Four dark figures could be seen on the path. Pimpernel squinted as she tried to figure out who it was. But it did not bother her. In fact, she went back to working in her garden.
She was kneeling down on a small pad. In one hand, a small rusting hand fork. A muddy trowel lay near by. The earth in the flower beds had been turned over, showing their darker and richer side.
Pimpernel smiled as she saw an earth worm wriggling as he was dug up from the moist soil. Nelly took a deep breath as she knelt up. She smiled as she moved along. There was a small bucket nearby, stones filled the bottom. Pimpernel looked over where she saw the four figures. They were much closer now. It was then that she noticed that she noticed that they were horses.
Nelly slowly stood up, gardening fork still in hand.
"I don't believe it" she said slowly.
The girl then dropped the small fork. It spun though the air to the ground. A bit of mud flew up, but did not hit anything. Pimpernel was now slowly walking to the gate.
A cool wind blew as Pimpernel stopped her hair going in front of her eyes.
"It is!" she gasped.
The gate was quickly opened and Pimpernel scurried off towards the bottom of the hill.
"Where are you going in such a hurry?" asked an elder that she almost knocked down.
But Pimpernel did not even notice or say she was sorry. She rushed on, eyes seemed to be stuck on the site of the four travellers coming her way.
Pippin was looking around. He smiled, sniffing in the clean air of the Shire.
"You know, I could really do with something to eat" he said.
Frodo, who was leading, looked back.
"Pippin, when are you never hungry?" he asked.
Sam and Merry laughed. The sprit of the Shire entering their souls again.
"Peregrin Took!" came a loud voice, making the horses jump a little bit.
Pippin looked around and instantly stopped laughing. But his smile did not sink.
"Nelly!" he said, instantly jumping off of his pony.
Pimpernel stood there as tears started to run down her face.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
Pippin and Pimpernel embraced in a big hug.
"And why have you got different cloths?"
Pippin had so much to tell his older sibling, but then again, he did not want to.
"I've been away" he answered.
Pimpernel took a deep breath and shook her head.
"Like I haven't noticed? Mother will be glad that your back though" Pimpernel told him.
"Was she worried?" Pippin asked.
Pimpernel gave a small nod.
"I still catch her looking out of the window every now and again" she answered.
Pippin looked around at his three friends.
"I have to go and see her, take the pony" he said, nodding towards it.
Merry nodded and took the reigns. Pippin smiled as he let his friends past.
"Come on" he said to his older sister.
Pimpernel smiled as she walked with her brother.
"Pip" Pimpernel said, stopping in her tracks.
Pippin stopped as well.
"Have you… have you grown?" she asked.
She defiantly felt shorter next to him.
"Grown?" he asked, a puzzled look came over his face.
"What do you mean by "Grown"?"
Pimpernel took a deep breath. Words could not seem to match what she meant. But something big had changed about her little brother.
Pippin then started walking again. After a few minutes, the two of them reached a large round door. Pimpernel opened it.
"Hello?" she asked, looking inside.
From the other side of the door, a voice came.
"Pimpernel? What are you doing here?"
It was Eglantine. Pippin smiled, he had missed his family.
"I have someone here that wants to meet you" Nelly said, smiling.
The large, green door was then pushed open. Pippin and Eglantine suddenly saw each other. A large smile came over Pippin.
"My goodness!" Eglantine said, placing her hand over her mouth.
Pippin smiled.
"Hello" he said.
Tears were slowly running down Eglantine's face. She gave a teary smile and threw herself at her only son.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
Pippin took a deep breath and looked at a distant spot.
"A dark place" he answered.
The images in front of Pimpernel's eyes then vanished.
"A dark place?" she whispered to herself.
She had no idea what that meant, but that did not stop her from thinking of the meaning. The house seemed to be unusually quiet.
Hunger was now getting to her. she had only eaten seven pieces of toast and that was a few hours ago. Pimpernel took a deep breath as she sat up on her bed. After a few seconds, a strange dizziness came into her head.
But it went away quite quickly. The tiles were cold to the touch as she walked towards the door.
