Chapter 2: Encounter, Part One

Forelithe, S.R. 1291

"Meh!" said ten month old Bilbo, pounding his spoon upon the tray of his high chair.  Bang! Bang! Bang!

"You impatient child!" scolded his mother fondly as she set his bowl of porridge in front of him.  He was not yet weaned, but he was certainly enjoying his solid food.  As soon as the bowl was set down, he abandoned the spoon to use more direct tools: his hands.  He plunged both of them into the bowl and soon it was all over his face.  Belladonna gave an exasperated laugh, and washed him off with the wet cloth she had nearby for this very eventuality.  Then she took up the abandoned spoon and began to feed him.

"Bungo, your son has dreadful table manners," she teased.

Bungo turned from the fire where he was tending a skillet of sausages for the more adult breakfast.  "My son?  I can't imagine that a Baggins would be anything other than a paragon of manners!" he said, trying to maintain a solemn expression.  

"Perhaps he is a changeling, and we have been given a Bracegirdle instead," said Bella.

"Perish forbid!" Bungo sputtered, as he pulled the skillet to the hearth.

They were interrupted by a pounding at the door.  "Whoever could it be at this hour?" Bungo said as he got to his feet.  "I will get the door.  You stay here with our little imp!"

But now that his mother was feeding him delightful porridge with honey and cinnamon and dried fruit, he was behaving beautifully, a blissful smile given to her with each bite.

She heard faint voices from the hall.  Whoever it was, Bungo did not invite him in.  There was silence for a few moments, and then her husband silently padded back into the kitchen.  He was holding a letter in his hand.  "It was the Quick Post rider from the Great Smials!"

"You didn't ask him in for refreshment?"

"No, I gave him coin to go to The Ivy Bush if he likes.  I don't think we are ready for a guest this morning."  Both he and his wife were still in their dressing gowns.

He handed the letter to Belladonna.  Though it was addressed to both of them, it was in the Old Took's own hand, and Bungo thought his daughter should have the privilege of opening it.

She turned the spoonful of porridge over to him, and as Bilbo gave another impatient "Meh!" his father conveyed it to his mouth, though he kept a curious eye on his wife.  He hoped it was not bad news-- the Thain rarely saw fit to use the Quick Post.

She had slipped a finger beneath the seal and unfolded it.  Her eyes scanned over it briefly, and she gave a cry-- but one of joy, not shock!  "Oh, oh Bungo!"  She grinned at him.  " 'Gar is back!  Gandalf found him and brought him back!  We must go at once!"

Bungo looked at her in surprise.  When her youngest brother Isengar had vanished three years ago, the Tooks had been despondent, certain that he, like his older brother Hildifons before him, would never again be seen in the Shire.  He and Belladonna had been mere newlyweds at the time, and he had not known the youngest of the Tooks very well-- the tween had seldom found his stodgy Baggins brother-in-law worth the time to speak to.  But he had grieved along with his wife at the child's loss.

"Yes, dear!  As soon as we finish first breakfast, I will go down the Hill to Greenbriars and let the family know we are off to Tuckborough.  And then I will go to The Ivy Bush and hire their pony-trap.  If you pack while I am gone, we can be off directly after second breakfast."

"Meh!" said Bilbo.

Not content to wait while his parents discussed such unimportant things, he picked up his entire bowl and planted his face in it.

***

Bungo left Bag End, and headed down the Hill, past Bagshot Row, and around to the western slope, then went up the lane slightly to the Baggins family hole of Greenbriars.  He supposed that one day Bag End would become the family hole, since he expected his father to leave Greenbriars to Longo; after all, Bungo had his own hole now!  But as eldest son, Bungo would become the Baggins Family Head.

His youngest brother Bingo threw open the door at his tug upon the bell.  At twenty-eight, he still had a certain tween lankiness and awkwardness about him.

"Bungo!  What brings you round so early?" Bingo asked as he drew his older brother inside.

