The Long Expected Party
By Clyryan Long Cleve

It was a busy day in Hobbiton, Thursday, September 22, 3001, to be exact. The Whole Shire was in uproar, coming in and out of the small city of Hobbiton. It was indeed, Bilbo's and Frodo's Birthday saying that Mr. Baggins has become eleventy-one (quite an remarkable number) and the young lad was becoming thirty-three, the age in the Shire was known as "the coming of an age".

Everything was ready to accept guests that were invited, but the once who were overlooked, turned up anyway. Bilbo was quite busy before time to prepare the presents for the coming visitors, who, of course, accepted them eagerly. The guests kept on coming from the beginning of the new day until almost the sundown and when everyone came, the party had begun. It was set next to the "Party Tree" as it would be known, the land filled with tents and food. The music was playing and the lads were dancing. Gandalf, the Wizard, painted the sky with colourful fireworks to the joy of each and every admirable hobbit. Down at the stands, Folco, Marroc, and Fredegar played the music merrily where under them, everyone was dancing. Peregrin Took, as always, was seen with Diamond of Long Cleeve, never taking his eyes of her. Meriadoc Brandybuck was with his beloved Estella Bolger sitting and sipping on his ale. Frodo of the Shire was, as always, with Clearwater Brockhouse. Samwise Gamgee, of the four, was sitting alone in his chair, yet looking sideways at Rosie Cotton, who was dancing with Clyryan Long Cleeve, her best friend.

After a while, Rosie and Clyryan sat down not too far from Merry and Estella.

"This is the best party I've seen in years, and." then Clyryan stopped. She saw Frodo taking Clearwater by her hands and kissing her on one cheek, then the other. Rosie noticed the sudden change in her friend's eyes.

Indeed, Miss Clearwater was a joy to everyone's eyes. She came to the Shire not too long ago and settled in Bywater, not too far from Hobbiton. She was almost the same age as Clyryan, having a good-natured face with round charming cheeks that were always rosy in the presence of Mr. Baggins. Her eyes were celestial blue, gleaming like the sun kissed sky and her red lips were like roses upon the gardens. Her curly light brown hair was tied with colored ribbons. Her mouth suitable for laughter and good chatters.

"Clyryan, dear, they have been together for more than 6 months. I thought, dear, that you would get used to it by now. There are so many young men that want to win your heart. Let it go."

"I will never get used to the fact that I lost my chance to be with Young Mr. Baggins. We have been friends all our childhood and I always thought that we would be together, but young Clearwater turned up suddenly, stealing him from me. I never knew it would end this way."

Rosie looked at Clyryan. Her beautiful face that was pink and full of happiness had gone poignant. So many lads would love to get married to her. She was one of the rare kinds with unnaturally straight brown hair, like young night that spreads itself across the plains. Her brown eyes were always beaming and Her cheeks were usually rosy and full of life. You would always see her smiling at whatever she did. Yet, her heart secretly belonged to Frodo for 4 years and she looked at no other.


Down At The Green Dragon


The following evening, the entire Shire was talking about Mr. Bilbo's unexpected disappearance. The six young hobbits had gathered at the Green Dragon Inn ALONG WITH THE OTHER OLDER HOBBITS to talk about the matter, but Frodo avoided the subject. If he were asked anything about the issue, he would just shrug and start to talk about something else.

After half an hour, Diamond, Estella. And Clearwater turned up at the steps of the Inn, all embracing their dearly loved ones. At the bar, Rosie and Sam were chatting softly, when another member came through the doors: Clyryan. She looked rather lovely that evening. Her hair was tied behind her, leaving shorter strands of hair on her face. She had a sky blue bodice, a navy blue skirt, and Her blouse was butter cream colour. She was carrying a large pumpkin. Sam quickly rushed to her aid. "Let me help you, Miss Clyryan," he said, taking the pumpkin and putting it on the table. As he did, she came up to the table and sat next to Folco, who greeted her merrily.

"How's the father's business? I hope it is blooming as beautifully as you are!"

That remark was rather unexpected. Rosie stopped cleaning dishes and gave Folco a warning look. Miss Clyryan looked quickly at Frodo and blushed. Old Odo Proudfoot smiled widely and said:

"Clyryan, dear, nothing to be embarrassed of! In the age that you are in, it is time for marriage!"

"Now, seriously, do we really want to plan the life for her already!" Rosie's tone was of the annoyance. She knew her friend well and that kind of talk did not suit her ears. "The night is young and we shouldn't trouble ourselves with the talk like that!"

Pippin got up, taking Diamond's hand and uttered, "Well, lets brake the ale and enjoy the evening in this merry town!" As usual, he stood up on his chair and began to sing with a mug in his hand and his eyes on Miss Diamond of Long Cleeve. Frodo and Merry, too, stood up and began to dance with their beloved with cheerful gleam in their eyes. Marroc asked Clyryan to dance and with the last look at Mr. Baggins, she joined in. Everyone in the Shire knew that Clyryan was best known for her abilities to dance, sing and play the fiddle. She was also a great artist, drawing and painting at her own free time. After a while, everyone was looking at Marroc and Clyryan, clapping and laughing. They were in the center of the crowd, feeling everyone's eyes bearing into them. Clyryan felt uneasy, dancing in front of the whole inn, especially in front of Frodo. She excused herself and went to stand by Rosie, who just finished her conversation with Sam.

...to be continued...