Chapter 7
Camellia's Web
Once the good folk of Hobbiton realized that Bilbo and Lobelia were an item, they were invited to many tea parties and other such social gatherings. In fact, a party was not considered successful unless Bilbo and Lobelia were attending.
This was upsetting for Bilbo, a very uncomfortable thing for this hobbit. He rarely found anytime alone with Lobelia and had to smile more than he was used to. He was running out of polite things to say.
Camellia waited like a spider for the perfect time to wind Lobelia in her web. For Camellia was clever and her well thought out plan needed every advantage there was. And that advantage had begun to present itself quite readily. It was her time to strike.
Lobelia got a stack of invitation for the next coming events for the entire month of August. She was overwhelmed as she tried to answer each one. The first invitation that she opened came from the Sackville-Baggins and Camellia was going all out to honor the new couple of Hobbiton. Everyone was going to attend and talked ceaselessly about this party because as always, whenever Camellia had a party only the most well to do families were invited. Belladonna knew if the new couple was accepted into this group that they would have a grand standing in their small community. She pushed her son to attend!
"Can't I get a moments rest from all these confounding relatives and their silly little parties. Why don't they have just one big party and invite everyone, both rich or not, young or not and get it over with all at once!" grumbled Bilbo feeling a bit perturbed of the whole thing.
His mother made a knot in the tie that was around his shirt collar and the tips of the collar was starched and pressed so they would stick up slightly from the top of the thick silky-tie. Her fingers were skillful in making a beautiful knot from the many times she did this for her brothers and father when she tween in the Great Smial. "Now Bilbo, things are just not done that way! You want Lobelia and yourself well accepted into any home in Hobbiton, don't you? You must think ahead to your future and the children you will have someday!"
Bilbo's uneasiness at her words only made him all the more anxious. "Have I nothing to plan for myself and is my life so laid out and every detail so marked in ink!"
Belladonna gave her son a light-hearted look knowing how uncomfortable he was feeling. "Well, you can always chose whether you have porter or a good brewed ale!"
Bilbo gazed into her mother's eyes, "You always know just how to make light of something in order to calm my most twitchiest of nerves! I love you, Mama!"
Belladonna hugged her son tenderly. "I love you, too, my son!" Warmly hugging her son, she stepped back away from him. "Now let me get a good look at you!"
Bilbo puffed out his chest and placed his hand on each lapel of his finest waistcoat, poising a noble stance for his mother. She placed her finger to her lips and thought that there was still something missing, but could not figure out what it was. It came to her suddenly.
"The only thing that is missing, my dearest son, is your smile!" prompted his mother.
Bilbo's shoulder sunk with apprehension. "But Mama, If I smile any more my face is sure to lock in place and I'll walk about with the foolish-look for all times to come!"
Belladonna giggled delightfully at the pain of all this social bother was causing for her son. "You will do wonderful this afternoon, Bilbo. Lobelia will think you are the most dashing young hobbit that she has ever set eyes upon!"
A rose-tint colored Bilbo's face and brought a warm cheer of confidence to his frazzled nerves. "Thank you, Mama! That is what I needed to hear. For Lobelia, I guest I can face any hard-nosed old hobbitess that would cross our path!"
~*~
Camellia powdered her nose one last time before leaving her bedroom. Otho was just coming out of the kitchen with a large turkey leg locked into his fists and his teeth sunk deeply into the meat.
"Put that down this very minute!" shouted Camellia. "You are not a simple minded tween and you know very well not to get into things before the party!"
Otho placed the turkey leg to the side of himself and stood there facing his mother's wrath. "Look at you! You're a mess! You clean yourself up properly or I'll take the hide off your backside as to the likes that you have never seen before!"
Otho ran from the dinning room and headed back into kitchen to toss the turkey leg, but not before he bit off two more large chunks of the meat. To top off the bites of turkey, he stuck his finger into one of the small cakes and scrapped off a thick coating of frosting and stuck it into his mouth. He rushed over to the wash tub and began to scrub his face and smooth back his hair like his mother insisted upon.
Lobelia knocked on the door of the Sackville-Baggins house. Her invitation told her to be early because Camellia wanted to present her to her guests upon their first arrival
Camellia opened the door after a bit of a wait and ushered the young lass into her sitting-room. Camellia turned slightly just as she was about to sit down when she got a good look at Lobelia standing before her. "Good gracious me! Whatever are you wearing, my dear? Doesn't your father know any better to allow his daughter to dress so, well......... frumpy is the word that comes to my mind!"
Lobelia's face fell to a dark-deep blush from being so humiliated in front of Camellia. If anyone knew of fashion and appropriate dress for a party it was her. She was constantly being praised for her dresses and appearance.
Camellia stood from her chair and circled the girl. "This will never do! I can not have you meeting my guests dressed like this! Come, child! I think I have the perfect dress for you to wear!"
She led the way to her bedroom and commented. "What do the male hobbits know of dresses, you poor dear, not having a mother to care for you and teach you these things! Logo just does not possess any common sense, I must say!"
