Chapter 5: The Master's Ward

"Courage is found in unlikely places."
― J.R.R. Tolkien

Mrs. Maggot beckoned Tabi to follow her into the bedroom, where the door was nearly closed. Mrs. Maggot turned to face Tabi. "Now, love, did you have anyone of great importance in Bree? Anyone who looked after the land you came from?"

Tabi thought hard so she wouldn't be lying to the kind matron. She shook her head, not thinking of anyone more than Barlimen Butterbur. "No."

Flora nodded. "Well, now, lass, when you meet the Master and the Mistress, you will address them as sir and ma'am and curtsey before them in greeting."

"Sir, ma'am, curtsey," Tabi repeated, nodding.

Flora smiled. "And as their son, and per his own preference, you will refer to Merry as Mister unless invited otherwise."

"Right," she nodded, smoothing her hands over her dress. Right, I am beneath them in status and must act like it. Keep your mouth shut, Tab.

"Now, when in doubt, you can't go wrong with politeness; miss, Mister, ma'am, and sir will serve you just fine until you are told otherwise." Tabi nodded, taking a deep breath. Flora placed a hand upon her cheek. "It's alright to be nervous, dear, but remember, everyone at the Hall is very kind, and Mister Merry and his family will look after you."

Tabi nodded. "I understand, it's just I'm so..."

"You'll be alright, dear. Those Men haven't been seen near here. I don't think you will run into them on the way to the hall."

Tabi hadn't been worried about that, but now she certainly was. She swallowed. It was hard to really tell or even wrap her mind around what had happened the day before. She had at least riddled out that she was at most ten hours behind her time. That was something.

"Now, let me tell you what I've packed for you," Flora said, setting the bag on the bed. I have three dresses, two pinafores, and a cloak in here for you. Now, before you say anything, these are too small for my girls, so please, take them."

Tabi smiled at the matron. "You've all been so kind to me; I don't know how to repay you. I can't thank you enough."

Flora smiled. "Then don't try, lass. This was no fault of your own."

Tabi gave Flora a watery smile. "Thank you."

Flora smiled in return and patted Tabi's cheek. "You're welcome, love."

"Buckland riders are approaching!" called one of Flora's sons.

"Alright, dear, let's get this on you," Flora said, picking up the pack and holding it up.

Tabi slid her arms through the straps and adjusted her hair. Flora adjusted the straps and straightened out the tunic. "Alright, lass, let's get out into the yard and meet them."

Following Flora, Tabi took a few deep breaths as they exited the stone home. Merry was already there, watching as his cousins trotted up on two ponies, wind blowing everyone's hair. Dark clouds were passing overhead, the scent of rain accompanying them. Flora walked Tabi up to stand next to Merry. Mister Merry, Tabi reminded herself.

Tabi watched as the two riders stayed their ponies and dismounted, leading them closer by their reigns.

"Good morning," one said, bowing.

He had sandy-colored hair and the exact shape of the face as Merry, though Tabi noticed his eyes were brown and that he had wisps of hair around his mouth. Tabi blinked as a small piece of lore rose to her: some hobbits with strong stoor blood could grow small beards.

The other had darker hair and a darker complexion and stood shorter than the other two, nearly Tabi's height. "Berilac Brandybuck at your service," bowed the one with the wispy beard.

"And Doderic Brandybuck," bowed the dark-haired one.

"Tabi Underhill, at yours and your family's," Tabi replied, curtseying. She glanced at Flora, who winked at her for a well-done job. She smiled to herself. Maybe she could make it through this.

"Where's the wagon?" Merry asked, crossing his arms.

"No good morning, cousin?" Berilac teased. Tabi looked to Merry, who did not seem to be amused. "The Brandywine is choppy and unsafe for a full wagon." Berilac looked up into the sky. "This storm snuck up on us, and I fear it'll be a heavy rain."

Tabi looked up to see the clouds exploding upward from the east. She wasn't sure why, but her stomach began to flip, and she heard a buzzing sound in her ears. "Aye, storms usually come from the sea," Doderic agreed.

