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Title: Watch the Clouds Go Sailing By (#20)
Author: Kate
Chapters: 3

Archive: Tolkien
Category: Lord of the Rings
Description: A fic about the romance that will eventually develop between Goldilocks Gamgee and Faramir Took *WIP*
Published: 13 May 2003
Updated: 22 Nov 2003
Warnings:
Type: Action/adventure
Characters: Goldilocks Gamgee; Faramir Took


Chapter 1 - Watch the Clouds Go Sailing By

Watch the Clouds Go Sailing By
This fic is about the relationship between Pippin’s son, Faramir, and Sam’s daughter, Goldilocks (if you look at the Appendices at the end of RotK, you’ll see that Faramir and Goldilocks get married). I couldn’t found a story about these two, so I decided to write my own. If you haven’t read all of the books, I suggest you don’t read this fic, as it is a real spoiler for the end of Return of the King.
* * * * * *
Chapter 1
"PIPPIN! COME DOWN!" Goldilocks Gamgee yelled to her older brother. The 31-year-old hobbit was a known mischief-maker, and had climbed the mallorn tree in the field by Bag End.
"No way, Goldi," he called back. "The view from here is great. You should see it."
Goldi frowned, annoyed that Pippin, who was two years her elder, was still as stupid and irresponsible as a hobbit in his teens. She shook her head, golden curls tumbling, and stormed off.
"Goldi! Goldi, wait!" Pippin quickly scooted down the tree, and ran after his sister. "I’m sorry."
The golden-haired hobbitess smiled. Although Pippin was as foolish as his namesake, Peregrin (Pippin) Took, he was also just as kind-hearted and friendly.
"I forgive you," she sighed. "But Mother wants us to help her with the invitations."
Pippin and Goldi’s older brother, Merry, would soon be turning 33, quite a respectable age for a hobbit, as it was when he or she would "come of age". However, most people believed that reaching the age of 33 would have little effect on Merry Gamgee. He, too, was very much like his namesake, Meriadoc Brandybuck. And Meriadoc, along with Peregrin, was still a notorious rascal.
Still, Pippin and Goldi were excited, if only for the reason that they would soon reach this age also. But aside from this, Merry, Pippin and Goldi were the closest of the Gamgee children. The eldest two, Elanor and Frodo, were married, and Elanor had a son, Elfstan. The next down, Rosie, busied herself by helping her mother with the house duties, claiming that she never wished to be married. Merry, Pippin and Goldi came next, a tight trio, close friends as well as siblings. Although younger brother, Hamfast, was closest in age to Goldilocks, he preferred the company of his Cotton cousins. Daisy and Primrose worried only about finding a husband, while Bilbo, Ruby and Robin were barely out of their teens, and Tolman (Tom) was still in them.
As soon as they had entered Bag End, Pippin and Goldi were laden with envelopes. Rose –their mother – piled each of them with as many invitations as they could carry, and sent them to the post office.
After delivering the invitations to Hobbiton Post Office, Goldi and Pippin strolled back to Bag End, purposely slow, so that they would not have to go on another errand. It was widely known that Merry Gamgee’s birthday was going to be one of the biggest parties in a long time. Not since Old Bilbo Baggins’ infamous party had so many hobbits been invited to a party.
Pippin and Goldi both knew so much about Bilbo’s party from stories told to them by their father, and Peregrin and Meriadoc, that it was almost as if they had been their themselves.
"Do you suppose that Merry’s party will be as remembered as Bilbo and Frodo’s?" Goldi asked.
"Probably not," sighed Pippin. "There won’t be any fireworks, and I don’t think that Merry is planning on using a magic ring to disappear at the end of it, and run off somewhere."
Goldi laughed. "True."
"Goldi! Goldilocks Gamgee!" a voice called.
Pippin grinned as Goldi cringed. The voice belonged to Lily Noakes, a young hobbitess from Bywater, who believed herself to be Goldilocks Gamgee’s closest friend. In actual fact, Goldi was not too fond of Lily, but did not have the heart to tell her. Lily was much like Goldi’s younger sisters, Daisy and Primrose (in fact, she was also "friends" with Daisy) – only concerned with finding a husband and starting a family. Unfortunately for Lily (and also unknown to her), she had become a joke with most of the hobbit-men from the Hobbiton and Bywater area. She was not the most attractive hobbitess (unlike the Gamgee girls, who were all considered rare beauties), and her constant flirtatious behaviour was a source of ridicule for almost everyone. The Gamgee children had made a game of escaping from Lily and her constant babble.
Goldi forced a smile, knowing that she would not escape Lily today. "Hullo, Lily."
"Hullo, Goldi, Pippin." Lily smiled at Pippin, and fluttered her eyelashes. Pippin screwed up his nose in disgust as soon as she was not looking. "Are you doing some party errands?"
"Yes. Delivering invitations," Goldi answered.
"I cannot wait until the party! Will there be many handsome – and rich – hobbits there?"
"Well…uh…"
"Oh, speaking of handsome, do you want to come out to The Ivy Bush Inn tonight? You could bring Daisy along."
Goldi thought for a moment at whether she would prefer to stay at home and help her mother and father with party business, or spend the night with her silly sister and even sillier friend. She decided that The Ivy Bush sounded (only slightly) more appealing. At least, with Daisy and Lily both present, she would not really have to worry about either of them.
"I shall ask Mother, but it should be fine."
"Fantastic! Shall we meet at about six?"
"Yes, okay. Now, Pippin and I must be off. We have a lot of work to do. Good day to you."
"All right. Good bye, Pippin."
Pippin and Goldi rushed back towards Bag End, completely forgetting that they had planned to walk back as slowly as possible.
 