She pulled a couple of her best dresses from her closet and held them up to Lobelia in order to match the color of her hair and her eyes.
She chose a dress that she thought would bring out the color of Lobelia's green eyes. Lobelia stood there quiet as a mouse trying not to disturb Camellia or risk her thinking that she was rude.
Dressing Lobelia, Camellia continued to comment, "I wish I had a daughter to dress and spoil her with all these fineries. Boys are just so......well, so boring!"
She tied a thick bow around her waist and turned Lobelia around to get a good look at her. "O, now that is beautiful! Not you, my dear. I was speaking of the dress. You still need a bit more work so you will do justice to this dress. Your hair for instance, it needs something!"
Standing back and pondering what to do next to help this child. She decided on a certain hairstyle. Sitting Lobelia down at her dressing table, she began to fuss over her. She took her silver-plated hairbrush and began to sweep up her hair and fashioned long coils of hair to cascade down the back of her neck. She found the most expensive hair-combs that she owned to decorated her hair. The tiny jewels shimmered when Lobelia turned her head from side to side and her curls bounced in a stunningly beautiful motion.
Camellia's overpowering character caused Lobelia to remain silent unless she directly addressed her to speak. Lobelia was too afraid to make her opinions known whether she liked something or not. She just allowed Camellia to dress her any way she saw fit.
"Stand up, child!" directed Camellia. She again circled her. "You are still lacking in style! I must say, you are just such a plain-looking little thing! But don't worry yourself none. I have the prefect thing!" She took out her powder and dusted the shine from Lobelia's straight thin nose. She took out a small container of red powder and mixed it in a portion of oil. Taking a dab from her fingertip she painted her bottom lip to give it just a hint of color and not so noticeably to stand out.
She again looked at Lobelia, seeing her locket around her neck, she glared at it. "EEK! What a horribly trashy thing do you have around your neck!" stated Camellia. "Take that off immediately! I have a perfect jewel necklace that will make that dress so much more lovelier!"
Lobelia finding her voice stated abruptly, "No! I will only wear this locket and I refuse to take it off!" Lobelia did not mean to sound so harsh, but with all her comments and fussing it had begun to wear on her terribly. "I don't mean to offend you, Mrs. Sackville-Baggins. But really, you are making too much of a fuss!"
Camellia backed away slightly and scowled at the girl. "Well, you do have a nasty little side to you, now don't you. Don't worry yourself none, I respect a lass who has a tongue and stands up for herself. Just make sure you know how to use that little wit of yours properly, my dear!"
Camellia took Lobelia's elbow and ushered her over to her mirror so she could get a good look at herself. She stood in shock, staring at what she thought was the most beautiful girl in the mirror. Lobelia was almost unrecognizable to herself. In fact she resembled the hobbit that dressed her, her image was strikingly close to Camellia.
Camellia giggle slightly, "We almost look like sisters, now don't we?" She turned Lobelia around to face her. "And sisters is something I would very much like to be with you. I would like to know you as a sister or better!"
Lobelia blinked her eyes in surprise. She had never had a female friend or anyone close to her willing to be her friend. Only Bilbo was the first to make a connection with her and now Camellia of all hobbits!
"I would like that very much, Mrs. Sackville-Baggins!"
"You call me, Camellia!" she said. "Friends do not speak to each other in the sir tittle. Let us have some tea while we wait for our guests to arrive."
Camellia escorted Lobelia to her kitchen and Lobelia marveled at all the finery that the Sackville-Baggins owned.
Pouring her a cup of tea, Camellia opened their conversation topic. "Tell me about Bilbo Baggins! I hear that you are his intended or soon to be, which ever suites you, me dear!"
"He has not asked me for my hand formally as of yet, but our families have an agreement, I suppose."
"Do you also know that you are not the first eligible lass who has made an agreement with him? However, seeing that Bilbo has such a unique personality, the good folk of Hobbiton have saw it fit not to have their daughters married to him. Being half Took and Baggins, he is a bit queer, don't you think?"
Lobelia's eyes rounded as she stared at her and began to catch on to her quick wittiness, "No more queerer than having Sackville blood mixed with the Baggins! I would only have to assume being Bracegirdle of course!"
Camellia smiled at Lobelia and admire her spunk. "You catch on quickly, I must say! Such wonderful wit you have and so quick on your feet! Your doing that dress more justice than I have given you credit for."
Lobelia kept her eye upon Camellia and was never sure what to think of this hobbit, whether she was over opinionated or just plain cruel. But she did rather like the little cat and mouse conversation that they were engaged with. It only sharpened her wit and she did enjoy besting someone when she got the chance. This intrigued her about Camellia.
"Getting back to your family since you have mentioned it! I knew your mother very well. Of course she was years older than I am, but still we were friends."
Camellia took a sip from her tea and placed it down onto her saucer. She picked up a plate of small bite size cakes and offered Lobelia one, but she refused politely.
