Early August (Wedmath) 1430 SR

Takes place just after 'How to be a Gardener' and 'Convivial Evening.'

It had been a good summer so far. Pip was now a father and Estella would soon produce an heir for Buckland. The Shire was still buzzing with excitement over the Mayor's fiftieth birthday and the visit of the Men, one of whom had been the King himself, although this was revealed to them only at the end of their stay. Since his visit, when Men and Elves had spoken of the War of the Ring and the deeds of the hobbits, people had been even more friendly and sympathetic, particularly to Frodo. They realised - or perhaps Aragorn told them - that the Ringbearer disliked too much fuss and acclamation, so the hobbits contented themselves with solicitous enquiries about his welfare, and the food parcels to Bag End increased again. Frodo was amused and touched by their concern. Even the most insular were beginning to understand the ways of the outside world, and all were agreed that the King was an excellent Man, who had joined them for a game of village kick-balll, drunk ale and smoked pipeweed with them and generally behaved like a hobbit - a six and a half feet tall, bearded hobbit admittedly, but that no longer seemed to matter. Much to their delight, King Elessar Telcontar, his cousins, Prince Faramir, Beregond and his son - not to mention three Elves and a Dwarf - were now all regarded as honorary Shire-folk.

       Rose and the children had returned from the Cotton's farm, Merry and Pippin were back at Great Smials, where they would stay for a week or so until Diamond was deemed fit to travel back to Crickhollow, and life slipped into its comfortable pattern at Bag End. Frodo had taken to helping Sam in the garden and doing a little cooking whenever Rose allowed him to take over the kitchen. He also took the two older children on short day-long walking trips, and sometimes some of their friends from New Row tagged along. May's daughter Teasel and son Hobson and little Tansy Bunce, together with Will and Violet Sandyman, soon clamoured to go, fascinated by Frodo's knowledge of the wildflowers, animals and birds, and his ability to tell stories while they sat under a tree. A picnic prepared by Mistress Rose was not to be turned down either, and they would lie in a heap in the shade, filling up the corners and listening to Frodo telling them of the Silmarils, or of Beren and Luthien, or of the Lady of the Galadhrim and the beauties of the Golden Wood.

       Frodo was delighted to see that the Sandyman youngsters were settling down. Violet was no longer such a frightened little mouse and Will had discovered a real love for horses and ponies. He helped out at the stables and was paid, despite Ivy's protestations, which helped the family's income. Lily had also taken to helping out at Bag End. She was very good with children and would bathe the little ones and play with them, as well as helping Rose on busy days such as wash-day. With Teddy's pay from the Mill and Mrs Sandyman's earnings as a seamstress, it looked as though the family were finally back on their feet. Ivy's talents as a dressmaker were becoming widely known and the goodwives of Hobbiton and Bywater had begun to employ her. She was now able to pay rent and had given Frodo the money with tears of pride glinting in her eyes.

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       "Sam? I'm just going down to fetch some wine and a keg of ale. Is there anything else we need while I'm in the cellar?" Frodo poked his head into the shed, where Sam was sorting some of his tools and putting nails into jars. The shed smelt warm and woody and safe, reminding Frodo how he and Sam used to hide there during thunderstorms, singing and telling tales and eating Bilbo's pastries while the storm raged and thunder crashed in the hills.

       Sam looked up and smiled, his hazel eyes soft as he observed his Master. "I don't think so, m'dear. Can't think of anything else offhand."

       "Well, if you think of anything just yell down the stairs. I won't be long. Oh! Rose said to tell you lunch should be ready in a quarter."

       Frodo-lad was in the rose garden, carefully dead-heading the roses which had been Belladonna Baggins' pride and joy. His father now had mixed feeling about that area, after Frodo's illnes when he had gouged at his shoulder and cut his wrists before collapsing. Sam still experienced vivid flashbacks to that night - Frodo in his nightshirt, pale as death, blood everywhere - and it sometimes made his time in the rose garden a little strained. He remembered scrubbing the blood from the grass beneath the swing-seat in the days which followed, as much to keep himself occupied as for any other reason. However, his lad loved the place, and Frodo himself had no recollection of the events, so Sam kept his counsel and watched with an indulgent smile as his son and his soul's brother stood side by side, admiring the roses.

       "Alright, lad? You'd better come in and wash your hands. Your Mum says lunch will be ready soon."

       "Just coming, Uncle Fro. These are so pretty. They were Mister Bilbo's favourites, weren't they?"

       "They were indeed. Partly because his mother planted them I suppose."

       "Did her ghost really come back and frighten off the ruffians?"

       "So the Gaffer said, and he wouldn't lie. He didn't normally believe in that sort of thing, but he said the ruffians took off and refused to go near the place after that. Lobelia couldn't find anyone willing to do it."

       "Do you suppose Mistress Belladonna likes me?"

       "I'm sure she does. You love her roses and look after them, so she approves."

       Inside, Frodo paused to allow his eyes to adjust to the gloom after the piercing brightness outside, then made his way down to the cellar. He hunted among the racks of bottles until he found what he was looking for - a pale pink wine ideal with the chicken planned for tonight's dinner - then placed it on the botton step, together with the small keg of Golden Perch ale. Dusting his hands, he was about to return to the kitchen when he halted and cocked his head, as though listening. After a few moments he nodded decisively and made his way through several different sections of the extensive cellar until he found what he was looking for.

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       The King was uneasy. He was uncertain as to the cause of this but he was unable to shake the feeling that something was not quite right. When he had sighed and paced across the room yet again Arwen looked up from her embroidery and gave him a searching look.

       "Something troubles you. Is there anything I can do, dearest?"

       "I don't..........it's just..........I have the unpleasant feeling that smething is amiss, but I do not feel the problem is here in Gondor."

       Arwen thought for a few moments. "Then why not have a look in the Seeing-stone and find out what is going on."

       Aragorn smiled gratefully and allowed his thoughts to search throughout his kingdoms, then hurried towards the room high in the White Tower.

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       Lunch was a cheerful affair. They ate in the garden, with the children having a picnic under the table. Pip-lad was experimenting with feeding himself and shovelling his food into his mouth at a considerable rate, although it must be said that a great deal of it did not reach its intended target. Rufus sat under the high chair, leaping to catch any morsel which fell. This also sometimes resulted in pureed food dropping on his head and back, which required a long washing session afterwards.

       When the younger hobbits had been taken off for a nap, Frodo and Sam sat finishing their pipes before starting on the project they were planning - a tree house for the children in a large old chestnut tree behind the hill.

       "We'll give you a hand with the washing-up, lass, then we'll do some work on the tree house."

       "They can't wait to be able to climb up there and have picnics. I'm hoping we'll be invited too." Rose smiled and carried the plates inside.

       The washing-up was almost finished when there was a furious pounding at the door. Sam opened it, to find Will Sandyman standing there, panting and distressed, his shirt sleeve torn and hanging off.

       "Master Sam! It's me da! He's turned up and he's tryin' to get in. Ma's keepin' him out but he's drunk and gettin' right nasty."

       "Stay here, Rose-love," said Sam, then he and Frodo were gone, running down the Hill towards New Row.

       The commotion had brought May and her family from their smial. Ted was standing near the gate of Number 2, shouting and waving his arms somewhat unsteadily. Ivy stood inside the gate, wielding a large iron frying pan in a determined manner while her daughters hovered nearby.

       "Don't you dare take another step, you drunken fool!" she shouted. "I took all I'm ever goin' ta take from you, so you can turn round and go back ta Bree."

       "You're my wife, you lazy slut!" he shouted. He looked dishevelled and wild-eyed, his mouth hanging slackly, spittle on his chin.

       "Lazy? I've brought these children up single-handed, with no help from you!"

       "I was busy workin'!"

       "Workin'? Drinkin' more like! I fed us out of the money I earned takin' in washin' and sewin'. And I was never a slut, so don't you start name-callin'."

       "I've a right to come in."

       "Actually you don't," said Frodo coolly. "I rented the smial to Mrs. Sandyman, not to you."

       Ted turned, his mouth curving in a sneer. "Oh, you did, did you? And why would you do that, Brandybuck? Is she warming your bed for you then?"

       "How dare you, you scoundrel! That's the drink talking."

       "That's enough of that sort of talk!" snapped Sam, interposing himself between Frodo and Sandyman. The former miller looked completely irrational and Sam was concerned that he might strike Frodo.

       "It's all your fault." Ted resorted to whining. "You've....turned my wife and children against me."

       Frodo sighed. "You did that yourself, I'm afraid. Now calm down and sit before you fall down. If you wish to be reconciled with your family this is not the way to go about it."

       Ted ran at the gate again. It shook but held, thanks to Hobson Shortburrow's added weight on it. The miller cursed, giving voice to a string of profanities.

       "Show some decency, you fool!" said Sam. "There's little 'uns present!"

       "You!" Ted glowered at Sam. "Who do you think you are, telling me to mind me manners? A gardener, that's all you are!"

       "Aye, I'm a gardener - and proud to be so - but that's not all I am. I've seen more than you can ever imagine, not all of it pretty neither. I'm not the little lad you tried to bully forty years ago, Ted Sandyman, so don't try it. I've faced orcs, trolls, a Balrog, a spider bigger than this smial and been chased by the Nine, so I'm not feared of a drunken idiot who thinks using his fists on women and children is the way to behave!"

       With a howl of rage Ted threw himself at Sam, but he bounced off the gardener's muscular frame with a grunt. This only enraged him more and he moved in again. Something flashed in the sunlight and Frodo yelled a warning.

       "Sam! Look out - he has a knife!"

       Sam's reactions had always been fast and he jerked his head back. The blade intended for his neck merely nicked his ear, pain blooming as he felt warm blood drip onto his shirt collar. As he stepped away he was aware of something flying past him in a flurry of fine linen and velvet and the scent of lavender and soap.

       Frodo launched himself at Sandyman with a snarl of visceral fury. Caught by surprise, Sandyman staggered back. He weighed more than Frodo but he was flabby and unfit while his opponent was 'all wire and whipcord' as Bilbo used to say. He went down with Frodo on top of him, both of them struggling for the knife. Frodo grasped one of the miller's flailing hands. Ted's right hand swung out and slashed Frodo's left sleeve. Lily screamed as blood stained the creamy linen. Again Frodo made a grab for the remaining hand but Ted pulled away and raised his arm above his head.

       Dabbing at his ear and trying to work out how to separate the two hobbits, Sam watched in dazed horror as the gleaming knife descended in a slow arc. Time hung suspended as the point of the blade found its mark in the centre of Frodo's chest.

'But see here, Master Sandyman, I've a score to pay in this village, and don't you make it any longer with your jeering, or you'll foot a bill too big for your purse.' Sam Gamgee, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Chapter: The Scouring of the Shire. 

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       "Noooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!"

       Sam's anguished howl reverberated round the Hill as Rose raced the last few yards down the lane. That cry was echoed in the White Tower of Ecthelion where Aragorn sank to his knees, his legs collapsing under him. He was reeling with shock, powerless to do anything but watch

       Frodo glanced down, barely noting that Sandyman's hand was now empty. The miller looked almost as shocked as the onlookers, not believing what had just happened. Then self-pity consumed him again.

       "It's all your fault, Brandybuck! You've always hated me......"

       Frodo looked at him, his lip curling in contempt. "Oh shut up!" he snapped. He wound his hand back and punched his adversary hard on the jaw. Ted collapsed like a poleaxed ox, his eyes rolling back in his head.

       "Ow! I'd forgotten how much that hurts." Frodo rose and stepped away, shaking his hand and rubbing his bruised knuckles. Sam rushed to his side in a frenzy of concern and began unbuttoning his shirt.

       "I'm alright, Sam, really," he protested, but Sam continued to pat him, tears of shock running down his face.

       "He stabbed you! Where is it? Where's the wound?"

       May and her family were consoling Ivy and the children but all eyes were on the Master of Bag End, all waiting for heart blood to stain the shirt front and Mr Baggins to fall lifeless on the verge. Sam unfastened another shirt button and stopped, stupefied. Rose ran over to look, her legs barely supporting her. She gazed at Frodo in disbelief; she had seen the knife aimed at his heart. Everyone was staring. As the shirt parted, something glittered in the afternoon sun.

       "You...........you're wearing the mithril shirt!?!" Sam murmured. "Just like in Moria........You're .. alive!"  He and Frodo fell into each other's arms,both weeping with relief. "I thought he'd stabbed you in the heart."

       "I thought he'd cut your throat!" Frodo replied shakily. "Oh Sam! What would we all have done without you?"

       "You daft Baggins, what would we have done without you! He got you in the arm - we need to dress that.and I reckon it'll need stitches. But.....but why? Why are you wearing that?"

       "I was down in the cellar fetching the wine when I heard a voice telling me to put it on. I've learned to listen to those voices, so I did as I was told. And never mind my arm - your ear will need dressing." He sank onto the verge, his arms still tightly round Sam. He felt he never wanted to let go.

       Rose embraced them both, fighting her own tears. "You pair of ninnyhammers! You might have both been killed!"

       In Gondor Aragorn was laughing in relief but tears streamed down his face and his hands shook. Hobbits really are amazing creatures, he thought ruefully.

       "Sam-dad! Uncle Fro! Are you alright?"

       The Gamgee children clustered around. Merry-lad was wide-eyed, clinging to Fro and little Rosie's hands, and Ellie carried a sleepy baby Pip.

       "We're fine, my loves," Sam managed, conquering rising hysteria with some difficulty. Their gawking expressions and innocent, touching concern reminded him of what might have been destroyed if either he or Frodo had been fatally wounded.

       "You're bleeding!" Rosie-lass said.

       Frodo looked down at his arm, surprised to see a huge hole in his shirt-sleeve and bright red blood running from a wound on the inside of his upper arm. It had not felt such a large gash at the time but he realised that it was almost five inches long.

       "So I am. It's nothing, Rosie-posie."

       "Doesn't look like 'nothing' to me!" said Ellie tartly.

       The commotion had brought other people from Hobbiton itself. Doctor Porto rushed up the incline, Garnet Tunnelly panting after him, her healer's satchel flapping. Teddy and Jeb Sandyman were just behind them. Teddy vaulted the gate to embrace his mother and siblings.

       Frodo had been unprepared for the size of the wound. He went to stand up but stopped as tiny coloured stars danced before his eyes. He felt hot and cold and slightly peculiar as the shock finally caught up with him.

       "Head down, Mr Frodo!" Garnet said firmly. "Take deep breaths now." She crouched beside him and took a bottle of smelling salts from her pocket. "There now........'tis not the thing for gentlehobbits to be doing, and I reckon you thought your fighting days were over."

       Frodo calmed himself, using the techniques Lord Elrond had taught him. "Sorry," he mumbled. "I'm being a wet blanket......."

       "You're being nothing of the kind. It's the shock making you feel a bit faint. We'll get you inside and see to that cut, and Master Sam's ear."

       Gando Greenbanks and a second Shirriff arrived, carrying several lengths of rope. Ted was beginning to come round, swearing and cursing as they tied his hands. Gando dealt him a brisk whack with his cudgel, which silenced him effectively enough, and they bundled him towards their ponies.

       "Take him to the Shirriff's House for the night. He can sleep it off there. In the morning he's to be taken to the Lockholes. The Thain and Master and I need to consult about this and decide what's to be done." Sam continued to dab at his ear but he spoke with complete authority, and the two hobbits bowed respectfully before departing with their sullen guest.

       The knife lay in the grass and Sam lifted it gingerly. Frodo-lad was despatched to Bag End to find a thick envelope and a stick of sealing-wax, and the weapon was placed safely inside and sealed before witnesses.

       When Frodo had recovered a little, Sam helped him to stand and they went into Ivy Sandyman's smial. Ivy bustled around, making tea and sending Lily and Violet off to find clean towels.

       "Right, Master Sam, you sit there and we'll look at that ear. Ah! Hot sweet tea - just what our two heroes need. Thank you, Mrs Sandyman." Porto beamed at Ivy and went to the kitchen to scrub his hands before beginning his examination.

       Frodo sipped gratefully at the strong tea well laced with honey. He was feeling steadier and looked around the simple but homely little smial, concerned at the distressed faces of the Sandyman family. Ellie was drying Violet's tears with her own handkerchief, Lily was as white as a sheet and young Will and Teddy were forcing themselves to be the strong ones.

       "Don't cry, Violet. It's over and we're all safe." He held out his hand and she walked slowly towards him to stand in the shelter of his arm.

       "Perhaps..........'twould be better if we moved away, Mister Baggins. Trouble seems to follow us wherever we go and we've caused so much bother..........." Ivy was allowed to proceed no further as Frodo held up a hand.

       "You will do nothing of the kind, Mrs Sandyman. You are settled here in Hobbiton, the children are happy and have made friends. Why should you have to uproot them over this? I believe you will not be troubled again because, although I cannot second guess the Thain and Master, I suspect Ted will be returned to Bree and barred from entering the Shire at all. Besides, we want you here. We are neighbours and we will see this thing through together, as neighbours should."

       Ivy went bright pink and hid her face in her apron for a moment, but then she stood a little straighter, and nodded. Lily felt she could have declared her undying love for the Master of Bag End right then and there, Teddy and Will whooped in relief and Violet wrapped her arms around Frodo's leg and hugged as hard as she could.

       Porto looked up. "I am not going to stitch this wound, Master Sam. Ears bleed profusely enough and sticking a needle in it will only cause more damage. A nice thick compress and a tight bandage for a couple of days should be enough. Now, Mister Frodo, let me look at that arm. Hmmmmmm. That will leave quite an impressive scar from the look of it."

       "Just what I need - another scar," said Frodo wryly. "I'll soon have a complete set!"

       Garnet chuckled and began bandaging the pad in place on Sam's ear. Porto washed his hands again and Rose helped Frodo to slide his arm out of his sleeve. With the blood cleaned away it was obvious that stitches would be required. The underlying muscle had been slashed and that would need to be closed before the skin could be sutured.

