Chapter Eight---What Goes Up Must Come Down
Dedicated to MLynnBloom, whose reviews came at just the right time. ^^
Sam Gamgee hurried into the kitchen of Number Three Bagshot Row, filled with excitement as his mum called for him.
"A letter came, Sam-love! From Mr. Frodo!" Sam grinned hugely, finally spying his mother waving a large white envelope. His sisters and brothers were elsewhere, and for once Sam was glad. He wanted to enjoy Mr. Frodo's letter all by himself.
"Here it is," Bell smiled, as she handed the letter to her son. She smiled as his eyes lit up, knowing how much he missed his dear Mr. Frodo. Bell had to admit she did miss him greatly, as well. In a house full of loud, rambunctious lads and lasses, Frodo's quiet, polite demeanor was a welcome change. He was always a peaceful presence in their tiny home.
Bell continued to watch happily, as her youngest son tore open the envelope and handed the letter to her.
"Will you read it to me, Mum?" Sam asked eagerly, and Bell nodded. "Of course, Sam-love. Now, let's see," she began....
My Dearest Samwise (And Goldie, May, Daisy, Ham, Hal, Bell, Gaffer...),
Hullo from Buckland!
I'm happy to report I'm feeling better than I have in ages. Bilbo says the Buckland air is doing me wonders, and I think he's right. My sniffles and sneezes are practically gone, and I'm taking full advantage of playing by the river whenever I can. (Don't worry, I'm always very careful.)
My little cousin Merry delights in hearing stories about Hobbiton, and especially about all of you. I think you would get along splendidly with him, and I cannot wait until the Free Fair, when you will all finally meet each other. My Took cousins Pearl, Nellie, and Vinca are coming too. They've never been to the Fair before, so it should be very exciting.
I must admit that spending lazy days with Merry so often has led to some neglecting of my studies with Bilbo. I don't think he minds, though, being quite busy with his writing and other affairs as usual. But we do get to spend a great deal of time together, nonetheless.
Please tell May that I greatly regret missing her birthday, and I will have an extra special mathom for her at our next party to make up for it. I miss the rest of you tremendously as well, and although I love it here, I am counting the days until I arrive home. I know it will only be for a short time, but that is certainly good enough for me. And before long, I will be back for good!
I have so much to tell you once I see you all then. Please send my and Bilbo's love to everyone else. And Gaffer, don't forget to give the roses extra care for me. I know they make me sneeze something awful, but they're still my favorite part of the garden.
Sincerely Yours,
Frodo Baggins
Brandy Hall, Buckland
When Bell finished reading the letter, both she and Sam were beaming. Hearing the words was almost like having Frodo with them, albeit for only a little.
"Mum, I really can't wait 'till Mr. Frodo comes back. I know it's only been a month, but I miss him so much," he said sadly. Bell frowned in sympathy.
"Oh, I miss him too, Sam-love," she replied, "it just doesn't seem right without him here, does it?" Sam shook his head, but quickly perked up again when his mum held out her batter-covered spoon she had been using to make cookies for him to lick, which he did.
"Only a few weeks more," thought Sam, smiling face covered in gooey dough, "and then Mr. Frodo will be coming home.
***Two weeks later...***
"Is everything ready then, Esme?" Asked Bilbo, as the plump hobbit woman finished packing up their cart. Nodding, she got into her own next to her husband, and smiled at Merry, who was sprawled comfortably in the wooden seat behind them. Frodo and Bilbo waved and called goodbyes from their own cart as Bilbo hoisted the reins and they set off for Hobbiton.
"I'll see you soon, Merry!" Frodo cried. The Brandybucks were headed to Tuckburough to stay the night, and they would arrive with Eglatine, Paladin, and their daughters the next day. Merry waved at Frodo, but as soon as the cart pulled away, he began to pout.
"I wanted to ride with Cousin Frodo and Bilbo," he sniffed. Esme laughed. "I know that, dear, but don't you want to see your cousins at Tuckburough?"
"No," he replied, "I don't like lasses. They muss my hair and pinch my cheeks. I hate being the youngest," he continued with an injured sigh. Saradoc and Esme tried not to laugh.