Camellia continued, "It too was dreadful that she married a Bracegirdle, but that was many years ago and they were a prominent family at one time and did do rather well for themselves." Seeing Lobelia fiddle with the handle of her teacup, she quickly asked. "Are you not enjoying your tea? Perhaps you might need some sugar to sweeten it. I tend to like my tea without sugar. I preferred a thinner waistline, myself!"
Lobelia glared at Camellia, "However, Camellia sugar does sweeten ones personality a bit, don't you agree?'
Camellia paused a moment and looking into Lobelia's eyes. She admired the girl's wit yet again. "Yes, I do think you could be right about that!"
She added just a smidgen of sugar to her tea and smiled sweetly at her guest before she continued with her tale in a honey-coated fashion while she spoke. "I remember the day your mother announced your coming into the world. Your father was a tizzy wanting a son so very badly. He made boisterous remarks of how he was going to open a business with his son someday. You know the male hobbit, always pounding their chests with pride for such outlandish things. My husband is no different! Just imagine how his face looked once he realized you were a daughter and not his son that he has always wanted!" Camellia paused a moment to see if her words had any effect on the lass while she observed her closely over the rim of her teacup while she took another sip.
A twinge of pain momentarily crossed Lobelia's face, but she quickly tried her best to disguise her hurt feelings, not wanting to let Camellia know that her cruel words had any effect on her.
But Camellia caught that look quickly and knew she had stumbled onto something that she could use to get at the lass and she continued her little story. "Then, when your poor dear mother passing away suddenly! Poor, old Logo, not having an heir to his little shop. It changed him so, after that. But now that you are getting married to Bilbo Baggins, it looks like he will have that son he has always longed for. How nice is it for you to give him exactly what he has always wanted! Tell me child, what do you get out of all of this? Perhaps all those babies you'll bring into your family. You'll stay at home raising all of his children while he gets your father's profits to line his pockets. The way I see it, the Baggins will have everything that they have ever wanted!"
"I don't think it is like that at all, Camellia and either does Bilbo's mother!" retorted Lobelia and knew Camellia implied more than what she was actually saying.
"You speak of Belladonna Baggins! There's another thing. She too has so much in common with your father. She wants a daughter-in-law to bring in all her grandchild. The poor dear is desperate to carry the name Baggins to another generation. Now she has you for her daughter just for that purpose!"
"Your wrong, Camellia! Bilbo loves me! My family nor his is plotting those things you have mentioned!" said Lobelia as her voice almost came out in a shout.
"Dear me, child! I do not wish to upset you for anything. Perhaps I was being too frank with you and hearing the truth for the first time is rather shocking to say the least. This is why you need a sister to tell you these things. To make sure you are not being taken advantage of! I'm only looking out for your best interest, my naive child!"
"I think I can handle my own affairs, Camellia!" stated Lobelia.
"I'm sure you are quite a capable young lass! You don't have to believe me, find out for yourself! Just remember, Lobelia, I am your true friend and if you ever need me for anything, all you need do is ask!" Camellia smiled sweetly at her. Hearing the knocking at the front door, Camellia knew her guests were beginning to arrive.
Answering the door, it was Bilbo and Belladonna. Camellia greeted them warmly and invited them in. Bilbo walked up to Lobelia and greeted her, "Nice to met you, my name is Bilbo Baggins, at your service!" then he remembered to smile.
"Why Bilbo Baggins, don't you even know your own intended!" laughed Camellia.
Bilbo's eyes rounded at her as his mouth dropped open. "Lobelia?"
"Camellia, What have you been doing with her? She looks like a version of you!" commented Belladonna not liking the looks of Lobelia dressed like that.
It warmed Camellia's heart as she thought Lobelia looked ravishing.
"Don't you like this dress?" asked Lobelia. "Camellia thought this looked very lovely on me."
"The dress is beautiful, my dearest!" said Belladonna. "It's just your hair, all those fineries!" Belladonna looked closely and saw that Lobelia had touches of make-up on her face. "and Make-up?"
Lobelia's face turned a shade red and wanted to run from the room to wash her face.
Bilbo blinked while he stared at her. "You look lovely, but you do not look like yourself!"
"That's the idea of fineries, Mr.Baggins. Something the male hobbits just don't understand. When you can afford such luxury as these things it does change ones beauty!"
More guests began to arrive and slowly Lobelia was in a crowd of well to do hobbits. Bilbo found himself as usual standing properly, smiling, shaking hands and think up polite comments.
Trays of cakes and drinks were carried by servants to the guests while the kitchen was in a buzz in preparing the luncheon with all sorts of delicacies that the upper hobbits enjoyed.
There were twice baked cakes, flatten and very crispy. The servants placed layers of different types of cheese and topped them with an over-ripened olive. They spooned clotted cream on the plates and thin slices of turkey meat soaked in a thin gravy and layered with thick slices of mushroom. There were small bowls of stewed tomatoes with chopped onions sprinkled on them.
