Areata
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 The Story Of Areata Fallohide-Brockhouse
Living in Bree made for a hard life, Little Areata learnt that at an early age.
Born in the year 2995, to Rosalea Underhill and Morthoc Fallohide-Brockhouse, she grew up living on the hill above the township of Bree.
Her father Morthoc ran trade from Bree to The Shire, and Areata quite often liked to ride with him, the dear little Pony, Hesta clip-clopping along the road, hauling the cart of goods to the outskirts of Buckland.
Areata, like any child just wished to go out and play, but the streets of Bree were not safe for young hobbits to play in, they were oft busy with travellers, of sorts unknown, and many a time, a young hobbit, being small of stature was overlooked, and nearly run down by horse and cart, or shoved out of the way by passers by. She ached to be able to adventure on her own, but her parents knew the dangers of the township of Bree well and would not let her. Once a week they would Travel to Staddle to visit relatives there, and Areata would look forward to this most of all, it was safe for Hobbits in Staddle, and she could roam where she liked with her cousins, and quite often travelled to the Outer areas of Buckland and the East Farthing with her father, she was intrigued with these lands, so far from her own, holding so many hobbits strange to her...she wished to know more about her own kind, living in this area.
When she was in her early Teens her father Morthoc went on a trade trip to The Shire and never returned. Word came from Buckland that last he was seen, something had spooked Hesta and She had taken Morthoc, cart and all careening into the Old forest. Hesta and her father were never heard from again.
Therefore, that is why before she hit her Tweens she was working in The Prancing Pony Inn, a dangerous place for a young hobbit. The innkeeper, Barliman Butterbur was a kindly fellow, and would only have her work during the day, Making beds and such, and when she DID reach her Tweens he got her helping out with serving drinks and meals and such, and working nights, for by then she knew enough to take care of herself in a bar situation. It was then that she learnt the subtle art of flirting and the advantages of it, how to not push it too far, but just far enough. Being a pretty, young hobbit, she found quite an advantage, and generally the guests enjoyed seeing her and gave quite good tips. Often, her skills proved useful in breaking up fights and arguments too.
She worked hard for her mother and herself, but the Fallohide in her bloodlines longed to travel, especially to see other Hobbits.
On a dark, rainy, stormy night in the year 3018, her 23rd year, Areata was working late, she was tired and worried, and wished to go home to see her mother...she was in the kitchens, doing some pots when Barliman came in.
"Eh, Rea lass, we have four wet, weary travellers wantin' meal and lodging, can ya see to them??"
"Oh dear, we have no more rooms Mr Butterbur, only the ones for my folk, we cant house big people in there, theyre too...big!!" exclaimed Areata.
"Ah, tis alright then lass, these are four Hobbits, four of your folk, from the shire.... havent had anyone come to stay here from there in years!!"
Areata was bursting with curiosity and almost forgot to take off her dirty apron before showing them through to a quiet dining hall.
"Look!! Its a wee hobbit lass!!" exclaimed one of them, as she approached.
"Follow me, please" She showed them through to the dining hall and took their travelling cloaks, hanging them on hooks in the room, then added some more logs to the fire. She then left the room, telling them she'd be back shortly with meals...they looked so strange to her, yet they were so alike.
Soon she brought them plates full of food and a large pitcher of ale. She placed them down and went and stood by the door...watching them. Wondering about them. They were on a journey, that was clear, why?? What for?? What were four shire hobbits doing travelling so far from the shire??? She noticed one of them in particular, he looked very jovial and seemed to be the youngest, he looked not much older than herself. He laughed alot, and seemed so innocent, it made her heart leap every time he glanced in her direction, and just seeing him smile made her smile.
They finished their meal and she took their plates away, showing them their rooms, where they left their things, then into the main room, where many travellers sat chatting amongst one another and drinking. She finished her duties in the kitchen before leaving, going home, kissing her mother goodnight and falling exhausted into bed.... where despite how she try, she could not get to sleep, she kept seeing that smile and those twinkling eyes of the young hobbit traveller, she felt uneasy somehow as she tossed and turned, worried for him, as though he might be in some kind of trouble...
Finally she fell into a restless sleep....
Last edited by Areata, 7/3/03, 8:17 pm
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7/3/03, 8:10 pm
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The next morning Areata woke up late, she quickly dressed and ate her breakfast while her mother brushed her hair.
"Your hair is unusually straight for our kind, and you're such a tall girl now, Are." Rosalea said, as she brushed her daughters hair "Must be the Fallohide in you. They were always prone to be taller and fairer than the other clans of old."