       "This may hurt a bit. Would you like some poppy syrup to take the edge off?" Porto enquired as he threaded a curved needle of the kind used in the Houses of Healing.

       Frodo shook his head. "I took far too much of that stuff three years ago - almost lived on it for months. I'll be fine. Pain does not worry me. It's nowhere near as bad as the pain when I lost my finger. And the agony of the Morgul wound was unspeakable."

       "I'll be as gentle as I can," the young doctor promised, and began. Frodo turned his head, not sure that he wanted to watch his arm muscles being sewn together, and Garnet kept up a stream of cheerful chatter to distract him.

       The children watched in fascinated horror, delighting in every gory, gruesome detail now they knew Sam-dad and Uncle Fro were safe. They asked all sorts of questions about blood, muscles, bones and how to sew skin.

       "Stop bothering Doctor Porto," Rose chided. "He's busy."

       "It's no bother I assure you, Mistress Rose. Your children are delightfully inquisitive." He threaded a different needle.

       "Why are you using another one?" young Fro asked.

       "Our Lord King said that Lord Elrond used different needles for muscle and skin. He used them at the Houses and at Cormallen and the Healers saw that they were effective. The round-bodied needle works better with muscle and the sharp-edged one passes through the skin more easily. The curve of both needles makes it easier to manouvre, particularly when I hold it in the forceps." He sewed neatly, knotting each stitch individually, his tongue poking out of the side of his mouth as he concentrated.

       "Does it hurt, Uncle Fro?" Ellie asked, biting her lip.

       "No, not really. Prickles a little but no worse than that. Certainly nothing like the pain of the Morgul wound or Shelob's bite."

       "You're the bravest hobbbit in the Shire!" she declared, and the other childen agreed.

       "Oh! I thought Sam was the bravest hobbit?" Frodo said, his eyes twinkling.

       "Um........ you both are." This compromise pleased everyone, including the Sandyman family, who cheered just as loudly as the others.

       Porto tied the last stitch and gave a satisfied sigh. "There! All done, Mister Frodo. The stitches should stay in for about ten days."

       "What about the ones inside?" Frodo-lad enquired.

       "They will dissolve in three or four weeks." He addressed his patients. "You may both have a slight fever, but so long as it is only slight there is nothing to worry about. No strenuous activity for the next few days - that means no gardening, Master Sam - rest and drink plenty of fluids. Light food only for today and tomorrow and then good red meat, liver, and a glass of red wine to help replenish the blood you have lost. I shall stop by tomorrow to see that all is progressing as it should. I'm sure Mistress Rose and the little ones will see that you both do as you are told." Porto packed his instruments away, to be cleaned and boiled on his return home, and went to wash his hands.

       Rose followed him out to the kitchen and they spoke for some minutes. Frodo gave her a long hard look when she returned, which she returned with a sweet smile. May came in to see that the two hobbits were not in any danger, and Teddy and Jeb returned from repairing the gatepost.

       They made their way slowly back up the Hill after reassuring Ivy and her family that there was no need to pack up and leave. Neither hobbit bore any grudge against her and her children, who had been the innocent victims once again. They removed their bloodstained shirts and put them in a bucket of salt water for the night. Rose would see if they could be salvaged when she knew if the blood had come out. She put the kettle on and slipped a good dose of Porto's sleeping-draught into the patients' tea, smiling guilelessly across the table at them as she handed them the cups.

       Finally Frodo yawned. "I think I'll go a nd have a nap. Not sure why I'm so sleepy ........."

       "Shock, probably," said Sam. "I'm a bit tired myself. We'll have a doze and then help prepare dinner. Will you manage alright, lass?"

       "Of course I will, ye daft ha'porth. Go along with you - have a nap and I'll call you when dinner's ready."

       In the bedroom Frodo removed the mithril shirt and placed it carefully on a chair, murmuring thanks to Bilbo for gifting it to him. Sam echoed that sentiment as he tucked his Master in.

       "Sam?"

       "Yes, m'dear?"

       "Will you stay with me for a little while. I need to know you're here and safe."

       Sam smiled and lay down on top of the quilt and Frodo pillowed his head on his brother's sturdy shoulder. Sam rested one hand on Frodo's chest, over the heart he feared had been stopped forever, and whispered a prayer of thanks to whoever had given his beloved friend that warning.

       "I don't know what we would have done if you'd been killed, Sam. How would Rose and the children have coped? It seems selfish of me to wonder what I would have done but I don't think I'd want to live without you. Your care has always sustained me and you've saved my life so many times, just by being you....."

       "You saved my life today, m'dear. If you hadn't shouted that warning I wouldn't have pulled back and that knife might have gone through my neck - straight through that big blood vessel." He raised a hand and touched the area below his left ear, feeling the steady pulse.

       "I'm thankful I saw it. What was Ted thinking of? He must have known it would end in disaster."

       "He's lucky he's not on his way to Gondor for the King's justice. Merry and Pippin are going to be furious when they find out."

       Frodo groaned. "I'm dreading what Merry will say. You know what he's like when anything threatens those he loves. We'll have to stop him skewering Ted with his sword and dragging the body round the Shire tied to Stybba's tail, or whatever they do with miscreants in Rohan."

       "He'll scold the pair of us too. You're right, he will be cross. D' you reckon we have time to set off for Gondor before he finds out?"

       "Not the way gossip travels in the Shire. We should have set off a week ago!" Frodo fell silent and when Sam glanced down he saw that the most beloved of hobbits was sleeping peacefully. He would stay a little while and then go and help Rose, he thought.

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       In Gondor the High King stood on rather shaky legs and smiled fondly at the sight of the two sleeping hobbits, lying much as they had done in Ithilien, Frodo's head resting on Sam and the gardener's hand over his friend's heart. That seemed to comfort both of them. Aragorn did not know why Frodo had been wearing the mithril shirt but perhaps he had had one of those prescient dreams of his. Whatever the reason, the King was grateful beyond measure, and he thanked the Valar once again for their mercy and love towards the dearest of his subjects.

       "I need a drink," he muttered, and returned to the Royal Apartments to find some strong brandy to calm his shattered nerves.

Frodo stirred and opened his eyes. He wondered how long he had slept because although dayligh streamed through the window it was surely dinner-time and his stomach was growling.

       "Awake at last, you old slug-a-bed?"

       "Merry? What in the Shire are you doing here? What time is it? How long have I been asleep?" He looked at his dearest cousin who sat in the chair beside his bed, long legs stretched out, shirtsleeves rolled up and a reasonably respectable weskit open and rumpled.

       The Heir of Buckland gave his cousin an infuriating grin. "Which question shall I answer first? The time is breakfast time, the day is Mersday, you have more than slept the clock round and we rode through the night when we heard the news. We arrived just as Sam woke up and arrived in the kitchen, hungry for his dinner, to find it was almost two hours past midnight."

       "I missed dinner? Well really! Someone might have told me. One of Porto's damn sleeping potions I suppose. Is Sam alright? I was so afraid............"

       Merry stood and leaned over to embrace Frodo. "Sam's fine, you idiot Baggins! I don't now whether to hug you or thump you! What were you thinking of? I know you were afraid for Sam, but taking on that drunken nincompoop when you knew he had a knife.......!"

       "I knew you'd be cross........."

       "Cross?!! I'm bloody furious! If you - or Sam - had been killed I would have stopped off at the Shirriff's House and put that whining miserable specimen of a hobbit out of his misery - and hang the consequences!"

       "And what would that achieve, Merry-mine? Two dead hobbits in the burial-ground instead of one. No, Ted was drunk. He was not really aware of what he was doing, just angry and resentful."

       "Stop making excuses for the fool. Honestly, Fro, I give up! You and he are total opposites in every way."

       "What do you mean?" Frodo sat up, wincing at the muscle twinges in various parts of his anatomy, the soreness of his left arm, and very bruised knuckles on his right hand.

       "Ted blames the world and everyone in it for his troubles, and you spent years blaming yourself for every bit of trouble in the world. What a pair! You are too damn forgiving, Fro. He deserves everything he has coming to him - and if I have anything to do with it that will be an awful lot!" Merry was angry but his grey eyes were wet and his voice shook.

       "Calm down, squirt. This situation needs cool heads. It will be a few days before we can travel to Michel Delving and meet with Pal and Sara, and that is probably a good thing. It will give us all a chance to think about it, as well as giving Ted a chance to cool his heels." He kissed Merry's brow. "If orcs, trolls, spiders, Gollum, the Nine, Saruman and Sauron were unable to kill me then it takes more than a drunken Ted Sandyman to get rid of your Fro."

       "I should hope so," Merry mumbled, swallowing a sob.

       "Awake at last, is he?" said a cheerful voice, and Pippin entered the room, carrying a tea tray.

       Merry gave a slightly hysterical laugh. "I wish I'd seen you punch him on the jaw and lay him out though. Sam and Rose gave us a graphic description but it's not the same. I haven't seen you do that since the day Lotho chased young Sam round the Party Tree and met your fist on the way!"

       "Ooooh! I wish I'd seen that!" Pip placed the tray on the bed and plopped down next to Frodo. "Shall I be mother?"

       "I'm not sure you could take the extra responsibility," Frodo quipped, ducking the gentle swat before being swept into a huge hug.

       "That mithril shirt has been worth more than the Shire indeed. It stops any weapon. Must have been just like Moria."

       "Yes, although Ted didn't use as much force as the troll."

       "A troll and Ted Sandyman. I knew he reminded me of someone!" Merry declared, piling biscuits on a plate for his cousin.

       "Isn't that rather insulting to trolls?" Pip queried.

       "Certainly I think the troll had more brains," Frodo agreed. "I feel so sorry for Ivy and the children. She was talking about leaving rather than bring any more trouble in our direction."

       Merry sobered immediately. "Now I feel bad. Poor lass, it's not her fault. And the children were just settling nicely. I hope you told her she must stay." He handed Frodo a full cup.

       "I did indeed. I tried to reassure her that this is not likely to happen again..........."

       "Not if I have anything to do with it!" Merry muttered but Frodo ignored him.

       ".........and I think she has accepted that.. Perhaps Rose and May can talk to her too. I should hate to see the children uprooted again." He munched a biscuit, his expression thoughtful. Then he brightened. "How is Diamond? And little Faramir? And how is the lovely Stella?"

       "They're fine - but don't try and change the subject. We need to talk about this. It's no good just sending him back to Bree. You said years ago that we shouldn't just dump our problems on the outside world. And what about Aragorn? Or Tarondor? They may want a say in his punishment you know."

       Frodo sighed heavily. "Yes, I know. Aragorn may already have some idea of what's happened. You know he has intuitions and foreboding dreams. I know he doesn't normally interfere in Shire affairs but legally he could demand that Ted be sent to Annuminas or even to Gondor. And thinking about it I doubt I'd forgive myself if we sent Ted back to Bree and he injured or killed someone there. We shall have to wait and see."

       Pip nodded. "That's what Sam was afraid of - that you'd blame yourself if Ted killed someone in Bree after you'd pleaded for mercy for him." They knew Frodo would feel responsible and all dreaded that something like that would be a severe set-back to his progress.

       "I realise that sometimes I'm inclined to be too merciful. I think it may be better in this case if we hand him over to those who can dispense proper justice. I'm sure they won't execute him. Aragorn is very good at finding a punishment to fit the situation."

       "Da is all for using him as target-practice for the Tookland archers," Pip added cheerfully.

       "You won't hear any argument from me!" Merry poured a second cup for their cousin.

       Frodo smiled. "Once we've all calmed down we can think clearly. When I thought he'd killed Sam, I wanted to kill him myself, so I do understand how you feel. When I hit him I had to restrain myself because part of me just wanted to hit him again and again."

       "He is such a bloody fool - what does Sam's Daisy say? 'No more brains than a potato.' She absolutely right!"

       Merry snorted. "It's a pity the Lockholes aren't like they were when we returned. That would be poetic justice, for Ted to be locked in those."

       Frodo shuddered. "I don't think I'd wish those horrible dank cells on anyone, even Ted. It is much more humane now, with proper beds, washing facilities and privvies. Hopefully he will have time to think on what he has done, but somehow I doubt he will learn anything from this. He never does." He pushed back the bedcovers and stepped onto the rug.

       "Where do you think you're going?" Merry looked up in surprise.

       "Going? I'm going to the kitchen for breakfast because my stomach is making more noise than a Balrog with toothache." Frodo rummaged in a drawer and found an old clean shirt, buttoned it with some difficulty due to his swollen knuckles, and made for the door.

       "You're supposed to be resting........"

       "That does not mean I have to lie around in bed all day. I am starving and if I don't eat breakfast soon I may start finding your legs as appetising as those orcs did!"

       "But......but............." Pip looked at Merry, shrugged his shoulders and they followed Frodo to the kitchen.

                                                                          ************

       After a breakfast which was not as substantial as he had hoped - due to Porto's instruction that he was to have a light diet until the next day - Frodo had a long bath. Merry and Pip went to help and fuss over him, washing his hair, scrubbing his back and making sure he did not damage his stitches. He allowed them to fuss a little because he knew they wanted to do it, and at least while Merry was making himself useful he was not ranting about what he would like to do to Sandyman. Being coddled was a small price to pay for peace and quiet, Frodo decided.

       Washed and dressed, he returned to the kitchen to find Porto eating jam tarts and drinking tea. He greeted the young doctor warmly, helped himself to several tarts in case Rose whisked them away, and poured himself a cup of tea.

       Porto declared himself satisfied with his patients and cheerfully ignored Frodo's pointed remarks about potions and the lack of proper sustenance. He checked the dressing on Sam's ear, which was held in place with a bandage which went round and round his head, but as there was no blood seeping through he did not disturb it.

       Frodo's arm looked good, with just a little inflammation round the sutures. Neither hobbit had a fever and both looked disgustingly healthy, having had such a close brush with Lord Namo.

       "I'm happy with thing so far. There's no infection or fever. How do you feel in yourself?" He looked at the bruised knuckles and nodded in approval at Rose's remedy - witchhazel followed by arnica ointment.

       "Fine - just relieved that neither of us were more seriously injured. I think someone was looking after me to give me that warning."

       "Any idea who it was?"

       "The thought arrived in my mind so firmly and in such a way that I believe it must have been dear Gandalf. The voice of Eru or one of the Valar would not have been so down to earth, I think, nor would thay have called it 'Bilbo''s mailshirt' in that way. I believe it was Gandalf."

       "There!" Pip cried triumphantly. "I knew it was Gandalf!" He turned to Merry. "See? I was right - I'm always right."

       "Except when you're wrong," said Merry calmly.

       "Well yes, obviously. Hey! What do you mean by that? I'm not wrong...........often."

       Sam rolled his eyes and shrugged helplessly at Porto, who was grinning. He had spent enough time with the Captains to know what they were like. Rose waved the tea towel threateningly, refreshed the teapot, and they all enjoyed elevenses before the doctor went on his way.

       Ellie and little Rose were playing healers and had been trying to persuade Rufus to co-operate and be nursed but the big red tabby had other ideas and scampered down the passage. The girls trudged into the kitchen, gazed at their uncle and smiled at each other.

       "Uncle Fro? You're supposed to be resting. Why don't you lie down on the couch and we'll look after you."

       "Doctor Porto said you have to west," added Rosie-lass, her expression as winsome as she could make it.

       "Well I'm not really tired and there are things I could be doing......."

       "West!" said Rosie-lass sternly, pointing to the parlour. "You need looking-after."

       Frodo sighed and obeyed the little tyrants. He lay down on the couch, Ellie plumped a cushion and placed it behind his head and little Rose covered his legs with a blanket. They fussed over him for some minutes and then tip-toed away. When Merry peered round the door a few minutes later he saw that his cousin was sound asleep, Rufus curled up beside him.

       Rose chuckled. "Oh dear! I did give him rather a generous dose of Porto's draught so the effects probably haven't worn off yet."

                                                                          ************

       In the Citadel Aragorn laughed at the serious expressions on the faces of the two little girls, and watched for some minutes after Frodo fell asleep. Then he returned to the Royal Apartments to continue his letters. He had written to his cousins and Thain Paladin and was now writing a loving letter to Frodo and Sam, expressing his concern and asking that Sandyman be sent to Gondor. As a witness to the attack he felt he should give judgement, and he hoped gentle, merciful Frodo would trust him to do enough but no more than was necessary.

       Arwen entered the study, smiling as she crossed the room soundlessly and leaned across the desk to kiss her husband.

       "My love, there is a visitor seeking an audience. He waits on the Keel of the Rock."

       "Who is it? Why is he out there? Should he not be in the audience chamber?" He placed the quill in the inkwell and looked at his wife.

      Arwen laughed merrily. "That would be a little difficult! I beg you to see him. He is a lord among his own kind and worthy of great honour."

      Aragorn walked outside and stopped. On the wall sat one of the Great Eagles, watched in awe and some alarm by Bergil and some of the other guards. He looked hard at the enormous bird and saw the small patch of white feathers among the brown, where a fireball from Orodruin had caught him as they flew to rescue the Ringbearers.

       "My lord Meneldor!" He bowed. "You do us great honour in coming here. To what do we owe your noble presence?"

        "Lord Elessar." The bird bowed in his turn. "The Lord Manwe believes you have need of a swift messenger to carry letters to Annuminas and the Shire."

       "You know what has happened in the Shire?"

       The bird inclined his head. "An attack upon the Ringbearers is a serious matter of concern to all the Free Peoples. You will wish to communicate with the Lord Tarondor and with the hobbits themselves. It seems wise to entrust the task to one who can travel upon the wind and reach the Northern lands in less time than a man on horseback."

       "I am very grateful to you, my lord Meneldor. I do wish the letters to be received as quickly as possible, before the tender-hearted hobbits decide to be too merciful to their attacker. I am writing the last letter and the warrant for Sandyman to be taken into my cousin's custody. Will you rest and eat while I do so?"

