Chapter Five---A Gamgee Affair
In an event of lucky coincidence, Bell happened to invite the two Bagginses over for supper a fortnight later. Bilbo was pleased, but Frodo was a bit nervous. He had only met Sam's brothers and sisters in passing, and had only ever spoken to Bell once. Bilbo tried to reassure the boy there was nothing to worry about, but Frodo was still wary.
"What if they don't like me, Bilbo?" Frodo helped Bilbo pack up Sam's present and the pie they were bringing for dessert. As neither Baggins was talented in the art of baking, undertaking something as difficult as a pie had been quite a feat. The kitchen had a burnt smell for days afterward.
"Frodo, Bell and Hamfast already love you, and Sam's siblings are as kind as can be. I assure you we will have a lovely time." Frodo nodded half- heartedly, as the two Hobbits got ready to leave for number three Bagshot Row.
Meanwhile, the Gamgees were furiously preparing for their guests. Their house was always in a flurry of activity, but rarely were all the children there at once. When they were, it was even worse. Halfred and Hamfast, always attached at the hip, were racing to see who could set the table fastest. Daisy was sitting in the corner, humming quietly and trying not to be noticed and saddled with chores. Bell did notice however, and she joined May and Goldie peeling the remaining potatoes. Both girls gave their sister knowing smirks, and she stuck out her tongue. Bell put the finishing touches on the roast, while the Gaffer gathered vegetables and flowers from his large garden. When he came inside, Sam, who had been sorting herbs for his mum, informed his slightly embarrassed da, that "don't you know the flowers give Mr. Frodo the sneezes?" They were quickly replaced with sprigs of ivy and berries the now idle girls were sent to collect.
In a few minutes, a remarkable silence had overtaken the home. Everyone sat and waited for Frodo and Bilbo to arrive, caught up in their own thoughts. May and Daisy played a quiet game, Ham and Hal arm wrestled, and Sam and Goldie sat with their parents on the arms of an easy chair. Everyone was secretly worried what young mister Frodo would think of their humble hole and family, just as much as Frodo was worried if the Gamgees would like him. Had the lad known this, he may have been less apprehensive, but there was no more time left for Number Three's residents to dwell on their thoughts, because just then, there was a knock at the door and they all knew who it would be.
******************************************************
Bilbo walked briskly to the round blue door of Bagshot Row and opened it with a flourish and a big smile at the Gamgee family, comically gathered together by the door. Frodo stood next to him, hands in his pockets, and grinned shyly. The silence was broken when all the children began to talk at once; most excited to finally meet the "elvish hobbit" Sam and Goldie spoke so highly of. Frodo was embarrassed at all the attention, and tried to stop the flurry of questions coming his way, but to no avail. After warm and friendly greetings all around, Bell announced to Frodo and Bilbo that supper was ready.
"Can I sit next to Mr. Frodo, mum?" Goldie asked eagerly.
"No, I want to," May said primly, tossing her brown curls with an air of importance. Daisy frowned at her sister. "I should sit with Mr. Frodo," she said, matter of factly, "It's my choice anyhow, because I'm the youngest."
"No, it's our choice, because we're the oldest! What kind of rules are you making up, Daisy?" Hamson cried, and Halfred agreed.
"He's my friend, so he sits with me!" Goldie added, arms crossed. Bell rubbed her temples in aggravation, and the Gaffer sighed impatiently as the siblings squabbled over each other. Finally Bell broke in.
"Loves, stop your arguing! It's all well and good, but can't you see he's a bit overwhelmed?" Five pairs of brown eyes turned to stare at the lad, still standing at the door, clearly embarrassed and a bit flattered by all the attention.
"Now then: Sam-love, you get to sit next to Mr. Frodo. You've been quiet and good this whole time, and the rest of you can take a lesson from him!" Bell clucked her tongue at the rest of her brood, and they couldn't help but laugh. Sam smiled and took Frodo's hand in his as the entered the small kitchen. Bilbo grinned to himself as he watched, and gave Bell a knowing look.
