The day rose as the sun came up. The air looked cleaner then the day before. A new start. But the that did not mean that worries were not all gone.
Pimpernel woke was beads of sweat running down her forehead. For a moment, there seemed to be no sound. Her heart rate was racing. Her breathing was not calm to say the least.
Sound slowly started to come back to Pimpernel as her breathing calmed. Pimpernel slowly sat up in her bed the sound of the crackling fire, the ticking of the clock and the quiet whistling of the wind were all that she heard.
Pimpernel took the duvet off of her. Only then realising how warm it had been. The cold air around made the hair on her feet stand up.
Pimpernel knew that her sister, Pearl would not be awake yet. The door clicked open and Pimpernel walked out. The candles in the hall way were flicking gently as Pimpernel walked past them.
She kept her eye straight, trying to ignore the flickering flames. Her heart rate rose a small bit as she looked at a near by flame. For a split second, Pimpernel saw a face out of the corner of her eye. But when she looked, there was no face, just a flaming candle.
The kitchen door opened and Pimpernel walked in. Usually, a small puppy would be by her side. But ever since her Abira had gone, a massive hole had appeared in her heart. Add that to her guilt and worry, she was not in the best of moods. She felt guilty because she was now living with her sister. Pimpernel felt like a small child again, dependant on other people.
And this time, there was nothing she could do about it. She could not go home, for she had no home to go to. She could not go to her mother, for she did not feel welcome.
Pimpernel was all alone in the world with no one to understand what she had been and was going though. not even Pearl, no matter how much she tried to, did not understand.
Pearl, in fact, was still asleep. Warmth surrounded her as she snoozed on. but something was about to awaken her. a loud crash from the kitchen.
Pearl sat bolt up right in her bed, listening to the sounds echoing down from the kitchen.
"Must be Pimpernel" she thought, laying back.
Tiredness was not getting to her again, but it was uncomfortable. She could hear the clock and the fire crackling in the heath. Not only that, but she could hear Pimpernel in the kitchen.
"What is she doing?" she asked herself, looking over at the door.
Pearl took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling. Shadows seemed to dance around the ceiling.
"Well, I suppose that is my queue to get up" she thought.
So, the duvet was thrown off. Pearl felt the same coldness that her sister did. Pearl placed her bare feet on the cold tiles. Like her sister, she felt the coldness of the tiles. But I did not really bother her.
Yawning, Pearl opened the door. The air around her was cold and the house quiet.
Pimpernel was filling up a kettle of water when her sister walked in.
"Good morning" Pearl said.
But it was not for Pimpernel. She gave a small smile, but did not answer back. Pearl knew that something was up with Pimpernel.
"You've had a dream again, didn't you?" she asked.
Pimpernel stopped what she was doing. Her hand lay on a mug that she was getting out of the cupboard. Her eyes seemed to be looking into a distance spot.
"There getting worse" she said.
Pimpernel knew that Pearl would not understand her.
"Worse?" she asked.
"What do you mean by worse?"
Pimpernel looked at her sister. For a moment, there was silence between the girls.
"How many sugars?" Pimpernel asked.
Pearl gave a small smile.
"Three please" Pearl answered.
Pimpernel gave a small smile and got out the second mug. The cupboard door was shut as Nelly walked away. The cellar door was then opened as she went to get the sugar and tealeaves.
The kettle was bubbling away nicely.
"I might be out later" Pearl told her as she walked her sister.
Pimpernel took a deep breath.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
Her voice had a bit of noticeable depression hanging onto it.
"Just to Folco's, he's asked me over for lunch" Pearl answered.
This made Pimpernel feel even worse.
"If only he was here" she thought.
But Hamson was not here. He had gone off for a while. Pimpernel did not exactly know why he had. Hamson had gone to stay with his uncle in Tighfield.
There, Hamson would stay. A large breakfast had been prepared for him in the morning, like always.
"Morning lad" said his uncle.
Hamson smiled.
"Morning uncle"
There were two other hobbits sitting at the table as well. One was four years his senior and was called Anson Roper. Anson was Hamson's cousin.
"We have a large order to get out today" his uncle said, drinking out of his mug.
"Thirty miles!"
Hamson gave a smile. he now knew how much work it took to make even a few yards of rope.