* * * * * *
 
"Oh, why does Lily have to come too?" whined Daisy, as she and Goldi left Bag End. As soon as the words "Ivy Bush" had left Goldi’s mouth, Daisy had locked herself in her room to get ready, so it was only now that she had found out about Lily.
"It was her idea." Goldi knew that she was not going to enjoy herself tonight. Maybe I’ll find a nice quiet corner to hide in.
The Gamgee girls met Lily outside The Ivy Bush. They could already see that it was quite crowded inside, especially for a Tuesday night. But the girls knew the reason for this. Many people from out of town had been invited to Merry’s party. They had travelled to Hobbiton several days before the party, to "enjoy the Bywater air".
They walked in, and immediately, at least five hobbits called out to Lily, asking her to come and meet their friend from out of town. Lily ran off to her favourite of these hobbits, leaving Daisy laughing at how foolish she really was.
"She doesn’t even realise that they only want to show her off as their favourite joke!" Daisy herself wandered off, still giggling.
Goldi let out a sigh of relief, finally free of her annoying companions. She tried to find a quiet corner, but with so many people, this proved to be quite difficult. Finally, she found a seat, furthest from the bar.
She was sitting for barely five minutes, when a hobbit wandered over to her. He smiled at her, and she had to admit that he was quite good-looking, but also strangely familiar. He reminded her of someone, but she could not think whom.
"What are you doing sitting all by yourself?" he asked.
"Trying to avoid my ridiculous sister and friend," Goldi answered.
"I’m sure there are better ways to do that, rather than hide in a corner. Are you thirsty? Can I buy you a drink?"
"I am quite capable of buying myself a drink, thank you very much, sir."
"Sorry, I did not mean to offend you."
Goldi sighed, and silently scolded herself. You have to stop being so rude to people, Goldilocks Gamgee. He was just trying to be friendly, and you jumped down his throat. "It’s okay. I am sorry that I snapped at you. Would you like to sit down?"
"Thank you. But I must find my father first, to tell him where I will be sitting."
But as the young hobbit turned to walk away, a voice called to him. "Hi, son! There you are."
Two older hobbits joined Goldi and her new companion in her hiding spot, which was now proving to be not so good a spot. Goldi looked at the two newcomers, and gasped. It couldn’t be!