"This is lovely, Mrs. Gamgee!" Frodo exclaimed once the crowd of Hobbits sat down. He was right. Bell had cooked a feast sure to please all at the table: roast mutton with a thick homemade gravy, new potatoes with herbs, fresh baked bread and sweet butter, berries in newly made cream, mountains of fresh vegetables from the garden, red cheese, and creamy mushroom soup. As everyone began to eat, Frodo found he was enjoying himself immensely. Dinner with the Gamgees was a loud and jubilant affair, and Frodo couldn't help being reminded of his meals back at Brandy Hall, with his little cousins running about and making noise.
When dinner was over, Bilbo presented Bell with the pie he and Frodo had made.
"It's.... Lovely, Mr. Bilbo. Thank you," Bell smiled queerly, as she looked at the slightly misshapen and burnt blackberry pie he held. Frodo looked up and smiled a little.
"We're sorry Mrs. Gamgee. I suppose we should leave the baking to you from now on." Bell laughed, and patted the boy on the shoulder.
"Nonsense, love. I'm sure it tastes delicious." Bell carried the pie over to the table and got out a knife to cut it. The younger Gamgees licked their lips in excitement.
"Will you do the honors, Mr. Frodo?" Bell asked, and the young Baggins nodded. Carefully taking the knife from her hands, Frodo leaned over to cut the golden curst, but it slipped out of his hand and landed on one of his slender fingers before falling backward with a clatter on the table. A tiny trail of blood trickled down Frodo's pale hand, and he bit his lip.
"Oh dear. Let me you a bandage for that, love," Bell said, concerned. "Daisy, could you get me some soapy water and a small piece of the white cloth to tie up his finger with?" Daisy nodded, and quickly hurried out of the room the fetch what her mum needed.
Meanwhile, the lad in question was red as a beet. "I'm--I'm sorry, Mrs. Gamgee," he mumbled. "I'm so clumsy..." Frodo smiled as he noticed Sam, May, and Goldie had gotten up to help Daisy. Ham and Hal took a forlorn look at the cooling pie, and sighed in unison. Frodo laughed.
"Now listen to me, lad," Bell said, her tone no-nonsense, "don't speak that way about yourself, beggin' your pardon. Plenty a good Hobbit is clumsy, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Now, chin up, and let's have that pie, hmm?" Frodo grinned at Bell's warm face, and to the delight of all at the table, the pie was finally served. To both Frodo and Bilbo's surprise, they all thought it was delicious.
***************************************************************
After supper, Frodo joined the Gamgee children in the small yard while the grown-ups talked inside. The balmy spring twilight was tinged with a refreshing breeze, and fireflies fluttered all around like tiny golden stars. Daisy, May, and Goldie ran off to have a rope skipping contest, and begged Frodo to join them.
"Thank you for the offer, Goldie, but I'm going to have to decline. You saw how clumsy I was before, anyhow!" He laughed.
"Well..." Goldie responded, "I suppose that's all right. But you have to play tig with us later, then." Frodo nodded in resignation and Goldie leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek, smiling, then ran away giggling madly to her sisters. Frodo couldn't help but do so himself.
"Do you want to catch some fireflies, Mr. Frodo?" Asked Sam. "I already asked Ham and Hal, but they're off doing something mum's probly going ta yell at them for later."
"I'd love to, Sam," Frodo replied. "But I'm afraid I've never done it before. Can you show me how?" Sam smiled, and took Frodo by the hand, leading the older hobbit over to a dilapidated garden shed.
"Inside are the jars," he explained. "We put the fireflies in them. They have holes in the tops so they can breathe." Frodo nodded.
"I think I remember Merry catching fireflies once, with Berilac and some of my other cousins. It looks like fun." Frodo had a wistful sort of look on his face, and Sam tried to cheer him up. He scooped up a small jar and demonstrated, scooping fireflies into his jar as he ran. Frodo smiled, and followed suit. Soon the two boys had caught so many; the small jars illuminated the area around their faces in the darkness.
