Chapter 35

Camp Baggins

A/N: I apologize for the strange blocking format towards the end of the last chapter. I thought I had enough spaces between paragraphs, but I guess I didn't---either that, or ff.net was being fluky. :-P

Over the next couple of days, Daisy managed to convince her parents that she was responsible enough to ride in the boat with Frodo. She still heard her mother mumbling "thick headed imps" as she folded the laundry.

Thursday came much quicker than the other's had expected, and soon they found themselves in the front hall, putting on sun hats and overcoats. Little Sam sat in the hallway chair, his head down, gazing awkwardly at his hands, folded on his lap. He was not looking forward to this call, in fact, he would much rather remain at home and help his father in the garden.

"You would not want to appear rude and reject Mr. Frodo's invitation, would you?" Daisy asked, noticing her brother's expression. "And after he's been so kind to us."

Sam turned beet red. "No, I wouldn't want to insult Mr. Frodo, not at all! I just---I don't like strangers, and especially important strangers." He shuddered, wondering what the Thain of Tuckburough's children were like.

"There now, I'm sure they're not as awful as you think," Daisy giggled. "Frodo's forever talkin' about his cousins, and they sound wonderous, especially the younger boy---I forget his name, dear me," she grumbled.

Sam shook his head. "I do like to please Mr. Frodo, I'm not afraid of Mr. Bilbo, he's so kind. But I don't want to play, or sing, or say anything. I'll work hard and not trouble anyone, and you'll take care of me, Daisy, so I'll go."

May and Marigold giggled at their younger brother's words, and Daisy pulled him into a hug and ruffled his head of thick, sand-colored hair. "Very well."

"And you won't let the girls talk to me, will you?" He added, standing up and allowing Daisy to straighten his fancy shirt and vest.

"Not a girl!" Daisy promised.

Bell soon entered the hallway carrying a basket, and handed it over to her eldest daughter. "Fresh apple crumb pies for you to give to Mr. Bilbo when you arrive," She explaind.

Daisy lifted the cloth and peered inside, and sure enough, her mother was correct. Daisy lifted her head and grinned. "You ought to have made cherry pies, Mama," She teased, and Bell swiped gently at her daughter with the towel she had been carrying.

"Why cherry?" asked Marigold curiously, her eyes widening.

"Never you mind," Bell replied. "Now all of you be respectable. Do not forget your manners."

"We shan't," Daisy promised. "Come along like good little ducks," She told her younger siblings, and waved goodbye to her mother as she headed out the door. "Good bye, Papa!" She called to Hamfast, who was trimming the rose bushes along the side of the smial, and he tipped his straw hat to them, waving back.

"Behave for Mr. Frodo and Mr. Bilbo! I want a good report when you return!" He shouted.

Daisy nodded and led her siblings in a line down the path in the direction of the lake. The weather was perfect for a picnic, sunny and warm, and the sky was deep blue and almost cloudless. A few songbirds chirped in the distance, and a gentle but cool breeze ruffled dresses and hair as it passed. Sam lagged behind his sisters, shuffling his large feet along the dirt, making dust clouds as he did so.

Neither of them spoke at all as they strolled. They were all anticipating how the afternoon was going to go, whether they would like the Tooks or not. Daisy was off in her own little world, dreaming about boating with Frodo, wishing she could hold hands with him while he rowed.

They soon approached the lake, where they noticed a large blanket had been set up, and three strange girls and a young boy were gathered there, but Frodo was nowhere to be seen at the moment. Two out of the three girls had thick auburn hair, and the smaller of the girls had golden blonde. The boy had mousse colored hair, and all of them were sitting and chatting in quiet voices to each other. On the blanket sat baskets and platters filled with food and containers of drink.

A strong ghust of wind suddenly blew Daisy's hat off of her head, and sailed right against the shoulder of the Took boy, causing him to shriek and leap onto his eldest sister. "Oh!" Daisy gasped, rushing after her hat, which had landed on the grass, and she picked it up, turning around, blushing. "I am so very sorry about my foolish hat!" She apologized, plopping it right back onto her head. "You must be Frodo's cousins!"

