Hey everyone! Here's chapter five, sorry if there's any mistakes, I haven't
edited it! Sorry!
Chapter Five: Yuletide Surprises
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
Holiday decorations were put up all around the Shire and inside many smials. Many families were taking out food from storage to get ready for the feasting. The feasting took place on the last and first three days of the new year and Bell Gamgee accepted Lily's invitation and planned to feast together the day before the end of the old year. She had set out many roasts and meats and left them out to marinate. She found bins of food from the harvest and peeled the carrots and such.
The Gaffer always had fun decorating the smial with streamers and candles and loved going a bit overboard. Sam and Hamson helped too, and everyone waited for the arrival of Halfred. Daisy came over two days before the first feasting and had a great time with her sisters baking treats and cakes.
Everyone at the Gamgee house woke up bright and early to prepare for the upcoming meal. Bell got out her best honey and jams for the biscuits and made her gravy for the potatoes she boiled and mashed that everyone loved. The daughters helped her and the Gaffer and his sons cut firewood that would last the night and set up their best dishes on the table.
After several hours, the meal was done and everyone was eager to start eating. Marigold folded the napkins for everyone and set the silverware up. Bell set the pots and plates on the table and looked towards the window every few minutes for Halfred. Finally the table was set and the afternoon was almost ending. The Gamgee tradition was to start eating within the last hour of the light day and Sam got out a log for the fire. It started a- blazed and when Bell lit the candles on the table, the door swung open with Halfred in the doorway.
He stood there smiling with a scarf around his neck and his arm around a young hobbit-lass. They were both red-cheeked and frosted with snowflakes and the coach they rode was heard riding away. Bell ran up and embraced her son and took their hats. She shook hands with the hobbit-lass and brought them to the table. Halfred took his and his guest's coats and kissed his Ma and Dad. "You didn't think I wouldn't be coming, did you?" He asked and he beamed as he saw the meal on the table.
The Gaffer found an extra chair for Halfred's guest and Halfred stood up with her, "Dad, Ma, this is Poppy Banks of Oatbarton. If it will be alright, she will be spending three days with us and I will be going back to the Northfarthing to spend three days with her family so that we're all introduced." Halfred said.
Bell smiled, "It's lovely to meet you, Poppy. We can set up a place for you to sleep; we'll love to have you over for the holiday!" She said and she went back to the kitchen to get the butter and jam. Sam suspected that there was more news to come of Halfred and Poppy and so did all the other Gamgee children, but Halfred held a finger up to his lips when his parents' backs were turned and Poppy giggled. Hamson knew of the news and he smiled at his brothers and sisters and how delighted they reacted.
The room was beautiful and at last, everyone was seated at the round table. Hamson stood up with his cup to do the blessing and said, " It's been such a wonderful year and the new year will be just as wonderful, there's no doubt. I can see we have all grown; my dear sister Daisy is out on her own and May is already passed her coming-of-age. Dear Marigold is still so beautiful, just like our Mama. Father, you have taught me so much and I want to thank both of my parents now with all of you here, now that the year is ending. Thank you for everything, this meal, our stability of this family and I wish us all a healthy new year." Hamson said and Bell wiped her eyes.
"Now, I have not forgotten you, brother. I'd like to congratulate Halfred and Poppy and I'm honored to tell all of you of their engagement. To a happy life for them!" He announced and lifted his glass. Bell gave a squeal, jumped up and ran over to him and threw her hands around his neck crying. The Gaffer stood up proud and everyone drank to their health.
The feasting was one of the best they had had in a long time. With the announcement of their engagement, everyone was buzzing about the upcoming wedding while they ate. Bell was already spilling plans about it, but Halfred declared they would hold the wedding until the late of summer. All the Gamgees came to adore Halfred's fiancée, Poppy. She stayed quiet and polite during the beginning of the meal, but after she became comfortable with her future family, she warmed up and smiled and spoke benevolently and good-humored.
The end of the first meal led to another great feast the next day. They ended the second feast with talk and stories around the fire, even though everyone there was well over the age of listening to make-up stories.
The last day of a fine year began and Bell hurriedly prepared for their third day of feasting at the Cottons. When all her pies and sides were done, they climbed into the carriage and made their way to the Cotton's dwelling.
