All Hobbits, Big Folk, Elves, and Dwarves welcome!
Well, it's a new day an' my 'ead is much clearer now. Now where was Oi? Oh, yeah.
Well, we spent th' night wi' Farmer Stoutfoot an' family whilst th'snow storm spent itself. We woke ter a clear sky and bone chillin' cold. But we could see our way now, an' after a 'earty breakfast, the Gaffer an' Oi set out with th' wagon for Needlehole.
It were still 'ard work, seein' as th' roads were covered in snow, but it weren't so deep that we couldn't get through. Just took longer than we ever planned it ter be.
Anyway, we got there 'bout noon, an' were greeted by Marigold 'oo fergot 'er wrap to run out to meet us as we turned th' ponies off th' road an' up the path ter My Aunt's 'ole.
"Mercy sakes!" she was saying as she jumped up an' down (more from th' cold than 'appiness, Oi think). "We thought you weren't comin' 'cause o' th' storm!"
Oi tossed my cloak on 'er an' sent 'er back ter the 'ole wi' a couple o' th' baskets we brought, an' as soon as we 'ad Bonnie and Cobb set up in th' barn, we brought in th' rest wi' us.
It were good ter see my Aunt up an' about (seein' as we'd been told she were bad off worse than even Mum 'ad been just a week earlier wi' th' sickness), givin' orders ter 'er family as if nothin' 'ad ever been wrong wi' 'er.
Teddie, 'er eldest son, slapped me on th' back, jokin' an' 'intin' that we must 'ave 'ad some of th' Gaffer's 'ome brew, seein' as that's th' only way 'e could figger we coulda survived that mess outside.
Well, as we 'ad planned, we brought lots of things that we knew would make my Aunt an' Mum smile. Some loverly knitted foot warmers made by Miss Mundee fer My Aunt ter keep 'er feet warm by th' fire, an' a new clay pipe fer my Uncle. Th' boys all got new braces ter 'old up their britches, while all th' girls got bonnets (Miss Sally, when she learnt of our trip, gathered up all the bonnets 'er younger sisters couldn't wear an' fixed and embroidered 'em all up fancy ter give 'em).
Then it were my Mum's turn. Th' Gaffer 'anded her a fancy envelope sealed wi' a fancy wax seal. From the look she gave Da, she weren't sure what it were 'e were givin' 'er. When she opened it, it were a letter, but th' only one there what could read it were me an' Mari.
Oi knew what it were about, so Oi let Mari read it aloud.
'Dear Missus Gamgee,
I am writing you this letter to let you know that arrangements have been made with your husband, Hamfast Gamgee, for the purchase of a pony to be delivered to your hole at your convenience upon your arrival back in Hobbiton.
I trust that you will thoroughly enjoy your new filly, Aster. Should you find any reason that Aster is not to your liking, simply come by Fanciful Farms and I will personally help you choose a pony more to your liking.
I await your reply.
Sincerely yours,
Miss Bennie Baggins'
********
My Mum burst inta tears, an' Oi knowed that the Gaffer 'ad fulfilled my Mum's fondest wish of a pony of 'er very own. Mari 'anded me 'er 'anky as Oi 'ad ter wipe my face. Dernd dust in my eyes...
Let me tell ye, we 'ad a wonderful Yule there, an' there were dancin' and singin' an' you would-a thunk th' 'ole town o' Needlehole were there to 'elp us celebrate.
Well, we are leavin' on th' morrow fer 'ome. With 'er Sister well agin, Mum is eager ter get 'er pony an' learn ter ride 'er 'like a Lady' she says. Oi can't wait ter see 'er do it!
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