A cold snow flake landed on his yellow jacket. He wiped it away and took another bite of the bread. Gimli was looking around. Like always, he had his axe with him.
His hands had been placed in large leather gloves. His armour had been taken off. There was no need for killing any more.
Gimli's beard had changed over the years. It had not grown in length, but the greyness had become more noticeable. His face seemed to be more older looking.
The dwarf then got out a wooden pipe. There was a bowl at one end. In Gimli's other hand was a pouch of tobacco.
The pouch was then put back in his pocket. A small wooden box had then been taken out. Gimli opened it. There were small hinges on the back. Inside were small sticks of wood. They were matches that he had picked up from Minus Tirith.
There was a square of coarse paper inside as well. Gimli took one of the sticks of wood out. It had a purple head to it. Gimli then held the paper on top of the box and lit the stick of wood.
A small flame erupted from the end of stick. Gimli lit the tobacco. The small bits of tobacco started to burn, sending smoke into the air. Gimli then started to draw in some of the smoke.
The hobbit was watching him. It had been a few days since Merry had had a smoke. And he was feeling it. the hobbit had had a headache all day. the smoke coming out of the Gimli's mouth was so tempting.
Merry looked back down at the small bit of bread in his hand. He took a deep breath, he started to think of his home again.
Hobbiton was now being dumped in snow. Flakes were falling to earth. They settled on the grass and the road. All of the chimneys were now smoking.
Pimpernel was holding a puppy, she was thinking about showing her mother what she had. The puppy was laying on her lap. Her hand was subconsciously stroking the puppy's ear.
Two voices were arguing in her head.
"Just tell her, Pimpernel, you need to. She'll find out sooner or later!"
"But if you do, she might not let you keep her!"
"But you'll never knew if you don't to it"
"Then again, you might be wrong. She might not let you keep her!"
Pimpernel took a deep breath and looked towards the door. Either path was tempting. She knew that her mother would not take lightly to the pup. But Pimpernel thought she could persuade her.
So, the puppy was picked up and carried. Pimpernel walked towards the door and stood there. She was scared of going out of the room. The bed looked more tempting now.
Hamson's ring had been forgotten for the moment. Pimpernel's hand was resting on the handle. The hobbit took a deep breath and opened the door.
The door creaked as she opened it. On the other side of the door was a corridor. It was large and bright. There were wooden panels running half way up the round wall. The other half was plastered.
There were a few candles flickering on their holders. They shed light on the surrounding area. Pimpernel looked either way. But none of her family were around.
The hobbit left the room, the first time in days. She walked towards the kitchen. The warmth was very noticeable here. The fire had been burning merrily by itself. The kettle had been placed back on it's hook.
There was a window showed only a small patch of sky. It had grey clouds. The puppy was looking around as well. She could still smell the bacon from earlier.
Pimpernel wondered where everyone was.
"Mum?" she asked.
Her voice echoed around the house. There was a pile of cards on the table. Each one had a name on it. There were not as many as Rosie's pile. Yet, there were still twenty cards there. The ink bottle and feather quill had been put back in their rightful place.
A noise came from the corridor. It met Pimpernel's ears, it made her look around. Just then Eglantine came though the door. She suddenly stopped, spotting her daughter standing there. A large smile came across her face.
"How are you?" she asked.
The puppy was looking at the new person who had come into the room. Eglantine was just about to hug her daughter when her eyes met the puppy's eyes.
Eglantine looked down at the small eyes.
"Pimpernel, where did you get the puppy from?" she asked.
Pimpernel was looking away from her mother.
"I found her" she answered.
"Found her?" asked Eglantine.
"Where?"
Pimpernel took a deep breath, she knew that she was on the brink of losing her new puppy.
"She was under the bed" Nelly answered.
Her mother looked deep into her eyes.
"Nelly, are you telling me the truth?" her mother asked.
She had a look on her eyes. There was an awkward moment of silence.
"Alright" she said.
Eglantine knew when her family was lying to her. But Pimpernel wasn't. The puppy rested her head on Pimpernel. Her small fluffy ears were tickled.