       Meneldor nodded. "I shall visit the peak of great Mindolluin and return before sunset, Lord Elessar."

       Aragron smiled and caressed the bowed head. "I shall have meat waiting for you on your return, my friend."

       Meneldor flapped his great wings and launched himself, swooping down and then lifting on the wind to circle the city before flying to the top of the mountain.

                                                                          ************

       "I'll just go and dead-head those petunias in the hanging baskets," Sam said, walking towards the door.

       Merry jumped to his feet. "You'll do no such thing, Sam Gamgee! Porto said nothing strenuous."

       "Beggin' your pardon, but dead-heading a few flowers is hardly strenuous........."

       "And begging your pardon, I'll do it. Pip can make himself useful and water them too, and Frodo-lad can steer him away if he does anything daft."

       "Surely not?" murmured Frodo. "Pip do something daft? Whatever next!"

       "Hah, hah! Very funny, Fro. I am not going to pull up Sam's prize plants and Merry knows how to tidy up hanging baskets." We won't do any damage, you know."

       "I know, Squeak. I'm just teasing."

       Merry whistled as he went round the smial, nipping off the wilting flowerheads of the blue and white petunias in the baskets. Pip carried water from the rain barrel and gave each basket a good drink, then did the same with the tubs and window boxes. Young Fro checked the main flower beds and the vegetable garden, where the soil was still damp from last night's rain, and the trio assured Sam that his garden was flourishing.

       Rose had made a cake and they sat in the garden for tea, where they were joined, rather shyly, by Ivy and her family. Merry sat next to her and discussed the situation, insisting that they were wanted in Hobbiton. He was relieved when Ivy said that she had spent several hours with May that morning and would not be moving away.

       Later Merry took Will to the stables to see to the ponies, and introduce the lad to Stybba and Pudding. Will asked many questions about Rohan and Merry promised that one day, when the lad was older, he would take him to visit Edoras.

       As the sun slipped behind the hills in the west, Meneldor took off from the Keel of the Rock and began his journey across the mountains, over Rohan and towards the green lands of the Shire, carrying letters which boded no good to Ted Sandyman.

By lunchtime the next day Rose was threatening to strangle Sam, who was pacing about like a caged lion. She finally relented and said he could go into the garden after lunch, which pleased him greatly. She was also keen to keep Ivy Sandyman's mind off the recent troubles and had been down to New Row that morning to invite the Sandyman family and May and her tribe to lunch. She had a plan.

       Not wishing to turn up empty-handed, Ivy made a blackberry crumble to take to Bag End. She was rather nervous since she felt her cooking could not compare with the fare cooked by Mistress Rose, but she had been quite pleased with her efforts. She made sure her offspring were washed and tidy and when May was ready they all made their way up the Hill. Teddy had never been inside the smial before and was overwhelmed by the size and splendour. This was where the King himself had stayed!

       Rose sniffed. "Blackberry crumble - that's Frodo's favourite. That will make his day."

       "Mmm! I can smell blackberries." Frodo strolled into the kitchen. "You made this, Mrs Sandyman? What a wonderful surprise. I have to confess that blackberries are my favourite, and it smells delicious."

       Ivy glowed. "I doubt it's as good as anything Mistress Rose makes, but I wanted to contribute something."

       "It looks as good as it smells, and I can hardly restrain myself from tasting it right away. I'm afraid I'm as bad with blackberries as I am with mushrooms." Frodo looked so contrite that Ivy could not help smiling.

       During the meal Rose casually said that she was planning to make jam that afternoon and would be grateful for some help. May was only too pleased to offer and after some initial hesitation - due to a lack of confidence rather than unwillingness to assist - Ivy also said that she would enjoy helping. The children were organised and despatched to the kitchen garden and orchard to pick fruit while young Lily took the two smallest Gamgees off for their nap.

       "Firm fruit in the baskets and over-ripe and squashed fruit in the basins please," Rose said. "And make sure those two....," she nodded at the Captains, "...........don't eat it all!"

       Ivy found herself smiling at the way Rose talked to the future Thain and Master, treating them like a couple of naughty tweenagers. The two hobbits appeared not to mind; indeed they positively begged to be scolded, flicked with the tea towel and smacked across the knuckles with a wooden spoon.

       In the kitchen garden Ellie, Rosie-lass, Violet, Cousins Teasel and Salvia and Tansy Bunce picked strawberries and chattered as lasses will..

       "You are allowed to eat a few," Ellie assured Violet. "Go on, try one."

       Vi popped one into her mouth and gasped as sweetness burst on her tongue. She had never tasted anything so delicious. "It's so lovely! Da grew strawberries once but they were small and nasty and bitter."

       "Just like him," Merry muttered to Pip as they worked their way along the raspberry canes.

       Pip sniggered and stuffed another raspberry into his mouth. "You're right there!"

       In the orchard Teddy Sandyman was at the top of a ladder, filling a basket with plums. He had been rather shy at first, but was beginning to feel like one of the family. He could see why everyone seemed to gravitate towards Bag End, which had an atmosphere of such happiness and warmth that it was impossible to be sad there for long. He found himself whistling and Sam took up the melody as he picked up the windfalls with young Will's assistance..

       Much against Sam's better judgement, Frodo was also picking fruit, aided by the two younger Shortburrow lads Tilbert and Hobson. He was filling baskets with peaches and apricots which grew in profusion in the walled garden, protected from wind and frost and facing south. No-one else this far north could grow such fruit but Sam Gamgee managed it, and Bag End generously shared its bounty with the rest of the neighbourhood.

                                                                          ************

       "Ted grew 'em once but they were shrivelled and sour - just like him!" said Ivy tartly."These are splendid - Master Sam can grow anything, I see." She nibbled a strawberry.

       May laughed. "He's been growing strawberries since he were a faunt. Beat the Gaffer to first prize at Hobbiton Fair when he was only twelve."

       The firm fruit went to the larder for bottling, pies and for distribution among the neighbours while the over-ripe fruit was picked over and sorted and placed in a saucepan with sugar. The three ladies worked well together, talking and laughing as they went about the familiar tasks. Rose stirred and sieved, May washed and cleaned the fruit and Ivy washed jars and placed them in the oven until they were needed. Lily sat nearby, quietly working on some of Rose's mending. Frodo had spent the morning writing labels and Ivy looked at the fine lettering in admiration. She had learned her letters because her father Clem Broadfoot, unusually for a hobbit, believed in a bit of education for lasses as well as lads. She had even managed to teach the older children secretly, but Ted found out and was furious, and she had never dared to show the younger two. Since their return to Hobbiton Ellie had begun to teach Vi and Will was learning from Master Samwise.

       "He does have beautiful handwriting," Rose agreed. "I love to watch him write in Tengwar - the Elvish letters. I sometimes think he's more like an Elf than a hobbit anyway."

       "The wasps are gathering," said May. "That's the only problem with jam."

       Rose poured a large spoonful of jam onto a saucer and placed it on the table. "That'll keep 'em quiet for a while."

       "That's a good idea!"

       "We can thank my Granny Brown for that one!"

       With the wasps eating themselves to a standstill, they returned to the saucepans. Four types of jam were bubbling on the stove, filling the air with the delicious smells of strawberries, raspberries, apricots and plums. The Bag End kitchen was truly a wasps' Paradise.

                                                                          ************

       When all the fruit was picked and in the kitchen, the children played. Violet watched enviously as the Gamgee children and their cousins were carried in turn round the garden on the shoulders of the Captains. Ellie noticed her friend's wistful expression and whispered in her Uncle Pippin's ear. A few moments later he walked to the little lass, crouched down and spoke to her gently.

       "Would you like a go, Violet? I won't let you fall, I promise, and I won't make you go higher than you're comfortable with."

       She nodded slowly, a small grin curving her mouth. The Thain's son was the tallest hobbit she had ever seen, but he was kind and quite handsome, with friendly green eyes and sandy auburn curls, and he was always laughing and was sometimes as silly as a tween, although she had seen him in his uniform, guarding the King, and he was not silly then.

       He lifted the child carefully and paused when she was only three inches off the ground and twinkled at her. "Is this too high?"

       "No, sir." She smiled.

       "You don't have to call me sir, little flower. Is this too high?" She was level with his knees.

       "No.....Mister Pippin." She began to giggle.

       He lifted her level with his belt. "Now is this too high?"

       "No........." She was laughing now.

       "Alright then, shall we go all the way to the top?"

       "Yes please!" She squealed delightedly as she was lifted onto Pip's shoulders and he began to trot round the garden, keeping a secure hold on her ankles as she bounced. Her small hands rested on his curls and she was laughing more than Ellie had ever seen.

       Ivy saw her daughter having fun and almost wanted to run to her and hug her but she kept her counsel. Rose patted her shoulder they shared a smile before returning to their work. Later Vi arrived in the kitchen and Ivy scarcely recognised her pale, wary, frightened little girl in the lass before her, glowing with a mixture of happiness, sun and strawberry juice, her hair escaping its ribbons and her eyes sparkling with pleasure.

       "You've got roses in your cheeks, petal," Ivy said, kissing her daughter's sticky cheek.

       "Mister Merry and Mister Pippin have been playing with us. Did you see me up on Mister Pippin's shoulders?"

       "Yes, I did. You looked to be having a lot of fun. I hope you remembered your manners?"

       "Yes, Ma. Missus Diamond's had a lad-baby so Mister Pippin's a da now. I think he'll be a very nice da."

       "I'm sure he will." Ivy scrubbed Violet's face clean with her handkerchief and the little lass darted out again, calling to Ellie.

                                                                          ************

       A shadow passing over caused the children to look up. Some of the little ones cried out in amazement.

       "Sam-dad! It's one of the Eagles!" Ellie yelled.

       "Where's he going to land? There's no mountains in the Shire."

       Everyone rushed out and looked up at the top of the Hill, where the great bird was folding his wings carefully. He bowed low to the Ringbearers.

       "Lord Frodo, Lord Samwise. I apologise if I have alarmed the little chicks. I bear letters from the Lord Elessar and Lord Manwe wished them to be delivered in haste." He tweaked a roll from the thong on one leg and presented it it to Frodo. "In the centre is a letter to Thain Paladin - if you will see it delivered, Sir Peregrin and Sir Meriadoc?"

       They saluted and bowed. "We will indeed."

       "Lord Elessar knows what happened - he saw it all in the seeing-stone. I have also been asked to deliver letters to the Lords Tarondor and Halboron."

       "Aragorn saw it? The attack by Ted?" Frodo was startled. "He must have been very shocked. I hope he's not going to scold me like Merry did. Thank you, Lord Meneldor. We are honoured by your presence."

       "His Majesty was far too relieved to see you alive and relatively unharmed to scold you, Lord Frodo. Besides, he would never scold his most beloved friend."

       Ellie had climbed up and was standing in front of the bird. She stretched up to stroke the patch of white feathers on his chest. "You carried my Sam-dad from the fire. Poor Lord Meneldor, that must have hurt very much, to be burned. I touched the stove once and I had a blister for a week."

       Meneldor made a noise which sounded very much like laughter; Elanor's small hand tickled. "A few scorched feathers were a small price to pay for the honour of carrying your father out of Mordor, small mistress. The Lord King healed the burn and the white feathers are a mark of great honour. We three are the envy of my kin."

       "Thank you to all of you for saving Sam-dad and Uncle Frodo." She curtseyed gracefully.

       Meneldor touched her cheek with one of his large primary feathers. "They do not lie, who call you 'the Fair' Mistress Elanor. Fair of face and of spirit."

       Rose smiled and climbed up to stand beside her daughter. She proffered a large piece of lamb. "I never allow my guests to leave with empty bellies, sir. You have flown all the way from Gondor and you must be hungry."

       "Lady Rose, I can see why our friend Mithrandir was so fond of the hobbits of the Shire. I will accept your kind offer, and then I must turn northwards once more, and seek Lord Tarondor in Annuminas."

       Ivy leaned towards May. "Reckon that don't bode too well for Ted. Sounds as though the King wants him taken to Gondor. Serves him right!"

       "I doubt Strider will demand - he may ask, but demanding isn't his style," said Sam. "Thank you for coming all this way, my lord. It is a delight to see you in the Shire."

       "I regret this land is too flat for us to live here, for it is fair and beautiful. I always marvel at how green it is when I pass above it." Meneldor finished his meal, preened his flight feathers and bowed once more. "Farewell, my friends. Your chicks grow hale and fast, Lord Samwise.Thank you for your hospitality and kindness. If only many of the Men in Middle-earth would follow the example of the hobbits."

       "May the winds bear you where you will," said Frodo, bowing.

       "And may your eyries shelter you and welcome you at journey's end."

       Meneldor launched himself and everyone waited in trepidation, but a warm and gentle breeze from the West lifted his wings and he soared into the blue sky.

       May's family and the Sandymans were staggered. They had heard of the Great Eagles, and Will and Hobson once swore that they had seen one high above the Shire, but to meet one at such close quarters was awe-inspiring.

                                                                          ************

       Merry and Pip hurried down to the Quick Post station with the King's letter, then rushed back up the Hill, eager to hear the letter to Frodo and Sam. Everyone piled into the parlour, the children sitting on the floor. Frodo sat on the couch and broke the black seal with the A glyph, for it was a personal letter, not a formal document.

My dearest friends, 

You cannot begin to imagine my relief that you are both still alive and able to read these words. I witnessed the attack in the palantir and my horror was beyond description. I was certain that you, my dear Frodo, were dead. However, as Gandalf told me fequently, hobbits are remarkable creatures, and you the most remarkeble of all. When I saw that you were wearing the mithril shirt I was overwhelmed with joy. Indeed, you would have been amused to see me sitting on the floor, laughing and crying, my legs trembling too much for me to stand.

Porto seems to be doing all the right things - excellent stitching, tell him - and you both look hale. Rose and the children will make sure you obey the doctor's orders, as Ellie and Rosie-lass have been doing.

I am sure that everyone will look after Mrs Sandyman and her family, comforting them after a most distressing experience.

The Lord Manwe and the Wise know of what has occurred, and one of the Eagles has offered to take letters to the Shire, in order that they arrive in haste. My dear friends, I do not order or demand - not of you, who have already given more than anyone has a right to ask - but I would beg you to consider sending Sandyman to me here in Gondor. I know that you have been doubtful of the effectiveness of banishment, and should he harm anyone in Bree I believe that Frodo in particular will be assailed by guilt. I think he needs help as well as punishment, and be assured I will do what is necessary, but no more, nor will I act out of revenge but in justice and mercy. I have written to Thain Paladin, with a warrant for Sandyman to be taken into my cousin's custody, should you agree to my request. No doubt you will travel to Michel Delving to discuss the matter thoroughly with the Thain and Master.

Reassure Mrs Sandyman and the children that my thoughts are with them. In abandoning them, Ted has lost that which is worth more than gold, and I only hope I can force him to see that. They are a warm and delightful family and deserve the happiness which you and the good folk of Hobbiton will give them.

Arwen and the children send their love to you all. Tell Rose that the last batch of pickles has dwindled too quickly and Faramir and I have had to lock the rest in the Treasury. We made the mistake of serving some at a banquet last month and now everyone knows about Rose's culinary skills. The spiced tomato chutney seems to be exceptionally popular among the representatives from Harad, who signed a new trade treaty on the strength of it! Rose is now officially a diplomatic assistant to the Reunited Kingdom.

Look after yourselves and each other, my most precious of friends, the dearest of all hobbits. To have survived the darkness of Mordor only to fall to one of your own would have been too cruel to bear.

Your ever-loving and devoted friend,

Strider.

       Young Teddy's mouth fell open. Strider? The King called himself Strider? His face betrayed his thoughts and Frodo hastened to explain.

       "He was always known as Strider in Bree, and that is how we knew him at first. When he became King he took the Elvish word Telcontar as the name of his house. It means 'Far-Strider.' If we do send Ted to Gondor he will be judged wisely by a good Man"

       "Mister Frodo, I want you to know that we'll be happy with whatever you all decide in Michel Delving. P'raps Ted does need to go to Gondor and meet the King and be shocked out of his rotten ways." Ivy gathered her family about her. "We're so grateful to you for everything you've done for us."

       "Mrs Sandyman, I have watched you all start to heal since your return here, and we shall all help you to overcome any difficulties. Any trial can be overcome with the aid of good friends."

       Ivy, May and the children set off back down the Hill, laden down with jars of jam, fresh fruit, sandwiches and cake. Rose watched them go, grinning to herself. Her plan had worked very nicely, Ivy had spent an entire afternoon not thinking of her troubles, the children had all had a lovely time and she had a larder full of jam.

Frodo noticed that Sam and Rose had eyes only for each other all through supper. When the meal was more or less over, he turned to the two of them, hiding his smile.

       "We'll see to the washing-up if you two want an early night. We have a busy day tomorrow if we're off to Michel Delving."

       Rose kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear. "You are the dearest hobbit in all the Shire, Frodo Baggins." She turned and walked slowly out of the room, glancing back to gaze longingly at Sam.

       "Go on, Sam. I told you - we'll do the washing-up and see that the lamps are out."

       "We...e...ll..... If you're sure........."

       Merry began clearing plates. "Run along, you ass, while Rose has that twinkle in her eye."

       Pip looked up, still busy eating his third helping of pie with cream. "What twinkle?"

       "That twinkle. Honestly, Pip, you are an unobservant lump," said Merry. "Damnit! Sam, are you still here? Get along with you!" He all but pushed a blushing Sam out of the door.

       "I like that! Me? Unobservant? I'm better at noticing things than you are."

       "You are not! If you were you'd have noticed that those two hardly said a word all through supper and spent the entire meal gazing at each other with soppy grins on their faces."

       "And that means................?

