Chapter 8
Forever Gone
The clicking of the teacups on trays being carried by the servants made their way through the crowded common room of the Sackville-Baggins. Many guests stood in small groups about the room all chattering and chirping at one time. The noise was bothersome to Bilbo Baggins who avoided any more polite conversation. His eyes gazed about the room trying to find his intended. However, Lobelia was no where about. He wondered where she could be. Seeing his mother speaking with a small group of hobbitesses, he decided to join her. Scuttling over to his mother, he asked her if she had seen Lobelia. But Belladonna only shook her head. "The last time I've seen Lobelia, she was with Camellia being introduced to her guests. Perhaps she is in the kitchen or visiting in the garden!"
Bilbo thought that he would try the garden first. Every few steps he took, someone would stop him to shake his hand and introduce himself or herself to him.
"You are Bungo Baggins's son, are you not?" asked one of the older hobbit guest.
Bilbo nodded politely, "Yes, sir, my name is Bilbo Baggins from Bag End, at your service." He slightly bow his head
"Bag End, very impressive hobbit home, I must say, Bilbo!" the guest commented.
"Thank You, but Please, if you would permit, I was on my way to the garden. Please do excuse me, sir!" said Bilbo and then turning he strolling through the crowd.
Bilbo only walked a few more paces before another guest would tap him on the back, "Mr. Baggins, please allow me to extend my congratulations on your intended, she is such a lovely lass!"
"Thank you, kind sir!" commented Bilbo to the guest.
The servant was the next to stop him to offer him a cup of tea. Bilbo became flustered with so many interruptions and greetings from those around him. Taking the tea with its saucer, he tried again to take a few more steps towards the door, but another guest approached him.
"Please allow me to introduce myself to you, Mr. Baggins, My name is Wilibald Bolger, a distance cousin on your father's side, twice removed!"
"Yes, yes, nice to meet you, but do please excuse me, I need a scoon......I mean a spoon!" stammered Bilbo as he slowly tried to leave the small group of hobbits who were with Wilibald Bolger.
Bilbo again bowed slightly and strolled another few steps. Whispering quietly he took a few steps away from the group of hobbits. "Dear me, this might take me longer than I had expected!"
Bilbo glanced at his teacup and thought about needing a spoon, but realized that he really did not want any tea. He thought about finding a table to put his cup aside. He tried to remember what he really wanted to do, but suddenly could not recall it. "Now where in the world was I going too?" Bilbo saw a small table and headed over to it. He placed the teacup on the table, but still being somewhat confused with his thoughts.
Taking the small lace handkerchief that he carried in his top pocket of his finest waistcoat, he wiped the sweat from his brow. Looking at the handkerchief and saw that it was Lobelia's and he remembered the garden. Gently folding her handkerchief, he placed it back into his pocket and headed out the door to the garden.
~*~
The tapping of a hammer echoed into the little workshop of Bracegirdle. The smell of fresh cut lumber filtrated the air of the room that was full of specially cut boards for the furniture that he has been building all morning long. The boards where stacked to one side of his bench and the finished product was in a neat line just behind the carpenter. All through the early morning hours, Logo had been working on the new furniture and cabinets. His back ached and he was tired. After taking a long drink, he decided that he had worked long enough for the day. He wanted to take a walk down by the creek and perhaps throw a line in the water to see if he could catch a fish.
He found his fishing pole and bait just shortly before he headed out the door. The warm autumn afternoon gave him promise of a restful day just relaxing by the creek. He waved at the hobbits that passed him on the street as he continued walking.
Finding a good spot to fish, Logo sat down next to a fallen tree stump and prepared his fishing line with his bait.
~*~
Standing momentarily in the short hallway just outside of her bedroom chambers, Camellia's eyes glanced all around her trying to find a sign of were Lobelia had gone off to. She was sure that she had spotted her entering this hallway. Noticing that her bedroom door was ajar, she approached the door and decided to open it. Taking hold of the doorknob, she pushed the door wide-open.
