Disclaimer: see chapter 1

Chapter 10

A few days later, I woke to the inky blackness of December 21st, the first day of Yule and the end of the year. I lit the candle next to my bedpost and held it up, noticing that Lily was not in her bed. I changed into one of my normal work dresses and exited into the stillness of the house. I heard light footsteps behind me and then turned to see Lily carrying a package. She smiled softly at me and extended the parcel to me.

"What is this?" I asked, confused as to why she was handing me this parcel.

"It's for the Gamgees. Since they've been so kind to you and have helped us out on so many occasions, I've been making this quilt for them for a while."

I lifted the brown paper package off of her arms and gazed at it. "I'm sure that they will appreciate it."

Lily smiled and laughed softly. "Shouldn't you be going?" she asked.

"I guess I should. Thank you."

"For what?"

"It doesn't matter." I picked up my wrap and left into the new snowfall. For once, I realized that Lily was a better observer than I thought. She knew about my troubles with father and she knew that the Gamgees were treating me with nothing but kindness. I was thankful that Lily was not as naïve as I sometimes accused her of being.

As I made my way through the snow to Bag End, I gazed out over the horizon, the hills coated with a fresh layer of snow that somehow set everything right. New snow always lifted my spirits, reminding me of my mother and how she loved the purity of the landscape.

I entered the familiar hobbit hole, greeted by warmth and a coziness that was not usually present this early in the morning. I put my things down and headed towards the kitchen, my usual sanctuary. Rosie bustled about the kitchen, cooking more food than even my family could eat on holidays of feasting.

"Rosie?" I inquired, watching her work her way around the toasty kitchen. She turned around promptly, mashing some potatoes.

"Oh, good morning, Mira."

"You're up quite early," I commented, nearing the table.

"Aye. Master Brandybuck and Master Took are spending a few days with us to celebrate Yule."

"Oh, I'm interested in hearing their tales."

"You can stay home tomorrow if you want. 'Tis Yule after all and one should be with family."

"Why thank you." I remembered the gift. "I've something for you," I said, hurrying to the front hall where I left the parcel. I picked it up and brought it back to the kitchen and handed it to Rosie. "This is a gift from my sister because you've done so much for our family."

She took it in surprise. "We were just being kind like a neighborly person would do."

"While that is true, you have provided me with a job to support our family in ways that we desperately needed."

Her hands moved quickly to untie the string around the package and unwrapped the paper. Her eyes lit up in wonder as she gazed at the quilt. She took it and unfolded it, letting it fall to its proper size. "How much time did she spend in making this?" I gazed at the colorful fabrics, recognizing them as leftover scraps from Ruby's dresses.

"I'm not quite sure, but she loves making quilts."

"Tell her thank you for me."

"I'll make sure to tell her."

Rosie headed out of the room and put the quilt away. When Rosie came back, I insisted on doing everything since I was the help and Sam would worry otherwise. Together we managed to get the house together just as a knock came on the door. I ran to it and opened the door, greeted warmly by two tall hobbits, both with light hair and cheery smiles.

"Why hello," said the slightly taller hobbit.

"I don't think we've seen you around here before," the other one commented.

"I'm a maid here. You must be Master Brandybuck and Master Took." I said, opening the door wider. "We've been expecting you."

They came in and I helped to hang up their coats and scarves. Soon Sam and Rosie came out and embraced both Master Brandybuck and Master Took.

"Mr. Merry! Mr. Pippin!" Sam cheered as he embraced them.

"Sam! It is good to see you again. How are you managing?" Merry piped up.

"Quite well."

"What about our cousin?"

"Mr. Frodo's.not really himself." Sam said, his joy fading as he lowered his head and retreated to the sitting room. Rosie told me to go back to the kitchen to prepare meals. I continued my work, but I kept one ear open for anything that they said about Frodo. My curiosity peaked when they mentioned him again.

"So, where is he?" Pippin inquired.

"He's in the study, but I wouldn't suggest going to talk to him," Rosie said.

"Why not?"

"You saw him," Sam spoke forth. "He's changed, different. I haven't been able to get him out of the house on my own. It wasn't until Mira talked to him for a while that he actually ventured outside."

"But it's been over a year since everything happened," Merry said.

"Aye. It has. But you must realize that it took a lot out of him."
I picked up a tray with some tea and cakes on it, bringing it out to the sitting room.

"Mira, could you go fetch Frodo from his study? His cousins would like to see him." Rosie picked up the tray from my hands and took over my job.

"Aye," I said briefly, excusing myself from the room and heading towards the study. I opened the door and peered in to see Frodo busy writing his book. He did not even glance up to see who had entered. "Frodo?" I asked, my voice seeming loud in the confined and empty space.

He placed his quill into the ink well and turned around to face me. "Yes, Mira?"

"Master Brandybuck and Master Took are here for the festivities and they were inquiring about you."

"Oh, I guess I should see them." Frodo stood up slowly from his stool and walked out of the room. I followed him, unsure what to do, but I returned to the kitchen and continued finishing up second breakfast. Throughout the meal, I heard their conversations as I kept myself very busy preparing more food. I was amazed at how much Pippin could eat. Frodo ate very little as usual and said just as much. I could see Merry and Pippin's disappointment when they saw the sorrow that dwelled within Frodo.

The day passed slowly and I spent more time in the kitchen than ever before. Merry and Pippin made the atmosphere a bit brighter than normal. I enjoyed their company even though they spent most of their time with Sam, Rosie, and Frodo.

In the evening, as I cleaned the final dishes in the kitchen, Rosie hurried through the rooms to set up proper beds for Merry and Pippin. She came into the kitchen with her arms full of fresh sheets.

"Mira, Frodo's asked for you. So, why don't you go to him and when he's said all he has to say, you can leave and have tomorrow off."

"Thank you, Rosie."

"There's no sense in you staying around here while you have your own family to be with." She smiled brightly and hurried off to one of the back rooms.

I made my way to the study and opened the door to see Frodo not at his stool.

"Mira," his voice said softly. I glanced over to see him sitting in a chair in the corner. He held a book in his lap, a candle flickering a small pool of light sat on the side table.

"Frodo, Rosie said you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes." He closed the book and stood up, nearing me. "I wanted to give you this book." He extended the book towards me. It was of medium thickness and had a deep green leather cover.

"I can't accept this." I put my hands in front of me, pushing the book away.

"I want you to have it." His tone hinted at compasion.

"Why thank you," were the only words I could manage to say as I looked up at his face. There was some pain in his eyes that I had not seen since the first day I saw him. I took the book from his grip and cradled it close to my chest. "I'd better go before it gets too dark." I stepped back and turned around to face the door.

"Goodnight, Mira," I heard him say quietly as I exited.

As I departed from Bag End, I felt sad to be leaving their home to go to my own. I had difficulty understanding why all of them were so nice to me when I was a mere tween helping my family. With every step closer to my own hobbit hole, a sense of dread came over me. It was not until I glanced at the book in my arms that I realized what it was.

~*~

this chapter, for some reason, was really hard for me to get into so, if it's not as good as other chapters, I'm very sorry. Hopefully the next chapters will be easier for me to write. I enjoy reading your replies. Thanks for the support guys.