Summary: Ever wonder what was going on in The Shire while the hobbits were
away?
Author's Note: This is my first multi-chapter story. As of right now, I'm not sure of the exact number of chapters. I will make every effort to post at least one a month, more often if we're lucky.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters nor do I make any money from them. They belong completely to the Tolkien estate and their affiliates.
Special thanks to Marigold, a wonderful beta, who believes in me even when I don't believe in myself.
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Marigold deserves a big round of applause and lots of hobbit snuggles for this chapter! She had to work extra hard to keep me from finishing the story before it even got started!
Replies to reviews from chapter one are at the end of this chapter.
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CHAPTER 2 - A PIMPLE AT BAG END
"It don't make sense, that's all! Tearin' down one mill just to put up another. And ruinin' the land 'round besides." Hamfast Gamgee sat in the kitchen of old Tom Cotton's home, drinking tea and recounting everything that had happened since last they were together. A month had gone by since Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin had disappeared from the Shire and things weren't going well in Hobbiton.
"I knew that nasty Lotho Sackville-Baggins would make more trouble than he's worth. Seems to think he can order folk around just 'cause he's livin' at Bag End now. He's got a bunch'a dirty-lookin' men up there building the new mill and it looks to be full'a wheels and other outlandish contraptions. Some of them men's building houses at the end of Bagshot Row, on that Lotho's say so. Big, ugly, tall things they be, with square windows and long, narrow doors ta boot. Not low and cozy like your place here. I would'na live in one a those things if they made me!" The gaffer drained his tea and banged the mug down on the table.
Tom poured the last of the tea into the gaffer's mug and said, "Hamfast, there ain't nuthin' we can do 'bout old Pimple tearin' down and buildin' on his own land. And he sure seems to have a lot of it! Folks knew there had to be some land down in the Southfarthing inherited from his Da, but no one knew he'd bought up Sandyman's mill and the land surrounding. I hear he's been buyin' up all the mills and leaf plantations he can get. What I don't understand is where the money's comin' from."
Tom filled his pipe and offered some leaf to Hamfast. They drank tea and smoked in silence for a while. After a few minutes the gaffer, watching the smoke rising around his head, made a startling announcement, "Nice to have a pinch of Old Toby. You'd do well to conserve as much as you can. They say some of them ruffians that Pimple brought into the Shire have been seen on the old road over Sarn Ford way. Carryin' barrels of leaf out of the Southfarthing by all accounts. I'm bettin' that's where the money come from. I went with Goldie to market the other day with a mind to pick up a bit o' leaf. There weren't a scrap of Old Toby to be found. Had to settle for a pinch o' Longbottom left over from last year's harvest."
After a few moments of stunned silence, old Tom turned to Rosie, who had been sitting in the corner, working her way through the mending basket and quietly listening to the conversation, "Rosie, be a good girl and fix the gaffer and me another pot of tea. Then, go fetch your brother. It's time you were headin' to the Dragon for your shift and Jolly'll walk with you."
"Da! It's been weeks since those riders in black were seen in the Shire. I think I can walk to and from the inn on my own. It's not that far!"
"Now, lass. You'll be doin' as I say! I don't like you working at that place these days. If you want to be working there, you'll let one of your brothers walk with you. It's not safe anymore with all those dirty ruffians hanging 'bout. Things aren't the same as they was. It's just not natural to feel unsafe here in the heart of the Shire, but that's the way it is right now."
"Yes, Da. Just remember your promise. I want to keep my job. Mr. Goodbody needs me more than ever, now that Magnolia's gone off to stay with her kin in Needlehole." And with that Rosie set the fresh pot of tea on the table and hurried out the door to find Jolly.
"That be a fiery lass you got there, Tom. She and my Goldie are closer than ever now my Sam's gone missin'. Been quite a comfort to Goldie these last few weeks, she has." said the gaffer.
"And the other way about, unless I'm mistaken. What about you, Hamfast? How're you holding up now that your Sam's gone?" Although he tried for a look of nonchalance, Tom's face couldn't hide the concern he felt for his old friend.
