. Who would of thunk that it was Pippin? "Maidens and Gentlehobbits" he began. "I would like to propose a ditty for my darling, lovely lass, Dahlia Shylock." Dahlia was at the front of the stage looking awfully proud. "I see the sun shine and I think of you. I see the stars in the sky and I think of you. I see a baby bird fly and I think of you. You are my little pink flower that grows in a pot on my porch. You're a lovely sight to behold upon a manifold."
"Oh Peregrin Took!" Dahlia hopped on stage and literally knocked him over with a hug.
Pippin looked at the sky, bemused. "Who was I talking about?" Then he realized Dahlia was kissing his cheek. "Dahlia, what are you doing cleaning my cheek with your saliva?"
That was basically the highlight of the evening. Bitty finally got to have a nice dinner with Merry. He made sure she went with him to the food tent. He knew that troublesome Sandyman was slithering around somewhere. Bitty didn't want to be gone too long from home. So, after a couple hours, she asked Merry if he'd accompany her home.
"What happened between you and Ted?" Merry asked, half way to Bitty's hole.
Bitty keep silent for several moments. "My parents have promised me to Ted. I've refused for as many years as I can, but he still pursues me."
"From what I heard, he sounds like he wants to drag you through the mud and stomp on you."
"That's a very interesting way of putting it, but I think it's because he doesn't want anyone to have me. I'll probably be the best hobbit wife for him. I cook, clean, and know how to take commands."
"You shouldn't have to take commands. Lasses should be treated with respect, and I know Sandyman has no respect for anyone."
"That's just the way it is in my family, Merry." Bitty stopped. "I need to walk the rest of the way alone from here."
"If that's what you want. Farewell, milady." Merry bowed to her then kissed her hand. "It was a pleasure accompanying you today. If you need anything, you can find me most of the time at Bag End. All right?"
Bitty nodded, and said in a forlorn voice, "I'll remember that. Good-bye, Merry." With that, she turned and disappeared into the shadows over the path.
Bitty stared out her kitchen window anxiously waiting for Merry. Her parents had disappeared into the back garden. She didn't know how long they'd be gone. If they found her being accompanied to the Valentine party with a Brandybuck, they'd lock her in her room for good.
A figure strolled out from the shadows of the trees beside the straight-cut path leading to the Goodfellow hole. Bitty craned her neck to get a better look at the lad; it was Merry. She raced out the door as quietly as possible to meet him.
"Hullo Merry" she greeted.
Merry halted. "That was fast. You must of been watching for me."
"I was" she replied, uneasy. "I didn't want us to be late."
"There is no certain time for the party."
"Can we just go?" She looked at him with pleading eyes. A secret fear lay behind them that was obvious for her anxiousness. Merry nodded.
"Yes, let us be off."
Bitty sighed then smiled as he offered his arm. They walked into Hobbiton to Bilbo's tree where all parties had been since his 'disappearing act'. Along the way, Merry caught sight of Fatty Bolger and almost tumbled down with laughter. Fatty was trailing behind Azalea Hood carrying two large packages full of who-knows-what. You could tell they were heavy. Sweat was pouring off Fatty's brow. Merry thought ironically that could of been him then switched his gaze to the girl beside. *I think I received the better.*
The sunny sounds of the party flowed to their ears. The farther they climbed over the hill, the closer they got to it until finally they were there. Bitty's eyes widened. She had only been to a party in Hobbiton a couple times. Ever since she was old enough to be courted, hobbit lads had no desire for her. Even when someone did bring her to a party, they abandon her the rest of the night. The only one who did show any interest in her was Ted Sandyman, but not for positive reasons.
At the edge of the field, Merry stopped and turned to Bitty. "What would you like to do first?"
Bitty stood there, her mouth slightly agape not knowing what to say. She peered around. Many hobbits were already there dancing, eating, singing, eating, drinking, and also eating. It was too much to absorb, so, she picked the most popular thing. "Shall we eat?"
"I'm always up for eating" Merry answered with a grin. He spotted Pippin and Dahlia sitting by the open space for dancing. "You don't mind sitting with Pippin and Dahlia, do you?"
"Oh no, it's quite all right."
They made their way to the table. "Merry! You finally arrived!" Pippin said, taking a drink of his ale. Dahlia politely sat next to him wearing a content smile.
"I see you already attacked the food tent" Merry remarked, seeing the many plates scattered about the table.
"It's been very good so far, I might add" Dahlia informed.
Merry pulled out the chair for Bitty, but noticed she was about to sit in the next chair. "Bitty, you can sit here."
"That was for me?"
"Yes."
She blushed, and sat. "I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"It's perfectly fine. Now, I will go get you a plate."
Bitty reached out to stop him. "You don't have to do that. I can get my own plate."
"But I want to get it for you. You stay here. I'll be back soon." She watched as Merry shuffled off to the food tent.
"Do you care to dance, my darling Dahlia?"
"I'd love to." Dahlia took Pippin's hand, and they were off.