"I think a nice sleep is needed after I get some food" Pimpernel thought.
Sleep seemed the best cure for sadness. The door slowly opened, echoing gently down the hall way. Pimpernel could feel the coldness of the gloomy day outside seeping in though the gaps in the door.
The kitchen seemed colder as Nelly walked into it. She smiled, a whole bunch of food lay before her. all she had to do was to choose.
But nothing cooked. She did not want to burn down her sister's house as well. The cellar door was then opened. Shelf upon shelf of food lay before her.
"Now" Pimpernel said, looking around.
She knew that she needed something big enough to make her not feel hungry until dinner. Pimpernel smiled as she picked up a rectangle shaped package. She smiled as she sniffed the packet.
"It'll do" she said, smiling.
She turned on the spot and walked out. In her hand were two of the rectangle packages. Inside, two lovely bars of chocolate. Pimpernel gave a smile as she walked back to the room she was staying in.
Pearl, meanwhile, was now sitting down. Bowls of food had been set before her. Folco was smiling as he ate in silence.
"This is good" Pearl said, pouring more gravy onto her large portion of food.
Folco looked up and smiled.
"My mother taught me how to cook such good food" he explained.
"She even gave me a cookbook" he told her.
Pearl nodded and cut a very delicious piece of chicken off. She smiled as she ate it. There was plenty more food in the bowls. Pearl was eyeing the roast potatoes in the bowl near by.
Conversation seemed to come to a stand still as time wore on. The clock gently chimed as two o'clock.
"Is that the time?" Folco asked.
He was feeling quite tired now as he continued to eat. Pearl had nearly finished her first portion of food. But Pearl was still hungry and the food was very good.
Pearl placed the knife and fork down. Her eyes darting around. a bowl was picked up. It was full of crispy parsnips, one of her favourites.
She placed a small pile on her plate and put the heavy bowl down again. roast potatoes were next in her sights. The second bowl was then picked up. There were still many, many roasts laying in the bottom. The girl scooped some out and placed it on her plate.
"Oh dear" she said, watching one roll off of the table.
The bowl and spoon were placed down. Pearl looked down and spotted it just below her. she then reached out and picked it up.
The potato was then placed on the table. Pearl smiled as she picked up the bowl again and placed even more on her plate. After a few more had been loaded onto the plate, the bowl was then placed back.
The gravy boat was the next thing to be picked up. The gravy was then poured all over the roasts and parsnips. Pearl smiled as she looked down at the seconds in front of her.
Silence once again came about them as they ate. The ticking of the clock seemed louder as well as the crackling of the fire.
After thirty more minutes, the meal was over. The bowls were near enough clean of all food. as were the plates.
"Well, I don't think I can eat another bite" said Folco as he sat back in his chair.
He held his mug in his hand and looked about. Pearl smiled as she took a sip of her ale.
"Would you like some cake?" Folco asked.
Pearl placed her mug down.
"Yes please" she answered.
So, Folco arose from his seat and started to clear away the bowls and plates. He did this a few times, walking back and forth to the kitchen.
"Right, I'll just bring it in"
So, after a minute or two of being out of the room, he came back. He smiled as he brought in a lovely looking chocolate cake.
Hunger seemed to take on a new wave as Pearl saw the cake. Folco smiled as he placed it down.
"I'll be back in a second" he said, walking out again.
Pearl looked at the cake. Chocolate was, like most of the hobbits that lived in the town, her favourite thing to eat. Bars of chocolate, muffins, cake and warm cookies were the most regularly eaten.
Folco entered the room again, carrying plates. A large cutting knife lay on top of the plates as Folco placed them down.
He grabbed the handle of the silver knife and looked down at the cake. The cake was the cut into two pieces, then into four and finally, into eight.
Folco smiled as he placed on of the pieces on the plate.
"There you go" he said, holding it out for Pearl.
"Thank you" she said, taking it from him.
The piece that laid on her plate was bigger then normal. Usually, more hobbits would be around to eat. But it was just those two.
Folco place the second piece on his plate. He then sat down on his chair and smiled. Pearl took her spoon and cut a sizable piece off.
