Disclaimer:
I owe nothing, everything belongs to mister Tolkien, who had created the wonderful fantasy story 'the Lord of the Rings'.
Chapter 5: Saying Goodbye
One more day until she was off to the world. Just one day more. Elanor couldn't wait much longer, she had packed everything what she thought she would need. A few new clothes, made for traveling. For it was just some green colored breeches and blue shirts. Nothing to fancied, for that would just get dirty on the road. Also her mother had made her a cloak. Nice and warm, it had a green color and she could wrap it around herself easily.
"Legolas?" Elanor was sitting next to the elf on the grass outside against the tree that stood on top of Bag End. "Yes Elanor?" the elf replied, he had his legs crossed and had been staring up to the tree before Elanor had spoken to him, "Have you... have you ever been homesick?" The elf looked to the hobbit girl next to her as though wondering how he had to answer that question. " Yes... I have been homesick, but let me tell you Elanor that one gets used to being away from home."
That truly was what was troubling her. Her goodbye to May, Lissy and Lily had been dreadful. The thought of not seeing them for a whole year and maybe longer was terrifying. They shared everything. From the tiniest adventures to the biggest secrets. Now the only way to communicate would be through sending each other letters. And that wasn't a good way either for her dad was one of the only people in the Shire who could read, but he had promised Elanor that he would help her friends. That was one good point.
Coming to think of writing... Fastred could write. That hobbit boy whom she had met at the Green Dragon twice now. Elanor felt that, if she would have stayed longer, they would have become good friends. Wait, weren't they already? It was easy to be herself around him. "Oh Elanor stop musing," she thought as she sighed and looked to the garden around her. "It will be alright, Elanor," Legolas said, bringing her out of her own thoughts. The elf had placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it gently. Elanor smiled up to him, " I hope so, Legolas... I hope so."
"Dinner!" Rosie called cheerfully. Slowly Elanor got up, this was going to be her last dinner at Bag End for a long time... How was she supposed to cope with this? Of course, she loved the fact that she would go to Gondor, but leaving her family and friends behind wasn't an easy thing. Gloomily she walked towards Bag End. She did not notice that behind her Legolas was smiling knowingly.
As Elanor entered the kitchen she stopped in her tracks, the kitchen was full with her family, friends and some other relatives. They were all cheering when she entered. Pippin Took was there, the Thain of the Shire. And Merry Brandybuck the master of Buckland. But her aunts were there as well, May, Marigold and Daisy Gamgee and her six uncles (2 Gamgee' s and 4 Cottons) But Lissy, Lily and May (the younger one) were there too. Unknown to Elanor she had tears in her eyes. Rosie saw this and walked over to her daughter, "Just a farewell party, have fun!" she whispered. Elanor smiled to her mother and embraced her.
And that was just what Elanor did; she talked about the silliest little things with her friends. Had a chat with Merry and Pippin who gave her some letters for various people in Gondor and Rohan. Her aunt Daisy told her that she thought that Elanor was crazy, but in the good way. Elanor laughed at that. "As long as you have fun, dear, it's alright," aunt Daisy told her. Finally the whole group was eating. Rosie had clearly outdone herself. There were salads, vegetables and the best mushrooms of the Shire. Elanor has a week spot for mushrooms, so the half of it disappeared in her stomach.
Finally, after everyone had eaten enough food, Sam stood and waited for them to get silent. The younger Gamgee children were already brought to bed. They had made their parents promise them that they would wake them up before Elanor would leave. As finally the silence settled down Sam smiled and said, "Well, it's good to have you here, I've never been good in giving speeches." at this the group laughed and Pippin yelled, " Nope, Samwise, but you gave one in front of thousands of man."
Again everybody laughed and Sam waved the laughter away with a grin on his face. "Well to cut to the case. Elanor." he looked to his eldest daughter, "We will miss you for sure, but I hope that you will have a wonderful time in Gondor. That you will get to know Faramir, Eowyn, King Eomer and of course King Elessar (or Strider as I like to call him) Just enjoy yourself, alright? But remember that we will think of you and that there is no place like home."
Elanor, who had tears in her eyes ran forward and hugged her father, whispering in his ear, "Of course I will have fun!" Sam smiled slightly through his own tears. As Elanor finally let him go and looked to everybody she saw that there were more people with tears in their eyes, "No time for sad goodbye's now! I will be here for a few hours more yet!" At that laughter broke out again.
And so the evening wend on. Speeches from various friends were held and Elanor herself gave a speech as well. But when it was close to midnight it was time for the little traveler to go to bed, "We don't want you walking around like some mindless elf tomorrow." Gimli had said to her, which earned him a glare from Legolas, but soon the three of them were laughing. Elanor, who knew that now she had to say goodbye for her friends (they had to work tomorrow, so they couldn't be there to see her off), walked over to them. "Well…" she said, "This is it… I will miss you."
Without a warning the four girls began to squeal and they hugged one another. "Well have fun and don't forget to write," Lily said. "And don't forget us," Lissy added. "I won't I promise," Elanor said with a grin. May hugged her again before Elanor turned and went to say goodbye to her aunts and uncles. For they would not be there the following morning either.
Finally Elanor was in her room, alone. Yet again she went through her bag. Did she have everything? "What did I forgot?" she muttered to herself. Then her mother entered. Elanor looked up with a smile, "I can't shake the feeling of me that I have forgotten something." Rosie laughed and sat down on her daughter' bed. Elanor soon joined her. With a sigh Elanor said, " I don't want to leave, mum, but I'm looking forward to it as well." They sat in silence for a while. Rosie was stroking Elanor' back, " You had better go to sleep now, dear," she whispered. The girl nodded and lay down on her bed, she had already changed. It didn't take long for her to sleep, for her mother still sat besides her watching her eldest daughter.
Finally rest came to Bag End. Rosie was sitting on the edge of her bed in her night shift, Sam had already closed his eyes. The children were sleeping and so were Legolas and Gimli. Merry and Pippin were out for a last ale in the Green Dragon for they would travel with Elanor for a while at least until they had reached Buckland. Her husband looked up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder and Rosie looked to him with a slight smile, " I can't believe she's going, Sam."
With a soft sigh Sam gently pushed her down, so that she was lying next to him. Carefully he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, "Me neither, Rosie-dear, me neither," he said softly. Rosie snuggled closer to her husband and closed her eyes. "As long as she is happy…" Sam muttered, but he got no reply for his wife had fallen asleep. The day had been long and Rosie had done much work, she deserved it. Sam closed his eyes as well. Soon he was asleep.
Dear readers
Woa! My first review! Thanks to Meg Ishiro
I'm looking forward to your reviews!
Life is good don't you think? Especially the life of a hobbit :)
Maikie
Ps: I wish I was a hobbit!