Ch. 2 -- On her Way
Gilly stomped down the lane.
Matilda Hilldweller had never really understood her youngest daughter. She just didn't understand why Gilly resented the Shire so much. Why she didn't want to get married and have a family. Like Gilly's older sister Hettie, who was already settled down with a nice hobbit in [insert name here].
Gilly couldn't stand the thought of being tied down like her sister. It was true that to some hobbit's, marriage seemed a comfort, but to Gilly it was... terrifying.
The thought of children --little miniature versions of herself running around caused her to shudder. Besides it wasn't like all the young hobbit bachelors were falling all over her. Not like Rosie.
Gilly seemed to be a great friend, but that was where the attraction always seemed to end.
Stupid confounded hobbits, Gilly thought darkly as she kicked a stone down the lane. If she weren't so short, she'd go find herself an elf. A nice handsome elf.
"Why don't you wear this?" Matilda Hilldweller wondered, she held up a dress that made Gilly cringe.
"That's awful," Gilly replied. It was so... pink, not to mention frilly.
Gilly was a girl, make no mistake, but she didn't necessarily want to be so obvious about it.
"Well, will you please wear something besides those awful trousers? It's a party Gilly, it's not so often a hobbit turns a hundred and eleven!"
Gilly was about to retort, but suddenly thought better of it. "Yes mother," she pointed to one of the dresses lain out on her bed. "But, how about the green one instead?"
"I don't see why you always must be so..." Matilda blinked, "the green what?"
"The green dress, Mother."
"You mean the forest green one, with the cream skirt?" Matilda wondered, hardly able to control her excitement.
"Yes Mother!" Gilly repeated, but this time she was smiling, "the forest green dress with the cream skirt! Careful now, before I change my mind."
"Ooh!" Gilly's mother exclaimed clasping her hands together. "My sweet girl, we'll make a bride of you yet!"
A small frown touched Gilly's lips. Matilda quickly helped Gilly into the gown.
"Ouch! That's too tight! You do expect me to breath don't you?" Gilly was getting impatient and cranky, but her mother ignored her protests.
"I'm almost done," Matilda replied, "honestly girl." She quickly tied the strings with expert hands. "There. Turn around so I can have a look at you." Gilly turned around slowly and her mother stepped back to admire her handiwork.
Gilly was standing with her hands clasped in front of her and a blush flushed across her cheeks, just as Matilda was about to speak Gilly's bedroom door flung open.
"I let myself in," Rosie explained. "Gandalf's here!" She shouted ecstatically.
"Gandalf?" Gilly cried out. Matilda caught her arm.
"Wait just a minute," her mother said sternly, "we need to do something with your hair." Mrs. Hilldweller had the same unruly fire-orange locks as her daughter and husband but she was smart to keep it pulled back; just as Geoffrey Hilldweller was smart to keep his short.
"My hair is fine," Gilly pulled away, "didn't you hear? Gandalf is here!"
"Yes, and he will be all night. So stay right there, I'll be right back." Matilda left Gilly where she stood and returned a moment later with a pair of cream coloured combs.
"Combs?" Gilly groaned.
"We need to get that hair off your face," Gilly's mother carefully scooped her daughters hair back and secured it with the combs.
"Now can I go?" Gilly pleaded.
"Yes! Go!" Matilda laughed despite herself. Matilda followed Gilly into the front hall.
"Be sure not to spoil your dress!" She called after Gilly, who was already out the door.
Gilly waved to her Mother as she sprinted down the street, holding up her skirt so she wouldn't trip.
"Rosie!" She cried, "wait for me!"
Let me know what you think, but no flames please!
