Summary: Bag End is finished being built so that a Baggins would always
live under its roof for generations to come. However, Bilbo has come of age
and still he has not cared to find a wife. Belladonna and Bungo, Bilbo's
parents are getting old and want grandchild to always know that their dream
for Bag End would come true. Belladonna plans an arranged married for her
only son. Through a terrible twist of fate, the bride is the most unlikely
hobbit that Bilbo could possibly imagine and takes him into a feud that
would span his entire life.
A/N: This is my idea's to why Bilbo never married and was more than tempted to go on an adventure with Gandalf and the dwarves (in the Hobbit). For those of you who have read my previous story of, "What is in my pocket", this is a detailed story from a spin off from that story. I hope you enjoy this and please leave a review. I would love to hear your opinions...
The Feud of the Heart
Chapter One
Building Bag End
For over thirty years the hobbits of Hobbiton had heard the constant hammering and watched the endless wagonloads of dirt being brought down the Hobbiton Hill that Bungo Baggins was excavating for his grand home that he now called Bag End.
With each ten years the Old Took and father of Belladonna Baggins, and wife of Bungo, had dipped into his daughter's inheritance every time she demanded part of it. Belladonna was not happy until the entire hill was excavated and additional rooms were added.
As soon as Bungo would get another section of rooms finished, Belladonna was making plans for the next section. For each addition that was added upon Bag End, took Bungo tens years to complete. They had gone through all of Bungo family's money and had spent all of the dowry money that the Old Took bestowed on the couple when they were married some thirty years ago. It never made any sense to Bungo why his wife continued building onto their home since they only had one child, their son Bilbo. However, when Bungo would complain to his wife about the size of Bag End, she would not hear of it. She insisted that their family legacy that would be handed down from Baggins to Baggins would be the grand home of Bag End. She would privately visit her father to get the money for the additional sections.
The mid-summer late afternoon beat down upon Bungo as he wiped the sweat from his brow and dark-brown curls. He had just finished putting up the last shingle in the third section of rooms and stood back to admire all the work and years of building Bag End.
The craftsmanship to Bag End was flawless and Bungo praised Lobo Bracegridle from Hardbottle for his skill and teaching him his craft.
Bungo's hands that were once soft and youthful when he first wed Belladonna Took when he was forty-four years old and now, thirty years later, they were callused and terribly scared.
Bilbo approached his father as he stood back looking up and down the wall, windows and sward roof. Bungo scratched the top of his head looking over every detail to make sure that he did not forget the slightest thing. Puffing out his chest with pride Bungo stated out loud. "It's done, then!"
Bungo turned around and looked at his thirty-year old son who now stood beside him. Bilbo had light Chestnut-brown curly hair that was just like his mother, but his face was nothing short of the handsome features of Baggins. Bilbo was considered short in stature compared to other hobbits, he stood only 3 feet and 5 inches tall. He had a straight common sense of the Tooks, in which Belladonna was the most proud of in her son. His wit was at times brilliant as he proved himself time and time again to out think others quickly in order for things to fall where he wanted them too. But Bilbo had the kindness heart and dearly loved his father and mother. Bungo and Belladonna could not have asked for a better son who was so obedient to their wishes.
Bungo smiled and put his arm around his only son. "Yes, my lad! Bag End is finally finished just as soon as the paint dries!"
Bilbo placed his finger just over his mouth thinking, and then pointed it up towards is father, "That's if mama is not considering to add another room or two!" Biblo raised his eyebrows and waited for his father's response as he looked up into his kind face.
Bungo scowled thinking about that and raised his eyes one more time to look over the section that he just completed. Shaking his head towards his son, "Nonsense lad! Your mother couldn't possibly be thinking of making Bag End any bigger. It thrice the size of any hobbit home already!"
Bungo patted his son firmly on his back feeling confident that Belladonna would finally be satisfied with Bag End. He bent over to pick up his hammer. "You grab the box of nails and we'll head into the kitchen for a fine second afternoon meal with your mother."
Father and son walked side by side and Bilbo smiled as he admired his father with the greatest of pride. Entering the front door they put their tools down on the bench and walked down the long wooden floor hallway with its carved beams and rounded ceilings. They passed room after room that was filled with furnishings that both Logo and Bungo had made for Bag End. There were beautifully craved tables, chairs and cabinets in rooms that were for studies and sitting areas.
The windows were opened to let in the fresh late summer air and scent of fresh cut wood filled the air of Bag End. The curtains rustled in the warm breeze and gave an extra cozy feeling to their very large home.