"Mr. Frodo, your face is glowing!" Sam said, in awe.
"So is yours, Sam," Frodo replied, laughing.
******************************************************
Soon it was completely dark, and the time came for Bilbo and Frodo to bid the Gamgees farewell. It was also far past the children's' bedtimes, but the night had been such fun Bell and Hamfast payed it no mind. After fond hugs and another kiss from Goldie for Frodo, the two Bagginses began their short walk home. They were only a few steps away when Frodo remembered his present for Sam, and ran back to give it. Bilbo laughed at his own forgetfulness.
"Both of us can remember obscure Elvish phrases, but neither can seem to remember a simple present!" Frodo laughed also, and Bilbo shook his head, smiling.
"Here you go Sam!" Frodo exclaimed, running up to his friend, who was just going inside with his family. "I almost forgot to give you this!" He handed the small wooden box to Sam, his cheeks pink from the frantic run. Sam smiled quizzically, and opened the box. "New handkerchiefs! They're very nice. Thank you Mr. Frodo!" Sam exclaimed. Frodo smiled. "It's the least I could do. You did rescue me after all! And I never returned your old one, I actually lost it, and I'm very sorry, but I'm sure these will do." Sam smiled broadly, and gave the taller hobbit a hug around his waist. Frodo laughed and bid Sam farewell again, returning to Bilbo further down the walk.
"So, dear lad," he asked as they made their way home, bellies full from the delicious meal, "did you have a good time?" Frodo nodded.
"I did, Uncle. The Gamgees are wonderful. I see now why Sam is so friendly himself." Bilbo smiled down at Frodo, glad that his lad had found friends who accepted and were kind to him. "I knew you would have a lovely time, Frodo. The Gamgees really are wonderful people," Bilbo said, "I would give up Bag End in a day for them," he finished seriously, and Frodo simply nodded in agreement.
In an event of lucky coincidence, Bell happened to invite the two Bagginses over for supper a fortnight later. Bilbo was pleased, but Frodo was a bit nervous. He had only met Sam's brothers and sisters in passing, and had only ever spoken to Bell once. Bilbo tried to reassure the boy there was nothing to worry about, but Frodo was still wary.
"What if they don't like me, Bilbo?" Frodo helped Bilbo pack up Sam's present and the pie they were bringing for dessert. As neither Baggins was talented in the art of baking, undertaking something as difficult as a pie had been quite a feat. The kitchen had a burnt smell for days afterward.
"Frodo, Bell and Hamfast already love you, and Sam's siblings are as kind as can be. I assure you we will have a lovely time." Frodo nodded half- heartedly, as the two Hobbits got ready to leave for number three Bagshot Row.
Meanwhile, the Gamgees were furiously preparing for their guests. Their house was always in a flurry of activity, but rarely were all the children there at once. When they were, it was even worse. Halfred and Hamfast, always attached at the hip, were racing to see who could set the table fastest. Daisy was sitting in the corner, humming quietly and trying not to be noticed and saddled with chores. Bell did notice however, and she joined May and Goldie peeling the remaining potatoes. Both girls gave their sister knowing smirks, and she stuck out her tongue. Bell put the finishing touches on the roast, while the Gaffer gathered vegetables and flowers from his large garden. When he came inside, Sam, who had been sorting herbs for his mum, informed his slightly embarrassed da, that "don't you know the flowers give Mr. Frodo the sneezes?" They were quickly replaced with sprigs of ivy and berries the now idle girls were sent to collect.
In a few minutes, a remarkable silence had overtaken the home. Everyone sat and waited for Frodo and Bilbo to arrive, caught up in their own thoughts. May and Daisy played a quiet game, Ham and Hal arm wrestled, and Sam and Goldie sat with their parents on the arms of an easy chair. Everyone was secretly worried what young mister Frodo would think of their humble hole and family, just as much as Frodo was worried if the Gamgees would like him. Had the lad known this, he may have been less apprehensive, but there was no more time left for Number Three's residents to dwell on their thoughts, because just then, there was a knock at the door and they all knew who it would be.