The gaffer paused a moment then said "Well, I'll tell ya. With poor old Hiram passed on now, the widow Rumble has moved back to her old family place on Bagshot Row. I figured with the place bein' empty for so long she needed a bit of help with repairs and such. I'm also helpin'to get her bit of vegetable patch goin' though it's late in the year. Seein' as I'm her closest neighbor, I thought it would be kindly for me to help her out a bit. Must say it's eased my mind considerable to be helpin' her in her time of need. She's been quite a comfort to me as well."
With that, the gaffer pushed his chair back and stood up. "That reminds me, I've got to be gettin' myself back home. Pansy's cookin' a fine noon piece for us today. Mushroom pie with peas and potatoes! Don't want to be missin' that. My thanks to you Tom."
Farmer Cotton laughed at the gaffer's retreating back. "So, it's 'Pansy' now, is it? Well, enjoy your lunch and I'll see you in a few days."
~*~
"I'm telling you Jolly, it's not just leaf that's leaving the Shire by way of Sarn Ford these days. I went to market with Goldie last week, and there's lots of things that will be missing from the table this winter if something isn't done about it. There's rumours Lotho Sackville-Baggins has been shipping off the entire harvests of several farms he owns in the Southfarthing. He's been paying for any damages his men do, but that doesn't replace the products missing from the market.
Jolly looked at Rosie askance. "But, how can this be true? And why do the farmers put up with it?"
Rosie and Jolly were walking along the side of the road leading from their farmhouse to The Green Dragon. Signs of autumn were all around. The leaves on the trees were vivid shades of orange, yellow and red. The grass underfoot was a dry and tired gold. Abandoned bird nests could be seen in those trees whose leaves had already fallen to the ground.
After taking a hard look around at their surroundings, Rosie went on, "According to what I heard at the Dragon, Lotho made deals with the farmers back about a month ago. Bought up their farms and their crops before anyone knew what was going on. The farmers have to accept it because they already made the deals, but that don't make it right. When they sold off their crops they didn't know that they were taking food out of the mouths of Shirefolk. We've got to do something about it, Jolly. Not everyone is lucky enough to live the way we do, with our own livestock and acres of crops to fall back on. Winter's coming on soon and some folks might actually go hungry."
Shocked by what he was hearing, Jolly said, "What can we do? We're just two young Hobbits. We'd have to have a lot of folks to help if we're to stop these things happening, and this is the Shire. I sure can't see anyone standing up to Pimple's ruffians."
"Well, I'm not going to let anyone go hungry if I can help it!" Rosie stated defiantly. "There has to be something that we can do. I hear all kinds of things in The Green Dragon. No one pays much attention to me because I'm a lass. Maybe I can find out what Pimple is up to. And I can try to find out who needs help and who's got help to give. Between the two of us, we could gather together as many folks as possible. Maybe a network of sorts, to help those as need it and maybe even to disrupt Lotho's efforts as much as possible. Perhaps we can keep Lotho from doing too much mischief until something can be done about him."
"You've really given this a lot of thought." Jolly had come to a dead stop in the road and was looking admiringly at his twin. "Why haven't you mentioned these things before now? If you really think we could do something if we got folks organized, I'll talk to Nick, Nibs and Tom. I'm sure they'll want to help. But what about Ma and Da? We should probably let them in on what's going on as well."
"Come on Jolly, let's keep walking. I'm going to be late for work." Rosie began walking again. "I'm not sure about Ma and Da. If they knew I was collecting information and such down at The Dragon, they won't want me to keep working. Da's not happy about me going down there every day as it is. Talking to Nick, Nibs and Tom's a good idea though. I'll talk to Goldie Gamgee and Angelica Baggins. I know they'll want to get involved."
"And what about Sancho Proudfoot and Wilbur Chubb? They'll want to help, too." Jolly was starting to get excited at the idea of going behind the back of Lotho Sackville-Baggins. "We're going to need to set up a meeting somewhere. Do you have any ideas?"
By this time they had arrived at The Green Dragon and had to end the conversation. "We'll talk more about it tonight, all right, Jolly? If I don't get in there and get busy, Mr. Goodbody'll have my hide and then where will we be? Go ahead and talk to your friends and see how they feel. We can go from there." Rosie pecked Jolly on the cheek and disappeared into the inn.
