Lalia Took’s Wrath

            “Careless chit!  Look what you’ve done—spilled on me and wasted food!”

            Those were among the gentlest words Lalia had for her latest handmaiden from amongst her husband’s kin.  Poor Linden was alternately white with distress and red with embarrassment as Lalia’s imprecations rolled on!

            Frodo held his cousin Reginard Took from stepping forward to protect the honor of the young Hobbitess he’d loved for years, and Bilbo was whispering in the ears of Linden’s brother Isumbard, “No, lad—you’ll do neither her nor yourself any good by going forward now.  But be assured Linden will be avenged!”