Thanks for the reviews so far! After this chapter, it will develop into the original story I have planned, but for now, bear with me. ^_^ Enjoy!
There was a curious scent on the wind, in the days before Bilbo's birthday. It carried many hidden secrets, many whispers from afar. At times, the halfling known as Bramblerose would pick these up, and feel troubled. Bad things lay beyond the Shire, things that hunted and searched for…
"Oi! Bramble!" Suddenly, a strawberry connected with the girl's temple.
Jumping, her gaze met Dolly's impatient one. The two were at the kitchen table, preparing to make some of Sweetpea's renowned strawberry jam. It was payment in a way, for Bilbo teaching Bramblerose to read and write. Sweetpea would may his favorite jam, free of charge.
"You were off in a dream…I was saying, what do you make of those strange folks in the wagons? The ones we see coming into the Shire?"
Pulling a stem from the plump strawberry she grasped, Bramblerose shook her head.
"I believe they're here of Mr. Baggin's request. You know, for the party."
A big grin stole across the rosy face of Dolly's, as she cut the fruit into smaller pieces.
"Oh, yes. The paaarty" she crooned and started humming a jolly tune, her excitement evident.
The older girl smiled for a moment at the sight of her cousin so happy, before standing up with a scrape of the wooden stool.
"I'd better go and see if Auntie is on her way home." she said, crossing to the round front door. Dolly barely looked up, so caught up in the images of the birthday feast.
Chuckling, Bramblerose slipped out into the pale light of mid-morning, and began her walk down to the bottom of the lane. For as long as she could remember, Sweetpea was considered something of a midwife to the residents of Hobbiton, and liked to make her rounds on recent mothers and their newborns. The young woman had taken to meeting her foster-mother on her way home, and walking her back.
It was on this day, that a scent floated on the wind, causing the fox-maiden to stop in her tracks, and tilt her head skyward. It was the scent of pipe-weed, but that was normally the case with hobbits. But this also had the scent of…gunpowder…which meant fireworks.
Eyes alight, Bramblerose took off running at a frightening speed, down the lane. She flew past Sweetpea with a gasped laugh
"Gandalf! Here!"
Sweetpea, blinking in surprise, watched the girl vault over a wagon with ease and shook her head at the energy she had.
It seemed, that a cloud of smoke sat in a ring around the familiar, pointed hat that belonged to the old wizard, that was Gandalf the Grey.
Bursting out from the bushes, red hair falling wayward about her flushed face, Bramblerose grinned and waved to the old wizard from the side of the road.
Those great busy eyebrows shot up in delight, and he pulled to a halt, the old wagon creaking over every stone. Tilting his hat back slightly, the old wizard puffed out another gust of smoke before smiling.
"If it isn't young Bramblerose? I barely recognized you…save for the…well…"
He indicated with his pipe, to the tail that peeped from behind her, and she laughed, a clear merry laugh.
"Well, this will never change" she admitted, with a wag of the tail.
The wizard, to Bramblerose, represented someone who was different from the hobbits. Different, like her. He was the unknown, what lay beyond the rolling hills of green and lazing streams. She enjoyed his stories very much.
She didn't keep him long, merely to greet him and drink in the sight of one of the dearest memories she could remember. You see, Gandalf was the one who tried to protect Feanaro during the casting out. And afterwards, when she was young and merely a cub, he'd shown her no ill treatment, but rather gave her a warm smile and told her stories about her kind and others.
It was a long time ago, and her memory dim, but it was still there. That kindness to a creature like her.
Finally, off the cart trundled, carrying the hunched over wizard, puffing like a chimney. Bramblerose watched him until he disappeared from sight before dancing in excitement.
'The Party will be perfect with Gandalf now here!! I can't wait!' she thought in glee and hurried home to tell Dolly.
She didn't have to wait long. Overnight, the field owned by one of the local farmers was transformed in to a gay display of color. Tents, tables, flags and more! It was magical. Lanterns were hung from the low breech trees, and much to Dolly (make that the entire population) 's delight, the cooks, who'd been working for weeks, now began to set up. Musicians, entertainers, and unusual people filtered through the town to the field, as Bramblerose watched in awe, from her garden.
The hobbit hadn't dared to disturb Mr. Baggins on the run-up to his birthday, after seeing the intimidating sign on his gate. She didn't mind, as she would see him at the party.