"Thirty miles?" he asked.
"Do you think we have enough to make that?"
His uncle took a deep breath.
"We may have to start with shearing some of the wool from the sheep, but that may take up most of the time"
Hamson nodded.
"Well, I could do that while you get on with the sheep shearing" Hamson told him.
"That'll do finely" Uncle Andy answered.
Breakfast was then eaten in silence. A mug of hot tea was place before him.
"Oh, thank you" he said.
The tea had many sugars in it, just as he liked it. A rack of toasted bread lay in the middle of the table. Hamson smiled as he took three triangles. He placed them on his plate, but did not eat them right away. His knife and fork were picked back up.
Hamson started to cut into the, one of many, sausages laying on the plate. He ate the small bit of sausage that was on the end of his fork.
He did this a few more times before finishing them. After about half an hour, Hamson had finished all of his food that had been put on the plate. Even the toast. Hamson smiled as he picked up his tea.
"You'll need a lot of that boy, the weather doesn't look too good out there" Uncle Andy told him.
Hamson nodded and smiled.
"I'm sure I'll be fine" Hamson told him.
Hamson finished his tea and took a deep breath.
"Alright, I better go and get ready"
So, Hamson got up and pushed his chair into the table. he left his auntie, uncle and cousin at the table. the hobbit walked down to his room.
When Hamson left Hobbiton, he packed what he needed. A coat, a few shirts and a few waistcoats. Hamson placed on a white shirt, green breeches made of velvet and a dark green jacket.
Hamson smiled as he opened his large wardrobe and got out a, for a hobbit, big coat. He took it off of the hanger, which was made of metal, and put it on. There were buttons, six in all, all sown to one side. On the opposite side, six holes that had been lined up perfectly with the buttons.
Hamson buttoned up the coat and walked out again. as he entered the kitchen, his uncle was standing up.
"You off out now?" he asked.
Hamson nodded.
"Best take the dog out too" he told him.
Hamson smiled.
"I'll see you in a few hours" he replied.
So, he walked out towards the back door. The door was not at all like the ones in Hobbiton. These were rectangle in shape and did not have the handle in the middle. Nor did it have a knocker.
The door had for large sheets of glass letting natural light in. Yet, natural light alone was not enough. Candles flickered as the door was opened. One even went out due to the wind.
Hamson quickly shut the door behind him. The country side was covered under a carpet of freezing snow. Small icicles had formed on the roof over the door way. The door slammed shut, shutting out the cold and in the warmth.
Hamson sniffed as he took his walking stick. The snow was cold to the touch, but did not bother him. The carpet on the floor crunched under his feet as he walked towards a large field.
In the field were small figures. Only the black legs and a few faces could be seen. But Hamson was not heading there just yet. Instead, he went to a small stable.
The stable door was creaking as he walked towards it. Inside were horses and another small animal. Barking started as he drew closer.
"Alright, alright, hold your horses!" he said as he placed his stick against the wall.
He then took off a leather lead. He opened the rusting metal door. The dog suddenly bound at him, almost knocking him back.
"Whoa!" he said, regaining his balance.
"Whoa boy, sit" he demanded.
The dog instantly seemed to calm down. The dog sat down, but it was still half the height that he was. Hamson smiled and tied the lead onto the dog's collar.
"Come on, we have work to do" he said.
The dog stood up and bounded off. But Hamson was not ready for it. His arm felt like it had stretched a few more inches.
"Sit boy!" he said, struggling to control the curious dog.
The dog wagged his tail, excited to get outside. Hamson closed the door and quickly grabbed his walking stick.
"Right" he said, taking a deep breath.
"Now we can go"
So, Hamson walked out of the stables. He smiled as he closed the door behind him before walking away. Water vapour rose into the air from both the dog and hobbit.
Pimpernel, on the other hand, was nice and warm as she sat at the table in the kitchen. She held a knife in one hand. A small bit of butter was scooped up and spread on the warm toast.
She smiled as she lay the knife on the edge of the butter tray. Pearl smiled as she took a bite of hers. Tea had been poured into mugs and set before both of them.
There was not much to talk about around the table. Pimpernel liked this. She did not have to explain what she was feeling.
The two girls ate in silence. Pimpernel was the first to finish. She drank the rest of her sugarless tea and got out of her chair.