Pippin was placed back on the ground, and they nodded politely. "Yes. You must be the Gamgees then," the middle Took daughter pointed out.

"Yes, we are. I am Daisy, that is Marigold, May, and Sam."

"My name is Pimpernel. That is Pervinca, Pearl, and Peregrin."

"Pippin!" Peregrin snarled, resisting the urge to kick his sister in the shins. He hated it when people used his real name, and they usually only did so when he was in trouble.

"Ah! So you have decided to arrive!"

All heads turned and saw Frodo clambering up the bank of the lake and wiping his dirty hands on his breeches. Bilbo followed close behind, smiling at the newly arrived guests. "Hullo, Mr. Frodo!" The Gamgees chimed in unison, and the girls curtseyed to Bilbo, who nodded respectfully.

"How nice of you to come," Bilbo told them kindly. "I do see you have met Frodo's cousins."

"Oh yes," Marigold replied.

"Mr. Bilbo," Daisy suddenly spoke, remembering the basket she held on her arm, "Mama sends these apple pies for desert. She thought you might enjoy them." Daisy presented the old hobbit with the basket, and he accepted it, giving Daisy a pat on the head.

"We will in deed! I must thank your mother properly when I go back to Bag- End."

"Bilbo is not staying for the picnic you see," Frodo explained,

"You're---you're not?" Sam asked, startled.

"Of course not. I would not dream of slowing down the fun. I have to work on some writing today anyway, but I will be back to check on things later. Frodo, make sure to keep everyone in order, and if anything serious happens, you know where I will be." He narrowed his eyes and Frodo nodded.

"I know, Uncle Bilbo."

Bilbo set the basket of pies down on the blanket, and then told them goodbye once more before turning and heading back to Bag-End.

When the old hobbit was gone, Frodo looked at everyone, grinning. "So have we all had introductions?" He asked hopefully.

"Yes we have," Daisy told him.

"I'm hungry, Frodo! Can we eat now?" Pippin asked hopefully, jumping up and down. Sam shrunk behind Daisy when Pervinca gazed at him fondly, and everyone took their places on the blanket.

"What is wrong with him?" Pervinca asked, confused.

"He has an infirmity," May explained, "he's shy."

"Oh." Pervinca blinked.

"What all are we going to do this afternoon, Frodo?" Pearl asked, unwrapping the mushroom sandwiches. There were also cinnamon scones, a chicken and mushroom sauce with carrots dish, a plate of fresh vegetables, peach and strawberry cobbler and more. Daisy sat close to Frodo, trying hard not to flutter her eyelashes at him when they made eye contact. The Gamgees found that the Tooks were no different in manners than they were. Pimpernel told Marigold all about the plays she wrote and ones she was planning on starting, and Daisy and Pearl talked about the latest fashions and unfortunately their conversation turned over to the topic of boys.

"You must have a crush on someone now," Pearl giggled, chewing thoughtfully on a piece of fresh celery.

"No, I do not," Daisy grumbled, not wanting to embarrass herself. She eyed Frodo who was now on his back, gazing up at the sky.

"Oh I'll bet you do," Pearl teased. "You're just too shy to tell us."

Frodo was completely ignoring the conversation, much to Daisy's relief, but she did not want to draw any attention to herself.

"So when are we going boating?" Daisy interrupted.

Frodo sat up. "Once everyone's finished lunch. I have an entire area of games and other things set up across the lake. There are three boats tied up below the bank, which is where I was when you first got here."

Daisy grinned. "I managed to convince mother to let us row. She did not seem very happy about it at first."

Frodo shrugged. "Well, it is not really natural for a hobbit to be on the water, however, who's to say I'm natural?" He winked, and everyone laughed. "Well, I say we'll bring your mother's pies across with us, as we can save them for later in the day, for tea time."

