A/N: The dance featured in this chapter was (to the best of my knowledge) first recorded in the fourth edition of The Dancing Master by John Playford in 1670.

Tiger Lily kept her eyes cast down on the dressing table and winced as the comb caught a knot.

"Sorry, did I pull too hard?" her mother said.

"No," Tiger Lily said. She risked a glance up at her reflection and winced again. "I hate my hair."

"It's lovely hair," her mother cooed.

Tiger Lily turned away from her reflection again and huffed. Opal had glossy, ink-black ringlets that seemed to absorb all light that touched them. It wasn't fair.

"I wonder who else will be there," Mrs Took said as she set down the comb and started pinning Tiger Lily's hair back.

"I'm not sure. Sango said Lavender would be there, but he didn't mention anyone else."

"Lavender?"

"His young lady."

"Oh." Her mother's hands hesitated.

Tiger Lily glanced up at the mother's face in the glass. She looked worried.

"Are you all right?" she said.

"Yes," Tiger Lily said quickly. Then she remembered Sango was leaving, and it wasn't quite as true anymore. "It's a shame Father's not here to see the Boffins off," she said, hoping to divert the conversation.

Her mother made an odd half-laughing noise in response to this.

Mr Took didn't enjoy social gatherings and would usually deliver weak excuses not to attend, only to be dragged along by his wife and/or brother anyway. Once there he would spend most of the time on the periphery of conversations they were having with other people, and would blankly refuse to dance with anyone but his wife.

Tiger Lily's mother said nothing else until she had finished off her work with a pink ribbon. "There we are," she said, smiling. "The lads will all be tripping over themselves to dance with you."

"They've never seemed that keen on it in the past." She bit her bottom lip and twisted around in the chair, looking up at Mrs Took. "But it will be different this time, won't it, Mother? Now that I've stopped shooting?"

Her mother looked startled for a moment and then smiled. "Yes, I'm sure it will be."

Tiger Lily turned to face the mirror again and smiled nervously. It would be all right. She had a chance.

Mrs Took sighed. "I should never have let Hortenbold talk me into letting you learn. Shall I cover this up again?" She held the shawl, which she had lain over the dressing table.

"Yes, please," Tiger Lily said.

Mrs Took smiled sadly. "I didn't like my reflection either when I was your age. I'm going to make sure Bandobold's ready."

"Yes, Mother," Tiger Lily said, dabbing some jasmine oil behind her ears.

As soon as her mother had gone Tiger Lily opened one of the drawers of the dressing table and drew out a bottle and a small china pot. Opal had warmed her against using too much, or she would look like a hussy. Perhaps if she used little enough her mother wouldn't even notice. She opened the pot and ran her finger across the red beeswax and dabbed it onto her lips. When she was done she rubbed a few drops of the carmine dye into each cheek and drew back the shawl to see her reflection.

She had hoped that painting her face would finally make her look pretty, or at least comely. Instead she looked like a little lass trying to look grown-up by breaking into her mother's face paints. She stood and rushed to the washstand, splashing water over her face. Tiger Lily hunched over the bowl, looking into the water. Her reflection stared back, sparkling in the candlelight.

"Tiger Lily? Are you ready?"

She straightened her posture and dried her face with a towel. "Coming, Mother."

"Don't run on ahead. I don't want you getting dirty," Mrs Took called after Bandobold. He didn't slow down at all, either not hearing or not caring about what his mother had said. She turned to her sister-in-law.

"I am glad you enjoyed Michel Delving. I think we'll be going at some point after the New Year. New gowns for the spring, you know."

"I had a new gown this year," Tiger Lily said.

She was walking alongside her mother and Aunt Mertensia as they made their way through the town to Boffin's Farm. Opal and Uncle Hortenbold were trailing behind, too far away for Tiger Lily to hear their conversation.

Aunt Mertensia smiled. "It's important for a young lady to look her best. You never know who'll be at a party." She laughed. "You might meet a fairy prince in disguise."

Tiger Lily looked away sullenly. She didn't want a fairy prince. Fairy princes weren't real. They didn't have warm hands with rough skin, or deep laughs that made her insides feel light.

She noticed a group of low-born lads in the grocer's—which was really just stacks of boxes under a canopy sheet to keep the rain off. Rob was among them. Most of the lads were talking with Mr Seller who ran the place, but Rob was standing a little way off and leaning against one of the legs that kept the sheet up. His large arms were folded across his chest, but he tugged his cap at her as she went past.

There was a rough tug on Tiger Lily's arm. "Don't look at them."

She looked around in surprise at her mother, who had spoken. "Why?"

Mrs Took firmly looped her arm around Tiger Lily's. "Just keep your eyes ahead and stick close to me."

Tiger Lily looked around again. The lads were trailing away now, and Rob glanced at her and gave a small smile as he followed them. He seemed so impossibly far away…

Her mother jostled her arm again, holding her tighter. "I told you not to look."

"But why?" Tiger Lily said desperately.

"Scoundrels, the lot of them. Who knows what kind of trouble they're causing for that poor shopkeeper?"

There hadn't been any raised voices, and the lads hadn't looked vicious, but Tiger Lily said nothing.

It was Rob she'd originally had in mind when she'd asked Opal to fetch her the face paints from Michel Delving. Tiger Lily was supposed to be meeting him again tomorrow evening. She still needed to make a decision on whether or not this really was the last time. Reason told her it should be. It would be.

And yet…

"The dinner won't be as big as I was planning. You wouldn't believe how difficult it was getting enough food in," Mr Boffin said as the Tooks were relieved of their cloaks and hats by a pair of servants. Only one or two other guests seemed to have arrived, and the house was unnervingly quiet for how many people would fill it by the end of the evening.

"It's a shame it won't be an adequate farewell after how long you've been here. I'm sorry to see you go, Boffers," Uncle Hortenbold said, shaking his hand.

"Excuse me, Mr Boffin," Tiger Lily said in a very quiet voice. "Do you know where Sango is, please?"

"I believe he's still getting ready in his chamber, though he should nearly be finished if you wish to see him."

She found the door to his bedroom open, and Sango stood in front of a full-length mirror. He was looking far too neat for her taste.

