Chapter 31
The First Wedding
Back in Hobbiton inside of Bag-End, Bilbo stood in the kitchen working on a fresh cherry pie. The wather was rather dreary-cold and wet, and Frodo had just hurried out to grab the post.
"Bilbo!" The tweenager called, bolting into the kitchen.
"Frodo, lad-what in the name of the Shire....are you all right?" Bilbo asked, putting a hand over his heart and taking a deep breath.
Frodo cocked his head. "I'm fine, Bilbo. But you're not going to believe it-Pearl is getting MARRIED! In two weeks and you and I are invited to the wedding at the Great Smial!"
Bilbo immediately took the letter from Frodo and read it over. "Well I'll be." He said in a quiet voice.
"We ARE going, aren't we?" Frodo asked as Bilbo finished reading the letter and handed it back.
"Of course, my boy, of course. Why would we miss such a special occasion? Do me a favor and write back to your Aunt telling her that we will arrive in a few days. I have to finish this pie and put it in the oven."
Frodo set the rest of the post on the kitchen table and went to his room to write the reply. He couldn't believe that one of his cousins was getting married already! It seemed like only yesterday that Pearl had taken part in the large mud war. She really HAD grown up a great deal, and it was a little sad in a way. He took his feather quill and dipped it into the golden ink well, and started to write the RSVP. His hand shook a little as he wrote, and he wondered how he would be able to sit through the wedding without bursting into tears and begging Pearl not to go through with it. No, that would probably be Pippin's job as the little brother, and he could see the little hobbit wailing as they were pronounced husband and wife. Merry especially became emotional over the tiniest things, and it would be more of a cry-fest than a happy-fest.
"How is it coming?" Bilbo came into the room a few moments later, wiping his dough-splattered hands on a towel.
"Fine I suppose." Frodo sighed as Bilbo planted a kiss on top of his head.
"You don't seem very happy, my dear boy. What is bothering you?" Bilbo rested a slightly-wrinkled hand on his nephew's shoulder.
"The same thing that is probably bothering Pimmie," Frodo sighed. "Bilbo-our family is growing up so fast-too fast. I feel as though I've missed out on a lot of it."
"Well-life is like that, Frodo. Things happen rather quickly and we have no control over the changes that come about."
Frodo looked up at Bilbo through his large, tear-filled blue eyes. "I'm going to sob through this entire thing, Bilbo, if I am getting all upset writing the reply."
Bilbo laughed. "It is perfectly all right, lad. If you must cry than you are more than welcome. I will be too, I must say."
Frodo smiled before turning as both hobbits heard knocking on the door. "Stay here," Bilbo warned, making his way towards the front hall. Frodo strained to hear who had come to call, and was relieved to hear Hamfast Gamgee's voice. Often times, Lobelia and her husband Otho Sackville- Baggins would come and demand to speak to Bilbo about why he had chosen Frodo as his heir, when the boy had hardly any Baggins blood. They had come last week, and Bilbo had to hide Frodo under the kitchen table so that they wouldn't see him when they peered through the kitchen window.
"Yes," Frodo could hear Bilbo's voice, faint but clear enough. "A dozen eggs, flour, milk and butter."
Hamfast always stopped by to see if his Master needed anything from the market when he went. "Mr. Bilbo, sir-is Frodo home?" Frodo could hear Hamfast's son, Samwise's voice next.
"Oh yes-FRODO, LAD! YOU CAN COME OUT NOW!" Bilbo yelled and Frodo hurried out of his room and entered the front hall.
"Hullo, Mr. Frodo!" Sam greeted cheerfully.
"Hullo, Sam. How are you today?" Frodo asked with a smile.
"Good."
"Oh-before I forget, Frodo and I are leaving for Tuckborough in a few days. The Thain's eldest daughter is getting married next week and we like to get there early so Frodo can spend time with his cousins."
Hamfast smiled. "Congratulations, Mr. Bilbo."
"Thank you."
"Well, Samwise-we must run along to the market. You can visit Mr. Frodo again later."
"All right. Goodbye." Sam waved and followed his father down the path towards town.
The Great Smial was in a frenzy, getting Pearl ready for the wedding. Leah and Annabel were sewing her gown by hand, made of silk and lace. Pimpernel sat numbly in the living room, not wanting to take part in any of the activity. She gazed darkly ahead, feeling extremely bitter towards Falco for taking her sister away.
"Pimmie?" A soft knock on the side of the doorway caused her to look up, and she saw Pippin, gazing at her shyly.
"What is it, Pip?" Pimpernel asked.
Pippin made his way across the parlour to the couch and crawled up beside his elder sister. Pimpernel nearly choked on tears as he spread his little body out and rested his tiny head on her lap. She bent over and kissed his thick, brown curls. "I don't like it when you're sad, Pimmie." Pippin admitted. "I wanted to keep you company."
