Chapter 6
To Every Corner of Brandy Hall
Flickering of the candlelight cast five, ghostly shadows against the wall and floor before them. All but one shadow appeared bazaar and frightening. It seemed to be monstrous with two heads attached to its shoulders and its body thick. There were hideous branches that stuck out from behind it and no legs except for the last one who followed this fearsome pack that seem like they floated, rather than walked.
Quickly and quietly the pack moved down the empty corridor, turning and darting around the corners. When hearing padding feet or voices coming close to them, three of the conspirators pulled the others to hide behind a bookshelf or large potted plant. With their hearts caught into their chests in fear of being spotted or caught, they chose their path carefully. The leader guided them to the oldest part of Brandy Hall and sought the one door that would lead them safely out.
Her hand was shaking and trembling while trying to find the key that was tucked into her large apron pocket, while the others stood by watching her intently. Her fingers tapped the small hard object and she clutched them around it. Taking the key out, it scrapped against the brass plate just underneath the doorknob while she searched for the keyhole. Bending down closer to it, she found it and quickly stuck the old key in and rushed while she turned the knob. The old door that creaked opened to the group who had pressed themselves into the room and they closed it tightly. Turning the key again on the other side, the lass locked themselves in.
Esmeralda knew this key well and where her husband had always kept it. Glaring at the servant lass, who now possessed it, angered her even more so then her capture. The lass had been stealing from them all this time and her most treasured items along with this key must now be with her or her mistress who ordered her to do so.
Shifting her eyes away from Tulsi, they rested upon her mistress. Esmeralda knew this lass very well and in years past, she had been a welcomed guest in their home. Her uncle's family, who was once respected and admire, was now outcast and rejected. It had all started shortly after the pony races, years ago, when they all had fallen into disgrace. Her uncle was the one who tried to steal Merry's pony that he had brought back from foreign parts during his year adventure. In fact, he had ordered them to kill her son if necessary and they had almost succeeded, but for Estella who had found him with Farmer Maggot. She remembered the day that the old farmer stood before her husband and told him how he had drove-out the wayward hobbits and members of his family from Buckland and the Shire.
However, time did not keep them away from the Shire or Buckland. They were back, and revenge seemed to be their reasoning. All but the frightening lad with the sword, he was unknown to her and the strangest hobbit that she had even known. His eyes seemed dark and emotionless that narrowed cruelly. He had a light-colored portion on his hair that fell over his brow and rarely seen a good cleaning or cutting. His clothes were filthy and raged and clung oddly upon him. His hands were scared and thickly callused from years of hard work. His stench alone was more than what Esmeralda could bare. His presence frightened them and they were careful to watch their step around him.
His cruel voiced barked out at Tulsi and startled her, shaking in fear. "Where's da chest, lass!"
She pointed a trembling finger over to the large piece of furniture that rested squarely against the wall just under the Bucklander's tapestry. Rushing over to it, the lad pushed and pulled it from the wall. Behind it was a hole just big enough for a hobbit to fit into it. This surprised Esmeralda, the existence of this hole.
Estella clung onto little Faramir and kept him quiet in her arms. She whispered to him to keep him calm. His small arms were tightly wrapped around her neck and he rested his head upon her shoulder. Occasionally, he would peek-out from her shoulder and stare at the scary, bigger hobbit to watch him. She was furious with anger at her captors, but more so with the lass who ordered them about. Estella knew Myrtle Burrows and her uncle's involvement during the pony races that almost caused her beloved's death. If it were not for her henchman or little Faramir being taken, she would have stopped her just like she had done before.
Estella watched and waited for any moment that would present itself in order to escape and free themselves.
Just as a rabbit would enter its hole, so did the hobbits. Tulsi went first and dragged a lantern that the lad lit and placed in her hands. Standing before the hole on the other side, she guided the captives with the light of her lantern to show them the way. One after another they crawled into the hole and gathered together on the other side. There, just before them were dirt-floor tunnels with thick beams every few yards. It was hard to judge the length of the tunnels, how deep they were or when they were first made. The lad handed Myrtle his lantern and took out the map, unfolding it. Carefully he guided his finger through the drawings try to judge the distance they would travel under ground. Taking the lead, he guided the hobbits through the maze of tunnels.
XXX
The frustration mounted in his heart as he looked around the long and distant foothills on either side of him. Tall grasslands, thick bushes and clusters of trees yielded no clue of any sign of his pony or her captors. For all Merry could tell was that they suddenly just disappeared into thin air. Not even the skills that Aragorn had taught him serviced him in finding him a trail.
