CHAPTER 14

Two days later in the common room of The Eagle’s Nest, which was usually deserted of a morning , several hobbits sat at various points in the room, some of them on cushions and with their toes dangling. They were taking an opportunity to write letters home, for Eradan was going to catch up with the last King’s Messenger to ride through in order to send a report to the Thain, while Mellor was going to see if he could find any traces of the Ruffians who had slain Sandyman.

Freddy dipped the quill into the inkpot and began to write:

“ Thain Paladin Took

From Fredegar Bolger, ambassador of the Shire to Rohan and Gondor

I am writing this message from the settlement of Tharbad on the Greenway. All is going well in our journey, and all the hobbits who have accompanied us are all safe and sound. But there is a situation of which you need to be made aware.

Two Rangers made a startling discovery: they found the body of a hobbit, obviously killed by violence. They sought us out to learn what they should do about this find. Captain Targon, Mosco Burrows, Mistress Poppy Burrows, Prince Legolas and Lord Gimli and I accompanied one of the Rangers to the place where the body lay.

We were able to positively identify the murdered hobbit as Ted Sandyman. As you were still seeking information as to his whereabouts, I feel it important to send you this message. It will be entrusted to a King’s Messenger, who passed through here only a day or so ago, headed for Bree.

I am very sorry to say that it appears the miller was murdered by the Men with whom he had thrown in his lot, and that his end was not a gentle one. He was cruelly and foully mistreated before they made an end of him, and I will attach a report from Mistress Poppy detailing his injuries.

We did not think it wise to attempt to send his body back to the Shire, considering the condition it was in, but have seen to it that it has been buried where it will remain undisturbed.

Knowing that you wish to put all that occurred in the Shire during the Occupation behind us, the information that one of Lotho Sackville-Baggins’ chief collaborators is dead should help immensely.

We are resting here at Tharbad for a couple of days, until we resume our journey. We expect that if all goes well, we shall be at the Gap of Rohan in about two weeks or so.

In service to the Shire,

Fredegar Bolger.”

“Dear Cousin Paladin--

I hope that you did not find the official news I sent to be too distressing. But it was a shock to us all to realize just how Ted Sandyman had met his end. I suppose that I should be glad that he received the same treatment he had given to Folco, but I find that I am not. No one should be subjected to that sort of cruelty.

I will be writing to my father, but as I know my mother and sister will be reading that letter as well, I shall not say anything of this distasteful news. I would be most grateful, however, if you would have a private word with my father and with Folco’s father Griffo. They both deserve to know the truth.

All of us are faring well, though we find the heat a bit oppressive. I am very pleased with the behavior and demeanor of the hobbits who have come with us. Mistress Poppy and Miss Viola have already proven their usefulness. Even the prisoners are well, though they remain sullen.

Please give my regards to Cousin Tina, your daughters, and to Pippin as well. Tell Pippin that I will have a great store of tales about him when I return home--Legolas and Gimli have been most forthcoming, as have Bergil and some of the Men.

I am quite looking forward to seeing the great Realms of Men, but I have to say that I still find myself missing the green hills and rolling meadows of home.

With fond affection,

Your cousin,

Freddy”

“Dear Father, Mother and Estella,

I write to you from Tharbad, where we are breaking our journey for a few days. Our journey has been for the most part, uneventful, save for the weather.

We have endured a few summer storms, as well as some very unpleasant heat. I hope that summer in the Shire is not proving such a scorcher as it is on the road.

I am enjoying the opportunity to get to know these Men much better. It has been fascinating to hear what they have to say about Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Samwise. I think that the Travellers have been much under-appreciated. The honors accorded them at the Ball were only the very tip of things.

Estella, you are right to be so proud of your Merry. I have learned of many amazing things that he accomplished, and these Men among whom I travel have the highest regard for him, especially the Rohirrim, whose name for him is ‘Holdwine’. I thought at first that this was a title of some sort, but I was told that it was a name, meaning ‘loyal friend’. I will be so very glad to witness your betrothal to him when I return home.

