Ch. 4 -- Dancing?
Gilly sat at a table away from the others, who were on the dance floor. Gilly had never been one for dancing -- not because she didn't like it but because she couldn't do it. She didn't know how, and had never properly been taught.
Another of her major follies.
Matilda had taken it upon herself to personally teach Gilly how to dance once.
It had been a few years before, but after an afternoon of Gilly tromping on her feet Matilda had given up. Leaving Gilly to her own devices, meaning -- if she wanted to learn, Gilly would have to teach herself. Which was not an easy task.
Gilly took another sip of ale. She still couldn't get over the reaction she was getting from a simple dress! It was just a plain hand-me-down but no one at the party seemed to notice the fact. It really was as if they had never seen a hobittess in a dress before. Especially Merry and Pippin, they were being so polite Gilly wasn't sure if she should be flattered or insulted.
"I can get my own drink Pippin," Gilly exclaimed earlier that evening.
"It's really no trouble," Pippin said, returning moments later with a mug of frothing ale.
Now Gilly sat, watching the others laughing and dancing, nursing her fourth mug of ale. The other three stood nearly untouched in the middle of the table.
"Having fun Gilly?" A voice wondered suddenly behind her.
Gilly sighed, "not really."
Merry rested his elbows on the table, "why don't you get up an' dance?"
"Because..." Gilly felt her cheeks flush, "because I can't." She looked up at Merry's face quickly before looking away. "I've never been taught."
"Never been taught?" Merry repeated, "how do you expect to catch a husband if you don't dance."
"With my excellent culinary skills," Gilly folded her arms.
"Well," Merry said, "I could teach you."
"You," Gilly replied.
"I'm a fine dancer," Merry held out his hand.
"Now?" Gilly said, she sighed. Then she shook her head, she was always up for a challenge. "All right Meriadoc Brandybuck, you can teach me," her eyes twinkles, "but I hope you've got thick feet."
Merry grinned, and pulled Gilly to her feet.
Let me know what you think, but no flames please!!
