The snow was floating down to earth. The ground was cold and the flakes stuck. Hobbiton was quite. There were no hobbits around at that time of night. Their doors were like small buttons dotted in lines on the hill side. Small windows shed small patches of light onto the ground outside. The light caught some of the snow flakes as they fell past.
The country side around had a white haze in the darkness of night. Animals of all sorts had sought shelter from the on coming snow storm.
Foxes hid it their burrows. Their fur created the warmth that they needed. They slept, cubs snuggled up to one another. Their tiny paws were small pillows for them.
Birds were nested it wig bowls high in the trees. They cuddled up together, their feathers kept in their warmth.
Owls swooped in the cold air. They flew over the hill in Hobbiton. They were silent, flapping their wings only a few times.
Rabbits were also in their burrows. They were shared by rats and mice trying to escape the coldness.
Rivers that ran though the land were getting colder and colder. Yet they still ran ever onwards. From high above, the rivers looked like black snakes running though the land. Snow was the only time of year where rivers could be seen from high hills.
Fish swam in small calm pools, away from the torrent of water that would sweep them away.
There were foot prints in the snow. Made not by birds or beasts, but by hobbit.
Merry Brandybuck was walking though the night. Every muscle in his body was screaming in pain. His feet were numb with the cold. His vision was blurring. Snow was covering his eyes and hair. Drips of cold water fell from his nose and hair.
His speed had slowed right down. A small river was a few hundred meters away. The darkness for Merry was deeper then ever. Yet he could not feel the coldness any more. For the temperature of his body was the same as the air around him.
Merry slowly put his foot out. The snow was getting deeper and deeper by the hour. His flask had been dropped long ago.
Houses were dark and few in number. Everyone seemed to be asleep. Owls spied on the hobbit as he stood there. Merry swayed. The noise of the wind was now very loud in his ears.
The hobbit's balance failed him. He started to fall forward. Slow at first, but got faster the nearer the ground he got.
The hobbit hit the snow, his face buried in it. His breathing had become slower and slower. In his condition, he was hours from death.
But there was no one around. The snow created a curtain that was impenetrable to the eyes of humans. Many white flakes started to cover him. Yet they did not melt. The flakes started to cover the hobbit.
Merry's eyes were closed. He couldn't open them. The choice of going to Bree might have cost him his life.
Hobbiton was miles away from where he was. everyone was asleep. Yet there was one who was not.
Estella Bolger.
Estella was sitting in her study. There was a small book in front of her. A quill was being twiddled in her fingers. An ink well was sitting near by. The lid of the ink pot had been taken off. A bit of the blue ink dotted around the top.
Estella stared at the blank pages before her. Her eyes thought about what she was gong to say. Her hand then moved over to the ink well. She dabbed the end of the quill in and tapped it on the side.
She then wrote the date:
16th Foreyule.
She looked at it. Fourteen days were left in Foreyule. Preparations were already being made. Yuletide started two days before Yule One. And finished two days after Yule Two.
Dear Diary,
Well, what can I say? Today had been one of the most upsetting on the month. Merry Brandybuck has, for some reason, stopped talking to me. I do not know why.
Maybe it for the better that I don't see him again. Maybe I can find someone else to love and that loves me better. But then, he did say that he liked me. But he hasn't come to see me for a few days.
I know he cant be busy, he never is busy.
Estella started to feel upset, but she carried on.
Diamond and Pippin. Well, I haven't see them for a while. A week in fact. It seems that the end of this year will be one to forget.
I had a nice time with Mother and Father. Mother is doing well. Yet Father is going down hill. He's not himself anymore. I remember when I was little, he would help me build snow hobbits.
Estella smiled as she started to remember when she was little.
On a brighter note, snow has come. I'm thinking of going to the woods when I get up tomorrow. Maybe Pimpernel would come with me if she's not too busy.
I love the woods in winter. The snow makes it more magical.
The writing had filled most of the page. Estella dabbed her quill in the ink again. Then began to write again.
