Chapter Text
It was rumored long ago, before the start of the third age could even begin, a hobbit barring the name of Took had taken an elf for a wife.
The story was nothing but a baseless tale passed down from one Took to another Took. It was a family fable that came and gone throughout the centuries to pass. Though some might say there was something not so hobbit-like about those Took hobbits, something that caused others around them to stay their glance for a second too long.
Perhaps, it was the air of nobility and fierce boldness that clung to those like Belladonna Took Baggins, who was even deemed ‘remarkable’ by a wizard once. Though folks of the Shire ever really saw being adventurous as something to be remarkable, rather it was something of a bothersome feature.
But there still lingered a rumor that came in whispers to each Took mentioning a generation of hobbits scorning their stout and merry features. And many had thought nothing of that useless gossip until Mirabella Took laid eyes on her child. She saw the same glimmer of that old Took family tale. There was a string of curses that fumbled under her breath, for there was nothing grand about being different living as a hobbit.
See, even as mer’ youngling Fauna had always stood apart from most of her family. Maybe it was the way her nose seemed so straight and delicate that even her own cousin, Bilbo, had raised an eyebrow at its uncommon shape. She had faint memories of her mother pinching her nose as it refused to resemble that of a button like those in her family.
Or it may be that Fauna had never filled out properly like other hobbit girls do at the maturing age of 33. She held a slenderness that often caused others to question whether she was honestly eating her seven meals a day, to which she would answer ‘yes’ with the utmost honesty. Still, there was no hiding the doubt in their eyes at the lack of width around her hips or the roundness missing from her face. Yet, by just a glance at her feet there is no mistaking where her blood came from. Fauna’s feet were just as big and hairy as the next hobbit who lived within the Shire.
Her features hadn’t made her no less a hobbit, just another Took. A name constantly thrown upon her, despite being the oldest daughter of the Master of Buckland. Still those judgemental stares did not falter. Not when her mother cursed Margot Hogpin for questioning Fauna's lack of marriage proposals. And definitely not when Fauna spoke of wanting to visit markets ran by the race of man.
Of course once she moved away and under the roof of Bilbo, she had become nothing more then the cousin of Mr. Baggins. No longer the odd daughter. She learned it was better to live quietly.
Now how she came to live with her cousin was nothing but a pity invitation gained by a couple drops of fake tears. What Fauna truly wanted was to gain her own independence and she couldn’t quite do that with her overbearing mother and no-nonsense father.
Mirabella and Gorbadoc Brandybuck would not even play with the possibility of their eldest leaving home —unless a marriage was involved and there was no way in seven hells that Fauna would settle down with any lad now. Not when she’s spent most of her life in Buckland and now just venturing into Hobbiton, well at least as much venturing Bilbo deemed safe.
At the age of 46, such an important time for a young hobbit woman to make a home of their own, yet Fauna hadn’t even spared any thought to that idea. She might've convinced her parents with a lie and even forced Bilbo to make it seem like her time with him was to be used to find a husband.
Who knew how long it would take to find one of those? She doubted the person even existed. All she need was time, just enough time before her parents came demanding her return home.
Though not many would thought Bag End the most exciting or adventurous place to stay, it was enough for Fauna… But beggars can’t be choosers and Bilbo was her only ticket out.
“You're up early today.” Bilbo peeped his head around the corner, very aware of the absent snores that came from the room tucked at the other end of the hall.
“Rare sight, isn’t it.” Fauna smiled, making sure to strap her leather pouch at her side, double checking her basket to make sure her scissors had not gone missing from the last time she saw them a minute ago. “My medicine cabinet is scarcely low. I will be down in Pine’s Grove if you need me.”
Fauna, barely past the gate, was still able to hear the sound of a familiar rushed footsteps. “Yes, well, not too far off now!” The older hobbit calls out from the door. “Fauna remember not so much past-”
“Eel Brook, I know!”
