The days between Bilbo's departure and Yule were difficult times for those caring for Frodo. The splints were removed after a few days but it had been a bad break and Frodo was confined to wearing a sling for another couple of weeks. Not only did he not like the frustration caused by the slow return of strength to his arm but his emotions swung from mournful lows, when they could do nothing right for him, to ecstatic highs when he contemplated his Uncle Bilbo's return.
For their part, Esmeralda and Saradoc were very patient and tried to ensure that they filled the gap left by Bilbo as well as they could. After a few awkward rebellions Frodo accepted the situation with the calm silence that he had before and Esmeralda wept to see it.
As Yule drew closer Frodo brightened again and his body began to heal more swiftly. By the time Bilbo arrived, one rainy morning, Frodo was well enough to run out and throw himself into his uncle's arms and Bilbo had no need to hold back on the strength of his hug in fear of hurting the lad.
Presents were not expected at Yule, although most youngsters received some small gift to celebrate the turning of the year, if only to keep them occupied while the grownups chatted in the calm after the feast. Bilbo was no exception, bringing Frodo a beautiful wooden jigsaw puzzle, depicting a large rambling house set in a steep sided, heavily wooded valley. It was clearly not the type of property owned by a hobbit and Esmeralda wondered if it was somewhere Bilbo had seen in his travels. It looked very peaceful.
When the feasting was done Brandy Hall settled into relative quiet as the children played in one of the dining halls cleared for the occasion and older denizens retired to their rooms for a quiet nap. The rest of the adults sat around in small groups chatting or smoking. Esmeralda did not smoke, nor was she much of a one for gossip, so she made for the sanctuary of the little suite of rooms she shared with Saradoc and sat by the fire with a book of poetry.
She looked up in surprise when someone knocked at the door. "Come in," she called as she set aside the book.
"A merry Yule to you, Esmeralda."
"And to you, Bilbo. What brings you here? You'll find Frodo with some of the other lads in the big hall, trying to put together that puzzle you brought him. And Saradoc is checking on the lambs."
"I didn't come looking for Frodo or Saradoc." Bilbo hesitated, as if unsure how to proceed. "I was wondering if I could have a word with you, actually."
Esmeralda waved Bilbo to the seat usually occupied by her husband and the older hobbit settled himself comfortably. There was an awkward silence while he stared into the fire, then he looked across at her. "How has Frodo been while I've been at home?"
"He's missed his uncle very much. But I suspect you already knew that."
"He misses the closeness of family." Suddenly realising what he had said, Bilbo tried to apologise. "I don't mean that you and Saradoc haven't been family to him. Please don't think I'm ungrateful for the care you give him."
Esmeralda smiled, waving aside his words. "I'm not offended, Bilbo. Saradoc and I have many responsibilities. I am very sadly aware that Frodo does not get the attention he really needs from us. He does need family." She looked at the elder Baggins pointedly.
Bilbo met her gaze squarely. "I have taken that in hand."
"How?" Hope blossomed. "Have you decided to adopt Frodo?"
Bilbo hurriedly put his finger to his lips, glancing behind them at the door. "It is early days yet. I spoke to Rorymac and Saradoc some time ago, but I didn't want to get Frodo's hopes up if there were no chance."
"Well, now. Isn't that just typical? The lads have their secret little agreements but never consider telling the lasses. And when did all this happen?"
"I did ask Saradoc if you could be present at today's meeting at least. He said you were busy with the Yule celebrations."
"Did he, indeed? I think I shall be having words with my husband later."
Bilbo ignored that comment, obviously deciding to let the couple sort that one out on their own. "I should have done it as soon as Drogo and Primula died, but I suppose I was too selfish. I have grown very fond of the bachelor life."
"Selfish? Bilbo, I don't think I've ever come across anyone as unselfish as you. You were frightened, perhaps. Looking after a child when you have no experience is daunting. Believe me, I know. But if you look at it another way . . . everyone faces that prospect with their first child." She patted her stomach and Bilbo's eyes grew round.
"You and Saradoc?"
"Please don't sound so surprised," Esmeralda chuckled. "We haven't been idle in the matter."