She heard a scrapping sound above her head and she had just enough time to look up to see a bucket of cold water come crashing down upon her. The cold water completely covered her from head to toe and running down the back of her dress. Her fancy hairstyle was now plastered to the side of her head and all about her face. The turned-over bucket landed upon her head and rested upon her shoulders. She let out a loud whooping scream from being doused in cold water. The shriek of her scream echoed throughout the entire hobbit home of the Sackville-Baggins. The guests came running from all directions and gathered around her watching her pulled the bucket from her head.
Everyone burst out laughing hysterically while they pointed their finger at her. She looked like a drenched rat with her dress sticking to her and the ribbon tied to her hair pressed flat against the middle of her face. "Longo!" Camellia screamed out and began to wail.
From under the bed two little hobbits stretched out upon their stomach, peered out to watch the scene unfold in front of them. Otho bit down upon his hand to stop the roar of laughter and the tears poured out from his eyes. While Lobelia was next to him, rounded her eyes in astonishment and then she too, burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Longo ran around the corner and through the crowd of hobbits to his wife's side. Standing there totally dumfound he stared with a gapping open-mouth at his wife.
She glared at him as she fumed in anger. "Find him! Bring him to me, now! That son of yours did this to me and he is going to pay for this!"
With one quick sweep of her palm, she pushed back the doused ribbon and soaked wet curls from her brow. The hobbits moved to one side as Camellia marched through the crowd so humiliated, while leaving a trail of water behind her. The servants came running to her after hearing her call-out to bring fresh towels to her bathing chambers.
The crowd of hobbit's eyes followed Camellia while they watched the wet women being wrapped in towels and escorted to her bathing chambers. Still laughing hysterically to one another, then began to return to the common room to gossip about what they just saw.
Once the room was clear of visitors, Otho slid-out from under the bed and helped Lobelia. The two conspirators covered their mouths to stop themselves from laughing. Otho motioned towards the open window. "You better come with me quickly. If they find us we are goners!"
Lobelia gathered her skirt in her arms while Otho eased her down from the open window to the ground. Scaling down from the window, he joined her. Otho who had tossed a traveling bag out of the window earlier, leaned down to pick it up and place it over his shoulder. He took her hand and the two raced off down the street. Lobelia kept laughing as she ran with her gathered skirt in one hand, as fast as her legs could carry her. Her heart raced with excitement and a little fear in case they would be caught and towed back to face Camellia's wrath. On and on they ran until they were out of site of the Sackville-Baggins's home.
~*~
The flowers in the garden swayed to one side from being met by a soft gentle breeze that fluttered through the garden. The cool wind touched Bilbo's cheek and blew the curly strands of hair from his brow. Having the wind cress his face was a wonderful feeling that he enjoyed so much. He took in a deep breath. Hearing the sound of laughter brought Bilbo's eyes in the direction from where it was coming from.
Bilbo's heart sunk to his toes as he caught a glimpse of Lobelia running down the street laughing and holding hands with Otho while he carried a traveling bag. He stood there stunned while he watched them until they disappeared around a thick hedge.
Bilbo stuck his hand into his vest pocket and touched the family engagement ring that his father had given him. He rolled it around and around with his fingertips lost in his thoughts. His plan to ask Lobelia to marry him shattered with only one glance. Bilbo did not care after that moment if he was polite or not. His shoulders slumped in despair while slowly without thinking his feet began to walk him out of the Sackville-Baggins's garden and headed home to Bag End.
Bilbo's face was white as a ghost and his lips was stiff and unyielding when he walked into the front door of his home. Bungo was struggling with some heavy boxes as he had promised to clean out the storage room in Bag End and throw away all the years of junk that had piled up.
Bungo's brow was soaking wet from perspiration from his hard labor and he was panting when he caught a glimpse of his son.
"Bilbo, you are home early," commented Bungo while he placed the heavy box on the floor. "Has the party ended so soon?"
Bilbo could only shake his head, as he passed his father with an emotionless look upon his face. He headed directly to his bedroom without saying a word to his father.
Bungo just stood in the hallway and watched his son. He knew something must have happened that had saddened his son so much.
Bungo followed slowly behind him and watched him open his bedroom door and then closed it once he entered.
The silence and shadow in his bedroom loomed about him when he saunter over to his small bed and crawled into it. His once comfortable soft-feathered bed now felt cold and unyielding. Bilbo brought his knees up close to him and stared at the blank wall. He took Lobelia's handkerchief in his hand and grasped it tightly. Slow silent tears fell from his eyes while he lay there.