They stopped just before the corridors that split into two different directions as Bilbo's eyes wandered looking into the many rooms for any sign of his mother. He heard a noise coming from the older section of Bag End and knew his mother must be in her bedroom.
Bilbo gestured to his father that they should go down that corridor to find her. Bilbo waited in the hallway as his father entered his bedroom and closed the door behind him. Bilbo heard his parent's argument from behind the door. He decided it was better for him to leave them alone to settle whatever they had to disagree about.
Going back down the hallway, he turned the corner where one addition met the other of long tunneled hallways that led in different directions of Bag End. Heading towards the common area, Bilbo entered the open door to the kitchen. Looking over the stone counter-top and the many shelves that lined the walls around the open window is where his mother kept all sorts of dried or canned fixings. There were bags of flour, seasonings, dried beans and canned stew meat. The kitchen of Bag End was always filled with wonderful smells of his mother's cooking. Today was no exception, for she had been baking all morning making loaves of fresh baked bread. Loaves lined the stone counter-top on wooden cutting boards to cool before they would be stored for the week. Seeing a bowl of churned butter sitting next to the warm bread, Bilbo could not stop himself from cutting off a rather large chunk and layering a thick coat of butter. Watching it melt, Bilbo took a big bite of the fresh bread and licked the melting butter from around his lips, while he waited for his parents to join him in the late afternoon meal.
He heard his father's voice shout down the corridor. "I had enough, Bella! I'll not make another section of Bag End. I forbid you to see your father again for another chunk of your inheritance!"
Belladonna turned to her husband. "Bag End is not finished and as I have always said, I'll not stop until it is! We've got plenty of inheritance left to complete Bag End for the final section! Bag End must be the grandest home for the many generations of Baggins yet to come! If I have to hire everything done, then so be it, Bungo!"
Bungo's shoulders slumped in defeat knowing his wife meant what she said and it was her money paying for their home. He watched his wife pick up her bags, one in each hand as she passed him in the hallway. Bungo stood their in silence scratching his head and searching desperately to find something he could say to get her to change her mind. "Our Bilbo has not made any plans for marrying! What if he never marries?"
Belladonna stopped and turned around to face her husband as she placed her bags down on the floor and gentled her tone of voice to reassure her husband. "Our son will be married and he will have many children so Bag End will always have a Baggins under this roof."
Bungo looked pleadingly at his wife as he shrugged his shoulders, "He's already thirty years old and has not dated a single lass yet!"
Belladonna folded her arms in front of her and not wanting to go into a great amount of detail about it she only told her husband, "He'll be married after his coming of age!"
Bungo looked questioningly at his wife who placed her finger over her lips to quiet his questioning. She softly whispered, "We'll talk more about this after my father's birthday." Bungo knew better to argue with his wife as there was no winning with her, if she had her mind made up, then that is what was going to happen. Defeated, Bungo nodded his head, "Whatever you say, my dear!"
Belladonna approached her husband and kissed his cheek, she straightened his vest and adjusted his collar. "You'll feel better about everything once you see the new plans I've made. After a good nights sleep you're hands will be itching to trim another board! Besides, I have already hired the crew to dig out the last section of this hill. Bag End will be the envy of every hobbit! Your name will live forever, Bungo, as the hobbit who built the grandest home and Bag End will always be remembered!"
Bungo half smiled at his wife and kissed her cheek. Looking into her soft green eyes, it melted his heart every time. "We'll meet you at Tuckborough in a few days. Give your father my very best wishes!"
Belladonna walked back over to her bags and picked them up. "I'll see you when you and Bilbo arrive! Good-bye my love!"
~*~
Hildibrand Took waited outside by his wagon for his sister. Belladonna smiled as she greeted him. Her light brown curls were tied tightly in a bun on top of her head, but lose strings of curls flapped in the gentle breeze that rustled over Hobbiton Hill. Greeting his sister warmly with a wide grin, he rushed to take her bags. Placing them into the back of his wagon, he turned another warm smile at towards her. Hildibrand took his sister's hand and helped her climb into the wagon as she asked him, "How is everything in the Green Hills?"
"Right as rain!" said Hildibrand ecstatically as he rushed around to the other side of his wagon. His excitement showed in the fast pace steps of his hairy feet and the quick movements of his hands that fluttered about him. "Father's hundred and thirtieth birthday is next week and the Smail is in a state a panic as usual! Every servant is rushing around in its preparations! Gifts are being bought and wrapped and there is not a single place in the entire Smail that you can sit!"
Hildibrand made a loud grunt pulling himself up into his wagon and sat next to his dear sister. Breathlessly he took the reins into his hands and snapped them for the ponies to begin their trip back to Tuckborough.