I am so far enjoying the journey, although when we leave here, I do not look forward to the river crossing. Thank goodness there is a bridge here now, instead of merely a ford! But I will confess to sometimes being a bit homesick.

Father, you may wish to approach the Thain about the official report I sent to him. It contains a far fuller account of our trip.

I look forward to seeing all of you again next spring.

Love,

Freddy”

“Dear Angelica,

I am taking this opportunity to send you a few lines. I must confess to missing you sorely, though it seemed we scarcely had time to renew our acquaintance.

It was my hope that this journey might help me to lay to rest my grief for Folco, and in some most unexpected ways, it has proven true so far. I know that I will miss my dearest friend to the end of my days, yet the grief now is tender, and not a raw and gaping wound.

I have found that grief was not the only thing I needed to lay aside, and I have made the discovery that it was needful for me to also lay aside my most unhobbity feelings of hatred and desire for vengeance. I have come to learn that those feelings were holding me back from healing my sorrow.

I am growing very fond of all my travelling companions, most especially Legolas and Gimli, who have proven staunch friends, and young Bergil, who is such an open and likeable child. I am also coming to a greater appreciation of the other hobbits with whom I am travelling. Berilac is turning out to be a very reliable second, and I am becoming friends with the others as well. Of course, Jolly and I are old friends, but we had not seen much of one another after I went to the Lockholes, so it is good to renew that friendship as well.

I do miss the Shire, and I most especially miss the time we could be spending together, yet I think in the long run, this absence will be beneficial to us both.

With warmest regards,

Freddy”

Berilac signed a short letter to his father, and pulled forward another sheet of parchment:

“Dear Merry--

This journey has been an amazing experience so far. I often find myself wondering if we were anywhere near the places where you travelled on your far more perilous trip. But Gimli tells me that you and your companions travelled through the abandoned lands to the east of here.

He said that here in Tharbad we are due west of the mines of Moria, through which you went into so much danger. He and Legolas have told a good many tales on you and Pippin. I plan to tweak your noses unmercifully when I return.

There is another good thing about this journey. I am making the acquaintance of Miss Viola Harfoot, Mistress Poppy’s apprentice. She is a remarkable lass. In some ways she is very timid, but that does not sway her determination to do what she needs to do, and to be a help and not a burden to us.

You may remember meeting her at the Great Smials. She’s quite lovely, with a tip-tilted nose, warm brown eyes, and her curls are just the color of autumn leaves. She has a beautiful smile as well. But when she is busy at being a healer, she is quite formidable!

Stop laughing at me. I have listened to you gush about Estella often enough!

I think that she may return my regard, but of course she is still an apprentice, and she is only thirty-one. At least Mistress Poppy does not seem to object to our friendship.

Please give my love to Pip, to Uncle Saradoc and Aunt Esme, and everyone else. I have to admit to an occasional twinge of homesickness. But things are far too interesting for me to wish myself home yet.

I’ve written Da separately.

Love,

Your cousin,

Berilac”

Near the fireplace at another table, Poppy and Viola shared an inkpot. Poppy had finished her official report on her findings on Sandyman’s death. Now she pulled a sheet of paper out of the little stationer’s chest she carried.

“Dear Lavender,

I trust that you are not finding your time among the Tooks too difficult. I very well know what kind of patients they make! But I am quite sure you will not put up with their nonsense, or I would not have asked you to fill in for me.

I hope that Pimpernel’s pregnancy is progressing with no troubles. I suspected before I left that she might be carrying twins, but as they are such a rarity and as it was too soon to be certain, I said nothing to her. I am sure that by now you know for sure if that is the case.

Our journey is progressing well. We have had few difficulties--though I find I must constantly warn our companions against the heat, and remind them that they must drink more water. The oldest of the prisoners gives me a twinge of worry. He appears to be slipping into melancholy; of course, melancholy would only be expected after the troubles he has made, and if it came with a guilty conscience I should think it well-deserved. But I am afraid he simply feels himself ill-used, which is ridiculous.