"Don't worry, lad," Saradoc said, "I'm sure someday you'll have a little lad cousin of your own." Merry smiled at this thought.
"Truly, da?" Saradoc nodded.
"Truly, Merry-lad," he replied, winking at his wife.
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Frodo, who had been unusually bouncy and restless the whole trip, grinned broadly when he saw Hobbiton approaching on the horizon.
"We're almost there," he cried excitedly, and Bilbo couldn't help but delight in his boy's enthusiasm.
"That's right, my lad. We're almost home."
Soon Bilbo's cart pulled into the small Shire town, and before long they reached Bagshot Row. Standing in front of Number Three were Sam and Goldie, now only tiny brown specks in the distance but gradually coming closer.
Frodo surprised his Uncle by jumping out of the cart and running directly to the hole with the round yellow door. In a matter of seconds, he was caught in an enormous hug with the two young Gamgees, all of them laughing.
"Oh, Sam; Goldie...I'm so happy to see you again," Frodo said softly, and the children smiled back at him, Sam biggest of all.
"Not as happy as we are to see you, Mr. Frodo." Both lads started at each other's happy faces for a while, and Goldie beamed at them.
Later, when Bilbo and Frodo had gotten settled back at Bag End (which, considering what was to be the length of the stay, was rather like living out of their traveling bags), Frodo ventured over to the Gamgee home once more. Merry would be arriving the next day, and the day after that was the Fair. Sam and Frodo had a lot of catching up to do, and only one uneventful day in which to do it!
The pollen-saturated air of the Shire had thankfully let up quite a bit, but even so, Frodo had to admit he wasn't feeling nearly as hardy as he had back in Buckland. Bilbo had given him an oversized straw hat he had found buried in a drawer in Bag End, which he hoped would help keep the intrusive pollen out of Frodo's face. Both Bagginses had laughed when the lad first put it on, as he looked a tad ridiculous. However, it was all they could find to help him on such short notice, and was quite funny to see.
Once he reached Bagshot Row, Frodo knocked on the door loudly, and Bell answered, sweeping him up into a choking hug. He laughed weakly, and she let him go.
"It's good to have you back, love," she said happily. "We missed you so much. It wasn't the same without you, without seeing you every day," she continued earnestly, tweaking him on his pointed pink nose. He smiled happily, and gave her a kiss on the cheek in return, before he said goodbye hurrying off to find Sam and his siblings.
"I'm going to have to find that lad a smaller hat," she mused, walking off in search.
Frodo discovered May and Daisy in the garden behind the hole, carefully planting some marigolds, roses, and violets. He stood at a safe distance from the flora as they rushed over to him, babbling happy greetings and giving surprisingly choking hugs. Frodo laughed heartily when May swiped off his hat and tried it on her own head. The floppy brim was so wide it covered half of her face, and Daisy sniggered behind her hand.
"Do I look beauuuutiful, Mr. Frodo?" Asked May in her haughtiest tone, and her sister couldn't help but burst out laughing, pounding her fist on the ground. Frodo however, smiled at her, and with a most gentlemanly air replied, "You look stunning, Miss May. Could I have the honor of escorting you inside?" She nodded solemnly, and walked off, glaring daggers at Daisy, who was still snickering.
Walking inside, Frodo and May entered the welcoming, warm kitchen of Bagshot Row, filled with wonderful smells as always. Bell waved them in from where she was stirring something in a bowl. Sam, Ham, and Hal rushed to meet the duo at the door from where they had been playing a game of marbles.
"What kind of a hat is that exactly, May-love?" Asked Hal, as his sister preened and paraded her new accessory.
"It's Mr. Frodo's. But he gave it to me, for now. He says I look beauutiful," she stated seriously. Hal and Hal nodded with equal gravity, and Sam agreed.
"You look wonderful, May," Sam said, and his littlest sister smiled, revealing three missing teeth.
"Could you boys do me a favor..." began Bell, but in a flash Ham and Hal were gone, waving goodbye to Frodo and gathering up their marbles in the escape of impending chores. They laughed as they fled, and Bell clucked her tongue. "Those two..." she muttered.