Belladonna smiled at her brother as she watched him masterfully handle the two lively ponies as they pranced about wanting to run with the weight of the wagon pushing at them from behind as they descended down the dirt path from the Hobbiton Hill. Their hooves clattered across the stones in the dirt as he held back on the reins to control them.
Once they entered into Hobbiton, Belladonna asked him, "How is father doing?"
Hildibrand grimaced his facial expression thinking about the last time that he had seen his father and knowing his sister would not like to hear about his failing health. "Father is going a bit slower since his last birthday and naps more than he is actually awake. It worries me more as he is not his usual self. I see him more quieter than usual as if he is lost in his owns thoughts or daydreams, it's harder to keep his attention when you speak to him. Isengrim barely leaves his side and is acting more the Thain than what he should be since he is not been named as of yet!"
Belladonna nodded as she listened to her brother. "That is to be expected, Hildibrand! After all, father is approaching his hundred and thirty years. I'm glad Isengrim is with him and taking care of everything for father!"
Hildibrand relaxed in knowing that he had not upset his sister with the sobering news of their father's health.
A group of hobbits who sat upon the bench in front of the Bolger's store waved and smiled at seeing Belladonna sitting in the wagon with her brother as it rolled pass them. Belladonna smiled waving back to the town folk. The hobbits greatly admired the Baggins and Tooks as they always greeted them warmly whenever they were about.
On they road visiting and laughing with each other. Belladonna and Hildibrand were as close as brother and sister could be, being close in age and all. Out of her seven remaining brothers and two sisters, she loved Hildibrand the most. The same year Bilbo was born, so was Sigismond, Hildibrand's oldest son. Bilbo and Sigismond were also close to each other since their parents seen so much of each other. Sigismond was always up to mischief whenever the two had gotten together. He would making up stories while acting them out for Bilbo and he often would draw Biblo into his stories to make his cousin laugh. He taught Bilbo a lot of games and pushed him to learn to fish and hunt, but Bilbo's real interest was in writing. The books that Bilbo made began to line the shelves of Bag End. There were many books that he managed to borrow from the Tooks and have reread them many times over. Bilbo loved to make up songs and poems. His best songs would go into one of his many books that he wrote in his spare time.
Hildibrand asked, "How is our son doing these days?"
"You know Bilbo, always having his nose in a book or a quill in his hand. He allows himself no time for social things such as dancing or dating! I am worried that I'll never become a grandmother if he keeps to himself in the studies of Bag End!" commented Belladonna. "I'm sixty-one years old and many of my friends have long become grandmothers already. I've not told the boy yet, but on his coming of age I have arranged a married for him. I've found the perfect hobbitess for him that will bring him a high prominence among the upper class of hobbits. Bilbo must marry well!"
"Can you tell me who you have chosen for him?"
Belladonna shook her head and smiled at her brother and returned her gaze towards the open road. "That, dear brother, is a secret and I'll not be telling you a word of it. You'll have to wait until his coming of age to find out!"
"Very well, you keep your secrets and I'll not help you with getting another installment of your inheritance from father!"
Belladonna raised the corner of her eyebrow as a mischievous smile crossed her lips. "I don't need your help with father. He has already agreed to grant part of my inheritance if we finished the third section of Bag End before his one hundred and thirty years. He promised me he'd live long enough to make sure of it!"
"So that's why the Old Took has not allowed himself to give up yet!" said Hildibrand in a matter of fact way, as he watched his sister from the corner of his eye. "Just to spite you for making that home of yours as grand as the Great Smial of Tuckborough!"
"You mean grander than the Great Smial, don't you!" said Belladonna acting very prideful. "It will be, Hildie! Someday! Bag End will be very grand!"
"You'll have quite a ways to go if you're going to make it as big as the Great Smial! That is of course, if you don't run out of hill, as it were!" commented her brother making an exaggerated expression on his face in hopes to capture a smile on his sister's lips.
"It may not be as big as the Great Smial, dear brother, but it will certainly be lovelier than our childhood home!"
~*~
When evening approached the two travelers entered the gates of Tuckborough. The servants opened the door of the Great Smial and welcomed them in. Just as her brother had told her, preparations for the Old Took's birthday was everywhere in piles of gifts that lined the hallways and were stacked on every table and chairs. This party was going to be the grandest that the Shire had ever seen. After all, not many hobbits could celebrate a life as long as the Old Took.
Belladonna greeted her older brothers who came from the common room of the Great Smial to see their sister. Isembard, Hildigrim and Isembold were the first to enter into the hallway. The three brothers were noble hobbits dressed in their finest vests with brass buttons and crisp white shirts. All three had dark brown curly hair and possessed the long straight narrow bridged noses that were a trait of being a Took from their heritage.