Not that she would ever confess but Fauna had traveled past the small stream of water. She’d given herself the excuse of looking for herbs not grown within her restrictions. Sometimes Fauna would daydream of running into an elf, who whisked her away to some ethereal woodland kingdom. It was a mindless and most embarrassing delusion that kept the fire in her belly every time she’d hop across the brook.
Unlike the times before today there was no time for her to dilly off and pretend. No, there was much to do and too much to prepare. In just a week she’d have to have prepared tonics and other medicines for a midwife here in Hobbition. This job would offer a nice bag of coins to add to her collection and she was in no state financially to turn down such a hefty payment.
I’m going to need a lot of berberine root…as well as plenty of black cohosh and pink lady blossoms. Ms.Pansy is not even going to look my way if I don’t have any of those white berries to trade for her roses.
Fauna groaned, running a hand down her face, growing tired at the thought of all work needing to be done. “Why’d I wait till all my supplies were gone? Fauna there you go again waiting last minute to do a task that could’ve been gone ages ago.”
The hobbit was far too captivated in doing her task that she hadn’t caught the sound of feet crossing through the long blades of grass. Even the looming shadow above her seemed to fly past her senses as she continued to pluck and trim away.
“Good morning,” Fauna froze at the sound of that familiar voice, not so eager to look up at the hand offering her a bundle of treats wrapped in cloth. “These are for you…I saw them and I thought you might like them.”
Ruebur Barrow, to put it simply, was your ordinary run of the mill hobbit. He was nothing under three and some feet of height that accompanied the most warm smile one could ever come across. Though his looks were not anything much to see which seemed to only compliment the dullness of his personality.
“Oh, Mr. Barrow, thank you.” Fauna quickly forced a smile onto her lips trying not to seem resistant in taking his gift. “What a surprise to see you. How did you know I’d be here?”
“Ah, well, Mr.Baggins had mentioned it in passing actually.”
Fauna hand clenched at the mentioning of her older cousin.
That unloyal big-mouth fool! Maybe I should pin his mouth shut since nothing good ever comes out.
“I thought I just pay you a visit,” He gave a light chuckle, one the looked to be out of nerves. “Do you need company or maybe a helping hand?”
Truth be told Fauna needed the help more than ever. So much so she was even willing to take Barrow’s offer, much to her dismay.
“If you have the time to spare then I would be so grateful.” Somehow she knew she’d come to regret this decision.
It was impossibly quiet between the two hobbits with nothing but the wind and nature filling the air. She’d hoped it stayed that way until she finished gathering what she needed but she had grown to know Ruebur Barrow for some time now and knew it was only a matter of time before he brought up that particular subject.
The thought alone was enough to cause Fauna to go rigid. Just last Afteryule Ruebur had gotten enough confidence to propose to her during the celebration. Which left Fauna feeling overwhelmed and completely embarrassed as she declined the offer, leaving him to take the pitiful stares and whispers that night. Still, it was like she had never refused his hand in marriage because that resilient hobbit continued on pursuing her like nothing happened. Yet again to Fauna’s dismay.
“Fauna–”
“Well, it seems like I’ve gotten everything I needed in record time thanks to you Mr.Barrow.” She quickly dusted her skirt trying her best to avoid a certain conversation. “I must be going now. Thank you again.”
“Wait!” Mr. Barrow called out, doing his best to catch up with her rushed movements. “Miss. Brandybuck, I don’t wish to scare you off… I was just hoping, since it’s been some time since that day, that maybe you might have given my proposal some thought.”
Oh, Bilbo. I’m going to kill you when I get a hold of you.
“Ruebur, your a very kind fellow and many here can see that…” her fingers clenched over the wicker handle. “But my answer is still remains. I’m sorry.”
And just the same as last, Fauna was the first to depart from the situation, leaving the hobbit within the meadow.