Closing his eyes to calm his raw nerves, he knew he needed to do something. His lads were waiting for his next order and all of their eyes were upon him. He wondered if Pippin or Berilac had any luck in picking up any signs. Turning to two of his riders, Merry barked out orders to them. "The two of you, one take the path to the Brandywine River and the other to the road leading to Standelf. Find Berilac and Pippin and send word back to me. We must make haste in finding Snowclad. Tell Pippin, I'm heading into Crickhallow and then checking the High Hay gate. I will meet him in Newbury tomorrow night. Now off with you lads!"
The riders kicked their ponies and dashed through the foothills while Merry and his lads watched them as one went west while the other south. Motioning to them behind him, he turned Sheerimac north and headed to Crickhallow.
XXX
Lost in his thoughts, he walked down the long corridor thinking to himself. Just returning from his daughter-in-laws room and not finding anyone there confused the old hobbit. 'She should have been there,' echoed into his mind with each step that he took.
Saradoc's eyes drifted down the corridor and caught a glimpse of his old cook knocking on a guestroom's door. Seeing her, he called out to her.
"Hatty, have you seen my wife?" he asked.
Hatty looked up at the old Master of Buckland and motioned him closer to her. "There's trouble a foot in these halls, Master Saradoc. Little Faramir and Estella are missing also. I've ordered the servant to begin searching every room. Diamond is beside herself from a worrying about her small, little lad. Paladin and Eglantine is with her in her room. I've also have not found my servant lass, Tulsi. She must be with them."
A flush of angry red began to creep in the elderly-hobbit's face and his eyes turned a cold, dark-brown. "You get every servant that Brandy Hall has and every stable lad looking. I want each corner of Brandy Hall searched!"
Saradoc turned sharply from Hatty's side and rushed down the halls. His robe fluttered behind his from the quick pace of his feet. His breath came in rapid puffs from the length of the corridor that he traveled. Opening the door to his and his wife's room, he rushed in and froze in his place. Shocked registered upon his wrinkled face taking in the sight before him.
All of his things were emptied upon the floor and tables turned over with missing drawers. Piles of papers scattered every inch. His maps were torn and their curly yellowed corners of the parchment scattered aimlessly. But what captured his attention the most was the well-preserved, old desk of his father that held the most precious things of his family. The locks were busted off and the smashed drawers completely emptied.
A gasp of grief and then a loud booming roar of anger filtrated into the corridor. Servants rushed in with their eyes opened wildly seeing the Master standing in his room of rubble.
XXX
Lost deeply in sleep on top the mound of hay, Tom quietly snored away. His pitchfork rested next to him while Shimmering munched away on a stack of green cut grass. Not even the flies that buzzed around him disturbed his restful slumber.
Silently a key was placed into the lock and clicked open. The old door that was never used now gave way to the group who stole into the stable. The lad that lead his group from the door rushed up to Tom and grabbed his pitchfork and flung it across the stable. With a loud crash and Shimmering, who raised her head began to neigh loudly, brought the sleeping lad instantly awake.
He scampered to his feet with his heart beating wildly in his chest. Wildly his eyes darted around to the faces that stood before him, but then focused on the sword in front of him. Looking up at the lad with a fierce look upon his face, Tom instantly recognized him.
"Fardom, ya filthy trench digger! You let 'em go!"
With one smack on his fist against the bandage portion of his head, Tom instantly fell to his feet, knocking him unconscious.
A/N: I am so sorry for constantly forgetting to add my authors notes and comments to my reviewers. I guess I get to excited to post the chapter after I have edited it....(to the best of my abilities...yikes!)
Any way, Thank you all so much for your reviews, they are greatly appreciated and knowing that there are a few who are enjoying my little stories and my obsession with Merry....
Lowri Brandybuck: It is awesome to have a new reviewer, you have made my day! Smiling and smiling.....
Pippinfan1988: You have also made me very happy to have a review from you. I really love your stories and your writing. It is so cool to have you reading one of my stories.
ShireElf: Yes, Precious, but only when the time is right.....He'll find her, but will it be him who saves the day? Who knows where the muse will lead me in this story? Only the Precious knows! Loveofthering bows to ShireElf and thanks her immensely for all her reviews! Your Awesome!
Lula: You're amazing! Thank you so much for keeping me challenged and all your time teaching me and correcting all my errors. I grovel at your feet! May I remember everything that you teach me about writing.
