15

Shirelings

If there was any place that rivalled the beauty of Rivendell, it was the Shire. Life was simple, but amazing.

I was back driving the cart. The journey to the Shire had been almost three weeks long. I realized that I should probably stay no longer than a week or so, as I wanted to be back with my healers—Elven healers—before my baby was born.

Our group drew many, many stares. Gandalf had left us at Bree, but we still had a Crown Prince, Crown Princess, the Lady of the Wolves, two wolves, and four hobbit Lords who had helped save the world. Every single one of us was dressed as such.

My hair was back in a long braid behind me, interwoven with prairie grass. A single eleanor flower was in my hair, just above my right ear. My ears were exposed so that everyone could know my race almost immediately. I wore the same style of clothes I had worn to Mordor and back, altered a bit to accommodate my now considerable stomach. Unlike when I went to Mordor, however, my feet were bare. Myranaina hung at my hip, and my bow was strapped to my back.

Everlas and Legolas wore identical cloaks of silver and green. They did not wear their circlets, but they looked no less like a Prince and Princess. They carried their twin knives and bows on their backs. Even though they were as different as night and day, there was no mistaking that they were twins.

Riku was nearly as pregnant as I was. She rode in the back of the cart. Her russet fur shone brighter than I had ever seen it, and her eyes were alive with intelligence and mischief.

Cassan trotted beside the cart. Occasionally, his dappled coat would be flaked with mud, but as we trotted into Hobbiton, it was immaculate.

Merry and Pippin looked so similar that if I had not known better, I would have said that they were twins. They each had swords strapped to their hips and wore full chainmail. Their tunics, however, were embroidered differently. Merry's had the Horse of Rohan, and Pippin's had the White Tree of the King.

Frodo was dressed much more simply. He had no chainmail, but still kept the simple overtunic embroidered with the White Tree. At his hip was Sting, the blade that had unexpectedly survived the trip to Mordor and back. I was right when I had said the haunted look in his eyes would never leave him. He was still haunted in his dreams.

Sam had insisted on wearing the tunic and breeches he had set out from the Shire in. Rain and Tora had done a bit of mending—make that a lot of mending. The blade Estel had given him upon Amon Sul shined on his hip in a scabbard decorated in the fashion of Lorien.

We passed a huge, intricate network of hobbit holes on our right.

"Welcome, Myraneth, Legolas, Everlas," Merry was grinning like crazy, "To Brandy Hall." He hopped down off the cart.

"Mimi! Get back here! You can't just go running up to Elves like that!" A woman came tearing out of one of the holes, chasing after a little girl with long curly hair.

"But Mama, it's Merry and Pippin!" Mimi cried. She ran straight to Merry, who scooped her into his arms.

"There is no way!" The woman cried. She skidded to a stop in front of Merry and grabbed her daughter, "I'm sorry, Master hobbit—"

Merry grinned, "Is that really a way to greet your own son, Mother?"

The woman looked so shocked I thought she would fall over.

Mimi whispered, "See, I told you it was Merry." She reached out for her brother and he took her back.

Merry pulled his Mother into a hug. He was taller than her, and a mite slimmer, but they had similar facial features. I hopped out of the cart, "Will you introduce us, Merry, please? Give your Mother a moment to breath."

He looked sheepish, "Mother, this is Myraneth, the Lady of the Wolves and Firstborn daughter of the Lord Elrond. The blond Elf over there is Crown Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Eryn Lasgalen, the forest you know as Mirkwood. The dark-haired Elf is Crown Princess Everlas Starleaf of Eryn Lasgalen, Legolas' twin sister. And you know Frodo, Sam, and Pippin. The silver dappled wolf is Cassan, the Alpha male of Myraneth's pack, and the russet wolf is Riku, Cassan's mate and the Alpha female. Wolf, Leaf, Star, this is my Mother, Esmeralda Brandybuck, and my little sister, Mimi Brandybuck."

"It is wonderful to meet you, Lady Brandybuck," Legolas smiled.

Esmeralda Brandybuck fainted dead away.

"Merry," I said, "She'll be awake in a few minutes. How about we meet you at Bag End? Pippin, leave your pony for Merry."