She hadn’t even made it over the hill before she began shouting, “Mr. Baggins, I’m going to have you begging for mercy once I make it over—Oh, hello, I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Fauna’s sudden rage shimmered down at the sight of the tall stranger draped in gray robes. His face looked to have seen better days with hair rolling out beneath his pointed hat and even clinging to the majority of his face. She’d never seen someone like him before and couldn’t imagine her cousin knowing someone that appeared like him. There was a wrinkle in eye, a mischievous twinkle that made her question the reason he was here at Bag End.
“You haven’t interrupted anything. He was just leaving, weren’t you Gandalf.”
“Gandalf? As in the wandering wizard, Gandalf.” Fauna broke into a wide smile, moving closer to the older man in hopes of sparking a conversation.
“Yes, that would be I. And who might you be my dear?”
“Fauna Bandybuck, how do you do?” She stepped over cousin to extend her hand but Bilbo Baggins was not having any of it. He didn’t want to prolong the Wizards visit more than necessary. The offer of some ridiculous adventure was enough of a troublesome act and the last thing he needed was for that idea to get a hold of Fauna.
“Oh no you don’t. He’s a busy wizard who can’t be kept any longer.” Bilbo says, tugging his cousin along not risking another minute with Gandalf.
“Well, as I was saying, I will inform the others.”
The older hobbit grows pale at his words and further retreats into Bag End. “Inform who?”
Fauna looked between the two, clueless at what had been discussed before she appeared. “Inform the others what?” She asked softly.
“An adventure, of course.”
Fauna opened her mouth to say how exciting that offer seemed and express her interest but Bilbo’s side eye was enough to keep her thoughts to herself. Worried about whatever else could come out of the bothersome wizard’s mouth, he took her by the arm and practically dragged her inside.
“No, no, no! We do not want any adventures here, thank you! Not today. I suggest you try over the hill or across the water. Good morning.” He said before shutting and locking the door. Leaning against the door to catch his breath, feeling for a moment relieved, so much he almost forgot Fauna still stood at the doorway.
“That was unnecessarily rude of you, Bilbo!”
“Sh, do you hear that?”
Bilbo places an ear at the door listening closely, still very much on edge at what that wizard said. Fauna, to say the least, was worried for her cousin as she watched him rush to the window only to jump looking genuinely frightened.
“He’s still here, look!”
Peering out the window Fauna found nothing but blue skies. “No one is there.” She glanced at her cousin still appearing alarmed at what he swore he saw. “Is it what he said that’s gotten you all shaken up? Did being asked on an adventure really sound that bad to you, Bilbo?”
“You should never trust a wizard, Fauna. Especially ones that go around asking others about accompanying on unwanted adventures.” He straightens out his vest. “Nothing good ever comes out of silly ideas like that. Too many dangers and uncertainties with things of that nature. Hopefully, that will be our last time seeing.”
There was no denying the truth of the danger and the unpredictableness that comes along with going on adventure, that much Fauna will agree too. But unlike her cousin that wasn't enough to scare her away. What did scare her was the thought of possibly dying knowing she never left the comfortability of the Shire.
“What do you have there?” He asked, eyeing the wrapped treats in her basket.
The corners of Fauna curled into something sinister, moving closer, readying her fist at the right moment she would strike. “Don’t you want to guess who gave them to me.”
“Hm, let’s see, Gilly Hob—” Fauna didn’t give him a chance before she began assaulting his side with her tiny fist. “Hey! Why are you so angry all of sudden?”
Giving a kick to his knee sent Bilbo to the floor still clueless as to why he was being attacked. Bending down Fauna frowned wondering if he really was unaware of his actions. But Bilbo had been there that night and all the other times Barrow burdened Fauna with his unrequited love.
“Maybe next time you'll learn to keep quiet the next time Ruebur comes looking for me.” She says shoving two cookies in his big mouth.
“Howd wus I sudposed tu node!” Bilbo calls out his words disoriented by the cookies still lodged between his mouth.