Areatas' father had been the last Hobbit to hold the name of Fallohide, generations ago, Bellina Fallohide, the only child of her father had married Hedgar Brockhouse, and not wanting to have the name fade out all together, they hyphenated it. The Fallohides had been the least numerous of the old hobbit clans, but had always been most bold and adventurous, and it was easily seen which hobbits had a strong Fallohidish ancestry, even after nearly 2000 years, and although the name had all but disappeared (and would soon enough - Since Areata was an only child) the most prominent families in The Shire were known to have a Fallohidish background, The Brandybucks of Buckland and The Tooks of Tuckborough being the most prominent.
Areata waited for her Ma to clip back her hair and rushed out the door to work, giving her Ma a peck on the cheek as she went.
When she got down to the inn, she found the place in a terrible state and was immediately reminded of her thoughts of the night before.
All the Horses had been loosed from the stables, she found as she approached, and ran inside to find Barliman in an utter mess.
"Rea me lass, its a horrible mess I know, but we will have to get to tidying them hobbit rooms some time this morning"
Areatas' heart felt like it had stopped. She raced to the Hobbit rooms dreading what she might find. The sheets and curtains were all slashed, the mattresses torn open, Pillow feathers everywhere.... and where...where were the Hobbits that where housed here last night.... where was the young hobbit lad with the twinkling green eyes and the enchanting smile???
Suddenly a voice startled her.
"Yah, its a right mess, isn't it?? Its a good thing we ran into tha' ranger fellow last night, or tha'd be us. Kinda scary really."
She spun around, looking like a frightened rabbit.
"Sorry, did I startle ye? I've come back to see if I can't find me scarf, left it in this here room last night by accident. Can ye help me???"
The mixture of fear and relief in her face must have been obvious because the young hobbit lad reached out and touched her arm.
"Hey, its okay now" he said, slightly taken aback "no-one was hurt"
"I...I had a feeling.... that you...you were in some kind of trouble" she said, shaking a little.
"Me? No, not me.... well mebbe a wee bit, but its nothing for a bonnie lass like you to concern yeself about. There may be more dangers ahead yet." He said, picking through the rubbish. "Come on, we'll have this cleaned in no time"
He grinned at her.
"You dont have to - you're a guest, said Areata, stuffing the torn sheets into a garbage container. "Arent you...scared?"
"Eh? 'Tisnt any trouble, looking for meh scarf anyweh, might as well lend a hand...Yah Im a tad feart, but meh cousin needs us, couldnt let him travel on his own now, could we?? Ach, but I've said too much already..."
Areata and the Shire hobbit chatted while they tidied and searched the room, he had a wonderful accent. He told her alot about the counties of the shire and she began to yearn even more to visit them...but the lad said little about his journey and his companions, and Areata had learnt not to ask, a travellers business was his own, and if he wished to tell you anything he would.
She realised something as she talked with this traveller, He made her smile, and he made her laugh.... She could not remember laughing like this since before her father disappeared. Her Da could always make her laugh, and life seemed so much happier when he was around...she longed for those days, she had loved her father very much and missed him dearly.
"Ach, here it is, under the bed.... and look!! The room is all tidy!!"
Areata had a sneaky suspicion from the look on his face that he knew where the scarf was the whole time.... but she very much appreciated the help, and the opportunity to talk to a Hobbit from outside of Bree all the same.
"Well, I'd best be off now...we'll be going soon.... soon as tha' ranger fellow finds a pony."
"Wait, follow me" she said, hurrying down the hall and into the kitchen with the young lad following.
There, on the bench, were the travel packs that dear Barliman insisted they prepare and send off with each guest - some food supplies for their journey.
Areata set five packs aside, then opened the fridge and searched through it. Eventually, she emerged with a triumphant "AHA!!"
In her arms was a wedge of cheese, a small portion of meat and... MUSHROOMS.
She took one pack and slipped the delicacies, handing the pack to the hobbit.
"Wow, thanks!!" he exclaimed
"Fairs fair.... you helped me, I must do something for you in return...besides, you make me laugh and made an otherwise mundane task rather joyful.... I have rarely felt that way since my father..." She let the sentence trail off.
"Im sorry" He replied, "Im glad I could make you laugh and smile, you look very pretty when you do."
Areata felt her cheeks burn, she was used to getting compliments when she was flirting, but they didnt mean anything much, although she enjoyed receiving them.... but this was different, she was receiving a real compliment.... that meant much more.
She grabbed the other 4 packs and they headed out the front...they were just in time too.