Bungo stood at Bilbo's bedroom door for a moment and was about to knock, but then he thought better of it. Bungo lowered his hand to his side. Turning from the door, he slowly strolled back to his comfortable chair and sat down. He placed his hand to his brow and felt a cold clamminess coming over him and exhaustion setting in. Leaning back into his comfortable chair, Bungo closed his eyes to rest for awhile.
~*~
The branches of the hedge snapped sharply back once Otho released them after Lobelia made her way through them. Their feet thudded upon the ground while their laborious breath heaved from the distance that they had run. Lobelia and Otho fell to the ground exhausted. Stretched out among the tall grass they both struggled to caught their breath.
Otho leaned upon his elbow and began laughing again. "Did you see my mother face! And that sheik of hers almost broke my eardrums! It's the funniest thing I've ever seen!"
Lobelia burst into a giggling fit of laughter recalling that moment. She had never enjoyed herself more seeing that Camellia had finally gotten what she deserved. "That had to be the most funniest thing! I thought she was going to explode from being so angry!"
The two hobbits sat up facing each other and continued laughing. Otho glanced at Lobelia and noticed her hair was in tangles and the small jeweled combs dangled from her strands. She reached up and took them out.
"We can't sit here too long, or she'll catch us for sure! I'm sorry for dragging you into this because she'll figure out who was behind this when you and I come up missing at the party. I'm afraid, I've gotten you into trouble!" said Otho trying to apologize to her.
"She deserved what she got and should have had more of it! Your mother is cold-hearted and mean to the bone!"
"That she is and I had enough of it! She has beaten me for the very last time. I'm headed out of Hobbiton for Short Cleeve in the South Farthing. We got family down there who's willing to take me in. They know Camellia well enough not ask any questions. I've got me a good job down there and I intend never to come back here again!" stated Otho.
"You're running away?" asked Lobelia.
"Yes, and you better lay low for a time until she has cooled off some!" warned Otho.
Lobelia quickly thought about what Otho had told her about running away. That was exactly what she wanted to do. Get away from everyone who had hurt her, especially her father. She did not want to marry Bilbo Baggins any longer to only raise a pile of children so the Baggins would have another generation to carry on the family name. Bilbo could just find someone else to do that for him. Lobelia felt used and lied too. "Can I come with you?"
"Why would you want to do something like that? Surely my mother will get even with you some how, but at least you are not in her family. There's not much she can really do to you seeing you got Mr. Baggins wanting to marry you and all!" said Otho.
"I'm not getting married to Mr. Baggins or anyone else for that matter. They are never going to lie to me again and I'll never let anyone hurt me again!" stated Lobelia.
"What about your father? It would hurt him having you run off like this!"
"He's the main reason I want to run away. He's never loved me or ever wanted me. He wants a son. He wants Bilbo Baggins for a son! I mean nothing to him. Please Otho, you must help me get away from here. You must take me with you!" pleaded Lobelia.
"You don't have any bags packed or coins in your pocket!" said Otho trying to convince her from not going.
"Please, Otho. It would only take me a minute to put a bag together and we can be on our way without anyone knowing about it!"
Otho thought a minute and then decided if she was this determined to go that he could not stop her. "Okay, but you must be really quick about packing up your bag! We got to travel light and get a good distance away so no one catches us!"
Otho and Lobelia made their way behind thick hedges and behind the hill of hobbit homes. Otho told her that he would wait for her here and warned her.
"If you're not back here in fifteen minutes, I'm leaving. So you must be quick about it!"
Lobelia nodded as she raced off down the street in Hobbiton and into her father's shop. Her heart raced in her chest as she slowly opened the workshop's door and peered into see if her father was working at his bench. She took a sigh of relief to see that he was not there. However, when she turn to go into the apartment and knowing how small those rooms were he would surely see her. Again she approached the family living quarter's door and quietly opened it. She tip toed through the door and glanced in every direction to see if she could spot her father. But again no one was about. She felt her luck was with her when she raced to her bedroom door and opened it.
