Pansy Sackville-Bracegirdle shivered in the cold as she trudged down the lane. Winter had come early this year, and the most prestigious hobbit in the Shire, Frodo Baggins, was gone or so people were saying. She trudged through the snow, wondering why Frodo had left the Shire. Pansy had long been an admirer of Hobbiton's most eligible bachelor and she had dreamed of becoming his bride one day. That day would never come now though.
Her toes sunk into the snow, and it chilled her to the bone. Why did work have to fall on such a cold day, she thought as she went onwards towards the Green Dragon Inn; she worked where she worked as a waitress.
When she arrived, there was a strange sign upon the door. Coming closer to examine it, it read: Closed-- No admittance, except on employee business.
"Oh dear me," Pansy whispered, her breath clouding in front of her. The last time the Green Dragon was closed with a sign in front, something horrible had happened in the Shire.
Taking a deep breath, Pansy pushed open the door, ringing the little bell attached to it. Everyone was gone, and with no real explanation. Feeling a little worried, Pansy decided to walk out to the Gamgees' residence at Bag End. I hope that Rosie's okay, Pansy thought as she went.
She walked up the small stone steps and up to the green door. There were many scratch marks, presumably from a wooden staff. I remember that old wizard always liked to visit the Bagginses, she thought. This memory made her think of young Master Frodo again, but she shook her head to clear it away as the hobbit lass knocked on the door.
When no one answered, Pansy walked into Bag End, hoping that nobody would be upset at her for just barging in. Something told her that it would not be a good idea to just wait around.
Pansy walked down the hall hastily when she heard Eleanor's cries. She found Elanor sitting on the floor next to her mother, Rosie, who looked awful laying there in bed. She was pale, and her cheeks were flushed. Pansy picked up the toddler and set her down on the bed next to Rosie, which calmed the baby down a little. Rosie smiled weakly and said in a raspy voice, "Thank you."
"Oh my Rosie, whatever is the matter? You look so pale," Pansy said, feeling her friend's forehead. It was hot to the touch, not a good sign.
"To tell the truth, I'm not sur-" Rose cut off in a coughing fit. This scared Elanor so much and she began to cry all over again. Pansy rubbed Rosie's shoulders as she coughed, and at the same time took Elanor up to calm her.
"You don't look too well. I think that we had better call the doctor. I think that you may have the snow flu." Pansy knew that she was probably right. After all, she had lost her grandfather Grodin to the sickness when she was a tween. Pansy left the room with the little girl and went to the child's room. She dressed Elanor warmly, let Rosie know that she was going to fetch a doctor and that her daughter would be quite safe with her. Pansy rushed out the door, carrying little Elanor with her, and down the street. The hobbit woman noticed that the doctor was putting up a sign down the road that read 'Quarantine'. Pansy gasped and held Elanor tighter as she rushed up to the doctor. "Doctor Underhill, what happened? I need you to come see Rosie. I think she may have the snow flu."
The doctor sighed, and looked at her with tired eyes. "So do the Grubbs... and the Chubbs. Everyone's coming down with it this year. I think it might be because of this bloody weather, 'tain't natural," He said as he took his bag and began to go off in the direction of Bag End. Turning around, he said, "Thank you for letting me know. Take care of the little one until Rosie recovers."
Pansy walked quickly home after that. She shielded little Elanor as best she could from the wind and snow that was picking up. As she pushed open the door to her hobbit hole, she saw out across the Brandywine that Merry's large house had gone completely dark. Strange, she thought as Pansy set Elanor on the floor with some of her old toys, Merry always has a nice fire going, especially in the winter. Perhaps later I could ask what happened to Frodo.
Curiosity plagued her mind. She desperately wanted to see why Merry had put out his fire. She shook her head, telling herself that she had a child to care for. The only problem now was how to take care of a child. Pansy had been an only child, and had no children of her own.
Taking Elanor up again, she wrapped her tightly and headed to Merry's hobbit hole to ask what happened to Frodo, and possibly get some help with the hobbit child.