Chapter 33
Experiments
"Hurry up, Daisy, Mr. Frodo's waitin' for us!" Sam called from the doorway of #3 Bagshot Row. It was a mild summer evening and the youngest of the Gamgee children had been invited to Bag-End for a story-telling session. May and Marigold were standing on either side of Sam, both giggling as they watched Daisy stumble into the hallway, adjusting her straw hat.
"Let's go then."
"Why are you all dressed up?" asked Sam with a raised eyebrow, noticing that Daisy had on her Sunday clothes: a white lace gown, white shoes and of course pearls around her neck. May and Marigold were still giggling, covering their mouths with their hands, trying to muffle the sound as Daisy insisted that it was nothing, and with a shrug, Sam lead the way out the door and down the small dirt path.
Daisy had to find a way to subtly let Frodo know that she was interested in him, and lad's liked girls who dressed nicely, which her mother had suggested. They reached Bag-End in no time, and were greeted by Bilbo who opened the door. "My my, don't you look nice?" he told Daisy, smiling as he let them in.
"Thank you, sir." Daisy replied, curtsying.
"Frodo is in the parlor." Bilbo explained, and they entered the large room, finding Frodo sitting on the couch reading.
"Hullo, Mr. Frodo!" Sam called, startling his friend, who nearly dropped the book.
"Ah..."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Frodo." May and Marigold chirped in unison, curtsying. Daisy waved with a smile, desparately holding back the urge to throw her arms around him. Frodo raised an eyebrow at her, noticing her gown and her accessories.
"Why are you all dressed up?" he asked.
"Oh-no reason." Daisy shrugged. "So are you going to tell us a story or aren't you?" she laced her arm through his, much to his surprise. He pushed her arm away before leading them all out into the garden.
"What are you doing?" Sam hissed when Frodo, May and Marigold were out of earshot. Daisy glared at him before hurrying over to join the group on the garden bench.
"Actually," Frodo began, grinning, "I called everyone here because I have a surprise.
"A surprise!" May cried. "Oh how wonderful! What kind of a surprise, sir?"
"Well my cousins from Tuckburough are coming to visit later this week....they should be here by Thursday evening at the latest, and I wanted to have a party down by the lake...canoeing and we'll play games and such."
Sam was beet red in the face and shook his head. "No-no, sir." He whispered.
"Why not?" asked Frodo with concern.
"He has an infirmity," Marigold whispered. "He's shy."
Daisy sniggered at her sister's incorrect pronunciation of the word.
"Not with me he isn't," Frodo chuckled. "Oh Sam, my cousins are very nice. You will have a good time. Please say you will come too."
Sam nodded. "All right, Mr. Frodo. I'll come, 'slong as I don't have to really to talk much."
Daisy giggled. "Poor Sam. I'll look out for you." She promised.
"Okay." Sam replied softly.
"Wonderful! My Uncle said it was fine to have the party, and that he'd make the food for the picnic. I'm going to help him tonight with the deserts, though."
"Oooooh," sighed Marigold.
"So this story you speak of," Daisy added. "Where is it, sir?"
Frodo suddenly stood up and began in a loud, dramatic voice, "In a deep, dark forest dewlt a young maiden. Her hair was long, brown and soft, her eyes were brown and her skin fair. She sat by the bubbling brook, gently tapping the cool water with her slender fingers, dreaming of the day when her handsome knight would come and sweep her away." He turned to Daisy with a smirk. "Continue, please."
Daisy stared at him. "I beg your pardon, sir?" she cried. "You want me to what?"
"It is a lovely new game Bilbo taught me," Frodo sniggered. "One person starts a story and when he finds a good place to stop, he asks the other person to continue and around and around the story should go."
Sam and the younger Gamgee girls were horrified, for they had not expected this.
"Beggin' your pardon, sir," Sam began, "But I ain't much good at story tellin'."
"Anyone can tell stories, Sam." Frodo encouraged. "You may make it a funny story or a dramatic one, it is up to you."
Daisy grinned mischeviously, thinking of the maiden waiting for her long lost love. She could use this story to her advantage for certain. 'Big mistake, Frodo Baggins,' she thought happily to herself as she stood up. "I shall continue then." She began. "Though I'm not too good at this either, but I'll do my best."
Everyone turned their attention to her, eyes wide with excitement.