"So, am I allowed to keep her?" Pimpernel asked, she knew that she was touching on a very difficult subject.
Eglantine took a deep breath and walked away. Pimpernel's hopes were dashed.
"You know what I think of dogs" she answered her daughter.
Pimpernel took a deep breath.
"But mum, I'll take good care of her" she explained.
Eglantine walked over to the cupboard and opened it. inside, there were pots and pans. Lunch was coming up and Eglantine needed to get lunch ready.
"But Pimpernel, dogs smell. I don't want her stinking out the house"
This made Pimpernel very upset. Her eyes started to fill up with tears. The puppy was resting her head oh her. The pup looked sleepy.
"But why cant we have one? I'll take good care of her!" Pimpernel pointed out.
There was a crash as her mother got out pans for cooking. A roast dinner was in order. But the chicken had yet to be cooked.
"I'm sure you will, but you cant have her" Eglantine told her.
She looked around at her daughter. There was a tear slowly ran down her perfect face. She then turned and walked away.
"Pimpernel, please come back" Eglantine said, holding a pan.
But it was too late. The door was slammed shut, the bang echoed around the kitchen. Eglantine took a deep breath. Some how, she thought she had hurt her daughter even more.
"Maybe I should let her keep the puppy" she thought.
She placed the pan on the worktop. Eglantine walked towards the cellar. She opened the large wooden door and walked inside.
The cellar was colder then the rest of the house for it never had candles in. Eglantine picked out what she needed and walked back out.
The coldness was deepening outside. Large snow flakes fell to the ground. They had started to fall a few hours ago. Most of the hobbits that lived in Hobbiton had gone inside. Not only because of the cold, but due to it being lunch as well.
The lake was rippling in the bitterly cold wind. There seemed to be no birds flying the air. They had all nestled down, away from the on coming snow.
There were a few figures walking in the increasing snow. They had small cards in their hands. The hobbits walked to different houses.
A knock at the door. Samwise was waiting in the snow for an answer. He looked around the small garden he was in.
"That doesn't look very nice" he thought, eyeing an untidy bush.
The large door in front of him opened and reviled Estella Bolger. She gave a smile.
"Hello Sam, would you like to come in?" Estella asked.
"Thank you miss Estella" Sam answered, walking over the threshold.
The coldness rushed into the house, flickering the burning candles.
"I brought you this" Sam said, holding out a card.
It was a very well decorated card. It was pale pink with an ivy boarder. Estella's eyes scanned the card. She read the passage in the middle.
The Green Dragon
Would Like To Invite
Estella Bolger
To Our Yule Feast
Yule One
Five O'clock.
Estella smiled, knowing how extravagant their feasts were. She looked up at Sam bearing a smile.
"Thank you Sam" she said.
Samwise smiled as well. He stuck his hand in his pocket and got out the list that Rosie made. Sam then felt around his pocket a bit more. He was trying to find his quill and small ink pot.
"You don't suppose you have a quill I could borrow, do you?" asked Sam, looking a little bit embarrassed.
Estella smiled.
"Of course" she said.
The hobbit walked away, Sam followed on afterwards. The two of them then entered the cluttered study. Books were stacked onto many shelves. There was a fire place built into the wall. There were small flames dancing around in it.
The smoke rose up and out into the cold, snowy air outside.
"Here you go" said Estella, handing him a ink well and a feather quill.
Sam smiled.
"Thank you" he said as he took it from her.
The ink well had now top. The ink ripped inside as Sam looked down at the paper. It was very tricky to do so. Estella watched him tick off her name.
"Right then, I better be off. It'll be lunch soon" Sam told her.
Sam's nose was red, he sniffed as he turned and walked out. This time, Estella was following Sam. Sam opened the door. Another large wave of cold air was let in. the candles started to flicker again.
"See you later Sam!" Estella said, then closed the door.
Sam walked to the closed gate, opened it, walked though and then closed it. The wind was blowing snow flakes into Sam's face. They felt like small needles hitting his face.
The road was covered in snow. Sam's foot prints from when he walked up were now covered up. the flakes feel like feathers in the wind.
