Hello, Nice to see you again. So glad you could make it.
Bookworm2000 – Drawing Merry pictures on the bus were you? Hmm.."Oh mighty king of all that is red and apply"..I may find a use for that somewhere, you wouldn't mind if I borrowed that sometime maybe? I promise to mention you! Oh, and a bit of advise, when travelling, Always keep a pad and paper handy, its a lot easier then drawing on the window, and you can take your ideas home with you!
arwen undomiel3 – I thought of you when writing about Pippin because you are a fan of Pippin, are you not? Pippin was always your favourite hobbit wasn't he? That's why, I wasn't suggesting anything! And of course `Botheration` had to go in there, don't you think it is just like the best word ever? Plus I use it a lot, so people who know me would find it funny.
Shirebound – hehehe, glad you liked my Pippin counting idea. Thank you for continuing to review this story, I admire you so much, that your words mean a lot to me.
LegyLuva - 'Frodo using Sam's outstretched hand to help get up from the floor.' Was written for you, with you in mind Mellon Nin! I was wondering if you would pick up on it! I'm sorry to confuddle you, No the previous chapter did not mention the box, a) because I think that Sam may have remembered things that Frodo did not, and b) because I could think of no item that would represent this memory, that would have lasted all those years. (so, really I was cheating)
Celebrindal - A knack for writing hobbits you say? I like that! What better praise could anybody wish to receive! And I agree with you, Samishness should definitely appear in the dictionary. It already is part my vocabulary of words, but other people should know about it to! Hmm… I think I may be able to do something about that….
Mousegal – Always glad to receive your reviews, such kinds words! And I don't mind you commenting on my advert, I'm glad somebody does, people only seem to notice when it is missing! The over large night shirt part actually came from a very weird dream I had where everyone turned up to college in their night clothes! I was laughing when I awoke, and thought maybe I would share it with you.
frodo16424 – Welcome my friend, you have now entered the point of no return. My story and my adverts will draw you back time after time, and there is no escape from this point onwards! (well no, I am only joking, but I hope you do come back! It's always nice to see a friendly face! (well, read a friendly review technically)
GamgeeFest – I actually did consider having Sam nearly attack Pippin when he found him, but, as Sam is such a gentle person, and Pippin is of course of higher rank, I resisted the temptation. And I'm sorry that I had to make Pippin cheat, but in more ways then one! Not only are you not supposed to move once you are hidden, you are also not supposed to hide when it's your turn to count!
Samwise the Brave – Oh I am still glad you are still Jealous. Hehehe. What sort of a word is `Kudos`? I may have asked this before, if I did I've forgot, what by Buckland does it mean?
No.1.fan – glad to make you laugh again, it's good that it did, for some chapters I do go for that `aww` factor, but last chapter I decided to add a little bit of life to this story, and go for the laughing thing. Just make sure you are on your own for reading a poem I am considering posting in a little while…
Dawnatella – New person! So glad to meet you! I have to say though, I have visited your Bio page, and I can't quite work you out. You are a Harry Potter Fan (from your aol name) you are a fan of the Ninja Turtles, and a poet buff, (your bio said as much), so why do you read my Lotr stories and not my poems? Anyway, I am glad you like it.
Obelia, Number 1 Jellyfish Fan, 50th reviewer and fellow Gamgee Fan Club Member – Oh you should bring Merry and Pippin back into anchored! (as soon as you decide to start updating it again! I'm missing it!) and yes you did tell me I would make a good story writer, and, judging from peoples reactions, you were absolutely right! I should listen to you more often! (what does Pbt mean btw?)
Cosmo-queen – aww, thank you for such a nice review! It made me smile such a lot! I also wish that Tolkien had written more about the childhood, not just of the Hobbits, but of all of the characters. But then again, I suppose that would put me out of a job! And plus, its so much nicer when you have the chance to imagine what sort of life the characters had, and to wonder if they had any parallels with your own (as most of my story lines do). Continue to review my friend, muchly appreciated, and good luck on your exams, if they are not already over!
Wow, such wonderful responses from you all! I just wanted to add a Great big Thank you to everyone, and just because you all loved Merry and Pippin so much, they will be making a re-appearance, so watch this space!
This chapter was written specially for my friend cosmo-queen, who has never seen proper snow. Just to give you a slight indication of how much fun it can be when it falls properly!
~*~~*~
Memories Of A Gardener
By Michelle Frodo
Chapter 8 - Of Snowflakes and Sledding
It had been a long time since it had snowed in the Shire. Though snow was not unheard of, it was not very common, and heavy snowfalls were very rare.
It was one cold winter's afternoon in Hobbinton. Sam was sat at the desk that he had set up in the living room, sorting out a problem that Mrs Fawn was having with her washing. Apparently her neighbour Mr Numtkin was always throwing dirty water over the fence. Sam sighed.
