lord of the ringsTomorrow is Yule and I’ve been invited to spend the holiday at the Great Smials in Tuckborough. I packed late last night. so that I would be ready to leave early this morning. Even now, I write these words in haste as I’ve stopped by the side of the road for a bite to eat and a quick rest. I want to get back on the road and to Tuckborough in good time.
When Bennie heard I was leaving for Tookland, she very generously offered me the loan of one of her ponies with the admonishment that it was much to cold for such an excursion on foot this time of year. The mare she had in mind was known by the name of Patience and was as gentle as a lamb, she promised me. (One of Bennie’s less flashy mares, I surmised.) Sam and I walked over to Bennie’s farm late yesterday afternoon to have a look at her. I left confident that Patience and I would get on just fine. Bennie delivered her to me this morning, herself, along with some last minute advice and a round of flirtation. However, Sam had sauntered over first thing this morning to see if I needed any last minute help. His presence here seemed to dampen her spirits just a little, I think she had expected to find me alone. Perhaps I should be grateful for Sam’s well-timed appearance, not merely for the fact that he offered to help with last minute packing, but also that he served as a convenient safeguard in keeping the flirting under control, for even at that early hour, Bennie looked thoroughly lovely and enticing, even in a pair of boy’s overalls.
Before she took her leave, she did manage to brush her lips across my cheek, much to my delight. Behind me, I heard Sam shuffle his feet and say, "Mr. Frodo, you’d best be gettin’ on the road..."
"Yes, of course. " I agreed. I bade Bennie farewell and thanked her again for the kind loan of Patience.
"Well, Oi think that’s everthin’ Mr. Frodo." Sam commented as gave the strap that secured my pack to the back of the saddle a final tug.
"I’ll have one more look before I leave, just to make sure nothing is forgotten." I promised, as I saw Sam off and thanked him, too.
I did just that, but as I was making my way back to the entrance hall, I passed the place where...(I hesitate to write the words, because Gandalf instructed me to "keep it secret, and keep it safe!" But, as I keep also keep this journal very secret and I don’t imagine that anyone will ever see it but me, I suppose it is alright.)...I passed the chest where Bilbo’s ring was safely hidden away. I have passed that very trunk on many occasions and have never given it a second glance or thought. I don’t know what made me stop then, for a fleeting moment. Perhaps, Bilbo had been in the back of mind, and my missing him had made me stop in mid-stride and gaze upon the chest. Then the moment was gone as quickly has it had come, and I was hurrying out the door, eager to mount up and get underway.
I was eager for the company of my kin in Tuckborough. I especially looked forward to seeing my cousin, Peregrin Took, even though I actually see Pippin fairly often. And Merry would be there, too. No doubt at Pippin’s side. The two of them are quite attached to each other. Merry was already at the Great Smials. Anxious to get there, he had left for Tuckborough the day after my Yule dinner party, departing the same way he had arrived, by hitching a ride with Sparrow Singswell and company. The troupe of musicians were headed back to Undertowers and the way took them close to Tuckborough. So, it seemed that the last few days, Merry had spent quite a lot of time in the company of the pretty singer. I found myself wondering in amusement if he was in competition against Folco and Fatty for her attention. More likely, he merely found it something of an adventure to keep company with folk who were not considered your usual, run of the mill, Hobbits. I decided that was something I would have to ask him about when I saw him.
*****
Paladin and Eglantine Took welcomed me with warm Yule greetings. Indeed, it seems I barely had my foot in the door before I was surrounded by a throng of cousins and other kin. Then my wrap was whisked away and someone had placed a glass of spirits in my hand. The authoritative voice of Paladin scattered them all as he greeted me with a slap on the back and a great, crushing hug.
"Welcome and a Happy Yule to you, Frodo!"
"Happy Yule to you, as well! And, thank you for having me, I am quite glad to be here!"
A single whistle from him summoned forth my cousin Pippin and the youngest of his elder sisters, Pervinca, who escorted me and my luggage to my room. Pippin chattered the whole way, while his sister, who couldn’t have gotten in a word even had she wanted, merely giggled and flounced ahead of us through the hallways, proud of her holiday finery.