Pimpernel hugged her little brother tightly and then just let him lay there. The two of them listened to the orders being given here and there out in the corridors. The wedding was to be held outdoors underneath a gazebo decorated with pink, blue and white flowers. Outside, Falco and Paladin were inspecting the grounds, estimating how many tables they would need for the amount of guests they had invited. "Two hundred and thirty," Paladin said.
"You have a nice open yard so we shouldn't have too much trouble fitting everyone." Falco pointed out.
"And a play area for the little ones."
Pearl made her way outside, dressed in a blue skirt and white blouse, her hair long and flowing over her shoulders. "What have you decided?" She asked, lacing her arm through her future-husbands. "Two hundred and thirty people isn't too many, is it?" She asked. "Mama went a bit overboard with the invitations."
Paladin chortled. "Well now, Pearl, it is a very speceial occasion. Our first daughter is getting married."
Pearl blushed a deep shade of crimson. "Papa-I have not seen Pimpernel all morning or afternoon, and I am starting to worry."
"She is having difficulty accepting this, Pearl. It is a big change for her." Paladin replied. "I believe your mother last saw her sulking in the parlour, but eventually she will understand and accept."
Pearl sighed, wishing she had told her sister earlier. "Pearl!" Leah shouted from the doorway to the kitchens. "Come and try on your gown! We need to finish hemming it!"
Pearl grinned with delight. "I'll be back." She told Falco who nodded and waved her off. When she was gone, Falco turned to the Thain, clearing his throat a little before he spoke.
"I will take good care of your daughter, Master Took."
Paladin smiled at him. "I know you will. You're a fine lad, Falco, and Pearl is very lucky." He turned away.
At the end of the week, the lawns of the Great Smial were filled with hobbits. Pearl and Falco stood in the gazebo, awaiting the ceremony. Frodo and Bilbo sat in the front row of chairs with Merry, Pippin and the main members of the Brandybuck and Took families. Frodo had his handerchief out and was dabbing at his eyes as he watched his eldest cousin all dressed up in her beautiful gown and crown of daisies.
Soon it was time, and Paladin stepped up so that he was facing the future couple. As the marriage speech began, Pimpernel, who sat between Frodo and Bilbo, clutched tightly at her handkerchief so that her knuckles turned white. Right at "By giving and receiving a ring, you have pledged..." She stood up and hurried out of the wedding area. Frodo watched as Pimpernel dashed through the field, towards the other side of the smial, and he stood up as well.
"Frodo!" Bilbo hissed. "Sit down, lad."
"I'll be right back." Frodo promised, and hurried after his cousin.
Pimpernel, when she could run no longer, collapsed to the grass and sobbed. She cried so hard she could barely breathe, and eventually had to lay down, not caring if her dress was stained.
Frodo approached the hysterical tweenager timidly, kneeling down. "Pimmie." He said in a quiet voice. "Pimmie, love, what is the matter?"
Pimpernel took a gulp of air and slowly raised her head, revealing red- rimmed eyes. "Oh Frodo-why does this have to happen? Why does she have to marry him?" She allowed Frodo to pull her into a hug.
"Because she loves him." Frodo whispered. "Shhhh-my sweet Pimmie-everything is all right now."
Pimpernel wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and let out a small laugh at the enormous wet spot on Frodo's shirt. "I'm sorry for that." She pointed, and Frodo looked down, smirking.
"Thanks to you I am a soaking heap and my Uncle will wonder what in the name of the Shire happened." He lightly nicked her cheek, causing her to smile weakly. "Never mind. Shall we get back to the ceremony before your parents and other sister and brother start to worry?"
Pimpernel nodded, still hiccoughing and she took Frodo's hand, allowing him to help her stand up. The two of them made their way back to the wedding and went to sit back down, but found that the ceremony had ended and the games were beginning.
"Where in the name of Eru have you two BEEN?" Eglatine asked angrily, glaring at her daughter. "Running out on the wedding that way!"
"She was a bit upset, Auntie Lala." Frodo apologized for Pimpernel. "It seems that growing up is taking a bit of a toll on her."
"Now my love, we have discussed this," Eglatine soothed. "I understand you are upset about your sister leaving us, but she will not be gone forever. She and Falco are only moving a few miles away-on the other side of the lake, so you may visit her any time you like."
Pimpernel nodded. "I understand now, Mum."
"Good. Go and join your cousins now, both of you. Your Uncle is a bit worried too, as you two did not return to see the last of the ceremony."
Frodo nodded as well and led Pimpernel towards the crowds of Bagginses, Tooks, Brandybucks, Chubbs and other random "distant" relations to join in the party.