The only thing that Bilbo liked about attending parties was the luncheon.
Camellia placed her hand around Lobelia's arm and guided her over to where Belladonna stood with some older Hobbitesses. It was time for her to convince Lobelia about everything that she had told her.
"Everyone, this here is our famous Lobelia Bracegirdle. She is the intended of Bilbo Baggins. I think you all know Belladonna Took—oops! Silly me, I mean Belladonna Baggins, of course!" said Camellia as she introduced them to her friends. "I am assuming, Belladonna, that you will be looking forward to all those grandchildren once they are married. You are surely hoping for more than just one grandchild, I'm guessing!"
Belladonna smiled warmly, "Yes, of course. That will be the happiest day of my life is to become a grandmother! And Bag End is large enough to raise many grandchildren."
Lobelia was stunned at she gawked at Belladonna and her heart sunk to her feet. In her mind, she said to herself, 'Camellia was right, Belladonna is only searching for anyone to provide her many grandchild'. The thought frightened her greatly, of being a mother for a large number of children. She suddenly felt a bit faint from the overwhelming thoughts floating in her mind.
Camellia smiled wickedly and knew this is exactly what she had hoped Belladonna would say. Watching Lobelia from the corner of her eye, she also knew that the girl was not happy about hearing this.
"Come Lobelia, there are more guests in which I would love to introduce you too!" said Camellia and again took her arm to lead her to the next group of hobbits.
Old Gladius Browntoes stood with his son and his daughter while sipping the fine wines that the servants had began to present to the guests. "Dear Gladius, please let me introduce you to Miss Lobelia Bracegirdle!"
"Bracegirdle? I have known many Bracegirdle in the long years of my life. For instance, I know of a Mr. Logo Bracegirdle. A carpenter in the business of building fine furnishings. A good and kindly hobbit if my mind serves me well!"
"Your mind does certainly serves you well, Gladius! He is Lobelia's father!"
"Your father?" said Gladius. "You look nothing like him!" Gladius leaned a little closer to get a good look at Lobelia since his eyesight was somewhat fading. "You look like your mother, child!"
"You knew my mother, sir?" asked Lobelia.
"Yes, a lovely lass! It was so dreadful to hear of her passing away many long years ago."
"Gladius, wasn't it you that had Logo making that fine feathered bed when he announced that they were expecting their first born? I remember poor Logo thought all that time he was going to have a son!"
Gladius burst out laughing from the memory. "Yes, quite so! He was terribly excited, forgot to put the nails in one side of my bed and when I went to lie down upon it, it suddenly broke. He apologized many times for it!"
"Do you remember what he said when he found out it was a daughter instead of a son?" prompted Camellia.
"Quite so, he said, let me see now..........oh yes, daughters don't make good carpenters and next year he would have himself a son! But it never happened for the poor hobbit! His wife died the following year, wasn't it?"
"Yes, Gladius! You are quite right about that!" commented Camellia.
Lobelia's face fell again, but this time she did not care if Camellia noticed it or anyone else for that matter. The tears began to swell in her eyes. "Excuse me, Camellia, but I think I had enough conversation for awhile. I think I need a glass of wine!"
Lobelia turned away without seeing if anyone objected to her leaving. She walked into the hallway were Camellia's bedroom was located to get away from everyone. Tears began to fall from her eyes until she caught a movement from just behind Camellia's open bedroom door. It was a foot sticking out.
She dried her eyes and went to see who was hiding.
Peeking in, she saw Otho on his hands and knees tying a rope to the handle of the door.
"What are you doing?" asked Lobelia.
Otho jumped with a start and his heart raced in his chest. "Shhhh!" he whispered at her and motioned her to come closer.
Lobelia moved closer to Otho. He pointed up to the top of the door and Lobelia saw a bucket resting against the wall with a rope tied on the handle.
Her eyes widened in knowing what he was going to do.
Camellia walked into the hallway to find Lobelia and called out to her.
Otho grabbed Lobelia and they both hid under Camellia's feather bed. Otho put his hand over his mouth to stop the roar of laughter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sorry to leave you without knowing if Camellia found her surprise waiting for her from her son or not, but that will have to wait until the next chapter. Evil laughter from Loveofthering......LOL Camellia is such a wicked villain.....ever since Camellia married Longo and then changed the Baggins name to add her own, she began a short live lineage of villains. This is why I just had to add her into this story. Writing about villains is so much fun! Anyway, I had a riot writing her character. Thank you so much for your reviews because it keeps me wanting to write this story. I understand how busy you are ShireElf, but I have a four-day weekend, so I could not help but add some more chapters! Tells those teachers of yours to stop giving you so much homework! They are ruining our stories that we all are enjoying reading and reviewing! You are all my favorite authors! Loveofthering scowls at nasty teachers!!!!!!!
Aemilia Rose, ShireElf and MlynnBloom, you all are the BEST! It is wonderful to know I can count on your reviews. So I am writing this especially for you!
