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A New Reckoning  by Dreamflower

CHAPTER 67

Legolas slipped out of Bag End to greet the Sun as she peeped above the horizon. He raised his face to her light and warmth, and breathed in the scent of spring, as he made his way to the young mallorn. She was growing apace, thanks to the blessing of the Lady Galadriel. He placed a hand on the silvery trunk and listened to her voice. This young tree would be different than her cousins in Lothlórien. Their roots were sunk in the soil of a land that time forgot. But *this* mallorn, her roots were seeking the rich, fertile earth of the Shire, twining down into the fecund and fruitful loam of a land that was enriched by mortality. The seasons chased one another more swiftly here than in Lórien, yet the cycle of the year had its own kind of timelessness.

He smiled. Today, his friend Samwise would wed Rose, and begin his own journey into that which made a sort of immortality for those who were all too mortal. All too soon, he thought, though perhaps not soon enough for them, his friends Merry and then Pippin would also begin that journey. Frodo, though, Frodo would have a different journey--never had he thought before to encounter in one of mortal kind that which both troubled and delighted his own heart--the sea-longing. Today, however, was not a day to think on that particular ache, but to rejoice.

His sharp Elven ears heard the stirring not far away, in the encampment of Men, as they too began to wake and face the small duties of the morning. It was fitting that they should also be able to see this celebration; it was a shame that Aragorn could not have set aside his own duties to be here, but his representatives would make his presence felt.

Legolas rose to his feet with fluid grace, and made his way down the Hill. He would go and see to his friend Arod, before heading back to Bag End, to learn if he might be of any assistance this day.

_________________________________________________

Merry had barely finished his knock upon the door of Number Three, when it was opened by the Gaffer.

“Good morning to you, Mr. Merry,” said Sam’s father with a smirk. “I take it you’ve come to see to my Sammy this morn?”

“How is he?” asked Merry grinning. The night before, Sam’s friends had dragged him down to The Green Dragon, and there plied him with ale and silly stories, until the gardener could barely stand. The inn had rung to the rafters with their laughter, and the local hobbitry soon got over being abashed by the presence of the Thain and the Master, who had arrived earlier in the evening with their wives, taking rooms in the newly reopened inn. They had long since got over the presence of the Men, the Elf and the Dwarf among them. It had been a jolly evening. Sam had been embarrassed by any number of yarns told about himself by his friends, and Merry had seen to it that the evening did not turn maudlin at the end. But Sam had been definitely glowing from the ale by the time they brought him home.

“He’s not wakened yet, more’s the pity,” said Sam’s father. “But I’ve already mixed up some of my remedy for when he does. If you care to drag his sorry carcass out of the bed, that and some cold water on the neck should have him right as rain in no time.”

Merry laughed. “That sounds a marvelous plan to me, Gaffer. The sooner we get started the better. Can’t have him late to his own wedding.” This last was a bit disingenuous of Merry, as it was barely sun-up, and the wedding not till noon.

_______________________________________________________

“Rose?” Lily Cotton knocked softly on her daughter’s door. “Rose, my love, are you awake yet?”

“Come in, Mama,” said a sleepy voice.

Lily entered her daughter’s room to see her sitting up in the bed, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Rose, Marigold is here. It’s time you got up and had a bite of breakfast; you’ve much to do before noon.”

Rose’s eyes widened. She had been sleeping hard, and on waking had not at first remembered the day. Today was her wedding! She moved quickly from the bed, and grabbed her dressing gown. “What are we waiting for?” she exclaimed. “I’ve got to take a bath, and do my hair, and--”

Lily laughed. “Slow down, lass, there’s aught as won’t wait until you’ve had a bit to eat.”

__________________________________________________________

Frodo stirred. What were those smells? Bacon; mushrooms--and coffee! Did he smell coffee? He did! Someone had brewed coffee! He grabbed his dressing gown and made his way to the kitchen.

There he found Pippin, with Gimli and Bergil, busily cooking breakfast.

“Pip!” he said, “you’ve been into the coffee!”

“Of course,” answered his cousin. “I do think Sam’s wedding day is at least as special an occasion as an invasion of Dwarves.”

