Chapter 16
We Shall See
Rosie smiled and greeted everyone she passed them and made her way in search of the Cotton table. For this party Bilbo had labeled each table according to the families that he invited. There were numerous tables labeled with the name of Baggins for Bilbo's many distance relatives, Bolgers, Hornblowers, Goodbody, Crubbs, Chubbs, Proudfoot, Tooks and Brandybucks.
Rosie read all the names on the tables and seeing the last tables lined up by the dance floor was Cotton and Gamgee. Rosie thought this table was placed in the perfect spot as she felt like dancing this night. It was going to be a grand time.
She looked around to see if she could get a glimpse of Sam as she knew he would have been here early to help set things up. When Rosie looked towards the guest of honor table were Bilbo and Frodo would sit, she spied Sam having a drink with Frodo and two of Frodo's friends.
Rosie waved to her family to let them know she had found their table. The line of Cottons made their way through the crowds of hobbits. They were momentarily halted as the Bolger's family who crossed their path with a large number of children following behind them. The Cottons smiled down at the line of children paraded in front of them. From the oldest to the youngest they march behind their parents.
Jolly Cotton stopped a moment to talk to one of the Bolger's boy that was a good friend of his, but Mrs. Cotton gave him a serious look as to warn him to allow the Bolgers to pass so they all could get to their table.
Mrs. Cotton held on to Nibs hand so he would not get lost in the wave of hobbits. Finally the Bolgers had passed and they proceeded to their table.
Rosie opened her basket and took out the gift that was handed to her as she entered the party grounds. She looked at the unfamiliar patterns and writings on her crafted item. She did not know what it was, but it was painted in bright colors and was pleasant to the eye. By looking at it, Rosie knew it came from foreign parts. Dwarf made she presumed since Bilbo was known to have many dwarf visitors from time to time visiting Bag End.
Rosie glanced again at Sam and she noticed that he seemed sadden as he sat leaning his hand upon his chin. She worried about him if he had gotten enough sleep or was properly taking care of himself.
She saw Frodo trying to make his way through the throng of guests and being stopped and congratulated many times.
Rosie's father pulled his chair from the table and sat down. "Well, if this ain't a miserable place to put a table. We'll be bumped and pushed all night."
"Now Da, tis a good place as any. A pint will settle you. I'll fetch you one," said Rosie. "I'll be needing the practice, seein how poor Uncle Will took a fall and broken his leg and all,"
"Tis kind you are, helping your poor uncle at the Green Dragon," said Old Tom Cotton as he patted his daughter's hand that she placed on his shoulder.
Rosie made her way over to the tent were the kegs of ale lined a group of tables. Taking a tray she filled it with empty mugs and placed it on the table next to a keg. Lifting the spout she began to fill her mugs with ale.
"Rosie, there you are?" commented Frodo as he too took a mug and began to fill it from a keg next to Rosie.
"Hullo, Frodo. You're lookin' for me?" asked Rosie surprised by Frodo comment.
"Yes, I want to have a word or two with you, if you would not mind."
"I'll not mind a word with you. By the way, Happy Birthday, Frodo" said Rosie as she smiled up at him.
"Thankee, Rosie. Meet me by the fiddlers tent in a half an hour," Frodo told her as he turned and made his way through the crowd that was beginning to line up at the kegs of ale.
Rosie watched Frodo depart through the crowd and wondered what he would want to speak to her about. She thought odd of this. Filling more mugs of ale for her family, Rose turn and headed back to their table.
Ted Sandyman approached Rosie and took the tray of mugs from her hand and offered to carry them to her table for her. Rosie smiled and followed him back to her table.
"Good day to you, Mr. Cotton. Beggin your pardon and all. I've brought you your ale. In this crowd, one needs a watchful eye on his ale or it could be spilled," commented Ted Sandyman.
"Thankee, Sandyman. Place it here in me hand," said Old Tom Cotton taking the mug from Ted Sandyman. He raised his mug in a toast, "To Mr. Bilbo's and Frodo's Birthday,"
Lilly Cotton giggled as she lifted her glass to her husband's toast and took a small sip of ale. The Cotton boys did the same. All but Nibs since he was still too young for the hard drink.