Rifling through her closet, she found her traveling bag and placed it on her bed. She quickly untied the big bow behind her dress and cursed while trying to unbutton the dress. Feeling that she was wasting too much time, she grabbed a hold of the top of the dress and ripped it off of her and tossed it to the ground as trash.
When she leaned over, she saw the locket dangling in front of her. Grabbing the locket she broke the latch from the strong tug and flung that on top of the cursed dress. She crept into her father's room and rushed to grab a pair of pants that were folded upon his table.
She rushed to put them on and took a clean shirt as she hurried to tuck in the hem of the shirt. She saw her father's mug of coins and opened her pants pocket to dump the coins into it. The pants about fell off from her waist as they were too baggy and quickly took the extra pair of suspenders and buttoned them to the pants. The last thing she needed was a hat to cover her locks of curly hair. She had hoped that her father's hat was still hung on the peg by their front door.
She knew she needed a change of clothing because she could not remain looking like a male hobbit for any length of time and she ran to her bedroom to find some dresses to stuff her bag. She placed the jeweled combs that Camellia had placed into her hair and tossed them into the bag to sale later for some extra coins.
Picking up her light traveling bag, she again ran from her room to the kitchen to find things that she would need for traveling. Here she stuffed her bag full, adding a pot for cooking, breads and cheese. She found a jar of canned stew meat and tossed that into her bag. There were other dried meats and a handful of fresh carrots from their garden. Her Bag was now full and a bit heavy while she placed this around her shoulder.
She counted out the minutes to make sure she had not taken too long. She spotted a quill and paper and walked over to it. She decided to write these last words to her father. "I've run from you, Bilbo and this life of lies! I plan never to return! Perhaps Bilbo could now be the son you have always wanted! Good-bye forever, Lobelia." She left it on the table for him to read once he got home.
She ran to the door where they kept such things like coats and hats. She quickly put her bag down on the floor and took her father's traveling coat and hat. It only took her a moment to put them on before she took her bag and headed out the door. She again quickly counted the minutes and she still had five remaining.
She must now find Otho and prayed that he was still there waiting for her.
She circled around the area from the last spot where she had left him, but she could not see him anywhere. "Otho! Please don't leave me here!" she loudly whispered.
Otho peeked out from his hiding spot, "Lobelia? Is that you?"
"Yes! Now hurry we must be on our way!" she stated.
Standing, he walked over to glance at her. "You look right odd in those baggy clothes and that hat is a bit big for you, isn't it?'
Lobelia slightly giggled, "It's my disguise for traveling, so no one becomes any wiser of who I am!"
Otho chuckled, "With that disguise you'll get them wondering for sure!"
Lobelia eyes shifted from side to side when she thought she heard patting of feet close by them, "Shhhh! Someone could be coming. We must hasten ourselves and be off!"
Otho grasped her bag and noticed the heaviness of it. "I told you we must be traveling light!"
She put her hands upon her hips and scowled back at him. "You'll be glad for the weight of it once your belly is empty!"
Otho grinned when he provided her his bag since it was lighter and off they prodded on their daring adventure.
~*~
The door of Bag End banged loudly when Belladonna raced into her home and placed her package down on the pine-table that was presented to her from attending the Sackville-Baggins's party. She turned from the table and began searching for her son.
The first place she thought of was his bedroom and she raced over to his door. Trying to turn the handle to gain entry she was surprised to find it locked. Something that Biblo had never done before. Knocking on the door she called out her son's name. "Bilbo you let me in!"
"NoThank you! Go away, I don't want any visitors!" Bilbo shouted from behind the door.
"But Bilbo, I want to talk to you about Lobelia! No one can find her!" stated his mother.
"Go away! I want to be alone! Please and Thank you for leaving me be!" grumbled Bilbo.
Belladonna stood back from his door and placed her hands upon her hips. "All right, just for the time being! But I intend to talk to you about this matter!"
Belladonna trudges off down the hallway and through another room and yet to another hallway and then turning to the left. Her steps led her into the sitting room to find her husband asleep in his chair.
"Bungo, please wake up, I need to talk to you!" said Belladonna. "Please, my dearest!"
With a couple of strides, Belladonna leaned over to her husband to touch his motionless hand. Instantly she felt the icy coldness of it. Sinking to her knees before him, she whispered, "Bungo?....... Oh no, Bungo!"
