Bullroarer looked on with a smile at those gathered in his house. There were smiles on all their faces and their tummies were filled with good food and drink. It was wonderful to see them so relaxed and at ease among their friends and families.
Daisy and Gaddy stood near one another, talking animatedly to both their families, and the Hobbits on both sides seemed pleased that there would be a wedding between the two. Tobin and Dinodas held hands and sat talking quietly to each other, while their families looked on with smiles. Giles and Autumn, too, stood near each other - Giles entertaining Autumn’s cousin with descriptions of their adventures in an animated way.
Carl sat quietly by the fire nodding his head to those who spoke with him, a pipe in one hand and a mug of cold ale in the other. Dafodyl was there in a splendid yellow dress, the color of the Spring flower that was her namesake, and laughing merrily at some joke of Tomba’s. Even the dour Lotho had lightened a little, and stood listening to the two of them joke about.
He missed Branda, and his quiet company, and silently wished him well with his new bairn. Sighing he, he put his arm round the Missus’ ample waist, and drew her close to him. ‘It turned out well, despite all the misfortunes, and I’m glad of that.’ He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. ‘But most of all I’m just glad to be home.’
Into the wee hours of a Long Winter’s Night, the party merrily went on. And in the morning, after a hearty breakfast, all returned home to the common, every day happenings of Hobbits in the Shire . . .
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Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.
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