Chapter 5
A Letter of Love
Fredegar stood by the coach and waited with Sam for Frodo and Merry to come out of Bag End so they could say their good-byes to their friends.
Fredegar was so happy for Frodo's friendship. It had helped him so much with healing his own heart from the lost of his sister. Frodo had lost both his parents and knew exactly how Fredegar felt.
When he felt like crying, Frodo was always there just to listen or give him a warm shoulder to cry on.
Sam too was wonderful, but he struggled in calling Freddy, Fatty. He did not like it none, but Fredegar insisted.
Sam looked at Fredegar with a sad expression on his face. "It's sad saying good-bye to Mr. Frodo and harder doing the waiting for when he returns to Bag End," said Sam.
"It's going to be a long cold winter without him!" said Fredegar.
Sam looked up to see the door of Bag End open and seeing Mr. Bilbo with Frodo and Merry behind him. Sam had already loaded the bags in the coach and tied them securely.
Frodo looked at Fredegar and opened his arms to his friend. "It won't be long and winter will pass by quickly. I'll be back here soon enough before you even miss me. I know Sam here, will always be around to keep you busy," said Frodo and then he turned to Sam. "Won't you, Sam!"
"Yes, Mr. Frodo!" said Sam with a smile. "Mr. Fatty and me will be doing all sorts of things to keep ourselves busy. I've listened to enough stories of the elves and memorized them, too. That will keep Mr. Fatty's thoughts occupied until your return!"
"You're a good friend, Sam! And I'll miss you more than you will ever know!" said Frodo. He reached his arms around Sam and gave him a warm hug.
Mr. Bilbo waited by the door of the coach and watched Merry say his good- byes to his two new friends.
Merry approached Bilbo first. "Perhaps my Da will let me come again next summer to spend sometime with you, Bilbo! That's if you approve of it!"
Bilbo smiled at Merry. "You tell old Saradoc that I'll be expecting you next summer!"
Bilbo hugged Merry and climbed into the coach.
Frodo opened his arms to his uncle. "It's hard having two homes to live in. You're always saying good-bye to one and hello to the other. Some how, you are missing them both at the same time."
Bilbo smiled at his nephew with pride. Bilbo squared his shoulders in a proud manner and looked long into Frodo's eyes. "Someday, Frodo. It's my hope to keep you here at Bag End. I am proud of you. You're a good lad, my boy!"
Bilbo put his arms around Frodo and gave him a warm hug. Letting go of his nephew, he turned and held the coach door open for him. When Frodo climbed into the coach and shut the door. He sat down next to Merry. Both boys reached their hands out of the window and waved as the coach pulled away from Bag End.
Sam turned to Fatty. "Well, I suppose that's it and all! How about returning back to Bag Shot Row with me, Mr. Fatty. We could help the Gaffer with picking his tatters. My brothers are all ready in the field working."
Fatty nodded his head and waved at Mr. Bilbo as they watched him reenter Bag End.
Sam and Fatty both walked down to the fields of Bag Shot Row.
~*~
Ellderbra took the doll from Pansy and tossed it into the burn pile. "She'll have no need fer dolls and such things. Toys are fer the uppity hobbits, not fer the poor folk of our kind. Dolls just give grand ideas in the heads of children. Back to work, now!"
Ellderbra found more tree branches and leaves. He piled them on the doll. Taking a torch he tossed it on the burn pile and watched at the branches and doll caught on fire.
Ellderbra turned and looked at Poppy and for a split second he too thought he almost saw his own daughter running and playing as she did many long years ago.
~*~
Years rolled by in the Shire and Fredegar aged to his thirtieth Birthday. He had seen a lot in the years of growing up in the Hobbiton. He remembered back to years past when those strange things that caused him worry. It all started with Mr. Bilbo's eleventy-one birthday party. He listened to Mr. Bilbo announce that Frodo would be his heir. That news made Fredegar very happy. However, after Bilbo grand speach, he suddenly disappeared. This had frighten everyone and caused a great confusion among the hobbits. He heard later that Bilbo had left Bag End for good and Frodo was now the new master.