~*~
It was a quiet afternoon at The Green Dragon. Aside from a few merchants coming in for the noon meal or afternoon tea, the place was mostly deserted. Rosie took advantage of the quiet to have a hushed conversation with Sarah Goodbody, Mr. Goodbody's daughter and a dear friend to Rosie.
"Sarah, you've been so busy in the kitchen lately, you haven't heard what the customers are talking about. Apparently Lotho Sackville-Baggins has been shipping all the crops from his farms out of the Shire. The only things coming into the market these days are from farms in the North and West Farthings. At this rate, things are going to get tight when winter is at its worst."
In the quiet of the kitchen, heads close together so they wouldn't be overheard, Sarah replied, "They've been saying the same thing at market. I'm not sure what we're going to do, Rosie, but there wasn't a mushroom delivery from Bamfurlong last week. If we don't get a fresh supply soon, we'll have to switch to inferior mushrooms from the North Farthing or stop serving them to the customers altogether."
"Jolly and me are talking to everyone we know who might be able to help. I think if something isn't done soon, there are hobbits right here in Bywater and Hobbiton who are going to feel the pinch come winter. We're going to try to set up a network of sorts, to match up those who need help with those who have help to give. The Green Dragon is the perfect place to hear news and gossip. Are you willing to help us out, Sarah?" Rosie eyes darted around the room, suddenly nervous, in case they were being watched.
"You can count on me, Rosie. I don't much like the way things." A commotion from the dining room interrupted their conversation and when Mr. Goodbody bustled through the door the sounds became clear.
"No one's going to come in and take my crops without a never-you-mind! I'll sic my dogs on 'em if they try!" Through the door they could see Farmer Grubb standing up at his table, waving a mug of ale in all directions. The other farmers sitting at the table were nodding their heads up and down in agreement. An odd assortment of empty mugs and cups littered the table top.
"Have you two been gossiping in the kitchen all this time? Sarah, go and find your Ma, things are starting to pick up around here. Rosie, that group of farmers arrived just as dusk was coming on and they're getting rowdier by the minute. See if you can't get them to eat something. Maybe that'll settle 'em down a bit." Mr. Goodbody looked harried and near to collapse.
"All right, Mr. Goodbody. I'm sorry I was gone so long. Why don't you go find a place to sit down and rest for a few minutes? You look like you could do with a meal yourself. I'll take care of everything out there, don't you worry." Rosie led him to a table in the back room and then hustled out to see what she could do.
"Farmer Grubb, you look like you could do with a plate of sautéed mushrooms and bacon. What do you say? And, how about the rest of you? It's about time for supper; shall I bring a plate for everyone? Then you can all tell me exactly what I missed before I got here."
Rosie's head was spinning as she headed to the kitchen to place the orders. 'Of course! The farmers are going to want to help out as well. It's their crops that are being taken. Maybe letting Ma and Da into our group isn't such a bad idea after all. These farmers will listen to Da before they'll listen to Jolly and me.'
~*~
While Rosie served mushrooms and bacon to farmers in The Green Dragon; Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin were sitting down to a similar meal in Rivendell along with the rest of their newly formed Fellowship. While they ate, they discussed travel plans and wondered how much longer they would have to wait for Elrond's scouts to return.
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FyrDrakken: I'm glad you enjoyed the beginning of my story. Rosie's tale was just begging to be told. Hopefully it will be an exciting ride!
Baylor: Wow! Praise from the master. I am so totally going to cherish this review! This was indeed the first chapter. Hopefully there will be several more in the months to come! I hope you enjoy each as much as the first.
sam: Thank you! It's been more than a month since I last posted, but I'm hoping this chapter was worth the wait.
Gentle Hobbit: Thank you so much for a lovely review. I think Rosie is going to take us on a truly exciting adventure.
Shirebound: I'm excited, too, but also a little nervous. And you picked out two of my favorite passages! Thank you! (Eeep! A review from shirebound!)
hobbity: Just wait. I'm going to tell you more than you could possibly read in the last chapters!