And that crept upon Hobbiton quicker than a firework of Gandalf's. Before she knew it, Bramblerose, dressed in a wine-red dress and cream blouse, and her red-gold hair twisted into a pretty bun was being ushered through the decorated entry way of Bilbo's Grand Party.
There were hobbits everywhere!! Loud rambunctious laughter, singing, the instruments playing a lively tune, the scents of food, ale, and pipe-weed seemed to overwhelm the fox-maiden for a moment. It was heady and breath-taking. Her eyes drank in the sights of the colored lanterns and flowers that adorned the young maidens curled hair.
Suddenly, Dolly tugged her elbow and pointed to the polished dance floor that was set up. Surrounding it were row upon row of benches, glistening with scrumptious food. Mouth hanging open, Dolly lead her to a nearby bench and plunked down next to her.
"What a feast!!" she cried in joy, before tucking in.
For once, Bramblerose was too taken in by the party, and nibbled on a few items. She did drink however, the sweet elderberry wine, letting the liquid slid over her tongue with much delight. Feeling a flush come over her cheeks, she was startled when Dolly hauled her off the bench and towards the dance floor. Wrist grasped by her young cousin, Bramblerose was dragged onto the dance floor, where it was a lively jig meant for the young ladies only.
Yelping, Bramblerose snatched her hand away and attempted to push back into the crowd. Laughing, chocolate hair in ringlets that reminded her of a willow tree in the wind, Dolly took her hands and pulled her out into the middle.
"Come cousin, let's show the lads how to dance!"
A golden-haired beauty Bramblerose knew to be Rosie, cried out in agreement and the music struck up. Cheers rose from the gathered crowd of young men, as the women took their positions.
Feeling miserable, Bramblerose had no other choice than to join in.
'I bet Dolly's laughing at me right now!!' she thought angrily, but when she looked over at her olive-clad cousin, there was no mischief in her eyes but merely pure happiness as she danced. And Dolly danced very well! In fact, all the young maidens danced well, much to the young hobbit-lads delight. Feeling a little more confident, she prayed she wouldn't make a fool of herself…
Finally, the music ended, and applause broke out. Dolly turned, cheeks bright with alcohol and exertion, to grin at her cousin but already, the foxy thing was back on the bench.
The hobbitess rolled her eyes in amusement, before a voice snatched her attention. It was Tam, a rugged hobbit with a good voice for singing.
"Care for a dance, milady?"
The dark-eyed hobbitess winked and nodded, before the two were swept up in the melee that was the dance floor.
Frodo was, due to the fact it was his birthday, surrounded by well-wishers. It was an endless cycle of hand-shaking, toasts and merriment, alongside his notorious Uncle Bilbo who was currently chatting with some guests and entertaining the children with tales of his great adventure.
Taking a moment to pause and catch his breath, he was suddenly dove upon by his young cousins, Mericdoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took. Known fondly as Merry and Pippin to friends.
"Frodo, me lad! Why aren't you dancing?" Pippin laughed, swaying slightly.
He'd obviously had a little too much ale. Frodo shrugged and smiled bashfully, before taking a sip of his drink. As his cousins continued to chat, argue and sing about him, out of the corner of his eye, he found himself watching the young hobbit-lasses dancing an old jig. They all looked like they were having a brilliant time.
A flash of gold-red confirmed who it was, as the tail disappeared into the folds of the skirt. Blinking, Frodo watched as the fox-maiden Bramblerose attempted to follow the lively steps that her female counterparts performed. A small grin stole across his fair face, as she nearly tripped over her own two feet. Her feet, he noticed, were delicate and less hairy than other hobbits. He'd never really noticed.
Her eyes were closed in concentration, as she laughed to herself at the calls of the young lads about them. The music ended, and dear Bramblerose, in a sudden bought of perplexed relief, fled the dance floor.
"Frodo? Froooodooooo?" This was Merry, leaning close into Frodo's ear.
"Hm? What?"
"You've been staring at Miss. Bumblefoot for nearly a full 3 minutes now." Pippin commented in the other ear.
Embarrassed at being caught staring, like a young boy, Frodo buried his face in the foam of his ale. Knowing looks crossed Merry and Pippin's cheerful faces before they (on a hidden cue) seized their elder cousin and accosted him through the crowd.
Indignant, he fought back but found himself abandoned next to the table where it just so happened that Bramblerose was sitting at.