Soon, the two families reunited and they were busy in the kitchen and making room for the Gamgees. They had rearranged to spend the night over and welcome the new year with each other.
Farmer Cotton was getting restless lying upstairs for so long and urged to get up. Since Lily so stubbornly kept an eye on him to make sure he wouldn't get up, he called all of his children to carry him downstairs. It was quite something to watch: Jolly and Nick carefully carrying his bandaged legs, Nibs and Tom with his shoulders, and Rosie in the back holding up his head. And of course, the reaction of Lily when she noticed her husband being carried downstairs. They set up a cozy chair for their Pa, and the Gamgees kept him company.
When the tables were set, Mrs. Gamgee called her boys in from outside and everyone gathered around. Mr. Cotton handed the blessings to Tom and he gave thanks. "And furthermore," he ended, "Let us thank the Gamgees for coming over to be in our presence for the new year! May good fortune, love and health find us all!" He concluded and he smiled sweetly at Marigold in front of him and they drank out of their cups. Halfred kissed Poppy's cheek and after everyone had filled their plates Bell brought up their engagement.
Lily clapped her hands and said, "Oh, how wonderful! Such a lovely couple they are, for my sayin'!" Lily said and Halfred grinned charmingly, "I would not have a wedding without the Cottons to attend!" And Lily spent her time talking to Bell and Poppy about their wedding plans and of course, the dress Poppy would be wearing.
The feast was fantastic and the children offered to clean the kitchen since their parents did all the hard work. For a long time, the two families visited and talked in the large living room by the fire. Farmer Cotton spoke riddles and jokes and would occasionally crack a joke about his poor leg.
Two hours before the next day, the older hobbits became sleepy and Lily prepared their small beds in the living room on the couches and floor. The Cotton children shared beds so they could give the Gaffer and Bell a proper bed and an extra one for May and Daisy to share.
Finally, Farmer Cotton was hauled back upstairs (which became a lot harder than going down) and Mrs. Cotton, Hamfast and Bell turned in and told the children to behave downstairs. They waited for the new year and watched the clock, but Halfred and Poppy fell asleep together on the floor. Hamson responsibly watched the younger of the hobbits until he started to nod off into a peaceful sleep.
That was Nibs and Nick's time to sneak into the kitchen and grab some midnight sweets, but Rosie swatted their hands in a very motherly sort of way and Hamson was up again.
Rosie came upstairs for a while to get her bed ready and herself for sleep, and when she came back down, the clock hands were a quarter before midnight. Everyone was asleep save for Jolly, Nibs, and Tom and Marigold, who were speaking very quietly and intimately. Rosie stepped over Hamson and bent down to Sam, who was sound asleep on the couch.
"Sam---it is almost a new year!" She whispered in his ear and Tom turned to her.
"Rosie, let him be. He needs his rest," Tom said and Rosie looked back at the clock.
"But he cannot miss the new year." She argued quietly and Tom gave her a kind look.
"It will be here tomorrow for him to see," He said and she knew he was right.
The clock finally chimed at the twelve after all their waiting and Jolly and Nibs cheered silently and headed up to bed. Marigold and Tom wished everyone and each other a happy new year and they let go of each other's hands after he bid Marigold goodnight.
Rosie pretended not to see and smiled as she thought of her brother's tender side for Marigold. She fixed Sam's falling blanket and she took a last glance at the clock, which was ten minutes into the new day. It was a brand new year and she hoped it would be just as wonderful like the last. Sam stirred and opened his eyes slightly.
"Rosie? What has happened?" He asked in a sleepy murmur.
"Nothing, I just wanted to wish you a happy new year," She whispered and smiled and Sam turned his eyes to the clock behind her. He shifted under his blankets and looked at Rosie, "A joyful new year to you, Rosie...G'night." He said and he fell asleep.
Rosie tiptoed through the room and upstairs to her bed next to sleeping Nick.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The next morning, Sam woke up and found his little sister still asleep on the floor. Out the window from the kitchen, he saw the Gaffer outside with his pipe with Hamson and Halfred. Farmer Cotton was inside reading in the dining room while Lily prepared his and everyone else's meal. Nick, Tom and Jolly were outside shoveling the porch and walkway and Sam predicted that Rosie and Nibs and his older sisters were still asleep.
