This is the tale of a most unlikely friendship one could wish to see. The Shire-folk were no strangers to strange tales, having witnessed the most unusual people to come to and from the outside world. But this was something no-one had ever seen before.
And it would change their lives forever…
It was during the confusion of the whereabouts of the One Ring, when the great leaders of the White Council had gathered and the deception of Saruman began, that a stranger emerged from the woods of Buckland. He was a hobbit by stature, but a queer one to the eyes of others. For a hobbit to remain unknown in the Shire is a strange thing indeed. His hair was uncurled, and as bright as fire, and he walked with a skip in his step, singing songs in a tongue unheard of in the lands.
He took up residence at the Ivy Bush Inn, and finally his name reached the ears of curious hobbits. Feanaro. Dashing, and quick on his feet, Feanaro turned out to be an entertainer of sorts, playing a reed pipe while he did chores to earn his keep. He became a friendly face in Hobbiton, always willing to help out. Soon, he was a good, well known friend, and beloved by many.
But nobody really knew who he was. For you see, Feanaro was a creature of curiosity, and mischief. A fox-sprite, the legend nearly forgotten in the Third Age, having once been part of folk-tales in the land of Rohan but now a aged memory. They were known well in the East, as tricksters and if treated well, brought good luck and fortune. Dear Feanaro, had all the intention of bringing trouble to the wee folk of the Shire, but he'd fallen in love. A fair hobbit- maiden, known as Ruby Bumblefoot, of the Haysend , and gentle as the soft clouds of twilight.
Fox-sprites are cursed in a way…they can take the form of any individual but are always alone, out-casted. Feanaro set about wooing the shy Ruby, and their love was true and pure. They were wed in the spring of 2971 of the Third Age, and all seemed well. Yet it was not meant to be.
Somebody witnessed Feanaro's true form, and told the others. Horrified that a demon had slipped by unnoticed into their lives, panic set. Coming home from working in the fields, Feanaro was set upon by several youths, who dragged him kicked and snarling to a gathered crowd.
Ruby was there, terrified and confused.
"What are they saying, my Feanaro!? They say you're a demon!"
But his only thought was to protect his mate, his lovely wife and in the heat of the moment, Feanaro transformed into his true self, a fox with a coat of gold-red.
Eyes flashing, he set upon those between he and Ruby. But alas, in the minds of simple folk, he was no longer considered a friend and they cast him out, into the darkness. Dejected and heartbroken by Ruby's horror, Feanaro slipped away, away from the home he'd come to love. But he would not be forgotten. For he had left with Ruby, their child to be.
In the autumn of that year, little Bramblerose was born into the household. She was a wonder to behold! For like her father, she had the uncurled red hair and slender body. But, being that she was a half-breed, Bramblerose had a splendid fox-tail that moved with a life of its own. Her pointed ears were slightly more elegant that most, with a soft covering of fur.
Ruby, beside herself with sadness, died within the next year, leaving her sister, a fat and voluptuous woman called Sweetpea to care for the disfigured child. Though Hobbits are suspicious and untrusting of other folk, they would never harm a child.
So, wee Bramblerose grew up in the Bumblefoot household, and the family came to love her as one of their own. Sadly, the other hobbits did their best to ignore the small girl so, she spent most of her childhood alone.
The fox-child did not mind, as she disliked the stares she received from the other children. As the years wore on, and the outside world became clouded in shadow and evil, the Shire remained, thankfully, untouched. Seasons came and went, and the children grew.
Sweetpea had a baby, whom they called Dolly. Bramblerose was delighted with the new playmate, and watched over her loyally. There was no denying, despite her tail and features, that Bramblerose carried a certain exotic look about her, even at a young age.
In was in the year of 2977, that the fox-child was playing idly a few yards from the burrow where the Bumblefoots lived, that a few young boys walked that way and in the innocence of children, began to tease her.
"Why do ye have a tail? Only animals have tails!" a brash youth jeered down at the girl, who sat in the dust, her small doll forgotten in slack hands.
"I'm..I'm no animal!" she snapped back, standing up to her full height, to which she realized with dismay, reached his chin.
"I hear your Da was a beast, which is why you 'ave a tail!"
That did it. Her fist came out of nowhere, and sent the boy down into the dirt.
Another boy looked at her incredulously
"Girls aren't supposed to hit boys!"
Her bottom lip trembling, Bramblerose turned to him and bared her little white teeth.
"I'm no girl am I?"
Eyes wide, the boys turned and fled, leaving the little shuddering girl behind.
"She may bite us!! Run! Run!"
They gathered at the end of the dirt road where some more children were, and some laughter and pointing occurred.
"You're not a girl! Look at you!" a blonde pretty girl giggled. Suddenly self-conscious, Bramblerose turned and fled into the nearby orchard, away from scrutiny. Unseen among the throng of children, blue eyes filled with concern, a young Frodo Baggins looked on with sympathy.
The sun had set in the west, the orange clouds fading to green, and several stars shone in the east. A half-moon gleamed brightly down on the Shire, through the stirring leaves of the old crabapple tree.
Sat in this tree, cheeks wet with tears, was Bramblerose. Her heart was sick with loneliness. Why was she so different? Her brush of a tail curled around her feet, and a sob wracked her thin body.
"Bramblerose?" came a hushed voice, whom she recognized as Sweetpea. Eyes wide, she crept into a lower branch and gazed down at the kindly face of the only mother she'd ever known. To her surprise, a small figure stood next to Sweetpea. It was Frodo Baggins, looking rather uncomfortable under her scrutiny.
"My little Bramblerose, I heard what happened." Sweetpea spoke gently, " Young Master Baggins told me the whole thing."
Pale hazel eyes slid over to the young boy again, before settling back on Sweetpea.
"They called me an animal, Auntie" she blurted, fresh tears springing out. The elderly woman moved forward, arms wide.
"Come here, wee one."
Hastily climbing down, Bramblerose threw herself into the soft embrace and sobbed anew.
"What am I, Auntie, why do I look like this?" came the muffled cries. Sweetpea looked up from her small bundle and smiled kindly to young Frodo, who stood respectfully to the side, concern marring his fair face.
Holding the young girl by her shoulders, Sweetpea brushed the tears from flushed cheeks, and a sweet smile followed.
"You are special my girl. Hobbit you are, but you're something of enchantment as well. Never forget that."
Some misery fell from the girl's face, as she stared back.
"R-really Auntie? T-then why does everyone hate me?"
Sweetpea straightened up, holding her hand out, which Bramblerose took quickly
"Not everyone hates you, Bramblerose. They just don't understand you. One day I'm sure they will. Be patient with them"
Her attention turned to Frodo, who stood quietly, hands behind his back
.
"Thank you, Master Frodo. If it hadn't been for you, our girl would have been lost for quite some time."
The dark head nodded shyly before he spoke honestly
"Well, I'm glad Miss Bramblerose is alright" Frodo shuffled from foot to foot "..its getting late, and Bilbo will wonder where I am."
Sweetpea nodded "Give my best to Master Bilbo, will you?"
The boy waved and took off running towards Bag End. Bramblerose watched him leave, a look of confusion on her pale face.
"Why did he help you find me?"
A knowing look came over the older woman's face as she lead the way back to their home
" I think he understands you"