"Are you not having any more?" Pearl asked, taking a few more pieces.
Nelly shook her head.
"I'm not hungry" she said.
Pearl took a deep breath.
"You've only had seven pieces, that's not like you" Pearl said.
But her sister did not answer. Pimpernel was too upset to answer back.
"I'm not hungry" Pimpernel repeated as she picked up her mug.
Like the plate, she place it by the sink. Without another work, she existed the room and went back to hers. The door closed, shutting the outside world with it.
Pimpernel's emotions were running higher today then they had been all week. She reached her bed and laid down, burying her head in her pillow.
Tears ran down her face as she cried. All the things that had been built up over the past few weeks had seemed to come out all at once.
Losing Hamson, her near death experience in her own house, losing Abira and the argument with her mother. Everything had dug into her very soul and no one understood.
Pearl took a deep breath and stood up. She knew her sister was hurting and she would do anything to help. So, she walked out of the kitchen and down the corridor.
Hamson seemed happier then Pimpernel at this moment. But it also been hard on him to depart Hobbiton. Hamson smiled as he reached the sheep. But they were all scattered around the large, snowy field.
This was where the dog came in. The lead was taken off, but the hobbit did not let go of the collar around the dogs neck. The sheep had large woollen coats on, perfect for this type of weather. Hamson smiled as he pulled out a small whistle from his pocket. He smiled as he let go of the dog.
The dog instantly started to run towards the sheep. The sheep knew what was coming next. They started to gather into a group.
Safety in numbers.
Hamson placed the whistle to his lips and blew. The dog instantly stopped and scooped low towards the ground. Its eyes never leaving the sight of the sheep.
Hamson watched as the dog rounded up the sheep, running towards the back, making come closer. Hamson's feet, although used to another that humans were used to, were starting to feel the cold.
A tingling that he had only felt a few times in winter. Hamson took a cold breath and blew yet again into the whistle.
It felt like an hour outside in the cold weather. But the job was done as the last of the sheep entered the small paddock. The small gate was closed.
"Well done boy" Hamson said, stroking the dogs fluffy head.
Hamson noticed how warm the dog was.
"Wish I could have a nice warm coat like yours" Hamson said.
The lead was then connected to the collar again and he led the dog back to the stable. The horse neighed as Hamson walked in. But Hamson ignored him as he put the dog back in his kennel.
"I think a few minutes in the warm would go down a treat" he thought to himself as he rubbed his hands.
A minute later, the door to the kitchen opened. His auntie looked around and smiled.
"That was quick" she said, putting a chicken into the oven.
Hamson smiled.
"He's a well trained dog" Hamson answered.
The hobbit could feel the warmth now surrounding him. But the prospect of spending more time out in the coldness did not look tempting.
"Do you want some tea?" his auntie asked.
Hamson smiled.
"That would be nice, thank you"
Pearl opened the door to Pimpernel's room. Muffled sobs met Pearl's ears as she saw her sister laying face down on the bed.
"Oh no" Pearl said, rushing over to her sister.
"Pimpernel?" she asked, looked down at her sister.
"Pimpernel, tell me what's wrong"
But there was no answer. Pimpernel continued to cry as her sister sat on the edge of the bed.
"Nelly, come on, you have to talk to me"
But Pimpernel did not want to talk.
"Leave me alone" she said.
Pearl took a deep breath and looked away.
"I'm worried about you" she said.
Pimpernel looked at her sister.
"Worried?" she asked though the sobs.
"Why should you be worried?"
There was hint of annoyance in her voice. Pearl looked around. Their eyes met. Tears were running down Nelly's eyes. The candles made her blue eyes look like polished marbles.
"I'm worried because ever since Hamson left, you haven't been yourself" Pearl answered.
Pimpernel slowly shook her head.
"What do you know about it?" she said, a hint of anger in her voice.
Pearl knew that she did not know enough about what happened that night.
"Nothing" Pearl said, lowering her head.
"Nothing"
"Then why do you want to know? It has been nearly three weeks since it happened and no one has asked me how I am. The only one that understood me was the one who couldn't talk back"
Pearl knew that this was about Abira. She had noticed a change in her younger sister. The puppy seemed to make her happier. But, now that she was gone, with a trace and there was nothing she could do about it.