Hamfast and Bell came down and yawned and smiled at the new day, "I had such a wonderful sleep. Thank you, Lily, you have been so kind." Bell said and she lend in a hand with breakfast. They set it on the table for anyone who was hungry and soon they all gathered to the table. Tom got Daisy, May, Nibs, and Rosie down and Sam shyly turned down to his plate because he knew it wasn't proper to stare. He remembered only slightly of the night before when it turned the new year, but he liked to think of it as a dream.
After breakfast, the boys got on their coats and ran outside. Hamson and Daisy stayed by his father's side while Halfred and Poppy decided to take a walk through the snow. Lily took Farmer Cotton outside next to Bell and the Gaffer while Sam sat on the steps of the back porch with them, smoking his pipe he brought thoughtfully.
They watched the Cotton-lads and even Marigold and May build their snow forts when Sam was struck with snow on his shoulder. It put out his pipe and Rosie crept up next to him and laughed at his shocked face. "Come now, Sam. What is up with you sitting on the porch like an old chap with his pipe? Next you'll be rocking in a rickety chair! Come out and have fun!" She said and she backed up.
He set his pipe down and sighed, "I cannot hit you, Rosie. It wouldn't be civil," He said and she giggled, "Maybe not civil, but you will want to hit me with snow after this." And she shoved snow right down his back collar. He gave a high yelp and jumped up and down to get it out. She ran off and Sam picked up a packed snowball and ran after her.
He hit her side and she threw one right back. She ducked under Jolly's snow- fort and when Sam saw her he threw his snowball and incidentally hit Jolly square in the face. Suddenly, everyone abandoned their snow-forts and threw snow at each other until they were on the ground either exhausted or laughing. They made snow prints of themselves on the ground and made little snow-people.
Marigold and Tom never left each other's side and Sam glanced over to see themselves stealing glances of affection at one another.
Tom saw these same glances Sam had seen only between Sam and Rosie. He would often see Sam gazing at Rosie's red cheeks or sweet smile and Rosie would look right back, only without the lust that would shine in Sam's eyes when he looked at her.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
Chapter Five: Yuletide Surprises
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
Holiday decorations were put up all around the Shire and inside many smials. Many families were taking out food from storage to get ready for the feasting. The feasting took place on the last and first three days of the new year and Bell Gamgee accepted Lily's invitation and planned to feast together the day before the end of the old year. She had set out many roasts and meats and left them out to marinate. She found bins of food from the harvest and peeled the carrots and such.
The Gaffer always had fun decorating the smial with streamers and candles and loved going a bit overboard. Sam and Hamson helped too, and everyone waited for the arrival of Halfred. Daisy came over two days before the first feasting and had a great time with her sisters baking treats and cakes.
Everyone at the Gamgee house woke up bright and early to prepare for the upcoming meal. Bell got out her best honey and jams for the biscuits and made her gravy for the potatoes she boiled and mashed that everyone loved. The daughters helped her and the Gaffer and his sons cut firewood that would last the night and set up their best dishes on the table.
After several hours, the meal was done and everyone was eager to start eating. Marigold folded the napkins for everyone and set the silverware up. Bell set the pots and plates on the table and looked towards the window every few minutes for Halfred. Finally the table was set and the afternoon was almost ending. The Gamgee tradition was to start eating within the last hour of the light day and Sam got out a log for the fire. It started a- blazed and when Bell lit the candles on the table, the door swung open with Halfred in the doorway.
He stood there smiling with a scarf around his neck and his arm around a young hobbit-lass. They were both red-cheeked and frosted with snowflakes and the coach they rode was heard riding away. Bell ran up and embraced her son and took their hats. She shook hands with the hobbit-lass and brought them to the table. Halfred took his and his guest's coats and kissed his Ma and Dad. "You didn't think I wouldn't be coming, did you?" He asked and he beamed as he saw the meal on the table.
The Gaffer found an extra chair for Halfred's guest and Halfred stood up with her, "Dad, Ma, this is Poppy Banks of Oatbarton. If it will be alright, she will be spending three days with us and I will be going back to the Northfarthing to spend three days with her family so that we're all introduced." Halfred said.