"How do I look?" he said, holding his lapels and turning to see himself in profile.

Tiger Lily leaned against the doorway, folding her arms. "Very handsome. You face is too squashy, but I'm not sure what we can do about that."

"Yes, very funny," he said and started trying to comb some order into his hair. "I need a pin for my cravat. There are some on the dresser there."

She gave him a withering look through the mirror and went to the dresser. "I'm not your skivvy."

"The one shaped like an oak leaf, please."

She went to the dresser without further complaint. It was covered with cravats that had been considered and rejected. "Are you sure there's a dresser under here?"

"Supposedly. I've heard legends."

She started to gather up the discarded cravats, slinging them over one arm. "How many pins do you have?" she said, looking at the tie pins scattered among the books and paper that covered the dresser. She could see at least nine. "Why do you need all these?"

"It's proper to take pride in one's appearance," he said. "And you can't talk, I've seen how many ribbons you have."

"That's hardly my fault. Uncle Hortenbold gives me one every year as my kinship gift."

Tiger Lily hung a green cravat over her arm, uncovering a piece of paper. Picking it up she found it was a poem. She caught the words 'Lavender' and 'honeyed air'.

She watched Sango from the corner of her eye. He hadn't noticed. She suspected there was a reason he hadn't made a rebuff when she had made fun of his appearance. It was for this same reason that she placed the paper face down on the dresser without comment. A glint of gold caught her eye and she picked up the tiny oak leaf pin. She dumped the bundle of cravats on the dresser.

"Hold still." She pinned the little gold leaf in place on the red silk around his neck.

"You're not meant to tell people about your kinship gifts," Sango said.

"I'm not telling people, only you. There's a clear distinction there."

"Thank you very much, Tiger Lily," he said, turning away from her. "Now I know where I stand with you."

"No, no, that's not what I meant," she said, her dismay rising. He turned and she saw he was smiling, and then she was smiling too. "You know that's not what I meant."

"Do I?"

"Yes."

She paused and looked around the room. The dresser was the only mess there; everything else had been packed away in boxes.

"I wish you weren't leaving," she said.

"Let's not think about that. Tonight is supposed to be fun."

It was very easy to say that, but so much harder to believe it. Sango could probably manage it, but Tiger Lily was sure she couldn't.

"So how are you going to spend the evening?" he said with determined brightness.

She frowned as she thought about it. "I think… I want to dance with someone."

He raised an eyebrow and paired it with a puzzled smile. "You hate dancing."

"It's been such a long time that I don't think it could be as bad as I remember. And I'd like…" She smiled uncertainly. "I'd like to be chosen by someone."

"That husband you're after?"

Something about that suggestion made her uneasy. "Maybe. I would settle for a friend." She sighed. "How are you going to spend the evening?"

Sango grinned. "I'm going to drink as much as I possibly can and make a complete fool of myself."

Tiger Lily smiled. "I'm not sure about the first one, but you shouldn't have any difficulty with the second."

She ducked out of the way as he threw a handful of cravats at her head.

The guests had arrived steadily and now it was more crowded than Tiger Lily would have liked. After dinner (which had been meagre by the standards of a Hobbit party) the tables had been moved to the side to make room for the dances. Sango had started dancing as soon as the music began and Tiger Lily had quickly lost track of him. Meanwhile, she had chosen to stay close by her mother as she chatted with the other married ladies.

The song had just ended and the dancers began to rearrange themselves. Tiger Lily looked desperately at the various lads that walked by. They didn't look back; oblivious to her presence. She looked down at the floor. They didn't want her.

"Are all of your children here?" Mrs Took said. "It feels like an age since I've seen Dalgo."

"He's here somewhere," Young Mrs Grubb said. Tiger Lily thought there was something strange about her smile. Something disingenuous.

"Is Mistress Victoria well?" she said quietly. Just be nice to her and she'll forgive your transgressions. That's what Rowley said.

Young Mrs Grubb smiled faintly. "Quite well. Very well, in fact. It gives me hope for when I'm infirm."

"I shan't hear of that," Uncle Hortenbold said. "What will I be by the time you're infirm?"

Young Mrs Grubb smiled. "You look well. Both of you."

"Michel Delving agreed with me," Aunt Mertensia said.

"And having my lasses safely home agrees with me," Uncle Hortenbold said.

"I can see that. Your Opal's doing magnificently tonight, I must say." She glanced towards the piano, where Opal had parked herself. Buffo was stood over her as she played, ostensibly to turn the pages of the music. "I wish Abelia could play like that. She doesn't have the patience to practice."

A maidservant passed, carrying a tray of full wine glasses. Tiger Lily reached out for one.

"No," he mother said firmly, taking her arm and forcing it back down to her side. Tiger Lily glared at her.

"One drink won't hurt, Peony," Young Mrs Grubb said. "I've started letting Abelia drink at parties and no harm's come of it."

Tiger Lily's mother sniffed. "I'm sure you may raise your daughter as you like, Campanula."

Young Mrs Grubb smiled coldly. "Indeed." She curtseyed before sweeping away. "I really must speak with Mrs Goodenough. Good evening."

Aunt Mertensia stared hard at the floor as she sipped her own wine. Opal had been allowed to drink wine in moderation from the age of twenty-two. The music silenced again, and the dancers milled about accordingly.

"Have you heard that Crystal Brandybuck is getting married again?" Aunt Mertensia said.

"Oh, I know," Tiger Lily's mother said. "Whatever is she thinking of, at her age?"

"I'm sure I don't know. I couldn't do it."

"That's of some comfort, I supposed," Uncle Hortenbold murmured.

"Mm," Tiger Lily's mother gave a little smile as she drank her wine. "You know what they say about widows who remarry…"

"I don't," Tiger Lily piped. "What do they say?"

Aunt Mertensia smiled to herself as she drank from her glass. Uncle Hortenbold sighed witheringly. "This is neither the time nor the place."

"Tooks!"

Tiger Lily looked out to see Sango making his way towards them, his arm linked with Lavender's.

"Who's that lass with him?" her mother said from the corner of her mouth.

"His young lady. I told you about her earlier," Tiger Lily said in a hushed voice.

