Bennie was the first to react. As she grabbed her hat and made to go out the door, we heard vow under her breath just what she planned to do to the culprits once they were caught. It didn’t promise to be pleasant.
But the Gaffer stopped her. "No goin' after them in the mood yer in, Lass."
Bennie scowled. "But it's my cart and my ponies that have been stolen this time! Do you think I’m going to stand for that? There’s no telling what will happen to my ponies. I intend to get them back right now!"
"And just where do you intend to start looking?" Asked Fastred. Then with a glance out the window he added, "Besides, it's about to rain, and all traces of their tracks will be washed away."
As if in answer, the sky opened up and sent a deluge of rain pouring down with a vengeance. There was nothing to be done now, but wait for the rain to abate. Hopefully Bennie’s wrath would diminish, as well.
Indeed the rainstorm dissipated almost as quickly as it had rolled in. Bennie’s ire, on the other hand, took a little longer to subside. However, with a little persuasion, (mostly on my part) we convinced Bennie there was nothing that could be done until morning, and left her with the promise that we would keep our eyes open for her pony and cart on our way home. So it was that Sam, the Gaffer, Fastred and I headed back towards Hobbiton. We spent most of the walk back listening to Fastred’s swaggering discourse on who the culprit was and how he was capable of giving the slip so easily. More than once I had to resist the urge to tell him to be quiet, and even more so to prevent dear Sam from attempting to tie Fastred’s tongue in a knot..
We left our pontificating companion at the Ivy Bush, as that was where his lodgings were. He invited us to join him for a drink before we went on our way, but after all that had happened today, I wasn't very much in the mood to answer curious questions about the latest sighting and what had happened. I was certain, however, that Fastred would make sure that everyone would know that I had been incapable of preventing my portrait from being swiped once again.
I also received an invitation from the Gaffer and Sam to join their family for a late meal, but I declined. At the moment I simply craved a little peace and quiet, and...perhaps a word or two with my errant cousins, Merry and Pippin.
The road was full of puddles as I walked the last bit up the Hill. As I approached my door, it opened wide. There stood Merry.
"I was wonderin' if you were comin' home or not," he said. Then he looked past me, a look of confusion on his face. "Where's your portrait?" he asked.
"I don't have it," was all I said.
"You don't have it? I thought that's what you went to do."
"We managed to get it down from above Naur's stall." I said, not really caring to elaborate.
"You mean to tell me it got nicked again?" he asked.
I looked at him carefully. "I never said it got 'nicked' as you put it...."
"But you don't have it," he stated. "Or, did you return it to Cousin Daffodil?"
"No...It was taken again while we went inside Bennie's hole for a bite to eat." I finally admitted.
About this time, Pippin appeared from the kitchen. "While you were eating?"
"Along with Bennie’s cart and pony." I finished.
Merry looked at his cousin. "The nerve of some people!"
"Where's it got to now, I wonder...?" Pip asked.
"Who knows," I replied. "But if Bennie doesn't get her pony and cart back soon and in good condition, I hate to think of what she’ll do to the prankster or pranksters when caught."
There was a bit of silence as I settled into a chair. Then Pippin cleared his throat and asked, "Just what kind o' things are we talkin' about?"
I shrugged. "Knowing Bennie, it could be anything short of tarring and feathering the culprit to having him thrown in the lockholes at Michel Delving to cool his heels for a while."
Merry mulled this over and nodded his head. "Sounds like something Bennie would try. Well, I daresay the person that took that painting was pretty bold, if I do say so myself. Even braver than I would be."
Pip agreed. "Oh, yes. Much braver."
I eyed the two of them with more than a hint of suspicion. But their displayed demeanor remained flawlessly unimpeachable. And, as I was weary I excused myself for the remainder of the evening. Giving Merry and Pippin over to their own devices as I prepared for a bath and then a long, uninterrupted sleep.
I awoke the next morning to what promised to be a bright and pleasant day. The rain clouds of the previous day had moved out and had been replaced with cheerful rays of sunshine. I padded to the kitchen and found Sam already preparing to start the day working around Bag End.
"Where's Merry and Pippin?" I asked as I took the mug of tea that Sam handed me.
"Oi ain't seen 'em, Sor," he said as he handed me a plate laden with bacon, toast and some crispy, golden potatoes. But they left this." He indicated the food with a nod.
Apparently, my cousins had risen early, prepared breakfast and had already departed to who knew where. Oh well, I was grateful that they had fixed a surplus of breakfast foods. But Sam was strangely silent as he worked to clean up the kitchen, and I could tell that something was bothering him.
"What's wrong, Sam?"
"Nuthin,' Mr. Frodo," he said all too quickly. A definite sign that something was wrong.
I lay down my fork, and gave him a look as I motioned for him to join me at the table. "Tell me what is on your mind, Sam."
He wavered hesitantly, not really looking me in the eye. "Oi was thinkin' that the thief knew what we was up to at Miss Bennie's place."
"Yes?" I said, encouraging him to go on.
"Well, Sor, forgive me fer sayin' this, but Oi think 'e's someone what know's you."
"Just about everyone knows me, Sam," I replied.
"No, Sor, Oi meant, someone that knows you well."