Forever Gone
The clicking of the teacups on trays being carried by the servants made their way through the crowded common room of the Sackville-Baggins. Many guests stood in small groups about the room all chattering and chirping at one time. The noise was bothersome to Bilbo Baggins who avoided any more polite conversation. His eyes gazed about the room trying to find his intended. However, Lobelia was no where about. He wondered where she could be. Seeing his mother speaking with a small group of hobbitesses, he decided to join her. Scuttling over to his mother, he asked her if she had seen Lobelia. But Belladonna only shook her head. "The last time I've seen Lobelia, she was with Camellia being introduced to her guests. Perhaps she is in the kitchen or visiting in the garden!"
Bilbo thought that he would try the garden first. Every few steps he took, someone would stop him to shake his hand and introduce himself or herself to him.
"You are Bungo Baggins's son, are you not?" asked one of the older hobbit guest.
Bilbo nodded politely, "Yes, sir, my name is Bilbo Baggins from Bag End, at your service." He slightly bow his head
"Bag End, very impressive hobbit home, I must say, Bilbo!" the guest commented.
"Thank You, but Please, if you would permit, I was on my way to the garden. Please do excuse me, sir!" said Bilbo and then turning he strolling through the crowd.
Bilbo only walked a few more paces before another guest would tap him on the back, "Mr. Baggins, please allow me to extend my congratulations on your intended, she is such a lovely lass!"
"Thank you, kind sir!" commented Bilbo to the guest.
The servant was the next to stop him to offer him a cup of tea. Bilbo became flustered with so many interruptions and greetings from those around him. Taking the tea with its saucer, he tried again to take a few more steps towards the door, but another guest approached him.
"Please allow me to introduce myself to you, Mr. Baggins, My name is Wilibald Bolger, a distance cousin on your father's side, twice removed!"
"Yes, yes, nice to meet you, but do please excuse me, I need a scoon......I mean a spoon!" stammered Bilbo as he slowly tried to leave the small group of hobbits who were with Wilibald Bolger.
Bilbo again bowed slightly and strolled another few steps. Whispering quietly he took a few steps away from the group of hobbits. "Dear me, this might take me longer than I had expected!"
Bilbo glanced at his teacup and thought about needing a spoon, but realized that he really did not want any tea. He thought about finding a table to put his cup aside. He tried to remember what he really wanted to do, but suddenly could not recall it. "Now where in the world was I going too?" Bilbo saw a small table and headed over to it. He placed the teacup on the table, but still being somewhat confused with his thoughts.
Taking the small lace handkerchief that he carried in his top pocket of his finest waistcoat, he wiped the sweat from his brow. Looking at the handkerchief and saw that it was Lobelia's and he remembered the garden. Gently folding her handkerchief, he placed it back into his pocket and headed out the door to the garden.
~*~
The tapping of a hammer echoed into the little workshop of Bracegirdle. The smell of fresh cut lumber filtrated the air of the room that was full of specially cut boards for the furniture that he has been building all morning long. The boards where stacked to one side of his bench and the finished product was in a neat line just behind the carpenter. All through the early morning hours, Logo had been working on the new furniture and cabinets. His back ached and he was tired. After taking a long drink, he decided that he had worked long enough for the day. He wanted to take a walk down by the creek and perhaps throw a line in the water to see if he could catch a fish.
He found his fishing pole and bait just shortly before he headed out the door. The warm autumn afternoon gave him promise of a restful day just relaxing by the creek. He waved at the hobbits that passed him on the street as he continued walking.
Finding a good spot to fish, Logo sat down next to a fallen tree stump and prepared his fishing line with his bait.
~*~
Standing momentarily in the short hallway just outside of her bedroom chambers, Camellia's eyes glanced all around her trying to find a sign of were Lobelia had gone off to. She was sure that she had spotted her entering this hallway. Noticing that her bedroom door was ajar, she approached the door and decided to open it. Taking hold of the doorknob, she pushed the door wide-open.