Her mother looked at her disbelievingly. "Has her family had some sort of misfortune?"

"Hello, Tooks," Sango said, bowing.

"Finally remembered us, have you?" Uncle Hortenbold said.

"Well, I've been saving it," he said with a smile. "You can't begin the evening with the most esteemed guests."

Lavender snickered. "He's been saying that to everyone."

"It was true every time," Sango said. He lifted two glasses of wine from the tray of a maid and handed one to Lavender.

You honestly mean that, don't you? Tiger Lily thought. Strange lad.

Aunt Mertensia smiled at Lavender in polite confusion. "I'm sorry, what was your name again?"

"Lavender."

"And your family name?"

The veneer of confidence wavered as a touch of uncertainty entered Lavender's expression. "Hobble."

"Ah. Yes, we use your father's services when our carriage needs attention. A good worker." She sipped her wine.

"Yes, madam." Lavender tried to smile. "Course, my dad don't do much in the workshop anymore…"

"No. Of course."

There was a tense silence, which was only broken by Sango, who emptied his glass and cleared his throat. "Have you had that dance yet, Tills?" he said.

"No," Tiger Lily said flatly.

"She's quite content to stand with me," her mother said brightly, patting her arm.

Tiger Lily looked sullenly at Sango and said nothing.

There was something of a flicker behind his eyes, then he grinned and whispered in Lavender's ear. Lavender gave him a perplexed smile before disappearing off into the fray.

"Well, if you can bear to be parted from your family, I would be delighted if you would give me this dance."

Tiger Lily warily let him take her hand and lead her to the dancefloor, where two other couples were lining up for the next dance—lads on the left, lasses on the right, hand in hand.

"What are you doing?" Tiger Lily said.

"I believe it's called the Black Nag."

"You know full well that's not what I meant."

As the music started they and the other couples took three steps forward and three steps back.

"I don't think I know this one too well," Tiger Lily said, watching the lass in front of her and doing her best to copy her steps.

"It's not too difficult. I'll guide you through."

They turned to face each other and waited as the first and second couples did their bits.

"So what are you up to?" she said.

Sango grinned. "It's a plan."

"Very nice. So are—" She was interrupted when their turn came, and they side-skipped for four. "So are you going to tell me what it is?"

She let go of his hands and copied the other dancers, spinning around in a tight circle before taking his hands again and skipping back the way they'd come. "I hate being the top couple," she muttered.

"Technically we're the bottom couple."

"What's your plan and how does it involve me?"

They started to pace forwards and backwards, meeting shoulder to shoulder when they reached the middle.

"I take you as a partner," Sango said.

They met in the middle again.

"Lavender takes another lad as a partner."

And again.

"And when this dance is over we swap."

They came back to their original positions. The lad on the top couple started to side-skip across towards Tiger Lily.

"This is you," Sango hissed.

"What?"

"You switch places with him."

Tiger Lily's stomach gave a lurch as she went to swap places with the lad. Because she was late she wasn't able to skip in time to the music and had to scuttle into place as quickly as she could. She found herself stood across from Lavender, who winked at her before bounding away.

Tiger Lily stood as still as she could. She thought she could feel people watching her. The other dancers probably thought she was a fool. Sango filled the space left by Lavender.

"Hello," he said.

"I'm a dolt."

"It's just a little mistake. No one minds. You and he switch back after we turn."

Tiger Lily avoided making eye contact with the lad as they passed each other. As before, Sango switched places with Lavender so that everyone was stood in their original places.

"It's a really lovely thought, Rowley," she said. "The plan, I mean."

She and Sango linked arms and turned about each other.

"But…?" he said.

"But it's not the same as if I find a partner myself."

The changed direction.

"The ends are the same," Sango said. "I could be dancing with Lavender, but I'm trying to help you instead."

"But he didn't choose me. And he won't want to embarrass himself with me now."

Sango rolled his eyes as they returned to their places. "Why do you always catastrophise every little—?"

He was cut off as he and the other lads started to dance around each other in a complicated figure of eight. He stumbled slightly, and his cheeks went pink as he laughed.

Tiger Lily's stomach sank as she lost track of the steps. Oh, no…

As Sango returned to his place Lavender and the other lass started to move around each other. Tiger Lily blundered her way through the phrase, weaving between them. She bumped into Lavender as she was returning to her own place.

"Sorry!"

As she reached her place the music ended and Sango bowed, smiling sheepishly. "Not too bad?" he said.

Tiger Lily made a face as she and the other ladies curtseyed.

"Sorry," he said.

"You needn't be." She walked forward to meet him as the other dancers started milling around. "It really was very kind of you. But I think I need a moment. I'm not feeling very well."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Lavender was coming towards them with her dancing partner on her arm. "Shall we swap, Sango, love?"

"I don't think I'll take the next dance, actually," he said. "I'm a little thirsty, shall we get some more wine?"

She frowned. "But—"

"I'll explain while we walk." He took her hand and led her away.

Tiger Lily went to stand next to an open window. Leaning against the wall she felt the cool air on her face. In the light from the party she could see the leaves of a tree outside moving in the wind. They would be making a rustling noise. She would be able to hear it if it weren't for the party. It was so tantalisingly close…

"Are you all right? You're pale."

Tiger Lily turned her head towards Opal's voice. But Buffo was standing directly behind her, and when Tiger Lily opened her mouth to speak she couldn't make a sound.

"Fetch some wine, would you, Buffo?" Opal said. "For fortification."

He gave a shallow bow. "I am your humble servant."

"Don't be facetious."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

Tiger Lily was still leaning with one hand against the wall as Buffo walked away. She was feeling fragile.

"I haven't seen you dance for years," Opal said, massaging her wrist. "Since… when was it?"

"The Thain's accession," Tiger Lily mumbled. "Opal, it was awful. I made so many mistakes."

"Did you? I didn't notice."

"Of course you didn't, you were playing."

"A good musician only needs sheet music as a fail-safe. I could play the Black Nag in my sleep."

"What do they say about widows who remarry?"

"What?"

Tiger Lily closed her eyes. Her head was fuzzy, and she latched onto this one tangible thought. "They said that a Brandybuck widow was getting married, and that it's bad, and that people say things about widows."

