Chapter 2: 'On a Day like this…'
"DOLLY BUMBLEFOOT! GET IN HERE THIS INSTANCE!!"
The piercing yell of old Sweetpea seemed to rattle the very tree Bramblerose was currently lounging in. Startled, the young girl slinked out onto the wide branch and watched, as her dear cousin Dolly stormed out of the house. An affectionate smile graced the young girl's features, as the other hobbit-lass whirled round to face her mother.
Dolly was a hobbit through and through, with plump features and a merry smile that always made one somewhat happier. She possessed rich dark hair, that curled and wove like liquid chocolate. It made Bramblerose endlessly envious, who's bright red hair was considered an oddity, not a blessing. Her cousin also had dark, soulful eyes that right now were flashing in anger.
Dolly was a perfect hobbitess in many ways save one. Her temper. And guess who she took that trait from?
Enter Sweetpea.
"Why did you have to go and start a fight with those lads? Goodness, the neighbors are in an uproar!"
Bramblerose cringed lower on the branch, as Sweetpea continued.
"So, instead of me hearing from the neighbors, of how you threw poor Sancho in the Brandywine River, how about you tell me what happened?!"
Mother and daughter stared each other down until Dolly finally spat it out .
"They were makin' fun of her, Mum."
In the old oak tree, Bramblerose felt her heart sink, and her tail droop. So…they still spoke about her. Sitting back on the branch, so her back was against the gnarled trunk, she continued to listen.
"And that Sancho is the worst! He's never liked her since she bit him that one time! And he deserved it then too!"
The foxling felt a surge of gratitude for her cousin, who always seemed to stand up for her! That was loyalty.
Sweetpea sighed, her anger deflating. " You didn't have to beat them all up though." she grumbled, but with a hint of humor in her voice.
Dolly suddenly snickered, and soon Sweetpea joined in, before they were both laughing.
"Sancho got what was coming to him" Dolly declared with a sniff, as her mother stopped giggling. Attempting a stern frown, Sweetpea wound up smiling
"Well, remember. He's a Sackville-Baggins and the worst of them! Mind your business and if he gives you or Bramblerose any more trouble, let me know. Alright?..I can't hear you?"
Dolly sighed before smiling finally " Okay Mum, you have a deal." the hobbit-lass paused and looked around
"Speaking of which, where is Bramblerose?"
Sweetpea shrugged as she started to head back indoors, where her stew simmered over the fire.
"Who knows with that girl. She has the wild spirit of 'er father, it'll take her far and wide, mark my words.
Dolly grinned at her retreating mother's back, before looking up at the old oak tree. Its branches lay empty, as the occupant has vacated just before they finished. Dolly had know her cousin was listening the entire time, and now bade a hasty retreat. Little sneak! But she'd felt protective of her elder step-sister since she was old enough to understand what Bramblerose was.
And if anyone messed with her, ooooh! Smacking her fist into her palm in a very unlady-like gesture, Dolly hurried indoors to help her mother with dinner.
Her bare feet whispered through the tall grasses of the glade, as the young woman ran like wildfire. It was her favorite thing to do, besides eat and read. Running felt like flying at times. Occasionally, she found she could run on all fours, but disliked the notion of running like an animal. And if anyone saw her, she'd never live it down.
The early afternoon sun was warm on her pale skin, as she jumped a low fence as though it were not there. The Shire was beautiful all year round, the fox-maiden decided with a smile. Even in the bleak months of Fall, like now, you can still enjoy the sun.
The fox-tail she possessed flickered and flashed behind her, as she cleared a broken log, and landed smoothly on the dusty lane that led up to her destination : Bagend.
Smoothly her moss-green skirt, and checking to see that her brown waistcoat was all in order, Bramblerose timidly approached the gate and opened it. She noticed some gardening tools lying on the soft grass of Mr. Baggin's well-tended garden and wondered where Mr. Gamgee had disappeared to.
"Hello Miss Bramblerose!" a warm voice spoke directly behind her. For all her enhanced senses, Bramblerose did tend to daydream at times. Jumping in surprise, she whirled round to see the gentle Samwise Gamgee, currently stood in the path with a wheelbarrow in front of him.
"Here to learn your letters again?" he inquired with a good-natured smile. Ever the bashful one, Bramblerose nodded quickly before moving aside to allow him past.
