Thus Gerry was told that since last spring, a dozen complaints had been formaly registered before the mayor of Michel Delving, who proceeded with calling his father to trial, since the accused, that is to say himself, was failing at that time. The case, concerning the Thain's family, went before the Shire's Council. The Thain was therefore implicated in some cases of "unresolved maternity" as the Registry Board had qualified them.
The Shire's regulations are rooted in the body of laws of the Dúnedain kingdoms, for everything about finance, ownership or crime enforcement. But they also respect the customary habits of the Hobbit clans that wandered before settling on this land. The right of inheritance has been complicated along with the Hobbits' passion for genealogy. The needs of widows or poor families are generally provided with practical and uncodified solutions, in the form of patronage resources, or tribal charges interpretated in a flexible way.
By a strange coincidence, a large number of young Hobbit-girls had declared, almost at the same time, that they happened to be in interesting circumstances, by the works of Gerontius Took. The custom of the Shire in such cases, from two difficulties produced one single solution: an unfortunate girl found a breadwinner and a bachelor found a household. There was no guarantee of happiness for the new family unit, who must catch it on their own! Of course, the exceptional proliferation of these "circumstances" made our case particularly difficult. Every night, taverns rustled with this case from Bywater to Frogmoton and from Long Cleeve to Sarn Ford.
The Thain had initially attempted to address each of these issues, by individual and amicable proceedings. But he finally realized that no girl really intended to marry, neither with his son nor with a lonely old fogy. Each - in fact the father of each - coveted Gerry's succession, especially the potential inheritance from the Took clan's lands. Until further notice, it was enough for the Thain to await the return of his son, and then to marry him with the richest contender, to stop the legal noise.
Dùring the summer, the Thain's allies moved surreptitiously away from him either for commercial transactions or during neighborhood political debates. Soon it appeared to him that the candidate girls belonged specifically to the clans which support he lacked. The suspicion of a conspiration was confirmed. From time to time, his nephew Bullybras, the head of the Lonc Cleeve Tooks, managed to win a commercial strife or to convince recalcitrant parties. Longstanding dominance of Fortimbras within his own clan had eroded in favor of the ambitious young Hobbit, who rose now as the savior of the undermined family interests.
But the worst was yet to come. When the autumn came, voices raised to ask where was the main witness, accusing the Thain of saving him from the rigors of Hobbit custom, with the help of a "gray rags beggar". It was only the first step of the legal termination - a few weeks later, Gerry was declared "missing person and property", after rumors had spread, that orcs of the Misty Mountains were roaming in the wilderness. In addition to the concern of his family, this approach triggered - according to the Registry Board – turning the quality of "unresolved maternity" to "presumptive inheritance."
This meant now the complainants could immediately claim a direct share of the Took's wealth. Yet it was difficult in Gerry's absence, to promote one complainant rather than any other. Therefore taverns in the Water valley were predicting that the Thain's clan would soon be forced to cede a dozen opulent smials to the benefit of these young Hobbit-girls. In addition to the severe blow to the capital of the clan, such a collapse would certainly precipitate the removal of the Thain himself. The "Grubb, Grubb and Grubb" office, which the Thain had enlisted, prepared to argue that the value of a single smial should be shared among the complainants. But the general opinion was that this view had little chance of winning.
Gerry chose this particular moment to return on the arm of his beloved. The fact was immediately exploited by opponents, who denounced the union as a fraud, a distant marriage appearing indeed to be much too convenient. Since Gerry had been declared missing person and property, he had to sue to regain his status as an heir, that his Took cousin coveted, and prove the validity of his union. It is during these memorable debates, won with flying colours by the "Grubb, Grubb and Grubb" office, that their quarrelsome reputation was born, and that Gerry's rights were restored the following spring. The beneficial testimony of a former complainant, master Hornblower, definitety tipped the balance.
It was discovered, long after the facts, that some of the complainants had not actually known Gerry. In addition, cousin Bullybras was surprised the following summer in a haystack, in the gallant company of one of the complainants, whose circumstances had proved illusory. Even the most candid suspected then some malice and duplicity distilled into the allegations about Gerry, although many young Hobbit-girls still yearned after him with a demonstrative sincerity.