"Here we are, ladies," Buffo said as he returned with two glasses of wine, and handed one to each lass.

Tiger Lily couldn't look him in the eye as she quietly thanked him.

"Not for me," Opal said. "I had a glass at dinner. Why don't you take it for yourself and leave us for a little bit?"

"I see. I'm the help now, am I?"

"We're going to talk about ladies' things. Flowers and babies and such. You wouldn't be interested."

"I see. I know where my company isn't welcome," he said amiably, and kissed Opal on the cheek. "I shall find some less interesting company."

As soon as he had turned away Tiger Lily tipped the contents of her glass down her throat.

Opal raised an eyebrow. "I find it's better to savour the taste."

"I don't have the patience for that." Tiger Lily set the glass heavily down on the windowsill. "Please tell me what they say about the widows."

Opal shook her head disbelievingly. "A few things, I suppose. It's certainly unusual. I suppose it implies a lack of tenderness. Maybe that she cuckolded her husband."

"But…" Tiger Lily thought to the family tree in the morning room. "Hardly any widows remarry."

"I suppose that's part of it. What does it tell you about the ones who do?"

"What about a widower?"

"Oh, I don't know. He'd be an oddity, I suppose."

Tiger Lily widened her eyes. "Would he be a rake?"

"True rakes rarely marry. To my understanding."

The current dance was coming to an end. It might have been the wine (or, more likely, the belief that it was the wine) but Tiger Lily was feeling better and looked hopefully at the groups of lads stood on the other side of the hall.

"I'm going to ask one of them to dance," she said. "Is that allowed?"

Opal shrugged. "Unorthodox but not quite improper. Off you go, then."

But Tiger Lily's feet remained firmly where they were; immovable. No matter how badly she wanted it, she couldn't make herself go to them. Feeling that she'd been defeated, she turned to Opal again. "How do you make them notice you?"

Opal sighed resignedly. "It should help that you've left your mother's company. Hold your head up high. You're a Took, for pity's sake."

Tiger Lily slowly lifted her chin up until she was looking at the ceiling.

"Not that high." She sighed again. "Why don't you join me and Buffo? I'm sure he could make some introductions."

"No," Tiger Lily said firmly. "You've been in his company for the last two weeks, why do you want to spend so much time with him?"

"I'm not going to dignify that with a response."

Then Opal was gone, and Tiger Lily was alone again.

She didn't get a partner for that dance, or the next, or the one after that. By the fourth it occurred to her that most of the tweenagers had disappeared. Most noticeable was Sango's absence. She moved through the crowd and craned her neck to see over the heads of the other guests but she could see nothing of him or Lavender. There wasn't any sign of the other Boffins either.

Tiger Lily slipped out into the dark, cool passage outside. No one was out here, but now she was away from the music and chatter of the other guests, she could make out the voices of Mr and Mrs Boffin. She followed the sound, and found them stood in a gloomy alcove. They didn't see her and she hesitated, not wanting to interrupt what seemed to be an important conversation. But when it quickly became evident that they were talking about Sango, she couldn't quite bring herself to walk away.

"It's absolutely shameful, Sara," Mr Boffin said. "For him to have that little hussy on his arm."

"I don't like it any more than you do," Mrs Boffin said with a sigh. "But please try to calm yourself. Remember what Mr Brownlock said about your nerves?"

"But for him to parade her in front of everyone like that! What if he makes an offer for her?"

"I agree we have to do something, but you need to stop getting ahead of yourself. Making a scene won't do anything to help."

"I can't be content until they've parted ways. That minx knows what she's doing. He's soft-headed. She's going to entrap him with a child—"

"Really, Longo…"

"—and he'll never question why it doesn't look like him." He covered his face with his hands. "Wheelwrights for in-laws…"

Tiger Lily made an involuntary whimpering noise, and Mr and Mrs Boffin's head snapped around to face her. When he saw her Mr Boffin grimaced and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Hello, dear," Mrs Boffin said in a trembling voice, and gave her husband a sharp nudge with her elbow. "Can we help you with anything?"

"No," she squeaked. "I didn't mean to intrude but I was looking for Sango and I heard you and Mr Boffin and I thought you might know where he is but I didn't want to interrupt and I'm sorry. I'll go now."

"I don't know where he is, I'm afraid," Mrs Boffin said as Tiger Lily attempted to escape. "But I am glad to see you. Do you remember that little conversation we had about your impression of Miss Hobble?"

Tiger Lily wrung her fingers. "Yes…"

"Well, now that I've met her properly, I'm of the opinion that she isn't at all suited to Sango. You agree, don't you, dear?"

"Um…"

"Do you think you could convince him of it?" Mr Boffin said, nudging his wife out of the way as he stepped forward. "Make him see sense?"

Tiger Lily backed away turning her face towards the ground. Her arms stayed rigid at her sides. She felt more alone than she had all evening.

"Sango listens to you, you see," Mrs Boffin said, and laughed nervously. "Goodness knows he pays no mind to us."

Mr Boffin regarded Tiger Lily severely. "You needn't be too direct if you're unsure. The odd word, here or there."

She knew she should say something, but couldn't move her tongue. She wasn't completely sure what the implications of this proposal were, but she knew she didn't like it and made to turn away.

"Don't you want what's best for him?" Mr Boffin said, his eyes hardening in the darkness.

Best for him?

She hesitated and looked at Sango's parents, wide-eyed. "She could cause him harm?"

"Yes," Mr Boffin said. "Great harm. You would be doing a very good thing."

There was little she wouldn't do for Sango, and the idea that Lavender was bad for him planted doubt in her mind.

"Sorry. I need to find Sango," she mumbled as she turned away and rushed back down the corridor as quickly as propriety allowed.

Tiger Lily still hadn't made full sense of the first conversation she and Mrs Boffin had had about Lavender, but she knew she didn't want a return to it. Even if the party was full of eyes and people, at least there she wouldn't have to answer questions she didn't understand. It was frightening, and what made it worse was knowing that she didn't understand.