Elanor was sat on the floor near the fire, telling her younger brothers and sisters a story. Bell was feeding little Goldilocks. Non of them had noticed that the graceful, silent snow had been falling for quite a while. Elanor stood up to give her story some emphasis.
" And the Big Billy goat ran across the bridge, bumping into the troll with his horns, and the troll fell into the water with a mighty.." She stopped as she looked out of the window.
"Da'! Mam! Look!" She jumped up and down, and pointed out of the window.
"My my." Sam said in amazement. "Don't know how long it's been since I last saw snow."
"Snow?"
"What's Snow?"
"Can you eat it?"
"What's it for?"
"Is the sky falling down?" Little Frodo asked, looking concerned. Elanor laughed, giving her brother a reassuring hug. "No you silly Billy."
Rose, Merry and Pippin were jumping up and down to try and see over the window ledge. Sam went over and picked them up one by one so they could see out.
"Snow, its like rain, only colder, and it feels funny on your toes."
"Can we go and play? Please?" Elanor asked. Although she had seen it snow before, it had never been enough to actually play in. And besides, she wanted to show little Frodo that there was nothing to be worried about.
Later that night, Sam was tucking Elanor into bed. They had spent a wonderful day in the snow; it didn't snow very hard, but just enough so that Elanor and her brothers and sisters had learnt how to make a very small snow hobbit.
"Did it ever snow very hard when you were little Da'?" Elanor asked snuggling under the blankets, while Sam sat on the end of her bed.
"Just the once"
"Tell me about it Da'."
"I would, but your too tired to be hearin' stories, I'll tell you tomorrow, it'll be too cold to go out anyways."
"I'm not tired! I want to hear it now!" Elanor began, but she gave a huge yawn, and as her head hit the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep almost immediately.
"Tomorrow." Sam promised, and kissed her on her head before leaving the room.
Unintentionally, Elanor had reminded Sam of one particular instance, oh so many years ago, where it had indeed snowed very hard. Sam was wondering if Frodo had remembered too.
He went to where he was keeping his memory box, and opened the lid. He searched around some more, and found just what he had been looking for. Just the thing he thought he might have put in a box, if he had had the sense to make one.
It was a candle, with a deep ridge along one of the longer sides, like it had been rubbed over a thin, hard surface.
~*~
Frodo and Bilbo were sat in the living room with a warm fire in the grate one winter's night, telling stories before Frodo went to bed. Bilbo was telling of the time he had floated down the river in a barrel that contained a dwarf. The tweenager had heard this story many times before, but he somehow never tired of it.
Suddenly Frodo caught sight of something outside the window. He jumped up and ran to look out. Bilbo, surprised at his sudden movements, walked over to join him.
It was snowing. The largest snowfall he had seen for many years, or his name wasn't Bilbo Baggins. "I think its going to stick," said Frodo, looking down at the grass, where many little flakes already littered the ground.
Sam and his brothers were getting ready for bed. "Make sure to put an extra blanket on your bed boys, its goin' cold, and I won't have any of you catchin' a chill." Bell Gamgee said through the door.
"Don't worry Mam, Sam picked up some extras for us from the cupboard."
Soon they were all snuggled up in the warmth of their blankets. Halfred was already snoring gently. Sam was staring out of the window, his bed being the nearest. He liked to watch the stars at night. Suddenly a snowflake drifted past, and Sam gasped, as it was followed by many more.
"Hamson! Halfred! It's snowing!"
Hamson turned over to look at his youngest brother. "Da' said it might. It's been threatenin' it for days now."
Halfred, awoken by Sam's cry, walked over to the window. "Ham, I doubt this is any sort o' snow storm that Gaffer was predictin'."
"What are you talkin' about?" Hamson asked, walking over to where both his brothers were stood. The snow was coming down so thick that it was hard to see out of the window.
"If it carries on like this it'll be hard to even walk in it, let alone get any work done tomorrow." Sam said, with a grin on his face.
"Don't go gettin' your hopes up Sam-lad. It aint never snowed so hard as that the Gaffer didn' make us work."
"Besides" added Hamson "It won't carry on like this all night. Won't be surprised if it stops in a few minutes."
The three of them stood there for some minutes more, watching the snow continue to fall. Soon Hamson went back to his own bed, and Halfred followed suit. Sam lay awake, watching the snow falling. It didn't seem to be stopping. If anything Sam would have said it was getting worse. He couldn't help but hope..Just maybe……
The next morning, Sam awoke and ran to his bedroom window. "Halfred! Hamson! Come and look! Oh it's beautiful!" The ground could hardly be seen, it was covered in a thick blanket of pure white snow.