They smiled warmly seeing their sister and brother just walking into the front door. Isembard was the first to greet them and give them a hug. He held his arm for his sister to take as he led them into the common room of the Great Smial, while their other brothers followed from behind.
The door swung open and two younger sisters, Donnamira and Mirabella came in from the kitchen supporting a tray of drinks and appetizers before their evening meal. They rushed to place their trays down to greet their older sister and brother. It had been an entire year since Belladonna had come back home to visit her family. She had been so busy with the building of Bag End and managing the household needs. On her father's one-hundredth and twenty-ninth birthday was the last time she had seen her father or her sisters. They chatted about the year that they had not seen each other. Belladonna marveled when she heard that Gordadoc Brandybuck had asked her on a picnic during a grand party held at Buckland a few months past. Mirabella who was now thirty-four years old was now old enough to marry and she was so happy to hear about a prospective bow that was greatly admired in the shire now courting her sister.
Isengrim entered into the common room and he cleared his throat to get his sister's attention. Isengrim was the eldest brother and next in line for the Thainship. She smiled when he slowly approached her. "Belladonna, you should not have come so early. We have more hands than is needed to finish the preparations for the Thain's birthday party. You could have waited a few more days until the party!"
Belladonna smiled sweetly at her brother and did not want to get on his wrong side seeing that he was the one she may have to deal with about her inheritance. "I've come because I have missed you all and waiting another few more days was more than I could bear!"
Isengrim gave his sister a slight half a smile in knowing that perhaps it was not just missing her brothers and sister that drove her to Tuckborough so soon, but rather the issue of her inheritance. "Well then, perhaps you and I could visit privately over some matters that I have had on my mind!"
Belladonna's eyes darted up towards her brother and being shocked at his boldness. She knew now that what Hildibrand had been telling her about Isengrim was true. He had truly taking over the Thainship and the accounts of the family inheritance. Not wanting to show him that his statement bothered her in the slightest, she courageously put on her brightest smile. "I would be more than happy to discuss whatever you would like privately, Isengrim! I have missed you most of all and it has been such a long time since we have truly sat down together for a long visit!"
Isengrim nodded courteously towards his sister and admired her cool head under his pressure that he was putting on her. It had upset him earlier in the day when he went over the family accounts and discovered the large amounts that were being paid to his sister that his father had approved.
Isumbra interrupted their conversation when he entered into the common room and seeing his brothers and sister gathering around Belladonna. She turned towards him when he spoke "Come now, brothers!" said Isumbra. "Is that any way to treat your sister! Bring her a glass of our finest wine!"
Belladonna looked up at seeing her next to her eldest brother standing in the doorway of the common room. He smiled graciously as he approached her to give her a hug to greet her.
The Tooks sat around the common room and their voices echoed in laughter, filling the large room with the sound of a family. They visited with each other until the servants called them into the dinning room for the evening meal.
After the evening meal, Belladonna knocked on her father's door before she entered. Seeing the Old Took sitting up in his bed mumbling to himself.
"Long ago and far away,
the wizard came to Tuckborough to play.
He stood tall above our heads,
but never slept among our beds.
Hobbits feared but learned to cheer,
and never shed a single tear.
Laughter spouted very loud,
when the wizard fireworks came about..."
She walked in and sat down next to him. His white thin hair barely covered the top of his head. Deep long wrinkles creased every feature on the Old Took's face. There were huge age spots that dotted his old face. Gerontius's hands were gnarled and his fingernails were yellowed with thick long nails. His old eyes had lost their twinkle many long years ago and the color was faded as with his eyesight. His ears seemed huge with the thin wisp of white-gray hair on either side of his head.
Belladonna took his hand and held it gently in hers. "Da, It's me, Belladonna! I've come for your birthday celebration in a few more days!"
The Old Took turned his head and looked at his daughter who sat beside him, "Awe, my Belladonna!" said Gerontius in a hoarse weak voice. A slight smile of recognition crossed the corners of his wrinkled lips. "I've almost made a hundred and thirty years! I've seen much in my long life!"
"That you have, Da!" said Belladonna agreeing with her father.
He gave her hand a slight squeeze, but grimaced from the pain in his knuckles. "I'm not long until death will find me, I fear my dear one! I feel as weak as a melting candle!" Long coughing wheezes seized him as he tried to talk with his beloved daughter.
Belladonna reached for the teacup that sat on a table next to his bed. Picking it up she helped her father to take a small sip of the tea to ease his coughing spell and lying him back down upon his pillow she watched as he slowly drifted off to sleep again. She pulled the blanket up around his thin chest and watched him a moment before she tip-toed from his room.