A tall scraggly looking man was loading up an even scragglier looking pony with their luggage, which looked like it might collapse under the weight. She handed each of the travellers and the man a supply pack, saying, "Compliments of The Prancing Pony, we wish you a safe journey"
"Thankyou dear lass, we will need it, said the Ranger, and with that they left...Straight along the main road out of town...on foot.
It wasnt until they were gone from site that she realised she hadnt even learnt their names!!!
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7/3/03, 8:30 pm
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As she worked the rest of the day, Areata thought about the Hobbits and their journey.... about what the smiling one had told her about their lands and became more and more determined to go there.
That night, just as she was finishing up and getting ready to go home an old man with a long grey beard and a pointy hat came rushing in, she recognised him as he was an occasional guest.
"May I help you sir??"
"My dear lass, your help to me will be immeasurable in the years to come, I believe. But right now I wish very much to speak to old Barliman Butterbur if hes about"
She wondered what he meant, but simply said "I'll just go find him for you, anything else?"
"A cup of tea would be nice, thank you m'dear"
Areata ran off to find Barliman, who she found snoozing on a stool in the kitchen (it had been a VERY busy day), she told him of the man and he jumped to his feet, looking like he was dreading to speak to him, yet had something important to tell him. He rushed out looking very fearful, wringing his hands.
Rea made two cups of tea and took them to Barlimans' private sitting room, where he took meetings and such.
She found them talking about the Hobbit travellers that stayed last night...the old man looked worried yet relieved.
"I'm very, very sorry Gandalf sir, but none were willin' to make the trip to the shire, Young Rea here, her father was the last one ever made regular trips that way, and since he disappeared on one of his trade trips a few years back, well, there are none left that will go"
The old man eyed her.
"Would you, young lass...have made a trip to Hobbiton, in The Shire for me??"
Areata didnt need long to think.
"Yes sir, I would have, I visited the outskirts of Buckland and the East Farthing quite often with my father when he ran his trade route...I know the road well, and I'm sure I could have got directions once id gone that far"
"See Barliman.... Im sure that wouldnt have been hard"
"Oh no Gandalf...The road is far too dangerous for a young hobbit lass...Young Rea has worked here for many a year and I know her well, I couldnt bear losing her in such a fashion...and Im sure her Mother couldnt either, after already losing her father on the same road."
Gandalf was still looking at her.
"So you are called Rea??"
"Well, thats what Barliman calls me." She smiled at the man who had looked after her so well since her father died. "My mother calls me Are.... and my full name is Areata. Areata Fallohide-Brockhouse"
"Aha!! I guessed you may have some Fallohide in you, I can see it...in your mothers or fathers side??"
She wondered how this man knew so much about Hobbits. "Fathers side.... Mother was an Underhill, although most hobbits have some Fallohidish in their blood somewhere, way back."
"Ah yes, that is true" he said "Well, I will just call you Rea, if you dont mind, nice name that!! Did you meet the travellers that were here??"
"Yes, I served them their meal...Oh and one of them helped me tidy up their room this morning" She blushed slightly.
Barliman butted it "Yes it was a horrible mess, these men, all in black...they broke in and went to their room...slashed it all up.... good thing they werent there...but still, they didnt do much better taking up with that Ranger fellow. Strider, they call him."
"Oh, the met up with Strider, eh??" asked Gandalf, looking quite relieved.
"Yeah" said Butterbur sounding remorseful, "Im sorry I let them go with him Gandalf"
"Dont be sorry, this is indeed joyful news!! Here, take this payment; this should cover the damages to your room. I must be off shortly, see if I cant catch up to them"
Areata felt slightly relieved, knowing that this man would be travelling with them.... he had a kindly face and appeared good and kind, and very wise.
"Come here Rea-lass" Gandalf said.
She went over to him and he looked at her, studying her. "Yes, yes, oh you will do quite well."
"Sorry?? What for??"
"Eh, oh never mind that. Do you have any relatives in The Shire??"
"Im unsure sir"
"Well find out, Oh and just call me Gandalf" He smiled and winked at her, which made her smile in return "I want you and your mother to move there.... within the next 6 months...I have a feeling you will be needed there. Can you do that for me??"
Areata could not explain it.... she should be furious at a stranger telling her what to do, but there was a knowledge in his voice and a wisdom in his eyes that told her he was right, and she should do as he asks.
She nodded.
