Tiger Lily's fingers passed clumsily over the piano keys. She glanced up at the music sheet every few seconds.
"A good musician only needs sheet music as a fail-safe," Opal said from where she lounged on a settee.
Tiger Lily ignored her, perspiration rising on her brow. She struck the wrong chord. "Drat!"
"My turn."
Tiger Lily rose from the piano stool and switched places with her cousin. Opal shifted through the sheets of music before settling on a lively jig, much faster than the old dirge Tiger Lily had been attempting.
"You need to relax more," Opal said, her hands moving easily along the keys. "You've been on edge all evening. Worse than Father since we ran out of pipe-weed."
"I'll practice more," Tiger Lily said, lying on her back. "Now that I have more time to spare."
"Oh, that's it, is it?" Opal abandoned the chords, and proceeded to play the melody one-handed so she could turn to face her cousin.
"Now you're just showing off," Tiger Lily said.
"You can't even last one week without hunting?"
"I can. I'll try."
Opal rolled her eyes upward and returned both hands to the piano. "You're mad," she said. "Completely mad."
"Yes, I think I probably am," Tiger Lily said with a sigh. It didn't help that the meeting with Rob was still playing on her mind. Being shouted at wasn't nice, even if she had deserved it and he had apologised afterwards. And he had told her she didn't deserve it, and he must know better than her. Interesting…
But what on earth was I thinking getting him to talk about crop rotation of all things? Crop. Rotation. She covered her face with her hands as embarrassment washed over her. What must he think of me?
"How's Sango?" Opal said, changing the subject. "I would ask after other friends if you had them."
Tiger Lily placed her hands on her stomach and did her best to shrug off the embarrassment. "In high spirits. He's courting."
"Who?"
"Lavender Hobble. One of the wheelwright's daughters."
Opal tilted her head to one side as she thought. "I think I know them. Is Lavender the pretty one or the busty one?"
Tiger Lily was glad Opal couldn't see her face. "The… second one. I think."
Opal laughed to herself. "I wonder how many other lads have fallen for her charms." She looked up at the ceiling. "I am surprised at Sango, though. He's always seemed so childlike. Still, I suppose he is a grown lad, and like all lads he must be a slave to his nature."
"You talk of lads like they're another race." She considered Opal's words and rolled onto her side so she could see her cousin. "What sort of nature?"
Opal watched her from the corner of her eye. "You're so frustrating sometimes. I'm talking about carnal desires. Do you need me to explain what that means?"
Tiger Lily flushed. "No." She rolled to lie on her back again, looking firmly at the ceiling. "Not all lads are like that though, surely?"
"All," Opal said firmly.
Tiger Lily scowled. "Well, what about—" She faltered.
"What about what?" Opal said.
"Nothing." She had been going to say, 'What about Buffo?' but couldn't quite bring herself to be so cruel.
"A very odd match. She's so far beneath him," Opal said, putting the conversation back on topic. She finished playing and twisted around on the stool to face Tiger Lily directly, her hands placed daintily on her knees. "Still, I suppose they are both in trade. Your turn now."
Tiger Lily and Opal both rose from their respective seats to switch places. "Opal," Tiger Lily said in her sweetest tone.
Opal, obviously sensing that this would be followed by a request, answered with an equally saccharine, "Yes?"
"When you go to Michel Delving could you get me some lip wax? And maybe carmine dye?"
Opal sat down, and tilted her head to one side. "I thought you weren't allowed face paints."
"I'm not. Technically. But Mother doesn't necessarily need to know about this."
Opal smirked. "Well, it's taken you longer than most, but you've finally turned into a tweenager. Your parents must be very proud."
"I'd rather they weren't aware of it."
At that moment Bandobold burst into the room and threw himself on a free settee with a gust of cool air.
"You're back then," Opal said. "Did you have a good hunting trip?"
"I got a buck," he said, stretching himself out. His breeches were smeared with mud.
"Good for you. I think your mother would prefer if you didn't get mud on the furniture."
"Hello, you two," Mr Took said, following in after his son. He was slightly out of breath from the walk back. "How are the little musicians?"