Hamson pulled himself up out of bed, and walked over to Sam.
"Well I never, Halfred, come over here." It looked like no hole had been spared, it was as though someone had run amok with a white paint brush during the night. Everything from the trees to the fence glistened pearly white in the early morning sunshine.
Halfred, often irritable in the mornings, groaned as he pulled himself out of his tangle of blankets, his sleep tousled curls spilling over his eyes. He gave a yawn.
"Well that's more snow then I ever set my eyes on and no mistake." He said.
"You know what this means?" Sam almost jumped up and down in excitement, "it means we can go sleddin'!"
The Gamgees had 2 sleds between them, made especially for the type of heavy snow that covered the whole of Hobbiton. The Gaffer had made them for his children when it had last snowed, but Sam had only been very little then, and he couldn't remember ever using them.
They were wonderful sleds; made of beech wood (light but strong enough the Gaffer had said.) The bottoms of the sleds could be rubbed with candle wax to make them glide smoother over the snow. In the Gamgee lads' opinion, there was no better sled in the whole of the Shire, and they couldn't wait to try them out.
Frodo was sat at the breakfast table with Bilbo, eating a handsome meal of sausage, bacon and mushrooms.
"If you're to go playing in the snow, I expect that plate to be empty." Bilbo often talked to Frodo like he was much younger then he actually was. Jesting played a big part of the happiness that filled the rooms of Bag End. Frodo smiled, having no trouble in finishing his breakfast at all.
While they were doing the washing up, there came a knock on the back kitchen door.
"Go answer it lad, I'll just finish drying this dish"
Frodo walked to the back door and opened it.
There was nobody there.
Puzzled, he took a step outside to look around for the source of the knock. He had taken less then four steps out of the door, when snowballs rained down on him from every side.
Being pelted with snowball after snowball, Frodo covered his face with his hands, and laughed as the cold snow hit his skin.
When the attack finally subsided, Frodo looked up to see the three Gamgee brothers, with identical evil grins on their faces. Frodo smiled at them, and walked back into the kitchen, shutting the door. Bilbo had been watching the attack from the safety of the kitchen, and he grinned.
"If I were you" he began "I'd go out the front door, round the outside of the garden, and get your own back by attacking from the rear." Frodo laughed. He gave Bilbo a hug, and ran to the front door, grabbing his coat and cloak on the way.
Stood at the back door of Bag End, the Gamgees waited for some sign of life from inside. All three were well aware that Frodo was their master, and that they should respect him. But Sam had insisted that Frodo would delight in coming to play with them, so they had planned an ambush. But now it seemed that Frodo in fact did not want to play, and had gone back inside.
"Hope he didn' take it offensive like" Said Hamson.
"If he did the Gaffer'll have our necks" answered a worried looking Halfred.
"Nonsense" Sam interrupted. "He'll be here."
Just at that moment a snowball hit Hamson square in the back of his head. Before either of them could say anything, Sam and Halfred got hit between the shoulders. The brothers all turned round in surprise, and saw Frodo grinning at them from behind the hedge.
They smiled at each other, and war broke out.
Snowballs flew through the air thick and fast, accompanied by cries of surprise and shouts of delight as they found their target.
No one was spared, apart from Bilbo, who watched from the window, where he knew he was safe.
They split into teams, Frodo and Halfred on one team, Sam and Hamson on the other. This didn't work very well, because it soon became apparent that Frodo and Halfred were better at aiming. Hamson and Sam were pelted with snowball after snowball, with no time in between to counter attack.
After a mis-placed snowball from Sam hit his team-mate on the nose, all teams were abandoned, and it was `every hobbit for himself`.
As Bag End had such a big garden, when they ran out of good snow in one area, they had only to move on to somewhere else.
It was some time before they all collapsed on the bench, completely exhausted. When Bilbo felt it was safe to leave the ranks, he opened the door just enough to poke his head out.
"Boys, would you like a warm drink? I've just boiled some water"
"That'd be great Bilbo!" Frodo called back, before the Gamgees could reply. "We'll be inside in a minute"
"Well make sure you take you coats off at the front door, I don't want you all dripping snow all over the place!" Bilbo shut the door, and went to go and prepare five mugs of steaming tea.
"Come on." Frodo called, standing up. "Let's get inside before we all freeze into snow-hobbits."
"Mr Frodo, are you sure you don't mind? We can go and get a drink at home if you'd rather"
"Nonsense, I insist you have a drink with me. I think it being my fault entirely you're so wet with my snowballs, entitles you to some of Bilbo's best tea. Come on inside."
Soon four tired hobbits and one dry and comfortable one were sat around the table in Bag End drinking hot tea and eating freshly made biscuits.