"Yes, hobbits are truly extraordinary creatures" Gandalf said as he got up to leave, as though he were musing over something he had thought earlier. "Keep safe, Pretty young Rea-girl, you have a big part to play if everything works out the way it should, and danger is always near...these days, and dont forget your promise."
"I wont, Gandalf sir"
"Im sure you wont, he said, as she and Barliman walked with him to the entrance of the inn "Farewell my friends"
"Safe journey" They both wished him.
He whistled and a stunning white horse appeared and whisked him away into the night.
"You'd better get home too Rea me lass" commented Barliman "Its very late, and your Ma'll be fretting."
She headed home, a million things on her mind...
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7/3/03, 8:44 pm
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The next day, Areata asked her mother if they had any relatives in the shire.
"Not that I know of, all my family is in Staddle and your dear father was an only child" replied Rosalea, "Why do you ask, Are dear??"
Areata was not going to tell her mother the truth, who would believe her??? Some strange old man...who she didn't know, but somehow trusted had told her that it was important for her to be in the shire.... No way...she knew her mother wouldnt have a bar of it!!
"I met some Shire-hobbits, travellers...staying at Barlimans.... they told me all about the shire. I thought maybe we could move there. It sounds lovely Ma, much better than here"
"Areata!! Your father worked hard to build us a nice home!! To be sure, this is no Smial...but we live in comfort, and this is your home!!!"
"Ma...I miss Da too, but he would want better for us.... Ma...what would Da say if he knew I've been working in a Bar & Travellers Retreat since before my tweens.... I know he wouldnt have wanted that for me...and he wouldnt want this for us.... and you know yourself Ma.... remember how joyfully he would talk of his trade trips.... and I travelled with him Ma...I saw it, the way he wistfully looked at the houses we passed that were for sale.... we can do it Ma...I can start saving my wages and we can sell all our furniture and unwanted Items.... we can start a new life, the way Da would have wanted."
Rosalea bit her lip, she had never enjoyed travelling, never wanted to, she was comfortable and cosy in her little hobbit-hole. That is why they had not moved before...Morthoc had always wanted to move to the shire and had often tried to convince Rosalea to move there.... away from their daughters ears.... but Rosalea was not comfortable with the idea of travel and change...she was quite happy where she was, thankyou very much.
Everything was fine when Morthoc was around; He was there to make sure they did OK in Middle Earth. He made his trade trips and his wife and daughter were never for want of anything.... he kept them safe from the harsh and cruel of Bree and made it all seem so much better than it was.... but he wasnt here now, he wasnt supporting them and his precious daughter had to go out into the harsh and cruel of Bree and earn a living to support them both.
Now, she thought, she must think of her daughter.... she was right, it is what Morthoc would have wanted.... she thought about her life here, why she stayed here, and she realised the only reason was because here she was reminded of her husband...but now she realised that this definitely wasnt what he would have wanted and even elsewhere, in the shire, she could be reminded of him by knowing that they were doing what he would have wanted for them.
She got teary as she made all these realisations at once, but told her daughter nothing of them, she just said quietly "You're right Are, this isnt what your Da would have wanted for us, how did you get to be so smart, my girl??"
"So does that mean we can go??"
Rosalea gulped, a lump in her throat, the thought scared her, but she heard a voice that must have been hers answer "yes"
Areata squealed and jumped up and down excitedly "Oh MA!! Ill start saving IMMEDIATELY...oh but it will be so sad leaving Barliman, even though I dont always like the inn, and we have to get a map and decide where looks nicest to go!!" she chattered on excitedly, mainly to herself while Rosalea ran the idea through her head over and over again until slowly she started to warm to the idea.
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7/3/03, 8:48 pm
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Areata scrimped and saved over the next three months while Rosalea got to selling their furniture and Dwelling.
It was very painful for her, seeing all the things that she associated with Morthoc disappearing, and even more painful to sell the cosy little hobbit hole, where she had lived with him ever since she married, and where little Are was born.
They studied maps until they settled on a place to move to...The decided on Long Cleeve in the North Farthing.... it was a small settlement close to a large lake.... Lake Evendim, that the Brandywine river ran from, which Areata thought would be nice to visit...Rosalea didnt know where her daughter got her nature from...certainly not her...she preferred a quiet, unadventurous life!!!
So it came that they were ready to leave by mid-February, with little to take with them but the money they had saved and from their sales, and a few small cases of clothing.
They headed down to Barlimans in their walking clothes - dragging a small cart - to say goodbye.