The snow started to fall around the cart. Origo was still laying on Diamond's lap. Faramir was now in the arms of his father. Diamond's hand stroked him. Her hand ran over his soft fur.
She looked down and saw her pup looking around. A yawn came over him. He rested his head on his paws. He was very tired. He could still feel Diamond hand running up and down his back.
His eyes started to get heavy. The coldness was not effecting him like they were the hobbits. Faramir was wrapped up in a massive blanket. His little feet and hands were tucked up in the warm blanket.
Origo's eyes slowly started to drop. The puppy was now sleeping. The sounds and movement from outside ceased. Diamond looked down at Origo and smiled.
"I think he's asleep" Diamond said.
Pippin smiled and watched Diamond gently place Ori on his blanket. The cart continued to roll on. Lunch came and went. The snow had started to fall and the temperature plummeted.
One o'clock past seamlessly into two. To Diamond, every mile ahead looked like the mile just gone.
Two o'clock ran all the way around to three o'clock. Faramir have been placed back into his small cot.
Three o'clock seemed to take forever to turn into four o'clock. Diamond was now getting very cold. The sun was now going down in the west.
Five o'clock brought an increase in snow and wind. The darkness around the cart was deepening.
Six o'clock. Pippin was getting hungry again. There were only a few pieces of Lambas left in the first basket.
Origo had started to wake from his sleep. He whined, the coldness was getting to him. The pup was now not being cuddled or stroked by his Diamond.
His little brown eyes slowly opened. The darkness around him made it harder to see. Ori could see figures laying down on the floor of the cart.
"Diamond?" he whimpered, the coldness was making him shiver.
The pup then stood up on all fours. The blanket he left behind was very warm. He slowly walked away, looking around in the darkness.
The puppy sniffed the wooden planks. There were a pair of bare feet sticking out of one of the lumps. Origo wondered who it was.
His little nose sniffed the bottom of the foot. The pup whined at the smell.
"Defiantly not my Diamond" he thought.
His eyes scanned around and came across the second lump. Origo walked over and sniffed. It was certainly his Diamond.
Her eyes were closed, a few snowflakes had landed in her dark hair. Origo came up to her face and started to sniff. His small tongue then started to lick her face.
Diamond, who had been in an uncomfortable sleep started to wake up. She groaned at first. Her eyes slowly opened to see a small puppy standing there. A warm smile came over her lips.
"Hello pup" she said.
A large hand scooped the puppy up and cuddled him closer. There was a blanket over Diamond. Origo cuddled up, he was very cold.
Back in Hobbiton, Pimpernel was laying on her bed. A puppy was laying next to her. Her figures tickled the pup's ears.
Just then, the door opened slightly. A girl stood there, looking in.
"Nelly?" she asked.
Pimpernel looked up, but didn't answer. The pup looked around. The door was then opened more and the girl walked in. it was Pearl.
Pearl slowly and quietly closed the door. Pimpernel said nothing. She didn't want to.
"Mum told me about the puppy" she said.
The puppy stretched and lay on it's side. Nelly gave a small smile.
"She said that you cant keep it" Pearl told her.
"I know what she said and I am keeping the puppy" Pimpernel told her.
There was a small hint of anger in her voice. Pearl slowly sat down on one of the chairs. The pup yawned widely.
"What are you going to name her?" Pearl asked.
But Nelly didn't answer. In fact, she didn't like Pearl being there at all. The silence was the only thing that the two of them could hear.
"It's snowing outside" Pearl said.
Her voice was instantly blocked out instantly. A invisible smell started to seep though the gaps in the door. a roast dinner had been prepared.
A large chunk of beef had been cut and cooked for their dinner. Vegetables had been either cooked or boiled. Parsnips, sprouts, carrots, roast potatoes. All have been cooked.
Plates were now being set out. One for each of the family. Apart from Pippin. Knives and forks had been set out. A knife had been on one side of the white plate and a fork had been set out on the other.
There were larger bowls on the work top. Eglantine had large gloves on. But they were not for snow. instead, they were for lifting the hot treys out of the oven.
The oven door was then opened. The heat hit Eglantines face. She had already had a cloth to pick them up on. The hobbit then slid the trey out.