Bungo could see the family gathered round the large dining table in the room to the right of the front hall. To his dismay, he saw his Aunt Pansy there.  He had forgotten that she was on one of her frequent visits.  And Uncle Fastolph, who could usually keep her tongue in check had not come along.  

"Won't you join us for first breakfast, son?" his father asked.

"No thank you, Papa.  I have already had mine.  I just wanted to let you know that we shall be off to Tookland for a few days."

"Is something wrong?" his mother Laura asked.

"No, actually, it is good news!  Bella's brother Isengar has returned."

"Oh how wonderful!" exclaimed his younger sister Linda.

Aunt Pansy's face was sour, however.  "Hmph!  Just more Tookish turmoil!  Just when everyone thought him gone for good, he comes back to stir up all the old gossip!"  Aunt Pansy had never forgiven the Tooks for the scandal of Rosa Baggins' underage marriage to Belladonna's brother Hildigrim.

Mungo frowned at his sister, but she paid no mind.

Bungo caught a sneer on his other brother Longo's face.  Longo had always been jealous of him, and he had never liked Belladonna.

"At any rate, I just wanted to let all of you know where we would be.  I'm off to hire the Bush's pony-trap for the journey."

His mother rose and gave him an embrace.  "Well, I hope all of you have a pleasant visit.  Be sure to tuck Bilbo up warmly for the journey!  And give our regards to Thain Gerontius!"

Aunt Pansy sniffed, and Longo snorted.  Bungo ignored them, and returned his mother's hug.  "I will, Mama."

***

They made good time in the pony trap.  The Thain had seen to it that the potholes in the Post Road had been taken care of in the spring, and the weather of Forelithe was pleasant.  It was not quite summer yet, and it was clear and breezy.  Belladonna had packed a basket and they ate elevenses and luncheon as they drove along.  Bilbo was curious and enjoying the ride, pointing things out with a chubby finger and his all-purpose word of "Meh!"

They arrived in mid-afternoon, and their trap was met by one of the grooms.  Bungo took Bilbo and then reached up to hand Bella down.  The Great Doors opened, and suddenly they found themselves enveloped in Tooks.  Belladonna's  sisters Donnamira and Mirabella were hugging  her and both were talking all at once, her brother Hildibrand was pounding Bungo on the back, and Hildbrand's wife Myrtle was cooing over little Bilbo, even as she was holding her own babe. Then some of Belladonna's other older brothers came out, accompanied by nieces and nephews and there was even more chaos.

"Enough!"  The voice did not shout, but it was firm and cut through all the babble. Gerontius held a hand out to his daughter, and she went towards him.  

Suddenly she stopped as she looked past his shoulder.  Her eyes went wide, and filled with tears.  " 'Gar! Oh, Gar!"

She embraced her younger brother fiercely, tears running down her cheeks.  "Oh, 'Gar, we never thought we'd see you again!"

***

All the Thain's family were at the High Table that night, save for the younger grandchildren who were at the children's table, and the babes who were being watched in the nursery.  In addition to the immediate family, there was another guest, seated on a low stool at the Thain's right hand.  Bungo looked warily down the table at him: Gandalf the Wizard.  Bungo had never seen him before; usually he arrived just before Lithe and stayed only a few days.  Since their marriage Bella and Bungo had not been at the Great Smials over Lithe, instead accompanying Bungo's parents to the Fair in Michel Delving.  But it was a good three weeks until Lithe, and here he was.

Bungo had heard the stories.  How the wizard had helped the Shire during the Long Winter, and how he had befriended Gerontius in his youth.  He'd also heard stories that it was Gandalf's fault young Hildifons had vanished, and that he was also the reason Isengar had left.  Belladonna denied that, blaming Hildifons' disappearance on a disappointment in love, and Isengar's on youthful impulse.  And, Belladonna pointed out, it was Gandalf who had rescued her and her sister Mirabella from the Old Forest not long before she and Bungo were betrothed.  But he was so strange and frightening looking, so large and all that hair on his head and face!  Not to mention those dark and piercing eyes...

Bungo fervently hoped that he would not be required to make conversation with this alarming personage, who was at this very moment laughing at something the Old Took had said.