       Merry threw up his hands. "You're hopeless! What do you think it means?"

       Frodo intervened and handed Merry more plates. "I suspect it means that come next Thrimidge there will be another addition to the Gangee family."

       "Oh! That sort of twinkle." Pip shrugged and turned his attention back to his dish.

       "By Elbereth! The penny's dropped at last," Merry murmured sarcastically. "Which one will this be, Fro?"

       "Goldilocks. And you shouldn't be too hard on Pip - you know he can't think and eat at the same time."

       "No need to be rude, you impertinent Baggins! Hmmm. Goldilocks......I wonder what she'll be like?" Pip mused, gathering the serving dishes and following his cousins to the kitchen. "Can you see what will happen to them all, Fro?"

       Frodo poured hot water into the bowl and began to wash the plates. "Not really, although I have some idea what they will look like."

       Pip laughed. "Let's hope Sam gets a move on - didn't you say they're going to have a baker's dozen?"

       Frodo swatted Pip with the tea towel. "Yes, but you leave Sam alone, you cheeky Took!. He'll do things in his own time."

                                                                         ************

       They set off for Michel Delving the next morning, Sam driving the cart while the others rode. Molly had regarded them sourly when the other ponies were saddled and led out, and was no doubt sulking mightily and kicking over buckets. She was not taken on such trips because she would never pull a cart and had very distinct views on who was allowed to ride her - only Rose, Frodo-lad and Frodo himself were permitted that honour. Frodo rubbed her muzzle and told her that he would take her out on their return, whereupon she batted her eyelashes and pretended to be the model of good behaviour.

       When they reached Hobbiton they left the road, turned south west and rode cross-country, joining the East Road just east of Waymeet, where they had lunch at The Wheatsheaf. The ride to the White Downs was very enjoyable, Limlight charging ahead and looking back at the other ponies, daring them to follow him. The hobbits did not discuss the case much, preferring to talk of happier things and admire the view. The fields were full of ripe wheat and barley ready to be harvested in a few days, trees in the orchards were drooping under the weight of their bounty and the butterflies fluttered over the hedgerows like bright jewels.

       The White Downs were composed of chalky soil, in which giant figures had been carved in places, by the Men who lived there in the Second Age. They held a mystery which silenced them all in awe every time they saw them - large horse-like carvings gleaming white in the sun, looking a little like the horse emblem of Rohan.

       Paladin was waiting in Michel Delving, having booked rooms for everyone at The Holly Bush and The Pig and Pumpkin. The ponies were stabled and the cart stowed safely in the inn yard, then they joined Paladin, Saradoc, Ferdibrand Took, the Thain's lawyer appointed to speak for the accused, and Gordo Boffin, lawyer for the Mayor. They ordered dinner and ale and sat comfortably in the large dining-room of The Pig and Pumpkin, savouring the cool dark interior with its polished wood, timbered walls and solid tables and chairs. For some reason this inn had escaped the worst excesses of the Ruffians and was reassuringly unchanged from long before the Quest.

       "So, Ferdi, is Sandyman repentant at all? Eager to change his ways?" Pip enquired.

       The usually cheerful Took groaned. "Repentant? He doesn't know the meaning of the word. He does nothing but complain, blames everyone but himself, and seems not to realise the seriousness of his plight."

       Merry snorted. "Typical Sandyman! He's a fool. If we agree to send him to Gondor I really don't know what Aragorn can do to change him. I can't imagine where he'd start."

       Sam shrugged. "My money would be on Strider to come up with something. He's good at that. And I doubt even Ted Sandyman could be unimpressed if he has to face 'King Elessar' in all his kingly dignity in the Throne Room, all dressed in velvet, coronet round his brow, sword across his knees."

       Saradoc tapped his teeth thoughtfully. "I wonder........ Sandyman has that particular dogged ignorance which has intelligent people beating their heads in frustration. I think our King will probably want to hang him from the walls of Minas Anor within ten minutes of meeting him!"

       To everyone's surprise Frodo agreed, at least in part. "It will be a clash of opposites. I have complete trust in Aragorn not to do anything rash, and I'm sure he will devise an apt and suitable punishment, but he may have to bang his head on the wall afterwards!"

       The ale arrived at their table and they raised their tankards to each other. Gordo Boffin regarded his tankard in admiration. "That is good ale. I'd heard the landlord here made a fine brew but have never tried it before."

       They set to with a will when dinner arrived - beef and potato pie with plenty of mushrooms, followed by blackberry and apple pudding with cream. All thoughts of Ted Sandyman were banished as they concentrated on eating and praising the food. Sam kept a close but unobtrusive watch on Frodo and was pleased to see him talking animatedly and tucking in.

       At last they all pushed away the empty plates, pipes were lit and they chatted about family matters until bedtime. There would be time enough to discuss the Lockholes' sullen occupant when they gathered to hear his case the following day.

                                                                         ************

       Merry, Pip, Frodo and Sam were all staying at The Holly Bush, sharing rooms two and two, as they usually did. Pal, Sara and the two lawyers were across the square at The Pig and Pumpkin. Inns in Michel Delving did a roaring trade for most of the year and these two operated with a friendly rivalry.

       In the room occupied by Merry and Pip, the two hobbits were getting dressed in their uniforms, ready to mount guard on the door of the Council Hole. Merry was grumpily trying to adjust his sword belt and swearing fluently in a mixture of Rohirric and Westron when he failed to get it right. Pip sighed and went to help.

       "Calm down, Mer. You shouldn't be so tetchy. Hold still, you crazy hobbit!"

       "I think I'm just worried in case Da and Fro go all soft-hearted and refuse to send him to Aragorn."

       "I doubt that. Fro seems convinced and I'm certain Uncle Doc won't go soft. He's a tough hobbit really." He gave Merry a shrewd look, stood back and nodded. "You'll do. Anyway, there's more to this than you being nervous about Fro and Uncle Doc letting him go." He turned to his own toilette, took a brush and began to tame his foor hair.

       "Why should there be any more to it. What are you saying? That I'm hiding something?" Merry snapped.

       "Stop being so grouchy."

       "Grouchy? I'm not grouchy!"

       "Yes you are. You're just angry because of how close he came to killing Fro and Sam. I know you, Merry. You are terrified of losing Fro again - you lost him when he left Buckland, again on the Quest and we nearly lost him three years ago. Plus you know you'll take one look at Sandyman and want to beat the snot out of him on sight! You're protective of your family and those you love, Merry, and you stride about being a belligerent Brandybuck, trying to be as tough as a Corsair pirate but we all know you're as soft as mallow inside."

       "Oh really? Who says so?"

       Pip brushed up his toes. "I say so. You have a reputation, Mer. You'll fight at the drop of a hat, you lose your temper with little provocation and yet deep down you're as soggy as an old mushroom, especially over Fro or me."

       "Just when did my little cousin get to be so clever?"

       "Around the same time that I became impossibly handsome and charming."

       "I must have missed that then. Ow!" Merry was struck on the backside by a well-aimed hairbrush.

       "Serves you right! Now hurry up or second breakfast will be gone. Fro has his appetite back these days."

                                                                         ************

       The Council Hole smelled of polish, whitewash, flowers and old parchment. The hobbits took their seats, Sam in the middle with Paladin on his right and Saradoc to his left. Frodo took a seat at the end. The two lawyers sat at a smaller table nearby, with Will Whitfoot as an observer. In front of the Mayor's desk was a chair for the prisoner. Merry and Pippin, representing their Kings, stood at the doors with their swords drawn and held point down in front of them.

       The hobbits had more or less decided that sending Ted to Gondor would be the only real solution, but they would listen to anything Ted had to say and try to find out why he had made the attack. After a short discussion they requested that Ted be brought. Merry and Pip saluted and walked to the Lockholes to accompany the Shirriffs who would bring the prisoner. Merry did not trust the miller as far as he could throw him, and said so frequently.

       Merry looked at Sandyman with distaste. From his appearance it was clear that he had made little use of the washing facilities; his clothes were rumpled and grubby, his hair stood on end and his fingernails were filthy.

       Pip nodded curtly to indicate that he should move and the Shirriffs pulled him to his feet and marched him out. Neither Marty Broadloam nor Tim Banks showed much sympathy for their prisoner and they handled him firmly. Inside the Council Hole they sat behind the lawyers and the Captains took up their positions either side of the doors.

       As the Mayor was Chief Shirriff, both Thain and Master were happy for him to chair the proceedings.

       "Please sit down, Sandyman," Sam said quietly. Ted grunted and sat, his expression petulant, but Sam continued without comment. "The accusations against you are very serious, but because I can be considered an injured party I'm going to ask the Thain and Master to lead on this. Thain Paladin?"

       "Thank you, Mister Mayor. Now, Sandyman, before we discuss your case and decide what we are to do with you, we would like to hear your side of things. Do you have an explanation for your actions? Can you tell us why you tried to assault your wife, assaulted your younger son and attacked the Mayor and Mister Baggins?"

       Ted shrugged. "I was drunk."

       "Many of us have been drunk in our time, but we don't all beat our wives, rip our childrens' clothes and attack neighbours with knives. You entered the Shire carrying a knife, and it wasn't the sort designed for peeling fruit. You came to Hobbiton with the intention - as I understand it - of entering the home where your wife and family are living and ...what......living there? Or were you trying to force them to return with you to Bree?" Paladin's voice was soft, his tone cold.

       "She's my wife. I 'ave a right ............"

       "Rights?!" Saradoc repeated incredulously. "Marriage is not about rights but about a partnership, about co-operation, tenderness, respect and love. You can hardly beat your wife and children for years, put them in fear, drive them away and then expect them to welcome you home with open arms."

       "Has the prisoner expressed any regret for his actions, or given any reason for his behaviour?" Paladin enquired, turning to Ferdibrand. The young lawyer glanced briefly at the dishevelled figure.

       "None, Thain Paladin," he replied.

       "Who was the knife for?" Frodo asked suddenly.

       "Eh?" Sandyman gawped at him.

       "The knife, Ted. Why were you carrying it? When did you intend to use it? Were you going to use it to threaten Ivy and the children?"

       Ted looked defensive. "I was carryin' it for protection mostly."

       "The Shire is no longer full of Ruffians and half-orcs. Who do you need to protect yourself against?" Sam demanded.

       "Did you intend to threaten your wife?" Frodo asked again, his voice dangerously low. Merry and Pip braced themselves. When their cousin's voice dropped like that it was usually a sign of trouble ahead for someone.

       "Might 'ave. No....yes...... I dunno what I thought. I told you, I was drunk."

       "You tried to stab Sam in the neck. Do you know what happens if you cut someone's throat?" Frodo's blue eyes looked like Lake Evendim covered in ice.

       Paladin fixed the former miller with an equally chilly stare. "You were seen to aim the knife at Frodo's heart. Had he not been wearing the mithril shirt he would be dead - and you would be facing a charge of murder. Do you know what the penalty is for murder in the Reunited Kingdom? It is death, Ted Sandyman. Death. Had your knife struck home you would now on your way to Bree, in the charge of the Steward of Arnor, to be hanged outside the Breeland Gate."

       Ted's eyes blazed with hatred. "We don't hang people in the Shire!"

       "The Shire is part of the Kingdom of Arnor. We are part of a wider world now, and we defer to the King in the matter of punishment, particularly for murder," said Saradoc.

       "But as no murder was committed, we must devise a different punishment." Paladin conferred with his fellows then turned to Ted. "It is our decision, prompted by a request from King Elessar, that you be sent to Gondor. The King himself will deal with you, and I hope he can think of a way to help save you from yourself. The Man is wise and just, and you will not be harshly treated, but you will learn lessons from this. The King's cousins and others among the Dunedain will escort you to Minas Anor. There is really no place in the Shire for your behaviour."

       "Take him back to the Lockholes for now. He'll be taken to the Bridge by a contingent of Tookland archers, leaving tomorrow," Sam said to the Shirriffs. "Long live the King!"

       "Long live the King!"

       The Shirriffs saluted and marched Ted out of the Council Hole and across the square, back to the Lockholes. The others stood at the door, watching him walk away across the square. It was then that events erupted; everything became a blur. Ted elbowed Tim Banks in the face and the Marty Broadloam in the midriff. He dashed away, head turning from side to side as he weighed his options, calculating his chances of reaching the lane.

       "Don't be an ass, Sandyman!" Pippin yelled.

       "I'm walking out of here and you're not going to stop me!"

       "In your dreams, you blackguard!" Merry snapped as he and Pip began to advance on their quarry. The Shirriffs recovered themselves and edged round to close in from the side.

       "Why did you ever come back? We were better off under Sharkey's Men!" It was a howl of impotent rage.

       "You were, yes. I didn't notice most of the Shire prospering." Merry made a signal to the Shirriffs to spread out a little more in case Ted changed direction.

       "Stay back!"

       A mother was crossing the square with her little lass beside her, a faunt of three or four. Before anyone could react, Ted barged the woman to one side and snatched up the child.

       "Come any closer and I'll dash her brains out!" he shouted. "I'm not being judged by your precious King! I want some money and a fast pony and I'll leave the Shire for good. I'll be waiting in the lane - and if you don't give me what I want in one hour, I'll strangle the brat!"

       He turned away and hurried towards the end of the square. A strange noise in the air above, a dull thunk, and Ted stopped in his tracks. He jerked like a puppet when the strings are cut, then pitched forward into the dust. The child dropped to the ground and ran to her mother, too shocked to do more than whimper. The mother burst into tears and pulled the faunt into her lap.

       Ted lay face down. He was very, very still. Troll's Bane see-sawed back and forth, its point embedded in the base of his neck.

       "Bottles and billhooks! You've killed him, Pip!" Merry breathed.

       "I bloody hope so!" The young Took was pale and his usually warm emerald eyes resembled chips of green ice. "We're not having that sort of thing in the Shire."

       "We're certainly not," Sam agreed. "That sort of carry-on belongs to orcs and the servants of Mordor."

       Paladin bent over the former miller. It was clear that at least three inches of Pippin's sword had penetrated his neck, severing his spine.

       "I'm sorry, Fro. I wish you hadn't seen that," Pip whispered.

       Frodo was as pale as those around him, his stomach still churning with shock. "Squeak, you had to do something. You heard him - he was going to kill the child if we approached him. You showed great presence of mind and leadership." He hugged his not-so-little cousin, realising that they were both shaking. "I'm proud of you. You saved that little one's life." He shook his head. "Ted was born a fool and he died one. I think he truly was insane by the end."

       Paladin straightened. "Pip, you showed great common-sense and skill. I'm very proud of you. That was the action of a true leader. And no, before you ask, you will not be charged with anything. You are in uniform, in the service of the King and defending the inhabitants of the Shire from harm." Paladin looked at the others.

       Will Whitfoot agreed. "He might have harmed the child anyway. He never liked children, not even his own, and I wouldn't have trusted him not to do something cruel as a parting gesture, even if we had agreed to his demands."

       Saradoc nodded. "I agree. And I think Frodo is right - he must have been insane by the end. You did well, Pippin." He embraced his nephew.

       "Thanks, Uncle Doc. Frodo? Do you forgive me?"

       "I told you, you silly Took, there is nothing to forgive. You did the right thing, and I'm sure Aragorn will agree. He may have seen this in the palantir too, as he would be bound to want to see what we decided."

       Merry hugged Pip. "That was some throw, Pipsqueak. I only have one complaint," he whispered.

       "What's that?"

       "I wanted to kill him!"

       "Bested my big cousin Mer for once, have I?"

       "Good thing I saw it though, otherwise I wouldn't have believed he was dead."

       "No, you'd be prying off the coffin lid, just to make sure!" Pip's colour was returning and the frozen look in his eyes had thawed, much to Merry's relief. It had been a shock to see such an grim expression on his little cousin's face.

       "Well done, Pippin. That was a very accurate throw." Sam embraced his friend.

       Merry smiled. "We assume it was. You were aiming for his neck, weren't you, Pip?"

       "No, I thought I'd just give him a quick haircut," replied Pip acidly. He reached down and worked Troll's Bane loose, then wiped it clean before replacing it in his scabbard.

       Frodo had walked over to the shocked mother and her child and was crouching on his haunches, talking softly. Then he held out his hand, helped the woman to her feet and allowed Paladin to escort her to a seat in the shade of some trees. The little faunt trustingly put her hand in his and he led her across the square to the shops.

        Ten minutes later she skipped back to her mother, her fright forgotten, clutching some new hair ribbons, a furry cat and a large bag of sweets.

        "You didn't have to do that, Mister Baggins."

        "I wanted to help dispel any bad memories of this day for her. Memories can be hard to live with, so tempering them with something nice will hopefully help her to forget. I'm just so sorry it had to happen at all."

        While Frodo was in the shops, the Shirriffs had taken Ted's body back to the Lockholes for the night and Saradoc and Will Whitfoot had ordered a coffin from the Michel Delving carpenter. Paladin sent to the Holly Bush for food and drink and sent some to the next table for the mother and child. Curious and dumbfounded hobbits gossipped in groups, disbelieving that any hobbit could behave so. The unanimous verdict was that the Thain's lad had done a good deed, and good riddance to bad rubbish. 

Rose sat in the kitchen, mending Frodo's torn shirt sleeve. It would never be perfect but it had not been a best shirt for some time and at least it would do a turn. She knotted the thread and snipped it off short, then turned the sleeve the right way and inspected her work. It would do, although she felt it was not as good as Ivy Sandyman's stitching.

       She rose, avoiding Rufus who was snoozing on the rug at her feet. The children were all bathed and asleep, the hens shut away for the night and most of the lamps already snuffed. She filled the kettle and placed it on the stove, humming softly to herself as she moved around the large table. She would have a cup of tea and a sandwich, then go to bed.

       The sound of hooves in the lane was followed by the bang of the gate and a knock at the door. She hurried down the passage and opened the door, peering out into the darkness.