"Oh woe is me," Daisy began, placing the back of her hand against her forehead, her eyes closed and leaning her body back a bit. "An arranged marriage, my father insists, is the best thing for me, as I am the daughter of a King. Hark!" She pointed at Frodo, who jumped a little. "I see a galliant warrior in the distance, riding upon his chestnut steed. Quickly! To the palace I must flee, and up into my tower." She hitched her skirts and hopped up onto the bench. "The young maiden scurried up the castle stairs, her long hair blowing in the early evening breeze that blew through the windows. She hoped that this strange warrior would be hers, " She stopped, glancing down at Frodo who had one eyebrow raised and was watching her movements with suspicion.
"Right then." He added. "Who would like to add some to that?"
May and Marigold were both giggling and pointing up at their eldest sister who had climbed down and sat properly on the bench again. At that moment, Bilbo came outside carrying a tray of glasses and plates, and set it on the ground.
"Thank you, sir!" The Gamgee children chorused in unison.
"You're welcome. Are you having a good time?" he asked.
"Oh yes sir," said Daisy. "Frodo is teaching us a new story game."
"I see. Do you mind if I join you? I am taking in a bit of fresh air. It gets awfully stuffy in that kitchen."
"Sure, Uncle Bilbo." Frodo replied. "You can sit next to me."
Bilbo did, much to Daisy's disgust, for now she would have to watch herself.
"So who's going to continue?" Daisy broke in after a bit. She turned to Sam, whose eyes widened and his skin paled. "Not me, please." He begged, causing Frodo to chuckle. "Come on, dear Sam. You can do it." He encouraged, but Sam hopped off of the bench and ran over to Bilbo, hiding behind the older hobbit for protection. "Don't let them make me, sir," Sam whimpered. "Shhhhh, dear Samwise, it's all right," Bilbo soothed, lifting the lad onto his lap. "You do not have to have a turn if you do not want one." May giggled. "Very well then." She stood up, and cleared her throat. "I shall continue." She placed the back of her hand against her forehead, suddenly collapsing to the ground. " 'Ohhhhh,' the maiden gasped as she entered her chamber, exhausted from having run so fast. Her heart was racing as she eventually stood, and she hurried to her tiny window, peering out. Wh en she got a closer look at the intruder, she realized it was not a knight at all, but an old WITCH--" May came over to Frodo and towered over him, bending her slender fingers as though they were claws. "dressed in a man's traveling cloak and boots." She bowed at that point, showing that she was finished, and everyone, even Sam, began clapping and whistling with delight. Daisy scowled at her younger sister, finding it very annoying that the handsome knight had been changed to a witch. NOW how was she supposed to use the story to her advantage? She turned to Frodo, her expression filled with longing as she watched him nod to Marigold. Bilbo eventually lifted Sam into his arms, and announced that he was going to go back inside and check on his cake. "Would you like to help me frost it?" He asked Sam, who was clinging to his neck, his hazel eyes wide. "We can all have a piece after luncheon if you'd like." Sam grinned and then nodded. "I would like that very much, sir," He agreed, and then Bilbo turned to the other tweens. "Well that's where we'll be then--in the kitchen, if you need me." He carried Sam inside and Daisy could barely keep herself from sighing with relief. She could try to get Frodo alone at last. When Bilbo was out of earshot, Daisy turned to May who was sniggering a little. "Why did you have to change the plot like that?" She snapped, putting her hands on her hips. "How could the character POSSIBLY be a witch? I thought it was wearing armour!" May rolled her eyes. "Daisy, you didn't say WHAT the intruder was wearing...." Frodo stood and held up his hands. "It is a game, Daisy, and it doesn't matter anyway. I think we'll have to play that at the picnic." "That would be fun," Marigold agreed. "Can you teach me how to row a boat, Mr. Frodo?" asked Daisy sweetly. "I've never done it before." Frodo grinned. "Sure, it's easy. You can go with me." Daisy grinned back, blushing furiously, and looked down at her hands. About an hour later, the hobbits were gathered in Bilbo's living room for tea, and were telling jokes, more stories, and just sitting and gazing into the fireplace. Around five, the Gamgee children said goodbye to their employers, who stood waving to them on the doorstep. "Thursday at noon!" Frodo called. "Yes sir!" They all replied just as loudly. Daisy skipped along the dirt path, humming to herself. "There. You got a boat ride with him." May giggled. "Honestly, Daisy, he doesn't seem the least bit interested---I don't know why you keep trying." "Mama said to at least to try and get him to like me." She turned to Sam. "You know my secret, don't you? Or you did, before I said anything." Sam nodded. "Why else would you dress