Closing the door behind her, Isengrim gestured her over to him. He held the family ledger in his hands and motioned for her to follow him into his office.
A/N: This is my idea's to why Bilbo never married and was more than tempted to go on an adventure with Gandalf and the dwarves (in the Hobbit). For those of you who have read my previous story of, "What is in my pocket", this is a detailed story from a spin off from that story. I hope you enjoy this and please leave a review. I would love to hear your opinions...
The Feud of the Heart
Chapter One
Building Bag End
For over thirty years the hobbits of Hobbiton had heard the constant hammering and watched the endless wagonloads of dirt being brought down the Hobbiton Hill that Bungo Baggins was excavating for his grand home that he now called Bag End.
With each ten years the Old Took and father of Belladonna Baggins, and wife of Bungo, had dipped into his daughter's inheritance every time she demanded part of it. Belladonna was not happy until the entire hill was excavated and additional rooms were added.
As soon as Bungo would get another section of rooms finished, Belladonna was making plans for the next section. For each addition that was added upon Bag End, took Bungo tens years to complete. They had gone through all of Bungo family's money and had spent all of the dowry money that the Old Took bestowed on the couple when they were married some thirty years ago. It never made any sense to Bungo why his wife continued building onto their home since they only had one child, their son Bilbo. However, when Bungo would complain to his wife about the size of Bag End, she would not hear of it. She insisted that their family legacy that would be handed down from Baggins to Baggins would be the grand home of Bag End. She would privately visit her father to get the money for the additional sections.
The mid-summer late afternoon beat down upon Bungo as he wiped the sweat from his brow and dark-brown curls. He had just finished putting up the last shingle in the third section of rooms and stood back to admire all the work and years of building Bag End.
The craftsmanship to Bag End was flawless and Bungo praised Lobo Bracegridle from Hardbottle for his skill and teaching him his craft.
Bungo's hands that were once soft and youthful when he first wed Belladonna Took when he was forty-four years old and now, thirty years later, they were callused and terribly scared.
Bilbo approached his father as he stood back looking up and down the wall, windows and sward roof. Bungo scratched the top of his head looking over every detail to make sure that he did not forget the slightest thing. Puffing out his chest with pride Bungo stated out loud. "It's done, then!"
Bungo turned around and looked at his thirty-year old son who now stood beside him. Bilbo had light Chestnut-brown curly hair that was just like his mother, but his face was nothing short of the handsome features of Baggins. Bilbo was considered short in stature compared to other hobbits, he stood only 3 feet and 5 inches tall. He had a straight common sense of the Tooks, in which Belladonna was the most proud of in her son. His wit was at times brilliant as he proved himself time and time again to out think others quickly in order for things to fall where he wanted them too. But Bilbo had the kindness heart and dearly loved his father and mother. Bungo and Belladonna could not have asked for a better son who was so obedient to their wishes.
Bungo smiled and put his arm around his only son. "Yes, my lad! Bag End is finally finished just as soon as the paint dries!"
Bilbo placed his finger just over his mouth thinking, and then pointed it up towards is father, "That's if mama is not considering to add another room or two!" Biblo raised his eyebrows and waited for his father's response as he looked up into his kind face.
Bungo scowled thinking about that and raised his eyes one more time to look over the section that he just completed. Shaking his head towards his son, "Nonsense lad! Your mother couldn't possibly be thinking of making Bag End any bigger. It thrice the size of any hobbit home already!"
Bungo patted his son firmly on his back feeling confident that Belladonna would finally be satisfied with Bag End. He bent over to pick up his hammer. "You grab the box of nails and we'll head into the kitchen for a fine second afternoon meal with your mother."
Father and son walked side by side and Bilbo smiled as he admired his father with the greatest of pride. Entering the front door they put their tools down on the bench and walked down the long wooden floor hallway with its carved beams and rounded ceilings. They passed room after room that was filled with furnishings that both Logo and Bungo had made for Bag End. There were beautifully craved tables, chairs and cabinets in rooms that were for studies and sitting areas.
The windows were opened to let in the fresh late summer air and scent of fresh cut wood filled the air of Bag End. The curtains rustled in the warm breeze and gave an extra cozy feeling to their very large home.
They stopped just before the corridors that split into two different directions as Bilbo's eyes wandered looking into the many rooms for any sign of his mother. He heard a noise coming from the older section of Bag End and knew his mother must be in her bedroom.