*Sniff* "Im'a sad ter see ya go Rea-lass" sniffed Barliman "You've been one-a my hardest workers ever since you were a wee lass, but look at yer now, all grown up and pretty...and a darn-site taller than many a hobbit too, you sure yer great grandmother wasnt a woman?? Its been a joy ter have ya workin' here with me" He said, engulfing her in a big hug. "And now I have a gift for ya."
Rea wondered what it could be....
Barliman clapped his hands and Dahney, one of her fellow hobbit-workers at the inn...a stable hand...came around the corner leading a beautiful honey coloured horse, with a dark mane and tail, pulling a rickety, but sturdy old cart.
Rea gasped...what an extravagant gift!!!
"Barliman...I couldnt..." she began to say, as her heart filled with love for the dear, funny old man.
"Ah, nonsense lassie" Replied Barliman, looking at her with equal warmth and love as she felt towards him. "You've grown up here.... youve grown up right in front of my eyes and you feel like me own daughter...since I have none of me own. Besides, the cart...a traveller left as payment since he didnt have any money or any further use for it.... and the horse...ah there is a sad story...An elf passed through, strange for these parts, and asked if we could house her for him...he didnt stay the night, but he said to me 'I may not be coming back, take care of her' and payed me up.... hes been long gone now, and Ive been keeping her even though I cannot afford to...I dunno what happened to him, dont want to think about it...but Ive been hearing talk of the elves leaving these shores...mebbe thats what happened...I hope so...kindly feller he was...wouldnt wish no harm to him. Anyway, He said she was called Astalder, but shes yours now and Im guessing you can name her what you want."
Barliman was blushing slightly, and Areata was blinking back tears.
She muttered a choked "thankyou" and gave him a huge hug, still feeling a tremendous love towards this dear man.
Barliman helped Areata up onto the cart and handed her the reins - and then helped Rosalea in before putting their luggage into the cart.
"Oh, and heres a travel pack, me lass...never thought id be handing you one, goodness knows you wouldnt be going if it werent for that Gand-"
"Thanks Barliman" Areata said, cutting him off before he said something she didnt want her mother to hear. "I'll never forget your generosity and care towards me."
Her heart was pained as she flicked the reins and Astalder began to trot down the street. She looked back to see the old man waving, wiping a tear from his eye as they disappeared.
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7/3/03, 8:52 pm
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Areatas' mother, who despite being very hesitant about the idea in the beginning was now a bundle of excitement and nervousness.
Rosalea chatted nervously to her daughter during the beginning of the trip, worrying about finding housing when they got there, would they run into thieves on the road, what a lovely horse Barliman gave you!! But as they travelled she became interested in studying the countryside.... she had never been further than from Bree to Staddle and she was scared of all this change, but oh, what lovely flowers were growing over there...and whats that tree?? I've never seen one of those before.
She was also becoming more curious about meeting other hobbits, would they look the same as the ones in Bree? Would Are and her fit in? It all seemed so strange.
Areata smiled to herself as she saw her mother smile...she hadnt seen Rosalea smile for such a long time, just like she hadnt really been happy for a long time...and once again she thought about the hobbit from the shire that made her smile. She wondered where he might live...about his family...and if he would ever return to the shire, would she ever see him again.
She pushed dark thoughts from her mind as she flicked the horses reins...Astalder was a lovely horse...she pulled the cart as though it weighed nothing and had the loveliest stance she had ever seen...she had heard many travellers talk of the horses of the Rohirrim and wondered if she was one...she certainly was a brilliant horse...but she belonged to an elf?? Perhaps that is where the horses fairness and delicacy came from...it was said you could not meet an elf without seeming fairer from it.
Astalder led the way straight and true, as if she knew where they were going, and Areata would not have been entirely surprised if she did...she seemed extremely intelligent and could tell that they would have a close bond, she already felt it.
They travelled hard all day, sharing the travel pack at meal times, Barliman, bless him, had stuffed it to the brim with goodies, which just pained Areata more, she would miss his voice, miss him calling her Rea-girl. She hadnt realised what an important part he played in her life until now, and she never thought she would feel quite this sad leaving. Hed taken good care of her, and been very kind taking her on at such a young age when her Da disappeared.
They got to Buckland just as the last lights were fading on the horizon; it would have taken two days on foot.
The closest Buckland town was Newbury, so they went to the Inn there, and stayed there for the night, the Newbury hobbits were very inquisitive of Rosalea and Areata, but extremely friendly and hospitable. The innkeeper even recognised Areata from when she travelled with her Da, as this was where they would stay. He gave her and Rosalea his condolences and asked them about their journey. A
reata told him of their moving to the shire. He looked delighted "Yes, tis what yer Da would have wanted for sure me lass" he said. "You thinking of staying close by??"