Daisy smiled at him. "I like that idea. I'm too stuffed to eat a pie at the moment." She glanced at Pearl, who was fiddling with the hem of her dress.

"So let's pick rowing partners. I've already made a promise to row with Miss Daisy," Frodo turned to her with a fond smile, and Daisy wanted to melt right there in her spot.

So Marigold agreed to row with Sam and Pimpernel, and Pervinca with Pearl and Pippin. That left May alone, so Frodo told her to come into the boat with he and Daisy, much to Daisy's disgust. "There now, we'll be even." He chuckled, and everyone found it a very pleasureable idea.

Daisy felt her heart flutter as Frodo helped her into one of the small wooden row boats. She sat down beside May and watched as he helped everyone else before grabbing hold of the oars. It was a wonder that Frodo still trusted the water, especially after having witnessed the death of his parents.

No one spoke on the way across the lake, because those rather inexperienced boaters were trying to pay close attention to their task at hand. Luckily, the boat ride went smoothly and they reached the other side in no time at all.

The hobbit children scrambled up the bank once the boats were docked again, and Pearl screeched when she got a bit of mud on her dress. "I hate getting dirty!" She wailed. Pimpernel grinned wildly, and teasingly splashed her sister with some of the lake water, before hitching her skirts and bolting the rest of the way up onto the play turf.

Pearl stood rigid, with an expression of extreme outrage on her face, her auburn locks dripping a bit. When May offered a hand to her, she moved away sharply. "I do not need your help, thank you. I am old enough to take care of myself." With that, she stormed the rest of the way up the hill. Once they were all together, the group listened as Frodo went over the schedule for the afternoon/evening.

"The tent is for your especial benefit and that oak is your drawing room, this is the mess room and the third is the camp kitchen. Now, let's have a game before it gets hot, and then we'll see about dinner." He grinned proudly. "Conkers, Croquet, tag.." He counted off what games he had set up and ready for everyone. Sam, Pervinca and Pippin sat out for the game, as they were too young, and Frodo, Daisy, May, Marigold, Pearl and Pimpernel split up into pairs for a game of croquet.

"Have you played before?" Pimpernel asked May, who was fingering the mallet curiously.

"Oh..once," May lied.

"Let us get started then," Daisy announced, and she, as was expected, partnered up with Frodo.

As the game started, Sam found that Pervinca was watching him sweetly, and he tried not to look her in the eye. Pippin was lying on his stomach, blowing notes on a blade of grass, hardly noticing that Sam or his sister were there at all. He was lost in his own little world, enjoying himself quite completely.

Frodo and the Gamgees played well, but the Tooks played better. Daisy and Pearl had several skirmishes and once narrowly escaped high words. Daisy was through the last wicket and had missed the stroke, which failure ruffled her a good deal. Pearl was close behind her and her turn came before hers. She gave a stroke, her ball hit the wicket, and stopped an inch on the wrong side. No one was very near, and running up to examine, Pearl gave it a sly nudge with his toe, which put it just an inch on the right side.

"I'm through! Now, Miss Daisy! I'll settle you, and get in first," announced Pearl smiling sweetly, swinging her mallet for another blow.

"You pushed it. I saw you. It's my turn now," said Daisy sharply.

"Upon my word, I didn't move it." Pearl insisted, holding up her hands. Pervinca and Frodo were smirking at each other knowingly, but knew best not to get into the argument. "It rolled a bit, perhaps, but that is allowed," she continued. "So, stand off please, and let me have a go at the stake."

"We don't cheat in Hobbiton, but you can, if you choose," said Daisy angrily. (1)Frodo grasped her by the arm and pulled her aside quickly for a word.

"You do not tell the daughter of the Thain that she cheats at croquet," he whispered.

"But it's rude!" Daisy hissed back. "She has no right to---" Frodo covered her mouth with his hand and raised his bright blue eyes.

"Are we going to continue playing or not?" May asked, standing beside Pimpernel.

