Chapter 15. Repercussions

Farry and Goldi slept most of that night and the following day and night, except when Woodruff or Fennel or another healer assigned to watch roused them to eat a small, nourishing meal. As a consequence, when Faramir fully awakened the second morning after their return to the Great Smials, his ankle (which Woodruff had determined somehow was not broken) was already much better. The brilliant purple bruising had faded to pale green and brown, and the swelling had reduced considerably, leaving his ankle looking almost back to normal.

Immediately after he woke up, he asked after Goldi and was told that the healers had seen fit to keep her in the infirmary to ensure she hadn't caught a chill. He nodded, thinking he understood: they were taking extra care because the Mayor and Mistress Rose had entrusted her care to the Tooks, in particular, to Pippin and Diamond, and Farry's parents were likely worried about what Mayor Sam and Rose would think when they heard about this incident.

'It'll ache for some days yet, Master Faramir,' Woodruff said as she straightened from her examination. 'Some say that a sprain or strain can be worse than a broken ankle in terms of pain and prolonged effects...'

'And what does that mean?' the Thain said, sitting on the side of Farry's bed, while Diamond sat on Farry's other side, both parents having watched closely as Woodruff ran her hands over the ankle and then gently manipulated the joint.

'It means that he'll strain it again much more easily for the time being, and so he needs to be more careful to avoid further injury,' the healer explained.

'But it's not a lasting injury,' Pippin pressed.

Woodruff smiled briefly and patted Farry's hand (though Farry rather had the impression that the healer would've offered comfort to the Thain if such had been possible). 'You oughtn't notice any lasting effects, lad,' she said. 'Why, by summertime, you'll be running and skipping and jumping and dancing and climbing trees and whatnot, just as you always have.'

'So you'll let him up out of the bed?' Diamond said, exchanging a cryptic glance with her husband.

'If he promises to walk and not run, to go slowly, to favour his foot for the next few days...' Woodruff said.

'I will!' Farry promised.

'Good!' Pippin said, and then he planted his heavy walking stick firmly and pushed himself up from the bed. 'If you will see to all the details, then, my love,' he said to Diamond.

'Details?' Woodruff asked.

'A matter of unfinished business,' the Thain answered. 'We were just waiting on Farry's ankle...' But he explained no further, and the healer nodded and asked no more questions.

Nor did Farry think to ask questions, though he rather wondered what his ankle had to do with any of the business of the Tooks and the Tookland that might occupy both his mum and his da.

*** 

After second breakfast, Diamond rose from the table, thanked Sandy for another excellent repast, and called for the twins' nursemaid to put them down for their morning nap. She held out her hand to Faramir. 'Come, lad.'

'Is Telebold not here?' he said in surprise, naming his tutor, who should be entering the family's small private sitting room soon after Sandy had cleared the dishes and remnants of the meal away. The lad had rather had the impression that his daily schedule would go back to normal now that Woodruff had pronounced him sound. Or relatively so.

'You'll resume your studies with Telebold next week,' Diamond said. 'Tomorrow is Highday, and the next day is your birthday,' she added, tweaking his nose. 'Or have you lost all track of the date, what with the unusual happenings you've been mixed up in lately...?'

Farry's mouth opened in an "O" of astonishment and, to be frank, dismay. 'My mathoms!' he gasped.

'Yes, well,' Diamond said. 'You'll have the rest of today and all of tomorrow to organise your mathoms. And since the Gamgee children's departure for Cottons' farm has been put off for a week, in part due to the same unusual happenings, they'll all be here for your birthday... so you had better take them into account!'

'O my,' Farry said, overwhelmed, his head reeling. So many more mathoms added to those he still needed to finish!

'Just let me know if you need any additional supplies,' Diamond said, for she had discovered by chance what Faramir had been working on over the last few weeks, though of course she hadn't told anyone. Not even the Thain.

And then she added, 'Now come along, Farry. For I'm going to need your help this morning before I release you to your own devices.'

'Yes, Mum,' he answered, taking the hand she held out to him. As they walked along slowly, for the sake of his recovering ankle, he made a game of privately trying to guess at their destination.

Diamond or Pippin periodically asked for Faramir's "help" in various matters. The young son of the Thain knew it was part of his training, preparing him to play a major role in the running of the Great Smials someday, whether or not his father should live long enough for Farry to succeed him as Thain. Pippin had been ill-prepared for the contingency, as had Paladin, who had been thrust unexpectedly into the position, considering that Hildigrim, Paladin's grandfather, had supposedly removed their branch of the family from the line of succession. 