"Did you get many rabbits, Father?" Tiger Lily said before Opal had a chance to answer.
"Enough," he said, going to sit beside Bandobold. "There were so many I don't know how the Boffins managed to leave them unchecked for so long." He sniffed. "I think being out has left me with a bit of a chill, though. And I'd only just gotten over the last one. Did you tell them about your buck, Bully?"
"Yes, obviously."
Mr Took grinned at Tiger Lily as he drew an envelope out of his pocket. "It was at least thirty paces away. I didn't think he'd get it, I certainly wouldn't have at his age." He smiled at Bandobold. "I keep on meaning to start on a new bow for you—you're growing so quickly. But I keep on forgetting."
Tiger Lily shifted on the piano stool. "Well, maybe I could—" She caught sight of Opal's expression and shut her mouth. No matter what, she wouldn't give Opal the satisfaction. "Never mind."
"Ah, well," Mr Took said, squinting down at the envelope. "Now this is odd. A maid gave me this on the way in, said it came by the Quick Post."
"Why is that odd?" Bandobold said.
"It's the Thain's seal, you see," he said, showing the ornate 'T' to his son. "I don't remember the last time he wrote to me. I think it was probably when you were born, little fellow. But that was old Ferumbras, of course." He broke the seal and unfolded the paper, the three young Hobbits watching silently as he slowly paled. "Oh dear."
"What?" Bandobold said.
He got to his feet, not taking his eyes off the paper.
"Uncle Aferbold, what's wrong?" Opal said.
"It's, um… It's just—" He left the room, not giving them a second glance.
Bandobold sat up, looking from his sister to his cousin. "What's happening?"
Tiger Lily and Opal exchanged glances. Tiger Lily shook her head, not knowing what else to say or do.
Opal drew in a long breath and stood from her seat. "Let's find out, shall we?"
Tiger Lily and Bandobold crept behind her as they stepped out into the corridor. Their parents were there, talking in urgent voices. The letter had changed into their mother's hands, and she was looking at the contents with bewilderment. "But what possessed them—"
"I don't know. The whys aren't of much concern at the moment," Mr Took said, fiddling with the cuff of his jacket anxiously. "What do I do?"
"Can I help?" Opal said.
Mr and Mrs Took turned their heads. Tiger Lily was struck by her father's expression.
"I think you'd best go home," Mrs Took said. "Your mother will be in need of you." Her eyes turned to her own children. "You two wait in the drawing room. I'll explain everything to you later. Come along, dear." She placed a gentle hand on Mr Took's back and led him further into the smial.
The three young Tooks stayed where they were; unwilling to return to the drawing room without explanations. There was a thump as someone came in through the front door. A moment later Uncle Hortenbold was treading purposefully up the corridor. There was a letter in his hand.
Opal plucked at his sleeve as he went past. "Father—"
"Not now, Opal," he said, brushing past them. "Aferbold!"
Tiger Lily took Bandobold's forearm and led him back into the drawing room. "Come on."
"But I want to—"
"Mother said to wait." She noticed Opal still standing in the doorway, looking a little lost. "Aren't you going to go home?"
Opal bit her lip and glanced in the direction of the front door. "I suppose I should. Will you two be all right by yourselves?"
"Don't worry about us."
Opal squeezed her arm and lightly touched Bandobold's head before leaving, closing the door behind her. Tiger Lily and Bandobold waited in silence, listening to the general bustle going on outside. The clock ticked down.
"I want someone to tell me what's going on," Bandobold whined. He lay limply on a settee.
"We can't always get what we want," Tiger Lily said, but she was thinking the same thing.
"I hate being left behind."
"Me too."
"No, you don't," Bandobold said, sitting up. "You like it. You always come home early from parties, and you don't even go hunting anymore."
Tiger Lily couldn't reply to that. The bustle outside seemed to fade, and there was only silence. She rose to her feet and stepped out into the corridor.
"Mother said to wait!" Bandobold said.
"I'm just going to the privy," she said. "I'll be back in a moment."
She stepped as lightly as she could over the floorboards, even holding her skirts to silence her petticoats. This was unnecessary, but it gave her a thrill. Like hunting. She stopped outside her father's study. There were voices inside. She pressed her ear to the door.