Bell smiled, "It's lovely to meet you, Poppy. We can set up a place for you to sleep; we'll love to have you over for the holiday!" She said and she went back to the kitchen to get the butter and jam. Sam suspected that there was more news to come of Halfred and Poppy and so did all the other Gamgee children, but Halfred held a finger up to his lips when his parents' backs were turned and Poppy giggled. Hamson knew of the news and he smiled at his brothers and sisters and how delighted they reacted.
The room was beautiful and at last, everyone was seated at the round table. Hamson stood up with his cup to do the blessing and said, " It's been such a wonderful year and the new year will be just as wonderful, there's no doubt. I can see we have all grown; my dear sister Daisy is out on her own and May is already passed her coming-of-age. Dear Marigold is still so beautiful, just like our Mama. Father, you have taught me so much and I want to thank both of my parents now with all of you here, now that the year is ending. Thank you for everything, this meal, our stability of this family and I wish us all a healthy new year." Hamson said and Bell wiped her eyes.
"Now, I have not forgotten you, brother. I'd like to congratulate Halfred and Poppy and I'm honored to tell all of you of their engagement. To a happy life for them!" He announced and lifted his glass. Bell gave a squeal, jumped up and ran over to him and threw her hands around his neck crying. The Gaffer stood up proud and everyone drank to their health.
The feasting was one of the best they had had in a long time. With the announcement of their engagement, everyone was buzzing about the upcoming wedding while they ate. Bell was already spilling plans about it, but Halfred declared they would hold the wedding until the late of summer. All the Gamgees came to adore Halfred's fiancée, Poppy. She stayed quiet and polite during the beginning of the meal, but after she became comfortable with her future family, she warmed up and smiled and spoke benevolently and good-humored.
The end of the first meal led to another great feast the next day. They ended the second feast with talk and stories around the fire, even though everyone there was well over the age of listening to make-up stories.
The last day of a fine year began and Bell hurriedly prepared for their third day of feasting at the Cottons. When all her pies and sides were done, they climbed into the carriage and made their way to the Cotton's dwelling.
Soon, the two families reunited and they were busy in the kitchen and making room for the Gamgees. They had rearranged to spend the night over and welcome the new year with each other.
Farmer Cotton was getting restless lying upstairs for so long and urged to get up. Since Lily so stubbornly kept an eye on him to make sure he wouldn't get up, he called all of his children to carry him downstairs. It was quite something to watch: Jolly and Nick carefully carrying his bandaged legs, Nibs and Tom with his shoulders, and Rosie in the back holding up his head. And of course, the reaction of Lily when she noticed her husband being carried downstairs. They set up a cozy chair for their Pa, and the Gamgees kept him company.
When the tables were set, Mrs. Gamgee called her boys in from outside and everyone gathered around. Mr. Cotton handed the blessings to Tom and he gave thanks. "And furthermore," he ended, "Let us thank the Gamgees for coming over to be in our presence for the new year! May good fortune, love and health find us all!" He concluded and he smiled sweetly at Marigold in front of him and they drank out of their cups. Halfred kissed Poppy's cheek and after everyone had filled their plates Bell brought up their engagement.
Lily clapped her hands and said, "Oh, how wonderful! Such a lovely couple they are, for my sayin'!" Lily said and Halfred grinned charmingly, "I would not have a wedding without the Cottons to attend!" And Lily spent her time talking to Bell and Poppy about their wedding plans and of course, the dress Poppy would be wearing.
The feast was fantastic and the children offered to clean the kitchen since their parents did all the hard work. For a long time, the two families visited and talked in the large living room by the fire. Farmer Cotton spoke riddles and jokes and would occasionally crack a joke about his poor leg.
Two hours before the next day, the older hobbits became sleepy and Lily prepared their small beds in the living room on the couches and floor. The Cotton children shared beds so they could give the Gaffer and Bell a proper bed and an extra one for May and Daisy to share.
Finally, Farmer Cotton was hauled back upstairs (which became a lot harder than going down) and Mrs. Cotton, Hamfast and Bell turned in and told the children to behave downstairs. They waited for the new year and watched the clock, but Halfred and Poppy fell asleep together on the floor. Hamson responsibly watched the younger of the hobbits until he started to nod off into a peaceful sleep.