"Long Cleeve" answered Areata, and he looked disappointed.
"I was going to introduce you to me young lad, tis all" he said. "Hes over there by the hearth, standin' with a mug'o beer"
Areata looked over to see a Chubby young hobbit, sandy hair, awkward looking standing with a group of mates...they were looking in her direction, some went red and turned away, others winked and smiled and a couple nervously laughed.
"Thankyou" said Areata, "but really, we are just staying the night...please take good care of my horse, My Ma and I will be at that table there waiting for our meal, and when we have finished could someone please show us to our room??" She gestured to the table in the farthest corner.
She smiled, thinking how good it was to be served instead of serving.
Rosalea commented on what a lovely place this was, and how lovely the food was....infact it was all quite lovely and charming compared to Bree.
Some of the young hobbits tried to coax Areata into a song and dance but she was too tired after her long days travel...she began to say no, but one young lad insisted and dragged her up...she had a few short dances, which she found very unusual, she didnt often dance, and these dances were also unusual to her.... it was fun though and she learnt quickly, and would have loved to have learnt more but she was just too tired.
She got the innkeeper to show them to their room, which was very comfortable and homely.... and there, Areata fell into a deep sleep until Daybreak.
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7/3/03, 8:58 pm
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The next morning they set off nice and early.... with a heartfelt goodbye from everyone at the inn.
They travelled through the shires East farthing and into the North Farthing...passing through many beautiful villages...much nicer than Bree. Rosalea was now thinking that this was a good idea, even though she missed the little hole she shared with her husband in Bree.
By late afternoon they had reached Long Cleeve and had quickly found a homely little inn to stay while they searched for a place to live. It was called The Emerald Inn and everyone in the town was most helpful and accommodating.
There were plenty of places available for them to move into, but Rosalea was looking for something specific, so they stayed at the inn until she had found exactly what she was looking for, and Areata helped out at the inn...which payed for their accommodation.
There was alot of interest in the two new hobbit-lasses come to the North Farthing. The tall, fair skinned hobbit lass was unusual in the shire and the news of her unusual beauty spread far and wide...The Emerald Inn became alot busier as people came from all over to have a glimpse at her...they were very polite though and she was not harassed at all.... it was alot different than working at The Prancing Pony.
Rosalea eventually found a lovely little home on the side of a hill on a quiet road.... it was absolutely gorgeous!!! It was much grander than their little home in Bree. They had just enough money to buy it and they had asked Areata to stay on at The Emerald Inn, so they soon had their new home furnished beautifully.
Many of the regular patrons were quite taken by Areata at The Emerald Inn, and one in particular.... an old, well respected Hobbit had taken to calling her "Diamond" because, he said, she was like a rare and precious Jewel. Very soon it caught on and she became known as "The Diamond of Emerald Inn" and then "Diamond of Long Cleeve".
And so they lived quite happily in the Shire for the next 6 months. Areata made many new friends, learnt new dances and got to know the lands very well, she began to look healthier and her hair became darker and curlier.... she inquired about the four hobbits she had met travelling through Bree, she still thought of them often...but no-one seemed keen to talk about them...all she could find out was that they hadnt returned, and the shire folk didnt expect them to.... it seemed that travelling beyond the shire was not thought kindly upon, even though they had received her and her mother most warmly....odd, she thought. Still they had never been happier.
It was in September though, that her mother Rosalea fell ill...and it was late-September when a great evil fell across the Shire.
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7/3/03, 9:01 pm
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Areata yawned as she walked into her home.
"Rea??" Rosalea called from her bedroom.
"Coming mother!!" she replied "Just getting you some tea."
Areata set some soup and a pot of tea on a tray and took it into her mothers room...she looked at her mother, she looked pale and worn, but better than she had been.... she saw Rea and smiled.
"Here Ma." said Rea, as she yawned again.
"Thankyou love" replied Rosalea. "You have been working so hard lately, and taking care of me...you need some rest...go!!...Sleep!!"
Rea snuggled on the bed next to her mother. "But Ma...*yawn*...I have to...to tidy.... and....dishes...clothes...."
Rosalea sipped her tea as she gazed at her daughter, who had fallen asleep mid sentence, and smiled...she was beginning to feel stronger again and planned to surprise Rea tomorrow by preparing supper while she was working at the Emerald Inn. She had been going up and down for the last few weeks.... some days she could get up.... others she couldnt leave the bed...Rea had organised for neighbours to check in on her regularly, and most days Violet Brambletoes, a young hobbit lass around Rea's age...would come and sit with her until Rea got back.