Pearl fell silent. With Yule and all, she had forgotten about the house fire. The empty shell continued to sit there, day after day. the cold weather halting all progress to getting the house rebuilt.
"Pimpernel, I'm… I'm sorry" Pearl said, taking a deep breath.
She now had a bout of guilt in her.
"Sorry? Sorry for what? For not wanting to find out?"
Pimpernel asked, unnatural anger rose in her.
"It's not like…"
But Pearl was interrupted.
"Leave me alone!" Pimpernel snapped at her.
Pearl took a deep breath.
"But…"
For the second time, she was interrupted.
"Just get out!"
Her voice echoed around the room. There was now silence between the two girls. Pearl took a deep breath and stood up.
Pearl looked over at her sister, who was now not looking at her. Not wanting to anger her sister any more. Pearl took one last look at her sister before heading to the door.
The door creaked open as Pearl held the handle. The door opened and she walked though. A few seconds later, the door clicked shut.
Pimpernel took a deep breath and rolled over onto her back. She took a deep breath and looked at the ceiling.
Memories came flooding back to her. Both happy and sad.
She smiled as she saw Hamson's face.
"Hello Petal" he said.
Pimpernel was in her own home, the fire had yet to happen. The day was bright and sunny. There were no clouds to speak off. Birds were singing and hobbit children were playing.
Pimpernel and Hamson hugged.
"How are you?" she asked.
Hamson smiled.
"I'm good" he said.
Pimpernel smiled, something was up with her Hamson.
"Your in a good mood" she said, closing the door behind him.
"I was just thinking, would you like to go for a picnic?" he asked.
Pimpernel smiled. She had been on many picnics with him over the summer. She enjoyed every second that she spent with him.
"Sure, I'll just get things ready" Pimpernel said.
She was just about to walk away when she stopped.
"Oh, no I already have a basket ready at home" Hamson said.
Pimpernel smiled, knowing how much Hamson wanted to please her. but a bigger secret was yet to be reviled. So, after a few minutes, Pimpernel got ready. She placed her straw hat on and made sure that her hair was nice and tidy.
"Ready?" Hamson asked, smiling.
Pimpernel was very beautiful indeed. Hamson loved her so much. He held out his hand and Pimpernel took it. He opened the door and let Pimpernel go first.
It had been the first time that Nelly had been out all day. Children were running around, playing games and looking at bugs and insects.
Hamson opened the gate, but let Pimpernel go first. She had butterflies in her stomach as Hamson let her past. But her stomach was not the place that had butterflies.
Orange ones and blue ones fluttered from flower to flower. The grass that carpeted the top of hills. Hobbits seemed to be out in numbers. The tables in front of The Green Dragon were packed full of the elders of the village.
Most of them had smoking pipes before them. A few mugs of ale had been set out.
Markets had been set up. Other hobbits were either shopping or enjoying the fine weather. But Hamson and Pimpernel changed paths and headed away from the centre of town. For Hamson did not live too far away from Pimpernel.
After a few more minutes, they reached his house. Once again, he opened the gate and let Pimpernel go first. Hamson shut the gate gently behind him and followed his Pimpernel to the door.
Pimpernel opened it and walked inside, closely followed Hamson. The two of them headed down the hall way to the kitchen. On top of the table was a basket. Inside the basket was lots of food. jars of jam and marmalade, a few loaves of bread wrapped up in cloth. A few bottles of wine and glasses, knives, forks and spoons had been packed as well.
"What's this?" Pimpernel asked, spotting a box.
Hamson looked into the basket as well.
"Oh, well I made us a cake as well" he answered, smiling.
Pimpernel smiled as well and shut the lid. It was then Hamson seemed to change. He looked more, nervous.
"I just need to, err, get something" he said.
Pimpernel gave a confused smile.
"Alright" she said slowly, watching Hamson walk out quickly.
A small wave of curiosity came over her. But she fought it off. Pimpernel looked down at her feet. A leaf was sticking to her foot. She smiled, lifting it up so that her soul was facing her.
Nelly pealed the leaf off and smiled as Hamson came back into the room.
"Alright, lets get going" he said, lifting the basket off of the table.