She smiled as she started to eat it. The taste of chocolate filled her mouth. She smiled.
"This is good" she said, cutting off another bit and eating that one as well.
Folco nodded.
"It's a very old recipe" Folco stated.
"Its been past down for many generations"
Pimpernel had now sitting down on her bed. A few times, her mind swayed into a strange forgetfulness. But some small thing opened the flood gates for memory.
"Abira" she sighed.
The first bar of milky chocolate had been finish. The second bar was upon the small bedside table. hunger seemed to have been tamed as the hobbit sat there.
Abira and Origo's whereabouts were not known to any one in Hobbiton. They seemed to have just, vanished. Their disappearance seemed to have effected both Pimpernel and Diamond.
Emptiness was felt in both of their hearts. A dark void that could not be filled by anything else. The ticking and tocking of the clock on the wall seemed to be louder then normal.
A soft chime echoed around the semidarkness. The wind seemed to whistle in waves every few seconds. Pimpernel took a deep breath and looked over at the second bar of chocolate sitting on the table.
She reached out for it and picked it up. There was a certain resentment about eating the second bar. But then again, she knew that it would take her mind off of things like Hamson and her puppy.
So, unwrapping the paper, Pimpernel started to eat. But this bar was not like the other one she had. Unlike the first, which had a milky taste to it, this one had darker taste.
Hamson was more hungry then Pimpernel was and he was considerably colder. For he had been out in the snow all day, save for lunch. But the warmth had now all gone from him.
The coldness, although there was a roof over his head, was defiantly not leaving him. the loud noise of the machine was very loud as Hamson looked at the fine strands of wool that stretched the length of the long room.
But he was not the only one in the long, noisy room. A figure was walking up from the end. It was Hamson's uncle, Andy.
Talking was useless in this noise environment. Thought was the only think that Hamson could do. The hobbit walked along with the twisting rope.
A grassy hill and green fields came across his eyes. He was sitting on a blanket, holding a plate full of food. sitting next to him, Pimpernel.
She was looking very beautiful. Her straw hat keeping her hair from waving in front of her eyes.
"This is nice" she said, looking around.
A few crows and sparrows flew around. The very complicated song of a near by Skylark echoed around them. A few bugs flew past, but did not bother the two hobbits sitting there.
"You know, we should do this more often" hinted Pimpernel.
Hamson smiled.
"Yes, we should now that the weather is better"
Nerves were getting to him now. He knew that the time was getting very near indeed as he finished his food. Pimpernel took a deep breath as she placed her plate down on the mat. She smiled as she looked around. there were a few red dots amounts the greenness of the grass. Pimpernel knew exactly what these were.
Poppies.
They were in full bloom as they swayed in the cool wind. Hamson finished a minute or two later. The food seemed to have nearly run out, save from the few small morsels left in their packets.
"That" he said, picking up his napkin.
"Was splendid" he said.
A bottle of wine stood on the mat as well. Near by, two glasses had been placed. One stood up, like the bottle and the other had fallen down, but had not smashed.
"I think a bit of wine is in order" said Pimpernel.
This was Hamson's queue to take make his plan reality.
"Err, Pimpernel, before we start" Hamson said, stopping her.
"I need to tell you something very"
There was moment of pause.
"Important" he finished.
Hamson's mouth was now dry and nerves rising quickly. Pimpernel gave him a funny look as she held the unopened bottle of wine.
"What is it?" she asked.
Hamson took a deep breath, it was now or never. So, Hamson got up.
"Stand up please" he said.
Pimpernel slowly stood up as well. But she was not as tall as Hamson. Hamson looked a lot like an older version of Samwise, but his hair was browner.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
Hamson smiled as he took her hands. The both of them looked into each others eyes.
"I need to tell you something" he said.
This confused her even more.
"Tell me what?" she asked.
Beads of sweat were running down his forehead.
"Do you know how much I want you to be in my life?" he asked.
Pimpernel gave an awkward smile.
"Hamson, you tell me every day, what is this about?"
"And do you know how much I love you?" Hamson asked.