My room turned out to be one I had stayed in on another occasion, a cozy one with a corner fireplace, already cheerfully ablaze and filling the room with a warm glow. As I looked around, I saw that my every comfort had thoughtfully been foreseen. A large, carved washstand in a corner held a basin and pitcher along with a supply of towels. Extra blankets had been laid at the foot of the bed should I require them later that night, and a pouch of the finest Longbottom Leaf had been placed on the bedside table, as an additional touch.
Pippin might have stayed, prattling indefinitely, if Pervinca hadn’t pulled him away with the admonition that, "Cousin Frodo would probably like to freshen up a bit."
And, that I did. I was just finishing up when there was a rap upon the door, followed by Pippin sticking his head inside to inform me that my pony had been looked after and was now in a nice, cozy stall contentedly munching hay.
"Just thought you’d like t’ know!" he announced, then vanished as quickly as he’d appeared.
As I made my way toward the drawing room, it seemed that every setting room, every nook and corner I passed, held some relatives or friends. The halls fairly rang with the sounds of pleasant conversation and laughter. And, oh the delectable smells! The wafting aroma of a variety of foods, baked, boiled or fried, perfumed the air and made one’s mouth water. In every room, there was at least one table that held some sort of tempting, delicious morsel. However, when the time came to gather in the dining hall, nothing could compare to the feast that was set out on the table of Ferumbras III. There were red cabbage, roasted potatoes, peas, and honey glazed carrots. But it was the exquisite roast goose gracing the center of the table, brown and plump, that held everyone in thrall. Sitting next to the goose, vying for attention was a large, pink, juicy ham. For dessert, there were mince pies and a variety of puddings and custards. No one ever walked away from hungry from the Thain’s table.
After dinner, there were several ways in which you could preoccupy yourself while your dinner settled. You could either drift into the drawing room or parlour for conversation and after dinner drinks, or if you preferred a private place for some light flirtation, you might choose a quiet alcove. For those who were a little more energetic, there was dancing in the main barn. The carts and wagons had been cleared out to make room for the dancers. A small stage had been erected at the far end for the musicians and their instruments and everything had been made as cozy and cheerful as possible by the lanterns hung round and the crackling wood stove that helped to warm things up. I was delighted when I had encountered Sparrow earlier and learned that she and her troupe had agreed to stop over on their way to Undertowers
and supply the evening entertainment.
I danced the Springle Ring in turn with Pearl and Pimpernel Took. I even took a turn dancing a lively jig with Sparrow, who had left off singing for a bit to enjoy the dancing, until Merry cut in. I supposed he must not have gotten his fill of her company on the journey between Brandy Hall and Bag End, and from there to Tuckborough. I wondered what Saradoc thought about his young son traipsing about the country side in the company of minstrels. He probably looked upon it as a convenient means of furthering Merry’s education.
As we were catching our breath later, over a half pint of ale, I teased him about it. "You’ve been enjoying Sparrow’s company quite a bit lately...don’t you think you’re a bit young for her."
Merry grinned broadly at that and answered, "Ah, but Frodo, I’m wise beyond my years!"
I danced with a few other lovely lasses before retiring back inside to the main hole. I looked around for Merry before I left, but he had disappeared.
Once inside, I happened to wander into the game room and discovered a rather lively competition of cards going on. In joining the other spectators I also learned where Merry had gotten to, for he was one of the contestants. Not surprisingly, Pippin stood peering over his shoulder offering whispered words of advice. Merry’s opponent was young Braedon Took, who wore a look of fixed concentration. He had his own supporter, in the form of Pimpernel Took, who stood as close, if not closer, to his shoulder as Pippin did to Merry’s. I recognised the game as "Jumpy Mr. Squirrel," a game which I had been introduced to by Orgulas Maggot. And, from the look of things, Merry was winning.
Now, Merry is a very clever lad, and there are those who would say that fortune favors him. But "Jumpy Mr. Squirrel," despite the frivolous title, is a difficult game to master. I have to admit that I, too, was beginning to wonder at my cousin’s skill and good luck. Merry’s little pile of silver was growing with each passing hand. I watched with increasing interest, not only the players, but their "aides," as well. I was in a particularly favorable position to get a good view of Pimpernel, whose face, obviously unbeknownst to her, was undergoing a myriad of changes depending upon the cards in Braedon’s hand. Merry was totally unaware of these tells since he had his attention and his eyes on his own hand. However, Pippin was absorbing every little nuance of Pimpernel’s expression. Thus, the whispered advice to Merry. It didn’t matter that Pippin didn’t know the cards that Braedon held, one didn’t have to know one’s opponents cards in order to plan the next play.