"Can't you come? Please?" her father said.
"I won't be of any use to them." This was Uncle Hortenbold's voice.
"I'm sure you could find some way of helping," her father said uncertainly.
"I'm ninety-two and gout-ridden. I cannot and will not run about after—"
There was a cough behind her. She jumped back from the door, and spun around to see the unamused face of the head maid. "I won't tell your parents if you return to the drawing room this instant."
Tiger Lily mumbled her apology and scurried back the way she'd come. She didn't look at Bandobold as she re-entered the drawing room and sat down on a settee.
"That was quick," Bandobold said.
"Be quiet."
The smial was almost perfectly silent. On the occasion that someone would walk past the door Tiger Lily would raise her head in hopeful expectation that someone would come in and tell them everything was all right. But no one did. She was more hopeful when she heard Uncle Hortenbold approaching, but he walked past without stopping. Another Hobbit followed, and this one did open the door.
Tiger Lily stood as her mother entered the room, clutching the letter in her hands. "Children, I'm afraid we've had some bad news."
"What news?" Tiger Lily said.
"Sit down, dear."
She obeyed, not turning her face from her mother, who sat down as well. She cleared her throat as she picked at the corner of the letter. "It seems that the Thain's son and the Master's son went into the Old Forest last Monday… and neither of them have been seen since."
No one said anything.
Tiger Lily had never spoken to the Thain's son, and could only remember which of her innumerable cousins he was from seeing him stood next to his mother and sisters at Paladin's accession ceremony. If she had ever seen or spoken to the Master's, she had no idea.
Even so, it made her uneasy to think of two of her kin being gone, just like that. Gone where, though?
"If he's been missing since Monday why have they only just sent word?" Bandobold said.
"I don't know, dear," Mrs Took said, looking at the letter. "It doesn't say. But the Thain is summoning as many Tooks as he can to Buckland to help in finding his son and nephew, so Father is going to have to go away for a little while."
"Are we not going with him?" Tiger Lily said.
Mrs Took smiled kindly. "We wouldn't be of any use, and the space at Brandy Hall is limited. Uncle Hortenbold isn't going either, he's not hale."
"When will Father be coming home?"
"We don't know yet. Hopefully they'll find Master Peregrin and Mr Brandybuck soon, but if not…" She cast her eyes back down at the letter and said no more.
"What can I do?" Tiger Lily said, clasping her skirts. "I want to help."
"Dinner should be ready soon. We'll join you once we've finished the preparations." Mrs Took got stood and gently took Tiger Lily's jaw in her hand. "You just put on your best smile for Father." She released her daughter and departed back into the corridor. "He might be in need of it."
But at dinner Mr Took seemed to only be half there, and kept his head bowed. He had never travelled further from home than Longbottom. For all his talk of settling in Tookland, he would only visit it grudgingly out of familial duty. Hallowed and bursting with history as it was, it wasn't home. When they did go there, they always stayed at the Dozy Mole so that he could spend as little time in the Great Smials as possible, as he found them too loud and crowded. An uncomfortable silence hung over the table.
"How were your lessons today, dear?" Mrs Took said, setting her cutlery down and looking at Bandobold.
"Awfully boring. Mr Booker had me listing all the Thains and the years they reigned, going right back to—" He was interrupted by a sharp cough from his mother, who gave a subtle shake of the head to stop him from continuing.
Mr Took's breath hitched and he continued to pick at his food, which was all but untouched, despite them having been sat for more than ten minutes.
"Is the food not to your liking, Father?" Tiger Lily said, smiling as well as she could. "Would you like us to ask Cook to make something else up for you?"
He finally turned his pale face to her, but he didn't seem to see her, his expression remaining vacant. It was only then that it occurred to Tiger Lily how being pulled out of the Shire at such short notice, and without the company of anyone he knew, must be affecting him. He blinked at her, and his brow creased as he appeared to return from whatever realm he had been wandering in in his head.
"I think I will retire, Peony," he said wearily, rising to his feet. "Goodnight, children," he said, not looking back as he left the room.