Ideas and scenarios were running though Pimpernels head now. but none of them were right. Hamson smiled as he reached into his pocket. He then pulled it out.
A small box was held in his hands. The bird song made the moment even more beautiful as Hamson slowly got onto one knee. Pimpernel slowly started to smile.
The small box was opened to show a small ring laying there.
"Pimpernel" Hamson started, looking up.
Their eyes met.
"Will you marry me?"
A door slammed shut down the hall way, making Pimpernel jump. The chocolate bar was only half eaten as she looked towards her door.
Pearl was back home already and in a very good mood. She smiled as she walked down towards the room where Pimpernel was staying.
Three loud knocks echoed around the silence, making Pimpernel jump. The door clicked open and in came her sister.
"Are you still sitting here?" Pearl asked, standing at the door.
Pimpernel took a deep breath and looked away. All she wanted was to be alone and think things though. but Pearl felt a very different vibe from her sister.
"Pimpernel" Pearl said, slowly walking to the bed.
Pimpernel still did not look at her sister.
"Nelly, you have to"
There was a pause.
"Move on" she told her.
It was then that Pimpernel took a sudden glare at her sister.
"Move on?" she asked.
Pearl knew that she had said something wrong. It was evident in Nelly's voice that she did not approve of what had been said.
"If only it was that easy" she told her.
Pearl took a deep breath.
"Come here" she said, holding her arms wide open.
Pimpernel and Pearl embraced in a big hug. For once, Pimpernel felt like Pearl really did care about her.
"I'm sorry" Pearl said.
Pimpernel pushed her eye a bit. The two of them looked into each others eyes.
"Sorry? For what?" she asked.
Pearl looked down.
"I'm sorry that I haven't protected you better" she answered.
Pimpernel looked away. She knew that the only one who could have protected her from more pain was Hamson. But nothing could replace him. Even Abira couldn't replace her Hamson.
Elanor sat on top of her bed. A towel lay beside her. The coldness had got to her.
"I'm going in" she said.
Her hands had taken on a pinkish colour now. she was getting very hungry now, even though she had gone back for a big lunch.
"Alright, I'll see you later then" said one of her friends.
Elanor nodded and smiled.
"We can finish the snow hobbit later" she said.
So, Elanor turned around and walked back towards the road. Chimneys smoked merrily as Elanor walked back home. It took a few minutes to get home.
The large front door was then opened. Elanor walked though and smiled as warmth finally hit her. Her unusually big and hair feet were now cold and wet.
Rosie, her mother, wondered down the hall way.
"Here you go" she said as she handed her daughter a towel.
Elanor smiled.
"How long is dinner going to be?" she asked.
"About thirty minutes, you best warm up"
Rosie then turned and walked back down to the kitchen. bubbling pans and the strong smell of chicken met her as she walked in.
All of the children were with their father in the lounge. Fires were burning in all rooms, including Elanor's. the young girl took off her wet heavy and wet coat. The snow ball fight had a good one. A few had hit Elanor and her friends as she hid from the boys.
Elanor looked down at her feet. She lifted one up and dried it. Elanor repeated this with the other foot before stepping off of the mat. But that did not mean there wasn't any water dripping down off of her hair.
A few dots landed on the flat tiles. But they did not bother the young girl much. Her room was not far down the hall way. The door had remained closed while she had been out. Elanor smiled as she reached it. The door was opened and she walked in. When she got to the other side, she closed the door behind her.
The heath had a healthy looking fire in it. A rich orange glow filled the room. Elanor smiled as she felt tiredness rush over her as she reached her bed. The towel was placed on the bed before she got on. Her toy horse stood on the bedside table.
Elanor smiled as she picked him up.
"I had fun today" she told him.
The young girl sat upon the bed. The beads were rubbing against the wood. They made a funny noise. The smell of lunch seeped though the cracks in the door.
Thirty minutes ran itself down to twenty and then to ten. The sound of Rosie setting the table echoed around the house. Elanor's hair was now dry as she sat on the bed.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. Samwise came in. He was holding Elanor's youngest sibling, Pippin. The youngling was sleeping in his father's arms.
