Chapter 6
The Match Made
All through dinner Bilbo's eye kept drifting over to Lobelia and somehow just seeing her gave his heart a warm feeling that was unexpected.
True she was not much to look upon, being rather plain, but for Bilbo, being plain was comfortable.
His thoughts of her made him feel like his tongue was twisted in knots and made it harder for him speak. So he avoided speaking. Instead he just listened to the conversation around the table.
There was talk of new furnishings for the Great Smial that her brother Isengrim had ordered and Hildibrand wanted cupboards for his kitchen. The orders keep pouring into the shop, which gave great promise of profit for the coming year.
All through their dinner, Belladonna kept a watchful eye upon the couple and caught Bilbo's glances towards Lobelia. She smiled knowing that her son enjoyed his company with this young lass. She knew in her heart that they had found the right match and she would sign the papers tonight to make it official. Bilbo could now openly court Lobelia Bracegirdle.
After dinner was finished, Belladonna poured generous portions from one of the few remaining bottles of the Wineyard of Bungo's father. They made toasts to the new wines that would soon fill their cellars. Logo complimented Bungo on the excellence of the wine.
Bilbo excused himself from the group to take a walk into the gardens for a puff of his pipe. Lobelia watched Bilbo as he walked out of the room. After a few moments, Lobelia decided that she too needed some fresh air.
Standing in the garden, he reached for his pipe, but decided to put it back into his pocket. Something else caught his attention. Bilbo stood looking over the rows of flowers in which he knew the names of them all and thought how exquisite they looked this night or was it the feeling of being light- hearted that just made them seem more lovelier than they ever had before.
Lobelia soon joined Bilbo and stood along side of him. "The garden is beautiful tonight, Mr. Baggins!"
Bilbo momentarily glanced at Lobelia before returning his gaze back to the flowers. 'Mr. Baggins,' did not quite sound right for some reason. But seemed odd in a sense coming from her lips. He longed to hear his name being spoken rather than the formal sir name in which used to be comfortable and proper for Bilbo. He gentled his tone of voice when he spoke to her. "It would greatly please me if you would called me, Bilbo! I think I would like the sound of that so much better!"
Lobelia chewed her bottom lip, as she could not understand the nervousness that she felt standing next to him. She kept her eyes facing forward and only stared at the flowers in front of her as her heart jumped a few beats. "I like the sound of that too!" she whispered with a shyness that she had never experienced before.
Then, with those new feelings overwhelming her, she suddenly noticed the setting sun was more brilliant and romantic than what she had ever seen. It seemed to radiate in the sky of a misty golden color that was all around them. The spectacular view was equal in what Bilbo was feeling at the same time.
He glanced down and saw a beautiful, bright-crimson rose. He had a sudden desire to give it to her. He broke the long stem and took his time as he picked the thorns from it, not wanting her to prick her delicate fingers of them. Handing the rose to Lobelia, he said a little nervously. "I think I would..., No! I would like very much for you to have his rose to remember this night by."
He words sounded like the most romantic thing that she had ever heard and it made her really want to have this one rose. It seemed very special to her at the time. "Thank you, Bilbo," said Lobelia and smiled sweetly taking the rose from him. Smelling the rose she held gently in her hand. She caught a glimpse of Bilbo's smile on his face when she quickly glanced towards him. She turned again feeling more nervous than she did before and raised her eyes upon the magnificent golden sky in front of her.
They did not speak for a few minutes so Lobelia reached for Bilbo's hand that rested along side of him and held it. Bilbo tenderly grasped her hand and gave it a small little squeeze, but kept his eyes upon the flowers and the setting sun.
It was Bungo who came out to the garden and saw them holding hands and it delighted him seeing the young couple in such an affectionate moment. Clearing his throat to let them know that he was there. Lobelia instantly let go of Bilbo's hand and turned around to see Bungo standing there.
"I did not mean to intrude upon you two. Logo has sent me to fetch you, Lobelia. He is ready to leave," said Bungo.
Bilbo escorted her back into Bag End, but excused himself briefly and told her to wait.
He rushed to his room, but returned momentarily. "Hold out your hand, Lobelia. I have something I want to give you!"
Lobelia held her hand open and Bilbo placed a golden locket with a delicate matching chain. The golden locket had a beautifully carved 'B' in the center with tiny leaves surrounding the borders of it. Her eyes widened when she looked at the locket and then back at Bilbo. "I can not accept such a wonderful gift as this, Bilbo!"
