Chapter Twenty-One: Melting the Ice
Saradoc opened the door and was instantly met by the gust of a cool breeze....and light stabbing his sensitive, post-hangover eyes. He shaded his eyes with one hand, and quickly shut the door behind him with the other when he heard Eglantine shriek something about cork stoppers and having to wash them again. The slight hint of a wicked grin appeared on his lips.
It was a clear and bright autumn afternoon, but a blast of cool air sent a chill through Saradoc that reminded him "looks can be deceiving". He wished he'd brought his cloak, but decided the warmth of the sun should warm him up soon enough. He would weather the lower temperatures; he rolled down his shirtsleeves and pulled up the collar against his neck.
He found his wife and the children doing just as Eglantine said, but she forgot to mention the smiles and laughter. Something stirred in his heart. Saradoc felt he wanted to preserve this moment in his mind forever. He stood for a few minutes and surveyed the ring of chairs where his wife, his son Merry, his nieces, and nephew sat wrapped in their own cloaks and blankets enjoying the sunny afternoon. There were several baskets that sat on the ground in the center of the ring; he could see some were full of beans, while some held a small content of the stubs and ends from bean shoots or pea pods.
He thrust his hands deep into his pockets as another chilly breeze swept by his bare hands. He could barely make out the hint of a tale that his nephew was recounting. The wind would blow snatches of the sounds and scatter the words before they reached his own ears. He watched as the young lad became animated with his hands and expression on his face. The rest of the children paused in their snapping, being enchanted by the charm of a charmer. A couple of his nieces put a hand to their mouths before erupting in laughter, as did the rest of the group, signaling the end of the story. Saradoc was a little sad that it had ended. Watching this little group for the last few minutes brought joy to his weary bones.
At last he approached the ring of chairs. His wife looked up and squinted in the sunlight, "Hullo, Sara."
Saradoc heard the restrained admonishment in her voice. "Hullo, love." He said as he kissed her cheek.
One of the girls chuckled, "It's going to take a little more than that, Uncle Sara, if you want to make up!"
"Pimpernel Took!" Pearl chided her sister.
"And how would such a sweet maiden know about that?" He smirked.
Pim blushed, but quickly recovered; she could take it as well as dish it out. "Well, not much in that area, I'm afraid, but all I know is that if my husband tipped a bottle without inviting me, he'd have some mighty paying up to do!" This brought a chorus of laughter from all around--even Esmeralda smiled. Pim reached around her chair pulling off the back an extra blanket and tossed it to her uncle. "Why don't you sit with us for a while?"
Saradoc pulled out one of his hands from his pocket and caught the blanket in mid-air. Applause from the young hobbits--with the exception of one whom made it seem as if his hands were a bean-mill. Merry ignored the stares from all around, focusing on the task at hand, then tossed the results of his handiwork into the separate waiting baskets. Saradoc watched his son's hands work feverishly to aid the lad in avoiding a dialogue with him. He knew that humor was the prevailing sentiment today and decided to use it to break the ice. He wrapped the extra blanket around his shoulders and sat down in a chair Pervinca had fetched from the barn. "Must I work that fast? I don't believe I can keep up with him!"
"Then you're sacked!" Pim yelled with a wry grin. She loved her dearest cousin, and wanted to see an amicable end to this silence.
"Goodness! Then how in the Shire will I provide for my family? My nineteen-year-old niece has just given me the boot!"
After an uneasy moment Pippin piped up. "I know!" He said, "I will hire you to shovel the cow and pony dung in the barn for me!"
Saradoc could see Merry turning his head in the other direction, hiding a smile--all the while still working the beans sitting in his lap. The ice was melting...some. "Why thank you, Master Pippin! Does this employment include feeding the chickens and milking the cows?"
"Why yes it does!" Pippin jested, "and it also includes making my bed and cleaning my room everyday!"
The laughter died down and silence followed once again. Nervous tension threatened to fill the air; it was Pearl who broke it this time. "Are you returning to Buckland tomorrow, Uncle?"
"I had planned on it, Pearl, but plans can always be changed." He looked at his wife.
Esmeralda sighed, "Well...I would like to stay on another day or two. Would that be possible?"
"Then it is done. If Paladin and Tina are able to put up with us for two additional days!"
"Good!" Said Pearl, "Aunt Essie, I would love it if you would help us with our jam preserves! All I can imagine these days is the taste of your blackberry jam on my tongue!"
"Mmmmmm!" From all the children--except Merry. Still busy with the beans, though he seemed to be running out of steam a bit.
Momentary silence followed, then Merry finally spoke, "My mother makes the best blackberry jam in all of Buckland."
Saradoc was delighted--yet was careful with his own response, "That she does!" A twinkle shone in his eyes, "Spread over a hot biscuit with a pat of butter!"
Pervinca's stomach growled, "That is hard! Speaking of food like that--and just before teatime!"
The banter continued back and forth between Saradoc and the children, except for Merry--his little statement would be all he'd say to the group--or to his father this afternoon.