Back in Hobbiton inside of Bag-End, Bilbo stood in the kitchen working on a fresh cherry pie. The wather was rather dreary-cold and wet, and Frodo had just hurried out to grab the post.
"Bilbo!" The tweenager called, bolting into the kitchen.
"Frodo, lad-what in the name of the Shire....are you all right?" Bilbo asked, putting a hand over his heart and taking a deep breath.
Frodo cocked his head. "I'm fine, Bilbo. But you're not going to believe it-Pearl is getting MARRIED! In two weeks and you and I are invited to the wedding at the Great Smial!"
Bilbo immediately took the letter from Frodo and read it over. "Well I'll be." He said in a quiet voice.
"We ARE going, aren't we?" Frodo asked as Bilbo finished reading the letter and handed it back.
"Of course, my boy, of course. Why would we miss such a special occasion? Do me a favor and write back to your Aunt telling her that we will arrive in a few days. I have to finish this pie and put it in the oven."
Frodo set the rest of the post on the kitchen table and went to his room to write the reply. He couldn't believe that one of his cousins was getting married already! It seemed like only yesterday that Pearl had taken part in the large mud war. She really HAD grown up a great deal, and it was a little sad in a way. He took his feather quill and dipped it into the golden ink well, and started to write the RSVP. His hand shook a little as he wrote, and he wondered how he would be able to sit through the wedding without bursting into tears and begging Pearl not to go through with it. No, that would probably be Pippin's job as the little brother, and he could see the little hobbit wailing as they were pronounced husband and wife. Merry especially became emotional over the tiniest things, and it would be more of a cry-fest than a happy-fest.
"How is it coming?" Bilbo came into the room a few moments later, wiping his dough-splattered hands on a towel.
"Fine I suppose." Frodo sighed as Bilbo planted a kiss on top of his head.
"You don't seem very happy, my dear boy. What is bothering you?" Bilbo rested a slightly-wrinkled hand on his nephew's shoulder.
"The same thing that is probably bothering Pimmie," Frodo sighed. "Bilbo-our family is growing up so fast-too fast. I feel as though I've missed out on a lot of it."
"Well-life is like that, Frodo. Things happen rather quickly and we have no control over the changes that come about."
Frodo looked up at Bilbo through his large, tear-filled blue eyes. "I'm going to sob through this entire thing, Bilbo, if I am getting all upset writing the reply."
Bilbo laughed. "It is perfectly all right, lad. If you must cry than you are more than welcome. I will be too, I must say."
Frodo smiled before turning as both hobbits heard knocking on the door. "Stay here," Bilbo warned, making his way towards the front hall. Frodo strained to hear who had come to call, and was relieved to hear Hamfast Gamgee's voice. Often times, Lobelia and her husband Otho Sackville- Baggins would come and demand to speak to Bilbo about why he had chosen Frodo as his heir, when the boy had hardly any Baggins blood. They had come last week, and Bilbo had to hide Frodo under the kitchen table so that they wouldn't see him when they peered through the kitchen window.
"Yes," Frodo could hear Bilbo's voice, faint but clear enough. "A dozen eggs, flour, milk and butter."
Hamfast always stopped by to see if his Master needed anything from the market when he went. "Mr. Bilbo, sir-is Frodo home?" Frodo could hear Hamfast's son, Samwise's voice next.
"Oh yes-FRODO, LAD! YOU CAN COME OUT NOW!" Bilbo yelled and Frodo hurried out of his room and entered the front hall.
"Hullo, Mr. Frodo!" Sam greeted cheerfully.
"Hullo, Sam. How are you today?" Frodo asked with a smile.
"Good."
"Oh-before I forget, Frodo and I are leaving for Tuckborough in a few days. The Thain's eldest daughter is getting married next week and we like to get there early so Frodo can spend time with his cousins."
Hamfast smiled. "Congratulations, Mr. Bilbo."
"Thank you."
"Well, Samwise-we must run along to the market. You can visit Mr. Frodo again later."
"All right. Goodbye." Sam waved and followed his father down the path towards town.
The Great Smial was in a frenzy, getting Pearl ready for the wedding. Leah and Annabel were sewing her gown by hand, made of silk and lace. Pimpernel sat numbly in the living room, not wanting to take part in any of the activity. She gazed darkly ahead, feeling extremely bitter towards Falco for taking her sister away.
"Pimmie?" A soft knock on the side of the doorway caused her to look up, and she saw Pippin, gazing at her shyly.
"What is it, Pip?" Pimpernel asked.
Pippin made his way across the parlour to the couch and crawled up beside his elder sister. Pimpernel nearly choked on tears as he spread his little body out and rested his tiny head on her lap. She bent over and kissed his thick, brown curls. "I don't like it when you're sad, Pimmie." Pippin admitted. "I wanted to keep you company."