Ted tipped his glass and downed the remaining portions of his drink and wiped the foam from his upper lip with the back of his sleeve.
Sam took notice of this and he glared at Sandyman. Sam turned around in his chair and grumbled something into his ale as he took another big sip.
Nibs grabbed Rosie gift from the table and began turning it around in his small hands.
"Tis not a dragon, whatever else it be," commented Nibs.
"A pretty mastery of craft it shows," commented Old Tom Cotton.
"Now Nibs, I'll not have you break it. Place it back on the table, I say," Rosie snapped at her younger brother.
"Sorry, I am hearing about your brother, Mr. Cotton," said Ted Sandyman. "I hear talk in Hobbiton that a keg of ale fell upon his poor leg and broke it,"
"That he did, now," replied Old Tom Cotton. "Our Rosie will be helping him out during his healing time. With the tavern being as busy as tis, he'll be needed a few more hands and a foot, so to speak." Old Tom Cotton roared with laughter.
"If he needs help lifting the kegs, he can count on me," Ted commented.
"That's if he can find you," said Old Tom Cotton as he laughed. "Word has it you spend time under the table than sitting by it, if you know my meaning, Sandyman."
"Tis true, Mr. Cotton. I do like my ale," replied Ted. He too laughed at Mr. Cotton teasing.
"I'll be finding, Frodo," said Rosie. "He wanted a word with me, so by your leave, I'll find him."
Old Tom Cotton nodded towards his daughter as she turned and walked away.
Ted followed her and took her arm as she turned towards him. "Save me a dance, Rosie?" Ted asked.
"That we shall see, Ted Sandyman," Rosie said sharply.
Rosie caught Sam's glare as he stood by his table and watched them. Rosie gave him a small wave in his direction as she continued walking towards the fiddler's tent.
Sam crossed his arms and watched Ted Sandyman as he wandered through the crowd of hobbits.
~*~
Pippin pointed towards the entrance as he excitedly shouted that he had spotted Gandalf coming from Bag End with Bilbo. "There's the wizard! Looks like the fun will be starting soon, Merry," said Pippin as he rubbed his two hands together in anticipation of the fireworks to start.
"Now don't you two go running into trouble again," warned Sam as he saw the mischief glowing in Pippin's eyes.
"What trouble, Sam?" said Merry. "Just going to watch the fireworks is all."
"Mind your hands and keep them into your own pockets," warned Sam.
"Fiddlesticks, Sam. Now is that the way to be enjoying a party?" asked Merry.
Merry saw Pippin make a fast dash over to the entertainment tent. He placed his hands into his pockets and lightly rocked on the balls of his feet before telling Sam, "Well, perhaps Mr. Gandalf could use a hand with setting up the fireworks. I'll see you around Sam."
Merry turned and took off in a flash after Pippin.
~*~
The Gaffer and Daddy Two Foot slowly walked to the Gamgee table after pouring themselves a pint of ale. They stopped momentarily to speak to Tom Cotton.
The Gaffer spotted Sam a few tables away and motioned him to join them. Sam slowly meandered over to the table, but not before old Flora Riverbottom stopped Sam in his path.
"Samwise Gamgee, tis you!" said Old Flora. "Thankee kindly for fixing me old door and painting so smartly. You're a good one, my boy. The best there is." She took Sam's hand into her thin old hands gently patted his.
"Are you keeping well, Miss Flora?" asked Sam.
"Well enough, my boy," she replied.
"Can I walk you to your table?" Sam asked her. Sam took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm and led the way to her table. He sat her down in a chair. "Can I get you an ale?"
"Yes, Thankee, Samwise."
Sam walked over to the line of Kegs and waited momentarily in line for his turn. Sam's eyes wandered through the crowds of people and he thought he caught a glimpse of Frodo talking with Rosie. Sam watched them as they spoke to each other.
~*~
"Rosie, there is someone who truly cares about you, and I was wondering.."
Rosie interrupted him immediately, "Aren't you being a bit forward in your speech, Frodo."
