Chapter Three - Pearl's Letters

"Pearl would sit in an overstuffed chair in her room, writing letters next to the window. She found that the sunlight was better on her eyes in her poorly lit room in Great Smials. She would often write her letters to her family from this solitary window while Cousin Lalia took her morning nap, since that was the only time her Lalia didn't have her being busy.

"21st Rethe, 1402 S.R.

Dear Mother and Father,

Cousin Lalia is napping, and so this letter will be brief. I trust everyone is in good health, when you read this. How is Pippin? He has not returned my last letter to him. Is he well? Cousin Ferumbras is just overcoming an illness he has had for the past two weeks. I fear I am coming down with the same thing, as I have been feeling weak these past few days.

Lalia is getting on pretty well. Just last week she had me wheel her into the kitchen and she taught me how to make her famous apple dumplings. She nearly ate the entire batch before I could stop her. I managed to talk her into saving one or two for her son. He still speaks ill of her and how she ran Miss Violet out of the Smials. Apparently, Lalia was fine with Miss Violet until she had eyes for Ferumbras, and he for her. That is a sad tale that I shan't relate here.

I must go now. I can hear Cousin Lalia ringing her bell. Goodbye for now. I love you all.

All my love,

Pearl

29th Rethe, 1402 S.R.

Dear Mother and Father,

I must apologize because this is the first chance I have had to respond to your letter that I received three days ago. I cried when I learned that Pippin had indeed been ill for a while. This is the first time he's been sick and I've not been there to see him through it. I hope he is getting stronger each and every day. Please hug him for me. I trust my sisters have been treating him well?

The arguments between Ferumbras and Lalia grow stronger each day also. They've gotten to the point that I fear for Lalia. They don't know it, but I understand what they're arguing about. Cousin Ferumbras wants father to move into the Thain's apartments. He wants all the documents drawn up as soon as possible that will make father the next in line to be Thain. Does father know anything about this? All I know is that Lalia refuses to acknowledge Ferumbras is getting up in years himself, and has no heir. She has only herself to blame for this. Cousin Ferumbras talks to me quite often, and has told me so.

Lalia still demands that I take her to the door to sniff in the fresh air. She keeps getting larger and larger! I sometimes wonder if one day she will be too heavy for me to wheel around the Smials!

All my love,

Pearl

8th Astron, 1402 S.R.

Dear Mother and Father,

I was so happy to hear from you! Everyone is looking forward to your arrival later this month. Adelard keeps asking about father. He plans to take Reginard and Everard with him to help father move into Great Smials. To the dismay of Lalia, Ferumbras has claimed the old Thain's apartments for father, while he intends to move into the smaller tunnel adjoining it. He says it's so that he and father can 'mingle heads' as he puts it. Ferumbras can make me laugh at times. For whatever it's worth to father, I believe Ferumbras enjoys spending time with him.

Cousin Lalia has been getting quite upset with me lately. For reasons unknown to me, I cannot seem to do anything right. Her dresses are too wrinkled, or her bed linen isn't tight enough. I will try to do better so you and father are proud of me.

All my Love,

Pearl

13th Astron, 1402 S.R.

Dear Mother and Father,

I was glad to read that Pippin is up and about once again. Tell Pervinca that she got what she deserved--a couple days in bed with the sniffles pays her back for incessantly badgering the lad! But I am only jesting; please kiss her for me. I miss them all dreadfully.

I saw Cousin Frodo and Merry stop by Fredegar's apartment yesterday and told them about you and father moving here. For some reason Merry already knew about it, and so he and Frodo will be there as well lending a hand.

I was giving Lalia her sponge bath this morning and when I went to turn her over, I think I pulled something in my back. Cousin Ferumbras says she believes herself to be absolutely helpless. He says it's a wonder I haven't injured myself worse. Lalia is still upset with me for dropping her favorite jar of jam preserves; it was the last of the winter stores. I must go. I hear her ringing the bell.

All my love,

Pearl

27th Astron, 1402 S.R.

Dear Mother and Father,

I really must thank you and father for all the letters you've written these past few days. Did Merry tell you that I was ill? I asked him not to, but I guess in a way, I am glad that he did. Your letters are what helped bring me through a most difficult time. I am feeling better today, so please don't worry anymore. I also realized today that this will be my last letter to Whitwell. I feel a little sad today regardless.

Ferumbras and Lalia were arguing again after second breakfast about father becoming next in line as Thain. She says that our blood is too "muddied" with Chubbs, Bagginses, and Banks. She said we don't have enough direct Took lineage in us. And who is she to say such things? Was she not a Clayhanger, and didn't old Uncle Isumbras marry a Proudfoot? I must confess my Took temper was heated when I heard her say those things. Does that mean I have enough Took blood in me?

I was careful today; I didn't drop anything in Lalia's lap or break anything of value. My new friend, Cousin Donnabelle, came and helped me move

Lalia today. I miss you..

All my love,

Pearl