Chapter Eight - Counsel Meets Wisdom
Degger sat back in his chair with a weary sigh. He'd been studying his books for tomorrow's exam for well over….he took out his pocket watch to glance at it's face…for well over two hours. It was close to four o'clock. Still holding the finely crafted timepiece in his hand, Degger smiled sadly at the silver watch while memories from long ago played in his mind--of his brother and father. As far as Degger knew, he was the first in his family to know his letters, let alone be educated. He wanted to do well for them--and for Mr. Paladin.
Servants normally took their tea round three o'clock, to allow for their own break and then to serve the residents in the common dining hall afterward, or the more important family members in their own apartments. Degger imagined that Miss Hemlock took hers in the dining hall, and so waited a bit to take his own tea so that his stomach would not growl in her presence and embarrass him. It was making some mighty strange noises now; he was always hungry, it seemed. Degger was in the middle of his last growth spurt, growing a whole two inches so far to stand at three foot five. Not very tall for a nineteen year old hobbit, but Degger knew he was slowly, but surely, catching up.
Rising up from his seat, Degger laid aside his book, stretched his cramped muscles, and then made his way to the door. It was a short jaunt to the kitchen, but when he arrived, Degger joined Mistress May, another kitchen servant lass named Nula, and a labour servant named Carlan, at the kitchen table. Most everyone else had probably eaten and gone to ready the tables in the dining room.
"Hullo, Mr. Degger, sir!" said Carlan, "'ave ye a mind t' eat with the servants t'day?"
"Stop it, Carlan!" said Nula. "There's nothin' wrong with a bit o' learnin'."
Degger poured himself a cup of tea, then, ignoring Carlan's remarks, sat down at the kitchen table. He and Carlan were roommates until Mr. Paladin moved to Great Smials and then gave Degger his own room. Carlan knew from the start six years ago that Degger was a friend of Paladin Took and family, yet at that time, no one expected Mr. Paladin to become heir to the titles of Took and Thain. Most suspected, but because of Mistress Lalia and her son, Ferumbras, making no secret of how they felt about Paladin's family, no one expected much to come of it.
"That's right, Nula dear," said the kitchen mistress, handing the platter of cheese to Degger. "Don't let the likes o' him take away from yer learnin'."
"That's all right, May," replied Degger. "He's a free hobbit and can say what he likes."
"That's right," said the tweenager, drinking the last bit of his tea, "And the more I lis'en t' ye, the more ye sound all proper like Mr. Pippin--or worse--like that Mr. Merry."
Degger laid down the cheese platter with a bit of force. "You can say anythin' ye like about me, Carlan, but never--ever speak callous words about my friends!" Deep inside, Degger was right proud of himself--using one of the new words he'd learned through Mr. Merry.
Carlan glared at Degger; their old friendship hanging by a thread. "I've got work t' do." Speaking that, he got up from the table and left.
"I have t' go help with the dinin' hall," said Nula, then cleared hers and May's dishes from the table, setting them inside the wash tub. Before leaving the kitchen, she turned to Degger, "I think it's grand that ye get t' learn how t' be a gentle-hobbit. I hope ye do well." Nula blushed, as did Degger.
May had a sweet grin on her face. "She's a right pretty lass, isn't she?"
"Aye, mum," he said, still blushing.
May buttered a slice of warm bread and then placed it on Degger's plate (ever the mother). "Ye're a bit late for tea, laddie--what kept ye?"
"Thank ye, May," said Degger, taking a bite of the bread. "Miss Hemlock is goin' t' stop by my room after her tea and give me extra lessons. I was afraid I would get hungry again while she tutored me." He bit his lip sadly, "I'm not doin' so well, May, and I'm afraid Carlan would be only too glad t' hear it."
"Well, Carlan won't ever hear it from me. And don't let that lad bother ye," said May, "He's a piece o' work, all right; he talks with honey on his tongue, but is secretly resentful of anyone with better luck than he. Guard yer back round that one, lad."
"Aye." After a bit more pleasant conversation, Degger drained his teacup, "I must get back t' my room now or Miss Hemlock will be cross with me for not answerin' my door."
"Run along, laddie," she said, watching the teen race out of the door. Her voice filled with pleasure, May added after he'd left, "things are finally lookin' up for ye."
The sound of violins playing in duet filled the hallway in the tunnel where Paladin and his family dwelled. Inside the parlour sat Paladin Took's family as well as Saradoc Brandybuck's small family. It was Pearl and her young brother, Pippin, who were giving a recital for the family's guests. At the end of the song, Pearl stood and curtsied, Pippin stood and took a bow amid the applause.
"Play 'There is an Inn, a Merry Old Inn'!" shouted Merry to his cousins. Indeed, it was the same bit of Bilbo's poetry that would later get Frodo into trouble years down the road, however, for now, it also had lively music that delighted the young at heart. As Pippin and his sister obliged, Pimpernel and Merry got up to dance accompanied by laughter and a multitude of hands clapping in time with the music.
Saradoc took note that this was the first time since he arrived this afternoon that he saw his brother-in-law genuinely smile and laugh. It didn't take much to figure out what was wrong…and he meant to talk to Paladin about it later when they were alone.
x x x
"So tell me, Paladin," said Saradoc, puffing as he lit his pipe, "how are things going for you here?"
