Truest love

Disheveled, Pimpernel entered the parlour and took the cup of tea Ferdi handed her. She wiped an errant strand of hair from her brow and sighed.

'What is it, Nell-my-own?'

'Mud.'

'Mud, dearest?'

'Farry, that... that young ruffian! Stuffed a handful of mud down Goldi Gamgee's back! Diamond was fit to be...!' Her husband's chuckle stopped her. 'What are you about?'

'Ah, my love, I fear the match is made.'

Nell grinned, remembering a handful of mud down her own back, and said, 'She gave as good as she got, anyhow. Washed Farry's face with mud!'

'And so it begins...'

Setting sail

Actually, it began some time earlier. On an early visit to the Great Smials, three-year-old Goldi won the heart of a half-tamed stallion, charmed the oft-clannish Tooks, and took it upon herself to teach the son of the Thain his manners.

From her high chair, she ruled at table with a tot's silver spoon, rapping Faramir's knuckles (he sat next to her) when he reached for another piece of bread without asking.

‘Ow!’ that lad cried, sucking his insulted hand, face indignant.

‘S’posed to say, “P’ease pass”,’ Goldi articulated, setting her course for the years to come.

Truthfulness

What did you think you were doing, Farry?

(whispered) He’s but a little child, Pip!

I know, my love, but he ought to know better. He must! The wild green hills are no place for I-hide-and-you-seek-me with a mere faunt!

Goldi’s not a faunt!

Oh? And you, not much more than a faunt, Farry, how ever did you elude your minder, leading that wee lass into the wilds…?

I didn’t!

Farry! Be truthful!

But I didn’t, Mum, truly…

Truly, Farry?

Truly! It was she who led me!

Oh, aye.

Pip?

Isn’t that always how it is…? (laughing despite himself) Ouch!

Comfort

Farry?

Go ‘way!

But… Farry?

Go ‘way, I said. Go!

But… Why are you crying?

‘m not.

You are!

‘m not!

But… Did you hurt yourself?

No.

Ought I fetch Ellie? Mum?

No.

Your mum?

No!

But… what is it?

Naught.

Not naught! …What is it?

You’re an incredible pest, Goldi.

Thank you! ...Can’t I help?

No one can help. No one. There’s no help for it.

Is it…? O no.

What?

I heard the Talk. It’s your da, isn’t it?

Someone’s coming!

Stay here… Pip-lad? Merry-lad? No, Farry’s not here. Where? Well, I don’t keep him in my pockets!

Challenge in the Old Orchard

Lasses can't climb trees!

I'm not a lass!

Not a lass! Go on! Have you been in the Sun too long? Has the heat turned your head?

I'm not! I'm a girl! And girls can climb trees!

No they can't!

Watch me, Hairy-Farry! I'll beat you to the top!

Don't you dare, Mouldy-Goldi!

More climbing, less shouting, you'll go on faster. ...are you sure you're a Took? Tooks climb much faster than you are right now...

You'll tear your dress!

Too late... But I reached the top first! (What Mum will say... *sigh* Girls oughtn't climb trees... but they can!)

The Confidence

I've a secret...!

Do you? Don't tell, or 'twon't be a secret any more.

But it's so exciting...! Don't you want to know?

If you think I'm going to tease it out of you, Mouldi-Goldi, you've another think coming!

But I heard Mum and Dad talking, they – they're a-going all the way to Gondor!

Gondor, hah! That's your grand secret? Even I've been to Gondor...

(almost too late, she remembers her Dad's warning to her Mum: Don't say anything! Don't want to raise false hopes, but...)

(head toss) If you know so much, then I shan't tell you any more!

Mud-Slinging

You... You... great, blithering bullies! Look what you've done! The mudpies are ruined!

Rather paltry pies, I'd say, and I've my doubts as to the seasoning...

O-ho, Farry! Better watch yourself! (From the look on her face as she turned away...)

I'm not afraid of a little snip-of-a-thing... Hi! Mouldi-Goldi! You forgot your mudpie!

(He's not going to... oh-no, he is! Do you believe this? Right down her back... Hear her shriek!)

(Um... I think we ought to... um... gasp! She's washing his face for him!)

(With mud!) Hoi, Farry, d'you need some help?

Quick, scatter! Here comes the Steward!

***

A/N: Amazing, the little things that can build into a serious courtship. This whole story came about because of a scene in At The End of His Rope, found here.

Pleading

Can’t we go with you to the Smials, Dad? Can’t we? I mean, if you’re going there anyway, to consult with the Thain before you and Mum go to the Southlands…

Mayn’t you go with your Dad, Goldi.

Yes, Mum. Mayn’t we go with you to the Smials, Dad?

Mayn’t you please go with your Dad to the Smials, Goldi.

Yes, Mum. Mayn’t we please go with you to the Smials, Dad?

Have you packed all your things, Goldi, for your visit to Buckland whilst we’re in the Southlands?

No, Dad.

Well, then, there’s your answer.