"Lunch is ready now, go and wash your hands" he said.
Elanor smiled as she got off of the bed. The house seemed to be noisier now as the children got ready for dinner. Elanor, although hungry, did not go to the kitchen.
She went right for the bath room. There, she shut the door and walked over to the sink. She twisted one of the taps on and watched the water swirl around and down the plug hole.
The young girl picked up the sweet smelling soap and held it under the torrent of water. The water seemed to cover every inch of the soap. Elanor started to rub the soap between her hands. Small bubbles started to form on her small hands.
After a few seconds, the soap was placed back. Elanor rubbed her hands together even more. The water continued to pour though out.
Elanor smiled as she placed her hands under the flowing water. The bubbles instantly started to wash off as the water ran over her hands.
After a minute, all of the bubbles were gone and the water turned off. Elanor turned around and looked at the towels. She reached out and took one off of the towels.
It took a few seconds to get her hands dry. She smiled as she walked towards the door again. she opened it and walked out. The flames flickered as she walked down the corridor. She entered the kitchen as her mother placed out a few plates. Knives and forks had been placed either side of the table mat. The smell of chicken became stronger as Elanor entered the room.
Her eyes met her mothers eyes. There was a strange feeling shared between the two of them. Something that only her and her mother felt.
Lunch was uneventful as Elanor ate quickly. She wanted to get outside again and help finish off the snow hobbit. But, as the clock ticked, her friends left the field to have lunch of their own.
"Can I leave the table please?" Elanor asked.
Rosie smiled.
"Of course you can" she answered.
So, Elanor got down from the table and started to walk towards the door. Just then, she stopped.
"Can I go out again mummy?" she asked.
Rosie looked over at her daughter.
"Of course, you know not to go to the bridge"
"I wont, I'll be on the field" she said.
Without losing another second, Elanor scooted off. She half walked and half ran down the hall way. She grabbed her coat and quickly buttoned it up. She smiled as she reached for the door handle. The large door was pulled back. A cold blast of air hit her. she smiled as she felt her cheeks start to tingle.
The large door slammed shut after her as she walked on the soft snow down to the gate. A few minutes later, she reached the small gap in the hedge. She smiled as she made her way though it.
Her eyes fell on the spot where her friends had been when she left. But they were not there any more. Elanor took a deep breath and looked around.
"Well, I might as well go back in" she thought to herself.
Hours had past since then. Elanor had come home again and was now in her room. Her toy horse was standing on the table like he always did.
The clock chimed as the hours past. Three chimes, then four chimes, then five and six. Seven chimes echoed around the room as Elanor looked over at it.
Rosie and Sam were still busy. Rosie yawned as she prepared dinner. The fire was raging in the heath as yet another chicken had been prepared and was now cooking slowly in the hot oven.
Just then, Sam walked in.
"Oh, just the person I needed" Rosie said.
Samwise smiled.
"What's the matter?" he asked.
"We've run out chickens, could you go down to…"
But Rosie stopped as she felt a strange sensation come over her. the next second, she raised her hand to her head.
"Rosie, what's the matter?" asked her husband.
Rosie was taking deep breaths. Sam walked over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Come on, I think you need to sit down" Sam said.
But Rosie was not giving in.
"No Sam" she said, feeling a bit dizzy.
"I'm fine" she lied.
Sam took a deep breath, knowing that she was not telling him the truth.
"Well, you don't look it" he told her.
Rosie gave a small smile as she held onto the side of the work top.
"Maybe you're right" Rosie said.
It had been the second time in two days that she had fallen ill. Rosie really did not want to go to bed early. She needed to make sure her family did not go hungry.
"Maybe I need to have a lay down" she said.
The hobbit walked over to the door. Her walk swayed a bit as she opened it up. Elanor's door opened then closed as she walked out. Rosie looked down the corridor to see her mother walking her way.
"Mummy?" Elanor asked, stopping.
Her mother did not seem at all well.
"Are you alright?" Elanor asked.
Rosie knew that her daughter was very bright and would see any curtain of lies that she told. But she had to lie.
