[Envinyatar]

It was a sweet, slow song the lads were playing. Zimzi stood for a while, leaning against Derufin’s arm, as she listened. On impulse, she turned and curtsied to him a sly smile on her face. ‘A last dance, freely chosen, sir?’ she asked, extending her hand.

Derufin arched his brow at her. ‘So bold!’ He looked about, as if searching for someone. ‘Now where has my sweet Zimzi got to?’ he asked, winking at her. ‘We’re to be handfasted today, you know. I would not want her to see me dancing with a saucy lass such as yourself.’

They moved well together, enjoying the pleasure of each other’s company. Then Derufin stopped, feeling a little tug on his breeches.

‘Sir,’ a piping little voice called up to him as he looked down. ‘Mister Derufin,’ chirped another.

He and Zimzi broke apart, looking down at the two Hobbit children, a boy and girl, who stood peering up at them. ‘We’ve got something for the lady, the little boy said. He pointed over to where Ginger stood with his other brothers and sisters. All of them wore small ivy leaf crowns festooned with red berries, and Ginger held another one in her hand. ‘We made it for you. To wear today,’ the girl explained, her hand on Zimzi’s skirt.

Zimzi crouched down, smiling at the children. ‘Go and get it, then,’ she said, nodding toward where Ginger stood. The children crowded in about her, all wanting to help place their handiwork on her head. She bowed it low, steadying the leafy garland for them as they positioned it on her. They stepped back and looked at it, turning their heads this way and that. ‘You look pretty!’ little Pip cried, clapping his hands.

She was just in the midst of thanking them all when a deeper voice broke in.

‘Mistress Zimzi, Mister Derufin,’ said Sam, offering his hand to Derufin. ‘I see you’ve now met my children.’ He beamed at his brood and sent them all back to Ginger’s care, saying he supposed they should all have a jam tart or two for their good work. Sam stood watching them go, then turned back to the couple.

‘Well, I’m here to do the handfasting when you’re ready. Just thought I’d let you know. Brought my ledger, too. Get you put into it all proper like.’ He waved over to where Cook was standing, talking to one of the Bywater ladies. ‘Cook says if you’ll just let her know when you want it started, she’ll bring out the cake as a signal to me. I’ll get the crowd quieted down and then we can begin.’

‘A good plan,’ grinned Derufin. ‘A cake and a missus, what more could a man ask for?’ Zimzi laughed, calling him an oaf.

‘Right, then. How about we get a little ale and cider,’ said Sam, smiling. ‘And I’ll introduce you to my Rose.’