Bilbo only smiled as he answered her, "Yes you can! And I insist upon it! Friends give tokens of appreciation to one another and I appreciate your friendship, my dear Lobelia."
Lobelia pulled her lace handkerchief from her pocket and gave it to Bilbo. "Then please, you must accept this as my token of friendship!"
Bilbo graciously accepted her handkerchief. "I will keep this forever to remember you by!"
Bilbo smiled as he watched her saying, "Good evening," to his parents and walked out of Bag End with her father.
~*~
Lobelia's eyes glistened and her face was lit with exuberance as she walked along side of her father down the dirt path in Hobbiton. They passed a couple of doors that were closed for the evening as they made their way back to their small apartment behind the shop. "Did you have a nice time this evening, my dear?" asked Logo, even though he already could tell by the look upon her face.
"Oh, Da! This has been the most delightful day that I can ever remember!" answered Lobelia. There was music in the sound of her voice as she spoke.
"Then I have wonderful news for you, my dear," stated Logo. "We have made a match between you and Bilbo this evening. You have the blessings of both families to court each other. If it is agreeable to the two of you, you will be Bilbo's betroth someday!"
Lobelia turned slowly to her father and stared at him. "You are a sneak, is what you are! You had this planned all along, didn't you?"
"Does this news upset you?" asked Logo.
A slow smiled began to appear across her lips as she took the locket that Bilbo had given her from her pocket. With a satisfied look upon her face, she turned back to her father. "No, and I am glad you did not tell me about you little scheme you had planned. I will forgive you, just this once!" Lobelia placed the locket around her neck and clasped it. Her fingers gently stroked the smooth locket and wonderful thoughts of Bilbo danced in her mind.
Logo burst out laughing knowing that his daughter was very pleased with this news. Now he only hoped that Bilbo would be just as agreeable of making this official.
Otho Sackville-Baggins came out of the shadows of a doorway as the couple passed him unnoticed. An evil smiled crossed his lips as he stared at them when they walked through the door of their shop and closed it.
~*~
The next following day when Bilbo was outside leaning up against the side of the wall of Bag End and looking out over the party field and Hobbiton. He took out his pipe and lit it. Blowing a gentle ring of smoke, Bilbo became lost in his thoughts and feelings for Lobelia Bracegirdle. The thought of her made him want to giggle with delight. He glanced over to the flower garden and remembered last night standing there holding her hand. He could recall how warm and comfortable it felt as if it was always meant to be. He remembered her poem and the checkerboard game, and her love of Bag End. Everything that he held dear in his heart and he now added Lobelia to that list. Every pot has a lid and Bilbo new his had found his.
"Do you want to be alone or may I join you?" asked Bungo.
Bilbo pulled himself away from his daydreaming and acknowledged at his father when he sat along side of him. He too lit his pipe and began talking about the same old things that they enjoyed many times sitting here with their pipes.
When their conversation died down to silence and he observed his son lost in his own thoughts, Bungo wondered if those thoughts were of last night. "You seemed to have really enjoy yourself last night with Lobelia?" Bungo commented to start the conversation about her.
Bilbo unthinkingly smiled without looking at his father, but the thoughts of her were on his mind. "Yes, I enjoyed her company a lot!"
"Last night, Logo wanted to speak with us about the two of you!" said Bungo and Bilbo turned to face his father at his words, while Bungo continued. "It seems that Logo has given his blessing for you to court Lobelia. I want you to know that your mother and I also give you our blessings. But my son, this is your decision if you wish this to happen for you. Lobelia would make you a wonderful wife to share your life with her at Bag End. We have agreed to a five year engagement so you will have enough time to get to know her and hopefully come to love her enough to become married."
Bungo pulled is mother's engagement ring from his pocket. "I gave this ring to your mother when we were first engaged. This has been handed down for many generations of Baggins. Now this ring is yours to choice the wife you will marry! It is your decision to make, whether this be Lobelia or not!"
Bilbo held his hand opened while his father gave him the family ring. Bilbo admired the shiny diamond that was attached to the golden band. He clasped his fingers around the ring and the corners of his mouth lifted just holding this ring in his hand. Bungo patted his son on the back and left him to sit and think about his future.
~*~
Otho Sackville-Baggins poured milk over his porridge when his mother joined her tweenager for breakfast. Having a smirk on his face, he looked like at cat who had trapped a mouse.
Camellia immediately noticed it when she looked at her son. "You look pleased as punch this morning!" she said while she took her cup of morning tea and began to spoon a teaspoon of sugar into it.