       "Mistress Gamgee? I have a Quick Post letter for you from Michel Delving - from your husband."

       "Is everything alright? Sam and Frodo..........?"

       "They're both well, mistress."

       "Come in, come in. I'm just about to make a pot of tea. I'll find the cake."

       The young hobbit stepped in and followed her to the kitchen. His eyes popped at the sight of the cake and the sandwiches; he had heard about Mistress Rose Gamgee's skills in the kitchen.

       "You must be hungry. When did you set off from Michel Delving?"

       "Mid-afternoon, mistress. Mayor Samwise asked me to deliver the letter urgently because he said you'd know what to do."

       Rose settled him at the table with plenty of food, bustled around making tea and then sat in the rocking chair and broke the familiar seal.

       My darling Rosie,    

       I'm sorry to land you with this task but I don't want Ivy Sandyman to hear this news from gossips, and you know how fast news travels in the Shire. She needs to be told properly and I know you'll do it. May will help, I'm sure.

       We decided to send Ted to Gondor - he was sullen and unco-operative and refused to say why he attacked us. The Shirriffs were taking him back to the Lockholes when he broke free and ran across the square. A goodwife was crossing the square with a faunt, a little lass of three or so, and Ted snatched the child and threatened to dash her brains out. He was demanding money and a fast pony and said he would strangle the child if we refused. As he fled towards Berry Lane, Pip threw his sword. It struck Ted in the neck and he fell dead instantly.

       Pip is rather shaken - we all are - and he hopes that Ivy and the children can forgive him, but he had to act quickly to save that child. We felt that Ted might harm the faunt even if we gave him what he wanted, and I think we were all remembering that case in Minas Anor last year.

       Can you please break the news to Ivy before the busybodies find out. I don't want her to hear an embroidered version from old Ma Proudfoot.

        Rose shuddered. While staying in Gondor there had been a case of child abduction and murder which had shocked the hobbits to the core. The child had not only been killed but interfered with in ways unknown in the Shire. They had not realised that such a thing was possible.

       Sorry to do this to you, my dearling, but you are the most capable hobbit lass who ever lived, and I know you'll help Ivy and the children through this. We'll be home tomorrow night, we'll bring the body with us. I suppose he can be buried in that deserted corner of the burial ground, next to Old Sandyman. Tell Ivy and the children that Pippin is sorry but he had to act quickly. Frodo was shaken but even he saw why Pip had to do it and of course his concern was for the little lass. He took her to the shops and bought her toys and sweets to help her forget. I hope this doesn't cause any setbacks for him.

       I love you and we'll see you tomorrow, sweetheart.

       Your Sam.

          "So he's gone, has he? Well I can't say I'm sorry. He was a nasty piece of work." She sniffed. "Only Ted Sandyman would think of snatching a child and threatening to kill her!"

       "I never knew anyone could be so cruel, Mistress Gamgee," said the lad. "Using a child as a shield like that!"

      "Such things are more common among Men - and orcs and those Ruffians were capable of anything. But I know Sam is most worried about Frodo. He would hate the thought of one hobbit killed by another - it was what he fought to prevent during the Battle of Bywater. But Pippin did the right thing, saving the child. Sounds as though Ted lost what few senses he had at the end." She accompanied the young lad to the door.

       "Will you tell Mrs Sandyman tonight?"

       She gazed down towards New Row, where all was dark, and shook her head. "They're all asleep now. They may as well sleep till morning. In my experience bad news keeps." She looked very serious for a moment, then her face transformed as she smiled. "You'll find a bed at the Shirriff's Post - and stabling for your pony. Do you know where it is?"

       "Yes, Mistress Gamgee. Thank you for your hospitality. I won't say a word about what happened. Good-night."

       "Good night, lad."

                                                                         ************

       As soon as it was light, Rose slipped down to New Row and pushed a note under Widow Rumble's door, asking if Gilly could step up to Bag End to keep an eye on the children. Within an hour Gilly had arrived. She was a sensible, somewhat bookish lass who taught at the new school, and she knew and liked the small Gamgees. Merry-lad and little Pip were in their high chairs and the three older ones were out collecting the eggs.

       It was already warm and Rose decided not to take her shawl. She walked quickly down the Hill and tapped on the door of Number Three. Young Sam opened the door and greeted her cheerfully through a mouthful of bread and jam.

       "Hello, Aunt Rose. Ma's in the kitchen."

       "Morning, my lad. Good thing I'm used to understanding young hobbits who talk with their mouths full!" She laughed and followed him along the passage.

       "Sorry. I'm just scoffing it down before going to help Da with the cows." Ned Shortburrow kept beef cattle on the pasture next to Tully Noakes' grazing lands.

       "I'm making bread pudding later. I'll send some over."

       Sam's eyes sparkled. "Thanks, Aunt Rose." He kissed her cheek, ruffled his sister's curls and dashed out, letting the door slam as he went.

       May sighed. "It's a wonder we have any hinges left! Hello, Rose dear. How are you.?"

       "I'm fine, but I've had some news from Michel Delving and I'd like your help." She explained what had happened while May tidied herself and brushed up her toes.

       "So he's dead? Well, I can't say I'll lose any sleep over him - and between you and me, I doubt Ivy will either. Glad to see the back of him, if you ask me!"

       As they opened the door of Number Three they found Teddy Sandyman emerging from next door, off to the Mill.

       "Ah! Teddy-lad, do you think you can come back inside? I have some news for your ma and I think you should be there when I deliver it."

       "Of course, Mistress Gamgee. Come in." He looked at her face. "It isn't good news, is it?"

       "No, dear, I'm afraid it isn't."

       Ivy was setting milk and bread on the table ready for the younger children's breakfast. Violet and Will were just about to sit down. Rose smiled reassuringly at the youngsters and led Ivy and her two older children through to the kitchen, May closing the door behind them.

       "What's he done now?" asked Ivy. "I can see from your faces that it isn't good news."

       Gently, Rose explained the situation. Ivy was shocked and appalled that Ted could have used a child as a hostage. Lily and Teddy were stunned.

       "He threatened to kill a child? He must have been mad!" Teddy whispered.

       Ivy sighed. "He never liked bairns - not even you. I never saw him hold any of you."

       "I know Pippin is worried that you will hate him for doing what he did....."

       "He musn't think that! He saved the child. Some actions are beyond the bounds, if you know what I mean, Mistress Rose, and what Ted did was so wrong........... Nothing can excuse that, I have to say."

       "I think Pippin might have thrown a stone or something if there had been one about, but the square at Michel Delving is always swept so clean that all he had was the sword."

       "Is he really dead?" came a whisper, and they glanced up to see Will and Violet peering round the door.

       "I'm afraid so, little ones," said Rose, holding out her hands to them.

       Teddy let out a deep breath. "Well I'm sorry ..........that I'm not sorry........if you know what I mean?"

       "Mister Pippin saved the baby?" asked Violet.

       "Yes, lovie, he did." Rose stroked Violet's cheek.

       "Da was very bad."

       "I think he was probably not right in the head. Best you think of it like that. The drink had affected his brain."

       "Will people blame us?" Lily asked.

       "Certainly not! You all suffered at his hands and no-one will blame you for his actions. I don't know a soul who blames you for any of his behaviour, and certainly Sam and Frodo don't. If anyone says anything like that in front of me they'll hear a few things to make their ears burn!"

       "No-one will blame you, Ivy," said May. "You are innocent in this. That's part of the problem - Ted would never take responsibility for anything he did, and I reckon he tried to tell you it was your fault?" She gave Ivy a shrewd look. "Thought so. Folk like that always do. We all make choices in this world, as the King says, and Ted made all the wrong ones."

       Rose agreed. "That sort of thinking is what the Ring did to Frodo, even after it was destroyed. Repeating the words of Sauron to make him think he was guilty. Don't you go allowing Ted's poison to affect the rest of your life - or the children's."

       Ivy pulled her children to her. "I can't honestly say I'm broken-hearted, and that makes me sorry in a way. He was the father of my children but he never showed them or me any real love. It's hard to go on loving someone when they keep hurting you."

       Rose gave Ivy a reassuring hug. "It must be.

       "I don't want Mister Pippin to be upset. He was lovely when he played with us. Will you tell him I still think he's nice?" said Violet, her lip trembling.

       "Yes, my petal, I will.

       "We all do," Ivy declared firmly. "He did what was right, and one day he'll be a very great Thain."

       "Mister Pippin had to do something," said Will quietly. "You never knew what Da would do next. He got angry with me once, just before we left Bree, and his eyes went funny....... like it wasn't him any more. It scared me."

       Lily sighed. "I never remember one moment of affection from him. He hated the fact that Ma taught me to read and write, he sneered at everything I did and everything I wore. I never heard one word of praise in all my life."

       "Nor me," agreed Teddy. "I see Master Sam and Mister Baggins, or Cousin Jeb with the little uns, and wish that's how he could have been.

       "We should tell Jeb. Do you think you can tell him, Teddy dear, or shall I come with you?"

       "I'll do it, Ma. You stay here. Mistress Gamgee, do you think they'll bury him in Hobbiton?"

       "Yes, lad. Sam and Frodo are bringing him back today. They've ordered a coffin and I daresay he'll be buried next to his father, in that corner of the burial ground."

       "I'll have to save up some money........," Ivy began but was forestalled by Rose.

       "That's the last thing you'll have to worry about. I imagine Frodo will see to the cost - or Thain Paladin."

       "Everyone's been so kind, 'specially after Ted's caused so much trouble......"

       "Exactly!" said Rose triumphantly. "Ted caused all the trouble. Not you. Not the children."

       "That's one good thing he did - gave me four wonderful children. 'Course, they don't take after him really. More like my side of the family - and Ted's ma. I heard she was a nice woman. Widow Rumble says she was very kind but she was worn down being married to Old Sandyman."

       "I should think she would be!" Rose stood up and fluffed her skirts."I suppose I'd better get home or Gilly will think she's dealing with a riot!"

       Teddy hurried off to the Mill to deliver the news and Rose went back up the Hill to Bag End.

                                                                         ************

       Frodo and Sam arrived home that evening and left Ted's body at the Shirriff's Post for the night. There was no room in Ivy's smial and Frodo thought a coffin in the house with Violet and Will was unsuitable. At supper, Rose was thankful to see that Frodo's appetite was unaffected and he was not deep in melancholy thought. She and Sam tried not to hover or watch him too closely, knowing he hated too much fussing.

       "Don't worry, Rose. I'm not about to collapse and go back to being a drooping wet blanket." He twinkled at her.

       "Drat it, how do you do that? You always seem to know what I'm thinking!"

       "Talent! I'm sorry that it happened, but I don't see what else Pip could have done in the circumstances. We didn't dare go too near in case he swung the child against the wall, which he threatened to do. When we saw him making for the lane we knew he'd be out of sight with a few steps and Pip obviously felt he had to take action immediately. I hope it doesn't affect him, although I think with the baby and Diamond to take his mind off it and Paladin praising him, he won't think about it too much. Aragorn will feel it was the right thing, I'm sure."

       "I was surprised that it was Pip. I would have been less so if Merry had done it," said Sam.

       "Our tiny Took has grown up. He told me that leaders must sometimes make difficult decisions and take actions they wouldn't ask anyone else to do - obviously all those chats with Aragorn have taught him a lot. He took a life to save a life, and an innocent life just beginning too. He also said that you cannot bargain with someone like that or give in to blackmail because others will do it if they see that it works. My little baby Pip will one day be the finest Thain the Shire has ever produced."

       "I'm thankful you're being so reasonable about it. Shows you have your thoughts in proper order now." Rose poured more tea.

       Frodo gave a wry little smile. "You mean I'm not teetering on the brink of insanity as I was after the Quest?"

       "You were not teetering on the brink of anything!"

       "Oh yes I was. Denethor and Gollum were not the only ones who were - to use Pip's charming Tookish phrase - several shelves short of a pantry. I think I was terrified that if any hobbits were killed by their kin it would mean the Quest had all been for nothing, and I couldn't bear to contemplate that. This situation isn't quite the same."

       "Certainly isn't," said Sam. "We can't have people unable to walk around in safety. If we'd given in to Ted, what sort of message would that have sent to others like the Bracegirdle brothers? They'd be the first to try something similar."

       Rose beamed at her menfolk. She had been terrified that Frodo would be seriously affected and was so relieved she could barely speak. To hide her emotions she rose and turned to the stove, composing herself before returning with more of Frodo's favourite garlic mushrooms.

       "I think Ivy may want to see the body - otherwise she may not really believe he's gone."

       "That should be alright - we packed the coffin with bags of ice and we've left it in the cellar at the Shirriff's Post," said Sam. "I'll go with her in the morning and make sure he looks reasonable."

       "The Michel Delving healer laid him out properly so he should be," Frodo reasoned, then turned his attention to the mushrooms.

                                                                         ************

       The next morning Ivy Sandyman arrived early with her family. Teddy surprised her by saying he would accompany he down to Hobbiton to view the body and help make final arrangements for the funeral. Frodo offered to keep the younger children entertained while they were gone and Lily went to help Rose with some chores.

       Ivy stared dispassionately into the face of the hobbit who had been her husband for over twenty years, and realised that in many ways he had been a stranger all their married life. She glanced sideways at her eldest son. His face was impassive but she knew he was finding this a difficult moment. This was the first dead body he had seen, it was his father, and seeing him dead would bring home the fact that there would never be a reconciliation. No matter how badly Ted had treated the children, they always hoped that one day a miracle would happen. She patted the lad and tucked her arm through his.

       "Come along, lad. We've seen enough. I had to see him otherwise I might not have truly believed it. Master Samwise, what happens now?"

       "We're thinking the funeral should be tomorrow, Mrs Sandyman, what with the hot weather and all. Is there anyone else you need us to notify? You've sent word to your sister and to your brother in Bywater?"

       "Yes, they'll come - to support me, not out of any respect for Ted. None of my family ever had any time for him, I'm afraid."

       Sam sighed. "I tried to be friends with him. I know he didn't like me, or Frodo, but we both tried to make him see that we objected to his behaviour but we wanted to be friends with him. He didn't see it - wouldn't see it."

       "He was allus self-pitying and full of imaginary grievances. He hated my father and used to forbid me to see him but I wasn't going to give up my family. Used to sneak off when I could. If he found out, I paid for it.Allus wanted to bully us. Made him feel powerful, givin' orders to the little 'uns and playing the lord and master wi' me."

       "I know Frodo always hoped he'd change and become a better person but there's no helping some people."

       Teddy shook his head. "Do you know the saddest thing, Master Sam? He had no friends. There's no friends to see him buried."

       "We'll be there, lad. He may not have liked us but we'll not see you and your Ma go through this without friends. Jeb will come, and your Aunt Moss." Sam gave Teddy a hug. "You're being a great help and comfort to your Ma."

       Teddy smiled gratefully and leaned into the embrace. "I'm sorry I'll never have the chance to ask him why he did these things."

       "Sometimes there's no explanation, Teddy-lad. All that bitterness inside him just festered over the years until he couldn't distinguish right from wrong. He wasn't evil, just bitter and not quite right in the head, and as Frodo says, he deserves our pity."

                                                                         ************

       They buried Ted in the corner of Hobbiton burial ground, next to the grave of Old Sandyman. Moss and Gull travelled from Budge Ford and Ivy's brother, Hardi Broadfoot was there with his wife. He had always been rather shy and self-effacing, something which had increased since he was seriously wounded during the Battle of Bywater, when he lost a large chunk of his leg muscle. Sam managed to prise some words out of him and he grumbled quietly about Ted leading his sister 'a dog's life.' Sam spoke a few quiet words as he sprinkled earth on the coffin, watched approvingly by Frodo and Rose. When all was done they turned and left that peaceful place and walked back up the Hill to where May was minding all the children and doing her best to keep them away from the food Rose had prepared.

       Hardi was open-mouthed at the inside of Bag End, and in awe of the portraits on the dining-room wall, showing the King and Queen. He thanked the residents of Bag End for looking after his sister and helping them to recover from their trials.

       After what Bilbo always referred to as the 'bun scramble' Rose took the ladies on a tour of the smial while the menfolk sat in the garden with ale and pipes. All the children were curiously examining Plodly the tortoise and offering him dandelion leaves, which he adored, while Rufus played idly with the cord of Frodo's dressing gown which had been draped over the washing-line. The day wound down until Sam offered to drive Ivy's relations to the Bywater Road, having secured rooms at the Ivy Bush for Moss and her family. Her brother lived just outside the village, where he made a reasonable living as a potter. It was Moss who spoke for the rest as she sat beside Sam while they rattled towards Bywater.

       "I allus said it would end in death, but I was afeared it would be Ivy or one of the children. Well, I can't say as I'm sorry. Only thing I'm sorry for is that it took nearly twenty-five years for her to leave him! Still, he's gone where he can't hurt them again, and I hope now she can be happy."

       "I'll drink to that," Sam thought, nodding sagely to himself as he watched the road ahead through the gap between Bill's pricked ears.

A few days after Ted's funeral, Merry, Pip, their wives and baby Faramir arrived at Bag End, on their way back to Buckland to prepare for the birth of Estella's baby. They were welcomed eagerly as everyone wanted to see the new addition to the Tooks. Rose led Estella to the most comfortable chair.

       "Sit down and rest your feet on the stool, dear. Are your ankles swollen?"

       "A little, if I stand for too long. I feel like an oliphaunt!" Stella rested her hand on the large bump.

       "Be glad you're not an oliphaunt! They had a mother and baby in the menagerie in Ithilien, and the mothers carry for two years!"

       Frodo and Sam were fussing baby Fari, who was regarding them solemnly, much as Pip had done as a baby. Diamond looked well and Pip gazed at his wife and child with tender pride, as though unable to believe they were his.

       "He's just like you were as a babe, Pip. That curious stare - you are really going to go through it when he's older," Frodo teased.