I think it's time for bed
Estella read back what she had written. The flame near by flickered. Estella though and read the last of what she had written. She nodded and closed the book. The ink pot was closed and the quill set down. The chair was scrapped on the floor as Estella got up.
She took the book and walked over to her bed. But she knelt down on the floor and reached under the bed. There was a small box there. She dragged it out and smiled. Like nearly every box she had, it was made from polished oak.
So, Estella placed the book inside of the box and shut the lid.
The sun's light had still not broken though the clouds as Estella got into bed. She blew the candles out, knowing that it was late at night.
The room was now bathed in darkness. A small patter of snow flakes hitting the glass.
Snow was hitting the face of the boy who rode in the darkness. He was on a mission. A mission that would save lives.
His horse galloped ever onwards. The snow was pounding him every second he was out in it. The only evidence of his journey was the imprints in the snow. Yet they were covered up minutes later.
A large river was making it's way down to the sea. The snow and the darkness combined made it look like a black ribbon. The water trickled over large and small rocks.
A bit of ice collected around the rocks that were sticking out of the water. A bridge lay over the water. It was the last bridge before Rivendell.
The boy knew that he was one hundred miles from Rivendell. The boy knew that he could not get there by the next night.
There was a pack on his shoulders. There were three loaves of bread and a flask of water. The horse's breath could be seen flying off behind him. The boy's hands were numb and his cloths were wet. He shivered as he continued on.
A few times, his feet would slip out of it's holder. He would have to place it back before he could concentrate on riding. This made him lose speed for a moment.
The boy came to the bridge. There was a small rise and drop as it ran over the river. The boy stopped his horse at the top. He looked down at the river. His breath rose in the cold air. The boy could hear the sound of running water.
He could see the bubbles of the torrent could be seen. They were grey in the blackness of night.
The horse and boy did not stay long. The two of went off again. The surrounding areas were covered in a thick carpet of snow. Thicker then before.
Estella slept for the next few hours. She had a nice night, unlike some. The sun had risen well before she did. Yet she did not get up on her own. A bang came at the door. Yet, Estella didn't get up. her sleep was now leaving her.
Bang
Bang
Bang
Estella was now awake. Yet eyes not open. She could hear it, yet didn't know it was happening.
Bang
Bang
"Estella!" came a voice.
It echoed around the hobbit hole. It reached Estella. Her eyes opened slowly, the light was strong.
"Estella!" came the voice again.
Estella stopped in the middle of her yawn. She heard the voice. Her head raised a few inches from the pillow.
"Estella, where are you?"
It echoed though the house. Estella suddenly whipped back the duvet. Her feet were exposed. The sudden change of temperature made her feet feel cold.
Bang
Bang
Bang
Estella quickly walked down her corridor. There were doors on either side and candles burning on either side. The door came into view. She rushed over to it and opened it.
A cold blast came into her house. It kissed the flames of the candles as it rushed past. Standing at the threshold, Pimpernel Took.
She had been looking out at the snow, she turned around and smiled.
"Good morning, Estella" she said.
Estella smiled.
"Good morning, Pimpernel. Would you like to come in?" she asked.
Pimpernel smiled and made her way over the threshold. Estella closed the door behind her. The door clicked shut.
"I thought you would be up by now" Pimpernel said.
Estella smiled.
"I had a late night" she answered.
Pimpernel smiled. The two hobbits walked though to the kitchen.
"I'll put the kettle on the fire" Estella said.
Pimpernel smiled and took a seat. She looked around the kitchen. There were jars of honey, marmalade and jam. A spreading knife had been placed on top of the jars.
A clanking sound came from the fireplace. Estella had filled up the kettle and had placed it back.
"Right, I'll get changed. I will be back in a minute"
Pimpernel smiled and nodded. She watched her friend walk out. Nelly was now on her own. The fire crackled and the snow, which had fallen relentlessly over the past night, hit the window.
Outside, hobbits of every age were out. Snowballs and sleds were all around. Hobbit children were running in small groups. Some of the older ones had gone into the neighbouring fields.
