A/N
Okay so I feel like my writing is getting... choppy on these last few chapters. Sorry about that! But here we meet the family. I don't know why, but I enjoyed writing out the Gamgee family, and the last scene as well. Enjoy. :3

Chapter 8

lavender

Samwise looked up while his father remained focused on the garden. He only looked up when Samwise let out an excited squeal and took off, clambering up the fence, to the other side, and into the arms of two folks standing there.

One of them let out a laugh, and Hamfast knew who that was. He got up, brushing the dirt from his clothes before following after his son. Samwise had already situated himself in Clover's arms, talking a mile a minute to her about his garden, and what he planted, and that he was now helping his father plant more things!

Clover listened intently to her nephew, while her companion leaned on the fence, looking at the garden. What a strange looking bloke he was! Hamfast knew he was no hobbit, but not of men, either. Hamfast gave him a proper look over as he stood in front of his sister. The companion had braids in his hair and mustache, and his clothes were a bit untidy and torn. By the boots he wore and the style of his clothes, Hamfast figured him to be a dwarf. And not a very clean one.

"Who might this be?" Hamfast asked, arms across his chest as he surveyed Bofur with a frown. Bofur smiled and gave him a polite bow before holding out his hand for a shake.

"I am Bofur!" The dwarf replied, smile never faltering even as Hamfast glowered at him before taking his hand and shaking it. Samwise looked from his aunt to the dwarf.

"And why are you here?"

"Oh, Hamfast, please!" Clover sighed as she set Samwise back on the ground. Her nephew took his place next to his father, fists raised. He didn't know who this dwarf was either, and he would defend his aunt's honor if he had too! Though he wasn't sure why, but going by how grumpy his father looked, Samwise thought he better assist if needed.

"It's all right, Clover!" Bofur said. "This is your older brother then? He seems like a nice fellow!" Hamfast just glowered. "And is this your nephew? He seems to take after his father!"

Clover could only shake her head, hands on her hips. "Aye! Brother dear, this is Bofur, whom plans to marry me! And dear Bofur, this stubborn hobbit is my brother, who really needs to straighten up and let us into his home now, as we have been walking the last two days and could use a rest!"

Hamfast seemed to want to say something, but instead, just shook his head and headed to the gate, taking the small path up to their door. Samwise looked at his aunt and her friend before running after his father. Sighing, Clover grabbed Bofur by the arm and pulled him along.

"Your family seems quite lovely!" Bofur said as they headed to the door.

"I almost forgot how stubborn hobbits were." She grumbled in reply. "Almost as stubborn as dwarfs."

The pair had arrived just in time for tea. As Bell was preparing the tea and putting out a plate of treats, Bofur, Clover, and Hamfast sat at the table. Hamfast was watching Bofur closely, while the dwarf whittled away at something. Samwise was sitting on Clover's lap, watching Bofur, though more curiously than his father was.

"What are you making?" Samwise asked. Bofur glanced up with a smile.

"Oh, just a toy. Saw a group of squirrels on our way here, and thought it'd be fun to make one." Bofur told the lad. "Do you like squirrels, young Samwise?"

"Aye! I like watching them climb the trees and run around, though they like to mess up our garden sometimes." The young hobbit said with a sigh. "So pesky, they are! But bunnies are my favorite animal. With their big ears and fluffy tails!"

Bofur chuckled and nodded, being mindful of some of the delicate edges forming on the toy. "Bunnies do have fluffy tails, don't they? I'm rather fond of them as well, you know? And your auntie has told me that they are your favorite animal, so I can see she wasn't wrong."

"Auntie told you about me?" Samwise asked, eyes wide. Bofur nodded.

"Oh, aye, she did, laddie." Bofur replied. Samwise looked up at his aunt, as though needing confirmation. She smiled and nodded, smoothing his curls down.

"I did, Samwise!" Clover said, smiling. "Told him you were the best gardener in all of Hobbiton, and how you always planted the best sunflowers for me." Samwise puffed up, looking awfully proud of himself. "Perhaps during our stay, you could show Bofur how to garden and pick flowers for me? He brought me such lovely flowers, but some of them still had the roots attached to them!" She winked at Bofur, hoping that Samwise will keep warming up to him. Samwise looked scandalized at the thought of bouquets with dirty roots attached to them!

"Oh, that is true." Bofur added, looking almost regretful. "I wasn't sure she would want to marry me when I brought her those flowers. But she agreed to it, bless her heart!"

"Yes, and how did this... engagement actually come to be?" Hamfast now asked, frown in place as he watched Bofur. "I never recall her ever mentioning you in a letter."

"That's 'cause we've known each other... about two months?" Bofur said, looking to Clover with a smile. "Love at first sight, I'd say. Though, I think I spooked her at first."

"That is romantic!" Bell chimed in, giggling. Bofur smiled at her.

"Not even two months, and you two wish to marry?!" Hamfast looked just as scandalized as Samwise had with the bouquets. "That is not proper courting! I don't think I can approve of this, Clover."

She glared at her brother, but said nothing as she continued to hold Samwise in her lap. She knew there was no use to fighting him on this, not yet. He was still in shock, he'd get over it and realize he was acting like a fool. After tea, she would have a proper discussion with her brother about this. She glanced at Bell, smiling when she finally set the cups and kettle.

Clover pretended not to notice when Bell slipped a bit of whiskey into Hamfast's cup. He could use a little extra something right now.

Bell prepared the guest rooms for them after tea. Bofur insisted on helping, saying she was unprepared for the second guest. So, she put him to work, helping make up the beds with pillows and blankets. Samwise helped as well, making sure the pillows were fluffed in just the right way.

When they disappeared to the hallway, with Samwise and Bell giving Bofur a tour of the house, Clover turned to her brother.

"You were all fine to marry me off years ago to someone I barely knew, yet here I am, now, with someone I barely know, ready to marry, and you are being so rude to him!" She exclaimed, shaking her head. Hamfast rolled his eyes.

"Forgive me, sister, but you did bring him here, unannounced. There have been no letters from you for months!" He told her, shaking his head. "And now you bring... a... a dwarf! If it were a hobbit you were to marry, then so be it! But a dwarf?"

Clover wrinkled her nose, straightening herself up as she glared at her brother. "Aye, a dwarf! Where is the harm in that? He has been nothing but kind to me since he first courted me. Even took care of me when I was sick not even two weeks ago! Never left my
side, never complained."

"Dwarfs like their mountains, sister dear." Hamfast replied, making a face. "Do you really think he will stick around here for very long? Or what if he steals you away to them! I might never see you again!"

"And hobbits love the Shire!" Clover shot back, hand slapping the table. "And what if he takes me away to the mountains? So long as I am with him, it will be fine! Bofur cares deeply for me and won't do anything to upset me! Do not talk foul about dear Bofur, for he is a far better choice for me than that hobbit you tried to marry me too years ago!"

With that, Clover stood up from the table and stormed off to find her betrothed.