In this year, he also noticed that Lotho Sackville-Baggins had left Hobbiton and heard talk of him inheriting a plantation in the South Farthing. It was good news for Fredegar as Lotho always found ways to mistreat him whenever he would happen upon him. Even though he was happy to hear that Lotho was gone, the talk all over Hobbiton was queer. Rumors were told of Lotho was making a lot of money and buying all sorts of new property.
What upset Fredegar the most was seeing all his friends and other having girlfriends and all the weddings happening around Hobbiton. Fredegar was still living with his aged parents and helping his father in his store. He longed to be married and have his own family. However, Fredegar never stood a chance with the lasses. He was not much to look at with his overweight stature and very round face. Even Sam, with a slightly overweight frame, had dances with Rosie and noticed how she would always watch Sam. Sam even confided to him that he thought Rosie was the loveliest lass that he had ever seen. Fredegar knew that Sam loved Rosie.
Frodo was given a Birthday party for himself and for his aged old uncle, which was odd, because Mr. Bilbo was not living in the Shire any longer. Fredegar understood that Frodo loved to keep the stories going about the queerness of the Baggins as told by all hobbits in Hobbiton. Fredegar giggled at the pranks that Frodo would pull to keep that legend told.
At the party that evening, Fredegar saw Old Farmer Boffin had himself a new wife. He was considered the ugliest hobbit in all the shire. Seeing his wife he was so surprised that she was half his age and very good looking. He heard the other hobbits talk about Farmer Boffin and told him that his wife's name was Prementhia and that she came from the North Farthing.
Fredegar was curious enough to follow Prementhia and Farmer Boffin around the party. Fredegar poured himself an ale and sat down at their table. Fredegar was surprised that Prementhia sat down next to him with a couple other older hobbitesses.
Prementhia smiled sweetly seeing Fredegar sitting next to her and she introduced herself. "I've not met you before?"
"My name is Fredegar Bolger. It is nice meeting you, Mrs. Boffin!" said Fredegar shyly.
Prementhia thought it was so cute to see an older tween so embarrassed to speak to a lass. "What do you do in Hobbiton?"
Fredegar smiled and slowly lifted his eyes to her. "I managed my father's general store in Hobbiton!"
"That is impressive, Mr. Bolger!" said Prementhia.
Fredegar smiled with her comment and he began to relax some while they visited with each other. "I've heard tell that you come from the North Farthing. Is that were Farmer Boffin met you? Begging your pardon if my question is too forward and all!"
Prementhia smiled at Fredegar. "Of course not! I met my husband through letters he wrote to my foster father. He arranged our marriage. It was only a few years ago that I met Mr. Boffin and then married him."
Fredegar's ears perked up as he listened to her story. "Again not meaning to ask so many personal questions and all, but do you have sisters?"
Prementhia giggled and understood why he kept asking her these types of questions. "Are you looking to get married some day?"
Fredegar's ears turned a bright red and his heart beat wildly in his chest. All he could do was to nod.
"I was an orphan child growing up with other girls. Our foster father is always looking for prominent hobbits wanting to marry off his foster tweens. I could send him a letter of introduction for you if you would like!"
Fredegar sat up in his chair. "Oh, Mrs. Boffin. I would be so much into your debt if you would be so kind!"
Prementhia nodded and asked. "You will need to write a letter to my foster father explaining yourself and your situation. He will then send you a letter from one of the fine girls old enough to marry."
Fredegar thanked her over and over again. He promised to have a letter written the very next day.
~*~
A loud knock came from the door as Ellderbra strolled slowly over to answer it. His aged old legs now ached with severe pain from his joints and he was hunched over. His hair now whiten and his wrinkles deeply set.
Opening the door, he saw a messenger with two thick letters. Thanking the messenger he took the letters and went to the table to read them.
Opening his foster's daughter letter first. He began to read it. His brow raised after he read the introduction from her about a Mr. Fredegar Bolger looking to find a wife. His heartbeat raced as he read what a perfect gentleman Fredegar was and what a prominent position he held in Hobbiton.
Ellderbra gathered the letters together and hobbled over to his wife's bedroom to read them to her.
