Her birthday today - an other year had passed in almost an instant or so it seemed to her. Yuletide her favorite time of the year - the time for comfort, good food, and warmth...time for the gentle touch of a loving hand, a talk beside the fire, time for 'home'. Yule was sitting by the hart with her family and friends around her but her mind was miles and miles away. Snow flurries began to fall and they swirled around outside the window and the Shire looked like a magical snow globe world.
Around her the sound of familiar hobbit voices and music, she smiled and sighted softly then leaned back in her armchair watching the dancing flames in the fireplace, Yule was happy even if it was hard to tell because she rarely shared her emotions and feelings with others. Since the Shire Rose pendant had been returned to the Elves in Lothlorien Yule had more time to travel outside the Shire. Often Amorey would ask where she was going and why but Yule would simple smile at her cousin and say very little.
Amorey had returned from her journey to Lothlorien with the gift from the Elves and a letter from the Lord and Lady addressed to Yule. The box and letter were delivered to Yule and nothing was asked or said anymore. Amorey had often wondered what was contained in the box, no one knew...not even Yule herself. The letter was sealed in golden wax
yule of Shire Rose - Waymeet, The Shire
To be opened on the 24th day of the month of December
( 2nd day of Afteryule by Shire Reckoning )
Soon the room became quiet, hobbits were busy in the dining room and kitchen preparing a big feast - Yule looked around for a moment to make sure she was alone. The house cat was sleeping on the rug by her feet with what looked like a smile..surely the cat was dreaming of catching that elusive pesky mouse in the cellar. Satisfied she was alone, Yule broke the golden seal and opened the beautiful parchment and began to read.
Later in the evening after dinner and after the guests had left, Yule stood by the bay window looking at the snow gently falling. ' A golden shilling for your thoughts...' said Amorey sitting on the window seat . Yule smiled at her cousin ' My thoughts are free my dear...just like me, and I do share them freely if I can ' she replayed.
Yule sat down ' I have something for you...' she then said. Amorey watched her cousin rummaging in her purse and taking out a small wooden box. ' Oh Yule...!' she exclaimed, ' That is the box the Elves gave us after we returned the Shire Rose pendant.' Yule nodded and handed the box over.
Amorey looked at the box then at Yule then at the box again unsure of what to do. ' Yule I am not sure about this, I mean it was a gift for you was it not ? ' Amorey lamented. But Yule shook her head. Still unsure Amorey lifted the box's lid slowly and looked inside for a few moments with a very surprised expression. ' But But...this cannot be....? Why ? I mean it cannot be ! ' Amorey said.
Yule smiled and lifted the lid of the box again taking out the content. The beautiful pendant shimmered in the soft light of the candles - the Shire Rose began to glow in her hands. ' But why Yule...I thought the Elves wanted the pendant back ...' Yule lifted the delicate chain securing it around Amorey's neck ' Merry Yule Amorey, from me and from the Elves...may starlight always guide your steps '
The two hobbits sat long into the night by the bay window as snow was gently falling, the reason why the pendant was returned to the hobbits of the Shire we shall not reveal in case this record is lost or falls in the wrong hand - the Shire Rose's hobbits were once more entrusted with the most precious gift the meaning of which shall one day be revealed when the time comes.
An other magical Yuletide's Night in the Shire.