       "I know," Pip groaned theatrically. ""Hopefully I'll be onto his tricks, as I did so many myself. I'm making the most of the peace and quiet while he's too young to go anywhere."

       Tea and cake were served and they chatted about babies and their problems and joys. Then Pip rose and went to the guest room to wash and tidy himself.

       "I'll go and see the Sandymans now."

       "You don't have to do it right now."

       "Yes I do," Pip replied. "I need to go and explain what happened and make my peace with them."

       Frodo buttoned his waistcoat. "Shall I come with you?" He found himself gently pushed back into his chair.

       "No, you dear ass. I'm big enough and ugly enough to fight my own battles. You know, Aragorn told me many times that leaders sometimes have to make decisions no-one else can make and take action which no others should be asked to do. He also said that taking a life would never be easy, nor should it be. He said the day he found pleasure in killing would be the day he hung up his sword."

       "Yes, that sounds like our beloved King."

       "Well, I've asked myself if I felt even a twinge of pleasure over killing Ted, and I'm thankful to say there was none at all. I'm sorry it happened. There was no time to think and I acted on instinct because I feared he would kill that child. I thought how I would feel if it was little Fari he was threatening and I knew he had to be stopped." He paused and then grinned, looking like the old Pippin. "Let me get this over with."

                                                                         ************

       Almost two hours had passed and there was still no sign of Pip. Frodo wandered into the garden and was very relieved to see his cousin strolling up the Hill, whistling.

       "I was about to send out a search party!"

       "Would you believe they made me stay for tea?"

       "And you'll need a splint for the arm they had to twist, naturally?

       Pip laughed. "Of course! I need lots of persuasion to eat sandwiches and cake." He reached the gate and turned to look back towards the Party Field. "That is a huge weight off my mind, knowing they don't hate me for it."

       "I told you they wouldn't. Violet thinks you're wonderful and I'm sure you'll be Lily's hero too."

       Pippin chuckled. "That role is already taken, my dear Fro."

       "Oh?"

       "Yes, it's you, you chump! Every time your name was mentioned she blushed strawberry pink. I think young Lily is carrying a torch for you."

       Frodo looked startled. "Oh dear! Do you think so?

       "Trust me. I understand lasses." He realised that Frodo was looking at him with disbelief. "I do! I know a besotted lass when I see one, and she's besotted."

                                                                         ************

       Two weeks after the family's departure for Crickhollow, a Quick Post letter arrived to say that Estella had given birth to a son. Merry was still unable to make up his mind over the name - should the babe be Theoden or Theodoc? Merry grumbled that Pip was no help and asked Frodo to choose, but Frodo declined gracefully, knowing that whatever he suggested, Merry would choose the opposite.

       Messengers from Rohan arrived at the Bridge towards the end of Halimath, with news that Queen Lothiriel had given given birth to another son, to be named Aelfrede. Merry, along with the other Travellers and their families, sent many gifts for mother and baby, and Rose sent half a dozen bottles of blackberry wine, pickles, jam and two large fruit cakes, declaring that a new mother needed feeding.

                                                                        ************

       Frodo sat on the large log at the end of New Row, his sketch pad on his knee. He had taken up drawing again, having not touched it for almost twelve years. He knew he was not as skilled as Merry but he enjoyed it and needed the practice for illustrating some of the pages in books he was copying. He liked to adorn some of the letters with flowers, and birds and beasts decorated the margins.

       He was attempting to draw the mallorn, capturing the graceful shape as she stretched towards the sky. The shouts and laughter of children drifted up: the lasses played catch with a soft ball while the lads were engrossed in a game of wickets. He was pleased to see Lily Sandyman with the other lasses. She seemed so quiet and solemn, taking on far more responsibility than most tweenaged lasses and spending far too much time on adult chores. Ivy had pushed her out to take the air and have some fun. Frodo was delighted to see her laughing with May's daughter Salvia, who was fourteen, and Tansy Bunce's elder sister Hollyhock, a jolly lass of twenty. They were shrieking and giggling, to the disgust of the lads - except for Bordo Sandheaver, who was gazing at Hollyhock with a wistful expression. Rose would call that 'gormless' Frodo thought, and chuckled.

       "Mista Fodo! Mista Fodo!" A small child's voice interrupted his train of thought and he looked down to see little Tando Bunce emerging at speed from the gate of No. 4 and running towards him.

       Frodo put aside his sketchbook and drawing sticks and lifted the faunt into his lap. "Hello Tando. You're as bright as a button. Have you had a nap?"

       "Uh-uh," the child said, nodding. "Lo, Mista Fodo. What doin'?"

       "Drawing pictures. Would you like to see?"

       "Yes, pease." The tiny lad peered at the pictures and smiled as he recognised a magpie and two squirrels. "Pie!" he said, pointing at the bird. He stared hard at a point above Frodo's head, his expression one of wonder.

       "What is it, Tando?"

       "Buff-fly......... in your hair."

       "What colour?"

       "Lello," said the child confidently, still staring at the creature which was resting in Frodo's curls.

       "Probably a Brimstone then."

       "Bimtone?"

       Frodo laughed merrily at this. "Nearly. A Brimstone. It's our most common yellow butterfly."

       "Nice bonnet!" said Rose, settling herself beside him and placing a basket on the ground.

       "Lo, Missus Fodo!" said Tando eagerly. Frodo and Rose exchanged a look.

       "People will talk." Frodo's lips twitched.

       "Let 'em. Far more likely to gossip about you wearing a butterfly bonnet. You know there's at least four of them in your hair now?"

       "Really? Perhaps that scented soap has attracted them."

       Rose started giggling again. "They think you're a flower!" She leaned over and tickled Tando. "I'm not Mrs Frodo, I'm Mrs Sam. You'll be starting a whole lot of rumours if the old biddies hear you, my lad!"

       "I'll distract them by entering the Autumn Bonnet Parade at the Harvest Fair. That will keep Widow Goodloam and Mrs Proudfoot busy for at least a month!"

       "What dat one?" asked Tando, one fat finger pointed to Frodo's hair.

       "The black and yellow one is a Swallowtail and that one there is a Bindbole Blue. Hold out you hand and stay still and perhaps one will land on you," Rose said.

       Tando held out his hand and waited. To his utter delight, one of the butterflies alighted on his wrist and sat there, opening and closing its wings in the warm sunshine. "Pwetty!" he breathed, enchanted.

       A large green and gold North Farthing Skipper fluttered on to Frodo's knee. "See how delicate the wings are, Tando? That is why you must never touch the wings because they can be damaged very easily. They are very beautiful but we have to wait for them to come to us."

       The three sat in the sun and enjoyed the dance of the butterflies until the creatures moved away to feed on the buddleia growing in the gardens of New Row.

       Rose called the children up from the Party Field and handed out cakes, biscuits and lemonade to all. When the children called for a story - and the tweens were just as eager - Frodo told them about the coronation of the King and the pardoning of Beregond.

                                                                         ************

       The Harvest Fair in Bywater was always well-attended and considered a very important event by the farmers, gardeners and cooks of the West Farthing. Farmer Cotton had entered several of his animals in the livestock competitions, Lilly Cotton was confident of winning the prize for the best pasties and Rose's marrow chutney, blackberry jam, spicy tomato pickle (so appreciated by the Haradri ambassador to Gondor) and peach wine were bound to win first prize.

       The children raced around, visiting the stalls, running back to their parents and uncle for more farthings to play pitch and toss or hoops. All those from New Row were there to enjoy the fun. Little Columbine Carter tagged along with Ellie and her friends and the eldest Gamgee child made it clear that anyone taunting the lass about her withered arm would find themselves in deep trouble. Elanor did not tolerate bullying; she responded like a tigress if anyone dared to call Frodo 'Mad Baggins' and if she caught someone staring at his right hand she would fix them with a scowl to shrivel them on the spot.

       Farmer Cotton's ram, Mulberry was declared a deserving winner in his class, and one of Ned Shortburrow's cows sported a rosette for the longest eyelashes. Tully Noakes had primped and washed his biggest sheep until she resembled a fluffy cloud and she was promptly awarded the title of 'Largest Sheep in Show.' She was an amiable creature who enjoyed being the centre of attention. Frodo scratched her head and she baa'd softly.

       "She's sweet. Will you keep her over the winter?"

       "Oh aye, won't be losing this old girl. She's a wonderful mother and her wool is as soft as thistledown. There's plenty of hay ready for them all. Hay harvest was a bumper one this year, and I don't like to lose my girls if I can help it, sentimental old fool that I am."

       "I don't think it's foolish, Tully. You invest so much time and care in these sheep. I'd never make a farmer, I know that. I'd be hopeless. I'd never send anything to market."

       "You're a gentlehobbit, Mister Frodo, and a very tender-hearted one. It does you credit, sir." He turned to look at his grand-daughter, who was giggling with Ellie and Violet. "That young lass is like you in many ways - can't bear to see a soul hurting. Mrs Sandyman says she befriended little Violet straight away and now she's keeping an eye on Columbine. She's a credit to her parents and to you."

       Frodo smiled. "Thank you. She is a very generous and caring child, and loves to see the shy ones come out of their shells."

       Tully nodded towards the fresh produce stall, where Frodo-lad was standing with his father. "Does the lad have anything in the show?"

       "Pumpkins. I don't know how he does it but that lad can grow pumpkins bigger than anyone else in the Shire. Two years ago we had so many we couldn't give them away. Even Sam can't get the things to grow like that!"

       "His Grand-da would have been proud. If you're going over there I'll come with you. I'd like to see how the lad does. I like a bit of pumpkin now and then."

       There was no disputing the facts. Sam had to swear that he had given the lad no assistance but there was no denying that Frodo-lad's pumpkins were monsters. It was clear that they dwarfed every rival without anyone using a tape measure. To his unbridled joy, Frodo-lad accepted the first prize from Thain Paladin with a quiet "Thank you, sir," and a bow.

       Sam's potatoes were awarded their usual accolade and also won Best Produce in Show and Rose carried off several awards. Frodo applauded them all, feeling as pleased as if he had won everything himself.

       In the handicrafts section Ivy Sandyman was stunned to find herself receiving first prize for her sewing from the Thain's lady, who whispered, "Well done, dear,"as she handed over the silver dish. She was blushing but overjoyed and her children cheered her loud and long.

       Hyacinth Bracegirdle carried off the winner's sash in the Autumn Bonnet Parade for a monstrous creation of feathers and straw which achieved the seemingly impossible and drew the eye from her impressive frontage. Paladin presented her with her little cup and the day ended with all the produce being sorted and taken round to poor families and anyone who was ill or needed extra cheering.

       "I think that was a most successful day," said Frodo as the cart rolled homeward, full of sleepy children.

       "You should have entered something, Uncle Fro," said Ellie from her place in the back of the cart with Violet.

       "I am content to bathe in the reflected glory of my talented family and friends. Besides, what could I produce which might have a chance of winning?"

       "That blackberry cobbler. That would win - it's much tastier than Mrs Sandyloam's apple pie," Rose said. "Next year you're going to go in that class if I have to march you there myself."

       Ivy was glowing as she recalled the moment when she won something for the first time in her life and heard the applause of a crowd ringing in her ears.

       "Ted would never let me enter. He always said it was fixed so's the likes of us couldn't win but this proves he was wrong, doesn't it? I can't believe they liked my work the best."

       "But it is the best. You enjoy it, Ivy dear. You deserve it if anyone does," said Rose.

                                                                         ************

       Rose waited until the anniversary of Weathertop was safely over. Each year she worried less but it was a hard habit to break altogether. Frodo was aware of the date but there were no unusual symptoms, no twinges and no despair. He found himself playing with little Sooty, rolling cotton reels and small paper balls up and down the passageways under the watchful supervision of the Bag End senior cat. Sooty pounced and bounced and rolled for hours, drawing Sam and Rose from their work and keeping the children in fits of laughter.

       That evening, with the children safely tucked up and sound asleep, they sat down to supper. Rose smiled across the table and served out the garlic mushrooms and bubble-and-squeak.

       "I have some news for you two. Not going to tell the children yet because it's early days, but...................I'm expecting again."

       "Expecting? When did.........?

       "Sam Gamgee! If you say you don't remember when that could have happened, I'll put this pan over your head!"

       "Just teasing, lass. I remember fine!" He twinkled at her. "That's wonderful news, my Rose-wife." Sam drew her to him and kissed her gently.

       "Congratulations, my dears." Frodo opened a bottle of wine.

       "You knew I was going to tell you tonight?"

       "No, not exactly. But I've suspected for a while now and kept the wine for this special occasion."

       Rose smiled at him. "Are you sure you don't mind?"

       Sam nodded. "We're filling up your home with all these little 'uns........"

       "It is our home, and the more the merrier. You have given me something so precious in sharing your family with me." He took their hands."You are my family, my dearest brother and sister, and your love has made me whole again."

       Rose and Sam blinked back tears when they heard this. Their anxieties during the first years of their marriage, when they had feared for Frodo's life and sanity, were gone. Only their fiercely protective love remained and that would never fade.

       Sam looked at Rose. "I haven't noticed you being queasy in the mornings, love."

       "I'm not sick with lasses, am I?"

       "So we have another little lass to look forward to? I suppose Frodo knew that already."

       "Yes, I did. This one will be Goldilocks, almost as fair as Ellie, and beautiful and capable - just like her mother."

       "Have you seen what she'll be like when she's grown up?" Rose asked, sipping her small glass of wine.

       "I saw her very vividly, just once. Tall for a hobbit lass, golden hair slightly darker than Ellie's, and a smile to make lads weep. She will have charge of somewhere important, I think, for I saw a large set of keys hung from a belt at her waist."

       "I wonder what they can be for? Perhaps she'll be lady-in-waiting to Arwen." Sam pondered. "What do they call the one with all the keys? Mistress of the Bedchamber or something."

       Rose giggled. "She's smaller than a walnut at the moment and you're already planning her future!"

       "A fond father can dream, can't he? When will you tell the children?"

       "When I'm safely past three months. Doesn't hurt to be cautious."

       "I can hardly wait to boast that I'm to be an uncle again. I'm catching Pip's total now."

       Rose laughed. "If you've forseen aright, you'll pass that easily!"

       "When I'm old and grey - or at least older and greyer than I am now - I shall be surrounded by as big a family as old Gerontius had."

       "You're not old and grey, you silly Baggins," said Sam. "You'll always be young Mr Frodo to me."

                                                                          ************

       The year wound down into autumn, leaves turned gold and orange and red before tumbling to the ground and blowing into nooks and crannies. The children spent much time outside, flinging the leaves up in the air or leaping into the great piles which Sam had gathered. Ellie stood in the centre of a swirling blizzard of crunchy leaves, arms above her head, a fey elf-child with her bouncing curls and small bare feet. Frodo smiled as he watched her, sharing her enchantment. He found himself dragged into the fun as she danced him round, her laughter ringing round the Hill.

       Merry-lad jumped feet-first into a great heap, sending leaves in all directions. Little Pip half-crawled, half staggered to join him, flopping down with a squeal of delight. Even tiny Sooty ventured out and stalked the leaves, springing and rolling as he copied Rufus.

       "Good they can be amused so easily, lass," Sam murmured as he stood on the stoop with his arm round Rose's waist.

       "Frodo, the children or the cats?" She turned her face to his and grinned as he swivelled her to and fro.

       "All of 'em. Look at him - he looks nearly as young as he did before the Quest. And he has something carefree about him now. I always said love could work miracles."

       "So you did, my clever Sam."

       "Clever? I suppose I must be - I chose the best wife and the best master in the whole of Middle-earth."

       "Flattery will get you nearly anywhere, Mister Mayor."

       "Will it now?" His expressive hazel eyes sparkled.

       "Not right now, you chump!" Rose giggled, and shoved him off the step.

                                                                         ************

       Excitement was building as the festival of Samhain approached. Turnip and pumpkin lanterns were carved, costumes prepared and bonfires built in every village. It was the night when the veil between the worlds was at its thinnest and hobbits remembered their loved-ones who had passed into the world ruled by Lord Namo. The fires and lanterns would guide the lost ones back for a time, to watch and share in their families' joys. Frodo had often been aware of the shadows lingering wistfully beyond the circles of firelight, but he had a great deal of Tookish blood and they were considered a fey lot. The Ring and the Morgul blade had only accentuated traits and abilities which already existed.

       Of course, some hobbits did not believe in the existence of the soul but everyone joined in the fun. Hobbits needed little excuse to hold a feast, and the children loved the games and dressing-up.

       Tully turned a spit over the fire, basting the side of beef as it roasted. He glanced over to where the children were greeting each other. Young Merry Gamgee was a very impressive baby dragon and his sister Rosie had decided to be an Entwife. His grand-daughter Columbine had insisted on being a sheep for the occasion. Tully chuckled as he turned the baking potatoes in the embers. Chestnuts spat and crackled and the exhilaratingly cold air was redolent with the spicy smell of mulled cider.

       In a room high in the White Tower of Ecthelion, Aragorn watched his friends enjoying themselves. He could almost smell the food and hear the laughter of excited children, and he returned to his family feeling refreshed, at peace - and very hungry.

Blotmath (November) 1430 SR

It was often said by older hobbits that if a death occurred, two more would follow. In the first week of Blotmath Widow Goodbody died. She was a hundred and four and left many children and grand-children to mourn her loss and celebrate her life. Three days after her death, the hobbits of Hobbiton and Bywater learned of the passing of Gaffer Sandheaver.

       On the twelfth day of the month a Quick Post letter arrived from Buckland. It was in Pip's hand but the style indicated that the writer was under some strain. Frodo opened it with sudden dread. Had one of the babies slipped away with that awful crib death?

                                                                                                             11th Blotmath

 Dearest Fro,

              Sorry to send you bad news but Merry is busy comforting Uncle Doc and the rest. I'm afraid poor Uncle Mac has gone. He collapsed and died in the stable-yard this morning while grooming his pony. The stable-lad was at his side in seconds but it was too late. The healer says it was a seizure of the heart and that nothing could have been done even if it had happened inside the Hall.

