Like any self-respecting Hobbit, the Cotton-Took family valued peace, quiet, and the simple pleasures of life. Their Took blood often meant that they might lean into their most adventurous side, like risking to grow their taters a few inches too close to each other, or leaving the oven unattended a few minutes too long. Though, for the most part, they were a typical Hobbit family. There were only two exceptions to this rule. The first, both in age and in magnitude, was Mollonthea.

From a young age, little Molly showed an unusual tendency towards mischief. While the rest of the Hobbit kids would go for a nap right after enjoying their elevenses, one would most often find Molly climbing a particularly interesting tree, crawling into a particularly dark hole in the ground, or “borrowing” a particularly good-looking pie.

Often put at odds with other Hobbits, Mollonthea cared not for the approval of others. She knew she wanted more out of life than to grow vegetables and stay within the confines of her Hobbit-hole. The stories of the famed hobbits of the War of the Ring, and in particular those of her distant relative Samwise Gamgee, only stimulated her thirst for adventure. “What will we do with her?”, worried her poor mother. “Young Molly is a Took after all!”.

Molly was used to the disdained looks of other Hobbits. She never did feel at home in the Shire, and got along with few. There was one, however, for whom she treasured a love deeper than any Hobbit-hole, and that was her baby sister Callylillie. The two were inseparable, despite their differences. Poor Cally often found herself being the unwitting accomplice in Molly’s schemes, which also earned her quite a reputation in the Shire. They never said anything to her face, though, for if they did, they would face Mollonthea’s wrath.

There is one thing the sisters share besides their love for each other, and that is their dreams of adventure.

Molly dreamed of becoming a legend whose name is whispered in tales of daring escapades and great heists, just like Bilbo did when he stole the Arkenstone from under Smaug’s nose. Cally dreamed of uncovering the lost lore of the world, and creating great songs with which to enchant crowds. Many in the Shire wished the sisters would make something of themselves, and that they would settle down like the rest. However, the sisters would not listen.

If you ever find yourself traveling Middle Earth, keep an eye out. If you are not careful, you might find yourself enthralled by Cally’s music, and your purse lighter.