Trundling down the path, he set the wheelbarrow down and turned to her, wiping his muddy hands on a hankerchief.
"Plantin' some bulbs now. They should sleep all winter before blooming in the spring. Do you like snowdrops Miss. Bramblerose?"
Once again, the girl nodded with a quick smile, as the gardener knelt down and continued to talk away about various plants.
This was their usual routine before the two bachelors of Bag End would return from running errands. Bramblerose would stand and watch as Samwise spoke of the earth. It pleased her to hear him speak so lovingly of his craft, and she enjoyed these conversations, though she said little. At times she would chime in a question or a helpful tip, and the hobbit would turn with a delighted smile.
"Here now! Miss Bramblerose certainly knows her stuff!" causing the young girl to chuckle. This went on for a half hour, before Bramblerose's ears twitched, and she turned towards the lane.
There walking towards them, was Bilbo Baggins, a spring in his step and a twinkle in his eye. Behind him, thumbs tucked in his waistcoat pockets, strode young Frodo Baggins. Unlocking the gate, Bilbo bustled up the steps, stopping to chat to Samwise briefly about the weather.
Bramblerose often stood a few steps higher, waiting patiently for Mister. Bilbo, but it was often Frodo who made it first.
"Afternoon Miss. Bramblerose" he greeted with a bow. Fumbling, Bramblerose curtsied and smiled hesitantly, before Bilbo disrupted their meeting.
"Ah hello dear Bramblerose! Here for your letters eh? Come on come on, lets get the kettle on, and we'll begin!" he cried with much enthusiasm. For the promised tea or teaching Bramblerose, who knew?
And with that, she was whisked into Bag End, leaving Frodo and Sam to chat about their daily goings-on.
"The garden's looking well! Should hope for an easy winter" Frodo commented, as Samwise dug into the soft earth. He grunted in reply
"We've been lucky so far, Mister. Frodo."
After a few minutes of good conversation, Frodo excused himself into the house, and pulled off his coat. As he hung it on a hook, he hear a clear voice reciting a line from a well-known storybook. He snuck along to the kitchen door, and peeked around the corner, to see Bilbo and Bramblerose sat across the kitchen table from each other, mugs of tea at their elbows.
"Good good" his uncle murmured, as the young hobbit-maiden finished the paragraph and looked up at him expectantly.
There was a pause, before Bilbo clapped his hands in delight
"You've been practicing haven't you? You're as fast a learner as Frodo was! Lets move on to your writing shall we?"
Frodo's eyes fell to the fox-tail that appeared from a small hole cut below the waistband of her skirt. It waved lazily back and forth, with a life of its own. His gaze traveled up to her hair, as she faced away from him.
Right now, a shaft of sun was hitting the highlights in her hair, turning them to gold-red. She was…enchanting.
Frodo was never one to voice his feelings on girls. Sure he'd had crushes and first-kisses before, but Bramblerose had remained etched on his heart since they were young. He remembered the way people treated him after his parents died, the hushed looks, the hurtful teasing of children. When Bramblerose's father was driven from the Shire, and her mother died in shame, it was their child that suffered the brunt of cruel words and looks. She'd taken to hiding in their large garden when they were younger, under the Hyacinth bush when the rumors and whispers grew to loud for her sensitive ears. Bilbo was forever plucking her up and taking her home, but not after giving her a mug of cocoa or hot toddy.
Walking into the kitchen, he glanced at Bramblerose who looked up and smiled. His heartbeat quickened somewhat.
"Mister Baggin's says I'm getting really good!" she declared in a moment of daring, and flashed a fanged grin. Frodo chuckled and leant against the china cabinet.
"You've always been a fast learner, Bramblerose." he admitted. She bashfully smiled and took a sip of tea before clearing her throat politely.
"Um… so, its you and Mister Bilbo' s birthday soon! It seems he's planning something massive!"
Before Frodo could answer, Bilbo answered for him
"You're right you are! Its going to be my hundred and eleventh birthday, and Frodo will be hitting his tweens! Must celebrate in the best way I know how! Got to shock the locals you know. "
Frodo and Bramblerose exchanged grins as he continued to chatter vaguely about his party. If only they knew how shocking the event would be!!