[piosenniel]

Calenedheliel1’s post

Willem Took had set out early that morning to deliver some bucked oak logs to one of his customers who lived east of Newbury, near the banks of the Brandywine River. His three older sons were busy gathering more cords of wood that soon the Hobbit families in the area would be needing for the coming winter. Rosie had been directed by her father to come with him to help unload the seasoned wood. This is not what she wanted to be doing on this fine autumn day. She had plans to go with her brothers and spend time in the woods.

Reluctantly, she climbed onto the wagon with him and took her seat dejectedly next to him, hunching down for most of the trip with a scowl on her face. Her Father was amused by her sulking, but said nothing – just sat smoking his pipe, the reins light in his hands, his eyes fixed on the familiar way ahead. They were bound for the burrow of his wife’s sister, Violet Boffin Marish, married to an old friend of Willem’s, Tolman Marish.

They were greeted warmly by the Marish family, and before the work of unloading began, Willem was invited in for a mug of newly done hard cider. Rosie, taking the opportunity of being ignored once again, slipped off quickly to the wooded area along the river’s bank.

Thunk! Thunk! The sound of someone hammering near the river’s edge drew her attention. Coming up quietly behind a tree, she peeked around and saw a young Hobbit, hammer in hand, talking to a girl who appeared older than he.

“We’re going to sail down the Brandywine!” she heard him say, and then the older girl answered him in a timid fashion. "What! Are you afraid?" she heard him chuckle.

The girl seemed to find some courage in her and said she would go with him. “Tomorrow, we can sail away for the day!’ Rosie heard the young man say.

Stepping out from her hiding place, bold as brass, Rosie smiled impishly as the two Hobbits turned to stare at her. ‘That sounds like a grand adventure! Can I come, too?’