February 3
“Milk, please,” Pippin said to Bilbo.
Aragorn was impressed with Pippin’s manners, and as the lad giggled and chattered his way through luncheon, he realized that he was no longer finding any difficulty understanding the child’s unique speech patterns.
Bilbo saw the Ranger watching Pippin, and leaned closer to the Man. “His father advised us to disguise all vegetables in the forms of soups, stews, and breads,” he said quietly, “so we planned ahead. It works wonders.”
Lunch was as Aragorn remembered all meals to be at Bag End -- full of talk and laughter and (most assuredly) food in delicious and plentiful quantities. Pippin, in his tiny overalls and shirt, sat ensconced in a high, padded chair that Frodo explained had been borrowed from the Gamgees. Aragorn had expected the tot to be as messy an eater as most children he had known, but Pippin pursued each bite with the same determined enthusiasm as he seemed to attack everything. The stray bit of food that did escape his tiny hands or spoon -- not always by accident -- was happily cleaned up by Scamp, who sat between Frodo and Pippin, waiting patiently for tasty tidbits to come her way.
“Scamp has grown,” Aragorn observed, watching with amusement as Frodo surreptitiously fed the pup a bit of meat from his sandwich. “I fear that next time I visit, she will have grown even more -- around the middle.”
“She’s also learned a few things,” Frodo declared. He held his hands out so Scamp could see them, then brushed them together in an “all finished” motion. To Aragorn’s surprise, the pup walked away from the table and lay down in a warm corner of the room.
“When I do that,” Frodo explained, “she knows there won’t be any more ‘snacks’ from the table.”
“I wonder if hobbits can be taught to do that,” Aragorn said, brushing his hands together in Frodo’s direction.
“Hmmph.”
Finishing off his lunch with a small bowl of apple pudding, Pippin suddenly yawned in the middle of a sentence and sat blinking drowsily.
Frodo stood up. “Time for someone’s nap,” he crooned. “I’ll settle him down and come back so we can talk. Bilbo, you won’t believe what day tomorrow is.” Smiling at Aragorn, Frodo left the room with Pippin in his arms, Scamp following closely behind.
“Do I want to know what he’s up to?” Bilbo asked Aragorn.
“Let’s just say that Frodo has a plan about how to spend tomorrow,” Aragorn grinned. “And tomorrow night.”
“That lad is full of plans,” Bilbo chuckled.
Frodo tucked Pippin into his own bed, and lay down next to him for a few minutes.
“Do you know what a birthday is, Pip?” Frodo asked.
The tot nodded. “Mewwy had one once. He had to dwess up, and I got a pony.” With that, Pippin leaped out of bed and started rooting through his box of toys.
Frodo knew that Pippin had witnessed plenty of birthdays at the Great Smials, including those of his sisters and parents -- but he wasn’t surprised that Merry’s remained the most memorable to the lad. A more instant bond between cousins Frodo had never before witnessed.
Finding the gift that Merry had given him, Pippin clutched it tightly and climbed back into bed to show his cousin. Frodo smiled when he saw that Pippin held a soft, somewhat shapeless toy nearly as big as he was. Its lineage was somewhat unclear, but it had originally more likely been a cow than a pony. Someone -- probably Pippin’s mother -- had knitted the stuffed animal a green sweater and matching cap.
“That’s very nice,” Frodo said. “You’ll meet another animal tomorrow, called a horse. His name is Arthad, but Sam calls him Ollie. A horse is like a very, very big pony, and Arthad belongs to Estel.”
“Estel’s vewy, vewy big,” Pippin yawned. “Will I gwow that big?”
“Not that big,” Frodo smiled, “but you have a lot of growing left to do.”
“Estel was pwaying wuff with Scamp,” Pippin frowned. “He should be gentle.”
“I know it looked ‘rough’,” Frodo explained, “but that’s the way they have fun together. Estel and Scamp like each other very much. Did you see how she brought him her rope-toy so she could tug on it? That’s a game she likes to play with him. As long as Scamp’s tail is wagging, you know she’s enjoying herself, and isn’t hurt or angry. Estel has been Scamp’s good friend since she came to live with Bilbo and me.”
“They’re fwiends?”
‘Yes.” Frodo smiled at the sleepy tot. “Do you think Estel can be your friend, too? He’s very nice, and knows all kinds of wonderful stories. Tomorrow is his birthday, and we’re going to spend a lot of time with him.”
Pippin nodded. “Will Estel have to dwess up?” he murmured, fighting to stay awake.
“No,” Frodo smiled.
“Will we have cake?”
“Yes,” Frodo whispered. “Shhh, now.” He kissed Pippin’s forehead, and the toddler closed his eyes and snuggled down into the blankets, curled around the stuffed ‘pony’.
Frodo stood up and grinned at Scamp, who was watching them both from the extra bed that had been set up for Pippin.
“Keep an eye on him,” Frodo said, giving Scamp a pat. The pup’s tail thumped as she lay her head on her paws, her bright eyes glued to the sleeping child.
~*~
The conversation coming from the dining room was quiet, but Frodo’s sharp ears picked up the hushed voices.
“... grown so much, Bilbo, and not just physically. Frodo’s confidence and self-assurance are so much stronger than when we first met.”