The door to the dining room was open, and Sango was just coming out, looking puzzled. He had taken his jacket off and was looking just like his usual self, if a little flushed in the face. Tiger Lily had started running without realising it, and barrelled into him at full speed.

"Oof!"

He staggered backwards as she latched on to him.

"Steady on, you only saw me a few minutes ago," he said, laughing.

Tiger Lily buried her face in his chest. She had always been secretly pleased that Sango hadn't taken to a pipe, and that his old, comforting smell hadn't been overpowered by smoke. She needed it now. Rose-water, hay and… wine. The last one was new and disconcerting.

Sango gently eased her away to look her in the eye. His face was inquisitive. "What's the matter?"

She shook her head as she did her best to put her fright aside. "I lost you."

"We're all in the morning room. Get away from the parents. I came to find you."

He took her hand and led her out of the dark corridor as she allowed trust to replace her anxiety. Being with him was like coming home after a long absence. Whatever else there was in the world, there was always Sango: real, familiar and safe. She would follow him wherever he led her.

The morning room was filled with tweenagers, though there were one or two there who were in their early thirties, including Monno Grubb and Opal. Buffo was also there—the eldest in the room by a considerable margin—and was sat beside her on a settee, one arm draped lazily along the back. Rico and Abelia were there, as was Lorna Goodenough. There were others, but Tiger Lily didn't recognise them. There was a tea table in the centre of the room, littered with wine bottles at various stages of being emptied.

"Everyone, this is Opal's cousin: Tiger Lily," Sango said.

"The elusive Miss Took," a lass sat in an armchair said. "Rowley mentions you so often, but you never seem to be there at parties. Aren't you a sweet little thing with your bows?"

Tiger Lily tugged at her hair self-consciously. "Uh… thank you, Miss…?"

"Celestine."

"Would you like to sit here?" Monno said, rising from his place on a settee.

"No, don't, I'm—"

"Nonsense. You're a lady." He pulled up a footstool to sit on.

She looked at the floor as she walked to the settee, digging her nails into her forearm. "Thank you, Mr Grubb."

The lad who had been sat beside Monno held a hand out when she settled down. "Jesco Brownlock."

Even if she didn't recognise him, she certainly recognised the family name. Mr Brownlock (Jesco's father, she assumed) was the only doctor in Bywater, and was patronised by most of the well-to-do Hobbits. With her own father's susceptibility to colds and flus, she had seen a fair amount of Mr Brownlock over the years.

She cautiously took the hand. "Tiger Lily Took…"

He raised an eyebrow. "I gathered."

She winced. "Oh. Of course. Sorry."

She looked out over the collected scene. Monno probably hated her for taking his seat. And Jesco Brownlock probably hated her as well, because now he was stuck with her when he hadn't asked to be. Probably none of them wanted the intrusion into their group. They must all resent her horribly. Tiger Lily couldn't allow herself to sit comfortably, and remained perched on the very edge of her seat.

"Would you like some wine, Tills?" Sango said, pouring healthy amount into his own glass.

"No, thank you."

But looking around Tiger Lily realised that she was the only one in the room without a glass, and that by declining she had isolated herself again. It was too late now, as Sango had settled on the arm of Lavender's chair. She couldn't pour wine for herself either; it would look odd so soon after she'd declined Sango's offer. What would the others think?

"What are we talking about?" Sango said, suppressing a belch.

"Just the three absconders," Rico said. "I think they went to find Mad Baggins. You know old Frodo never actually believed he was dead."

"He must be by now," Sango said. "Surely."

"Of course he is," Master Brownlock said. "And now Frodo's dragged the Thain's and Master's heirs along with him." He tapped his temple. "Cracked. Completely."

"I think perhaps this discussion should be postponed until after they've been found," Monno said. "It doesn't seem right to talk like this when they may be in danger. And, you know, Mr Baggins always seemed a perfectly nice fellow, if a little… distant."

"Frankly, I'm surprised any of you can remember old Mad Baggins," Buffo said, taking a sip of wine.

"I remember him," Opal said. "I rather liked him, but I think that was because he always brought presents with him. I was such a selfish little beast." She laughed.

"One could make the argument that you still are."

"Brute!" Opal said, and tutted.

One thing Tiger Lily noticed was that Opal had a full glass of wine in her hands. She had accepted a glass she had no intention of drinking so she could remain a part of the group while staying sober enough to keep her dignity. It was odd, Tiger Lily thought, how Opal was always exactly what she needed to be without any apparent effort.

"What about you, Tiger Lily?" Rico said with a sneer slight enough that it could have been mistaken for a normal smile. "Did you like Mad Baggins?"

Her heart suddenly started beating very quickly. She opened her mouth to try and reply, but couldn't find the words.

"You were a little frightened of him, weren't you?" Sango said, looking at her encouragingly.

Tiger Lily nodded slowly, grateful for the prompt even if she wished Sango hadn't been quite so honest. "Yes. I think so."

"I liked the stories," Sango said as he went to refill his glass. "Elves, Eagles, skin-changers… I didn't like the goblins, though."

"I liked the dragon," Tiger Lily said, quietly and to herself.

"You weren't allowed to listen to that part," Opal said, making Tiger Lily start. She hadn't expected anyone to be listening to her. "I remember Aunt Peony used to make you leave the room when he got to anything too frightening. 'Not suitable for little lasses!'" She said this last bit in perfect imitation of Tiger Lily's mother.

Tiger Lily wasn't prepared to admit in front of Abelia and Rico that she had sat with her ear to the door while Mr Baggins continued his stories, so she shrugged and said nothing.

Sango went back to his seat on Lavender's armrest, putting his hand on the back of the chair to steady himself.

"You ain't going to fall on me, are you?" Lavender said, half-jokingly.

He snickered and took a long draw from his glass. "No fear."

"Did you know him well?" Master Brownlock said, looking at Opal.

"I'm not sure anyone knew him very well," Opal said thoughtfully, "and Father and Grandfather didn't like to encourage the connection. But Uncle Aferbold liked him."

"Mm." There was a nasty smile at the corner of Rico's mouth. "Not a great surprise, I suppose."

Abelia hid her face in his shoulder as she started to giggle silently.