       I don't know if you can come here for the funeral but I know Merry, Uncle Doc and Beri and his Mum would really appreciate it if you can. I've never seen Uncle Doc so upset. He's walking round in a daze and seems to have aged in a few hours. Aunt Eudora is beside herself and Pimmie is trying to comfort Beri. Merry and Aunt Esme are running themselves ragged trying to help them all and I know they're upset too. We all loved Uncle Mac, and at 88 he wasn't all that old for a hobbit. Of course the Brandybucks are not as long-lived as the Tooks but it was so unexpected and an awful shock.

       Your loving Pip.

       Within two hours Frodo was packed and on hs way, Limlight cantering swiftly past the Three Farthing Stone and on, not stopping at Frogmorton. Frodo ate sandwiches while he rode, determined to reach Brandy Hall that evening. He paused briefly at the Bridge to speak to one of the Rangers and a couple of the Buckland Shirriffs, who all offered their condolences.

       The lights were lit in many of the windows as he reached the Hall's main entrance, although he could see that the curtains in Merimac's apartments were drawn.

        "Frodo dear!" Esme cried. She flung her arms around his neck and (most unusually) burst into tears.

        Frodo held her and rubbed her back soothingly as she wept. She looked tired and strained and had no doubt been holding back her own grief while she consoled the others.

       "I'm sorry," she sniffled, fumbling for her handkerchief.

       "Take mine." A large white handkerchief dried her tears. "And there's nothing to be sorry for. Who can you share your grief with if not with me?"

       "Oh Frodo, I do love you so, my sweet lad."

       "Dearest Esme. Only you could refer to a sixty-two year old hobbit as a lad!" He held her chin and tilted her face up to look at her. "There! No-one will know."

       "You are my lad - always will be. And you have had more than enough grief in your life already. I hate to burden you with more."

       "You are not burdening me. I loved Mac and I wanted to pay my last respects to him."

       Merry emerged from the Master's apartments and threw himself at his cousin. "I'm so glad you're here!" He clung to Frodo for several minutes before pulling back. "I've never seen Da so upset." He lowered his voice, lest his mother overhear. "He looks.......old. I've never thought of Da as being old - well he's only ninety. Aunt Eudora's a wreck and poor Beri is reeling."

       "I can imagine. This is such a shock, especially as I was here before my birthday and he was fine."

       "I know." Merry led the way inside. "He had a good breakfast, apparently, and then went out to groom Witchhazel ready for a ride to Rushey on business. The stable-lad was mucking out, heard some sort of noise and as he looked over, Mac clutched his chest and dropped."

       "At least I suppose he didn't suffer. There is little consolation when someone dies but if someone has to go then it is better for them to go without pain. Not better for their loved ones, of course, since the shock is so much greater."

       Esme walked in from the sitting-room with Saradoc and Frodo had to hide his own shock at the change in his cousin. He seemed bowed with grief, his usually smiling expression replaced by one of enormous sadness.

       "Sarry!" He strode forward and clasped his cousin in his arms. "There are no adequate words but I'm so sorry."

       "He was so fond of you, my boy. Always the peacemaker, a typical Goold, funny and gentle. Even after our parents died I never felt alone because dear Mac was always there. He was my little brother and it was my job to protect him, but when it happened I wasn't there......" Sara's breath caught in pain.

       "Even if you had been, there was nothing you could have done. We always feel guilt when someone dies - I kept thinking that if I'd been in the boat that night, I could have saved my parents. Don't go beating yourself about this."

       Berilac and his mother were both pleased and touched to see Frodo. Food was brought and they sat around, picking at the food and, unusually for hobbits, saying little. It was enough to have the others' reassuring presence.

                                                                         ************

       Two days later Merimac Brandybuck was carried to his rest in the Brandy Hall burial ground. It was a cold and slightly foggy morning. Mist drifted in phantom wisps from the river, chill ghostly fingers twining damply round necks and inside collars. Frodo burrowed into his scarf and pulled his thick cloak around him. The sun itself seemed to hide his face on such a day. However, as the coffin was lowered gently into the grave and Saradoc stepped forward to say a few words, the mist parted and sunlight gilded the trees.

       Saradoc looked up and gave a rueful smile. "How like Mac - he always was a ray of sunshine to us all." There was a ripple of laughter. "My baby brother always wanted to be first in many things, although he never wanted to be Master. He was first to ride a pony, first to kiss a lass, to have a son. And now he is first to go beyond this world........to enter the Presence, as our King says. He was always very adventurous, having spent a great deal of his childhood listening to Bilbo Baggins. When Merry and Pip disappeared with Frodo and I was frantic, Mac told me not to be 'an old stuffed shirt' because it was natural for a son of mine who was half-Took to want to go gadding off. Mac, you dear old ass, don't go too far ahead. I don't want to go just yet but I want you to be waiting for me when I reach the next world." Sara choked slightly on the last words, and threw a handful of earth into the grave.

       Frodo listed to the rattle of falling earth and his mind travelled back to a summer morning, Bilbo's hands on his shoulders, his hand tight in Esme's as they watched the two coffins lowered side by side. It seemed so far away, that nightmare time, and yet he could still remember it vividly and feel what he felt then. When his turn came, he threw his handful of earth into the grave and murmured a farewell.

       Glancing back at the heap of earth and the glowing dahlias and chrysanthemums piled on the grave, the large group made their way back to the Hall. The squirrels provided some amusement as they scuttled up and down the tree trunks, burying stores for the winter and dropping acorns on those walking beneath the trees. The creatures were growing their winter coats with pronounced ear tufts and bushy tails. They looked enchanting, peeping impishly from behind the trees.

       "Da always loved to watch the little rascals," said Berilac. "That is why our Emerald is so fond of animals, because her grand-da used to take her for long walks and tell her all about them." He hugged his daughter close.

       "He certainly enjoyed his visit to Rohan," Merry said with a smile. He had taken Merimac to visit Edoras and see the horse herds on the plains. His uncle had always been the one to tame ponies, befriend stray cats and dogs and feed the furred and feathered winter visitors to the Hall. "And even Eomer was impressed with his ability to tame some of those horses."

       "He had a very sure touch with ponies. Even the wildest and most difficult among them would come to him. It was a gift."

                                                                         ***********

       The following days were spent in gentle reminiscence as the family drew together and did what hobbits always did in times of trouble. They talked, told comfortingly familiar stories of Mac's adventures and escapades, laughed, cried, and ate. Saradoc drew special comfort from his new little grandson, who was an amiable and placid baby. Estella made sure that he spent a great deal of time in the Master's apartments, where Sara could be heard singing comical songs and gently teasing Theo. They were bittersweet days but the tears were healing ones and Mac was remembered with love.

       Frodo stayed almost two weeks before riding back to Hobbiton. Three births, three deaths. He hoped that would be the last deaths for a long time. He spent the journey deep in thought, hoping that Sam, Rose and the children were well and that the families on New Row were avoiding the winter coughs and colds.

       On arrival at the bottom of the Hill he was greeted by a motley group of little ones, all well-wrapped against the winter chill. Ellie raced down but slowed so as not to alarm the pony. She reached up and stroked the velvety nose and Limlight snuffled softly, his breath warm and fragrant. Frodo lifted her up in front of him and they rode up to the paddocks near the top of the hill, where the child helped him to rub down and settle the pony. They greeted Molly, Bill and Strider, gave them all some carrots and then strolled back to Bag End.

       "Phew! What a welcome! How lovely to come home to this," Frodo exclaimed as he was hugged and kissed by the whole family. Little Pip squealed and bounced in his chair until he had been picked up and paraded round the kitchen, Merry-lad celebrated in style by removing every scrap of clothing, and even Sooty squawked and yelled until someone paid him some attention.

       "We missed you, Uncle Fwo," said Rosie-lass, swinging round his neck.

       "It's not the same when you're not here," added Fro.

       "They're right," whispered Rose. "This place wouldn't be the same without you."

       Frodo embraced them all and, when he had washed and changed, he allowed himself to be settled and fed all his favourite foods. Rose had obviously spent all day baking.

       "How did you know I'd be back today? I didn't decide until two days ago that I'd be home today."

       Rose laughed. "I don't know. I just woke up this morning and knew you'd be home. Ellie knew too - she was dusting and cleaning. Turning into a real little housewife, she is."

       "You don't have Elven blood, do you, Rose? You knew when the Ring went into the fire, you knew Sam was coming home....."

       "Mum's an Elf princess!" said Fro, giggling.

       "Last time I checked I was all hobbit - perhaps I'm a hobbit princess."

       It was bliss to settle into the comfort of Bag End, surrounded and filled by the love of his family. For years after the Quest he had been hollow, burned out and dead inside. Now the empty spaces were full of love and caring and the fulfilling joy of truly belonging. He would have missed all this had he gone to Tol Eressa.

       The next morning, Sam went into Frodo's bedroom and found the four older children and both cats all snuggled with him, barely visible under the quilts. He beckoned Rose and they chuckled quietly.

       "Just think - if he'd gone with Mister Bilbo and Gandalf the little 'uns would never have had the chance to know him."

       Rose smiled. "Having him here is a wonderful influence. They love him so much and he loves them."

       "I reckon old Radagast was right - there's light and magic right here in the Shire."

       "He said there was magic in this home too - pure love has a power of its own, and your love saved the Quest, Sam Gamgee. We pulled him back from death and despair with some help from the Powers, and he returns that love." She gazed fondly at the sleeping Frodo. "Valar bless him!"

                                                                         ************

       Autumn was a time when the Shire children went out looking for mushrooms and nuts. Sweet chestnuts were a favourite, and walnuts. Sam had planted a few walnut trees on his return after the Quest and they were now large and full of the tasty treats. A good harvest also meant coffee and walnut cake once Mistress Rose began baking, and a consequent stream of visitors up the Hill.

       Acorns were another item the children gathered, not for themselves but for Farmer Cotton's two pet pigs. Most pigs were slaughtered as winter approached, but Patches and her daughter Holly were quite safe. They were allowed to forage in the Bywater Copse but the children hunted far and wide for more of the pigs' favourite food. During the year there were many visits to the farm from groups of little hobbits keen to play with the pigs, with kick-ball being a game they all enjoyed. They carried baskets of acorns to the Cotton's farm and old Tom was quite generous with the pennies, which the children hoarded to buy Yule gifts for their families.

                                                                          ************

       Ivy Sandyman knotted another stitch and snapped the thread with practiced ease. She was making little lavender pillows to go in drawers and closets as a Yule gift for Mistress Rose. They had been invited to Bag End for First Yule and Ivy had no intention of going empty-handed. She glanced up and surveyed her family with a happy sigh. She realised that something was missing - the awful tension she had endured for years, waiting with dread for Ted's return from the inn. She never knew what might provoke his anger. His food might be too hot or too cold, or the knife and fork not quite level on the table. Sometimes simply saying 'hello' in the wrong way would result in a blow. Hitting her had been bad enough but when he had started on the children she had found the courage to leave. That last week had been the final straw - as well as throwing Teddy into the table he had knocked Lily half-way across the room and sprained Will's wrist for 'cheeking him.' His last act of violence had been to stamp on Vi's foot when she was crying with earache. Ivy had taken the children and fled to Carrie Butterbur at the Pony, and Merriman smuggled them out of Bree in his cart the next day, while making a delivery to the Bridge.

       Violet and Will were sitting at the table, completing their reading and writing, pencils scratching on slates. Will curled his tongue out of the corner of his mouth as he concentrated. They had been to school that day and Gilly Rumble liked to set them a few exercises. Lily also sat at the table, mending brother Teddy's torn shirt, and Teddy was studying a map of the Shire and its place in Middle-earth, given to him by Frodo. The Master of the Hill had promised to take the lad hiking in the spring and Teddy could hardly wait.

       "Ma? Will you look and see if I did it right?" Violet waved her slate and Ivy took it, reading it carefully and making only one correction.

       "It's very good, dearie. You are a clever lass."

       "Hannon le. That's Sindarin for thank you. Ellie taught me."

       "Did she now? My little Vi speaking Elvish eh? Who'd ha' thought it?" Ivy smiled as she looked at the little table in the corner. It had belonged to her mother and she had been sorry to leave it behind when fleeing Bree. After Ted's death Lord Halboron had thoughtfully packed their belongings and sent them to Hobbiton, together with a letter so full of kindness that she had wept.

       "Don't take all night with my shirt, sis," Teddy teased. Lily flipped a cotton reel in his direction.

       "I don't know what you do with your shirts, you great oaf!"

       Will showed his mother the piece he had written about horses and she praised the lad warmly.

       "I think you two should get ready for bed. Tomorrow you can write your lists for the Yule bonfire - all the year's troubles can be burned ready for a fresh start in the new year."

       "Sammie Shortburrow says that Bag End is beautiful at Yule - garlands all over the place, green boughs, holly, mistletoe, a big Yule log and so much food you can't move for a week."

       "Ooooh! It's 'Sammie' now is it?" Teddy said slyly. He was rewarded by seeing his sister blush like a beetroot, and he and Will grinned at each other.

       "Shut up," Lily retorted cheerfully. "He's a neighbour, that's all." She kept her eyes on her sewing.

       "Stop teasing your sister. You can talk, Teddy my lad - I've seen you acting moonstruck over young Bell Brown." Ivy flicked her son's feet with a duster.

       "Hah!" Will crowed. "You and Lily will both be related to the Mayor if you marry into Master Sam's family!"

       Lily and her brother looked at each other, nodded decisively and then both chased Will down the passage to the bedroom, leaving Ivy and Violet giggling quietly.

                                                                          ************

       Violet stood in the hall at Bag End, staring around with her eyes growing wider by the minute. She had never seen anything like it. Everywhere she looked there were garlands draped along the walls, hung over doorways and looped along mantlepieces. Bunches of holly were draped around lamp brackets and mistletoe graced door lintels and arches. Warm, spicy smells filled the air with the fragrance of pine cones, juniper and pearwood, as well as the herbs burning with the Yule log, and the mouth-watering wafts from the kitchen.

       "Merry Yule, Violet," said Frodo, crouching. The little lass flung herself into his arms and hugged him.

       "Merry Yule, Mister Frodo!"

       "Come in, come in," said Sam, almost tripping over Rufus and Sooty as they scampered down the passage after a pine cone.

       They trooped into the parlour, where Ellie, Fro and Rosie-lass were sitting on the floor playing with an enormous model of Minas Anor, a gift from the King. Each level could be removed to look inside, there were perfect people outside the shops, teeny-weeny wooden fruit, meat, fish and other produce on the market stalls and a miniature King and Queen outside the Citadel. Soon the four Sandyman youngsters were kneeling on the floor, gazing at the model White City and helping to move the people. Ivy went to help Rose in the kitchen and Sam and Frodo set out the plates and cutlery in the dining-room.

       The splendour of the china, silverware and fine crystal glasses made Ivy and Lily very nervous. Lily and Teddy were seated with the adults and even allowed a small amount of wine. Will was put in charge of the younglings' table, taking his responsibilities seriously and keeping the little ones in order.

       The goose was tender and moist, the roast potatoes crisp outside and fluffy inside and the parsnips, carrots and leeks cooked to perfection. This was followed by raspberry trifle with heaped fresh cream. When they were able to rise they all filed back to the parlour to open gifts. Sam lit the parlour Yule log.

       "You didn't have to bring presents," Rose said as Ivy produced various packages.

       "Yes I did. I can never repay what you have done for me and the children since we left Bree. It isn't much but I wanted to show you how grateful we are."

       Frodo smiled. "We never judge presents by their size or worth. It is the thought behind them which makes them special."

       Ivy handed over the modest packages and watched with growing pleasure as everyone exclaimed over the contents. Rose was delighted with her lavender bags and pillowcases, there were sets of beautifully embroidered handkerchiefs for Frodo and Sam, little shirts for Merry and Pip, pinafores for Ellie and Rosie and a lovely embroidered weskit for Fro. The blue velvet had been left over from a dressmaking commission and the happy hobbitess had given it to Ivy to use as she pleased.

       Frodo fetched a basket from the corner. "These are for you." He handed out the parcels.

       The unwrapping of the treasures revealed a book of children's tales for Vi, a fine book showing different horse and pony breeds for Will, a collection of romances and tales of chivalry for Lily and a copy of Bilbo's hiking guide for Teddy. Each child hugged the Bag End residents, tearfully whispering their thanks. Ivy's gift was a delicate vase decorated with birds and butterflies. Rose had learned that many of Ivy's vases had been broken during Ted's various rages, and Frodo found the very thing on Cando Potter's stall in Hobbiton.

       "I........I don't know what to say..........," Ivy began.

       "You don't need to say anything, Ivy dear," said Rose. "Now why don't you settle back and help us to unwrap this." She indicated a large flat parcel propped against the wall.

       "Who's it from?" asked Will.

       "It's from the King," said Frodo. "Who wants to guess what it might be?"

       There were several wild guesses as the wrappings were peeled off, but gradually an elegant wooden frame was visible and the present could be seen to be a painting. Sam stripped away the last piece of paper and everyone gasped.

       "It's Shadowfax and Gandalf!"

       "I think it's a copy of the one which hangs in the King's own sitting-room." Frodo looked in the bottom corner and found the artist's name. "This man had a studio which overlooked the Great Gate. He was very impressed by Shadowfax and when we all returned after Aragorn's coronation he painted that picture and presented it to the King. Aragorn was so impressed he invited him to become the Court Painter."

       Will was beyond speech. The great horse was the most magnificent animal he had ever seen, and the artist had captured every rippling muscle. Somehow the strength and power of the great horse was combined with an ethereal quality, as though he were made from no more than starlight and moonbeams, his mane streaming like fine strands of mithril. Gandalf the White stood beside him, regarding the horse as an indulgent parent might gaze upon a favouritre child.