In his nine years as an orphan in Brandy Hall, Frodo had overheard more conversations about his welfare than he cared to remember. Poor lad, what’s to become of him? ... Find him a trade, and quickly... Much too spirited... What would his parents think? ... Don’t coddle the boy, he needs to get on with things ... Are you talking about that Baggins lad? Such a shame...
“I know,” Bilbo was saying, his voice warm and happy. “He’s come amazingly far. I’m so proud of him.”
“You have every right to be, Bilbo. He’s a remarkable lad. Years ago, Gandalf told me that he recognized something special in Frodo, and I fully agree.”
Frodo paused in the hallway as tears sprang to his eyes. Knowing that the people whose opinions he valued most were proud of him, filled his heart with such joy, he feared it would burst. Hastily composing himself, he made a small scuffling sound and smiled as the conversation instantly turned to doings outside the Shire and gossip from Bree.
“Now then,” Frodo said briskly as he rejoined Aragorn and Bilbo, “let’s talk. Bilbo, tomorrow is Estel’s birthday!”
“Is it?” Bilbo asked, turning to Aragorn with a grin.
“Bilbo,” the Ranger said hastily, “please don’t think I planned this. I didn’t even know tomorrow’s date until Frodo told me.”
“So I was thinking,” Frodo continued, “that we could spend the day -- and night -- by The Water. You know the place, Bilbo, just over The Hill to that grove of trees where I take Scamp? It’s not even two miles away, and so beautiful. Pip would love it, and maybe Sam could come, too?”
Bilbo looked thoughtful. He was responsible for Pippin, but if the weather held, he couldn’t see any harm in an outing -- especially to a location so near Bag End. They would need to keep a close eye on the child, but that was as true under a roof as under the stars. On the other hand, if he said “yes” immediately... where was the fun in that? A Baggins loved a good, satisfying verbal tussle, and Frodo had come far in this department, as well.
Bilbo adopted his most serious and concerned expression. “There is much to consider, Frodo,” he said gravely. “What if Pippin’s parents arrive early?”
“Bilbo,” Frodo said patiently, “it’s at least a two day carriage ride to Long Cleve, and at least two days back. Uncle Paladin probably isn’t even there yet. Besides, the Road passes right by where we’ll be. If they return while we’re still out there, they’ll see us!”
“And if they don’t?”
“We can leave them a note on the front door.”
“What if Estel was looking forward to a few nights sleeping in a real bed?”
“We can take bedding with us,” Frodo persisted.
“That family of ducks scarcely needs a three year old chasing after them.”
“I was able to teach Scamp not to chase them,” Frodo countered. “I’m sure we can keep Pip from frightening them off.”
Aragorn was looking from one hobbit to the other, amused and not a little impressed. Watching Frodo and Bilbo spar was like watching a well-played chess match; they were truly well matched, and that these two were related there could be no doubt.
“Pippin may be frightened, Frodo,” Bilbo said, playing his last card. “I doubt he’s ever spent a night outdoors before.”
Frodo grinned, and Bilbo chuckled in defeat. They both knew that Pip would have fun anywhere, as long as he was warm, fed, loved, and kept busy.
“We’ll pack lots of food,” Frodo said, starting to plan. “We’ll have a campfire, and... oh Bilbo, I know you’re worried about Pip, but it’s only for one night. What a perfect place to watch the star showers! And it’s so close to home! And what are you thinking about so hard, Estel?”
“How Bilbo hasn’t been tempted to throttle you, youngster,” Aragorn replied, shaking his head.
“I may be tempted once in a while,” Bilbo laughed, “but I would hate for life to go back to being as dull as it was before.”
“The star showers are truly beautiful this year,” Aragorn mused.
“Very well, Frodo,” Bilbo agreed. “If the weather is just as warm and clear tomorrow, we’ll spend the night at The Water.”
Frodo suddenly looked up at Aragorn. “Bilbo told me that the Elves know all about the stars. Why are there star showers sometimes? Could they be... falling?” he asked curiously. “How could stars fall from the sky?”
“Tomorrow night, as we watch, we can talk about it,” Aragorn replied. “I’ll tell you what the Elves believe is happening, all right?”
“I’d love that,” Frodo said, his eyes shining.
“Thank you both for a wonderful lunch,” Aragorn said, rising to his feet. “I need to see to Arthad. Where does Sam live? He wanted to help brush him.”
“I’ll walk down to Bagshot Row and see if the boy’s parents will allow him to accompany us tomorrow,” Bilbo said, also standing. “If he’s not busy, I’ll send him down to the field. I need to arrange for a pony and cart for this little expedition, as well.”
“Thank you, Bilbo.” Frodo began to clear the table. “I’ll start gathering things together. We should probably bring a few tents, and something to wash Pip in, since he can’t even stay clean indoors. Oh, and we must have a birthday cake!”
“Frodo, please don’t fuss,” Aragorn said with concern. “This ‘short walk over The Hill’ seems to be growing into quite a complex operation.”
“I know,” Frodo said happily. “Now that I think about all the bedding, food, Pip’s toys, extra clothes...” He laughed. “You’d better borrow quite a large cart, Bilbo!”
First > Previous > Next