Bilbo gestured to his father that they should go down that corridor to find her. Bilbo waited in the hallway as his father entered his bedroom and closed the door behind him. Bilbo heard his parent's argument from behind the door. He decided it was better for him to leave them alone to settle whatever they had to disagree about.
Going back down the hallway, he turned the corner where one addition met the other of long tunneled hallways that led in different directions of Bag End. Heading towards the common area, Bilbo entered the open door to the kitchen. Looking over the stone counter-top and the many shelves that lined the walls around the open window is where his mother kept all sorts of dried or canned fixings. There were bags of flour, seasonings, dried beans and canned stew meat. The kitchen of Bag End was always filled with wonderful smells of his mother's cooking. Today was no exception, for she had been baking all morning making loaves of fresh baked bread. Loaves lined the stone counter-top on wooden cutting boards to cool before they would be stored for the week. Seeing a bowl of churned butter sitting next to the warm bread, Bilbo could not stop himself from cutting off a rather large chunk and layering a thick coat of butter. Watching it melt, Bilbo took a big bite of the fresh bread and licked the melting butter from around his lips, while he waited for his parents to join him in the late afternoon meal.
He heard his father's voice shout down the corridor. "I had enough, Bella! I'll not make another section of Bag End. I forbid you to see your father again for another chunk of your inheritance!"
Belladonna turned to her husband. "Bag End is not finished and as I have always said, I'll not stop until it is! We've got plenty of inheritance left to complete Bag End for the final section! Bag End must be the grandest home for the many generations of Baggins yet to come! If I have to hire everything done, then so be it, Bungo!"
Bungo's shoulders slumped in defeat knowing his wife meant what she said and it was her money paying for their home. He watched his wife pick up her bags, one in each hand as she passed him in the hallway. Bungo stood their in silence scratching his head and searching desperately to find something he could say to get her to change her mind. "Our Bilbo has not made any plans for marrying! What if he never marries?"
Belladonna stopped and turned around to face her husband as she placed her bags down on the floor and gentled her tone of voice to reassure her husband. "Our son will be married and he will have many children so Bag End will always have a Baggins under this roof."
Bungo looked pleadingly at his wife as he shrugged his shoulders, "He's already thirty years old and has not dated a single lass yet!"
Belladonna folded her arms in front of her and not wanting to go into a great amount of detail about it she only told her husband, "He'll be married after his coming of age!"
Bungo looked questioningly at his wife who placed her finger over her lips to quiet his questioning. She softly whispered, "We'll talk more about this after my father's birthday." Bungo knew better to argue with his wife as there was no winning with her, if she had her mind made up, then that is what was going to happen. Defeated, Bungo nodded his head, "Whatever you say, my dear!"
Belladonna approached her husband and kissed his cheek, she straightened his vest and adjusted his collar. "You'll feel better about everything once you see the new plans I've made. After a good nights sleep you're hands will be itching to trim another board! Besides, I have already hired the crew to dig out the last section of this hill. Bag End will be the envy of every hobbit! Your name will live forever, Bungo, as the hobbit who built the grandest home and Bag End will always be remembered!"
Bungo half smiled at his wife and kissed her cheek. Looking into her soft green eyes, it melted his heart every time. "We'll meet you at Tuckborough in a few days. Give your father my very best wishes!"
Belladonna walked back over to her bags and picked them up. "I'll see you when you and Bilbo arrive! Good-bye my love!"
~*~
Hildibrand Took waited outside by his wagon for his sister. Belladonna smiled as she greeted him. Her light brown curls were tied tightly in a bun on top of her head, but lose strings of curls flapped in the gentle breeze that rustled over Hobbiton Hill. Greeting his sister warmly with a wide grin, he rushed to take her bags. Placing them into the back of his wagon, he turned another warm smile at towards her. Hildibrand took his sister's hand and helped her climb into the wagon as she asked him, "How is everything in the Green Hills?"
"Right as rain!" said Hildibrand ecstatically as he rushed around to the other side of his wagon. His excitement showed in the fast pace steps of his hairy feet and the quick movements of his hands that fluttered about him. "Father's hundred and thirtieth birthday is next week and the Smail is in a state a panic as usual! Every servant is rushing around in its preparations! Gifts are being bought and wrapped and there is not a single place in the entire Smail that you can sit!"
Hildibrand made a loud grunt pulling himself up into his wagon and sat next to his dear sister. Breathlessly he took the reins into his hands and snapped them for the ponies to begin their trip back to Tuckborough.
Belladonna smiled at her brother as she watched him masterfully handle the two lively ponies as they pranced about wanting to run with the weight of the wagon pushing at them from behind as they descended down the dirt path from the Hobbiton Hill. Their hooves clattered across the stones in the dirt as he held back on the reins to control them.