She heard a scrapping sound above her head and she had just enough time to look up to see a bucket of cold water come crashing down upon her. The cold water completely covered her from head to toe and running down the back of her dress. Her fancy hairstyle was now plastered to the side of her head and all about her face. The turned-over bucket landed upon her head and rested upon her shoulders. She let out a loud whooping scream from being doused in cold water. The shriek of her scream echoed throughout the entire hobbit home of the Sackville-Baggins. The guests came running from all directions and gathered around her watching her pulled the bucket from her head.
Everyone burst out laughing hysterically while they pointed their finger at her. She looked like a drenched rat with her dress sticking to her and the ribbon tied to her hair pressed flat against the middle of her face. "Longo!" Camellia screamed out and began to wail.
From under the bed two little hobbits stretched out upon their stomach, peered out to watch the scene unfold in front of them. Otho bit down upon his hand to stop the roar of laughter and the tears poured out from his eyes. While Lobelia was next to him, rounded her eyes in astonishment and then she too, burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Longo ran around the corner and through the crowd of hobbits to his wife's side. Standing there totally dumfound he stared with a gapping open-mouth at his wife.
She glared at him as she fumed in anger. "Find him! Bring him to me, now! That son of yours did this to me and he is going to pay for this!"
With one quick sweep of her palm, she pushed back the doused ribbon and soaked wet curls from her brow. The hobbits moved to one side as Camellia marched through the crowd so humiliated, while leaving a trail of water behind her. The servants came running to her after hearing her call-out to bring fresh towels to her bathing chambers.
The crowd of hobbit's eyes followed Camellia while they watched the wet women being wrapped in towels and escorted to her bathing chambers. Still laughing hysterically to one another, then began to return to the common room to gossip about what they just saw.
Once the room was clear of visitors, Otho slid-out from under the bed and helped Lobelia. The two conspirators covered their mouths to stop themselves from laughing. Otho motioned towards the open window. "You better come with me quickly. If they find us we are goners!"
Lobelia gathered her skirt in her arms while Otho eased her down from the open window to the ground. Scaling down from the window, he joined her. Otho who had tossed a traveling bag out of the window earlier, leaned down to pick it up and place it over his shoulder. He took her hand and the two raced off down the street. Lobelia kept laughing as she ran with her gathered skirt in one hand, as fast as her legs could carry her. Her heart raced with excitement and a little fear in case they would be caught and towed back to face Camellia's wrath. On and on they ran until they were out of site of the Sackville-Baggins's home.
~*~
The flowers in the garden swayed to one side from being met by a soft gentle breeze that fluttered through the garden. The cool wind touched Bilbo's cheek and blew the curly strands of hair from his brow. Having the wind cress his face was a wonderful feeling that he enjoyed so much. He took in a deep breath. Hearing the sound of laughter brought Bilbo's eyes in the direction from where it was coming from.
Bilbo's heart sunk to his toes as he caught a glimpse of Lobelia running down the street laughing and holding hands with Otho while he carried a traveling bag. He stood there stunned while he watched them until they disappeared around a thick hedge.
Bilbo stuck his hand into his vest pocket and touched the family engagement ring that his father had given him. He rolled it around and around with his fingertips lost in his thoughts. His plan to ask Lobelia to marry him shattered with only one glance. Bilbo did not care after that moment if he was polite or not. His shoulders slumped in despair while slowly without thinking his feet began to walk him out of the Sackville-Baggins's garden and headed home to Bag End.
Bilbo's face was white as a ghost and his lips was stiff and unyielding when he walked into the front door of his home. Bungo was struggling with some heavy boxes as he had promised to clean out the storage room in Bag End and throw away all the years of junk that had piled up.
Bungo's brow was soaking wet from perspiration from his hard labor and he was panting when he caught a glimpse of his son.
"Bilbo, you are home early," commented Bungo while he placed the heavy box on the floor. "Has the party ended so soon?"
Bilbo could only shake his head, as he passed his father with an emotionless look upon his face. He headed directly to his bedroom without saying a word to his father.
Bungo just stood in the hallway and watched his son. He knew something must have happened that had saddened his son so much.
Bungo followed slowly behind him and watched him open his bedroom door and then closed it once he entered.
The silence and shadow in his bedroom loomed about him when he saunter over to his small bed and crawled into it. His once comfortable soft-feathered bed now felt cold and unyielding. Bilbo brought his knees up close to him and stared at the blank wall. He took Lobelia's handkerchief in his hand and grasped it tightly. Slow silent tears fell from his eyes while he lay there.