Camellia's Web
Once the good folk of Hobbiton realized that Bilbo and Lobelia were an item, they were invited to many tea parties and other such social gatherings. In fact, a party was not considered successful unless Bilbo and Lobelia were attending.
This was upsetting for Bilbo, a very uncomfortable thing for this hobbit. He rarely found anytime alone with Lobelia and had to smile more than he was used to. He was running out of polite things to say.
Camellia waited like a spider for the perfect time to wind Lobelia in her web. For Camellia was clever and her well thought out plan needed every advantage there was. And that advantage had begun to present itself quite readily. It was her time to strike.
Lobelia got a stack of invitation for the next coming events for the entire month of August. She was overwhelmed as she tried to answer each one. The first invitation that she opened came from the Sackville-Baggins and Camellia was going all out to honor the new couple of Hobbiton. Everyone was going to attend and talked ceaselessly about this party because as always, whenever Camellia had a party only the most well to do families were invited. Belladonna knew if the new couple was accepted into this group that they would have a grand standing in their small community. She pushed her son to attend!
"Can't I get a moments rest from all these confounding relatives and their silly little parties. Why don't they have just one big party and invite everyone, both rich or not, young or not and get it over with all at once!" grumbled Bilbo feeling a bit perturbed of the whole thing.
His mother made a knot in the tie that was around his shirt collar and the tips of the collar was starched and pressed so they would stick up slightly from the top of the thick silky-tie. Her fingers were skillful in making a beautiful knot from the many times she did this for her brothers and father when she tween in the Great Smial. "Now Bilbo, things are just not done that way! You want Lobelia and yourself well accepted into any home in Hobbiton, don't you? You must think ahead to your future and the children you will have someday!"
Bilbo's uneasiness at her words only made him all the more anxious. "Have I nothing to plan for myself and is my life so laid out and every detail so marked in ink!"
Belladonna gave her son a light-hearted look knowing how uncomfortable he was feeling. "Well, you can always chose whether you have porter or a good brewed ale!"
Bilbo gazed into her mother's eyes, "You always know just how to make light of something in order to calm my most twitchiest of nerves! I love you, Mama!"
Belladonna hugged her son tenderly. "I love you, too, my son!" Warmly hugging her son, she stepped back away from him. "Now let me get a good look at you!"
Bilbo puffed out his chest and placed his hand on each lapel of his finest waistcoat, poising a noble stance for his mother. She placed her finger to her lips and thought that there was still something missing, but could not figure out what it was. It came to her suddenly.
"The only thing that is missing, my dearest son, is your smile!" prompted his mother.
Bilbo's shoulder sunk with apprehension. "But Mama, If I smile any more my face is sure to lock in place and I'll walk about with the foolish-look for all times to come!"
Belladonna giggled delightfully at the pain of all this social bother was causing for her son. "You will do wonderful this afternoon, Bilbo. Lobelia will think you are the most dashing young hobbit that she has ever set eyes upon!"
A rose-tint colored Bilbo's face and brought a warm cheer of confidence to his frazzled nerves. "Thank you, Mama! That is what I needed to hear. For Lobelia, I guest I can face any hard-nosed old hobbitess that would cross our path!"
~*~
Camellia powdered her nose one last time before leaving her bedroom. Otho was just coming out of the kitchen with a large turkey leg locked into his fists and his teeth sunk deeply into the meat.
"Put that down this very minute!" shouted Camellia. "You are not a simple minded tween and you know very well not to get into things before the party!"
Otho placed the turkey leg to the side of himself and stood there facing his mother's wrath. "Look at you! You're a mess! You clean yourself up properly or I'll take the hide off your backside as to the likes that you have never seen before!"
Otho ran from the dinning room and headed back into kitchen to toss the turkey leg, but not before he bit off two more large chunks of the meat. To top off the bites of turkey, he stuck his finger into one of the small cakes and scrapped off a thick coating of frosting and stuck it into his mouth. He rushed over to the wash tub and began to scrub his face and smooth back his hair like his mother insisted upon.
Lobelia knocked on the door of the Sackville-Baggins house. Her invitation told her to be early because Camellia wanted to present her to her guests upon their first arrival
Camellia opened the door after a bit of a wait and ushered the young lass into her sitting-room. Camellia turned slightly just as she was about to sit down when she got a good look at Lobelia standing before her. "Good gracious me! Whatever are you wearing, my dear? Doesn't your father know any better to allow his daughter to dress so, well......... frumpy is the word that comes to my mind!"
Lobelia's face fell to a dark-deep blush from being so humiliated in front of Camellia. If anyone knew of fashion and appropriate dress for a party it was her. She was constantly being praised for her dresses and appearance.
Camellia stood from her chair and circled the girl. "This will never do! I can not have you meeting my guests dressed like this! Come, child! I think I have the perfect dress for you to wear!"
She led the way to her bedroom and commented. "What do the male hobbits know of dresses, you poor dear, not having a mother to care for you and teach you these things! Logo just does not possess any common sense, I must say!"