Annegrin was in failing health as her heart weakened daily. He gently woke her up and began to tell her about the letters he just received. "This is the answer to all of our dreams, Anne! Our Poppy has found a good hobbit to marry!"
"No, Ellderbra! Not Poppy! Let Lilly marry first!" said Annegrin weakly.
"Nonsense, Anne. This hobbit has a general store. Our Poppy would have a good life being married to such a fine hobbit. He is only thirty years old, just a few years older than Poppy! Don't you see, Anne! We're close to our ending in life and what better than seeing our girl happily married to such a prominent hobbit! She'd have the best of life!"
Annegrin listened carefully. "Read me the letters!"
Ellderbra read from the beginning of Fredegar Bolger's letter. He told her about his store and how much money they were making. He described his fine home with his family and all is friends he had in Hobbiton. He talked about all of his dreams and hopes for his future. He said that if he ever found the hobbit of his dreams that he would treat her as a queen and would love her forever.
It was enough for Annegrin. She smiled a big toothless grin at her husband and nodded. "He sounds like the finest lad that I'd ever heard about," said Annegrin weakly. "Send in Poppy so I can tell her!"
After a few minutes, Poppy entered the room. She sat down on the bed with her mother and stroked her aged old hand. "Poppy, my wonderful daughter. I love you more than any mother could possibly love her child. I have wonderful news for you that I want you to listen carefully. We have found you a husband to marry. You know it is our costume to find the right husband for our children. I want you to take this letter and begin to write to Fredegar Bolger. Please do not decide right now if you will marry him or not. I just want you to get to know him as much as you can before you decide. I'm getting on in age and my heart has grown very old. I'll not be with you long and I want to know that you will always be taken care of properly. He could give you a life that would make you proud. Take this letter and write to him now!"
Poppy looked at the letters in surprise and then looked down upon her dear mother. Tears formed in her eyes seeing how old she had become and it hurt her in thinking that she would lose her mother soon.
Annegrin touched her sweet face and smiled. "Now promise me that you will write him before you decide!"
Poppy smiled and nodded her head. She bent down and kissed her mother.
Taking the letters with her, she closed the bedroom door and walked to her room she shared with Lilly.
"What do you have there, Poppy?" asked Lilly.
Poppy looked at the hobbit she thought of as a sister and sat beside her. "It's a letter from a hobbit who is looking to get married. Mama wants me to write him. She feels that this hobbit would be perfect for me!"
Lilly's eyes widened as she looked at Poppy. "I'd trust her opinion. She has married the rest of the girls to fine hobbits. Gem and Tilly both have the most wonderful lives and they are so happy!"
Poppy read the letter and smiled. "He does sound like such a wonderful young hobbit and a owner of a general store. I love stores and shopping!"
Lilly looked sad as she watched Poppy take out her pen and paper to begin her letter. Poppy looked over to Lilly and saw her sad expression. "What's wrong Lilly?"
Lilly pouted as she replied. "It's just that I am a couple years older than you are and they still have not found me someone to marry, yet!"
Poppy smiled as she looked at her friend. "I got an idea, I'll ask him if he knows of someone else that would be looking for a wife. Perhaps we could live close by each other and always be the very best of friends!"
Lilly's eyes sparkled with hope, "Do you really think that could be possible?"
"Yes, Lilly!" said Poppy. "At least I will try my very best to find you a husband in the same town that I will live!"
Lilly ran to Poppy and put her arms around her. "Thank you, Poppy. You are so wonderful!"
Poppy sat up late into the evening hours writing to Mr. Bolger. The more she said his name in her mind she began to think that it had a sound of familiarity to it, as if she had meet him in her past. She straightened her pink dress when she stood up and folded her letter. Placing it into an envelope. Leaving it sit on the table she turned to see Lilly all ready sound to sleep. She took off her dress and put on her nightshirt. Climbing into bed, she blew out the candle she laid down to sleep. In her dreams she saw strange imagines of herself lying in a field of clover. She woke in the middle of the night with a pounding headache. She reached for a powder and poured it into a glass of water and drank it down. She laid on her pillow and waited for the powder to take the pain away so she could sleep.