up in fancy clothes just to go to Bag- End? And I'm sure it isn't Mr. Bilbo you've taken a fancy to." Daisy grinned. "Well thank you for not telling Mr. Frodo, Sam. I want to give him subtle hints that I like him." "Well, I only didn't because I er-because I um-I know what it's like to have a crush on someone." "Oh?" The other girls stopped in their tracks and turned around. "Yes. I am rather taken by that Rosie Cotton. I just don't have the nerve to go up and talk to her." "Oh how funny!" Daisy teased. "What's funny?" Sam asked, confused. "That you and I both have a crush on someone at the same time. You're right, though, Miss Rosie is very pretty." They eventually reached home, and entered the smial, to find their parents sitting in the living room. Hamfast was smoking his pipe and Bell was knitting, and both turned around when the children came in. "Did you have a good time?" Bell asked. "Oh yes," May replied. "Mr. Frodo taught us a new game. And he invited us to a party later this week!" "A party, eh?" Hamfast asked with a raised eyebrow. "And where will this party be?" "Down by the lake," Daisy explained. "The Tooks are coming to visit and Mr. Frodo wants us to meet his cousins from that side. Can we go, Papa? Please?" "I don't see why not. I'll talk to Mr. Bilbo about it in the mornin' and get the rest o' the details, but I don't think it should be a problem." "Well go and wash up for supper then," Bell announced. "Daisy, can I speak to you privately for a moment?" "Yes Mama." Sam, May and Marigold scurried outside to the water pump, and Bell led her eldest daughter into the kitchen. "Any luck with Mr. Frodo?" She asked quietly once they were alone. Daisy shrugged. "Well, he did agree to go out on the row boat with me at the picnic." "Row boat! Now Daisy, you know how I feel about hobbits and water! We're not meant for such things! You'd think he'd have more sense, after what happened to his parents---" She shook her head. "Thick skinned, he is---" "He's responsible, Mama. He knows how to swim and row. He told me so. AndI want to go out on the boat with him. I promise I'll be careful, I will!" Her eyes widened pleadingly. Bell frowned. "We'll discuss it later, Daisy. Go and wash up now, and come back and help me put dinner on the table." Daisy sighed. "Yes Ma'am." She followed in her younger sibling's wake outside. She couldn't imagine telling Frodo that her mother wouldn't allow her on the boat. She had to find some way to convince her parents that it would be safe to go out on the water with him, that she was responsible too. 'Somehow,' she thought.
Experiments
"Hurry up, Daisy, Mr. Frodo's waitin' for us!" Sam called from the doorway of #3 Bagshot Row. It was a mild summer evening and the youngest of the Gamgee children had been invited to Bag-End for a story-telling session. May and Marigold were standing on either side of Sam, both giggling as they watched Daisy stumble into the hallway, adjusting her straw hat.
"Let's go then."
"Why are you all dressed up?" asked Sam with a raised eyebrow, noticing that Daisy had on her Sunday clothes: a white lace gown, white shoes and of course pearls around her neck. May and Marigold were still giggling, covering their mouths with their hands, trying to muffle the sound as Daisy insisted that it was nothing, and with a shrug, Sam lead the way out the door and down the small dirt path.
Daisy had to find a way to subtly let Frodo know that she was interested in him, and lad's liked girls who dressed nicely, which her mother had suggested. They reached Bag-End in no time, and were greeted by Bilbo who opened the door. "My my, don't you look nice?" he told Daisy, smiling as he let them in.
"Thank you, sir." Daisy replied, curtsying.
"Frodo is in the parlor." Bilbo explained, and they entered the large room, finding Frodo sitting on the couch reading.
"Hullo, Mr. Frodo!" Sam called, startling his friend, who nearly dropped the book.
"Ah..."
"Good afternoon, Mr. Frodo." May and Marigold chirped in unison, curtsying. Daisy waved with a smile, desparately holding back the urge to throw her arms around him. Frodo raised an eyebrow at her, noticing her gown and her accessories.
"Why are you all dressed up?" he asked.
"Oh-no reason." Daisy shrugged. "So are you going to tell us a story or aren't you?" she laced her arm through his, much to his surprise. He pushed her arm away before leading them all out into the garden.
"What are you doing?" Sam hissed when Frodo, May and Marigold were out of earshot. Daisy glared at him before hurrying over to join the group on the garden bench.
"Actually," Frodo began, grinning, "I called everyone here because I have a surprise.
"A surprise!" May cried. "Oh how wonderful! What kind of a surprise, sir?"
"Well my cousins from Tuckburough are coming to visit later this week....they should be here by Thursday evening at the latest, and I wanted to have a party down by the lake...canoeing and we'll play games and such."
Sam was beet red in the face and shook his head. "No-no, sir." He whispered.