We moved on without Merry. Pippin rode in the back of the cart with Riku's head in his lap. Pippin had been pretty torn up when I told him Silverfang had died in the battle of Helm's Deep. Silver may have been Pippin's favourite, but he still loved Riku.

As we rode through the village, someone stopped Sam.

"Samwise, my boy, I thought I'd seen the last of you when Mister Frodo disappeared! Come along, there is weeding to be done at our home and at Bag End."

"Hello, Gaffer," Sam said. He swung down off his pony and embraced the stout hobbit. This was Gaffer Gamgee, Sam's Father.

I sighed. Another round of introductions and titles. Valor, did I ever hate titles.

It took us all of an hour to make it through Hobbiton and to Bag End, even though the distance was comparatively small. Pippin was hailed by some young friends in front of a tavern called 'The Green Dragon.'

#####

"You can drink your fancy ale, you can drink it by the flagon! But the only brew for the brave and true…comes from the Green Dragon!"

#####

Aye, that's where I'd heard of the before. Estel had spoken of the night, so long ago in Edoras, the night I was trying to look after my sister in Rivendell. I really wish that I hadn't missed that night. Apparently Legolas and Eryn went head to head in a drinking game with a few others and Gimli. Legolas and Eryn had run the table with everyone else, and then spent half the night trying to outdo each other. According to Eomer, who watched over the entire contest, it had not been pretty. I won't go into the details, but it made the Laketown tavern incident fifty-seven years ago look like two-year-old humans fighting over a toy.

In a way, I was glad I had not seen that. Both Eryn and Legolas had passed out around dawn and woken up with killer headaches which I wasn't there to heal. Eowyn had told me that they stumbled around all the next day and made complete fools of themselves. I was positive that no one in Rohan would ever take them seriously again, even after everything else that happened, and in spite of their titles.

Bag End was tiny by my standards but big by hobbit standards. The hole was quaint and quite beautiful.

"Thirteen months to the day," Frodo said, "And now we're home."

I tried to remember what I had been doing thirteen months ago to the day.

#####

"Ada, you'll let Estel go, but will you not let me? I am the best tracker in the family—with Estel and I together, we could find Gandalf's hobbits so much faster!"

"My daughter, Estel must do this alone. He must learn to accept his destiny!"

"You are going to let one man into the wilderness to protect four hobbits? At least let me ride out to meet them! The nine have left Minas Morgul! I for one will not let him go alone!"

"Listen to me, Myraneth! You do not come into the story yet! Do not rob me of my daughters so soon!"

I stared at my Father, "Is that what this is about? Your selfish desires to keep both of your daughters by your side? What of your sons, Ada? What of Elladan and Elrohir, who you send out more often than not to face everything that our borders protect us from? What of Estel, who is more of your son than any other Elf? Let me protect him! Give me leave to send the Wolves! Give me leave to use my power to protect my brother!"

"You will do as I say, Myraneth! Estel is bound to his fate, and you must not alter it! Stay until Estel returns."

By now I was glaring at him, "As you wish, my Lord. I suppose I may not ask why?"

Ada cupped my face in his hands, "The reason will soon become clear to you, my daughter."

#####

Arwen was meant to meet the hobbits and Estel outside of Rivendell, because she was meant to give up her immortality for Frodo. Had I gone, I would have surely done the same. And I could never give up my immortality, or the Wolves and the Wild would die with me.

"We would welcome you home, Frodo, but that is not within our power," Legolas' voice, so like velvet, washed over the group.

A hobbit woman stood right in front of Bag End, "You gave up your right to Bag End when you disappeared, Frodo Brandybuck."

Frodo laughed, "Lobelia, you never had a right to my home. If I walk through the door and find the possessions of mine gone, I will hold you personally responsible. I am not one to flaunt position, but I have friends in high places."

I grinned, but stayed silent. Until, "Frodo, where can I park this cart?"

Frodo smiled, "Let Pippin take it around to the back of the hole. Morsennia, Pyrecade, Myralyrica, and the ponies can stay out here."

I was sure that Frodo had deliberately named Black March, Snowshadow, and Wolfsong by their Elfish names. So much for not flaunting his position.