To Every Corner of Brandy Hall
Flickering of the candlelight cast five, ghostly shadows against the wall and floor before them. All but one shadow appeared bazaar and frightening. It seemed to be monstrous with two heads attached to its shoulders and its body thick. There were hideous branches that stuck out from behind it and no legs except for the last one who followed this fearsome pack that seem like they floated, rather than walked.
Quickly and quietly the pack moved down the empty corridor, turning and darting around the corners. When hearing padding feet or voices coming close to them, three of the conspirators pulled the others to hide behind a bookshelf or large potted plant. With their hearts caught into their chests in fear of being spotted or caught, they chose their path carefully. The leader guided them to the oldest part of Brandy Hall and sought the one door that would lead them safely out.
Her hand was shaking and trembling while trying to find the key that was tucked into her large apron pocket, while the others stood by watching her intently. Her fingers tapped the small hard object and she clutched them around it. Taking the key out, it scrapped against the brass plate just underneath the doorknob while she searched for the keyhole. Bending down closer to it, she found it and quickly stuck the old key in and rushed while she turned the knob. The old door that creaked opened to the group who had pressed themselves into the room and they closed it tightly. Turning the key again on the other side, the lass locked themselves in.
Esmeralda knew this key well and where her husband had always kept it. Glaring at the servant lass, who now possessed it, angered her even more so then her capture. The lass had been stealing from them all this time and her most treasured items along with this key must now be with her or her mistress who ordered her to do so.
Shifting her eyes away from Tulsi, they rested upon her mistress. Esmeralda knew this lass very well and in years past, she had been a welcomed guest in their home. Her uncle's family, who was once respected and admire, was now outcast and rejected. It had all started shortly after the pony races, years ago, when they all had fallen into disgrace. Her uncle was the one who tried to steal Merry's pony that he had brought back from foreign parts during his year adventure. In fact, he had ordered them to kill her son if necessary and they had almost succeeded, but for Estella who had found him with Farmer Maggot. She remembered the day that the old farmer stood before her husband and told him how he had drove-out the wayward hobbits and members of his family from Buckland and the Shire.
However, time did not keep them away from the Shire or Buckland. They were back, and revenge seemed to be their reasoning. All but the frightening lad with the sword, he was unknown to her and the strangest hobbit that she had even known. His eyes seemed dark and emotionless that narrowed cruelly. He had a light-colored portion on his hair that fell over his brow and rarely seen a good cleaning or cutting. His clothes were filthy and raged and clung oddly upon him. His hands were scared and thickly callused from years of hard work. His stench alone was more than what Esmeralda could bare. His presence frightened them and they were careful to watch their step around him.
His cruel voiced barked out at Tulsi and startled her, shaking in fear. "Where's da chest, lass!"
She pointed a trembling finger over to the large piece of furniture that rested squarely against the wall just under the Bucklander's tapestry. Rushing over to it, the lad pushed and pulled it from the wall. Behind it was a hole just big enough for a hobbit to fit into it. This surprised Esmeralda, the existence of this hole.
Estella clung onto little Faramir and kept him quiet in her arms. She whispered to him to keep him calm. His small arms were tightly wrapped around her neck and he rested his head upon her shoulder. Occasionally, he would peek-out from her shoulder and stare at the scary, bigger hobbit to watch him. She was furious with anger at her captors, but more so with the lass who ordered them about. Estella knew Myrtle Burrows and her uncle's involvement during the pony races that almost caused her beloved's death. If it were not for her henchman or little Faramir being taken, she would have stopped her just like she had done before.
Estella watched and waited for any moment that would present itself in order to escape and free themselves.
Just as a rabbit would enter its hole, so did the hobbits. Tulsi went first and dragged a lantern that the lad lit and placed in her hands. Standing before the hole on the other side, she guided the captives with the light of her lantern to show them the way. One after another they crawled into the hole and gathered together on the other side. There, just before them were dirt-floor tunnels with thick beams every few yards. It was hard to judge the length of the tunnels, how deep they were or when they were first made. The lad handed Myrtle his lantern and took out the map, unfolding it. Carefully he guided his finger through the drawings try to judge the distance they would travel under ground. Taking the lead, he guided the hobbits through the maze of tunnels.
XXX
The frustration mounted in his heart as he looked around the long and distant foothills on either side of him. Tall grasslands, thick bushes and clusters of trees yielded no clue of any sign of his pony or her captors. For all Merry could tell was that they suddenly just disappeared into thin air. Not even the skills that Aragorn had taught him serviced him in finding him a trail.
