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Title: Homefront (#315)
Author: SilverMoonLady
Chapters: 2
Archive: Tolkien
Category: Lord of the Rings
Description: We all know what happened to the Fellowship, but what of those they left behind? Set in the Shire. A series of drabbles (100 words exactly)
Comments and constructive criticism welcome!
Published: 27 Sep 2003
Updated: 03 Oct 2003
Warnings:
Type: General
Characters: various hobbits
Chapter 1 - Hope
Set during the Great Year of the War of the Ring, before the Travellers returned.
This one is actually a double drabble... Four bits at 50 words each makes 200. I just couldn't leave anybody out:)
Gnarled hands trembling in the morning's chill, the Gaffer picked up the heavy hoe and looked east to the rising Sun, missing his youngest son's quiet strength. He paused before the garden gate, half hoping to hear Sam's soft hum as he started his day's work. The silence was deafening.
*** *** ***
The hobbits that luncheoned at Great Smials never looked to the high table, to the empty chair at the Thain's right. He had ordered no place set since his son had disappeared and the Mistress refused to seat any other there. His grief warred with her hope each day.
*** *** ***
Every sunset, Saradoc Brandybuck walked away from the glad songs in the Hall to the orchard where Merry's touch could still be seen at his favored task. The absence of his son's clear voice made the music bitter, so he came among the trees and looked to the dark eastern sky.
*** *** ***
No candle burned in the window under the Hill, no one looked east in hope at Bag End, except perhaps the house itself. For, while its new owners occupied its physical space, the dwelling was void of its spirit and heart, and would be until its master returned once more.
Chapter 2 - The Costs of Care
This world is not mine, and neither are the friends who inhabit it… Just the flights of imagination they have inspired.
A series of drabbles, hope you enjoy them.
1. Blame
“Where is my son?!!” Paladin’s voice thundered through Brandy Hall.
Saradoc looked up and sighed.
“Where has that wastrel son of yours dragged him off to now?”
The Master of Buckland ignored the undeserved insult to Merry’s character and stood to face the Thain.
“I’ve heard rumors of the Old Forest, of riders in black. It cannot be true.”
“It is true,” Saradoc replied, voice low.
“You have cost me my son,” Paladin hissed, face hard. “My only son.”
Silence followed the slam of the door.
“Come back safe, lads, though he’ll never forgive me,” Saradoc whispered. “Just come back safe.”
*** *** ***
2. Pride
Dearest Eglantine,
What our proud husbands will not do, wives and mothers must. While we fear for our sons, they are not alone in their journey and we must trust to hope and good hobbit sense to bring them home. These are dark times for the Shire and the more so when Master and Thain stand at odds, separated by grief and blame. Saradoc looks East to hope and my brother inward with sorrow, but we must wake them to the dangers now near for our boys to have homes to return to.
Esmerelda Brandybuck
Mistress of Buckland
*** *** ***
3. Isolation
Dear Esmerelda,
I fear there is little I can do or say to affect matters here. Paladin has given Pippin up for dead and sends all blame your way. Guilt, jealousy and grief bar anyone and anything else from his heart. While he could overlook the seeming theft of Peregrin’s affections, he feels robbed of the chance to win him back, and that he cannot forgive. He has closed Tookland to Lotho and his gang, but I think you will need to look to your own borders soon. Only our sons can save us from their fathers’ pride.
Love,
Eglantine
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