"I was talking about Samwise. You have to know Rosie how much he cares for you," said Frodo.
"If I do, Frodo, again what business is it of yours. I must ask," Rosie said as she turned slightly away from him.
"You must have feelings for him also, don't you?"
"That Frodo, is my business, and I'll not be discussing this with you," retorted Rosies.
"You have seen how sad he is, he thinks you love another," Frodo told her.
"That's ridiculous, I love no one else, but..." Rosie said but stopped herself from continuing.
"You're not fooling me a bit Rosie Cotton. I see how you two look at each other. It is written all over you faces," Frodo pointed out to her as he came around her to face her eye to eye.
"You're wiser than most, Frodo Baggins, cuz I can't see it on him," Rosie commented. "Even if I could, Sam holds back away from me. Let him tell me hisself."
"Rosie, you know Sam. He is shy as can be," Frodo told her.
"Rosie Cotton does not beg a hobbits attention. Tis he speaks feelings to me or no," Rosie said as she crossed her arms in front of herself.
"Well then Rosie, if you will not go to Sam, I will have Sam come to you!" Frodo stated in matter of fact to her.
"You'll do no such a thing, Frodo Baggins!" Rosie shouted as she placed her hands upon her hips and her face became red with anger, "That's beggin, I'll not have it! My love for Sam should be between us and not a third party."
"So you do love him, then?" Frodo said with a slight smile on his lips.
"Yes, I'll admit it! I love Sam. I have always loved him!" Rosie said still angry with Frodo for being on such a personal issue with her.
Rosie took a couple of steps coming very close to Frodo. She stuck her finger up in front of his face and said, "You swear on your dear mother's grave not to mention a word about this to Sam. You hear me, Frodo! Now promise me!"
"Okay, Rosie. I swear on my dear mother's grave, not one word to Sam."
"Then I have your word and I'll be holding you to it!" Rosie stated as she turned and marched back to the Cotton's table.
A big smile broke the corners of Frodo's lips as he said to himself, "I only promised not to say anything". Frodo walked back to the party tables with another plan that just came to his mind.
We Shall See
Rosie smiled and greeted everyone she passed them and made her way in search of the Cotton table. For this party Bilbo had labeled each table according to the families that he invited. There were numerous tables labeled with the name of Baggins for Bilbo's many distance relatives, Bolgers, Hornblowers, Goodbody, Crubbs, Chubbs, Proudfoot, Tooks and Brandybucks.
Rosie read all the names on the tables and seeing the last tables lined up by the dance floor was Cotton and Gamgee. Rosie thought this table was placed in the perfect spot as she felt like dancing this night. It was going to be a grand time.
She looked around to see if she could get a glimpse of Sam as she knew he would have been here early to help set things up. When Rosie looked towards the guest of honor table were Bilbo and Frodo would sit, she spied Sam having a drink with Frodo and two of Frodo's friends.
Rosie waved to her family to let them know she had found their table. The line of Cottons made their way through the crowds of hobbits. They were momentarily halted as the Bolger's family who crossed their path with a large number of children following behind them. The Cottons smiled down at the line of children paraded in front of them. From the oldest to the youngest they march behind their parents.
Jolly Cotton stopped a moment to talk to one of the Bolger's boy that was a good friend of his, but Mrs. Cotton gave him a serious look as to warn him to allow the Bolgers to pass so they all could get to their table.
Mrs. Cotton held on to Nibs hand so he would not get lost in the wave of hobbits. Finally the Bolgers had passed and they proceeded to their table.
Rosie opened her basket and took out the gift that was handed to her as she entered the party grounds. She looked at the unfamiliar patterns and writings on her crafted item. She did not know what it was, but it was painted in bright colors and was pleasant to the eye. By looking at it, Rosie knew it came from foreign parts. Dwarf made she presumed since Bilbo was known to have many dwarf visitors from time to time visiting Bag End.
Rosie glanced again at Sam and she noticed that he seemed sadden as he sat leaning his hand upon his chin. She worried about him if he had gotten enough sleep or was properly taking care of himself.
She saw Frodo trying to make his way through the throng of guests and being stopped and congratulated many times.