"Well, whoever they -yes, they-" I said , at his look of surprise, "for I’ve given it some thought myself and come to the conclusion that there has to be more than one person involved. At any rate, they are very clever and, I believe lucky, too but luck will only hold out so long and I think they’re getting braver with each abduction and it won’t be long before they get overly-confident in their abilities."
Sam sat there quiet for a moment. Then he looked at me and asked, "D' ye think Masters Merry an' Pippin moight 'ave somethin' t’ do with it?"
I looked up at him in some surprise. Sam must have mis interpreted my expression for he quickly apologized.
"Sorry, Sor." he said "Oi’m probably our of line in sayin’ that."
"I’m not so sure, Sam."
It was his turn to look at me in surprise.
As the morning progressed, there was no sign of Merry or Pippin. Morning became noon, and my young cousins made no appearance for lunch. Thinking perhaps they had gone off visiting some of our mutual friends, (although usually they invited me along) I decided that I would go into town to learn if anyone had seen Bennie's pony and cart, not to mention some glimpse of Pippin and Merry.
Logically, the Green Dragon would be the most likely place to begin. Perhaps I would find my cousins there as well. I walked into the inn to find a group of fellow hobbits huddled around a table near the fireplace. As I drew near, I saw Fatty and Folco among them listening intently to someone. It was Ted Sandyman, covered in flour dust.
"I know it was there! I saw it with my own two eyes! I come in to open the mill and there it were... sittin' atop the mill stone pretty as you please! An' it had a garland of wildflowers restin' on it's head, if you will. An' an empty tankard of ale in front of it. With a pipe still lit layin' there, too!"
"Aw, you're just seein' things, Teddy!" one of the mill workers said. "You came outta that mill screamin' as if you'd just found yer ol’dad layin' dead on th' floor!" A twitter of laughter arose from those listening.
"I did not!" Ted was obviously offended. "I came out to get some of you louts t' come help me get it down. Twern't my fault it were gone when I got some o' ye t' follow me back inside to fetch it down." He looked around the small crowd. "I'm telling ye it were there! I ain't makin' this up!"
"Oh, we believe you, Ted," another said. "Just seems strange that it was able to disappear that fast, is all...."
The crowd murmured in agreement. That's when Fatty spotted me. "Frodo! Just the person we wanted to see!"
With that, he and Folco scurried over and escorted me to the table. "We were told by Fastred last night that you managed to lose your portrait...again." He tried unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh.
"So..." I nodded to Sandyman. "I understand it showed up at the Mill?"
Ted nodded, prepared to retell his tale. "Sure did. Why, I..."
I cut him short. "Any clues as to how it disappeared?"
"Never mind that," Folco said, butting in. "tell us how the painting was stolen from Bennie's!"
"I’m sure Fastred has already filled most everyone in." I answered.
"Is it true it was taken right out of the poor stableboy's hands."
"The way Fastred was talkin', 'e thinks ye 'ad somethin' to do wi' it disappearin.'" Ted accused with a smirk.
I shook my head. "How could I have anything to do with it when I was inside Bennie's hole –with Fastred-- when it was taken?"
A feminine voice spoke up behind me. "Is it true your painting has gone astray?"
Every male in the place quickly removed their hats. Surprised, I turned to face the lovely Sparrow Singswell. "Sparrow! What a pleasure! I didn’t expect to see you here!"
Her eyes twinkled fetchingly. "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Frodo! Actually, I have a singing engagement at the Ivy Bush. But...sshh...don’t tell Mr. Grubb. " she stole a glance at the Green Dragon’s busy innkeeper, "He thinks he has exclusive rights to my talents!" she added with a merry laugh.
I made a mental note to try and catch her performance. The pleasure of hearing Sparrow’s lovely voice was a rare treat. It was also a sure bet that Fastred would be elated that he had chosen rooms at the Ivy Bush for his lodgings. It would afford him ample opportunity to flirt mercilessly with the pretty songstress.
"I suppose I should arrange to have a singing lesson while you’re here, if you have the time." I suggested hopefully. "I fear my voice is getting a bit rusty." (Sparrow’s talents as an accomplished singer and musician are equally matched by her ability as gifted teacher.)
"That could be arranged." She smiled, then wasting no time, she made herself comfortable in my lap, much to the amusement of my friends. I could feel the heat rising in my face and I must have blushed quite noticeably for Ted nudged Folco and snickered. (While Sparrow is all seriousness when the time comes to instructing pupils in the art of music, this was not one of those times.)
"But, for now I want to know," she asked as she placed her arms around my neck, "if it’s true," that your portrait was wearing a pair of Bennie Baggins’s silk bloomers?"
There was an excited buzz as the others drew near. Obviously, this was something new, albeit incorrect.
"No," I said. Feeling myself blushing again. "Although it did have the honor of wearing was a bridle and a pair of riding gloves. Not that Bennie’s stallion minded."
"Nor, I’m sure, did Bennie." Laughed Sparrow, as she vacated her spot on my lap
"Hey!" Came a voice from the doorway, just then.
Everyone turned to see who it was. I didn’t recognize the fellow. He wasn't from Hobbiton or Bywater, as I know most folks here.
"Anyone missin' a pony and cart?"
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