I am quite proud of Viola. Although she is far more timid than I expected her to be in the presence of Big Folk, she is beginning to overcome it well, and it has not shaken her determination nor her common sense. And I believe that by the time we come into more settled lands and larger groups of Big Folk, she will be so used to ours that it will not dismay her.

It has not escaped my attention that she has attracted the regard of young Berilac Brandybuck. He’s a likely lad, a long-thinker like most Brandybucks, and responsible. Of course, Viola will not be of age for a couple of years yet, but I am keeping my eye on them. I think it possible he may be worthy of her. Since she has no parents, I am her sole guardian, so that means I have a duty in such a situation. At any rate, she is progressing well in her apprenticeship.

I hope that young Opal is doing well. I look forward to taking her on when we return. Please give her my fondest regard, and let her know that I did not forget my promise.

The journey itself is interesting enough, but I am anxious to get to Gondor and begin to learn the things I left the Shire to find out about.

Love,

Your friend,

Poppy”

Viola dipped her pen into the inkpot she was sharing with her mistress, and after a brief nibble at its tip, began to write:

“Dear Verbena,

We have stopped here at Tharbad for a few days. We are staying in an inn of the Big Folk, and oh my! it is ever so big! The bed they gave to Mistress Poppy and me is so large I feel lost in it! This world is so much larger than anything I had ever imagined, and it just makes my heart go pit-a-pat when I think of how immense it all is!

But Mistress says I am doing well, and that she is proud of me, so I will not say anything of my fears, and hope I may soon overcome them. I already feel much more at ease among *our* Men--they are so kind, and jolly, and solemn, and brave! And when I hear them speak of how grateful they are to hobbits for the things that the Travellers did, I just want to weep! If anyone ever scoffs to you about what the four of them did while they were gone, or doubts how brave they all were, you just tell them from me to jump in a lake! No one could ever listen to what these Men say and doubt their word!

And I quite like our Elf, Legolas, and our Dwarf, Gimli. They say the drollest things to one another, and argue all the time, but no one could ever doubt that they are very fond of one another. And when I hear the Elf sing, as he does for us some nights, my heart just soars out to the heavens!

But the one I really want to tell you about, Verbena, is Berilac Brandybuck! He is so sweet and considerate! He has those rugged Brandybuck good looks, but he is not at all conceited! And he has made it quite plain to me that I have attracted his notice! I do not really know what to think. Of course I must finish my apprenticeship, and I won’t be of age for a while, so there’s no rush. I think Mistress Poppy has noticed, but she must approve, or she would have said something.

The only thing that disturbs me is that sometimes I find the youngest prisoner positively staring holes in me, in that most uncomfortable way, if you know what I mean! However, he never says anything, and I am not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that I have noticed.

Well, dear sister, I do not expect that I will get an answer from you to this message anytime soon. It is still weeks and weeks until we get to the capitol of the Horse-people in Rohan, Edoras, and I am not sure if you would be able to send a letter to me there. But you could send one on to Minas Tirith--except Captain Targon says they are going to start calling it Minas Anor sometime soon--for we will be there some months once we arrive.

I hope that things are going well for you. Aunt Rhody is an excellent seamstress, and I know that you are doing well in your own apprenticeship with her. Please give her my love, and stay safe and well.

Your loving sister,

Viola

In the large window-sill at the front of the room, Rolly and Denny sat with their heads together as they composed a letter to their father. Denny wielded the quill, while Rolly held the inkpot steady.

“Dear Da and Mum,

We are like to be here in Tharbad for a day or two. We are staying in an inn of the Big Folk right now. So far all is going well, but seeing as you are the head of the family now, you will soon be hearing some news about one as was in with the Ruffians. I won’t say no more on that subject, as it’s the Thain’s part to tell you about it.

The trip has been interesting. Everything is so much bigger and wilder than the Shire. East Farthing folk call Buckland wild, but they don’t know what wild is.

Our Men are all right nice. We have not run into any of the worse sort so far, though that will probably happen sooner or later.

The only thing is, those as used to be in our family seem determined to give us a hard time. The Men don’t put up with any sauce from them, but you can’t stop them looking holes in a body. But Mr. Freddy tells us to keep our heads up and remember that we are better than them because we did not call down any disgrace on our name, like that lot did.