Once they entered into Hobbiton, Belladonna asked him, "How is father doing?"
Hildibrand grimaced his facial expression thinking about the last time that he had seen his father and knowing his sister would not like to hear about his failing health. "Father is going a bit slower since his last birthday and naps more than he is actually awake. It worries me more as he is not his usual self. I see him more quieter than usual as if he is lost in his owns thoughts or daydreams, it's harder to keep his attention when you speak to him. Isengrim barely leaves his side and is acting more the Thain than what he should be since he is not been named as of yet!"
Belladonna nodded as she listened to her brother. "That is to be expected, Hildibrand! After all, father is approaching his hundred and thirty years. I'm glad Isengrim is with him and taking care of everything for father!"
Hildibrand relaxed in knowing that he had not upset his sister with the sobering news of their father's health.
A group of hobbits who sat upon the bench in front of the Bolger's store waved and smiled at seeing Belladonna sitting in the wagon with her brother as it rolled pass them. Belladonna smiled waving back to the town folk. The hobbits greatly admired the Baggins and Tooks as they always greeted them warmly whenever they were about.
On they road visiting and laughing with each other. Belladonna and Hildibrand were as close as brother and sister could be, being close in age and all. Out of her seven remaining brothers and two sisters, she loved Hildibrand the most. The same year Bilbo was born, so was Sigismond, Hildibrand's oldest son. Bilbo and Sigismond were also close to each other since their parents seen so much of each other. Sigismond was always up to mischief whenever the two had gotten together. He would making up stories while acting them out for Bilbo and he often would draw Biblo into his stories to make his cousin laugh. He taught Bilbo a lot of games and pushed him to learn to fish and hunt, but Bilbo's real interest was in writing. The books that Bilbo made began to line the shelves of Bag End. There were many books that he managed to borrow from the Tooks and have reread them many times over. Bilbo loved to make up songs and poems. His best songs would go into one of his many books that he wrote in his spare time.
Hildibrand asked, "How is our son doing these days?"
"You know Bilbo, always having his nose in a book or a quill in his hand. He allows himself no time for social things such as dancing or dating! I am worried that I'll never become a grandmother if he keeps to himself in the studies of Bag End!" commented Belladonna. "I'm sixty-one years old and many of my friends have long become grandmothers already. I've not told the boy yet, but on his coming of age I have arranged a married for him. I've found the perfect hobbitess for him that will bring him a high prominence among the upper class of hobbits. Bilbo must marry well!"
"Can you tell me who you have chosen for him?"
Belladonna shook her head and smiled at her brother and returned her gaze towards the open road. "That, dear brother, is a secret and I'll not be telling you a word of it. You'll have to wait until his coming of age to find out!"
"Very well, you keep your secrets and I'll not help you with getting another installment of your inheritance from father!"
Belladonna raised the corner of her eyebrow as a mischievous smile crossed her lips. "I don't need your help with father. He has already agreed to grant part of my inheritance if we finished the third section of Bag End before his one hundred and thirty years. He promised me he'd live long enough to make sure of it!"
"So that's why the Old Took has not allowed himself to give up yet!" said Hildibrand in a matter of fact way, as he watched his sister from the corner of his eye. "Just to spite you for making that home of yours as grand as the Great Smial of Tuckborough!"
"You mean grander than the Great Smial, don't you!" said Belladonna acting very prideful. "It will be, Hildie! Someday! Bag End will be very grand!"
"You'll have quite a ways to go if you're going to make it as big as the Great Smial! That is of course, if you don't run out of hill, as it were!" commented her brother making an exaggerated expression on his face in hopes to capture a smile on his sister's lips.
"It may not be as big as the Great Smial, dear brother, but it will certainly be lovelier than our childhood home!"
~*~
When evening approached the two travelers entered the gates of Tuckborough. The servants opened the door of the Great Smial and welcomed them in. Just as her brother had told her, preparations for the Old Took's birthday was everywhere in piles of gifts that lined the hallways and were stacked on every table and chairs. This party was going to be the grandest that the Shire had ever seen. After all, not many hobbits could celebrate a life as long as the Old Took.
Belladonna greeted her older brothers who came from the common room of the Great Smial to see their sister. Isembard, Hildigrim and Isembold were the first to enter into the hallway. The three brothers were noble hobbits dressed in their finest vests with brass buttons and crisp white shirts. All three had dark brown curly hair and possessed the long straight narrow bridged noses that were a trait of being a Took from their heritage.
They smiled warmly seeing their sister and brother just walking into the front door. Isembard was the first to greet them and give them a hug. He held his arm for his sister to take as he led them into the common room of the Great Smial, while their other brothers followed from behind.