That was Nibs and Nick's time to sneak into the kitchen and grab some midnight sweets, but Rosie swatted their hands in a very motherly sort of way and Hamson was up again.
Rosie came upstairs for a while to get her bed ready and herself for sleep, and when she came back down, the clock hands were a quarter before midnight. Everyone was asleep save for Jolly, Nibs, and Tom and Marigold, who were speaking very quietly and intimately. Rosie stepped over Hamson and bent down to Sam, who was sound asleep on the couch.
"Sam---it is almost a new year!" She whispered in his ear and Tom turned to her.
"Rosie, let him be. He needs his rest," Tom said and Rosie looked back at the clock.
"But he cannot miss the new year." She argued quietly and Tom gave her a kind look.
"It will be here tomorrow for him to see," He said and she knew he was right.
The clock finally chimed at the twelve after all their waiting and Jolly and Nibs cheered silently and headed up to bed. Marigold and Tom wished everyone and each other a happy new year and they let go of each other's hands after he bid Marigold goodnight.
Rosie pretended not to see and smiled as she thought of her brother's tender side for Marigold. She fixed Sam's falling blanket and she took a last glance at the clock, which was ten minutes into the new day. It was a brand new year and she hoped it would be just as wonderful like the last. Sam stirred and opened his eyes slightly.
"Rosie? What has happened?" He asked in a sleepy murmur.
"Nothing, I just wanted to wish you a happy new year," She whispered and smiled and Sam turned his eyes to the clock behind her. He shifted under his blankets and looked at Rosie, "A joyful new year to you, Rosie...G'night." He said and he fell asleep.
Rosie tiptoed through the room and upstairs to her bed next to sleeping Nick.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ··~
The next morning, Sam woke up and found his little sister still asleep on the floor. Out the window from the kitchen, he saw the Gaffer outside with his pipe with Hamson and Halfred. Farmer Cotton was inside reading in the dining room while Lily prepared his and everyone else's meal. Nick, Tom and Jolly were outside shoveling the porch and walkway and Sam predicted that Rosie and Nibs and his older sisters were still asleep.
Hamfast and Bell came down and yawned and smiled at the new day, "I had such a wonderful sleep. Thank you, Lily, you have been so kind." Bell said and she lend in a hand with breakfast. They set it on the table for anyone who was hungry and soon they all gathered to the table. Tom got Daisy, May, Nibs, and Rosie down and Sam shyly turned down to his plate because he knew it wasn't proper to stare. He remembered only slightly of the night before when it turned the new year, but he liked to think of it as a dream.
After breakfast, the boys got on their coats and ran outside. Hamson and Daisy stayed by his father's side while Halfred and Poppy decided to take a walk through the snow. Lily took Farmer Cotton outside next to Bell and the Gaffer while Sam sat on the steps of the back porch with them, smoking his pipe he brought thoughtfully.
They watched the Cotton-lads and even Marigold and May build their snow forts when Sam was struck with snow on his shoulder. It put out his pipe and Rosie crept up next to him and laughed at his shocked face. "Come now, Sam. What is up with you sitting on the porch like an old chap with his pipe? Next you'll be rocking in a rickety chair! Come out and have fun!" She said and she backed up.
He set his pipe down and sighed, "I cannot hit you, Rosie. It wouldn't be civil," He said and she giggled, "Maybe not civil, but you will want to hit me with snow after this." And she shoved snow right down his back collar. He gave a high yelp and jumped up and down to get it out. She ran off and Sam picked up a packed snowball and ran after her.
He hit her side and she threw one right back. She ducked under Jolly's snow- fort and when Sam saw her he threw his snowball and incidentally hit Jolly square in the face. Suddenly, everyone abandoned their snow-forts and threw snow at each other until they were on the ground either exhausted or laughing. They made snow prints of themselves on the ground and made little snow-people.
Marigold and Tom never left each other's side and Sam glanced over to see themselves stealing glances of affection at one another.
Tom saw these same glances Sam had seen only between Sam and Rosie. He would often see Sam gazing at Rosie's red cheeks or sweet smile and Rosie would look right back, only without the lust that would shine in Sam's eyes when he looked at her.
~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~