"We'd better get moving then," Berilac said. You can ride with your ward, Merry."

Tabi looked between the two. "Ward?" she questioned.

"Aye," Merry sighed, rubbing his face. "I should've explained last night, but I will explain on the way to the Hall." Merry took the reins of Doderic's pony, and Tabi backed up as the pony stepped in front of them by his lead. "How long ago has it been since you've ridden?"

Tabi swallowed, looking up at the pony. The last time she had seen one in her life was at a petting zoo two years ago with her cousins. She had stood taller than the pony then. Now, this bespeckled grey and white towered over her. "I've, uh, never ridden," she answered truthfully.

Merry looked over his shoulder at her, and she could feel everyone in the yard looking at her. Their surprise was evident, but none said anything. She felt herself blush regardless.

"Alright, that's no matter," Merry said, but by the sound of his voice, Tabi felt that it was, in fact, a matter.

Tabi watched as Merry heaved himself onto the pony, adjusting so there was room behind him in the saddle. He leaned down and offered her his hand as Doderic came around, offering his arms as support in case she fell.

Big girl panties, Tabi thought to herself. She took a deep breath, took Merry's hand, slid her foot into the stirrup, and heaved herself up.

Gritting her teeth, Tabi settled behind Merry, muttering an apology. The hobbit muttered an acceptance. "You may put your arms around me to keep your balance."

Tabi flushed again and did as she was told, holding onto his sides. Within a minute, his two cousins were mounted on the other pony, and with a final wave, they were off towards Brandy Hall.

As Merry well knew, it was five miles from Bamfurlong to the Ferry. He kept a quick pace, hoping they would beat the coming rain. Behind him, Miss Underhill kept shifting in the discomfort of a novice rider, and every so often, her hands would tighten into his jacket; whether she was cold or nervous for the day, he could not tell. Instead, he cleared his throat and slowed the pony down for her benefit.

"My father named you a Master's Ward last evening," Merry began as his cousins stepped beside them, though the two remained quiet. "That means you will have the protection of the Brandybuck Family for the foreseeable future until you are released or your family retrieves you.

"You have the permission to stay in the family quarters. However," he went on in his diplomatic voice. "It is still expected that a ward—even one of such protected status—helps around the Hall as they may."

He paused to listen to her reaction. "Of course," she responded. He felt no animosity in her answer; it was just a factual response as if she expected nothing less.

"Until the Master knows more about these Men who attacked you, Miss Underhill, you will be escorted about the Hall and outside." He was aware of her nod.

"Was there anything the Master asked of us this morning?" he asked, then turned to his two cousins.

"The Master asked that you look after her yourself, outside the family quarters, until he decides otherwise," Berilac, the Steward's son, answered.

"Aye," he replied, having guessed his father's mind in his sleepless night.

"I-I don't wish to be a burden on you," Miss Underhill said quietly. Unprepared for the murmured words, Merry nearly stopped the pony in shock, hoping he had not made her feel like she was one. "That is," she went on a little louder, having sensed his discomfort. "I don't want to keep you from anything you must do."

Merry felt his back tighten as if what she said held more meaning than the meek-sounding words were meant to. He bit the inside of his cheek. I am making myself anxious over nothing, he thought.

"You won't be, lass," Doderic said kindly. Not only is it the will of the Master, but it is also our pleasure to keep those Men from hurting you or anyone else."

"Thank you," she said quietly.

There was a long silence, broken only by the quick clip-clop of the ponies' hooves. As they approached the Ferry, Berilac spurred his dappled pony forward so the two might make ready to set off across the water before the rain began. The storm clouds were overtaking the Eastfarthing, and distantly, Merry could hear the rumbling of the thunder.

"If you don't mind my asking, Miss Underhill," Merry began, and he could feel the lass stiffen behind him. "How old are you?"

He felt the girl's fingers relax. "Twenty-eight," she replied.

"Were you born in the spring or summer?"

"Summer," she answered, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"Ah, you are the same age as my cousin, but he has you beat; he was born in the Spring."