Please give our love to our sisters and all the family. We miss you ever so much, and will be glad to get home next spring.

Love,

Denny

and

Rolly“

Jolly Cotton sat at the bar; he had a half-pint at his elbow, and his tongue was peeking out one side of his mouth as he concentrated on the letter he was writing.

“Dear Sam and Rosie

I know you will show this letter to the family. I’d send one to Dad, but his reading isn’t so good anymore, now his eyes are older, so please tell him everything I say.

I hope all is well with you. I am feeling awful lonesome for Tom right now, knowing I’ll be missing his and Mari’s wedding, and not being able to stand with him. I’m sure glad you are going to, Sam, and that Mr. Frodo’s going to do the wedding. Rosie, you be sure to remember every little detail to tell me when I get home.

The trip is going well so far; I know Ma was worrited about all kinds of dreadful things happening, but none of them have come true yet. I’m getting to be pretty good friends with them Banks brothers Denny and Rolly, and it’s right nice to spend more time with Captain Freddy. He’s starting to come out of his grief for poor Mr. Folco somewhat, and is not nearly so sad and grim as he was. I know that Tom will be glad to hear that, and you too, Sam. You tell Mr. Frodo also, seeing as Captain Freddy is his cousin, that he’s doing well.

And you might want to tell Captain Merry that his cousin Mr. Berilac has eyes for that little apprentice healer, Miss Viola. I don’t suppose Mistress Poppy minds because if she did, she’d not stop at tearing a strip off him, Brandybuck or no. But she kind of smiles when she sees them together.

We’ve heard a store of tales from our Elf and our Dwarf, Samwise Gamgee. You didn’t tell us the half of what all you did when you was gone. Rosie, you are wed to a real life hero, and don’t you let him tell you no different!

Well, I just want to say I miss everyone, and you give everyone my love. Tell Ma I will be just fine, with all these strong Men about to protect me, and Captain Freddy as well.

Hope that all of you are safe and well.

Love,

Your brother,

Jolly”

Mosco Burrows sat on the lowest step of the staircase, his little traveling desk on his knee.

“Dear Papa and Mama

I am pleased to tell you that everything is going quite well. I am safe, and Aunt Poppy is in her element. You should see how she bosses our Men around if she thinks they are not drinking enough water or getting enough rest! And little Viola is beginning to take after her, though you would still think the lass was too timid to say boo! to a mouse, the other day, she halted the whole party because she thought one of the prisoners was too hot.

So far we have suffered nothing more dangerous than some unpleasant weather. I do have to say that enduring a thunderstorm in a flimsy canvas tent is not nearly so cozy as listening to one outside, while tucked up safe by the hearth with a cup of tea at hand.

I am getting a good deal of enjoyment in getting to know the Men, and I have also learned a lot about what the Travellers did while they were gone. I am beginning to realize that what Cousin Frodo did was a good deal more important than what Cousins Merry and Pippin did, though it would be hard to get folks in the Shire, who only saw the Scouring, to believe. They fought in battles and came back with skills to drive the Ruffians out, but Frodo and Samwise had a much harder and darker road to travel, and if they had not succeeded, Merry and Pippin would never have been able to come home.

It has given me a lot to think about.

On the other hand, I have something most amusing to tell you: when Freddy saw the huge bed we are sleeping in, he laughed. He said it reminded him of how, before they left the Shire, Pippin coaxed Merry and Frodo into jumping on the bed that Gandalf uses when he comes to Bag End. Then he said ‘I’ve sometimes wished that I had tried it, too!’ and he climbed up and gave a few bounces. Berilac laughed and joined him, but I am afraid I was too timid, and Jolly, Denny and Rolly just stared at them as though they were daft.

I am very glad to see Freddy coming out of his grief and able to jest and play like that. After that horrible night that none of us will forget, I thought he would never smile again.

I told Aunt Poppy I was writing, and she said to be sure to send her love. I am enjoying this journey more than I thought I would, but I will still be glad to get home.

Your loving son,

Mosco”