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Adamanta, at first fascinated, then somewhat disheartened by these strange customs, showed an unswerving affection for her Hobbit, who seemed deeply in love too. In addition, she was the one by whom the offense ceased, which earned her a huge credit among the Hobbit-women of the Took clan. Avacuna was known under the name of Adamanta, which evokes both the liveliness and firmness of her mind. Her surname Chubb, gift of Master Elrond, proved very convenient since it was reminded that a great-grandmother, who once reigned over her clan at their wandering time, far in the East. She was adopted by the Chubbs, dispersed throughout the Shire, as a distant cousin, for it could not be imagined, there was no relationship with such an active and radiant Hobbit-girl, despite her exotic clothing habits. By the way, Avacuna gradually honored this very common name in the Shire, with a growing roundness of her forms.
At half year during his trials and tribulations, Gerontius, now a balanced and cordial fellow, seconded the mayor of Michel Delving, on behalf of his father the Thain, for the opening of the Shire's annual fair. He gave a speech of firmness and harmony, which passages would still be reminded by many years later. The party was so magnificent and welcomed so many people, that it helped lessen the grievances which persisted between the trials opponents. Adamanta wore an elven dress - sent by friends from far East - but kept her eternal and discreet necklace. It was rumored that she would agree to wear no other jewel, because it was her engagement present. A refined and lavish banquet was given by the young couple under the patronage of the Thain and magnificent fireworks ended the evening.
For Gandalf returned of his long impromptu expedition in Mirkwood. He had come back empty-handed and tired to Rivendell, and journeyed to the Shire for a courtesy and leisure visit. The wizard offered to Gerry, as a wedding gift, a pair of magical diamond buttons, that clasped themselves, and unclasped only on orders. For Avacuna, Gandalf brought, on behalf of the inhabitants of Rivendell, many souvenirs that the brothers Elladan and Elrohir had gone and fetched in the Northern Misty Mountains, and gifts that two young elves had sewn for the newlyweds.
Gandalf long praised the pipe-weed lore Gerry had once taught him. They sat comfortably to finish the evening, by blowing smoke rings and other shapes, more and more astonishing. The wizard believed that weed-pipe cleared his mind and sharpened his concentration. When Gerry claimed that the pipe revealed therefore a more essential accessory than a wizard staff, Gandalf said with a gleam of amusement and satisfaction in his eyes, that now this practice had proved a bone of contention with the chief of his order, who despised pipe-weed as an unworthy hobby, prone to mist the most discerning mind. But this argument did not seem to grieve the old wizard, who distanced himself from the haughty and austere Saruman.
Companions conversed at length about the fate of the members of the expedition. Fràr, Norin, Dwalor and Gandalf had relentlessly pursued the attackers, first in the Eitheland valley and then Southward along the Anduin. Thus they approached mount Dol Gûldur, former Amon Lanc in Southern Mirkwood.
The gray wizard had penetrated there many years ago1, in order to discover what dark power held under its mephitic yoke the wooded hills of Greenwood the Great. But that power had withdrawn at his approach, the land entering for a time in a Vigilant Peace. Now the evil power was back, stronger than before. Its enemies called it the Necromancer and his evil creatures were spreading, perverting the undergrowth's life.
Finally the exhausted trackers were ambushed by a company of black rangers from Dol Guldur. Radagast, Gandalf's cousin, had come to their rescue and thus the wizard and Fràr could escape. Enraged and ashamed at heart, the companions were forced to abandon Thràin's rescue. Gandalf brought the last surviving Dwarf to Daïn's mine in the Iron Hills. His reunion with Mîm was a drop of consolation in the ocean of tears shed for Gràr and his comrades. Then the wizard came to seek advice from Elrond, who gave him reassuring and surprising news about the Hobbit.
Hence Gandalf, longing for a true rest, gave an unlooked-for visit to the Tooks and could attend this wonderful celebration. But he brooded to explore again the dark corridors of Dol Gûldur. It was a remark by Gerry, savoring the relief of getting rid of "his precious ring", which convinced the wizard to brave the risks again and try to find Thráin into the jails of the Necromancer, if it was still time, for fear he would succumb to evil seductions.2
Sighing at his lost innocence, Gerry reported to Gandalf, Arathorn's last words concerning the wizard, and the two friends finished their pipe in fond memory of their lost companion.
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Hobbits are made for a certain kind of happiness, calm, generous and teeming with children. The young couple quickly inserted in the Shire's social life, in which Avacuna slipped with delight after the legal tribulations. The couple lived happily for many years and had twelve children. After the birth of the third, Adamanta remarked to Gerry that, after waiving her name, her relief name fell into disuse too, as the "Mommy!" rang relentlessly. The huntress had turned into a passionate gardener, raising her offspring from the tender bud to the vigorous plant, with a constantly renewed wonder.