'Oh dear..' he thought in dismay, as she turned round. To his relief, she smiled with a moment of hesitation before bowing her head.
"Happy Birthday, Frodo" she greeted, before they both sat down. Bramblerose, on the inside, was a wreck. She had his birthday present, but after seeing the beautiful gifts he'd received from many others, her heart had sank, and now she was desperately trying to think of something to give him.
"You dance very well" came the sudden remark. She shot him a surprised look, as he pretended to drink his ale again.
'Come on, Frodo! Ask her to dance! his inner voice hissed at him. Sneaking a peek from under his lashes, he felt his heart melt at the sight of her. Bramblerose was currently sitting with her head cradled in one hand, her fair face, which held a rosy tinge from the heat and wine, was relaxed and peaceful. Normally, she looked worried or simply reserved. She needed to smile more. Unfortunately, this slipped out from his mouth.
"You should smile more." Oops.
Hazel eyes met blue for a moment, before a genuine grin crossed her face.
"I'll keep that in mind, thank you." came the reply, with a dose of humor. Frodo relaxed before he noticed Gandalf, who was getting ready to set off the fireworks.
Conversation was momentarily forgotten, it was time for the legendary fireworks display!!
As the sky seemed to explode in showers of stars, moons and light, Frodo and Bramblerose continued talk to each other, with some shy glances, much to the frustration of Merry, Pippin AND Dolly.
"Oh, just ask her to dance or something" Dolly moaned, taking a huge swig of ale, as Pippin idly chewed on a hot crusty pie next to her.
"She's pretty, for a foxy-thing" he commented. Dolly nodded mournfully as her cousin laughed heartily, at something Frodo said. She'd never seen the quiet girl so happy… in public.
"Speech! Speech!!" the crowds cheered, as Bilbo stumbled onto a chair and waved. Bramblerose laughed as he started to talk in a slurred fashion, which suited the mood perfectly. She found Frodo to be very charming, and rather quiet-mannered, even in the throes of a huge party. She was having a good time. There had also been no comments, no unusual looks from anybody. For now, the focus was the party and it suited her fine.
Suddenly, the fine hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, as Bilbo seemed to trail off. The cheers died, as he looked to be distracted by something in his pocket. Bramblerose sucked in a deep breath, as a shadow flitted over the old man's face and he simply said
"Goodbye"
He disappeared.
The place was silent for a moment, before pandemonium erupted. Panicked at the mad rushing of people, Bramblerose nearly punched Frodo as he put a hand on her shoulder.
"Come on!" he shouted over the din, and they began heading for the exit. Bramblerose was relieved to see her Aunt and cousin waiting for her, before she realized she'd been holding Frodo's hand the entire time.
In the back of her head, she was reluctant to let go, but for the moment, it wasn't important. Her hand slipped from his, and they parted with a shared smile.
Frodo went to calm down and keep the party-goers happy, Bramblerose left to accompany her aunt and cousin home.
"Did you see that!?! Old Bilbo vanished!!! What a trick!" Dolly babbled, as Sweetpea hummed and agreed. Bramblerose kept silent, head buzzing with what had happened. Disappeared!
They eventually reached home, and Sweetpea made some tea. The three women sat around the kitchen table and discussed what had happened, but Bramblerose was still quiet. Finally, yawning, all three hobbit-lasses went to bed.
Rolling over in bed, Bramblerose stared out of the small window at the sliver of moon that hung in the sky, her thoughts returning to that night, the fireworks, dancing, the disappearance…and her time spent with Frodo Baggins.
She wondered if he was alright, and that Bilbo was just pulling a silly stunt. Eyes fluttering shut, she drifted off to sleep…
Bilbo whistled as he trotted along the road, towards adventure again. His pack bumped pleasantly on his hip, and his sword on the other. He felt light and free again, though something niggled at the back of his mind.
The old hobbit had felt very upset at giving up the ring, but it did belong to Frodo now. Still…he wouldn't of minded taking it along. Passing by the lane that young Bramblerose & her family lived, Bilbo slowed to a halt and gazed thoughtfully at the burrow they lived in.
"Be happy, little fox" he muttered, before his gaze returned to the open road, and a barely suppressed smile stole across his weathered face.
He began to sing softly to himself, as the famous hobbit left his home behind.
"Roads go ever, ever on
Over rock and under tree
By caves where never sun has shone
By streams that never find the sea…"