Chapter Eleven: Graphology and Gardens
After second breakfast, Frodo and Bilbo went back to the latter's room, where Frodo began to tell him all the things that had happened since Bilbo left Hobbiton. "Fascinating!" exclaimed Bilbo a few minutes into Frodo's story, and took out his quill and tablet. He kept writing as Frodo spoke, only interrupting occasionally to say things such as, "Really? You didn't. You did! Lobelia, in my house…" and "By a willow? Really? How interesting…"
Just as Frodo arrived at the hobbits' meeting with Tom Bombadil, there was a knock on the door and Sam came in. "Begging your pardon, I know you're busy," he said, "but Mr. Elrond says to tell you that everyone is meeting outside in the north garden, for singing songs and telling tales and such. He reckons this might be the last night of the year warm enough."
"Well, then we must be there!" said Bilbo, setting down his quill. "I expect that after this we shall all have to huddle around the fire. And I think our Frodo could use a rest from telling stories and would like to listen to some instead."
"It is hard to remember all the details you want, Bilbo," said Frodo, brushing a lock of hair back.
"I haven't finished with you yet, either," said the older hobbit. "I plan on inquiring about your adventures every single day until you leave Rivendell."
"Maybe you'll remember this, Sam, I can't," said Frodo. "What was the year of the ale we drank at Merry's?"
"Thirteen-eleven, I think it was."
"Trust Sam to remember the parts about the ale," said Bilbo. "But that's enough writing for today. Let's go and join the others."
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Although it may have been the last night of the year to be outside, it was still chilly. They found Merry and Pippin huddled together next to the wall, sharing a blanket.
"Hello!" said Merry. "You can all come in here if you like. There's plenty of blanket left."
"I think I'll sit closer to the fire, if you don't mind," said Bilbo. "It's the only thing that can truly keep me warm these days."
"I'll come in," said Frodo. Merry pulled back the coverlet and patted the ground next to him. Frodo sat down.
"Come on, Pippin, you've got some extra coverlet down there, move it down," said Merry. "There isn't enough for Sam on this end." But even when Pippin tugged at the blanket, there still wasn't enough.
"Don't bother yourselves with getting up, I'll just run back in and get myself another blanket," said Sam. He turned and headed back inside. Frodo looked after to him, watching the way his golden hair glistened in the light of the fire. It was beautiful.
When he turned his head back, he realized that Merry and Pippin were watching him. "Do you know yet if you're – " began Pippin.
"Yes," said Frodo quietly. "I am. Very much."
Merry slid one arm around his cousin's shoulder and guided Frodo's head onto his shoulder. "Then I hope it goes well for you, Frodo."
"How do you tell a person something like that?" Frodo asked, and he realized that his voice was breaking. "I don't even have any words to tell him in. There isn't a language to describe it." He blinked back the tears that were forming in his eyes.
Pippin took his hand. "It's all right, Frodo."
Frodo looked at his younger cousin, who had grown up so much since they left home, especially in the last few days. After years of foolishness, Pippin was becoming an adult, and a fine one at that.
Merry took out a handkerchief from his vest pocket and wiped the tears that were just beginning to fall from Frodo's eyes. "Don't think about it for now," he said. "You have enough on your mind, and you will continue to have much on your mind until the Ring is destroyed. But for tonight, you are in Rivendell, in the house of Elrond. Enjoy yourself as much as you can."
Just as Frodo sat up, Sam returned with a quilt. He sat down next to Frodo and spread the blanket over both of them. "There, now we'll be right warm," he said. "I'm eager to hear these Elf songs…I hope they're as exciting as they were in Mr. Bilbo's old stories!"