Bitty frowned at her frequent situation - alone. *At least Merry will be back soon.*
Meanwhile at the food tent…
"Merry!" Fatty cried, running up to his friend. He clutched Merry's arm. "I need you're help!" Merry looked at him strangely.
"What is it Fatty?"
"Will you trade lasses with me? Azalea is beautiful, but she has worked me like a pony the whole day. I need a rest."
Merry laughed. "You want to trade Azalea for Bitty" he statement more than questioned.
"You wanted Azalea anyway. I thought you'd jump at the chance."
"I'm not leaving Bitty, but maybe we can find someone who will take Azalea."
"You'll help me then? Thank you!" Fatty started to pull Merry along.
"I can only be a few minutes; Bitty is waiting."
Back to Bitty…
It had been several minutes since Merry had left to get her a plate. Pippin and Dahlia were still dancing. Bitty heaved. It couldn't be happening again. Merry actually seemed to like her, and had treated her kindly. He wouldn't ignore her now.
After about twenty minutes, Bitty bit her lip and turn to leave. "Bitty Goodfellow, I see you are alone…as usual."
Bitty was face to face with one lad she despised more than anyone. "Ted Sandyman, leave me be." She stepped to go around him, but he stopped her.
"Who were you with? Did he abandon you like they all do?" Bitty's eyes shifted to the ground, shamefully. Ted leaned close to her. "I told you no one would EVER want you. You should settle with me. I'll always have use for you."
"Please leave me be" Bitty said, almost in tears.
Suddenly, Ted was pulled abruptly from Bitty. Merry appeared between the two, protectively keeping Ted from her. "She said to leave her."
"So, you're the one who was stuck with Bitty" Ted said, pushing for an agreement from Merry. It never came.
"Bitty is a lovely girl, and I have had a good time with her today. If you'll excuse us." Merry grasped Bitty's hand, and lead her away - leaving Ted to stare off at them wearing a stunned expression.
"I'm sorry I left you for so long" Merry started when they stopped at a less crowded ((and less noisy)) area of the party field. "Fatty Bolger convinced me to help him find someone who'd take Azalea Hood, but it turned out to be a fiasco when Azalea refused to leave Fatty. I promise I did not forget about you, and I tried to get away."
Bitty's heart sunk. She assumed he'd abandon her like the rest of him. All that had happen in the pass few minutes told her otherwise. He actually defended her! "Thank you for helping me with Ted Sandyman" she murmured.
"No trouble at all." Merry smiled. "Would you like to eat now?"
"I'm not as hungry" Bitty said, looking around. "Can we dance? I've never have before."
"You've never danced? I'll have to teach you."
They walked to the dance area. Merry placed her hand on his shoulder, grasping her other hand and raising it in the air. Then he placed his hand around her waist, making Bitty flinch. She had seen everyone else dancing like this, but couldn't help wonder if it was proper. They danced for a good while. Bitty was started to loosen up and began to thoroughly enjoy dancing.
The music calmed as a tipsy hobbit tweenager hopped on stage. Who would of thunk that it was Pippin? "Maidens and Gentlehobbits" he began. "I would like to propose a ditty for my darling, lovely lass, Dahlia Shylock." Dahlia was at the front of the stage looking awfully proud. "I see the sun shine and I think of you. I see the stars in the sky and I think of you. I see a baby bird fly and I think of you. You are my little pink flower that grows in a pot on my porch. You're a lovely sight to behold upon a manifold."
"Oh Peregrin Took!" Dahlia hopped on stage and literally knocked him over with a hug.
Pippin looked at the sky, bemused. "Who was I talking about?" Then he realized Dahlia was kissing his cheek. "Dahlia, what are you doing cleaning my cheek with your saliva?"
That was basically the highlight of the evening. Bitty finally got to have a nice dinner with Merry. He made sure she went with him to the food tent. He knew that troublesome Sandyman was slithering around somewhere. Bitty didn't want to be gone too long from home. So, after a couple hours, she asked Merry if he'd accompany her home.
"What happened between you and Ted?" Merry asked, half way to Bitty's hole.
Bitty keep silent for several moments. "My parents have promised me to Ted. I've refused for as many years as I can, but he still pursues me."
"From what I heard, he sounds like he wants to drag you through the mud and stomp on you."
"That's a very interesting way of putting it, but I think it's because he doesn't want anyone to have me. I'll probably be the best hobbit wife for him. I cook, clean, and know how to take commands."
"You shouldn't have to take commands. Lasses should be treated with respect, and I know Sandyman has no respect for anyone."
"That's just the way it is in my family, Merry." Bitty stopped. "I need to walk the rest of the way alone from here."
"If that's what you want. Farewell, milady." Merry bowed to her then kissed her hand. "It was a pleasure accompanying you today. If you need anything, you can find me most of the time at Bag End. All right?"
Bitty nodded, and said in a forlorn voice, "I'll remember that. Good-bye, Merry." With that, she turned and disappeared into the shadows over the path.