They were not seen for most of the day. Only coming back for lunch and some snakes.
Estella had changed into her day wear and made her way back to the kitchen. The kettle was now boiling. There were a few cups on the table. Tea leaves had been placed into them.
The kettle bubbled more and more intensely. A small bit of water vapour rose from the neck of the metal kettle. Estella smiled as she walked in. She grabbed a small towel and walked to the fireplace. She picked up the kettle and turned around.
She looked at the two cups. Estella then poured the water into each cup.
"There you go" she said happily, placing one of the cups in front of Nelly.
Nelly smiled.
"Thank you" she said.
Estella poured her own cup. The tea leaves swirled around in the hot water. A small bowl of sugar and a tea spoon lay on the table. Estella picked up the spoon and picked up some sugar and put it in her tea. She stirred it around and placed the spoon back.
Pimpernel on the other hand, did not put sugar in hers. She fished out the two tea leaves and placed then on the side.
"So, Pimpernel, have you seen Merry or your brother lately?" Estella asked.
She took a sip from her cup and placed it down.
"No, I have seen neither for a few days now" she answered.
Estella started to think.
"I wonder where they are. Do you think their alright?" Estella asked.
Pimpernel took a deep breath. She looked to the side, wondering if they were safe or not. She raised her cup and drank. Nelly took a deep breath.
"I'm sure their fine" she told Estella.
Estella was looking at the table.
"I sure hope so"
But Merry was not alright. His eyes were closed and his lips blue. Yet, he was no outside any more. He was on a large couch. A large duvet was over him.
A figure was sitting near by, he had a goblet in one hand. He had a large, greying beard. Yet the redness was not as it had been many years ago.
A helmet and a double headed axe stood next to. The feet of the person did not touch the ground. A second figure was standing a few yards away. He was facing Merry. There was no sign of Merry waking up just yet.
"How long do you think he's been out there?" asked the one sitting down.
He had a beard that stretched half way down his body. The person looked older then the one standing before him.
"A few hours, but he'll be alright"
The person standing up had blond hair. His ears were pointed. His cloths were green. A leaf shaped clasp was holding his cloak around his neck and shoulders.
The time was a few hours after sun rise. It was lunch time at Hobbiton. Most of the hobbits had gone in for lunch and warmth. But, some of the hobbits had stayed out.
"Come on, make snow balls, we can get them when they come out again"
One of the hobbits had a wheel barrow. He walked quickly walked down the hill.
"Folco, over here!" shouted one of the hobbits.
The hobbit pushing the wheel barrow stopped and looked at the one who had just called. Folco smiled and started to walk to him.
The wheel barrow was made of wood. The snow around him was starting to ease as he walked over to his friends.
"I don't know why you wanted this wheel barrow of mine" Folco said as he let go of the handle.
There was a large pile of snow balls. One of the Halflings started to make snowballs and put them in the barrow. Folco watched as the hobbit placed snowball after snowball into the wheelbarrow.
After a minute or two, the barrow was full.
"Take them up the hill and hide them on the corner" said the hobbit.
Folco shivered a bit, the coldness was getting to him.
"So, who are we going to throw these at then?" Folco asked.
The hobbit, who had been making the snow balls, looked up. A smile came along his lips.
"You'll see"
Folco looked at him strangely, but did not question any further. The hobbit picked up the handles of the barrow and turned it around. The snow crunched under Folco's feet. The hill was not steep, yet in the snow, it made it harder.
A few times, Folco accidently tipped the barrow over. His feet slipped on the well trodden ice. The snow had turned to ice.
Folco took a moment to catch his breath. The hill was still going up. Folco's hair was wet and his cheeks cold. His hands were even colder.
The snow balls were on the floor. Folco righted the small cart and looked at the snow balls. He started to pick up the ones that had fallen out. More then half had fallen out.
Meanwhile, Pippin was driving the cart. The snow had come and gone. It was covering all the land in a snowy carpet. The snow was unspoiled. It covered root and twig. The wind blew Pippin's hair. Dolly was in the back. She was thinking.