Bilbo guffawed. "I bet you haven't. When is the bairn due?"
"About five months."
"Congratulations"
"Thank you. But I interrupted. What did Rorymac say about Frodo?"
He sobered. "Rorymac made a stipulation. There are many people in the Baggins side of the family that would be equally well suited to adopt Frodo, in fact some more so in that they are married. Rorymac is adamant that if the lad is to leave Brandybuck care he should be given the opportunity to be settled with a family."
"Sometimes I wonder if it's not time Rory retired. I hope you will forgive me for saying this, Bilbo. But I can't think of any of the lad's married Baggins relatives that would be more suitable than you."
Her comment elicited a rueful smile. "We Baggins' are an odd bunch, I grant you. But when Rorymac wrote to them all, telling them of my offer, one couple replied."
Esmeralda could not hide the surprise in her voice. "Who?" She was even more surprised at his answer.
"Otho and Lobelia Sackville-Baggins."
"What? They can't be serious! Why ever would they be interested in adopting Frodo? Which is not to say anything against the lad."
"Bag End," Bilbo replied, simply.
"I should have known it would come down to money where those two are concerned," Esmeralda sniffed.
She had never met the Sackville-Baggins' but had made a point of trying to find out as much as she could of Frodo's relatives. And everything she had heard of Otho and Lobelia seemed to revolve about the getting of wealth.
"I'm sorry if I sound a little dense, Bilbo, but I don't see how adopting Frodo will get them Bag End."
Bilbo sighed and settled himself more comfortably in his chair.
"When my parents died there was some question about the validity of the will. I won't go into the details . . . to be honest I don't quite understand it myself . . . but suffice it to say that there were several years of legal wrangling which eventually resulted in my inheriting Bag End. There was a proviso, however. If I die without issue the property will pass to the Sackville-Baggins."
Esmeralda's heart sank as she began to realise the implications of this and the depths to which Otho and Lobelia would stoop to get their hands upon money. Bilbo continued.
"I am getting on in years, Esmeralda. I may not look it but I am quite old. I have no intention of marrying now and even if I did meet the right lass it is unlikely that I would father any children. Lobelia has been perched at my graveside for several years, waiting to cast the first clod. If I adopt Frodo he will be treated as my issue in the eyes of the law and Bag End will slip through her fingers again. Lobelia has lost it twice already so she is growing somewhat determined."
The callousness of Otho and Lobelia's thinking made Esmeralda feel physically sick. She could not imagine anyone could be so heartless as to make a child miserable, just to prevent him from inheriting a smial. She had to swallow hard before she trusted herself to speak.
"Surely Rorymac will not allow this?"
Bilbo sighed. "If it were his decision alone I'm sure that he would not. But because Frodo is not in a direct line of descent and I do not reside in Buckland the matter has been passed to the Magistrates. And on the face of it the Sackville-Baggins are better placed to offer Frodo a stable family environment. The matter may take years to settle, and in the meantime I'm not getting any younger."
His gaze returned to the glow of the fire where a log settled in a shower of sparks.
"Will you give up, then?" Esmeralda's voice was barely more than a whisper. But Bilbo's reply was vehement.
"No. Definitely not. I'll not subject that lad to the tender mercies of Lobelia Sackville-Baggins but I don't think Brandy Hall is the right place for him either. Especially with your news. And I'd turn Bag End over to a set of badgers before I handed it over to the Sackville-Baggins'." He paused. "You know, it's strange. I wasn't sure whether I really wanted to adopt Frodo until this happened. Now I realise that I love that lad too much to see him smothered by Lobelia."
Esmeralda smiled. "You know, Frodo once asked me if I would marry you so that we could adopt him?"
Bilbo threw his head back with a loud hoot. "And what did you tell him?"
Esmeralda did not laugh. "I told him that I could not because I did not love you. He was desperate, Bilbo. I cannot give him the love here that he needs so dearly." Her green eyes finally met his. "Fight for him, Bilbo. He is worth the effort."
"I will, Esmeralda. And thank you."
"What for?"
"For opening a crusty old bachelor's eyes."
"I only opened them to show you what was already in your heart, Bilbo."