Author's Note: This is my first multi-chapter story. As of right now, I'm not sure of the exact number of chapters. I will make every effort to post at least one a month, more often if we're lucky.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters nor do I make any money from them. They belong completely to the Tolkien estate and their affiliates.
Special thanks to Marigold, a wonderful beta, who believes in me even when I don't believe in myself.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Marigold deserves a big round of applause and lots of hobbit snuggles for this chapter! She had to work extra hard to keep me from finishing the story before it even got started!
Replies to reviews from chapter one are at the end of this chapter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
CHAPTER 2 - A PIMPLE AT BAG END
"It don't make sense, that's all! Tearin' down one mill just to put up another. And ruinin' the land 'round besides." Hamfast Gamgee sat in the kitchen of old Tom Cotton's home, drinking tea and recounting everything that had happened since last they were together. A month had gone by since Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin had disappeared from the Shire and things weren't going well in Hobbiton.
"I knew that nasty Lotho Sackville-Baggins would make more trouble than he's worth. Seems to think he can order folk around just 'cause he's livin' at Bag End now. He's got a bunch'a dirty-lookin' men up there building the new mill and it looks to be full'a wheels and other outlandish contraptions. Some of them men's building houses at the end of Bagshot Row, on that Lotho's say so. Big, ugly, tall things they be, with square windows and long, narrow doors ta boot. Not low and cozy like your place here. I would'na live in one a those things if they made me!" The gaffer drained his tea and banged the mug down on the table.
Tom poured the last of the tea into the gaffer's mug and said, "Hamfast, there ain't nuthin' we can do 'bout old Pimple tearin' down and buildin' on his own land. And he sure seems to have a lot of it! Folks knew there had to be some land down in the Southfarthing inherited from his Da, but no one knew he'd bought up Sandyman's mill and the land surrounding. I hear he's been buyin' up all the mills and leaf plantations he can get. What I don't understand is where the money's comin' from."
Tom filled his pipe and offered some leaf to Hamfast. They drank tea and smoked in silence for a while. After a few minutes the gaffer, watching the smoke rising around his head, made a startling announcement, "Nice to have a pinch of Old Toby. You'd do well to conserve as much as you can. They say some of them ruffians that Pimple brought into the Shire have been seen on the old road over Sarn Ford way. Carryin' barrels of leaf out of the Southfarthing by all accounts. I'm bettin' that's where the money come from. I went with Goldie to market the other day with a mind to pick up a bit o' leaf. There weren't a scrap of Old Toby to be found. Had to settle for a pinch o' Longbottom left over from last year's harvest."
After a few moments of stunned silence, old Tom turned to Rosie, who had been sitting in the corner, working her way through the mending basket and quietly listening to the conversation, "Rosie, be a good girl and fix the gaffer and me another pot of tea. Then, go fetch your brother. It's time you were headin' to the Dragon for your shift and Jolly'll walk with you."
"Da! It's been weeks since those riders in black were seen in the Shire. I think I can walk to and from the inn on my own. It's not that far!"
"Now, lass. You'll be doin' as I say! I don't like you working at that place these days. If you want to be working there, you'll let one of your brothers walk with you. It's not safe anymore with all those dirty ruffians hanging 'bout. Things aren't the same as they was. It's just not natural to feel unsafe here in the heart of the Shire, but that's the way it is right now."
"Yes, Da. Just remember your promise. I want to keep my job. Mr. Goodbody needs me more than ever, now that Magnolia's gone off to stay with her kin in Needlehole." And with that Rosie set the fresh pot of tea on the table and hurried out the door to find Jolly.
"That be a fiery lass you got there, Tom. She and my Goldie are closer than ever now my Sam's gone missin'. Been quite a comfort to Goldie these last few weeks, she has." said the gaffer.
"And the other way about, unless I'm mistaken. What about you, Hamfast? How're you holding up now that your Sam's gone?" Although he tried for a look of nonchalance, Tom's face couldn't hide the concern he felt for his old friend.