"Why not?" asked Frodo with concern.
"He has an infirmity," Marigold whispered. "He's shy."
Daisy sniggered at her sister's incorrect pronunciation of the word.
"Not with me he isn't," Frodo chuckled. "Oh Sam, my cousins are very nice. You will have a good time. Please say you will come too."
Sam nodded. "All right, Mr. Frodo. I'll come, 'slong as I don't have to really to talk much."
Daisy giggled. "Poor Sam. I'll look out for you." She promised.
"Okay." Sam replied softly.
"Wonderful! My Uncle said it was fine to have the party, and that he'd make the food for the picnic. I'm going to help him tonight with the deserts, though."
"Oooooh," sighed Marigold.
"So this story you speak of," Daisy added. "Where is it, sir?"
Frodo suddenly stood up and began in a loud, dramatic voice, "In a deep, dark forest dewlt a young maiden. Her hair was long, brown and soft, her eyes were brown and her skin fair. She sat by the bubbling brook, gently tapping the cool water with her slender fingers, dreaming of the day when her handsome knight would come and sweep her away." He turned to Daisy with a smirk. "Continue, please."
Daisy stared at him. "I beg your pardon, sir?" she cried. "You want me to what?"
"It is a lovely new game Bilbo taught me," Frodo sniggered. "One person starts a story and when he finds a good place to stop, he asks the other person to continue and around and around the story should go."
Sam and the younger Gamgee girls were horrified, for they had not expected this.
"Beggin' your pardon, sir," Sam began, "But I ain't much good at story tellin'."
"Anyone can tell stories, Sam." Frodo encouraged. "You may make it a funny story or a dramatic one, it is up to you."
Daisy grinned mischeviously, thinking of the maiden waiting for her long lost love. She could use this story to her advantage for certain. 'Big mistake, Frodo Baggins,' she thought happily to herself as she stood up. "I shall continue then." She began. "Though I'm not too good at this either, but I'll do my best."
Everyone turned their attention to her, eyes wide with excitement.
"Oh woe is me," Daisy began, placing the back of her hand against her forehead, her eyes closed and leaning her body back a bit. "An arranged marriage, my father insists, is the best thing for me, as I am the daughter of a King. Hark!" She pointed at Frodo, who jumped a little. "I see a galliant warrior in the distance, riding upon his chestnut steed. Quickly! To the palace I must flee, and up into my tower." She hitched her skirts and hopped up onto the bench. "The young maiden scurried up the castle stairs, her long hair blowing in the early evening breeze that blew through the windows. She hoped that this strange warrior would be hers, " She stopped, glancing down at Frodo who had one eyebrow raised and was watching her movements with suspicion.
"Right then." He added. "Who would like to add some to that?"
May and Marigold were both giggling and pointing up at their eldest sister who had climbed down and sat properly on the bench again. At that moment, Bilbo came outside carrying a tray of glasses and plates, and set it on the ground.
"Thank you, sir!" The Gamgee children chorused in unison.
"You're welcome. Are you having a good time?" he asked.
"Oh yes sir," said Daisy. "Frodo is teaching us a new story game."
"I see. Do you mind if I join you? I am taking in a bit of fresh air. It gets awfully stuffy in that kitchen."
"Sure, Uncle Bilbo." Frodo replied. "You can sit next to me."
Bilbo did, much to Daisy's disgust, for now she would have to watch herself.