Otho almost giggled with delight at his mother keen-eye and comment. "Oh, that I am, mother, my dearest!"
Camellia stirred the sugar in her tea, but kept her eye upon her son. "And pray tell me, what could that possibly be!"
"I have some news that will certainly surprise you and perhaps make you a bit on edge. Something, that I have over-heard last night, while I was smoking my pipe."
Camellia picked up her teacup and began to sip it before she commented. "There is nothing that you can tell me that would interest me that much! After all, I have gotten every single eligible lass's family in Hobbiton to believe that Bilbo is cracked and not worthy of been considered marriage material! Belladonna will never get Bilbo married now and eventually Longo will inherit Bag End. The Sackville-Baggins will always live under its roof! Bungo is such a fool! "
"You may have every eligible lass's family convinced, but one!" said Otho and took a big mouthful of porridge.
Camellia snapped her head up towards her son and glared at him, "Who are you talking about!" she shouted.
Otho chewed and swallowed taking his time as he enjoyed watching his mother squirm in her seat. "Haven't you forgotten Logo Bracegirdle has a daughter, Lobelia?"
Camellia's eyes widen and she stood up to face her son. "You tell me now what you have heard!"
"Only that Lobelia has now been matched with Bilbo Baggins and he is now able to court her with their families blessings!"
Camellia instantly sat back down and froze in her seat. The look of shock was priceless in Otho's eyes. She had completely forgot about her. Thinking her too young to be formally eligible for courting. "Logo must have agreed to this!"
"Yes, he has! I heard him telling Lobelia this on their way home last night from having dinner at the Baggins. It looks like, from were I am sitting, mother, that the Bracegirdle's have outwitted you!" said Otho snickering at his mother knowing she had lost! He found a great deal of pleasure in it.
"Shut-up! You stupid little brat!" snarled Camellia as she narrowed her eyes wickedly. "Your mother has not lost, yet! I will get Lobelia in my corner yet and when I do, she'll run from Bilbo Baggins!"
She began to pace thinking of how she would get Lobelia away from Bilbo.
Longo came into the dinning room and noticed how upset his wife was. "What has happened that caused you displeasure, my dearest!"
Camellia turned and looked at her husband. "Nothing worth your worry! I only have forgotten a tea-party today and I have to find away to fit it into my busy schedule."
"I am sure you will figure out something. Now, please sit yourself down so we may have our breakfast!" said Longo.
~*~
A week passed by and Bilbo could hardly contain himself from seeing Lobelia again. He dashed through the street of Hobbiton barely noticing anyone who passed him by. Under his breath, he sang a happy melody as his feet made its way to the shop of Bracegirdle.
Bilbo burst through the door forgetting himself and his face flushed a bright red when Logo jumped with a start. "Oh, dear me! Please forgive me this fine morning, Mr. Bracegirdle. I certainly did not mean to alarm you so!"
Bilbo marched up to Logo, but forgot to wipe his feet and say his good mornings as he was in the habit of doing. Realizing this suddenly. Bilbo stopped in front of Logo and turned around to head back towards the door. Wiping his feet on the mat carefully and smoothing the thick brown curly hair on top of his feet. He straightened himself properly and adjusted his fine waistcoat. Looking at Logo, he eloquently stated, "Good morning to you, Mr. Bracegirdle!"
Logo began to chuckle at Bilbo's nervousness and he knew that it had to be about his daughter. "Good morning, Bilbo! A fine day it is in deed!"
"Yes, yes! By all means. A fine day! That is what brought me out today! I would very much like to escort Miss Lobelia on a picnic this afternoon. My mother has packed a wonderful luncheon just of us! That is, if it is okay with you?"
Again Logo chuckled at Bilbo's formal approach with him. He nodded and answered Bilbo's question. "Yes, of course, my son! I will go get her for you."
Logo was beaming in knowing that Bilbo was just as smitten with her and his dreams for his daughter was going to come true.
Lobelia almost raced into the room, but stopped short as she approached the shop's greeting-room door. She knew Bilbo was waiting for her and she quickly smoothed her hair to make sure every strand was in place. She adjusted the locket around her neck to make sure Bilbo would notice it. Then, she poised herself properly trying to impress her new bow.
Opening the door and seeing Bilbo, Lobelia could not help a brilliant bright smile upon her face as she greeted him. Bilbo's heart leaped in his chest seeing her standing there. Beside her plain appearance, to Bilbo she looked like the most beautiful thing that he had ever seen.