Braedon squirmed in his chair, trying to plan his strategy. Across from him, Pippin whispered something inaudible to Merry.
"You know," Breadon remarked. "you could say that’s cheating. He’s telling you what to do."
"I haven’t seen your cards!" Pippin protested.
Merry was unruffled. "It’s not cheating, because he doesn’t know a thing about the game. It would only be cheating if he knew what he was talking about."
"I do too, know what I’m talkin’ about!" Pippin piped up.
"I never cheat." Merry stated.
Braedon looked skeptical then threw a card down into the middle of the table. Merry feigned momentary distress, then a smile spread across his face as he tossed out a card, trumping Braedon’s. Game over.
Braedon was a good sport, however and took it well. He left the table graciously while Merry counted his winnings. I caught hold of Braedon’s arm and quietly pulled him aside and out into the hall for a little chat.
I explained to him about Pimpernel’s tell and said, "Look, I don’t think Merry and Pippin set out to intentionally cheat you. I believe Pippin really thought he was only giving advice. However, they did take advantage of you. And, well...much as I hate to admit it, Merry is entirely too full of himself."
"What are you getting at?" Braedon asked, his curiosity piqued.
When we finished our chat, Braedon came away with knowledge of a new game, "Dirty Neighbour," a game that I had learned from Mundee. She had picked it up when she lived in Bree. I call it a game, although it plays out more as one long card trick. I was fairly sure that Merry wasn’t familiar with it. I had never shown him and didn’t think Mundee had, either. Armed with the rules of this game there was no way Braedon could lose.
Braedon promptly marched back into the room and challenged Merry.
"I want a rematch. You had help." He said, indicating Pippin.
"You call that help?" Merry replied.
Fortunately, Pip was busy happily counting his share of the winnings and didn’t hear.
"Then why did you give him some of the money?"
"We share everything." Merry stated in a matter-of-fact way.
Braedon’s eyes narrowed.
"Oh, all right, then a rematch it is." Merry agreed.
"On my terms." Braedon said. "I name the game."
"What is the game?"
"Dirty Neighbour."
"Never heard of it."
"You’ll like it." Braedon insisted
Merry was intrigued. "All right, sounds like fun. I always like learning new games. How do you play?"
"It’s very easy. Just follow my lead. You’ll pick it up quickly. The idea is to give your opponent all your high cards and go out." Braedon explained as he shuffled and dealt the cards.
The game was over in no time at all. At the end, Merry was left holding a fistful of useless cards and a baffled expression on his face as Braedon reclaimed his losses. (He had a little difficulty in getting Pip to turn lose of that last coin).
*****
The next morning at Elevensies, the three of them had their heads together. Braedon was revealing the secrets of "Dirty Neighbour" and I caught snatches of conversation and bits of phrases, such as, "make a fortune" and "Let’s try it on..." I couldn’t make out the name. I began to wonder what sort of mayhem that I might have had a hand in releasing upon Tookland. I made a mental note to myself to have a chat with all three of them after Elevensies.
I congratulated myself when I caught them on the way out of the dining room and began my carefully planned lecture. I didn’t get very far. They merely laughed at the seriousness of my tone, reminded me that I was the one who had introduced them to "Dirty Neighbour," and told me not to be such a "stuffed shirt." Me! A "stuffed shirt!" I was appalled at the very idea that my friends and cousins could entertain
such a thought! Then, they pelted me with good-natured punches and prevailed upon me to join them for an afternoon of sledding on the huge hillside located behind the smials. So, of course I went along, I had no wish to reinforce the "stuffed shirt" image!
The four of us had great sport joining a crowd of others in sliding down the hill and spinning out onto the frozen pond at the bottom. I laughed and played and felt quite like a child again. Exhausted and cold, but still full of high spirits, we tromped inside to warm ourselves by the fire with some hot mulled cider.
The rest of the afternoon and evening were filled with additional merriment and food, other forms of recreation, and still more food. All too soon, it was time to retire. In the morning, I would say my "thank you’s" and head back to Bag End.