Frodo laughed, remembering how Bilbo had told of the Dwarves seeming familiarity with the contents of his larder, and how they had demanded coffee. “You are right. But it is quite a pleasant surprise to wake up to!” He looked about. Legolas he did not yet expect to see, the Elf was probably still taking his morning walk; but-- “Where are Merry and Freddy?”

Pippin grinned. “Oh, Freddy’s still slug-a-bed; but Merry’s up and gone ages ago, to see to Sam.”

“Oh dear!” exclaimed Frodo. “I had meant to go with him!”

“You needed your rest, dear,” said Pippin. “Besides, it’s Merry’s job to do; I don’t imagine waking Sam this morning will be any too pleasant.”

Frodo shook his head. The three cousins had been careful to nurse their ales the night before. They knew they would need clear heads on the morrow, but they had plied the nervous Sam, and he was going to be beautifully hung over this morning. “That’s not going to be so bad. The Gaffer has a remedy for it that will put Sam right as rain.” Frodo made a face. “I think that it works just because it tastes so foul, you have to sober up quickly lest you face a second dose.”

___________________________________________________

Marigold and Rosie sat down to a nice breakfast, Mari’s second, and Rosie’s first. Lily bustled about, placing griddlecakes and bacon before them. But Rosie was only able to get through one serving of everything.

“Eat up, lass,” said her mother. “You’re going to need every bit of it to get through the day. You can’t be wed on nothing but nerves.”

“I’m sorry, Mama, but I’m just not that hungry this morning. Maybe I’ll have more appetite by elevenses.” But she did not sound hopeful. By elevenses, she’d only be an hour from her wedding, and the nerves even more tautly strung.

“It’s all right, Missus Lily,” said Marigold. “I’ll not let her faint from hunger. We need to get to Number Three. Has Mr. Tolman got the cart ready?”

For Marigold and Rosie and her mother would be taking over the Gaffer’s hole this morning, so that she could get ready closer to the wedding site.

_____________________________________________________

The cold water still dripping from his hair and slightly bloodshot eyes were the only remaining signs of Sam’s hangover, as he and Merry sat down in the kitchen. The Gaffer placed before them porridge, scones and bacon, and a pot of tea; Sam’s first breakfast and Merry’s second.

Sam helped himself to honey for his tea. He usually liked it unsweetened in the morning, but he needed to get the taste of the Gaffer’s remedy out of his mouth. “Marigold’s already gone over to fetch Rosie?” For his sister was standing with Rose, and had much the same duties as Merry to see to.

“Aye,” said the Gaffer, with a chuckle, “so we’d better get on up to Bag End and leave this hole to the females. Daisy and May ’ll be along aforetime to help ’em out.” He sat down with a cup of tea for himself. “Are all your wedding togs up to Bag End, son?”

Sam blushed. He’d be wearing the finery he had worn at the Ball. Just about everyone in the Shire had seen him in those garments *except* the Gaffer, and he was almost more embarrassed at the idea of his father seeing him in that get-up than he had been to be introduced at the Ball.

What *was* his father going to say, to see him all got up like that?

Merry answered for him. “Yes, Master Hamfast. We saw to getting everything ready yesterday.” Merry polished off the last bite of his third scone, and downed the last of his tea. “Come on then, Sam. Frodo’s going to get worried if we don’t get on up there.”

___________________________________________________

Freddy paused to listen; Bergil was in the guest room he was sharing with Pippin, practicing the little piece he had learned to play for the wedding. Funny how it no longer seemed to hurt when he heard the lad play his flute. It still reminded him of Folco, but in a sweet sort of way. He was glad to realize this. Perhaps the ache of missing his friend was going to be bearable after all. He headed for the kitchen; maybe there was still some breakfast left to be had.

_____________________________________________________

Tolman Cotton pulled his cart up at Number Three, and Lily, Rose and Marigold clambered down. He then headed on up the Hill. He’d keep the Gaffer company at Bag End, while Tom, Jolly, Nick and Nibs, who had ridden in the back of the cart, all headed up to the Party Field to help set up the tables.

____________________________________________________

At the Men’s encampment, they had a good view of all the hobbits busily bustling about, setting things up for the wedding. Targon and Éothain eyed the thirteen hobbits who stood lined up before them.