We may go?

No.

Chapter 9. Crisis

There’s knocking at the door. Goldi scarcely notices, until Hamfast asks their mum, 'What's that Took doing in the parlour?'

Indignant, Goldi interrupts, 'He's not a Took, he's a Brandybuck!'

'He lives in Tookland!'

Their mum, reading a hastily written note, says to their sister, ‘Well, Ellie, it seems your father has been detained in Tookland and won't be able to help get ready for the trip. I need to put together a few things.'

'What is it, Mama? Has something happened to Hairy-Farry's papa?'

But her mum doesn’t answer.

'O Farry,' she breathes, sudden tears coming to her eyes.

***
A/N: This drabble reflects the time in At the End of His Rope portrayed in this chapter.

Goldi Gamgee looks for help beyond hope

Chapter 10. Request

Lady? Lady? I don’t know if you can hear me, way away over the Sea.

But you heard my Dad upon a time, when he and Mr Frodo… but you remember, don’t you?

When they were in that awful place, that Black Land… Land of Shadow, that even now he won’t name, or he doesn’t like to name, any road.

Lady?

All he asked for was a little water and a little light, you remember?

And they… they got them, Lady, you know how they got them, first light, and then water.

Lady?

Farry needs his Da. Can’t you help?

Elanor Gamgee tries to reason with her little sister, Goldi

Chapter 11. Cause and Effect

But the Lady did help, Ellie, she did!

Goldi, that was long ago, and in a story…

But…

She sailed away West, across the Sea.

But I asked her to help, and…

Goldi.

I sat under the mallorn, from the seed she gave our Dad, and I asked her to help Farry’s Da, and she did!

Goldi.

She sent water and light to Dad and Mr Frodo when their hope was failing, and she sent—

Goldi!

But she did! She sent Dad to the Smials, to help Farry’s Da keep going even though it’s beyond his strength…

(sob) O Goldi…

Goldi Gamgee ponders benefits along with costs

Chapter 12. From Pillar to Post

When your parents leave on an extended journey, and take your eldest sister with them, there is at first all the excitement of preparations, then packing, then leave-taking; especially leave-taking, with all the fine parties and affairs and special treats and farewell speeches.

Once the actual fare-welling is done, you realise that they are gone, and not-coming-back-for-ever-so-long. A day is forever, a week eternity, and they will be gone for many. And Post – even Quick Post – will take days!

After the weeping, and the not-being-able-to-sleep, and the being-off-one’s-feed, comes the comfort of visiting. Buckland first. And then – the Great Smials!

Chapter 13. A Long Visit at Brandy Hall

Buckland is a wondrous place to visit, even without your parents and oldest sister. Perhaps because they are not there, in point of fact!

The Mistress loves to feed people, for one, and delights in watching people eat. How better to coax a sorrowful appetite than with sweets and treats!

The corridors in Brandy Hall go far back into Buck Hill (not the Great Hill where Hairy-Farry lives, but another) – “a regular warren” you’ve heard it called, and it is! Ripe for the exploring.

Brothers can be fine fellow explorers, when they make allowances. But something is still missing.

Farry.

Chapter 14. On the way to the Great Smials

A month is a long time. A month in Buckland, a month in Tookland, a month at Cottons’, and then back to Buckland until Mum and Dad and Ellie return. They are to travel slowly, seeing the sights, arriving in the White City in time for the New Year.

(How comical! To celebrate the New Year in March!)

They have travelled a month, half-way, if Goldie is reckoning a-right. Even were they to turn round today and come home, they’d be a month away.

While she misses them fiercely, a month in Tookland doesn’t seem like a trial at all.

Chapter 15. Turnabout is Fair Play (Comfort, part 2)

Sleepy-maid! Weepy-maid! She’s afraid, weepy-maid!

Go away, you horrid thing!

Mouldy-Goldi, you’re not… but you are! …Goldi? Why are you crying?

I’m not crying, so go away!

But I was only teasing! I didn’t mean to…

O go! Leave! Don’t you have better things to do?

No. No, I don’t. Why are you crying? You are, plain as the nose on my face.

Not plain at all, then. (sniff)

Here’s my pocket-handkerchief… mostly clean…

Thanks. (sniff) I think.

Now then, is it… that you’re missing your Mum?

No. Yes.

And your Dad, and Ellie?

Yes… And they didn’t take me!

In the middle night, young Farry ponders his course. Some turns of phrase taken from “The Battle of the Pelennor Fields” in The Return of the King  by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Chapter 16. Moment of Decision

She stands there before you, torchlight casting eerie shadows across the determination in her face. In Moria it might have looked so, to your fathers’ eyes – her father’s, and yours, though you are both very young in hobbit years.

She is resolved to follow after her parents; you can see it in her eyes, the set of her lips, her stance. Frightened at the prospect, but no less determined for that. You know no words, on your part or anyone else’s, will hold her.

She should not go, so fair, so desperate!

At least she should not go alone, unaided.