Paladin had already lit his pipe and now relaxed in one of the soft chairs his children occupied earlier in the day. He and Saradoc had retired to his private study after the family gathering when his brother-in-law asked for a private word.
"Well enough," answered Paladin discreetly.
Saradoc watched his friend with a critical eye. "So you say," he said, "but I won't pry into business that you wish to keep to yourself. I will ask you one question, though."
"What is that?"
"When was the last time you went on a picnic with your family? Or took them for a carriage ride in the country?" Saradoc readily perceived that Paladin was at a loss for words. "Don't let that beast win," he said shaking his head. "I warrant that you have been driving yourself to the brink with trying to keep up with his whims, to learn your new position. And I am guessing that that is what he wants. Ferumbras wants you to wear yourself so thin that your life rips apart at the seams and you throw in the towel. To this end, he is purposely making your life miserable."
Paladin's jaw went so slack at Saradoc's revelation the pipe in his mouth fell to the floor (thankfully not in his lap!). "How did you know?" were all the words he could muster.
"Because my own dad has dealt with your cousin, my friend, and he does not like Ferumbras one bit. My dad considers him a snivelling brat…and treats him as such--tactfully, though I might add."
Paladin picked up his pipe, absently checking it to refill. "I…I never thought anyone else would understand--besides Addie, of course. He's lived here under Fortinbras, Lalia and Ferumbras all his life. I believe Addie is the only person who despises Ferumbras more than I--after he went and insulted Niola to Addie's face just after her burial."
Saradoc felt relieved that Paladin started to talk about his problems. "Addie is a stout hobbit--Tooks who have a sound head on their shoulders look to him for advice and such rather than Ferumbras. He would be one to have on your side when the going gets rough--though it sounds like he already is. Once you land on your feet, and I don't think that will take long, folks will begin to see that you're not like Ferumbras at all and will rally to you. Only the Tooks who insist on clinging to their spitefulness and old ways will try to make things difficult for you."
Paladin's eyes glistened in the firelight after his dear brother-in-law finished speaking. "I am so glad to have had this talk with you, Sara. I was about ready to burst."
"I could see that," said Sara. "And, um…there was a time that you gave me sound advice on how to be a better father to my son…so…I thought I would reciprocate. I was hoping that I wasn't treading where I was not welcome."
"You are always welcome, dear friend," said Paladin. He stood up, walked over to Saradoc to give him a firm embrace.
After a few quiet moments, Saradoc implored, "I have one other request…at your consideration."
"What is that?"
"How shall I say this?" asked Sara hesitantly. "What would you say to Merry staying on in the study group for another fortnight?"
"Another fortnight?" asked Paladin. "Sara, you know how much I love that lad, but isn't he supposed to begin a course of study of his own to be Master?"
"Yes, but that can begin at any time. There is no set schedule for it; just that once he does start it, he won't get much of a break in between stages--which is why I want him to have fun and take care of business as much as possible beforehand. It lasts for well over a year or so, depending on how long it takes him to study, travel, and to map the length and breadth of Buckland--and the Marish. I only go along with him to make sure he doesn't get lost."
"Are you certain this is what he wants?"
"Yes," replied Saradoc, "My son told me himself that he enjoys seeing the enlightened expression on his friend's face when he understands something he has been taught."
"He said that?" mused Paladin. "I should wonder more if he…" Paladin trailed off.
"If he what?"
"I have another idea," offered Paladin. "I have reason to believe that our Merry has a mind to be a tutor himself. Being Master of Buckland aside, I am willing to wager that if he wasn't destined to be heir to the Hall, he'd be weighing the odds of being a tutor--or something else that would challenge his wits."
Saradoc pondered Paladin's suggestion. "I agree," he finally said, "His remark was that he enjoyed seeing the joy of the lad when he learned something… That's it!" Sara laughed, "I'm glad I didn't take you up on that wager."
Just then, a knock was heard at the door. Both hobbits turned to see who it was.
"Beggin' yer pardon, Mr. Paladin," said Lilly, the family's personal server, "but Degger Greenhill is requestin' t' speak with ye."
"Send him in," said Paladin, wondering why the lad was here--Miss Hemlock was supposed to be tutoring him at this hour. A few seconds later, a slim, young lad with deep brown curls and matching eyes peered from around the threshold. "Come inside, Degger," said Paladin. "I don't believe you have ever met Merry's parents, but this is his father, Saradoc Brandybuck, heir to Buckland."
Recalling all he had learned about Buckland and the Master who led it's people, Degger nearly forgot his manners as he gaped in awe at his elder. "Pleased t' meet ye, sir," he said with a low bow. "At yer service, and yer family's." Degger then looked Saradoc in the eye, "I owe a lot t' Mr. Merry, sir, Master, sir."
Saradoc laughed, "Mr. Brandybuck will do, though should you ever visit Brandy Hall, you might have to address me as Mr. Saradoc, being that there are more Brandybucks living in Brandy Hall than Tooks living in Great Smials."
"So, what brings you here, Degger? Has Miss Hemlock finished your studies early?"
"No, sir," answered Degger, "That's why I'm here. She never came."