“Good day, Mr. Smallburrow,” said Targon. "I see thirteen of you?"

“Good day to you, Captain Targon,” replied the Shirriff. “I didn't get drawn for this duty, but I came along to introduce 'em to you before I head to the wedding.  These are the lads what’ll be watching the camp for you while you and your Men go to the wedding.” He turned and carefully introduced each of them. None of them showed anything more than social abashment at the idea of meeting the Men. They had lost any fear of Men that they might have had after the Battle of Bywater. But Targon was also pleased to note no sign of resentment either. Perhaps their embassy had accomplished one of the King’s main hopes: to show that not all Men were like the ruffians who had overrun the Shire.

“For your convenience this day,” said Targon, “we have put the prisoners together in one place. But we have kept Clovis Banks somewhat apart, and bound, since he seems inclined still to make trouble.”

One of the shirriffs spat. “Don’t surprise me none,” he said. “I’m Nip Tunelly, from Underhill. There’s nothing bad *that one* won’t get up to, if left to hisself.” A couple of the others, who had also known Clovis, gave a nod. “If you’ve got him all tied up nice and neat, now, though he shouldn’t be no problem.”

The two envoys looked at one another with appreciation. These small people seemed quite capable. And really, were there any trouble at all, they and their Men were only going to be the length of the Party Field away.

_____________________________________________________

Frodo paced the study. He was very nearly as nervous as Sam. Pippin watched him in amusement.

“Goodness, Frodo, you’d think *you* were the one getting married today!”

“I just want everything to be perfect for Sam and Rose,” Frodo said, as he turned and paced back.

“Everything *is* perfect for Sam and Rose, as long as they have each other, and you to bless it all, cousin. Even if it should rain, or perish forbid, someone show up with a gift, they’ll never even notice once they lay eyes on one another.”

Frodo gave a rueful chuckle. “Thank you, Pip. I’ll try to relax. How do you suppose they are getting on in there?”

In the master bedroom, which after today would be his, Sam was being dressed by Merry and the Gaffer, with some advice by his future father-in-law. He felt a right fool in front of them, putting on that wine-colored velvet.

As Merry fiddled with his buttons, and tugged at his collar, he felt a sudden silence in the room. Sam turned, to see the Gaffer staring at him with proud tears in his eyes.

All his father said, in all seriousness, and no hint of mockery, was “You look a right treat, son. You’ll do your Rosie proud on her wedding day.”

Sam felt his heart give a lurch at the unaccustomed praise. He reached out and gathered his father into a hug.

____________________________________________________

Paladin and Saradoc and their families made their way to the Party Field. This was their first good look at the mallorn.

Paladin gasped. “Pippin told me that Sam planted that as a seed, the end of last autumn! Now look at it!” For it already stood heads taller than the tallest of the Men.

Saradoc nodded. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? I suppose it is because it is an Elvish tree.”

_____________________________________________________

“Rose,” said her mother, looking at her daughter in the striking pink gown she had worn to the Ball, with a wreath of spring flowers and ribbons on her hair, “you are so beautiful!”

Rose blushed. Her mother was not often given to that sort of praise.

Marigold walked all around her friend, checking to make sure all was properly in place. “I think you’ll do, Rosie,” she said softly.

_________________________________________________

Targon, Éothain, and all the Men lined themselves up at the back of the crowd of hobbits who had begun to gather. A few of the hobbits turned to crane their necks up and give a smile, and one cheeky tweenager gathered the nerve to say “How’s the weather up there?”

___________________________________________________

The males of the wedding party made their way to the spot next to the mallorn, where a table stood waiting for the marriage document to be signed. Frodo placed the document carefully on the table, weighting it against a stray breeze by the inkwell of red ink on one corner, and some polished stones on the others. Sam and Merry stood to one side of him. Pippin and the others made their way to the front line of assembled hobbitry. Now they only awaited the bride.

____________________________________________________

Rose clutched Marigold’s hand and took a deep breath. Her mother gave her a hug. Daisy and May were sniffling into their handkerchiefs already. As they left the hole, Daisy pulled the door to Number Three firmly shut, and they headed to the Party Field.

______________________________________________________

Everyone knew when the bride approached, by the glow on Sam’s face.

 





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