To break habits and the unavoidable overcrowding of Tuckboroughs, the couple often went, to the chagrin of the Clan Council, romp in the Twilight Hills, North of Lake Nenuial. There they met, they say, elves and even more mysterious creatures. They are the ones who instituted the tradition to go, every year, usually in early summer, to a remote residence, lost in the hills, to put the mind and body "in vacation", in the words of Gandalf. They defied gossips for many years, conforming to essential Hobbit traditions such as tea but also indulging in all sorts of exotic or unusual hobby. For exemple, Adamanta was the first Hobbit of the Shire, to attend inns and drinking a mug of beer to listen to rumors and news from the outside world. She entered the Clan Council very naturaly, while competing in creative crafts such as embroidery.
The need for secrecy did not weigh long for the couple. By the way, Gerry would have been quite unable to find the paths to Legolothië's valley, that haunted his memories in an elusive form. Yet he remembered the strong taste of her beverages, fruity and earthy, to which he largely attributed his amnesia. When he told Gandalf, the wizard was surprised to hear about an Ent-woman in this area, and warned the Hobbit against the strange effects of their drinks. In addition to his proven increased Hobbit size, it was expected they may also confer a form of maturity, and a certain ability to protect and grow:
- « The liquors of ent-women make gardener from each mortal, but in your case of strong and independent spirit, these are hobbits you need to cultivate and their business you need to improve... »
Indeed Gerontius was keen at such a gardening, following some of the dreams of his former mentor Arathorn. Our Hobbit increased the wealth of his clan, by launching the production of high quality pipes, of which he was a famous tester. He also sponsored a contest of smoke rings, which eventually attracted participants from beyond the Shire. The rivalry between Breeland and the Shire was obviously increased, but it grew along with commercial and cultural exchanges. But, curiously enough, never again did Gerry smoke any "rolled sheet" that Master Hornblower lavished!
Of course the country experienced several crises, which saw Hobbits strife along with their Thain. Dùring the Thirsty Summer of one thousand two hundred and seventy-two (Shire Reckoning), the Shire suffered a terrible drought. The level of the Water and the Brandywine was very low, and only the streams of the green hills country gave drinking water. Gerry organized the flock transhumance to the banks of Lake Nenuial, as well as the bottling of large quantities of water, to supply the Shire areas at highest shortage. It was a joke of folks of Hardbottle, who undertook distributions to appoint these cylinders "brooks vintage". The following autumn saw terrible floods damaging crops, but the wisely accumulated reserves allowed to overcome this difficulty.
Gerontius, who spent his time enforcing the office of Thain and providing care to the Shire, also decided, with the help of his wife, to open a sort of museum. To house the relics that his beloved Avacuna had gathered over the centuries in her mound-house and the elves had provided for her, Gerry had build in Great Smials, on his own money, a large and beautiful cottage. He housed there the treasures from his paternal grandfather's storehouse. Of course he kept the bottles of Old Fence he found hidden there. All the small items and relics from around the Shire that the grandfather had collected were therefore exposed there in his memory. Later, the Mathoms House received donations whenever a Hobbit, inviting many friends for his birthday, received a mass of gifts that overfilled his smial.
Mathom is a Kuduk3 word, which designated all ornamental, symbolic or prestige item. Some Mathoms had passed so many times from hand to hand, that their original function had been long forgotten. More generally, a mathom could be an item for which Hobbits do not have an immediate use, but they are reluctant to destroy. As such objects tend to clutter their homes, hobbits adhered to the proposal to make them available to all, in a place devoted to the teaching of the younger generations. The museum soon had to be enlarged, to the delight of Avacuna who, during the years of happiness of their union, ran nearby with Gerry, searching for and unearthing evidence of past years.
From time to time Gandalf reappeared suddenly, curious about small and everyday deeds, especially their health and births. The wizard disappeared again for a few weeks or ages, sure that in the beloved Shire, life flew her modest and benevolent way, cultivating the hopes of the future in the irreverent vitality of its new generation. For his intuition whispered that one day would be revealed why the Necromancer's minions had pursued a Hobbit ring bearer all over the wilderness...4
Many years later, when they had retired to their North home for summer, Adamanta and Master Gerontius received the old man, who gave them news of Bera. She had regained her forests and was now recognized as a poet and seer, by her own people and their woodmen neighbors. Still not married, she educated the children of her brother, whose son Beorn was particularly difficult. Each year she went on a pilgrimage to the Eagle Pass. They say that a huge bear now guard the pass, and that no evil creature would venture there.