The letter Hildigrim had claimed to have written had disappeared – or had, perhaps, never been written. And so, upon the death of Thain Ferumbras with no heirs to follow him, the Tooks had, for all practical purposes, forced Paladin to accept the office and all it entailed. As a result of the problems that had resulted, the current Thain had vowed to ensure that his son would be adequately prepared for whatever the future might hold, at least as far as possible.

The lad wondered what help he might be providing this time. He brightened at the fairly recent memory of being asked to sample various tea sandwiches and savouries, as well as biscuits and teacakes that the cooks had turned out, and give his carefully considered opinion of each.

...but at each branching corridor they passed, the possibilities narrowed, until, at last, they stood outside the door of the Thain's study, high up in the face of the Great Smials, with its large windows that provided a panoramic view of Tuckborough and the Green Hill country beyond.

Haldi, the messenger currently stationed outside the heavy door, nodded to Diamond and then to Farry. 'Mistress,' he said, and, 'Young Master.' He tapped on the door and added, 'They're ready for you.'

Before Farry had time to wonder, Haldi turned the doorknob and swung the door open, ushered them inside, then firmly closed the door behind them, presumably to take up his station once again in order to prevent any interruptions.

A veritable multitude of hobbits crowded the study, standing in groups before the Thain's desk. All looked up as the door opened, and most of them – to Farry's eye – looked apprehensive.

The groups resolved into Ferdibrand and Pimpernel, with young Rudi standing between them, and next to them were Tolibold and Meadowsweet, flanking Gorbibold, and finally almost the entire throng of Gamgee children, accompanied by the two minders who'd had the duty the night Farry and Goldi had sneaked out to begin their journey.

Besides the Gamgee children's minders, two hobbitservants were in attendance, Rusty and Sandy, who stood in the space between Ferdi's family and Tolly's family. In addition, two young healers, Buttercup and Calendula, were stationed near the door, with a woebegone Goldi standing between them.

Pippin sat at his desk, and Regi at his, but Ferdibrand's chair was empty, for the latter (as mentioned) stood before the Thain as one awaiting trial and subsequent judgement.

And Farry had a sudden, awful understanding of the purpose of this gathering. He opened his mouth to protest, though he hardly knew what he might say, when Diamond squeezed his hand and leaned down to speak in his ear. 'Hush,' she said. 'This is a formal hearing, and so you must only speak when you are asked to give evidence.'

Farry's heart plummeted to his toes. He'd planned so carefully, done his best... but it hadn't been good enough. And now innocent hobbits would suffer the penalty for a child's careless actions...

Diamond led Farry to the Thain's ornately carved desk, whereupon she turned one of the chairs flanking the desk around so that instead of facing the Thain, Farry was facing the assemblage as he sat down there upon his mother's soft-voiced command. Diamond left him then and moved to the chair on the other side of the desk. She picked it up, moved behind the Thain to Farry's side of the desk, and set the chair she held beside Pippin's chair so that both Thain and Mistress would, for all practical purposes, share the desk while also positioning herself between husband and son. Then she sat herself down on the chair.

The Thain turned to his wife. 'My dear,' he said quietly. 'Begin when you are ready.'

'Very well,' Diamond said. Out of the corner of his eye, Farry saw Regi pick up his quill and dip it in the inkwell, ready to record the evidence presented.

'We are gathered here to see justice done,' the Mistress began. 'Every decision...' she said, and as she continued, she looked into each face gathered there before her, one at a time, making eye contact before moving on, 'every choice... every action undertaken... has a consequence. As most of you well know.' She smiled briefly in reassurance at the uncomprehending looks on the faces of the youngest Gamgee children. 

'Is Goldi in big-big trouble?' little Bilbo lisped, looking at the Thain and Mistress with enormous, worried eyes.

'We'll come to that in time,' Diamond said, even as the minder took Bilbo's hand and shushed the little lad. But little Ruby began to sob in confusion, and Primrose's eyes brimmed with tears that spilled down her cheeks. Thankfully, tiny Robin was asleep in Frodo-lad's arms, or he'd likely have joined his wails to Ruby's sounds of distress. Daisy and Hamfast were quiet, but they hugged each other, as if in fear, and the five older Gamgee children, from Frodo-lad down to Goldi, stood straight, together yet each somehow alone with their thoughts and the knowledge they held, even Frodo-lad with his sleeping toddler brother, all of their faces bleak. 

The Mistress of the Tooks nodded to the minders, and everyone waited while the little ones were comforted, and some sort of order was restored.

'Now,' Diamond said when the room was silent again. 'The Thain has excused himself from judging this case, as an injured party...' The five older Gamgee children stirred at this. 