"Yes, darling, I'm fine"
Yet another wave of dizziness came over her.
"You don't look it" Elanor said.
Worry came over her. she hated to see her family in pain.
"Elanor, dear, I am fine" Rosie said.
The smell of chicken reached Elanor. A small smile came over her as she looked down towards the kitchen.
"How long is dinner going to be?" she asked as a metallic bang came from the hot kitchen.
Rosie took a deep breath, just wanting to lay down.
"About twenty minutes" she answered.
Elanor smiled and looked around.
"Alright dear, I have to go down" Rosie told her daughter.
Elanor nodded and moved out of the way. Rosie slowly and carefully made her way to her room. She opened the door and walked in. The door was then shut.
Rosie made her way to the bed. She slowly sat down on the bed and laid down. She instantly felt better. Her throbbing head seemed to fade, but not fully disappear.
Tiredness gripped Rosie as she lay on the bed. Her eyes slowly started to close as sounds around her started to quieten. The sound of her children quietened as well.
Sleep grabbed her as she laid there. But the world around her did not stop. The clock seemed to quicken as she continued to sleep.
Pilith was still sitting at the table in Tom Bombadil's home. A table had been set out. the food was different from any other that Pilith had ever eaten.
A loaf of the finest, softest bread and the creamiest of butters. A bowl of honey lay before him as well as strawberries and thick cream.
"You have to eat something, you will not the power that Mya needs when she wakes up. She will be of need"
Goldberry said, sitting on a seat near the fireless heath.
The windows had been opened as well the door. The trees outside were full of green leaves. Birds of every kind were singing their sweet song.
The sun seemed to be going down in the west as the shadows lengthened. Goldberry watched Pilith eat. She noticed that every so often, Pilith would look over at the table where Mya was sleeping.
"Your heart is full of guilt" Goldberry said.
Pilith did not have to look at her to know she was right.
"It's just…"
Pilith took a deep breath.
"Just the way she fell. I mean, I should have made her go first. Then it would have cracked on me and not her" he told her.
Goldberry did not change her expression.
"I see, you think that if you let her first, she would have been alright" she repeated.
Pilith took a deep breath.
"Fate is fate, Pilith, you can not see the future. Not even Old Tom could have seen what was coming next"
But these words were not very helpful. The hours wore on and, eventually, Pilith started to eat. But he could not help the feeling of letting Mya down.
"I should have saved her sooner, I should have been in that position" he told himself.
The night was now setting in. But the temperature was not lowering. The noise of birds and bees had slowly faded with the darkness. Pilith was standing in the clear air outside.
A yawn came over the boy. From the blanket of darkness, a figure could be seen walking on the edge of the light. Pilith watched the figure get ever closer.
It was then that Pilith slowly took a few paces back. His heart rate was rising. He knew that both Tom and Goldberry were still inside the house. The boy slowly back over the threshold.
He placed one hand on the handle. A few more seconds past, the figure was defiantly coming this way. Without a second to lose, Pilith closed the door.
Goldberry was sitting down on the seat. A book was held in her hands.
"May I ask, what you are up to?" she asked, not looking up from the book.
Pilith took his eyes off of the door.
"There's someone out there" he whispered.
Goldberry broke her gaze with the book. Her royal blue eyes looked over at him. The candles that had been lit due to the darkness outside.
"Of course there is" Goldberry said, slowly closing the book.
Pilith was now confused. He looked back at the door, knowing that at any minute, that someone one going to come in. but Pilith had not noticed that something was missing.
"I think, it is time for bed" Goldberry said, standing up.
There were no clocks in the house, Pilith was reluctant to go to bed.
"You now have a choice" she said, walking towards another door.
"A choice?" he asked, walking a few steps forward.
"To sleep in your human form or your animal form" she said, smiling.
Her teeth were a white as snow on a crisp winter's morning. Pilith looked back at Mya, who still had not moved from where she had been placed a few hours.
"I would like to stay with Mya. If she wakes up, I want to be the first one she sees" Pilith answered.
Goldberry nodded and smiled as the handle of the door slowly made its way down. The person on the other side of the door was about to enter the house.