Author's Note: Wow, it has been ages since I last updated this story! Hopefully, it won't be another seven months before I get around to writing the next chapter. ;) Enjoy and don't forget to review.

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Chapter Four

Marigold quietly enters the silent hobbit hole, gently shutting the door. She goes into the kitchen and is startled to see her Gaffer sitting at the table smoking his pipe. He looks up upon her entering.

"You're late, young lady," the old hobbit scolds, fixing her with a stern look.

Marigold laughs softly, walks around the table to his chair, and drops a kiss on his wrinkled cheek. "I'm sorry. I was with Tom and Rosie and—"

"Off on one of your adventures again, I reckon," he says as a deep chuckle escapes his lips, and his eyes twinkle. "Didn't get into any trouble, I hope." He raises his eyebrows.

Swallowing nervously, Marigold smiles brightly, "Well, not any more than usual…" she trails off.

The Gaffer suddenly notices the bundle of fur in his daughter's hands. "What have you got there?" He squints his eyes.

"A kitten, Pa," Marigold says, stepping closer to allow him a closer look. She watches nervously as a frown comes over the hobbit's features. Rosie shifts restlessly in her friend's hands, a bit unnerved by Mr. Gamgee's analyzing gaze. He then looks up silently at Marigold.

"We found it, soaked, in the woods. We couldn't leave it out there – you know being in the woods after nightfall and alone is not safe for a helpless, lost kitten."

"Rosie Cotton couldn't look after it?"

You're looking right at her, Pa. I don't know how she can look after the kitten when she is the kitten in question. "Nick has a reaction to cats," Marigold says out loud.

"I have never cared to have pets roaming the house. And you know how Samwise feels about cats," the Gaffer crosses his arms, sighing.

Rosie lowers her head, a little surprised by how disappointed she feels at these words. She can't stay at home, or here. How will she survive on her own in the Shire? Everything will be new, larger, and dangerous to a kitten. What will she do????? If she had been a hobbit lass, she would have sobbed. However, seeing that she is a kitten, her cry comes out as a weird, catlike bawling. Both the Gaffer and Marigold stare down at her in shocked bewilderment. Scared by the freaky sound coming from her mouth, Rosie quickly halts her crying/bawling. Instead, she simply blinks at Gaffer with huge sad brown eyes. The two gaze at each other for many long moments.

"Please, Pa. I could keep it in my room. And you and Sam would never know it is here. I have always wanted to have a little playmate," Marigold pouts pleadingly.

"Being a kitten, it will want to explore every inch and cranny of this place. And it would have to be let outside sometimes," he points out.

"I know," Marigold answers.

The Gaffer sets his pipe aside and carefully takes Rosie from Marigold. Slowly, hesitantly, he strokes the kitten's head, amazed by how soft its fur is. Rosie purrs and rubs against his fingers. A small smile touches his face.

"It has been many years since I held a kitten," he muses.

Marigold looks wonderingly at her father. This confession is news to her. "Really?" she breathes.

"Had a kitten for five years when I was a wee lad. Shadow we called him, for where I went, he was close by. He was the most important thing to me in the world. I was devastated when he got sick and died."

Marigold sniffs and blinks back tears.

The Gaffer returns his gaze to his daughter. "I suppose if you promise this little creature won't get into my things, and stays out of Samwise's way…" He winks.

Beaming, Marigold hugs the hobbit. "Oh, thank you, Pa!" she exclaims happily.

"What's all the fuss about?" a sleepy Sam appears in the doorway.

Marigold straightens abruptly, eyes wide. She opens her mouth, but no sound comes out. The Gaffer, appearing composed at this unexpected interruption, swiftly lowers his hands under the table.

"Your sister was just thankful I did not give her a hard time for arriving home so late," he answers.

Sam narrows his eyes at his youngest sibling. "What have you been up to?" he asks gruffly as he walks to the table, standing across from Marigold.

"Out and about with Tom and Rosie," Marigold answers simply.

"Evidently," Sam huffs, noting her dirtied state.

Marigold smiles sweetly at her grumpy brother. "I am sorry for disturbing your sleep."

Sam waves off her apology. "So, what did you do on the expedition?"

"Got lost in the forest mostly. Tom wanted to show Rosie and me something, but he couldn't find it."

Listening to this conversation as she reclines on Mr. Gamgee's lap, Rosie suddenly jumps to the floor.

"We tumbled down a hill, and Rosie fell into a lake," Marigold goes on.

Sam looks at her sharply. "Was she hurt? She didn't catch a cold from being outside, since it is a long walk home? Is she all right?" he fires questions rapidly.

Rosie halts her walking and perks her ears. Sam asks nothing regarding Tom or if even Marigold was injured during their tumble. How sweet of him to be concerned, as though I am another sister, Rosie thinks cheerfully.

"Well," Marigold starts when Sam has finally fallen silent, "I…" I don't believe she was or is hurt but since she can't talk, I don't really know. As for a cold, we'll have to see. Thanks to Mr. Cotton, I wouldn't be completely surprised if she does get sick. But how do you take care of a kitten with a cold? However, the only reason you should worry Sam is because she's a kitten. "She is alive and well," Marigold says, nodding.

The scowl does not leave her brother's face. A flash of orange catches her attention and she looks in time to see Rosie leave the kitchen. Marigold attempts to keep calm. She fakes a huge yawn.

"I think I'll go to bed."

She kisses the Gaffer and Sam goodnight and enters the dark hallway. She realizes she cannot see anything and has no idea where Rosie has gone off to. Slowly she creeps down the hall, whispering her friend's name. Suddenly her foot comes down on something soft and furry instead of the cold wood of the floor. Startled, Marigold lets out a surprised shriek while Rosie howls at having her tail stepped on.

"Marigold? Are you all right?" Sam's voice drifts from the kitchen.

"Um, yes! I just stubbed my toe, that's all," Marigold stammers, hurrying down the hall, praying she won't step all over Rosie again. Glancing over her shoulder, she sees Sam's silhouette move toward the doorway. All is saved when the Gaffer calls Sam back. Marigold lets out a relieved sigh. She owes her father big time.

Finally she closes firmly her bedroom door and lights a lamp. Rosie meows up at her.

"I didn't see you. I am sorry for stepping on your tail. You won't hold it against me like you do with Tom, will you?" Marigold asks, looking down anxiously on her friend.

Rosie rubs against her friend's legs and purrs her forgiveness.

Marigold happily falls into bed. The first night hasn't past and already she was nearly found out. Maybe it will be harder to keep Rosie out of Sam's way than I thought, she wonders before falling asleep.

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TBC…