Pimpernel smiled as she led the way down the corridor to the front door. The cool wind rushed into the house. The sound of buzzing met Pimpernel's ears. The buzzing of a bumble bee looking for nectar came and went.
Hamson closed the door behind him and stood there, admiring the view.
"Come on" Hamson said, holding out his spare hand.
Pimpernel blushed and took it. There was a tingling in her hands as they walked away from Hobbiton into the calmness of the country side around it.
Pimpernel and Hamson continued to walk out of town. There were meadows surrounding the town as far as even an Elven eye could see.
"Alright" said Hamson, stopping and looking around.
Hamson looked around the area, making sure that no one could see what they were doing or where they were.
"This will do"
The heavy basket was placed down on the ground. Pimpernel smiled, having come to this field a lot when she was younger. Hamson opened the basket and got out the blanket. Hamson laid it out on the soft grass.
Pimpernel sat down as Hamson started to get plates, knives and forks out.
In the real world, the weather was very miserable. For the children of Hobbiton, it was a fantastic day.
"Have you got your coat on?" asked a tired Rosie.
Elanor smiled as stood there. Rosie still was not feeling her best as she did up her daughters coat.
"You be back for lunch and don't go over the bridge" Rosie said.
"Yes mummy, I know" Elanor squeaked.
Rosie gave a tired smile as she watched her daughter run out. The day seemed to just start for the little girl as she reached the front door.
The door opened. Elanor felt the cold wind hit her. A gentle tingling met her cheeks as she quickly closed the candles flickered and almost went out.
There were many hobbits around. some were enjoying the snow, others were walking down to the warmth and cosiness of The Green Dragon.
Elanor smiled as she scooted off towards the large field. Elanor smiled as she walked down. Her hand ran over the smooth, cold wall that separated the field on one side and the snowy path.
After a few minutes, Elanor reached the hedgerow next to the field. A small opening confirmed the way to quicker way to get onto it.
Foot prints dotted the snow, obvious of some movement on and off the field. Elanor edged though the gap. A snowy field lay before her.
On the other side, a group of hobbit children. She smiled as she started to walk towards them. To her, it looked like they had started building snow hobbits already.
"Morning" said one of her friends walking towards her.
Elanor smiled.
"How are you?" Elanor asked.
The young girl smiled.
"I'm alright, why didn't you come out yesterday? I was waiting for you"
Elanor took a deep breath, she did not want to talk about it.
"I was grounded" she said, looking down.
The young girl sensed that her friend did not want to talk about it.
"Want to help make some snow hobbits?" she asked.
Elanor smiled.
"Sure"
So, Elanor walked over to the large ball and helped her friends push it. The snow seemed to gather as the ball was rolled over it. The weight of the ball increased as more snow became stuck to it.
Elanor's heart rate rose as she put nearly all of her strength to move the ball. But, after a few minutes of not moving anywhere, the hobbit children gave up.
"I think we should just build it here" Elanor said.
Her hands were getting very cold now as she dried her hands on her own coat.
"Yes, we could" said her friend.
So, Elanor started on a second ball of snow. Elanor's friends were now throwing snowballs at each other. Hobbits seemed to have a shorted attention span then humans or elves.
Elanor took a deep breath and watched her friends. The ball of snow she had was no bigger then a human hand. Elanor looked around for a better patch of snow. And that's exactly what she found. So, picking the large snow ball up, she carried it away to the fresh, untouched snow.
Pimpernel took a deep breath as she rolled over on her side. Her feelings were still not high. She took a deep breath. The door slowly opened.
Pearl poked her head around the door. For a few seconds, she did not say anything.
"I'm going to Folco's for lunch, will you be alright?" she asked.
But Pimpernel did not answer. Pearl took a deep breath and closed the door again. Pimpernel looked at the door.
"No" she whispered.
Pearl stood near the door. She was putting on her coat. A smile came over her as she did up the last two buttons up. Pearl took a look down the corridor. a part of her wanted to stay and comfort Pimpernel. But Pimpernel seemed to refuse any help she was offered.
The door to the outside world was opened and a cold blast of wind hit her. But Pearl smiled as her coat seemed to work as she stepped out into the coldness.
The snow in her little garden was untouched save for a few small bird prints which trailed around the garden. Pearl placed her foot on the crunchy snow.
