Chapter 3

You Take It Back

A meadowlark glided across the early morning sky and positioned its feet to land on a nearby tree. Its wings fluttered rapidly to slow its decent until its feet grasped the branch. Tucking his wings under him, he let out a joyful song to greet the rising sun in the east.

Two small hands stretched from under the warm fluffy comforter and pulled away from the face of Frodo Baggins who yawned in his small little bed. Looking towards the window, he heard the meadowlark just outside his bedroom window singing merrily.

Frodo smiled and listened intently to the bird's song. To be awoken by the song of a meadowlark, his mother told him once, brings joy to the heart of the hobbit that listened.

His heart was filled with joy and anticipation for the beginning of this day. Frodo's mother was taking him to Bag End today to stay for a week. Sarodoc Brandybuck was marrying Esmeralda Took. It was going to be a grand affair in Tuckborough. Every one was attending, so many of the hobbits arranged to stay at their closest relative's hobbit hole to be closer to the wedding party. This would be Frodo's first trip to Hobbiton and to stay at Bag End on the Hill.

The anticipation grew by the minute. Frodo darted out of his bed, throwing off his nightshirt. He ransacked through his shirts and pants trying to find something that his mother would be pleased with. The neatly folded shirts now lay all about the floor in heaps as did his pants. The early morning began to chill his skin and goosebumps began to appear. He shivered trying to keep himself warm.

Finding his favorite white shirt and dark green pants. He rushed putting them on, but was careful to tuck the shirt in appropriately like his mother had taught him. Taking out his vests, Frodo paused not knowing which to choose. Should it be the yellow vest or the dark red one? He threw them both into the air and the first one he caught would be the one to wear. He caught the yellow vest first and began to put it on.

Buttoning his vest, his mother peeked in to see if Frodo was up. "Frodo, you look like a lima bean," she chuckled while entering the room. Picking up the dark red vest and handed it to Frodo.

"But Mama I wanted the yellow one. It won its contest!"

"There now, Frodo. You wear your red vest for your mother!" said Primula and gave him a sideways glance at the contest comment.

Frodo quickly took off the yellow vest and remembered to fold it. Turning to his mother while he put his arms through the red vest, he asked, "when do we leave? I just cannot wait!"

"But first, we have to pack these shirts and pants," she stated while she refolded them. "I can not believe that Saradoc is finally getting married. The wedding at Tuckborough is going to be a grand event, plus many more extra parties leading up the this wedding."

"Mama tell me about the parities!"

Frodo listened intently to what his mother told him of all the plans they had for the upcoming week. He loved the way his mother told him of these events because she could make up such grand stories. His eyes widened when she went into great detail about the party tree in Hobbiton and how huge and tall it was. For many years hobbits celebrated wondrous parities under its branches. Primula told Frodo of the hobbits that lived in Hobbiton and of all the things he would see and do. He laughed hysterically when she would make funny faces while describing how some of the hobbit looked and some of the special traits they all possessed.

After all the clothes were folded and placed into the bags, she closed and locked them. Turning to her son, she began to tickle Frodo and they both fell to the floor laughing and giggling with each other. Primula put her arms around him and held him close to her heart. Hugging him tenderly she stroked his dark curly hair gently. "Well, my dear one, should we be off?"

Frodo jumped to his feet and was out the door before his mother had a chance to gather the bags and bring them to the carriage.

Drogo was already loading up the carriage with the many things his wife had packed. Dinodas helped his pregnant wife into the carriage and then lifted Frodo in next. Primula handed the remaining bags to Drogo and watched him place them into the back of the carriage. "Buckland must be close to empty because it looks like you packed the entire household here in this carriage," said Drogo teasing her.

"Now, Drogo, do not tease me so, all of these things we will need to attend the parties and our week stay at Bag End."

Drogo wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her firmly on her lips. Smiling he gazed into the eyes while he held her in his strong arms. "How lucky a hobbit can I be to be married to such a wonderful lass."

Primula teasingly pushed his away while she giggled at him. Her crystal- blue eyes gazed at her husband while she also thought how lucky she was. Having Bungo for a husband and her little boy made her life feel complete and she was so very happy. "Now be off with you or we will never get started on this trip."

Drogo helped his wife into the carriage and joined her. Whistling to the driver they were now ready to begin their trip. The drive cracked his whip and the ponies all pulled the carriage forward.