Bungo stood at Bilbo's bedroom door for a moment and was about to knock, but then he thought better of it. Bungo lowered his hand to his side. Turning from the door, he slowly strolled back to his comfortable chair and sat down. He placed his hand to his brow and felt a cold clamminess coming over him and exhaustion setting in. Leaning back into his comfortable chair, Bungo closed his eyes to rest for awhile.
~*~
The branches of the hedge snapped sharply back once Otho released them after Lobelia made her way through them. Their feet thudded upon the ground while their laborious breath heaved from the distance that they had run. Lobelia and Otho fell to the ground exhausted. Stretched out among the tall grass they both struggled to caught their breath.
Otho leaned upon his elbow and began laughing again. "Did you see my mother face! And that sheik of hers almost broke my eardrums! It's the funniest thing I've ever seen!"
Lobelia burst into a giggling fit of laughter recalling that moment. She had never enjoyed herself more seeing that Camellia had finally gotten what she deserved. "That had to be the most funniest thing! I thought she was going to explode from being so angry!"
The two hobbits sat up facing each other and continued laughing. Otho glanced at Lobelia and noticed her hair was in tangles and the small jeweled combs dangled from her strands. She reached up and took them out.
"We can't sit here too long, or she'll catch us for sure! I'm sorry for dragging you into this because she'll figure out who was behind this when you and I come up missing at the party. I'm afraid, I've gotten you into trouble!" said Otho trying to apologize to her.
"She deserved what she got and should have had more of it! Your mother is cold-hearted and mean to the bone!"
"That she is and I had enough of it! She has beaten me for the very last time. I'm headed out of Hobbiton for Short Cleeve in the South Farthing. We got family down there who's willing to take me in. They know Camellia well enough not ask any questions. I've got me a good job down there and I intend never to come back here again!" stated Otho.
"You're running away?" asked Lobelia.
"Yes, and you better lay low for a time until she has cooled off some!" warned Otho.
Lobelia quickly thought about what Otho had told her about running away. That was exactly what she wanted to do. Get away from everyone who had hurt her, especially her father. She did not want to marry Bilbo Baggins any longer to only raise a pile of children so the Baggins would have another generation to carry on the family name. Bilbo could just find someone else to do that for him. Lobelia felt used and lied too. "Can I come with you?"
"Why would you want to do something like that? Surely my mother will get even with you some how, but at least you are not in her family. There's not much she can really do to you seeing you got Mr. Baggins wanting to marry you and all!" said Otho.
"I'm not getting married to Mr. Baggins or anyone else for that matter. They are never going to lie to me again and I'll never let anyone hurt me again!" stated Lobelia.
"What about your father? It would hurt him having you run off like this!"
"He's the main reason I want to run away. He's never loved me or ever wanted me. He wants a son. He wants Bilbo Baggins for a son! I mean nothing to him. Please Otho, you must help me get away from here. You must take me with you!" pleaded Lobelia.
"You don't have any bags packed or coins in your pocket!" said Otho trying to convince her from not going.
"Please, Otho. It would only take me a minute to put a bag together and we can be on our way without anyone knowing about it!"
Otho thought a minute and then decided if she was this determined to go that he could not stop her. "Okay, but you must be really quick about packing up your bag! We got to travel light and get a good distance away so no one catches us!"
Otho and Lobelia made their way behind thick hedges and behind the hill of hobbit homes. Otho told her that he would wait for her here and warned her.
"If you're not back here in fifteen minutes, I'm leaving. So you must be quick about it!"
Lobelia nodded as she raced off down the street in Hobbiton and into her father's shop. Her heart raced in her chest as she slowly opened the workshop's door and peered into see if her father was working at his bench. She took a sigh of relief to see that he was not there. However, when she turn to go into the apartment and knowing how small those rooms were he would surely see her. Again she approached the family living quarter's door and quietly opened it. She tip toed through the door and glanced in every direction to see if she could spot her father. But again no one was about. She felt her luck was with her when she raced to her bedroom door and opened it.
