Chapter 24

Return to the Shire

Hazel and Frodo were still chatting with Bilbo (having been joined by Gandalf, Sam and Merry), when Ruby dashed into the room with Pippin close behind, the two of them panting somewhat heavily after their run and soaked from head to foot causing all the company to gasp and stare at them in disbelief. "Well Ruby, looks like you've gotten yourself into a bit of mischief." Sam teased, beginning to chuckle as his shock wore off, and she simply laughed and smiled brightly back at him.

"Ruby into mischief? I highly doubt it. After all she's a Goodchild, and Goodchild's would never get involved with such things, especially with the Tooks." Gandalf disagreed winking at Ruby, making her blush slightly as she thought of him saying those exact words back at Bilbo's party so long ago. Again, she wondered at how things had changed. And again, she was grateful that they had.

"He's right. Pippin's the more likely culprit. You must've really put your foot in it to deserve a soaking like that, eh Pip." Merry joined in coming over to poke his friend in the arm, earning him a playful shove in return.

"Yes, I certainly have. And I must say it's the smartest thing I've ever done." He replied good-naturedly, as he smiled adoringly down at Ruby and reached to take her hand in his.

"I agree." She said meeting his gaze and allowing herself to simply become lost in his sweet green eyes, until Bilbo finally broke the occurring silence with a small awkward chuckle.

"Well go on already. Tell us what happened." He insisted with mock impatience. "Or are you planning to keep the secret all to yourselves?"

"I asked her to marry me." Pippin replied simply his eyes never leaving Ruby's, even as the rest all gasped and leapt to their feet in surprise. All except Hazel of course, who as you already know had been a party to Pippin's plans, and merely stood out of sheer excitement for her little sister.

"And her answer?" Sam asked, seeming most stunned of all as he had known of Ruby's earlier disdain for Pippin and hadn't had much time to take in the complete and utter reversal of their feelings.

"Yes, of course." She said, turning to give her cousin a teasing smirk. "I'd be a fool not to. Just as Rosie would be a fool not to marry you once we get home."

"Or the other way around." Frodo added, giving his friend a little nudge as his face burned bright red. "After all you'll have to ask her first before she can either accept or reject."

"Guess I'll have to get on that won't I? When we return to the Shire that is." He said smiling brightly, before they all sighed at the thought of their precious homeland. The Shire.

Once they finally had returned (after their longing for home had won out over the serenity of their stay at Rivendell) both Ruby and Hazel felt their hearts fill with absolute peace at the sight of its rolling hills and lush greenery. It was just as they remembered it. Full of beauty and peace beyond comprehension, and they couldn't be gladder. Still as they rode through the streets on their ponies, clad in their new fine attire, it became even more obvious that they had changed instead.

Hobbits seemed to gather from around everywhere to stare at them in utter shock and perhaps disapproval, but they simply smiled and nodded in greeting in return. After all they could hardly blame the poor folk. They were the group of young rascal Hobbits who had disappeared into the blue about a year ago (more or less) on to one of those most uncomfortable adventures, filled with danger and uncertainty at every corner, making them late for dinner. Not exactly the sort of thing that most 'respectable' Hobbits did, but none of them cared. They had gained something of much more value, and none of them regretted their decisions.

"Look Ruby, look!" Hazel suddenly cried out to her sister from her spot riding in the front beside Frodo, pointing to a spot not too far ahead. "It's Bag Middle!"

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Ruby cried in return, beaming with joy as she stared at the quaint little Hobbit Hole of her youth. "I can't wait to see Mama! Do you think she will be cross with us for disappearing as we did?"

"Perhaps a little." Hazel said, though she didn't seem too concerned with the idea. "But I have a gift that may somewhat make up for it. Not completely of course, but better than nothing. Come on. I'll race you there." And with that the two girls bid a brief farewell to their friends (promising to see each other again as soon as they were able, which I'm sure was not very long at all) and rode ahead together. Their journey had finally come to an end.

"Hazel," Mama said, picking up the necklace. "You don't know how much this means…"

"It's the least I could do, Mama." Hazel replied.