"Aferbold," their mother called, and pursued him into the corridor.
Tiger Lily sighed and buried her face in her hands as the pressures of being in her parents' presence lifted from her shoulders. This was horrible. Otherworldly.
"I wish I could go with Father," Bandobold said. "I'd like to see Buckland and I'm sure I could help with finding Cousin Peregrin and Cousin Meriadoc."
"Yes, I'm sure you could," Tiger Lily said. She wasn't in the mood for this.
She looked up as their mother re-entered the room "Elbows off the table, please," she said. Tiger Lily did as she was told as Mrs Took returned to her place at the table. "Father shan't be returning to dinner. He has decided to retire early ahead of the journey tomorrow. I suggest we follow his example, so we can see him off properly."
That night Tiger Lily had an odd, repeating dream in which her father left for Buckland again and again and again. She awoke early and disorientated, when a maid knocked on the door to tell her that Mrs Took needed her to ready herself to see her father off. The sun wasn't quite up yet, and Tiger Lily dawdled over getting out of bed. She didn't want to face the day. Eventually, though, she was compelled to rise and dress herself, and a maid dressed her hair into her customary low bunches. The smial itself was deserted, with no sign of her family. It felt more like a dream than the dreams had done. Eventually she followed the increasingly chilled air to the front of the smial, where her mother was with the groom, making sure the carriage was ready. Bandobold was watching their mother blearily next to Opal and her parents, who were all stood in a little cluster on the lawn. Uncle Hortenbold fixed her with an icy stare when he noticed her.
"Finally decided to put in an appearance, have you?"
She blinked confusedly at him. "Yes, Uncle. Sorry, Uncle." She looked around and it occurred to her that there was rather a significant person missing from the scene. "Where's Father?"
"Still sulking in the drawing room, I should imagine," Uncle Hortenbold said, and drew out his pocket watch. "He ought to get a move on, really, the plan was for him to be off by half-past. Go and fetch him, would you?"
She found her father, as Uncle Hortenbold had said, stood alone in the drawing room, wearing his hat and travelling cloak. He was looking around distractedly, as though he had never been in that room before.
"Can I help you, Father?" she said from the doorway.
He turned around and looked at her with far away eyes. He blinked, and some semblance of focus returned to his gaze. "I'm not sure. I keep on imagining I've left something behind, but I can't think what."
She swallowed against the lump rising in her throat. "Uncle Hortenbold says it's nearly time to go."
"Yes, I suppose it is." He didn't seem in a hurry to act on it.
She fidgeted, digging her nails into the back of her hand. "Could I hug you?"
"I suppose, given the circumstances—"
Tiger Lily didn't wait for the sentence to end before she pulled him into a clinging hug. She felt him pat her back uncertainly.
"Oh dear. I suppose Bandobold and your mother will want hugs as well, won't they?"
She smiled sadly. "I'm afraid they might." She let go when Uncle Hortenbold's voice could be heard echoing down the corridor.
"I suppose this is it, then," Mr Took said, touching the doorframe as he left the room.
Tiger Lily followed him out into the front garden, where Mrs Took approached him. "There you are. Everything's packed and loaded. Try not to exhaust the ponies by pushing them too hard, they'll need to take you to Whitfurrow if the Floating Log is full."
"I don't think that will be a problem," he said hoarsely. "I don't want to go, Peony,"
"Oh!" She threw her arms around his shoulders and sniffed. "I know. But we'll be waiting right here for you when you return, whenever that will be." She let go and placed a hand on his face. "Remember to write to us, so we know you've arrived safely."
"I will," he timidly took her hands and kissed them, making Mrs Took's eyes water.
This returned the lump to Tiger Lily's throat. It was so unusual to see her mother treat her father with anything other than mild frustration.
Her father got stiffly down onto his knees so he could speak to Bandobold eye-to-eye. "I suppose you'll be master of the smial while I'm away. You will be good for your mother, won't you?"
"Father, I want to go with you," he said. "I want to go on an adventure in the Old Forest."
Mr Took took his son in his arms and smiled. "I think you'd do a better job than me. If only we could trade places."