"I have a picnic basket here just for us! If you would so honor me, as to accompany me, I would be the happiest hobbit in the entire Shire!" said Bilbo.
Lobelia's eye filled with tears, as she knew that Bilbo meant what he said.
"Oh yes, Bilbo! I would love to share your picnic luncheon with you!"
Bilbo held his arm for her to take and he led her out the door of the shop. Proudly Bilbo walked down the street of Hobbiton with his dear Lobelia holding on to his arm.
The hobbits all smiled and nodded seeing the couple walking down the street together. "Good morning, Mr. Baggins and Miss Bracegirdle!" Lifting their hats as they passed by.
Both Lobelia and Bilbo nodded together, saying their "Good mornings".
Lobelia smiled at Bilbo as she walked next to him and she whispered quietly to him. "Do you think that everyone in Hobbiton will talk about us today!"
Bilbo beamed a big smile and said, "Why, yes of course, my dear, sweetest Lobelia! I am proud that everyone should know of it!"
Hobbits stretched their necks out of the doorway or window to get a peek at Bilbo and Lobelia walking down the street arm in arm.
"I must say, your locket looks very lovely on you!" said Bilbo as he took a glance at her and gave her a small little wink.
"Thank you, Bilbo. I love this locket so very much!" she touched the locket with her fingers and shyly smiled at him. She noticed her handkerchief sticking out from the top pocket of his coat.
Mrs. Proudfoots almost tripped over her own feet when she got a glimpse of the young couple walking down the street together. She caught her balance and stood staring at them. After a few minutes, she began to smile.
Camellia Sackville-Baggins glared as she watched the young couple walk passed her.
~*~
Bilbo set the picnic basket down when they reached the small little pond just a mile out of Hobbiton. Opening it, he took the blanket and laid it upon the tall grass that surrounded them. He took her hand and helped her to sit down next to him. "I have brought the best bottle of the oldest Wineyard that my great-grand father had made almost a hundred years ago!"
Lobelia giggled when Bilbo took out two fancy wineglasses and opened the bottle of wine. He poured her a glass and offered it to her. Filling his glass he held it up to her for a toast. "To my dearest, Lobelia, may our feelings for one another grow to with each day!"
They sat there awhile gazing into each other's eyes and all Bilbo could do was to smile tenderly at her. She could see in his eyes a gentleness of his spirit that made her heart skip a beat.
The two drank their wine, ate their lunch and talked about poems that meant the most to them. They found topics, in which made the late afternoon quietness around them, break with their laughter. They held hands while sitting in amongst the tall grass and under the azure sky.
~*~
Logo walked into the Bolger's store and nodded a greeting to Camellia Sackville-Baggins as he passed her. He approached the clerk to see about purchasing as box of nails and other supplies for the new orders that Belladonna had brought back from Tuckborough. Going over the order with the clerk, Belladonna walked into the store on her way to the shop with a handful of new designs to show Logo.
Seeing Logo, she walked slowly up to him and greeted him a friendly, "Good morning!"
"Bilbo and Lobelia have gone on a picnic this afternoon. I am delighted to see that Bilbo is intending to court her!" said Logo.
"Yes, he is! I've never seen Bilbo so happy!" said Belladonna. "But tell me, Logo, are things any better between you and Lobelia? I worried that when you told her of our arranging this match for them, that she may have objected about it!"
"On the contrary, Bella!" said Logo. "Lobelia and I have found a new start with each other. For whatever our differences were before, they are now forgotten. Your Bilbo has made the biggest difference in her life. I too have never seen her so happy. Ever since her dear mother had died. It took all her happiness away. I'm to blame for a lot of that. Not knowing much of raising a young-lass, as headstrong as my Lobelia can be. I spoiled her terribly, I fear. She even felt that I preferred Bilbo for a son and not wanting a daughter! The things that go through her thoughts at times, is baffling to me, I guess!"
Belladonna nodded, "I understand Logo. It is hard for our children being the only one and no siblings to share life experiences with. They depend on us for more than just parenting. We dote too much on them, I'm afraid. Lobelia is very young yet and very impressionable! You'll see in time she will out-grow her insecurities and become a fine young lady!"
"But come now, surely you have not come to visit just about our children. I see you have your drawings. May I see them?" asked Logo.
"Yes, of course," said Belladonna. "Prehaps it would be better to show them to you at your shop and we can talk about the new orders for the Great Smial."
The clerk handed the box of nails to Logo and Belladonna led their way out of the store for his shop.
Camellia sneered wickedly and after listening closely to their conversation, she now knew what she was going to do next.