She pulled a couple of her best dresses from her closet and held them up to Lobelia in order to match the color of her hair and her eyes.
She chose a dress that she thought would bring out the color of Lobelia's green eyes. Lobelia stood there quiet as a mouse trying not to disturb Camellia or risk her thinking that she was rude.
Dressing Lobelia, Camellia continued to comment, "I wish I had a daughter to dress and spoil her with all these fineries. Boys are just so......well, so boring!"
She tied a thick bow around her waist and turned Lobelia around to get a good look at her. "O, now that is beautiful! Not you, my dear. I was speaking of the dress. You still need a bit more work so you will do justice to this dress. Your hair for instance, it needs something!"
Standing back and pondering what to do next to help this child. She decided on a certain hairstyle. Sitting Lobelia down at her dressing table, she began to fuss over her. She took her silver-plated hairbrush and began to sweep up her hair and fashioned long coils of hair to cascade down the back of her neck. She found the most expensive hair-combs that she owned to decorated her hair. The tiny jewels shimmered when Lobelia turned her head from side to side and her curls bounced in a stunningly beautiful motion.
Camellia's overpowering character caused Lobelia to remain silent unless she directly addressed her to speak. Lobelia was too afraid to make her opinions known whether she liked something or not. She just allowed Camellia to dress her any way she saw fit.
"Stand up, child!" directed Camellia. She again circled her. "You are still lacking in style! I must say, you are just such a plain-looking little thing! But don't worry yourself none. I have the prefect thing!" She took out her powder and dusted the shine from Lobelia's straight thin nose. She took out a small container of red powder and mixed it in a portion of oil. Taking a dab from her fingertip she painted her bottom lip to give it just a hint of color and not so noticeably to stand out.
She again looked at Lobelia, seeing her locket around her neck, she glared at it. "EEK! What a horribly trashy thing do you have around your neck!" stated Camellia. "Take that off immediately! I have a perfect jewel necklace that will make that dress so much more lovelier!"
Lobelia finding her voice stated abruptly, "No! I will only wear this locket and I refuse to take it off!" Lobelia did not mean to sound so harsh, but with all her comments and fussing it had begun to wear on her terribly. "I don't mean to offend you, Mrs. Sackville-Baggins. But really, you are making too much of a fuss!"
Camellia backed away slightly and scowled at the girl. "Well, you do have a nasty little side to you, now don't you. Don't worry yourself none, I respect a lass who has a tongue and stands up for herself. Just make sure you know how to use that little wit of yours properly, my dear!"
Camellia took Lobelia's elbow and ushered her over to her mirror so she could get a good look at herself. She stood in shock, staring at what she thought was the most beautiful girl in the mirror. Lobelia was almost unrecognizable to herself. In fact she resembled the hobbit that dressed her, her image was strikingly close to Camellia.
Camellia giggle slightly, "We almost look like sisters, now don't we?" She turned Lobelia around to face her. "And sisters is something I would very much like to be with you. I would like to know you as a sister or better!"
Lobelia blinked her eyes in surprise. She had never had a female friend or anyone close to her willing to be her friend. Only Bilbo was the first to make a connection with her and now Camellia of all hobbits!
"I would like that very much, Mrs. Sackville-Baggins!"
"You call me, Camellia!" she said. "Friends do not speak to each other in the sir tittle. Let us have some tea while we wait for our guests to arrive."
Camellia escorted Lobelia to her kitchen and Lobelia marveled at all the finery that the Sackville-Baggins owned.
Pouring her a cup of tea, Camellia opened their conversation topic. "Tell me about Bilbo Baggins! I hear that you are his intended or soon to be, which ever suites you, me dear!"
"He has not asked me for my hand formally as of yet, but our families have an agreement, I suppose."
"Do you also know that you are not the first eligible lass who has made an agreement with him? However, seeing that Bilbo has such a unique personality, the good folk of Hobbiton have saw it fit not to have their daughters married to him. Being half Took and Baggins, he is a bit queer, don't you think?"
Lobelia's eyes rounded as she stared at her and began to catch on to her quick wittiness, "No more queerer than having Sackville blood mixed with the Baggins! I would only have to assume being Bracegirdle of course!"
Camellia smiled at Lobelia and admire her spunk. "You catch on quickly, I must say! Such wonderful wit you have and so quick on your feet! Your doing that dress more justice than I have given you credit for."
Lobelia kept her eye upon Camellia and was never sure what to think of this hobbit, whether she was over opinionated or just plain cruel. But she did rather like the little cat and mouse conversation that they were engaged with. It only sharpened her wit and she did enjoy besting someone when she got the chance. This intrigued her about Camellia.
"Getting back to your family since you have mentioned it! I knew your mother very well. Of course she was years older than I am, but still we were friends."
Camellia took a sip from her tea and placed it down onto her saucer. She picked up a plate of small bite size cakes and offered Lobelia one, but she refused politely.