The gaffer paused a moment then said "Well, I'll tell ya. With poor old Hiram passed on now, the widow Rumble has moved back to her old family place on Bagshot Row. I figured with the place bein' empty for so long she needed a bit of help with repairs and such. I'm also helpin'to get her bit of vegetable patch goin' though it's late in the year. Seein' as I'm her closest neighbor, I thought it would be kindly for me to help her out a bit. Must say it's eased my mind considerable to be helpin' her in her time of need. She's been quite a comfort to me as well."
With that, the gaffer pushed his chair back and stood up. "That reminds me, I've got to be gettin' myself back home. Pansy's cookin' a fine noon piece for us today. Mushroom pie with peas and potatoes! Don't want to be missin' that. My thanks to you Tom."
Farmer Cotton laughed at the gaffer's retreating back. "So, it's 'Pansy' now, is it? Well, enjoy your lunch and I'll see you in a few days."
~*~
"I'm telling you Jolly, it's not just leaf that's leaving the Shire by way of Sarn Ford these days. I went to market with Goldie last week, and there's lots of things that will be missing from the table this winter if something isn't done about it. There's rumours Lotho Sackville-Baggins has been shipping off the entire harvests of several farms he owns in the Southfarthing. He's been paying for any damages his men do, but that doesn't replace the products missing from the market.
Jolly looked at Rosie askance. "But, how can this be true? And why do the farmers put up with it?"
Rosie and Jolly were walking along the side of the road leading from their farmhouse to The Green Dragon. Signs of autumn were all around. The leaves on the trees were vivid shades of orange, yellow and red. The grass underfoot was a dry and tired gold. Abandoned bird nests could be seen in those trees whose leaves had already fallen to the ground.
After taking a hard look around at their surroundings, Rosie went on, "According to what I heard at the Dragon, Lotho made deals with the farmers back about a month ago. Bought up their farms and their crops before anyone knew what was going on. The farmers have to accept it because they already made the deals, but that don't make it right. When they sold off their crops they didn't know that they were taking food out of the mouths of Shirefolk. We've got to do something about it, Jolly. Not everyone is lucky enough to live the way we do, with our own livestock and acres of crops to fall back on. Winter's coming on soon and some folks might actually go hungry."
Shocked by what he was hearing, Jolly said, "What can we do? We're just two young Hobbits. We'd have to have a lot of folks to help if we're to stop these things happening, and this is the Shire. I sure can't see anyone standing up to Pimple's ruffians."
"Well, I'm not going to let anyone go hungry if I can help it!" Rosie stated defiantly. "There has to be something that we can do. I hear all kinds of things in The Green Dragon. No one pays much attention to me because I'm a lass. Maybe I can find out what Pimple is up to. And I can try to find out who needs help and who's got help to give. Between the two of us, we could gather together as many folks as possible. Maybe a network of sorts, to help those as need it and maybe even to disrupt Lotho's efforts as much as possible. Perhaps we can keep Lotho from doing too much mischief until something can be done about him."
"You've really given this a lot of thought." Jolly had come to a dead stop in the road and was looking admiringly at his twin. "Why haven't you mentioned these things before now? If you really think we could do something if we got folks organized, I'll talk to Nick, Nibs and Tom. I'm sure they'll want to help. But what about Ma and Da? We should probably let them in on what's going on as well."
"Come on Jolly, let's keep walking. I'm going to be late for work." Rosie began walking again. "I'm not sure about Ma and Da. If they knew I was collecting information and such down at The Dragon, they won't want me to keep working. Da's not happy about me going down there every day as it is. Talking to Nick, Nibs and Tom's a good idea though. I'll talk to Goldie Gamgee and Angelica Baggins. I know they'll want to get involved."
"And what about Sancho Proudfoot and Wilbur Chubb? They'll want to help, too." Jolly was starting to get excited at the idea of going behind the back of Lotho Sackville-Baggins. "We're going to need to set up a meeting somewhere. Do you have any ideas?"
By this time they had arrived at The Green Dragon and had to end the conversation. "We'll talk more about it tonight, all right, Jolly? If I don't get in there and get busy, Mr. Goodbody'll have my hide and then where will we be? Go ahead and talk to your friends and see how they feel. We can go from there." Rosie pecked Jolly on the cheek and disappeared into the inn.