The Match Made
All through dinner Bilbo's eye kept drifting over to Lobelia and somehow just seeing her gave his heart a warm feeling that was unexpected.
True she was not much to look upon, being rather plain, but for Bilbo, being plain was comfortable.
His thoughts of her made him feel like his tongue was twisted in knots and made it harder for him speak. So he avoided speaking. Instead he just listened to the conversation around the table.
There was talk of new furnishings for the Great Smial that her brother Isengrim had ordered and Hildibrand wanted cupboards for his kitchen. The orders keep pouring into the shop, which gave great promise of profit for the coming year.
All through their dinner, Belladonna kept a watchful eye upon the couple and caught Bilbo's glances towards Lobelia. She smiled knowing that her son enjoyed his company with this young lass. She knew in her heart that they had found the right match and she would sign the papers tonight to make it official. Bilbo could now openly court Lobelia Bracegirdle.
After dinner was finished, Belladonna poured generous portions from one of the few remaining bottles of the Wineyard of Bungo's father. They made toasts to the new wines that would soon fill their cellars. Logo complimented Bungo on the excellence of the wine.
Bilbo excused himself from the group to take a walk into the gardens for a puff of his pipe. Lobelia watched Bilbo as he walked out of the room. After a few moments, Lobelia decided that she too needed some fresh air.
Standing in the garden, he reached for his pipe, but decided to put it back into his pocket. Something else caught his attention. Bilbo stood looking over the rows of flowers in which he knew the names of them all and thought how exquisite they looked this night or was it the feeling of being light- hearted that just made them seem more lovelier than they ever had before.
Lobelia soon joined Bilbo and stood along side of him. "The garden is beautiful tonight, Mr. Baggins!"
Bilbo momentarily glanced at Lobelia before returning his gaze back to the flowers. 'Mr. Baggins,' did not quite sound right for some reason. But seemed odd in a sense coming from her lips. He longed to hear his name being spoken rather than the formal sir name in which used to be comfortable and proper for Bilbo. He gentled his tone of voice when he spoke to her. "It would greatly please me if you would called me, Bilbo! I think I would like the sound of that so much better!"
Lobelia chewed her bottom lip, as she could not understand the nervousness that she felt standing next to him. She kept her eyes facing forward and only stared at the flowers in front of her as her heart jumped a few beats. "I like the sound of that too!" she whispered with a shyness that she had never experienced before.
Then, with those new feelings overwhelming her, she suddenly noticed the setting sun was more brilliant and romantic than what she had ever seen. It seemed to radiate in the sky of a misty golden color that was all around them. The spectacular view was equal in what Bilbo was feeling at the same time.
He glanced down and saw a beautiful, bright-crimson rose. He had a sudden desire to give it to her. He broke the long stem and took his time as he picked the thorns from it, not wanting her to prick her delicate fingers of them. Handing the rose to Lobelia, he said a little nervously. "I think I would..., No! I would like very much for you to have his rose to remember this night by."
He words sounded like the most romantic thing that she had ever heard and it made her really want to have this one rose. It seemed very special to her at the time. "Thank you, Bilbo," said Lobelia and smiled sweetly taking the rose from him. Smelling the rose she held gently in her hand. She caught a glimpse of Bilbo's smile on his face when she quickly glanced towards him. She turned again feeling more nervous than she did before and raised her eyes upon the magnificent golden sky in front of her.
They did not speak for a few minutes so Lobelia reached for Bilbo's hand that rested along side of him and held it. Bilbo tenderly grasped her hand and gave it a small little squeeze, but kept his eyes upon the flowers and the setting sun.
It was Bungo who came out to the garden and saw them holding hands and it delighted him seeing the young couple in such an affectionate moment. Clearing his throat to let them know that he was there. Lobelia instantly let go of Bilbo's hand and turned around to see Bungo standing there.
"I did not mean to intrude upon you two. Logo has sent me to fetch you, Lobelia. He is ready to leave," said Bungo.
Bilbo escorted her back into Bag End, but excused himself briefly and told her to wait.
He rushed to his room, but returned momentarily. "Hold out your hand, Lobelia. I have something I want to give you!"
Lobelia held her hand open and Bilbo placed a golden locket with a delicate matching chain. The golden locket had a beautifully carved 'B' in the center with tiny leaves surrounding the borders of it. Her eyes widened when she looked at the locket and then back at Bilbo. "I can not accept such a wonderful gift as this, Bilbo!"