Frodo nodded. "Yes, we'll finish this round," he replied.

"Good."

"Folk from Hobbiton are a deal the most tricky, everybody knows," Pearl tortured once Daisy and Frodo prepared to play again. "There you go!" returned Pearl, croqueting her ball far away. Daisy opened her lips to say something rude, but checked herself in time, colored up to her forehead and stood a minute, hammering down a wicket with all her might, while Pearl hit the stake and declared herself out with much exultation. She went off to get her ball, and was a long time finding it among the bushes, but she came back, looking cool and quiet, and waited her turn patiently. It took several strokes to regain the place she had lost, and when she got there, the other side had nearly won, for May's ball was the last but one and lay near the stake.

"It's all up with us! Goodbye, May. Miss Daisy owes me one, so you are finished," cried Pearl excitedly, as they all drew near to see the finish. (2)

"Now you look here!" Daisy started to retort, but gasped as Frodo pinched her on the arm. "Frodo!" She cried, rubbing the sore spot.

When the game was over, Daisy was a might relieved, for if it had continued, she may have lost it and slugged the eldest Took child. 'What a mess I would have gotten myself into if that had happened,' she thought, as she and the others helped Frodo clear the area. Sam, Pippin and Pervinca stood up once the group came over to them, and soon everyone sat in a circle, enjoying the sunshine.

Sam eventually found Pervinca quite charming, and allowed her to talk to him while they rested and munched on Bell Gamgee's pies. Pimpernel continued to speak with May about her writing, while Frodo watched Sam and Pervinca with a slight smile on his face. It took quite a bit of a nudge to urge the lad out of his shell, and Pervinca was doing a find job of it.

"Say, I've got a game!" Pimpernel spoke up at last, once the girls would not and the boys could not eat anymore. Everyone turned to her expectantly and rasied their eyes curiously to see what she was going to come up with. "It's called "truth"," She continued, "To learn a bit more about each other so next time we meet up we won't feel as queer around each other." She stood up. "It's simple. What you do, is each of us take turns asking each other questions about things we like, and it goes 'round and 'round. It's great fun."

Frodo nodded. "It does sound fun. Let us try it, shall we?" Everyone was in agreement, except for poor Sam who was trembling from head to toe.

"Might I just sit back and listen, Mr. Frodo? I'm not much good at these games," He begged quietly.

"Of course, Sam," Frodo laughed. "You can come and sit by me if you wish. You may join in whenever you please," He added, as Sam scurried over to sit beside his companion. "Who is going to start? How about Pimpernel, since you came up with the game? That's the fair way to do it."

Pimpernel grinned. "Very well. She turned to Marigold. "Who are your hereoes, Marigold?" She asked.

"That's easy," Marigold giggled, "Mama and Mr. Bilbo."

Everyone laughed at that. "Now your turn," Pimpernel told her, "Pick someone else to ask."

"Pippin, who do you think is the prettiest?"

Pippin turned beat red as he murmered, "May,"

May blushed also, but everyone could tell she was pleased. "All right. Frodo. Whom do you like best?" She smiled.

"I hate to pick favorites," Frodo sighed, "But I'd have to say my dearest favorite is Sam." He grinned at the young Gamgee lad, who gasped and then a big grin spread over his own face.

"Gee, Mr. Frodo, ya didn't have to say that, sir!" He squeaked.

"Oh but I did, Sam." Frodo chuckled. "Now to be fair, since he does not wish to play, I am going to ask Daisy a question." He turned to her, and her mouth fell open. "What do you most wish for?"

Daisy could have died. She knew what she most wished for, but she would never tell anyone that. Still, it was a game of truth, and this was her chance to show Frodo that she was madly in love with him. Sam watched his sister anxiously, wondering what kind of an excuse she'd make for the real thing. "To marry you." Daisy finally spoke, and then felt faint as Frodo stared at her, blinking.

"I beg your pardon?" He asked, startled.