Rosie's father pulled his chair from the table and sat down. "Well, if this ain't a miserable place to put a table. We'll be bumped and pushed all night."
"Now Da, tis a good place as any. A pint will settle you. I'll fetch you one," said Rosie. "I'll be needing the practice, seein how poor Uncle Will took a fall and broken his leg and all,"
"Tis kind you are, helping your poor uncle at the Green Dragon," said Old Tom Cotton as he patted his daughter's hand that she placed on his shoulder.
Rosie made her way over to the tent were the kegs of ale lined a group of tables. Taking a tray she filled it with empty mugs and placed it on the table next to a keg. Lifting the spout she began to fill her mugs with ale.
"Rosie, there you are?" commented Frodo as he too took a mug and began to fill it from a keg next to Rosie.
"Hullo, Frodo. You're lookin' for me?" asked Rosie surprised by Frodo comment.
"Yes, I want to have a word or two with you, if you would not mind."
"I'll not mind a word with you. By the way, Happy Birthday, Frodo" said Rosie as she smiled up at him.
"Thankee, Rosie. Meet me by the fiddlers tent in a half an hour," Frodo told her as he turned and made his way through the crowd that was beginning to line up at the kegs of ale.
Rosie watched Frodo depart through the crowd and wondered what he would want to speak to her about. She thought odd of this. Filling more mugs of ale for her family, Rose turn and headed back to their table.
Ted Sandyman approached Rosie and took the tray of mugs from her hand and offered to carry them to her table for her. Rosie smiled and followed him back to her table.
"Good day to you, Mr. Cotton. Beggin your pardon and all. I've brought you your ale. In this crowd, one needs a watchful eye on his ale or it could be spilled," commented Ted Sandyman.
"Thankee, Sandyman. Place it here in me hand," said Old Tom Cotton taking the mug from Ted Sandyman. He raised his mug in a toast, "To Mr. Bilbo's and Frodo's Birthday,"
Lilly Cotton giggled as she lifted her glass to her husband's toast and took a small sip of ale. The Cotton boys did the same. All but Nibs since he was still too young for the hard drink.
Ted tipped his glass and downed the remaining portions of his drink and wiped the foam from his upper lip with the back of his sleeve.
Sam took notice of this and he glared at Sandyman. Sam turned around in his chair and grumbled something into his ale as he took another big sip.
Nibs grabbed Rosie gift from the table and began turning it around in his small hands.
"Tis not a dragon, whatever else it be," commented Nibs.
"A pretty mastery of craft it shows," commented Old Tom Cotton.
"Now Nibs, I'll not have you break it. Place it back on the table, I say," Rosie snapped at her younger brother.
"Sorry, I am hearing about your brother, Mr. Cotton," said Ted Sandyman. "I hear talk in Hobbiton that a keg of ale fell upon his poor leg and broke it,"
"That he did, now," replied Old Tom Cotton. "Our Rosie will be helping him out during his healing time. With the tavern being as busy as tis, he'll be needed a few more hands and a foot, so to speak." Old Tom Cotton roared with laughter.
"If he needs help lifting the kegs, he can count on me," Ted commented.
"That's if he can find you," said Old Tom Cotton as he laughed. "Word has it you spend time under the table than sitting by it, if you know my meaning, Sandyman."
"Tis true, Mr. Cotton. I do like my ale," replied Ted. He too laughed at Mr. Cotton teasing.
"I'll be finding, Frodo," said Rosie. "He wanted a word with me, so by your leave, I'll find him."
Old Tom Cotton nodded towards his daughter as she turned and walked away.
Ted followed her and took her arm as she turned towards him. "Save me a dance, Rosie?" Ted asked.
"That we shall see, Ted Sandyman," Rosie said sharply.
Rosie caught Sam's glare as he stood by his table and watched them. Rosie gave him a small wave in his direction as she continued walking towards the fiddler's tent.
Sam crossed his arms and watched Ted Sandyman as he wandered through the crowd of hobbits.
