Chapter 2: Family Life

Frodo was silent on the ride back to Hobbiton, thinking over all that had happened in the last hour. The fact that they'd been invited inside was fairly normal, but it was usually just Merry who greeted them, and occasionally Estelle would join them. But to be invited into the formal sitting room, and for Eowyn to be sat there waiting with Estelle and Merry...

Frodo still couldn't believe it, he'd walked in, and she'd smiled at him! Just thinking about it now made his stomach do summersaults. They'd told him of the idea, and of course he'd agreed, he might get to talk to Eowyn!

They were headed back to Hobbiton to collect his things, and then he'd set off in the early evening, camp out tonight, and arrive tomorrow. Everything had happened so quickly he couldn't believe it...

Arriving home late afternoon, Frodo helped Sam to put away the cart ponies, Bill and Strider, before going inside to greet the family.

"Is that Frodo?" Called Rosie from the kitchen,

"Yup, Da's just comin' in," replied Frodo, before going into the washroom to clean up.

10 minutes later, clean and wearing fresh clothes, he emerged to find his mother, Rosie, waiting for him.

"Did you say yes?" She asked tentatively.

"Course I did. I may as well, it'll be good experience for me won' it."

"Yes, good, come and have some tea, and we'll tell the rest of he family."

Rosie replied before bustling of to the kitchen. Shaking his head, Frodo followed her.

On entering, Frodo was bombarded with hugs as Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo and Tom all clamoured for a hug from their elder brother. Managing to disentangle himself, Frodo sat down at the table and sighed contentedly, there really was no where like home.

"Where are the others Ma?"

Frodo enquired looking round.

"Rose and Merry went to go and collect Ruby and Robin from Daisy Boffins, she's got her grand kids round, and they've taken quite a shine to out two!"

Was Rosie's reply as she set things on the table.

"Oh and Goldi's running an errand down to your Granda's."

"Where's Pippin?"

Frodo's mischievous younger brother never missed a meal, so his absence was particularly noticeable.

"I think he's down the far end of the party field," Rosie replied, "would you mind running down and fetching him?"

"Sure, i'll be back in a minute."

And with that Frodo was out through the backdoor and down the garden path. It wasn't a long walk down to the party field, and a quick scan showed Pip wasn't anywhere obvious. The only other place he could be was behind the Mallorn tree at the far end. Walking briskly and quietly, he was about to call out for Pippin when he heard a noise. Going even more quietly he came to the tree, and listened hard.

Round the other side was the unmistakable sound of two young hobbits, one male and the other female. The female Frodo recognised to be Nibs' daughter, Lily Cotton and the other... Frodo grinned, was his younger brother Pippin. There conversation was punctuated by kissing, and Lily's breathless giggles, and comments of,

"Are you sure we should be doing this?"

Followed by,

"OF course I'm sure, otherwise we wouldn't be doing it would we?!"

Frodo could no longer contain his giggles, and stepped round so he could see what mischief Pip was gewtting himself into this time. Lily noticed him first, screamed, picked up her cardigan and ran away as fast as she could. Pippin, aside from looking startled, was also very disgruntled.

"You ruined it! I've been trying to persuade her to come down here with me for at least a week, and she finally say's yes, and you RUIN IT! It's going to take me at least another three days to get her to come down again...AND STOP SMIRKING LIKE THAT!"

Being decidedly shorter than Frodo, Pippin looked extremely silly looking up at Frodo and yelling at him. Frodo finally gave up, and collapsed on the grass laughing hysterically. When he finally managed to regain some self control several minutes later, he looked up at Pippin who had a look of intense bewilderment on his face.

"What's so funny?"

This sent Frodo into a fresh set of giggles before he managed to gasp,

"YOU!"

Struggling to his feet, he added

"Comon, teas ready, you'd better tell me about Lily before we get home."

"You mean you won't tell? Mum would flip if she found out..."

"Course I won't tell you silly boy! What else are big brothers for?"

Looking distinctly relieved Pippin started off towards Bag End with Frodo following, still giggling slightly, discussing Lily as they went.

***

Later that evening, Frodo was in his room packing for his stay at Brandy Hall. He bustled around collecting prized possessions and garments, both fit for dining in and gardening. Unnoticed by Frodo, his elder sister Elanor stood in the doorway watching him. Frodo stopped to look out of his window at the darkening sky.

"Are you going to miss it?" She asked quietly

Frodo nodded, still looking at the view.

"It's only for two weeks, and I could come and see you if you like."

"Would you?" Frodo turned, hope lighting up his face.

"Of course I would you silly boy!" Crossing the room Elanor put her arms around her younger brother and hugged him tight.

"You know I was thinking, would you mind if I came with you tonight? I'll go with you as far as the Brandywine, and then I'll be home before dark tomorrow evening."

Frodo smiled, even though Elanor couldn't see it, and whispered,

"I'd like that."

Pulling apart Elanor tweaked his nose and said teasingly,

"Well you'd better hurry and pack other wise I'll beat you! I'll go and tell Mum and Dad, meet me in the kitchen in ten minutes."

She grinned back at him, and danced out of his room. He could hear her singing softly all the way down the passage. Still smiling Frodo turned back to his packing, he wasn't about to let her beat him!