It was November 25th and the trees were all ready glowing with red, gold, and orange leaves. Most of the ground was all ready covered in similar leaves that had fallen from their branches after a brisk wind hit them. Many of the younger Hobbit children ran through the fallen leaves carelessly even after their parents had raked them into fresh and tidy piles.
Pippin and Merry were in Hobbiton for the Autumn festival occurring in two days so the two cousins decided to take a walk thought the town and watch the preparations taking place. The two had just come from apple picking in the orchard and were on their way to see their other cousin, Frodo. Pippin carried a satchel of freshly picked apples that were as red as his chilled cheeks from the autumn wind. He took a piece of fruit from his bag and started to eat it contentedly.
"I love fall. Best time of year, I think." Pippin said to Merry as they walked by the Cotton’s Farm. Merry nodded his head. "And the Fall Festival is one of the biggest events in Hobbiton. I look forward to going every year." He replied.
Pippin agreed. The Fall Festival was always held after the harvest had ended. There was always a party to celebrate the end of autumn and the beginning of winter. The entire day was full of games and contests and food. Dinner was like a big potluck; folk all over the Shire came and brought their own special recipes for pies, cakes, ciders, meats, soups, and fruit dishes. It was Rose Cotton's Shire Pudding recipe that everyone was waiting to try this year, as was always the case since she started making the dessert. Contests such as pie eating and weight games were also popular. Every year there was a contest for the largest grown pumpkin or who could eat the most pies in a number of minutes. Usually Fatty Bolger won that contest, but Pippin was determined to beat him this year.
As the two walked up the road to Bag Shot Row, they saw Sam Gamgee trotting down the lane with a satchel of herbs. He too seemed to be coming up to Bag End, but when he saw Merry and Pippin; he stopped and waited for the two to catch up with him. When they did so, both Hobbits noticed Sam's red face. He had been running a bit and his face was bright red. Sam huffed a little and smiled at the two. "Good Day Samwise Gamgee!" Merry greeted. "What is with the rush?" He asked as he and Pippin came up to Sam. Pippin had finished his apple, core and all when he noticed the bag Sam carried. "What do you have there?" He asked.
Sam looked at the bag and opened it to show Merry and Pippin a sack full of thyme, parsley, and sage. "Fresh from me own garden." Sam smiled. "I thought Mr. Frodo would like some for when he cooks."
"That's good Sam." Merry smiled as he smelled the fragrant herbs. The three then continued down the lane towards Bag End. There were many other folk around raking leaves or pruning dead leaves off their bushes, every now and again, someone would wave and Merry and Pippin would wave back. There was definitely a warm feel in everyone's hearts as they prepared for the Festival. It was nice to see everyone so busy and care free. It was like this many times through out the year; of course, just it seemed stronger and different when it was Harvest time.
"I see you got yourself a good supply of apples there Pip." Sam smiled, noticing Pippin's bag. Pippin smiled and looked in his sack, counting at least thirty apples. "That I did Samwise." Pippin chuckled. "Can never have enough apples. Or Mushrooms. And tea." He laughed.
Merry gave Pippin and odd look and then laughed. "You better hold your appetite Peregrin, if you want to beat old Fredager at the pie eating contest." Merry scolded playfully.
"Don't you go worrying about me," Pippin lectured. "I will have at least ten pies down before Fatty can get to his second."
"Isn't that what you said last year?" Merry asked. "And you caved in on your fourth."
"Well, I've grown since then: you watch." Pippin replied with a devilish grin.
"We'll see." Merry laughed.
"That we will." Retorted Pippin.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The trio finally made it to Bag End when the aroma of hot apple cider filled the air. Pippin's mouth was already watering for a taste.
"Smells like Frodo has been busy all morning." Merry smiled as he knocked on the door. A feint "Come In" was heard and Merry took it upon himself to open the door. The sent of apple cider was even stronger inside the Hobbit hole as they entered. The crisp apple smell filled the Hobbit's noses. Pippin sat his apple satchel down by the door and followed Merry and Sam as they went to the kitchen.
"Good morning you three." Frodo smiled as he peeped his head around a corner. "Come have a drink with me." He then said to the group. Coming to the kitchen table, Merry, Sam, and Pippin sat down and took a teacup that was waiting for them. Frodo came out with a pot and a ladle. The pot was small but contained a lot of cider and the steam rose out from the top as he came to his guests. In each teacup, Frodo poured a ladle of cider for each to try. Once everyone was served, Frodo poured himself a cup and sat across from Merry and besides Sam.
The four hobbits blew over their cups for a few seconds to cool the drink but once it was a suitable temperature, they all sipped the cider. The warm drink was sweet with a light taste of cinnamon added with the apple blend. A very tasty drink indeed.
"It is very good Frodo, thank you." Merry smiled as he finished his cup. Frodo offered the young Brandybuck some more and he kindly accepted.
"I hope you all are enjoying your day. I have been working all morning making this cider and some dessert cakes for the Festival." Frodo commented politely.
"That we have Frodo." Pippin said as he took a sip of his drink. "We went apple picking this morning when we arrived. Got myself a good supply too." He laughed.
Sam smiled and placed his satchel up on the table. "I picked some of the herbs from me garden for ya. Maybe you can find some use with them when you are cooking." Sam said.
Frodo smiled and took the bag. "Thanks Sam. You know you have the best garden when it comes to herbs." He smiled. "I don't go to anyone else."
Sam blushed a little and took a sip of the cider to hide his embarrassment. Frodo chuckled and let out a sigh. "Well, I might get to use them in my stew that I am preparing for the Festival." Frodo added. "An old recipe Bilbo taught me."
"That's good to hear Mr. Frodo." Sam smiled.
"Yes, I can't wait to try it out." Pippin laughed.
"And everything else served." Merry laughed.
"You know, I have seen you nibbling on a few dainties when we arrived Meriadoc. I am not the only big eater hear. You can't blame me for wanting to be well rounded and wanting to sample everyone's cooking. I have to be fair to all." Pippin commented but Merry laughed. "You will be more then well rounded after the festival Peregrin. He finished his second cup of cider and then sighed. He felt a little sleepy and the drink made him even more so. He stood up and stretched before asking Frodo if he could go lie down in the guestroom. Frodo agreed and when Merry left, Frodo took his cup into the kitchen to wash later.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing. Sam, Frodo and Pippin all sat in the sitting room with a warm fire. Pippin soon followed after Merry to go take a nap and Sam then left with his herb sack. After giving Frodo his share, Sam decided to take a trip up to his other friends and offer them herbs as well. Now alone, Frodo decided to go outside and smoke his pipe. He sat on a little seat just by the door of Bag end. He had a good view of Hobbiton where he was. He could see as far as the lake and the mill. Quietly, he lit his pipe and started blowing large smoke rings: an art to many Hobbits in the Shire. It was also a relaxing habit. As the sun started to fall, a small breeze passed. Frodo took a deep breath and enjoyed the weather as he thought about the Festival. It should be fun and definitely something he wouldn't miss.
Ch. 2: Three Legged Race
Ch. 3: Pie Eating
Ch. 4: Apple Bobbing
Ch. 5: Dancing
Ch. 6: A Conspirace Masked
Ch. 7: Mistaken Identity
Ch. 8: He Came From Behind
Ch. 9: Just Desserts