On one side, Belladonna was talking non-stop to her sister-in-law, Myrtle.  Myrtle and Hildibrand's son Sigismund was almost exactly a month older than little Bilbo, and the two mothers were comparing their children's accomplishments.  On the other side was Bella's younger sister Donnamira.  Donnamira had recently become betrothed to a Boffin, and the wedding was planned for the fall.  She was quite busy staring into her beloved's eyes.

Bereft of any conversation, he turned his full attention to the excellent food in front of him.  Whatever anyone might say of Tooks, no one could deny that they set a marvelous table!
What deliciously plump and juicy stuffed mushrooms! And the carrots and parsnips were roasted to perfection!

As the diners began to reach the filling up of corners stage, the Thain stood.  The room fell silent, and the Old Took raised his glass.  "A toast, to my youngest son Isengar, returned to the bosom of his family at last!"

There were loud cheers throughout the room, as glasses were raised.

Gerontius turned and looked at his guest.  "And to Gandalf the Grey, who found him and brought him back!"

More cheers, and more drinks!  Bungo sipped from his own glass, and thought that if he were a wayward tween, he certainly would not want to be dragged home by such an alarming personage-- unless it was that personage who spirited him away to begin with.

Belladonna had told him that as soon as the meal was over, they were expected in the library along with all the rest of the family, to discuss what to do about Isengar, because however glad his family was to have him back, there had to be at least a show of punishment for his running away in the first place.

Soon they were all gathered in the huge room: the Thain and Adamanta, all of the sons and daughters, and their wives and husbands. Everyone seemed to be talking at once. Bungo's hope had been to hide at the back of the room, and allow the blood kin to deal with the situation; but Bella had him by the hand and pulled him forward with her.  She went to stand by her brother, where Donnamira and Mirabella already stood around him, like vixens with a single kit.  The three sisters were united in their support of Isengar-- they had always spoiled the lad dreadfully.  Bungo noticed that Hildigrim had found that enviable spot near the back.  Hildigrim tended to keep his head down at family functions ever since he and Rosa had put the dessert before the main course and disgraced the family name. Bungo's cousin Rosa was clinging to her husband's arm looking subdued; he had a moment of fellow feeling for her. We Bagginses are out of place among all these Tooks, like sparrows in a flock of magpies, he thought.  

But the rest of the older brothers were all standing about shouting at their parents angrily, and calling for strict punishment for their prodigal brother.  Bungo was sure that part  of their anger was fueled by the still painful absence of Hildifons, who had been gone for over sixteen years now.

Once more the Thain silenced everyone, this time simply by rising from his chair.  Quiet descended over the room so quickly that for a brief instant Bungo thought he had been stricken deaf.  The Old Took turned to look at his youngest son.  "Isengar, come here."

Belladonna patted her little brother on the shoulder; Donnamira, who had been clinging to his arm released it reluctantly.  Mirabella tried to hold on to his other arm, but he drew it free, and went to his father's side.  All three of Gerontius' daughters turned a glare upon their father, who simply looked back at them with a raised eyebrow and a look of amusement.

Isengar stepped to his father's side.  He gave a nod of his head. "Father."

Gerontius swept the room with his eyes, locking in a brief gaze with his heir Isengrim, whose eyes glittered with anger.  Then he turned to Isengar, and his face softened briefly as he looked at his youngest son.  "Isengar, we are all happy to have you home again.  You were sorely missed, and we feared for you.  But you ran away, and you stayed away.  You grieved us all deeply."

Isengar hung his head; his face was red with shame.

Then the Thain looked around at the others again.  "Your mother and I have discussed the matter.  We cannot pretend this never happened, and so there must be some consequence..."

Belladonna opened her mouth to protest, but a look from her father made her snap it shut.  Her nostrils flared, and she drew in a deep breath.  Bungo held his own, hoping his wife would not make a scene.  She subsided, but he could tell she was unhappy.  She and her sisters would have much preferred the option of pretending it had never happened.