The wheels slowly turned on the dirt path that led out of Brandyhall and the carriage pitched slightly when one of the wheels rolled into a small hole in the path. Doreen held her stomach waiting for the carriage to roll onto the smoother road that headed towards Hobbiton.

"Are you all right Doreen?" Primula asked.

"Quite so, this little one kicks more so than the rolling of this carriage. We will have a strong son to be sure," commented Doreen and relaxed when the carriage finally got on the main road.

Frodo watched Buckyhall disappear in the distance with each mile the carriage rolled.

~*~

Frodo squirmed in his seat with the hours that passed by. Drogo placed his arm around his son to quiet him. When familiar places began to come into view, Drogo pointed them out to Frodo. "There is Old Farmer Maggot with his dogs, he has the biggest farm around here. His gardens and fields are famous in the Shire. He has the very best mushrooms that you have ever tasted.

Frodo's eyes darted back and forth taking in everything his mother and father pointed out. Miles after miles the carriage roll on and so did Frodo's excitement.

"Frodo just over that hill is Hobbiton," Drogo pointed just ahead of him.

When the carriage reached the top of the hill, Frodo sat upon his knees looking out the window so he could be the first one to see the small town.

"There it is, I can see it!" Frodo shouted.

Hobbiton was just as Primula described it to Frodo and he could see her story coming to life right before his eyes. All the round doors were tucked neatly in the center of each rounded hill and the dirt trails that lead to each home. Even the stone walls on either side of the dirt road were just as his mother described them. The first home that they past was old Bodo Proudfoot sitting on his porch smoking his pipe and he watched the coming and goings of every hobbit in Hobbiton, but today he watched more intently because Hobbiton had began to fill with distant relatives.

"If you ever what to know what anyone is doing in Hobbiton, you can always ask Bodo," said Drogo while he placed his son in his lap. Primula and Doreen chuckled a-bit at his over exaggerated comments.

When they passed the center of town, Frodo began to pointed to a stranger and asked his mother, "That has to be Porto Brownlock?"

"Yes son, but how did you know that?" asked Drogo being so surprised.

"Mama, was telling me about some of the hobbits that live in Hobbiton, by her description that has to be Porto." Frodo chuckled remembering how his mother made the exaggerated faces when she told him about the hobbits of Hobbiton.

Porto Brownlock had a large round nose and thick round belly. He wore a bright green vest that has been a favorite of his for many years. He was seldom seen without a pipe clenched between his teeth. He was leaning up against the center-court tree in the middle of the town, telling how the next move should be made, from a game of checkers that two other hobbits were playing. It was exactly what how his mother described Old Porto Brownlock.

"Dad, where is Bag End?" asked Frodo looking at all the passing hobbit's holes, but could not tell which one was which, as they all seemed so similar.

"Over there, just to your right. The last hobbit hole over looking the party tree," Drogo said placing his arm around his son and pointing out where his uncle lived.

The carriage slowed when it reached the top of the hill and Drogo tuned to his family in the carriage. "Wait here while I'll greet Bilbo, he can be a bit grumpy when someone knocks upon his door," said Drogo with a smile on his lips.

Drogo gave two loud taps on the door and a voice followed from behind it. "No, Thank you! Go away! I'll not have any more interruptions this late afternoon!" shouted Bilbo as loudly as he could.

"Will you not greet your favorite cousin and his family?" Drogo shouted back.

The door immediately flew open and Bilbo rushed to greet Drogo with open arms. Frodo rushed from the carriage and stood in front of Bilbo. "This can not be little Frodo? You're growing faster than a weed!" said Bilbo and he patted the top of his head messing up his thick dark-brown curls.

Primula, Dinodas and Doreen joined Bilbo while he led them into Bag End. "Please come rest your selves and I'll send some lads to bring in your bags." Bilbo rushed out the door to find his gardener and tell him to get his lads.

It was not long before Bilbo rushed back in and grabbed his teapot and cups. They all sat at the table, filling the room with loud voices and laughter.

Frodo's curiosity got the better of him when he began to explore Bag End. This big hobbit hole was comforting to Frodo because he came from such a big place such as Brandyhall. He walked from one room to the next taking in everything that Bag End had to offer. However, seeing Bilbo's study made Frodo stop in his tracks. There were books piled on every table and stacks of books on the floor. There were maps and drawings with dragons and mountains. Frodo gazed at the drawings and was instantly memorized by them all. Sitting upon a cushion, in front of the hearth, Frodo paged through more of these books.