The fire was licking the trey underneath. Eglantine got out the first and placed it on the work top. The hot trey had parsnips resting on it.
Another trey was brought out from the friary cooker. Potatoes had been roasting in the heat. They had a crisp coat on them. A small bit of stream snaked it's way into the air.
The door to the oven was then closed. On top, a pan was bubbling. Water had filled up most of the pan. Inside the bubbling water were sprouts. They had only been in the water for a few minutes.
Eglantine was not yet going to serve them up. Eglantine still had the cloth in her hand as she got a large serving spoon. She then started to scoop the roast potatoes into the white bowl. They were still piping hot.
After a minute or two, Eglantine had placed all of the roast potatoes into the bowl. She picked it up, turned around and placed it in the middle of the table.
Eglantine did the same with the parsnips. The boiling pot of sprouts was lifted off of the hob and carried it over to the sink. She removed the hot glass lid. It had a few hot drips of water running off of it.
Eglantine used the lid to drain out the water. A column of stream rose into the room. Just then, the door opened and in came Pervinca.
She had come in from the freezing cold weather outside.
"Hello" she said, closing the door behind her.
"Hello love" Eglantine said with a smile.
Pervinca had a large smile across her face.
"I could smell that when I came in" she said, looking over at the oven.
Eglantine walked over to an unused bowl and tipped the sprouts into the bowl. They steamed gently in the bowl.
"Would you call everyone please?" she asked.
Vinnie smiled.
"Sure" she answered.
Pervinca's large coat had been left on the hooks near the front door. A small table had been place near by. A glass vase had been placed on the table. Flowers had been placed in the vase along with water.
The flowers looked very old and the water was murky. Pervinca walked down the clean looking corridor. She past closed wooden doors.
But she didn't stop at them. She was heading for one door. On the other side were her two sisters. Pimpernel and Pearl.
When Vinnie got to the door, she raised one had and knocked three times. Inside, both of the girls looked at door. it slowly opened.
"Hello" Pervinca said brightly.
She could see her two sisters there.
"Hello Vinnie" Pearl said.
"Dinner is ready now" Vinnie told them.
Her eyes then lay on Pimpernel. She could see her sister holding a fluffy bundle in her hands.
"When did you get a puppy?" she asked.
Like her sister, Pervinca had always liked dogs as well. She took a few steps forward. The puppy was looking right at her. She smiled.
"Can I hold him?" she asked.
Pimpernel was laying on the bed.
"It's a her" corrected Pearl.
Vinnie walked over to the bed and reached out a hand.
"It's alright pup, I wont hurt you" Pervinca said softly.
The puppy looked a little bit scared. Her little nose started to sniff Pervinca's fingers. Vinnie could feel the cold, wet nose touch her.
"See, I wont hurt you" she told it.
Pimpernel had a small smile on her face.
"Can I hold her?" asked her sister.
Nelly gave a small nod. Pervinca picked the puppy up, her hands were under each of the pup's front paws. The pup was then held in her arms.
"She's so warm and fluffy" Pervinca told them.
Pimpernel took a deep breath and looked away. She knew that she couldn't keep her. Vinnie was smiling, she kissed the top of the pup's head.
"Does she have a name yet?"
"Yes, Pimpernel chose the name Abira" Pearl answered.
Just then, a voice echoed down the corridor to the room.
"Dinner is ready!" it said.
Pearl looked over at the door. She then stood up.
"Are you coming this time?" she asked Pimpernel.
All she got was a shake of the head.
"Do you want me to bring your dinner in here?" Pearl asked her sister.
Nelly gave a small nod. Pearl then walked away. Pervinca kissed the puppy's head one more time and placed her down on the bed.
"I'll see you and Abira later" she said.
Pearl was then followed out of the room. The door was then shut, blocking out the small bit of light from outside. The puppy had watched then walk out. her attention was now back on her owner.
Pimpernel could hear her whimper. A small paw touched her back.
"Come here, pup" Nelly said glumly.
She picked the puppy up and set it down on the bed before her.
"I cant keep you" Pimpernel told the pup.
