Chapter Eleven: Not So Merry Writings
The dark night shadowed the countryside quickly, making it colder than it had been. The cold, crisp air swirling in short zephyrs was harsh to the lungs and chilling to the bones like cold steel. White flakes of snow twirled in wide circles over the ground as though it were a white desert, while up in the night sky were millions of seemingly tiny stars, accentuated by the black canvas in which they were set.
Sounds of a horse's canter, the only sound for miles, echoed in the desolate surroundings even though the tufts of snow upon the road softened it. An ebony-colored pony came into view, pulling along a small carriage behind it. The thin wheels glided over the glazed dirt path without much sound, almost hushed as to not awaken the softly snoring hobbit lying in the backseat covered by thick, warm blankets. He sighed and turned on his side, lost in the far-off place of his dreams.
A small, thin book that had been lying underneath him was pushed out over the seat, landing upon the floor of the carriage with a muffled sound. The leather-bound book opened upon impact and the low wind began turning the worn pages slowly. It stopped turning upon a page in the middle and lay there, revealing the somewhat messy handwriting of its owner and the words of the events over the last few months.
October 3rd, 1408
Those three girls will not leave me alone! Ever since I have been over here at Marmadas' house, I have barely had a moment to myself. Which might be a good thing. It keeps me from thinking and remembering. You should hear of their antics! Last night, Mentha set the cat, Snuffles, for a late night run, but nobody knew it would come back with three dogs on its tail. That cat ran throughout all of the halls while the dogs chased it, knocking everything down it their path. We eventually grabbed hold of the dogs and threw them out, but the mess was gigantic! And then, three days ago from today, which would have made it Friday, I think, Melilot put a wad of feathers next to my nose while I was sleeping. I woke up in a crabby mood that morning! Then the day after that, she put extra pepper in my luncheon, which she knows I can't stand. And then, when she thought I wasn't looking, she put daisies in my hair. But, she's so cute that I can't yell at her. She reminds me of, well, someone I used to know. Anyway, I need to sleep. It is nearly eleven o'clock! Good-night. -Merry Brandybuck
October 17th, 1408
I'm afraid not much happened today. It is calming down a lot since Mentha left for her aunt's house. I don't really know who the aunt is. Probably one of the Bolgers. You know, I'm actually surprised that Marmadas would remarry to a Bolger. Speaking of Bolger, I wonder how Fatty is doing. Probably as fine as ever. Melilot has still kept me a bit busy. I have been thinking lately. I decided that it would be best if I faced my problems. Well, that and I've been talking to Para, the cook. She can be very friendly when you get to know her. She told me to face my problem head on, but frankly I can't yet when I am so far away. I told her about him. She said that he must be a very special person. He is. I haven't heard a word about him yet. Frodo said that he would give Pippin the address to the smials, but I haven't received any letters yet. Well, I have to go, but I shall write later. -Merry Brandybuck
November 2nd, 1408
Things are very quiet around the smials these days. They're not as nice as Buckland, or Brandy Hall for that matter, but they are nice all the same. I can't sleep sometimes. It's hard to control your dreams, I guess. Especially when the thing you've been trying to forget is the only thing that you think about. Well, speaking of sleeping, I have to do that. I'm sorry this is short. No letters yet. -Merry Brandybuck
November 11th, 1408
I can't sleep, tonight. Another bad dream, I guess. There is a bad cold going around, and I have it! It should be gone within the next few days, but I am absolutely miserable right now. My nose is all stuffed. Para has been taking care of me. Oh, she's coming right now, but I will write soon. -Merry
November 27th, 1408
I have been doing some serious thinking lately. It all makes me angry, for some reason. Oft, I find myself worrying about Pippin. I want to go back to him, but I know he wouldn't take me back. There is too much time to think here, I swear. I do not need to think. I need to keep busy. I just need to stop thinking about him. Perhaps he has forgotten about me. He wouldn't though, would he? Not so soon, at least. Maybe he is just a bit angry. I shouldn't have walked out on him that day, but what could I do? I was in too much shock to hear that my best friend couldn't, and probably doesn't want, to see me anymore. When I get back, I'm going to straighten this whole thing out, because I am sick of not knowing! I will, really. I was thinking about writing him a letter, and I started writing it. It's not bad so far. I don't think I'll send it though. I might. Well, anyway, I'll write later. -Merry
December 15th, 1408
It will be Yule soon. I can't wait! The day after Yule, Da and I are going back to Buckland! I will miss this place, but I'm going to see the three girls anyway when they come back to Buckland in spring. Well, I thought I would just drop a line or two, but will write near Yuletide. -Merry
December 28th, 1408
This week has been the busiest I have yet to see. We started the celebrations early. Sadness is easy to come by, even with so much cheer surrounding me. This is the first Yule I have ever spent without Pippin since I was eight years old. I hope to see him soon, if I can speak to him. We are set to leave in three days, on January 1st. I hope to set the new year to a good start. -Merry
The small carriage shakily ran over some rocks, making the journal close.