Chapter 2 - Chapter 2

Watch the Clouds Go Sailing By



Watch the Clouds Go Sailing By

A/N: In my original copy of LotR, Merry did not get married (Appendix C – Family Trees), but in my new one, it says that he marries Estella Bolger (Fatty’s sister). This marriage is not mentioned in Appendix B – Tale of Years (while Pippin’s marriage to Diamond is), so I have not used it, ie, Meriadoc is a bachelor in this story. Oh, and so as not to get them mixed up with Sam’s sons Merry and Pippin, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took will be referred to by there full names. Similarly, Sam’s wife will be called Rose, and his daughter will be caused Rosie, to avoid confusion there.

Chapter 2

"Uncle Peregrin! Uncle Meriadoc!" Goldi cried.

Peregrin Took looked at the young hobbitess. Uncle Peregrin? Only Sam’s children call me that! Golden hair…hmm… "Elanor?"

Goldi shook her head. "No, Uncle Pippin, it’s me, Goldilocks!"

"Goldilocks!?!" all three male hobbits exclaimed.

"Little Goldi! When did you grow up?" asked Meriadoc Brandybuck.

Goldi giggled. Why do people always say that? She looked at the young hobbit, who had originally found her. Uncle Pippin called him "Son", that must mean…

"You remember Faramir, don’t you Goldi?" said Peregrin. Faramir said nothing. He seemed too shocked to speak.

"Of course I do," Goldi stammered. She could hardly believe that this handsome young hobbit had been one of her closest childhood friends. "How could I forget the person that got me into trouble so many times when I was little?"

Faramir grinned mischievously, and any doubts Goldi has were instantly gone. That was the grin that used to follow the phrase, "Oh, come on, Goldi. No one will find out!" Goldi blushed slightly. Forget when she had grown up, when had Faramir grown up?

"Look at you, Goldi!" said Meriadoc. "You really are your mother’s daughter. Lucky you. Good thing you don’t look like Sam." He laughed.

"I didn’t know that you were here," Goldi admitted.

"We decided to come early. Diamond is already at Bag End, but we wanted to stop by The Ivy Bush, first. I suppose we should have invited Sam along. Oh, well."

Diamond was Peregrin’s wife, and therefore, Faramir’s mother. She was fairly close to Rose, so would most likely be helping Rose with the party organisation.

"Goldi! Goldi!" called Lily from not too far away.

Faramir noticed the look of horror that passed over Goldi’s fair face. She did not want Faramir, Peregrin and Meriadoc to meet Lily. No doubt Lily would flaunt herself all over Faramir, embarrassing herself, and Goldi, in the process.

"There you are, Goldi!" Lily ran over. She immediately eyed Faramir. "And just who might this be? Trying to hide a handsome young hobbit from me again?"

"Lily," Goldi said, through clenched teeth, "this is my Uncle Peregrin, Uncle Meriadoc, and Peregrin’s son, Faramir. Faramir, Peregrin, Meriadoc, this is my…friend, Lily Noakes."

"Okay, so he’s your uncle’s son, that makes him your cousin. So, in that case, you won’t mind if I take him, right?"

Faramir did not even try to hide the look of pure disgust on his face. Goldi elbowed him the side, but fortunately, Lily didn’t notice.

"Uh…no, Peregrin isn’t actually my uncle. He’s just a good friend of my father." Out of the corner of her eye, Goldi could see Faramir mouthing Thank you! She winked to him.

Lily pouted. "Well, if you are not going to share him, then I will be off. Good bye." She walked off in a huff.

Faramir let out a relieved breath, and then he and Goldi started laughing. Goldi felt like it was almost like old times again: laughing and fooling around with one of her closest friends. But something was different. The way Faramir looked at her unnerved her, but she was aware that she was gazing at him in the same way. Can I be falling in love with Faramir Took? Goldi shook her head to clear all such thoughts. Of course I’m not falling in love with him. Why…why that would be like falling in love with Pippin or Merry!

"Well, she seemed like a nice young lass," said Peregrin, with a half smile. He took a large swig of beer from his mug. "Ahhh, that hits the spot."

"I am really looking forward to Merry’s party," said Faramir.

"Ah, I still remember my thirty-third birthday party," sighed Meriadoc.

"No, you don’t. You drank too much beer, and passed out!" Peregrin pointed out. Meriadoc smiled sheepishly. "Let’s just hope Merry isn’t too much like you, Meriadoc."