Closing his eyes to calm his raw nerves, he knew he needed to do something. His lads were waiting for his next order and all of their eyes were upon him. He wondered if Pippin or Berilac had any luck in picking up any signs. Turning to two of his riders, Merry barked out orders to them. "The two of you, one take the path to the Brandywine River and the other to the road leading to Standelf. Find Berilac and Pippin and send word back to me. We must make haste in finding Snowclad. Tell Pippin, I'm heading into Crickhallow and then checking the High Hay gate. I will meet him in Newbury tomorrow night. Now off with you lads!"
The riders kicked their ponies and dashed through the foothills while Merry and his lads watched them as one went west while the other south. Motioning to them behind him, he turned Sheerimac north and headed to Crickhallow.
XXX
Lost in his thoughts, he walked down the long corridor thinking to himself. Just returning from his daughter-in-laws room and not finding anyone there confused the old hobbit. 'She should have been there,' echoed into his mind with each step that he took.
Saradoc's eyes drifted down the corridor and caught a glimpse of his old cook knocking on a guestroom's door. Seeing her, he called out to her.
"Hatty, have you seen my wife?" he asked.
Hatty looked up at the old Master of Buckland and motioned him closer to her. "There's trouble a foot in these halls, Master Saradoc. Little Faramir and Estella are missing also. I've ordered the servant to begin searching every room. Diamond is beside herself from a worrying about her small, little lad. Paladin and Eglantine is with her in her room. I've also have not found my servant lass, Tulsi. She must be with them."
A flush of angry red began to creep in the elderly-hobbit's face and his eyes turned a cold, dark-brown. "You get every servant that Brandy Hall has and every stable lad looking. I want each corner of Brandy Hall searched!"
Saradoc turned sharply from Hatty's side and rushed down the halls. His robe fluttered behind his from the quick pace of his feet. His breath came in rapid puffs from the length of the corridor that he traveled. Opening the door to his and his wife's room, he rushed in and froze in his place. Shocked registered upon his wrinkled face taking in the sight before him.
All of his things were emptied upon the floor and tables turned over with missing drawers. Piles of papers scattered every inch. His maps were torn and their curly yellowed corners of the parchment scattered aimlessly. But what captured his attention the most was the well-preserved, old desk of his father that held the most precious things of his family. The locks were busted off and the smashed drawers completely emptied.
A gasp of grief and then a loud booming roar of anger filtrated into the corridor. Servants rushed in with their eyes opened wildly seeing the Master standing in his room of rubble.
XXX
Lost deeply in sleep on top the mound of hay, Tom quietly snored away. His pitchfork rested next to him while Shimmering munched away on a stack of green cut grass. Not even the flies that buzzed around him disturbed his restful slumber.
Silently a key was placed into the lock and clicked open. The old door that was never used now gave way to the group who stole into the stable. The lad that lead his group from the door rushed up to Tom and grabbed his pitchfork and flung it across the stable. With a loud crash and Shimmering, who raised her head began to neigh loudly, brought the sleeping lad instantly awake.
He scampered to his feet with his heart beating wildly in his chest. Wildly his eyes darted around to the faces that stood before him, but then focused on the sword in front of him. Looking up at the lad with a fierce look upon his face, Tom instantly recognized him.
"Fardom, ya filthy trench digger! You let 'em go!"
With one smack on his fist against the bandage portion of his head, Tom instantly fell to his feet, knocking him unconscious.
A/N: I am so sorry for constantly forgetting to add my authors notes and comments to my reviewers. I guess I get to excited to post the chapter after I have edited it....(to the best of my abilities...yikes!)
Any way, Thank you all so much for your reviews, they are greatly appreciated and knowing that there are a few who are enjoying my little stories and my obsession with Merry....
Lowri Brandybuck: It is awesome to have a new reviewer, you have made my day! Smiling and smiling.....
Pippinfan1988: You have also made me very happy to have a review from you. I really love your stories and your writing. It is so cool to have you reading one of my stories.
ShireElf: Yes, Precious, but only when the time is right.....He'll find her, but will it be him who saves the day? Who knows where the muse will lead me in this story? Only the Precious knows! Loveofthering bows to ShireElf and thanks her immensely for all her reviews! Your Awesome!
Lula: You're amazing! Thank you so much for keeping me challenged and all your time teaching me and correcting all my errors. I grovel at your feet! May I remember everything that you teach me about writing.