******************************************************
Bilbo walked briskly to the round blue door of Bagshot Row and opened it with a flourish and a big smile at the Gamgee family, comically gathered together by the door. Frodo stood next to him, hands in his pockets, and grinned shyly. The silence was broken when all the children began to talk at once; most excited to finally meet the "elvish hobbit" Sam and Goldie spoke so highly of. Frodo was embarrassed at all the attention, and tried to stop the flurry of questions coming his way, but to no avail. After warm and friendly greetings all around, Bell announced to Frodo and Bilbo that supper was ready.
"Can I sit next to Mr. Frodo, mum?" Goldie asked eagerly.
"No, I want to," May said primly, tossing her brown curls with an air of importance. Daisy frowned at her sister. "I should sit with Mr. Frodo," she said, matter of factly, "It's my choice anyhow, because I'm the youngest."
"No, it's our choice, because we're the oldest! What kind of rules are you making up, Daisy?" Hamson cried, and Halfred agreed.
"He's my friend, so he sits with me!" Goldie added, arms crossed. Bell rubbed her temples in aggravation, and the Gaffer sighed impatiently as the siblings squabbled over each other. Finally Bell broke in.
"Loves, stop your arguing! It's all well and good, but can't you see he's a bit overwhelmed?" Five pairs of brown eyes turned to stare at the lad, still standing at the door, clearly embarrassed and a bit flattered by all the attention.
"Now then: Sam-love, you get to sit next to Mr. Frodo. You've been quiet and good this whole time, and the rest of you can take a lesson from him!" Bell clucked her tongue at the rest of her brood, and they couldn't help but laugh. Sam smiled and took Frodo's hand in his as the entered the small kitchen. Bilbo grinned to himself as he watched, and gave Bell a knowing look.
"This is lovely, Mrs. Gamgee!" Frodo exclaimed once the crowd of Hobbits sat down. He was right. Bell had cooked a feast sure to please all at the table: roast mutton with a thick homemade gravy, new potatoes with herbs, fresh baked bread and sweet butter, berries in newly made cream, mountains of fresh vegetables from the garden, red cheese, and creamy mushroom soup. As everyone began to eat, Frodo found he was enjoying himself immensely. Dinner with the Gamgees was a loud and jubilant affair, and Frodo couldn't help being reminded of his meals back at Brandy Hall, with his little cousins running about and making noise.
When dinner was over, Bilbo presented Bell with the pie he and Frodo had made.
"It's.... Lovely, Mr. Bilbo. Thank you," Bell smiled queerly, as she looked at the slightly misshapen and burnt blackberry pie he held. Frodo looked up and smiled a little.
"We're sorry Mrs. Gamgee. I suppose we should leave the baking to you from now on." Bell laughed, and patted the boy on the shoulder.
"Nonsense, love. I'm sure it tastes delicious." Bell carried the pie over to the table and got out a knife to cut it. The younger Gamgees licked their lips in excitement.
"Will you do the honors, Mr. Frodo?" Bell asked, and the young Baggins nodded. Carefully taking the knife from her hands, Frodo leaned over to cut the golden curst, but it slipped out of his hand and landed on one of his slender fingers before falling backward with a clatter on the table. A tiny trail of blood trickled down Frodo's pale hand, and he bit his lip.
"Oh dear. Let me you a bandage for that, love," Bell said, concerned. "Daisy, could you get me some soapy water and a small piece of the white cloth to tie up his finger with?" Daisy nodded, and quickly hurried out of the room the fetch what her mum needed.