Gerry, feeling the advancing age and contemplating with satisfaction the joyfull carelessness of his offspring, began to put on paper some of his memories. His writings were never of great literary quality, but Gerontius was interested in many subjects. Thus he wrote a short manual of elven kitchen, where he called - surprisingly! - two musicians to transcribe the "kitchen songs" heard in Rivendell. Another book, among others, brought together the legends of the folks of Rhovanion, particularly absurd stories of bear kidnapping and marrying women. Many scattered notes have thoughts on the meaning that distant folks give to their existence and many clues as to their practice and daily life. Our Hobbit also analyzed the economic theories discussed previously with his mentor.
When Master Gerontius thought of his lord Arathorn, the dark depth of the forests overwhelmed him with nostalgia. But suddenly the song of a bird, a sun splashed foliage or buds of a spring thicket reminded him that life fights a battle it has never lost since the Valar have sown it in Middle Earth. Then, clutching the hand of his wife, he felt secretly comforted. If the Thain and Adamanta keep their promises, what Arathorn had tried once will be, sooner or later, a source of new enthusiasm after they have all disappeared. The old couple, tired of strains and happiness, headless of vanities, felt the last test coming, but relentlessly watched for a sign of hope in twilight!
After the departure of Avacuna, Gerry, who was more readily called the Old Took, remained prostrate some time in the seat of honor at the great ceremonial hall of Tuckboroughs. He put his favorite box on his old chair and went to the hills, never to return. Nobody knows where he went, accompanied by the old goat that he had once brought. Yet they say he joined his wife in secret places, and together they celebrate the arrival of the renewed spring among fairies and fireflies. How wonder that a generation later, Avacuna herself was considered a fairy tales of yore?
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The will of the Old Took was read on the central place of Tookbanks, since it was awaited by a large crowd. All the servants, gardeners, cooks, received a nest egg or a land to cultivate, which would provide them with an income and a place among the Tooks. But a secret codicil was unveiled in the presence of his only direct descendants – The issue was for them to come into their inheritance only if an old gem that was in the trunk, was handed to the Dwarves of Dùrin. The codicil was nearly assessed as void because it stated in unequivocal terms the testimony of a grizzled old beggar who sometimes came in the Shire at that time, and who could not be brought to testify. So the boldest went to adventure, answering to the mysterious call of the Took. But that is another story, which will be told maybe later.
At Tuckboroughs, for several years after the execution of the will, no one dared move or change anything in the apartments of the Thain, who still seemed sitting in his carved seat, examining the heart and mind of the guests gathered there. It was said he still remained among his own people, ensuring harmony between the factions, advising his peers, scolding and pushing the youth forward.
But outside the clan Took, the reputation of eccentricity of Gerontius was firmly established, and it was not denied by the tribulations of his descendants. Three daughters, the famous Belladonna, Donamira and Mirabella, were among the most saucy lasses that the Shire has born. It would now often be said, in other families, that once a Took ancestor probably married a fairy. It will appear absurd in the eyes of reasonable people, but there will always be something not quite Hobbitic and occasionally members of the Took clan would leave and have adventures.5 If they disappear, the family would not tell a word, like when the remarkable tripled visited the Elves before they leave the Shire, or they were seen in the company of walking trees or they flew on the back of huge raptors.
Thus ends this story, as reported by Belladonna in the Green Book of Tuckborrough. After the departure of her mother, she sealed the book that was entrusted in the custody of the curator Mungo Baggins, who preserved it in the reserves of the House of Mathoms.
1 In the year 2063 of the Third Age.
2 Indeed, Gandalf entered again Dol Gûldur the next year, and discovered the true nature and identity of the Necromaner, who was no else than Sauron. He could, as told in The Hobbit by Pr. Tolkien, find Thráin, whose ring of power had been stolen. The great Dwarf, untamed but broken, handed him Thrór's map and the key of Erebor before succumbing.
3 Hobbitic
4 What a premonition!
5 J.R.R. Tolkien, Bilbo the Hobbit