NOTE: My apologies--the spoiler occurs in this chapter, vice chapter six.
Chapter Five - Destination Whitwell
The two older hobbits sat near the fireplace far into the evening, blowing smoke rings up towards the ceiling. Adelard sipped on a mug of the Gaffer's fine home brew as he and Bilbo talked about the lads and getting them home. Of course the boys were all tucked away in bed, having had a very wearisome day.
"They're fine lads, Addie." Said Bilbo, watching the flames dance in the hearth. "I'd love to have them over again, but under better circumstances."
"Yes, they are good lads," Remarked Adelard. "and Frodo's growing into a fine young hobbit himself."
"That he is, Addie." Bilbo smiled as he nodded. "That he is."
"The last time Frodo came to visit Reggie, they both worked their way into plenty of mischief." Adelard chuckled.
"He's gotten into plenty of it on his own right here," Said Bilbo, "though not like he did when he first came to live here."
Adelard blew three smoke rings one right after the other and watched them float upwards. "Why is it you don't visit the Smials like you used to? You still have plenty of kin who would like to see their Baggins cousin every now and then--in spite of his peculiarities!" He grinned.
(**Minor Spoiler in this paragraph**)
Bilbo laughed softly at the memory of his return from his year-long adventure. He was presumed dead, and as a result, an auction was being held on the very morning he returned. A large crowd of hobbits swarmed the entrance to his hobbit hole; none of them even bothering to wipe their feet on the mat! Indeed, the only ones who seemed truly happy to see him come back at all were two very young hobbits: Adelard and Paladin Took. These two young cousins had remained good friends throughout their lives, and were the only two Tooks who still invited him to family gatherings. It was at that moment Bilbo decided that he, too, would make the long trek to Tuckborough and visit with the other young hobbit--though not quite so young anymore.
*******
"Uncle Addie!"
The elder hobbit was sleeping comfortably on his belly until he felt a jounce upon the bed, and then again upon his back. He opened an eye as one excited little hobbit pounced him and the blankets into the world of the wakeful.
"It's time to get up Uncle Addie!" Said Pippin, lying upon Adelard's back.
Adelard could hear Pippin nibbling on something. Then he smelled a warm pungent odor of sugar cookie on the child's breath. Cookies first thing in the morning?, he thought. He made a face and then thought to get up for a real breakfast of eggs and salted pork, but it seemed the boy wasn't about to get off his back until he stirred. "Very well, Pippin." He yawned. "I'm awake." Neither hobbit moved; the boy kept on munching.
"Pippin," He said.
"Yes?"
"I cannot get up while you are perched on my shoulders."
"Sorry." Pippin slid off the larger hobbit, letting him arise from the bed. "Shall I tell Merry that you're up?" He brushed his hands together to get rid of the sugar and cookie crumbs.
"Tell Merry?" Adelard stood in front of the wash basin and filled it with water from earthenware the pitcher. "Your cousin was behind getting me up? I thought breakfast was on the board." He splashed his face with the cold water and a bit of soap.
"Uh...," Pippin had to think fast, "Merry wanted me to wake you.....so that...we could make your favorite breakfast!" He winced--it really wasn't the entire truth.
Adelard finished drying his face with the towel. He kissed Pippin's curly head, and said, "Try again." Then he playfully wrestled Pippin back onto the bed with the towel in his face. "Are you packed yet?"
"Yes, sir."
"Well then be a good lad and let me get dressed, eh?" He smiled, "I shall go out to the kitchen for breakfast as soon as I'm finished."
"May I ask you one question first?"
"What is your question?" Adelard sat on the bed next to Pippin.
"Did you see my papa? With your own eyes, I mean."
"Yes, I saw your papa," Said Adelard. "with my own eyes--though he was asleep at the time." He took in a deep breath and put his arms around the lad, "Pippin....your papa is no longer with fever, however, he is still very weak and tires easily. It will be a long while before he's out of his sick bed, and will probably not get his full strength back until just before the growing season. He will almost certainly need your help in the fields, and even though he will not ask for it, I will send Reggie or Ever to aid him as well. Do you understand?"
Pippin nodded, "Yes. I helped him in the fields last year, but it wasn't much more than handing out seed or baskets to the workers. I'm able to do more this year, now that I'm far older."
Adelard smiled, "You're a good boy, Pippin. Now you need to let me get dressed so we can have breakfast. The sooner we leave, the sooner you get to see your father."
True to their word, both Bilbo and Adelard had the company on Hobbiton road and headed south towards the East Road. After that, they would head west for a bit, they would stop in Waymeet for lunch. Thereafter, they would head south a short ways and then back east towards the Tookbank. There were more winding, narrow lanes around the hills to Tuckborough, and then on to their last stop: Whitwell. It would be on those slender lanes that they'd have to be the most careful.