A Letter of Love
Fredegar stood by the coach and waited with Sam for Frodo and Merry to come out of Bag End so they could say their good-byes to their friends.
Fredegar was so happy for Frodo's friendship. It had helped him so much with healing his own heart from the lost of his sister. Frodo had lost both his parents and knew exactly how Fredegar felt.
When he felt like crying, Frodo was always there just to listen or give him a warm shoulder to cry on.
Sam too was wonderful, but he struggled in calling Freddy, Fatty. He did not like it none, but Fredegar insisted.
Sam looked at Fredegar with a sad expression on his face. "It's sad saying good-bye to Mr. Frodo and harder doing the waiting for when he returns to Bag End," said Sam.
"It's going to be a long cold winter without him!" said Fredegar.
Sam looked up to see the door of Bag End open and seeing Mr. Bilbo with Frodo and Merry behind him. Sam had already loaded the bags in the coach and tied them securely.
Frodo looked at Fredegar and opened his arms to his friend. "It won't be long and winter will pass by quickly. I'll be back here soon enough before you even miss me. I know Sam here, will always be around to keep you busy," said Frodo and then he turned to Sam. "Won't you, Sam!"
"Yes, Mr. Frodo!" said Sam with a smile. "Mr. Fatty and me will be doing all sorts of things to keep ourselves busy. I've listened to enough stories of the elves and memorized them, too. That will keep Mr. Fatty's thoughts occupied until your return!"
"You're a good friend, Sam! And I'll miss you more than you will ever know!" said Frodo. He reached his arms around Sam and gave him a warm hug.
Mr. Bilbo waited by the door of the coach and watched Merry say his good- byes to his two new friends.
Merry approached Bilbo first. "Perhaps my Da will let me come again next summer to spend sometime with you, Bilbo! That's if you approve of it!"
Bilbo smiled at Merry. "You tell old Saradoc that I'll be expecting you next summer!"
Bilbo hugged Merry and climbed into the coach.
Frodo opened his arms to his uncle. "It's hard having two homes to live in. You're always saying good-bye to one and hello to the other. Some how, you are missing them both at the same time."
Bilbo smiled at his nephew with pride. Bilbo squared his shoulders in a proud manner and looked long into Frodo's eyes. "Someday, Frodo. It's my hope to keep you here at Bag End. I am proud of you. You're a good lad, my boy!"
Bilbo put his arms around Frodo and gave him a warm hug. Letting go of his nephew, he turned and held the coach door open for him. When Frodo climbed into the coach and shut the door. He sat down next to Merry. Both boys reached their hands out of the window and waved as the coach pulled away from Bag End.
Sam turned to Fatty. "Well, I suppose that's it and all! How about returning back to Bag Shot Row with me, Mr. Fatty. We could help the Gaffer with picking his tatters. My brothers are all ready in the field working."
Fatty nodded his head and waved at Mr. Bilbo as they watched him reenter Bag End.
Sam and Fatty both walked down to the fields of Bag Shot Row.
~*~
Ellderbra took the doll from Pansy and tossed it into the burn pile. "She'll have no need fer dolls and such things. Toys are fer the uppity hobbits, not fer the poor folk of our kind. Dolls just give grand ideas in the heads of children. Back to work, now!"
Ellderbra found more tree branches and leaves. He piled them on the doll. Taking a torch he tossed it on the burn pile and watched at the branches and doll caught on fire.
Ellderbra turned and looked at Poppy and for a split second he too thought he almost saw his own daughter running and playing as she did many long years ago.
~*~
Years rolled by in the Shire and Fredegar aged to his thirtieth Birthday. He had seen a lot in the years of growing up in the Hobbiton. He remembered back to years past when those strange things that caused him worry. It all started with Mr. Bilbo's eleventy-one birthday party. He listened to Mr. Bilbo announce that Frodo would be his heir. That news made Fredegar very happy. However, after Bilbo grand speach, he suddenly disappeared. This had frighten everyone and caused a great confusion among the hobbits. He heard later that Bilbo had left Bag End for good and Frodo was now the new master.