He got back up to his feet with a grunt. "I'll miss you dreadfully," he said, and tentatively ruffled his son's hair. Tiger Lily clasped her hands tightly together as her father approached her. "I shan't hug you again," he said, smiling fondly at her. "Try not to worry. And be thankful that your adventures are little."
Tiger Lily closed her eyes and pursed her lips to stop herself from crying. She nodded but couldn't bring herself to say anything, and only whimpered. She felt her father lightly touch her arm. "You'll be all right." Then there was the sound of his soft tread as he walked away. When she opened her eyes again he was stood in front of Uncle Hortenbold.
"Well, Brother," Uncle Hortenbold said, tugging at Mr Took's cloak to straighten it out. "Look after yourself. Send my regards to the Thain. Do recommend us to him."
Mr Took looked down at the ground and nodded earnestly as he replied, "Yes, yes, I will." Uncle Hortenbold, more than anyone, had the ability to turn him back into a little boy. "You will take care of Peony and the children, won't you, if they are in need?"
"Yes, yes," he said dismissively. "Go on, you'll be late."
Mr Took moved away, stopping to say goodbye to Aunt Mertensia and Opal, who offered their own words of encouragement. Finally, he made his way to the carriage, where his wife was waiting for him. They joined hands, exchanged some whispered words, and kissed. Then he looked back at the others gathered on the lawn. "I'll see you all again… at some point." He stepped up into the carriage, letting go of Mrs Took's hand as the groom shut the door. "Goodbye," he said lamely.
He was answered by a little chorus of 'goodbyes'. The coach-hobbit brought the ponies to a trot, and he was off. Tiger Lily took stiff steps to the fence to watch the carriage trundling down the road. And then he was gone.
Mrs Took drew a handkerchief from her pocket and pressed it to her mouth, whimpering.
"Oh, my dear," Aunt Mertensia said, going and putting her arms around her shoulders. "Why don't we go inside and have some tea?"
"Come along, Bully," Uncle Hortenbold said, putting a gentle hand on the lad's back to lead him indoors. He glanced back at the lasses. "Are you two coming in?"
"In a moment, Father," Opal said. He nodded and took Bandobold inside as Opal approached Tiger Lily. "Are you all right?"
Tiger Lily frowned. It had all happened so suddenly. She couldn't make sense of it. "He's going to hate Brandy Hall," she said.
"You don't know that."
"He hates the Great Smials, so he'll certainly hate the Hall." She needed assurance, but found none inside herself. "We'll see him again soon, won't we?"
Opal looked askance at her. "Yes."
Tiger Lily nodded, but didn't look away from the road. "You've met the Thain's son, haven't you?"
"Yes."
She inhaled deeply. "What's he like?"
Opal shook her head and toyed with her necklace. "Nothing extraordinary. Agreeable, good-humoured… a little impetuous. I liked him."
Tiger Lily nodded again, but still couldn't take her eyes off from the road.
"Are you two all right out here?" Aunt Mertensia said, putting her head around the front door. "Your mother would like you to join us inside."
Without even thinking Tiger Lily turned around and walked back to the smial, Opal following behind. In the drawing room the elder Hobbits chatted about the various goings on around the Shire ("Poor Hedera's getting a little frantic now." "Well of course she is, that's only to be expected. Still, I suppose they will make her welcome in the Maid's Quarters, if it comes to that.") while Bandobold slowly drifted off to sleep in an armchair. The chat seemed to perk Mrs Took up, but Tiger Lily only felt herself slipping further into her melancholy. Even with the addition of Opal and her parents, the drawing room seemed cavernous without her father. She knew it was silly. That even if he was still there he would just be in his study as usual. But as least I'd know he was there, she thought.
"Excuse me," she said, rising to her feet and leaving the room.
Even though it had been less than a week since she'd tidied her father's study, he had already managed to return it to a state of disarray, like a mouse rebuilding its nest that had been destroyed by the plough. She brushed her fingertips over the new pieces of paper that littered the desk. Everything here was evidence of his thought process. His own unique imprint. She sat down on his chair, curling up and hugging her knees as she took in the comforting smell of old books that she had associated with her father since childhood. She had been drifting off to sleep when the door opened.
