A Flawed Diamond 2: An old pain remembered
The Shire 1428 (summer)
On the day Rosemary, who had become a dear friend to Diamond, arrived from Hobbiton Diamond was sitting on a chair in the shade while a worried Pippin brought her fresh fruit, cheese, and cool water. The day was warm, the last and greatest of the heat of that summer, and Diamond's brown curls were plastered to her forehead but, as long as her supply of water was replenished, she didn't mind. The soft heat felt like a comforting blanket and intensified the scent of the mint and roses from the garden.
Diamond's golden eyes were closed and terrible memories were flashing on the inside of her eyelids, scenes from the invasion. A small group of hobbits were standing before a group of shirrifs and ruffian big people who had overrun the Shire. Two other lasses were sobbing but the smallest lass looked at the chief ruffian with defiant gold eyes. Those same eyes, nine years older, squeezed tight in an effort to block out what happened next. "Twenty-four," she thought, "I was only twenty-four, barely into my tweens."
"Diamond," she heard Pippin's voice call as if from far away, "Rosemary is here, dearest, and she brought her daughter with her. Are you feeling any better?"
She looked up and saw Pippin had a full water pitcher, a bowl of plums, and some bread and cheese. She answered him with a lie, "I am feeling a little better, Pippin-love. Please tell them I would love to see them. Also, would you bring me my drawing supplies? I would like to do something with my hands instead of laying here like a pregnant bump on a log."
Pippin smiled but was concerned, "The healer said you shouldn't exert yourself. Are you sure that is wise? I know you love drawing but it does take some effort."
"Don't worry dear," she replied, "I will stop if I get too tired."
Pippin came back with Rosemary, Iris, and Diamond's art supplies and, knowing his wife was in capable hands, he went to attend to some business for his father. Diamond hoped her husband would return soon but not before giving her a chance to talk to Rosemary. Rosemary was eleven years older than Diamond and had a calm, peaceful presence the younger hobbit-woman found very pleasing. However, little Iris' solemn manner and luminous eyes gave Rosemary's secret away to anyone with eyes to see. Most hobbits chose to be blind to the truth of Iris' parentage and their lot would have been worse if the Mayor, the Thain's son, and the son of the Master of Buckland hadn't made it clear Rosemary and her child should be treated well.
They talked of small, friendly matters like the beautiful summer that was ending and the small doings of acquaintances. Rosemary was the first to delve into deeper waters. She looked at Diamond with sad eyes and said, "Iris and I will be traveling to the Havens soon. May I take one of your white roses."'
Every year on Frodo's birthday, Rosemary put a white rose into the sea and willed it to travel west. Diamond knew it caused Rosemary pain to speak of Frodo so she simply said, "Of course you may. You are very kind to have come and may have one of my roses this year and for all the years to come."
Rosemary looked at the younger woman, frowned, and said, "I can see more is wearing on you than being with child, Diamond. I am sorry for it. Do you want to tell me what is troubling you?"
Diamond, her voice quivering, asked, "Do you remember 1419?" She meant to continue but it felt like her throat was being squeezed shut and the memories continued to come back.
In her mind it was 1419. The frightening -looking big person pointed to her and said, "I think these miserable halflings need a object lesson. Bring me that one." She could almost feel herself being grabbed by rough hands.
In the present, she heard Rosemary scream her name. She could feel something tearing inside her and toppled forward out of her chair. He last conscious thought was, "I made poor Pip bring out my art things and I didn't even use them."
On the day Rosemary, who had become a dear friend to Diamond, arrived from Hobbiton Diamond was sitting on a chair in the shade while a worried Pippin brought her fresh fruit, cheese, and cool water. The day was warm, the last and greatest of the heat of that summer, and Diamond's brown curls were plastered to her forehead but, as long as her supply of water was replenished, she didn't mind. The soft heat felt like a comforting blanket and intensified the scent of the mint and roses from the garden.
Diamond's golden eyes were closed and terrible memories were flashing on the inside of her eyelids, scenes from the invasion. A small group of hobbits were standing before a group of shirrifs and ruffian big people who had overrun the Shire. Two other lasses were sobbing but the smallest lass looked at the chief ruffian with defiant gold eyes. Those same eyes, nine years older, squeezed tight in an effort to block out what happened next. "Twenty-four," she thought, "I was only twenty-four, barely into my tweens."
"Diamond," she heard Pippin's voice call as if from far away, "Rosemary is here, dearest, and she brought her daughter with her. Are you feeling any better?"
She looked up and saw Pippin had a full water pitcher, a bowl of plums, and some bread and cheese. She answered him with a lie, "I am feeling a little better, Pippin-love. Please tell them I would love to see them. Also, would you bring me my drawing supplies? I would like to do something with my hands instead of laying here like a pregnant bump on a log."
Pippin smiled but was concerned, "The healer said you shouldn't exert yourself. Are you sure that is wise? I know you love drawing but it does take some effort."
"Don't worry dear," she replied, "I will stop if I get too tired."
Pippin came back with Rosemary, Iris, and Diamond's art supplies and, knowing his wife was in capable hands, he went to attend to some business for his father. Diamond hoped her husband would return soon but not before giving her a chance to talk to Rosemary. Rosemary was eleven years older than Diamond and had a calm, peaceful presence the younger hobbit-woman found very pleasing. However, little Iris' solemn manner and luminous eyes gave Rosemary's secret away to anyone with eyes to see. Most hobbits chose to be blind to the truth of Iris' parentage and their lot would have been worse if the Mayor, the Thain's son, and the son of the Master of Buckland hadn't made it clear Rosemary and her child should be treated well.
They talked of small, friendly matters like the beautiful summer that was ending and the small doings of acquaintances. Rosemary was the first to delve into deeper waters. She looked at Diamond with sad eyes and said, "Iris and I will be traveling to the Havens soon. May I take one of your white roses."'
Every year on Frodo's birthday, Rosemary put a white rose into the sea and willed it to travel west. Diamond knew it caused Rosemary pain to speak of Frodo so she simply said, "Of course you may. You are very kind to have come and may have one of my roses this year and for all the years to come."
Rosemary looked at the younger woman, frowned, and said, "I can see more is wearing on you than being with child, Diamond. I am sorry for it. Do you want to tell me what is troubling you?"
Diamond, her voice quivering, asked, "Do you remember 1419?" She meant to continue but it felt like her throat was being squeezed shut and the memories continued to come back.
In her mind it was 1419. The frightening -looking big person pointed to her and said, "I think these miserable halflings need a object lesson. Bring me that one." She could almost feel herself being grabbed by rough hands.
In the present, she heard Rosemary scream her name. She could feel something tearing inside her and toppled forward out of her chair. He last conscious thought was, "I made poor Pip bring out my art things and I didn't even use them."