Pippin smirked, "That's Pippin, Guardian of the citadel and the White tree of the King to you, Frodo Ringbearer."

Only I saw the shadow that passed over Frodo's face before he stated, "My name is Frodo Baggins, Lobelia. My father was a Baggins, and Bilbo adopted me as his heir."

"Frodo Baggins has been named Elf-friend, Lady Hobbit," Everlas stated as she dismounted, "By at least three dozen Elves, including King Thranduil and the Lord Elrond."

Lobelia glared and scoffed, "He is a hobbit. Hobbits do not know such Elves." She spat the word.

"Tread lightly, Lobelia Bracegirdle. That is my Father you speak of." I took Legolas' offered hand and stepped down from the carriage, "The Lord Elrond does not take kindly to insult, nor does his firstborn."

Maybe it was the look on my face, or maybe it was my stomach. Lobelia turned away and stomped off.

Frodo laughed once again. I had never seen him laugh so readily, "Myraneth, the look on her face! I have been waiting years to watch someone stop Lobelia in her tracks like that."

"You have friends in high places, Frodo," I said, "Don't ever forget that."

Frodo jumped from his pony and offered me his hand, "Watch out inside, everyone," he said, "The clearance is next to none, and I'd rather not have to replace Bilbo's chandelier."

#####

Casanovia was kicking me. I left Frodo's hole early in the morning, a few days into our trip. I settled just outside the hole, and waited.

Pippin joined me after a few minutes. I had a feeling there was something he wanted to talk about with me.

"Myraneth?" he asked.

I looked up from the large book I held in my lap. It was There and Back Again, a hobbit's tale by Bilbo Baggins. I had read it many times, "Yes, Pip?"

"Do you remember Diamond?"

Did I remember Diamond? Yes, I remembered the formidable hobbit-lass we had met the night before. She had given Everlas a run for her money in the category of bluntness, spending most of the night telling me about her mother's many pregnancies—Diamond had, from what I counted, at least ten siblings, "How could I not?" I grinned.

He chuckled, the rising sun throwing his face into relief, "The war—and you and Eryn—got me thinking about what's important. And Diamond's important to me. I'm going to her Father's later today to ask for her hand. I'd like you to be here to heal me when I stumble back."

I laughed out loud. The image of Pippin surviving a war, only to meet his doom asking for permission to marry the oldest and only daughter of the current generation of a rather old hobbit family was hard to believe and hilarious, "I'll be here, Pippin."

"Thank you, Myraneth." He turned and disappeared back into the hole.

Casanovia gave a particularly hard kick, and I felt something crack.

"Star!" I yelped. The cry brought Pippin back, with Frodo hot on his heels.

"Myraneth?" Pippin exclaimed. He knelt beside me.

The part of my mind that had not been jolted into shock reached for my magic, directing it at the lower rib that had taken the force of the kick. I soon realized that the bone was fractured, and my magic had never been able to heal broken bones.

The only obvious sign that something was wrong was a slight tugging around my lips, and the hand firmly clamped on my ribcage. And the yelp. Where was Star? And Leaf?

Pippin spun to Frodo, "She's whimpering, Frodo." Hmm, I guess I was.

"I'll get Legolas and Everlas."

I was shivering, and then Sam was there, draping his Lothlorien cloak around me and helping me to stand. The slightest movement was painful, but I took that as a good sign. My daughter was going to be strong, taking after both of her parents.

Everlas finally rushed out to meet us, "But you're a month and a half early!" She cried.

I shook my head, "Not…that. Cassy kicked, and I…ahh!" I cried out again when Casanovia once again nudged the fractured, "She…fractured…my rib." I gasped.

Frodo had bandages on hand, and Leaf and Ever managed to get me taped up rather well. I couldn't even feel anything.

When had I ever been a younger sister? Maybe to Grandmother Galadriel, but not to anyone else. This type of role-reversal was entirely new to me, and happening all too often for my tastes. I found Legolas packing my bags for me that very night.

I ducked in the low doorway, "Leaf, what are you doing?"

He barely paused in his packing, but shot me a look.

"Leaf," I enunciated the word clearly, "We are still leaving the day after tomorrow, are we not?"