"Mother is too strict and she doesn't went me having you"
The puppy tilted it's head and looked at her. A small whine came from the pup. Pimpernel's hand was running over Abira's small ear.
"I wish I could keep you" she said.
The puppy then moved forward and licked Pimpernel's face.
"I love you too pup" she told the pup.
In the kitchen, there was much activity. Pearl, Pervinca, Paladin and Eglantine were all piling food onto their plates. The beef had been cut into slices. Paladin was now putting a few of them onto his plate.
Pearl was piling the honey roasted parsnips onto her plate. A few spouts had been placed on the plate as well. Eglantine was at the opposite end of the rectangle shaped table to Paladin. A few roast potatoes had been put on her plate.
"Pearl, could you pass the sprouts down please?" she asked.
Pearl, who had just put them down, picked them back up and past them over to her mother. The bottom of the bowl was very hot.
"Thank you dear"
A spoon had been left in the bowl as well. It was set down. Eglantine started to scoop the green sprouts onto her plate.
"Mum?" asked Pervinca.
Eglantine, who had been pouring gravy onto her dinner, looked up.
"Yes dear?"
"Well, I want to know why Pimpernel cant keep her puppy"
Eglantine rolled her eyes, having already told Pimpernel why.
"Because she isn't allowed to!" Eglantine answered.
"But why? Why wont you let her have a puppy?" Pearl asked.
Her mother took a deep breath.
"Because dogs smell Pearl. They ruin houses and if she's stays here then the puppy cant"
Pearl had stopped cutting her meat.
"But…"
But Pearl was interrupted.
"No "Buts" she can not have one here and that's enough"
Pimpernel had been standing at the door. She could see and hear her family arguing.
"How? How could she say this?" she asked herself.
She felt anger in her blood. It was rare for hobbits to feel such a feeling. The door slowly opened. Pearl, who was sitting in the seat that faced the door, looked up.
She could see Pimpernel standing there. A few tears were running down her face.
"You just don't know what I've been though over the last few days!" Pimpernel said.
There was a lot of emotions in her face and voice.
"I'm just…"
"No!" Pimpernel shouted.
The room was now quiet. Pervinca and Paladin had stopped eating. They were looking between Pimpernel and Eglantine.
"You have to understand that I don't want a puppy in the house" Eglantine told her.
Pimpernel was shaking her head.
"Well, if you don't want a puppy in the house, maybe I should…"
Pimpernel stopped.
"Maybe I don't belong here either"
Without giving her mother a chance to argue back, Pimpernel turned and walked away. Both Eglantine and Pearl got up. They followed her back towards the spare room.
The noise of the door slamming echoed though the house. Their dinners had been left.
Eglantine got to the door first and opened the door. Pimpernel standing there. She was in a flood of tears.
"Pimpernel, dear…"
She walked over to her daughter.
"Get away!" Pimpernel shouted.
Her mother was very shocked. She had never been shouted at. Pearl placed her hands on the shoulders of her mother.
"Mum, I think Pimpernel wants some alone time" Pearl whispered in her ear.
Pimpernel looked angry and upset.
"I'm leaving" she told them.
Eglantine looked confused.
"Leaving? But where will you go?" she asked.
Pimpernel thought quickly.
"I will go to Pearl's house" Nelly answered.
Pearl looked surprised. Her mother looked around.
"Is this true?" she asked.
Pearl looked at her sister. She couldn't turn her sister away. not after what she had been though.
"Yes, yes she can" Pearl told her mother.
Eglantine took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry Pimpernel, I just don't like dogs" she told her.
There was an awkward moment of silence before Eglantine walked out. Pearl and Pimpernel looked at each other.
"Are you really going to?" asked Nelly.
Pearl was confused.
"Really going to what?" she asked.
"Are you really going to let me stay with you?" Pimpernel asked.
Pearl gave her sister a warm smile.
"Of course, I'll do anything for my sisters" she answered.
Pimpernel smiled.
"You best get back to your dinner, I can go on to your home" she told her sister.
"Are you sure you don't want to wait for me?" Pearl asked.
"No, I'll be OK" Nelly answered.
Pearl smiled at her sister.