"You know," Mama said. "The necklace doesn't matter as much as knowing that you and your sister are alive!" She placed the box down and took Hazel's hands. "Now, about this Frodo of yours…are you going to marry him?"

Hazel laughed. "I don't know yet." Hazel said. "It's very possible I will, but you know the rules Mama, he has to ask. Besides, I haven't been focusing on anything else except for getting that bookstore."

Hazel's mother began to cry. "You are so much like me!" She said. "I've always wanted a store. Not a bookstore necessarily," She walked over to her drawer and pulled out a box. "Mr. Bilbo and I have been close friends for a long time, almost like you and Frodo, yet just not the same. It was Bilbo who introduced me to your father, and for that, I will always be grateful. When we came back from this adventure, he gave this to me." She set the box on the table and opened it.

It was full of gold coins.

"I was never brave enough to follow my dream." Her mother said, regretfully. "Go, by a place, build your bookstore, and never give up!"

At last, Hazel had done it! She had gotten her bookstore. After years and years of saving, she was finally able to follow her dream. It had taken a few days to build and install shelves thanks to her many volunteers (including Merry, Pippin, Sam, Frodo, and Ruby). Books were donated and sold to the store. Hazel set up a counter where she could organize her money and sell her books. Merry would visit many places of the Shire, and always bring a good supply of books for Hazel's store. Business was good for a long time.

Hazel realized she had not seen Frodo one day. It was now January, but it did not snow much. She went over to Bag End and found him lying in bed, sick. His skin was unusually pale. He was clutching a white gem around his neck on a silver chain, and he seemed half in a dream.

"It is gone forever," He said, with a look of pain on his face. "Now all is dark and empty." Hazel stayed with him the rest of that day, repeatedly placing a cool rag on his head. She made sure he was eating well and stayed under the covers to sweat it out. It wasn't until later that night; Hazel realized what day it was.

On this very night, Frodo had been stabbed on Weathertop.

The next week, the hobbits celebrated the opening of Hazel's Book Store at the Green Dragon. The hobbits drank and laughed. Eventually, Frodo and Hazel snuck away (it was getting too loud for the tired hobbits).

It was only fitting to go to the place under the tree. It was the place where they always talked. Hazel remembered when she had dared Frodo to kiss her in this spot and ran away when he tried. Well, now a few years have gone and come around. They sat down under the tree and looked at the stars. They sat closely together, holding hands, and Hazel put her head on his shoulder. At this, Frodo remembered the Evenstar around his neck, took a deep breath, and summoned all his courage.

"Hazel," He said. "There's something you need to know."

"Yes," Hazel asked.

Frodo lifted the chain off his neck. "Queen Arwen gave this to me. She told me to wear this with whoever my life has been woven."

"It's pretty," Hazel commented.

"I'm glad you think so," Frodo smiled. "At first, I wasn't sure what Arwen meant. Now I do,"

He pulled away from Hazel and knelt on one knee.

"I know how much you hate rings," He began, taking her hand. "But wear this, showing you are mine. Hazel, will you marry me?"

Hazel froze in shock, unsure what to say.

"The sun will be rising soon," Frodo said with a teasing grin.

"Yes!" Hazel cried, throwing her arms around his neck. "I shall marry you!"

The year was 1420, and it was a marvelous year. Not only was there wonderful sunshine and delicious rain, in due times and perfect measure, but there seemed something more: and air of richness and growth. It was a good year to be married, like Pippin and Ruby, Sam and Rosie, Frodo and Hazel. A lot of children were born that year, like Sam's eldest daughter, Elanor. It was a grand year that no one could forget. Hazel didn't want it to end.

I have some explaining to do. Back in the day when my co-writer and I wrote this, we had no clue so many more ideas would spring up. You may have noticed Hazel's mother, Abigail, said "when we returned." Long after finishing the story, and the rest of The Hobbit movies coming out, we wanted to write a new story together about Bilbo's journey, with the same idea of adding two new characters who join them. Without hesitation, we decided to make it about Abigail Brownlock, the mother of Hazel and Ruby, before she meets their father. She also has a twin sister named Amethyst. That was a few years ago, so we haven't been able to get to writing the whole story down yet. I don't know if we will ever get back to it and finish it, but we might one day.