"Ah," she replied. Then, after a belated moment, she asked: "Would that be Doderic or Berilac?"

Merry chuckled. "No, I am afraid they are older than I am, if by just a year or two. I am thirty-six; the cousin I speak of lives in the Westfarthing."

"And were you born in the spring or summer?" she asked in a slightly amused voice.

Merry grinned, having his question shot back at him. "Winter, actually."

The lass chuckled as there was a flash of lightning overhead. Merry raised himself in the stirrups and looked ahead towards the Ferry. Doderic and Berilac were finishing untying the Ferry and setting the poles, and their pony was waiting patiently on the dock. Spurring his brown pony into a soft trot, Merry felt the girl lurch forward and muffle a gasp of surprise.

"Sorry, Miss Underhill," he said as thunder rumbled in the distance. "But I do not think either of us fancy getting wet."

"No, I don't," she said, and Merry could feel her shift as she looked around. There was a sense of unease between them as they started down the path in the bank.

Merry pulled the brown mare up beside the dappled one sli,d from her back and held his hands out in preparation for the lass's descent. She took his hand and allowed herself to drop to the ground, her knees buckling slightly under her, but Merry quickly steadied her. He glanced toward his cousins, happy to see that they had not noticed her inelegant dismount.

He nodded for her to join his cousins on the Ferry, took both reigns in hand, and led the two mares onto the platform. Another rumble of thunder sounded as Berilac and Doderic shoved off. They floated from the pier and were propelled to the middle of Brandywine. Merry looked back to see the rustling of bushes along the bank, feeling a sense of watchfulness. While Maggot's folk had not seen the two Men that had lost their victim, that did not mean they weren't still looking for her.

Merry glanced at the girl, who was staring at the far bank with a look of unease on her face. "Don't worry, lass," Doderic said. If you fall in, one of us will be able to save you."

Miss Underhill turned towards him with a wane smile. "Thank you for the words of comfort, but I can swim just fine on my own," she replied. That was the truth.

"Strange indeed," Berliac murmured. "We have not heard of Bree-folk being able to swim. Is it common in the Breeland?"

The girl swallowed hard. "My family comes from Archet, and it's quite common there," she answered.

Merry quirked an eyebrow at the bald-faced lie but said nothing. This girl was getting more peculiar by the minute. Doderic ducked behind one of the ponies.

"And that's why your father wants you to look after her," he whispered, barely above the sound of the churning water. Merry nodded, seeing that her lie did not sate his ungifted cousins either.

The Ferry contacted the dock on the eastern bank as there was a flash of lightning. When the Ferry was docked and the four astride the ponies again, Merry led the way to Brandy Hall. He set a quick pace, and the ride was quiet as they went along. The clouds had overtaken much of the Eastfarthing, and the scent of rain steadily grew. Thunder rumbled again as the ponies' hooves clattered into Brandy Hall's courtyard.

Tabi's first look at Brandy Hall was that it was enormous. She guessed the hill was nearly a hundred feet tall and almost a mile wide. She swallowed hard, biting back all sorts of surprised exclamations that would not suit her current situation. Hundreds of windows peaked from the hill, glowing orange in the storm's darkening light. She saw several plain, unadorned doors painted in various shades of greens, gold, and blues. But the main door she noticed immediately. She vaguely remembered one of the three 'front doors' from the book. It arched overhead by several feet, was wide enough that three could step inside, and had a wrought iron apple tree branching from the curling hinges. A large door knocker in the center of the tree allowed one to pull it open.

The entirety of Buck Hill was amazing to see, and she was only drawn back to the present as Merry slid from the back of the pony for the second time. He held out a supportive hand again as she slid dismounted again. This time, she thought she was more graceful, having barely kept her footing at the Ferry, but her ankles still screamed with the jolt.

With a quick thank you and Merry handing off his pony's reins to one of his cousins, Tabi was beckoned to follow him. Swallowing hard, she followed Merry as he opened the door outward.

The front hall of Brandy Hall was dim, and the light from outside only shone in so far. But plenty of sconces were lit, leading down into the heart of the hill. The smell of baking wafted outside, the scents of bread, roasted meat, and baking apples giving Tabi the impression that this was, in fact, real.