Farry saw Rudi and Gorbi swallow hard as their apprehension increased. I'm sorry, he tried to tell them with his eyes, silently, remembering that he must not speak (for speaking out of turn might get them in worse trouble than they already seemed to be in). Rudi blinked a little, and Ferdi's hand on his shoulder tightened briefly, then relaxed. But Gorbi gave Farry a firm nod, as if to say he'd do it all over again.

'...but I have not,' Diamond said. 'Therefore, I must admonish all to remain silent as I conduct this hearing, unless I ask you a question. And when you give your answer, I expect to hear only truth, and all truth.'

Farry nodded, recognising the formal phrase.

'Goldi,' Diamond said, and the small lass jumped and then set her chin firmly, meeting Diamond's gaze. 'Do you know what "all truth" means? It is very important that you understand...'

'Yes, Mistress,' Goldi said. At Rosie's gasp, she blushed and dropped her eyes. 'I'm sorry, Mistress,' she whispered. 'I didn't mean to interrupt.'

Diamond paused momentarily to acknowledge the apology and then continued, 'Tell me what you know about telling all the truth.'

Goldi nodded and raised her eyes again, looking at Faramir. 'Farry told me,' she said, and then divided her gaze between Diamond and Pippin. 'He said there's a special kind of lie, I don't remember what he called it, but he explained it to me. He said, if you – I – tell only part of what I know to someone, and they think they know it all, but they say something that is wrong... He said it's the same thing as if I told a lie, even though they said it and I didn't.' 

Diamond nodded. 'Thank you, Goldi,' she said. She looked then at the four smallest Gamgees, from still-sleeping Robin to Ruby and Primrose and Daisy. 'All you need to know of this is what the Tooks have been told,' she said. 'Your sister, Goldilocks Gamgee, was upset on hearing your parents' news, that they would be staying longer in the South-lands than originally planned, and so she took it into her head to run off...'

Goldi stirred uneasily, but Diamond held her eyes with a warning look, and she stilled again.

'And that's all you need to know,' Diamond said. She nodded at the hovering healers.

Buttercup took Goldi's hand and led her to Sandy, who looked down and murmured quietly, 'Just stand here by me for the moment, Miss.' Meanwhile, Calendula was taking tiny Robin from Frodo-lad, and then she held out her hand to Daisy. 'Come with me, Miss,' she said. 'It's time for your morning nap.'

Buttercup picked up little Ruby and gently wiped her face, then took Primrose's hand. 'Callie and I will take you back to your beds,' she said, 'and tuck you up, nice and snug and warm, and we'll stay with you until your brothers and sisters are all done here, and I'm sure and certain that Frodo-lad has been thinking up one of his marvellous stories to tell you just so soon as he's back with you!' And talking more sweet nonsense of this sort, she and Calendula exited with the youngest of the Gamgees.

When the door had closed behind them, Diamond looked at the rest of the Gamgee children. 'The Tooks have taken it into their heads that Goldi ran off home – to Bag End – and we see no reason to tell them otherwise.' And fixing her eyes on Goldi, she said, 'And this is what we were talking about – it is called a "lie of omission",' Goldi nodded, 'but something you may not know, Goldi, is that the participants in a hearing such as this one are sworn to silence, to protect the innocent. So inside this room, "all truth" must be told in answer to any questions I see fit to ask, but once we have finished...' And she paused, as if waiting for a response.

'I understand,' Goldi said in a whisper. 

Diamond looked at the remaining Gamgee children. 'I can excuse you now, or you can agree never to speak of what you hear inside this room, not even amongst yourselves or to your parents.' She held up a staying hand, seeing questions in most of the faces and a protest in Frodo-lad's, and added, 'Your parents will have a full report from us, I assure you, but we do not wish that anyone else might overhear a chance remark.' And she waited.

'I understand,' said Frodo-lad. Diamond nodded, and her eyes moved down the line of Gamgees until each had expressed their understanding and consent.

*** 

Farry cleared his throat, his mouth dry from speaking at length, and took a sip of his brandy.

'O my,' Adelbrim said quietly into the silence, his face displaying his shock. 'They were treating it as seriously as any formal hearing I've ever seen in my short years as a Took... You must have been frightened half out of your wits, Goldi!'

'I was,' Goldi said in a small voice. 

Farry stopped himself from continuing his recital of the events and held out his hand to her in support. She took it, groping as one blinded (and perhaps she was blinded by the tears shining in her eyes), and held on so tightly that her knuckles whitened. 'I take it back,' she said. 'Perhaps it's better to be sworn to silence.'

***