Gerontius continued as though the brief thought of rebellion had never occurred. "...but it will not be overly harsh just because of things that others have done in the past."

Now the Thain looked at his older sons.  Isengrim was not quelled, but spoke up.  "Father, you know that we must make a example, lest we have more Tooks running off like this!"

"Enough.  We have already settled the matter.  Isengar is not Hildifons, and should only be punished for his own offense, and not that of his brother as well."

Gerontius turned to Isengar once more.  "Son, you are yet to come of age.  It will be over a year and a half until you are thirty-three.  Until that time, you will go no further from the Great Smials than Tuckborough unless you are accompanied by an older member of the family.  In addition, Isembard has agreed that you will assist him with the accounts and the bookkeeping three days a week.  And you will resume your studies of Shire history with Isumbras.  Any violation of this, and you will become Isengrim's ward until you reach your majority."

He looked at the others again.  "This is my decision."

Adamanta stepped up to her husband's side.  "We are in full agreement on all of this, by the way, so I do not expect any of you to come and ask me to persuade your father otherwise."

The family began to stir, and conversation began again.  Gerontius and Adamanta led Isengar out of the room.

Bungo thought this was a very wise and well-thought out punishment, but clearly Bella did not agree.  

"He's home!" she said angrily.  "That should be enough for anyone!"

"And why should it be?" snapped Isembold.  "He ran away!  He left us to wonder if he was alive or not!"

"He wrote to us!" shouted Mirabella.  "We knew he was alive!"

"He wrote to you!  Once!"

Bungo felt himself shrinking into himself.  All of this sound and fury!  It was disconcerting to say the least.  He wished himself out of it all.  "Bella, dear?"

She jumped as though she had forgotten he was there, but turned to look at him.

"Should we not go and check on Bilbo?"

It was the one perfect thing he could have said; reminded of her child, Belladonna was eager to see how he fared.  They left the room, and headed back to the nursery.

***

Belladonna looked at her husband in frustration.  They were at second breakfast with most of the rest of the family, and Bungo was giving silent attention to his plate, while all around him the conversation swirled.  He wasn't like this at home; in Hobbiton, as his father's heir he was considered a leader in the town.  He never seemed to mind making his opinion known, and he certainly held his own in disagreements with his brother Longo, though she had to admit that the Bagginses were seldom as noisy as the Tooks.

But when they came to the Great Smials and he was confronted with all of her brothers and sisters and their families, he withdrew into a silent shell.  She knew her older brothers were somewhat scornful of him.  "He wouldn't say 'boo' to a goose!" Isembard had once scornfully declared, and sadly, going by Bungo's behaviour around her family she could not really deny it.

She was distracted by the child on her lap.  "Meh!" said Bilbo, giving a flounce, and reaching one hand to her plate, from which she had been feeding him tidbits.  She handed him a rusk of bread.  "Meh!" This was accompanied by a grin, and a little drool, as he delightedly gnawed on this treat.

As the little family headed back to their own room afterwards, she could not seem to help herself.  "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Say anything?" Bungo looked puzzled.

"You did not speak a word during breakfast!"

Bungo opened his mouth to deny it, but then changed his mind.  Come to think of it, she was right-- he had not even said "pass the salt"!  Instead, he shrugged.  "I did not have anything to say, I suppose."

"And last night-- why didn't you say anything to Father when he was condemning poor 'Gar to being cooped up like a prisoner for almost two years!"

Bungo blinked.  That was not at all what Gerontius had done!  And he supposed it would be tactless right now to tell her that he thought her father was right.  The Old Took was very wise, and staying home and doing a little work was not going to harm Isengar.

"He'll be able to go to Tuckborough," he said instead.

Belladonna snorted.  "Tuckborough!" Then she said in a sad little voice, "I had hoped he'd come and visit us in Bag End!"

"Perhaps he still might-- " Bungo began.

She gave him a look that told him she thought he was being too reasonable.  "You are impossible!" she snapped, and she suddenly began to walk swiftly in the other direction with little Bilbo in her arms.