Tabi dawdled by the door, wringing her hands in front of her at her mixed feelings. "Come, Miss Underhill. My father would like to speak to you once more," Merry said, beckoning her forward.

Trying to master her shaking, Tabi crossed over the threshold into Brandy Hall as a loud crash of thunder sounded. The familiar pitter-patter of rain started and was then dulled by the large front door closing. She breathed out, feeling like whatever was soon to be decided would seal her fate. She could only hope to wake up from this nightmare soon. But the dull ache in her head now seemed to throb was a reminder that she was, at least this time, not dreaming.

Merry led the way down the long hallway, passing a few passages on either side and many doors. Some stood open, revealing a parlor or an empty apartment, but most were closed, and muffled voices could be heard as they passed. After several minutes of walking, Merry took a right, and Tabi found that they were in a well-lit hallway.

Natural light streamed in from the windows, occasionally brightened by lightning. Of course, all these windows were on the left side, while the right side held portraits upon portraits. There was no time to stop to admire or even read the names, and if there was, Tabi wasn't sure she could. The further they walked, the more nervous she became.

During her sleepless night, Tabi had decided to stick to her original plan: to keep as much of the truth to herself as she could. However, she knew from the looks she had been receiving from Merry that it would be very difficult. Brandybuck seemed to already suspect something about her, and he was right. However, whether he or any in his family would believe the truth was something entirely different.

Merry paused at another door and knocked three hard, quick raps upon the wood. Tabi noticed that this door was heavily carved like a willow tree that arched over and around it, hugging it. Willow leaves trailed over the door as if caught in the wind, though Tabi was not allowed to ponder the door any further as the Master's voice sounded through the door.

"Enter."

Merry opened the door, and Tabi took a deep breath as she entered the Master's study.

The Master stood behind a large oak desk that shone with a lacquer finish. A wooden plaque painted with neat gold sat at the end of the desk, reading Saradoc in an elegantly carved script. Books, journals, and scrolls sat upon the large desk in organized piles, all put away neatly, so the only thing that sat front and center was her folded, red work shirt. She bit on a curse.

"Good morning, mother and father," Merry greeted in a diplomatic voice. I present Miss Tabi Underhill."

Tabi ducked into a curtsey. "At your service," she said in a voice quieter than she meant.

But both the Master and Mistress nodded and replied. "At yours and your family's."

Tabi took a moment to take in the features of the Master and his wife, Esmeralda, whom she knew. Merry got his softer features from his mother with his slightly upturned nose and lighter hair color, while he retained his father's height and broad shoulders. His eyes, she noticed, were the same color as his father, as Mistress Esmeralda had bright green eyes, as opposed to the soft blue that the two men had. She could see now that Merry stood as tall and proud as his father while his mother was nearly her own height. Again, she could not fathom how tall she was, other than perhaps a neat three foot.

Behind them, on the wood paneling, was a large portrait nearly her height, she guessed. It was of the three hobbits in the room with her, if a few years old, as Merry seemed thinner and shorter, and his father seemed less bent and grey.

"Please have a seat," the Master said, gesturing to a floral cushioned chair in front of her. He and his wife sat in a tall, back chair, also floral cushioned.

Merry pulled the chair out for her. She slowly let her pack fall from her shoulders and set it at the foot of the chair before taking her offered seat. She sat up straight, nearly on the edge of the chair, and placed her hands in her lap. Her heartbeat was in her ears.

"How was the ride, Meriadoc?" the Master began, looking to Merry.

"It was well, though the Brandywine is rather choppy with the storm," was the answer. Merry did not comment that this was the first time she had ridden a pony. But she did not have time to question his motives as the Master turned to her with a grim smile.

"I am sorry to have to question you further, my dear," he said, pushing the folded shirt towards her. "But I am sure you recognize this."

She nodded. "Yes, it is my uniform for work," Tabi replied.

"And you worked at your uncle's inn, didn't you?" he asked. Tabi nodded, squeezing her hands together in nerves. "I have never heard of the name Mike."