~*~
Pippin pointed towards the entrance as he excitedly shouted that he had spotted Gandalf coming from Bag End with Bilbo. "There's the wizard! Looks like the fun will be starting soon, Merry," said Pippin as he rubbed his two hands together in anticipation of the fireworks to start.
"Now don't you two go running into trouble again," warned Sam as he saw the mischief glowing in Pippin's eyes.
"What trouble, Sam?" said Merry. "Just going to watch the fireworks is all."
"Mind your hands and keep them into your own pockets," warned Sam.
"Fiddlesticks, Sam. Now is that the way to be enjoying a party?" asked Merry.
Merry saw Pippin make a fast dash over to the entertainment tent. He placed his hands into his pockets and lightly rocked on the balls of his feet before telling Sam, "Well, perhaps Mr. Gandalf could use a hand with setting up the fireworks. I'll see you around Sam."
Merry turned and took off in a flash after Pippin.
~*~
The Gaffer and Daddy Two Foot slowly walked to the Gamgee table after pouring themselves a pint of ale. They stopped momentarily to speak to Tom Cotton.
The Gaffer spotted Sam a few tables away and motioned him to join them. Sam slowly meandered over to the table, but not before old Flora Riverbottom stopped Sam in his path.
"Samwise Gamgee, tis you!" said Old Flora. "Thankee kindly for fixing me old door and painting so smartly. You're a good one, my boy. The best there is." She took Sam's hand into her thin old hands gently patted his.
"Are you keeping well, Miss Flora?" asked Sam.
"Well enough, my boy," she replied.
"Can I walk you to your table?" Sam asked her. Sam took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm and led the way to her table. He sat her down in a chair. "Can I get you an ale?"
"Yes, Thankee, Samwise."
Sam walked over to the line of Kegs and waited momentarily in line for his turn. Sam's eyes wandered through the crowds of people and he thought he caught a glimpse of Frodo talking with Rosie. Sam watched them as they spoke to each other.
~*~
"Rosie, there is someone who truly cares about you, and I was wondering.."
Rosie interrupted him immediately, "Aren't you being a bit forward in your speech, Frodo."
"I was talking about Samwise. You have to know Rosie how much he cares for you," said Frodo.
"If I do, Frodo, again what business is it of yours. I must ask," Rosie said as she turned slightly away from him.
"You must have feelings for him also, don't you?"
"That Frodo, is my business, and I'll not be discussing this with you," retorted Rosies.
"You have seen how sad he is, he thinks you love another," Frodo told her.
"That's ridiculous, I love no one else, but..." Rosie said but stopped herself from continuing.
"You're not fooling me a bit Rosie Cotton. I see how you two look at each other. It is written all over you faces," Frodo pointed out to her as he came around her to face her eye to eye.
"You're wiser than most, Frodo Baggins, cuz I can't see it on him," Rosie commented. "Even if I could, Sam holds back away from me. Let him tell me hisself."
"Rosie, you know Sam. He is shy as can be," Frodo told her.
"Rosie Cotton does not beg a hobbits attention. Tis he speaks feelings to me or no," Rosie said as she crossed her arms in front of herself.
"Well then Rosie, if you will not go to Sam, I will have Sam come to you!" Frodo stated in matter of fact to her.
"You'll do no such a thing, Frodo Baggins!" Rosie shouted as she placed her hands upon her hips and her face became red with anger, "That's beggin, I'll not have it! My love for Sam should be between us and not a third party."
"So you do love him, then?" Frodo said with a slight smile on his lips.
"Yes, I'll admit it! I love Sam. I have always loved him!" Rosie said still angry with Frodo for being on such a personal issue with her.
Rosie took a couple of steps coming very close to Frodo. She stuck her finger up in front of his face and said, "You swear on your dear mother's grave not to mention a word about this to Sam. You hear me, Frodo! Now promise me!"
"Okay, Rosie. I swear on my dear mother's grave, not one word to Sam."
"Then I have your word and I'll be holding you to it!" Rosie stated as she turned and marched back to the Cotton's table.
A big smile broke the corners of Frodo's lips as he said to himself, "I only promised not to say anything". Frodo walked back to the party tables with another plan that just came to his mind.