Her thoughts were clear as the cart rolled on.
A small child sat on her mothers lap. It was late in the night. Dolly could remember how tired she had been. The candles flickered every so often.
"Mummy, can I come with you tomorrow?" she had asked.
Dolly was only a small girl, six or seven years of age. Her bare feet dangled and swung a bit.
"Are you sure?" her mother asked.
Dolly looked up at her mother and smiled.
"Yes, I'm sure"
But that was years ago. And now, Dolly's mother and father had past away. Yet, she still had her passion of new life left. Her mother had taught her for many years before. But now, Dolly had to figure out what to do on her own.
Midwives were rare among hobbits of the Shire. Dolly was one of the few there were.
Dolly, in her sixty years of midwifery, had never been sent on a question. She had never seen a hobbit that showed no since of illness, yet was none responsive.
Diamond Took was her name.
She was late in her birth. But her life and the life of her unborn child.
Pippin was her husband. He had been there when Diamond had unexpectedly fainted. She had yet to wake up. But now, Pippin, Diamond and Dolly were hundreds of miles away from the safety of Hobbiton.
Pippin's mind was now on food again. Hobbits were renowned for eating seven or eight meals a day. But, over the past few days, Pippin had lost weight. But not much. There was still a bit of bread left to eat.
Both Pippin and Dolly knew that they would have to save the bread until they were closer to Rivendell. Yet they had only past Weathertop.
Back in Hobbiton, Folco had reached his destination. He had turned into a small garden. He unloaded the wheel barrow and made sure that the balls of snow were still intact.
The bottom of the wheel barrow was wet. The snow had started to melt. But, now that they were on the snowy ground, they ceased to melt.
Down near the lake, Folco's friends and brothers had made a massive pile of snow balls. A small figure was coming back down the hill.
It was Folco.
Folco was an only child. He was the son of Vigo Boffin. Vigo had been captured by Saruman. But, Vigo had survived. His friends and family had saved him. Saruman had starved the hobbits.
Folco continued to walk down the hill.
"Watch this" said on of the hobbits.
He grabbed a very large handful of snow and quickly made a snow ball. He looked back at the moving figure of Folco.
He took aim and…
The snow ball hit the tree. The ball exploded into many pieces. Pippin was standing there. The cart had stopped. Dolly had gotten out of the cart as well. The snow crunched under her feet.
"Did you see that?" asked Pippin merrily.
Dolly smiled and nodded.
Pip had bent down again and picked up another ball. The cart and hobbits were now half way between Weathertop and the last bridge over the river Hoarwell.
"We have to get moving soon" Dolly told him.
Pippin threw the snow ball and it impacted a few inches away from the first.
"Alright, are you going to drive?" he asked.
Dolly nodded. A yawn came over his lips and Pippin walked to the back of the cart. There were hoof and wheel marks running back down the path. To the front, the snow was untouched and pristine.
Dolly got onto the drivers seat. The tiredness went away. Yet hunger had replaced it. The cart suddenly rolled on. Pippin was yawning in the back.
His mind started to wonder what was happening back home. Instead of a comfy chair, wooden planks were his seat. Instead of roast chicken, bread was his food.
Pippin shuffled down. He had forgotten his pipe and Longbottom leaf. Ale had been in short supply. Pippin started to miss home. He had thought that his adventures had ended. But he had been wrong.
Pippin never thought that he would go back to Rivendell.
Memories started to flood back. Rivendell had been the starting point of many friendships and many enemies. Merry and Pippin had been captured by a gang of Uruk-hai.
Fangorn forest was an old and mysterious forest. Merry and Pippin had run into the forest. Pippin could still feel the coldness and the tightness of the air around him.
He didn't admit it, but he had been more scared in Fangorn then he had ever been.
His eyes were glazed over at the cart moved on. Pippin almost didn't feel it moving. His memories were strong and they haunted him for many years.