"I'll see you beck at the house"
Both of the girls walked out of the room. Pimpernel went one way, towards the door. While Pearl headed back to the kitchen.
Pimpernel, who was holding Abira with one arm, opened the door. The coldness did not hit her until she crossed over the threshold.
The hobbit closed the door behind her. Lots of snow had fallen since it had started a few hours ago. A good few inches now lay on the ground. The wind made the temperature even colder.
Pimpernel's face was stinging a bit. Her hands were really cold now. She walked past houses that had light pouring out of them.
In the middle was a large black hole. It used to belong to her. The hobbit stopped suddenly. Her eyes fell on the burnt home. The snow fell around her, landing in her hair.
Pimpernel still could not believe that it had happened. All of her belongings had been taken away from her in a matter of minutes.
She took a deep breath and started to walk again. Her sister's house was not that far away now.
Estella Bolger was at the small cupboard a empty bucket and a wet mop had been put back. The small door was closed and Estella stood up.
She was exhausted. The whole house had been cleaned and dusted. The house looked very clean indeed. The tiles that made up the floor were reflecting light like they had never done so.
Estella walked back to the clean kitchen. The fire place had been scrubbed clean. There were no black marks clinging onto the wall above.
Hunger was now gripping her. Food was now in her sights.
"And then bed" she told herself.
The cellar door was then opened and Estella walked in. Her eyes looked around and picked up a small packet. Just like nearly every hobbit in Hobbiton, each cellar had a large array of food.
The packet contained cookies. Estella walked out again and closed the door. She walked out of the kitchen, back down the corridor to her room.
The room was light and warm. The window showed the darkness outside. Estella's room was very well decorated. There was a large book shelf along one wall. A few candles were dotted around the room.
The ceiling was curved, the ceilings and walls seemed to blend into one. A bed had been placed in the middle. Estella had made it when she had cleaned the room.
There was a small writing table in the corner. The papers that had been cleaned away into a box. A small book lay on table.
It was Estella's diary. The hobbit walked over to the table. Tiredness was getting to her now. She yawned as she sat on her seat. There was a small rug under the seat and table.
There were a few ink stains that Estella failed to get out. The cookies that had been wrapped in brown paper were placed down.
Estella's focus was now the small book. She opened it's pages. Every page had been written in. Memories and feelings had been put down in words.
Her hand writing changed from the beginning to the end. Estella now opened the next blank page. A few dots of ink had leaked onto the next page.
A quill was then picked up. it was made from a feather. There was an ink well on top of table. The table was made so that it had a slope to it. It made it easier to write on.
The small top of the ink well was then taken off and placed next to it. Estella took the quill in her hand and dabbed it into the ink.
She then lifted it out and then started to write.
23rd Foreyule
She wrote. The hobbit dabbed the tip of the feather quill back in the ink. Estella then continued to write.
Dear Diary, I've been invited to the feast at the green dragon!
I'm really excited. It will be my first time there. I do not know who else may be going. The card that Rosie made was very well decorated.
Today I cleaned the whole house. I washed all of the floor and dusted all of the surfaces. I think I can rest tomorrow.
Estella smiled and ripped open the paper bag. Inside, chocolate chip cookies. The girl picked one out and took a bite. She started to chew. The taste of rich chocolate. The doe had been cooked until it had turned a light brown colour. It was crispy as well.
Estella finished her mouth full and took another bite. It took her a minute or two to finish. She then started on her second.
The clock ticked on. Ten o'clock fast approached. Hobbiton was falling quiet again for another cold night. Ice started to form on the surface of the lake.
"Time for bed" Estella told herself.
She got up from her writing desk. The book had been shut and the ink well had it's lid put back on. Estella yawned as she walked out of the room to go to the bath room.
She washed her hands and face, then came back to the warm bed room. The snow outside was creating a deep carpet on the floor.
The snow flakes came down as big as feathers. Each chimney on the large hill was bellowing with smoke. There was an eerie silence around the land.
Estella pulled the duvet away and got into bed. Tiredness had won. Her eyes closed quicker then normal. She had fallen asleep in a matter of minutes.