"The real question," a lad who was sat on the floor said, "is whether or not you believe the stories are true."

"Of course not," Sango said, laughing. "Does anyone? Apart from children, I mean."

Tiger Lily looked down at her feet as she curled her toes. Her father believed Mr Baggins's stories with all his heart, and encouraged her and Bandobold to do the same. She had always told him she did, but wasn't sure whether this was the truth or if she said it to please him.

"That's not to say they have no value as stories," Sango said. "In fact I'd say that his stories have more value if they're just that. Any brute can wield a sword, but to weave a tale to enchant the soul…" He put a hand to his chest. "Art. That's the thing."

"Yes, very poetic," Rico said with a roll of the eyes. "You're sotted."

Sango raised his hand dismissively. "Pleasantly tipsy, nothing more." He quickly grabbed the back of the chair again to stop himself falling, and snorted with laughter.

"I saw him disappear, I think," Abelia said with a thoughtful frown on her face. "At the Party. But I was so young… I used to think it was an odd dream, because it couldn't have possibly happened like that."

"We should change the subject. We're excluding you," Rico said innocently, turning to Lavender. "It's very poor manners for us to be talking about the Party when you didn't attend."

"I went. I remember it well enough," Lavender said. Up until this point she'd had a slightly lost look on her face, but now she brightened up a bit. "Our dad insisted."

"I meant you wouldn't have been part of the gross. Only a few select families were invited."

The cautious smile disappeared from Lavender's face. "No. We din't go to that."

As the conversation meandered on, Lavender made a quite exit to get some air. Sango was finding it increasingly difficult to keep his balance on the armrest and plumped himself into her vacant seat. In doing so he spilt wine over his waistcoat which left him in a fit of spluttering giggles.

Tiger Lily's level of frustration only rose with every minute spent in that room. She still couldn't speak. She was here, surrounded by her peers, and yet, still, she was on the outside.

"You're very quiet," Jesco said, quietly enough that only she could hear.

This was a comment Tiger Lily had received many times over the years, and she was yet to come up with an adequate response to it. "Sorry," she said.

"You know, I don't think the Tooks are nearly as odd as everyone says."

"No?"

"Why do you suppose there are all those rumours about them?"

"Um…" Tiger Lily wasn't sure what insight he wanted her to share. He presumably knew all the same rumours she did. "I suppose there are all the old stories. Disappearances. Odd customs."

Jesco cocked his head to one side. "Customs?"

"Oh… You know… Meeting with outsiders. I've heard some Tooks dress a little oddly." She started to pick at one of her nails.

"An affinity for the longbow?" Rico said.

Tiger Lily glanced sharply at him. She didn't even know he'd been listening. Surprisingly, Jesco didn't seem concerned as he sipped his wine.

"Oh, yes. Your people brought that with them didn't they?"

Tiger Lily winced. "Yes…"

He nodded. "Honestly, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. I think it's rather sweet that your father let you join in sometimes."

Tiger Lily's heartbeat quickened again, but this time it wasn't with anxiety. "I can get a hare through the eye at thirty paces," she said, a great deal louder than she'd intended.

An awkward, twitchy silence descended on the room.

Jesco shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Gosh. How clever of you," he said in a flat tone. Then his body language relaxed and he smiled a little. "I've never really seen how archery could be that difficult. You just aim and shoot, don't you?"

This was worse. Tiger Lily gripped her skirt; no longer afraid and too incensed to stay silent. "It is not—"

"Tiger Lily!"

She turned her head to see that Sango had risen from his seat. "Could you help me get some more wine, please?" he said in a soft, controlled voice.

Tiger Lily took two of the empty bottles, and followed him out of the room and along to the wine cellar. When Sango failed to speak, she decided to start the talk herself.

"Why wasn't Rico surprised my father liked Mad Baggins?"

Sango didn't reply.

"Was he implying that Father's mad?"

They entered the wine cellar, where two rows of barrels stretched along opposite walls. Sango knelt by a tapped barrel and started to fill a bottle.

The embarrassment and frustrations Tiger Lily had experienced that evening were bubbling up into anger of a kind she rarely felt. To be shut out by Sango—when she had only attended in the first place to please him—was too much. "What's wrong? Why won't you talk?" she demanded.

"Pass me another bottle."

Tiger Lily scowled, and did as he said. "Why do people call Father mad when he's not?"

"His own wife thinks he's eccentric, how do you think the rest of the world sees him?" Sango said wearily.

Tiger Lily froze where she stood. "What does that mean?"

He sighed irritably. "Nothing."

The anger was rising up like a river, pressing up against the dam. "Tell me what you mean. How does the world see him? How do you see him?"

He said nothing as he watched the deep red wine fill the bottle.

It dam burst. "Why would you say that? You've met him! You know he's not mad!"

Still nothing.

"Why won't you talk to me?" she shouted.

"Be quiet."

It wasn't the volume at which the words were said, but the hard, uncompromising tone that shocked her into silence. She hadn't realised how loud she'd been. "Sorry?" she said in her usual tone.

"Do you know how often I've had to explain to people that you're not odd?" Sango said, setting the bottle on the ground with a thud. "Do you know how often I've lied? I thought you were all for finding new companions, but there you are spouting off about the strangeness of Tooks."

She scowled. "It was your Master Brownlock who mentioned it."

"That didn't mean you had to go on about getting hares through the eye, like you're proud of it. It's embarrassing!" He brought one of the bottles to his lips and took a long draw.

Tiger Lily swallowed. "Rowley…" she said hoarsely.

"You needn't bother coming back with me." He grabbed the filled bottles and stormed out. "Sometimes it's like you don't have a drop of shame in you."

"That's not true," she called after him.

No reply came, and she left the cellar only when she was sure he had gone. She curled her arms around her bodice as she walked, disconnected from everything around her, and found herself stood outside without any real recollection of how she got there. Tiger Lily leaned her head back and closed her eyes. This was not the wild, visceral night found in the woods, with a longbow in her hand. It was fenced in. Tamed.

She had ruined it all. Again.

Tiger Lily took a deep breath, and shrieked through her gritted teeth.

"You all right, miss?"