"All right then. Sam-love, Mr. Frodo, would you two go to the market and get some things for me? Two bags of flour and some strawberries? I need to finish a few pies for my booth at the Fair."
"Sure, Mum," Sam replied, "But Mr. Frodo isn't supposed to be goin' outdoors, what with his allergies an' all." Bell smiled at her son's concern for his friend, but shook her head.
"Nonsense, love. A little bit of air would do Mr. Frodo some good. I'm sure that's all right, sir?" Frodo nodded and smiled.
"Oh, you'll be needing that hat of yours, then, won't you?" Bell mused. "May...give Mr. Frodo back his hat, dear." The tiny lass frowned, shaking her chestnut colored curls.
"But Mum..." she pouted, looking at Frodo and Bell with pleading brown eyes, "Mr. Frodo said I looked beautiful." Frodo bent down to look eye to eye at the Gamgee lass.
"And you do, May. But I'm going to need my hat back now, all right? Tell you what. I'll give it to you to borrow for the Free Fair, and you can show it off to all your friends. How does that sound?" May nodded, and handed the floppy hat back to Frodo, who put it on, gallantly bowed and kissed May's hand.
"Thank you, milady," he said drolly. May blushed and scurried off, while Sam and Bell chuckled.
Frodo and Sam eventually set off to town with a shopping list quickly penned by Bell, and soon found everything they needed. Along the way, they found ample time to catch up with the happenings and events in each other's lives that they had missed during their separation. Both lads clearly lit up in each other's presence, and realized then just how much each missed the other when they were separated.
"Oh, I'm so excited about Mid-Year's Day, Sam. This will be my first one with Bilbo and I..." Frodo didn't get to finish, however, because at that moment a portly figure barreled past him, nearly knocking him to the ground. He staggered and managed to stay upright, dusting off his breeches and picking up his bag of flour which had fallen.
"Are you all right, Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked worriedly.
"I'm fine Sam..." he replied, "but whoever that was looks very familiar..." Frodo mused. He quickly scurried off follow the departing figure, and Sam hurried after him curiously, trying not to drop his heavy bundles.
When the two hobbit lads finally reached the boy who had nearly toppled Frodo, and to their surprise he turned to them, a rude smirk plastered on his blemished face.
"Oh, Brandybuck. It's you. Sorry I knocked you over down there," said the Hobbit in a tone that made it obvious he was not a bit sorry.
"Lotho," Frodo said, his usually soft tone tight and clipped. Sam watched on in confusion. The two obviously weren't friends, but he tried to keep a respectful distance. Lotho continued.
"So how's life with Mad Baggins? Oh, wait, that's right. Mum told me you moved to Buckland for the spring...why was that again?" Frodo frowned.
"Don't ever speak about Bilbo that way. He's no more mad than you or Lobelia. And you know perfectly well why I went off to Buckland, don't you?" Lotho sniggered.
"Oh, that's right. Poor ickle Frodo has to be coddled up by the crazy Brandybucks because he can't handle a few flowers. You always were one to get sick, weren't you? Hope you're well for Mid-Year's Day," he said, smirking. Frodo continued walking, stony faced, but Sam glared at Lotho, and he bent down to the younger Hobbit's level.
"And who might you be?" He asked, speaking to Sam as if he was a baby.
"Sam Gamgee, at your service, sir," muttered Sam without enthusiasm.
"Yes, that's right. Sam, the old gardener's son," he ruffled the lad's hair with a large, greasy hand, and continued to trail Frodo down the lane while the younger lad followed farther behind.
"So," he said in a confiding whisper, "Couldn't find any friends of your own age and class, could you? So you resorted to making that Gamgee your errand boy?" Frodo stopped short, and turned to face Lotho, his large blue eyes now steely and determined.
"If you say one more about Bilbo, or Sam, or me, you'll regret it, you hard necked Hardbottle ninnyhammer," said Frodo loudly. "Come on, Sam," he said, grabbing the lad's small hand, as the two walked away quickly, leaving Lotho in the dust.
There was just enough time, however, for Sam to uncharacteristically blow a raspberry at Lotho before they turned the corner and were gone.