       Thus it was that the residents of New Row and the Hill spent the last days of the old year, content and looking forward to new challenges in the next one.

1431 SR

In early Foreyule, the hobbits of Hobbiton, Tuckborough and Buckland packed boxes and loaded carts with gifts to be sent to Gondor. The King would celebrate his hundreth birthday on the first day of Rethe and although they were sad not to be celebrating it with him they had been preparing gifts for months. Rose would be too heavily pregnant to travel, Merry and Pip were reluctant to leave wives and babies for a long time and Merry felt Merimac's loss was too recent. Rose and Sam urged Frodo to go if he wished, but he had decided that his place was at home with a new baby on the way. A few adventurous hobbits, led by Isumbrand Took and his wife, decided to go to Gondor as ambassadors from the Shire. They felt it would be totally wrong for the King not to have some of the Shire-folk around him on such a special day.

       The new year brought a nasty feverish cold, which did the rounds of Hobbiton and Bywater. Most of the children in the Row were ill for a few days, except for Tansy Bunce, who never caught anything.

       "That child runs around with no scarf or hat, sometimes not even a coat or shawl, and never has so much as a sniffle!" Rose muttered. They had all been kept up half the night by sniffly, coughing and feverish children.

       "Her mother was just the same." Frodo poured tea.

       "Ellie and Fro brought this little lot home from school. Nice of them to share it!" Sam said. "Still, they should get over it in a day or two."

       The children did indeed recover very rapidly. However, Sam and Rose both went down with it. Frodo packed them off to bed, and worried when neither of them put up more than a token protest. He sent for Doctor Porto and spent the next week looking after the children, nursing Sam and Rose and baking. May and Ivy also supplied food and the Cottons sent all manner of good things for the invalids. Frodo was anxious about Rose, who was in the sixth month of her pregnancy. He put on his sternest face and refused to allow her to set foot out of bed until Doctor Porto had given his consent. She and Sam were forced to recline in their bedroom, with a fire blazing, while Frodo and the children waited on them.

       "Bossy, isn't he?" she said to Sam, when Frodo had scolded her for taking the plates out.

       "Oh, he can be stubborn can Frodo Baggins. I suppose we'll have to suffer all this fussing, lass."

       "I suppose we will. Let's hope Porto allows us out of here soon. I dread to think what sort of state that kitchen is in by now."

       To Frodo's relief, Porto declared the invalids recovered in a few days, and he handed back control of Bag End to a smiling Rose, who was also relieved to find her kitchen reasonably tidy and surprisingly clean.

                                                                         ************

       As the expected date for the baby's arrival approached, it was decided not to leave Rose alone, just in case the midwife was needed in a hurry. May and Ivy took it in turns to sit with her if Sam and Frodo both needed to be absent, and Lily remained within earshot, ready to run for Garnet Tunnelly. At the end of Astron, when Frodo and Sam had to go into Bywater, Ivy came to keep Rose company.

       They sat companionably in the kitchen, drinking tea and knitting. Ivy seemed flustered and excited. Several times she made as if to speak, then hastily lifted her teacup or busied herself with her knitting. Finally Rose stilled her hands and said softly:

       "Elves and dragons, Ivy! Just tell me what's got you all of a twitter. Spit it out, dear."

       "Well..............y'see, it's Tully......Mr Noakes..........he........well, ......he's been ........we...........that is..........he's asked me to marry him!" She met Rose's eyes defiantly.

       "Ivy, that's wonderful news! You dark horse! He's a good hobbit, one of the best."

       Ivy sighed and dropped her gaze. "He is that. But what will people say? Ted's not been gone a year and it wouldn't be right..........."

       "Piffle and nonsense! Your marriage was over long before Ted died, and I'm sure no-one would think any worse of you for wedding again. Besdies, you have to take happiness when and where you find it, in my opinion. As for other people- let 'em talk! Mind you, if I hear anything against you I'll give them a piece of my mind and no mistake! I think this is marvellous news. How have the children taken it?"

       "They're pleased. Even Teddy likes him and is pleased for me. Will is concerned I might be rushin' into things but he thinks Tully is a fine hobbit. Lily and Vi are thrilled at the prospect of a weddin'."

       "So am I. Oh! this is exciting! There's nothing like a wedding."

                                                                          ************

       On a glorious Thrimidge morning Rose clutched her mother's hand, gave one more determined push and delivered the latest addition to the Gamgee family. The babe had a mass of fair hair, slightly darker in colour than Ellie's, and a thick downy fuzz on her little feet. She did not cry but gazed around, her expression curious. When Garnet and Mrs Cotton had cleaned mother and baby the eager father and uncle were allowed in.

       "She looks a lot like Marigold. Frodo said she'd be Goldilocks," said Sam, holding his tiny daughter with pride.

       "She's beautiful - just like her mother," Frodo murmured, smiling at Rose.

       "Flatterer! I don't feel very beautiful right now!" She was flushed and her hair clung to her brow and neck but she was radiant.

       "Ah, but you are." He gazed down at the little scrunched face as Sam placed the newest Gamgee in his arms.

       "Hello, little Goldilocks. Welcome to the world and to Bag End." He kissed her forehead tenderly.

       The children, who had begged not to be sent away this time, filed in quietly and sat on the blanket chest at the end of the bed after kissing their mother. Frodo and Sam allowed the older ones to take turns to hold the baby and the two youngest kissed her and said hello.

       "So you're a big lad now, Pip. This is your baby sister and you must be gentle with her. Do you like her?"

       Pip nodded. He was a big lad - he could walk and say several words and did not want to be the baby of the family any more. "Yes!" he said

       "Now we're evens. Three lads and three lasses. She's lovely." Ellie held her new sister with practiced ease.

       Frodo-lad examined the baby's tiny fingernails. He had not been terribly interested when Merry and Pip were born but was now old enough to notice such things. "She's sweet."

       "Pffffth!" said the baby, smacking her lips.

       "I think someone wants her first feed."

                                                                         ************

       The lasses walked in to Bywater. Moss met them there, having ridden in with her husband. Together with May, Daisy, Rose, Marigold and Ivy, she walked round, looking at the stalls for a while before making for the haberdashery shop. Rose carried a purse into which they would each drop an anonymous contribution.

       "But supposin' there's not enough!" Ivy wailed, hurrying to catch up with a determined Rose.

       "There will be enough, trust me." Rose turned aside to hide a smile. Frodo had already placed his contribution in the purse when he gave it to her that morning and although she had respected his privacy and not looked at the money, she could tell by the weight that there would be more than enough to pay for the best material they could find.

       In the shop they examined the bales of fine cotton and silk while Ivy tried to distract them, hissing that these were far too expensive. "I'll make do with something....."

       "Ivy, you most certainly will not 'make do'! You made do at your first wedding look where that led you!  This time we're going to do things proper. Just enjoy it, lass." Moss chuckled and looked at a bale of teal blue silk. "Now that colour would suit you."

       "Not at that price!" Ivy hissed.

       "I told you, don't look at the price. You let us worry about that. And Moss is right - that colour would look perfect," said Rose. Her sister-in-law, Daisy, nodded agreement.

       "I reckon that's the one. Now we need some pretty material for the centre panel on the bodice."

       "And didn't you say Widow Rumble has given you some lovely old lace? That will be the perfect finishing touch for the sleeves and bodice."

       "Oh look at that!" May exclaimed, pointing to some very delicate sprigged muslin. "That would look lovely. The tiny flowers would go with the blue of the dress."

       The others gathered round, examining the material and holding it up against Ivy's skin. It did suit her colouring.

       "That's decided then," said Rose. She called to the hobbit matron behind the counter and they went into a huddle about measurements and lengths. A bemused Ivy could only watch as the beautiful material was cut and folded and wrapped in paper. She had often dreamed that one day she would make a silk dress for herself but never seriously thought it would happen.

                                                                         ************

       Ivy watched Rose, Sam and the children depart on their way to Bywater, Rose pushing the new wheeled baby carriage containing the sleeping Goldilocks. Ivy smiled at the sight, which seemed very Tookish somehow. The children trotted along, little Pip clutching Ellie's hand and jumping on the grass verge, his bubbling gleeful giggles floating back on the fragrant air.

       She hurried up the Hill and knocked on the back door. It opened and Frodo smiled when he saw her.

       "Mrs Sandyman! Do come in. I've just made tea." He ushered her to a chair.

       "I hope I'm not intrudin', Mister Frodo......"

       "Not at all." He poured the tea and brought out a plate of sandwiches and some cake.

       Ivy twisted her handkerchief in her fingers and pondered what she wanted to say. Frodo did not press her to speak, merely pottered around for a while and then sat at the table and nibbled a sandwich.

       "You see, Mister Frodo, Teddy's not of age and my brother's a very shy hobbit, 'specially since he lost half his leg. He don't like public speakin' and Gull's no better. Neither of them will want to stand up in front of others and...........I know this probably sounds very cheeky, you bein' a gentlehobbit and all, but I was wonderin' if you would stand sponsor for me at the weddin'?"

       A slow and very beautiful smile spread over Frodo's face. "Mrs Sandyman, it would be an honour. I can't think of anything I'd enjoy more. If you're sure your male relations would rather not.........."

       "I'm sure. And the honour would be mine. You've shown us nothin' but kindness and with your help my children won't turn out to be like their father. You are a very special person, Mister Frodo. Ted couldn't have been more wrong about you - you're the kindest, most considerate, most.......good person I've ever met." She gazed at him and a little smile played around her lips. "There now! I'm right sorry I've made you blush but I'm only speakin' the truth."

       Frodo was more than a little flustered by this. "Well.........er...........I would certainly be proud to stand sponsor for you. Goodness! I've never been asked to do this before and I'm very flattered. Thank you for asking me, Mrs Sandyman."

       "My pleasure. And I think it's more than time you called me Ivy. I'm not goin' to be a Sandyman much longer and to be honest it isn't a name I enjoy hearin'."

       "I can understand that. More tea then, Ivy?"

       "Thank you. You make a fine pot of tea I must say. Tully makes tea you could stand a spoon up in, then he leaves his sittin' there until it's cold before he drinks it!"

       Frodo laughed out loud. "I've tasted his tea - he certainly likes it strong. I must confess I don't mind cold tea. When I was young I used to often be so engrossed in a book that my tea sat there for an hour, so if I was thirsty I drank it anyway. And Bilbo nearly always drank his cold - said he preferred it that way."

       If anyone had told Ivy twelve months before that she would be sitting in Bag End's kitchen, chatting easily to the Master of the Hill and laughing with him while they shared tea and sandwiches, she would have declared them to be 'touched.'

       "There's just one more thing, Mister Frodo. Do you think Mister Merry and Mister Pippin would come? Would they be offended if I asked 'em?

       "On the contrary, I think they'd be delighted. Besides, you know what those two are like - a party with a feast! Can you see them turning it down?"

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       The seventeenth day of Wedmath dawned warm and clear. In the Gamgee household and the smials of New Row there was a great deal of frenzied activity. The children, washed and dressed in their best, were forbidden to go outside or move from their seats in the parlour. Frodo took charge, cradling baby Goldie gently and keeping the others amused with songs and stories while Sam and Rose bathed and dressed. Rose emerged wearing a magnolia coloured dress with deep gold ribbons and tiny orange flowers on the bodice. Sam was wearing his suit from Gondor, with his watch chain gleaming across his waistcoat. He was carrying the magnificent ink stand which Gimli had given to Frodo for his last birthday, two copies of the marriage contract and the marriage band.

       This was a strip of material about two feet long and four or five inches wide, usually sewn by the bride or her mother and embroidered with symbols of the wedding couple and the two families. Ivy had stitched it and it contained images of mills, sheep, beehives - her father had been the best known bee-keeper in the West Farthing - and lots of flowers, birds and butterflies. It would be used to bind the couple's hands together and would afterwards be presented to them, along with a copy of the contract.

       Sam and Rose set off with the children - Sam to go to the Party Field and ensure everything was ready while Rose and the lasses were off to New Row to help dress the bride. Frodo bathed and dressed in his emerald green suit, combed his hair, brushed his feet and made his way down to the Row.

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       Lily opened the door, blushed and ushered Frodo in to the little parlour. Moss, May, Daisy and Rose were putting the finishing touches to Ivy's hair, the little lasses werenibbling biscuits in the kitchen and baby Goldie dozed in her basket. The dress was utterly perfect - the deep teal blue suited Ivy's colouring while the white sprigged muslin decorating the bodice and forming the centre panel of the skirt added a delicate touch against the strong colour. Fine lace edged the sleeves and neckline. Rose lifted the bridal wreath, which Sam had made early that morning, and placed it on Ivy's head. Naturally ivy formed the core - both the dark green and variegated varieties - with long tendrils trailing down, and it was completed by yellow-gold roses, white lilies, dainty late-flowering violets and a few twists of columbine. Her posy contained the same plants.

       "Ivy, you look wonderful!"

       Ivy blushed. She had never felt like this or worn such a fine gown. She glanced down to where Moss was giving her toes a final brushing.

       Frodo drew from his pocket a long box. "I think it is time for you to have this."

       "Oh Mister Frodo, you shouldn't!"

       "Yes I should. Humour me. It is one of the duties of the bride's sponsor to present her with a gift - and a very pleasant duty it is too. Turn around and close your eyes."

       Ivy obeyed and felt something cool at her throat. She heard little gasps from the others, felt Frodo's fingers fastening something at the nape of her neck and was then turned to face the mirror.

       "You can open your eyes now."

       Ivy could not speak. She was wearing a necklace composed of silver and enamelled ivy leaves and had never owned anything more beautiful. Tears glittered in her eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.

       The flower lasses gathered round to admire the necklace, which Frodo had bought in Bree some weeks before. Little Columbine was enchanted, as well as being very happy to see her name-flower in Ivy's wreath and posy.

       Rose gathered up the basket and led all the others outside, leaving Frodo and Ivy alone. The children stayed by the gate, ready to lead the bride down the Hill.

       "Well Ivy? Are you ready? Tully won't be able to take his eyes off you."

       "Bit different from my first weddin'. That was all done in a rush and was all make do and mend. Well, I was.... 'spectin' Teddy and my old Dad hated the Sandymans so it was very quiet. And my weddin' ring broke after six months, which was an omen if ever there was one!" She laughed. "Now here I have the future Thain and Master, the Mayor to marry us and the Master of the Hill as my sponsor! Who'd 'a' thought it?" She picked up her posy. The tendrils of ivy trailed almost to the floor and the perfume of the roses and white Elven lilies filled the room. On impulse she took one of the yellow roses and placed it in Frodo's buttonhole. "There! Goes with the flowers on your weskit."

       Frodo offered her his arm and they stepped outside into the dazzling sunshine. From the Party Field the guests heard children's voices raised in the bridal greeting, led by Ellie with her bell-like and strangely adult singing voice.

       Tully stole a sidelong glance at his bride as she halted beside him. He was wearing a new suit and was obviously feeling very uncomfortable. He ran a finger inside his collar.

       "Friends and neighbours," Sam began, "We're all gathered today to see two of our own marry. Both have known sadness and hardship and it's a wonderful thing that they have found each other. Marriage should be a partnership of equals, where neither seeks to dominate the other. It should bring joy and comfort and help to create a happy home for the family. Who stands for the groom?"

       A nervous Totty Noakes stepped forward. "I do, sir. Totty Noakes of Hobbiton. I'm of age and declare that Tully Noakes is my father. He is a hard-working hobbit of good character and a widower and there is no reason why he cannot wed."

       "Who stands for the bride?"

       "Frodo Baggins of Hobbiton. I am of age and I declare that Ivy Sandyman is a hard-working hobbitess of good character. She is a widow and there is no reason why she may not wed."

       Sam called them forward. Totty and Frodo joined the couple's hands and Sam wrapped the marriage band around them. "Tully Noakes, do you promise to take Ivy as your wife, to care for her, confide in her, love her and remain faithful to her for as long as your lives together shall last?"

       "I do," said Tully firmly.

       "Ivy Sandyman, do you promise to take Tully as your husband, to care for him, confide in him, love him and remain faithful to him for as long as your lives together shall last?"

       "I do."

       Sam unwrapped the band and Frodo and Totty placed the wedding rings on the table. He took the smaller ring and handed it to Tully, who repeated the words as he placed the simple gold band on Ivy's finger.

       "This ring is a sign of my love and respect. It is to remind us both why we made these vows and to tell others that we are husband and wife."

       Ivy did the same thing with the ring for Tully and then Sam spoke. "We wish Ivy and Tully long life and great happiness together. I now pronounce that they are husband and wife. Congratulations Mr Noakes. You may now kiss Mrs Noakes."

       There was loud laughter as Tully kissed his bride.

       "Now if the happy couple, the sponsors and the witnesses would step forward we'll sign the marriage contract." Sam dipped the quill in red ink and signed, then handed the pen to the couple, who signed their names.

       Frodo ushered Teddy and Lily to the table, much to their surprise, and they were allowed to sign with Frodo as witness. Merry and Pip both added their names with a flourish, Sam wound the marriage band round one copy and gave it to Ivy. The other copy would go to Michel Delving to be lodged in the Council Hole.

       "Now I think we should go and drink a toast to the new Mr and Mrs Noakes, before Tully's new collar strangles him," added Sam, to appreciative chuckles. "There's ale cooling in the stream and it's long past lunch time!"

       Frodo looked around the Party Field with a sigh of satisfaction as they all made their way to the feast. In the morning he would take Teddy and Will on a hike to the Woody End for a camping trip and Lily and Vi were staying at Bag End for a week, to give the newly-weds some privacy. This was the happy conclusion he had hoped for.

       "Come along Fro, you snail! I'll eat your share as well!" yelled Pip, and Frodo quickened his pace to prevent such a terrible possibility.