In this year, he also noticed that Lotho Sackville-Baggins had left Hobbiton and heard talk of him inheriting a plantation in the South Farthing. It was good news for Fredegar as Lotho always found ways to mistreat him whenever he would happen upon him. Even though he was happy to hear that Lotho was gone, the talk all over Hobbiton was queer. Rumors were told of Lotho was making a lot of money and buying all sorts of new property.
What upset Fredegar the most was seeing all his friends and other having girlfriends and all the weddings happening around Hobbiton. Fredegar was still living with his aged parents and helping his father in his store. He longed to be married and have his own family. However, Fredegar never stood a chance with the lasses. He was not much to look at with his overweight stature and very round face. Even Sam, with a slightly overweight frame, had dances with Rosie and noticed how she would always watch Sam. Sam even confided to him that he thought Rosie was the loveliest lass that he had ever seen. Fredegar knew that Sam loved Rosie.
Frodo was given a Birthday party for himself and for his aged old uncle, which was odd, because Mr. Bilbo was not living in the Shire any longer. Fredegar understood that Frodo loved to keep the stories going about the queerness of the Baggins as told by all hobbits in Hobbiton. Fredegar giggled at the pranks that Frodo would pull to keep that legend told.
At the party that evening, Fredegar saw Old Farmer Boffin had himself a new wife. He was considered the ugliest hobbit in all the shire. Seeing his wife he was so surprised that she was half his age and very good looking. He heard the other hobbits talk about Farmer Boffin and told him that his wife's name was Prementhia and that she came from the North Farthing.
Fredegar was curious enough to follow Prementhia and Farmer Boffin around the party. Fredegar poured himself an ale and sat down at their table. Fredegar was surprised that Prementhia sat down next to him with a couple other older hobbitesses.
Prementhia smiled sweetly seeing Fredegar sitting next to her and she introduced herself. "I've not met you before?"
"My name is Fredegar Bolger. It is nice meeting you, Mrs. Boffin!" said Fredegar shyly.
Prementhia thought it was so cute to see an older tween so embarrassed to speak to a lass. "What do you do in Hobbiton?"
Fredegar smiled and slowly lifted his eyes to her. "I managed my father's general store in Hobbiton!"
"That is impressive, Mr. Bolger!" said Prementhia.
Fredegar smiled with her comment and he began to relax some while they visited with each other. "I've heard tell that you come from the North Farthing. Is that were Farmer Boffin met you? Begging your pardon if my question is too forward and all!"
Prementhia smiled at Fredegar. "Of course not! I met my husband through letters he wrote to my foster father. He arranged our marriage. It was only a few years ago that I met Mr. Boffin and then married him."
Fredegar's ears perked up as he listened to her story. "Again not meaning to ask so many personal questions and all, but do you have sisters?"
Prementhia giggled and understood why he kept asking her these types of questions. "Are you looking to get married some day?"
Fredegar's ears turned a bright red and his heart beat wildly in his chest. All he could do was to nod.
"I was an orphan child growing up with other girls. Our foster father is always looking for prominent hobbits wanting to marry off his foster tweens. I could send him a letter of introduction for you if you would like!"
Fredegar sat up in his chair. "Oh, Mrs. Boffin. I would be so much into your debt if you would be so kind!"
Prementhia nodded and asked. "You will need to write a letter to my foster father explaining yourself and your situation. He will then send you a letter from one of the fine girls old enough to marry."
Fredegar thanked her over and over again. He promised to have a letter written the very next day.
~*~
A loud knock came from the door as Ellderbra strolled slowly over to answer it. His aged old legs now ached with severe pain from his joints and he was hunched over. His hair now whiten and his wrinkles deeply set.
Opening the door, he saw a messenger with two thick letters. Thanking the messenger he took the letters and went to the table to read them.
Opening his foster's daughter letter first. He began to read it. His brow raised after he read the introduction from her about a Mr. Fredegar Bolger looking to find a wife. His heartbeat raced as he read what a perfect gentleman Fredegar was and what a prominent position he held in Hobbiton.
Ellderbra gathered the letters together and hobbled over to his wife's bedroom to read them to her.