Dedicated to MLynnBloom, whose reviews came at just the right time. ^^
Sam Gamgee hurried into the kitchen of Number Three Bagshot Row, filled with excitement as his mum called for him.
"A letter came, Sam-love! From Mr. Frodo!" Sam grinned hugely, finally spying his mother waving a large white envelope. His sisters and brothers were elsewhere, and for once Sam was glad. He wanted to enjoy Mr. Frodo's letter all by himself.
"Here it is," Bell smiled, as she handed the letter to her son. She smiled as his eyes lit up, knowing how much he missed his dear Mr. Frodo. Bell had to admit she did miss him greatly, as well. In a house full of loud, rambunctious lads and lasses, Frodo's quiet, polite demeanor was a welcome change. He was always a peaceful presence in their tiny home.
Bell continued to watch happily, as her youngest son tore open the envelope and handed the letter to her.
"Will you read it to me, Mum?" Sam asked eagerly, and Bell nodded. "Of course, Sam-love. Now, let's see," she began....
My Dearest Samwise (And Goldie, May, Daisy, Ham, Hal, Bell, Gaffer...),
Hullo from Buckland!
I'm happy to report I'm feeling better than I have in ages. Bilbo says the Buckland air is doing me wonders, and I think he's right. My sniffles and sneezes are practically gone, and I'm taking full advantage of playing by the river whenever I can. (Don't worry, I'm always very careful.)
My little cousin Merry delights in hearing stories about Hobbiton, and especially about all of you. I think you would get along splendidly with him, and I cannot wait until the Free Fair, when you will all finally meet each other. My Took cousins Pearl, Nellie, and Vinca are coming too. They've never been to the Fair before, so it should be very exciting.
I must admit that spending lazy days with Merry so often has led to some neglecting of my studies with Bilbo. I don't think he minds, though, being quite busy with his writing and other affairs as usual. But we do get to spend a great deal of time together, nonetheless.
Please tell May that I greatly regret missing her birthday, and I will have an extra special mathom for her at our next party to make up for it. I miss the rest of you tremendously as well, and although I love it here, I am counting the days until I arrive home. I know it will only be for a short time, but that is certainly good enough for me. And before long, I will be back for good!
I have so much to tell you once I see you all then. Please send my and Bilbo's love to everyone else. And Gaffer, don't forget to give the roses extra care for me. I know they make me sneeze something awful, but they're still my favorite part of the garden.
Sincerely Yours,
Frodo Baggins
Brandy Hall, Buckland
When Bell finished reading the letter, both she and Sam were beaming. Hearing the words was almost like having Frodo with them, albeit for only a little.
"Mum, I really can't wait 'till Mr. Frodo comes back. I know it's only been a month, but I miss him so much," he said sadly. Bell frowned in sympathy.
"Oh, I miss him too, Sam-love," she replied, "it just doesn't seem right without him here, does it?" Sam shook his head, but quickly perked up again when his mum held out her batter-covered spoon she had been using to make cookies for him to lick, which he did.
"Only a few weeks more," thought Sam, smiling face covered in gooey dough, "and then Mr. Frodo will be coming home.
***Two weeks later...***
"Is everything ready then, Esme?" Asked Bilbo, as the plump hobbit woman finished packing up their cart. Nodding, she got into her own next to her husband, and smiled at Merry, who was sprawled comfortably in the wooden seat behind them. Frodo and Bilbo waved and called goodbyes from their own cart as Bilbo hoisted the reins and they set off for Hobbiton.
"I'll see you soon, Merry!" Frodo cried. The Brandybucks were headed to Tuckburough to stay the night, and they would arrive with Eglatine, Paladin, and their daughters the next day. Merry waved at Frodo, but as soon as the cart pulled away, he began to pout.
"I wanted to ride with Cousin Frodo and Bilbo," he sniffed. Esme laughed. "I know that, dear, but don't you want to see your cousins at Tuckburough?"
"No," he replied, "I don't like lasses. They muss my hair and pinch my cheeks. I hate being the youngest," he continued with an injured sigh. Saradoc and Esme tried not to laugh.