Bilbo only smiled as he answered her, "Yes you can! And I insist upon it! Friends give tokens of appreciation to one another and I appreciate your friendship, my dear Lobelia."
Lobelia pulled her lace handkerchief from her pocket and gave it to Bilbo. "Then please, you must accept this as my token of friendship!"
Bilbo graciously accepted her handkerchief. "I will keep this forever to remember you by!"
Bilbo smiled as he watched her saying, "Good evening," to his parents and walked out of Bag End with her father.
~*~
Lobelia's eyes glistened and her face was lit with exuberance as she walked along side of her father down the dirt path in Hobbiton. They passed a couple of doors that were closed for the evening as they made their way back to their small apartment behind the shop. "Did you have a nice time this evening, my dear?" asked Logo, even though he already could tell by the look upon her face.
"Oh, Da! This has been the most delightful day that I can ever remember!" answered Lobelia. There was music in the sound of her voice as she spoke.
"Then I have wonderful news for you, my dear," stated Logo. "We have made a match between you and Bilbo this evening. You have the blessings of both families to court each other. If it is agreeable to the two of you, you will be Bilbo's betroth someday!"
Lobelia turned slowly to her father and stared at him. "You are a sneak, is what you are! You had this planned all along, didn't you?"
"Does this news upset you?" asked Logo.
A slow smiled began to appear across her lips as she took the locket that Bilbo had given her from her pocket. With a satisfied look upon her face, she turned back to her father. "No, and I am glad you did not tell me about you little scheme you had planned. I will forgive you, just this once!" Lobelia placed the locket around her neck and clasped it. Her fingers gently stroked the smooth locket and wonderful thoughts of Bilbo danced in her mind.
Logo burst out laughing knowing that his daughter was very pleased with this news. Now he only hoped that Bilbo would be just as agreeable of making this official.
Otho Sackville-Baggins came out of the shadows of a doorway as the couple passed him unnoticed. An evil smiled crossed his lips as he stared at them when they walked through the door of their shop and closed it.
~*~
The next following day when Bilbo was outside leaning up against the side of the wall of Bag End and looking out over the party field and Hobbiton. He took out his pipe and lit it. Blowing a gentle ring of smoke, Bilbo became lost in his thoughts and feelings for Lobelia Bracegirdle. The thought of her made him want to giggle with delight. He glanced over to the flower garden and remembered last night standing there holding her hand. He could recall how warm and comfortable it felt as if it was always meant to be. He remembered her poem and the checkerboard game, and her love of Bag End. Everything that he held dear in his heart and he now added Lobelia to that list. Every pot has a lid and Bilbo new his had found his.
"Do you want to be alone or may I join you?" asked Bungo.
Bilbo pulled himself away from his daydreaming and acknowledged at his father when he sat along side of him. He too lit his pipe and began talking about the same old things that they enjoyed many times sitting here with their pipes.
When their conversation died down to silence and he observed his son lost in his own thoughts, Bungo wondered if those thoughts were of last night. "You seemed to have really enjoy yourself last night with Lobelia?" Bungo commented to start the conversation about her.
Bilbo unthinkingly smiled without looking at his father, but the thoughts of her were on his mind. "Yes, I enjoyed her company a lot!"
"Last night, Logo wanted to speak with us about the two of you!" said Bungo and Bilbo turned to face his father at his words, while Bungo continued. "It seems that Logo has given his blessing for you to court Lobelia. I want you to know that your mother and I also give you our blessings. But my son, this is your decision if you wish this to happen for you. Lobelia would make you a wonderful wife to share your life with her at Bag End. We have agreed to a five year engagement so you will have enough time to get to know her and hopefully come to love her enough to become married."
Bungo pulled is mother's engagement ring from his pocket. "I gave this ring to your mother when we were first engaged. This has been handed down for many generations of Baggins. Now this ring is yours to choice the wife you will marry! It is your decision to make, whether this be Lobelia or not!"
Bilbo held his hand opened while his father gave him the family ring. Bilbo admired the shiny diamond that was attached to the golden band. He clasped his fingers around the ring and the corners of his mouth lifted just holding this ring in his hand. Bungo patted his son on the back and left him to sit and think about his future.
~*~
Otho Sackville-Baggins poured milk over his porridge when his mother joined her tweenager for breakfast. Having a smirk on his face, he looked like at cat who had trapped a mouse.
Camellia immediately noticed it when she looked at her son. "You look pleased as punch this morning!" she said while she took her cup of morning tea and began to spoon a teaspoon of sugar into it.