"Touche, Peregrin." Meriadoc drained his mug. "Well, that shall do for me."

"You are becoming boring in your old age, Meriadoc! But you are probably right."

"Wait for a moment," said Goldi. "I will get Daisy, then we can all go together. You are staying at Bag End, aren’t you?"

"Of course!" Faramir draped an arm over Goldi’s shoulder. She could feel a red tinge creeping over her cheeks. "I would never miss the chance to spend time with my best friends. How are Merry and Pippin, by the way?"

"Same as always. Foolish and irresponsible."

"Hahaha! Just like us!" cried Peregrin, laughing.

Goldi smiled. "I’ll be right back."

Goldi searched through the crowd for her younger sister. She found Daisy, surrounded by several young hobbit men, offering her everything from jewellery to farmland in exchange for her love. Daisy giggled and told all of them she was flattered. She delighted in the attention, but she had enough sense to know that these hobbits were probably lying.

"Goldi! Come and meet my new friends!" Daisy called, with a giggle, when she saw her sister. The hobbits’ attention was diverted to the elder of the two Gamgee girls, for it was common knowledge that Goldilocks Gamgee was one of the prettiest girls in the Shire.

"Not now, Daisy," said Goldi. "We are leaving. Uncle Peregrin, Uncle Meriadoc and Faramir are here, and we are going home to Bag End."

Daisy sighed heavily. "Well, if we must. Good bye!" She waved to her band of admirers, and they all begged her and Goldi to stay. Goldi dragged her younger (and sillier) sister over to Peregrin, Meriadoc and Faramir.

Meriadoc laughed in shock. "Surely this is not Daisy?"

"Uncle Meriadoc!" Daisy hugged him. "It has been too long since I saw you last!"

While Goldi, Pippin and Merry were favourites of the Tooks (since they spent much of their childhood in Tuckborough, visiting Faramir), Daisy – and to a lesser extent, Primrose – had always been Meriadoc Brandybuck’s favourite "nieces".

Meriadoc laughed again (his nickname "Merry" had not only been a shorted version of his name). "True, Daisy. Very true. You must visit me at Brandy Hall more often!"

Daisy then noticed Faramir. "Faramir! My goodness, look at you."

"I would prefer to look at you," said Faramir, taking Daisy’s hand and kissing it. Daisy blushed furiously, then giggled. Against all her will, Goldi started to feel jealous, but this was quelled when Faramir winked slyly to her. Goldi remembered that (along with getting his Gamgee friends into trouble), Faramir enjoyed teasing the younger Gamgee girls.

"Faramir!" Goldi scolded. He grinned at her.

"Come on, everyone!" called Meriadoc. "I’m sure Sam is waiting for us!"

Faramir and Goldi smiled at each other, then followed Meriadoc and Peregrin out of The Ivy Bush, with Daisy in close pursuit.

 
* * * * * *
Sorry this chapter was pretty boring. It’s a kind of filler chapter. The next one will be more interesting, I promise!