"Don't worry, lad," Saradoc said, "I'm sure someday you'll have a little lad cousin of your own." Merry smiled at this thought.
"Truly, da?" Saradoc nodded.
"Truly, Merry-lad," he replied, winking at his wife.
***************************************************************
Frodo, who had been unusually bouncy and restless the whole trip, grinned broadly when he saw Hobbiton approaching on the horizon.
"We're almost there," he cried excitedly, and Bilbo couldn't help but delight in his boy's enthusiasm.
"That's right, my lad. We're almost home."
Soon Bilbo's cart pulled into the small Shire town, and before long they reached Bagshot Row. Standing in front of Number Three were Sam and Goldie, now only tiny brown specks in the distance but gradually coming closer.
Frodo surprised his Uncle by jumping out of the cart and running directly to the hole with the round yellow door. In a matter of seconds, he was caught in an enormous hug with the two young Gamgees, all of them laughing.
"Oh, Sam; Goldie...I'm so happy to see you again," Frodo said softly, and the children smiled back at him, Sam biggest of all.
"Not as happy as we are to see you, Mr. Frodo." Both lads started at each other's happy faces for a while, and Goldie beamed at them.
Later, when Bilbo and Frodo had gotten settled back at Bag End (which, considering what was to be the length of the stay, was rather like living out of their traveling bags), Frodo ventured over to the Gamgee home once more. Merry would be arriving the next day, and the day after that was the Fair. Sam and Frodo had a lot of catching up to do, and only one uneventful day in which to do it!
The pollen-saturated air of the Shire had thankfully let up quite a bit, but even so, Frodo had to admit he wasn't feeling nearly as hardy as he had back in Buckland. Bilbo had given him an oversized straw hat he had found buried in a drawer in Bag End, which he hoped would help keep the intrusive pollen out of Frodo's face. Both Bagginses had laughed when the lad first put it on, as he looked a tad ridiculous. However, it was all they could find to help him on such short notice, and was quite funny to see.
Once he reached Bagshot Row, Frodo knocked on the door loudly, and Bell answered, sweeping him up into a choking hug. He laughed weakly, and she let him go.
"It's good to have you back, love," she said happily. "We missed you so much. It wasn't the same without you, without seeing you every day," she continued earnestly, tweaking him on his pointed pink nose. He smiled happily, and gave her a kiss on the cheek in return, before he said goodbye hurrying off to find Sam and his siblings.
"I'm going to have to find that lad a smaller hat," she mused, walking off in search.
Frodo discovered May and Daisy in the garden behind the hole, carefully planting some marigolds, roses, and violets. He stood at a safe distance from the flora as they rushed over to him, babbling happy greetings and giving surprisingly choking hugs. Frodo laughed heartily when May swiped off his hat and tried it on her own head. The floppy brim was so wide it covered half of her face, and Daisy sniggered behind her hand.
"Do I look beauuuutiful, Mr. Frodo?" Asked May in her haughtiest tone, and her sister couldn't help but burst out laughing, pounding her fist on the ground. Frodo however, smiled at her, and with a most gentlemanly air replied, "You look stunning, Miss May. Could I have the honor of escorting you inside?" She nodded solemnly, and walked off, glaring daggers at Daisy, who was still snickering.
Walking inside, Frodo and May entered the welcoming, warm kitchen of Bagshot Row, filled with wonderful smells as always. Bell waved them in from where she was stirring something in a bowl. Sam, Ham, and Hal rushed to meet the duo at the door from where they had been playing a game of marbles.
"What kind of a hat is that exactly, May-love?" Asked Hal, as his sister preened and paraded her new accessory.
"It's Mr. Frodo's. But he gave it to me, for now. He says I look beauutiful," she stated seriously. Hal and Hal nodded with equal gravity, and Sam agreed.
"You look wonderful, May," Sam said, and his littlest sister smiled, revealing three missing teeth.
"Could you boys do me a favor..." began Bell, but in a flash Ham and Hal were gone, waving goodbye to Frodo and gathering up their marbles in the escape of impending chores. They laughed as they fled, and Bell clucked her tongue. "Those two..." she muttered.