Pearl continued to walk to her gate.
"Morning Pearl" said a passing elder.
Pearl smiled.
"Morning" she said.
The girl smiled as she headed the other way. Pearl took a deep breath, enjoying the beautiful scenery around her. But after a few minutes, the low temperature got her the tip of her fingers were tingling.
Pearl then rounded the corner and saw Folco's door came into view. Like the surround landscape, the hill and the small garden were covered with snow.
The clouds above seemed to be darkening, threatening the inhabitants below with more cold snow. Pearl opened the gate, making a bit of the snow that had settle on the top fall off.
After a few seconds, Pearl reached Folco's door. She knocked three times and waited. But she did not have to wait for long. A noise came from the other side of the door.
The door suddenly opened. Folco was standing there, a towel in hand.
"Oh, Pearl, I wasn't expecting you this early" Folco said.
A delicious smell met Pearl's nose. She smiled.
"Well, I did not want to arrive late" she said.
Both of them smiled at each other.
"You best come in from the cold" Folco said, opening the door a bit wider.
Pearl smiled as she stepped over the threshold. Folco quickly closed the door behind her, blocking out the coldness and keeping in the warmth. Pearl looked around, it was only the second time she had ever been in Folco's home.
There were no flowers on the table. They had all wilted and been thrown in a basket outside of the door.
"What is for lunch?" Pearl asked.
Folco smiled.
"Just a roast chicken, I've started on the cake as well" he answered.
Pearl followed him down to the kitchen.
"It should be ready in about fifteen minutes" Folco said.
The table in the dinning room had yet to set out. Folco took a deep breath as he placed some of the steaming hot vegetables into their bowls.
"Is the dining room set up?" Pearl asked, not wanting to stand around.
Folco looked around.
"Oh no, sorry, I forgot" he told her.
The empty bowl was then placed on the work top. But Pearl stopped him.
"No, no, I'll do it" she said, stopping him.
"Pearl, you don't have to…"
But he was interrupted.
"Folco, it is alright, I've done it many times before" she said.
The girl smiled and turned around. Folco took a deep breath. He watched as she walked out of the door.
"Folco, you fool" he said to himself.
Pearl opened the door to the dining room. There was a large, round table in the middle of the room. cabinets, a heath and a window embedded into the wall. The glass let the light from the outside into the room.
But one window was not enough. Pearl picked up a small, thin stick that had been resting in a cold metal cylinder. Pearl picked one out and walked towards the fire. The embers were enough to light the stick.
Pearl knelt down on the cold tilted floor. The sound of Folco continuing to get things ready echoed down the hall way. The end of the stick was placed near a burning hot ember.
Just then, a spark alighted the end. Pearl smiled as the flame grew to a healthy glow. She then stood up and looked around. The candles were waiting to be set alight. Pearl walked over to the first one and held the flame near the wick.
The wick became hotter and hotter, the flame then caught the wick alight. Pearl smiled and moved on to the next one, then the next and the next. She did this a few more times before all of the candles were lit.
Pearl smiled as she placed the, now short, flaming stick into the heath. The thin wooden strip was quickly caught and burned. Pearl then went to the cabinet and opened a draw. Inside, a white, folded cloth was then taken out. The draw was then closed again.
The sheet was then unfolded and placed over the table.
"Hmmm" she thought, spotting a stain on the pristine sheet.
Pearl then opened a second draw. This time, table mats. The hobbit took some out as Folco walked into the room.
"Need a hand?" he asked, smiling.
Pearl smiled back.
"Sure" she said, holding out half of the table mats.
After a minute, the table was set. But not fully. A few knives, forks and spoons were placed out. Pearl smiled as she placed a fork one side and a silver knife on the other.
"I'll just serve up the food" Folco said, smiling and leaving the rest of the table making to Pearl.
Folco took a deep breath and walked towards the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Pimpernel was still laying down on her bed. Tears were still running down her face as more memories of the bad times and the good times came to her.
Pimpernel yawned as she got up. Life was good at the moment. Summer had come and the new shoots and buds had sprung into action. Gardens were now filling out in colour, as hobbits said.
Birds continued to sing as Pimpernel took a deep breath. A road stretched away towards the south, towards a large road, running the length of the Shire and beyond.