She looked over her shoulder. Lavender was sat by the door, wearing a confused expression.

Tiger Lily let her hands relax and smoothed out her skirt. She could feel the blood rising in her cheeks. "Hello. Yes. Fine. Sorry, I didn't see you." She inhaled. "How are you?"

"Well enough."

She looked around. There was no one else out here that she could see. "I can go, if you wanted to be alone."

"You're all right. I just needed a moment."

"Oh." Tiger Lily looked down at the sloping hills, feeling awkward.

"Sit down if you like, miss. The ground's dry."

Tiger Lily hesitated. Even with an invitation it seemed intrusive. She sat herself on the ground, keeping a reasonable distance from Lavender.

"You must hate me."

Tiger Lily looked at Lavender sharply, and found the other Hobbit smiling sadly at her. "Why?"

The smile grew amused. "For stealing your lad away."

"You haven't stolen anything." Tiger Lily shook her head and picked at the grass. "I didn't like that you were with another lad in the Green Dragon, but that's all."

Lavender sighed. "Aye. I should've handled that better. I'll know for next time." And that was that. "You know everyone thinks you an' Sango—"

"Yes."

"And you don't…?"

Tiger Lily rested her head against the wall and looked up at the sky. The stars flickered above. "Once, maybe. A long time ago. He was always so full of joy, and being with him was so… I don't think have a word for it. He was everything. Perfect. Like the sun."

"I wouldn't call him perfect," Lavender said.

"No. Me neither."

Lavender nodded, and looked away.

Neither of them said anything for a time, and Tiger Lily found herself thinking about Rob. She wondered where he was at this moment. What he was doing. She still needed to decide what to do…

She was brought back to the here and now when Lavender cleared her throat.

"Do you mind if I ask… why do you all call him 'Rowley'?"

Tiger Lily pursed her lips to mask her amusement. "I don't mind. But he might, so I'm afraid you'll have to ask him instead."

"Why han't he asked me to call him Rowley, though?"

"His sweethearts don't, generally. Lorna did, but they were friends before, so… It's never actually occurred to me before." A sickly, guilty feeling settled in her stomach. "Um…" She drew her legs up and hugged her knees. "I'm sorry if you haven't had a nice time."

Lavender turned away from Tiger Lily and looked dead ahead, leaning her head listlessly against the wall. "You just have to tell yourself it's their fault, not yours."

Tiger Lily realised that Lavender had coloured her lips and cheeks, much more heavily than she had tried to colour her own. But with Lavender it seemed not to be an attempt to cover herself, or to make her seem anything other than what she was, but simply an extension of herself. Tiger Lily eased herself onto her knees and plucked at her skirt.

"But… but if everyone's telling you you're wrong, and they all know so much better than you…" She closed her eyes and swallowed. "How can you possibly know they're the ones in the wrong?"

She found Lavender was giving her an odd look, and she realised what she had said.

"Oh! No! I didn't mean you. I just meant people. Generally."

Lavender tilted her head to one side. If she was offended she didn't show it. "You'd drive yourself mad thinking like that."

Tiger Lily let out a little sigh. "Yes. I suppose you would." She sat on the grass properly again. "You must think me a silly little girl."

"No." Lavender rose, brushing down her skirt. "Getting a bit chilly for me. You coming in?"

"Not quite yet."

Lavender nodded and slipped inside. Tiger Lily was too afraid to go back and face the others again, and she instead wondered down to the field directly beneath the house. She came to the single chestnut tree that grew there. What leaves remained were rustling, and those that didn't carpeted the ground beneath. She sat under the tree and thought.

It wasn't until she saw groups of guests walking down from the house—carrying lanterns to light their way—that she returned to the party.

She found her mother talking to Mrs Boffin in the hall with a sleepy-looking Bandobold in tow.

"It's really been a lovely evening, Sara. There you are, dear." Mrs Took looked over at Tiger Lily. "Did you have a nice time with… Why are there twigs in your petticoat?"

Tiger Lily glanced down at the hem of her skirt. She didn't want to explain why she'd gone outside, and tried to think of an answer that was neither true nor a lie.

"They came from a tree."

Mrs Took rolled her eyes. "I suppose it doesn't matter, as we're going home now. Do you need to say goodbye to Sango?"

"Sango has retired. He's… a little under the weather," Mrs Boffin said with a tired sigh. "But I suppose you could drop in on him. Briefly." She put a hand on Tiger Lily's shoulder as she passed. "We didn't have a chance to finish that talk with regards to Miss Hobble," she said in a hushed voice.

"I think Miss Hobble's nice," Tiger Lily said. "I like her." She quickly stepped out of Mrs Boffin's reach and made her way to Sango's bedroom.

Mr Boffin's angry voice reached her ears from the far end of the corridor. "You will not bring that harlot into our home again, do you understand me?"

"Don't call her that."

The door to the room was ajar. Tiger Lily stood by the doorpost, unseen.

"I was young once. I've known the allures of lasses like her, but they are not to be brought in front of company. That's to say nothing of your own behaviour this evening."

"I haven't done anything!"

"Look at yourself! I don't know what's worse: that you've gotten yourself into this state, or that you don't seem to care."

"Stop it!"

"All I'm asking is that you start taking some responsibility. That's not much, Sango." The door opened without warning. Mr Boffin started, clutching at his chest before his expression darkened into a scowl. "Can't I have privacy in my own house?"

"Sorry, sir," Tiger Lily mumbled, pressing herself against the wall as he brushed past. When he was gone she tentatively looked past the door.

Sango was sat on the bed, cradling his head in his hands. He looked up, covering his mouth with his hands. When he caught sight of her his eyes widened. "Tills!"

He lurched to his feet. Tiger Lily's arms stiffened at her sides as he pulled her into a hug. All traces of his usual smell had been eclipsed by stale wine. "You know I didn't mean it… I didn't mean to shout."

"Mm."

Tiger Lily flinched as he brushed his fingers against her cheek.

"Yes, all right." She took his wrist and forced it away. "Come on. I think you need to go to sleep now." She took him by the shoulders and guided him to the bed, catching him as he stumbled. He sat down heavily.