"All right then. Sam-love, Mr. Frodo, would you two go to the market and get some things for me? Two bags of flour and some strawberries? I need to finish a few pies for my booth at the Fair."
"Sure, Mum," Sam replied, "But Mr. Frodo isn't supposed to be goin' outdoors, what with his allergies an' all." Bell smiled at her son's concern for his friend, but shook her head.
"Nonsense, love. A little bit of air would do Mr. Frodo some good. I'm sure that's all right, sir?" Frodo nodded and smiled.
"Oh, you'll be needing that hat of yours, then, won't you?" Bell mused. "May...give Mr. Frodo back his hat, dear." The tiny lass frowned, shaking her chestnut colored curls.
"But Mum..." she pouted, looking at Frodo and Bell with pleading brown eyes, "Mr. Frodo said I looked beautiful." Frodo bent down to look eye to eye at the Gamgee lass.
"And you do, May. But I'm going to need my hat back now, all right? Tell you what. I'll give it to you to borrow for the Free Fair, and you can show it off to all your friends. How does that sound?" May nodded, and handed the floppy hat back to Frodo, who put it on, gallantly bowed and kissed May's hand.
"Thank you, milady," he said drolly. May blushed and scurried off, while Sam and Bell chuckled.
Frodo and Sam eventually set off to town with a shopping list quickly penned by Bell, and soon found everything they needed. Along the way, they found ample time to catch up with the happenings and events in each other's lives that they had missed during their separation. Both lads clearly lit up in each other's presence, and realized then just how much each missed the other when they were separated.
"Oh, I'm so excited about Mid-Year's Day, Sam. This will be my first one with Bilbo and I..." Frodo didn't get to finish, however, because at that moment a portly figure barreled past him, nearly knocking him to the ground. He staggered and managed to stay upright, dusting off his breeches and picking up his bag of flour which had fallen.
"Are you all right, Mr. Frodo?" Sam asked worriedly.
"I'm fine Sam..." he replied, "but whoever that was looks very familiar..." Frodo mused. He quickly scurried off follow the departing figure, and Sam hurried after him curiously, trying not to drop his heavy bundles.
When the two hobbit lads finally reached the boy who had nearly toppled Frodo, and to their surprise he turned to them, a rude smirk plastered on his blemished face.
"Oh, Brandybuck. It's you. Sorry I knocked you over down there," said the Hobbit in a tone that made it obvious he was not a bit sorry.
"Lotho," Frodo said, his usually soft tone tight and clipped. Sam watched on in confusion. The two obviously weren't friends, but he tried to keep a respectful distance. Lotho continued.
"So how's life with Mad Baggins? Oh, wait, that's right. Mum told me you moved to Buckland for the spring...why was that again?" Frodo frowned.
"Don't ever speak about Bilbo that way. He's no more mad than you or Lobelia. And you know perfectly well why I went off to Buckland, don't you?" Lotho sniggered.
"Oh, that's right. Poor ickle Frodo has to be coddled up by the crazy Brandybucks because he can't handle a few flowers. You always were one to get sick, weren't you? Hope you're well for Mid-Year's Day," he said, smirking. Frodo continued walking, stony faced, but Sam glared at Lotho, and he bent down to the younger Hobbit's level.
"And who might you be?" He asked, speaking to Sam as if he was a baby.
"Sam Gamgee, at your service, sir," muttered Sam without enthusiasm.
"Yes, that's right. Sam, the old gardener's son," he ruffled the lad's hair with a large, greasy hand, and continued to trail Frodo down the lane while the younger lad followed farther behind.
"So," he said in a confiding whisper, "Couldn't find any friends of your own age and class, could you? So you resorted to making that Gamgee your errand boy?" Frodo stopped short, and turned to face Lotho, his large blue eyes now steely and determined.
"If you say one more about Bilbo, or Sam, or me, you'll regret it, you hard necked Hardbottle ninnyhammer," said Frodo loudly. "Come on, Sam," he said, grabbing the lad's small hand, as the two walked away quickly, leaving Lotho in the dust.
There was just enough time, however, for Sam to uncharacteristically blow a raspberry at Lotho before they turned the corner and were gone.