** Thank you for your nice reviews so far, and please, keep on reviewing.
The dark night shadowed the countryside quickly, making it colder than it had been. The cold, crisp air swirling in short zephyrs was harsh to the lungs and chilling to the bones like cold steel. White flakes of snow twirled in wide circles over the ground as though it were a white desert, while up in the night sky were millions of seemingly tiny stars, accentuated by the black canvas in which they were set.
Sounds of a horse's canter, the only sound for miles, echoed in the desolate surroundings even though the tufts of snow upon the road softened it. An ebony-colored pony came into view, pulling along a small carriage behind it. The thin wheels glided over the glazed dirt path without much sound, almost hushed as to not awaken the softly snoring hobbit lying in the backseat covered by thick, warm blankets. He sighed and turned on his side, lost in the far-off place of his dreams.
A small, thin book that had been lying underneath him was pushed out over the seat, landing upon the floor of the carriage with a muffled sound. The leather-bound book opened upon impact and the low wind began turning the worn pages slowly. It stopped turning upon a page in the middle and lay there, revealing the somewhat messy handwriting of its owner and the words of the events over the last few months.
October 3rd, 1408
Those three girls will not leave me alone! Ever since I have been over here at Marmadas' house, I have barely had a moment to myself. Which might be a good thing. It keeps me from thinking and remembering. You should hear of their antics! Last night, Mentha set the cat, Snuffles, for a late night run, but nobody knew it would come back with three dogs on its tail. That cat ran throughout all of the halls while the dogs chased it, knocking everything down it their path. We eventually grabbed hold of the dogs and threw them out, but the mess was gigantic! And then, three days ago from today, which would have made it Friday, I think, Melilot put a wad of feathers next to my nose while I was sleeping. I woke up in a crabby mood that morning! Then the day after that, she put extra pepper in my luncheon, which she knows I can't stand. And then, when she thought I wasn't looking, she put daisies in my hair. But, she's so cute that I can't yell at her. She reminds me of, well, someone I used to know. Anyway, I need to sleep. It is nearly eleven o'clock! Good-night. -Merry Brandybuck
October 17th, 1408
I'm afraid not much happened today. It is calming down a lot since Mentha left for her aunt's house. I don't really know who the aunt is. Probably one of the Bolgers. You know, I'm actually surprised that Marmadas would remarry to a Bolger. Speaking of Bolger, I wonder how Fatty is doing. Probably as fine as ever. Melilot has still kept me a bit busy. I have been thinking lately. I decided that it would be best if I faced my problems. Well, that and I've been talking to Para, the cook. She can be very friendly when you get to know her. She told me to face my problem head on, but frankly I can't yet when I am so far away. I told her about him. She said that he must be a very special person. He is. I haven't heard a word about him yet. Frodo said that he would give Pippin the address to the smials, but I haven't received any letters yet. Well, I have to go, but I shall write later. -Merry Brandybuck
November 2nd, 1408
Things are very quiet around the smials these days. They're not as nice as Buckland, or Brandy Hall for that matter, but they are nice all the same. I can't sleep sometimes. It's hard to control your dreams, I guess. Especially when the thing you've been trying to forget is the only thing that you think about. Well, speaking of sleeping, I have to do that. I'm sorry this is short. No letters yet. -Merry Brandybuck
November 11th, 1408
I can't sleep, tonight. Another bad dream, I guess. There is a bad cold going around, and I have it! It should be gone within the next few days, but I am absolutely miserable right now. My nose is all stuffed. Para has been taking care of me. Oh, she's coming right now, but I will write soon. -Merry
November 27th, 1408
I have been doing some serious thinking lately. It all makes me angry, for some reason. Oft, I find myself worrying about Pippin. I want to go back to him, but I know he wouldn't take me back. There is too much time to think here, I swear. I do not need to think. I need to keep busy. I just need to stop thinking about him. Perhaps he has forgotten about me. He wouldn't though, would he? Not so soon, at least. Maybe he is just a bit angry. I shouldn't have walked out on him that day, but what could I do? I was in too much shock to hear that my best friend couldn't, and probably doesn't want, to see me anymore. When I get back, I'm going to straighten this whole thing out, because I am sick of not knowing! I will, really. I was thinking about writing him a letter, and I started writing it. It's not bad so far. I don't think I'll send it though. I might. Well, anyway, I'll write later. -Merry
December 15th, 1408
It will be Yule soon. I can't wait! The day after Yule, Da and I are going back to Buckland! I will miss this place, but I'm going to see the three girls anyway when they come back to Buckland in spring. Well, I thought I would just drop a line or two, but will write near Yuletide. -Merry
December 28th, 1408
This week has been the busiest I have yet to see. We started the celebrations early. Sadness is easy to come by, even with so much cheer surrounding me. This is the first Yule I have ever spent without Pippin since I was eight years old. I hope to see him soon, if I can speak to him. We are set to leave in three days, on January 1st. I hope to set the new year to a good start. -Merry
The small carriage shakily ran over some rocks, making the journal close.
** Thank you for your nice reviews so far, and please, keep on reviewing.