Violet and her sister Lavender lived with their parents and three brothers next door...and had become good friends with Rea.... even though their mother was constantly trying to set Rea up with her eldest son, Tolifer, who was a nice Lad, but a tad simple, and thought alot of himself...not understanding why he was not irresistible to Areata. Why did she spurn his advances?? Why did she not fall for his charms??
Rosalea had noticed that her daughter had many suitors among the hobbit lads in (and outside of) Long Cleeve, but Areata seemed oblivious to it.... she knew she was well liked, but saw nothing beyond that, and no matter how she asked, Rosalea could not find that her daughter was interested in any one of them...
Truth was that since meeting the Travelling Hobbits in Bree, Rea had not met a hobbit lad that she could connect with.... and really, she longed for adventure...she didnt want to just marry, settle down and have lil'uns, she wanted to explore the land....the whole shire was still to be adventured through....then what was beyond??? Where were the lands of the elves she had heard tales of...or the dwarves, which occasionally frequented the inn at Bree? Violet and Lavender laughed at her when she spoke of these things, but they loved hearing her stories of Bree.
"Are...Rea?"
"Mmmhh??" Rea was woken up the next morning by her mother. She was still lying where she fell asleep last night.
"You had better go get ready to head to the Inn, hon., said Rosalea, "I let you sleep in late, so you best hurry!! Take Astalder."
Once Rea was gone, Rosalea got up.... at first she felt a bit dizzy standing, and had to sit back down for a moment, but then she was able to get up. She was doing some knitting when Violet and Lavender came around. They were breathing heavily, like they had been running.
"Rosa!! Now what are you doing up and about!!" was the first thing Violet said.
"Never mind that Violet" breathed Lavender "Something is going on in the shire...there are men here...they are going from house to house with the Shirrif, gathering workers, they are taking charge of the whole shire, they are coming down our street right now!!"
Rosalea sent the lasses home to their parents and waited, a little frightened.
The Door burst Open...and in came Rea.
"Ma...MA!!...Oh Ma, you are safe." panted Rea..."Ma...theyre nearly here...lets go!!"
"No" said Rosalea, "where would we go...theyre in the whole shire Are. Perhaps we will be ok.... perhaps they wont want us."
"No Ma...we must go!!" protested Rea, but it was too late...there was an authorative rap at the door.
Rea walked slowly to the door, her hand shaking as she reached for the knob. She knew they would be more than a match for her and her mother, so she decided not to make a fuss...mainly for her mothers sake.
"Ello, me Diamond" said the Shirrif, with a wink as she opened the door "an 'ow are you today"
"Fine, thankyou" she said stiffly, as he walked in, followed by two dirty, scruffy, unkept looking men.
" 'Ere, should we take 'er" said one, pointing at Rosalea. "She looks too sickly to do much good"
"You heard ol' Sharkey, said the other, who had a scraggly beard. "We're to gather all them that can move, an take 'em to the work station, to be assigned jobs."
"You cant!! Shes too ill!!" cried Rea.
"Say, this 'eres a pretty lil'un.... prettiest yet, id say." exclaimed the first one, squeezing Rea's face in his hand, and tipping her head back, to get a good look at her face...she scowled at him.
"They call her the Diamond of Long Cleeve, exclaimed the Shirrif, bowing low to the two dirty men. "And I would like to request her, if it is possible" he said.... eyeing Rea with his black beady eyes.
She looked at his chubby red face with hatred and disgust.
"You'll get what yer given." said the bearded man. "You, my little friend are in no position to be bargaining with us. The Shirrif cowered at this. "Grab 'em and lets go."
Rea bit the grubby man as he tried to carry her off.
"OW!! Feisty one, aint she" he laughed as she glared at him.
"My mother and I will escort ourselves out of our house, thankyou." she icily said, taking Rosalea arm and walking out of the house. The men just laughed as they directed them into the back of a wagon that already held all their friends and neighbours.
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7/3/03, 9:07 pm
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When they arrived at the work station the hobbits were dragged out of the wagon. Rea held on tight to her mother, Rosala was unwell and Rea wanted to stay with her.
The men were separating the hobbits into groups, many were begging to atleast be kept together, the men would consider this....but mainly seemed to be separating into groups of Young Lads, Older Lads, Lasses...and a small and select group of younger Lasses.