Chapter 3 - Chapter 3

Watch the Clouds Go Sailing By



Watch the Clouds Go Sailing By
Chapter 3
Goldi greatly benefited from the Tooks and Meriadoc staying at Bag End. Diamond helped out with everything, taking all the jobs that Goldi would have otherwise been laden with. If Rose ever said anything along the line of, "Oh, Diamond, let Goldi do that", Diamond would stubbornly refuse to sit down, saying that, "I’m sure Goldi wants to spend some time with my Faramir."
And that she did.
Faramir, Goldi, Merry and Pippin were reliving their childhood…by getting into trouble and causing general mischief. The day after Goldi had met Peregrin, Meriadoc and Faramir at The Ivy Bush, the four young hobbits came home, covered in mud. Pippin, always the truthful one, told their parents the entire story.
Faramir had felt like going for a walk, so he convinced his three Gamgee friends to come to Bywater with him. It was there that he had an idea. Wednesday was Market Day in Bywater, where hobbits from all over the Shire came to sell and buy livestock, produce and various nick-knacks. When Faramir saw a group of goats in a pen, he grinned in that very Tookish way.
"Let’s let them out," he had said.
Though Goldi warned against it, the Gamgee boys were easily lead, and the "Come on, no one will find out" line worked on them every time. Goldi refused to play any part, and watched as the three boys snuck up next to the pen. Faramir carefully opened the latch, then hit one of the goats on the behind. The goat bolted out of the pen, and its companions followed.
But Faramir’s "fun" set off a chain reaction. The goats knocked over an apple cart in their panic. The apples spilled all over the ground, and several unfortunate hobbits slipped on them. Soon, the market place was covered in apples, dropped shopping and angry hobbits.
Though he was a mischief-maker, Faramir was no fool. Before any of the irate hobbits had recovered enough to notice them, Faramir, Pippin and Merry followed the goats’ example, and bolted. Running so fast, they did not see Goldi until it was too late. They collided, and four hobbits rolled into Bywater pool.
Goldi was not happy. She stood (dripping wet), grabbed a handful of silt from the bottom of the pool, and threw it straight at Faramir. It hit him right in the face. That started an all out war, with all four hobbits hurling mud at each other. Goldi’s mood had soon lightened, and she started having fun. When it had started to get dark, they returned to Bag End. And that was how they had ended up on the doorstep of Bag End, covered with mud from head to toe.
Rose and Diamond were furious. They yelled and screamed at their children, and threatened to send them to bed without dinner or supper. But Goldi, Faramir, Pippin and Merry found it hard to take the scolding serious while Peregrin was snickering in the background, and Meriadoc and Sam were smirking, trying not to laugh. Sam and Peregrin were eventually able to convince Rose and Diamond not to be too harsh on the four young hobbits (especially Goldi, since she had played no part in the goat incidence). The hobbitesses gave in, seeing as no one had really been hurt by the event, and simply told the dirty hobbits to clean themselves up before they had anything to eat.
"That was very lucky," said Pippin, as they walked to the bathroom. He frowned at Faramir. "That’s the last time I listen to any of your ideas. Stupid Took."
Goldi just smiled slightly. One of the Gamgee children would always say that after they had gotten in trouble over one of Faramir’s "great ideas". But in not time at all, they would once again follow along with one of his plans. Goldi wondered how long it would be before they all got into trouble again.
 