Pearl, Pimpernel, Pervinca and Pippin were sniggering at this, and May, Marigold and Sam's jaws had dropped at her bluntness. Daisy sat there for a moment, but then she quickly stood up, thoroughly horrified that she'd opened her big mouth, and bolted off.

"Daisy!" Frodo yelled, still getting over the shock a bit, but not wanting her to hurt herself. "I'll be right back," he told the others, and took off after Daisy. He managed to catch up with her, and took her arm, stopping her from running further. Her cheeks were tearstained, and her hat was askew once he got a better look at her face. "Daisy, is it true? Do you really like me that much?" He asked quietly, not quite sure what to think.

Daisy removed her hat and played with the pink sash. "Would you be so very angry if I said yes?" She asked.

"Of course not," Frodo chuckled, "I'd be quite flattered in fact. Why, though? I never knew this!"

"I would not have told you," Daisy hiccoughed, "I was much too embarrassed. And why? You are so handsome and kind and caring, and who would not want to marry you?" She replied thoughtfully. "Frodo..."

He touched her shoulder gently. "Now Daisy, what I am going to tell you is not meant to be an insult in any way, but I am not the right lad for you. Dating has never been one of my top priorties, just as it had never been Bilbo's, and I am not quite sure why, but it would be a lie to say I loved you back when I didn't."

Daisy gulped. "So...so I should stop trying then." Daisy grumbled, feeling her heart break in half. She should have known better not to get her hopes up.

"I am very sorry, Daisy, I truly am," Frodo apologized, feeling horrible. "Would a proper kiss make it up to you?"

Daisy smiled, and nodded, and then felt her heart suddenly repair itself as he gently kissed her on the cheek and squeezed her hand. "T-th-ank you," She stuttered.

"You are most welcome." Frodo grinned. "Now this is not to say we can't be good friends. I am just not particularily keen where romance is concerned. I do hope you understand."

Daisy nodded. "I do. Thank you for clearing this up, Mr. Frodo, or I would have certainly made a big fool of myself if I'd continued."

Frodo touched her cheek. "You are never a fool. And I am certain there are plenty of young lads out there who are taken by your beauty."

She blushed and giggled. "Mr. Frodo!"

He laughed. "Come on, let's go back to the party. We still have a good portion of daylight left. We do not want to waste it." He winked at her, and she hurried back to the group after him.

The rest of the afternoon was spent playing several games of conkers, Pimpernel telling her new stories out loud, and they ate more pie and drank a bit of tea. When the sun began to set, Frodo led them all to the boats, and they got in and began to paddle their way across to the other side again, and scrambled back up the hill once more, where Bilbo stood waiting for them.

"Did you have a fine time?" He asked hopefully.

"Oh yes, sir!" The Gamgee's replied in unison.

"Thank you very much for inviting us," Daisy told Frodo, curtseying. He bowed deeply and nodded.

"Anytime, Daisy, anytime. Well, we'd best all get indoors, as it is getting late, and I do not want to upset your Gaffer," Frodo told the Gamgees.

"Was a pleasure to have met you," Pimpernel told her new companions, and hands were shaken before everyone decided to turn in for the night. When Daisy entered the house, Bell immediately took notice of her glum expression, and pulled her aside.

"My dear, what in the name of the Shire happened?" She asked.

"It's over, Mama. I told Mr. Frodo I loved him." Daisy sighed sadly, as she plopped into one of the living room chairs. Bell frowned.

"What did he say?"

"He does not want a lass. He wants to remain friends only. But he did kiss me," She added, "Which was lovely."

Bell chuckled. "Ah well, you can't have everything, love. Get on upstairs and wash up for bedtime."

Bell watched was Daisy scurried up the stairs before shaking her head, and making her way into the kitchen again.

A/N: (1) This is actually a real paragraph from Little Women, which I have changed a bit to fit this story.

(2) The same as above. These scenes were taken from the chapter "Camp Lawrence", hence, "Camp Baggins". Hope everyone enjoyed! More to come!