"So who's going to continue?" Daisy broke in after a bit. She turned to Sam, whose eyes widened and his skin paled. "Not me, please." He begged, causing Frodo to chuckle. "Come on, dear Sam. You can do it." He encouraged, but Sam hopped off of the bench and ran over to Bilbo, hiding behind the older hobbit for protection. "Don't let them make me, sir," Sam whimpered. "Shhhhh, dear Samwise, it's all right," Bilbo soothed, lifting the lad onto his lap. "You do not have to have a turn if you do not want one." May giggled. "Very well then." She stood up, and cleared her throat. "I shall continue." She placed the back of her hand against her forehead, suddenly collapsing to the ground. " 'Ohhhhh,' the maiden gasped as she entered her chamber, exhausted from having run so fast. Her heart was racing as she eventually stood, and she hurried to her tiny window, peering out. Wh en she got a closer look at the intruder, she realized it was not a knight at all, but an old WITCH--" May came over to Frodo and towered over him, bending her slender fingers as though they were claws. "dressed in a man's traveling cloak and boots." She bowed at that point, showing that she was finished, and everyone, even Sam, began clapping and whistling with delight. Daisy scowled at her younger sister, finding it very annoying that the handsome knight had been changed to a witch. NOW how was she supposed to use the story to her advantage? She turned to Frodo, her expression filled with longing as she watched him nod to Marigold. Bilbo eventually lifted Sam into his arms, and announced that he was going to go back inside and check on his cake. "Would you like to help me frost it?" He asked Sam, who was clinging to his neck, his hazel eyes wide. "We can all have a piece after luncheon if you'd like." Sam grinned and then nodded. "I would like that very much, sir," He agreed, and then Bilbo turned to the other tweens. "Well that's where we'll be then--in the kitchen, if you need me." He carried Sam inside and Daisy could barely keep herself from sighing with relief. She could try to get Frodo alone at last. When Bilbo was out of earshot, Daisy turned to May who was sniggering a little. "Why did you have to change the plot like that?" She snapped, putting her hands on her hips. "How could the character POSSIBLY be a witch? I thought it was wearing armour!" May rolled her eyes. "Daisy, you didn't say WHAT the intruder was wearing...." Frodo stood and held up his hands. "It is a game, Daisy, and it doesn't matter anyway. I think we'll have to play that at the picnic." "That would be fun," Marigold agreed. "Can you teach me how to row a boat, Mr. Frodo?" asked Daisy sweetly. "I've never done it before." Frodo grinned. "Sure, it's easy. You can go with me." Daisy grinned back, blushing furiously, and looked down at her hands. About an hour later, the hobbits were gathered in Bilbo's living room for tea, and were telling jokes, more stories, and just sitting and gazing into the fireplace. Around five, the Gamgee children said goodbye to their employers, who stood waving to them on the doorstep. "Thursday at noon!" Frodo called. "Yes sir!" They all replied just as loudly. Daisy skipped along the dirt path, humming to herself. "There. You got a boat ride with him." May giggled. "Honestly, Daisy, he doesn't seem the least bit interested---I don't know why you keep trying." "Mama said to at least to try and get him to like me." She turned to Sam. "You know my secret, don't you? Or you did, before I said anything." Sam nodded. "Why else would you dress up in fancy clothes just to go to Bag- End? And I'm sure it isn't Mr. Bilbo you've taken a fancy to." Daisy grinned. "Well thank you for not telling Mr. Frodo, Sam. I want to give him subtle hints that I like him." "Well, I only didn't because I er-because I um-I know what it's like to have a crush on someone." "Oh?" The other girls stopped in their tracks and turned around. "Yes. I am rather taken by that Rosie Cotton. I just don't have the nerve to go up and talk to her." "Oh how funny!" Daisy teased. "What's funny?" Sam asked, confused. "That you and I both have a crush on someone at the same time. You're right, though, Miss Rosie is very pretty." They eventually reached home, and entered the smial, to find their parents sitting in the living room. Hamfast was smoking his pipe and Bell was knitting, and both turned around when the children came in. "Did you have a good time?" Bell asked. "Oh yes," May replied. "Mr. Frodo taught us a new game. And he invited us to a party later this week!" "A party, eh?" Hamfast asked with a raised eyebrow. "And where will this party be?" "Down by the lake," Daisy explained. "The Tooks are coming to visit and Mr. Frodo wants us to meet his cousins from that side. Can we go, Papa? Please?" "I don't see why not. I'll talk to Mr. Bilbo about it in the mornin' and get the rest o' the details, but I don't think it should be a problem." "Well go and wash up for supper then," Bell announced. "Daisy, can I speak to you privately for a moment?" "Yes Mama." Sam, May and Marigold scurried outside to the water pump, and Bell led her eldest daughter into the kitchen. "Any luck with Mr. Frodo?" She asked quietly once they were alone. Daisy shrugged. "Well, he did agree to go out on the row boat with me at the picnic." "Row boat! Now Daisy, you know how I feel about hobbits and water! We're not meant for such things! You'd think he'd have more sense, after what happened to his parents---" She shook her head. "Thick skinned, he is---" "He's responsible, Mama. He knows how to swim and row. He told me so. AndI want to go out on the boat with him. I promise I'll be careful, I will!" Her eyes widened pleadingly. Bell frowned. "We'll discuss it later, Daisy. Go and wash up now, and come back and help me put dinner on the table." Daisy sighed. "Yes Ma'am." She followed in her younger sibling's wake outside. She couldn't imagine telling Frodo that her mother wouldn't allow her on the boat. She had to find some way to convince her parents that it would be safe to go out on the water with him, that she was responsible too. 'Somehow,' she thought.
