Red String
Family Affairs
The day was cloudy, but the day was filled with joy. Children ran and played in the snow that had fallen the previous night, while their parents were cooking or shoveling their walkways, such as Frodo was. He stood, leaning against the rod of the shovel, looking out over the snow-landed hills of Bywater. The winter party would be held within the next few days, the place where if you were anybody, you would be there. It was hosted by the Mayor, only certain people were invited. Political gains no doubt…though; most of the hobbits just went for the food and ale.
He came to the gate as the mail deliver came. The young boy quickly sorted through the piles off letters, before handing Frodo three letters. "Here you are, Mr. Baggins! Have a good Holiday Season!" Frodo nodded, looking down at the letters as the boy ran off down the hill. He placed the shovel against the fence, and opened the door to Bag End. He quickly removed his scarf and jacket, coming into the living room that adjoined with the kitchen, and sat down at the small table.
Two were for him, and one was for Miranda. He smiled; guessing everyone in the Shire now thought that they lived together as married ones did. He took up the envelope opener next to the small pile of previous opened letters, and cut the first envelope open. He pulled out the letter, seeing it had the official seal of the Mayor. He lifted an eyebrow, quickly scanning over the letter. His ears twitched and he glanced up, seeing Miranda standing next to him, holding a cup of hot cocoa out to him. Frodo smiled gratefully and took the cocoa, sipping on it while reading the letter.
"Who's it from?" She asked, taking a drink of her own cocoa.
"The Mayor." He answered, reading the letter now. "He hosts a party on the Eve of Winter Holiday…and, it seems as if I'm invited." His eyebrows drew into a frown. "It says that due to many people attending this year, I am only allowed to bring one person."
"You usually bring many?"
"I usually don't attend." He answered, then folded the paper up and placed it down on the table. He reached for the other letter addressed to him, and opened it in the same fashion. He quickly skimmed it. "It's from Merry…" he said while skimming. "He and Pippin are coming for Winter Holiday this weekend, seems like they've been invited to the party as well." He shrugged as if this didn't interest him much. "Just another party."
"Are parties in Bywater different of those in Buckland?" Miranda asked. Frodo shook his head no. "I see. Sounds like they are rather dull then." Frodo handed her the note that was addressed to her. She lifted an eyebrow in wonder and opened it with her nail, taking the letter out while Frodo watched her. She frowned as soon as she unfolded the letter. "Oh no."
"What?"
"It's from my brothers." Miranda said, sitting down on the table. She continued to read. "They are coming and spending the Holiday with Olivia's family….which means that my in-laws will be here." She sighed, tossing the letter into the fireplace and folded her arms. "Not a very good way to celebrate holiday. Even if they are family." Frodo squeezed her hand reassuringly, and she smiled back weakly. She sighed though, looking up at the ceiling.
"I take it they'll be staying at the inn." Frodo said, standing up, collecting the opened envelopes and disposing of them into the fire. "You are welcome to leave or stay, Miranda. Though, if you stay, I'm not sure if I'd want your in-laws to be in Bag End as well." He turned and gave a joking smile. "I don't need more people badgering me." Miranda shook her head, rolling her eyes. She joined his side, taking his hand in hers. "Though, they'd be badgering you more, I think."
"Yes, they would." She sighed, leaning her head against his arm. "But I don't think that should allow the situation to be ruined." She heard Frodo let out a soft chuckle, as he led her into the kitchen so they could begin preparing lunch.
Both walked around the kitchen easily, as if they were a married couple. Miranda smiled at the memory of the first time when she and Frodo were in a kitchen together, when she had found his wounded hand. She began to cut up the vegetables, meet and others needed for the beef stew. Frodo helped by gathering items, no longer trusting much of any hot pan on a stove. Frodo carried over the sack of potatoes when a loud preying knock came to Bag End's door.
Frodo set the bag down next to Miranda and crossed through the living room into the hallway. He opened the door, finding Merry and Pippin standing there, covered in snow. He smiled. "Attacked by the local children, I see."
Pippin nodded and walked in, shaking his head and letting the snow fall down. "We live through the War of the Ring, come out not wounded much, and still are killed with snowballs!" he joked, and Merry let out a laugh as he removed his jacket, Frodo shook his head. "So, you received our letter, Frodo?"
"Yes, just well under an hour ago." He led them into the living room. Miranda turned from the spot she was working at, and smiled at the two. Pippin and Merry were surprised to see her, and waved as well. "Aunt Lilly, the Old Healer, suggested that her niece and student stay with me to make sure of my good health."
"You sure that's all, cousin?" Merry asked his eyebrow raising. Miranda turned quickly back to her food cooking, a light shade of red. "After all, there has been this large stink around Brandy Hall after you left about you and little Mira, being together and all."
"And if it is true?" Frodo asked calmly, folding his arms. Miranda felt her face grow redder and she continued to cut, trying to ignore the conversation as it went. "There maybe some truth to that."
"Frodo! You take us for fools." Pippin said, as if he were hurt. "You do not inform your family on what is going on? How could you do such a thing? I think my right as your cousin has been officially violated." He put his hand over his heart and lowered his head as if he were grieved.
"Come off it, Pip." Merry nudged, rolling his eyes. "You couldn't pull off a mourning face if your life depended on it." Pippin glared and Frodo shook his head. "So, what is on the menu for today, dear cousin? It seems like that Tea Time that I planned long ago will finally be happening! All of us together, then we should go and swing a few beers at the bar."
"Oh yes, so we can see the Magnificent Merry and Thrain Took jump onto tables and sings songs of cows jumping over the moon." Miranda called.
Merry laughed. "Dear, dear, sweet little Mira…how wrong you are! That was cousin Frodo who sang that song in Bree…my, it was funny." Frodo glared and nudged him. "Oh, that is right; I'm sorry cousin, not to found memories."
"Isn't every day Frodo jumps up onto a table and sings." Pippin remarked.
'No, but he does sing in Elven.' Miranda thought, smiling. "Well, Pippin, perhaps he just has much more class than you?" Pippin shook his head side to side. "I'll tell you one thing, Merry and Pippin, you want any of this stew, and you'll have to help me!"
The table was set within the hour for lunch. Bowls and bread, fruit and butter, and the soup. Miranda dished them all up due to their wants and asking, and then sat down next to Frodo. Merry and Pippin glanced at each other, then at Miranda. Miranda smiled and began to eat. Merry smiled at Pippin who nodded, eating his bread. Frodo looked up from his meal for a moment, then an instant later knocking was heard at the door again. He excused himself politely and answered the door.
"Miranda." He said. Miranda looked out from the kitchen, to see him standing in the hallway. "Your in-laws are here…"
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A/N: and cliffhanger! I had big rider block here, so it'll end off here. ^^
Axa: I shall ^_^
FrodoBaggins87: That is yet to be decided, actually, that's the biggest question in my mind right now besides the whole Gray Havens ^_^
Deemarie: O.O Wow, a first! Never expected anyone suggesting that Frodo still leave for the Havens…wow…
Zam Kenobi: I've always thought about that when I was reading and watching the story. I mean…Frodo never said "Sure I'll destroy the Ring!" so then why was he so depressed about not destroying it? He must have placed that obligation on himself once the Fellowship broke, ne?
Carcilwen Greenleaf: You are welcome.
Elegant Arrow64: Hey hey hey! Get those tissues back! Who said it was going to be happy for a long time? Note, the "angst" part in the genre lmao ~_^