* * * * * *
 
"All right, yes. The band goes over there. Are you all here? Good, good. That’s all fine. But, goodness gracious, where is the baker with the cake!?!" Goldi could hear her mother’s worried cries from her bedroom. She laughed to herself.
The day had finally arrived – Merry Gamgee’s thirty-third birthday party. He had already received all his presents from his family (both immediate, and extended). Sam, Rose, Rosie and the younger Gamgee children had bought him a suit – pants, shirt, waistcoat, jacket, shoes and all – to wear to the party (and other special events). It was made of the finest of materials, with beautiful embroidery. Goldi and Pippin had found a beautiful writing set, which they gave to their older brother since he loved to write poetry. Older brother Frodo gave Merry a pony, which he had been raising. The Tooks gave him a fine bow and arrow set (something which Rose was not too pleased about, but she was polite enough not to say anything). Meriadoc had given Merry a shield from the land of Rohan. He had picked it up on his last visit to the King of the Mark. Elanor gave her brother a pipe. The base was mahogany, with a clay stem, and it had been engraved with Elvish runes, spelling out Happy Birthday, Merry.
Goldi had changed into her party dress, made especially for the event. It consisted of a skirt, blouse and vest. The skirt and vest were pale blue silk, while the blouse was white. She left her hair out, golden curls spilling down her back.
There was a knock at her door. "Come in," she called, assuming it was Pippin, telling her to hurry up.
"Goldi! You look beautiful," said the visitor.
"Faramir!" Goldi cried, blushing at his complement. "I…I thought it was Pippin. What did you want?"
"I came to see if you were ready. The guests have started to arrive."
"Already? Well, I’m ready. Let’s go."
Together, Goldi and Faramir walked to the Party Field. The field next to Bag End had been called that ever since Bilbo Baggins’ birthday/farewell party. Goldi tried to ignore the fact that Faramir was staring at her, and told herself that the redness of his cheeks was due to him walking too fast.
By the time they arrived at the Party Field, it was already filled with guests. The band had started up with a lively tune, and a group of hobbits (including Daisy and Primrose Gamgee) were dancing in front of the bandstand.
Goldi searched around for the rest of her family and friends. Meriadoc and Peregrin had already settled as close to the ale kegs as possible, and seemed to be onto their third each. Sam was at the front gate, with Merry, greeting the guests, and handing out presents (since it was hobbit tradition to give out gifts at a birthday party). Rose was running around everywhere, desperately trying to finish up last minute organisation. Frodo, Rosie and Elanor were talking together, with Elanor’s husband and son. Hamfast and the Gamgees’ Cotton cousins were quite close to the snack table, dealing with food in a similar way to how Peregrin and Meriadoc were dealing with their ale. Diamond was involved in a conversation (which she obviously wanted to escape from) with Lily’s aunt, Hannah Noakes. Pippin was no where in site – which was a bad sign.
"Now where do you suppose Pippin is?" Goldi sighed. She knew she should look for him, but the dancing was almost too appealing to resist (Goldi loved to dance). Especially while she was with Faramir.
"He’ll show up. Come on. Would you like to dance?" Faramir grinned.
I thought he’d never ask! Returning his grin, Goldi took Faramir’s outstretched hand, and let him lead her to the dance "floor".
Goldi and Faramir took over the dance floor, spinning around wildly. Faramir grabbed Goldi and threw her into the air. She squealed, but knew that he would catch her. The older hobbit guests scorned them. "That isn’t traditional dancing. Young folk these days!" But the younger guests loved the display. They formed a ring around the pair, and clapped in rhythm.
Goldi and Faramir linked arms and spun each other around. Faramir threw Goldi again, but this time, when he caught her, he did not put her down. Instead, he held her above the ground, and spun around on the spot. Goldi giggled. But she did not like the smirk on Faramir’s face.
After several minutes of spinning, Faramir let go of Goldi. She screamed at she flew across the dance floor…and into Pippin’s arms. Pippin – still carrying Goldi – walked into the centre of the ring, to Faramir’s side. He placed Goldi on the ground, and he and Faramir bowed to their audience. Goldi was too shocked – and too angry – to move. With a quick scowl to both her brother and friend, Goldi stormed away.
Lily ran over to her. "Wow, Goldi! That was fantastic. You were dancing with Faramir Took! He’s so handsome!"
Goldi scowled again. "Yes, he is. And he’s also an irresponsible fool!"
"That’s not very nice, Goldi," said Faramir. He and Pippin were standing behind her. "It was just a bit of fun. We weren’t going to let you get hurt. Pippin was there to catch you."
"That is not the point!" she cried. "You planned that! You planned something against me! I thought you were my friends." Though she tried to fight them, tears were forming in her eyes.
The sight of Goldi almost in tears was like a knife in Faramir’s heart. He could not believe he had upset one of his best friends. His face became sombre, and he looked straight into Goldi’s eyes. "Goldilocks, I’m really sorry. I never meant to upset you by my little joke. And the only reason I involved Pippin was so you wouldn’t get hurt. I knew he’d be able to catch you. Please, forgive me, Goldilocks."
Goldi knew that Faramir only used her full name when he was serious. And he did look like he meant his apology. She had never seen him look so serious about anything.
"I…I…" Goldi stammered. Faramir pouted, but his eyes remained focussed. Goldi had to smile. "I forgive you. Just don’t do it again."
The infamous Took smile spread from ear to ear on Faramir’s face. He pulled Goldi into a hug, causing her to blush furiously. Faramir lowered his voice, so that only Goldi could hear him.
"I will never hurt you like that again, I promise. You know that, don’t you? I…"
Faramir was cut off by Pippin yelling out, "Dinner’s ready!"
Goldi opened her mouth to say something – ask what Faramir what he was going to say – but he held a finger to her lips. He smiled. "Come on. Let’s go eat."
Goldi followed her brother, Lily and Faramir to the dining area, still wondering what Faramir had been going to say.
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