Annegrin was in failing health as her heart weakened daily. He gently woke her up and began to tell her about the letters he just received. "This is the answer to all of our dreams, Anne! Our Poppy has found a good hobbit to marry!"
"No, Ellderbra! Not Poppy! Let Lilly marry first!" said Annegrin weakly.
"Nonsense, Anne. This hobbit has a general store. Our Poppy would have a good life being married to such a fine hobbit. He is only thirty years old, just a few years older than Poppy! Don't you see, Anne! We're close to our ending in life and what better than seeing our girl happily married to such a prominent hobbit! She'd have the best of life!"
Annegrin listened carefully. "Read me the letters!"
Ellderbra read from the beginning of Fredegar Bolger's letter. He told her about his store and how much money they were making. He described his fine home with his family and all is friends he had in Hobbiton. He talked about all of his dreams and hopes for his future. He said that if he ever found the hobbit of his dreams that he would treat her as a queen and would love her forever.
It was enough for Annegrin. She smiled a big toothless grin at her husband and nodded. "He sounds like the finest lad that I'd ever heard about," said Annegrin weakly. "Send in Poppy so I can tell her!"
After a few minutes, Poppy entered the room. She sat down on the bed with her mother and stroked her aged old hand. "Poppy, my wonderful daughter. I love you more than any mother could possibly love her child. I have wonderful news for you that I want you to listen carefully. We have found you a husband to marry. You know it is our costume to find the right husband for our children. I want you to take this letter and begin to write to Fredegar Bolger. Please do not decide right now if you will marry him or not. I just want you to get to know him as much as you can before you decide. I'm getting on in age and my heart has grown very old. I'll not be with you long and I want to know that you will always be taken care of properly. He could give you a life that would make you proud. Take this letter and write to him now!"
Poppy looked at the letters in surprise and then looked down upon her dear mother. Tears formed in her eyes seeing how old she had become and it hurt her in thinking that she would lose her mother soon.
Annegrin touched her sweet face and smiled. "Now promise me that you will write him before you decide!"
Poppy smiled and nodded her head. She bent down and kissed her mother.
Taking the letters with her, she closed the bedroom door and walked to her room she shared with Lilly.
"What do you have there, Poppy?" asked Lilly.
Poppy looked at the hobbit she thought of as a sister and sat beside her. "It's a letter from a hobbit who is looking to get married. Mama wants me to write him. She feels that this hobbit would be perfect for me!"
Lilly's eyes widened as she looked at Poppy. "I'd trust her opinion. She has married the rest of the girls to fine hobbits. Gem and Tilly both have the most wonderful lives and they are so happy!"
Poppy read the letter and smiled. "He does sound like such a wonderful young hobbit and a owner of a general store. I love stores and shopping!"
Lilly looked sad as she watched Poppy take out her pen and paper to begin her letter. Poppy looked over to Lilly and saw her sad expression. "What's wrong Lilly?"
Lilly pouted as she replied. "It's just that I am a couple years older than you are and they still have not found me someone to marry, yet!"
Poppy smiled as she looked at her friend. "I got an idea, I'll ask him if he knows of someone else that would be looking for a wife. Perhaps we could live close by each other and always be the very best of friends!"
Lilly's eyes sparkled with hope, "Do you really think that could be possible?"
"Yes, Lilly!" said Poppy. "At least I will try my very best to find you a husband in the same town that I will live!"
Lilly ran to Poppy and put her arms around her. "Thank you, Poppy. You are so wonderful!"
Poppy sat up late into the evening hours writing to Mr. Bolger. The more she said his name in her mind she began to think that it had a sound of familiarity to it, as if she had meet him in her past. She straightened her pink dress when she stood up and folded her letter. Placing it into an envelope. Leaving it sit on the table she turned to see Lilly all ready sound to sleep. She took off her dress and put on her nightshirt. Climbing into bed, she blew out the candle she laid down to sleep. In her dreams she saw strange imagines of herself lying in a field of clover. She woke in the middle of the night with a pounding headache. She reached for a powder and poured it into a glass of water and drank it down. She laid on her pillow and waited for the powder to take the pain away so she could sleep.