But Pippin never spoke of them. He knew that his friends and family knew that it had effected him. They talked behind his back. Sometimes, almost getting caught. But they were never suspected them.
Merry, on the other hand, had gone to smoking and drinking. Pippin had also gone to the bottle and to the pipe weed. But not as much as his friend.
Merry's fingers had started to turn a dull yellow. The pipe weed was staining them. His cloths were torn and moth eaten. Like Pippin, Merry wanted to go to Gondor. But things needed to happen.
Pippin was near Rivendell and Merry was in a house, miles from Bree. Neither of them would see each other for a few more days.
Folco had come back to his friends. His face was now stinging. A few minutes earlier, a snow ball had been fired at him. It had sailed though the air and hit him.
Folco took a few seconds to wonder what had happened. His hands left the wheel barrow which fell on one side. His eyes were closed. Yet his ears could make out the laughter of his friends.
He wiped the water away from his face. Any warmth that he had had was now lost. His sleeve was a bit wet. The snow ball that had fallen to the ground.
"Come on Folly!" shouted a voice.
Folco looked down at his friends. They were all laughing. So, Folco picked the barrow and made his way back down.
"I hope your not going to do that again" he said.
He placed the barrow down. A big pile of snow balls were laying on the ground. All around, hobbits were coming back out of their homes.
"So, we're getting Pippin, right?" asked one of Folco's friends.
"Yes, we are"
Folco continued to pile the snow balls into the small barrow.
Pimpernel and Estella had now finished their tea. Estella had also got out some cookies which they had eaten. Both of them had extra cups of tea and extra cookies. The two of them talked about the outside world. Hobbits loved each and every season of Middle-earth.
Winter was a time of renewal. Many more feasts were held in winter then in any other season. Winter was a time where all hobbits felt like children again. No matter what age they were.
Snow hobbits and snow balls alike were built.
Spring came next. This was the time when plants and trees started to bloom again. Saplings and mature trees alike grew. Birds and beasts came out. Foxes and rabbits came out from their borrows. It would soon be time for younglings to entre the world.
Summer was a hobbit's next favourite season of the year. The sun was now strong in the sky. All of the plants were now in bloom. Days were long. Nights were warm and cloudless. Rain was rare in the height of summer.
Birds flew around, songs were heard though out the day.
Robins, crows, sparrows. All of them finding worms and food. Fish were spawning in the lake. At night, crickets, owls and foxes came out to play. Even though the sun had gone down, animals and hobbits were not asleep.
A few miles away, owls could be heard hooting to one another. Frogs hopped out of the lake. They made their way slowly up the hill.
A peacefulness came over the world. The stars in the sky twinkled. They were older then an any age that had past. They were older then the rocks beneath their feet.
Autumn was the next season. Leaves started to fall and the heat of summer started to dissipate. The rains started to turn to sleet. Sleet slowly started to turn to hail and snow.
Green grass started to grow even more then in summer. Cows and sheep grazed on the grass. In the centre of Hobbiton, there were pens full of chickens and turkeys. Stalls of freshly baked bread and fresh jars of jam and sticks of butter.
Hobbits had stocked up for winter. Food and ale were stored in vast quantities. A few of the hobbit house holds had live chickens in their cellars. Small pens with metal wire made up the room where the chicken or turkey would be fed.
Pippin and Diamond had a turkey in their cellar. They would feed it everyday, twice if they could remember. But now, they were not at home any more. The turkey was getting thinner instead of fatter like they had planned.
Pimpernel had gotten up from her seat. Her time to go home.
"I will see you later, Estella" Pimpernel said.
Her coat had been hanging from the back of her chair. Estella also got up.
"Have a safe journey" she said, walking to her friend and hugging her.
Pimpernel smiled.
"Why did you say that? Its only down the hill"
Estella laughed.
"Nelly, there's snow outside. The boys will be making snow balls. That's why I want you to be careful" Estella told her.
Pimpernel rolled her eyes.
"Estie, my father is Thain of the Shire. I know that their afraid of him and would not go after me" she explained.
Estella felt a little bit better.