With out warning a voice clear his throat that gave Frodo a startle when he snapped his head up from his book to see who it was.

"Begging your pardon, Master Baggins, but me lads have finished bringing in the bags. D'you know that we be living just below Bag End at Bagshot Row, You'll not have need of nothing that me boys couldn't be helpin' you with. This here is Hamson and Halfred, call on them anytime," Old gaffer told him and turned to leave with his boys.

Frodo was happy to see two boys just his age. Bag End was more wonderful that what he first imagined it to be.

~*~

The next morning, Frodo was up early with his mother and they decided to see Hobbiton together. Primula needed some lace at the general store to finish her gown she would wear at the wedding party. They wandered through the lush green grassy-fields of Bagshot Row, where there were hedgerows and Chestnut trees all around them.

Frodo saw the Gamgee boys beginning their morning chores and he waved when he passed them by. Smiling, Primula waved at them and took her son's hand. They made their way down to the dirt path that led into Hobbiton.

Upon entering the store Lobelia and Lotho were also shopping and purchasing some items. Primula greeted her. Lotho pulled on his mother's sleeve and asked if Frodo could join him to play. Lobelia nodded and watched while the boys took off in a flash.

"Will you be going back to Buckland to your summer home after the wedding?" asked Primula.

"No, we are looking to sell that home and perhaps purchase a bigger home in Hobbiton. I have my eye upon one that I would adore to live in, but it is still taken. By the way, I heard that you and your family is staying at Bag End."

"Yes, Bilbo was so kind to allow us to stay the week with him. After the wedding on Saturday, we will be heading back to Buckland." Primula informed her.

"Why don't you finish your shopping here, and I will go home and fix us a cup of tea. That way, Frodo and Lotho can play with each other, while we visit some more," commented Lobelia and smiled while she waved good-bye and headed for her home.

~*~

Lotho pulled Frodo into his parent's bedroom and wanted to pretend to play Bilbo on one of his great adventures to get a chest of treasure. Frodo thought that sounded like fun, but first they needed to hide a treasure chest, so Lotho grabbed his mother's jewelry case. Frodo seeing that Lotho had it tucked under his arm and knew that Lobelia would not like it if they would take her things to play with. He tried to convince Lotho to put it away.

Lotho pulled the box away from Frodo, who had a hold of the box as well. Frodo being stronger than Lotho, pulled the box out of his grasp and sending the box sailing across the room, spilling it contains onto the floor. Frodo rush to pick up the jewelry and when he placed the locket into the box he noticed that it looked very familiar.

He picked up the locket again and turning it around in his hand just when Lobelia walked into the room. Lotho withered away in fear seeing his mother standing in shock at the entrance of her bedroom door. He shouted, "HE DID IT! He took the box of jewelry!" Lotho pointing to Frodo.

Frodo dropped the locket and backed away from Lobelia. He could sense that he was in some kind of danger just by the look upon her face. Frodo made a gesture to explain, but Lobelia did not care to hear him.

Lobelia grabbed Frodo by the back of his collar and hauled him over to her bed. She took her belt that she kept hanging from a hook on her bedroom door and began beating Frodo with her belt.

Frodo screamed in pain with each blow of the belt as large welts began to appear on his back. Lotho coward in the corner while fear shook his entire body watching how hard Lobelia was beating Frodo. Just then Primula ran into the bedroom upon hearing her son's screams. She grabbed the belt and yanked it from Lobelia's hand, turning her around.

"How dare you whip my child!" she screamed at her.

"Your son was steeling my jewelry and he needs to be taught a lesson!" shouted Lobelia.

"He would do no such a thing!" shouted back Primula.

"Face it Primula! Your son is nothing but a common thief!"

"You take that back, Lobelia or I will smack you so hard you'll never forget it!" Primula held her fist in front of Lobelia's face.

"You wouldn't dare touch me, you ruffin' Bucklander!" snarled Lobelia at her.

SMACK......Lobelia went flying to the ground just as her eye began to swell shut from the hard blow that Primula delivered. Standing over Lobelia Sackville-Baggins, Primula shook her fist at her. "If you ever touch my son again, I'll blacken the other one as well!" Primula placed her arms around Frodo and helped him out of the Sackville- Baggins home.