Tabi shrugged, hoping to appear as nonchalant as possible. "It's just something we've always called him, and it caught on."

Saradoc nodded. "May I ask why it was so large on you? Was it meant to be a dress?"

With her mouth running dry, all she could do was nod. "And what of the color? Why was it chosen?"

"I don't know; it was something he presented to me. I helped manage the business during the evening, so I tended to get the first choice in uniform."

Saradoc nodded. "Do you know what this color means?"

Tabi paused, realizing the answer was not nice. Even back home, red was considered the color of love. She shook her head, realizing where the questioning would be going. She remembered Mrs. Maggot—Flora—had said it was a disgusting color.

"It is the color of women who entertain men privately," the Master said, emphasizing the last word.

Tabi felt herself color. "I did not do that," she said, flustered. I only served food and drink, taking the payments and cooking every now and then. There was no entertainment of that kind."

Saradoc nodded. "I am sorry to have asked, but it is such a rare color," he explained. "Do you think the color of your uniform could have been why you were taken?"

Tabi thought back to the diner. The younger man had been making such hungry eyes at her and her coworkers; he had even told the elder, "You know what that color does to me. She nodded. "I believe so."

The Master nodded again. "We have had some trouble with Big Folk trespassing and stealing cattle. Very few hobbits have been attacked, mostly just our livestock. Would you be willing to sit with a portrait artist and give a description of these Men?"

Tabi nodded. "I can do that. I don't think I will ever forget their faces."

There was a saddened pause, and a sorrowful tension was in the air as she realized the gravity of what she had said, but Saradoc nodded politely. "Mister Banks will be found before the day is out, and we will have you sit with him."

Tabi nodded as Saradoc smiled at her. "I am sure Meriadoc has told you what it means to be a Master's Ward, but let me explain further: you will have the protection of the Brandybuck family; I am formally inviting you to stay in my family's quarters until such a time that you can be safely returned home.

"While you will be escorted anywhere outside for your protection, I have asked that you be shown and escorted around the Hall until you know your way." Tabi felt some of the tension in her back release. She had little hope of remembering where everything was or where to go.

"Thank you for your kindness," she said when he had finished.

"It is no trouble, Miss Underhill," the Master said with a welcoming smile. He stood up and bid everyone to join him in standing. "My wife will see you to your room, and once Master Grubb has finished his morning rounds, he will be in to see to your head."

"Come, dear," Esmeralda said, standing and beckoning her towards the door. "You look exhausted and no doubt need a good rest."

"Oh, I—I'm alright," Tabi said as she dutifully picked up her pack and followed the hobbit matron out of the study.

She smiled at Tabi as she closed the door to the office. Tabi felt she was about to be the topic of conversation once again but was forced to ignore it as her guide spoke to her. "Lass, you are as white as a sheet, and I doubt you slept well with your head hurting like it does."

Tabi gave a wane smile in return. "I am rather tired," she murmured.

"Then follow me, love."

Saradoc bid Merry to return to his seat. Pulling the chair to the desk, Merry waited for his father's first question. "No lies?" he began.

There had been plenty of lies, half-truths, use of variants I don't know, and head shakes to avoid a spoken answer. But Merry kept this to himself. "She was truthful," he confirmed.

"What do you make of her?"

Merry took a moment to consider his answer: "I believe she is terrified, and I think she is wary of our kindness to her as if it will vanish instantly."

His father nodded. "I gathered that as well," he murmured. "We can at least put this to rest." Saradoc picked up the shirt and tossed it into the heart of the hearth behind him.

"Father!"

"I know it is hers, but I will not have that color in the Hall, especially with those Men so far unaccounted for."

"You mean to search for them?"

"Just to be on the lookout. We will not go looking for trouble, but we will not allow trouble to knock on our door for this lass either.

"When the excitement has died down surrounding her, I will send messages to Bree asking if there have been any abductions."

Merry nodded. He wasn't sure what his father would find, but something in his gut told him the answer wouldn't be in Bree.