Camellia continued, "It too was dreadful that she married a Bracegirdle, but that was many years ago and they were a prominent family at one time and did do rather well for themselves." Seeing Lobelia fiddle with the handle of her teacup, she quickly asked. "Are you not enjoying your tea? Perhaps you might need some sugar to sweeten it. I tend to like my tea without sugar. I preferred a thinner waistline, myself!"
Lobelia glared at Camellia, "However, Camellia sugar does sweeten ones personality a bit, don't you agree?'
Camellia paused a moment and looking into Lobelia's eyes. She admired the girl's wit yet again. "Yes, I do think you could be right about that!"
She added just a smidgen of sugar to her tea and smiled sweetly at her guest before she continued with her tale in a honey-coated fashion while she spoke. "I remember the day your mother announced your coming into the world. Your father was a tizzy wanting a son so very badly. He made boisterous remarks of how he was going to open a business with his son someday. You know the male hobbit, always pounding their chests with pride for such outlandish things. My husband is no different! Just imagine how his face looked once he realized you were a daughter and not his son that he has always wanted!" Camellia paused a moment to see if her words had any effect on the lass while she observed her closely over the rim of her teacup while she took another sip.
A twinge of pain momentarily crossed Lobelia's face, but she quickly tried her best to disguise her hurt feelings, not wanting to let Camellia know that her cruel words had any effect on her.
But Camellia caught that look quickly and knew she had stumbled onto something that she could use to get at the lass and she continued her little story. "Then, when your poor dear mother passing away suddenly! Poor, old Logo, not having an heir to his little shop. It changed him so, after that. But now that you are getting married to Bilbo Baggins, it looks like he will have that son he has always longed for. How nice is it for you to give him exactly what he has always wanted! Tell me child, what do you get out of all of this? Perhaps all those babies you'll bring into your family. You'll stay at home raising all of his children while he gets your father's profits to line his pockets. The way I see it, the Baggins will have everything that they have ever wanted!"
"I don't think it is like that at all, Camellia and either does Bilbo's mother!" retorted Lobelia and knew Camellia implied more than what she was actually saying.
"You speak of Belladonna Baggins! There's another thing. She too has so much in common with your father. She wants a daughter-in-law to bring in all her grandchild. The poor dear is desperate to carry the name Baggins to another generation. Now she has you for her daughter just for that purpose!"
"Your wrong, Camellia! Bilbo loves me! My family nor his is plotting those things you have mentioned!" said Lobelia as her voice almost came out in a shout.
"Dear me, child! I do not wish to upset you for anything. Perhaps I was being too frank with you and hearing the truth for the first time is rather shocking to say the least. This is why you need a sister to tell you these things. To make sure you are not being taken advantage of! I'm only looking out for your best interest, my naive child!"
"I think I can handle my own affairs, Camellia!" stated Lobelia.
"I'm sure you are quite a capable young lass! You don't have to believe me, find out for yourself! Just remember, Lobelia, I am your true friend and if you ever need me for anything, all you need do is ask!" Camellia smiled sweetly at her. Hearing the knocking at the front door, Camellia knew her guests were beginning to arrive.
Answering the door, it was Bilbo and Belladonna. Camellia greeted them warmly and invited them in. Bilbo walked up to Lobelia and greeted her, "Nice to met you, my name is Bilbo Baggins, at your service!" then he remembered to smile.
"Why Bilbo Baggins, don't you even know your own intended!" laughed Camellia.
Bilbo's eyes rounded at her as his mouth dropped open. "Lobelia?"
"Camellia, What have you been doing with her? She looks like a version of you!" commented Belladonna not liking the looks of Lobelia dressed like that.
It warmed Camellia's heart as she thought Lobelia looked ravishing.
"Don't you like this dress?" asked Lobelia. "Camellia thought this looked very lovely on me."
"The dress is beautiful, my dearest!" said Belladonna. "It's just your hair, all those fineries!" Belladonna looked closely and saw that Lobelia had touches of make-up on her face. "and Make-up?"
Lobelia's face turned a shade red and wanted to run from the room to wash her face.
Bilbo blinked while he stared at her. "You look lovely, but you do not look like yourself!"
"That's the idea of fineries, Mr.Baggins. Something the male hobbits just don't understand. When you can afford such luxury as these things it does change ones beauty!"
More guests began to arrive and slowly Lobelia was in a crowd of well to do hobbits. Bilbo found himself as usual standing properly, smiling, shaking hands and think up polite comments.
Trays of cakes and drinks were carried by servants to the guests while the kitchen was in a buzz in preparing the luncheon with all sorts of delicacies that the upper hobbits enjoyed.
There were twice baked cakes, flatten and very crispy. The servants placed layers of different types of cheese and topped them with an over-ripened olive. They spooned clotted cream on the plates and thin slices of turkey meat soaked in a thin gravy and layered with thick slices of mushroom. There were small bowls of stewed tomatoes with chopped onions sprinkled on them.