Areata watched as her neighbours were separated up, Tolifer went in a group of young lads, and his father went into the older lads....Violet and Lavender clung to their mother and each other as a Man tried to separate Lavender from them....their mother pleaded but it was no use, their mother lost her grip on the girls and was shoved harshly into the Lasses group, Lavender seemed destined for the select group of younger Lasses, Violet clung to her sister and called out to her mother, Begging not to be separated from either of them....the man doing the separating looked at her and shrugged his shoulders, sending them both away from their mother and into the small group of younger lasses.
Rea was in tears, watching her friends separated from their loved ones...she looked at the scraggly looking men separating them all.....she saw the grubby looking man that had grabbed her at the house...he was scanning the crowd of hobbits...she was repulsed by him.....she had put up with alot of repulsive men working at the Prancing Pony but she had always felt safe there because she knew Butterbur was close by, now she did not feel safe at all.
His eyes rested on her and her mother and he gave an evil grin, Rea felt sick to her stomach as she clenched Rosala tighter. He pushed and shoved his way through the crowd....Rea knew what was going to happen but she could hardly move, as they were so crowded together, she began screaming at him fiercely as he got closer. "NO, GET AWAY, LEAVE ME." as she held Rosalea, who was totally bewildered, tighter and tighter, then "Please, shes sick, I need to look after her."
The grubby man reached them and grabbed Rea by the wrists, "ARE" called Rosalea, weakly attacking the man, he flung his arm backwards, catching Rosalea across her chest and flinging her backwards. Rea kicked out at the man as he lifted her up by her arms, to no avail, she couldnt reach with her hobbit legs.
"You'll wait upon me yet, wench" sneered the man as Rea spat in his face, he carried her kicking and screaming to small group of young lasses and sneered at her one last time before walking off to separate more families from one another.
Rea peered through the crowd and glimpsed her mother, struggling to her feet, she called out to her, Rosalea looked distraught and bewildered, calling for Rea....Rea screamed for her at the top of her lungs but to no avail....she saw a man drag Rosalea off to a group of Lasses, then it all went by so fast.....they were sorted.....they were loaded into carts....they were taken away.....all Rea could think about was her mother, being dragged away through the crowd.
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7/3/03, 9:10 pm
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The wagon journey was all a blur, Areata sat by Violet and Lavender, Lavender looked shocked, as did Areata, and Violet just kept sniffling, crying and calling out for her mother. She eventually settled and fell asleep in her older sisters arms, occasionally whimpering.
It was dark by the time they got to their destination. They were taken out of the wagon and lead to a sleeping area in a large complex of sorts. All of them, even Rea, were too exhausted to fight and they simply just lay down to sleep.
Areata awoke to see a man standing over her, watching her.....watching them all. She shivered and closed her eyes tight, wondering what her mother was doing. She lie there awake, thinking of Rosalea, until she heard more men coming in.
All the young lasses sat up in their beds as the men came in....."That one can run errands" said one of the men, pointing to Violet. "These four can work in the tavern and kitchens" He muttered, pointing out Lavender and three other lasses, "And this one....the tavern only....and perhaps other duties, we'll see" he said, pointing out Areata. "The rest are for personal servants, choose yourself a housemaid men"
Rea watched as various girls were dragged off by these strange men, she was glad that Violet and Lavender were not part of them. She watched the slimy man as he peered at her, while talking to the man who designated their duties, he grinned evilly as the man looked over at Rea thoughtfully, then scowled when he turned back and shook his head, saying something to him.
He glared at Rea as he stormed past her and roughly grabbed the last remaining Hobbit lass for household duties, and on the way back he stopped by her and hissed...."Just wait, my feisty one, they'll tire of you, then I'll have you!!!". He snickered as he stalked off, dragging the poor lass behind him, who gave Rea a desperate look, but before Rea could react, they were gone.
The remaining six Hobbits were shown to the Tavern and kitchens. Rea was to stay out the front of the Tavern, waitressing and serving drinks, while Lavender and the other three girls were to be in the kitchens, preparing meals.....If needed, Lavender was to help Rea out the front. Violet was to be the messenger between the Tavern and other work groups in the shire, she was allowed to stay in the tavern until she was needed, which was great, and she didnt mind the messengering at all, she had always enjoyed adventuring in the shire, and it was much better than anything else the others had been assigned, in her opinion. Besides, she could see her mother occasionally.
Rea sighed, this wasnt too bad...she couldn't help but wonder what everyone elses working conditions were though, and how was her mother. Despite the decent treatment Areata decided she would not just give in, she was going to fight!!
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7/3/03, 9:14 pm
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