It was a relief for Sam to take his coat off. When they had been playing he had managed to dodge all but the best placed snowballs, and so Hamson, getting fed up of keep missing him, grabbed a handful of snow and simply shoved it down the back of his collar. This had made everyone laugh, even Sam, but when the snow had melted and turned to water, the whole of his back had been soaked, and so being sat round a warm fire dried him off considerably.
"What are you planning for this afternoon boys?" Bilbo asked while choosing a biscuit from the loaded plate in the centre of the table.
"Thought we might go sleddin'. Da' made us some right fancy ones few years back, and we're goin' to take them up to Swallow hill." Hamson answered.
"Would you come with us Mr Frodo?" Sam asked eagerly.
"May I?" Frodo looked up at Bilbo.
"Course you can. Just mind yourself, and make sure you're back home before it gets too dark. These winter nights are quite bitter."
And so, after picking up a sled from Number 3, the girls using the other one with their friends, Frodo and the Gamgees made their way up to Swallow hill. It was relatively quiet, just a few local lads with sleds of their own, who called greetings to them as they passed.
When they had found a quiet spot, they took it in turns to ride down. Sam didn't like sharing a sled with his brothers; they went far too fast for his liking. He shared a sled with Frodo instead; he was lighter then the older Gamgees so although the sled went fast, it wasn't fast enough for Sam to be scared of falling off.
Hamson handed Frodo a candle, he being the only one with pockets in his coat, and showed him how to rub it over the blades.
"The wax makes them glide over the snow much better." He explained. Frodo put the candle in his pocket for when it was needed, and they set off.
The four spent a wonderful afternoon sledding down the hill. After the first few goes, they decided to try something new, and went down blindfolded. Sam found this most alarming, he didn't like not being able to see where he was headed, and was scared of falling into some pond or other at the bottom and drowning.
Frodo came up with the idea of going down backwards, which gave them all the strangest feeling, to see where you've been instead of where you're going to.
Halfred tried going down while standing up on the sled, but he wasn't more then a few meters down when he fell off, and the other three had to go chasing after the run away sled.
Sam went down on his stomach, but it was Hamson who came up with the best idea. He found that if all four of them squashed on to the sled together, the journey downhill was so much more fun, as they travelled faster, and the person at the back was likely to fall off.
They each took it in turns to ride at the front and the back, though Sam refused to do either. He still didn't like going down fast, but he found that if he was between two of the others, he quite enjoyed the ride.
At last, tired, cold and wonderfully happy, they set off home. They all had red faces from the cold. Sam could no longer feel his ears, which he was quite concerned about, but when Halfred mentioned that he couldn't feel his toes either, Sam relaxed a bit.
Bilbo was waiting for them at Bag End. He ushered them all inside, where Bell, The Gaffer and the Gamgee girls were already sat around the table.
"Hello Boys. Good day?" The Gaffer asked.
"Yes thanks Da'. What're y'all doin' in here?"
"Agh, melted snow turned our house into a river bed. Mr Bilbo kindly offered us the use of his kitchen, so your Ma's making stew for dinner, and we're all gonna eat together."
Frodo smiled. "That's great!"
Bilbo insisted that they all have warm baths, during which he taught them a ridiculous bath song, which included snow, ducks, frogs and some of Gaffers turnips. It had them all laughing in minutes. Bell had already brought her sons some dry clothes from home and soon they were warmed up.
When they were all dried and comfortable, they sat down to a delicious meal of Bells best rabbit stew with the last of the years' potatoes.
After dinner, the Gamgees were ready to go home.
"Your river won't have dried up that quickly Gaffer. I insist you all must stay the night. The girls can share a guest room, Yourself and Bell can have one, and the boys can share with Frodo, if he doesn't mind?"
"Oh no Mr Bilbo, wouldn' want to inconvenience you in anyway, beggin' your pardon."
"It's no trouble at all Gaffer, I expect Frodo would be glad of some company."
"Yes, it can get lonely sometimes, with only old Mad Baggins here for company" everyone laughed at the use of Bilbos' nickname.
Later that night, Frodo shifted his way through the many piles of blankets and pillows on his floor to get into bed.
"Are you rightly sure you don't mind sharin' your bedroom with us Mr Frodo?" Came a voice from beneath a blanket.
"Not at all. As long as non of you snore."
Sam giggled. "Halfred does"
"I do not!" he insisted, and they all laughed.
Warm, comfortable and blissfully happy, Hamson, Halfred, Frodo and Sam soon fell fast asleep.
~*~
May Elbereth bless my reviewers; Flames will be used in destroying the Ring
This chapter was brought to you by `Shire Dictionaries`.com, for all your Shire word needs, including classics like `Botheration` to newly invented descriptive words such as `Samishness`