Meanwhile, the lad in question was red as a beet. "I'm--I'm sorry, Mrs. Gamgee," he mumbled. "I'm so clumsy..." Frodo smiled as he noticed Sam, May, and Goldie had gotten up to help Daisy. Ham and Hal took a forlorn look at the cooling pie, and sighed in unison. Frodo laughed.
"Now listen to me, lad," Bell said, her tone no-nonsense, "don't speak that way about yourself, beggin' your pardon. Plenty a good Hobbit is clumsy, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Now, chin up, and let's have that pie, hmm?" Frodo grinned at Bell's warm face, and to the delight of all at the table, the pie was finally served. To both Frodo and Bilbo's surprise, they all thought it was delicious.
***************************************************************
After supper, Frodo joined the Gamgee children in the small yard while the grown-ups talked inside. The balmy spring twilight was tinged with a refreshing breeze, and fireflies fluttered all around like tiny golden stars. Daisy, May, and Goldie ran off to have a rope skipping contest, and begged Frodo to join them.
"Thank you for the offer, Goldie, but I'm going to have to decline. You saw how clumsy I was before, anyhow!" He laughed.
"Well..." Goldie responded, "I suppose that's all right. But you have to play tig with us later, then." Frodo nodded in resignation and Goldie leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek, smiling, then ran away giggling madly to her sisters. Frodo couldn't help but do so himself.
"Do you want to catch some fireflies, Mr. Frodo?" Asked Sam. "I already asked Ham and Hal, but they're off doing something mum's probly going ta yell at them for later."
"I'd love to, Sam," Frodo replied. "But I'm afraid I've never done it before. Can you show me how?" Sam smiled, and took Frodo by the hand, leading the older hobbit over to a dilapidated garden shed.
"Inside are the jars," he explained. "We put the fireflies in them. They have holes in the tops so they can breathe." Frodo nodded.
"I think I remember Merry catching fireflies once, with Berilac and some of my other cousins. It looks like fun." Frodo had a wistful sort of look on his face, and Sam tried to cheer him up. He scooped up a small jar and demonstrated, scooping fireflies into his jar as he ran. Frodo smiled, and followed suit. Soon the two boys had caught so many; the small jars illuminated the area around their faces in the darkness.
"Mr. Frodo, your face is glowing!" Sam said, in awe.
"So is yours, Sam," Frodo replied, laughing.
******************************************************
Soon it was completely dark, and the time came for Bilbo and Frodo to bid the Gamgees farewell. It was also far past the children's' bedtimes, but the night had been such fun Bell and Hamfast payed it no mind. After fond hugs and another kiss from Goldie for Frodo, the two Bagginses began their short walk home. They were only a few steps away when Frodo remembered his present for Sam, and ran back to give it. Bilbo laughed at his own forgetfulness.
"Both of us can remember obscure Elvish phrases, but neither can seem to remember a simple present!" Frodo laughed also, and Bilbo shook his head, smiling.
"Here you go Sam!" Frodo exclaimed, running up to his friend, who was just going inside with his family. "I almost forgot to give you this!" He handed the small wooden box to Sam, his cheeks pink from the frantic run. Sam smiled quizzically, and opened the box. "New handkerchiefs! They're very nice. Thank you Mr. Frodo!" Sam exclaimed. Frodo smiled. "It's the least I could do. You did rescue me after all! And I never returned your old one, I actually lost it, and I'm very sorry, but I'm sure these will do." Sam smiled broadly, and gave the taller hobbit a hug around his waist. Frodo laughed and bid Sam farewell again, returning to Bilbo further down the walk.
"So, dear lad," he asked as they made their way home, bellies full from the delicious meal, "did you have a good time?" Frodo nodded.
"I did, Uncle. The Gamgees are wonderful. I see now why Sam is so friendly himself." Bilbo smiled down at Frodo, glad that his lad had found friends who accepted and were kind to him. "I knew you would have a lovely time, Frodo. The Gamgees really are wonderful people," Bilbo said, "I would give up Bag End in a day for them," he finished seriously, and Frodo simply nodded in agreement.