The only thing that Bilbo liked about attending parties was the luncheon.
Camellia placed her hand around Lobelia's arm and guided her over to where Belladonna stood with some older Hobbitesses. It was time for her to convince Lobelia about everything that she had told her.
"Everyone, this here is our famous Lobelia Bracegirdle. She is the intended of Bilbo Baggins. I think you all know Belladonna Took—oops! Silly me, I mean Belladonna Baggins, of course!" said Camellia as she introduced them to her friends. "I am assuming, Belladonna, that you will be looking forward to all those grandchildren once they are married. You are surely hoping for more than just one grandchild, I'm guessing!"
Belladonna smiled warmly, "Yes, of course. That will be the happiest day of my life is to become a grandmother! And Bag End is large enough to raise many grandchildren."
Lobelia was stunned at she gawked at Belladonna and her heart sunk to her feet. In her mind, she said to herself, 'Camellia was right, Belladonna is only searching for anyone to provide her many grandchild'. The thought frightened her greatly, of being a mother for a large number of children. She suddenly felt a bit faint from the overwhelming thoughts floating in her mind.
Camellia smiled wickedly and knew this is exactly what she had hoped Belladonna would say. Watching Lobelia from the corner of her eye, she also knew that the girl was not happy about hearing this.
"Come Lobelia, there are more guests in which I would love to introduce you too!" said Camellia and again took her arm to lead her to the next group of hobbits.
Old Gladius Browntoes stood with his son and his daughter while sipping the fine wines that the servants had began to present to the guests. "Dear Gladius, please let me introduce you to Miss Lobelia Bracegirdle!"
"Bracegirdle? I have known many Bracegirdle in the long years of my life. For instance, I know of a Mr. Logo Bracegirdle. A carpenter in the business of building fine furnishings. A good and kindly hobbit if my mind serves me well!"
"Your mind does certainly serves you well, Gladius! He is Lobelia's father!"
"Your father?" said Gladius. "You look nothing like him!" Gladius leaned a little closer to get a good look at Lobelia since his eyesight was somewhat fading. "You look like your mother, child!"
"You knew my mother, sir?" asked Lobelia.
"Yes, a lovely lass! It was so dreadful to hear of her passing away many long years ago."
"Gladius, wasn't it you that had Logo making that fine feathered bed when he announced that they were expecting their first born? I remember poor Logo thought all that time he was going to have a son!"
Gladius burst out laughing from the memory. "Yes, quite so! He was terribly excited, forgot to put the nails in one side of my bed and when I went to lie down upon it, it suddenly broke. He apologized many times for it!"
"Do you remember what he said when he found out it was a daughter instead of a son?" prompted Camellia.
"Quite so, he said, let me see now..........oh yes, daughters don't make good carpenters and next year he would have himself a son! But it never happened for the poor hobbit! His wife died the following year, wasn't it?"
"Yes, Gladius! You are quite right about that!" commented Camellia.
Lobelia's face fell again, but this time she did not care if Camellia noticed it or anyone else for that matter. The tears began to swell in her eyes. "Excuse me, Camellia, but I think I had enough conversation for awhile. I think I need a glass of wine!"
Lobelia turned away without seeing if anyone objected to her leaving. She walked into the hallway were Camellia's bedroom was located to get away from everyone. Tears began to fall from her eyes until she caught a movement from just behind Camellia's open bedroom door. It was a foot sticking out.
She dried her eyes and went to see who was hiding.
Peeking in, she saw Otho on his hands and knees tying a rope to the handle of the door.
"What are you doing?" asked Lobelia.
Otho jumped with a start and his heart raced in his chest. "Shhhh!" he whispered at her and motioned her to come closer.
Lobelia moved closer to Otho. He pointed up to the top of the door and Lobelia saw a bucket resting against the wall with a rope tied on the handle.
Her eyes widened in knowing what he was going to do.
Camellia walked into the hallway to find Lobelia and called out to her.
Otho grabbed Lobelia and they both hid under Camellia's feather bed. Otho put his hand over his mouth to stop the roar of laughter.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sorry to leave you without knowing if Camellia found her surprise waiting for her from her son or not, but that will have to wait until the next chapter. Evil laughter from Loveofthering......LOL Camellia is such a wicked villain.....ever since Camellia married Longo and then changed the Baggins name to add her own, she began a short live lineage of villains. This is why I just had to add her into this story. Writing about villains is so much fun! Anyway, I had a riot writing her character. Thank you so much for your reviews because it keeps me wanting to write this story. I understand how busy you are ShireElf, but I have a four-day weekend, so I could not help but add some more chapters! Tells those teachers of yours to stop giving you so much homework! They are ruining our stories that we all are enjoying reading and reviewing! You are all my favorite authors! Loveofthering scowls at nasty teachers!!!!!!!
Aemilia Rose, ShireElf and MlynnBloom, you all are the BEST! It is wonderful to know I can count on your reviews. So I am writing this especially for you!