The door swung open and two younger sisters, Donnamira and Mirabella came in from the kitchen supporting a tray of drinks and appetizers before their evening meal. They rushed to place their trays down to greet their older sister and brother. It had been an entire year since Belladonna had come back home to visit her family. She had been so busy with the building of Bag End and managing the household needs. On her father's one-hundredth and twenty-ninth birthday was the last time she had seen her father or her sisters. They chatted about the year that they had not seen each other. Belladonna marveled when she heard that Gordadoc Brandybuck had asked her on a picnic during a grand party held at Buckland a few months past. Mirabella who was now thirty-four years old was now old enough to marry and she was so happy to hear about a prospective bow that was greatly admired in the shire now courting her sister.
Isengrim entered into the common room and he cleared his throat to get his sister's attention. Isengrim was the eldest brother and next in line for the Thainship. She smiled when he slowly approached her. "Belladonna, you should not have come so early. We have more hands than is needed to finish the preparations for the Thain's birthday party. You could have waited a few more days until the party!"
Belladonna smiled sweetly at her brother and did not want to get on his wrong side seeing that he was the one she may have to deal with about her inheritance. "I've come because I have missed you all and waiting another few more days was more than I could bear!"
Isengrim gave his sister a slight half a smile in knowing that perhaps it was not just missing her brothers and sister that drove her to Tuckborough so soon, but rather the issue of her inheritance. "Well then, perhaps you and I could visit privately over some matters that I have had on my mind!"
Belladonna's eyes darted up towards her brother and being shocked at his boldness. She knew now that what Hildibrand had been telling her about Isengrim was true. He had truly taking over the Thainship and the accounts of the family inheritance. Not wanting to show him that his statement bothered her in the slightest, she courageously put on her brightest smile. "I would be more than happy to discuss whatever you would like privately, Isengrim! I have missed you most of all and it has been such a long time since we have truly sat down together for a long visit!"
Isengrim nodded courteously towards his sister and admired her cool head under his pressure that he was putting on her. It had upset him earlier in the day when he went over the family accounts and discovered the large amounts that were being paid to his sister that his father had approved.
Isumbra interrupted their conversation when he entered into the common room and seeing his brothers and sister gathering around Belladonna. She turned towards him when he spoke "Come now, brothers!" said Isumbra. "Is that any way to treat your sister! Bring her a glass of our finest wine!"
Belladonna looked up at seeing her next to her eldest brother standing in the doorway of the common room. He smiled graciously as he approached her to give her a hug to greet her.
The Tooks sat around the common room and their voices echoed in laughter, filling the large room with the sound of a family. They visited with each other until the servants called them into the dinning room for the evening meal.
After the evening meal, Belladonna knocked on her father's door before she entered. Seeing the Old Took sitting up in his bed mumbling to himself.
"Long ago and far away,
the wizard came to Tuckborough to play.
He stood tall above our heads,
but never slept among our beds.
Hobbits feared but learned to cheer,
and never shed a single tear.
Laughter spouted very loud,
when the wizard fireworks came about..."
She walked in and sat down next to him. His white thin hair barely covered the top of his head. Deep long wrinkles creased every feature on the Old Took's face. There were huge age spots that dotted his old face. Gerontius's hands were gnarled and his fingernails were yellowed with thick long nails. His old eyes had lost their twinkle many long years ago and the color was faded as with his eyesight. His ears seemed huge with the thin wisp of white-gray hair on either side of his head.
Belladonna took his hand and held it gently in hers. "Da, It's me, Belladonna! I've come for your birthday celebration in a few more days!"
The Old Took turned his head and looked at his daughter who sat beside him, "Awe, my Belladonna!" said Gerontius in a hoarse weak voice. A slight smile of recognition crossed the corners of his wrinkled lips. "I've almost made a hundred and thirty years! I've seen much in my long life!"
"That you have, Da!" said Belladonna agreeing with her father.
He gave her hand a slight squeeze, but grimaced from the pain in his knuckles. "I'm not long until death will find me, I fear my dear one! I feel as weak as a melting candle!" Long coughing wheezes seized him as he tried to talk with his beloved daughter.
Belladonna reached for the teacup that sat on a table next to his bed. Picking it up she helped her father to take a small sip of the tea to ease his coughing spell and lying him back down upon his pillow she watched as he slowly drifted off to sleep again. She pulled the blanket up around his thin chest and watched him a moment before she tip-toed from his room.
Closing the door behind her, Isengrim gestured her over to him. He held the family ledger in his hands and motioned for her to follow him into his office.