Tiger Lily unpinned the little gold oak leaf on his cravat, not trusting him to be able to remove it hurting. He touched her frizzy locks they fell over her shoulder. "I like your hair," he said, twining the curls around his fingers. She tugged them out of his grasp.

"Shall we try and make you more comfortable?" She untied the cravat from around his throat and undid the first few buttons of his shirt.

"I love you," he said.

"I know," Tiger Lily said wearily. She undid the buttons of his waistcoat and pulled it over his arms. She turned away from him as she folded it.

"I just… I wish you weren't a Took," he slurred.

She looked over her shoulder at him. "Me too, sometimes. But probably not as often as you'd like."

"It would make so many things easier."

"I suppose it would." She put the folded waistcoat on the chair at his writing desk. "Mother will be waiting for me," she said. For the first time in a long time all she wanted was to get away from him.

"You're upset with me."

She paused in the doorway and turned to look at him. His hands were lying limply in his lap and he was watching her with his large, innocent brown eyes. Completely hopeless. "I'm sorry I embarrassed you," she said.

Sango's brow creased as he tried to make sense of it. His lips were parted and slack.

Tiger Lily affected a smile before she turned away again, not looking back this time.

The party had already become a confused mess of embarrassing memories.

Was it really me who had spoken to those people?

She had purposely avoided seeing Sango that day by spending most of her time out of doors so she wouldn't be in if he decided to call. She didn't want to deal with him at the moment, and especially not when he was bound to have a sore head. Bringing him pies this time would imply that she was all right with what he'd said and done.

She had smiled as she saw Rob coming to meet her. There had been no anxiety; no fear that he wouldn't come.

There were no eyes here, just her and him and the land.

They had paused for rest on the gnarled roots of an oak tree, so old and thick that they made a handy seat for a Hobbit. They were at the crest of a hill and had a fair view of the surrounding patchwork of brown and green fields, stitched together with fences and hedgerows.

"You all right, lass?"

She started out of her introspection. "Yes, fine thank you, and you?" she said without even thinking.

"I'm all right. I just wondered 'cus you've said next to nothing."

"I was only thinking. Sorry."

He chuckled. "Reckon we could make a drinking game out of the number of apologies you make."

She smiled ruefully. "I don't think we should try that. I'm not a fan of drink."

He laughed again, and she turned away to look over the hills. The breeze brushed her hair against her neck.

"I lied to you," she said.

There was a brief pause.

"About what?" he said.

She turned to face him again. His brow was creased, but it wasn't with anger or confusion. It was something else. He was squinting against the biting air.

"I do hunt. With a longbow," she said. "Or did, until very recently."

"…That all?"

"Yes."

"Right." He straightened his back and rested a hand on his knee. "I'll be honest, lass. I'd already guessed that."

She sighed. "I don't think I'm very good at lying."

"It ain't a big lie."

"It feels big. To me. Bigger than it probably should."

She started to tell him about the party, and it all came tumbling out. The implied slight at her father, that the other tweens had hated her, how she had humiliated herself, her fight with Sango…

Rob listened patiently, and when she had finished he scratched his nose and said, "How'd you know they hated you?"

This took Tiger Lily by surprise. "What?"

"They say aught? Do aught?"

"No…?"

"Only I think it takes a lot for a person to hate another person, right? Not sure sitting in a chair'd do it."

Tiger Lily's mouth opened, but she couldn't think of anything to say to this.

"An' from what you was saying, most of the rest of it was Master Rico, an' he's…" His mouth twitched into a smile. "I can't say what he is 'cus you don't like cursing. But he likes to pick on them that have trouble pushing back. You see what I mean?"

She nodded. "Yes. I think so. What do I do about Sango?"

Rob shrugged. "Leave it a few days, or don't, or something else. Whatever you think's best."

There was a sudden rustling in the branches above as two birds started chirping at each other. "It sounds like they're arguing," Tiger Lily said. "I wonder what they have to fight over."

"Money."

She cast him an aside glance. "Is that right?"

"Aye. See him?" he pointed to one of the birds. Its beak was open wide as it twittered and it was flapping its wings incessantly. "He spent his wages on drink, and now the wife's throwing him out of the nest 'til next pay day." He grinned at her—a sharp grin, full of good-natured cheek.

Tiger Lily nodded, and turned her smile to the ground. "Yes. I see now. But I don't think I can blame her. She's got the chicks to think of."

"Of course. Can't help feeling sorry for 'im, though. Nothing worse than when your lass turns on you."

There was a pause. Tiger Lily decided to use it to ask something she dearly wanted to know.

"If I said I could get a hare through the eye at thirty paces, what would you say?"

He raised his eyebrows. "Can you?"

"When I'm lucky."

Rob frowned in thought and scratched his head. "Could you teach me?"

Tiger Lily smiled, and started to laugh. There was nothing negative in the way he spoke. Nothing shaming or patronising. He was impressed. Impressed with her. With all her faults.

"What?" Rob said, smiling confusedly.

"Nothing. Sorry." She got her laughter under control and got her breath back. "I've never taught anyone before, so I can't vouch for my skill, but I can certainly try. It would be a few years before you'd be catching your own game, though, and I would have to make you your own bow and arrows."

He grimaced. "Maybe not then."

She opened her mouth to insist, but hesitated. "It isn't a great deal of trouble, but the offer remains, if you ever change your mind." She looked to him, and for the first time became acutely aware that they were sat very close to each other. "I like you, Master Rob," she said. "Very much."

She could feel the warmth of his breath as he moved his face closer to hers. His lips were parted. He hesitated.

"Should I…?" he said in a low murmur.

Tiger lily's heart was beating so hard she was sure Rob could hear. He was so tantalisingly close. "Um…"

And she nervously pressed her lips to his.

As the kiss lingered she started to panic as she wondered if she should pull away. But it was Rob who started to gently draw back. She opened her eyes as her heart started to resume its normal rhythm. She chewed her lip and looked away as her cheeks became hot. "Uh… Was that right?"

He frowned. "Yes?"

She absentmindedly tapped her heels against the earth and put her trembling hands in her lap. "So… does this mean we're courting now?"

Rob blinked in surprise. "I thought we already was."

"Oh."