Otho almost giggled with delight at his mother keen-eye and comment. "Oh, that I am, mother, my dearest!"
Camellia stirred the sugar in her tea, but kept her eye upon her son. "And pray tell me, what could that possibly be!"
"I have some news that will certainly surprise you and perhaps make you a bit on edge. Something, that I have over-heard last night, while I was smoking my pipe."
Camellia picked up her teacup and began to sip it before she commented. "There is nothing that you can tell me that would interest me that much! After all, I have gotten every single eligible lass's family in Hobbiton to believe that Bilbo is cracked and not worthy of been considered marriage material! Belladonna will never get Bilbo married now and eventually Longo will inherit Bag End. The Sackville-Baggins will always live under its roof! Bungo is such a fool! "
"You may have every eligible lass's family convinced, but one!" said Otho and took a big mouthful of porridge.
Camellia snapped her head up towards her son and glared at him, "Who are you talking about!" she shouted.
Otho chewed and swallowed taking his time as he enjoyed watching his mother squirm in her seat. "Haven't you forgotten Logo Bracegirdle has a daughter, Lobelia?"
Camellia's eyes widen and she stood up to face her son. "You tell me now what you have heard!"
"Only that Lobelia has now been matched with Bilbo Baggins and he is now able to court her with their families blessings!"
Camellia instantly sat back down and froze in her seat. The look of shock was priceless in Otho's eyes. She had completely forgot about her. Thinking her too young to be formally eligible for courting. "Logo must have agreed to this!"
"Yes, he has! I heard him telling Lobelia this on their way home last night from having dinner at the Baggins. It looks like, from were I am sitting, mother, that the Bracegirdle's have outwitted you!" said Otho snickering at his mother knowing she had lost! He found a great deal of pleasure in it.
"Shut-up! You stupid little brat!" snarled Camellia as she narrowed her eyes wickedly. "Your mother has not lost, yet! I will get Lobelia in my corner yet and when I do, she'll run from Bilbo Baggins!"
She began to pace thinking of how she would get Lobelia away from Bilbo.
Longo came into the dinning room and noticed how upset his wife was. "What has happened that caused you displeasure, my dearest!"
Camellia turned and looked at her husband. "Nothing worth your worry! I only have forgotten a tea-party today and I have to find away to fit it into my busy schedule."
"I am sure you will figure out something. Now, please sit yourself down so we may have our breakfast!" said Longo.
~*~
A week passed by and Bilbo could hardly contain himself from seeing Lobelia again. He dashed through the street of Hobbiton barely noticing anyone who passed him by. Under his breath, he sang a happy melody as his feet made its way to the shop of Bracegirdle.
Bilbo burst through the door forgetting himself and his face flushed a bright red when Logo jumped with a start. "Oh, dear me! Please forgive me this fine morning, Mr. Bracegirdle. I certainly did not mean to alarm you so!"
Bilbo marched up to Logo, but forgot to wipe his feet and say his good mornings as he was in the habit of doing. Realizing this suddenly. Bilbo stopped in front of Logo and turned around to head back towards the door. Wiping his feet on the mat carefully and smoothing the thick brown curly hair on top of his feet. He straightened himself properly and adjusted his fine waistcoat. Looking at Logo, he eloquently stated, "Good morning to you, Mr. Bracegirdle!"
Logo began to chuckle at Bilbo's nervousness and he knew that it had to be about his daughter. "Good morning, Bilbo! A fine day it is in deed!"
"Yes, yes! By all means. A fine day! That is what brought me out today! I would very much like to escort Miss Lobelia on a picnic this afternoon. My mother has packed a wonderful luncheon just of us! That is, if it is okay with you?"
Again Logo chuckled at Bilbo's formal approach with him. He nodded and answered Bilbo's question. "Yes, of course, my son! I will go get her for you."
Logo was beaming in knowing that Bilbo was just as smitten with her and his dreams for his daughter was going to come true.
Lobelia almost raced into the room, but stopped short as she approached the shop's greeting-room door. She knew Bilbo was waiting for her and she quickly smoothed her hair to make sure every strand was in place. She adjusted the locket around her neck to make sure Bilbo would notice it. Then, she poised herself properly trying to impress her new bow.
Opening the door and seeing Bilbo, Lobelia could not help a brilliant bright smile upon her face as she greeted him. Bilbo's heart leaped in his chest seeing her standing there. Beside her plain appearance, to Bilbo she looked like the most beautiful thing that he had ever seen.