Rifling through her closet, she found her traveling bag and placed it on her bed. She quickly untied the big bow behind her dress and cursed while trying to unbutton the dress. Feeling that she was wasting too much time, she grabbed a hold of the top of the dress and ripped it off of her and tossed it to the ground as trash.
When she leaned over, she saw the locket dangling in front of her. Grabbing the locket she broke the latch from the strong tug and flung that on top of the cursed dress. She crept into her father's room and rushed to grab a pair of pants that were folded upon his table.
She rushed to put them on and took a clean shirt as she hurried to tuck in the hem of the shirt. She saw her father's mug of coins and opened her pants pocket to dump the coins into it. The pants about fell off from her waist as they were too baggy and quickly took the extra pair of suspenders and buttoned them to the pants. The last thing she needed was a hat to cover her locks of curly hair. She had hoped that her father's hat was still hung on the peg by their front door.
She knew she needed a change of clothing because she could not remain looking like a male hobbit for any length of time and she ran to her bedroom to find some dresses to stuff her bag. She placed the jeweled combs that Camellia had placed into her hair and tossed them into the bag to sale later for some extra coins.
Picking up her light traveling bag, she again ran from her room to the kitchen to find things that she would need for traveling. Here she stuffed her bag full, adding a pot for cooking, breads and cheese. She found a jar of canned stew meat and tossed that into her bag. There were other dried meats and a handful of fresh carrots from their garden. Her Bag was now full and a bit heavy while she placed this around her shoulder.
She counted out the minutes to make sure she had not taken too long. She spotted a quill and paper and walked over to it. She decided to write these last words to her father. "I've run from you, Bilbo and this life of lies! I plan never to return! Perhaps Bilbo could now be the son you have always wanted! Good-bye forever, Lobelia." She left it on the table for him to read once he got home.
She ran to the door where they kept such things like coats and hats. She quickly put her bag down on the floor and took her father's traveling coat and hat. It only took her a moment to put them on before she took her bag and headed out the door. She again quickly counted the minutes and she still had five remaining.
She must now find Otho and prayed that he was still there waiting for her.
She circled around the area from the last spot where she had left him, but she could not see him anywhere. "Otho! Please don't leave me here!" she loudly whispered.
Otho peeked out from his hiding spot, "Lobelia? Is that you?"
"Yes! Now hurry we must be on our way!" she stated.
Standing, he walked over to glance at her. "You look right odd in those baggy clothes and that hat is a bit big for you, isn't it?'
Lobelia slightly giggled, "It's my disguise for traveling, so no one becomes any wiser of who I am!"
Otho chuckled, "With that disguise you'll get them wondering for sure!"
Lobelia eyes shifted from side to side when she thought she heard patting of feet close by them, "Shhhh! Someone could be coming. We must hasten ourselves and be off!"
Otho grasped her bag and noticed the heaviness of it. "I told you we must be traveling light!"
She put her hands upon her hips and scowled back at him. "You'll be glad for the weight of it once your belly is empty!"
Otho grinned when he provided her his bag since it was lighter and off they prodded on their daring adventure.
~*~
The door of Bag End banged loudly when Belladonna raced into her home and placed her package down on the pine-table that was presented to her from attending the Sackville-Baggins's party. She turned from the table and began searching for her son.
The first place she thought of was his bedroom and she raced over to his door. Trying to turn the handle to gain entry she was surprised to find it locked. Something that Biblo had never done before. Knocking on the door she called out her son's name. "Bilbo you let me in!"
"NoThank you! Go away, I don't want any visitors!" Bilbo shouted from behind the door.
"But Bilbo, I want to talk to you about Lobelia! No one can find her!" stated his mother.
"Go away! I want to be alone! Please and Thank you for leaving me be!" grumbled Bilbo.
Belladonna stood back from his door and placed her hands upon her hips. "All right, just for the time being! But I intend to talk to you about this matter!"
Belladonna trudges off down the hallway and through another room and yet to another hallway and then turning to the left. Her steps led her into the sitting room to find her husband asleep in his chair.
"Bungo, please wake up, I need to talk to you!" said Belladonna. "Please, my dearest!"
With a couple of strides, Belladonna leaned over to her husband to touch his motionless hand. Instantly she felt the icy coldness of it. Sinking to her knees before him, she whispered, "Bungo?....... Oh no, Bungo!"