~*~
It was a quiet afternoon at The Green Dragon. Aside from a few merchants coming in for the noon meal or afternoon tea, the place was mostly deserted. Rosie took advantage of the quiet to have a hushed conversation with Sarah Goodbody, Mr. Goodbody's daughter and a dear friend to Rosie.
"Sarah, you've been so busy in the kitchen lately, you haven't heard what the customers are talking about. Apparently Lotho Sackville-Baggins has been shipping all the crops from his farms out of the Shire. The only things coming into the market these days are from farms in the North and West Farthings. At this rate, things are going to get tight when winter is at its worst."
In the quiet of the kitchen, heads close together so they wouldn't be overheard, Sarah replied, "They've been saying the same thing at market. I'm not sure what we're going to do, Rosie, but there wasn't a mushroom delivery from Bamfurlong last week. If we don't get a fresh supply soon, we'll have to switch to inferior mushrooms from the North Farthing or stop serving them to the customers altogether."
"Jolly and me are talking to everyone we know who might be able to help. I think if something isn't done soon, there are hobbits right here in Bywater and Hobbiton who are going to feel the pinch come winter. We're going to try to set up a network of sorts, to match up those who need help with those who have help to give. The Green Dragon is the perfect place to hear news and gossip. Are you willing to help us out, Sarah?" Rosie eyes darted around the room, suddenly nervous, in case they were being watched.
"You can count on me, Rosie. I don't much like the way things." A commotion from the dining room interrupted their conversation and when Mr. Goodbody bustled through the door the sounds became clear.
"No one's going to come in and take my crops without a never-you-mind! I'll sic my dogs on 'em if they try!" Through the door they could see Farmer Grubb standing up at his table, waving a mug of ale in all directions. The other farmers sitting at the table were nodding their heads up and down in agreement. An odd assortment of empty mugs and cups littered the table top.
"Have you two been gossiping in the kitchen all this time? Sarah, go and find your Ma, things are starting to pick up around here. Rosie, that group of farmers arrived just as dusk was coming on and they're getting rowdier by the minute. See if you can't get them to eat something. Maybe that'll settle 'em down a bit." Mr. Goodbody looked harried and near to collapse.
"All right, Mr. Goodbody. I'm sorry I was gone so long. Why don't you go find a place to sit down and rest for a few minutes? You look like you could do with a meal yourself. I'll take care of everything out there, don't you worry." Rosie led him to a table in the back room and then hustled out to see what she could do.
"Farmer Grubb, you look like you could do with a plate of sautéed mushrooms and bacon. What do you say? And, how about the rest of you? It's about time for supper; shall I bring a plate for everyone? Then you can all tell me exactly what I missed before I got here."
Rosie's head was spinning as she headed to the kitchen to place the orders. 'Of course! The farmers are going to want to help out as well. It's their crops that are being taken. Maybe letting Ma and Da into our group isn't such a bad idea after all. These farmers will listen to Da before they'll listen to Jolly and me.'
~*~
While Rosie served mushrooms and bacon to farmers in The Green Dragon; Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin were sitting down to a similar meal in Rivendell along with the rest of their newly formed Fellowship. While they ate, they discussed travel plans and wondered how much longer they would have to wait for Elrond's scouts to return.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
FyrDrakken: I'm glad you enjoyed the beginning of my story. Rosie's tale was just begging to be told. Hopefully it will be an exciting ride!
Baylor: Wow! Praise from the master. I am so totally going to cherish this review! This was indeed the first chapter. Hopefully there will be several more in the months to come! I hope you enjoy each as much as the first.
sam: Thank you! It's been more than a month since I last posted, but I'm hoping this chapter was worth the wait.
Gentle Hobbit: Thank you so much for a lovely review. I think Rosie is going to take us on a truly exciting adventure.
Shirebound: I'm excited, too, but also a little nervous. And you picked out two of my favorite passages! Thank you! (Eeep! A review from shirebound!)
hobbity: Just wait. I'm going to tell you more than you could possibly read in the last chapters!