"I have a picnic basket here just for us! If you would so honor me, as to accompany me, I would be the happiest hobbit in the entire Shire!" said Bilbo.
Lobelia's eye filled with tears, as she knew that Bilbo meant what he said.
"Oh yes, Bilbo! I would love to share your picnic luncheon with you!"
Bilbo held his arm for her to take and he led her out the door of the shop. Proudly Bilbo walked down the street of Hobbiton with his dear Lobelia holding on to his arm.
The hobbits all smiled and nodded seeing the couple walking down the street together. "Good morning, Mr. Baggins and Miss Bracegirdle!" Lifting their hats as they passed by.
Both Lobelia and Bilbo nodded together, saying their "Good mornings".
Lobelia smiled at Bilbo as she walked next to him and she whispered quietly to him. "Do you think that everyone in Hobbiton will talk about us today!"
Bilbo beamed a big smile and said, "Why, yes of course, my dear, sweetest Lobelia! I am proud that everyone should know of it!"
Hobbits stretched their necks out of the doorway or window to get a peek at Bilbo and Lobelia walking down the street arm in arm.
"I must say, your locket looks very lovely on you!" said Bilbo as he took a glance at her and gave her a small little wink.
"Thank you, Bilbo. I love this locket so very much!" she touched the locket with her fingers and shyly smiled at him. She noticed her handkerchief sticking out from the top pocket of his coat.
Mrs. Proudfoots almost tripped over her own feet when she got a glimpse of the young couple walking down the street together. She caught her balance and stood staring at them. After a few minutes, she began to smile.
Camellia Sackville-Baggins glared as she watched the young couple walk passed her.
~*~
Bilbo set the picnic basket down when they reached the small little pond just a mile out of Hobbiton. Opening it, he took the blanket and laid it upon the tall grass that surrounded them. He took her hand and helped her to sit down next to him. "I have brought the best bottle of the oldest Wineyard that my great-grand father had made almost a hundred years ago!"
Lobelia giggled when Bilbo took out two fancy wineglasses and opened the bottle of wine. He poured her a glass and offered it to her. Filling his glass he held it up to her for a toast. "To my dearest, Lobelia, may our feelings for one another grow to with each day!"
They sat there awhile gazing into each other's eyes and all Bilbo could do was to smile tenderly at her. She could see in his eyes a gentleness of his spirit that made her heart skip a beat.
The two drank their wine, ate their lunch and talked about poems that meant the most to them. They found topics, in which made the late afternoon quietness around them, break with their laughter. They held hands while sitting in amongst the tall grass and under the azure sky.
~*~
Logo walked into the Bolger's store and nodded a greeting to Camellia Sackville-Baggins as he passed her. He approached the clerk to see about purchasing as box of nails and other supplies for the new orders that Belladonna had brought back from Tuckborough. Going over the order with the clerk, Belladonna walked into the store on her way to the shop with a handful of new designs to show Logo.
Seeing Logo, she walked slowly up to him and greeted him a friendly, "Good morning!"
"Bilbo and Lobelia have gone on a picnic this afternoon. I am delighted to see that Bilbo is intending to court her!" said Logo.
"Yes, he is! I've never seen Bilbo so happy!" said Belladonna. "But tell me, Logo, are things any better between you and Lobelia? I worried that when you told her of our arranging this match for them, that she may have objected about it!"
"On the contrary, Bella!" said Logo. "Lobelia and I have found a new start with each other. For whatever our differences were before, they are now forgotten. Your Bilbo has made the biggest difference in her life. I too have never seen her so happy. Ever since her dear mother had died. It took all her happiness away. I'm to blame for a lot of that. Not knowing much of raising a young-lass, as headstrong as my Lobelia can be. I spoiled her terribly, I fear. She even felt that I preferred Bilbo for a son and not wanting a daughter! The things that go through her thoughts at times, is baffling to me, I guess!"
Belladonna nodded, "I understand Logo. It is hard for our children being the only one and no siblings to share life experiences with. They depend on us for more than just parenting. We dote too much on them, I'm afraid. Lobelia is very young yet and very impressionable! You'll see in time she will out-grow her insecurities and become a fine young lady!"
"But come now, surely you have not come to visit just about our children. I see you have your drawings. May I see them?" asked Logo.
"Yes, of course," said Belladonna. "Prehaps it would be better to show them to you at your shop and we can talk about the new orders for the Great Smial."
The clerk handed the box of nails to Logo and Belladonna led their way out of the store for his shop.
Camellia sneered wickedly and after listening closely to their conversation, she now knew what she was going to do next.