Pimpernel hugged her little brother tightly and then just let him lay there. The two of them listened to the orders being given here and there out in the corridors. The wedding was to be held outdoors underneath a gazebo decorated with pink, blue and white flowers. Outside, Falco and Paladin were inspecting the grounds, estimating how many tables they would need for the amount of guests they had invited. "Two hundred and thirty," Paladin said.
"You have a nice open yard so we shouldn't have too much trouble fitting everyone." Falco pointed out.
"And a play area for the little ones."
Pearl made her way outside, dressed in a blue skirt and white blouse, her hair long and flowing over her shoulders. "What have you decided?" She asked, lacing her arm through her future-husbands. "Two hundred and thirty people isn't too many, is it?" She asked. "Mama went a bit overboard with the invitations."
Paladin chortled. "Well now, Pearl, it is a very speceial occasion. Our first daughter is getting married."
Pearl blushed a deep shade of crimson. "Papa-I have not seen Pimpernel all morning or afternoon, and I am starting to worry."
"She is having difficulty accepting this, Pearl. It is a big change for her." Paladin replied. "I believe your mother last saw her sulking in the parlour, but eventually she will understand and accept."
Pearl sighed, wishing she had told her sister earlier. "Pearl!" Leah shouted from the doorway to the kitchens. "Come and try on your gown! We need to finish hemming it!"
Pearl grinned with delight. "I'll be back." She told Falco who nodded and waved her off. When she was gone, Falco turned to the Thain, clearing his throat a little before he spoke.
"I will take good care of your daughter, Master Took."
Paladin smiled at him. "I know you will. You're a fine lad, Falco, and Pearl is very lucky." He turned away.
At the end of the week, the lawns of the Great Smial were filled with hobbits. Pearl and Falco stood in the gazebo, awaiting the ceremony. Frodo and Bilbo sat in the front row of chairs with Merry, Pippin and the main members of the Brandybuck and Took families. Frodo had his handerchief out and was dabbing at his eyes as he watched his eldest cousin all dressed up in her beautiful gown and crown of daisies.
Soon it was time, and Paladin stepped up so that he was facing the future couple. As the marriage speech began, Pimpernel, who sat between Frodo and Bilbo, clutched tightly at her handkerchief so that her knuckles turned white. Right at "By giving and receiving a ring, you have pledged..." She stood up and hurried out of the wedding area. Frodo watched as Pimpernel dashed through the field, towards the other side of the smial, and he stood up as well.
"Frodo!" Bilbo hissed. "Sit down, lad."
"I'll be right back." Frodo promised, and hurried after his cousin.
Pimpernel, when she could run no longer, collapsed to the grass and sobbed. She cried so hard she could barely breathe, and eventually had to lay down, not caring if her dress was stained.
Frodo approached the hysterical tweenager timidly, kneeling down. "Pimmie." He said in a quiet voice. "Pimmie, love, what is the matter?"
Pimpernel took a gulp of air and slowly raised her head, revealing red- rimmed eyes. "Oh Frodo-why does this have to happen? Why does she have to marry him?" She allowed Frodo to pull her into a hug.
"Because she loves him." Frodo whispered. "Shhhh-my sweet Pimmie-everything is all right now."
Pimpernel wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and let out a small laugh at the enormous wet spot on Frodo's shirt. "I'm sorry for that." She pointed, and Frodo looked down, smirking.
"Thanks to you I am a soaking heap and my Uncle will wonder what in the name of the Shire happened." He lightly nicked her cheek, causing her to smile weakly. "Never mind. Shall we get back to the ceremony before your parents and other sister and brother start to worry?"
Pimpernel nodded, still hiccoughing and she took Frodo's hand, allowing him to help her stand up. The two of them made their way back to the wedding and went to sit back down, but found that the ceremony had ended and the games were beginning.
"Where in the name of Eru have you two BEEN?" Eglatine asked angrily, glaring at her daughter. "Running out on the wedding that way!"
"She was a bit upset, Auntie Lala." Frodo apologized for Pimpernel. "It seems that growing up is taking a bit of a toll on her."
"Now my love, we have discussed this," Eglatine soothed. "I understand you are upset about your sister leaving us, but she will not be gone forever. She and Falco are only moving a few miles away-on the other side of the lake, so you may visit her any time you like."
Pimpernel nodded. "I understand now, Mum."
"Good. Go and join your cousins now, both of you. Your Uncle is a bit worried too, as you two did not return to see the last of the ceremony."
Frodo nodded as well and led Pimpernel towards the crowds of Bagginses, Tooks, Brandybucks, Chubbs and other random "distant" relations to join in the party.