"There you are," Opal said. "We were wondering where you'd gone. Sango's here to see you."
Tiger Lily rose as soon as she heard Sango's name and immediately hurried past Opal into the hallway. She found him stood in the corridor in conversation with her mother.
"It was all very sudden," her mother said.
"Gosh, I'm sorry you've had to go through all of that." And she could tell by his face he was sorry. It wasn't said out of any sense of duty or courtesy, but out of a genuine concern for them. "You know, if there's ever anything I can do…"
"Rowley," she said, quickening her pace.
He turned his head when he heard her voice. "Your mother was just telling me about what's happened."
She threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly about the shoulders. "I'm so frightened," she said into his shoulder.
Mrs Took slipped back into the drawing room, closing the door quietly.
Sango gently loosened his grip to look her in the eye, and she took the cue to do the same. "Do you know why they went?"
She sniffed and folded her arms. "No, and I don't care to either. Silly thing to do."
He raised his eyebrows. "It must be bad if you're not at all curious about it."
Something occurred to Tiger Lily and she fixed Sango with a questioning look. "Why are you here?"
The hurt was visible on his face. "What sort of 'thank you' is that? How many times have I visited you at home over the years?"
"But it's so early—you're never usually awake before nine." She widened her eyes as a million awful possibilities crossed her mind, and gripped his coat sleeve. "Has something happened?"
An expression of discomfort crossed his face. "No. Well, yes. Nothing all that awful. Father's sold the farm." His mouth twisted in distaste. "To Cousin Lotho."
Tiger Lily drew her eyebrows together. "And the house with it?"
"Well, yes…" He looked at her disbelievingly. "How do you think land works?"
She scowled and crossed her arms. "Well, it's not the sort of thing ladies should get involved with. Where will you all go?" A horrible thought crossed her mind. "Not the Yale!"
"No, Father said he'd look for somewhere in Overhill. Uncle Beldo lives there."
"Good." Tiger Lily looked down. Overhill was much closer than the Yale, but it was still so much further away than they were now. "That's still more than five miles," she said.
"I know." He smiled, but his heart wasn't in it. "Still, imagine all the walking we'll get to do."
She groaned and leaned her head against his chest. "Why do you always have to try and see the bright side? Can't we just be miserable sometimes?"
"Who wants that? If you were left to your own devices you'd spend all your time stewing in your own melancholy."
She wrapped her arms around his chest, hiding her face in his collarbone. "Mmph."
He sighed and returned the embrace. "I know sometimes it's easier to stew, but it's not good for you."
"Mmph!"
"That's not a very compelling argument."
The door to the drawing room opened and Uncle Hortenbold stood over them. Tiger Lily turned her face towards him, keeping her head on Sango's shoulder.
"Mr Took," Sango said, turning his head. "I was so sorry to hear of your brother."
"I'm sure."
Though Tiger Lily could only half-see him from behind Sango's neck, she could tell her uncle wasn't happy. Sango was still completely at ease, his thumb running up and down her back, as though he were oblivious to the look Uncle Hortenbold was giving them. She willed him to let go, but couldn't summon the strength to push him away herself.
Uncle Hortenbold stood aside in the doorway. "Would you care to join us, Master Boffin?"
"Actually, Mr Took, I was hoping we might take a stroll, if you could lend us Opal," Sango said.
"Opal can be spared, though you had better ask her yourself. Unhand my niece, if you would be so kind."
"Certainly." Sango put his hands in his pockets and walked through to the drawing room with his usual breezy gate.
Tiger Lily stayed where she was and wilted under Uncle Hortenbold's stern gaze. He stayed silent, having apparently decided that the expression on his face conveyed his feelings sufficiently enough. "I am glad you've started taking a companion," he said gruffly.
Tiger Lily cast her eyes down. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Come on then," Opal said as Sango followed her into the corridor. "Let's set out."
Tiger Lily took her cloak from the coat stand and followed them out, but even in the outdoors couldn't be rid of the sinking feeling of dread. Ahead of her lay a life without her father. A life without Sango.
This was not a good day.