He shook his head, "We must get you back to your Father. Everlas and I were foolish—we should never have allowed you to leave Imladris. Neither of us is equipped to deal with a pregnancy like yours."

I glared at him, "If you do not remember, it was me who decided on this trip. You have absolutely no right to tell me what I can and cannot do."

He crossed to me, "The baby is breaking your bones, Myraneth," he took my hand.

I pulled away, "Human babies have been known to crack ribs."

"Elven babies have not."

"My daughter is half Fairy, Leaf, and part wolf."

"Wolf—"

"Leaf, we told Frodo, the day after tomorrow. And I intend to adhere to that schedule."

He left me alone after that. Cassan sauntered in a few moments later.

"They are right, you do realize, Myraneth?" He stated, "Anything could happen, and it is better that you are in your home."

"I—"I shook my head, "I do not want to worry Arwen and Ada and Eryn by returning prematurely."

"You are being selfish. It is not in a Wolf's nature to be selfish. So stop."

"Cassan—"

"After everything that has happened. Will you dishonour the dead by continuing to act like a human child?"

I starred at him and sighed, "Very well. I shall tell Frodo that we intend to leave in the morning. They are joining us in Rivendell in a few weeks anyway."

When I met with Frodo, he said, "Everlas told me the same thing. I spoke of how she would not be able to convince you to change your plans. Tell me, Myraneth, how did the twins convince you?"

"It was not Star and Leaf, but the inconveniently true words of Cassan that changed my mind."

Frodo laughed, and only laughed harder when Pippin tumbled into the study.

"I take it things did not go well with Diamond's Father?" I asked, giggling.

"Oh, he gave me permission to ask for her hand," Pippin said, "Unfortunately, her brothers overheard." He indicated his rather fat lip and two black eyes.

Pulling him down on the chair beside me, I reached past the green, new magic, to my own well controlled knot of power. Casanovia's magic was rather chaotic. It would take her years to hone her skill and power.

I pushed my magic towards Pippin. I healed the various bumps and bruises on his face, and then, for good measure, allowed my magic to permeate to the very tips of his toes. I pulled back, satisfied with my check. He had nothing physically wrong with him; he merely had hurt his pride. Not that he knew that—he was deliriously happy.

Pippin Took would make a very good husband and Father, if only Diamond would accept his proposal.

"Wait a moment," Pippin said, "I thought you were leaving the day after tomorrow, Myraneth."

"I apologize, Pip, but we really must be getting back. My Father needs to look over me, and I cannot afford to give birth on the road. But we will see you in a few weeks, right?"

"Yes, we should be leaving once more in a month or so," Merry spoke from the doorway, "I wish you wouldn't leave, Myraneth. My sister loves you. I guess you have to take care of yourself, right?" There was a slight jest in his tone, and no malice.

It was true that Mimi loved me. Mimi's full name was Miandimitri, and she had been delighted to meet someone with a name as unique as hers.

"Aye, that is true, mellon nin."

Legolas appeared over Merry's head, and I exchanged a few words in Sindarian with him, telling him what was going on.

Even his eyes could not hide his relief. I saw in them the rather curious expression he often got when opening his Link with Everlas. A furrow appeared between his brows.

A few moments later, I heard Everlas singing at the top of her lungs. Legolas joined her. I raced out of the house to catch the last few lines of their song. When they repeated it, I joined.

And walking in the trees I said

How is it this must end up dead?

When my kind, we linger

Our souls forever bound

In the trees that we love

As the endless sleep escapes us

But we shall not tarry here

For the distant shore calls us home

Where we will always dwell

And there our hearts will be free

And all our time shall tell.

We continued into:

Flight! Flight! Flight!

Eternity under the stars

Night! Night! Night!

Never near or very far

And of the time when we once did

As did those before

We spent our days upon Dragon's wing

Upon that distant shore

There was a time when we were needed all the more

But save for one

We must all return

Just as we did before

And lastly, more of a blessing than a song:

May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantië (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now

May it be the shadows call
Will fly away
May it be you journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun

Mornie utúlië (darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantië (darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now

A promise lives within you now

We sang it once in Quendi, and then again in the common tongue.