Guide to Hobbit Courting

Bungo shows his love

After spending a lot of time together, talking about adventures and cherry pies, the courtship was official. Bungo's parents warned him about Belladonna's reputation. They told him it would bring disgrace over their entire family. But when has that ever stopped love from developing?

As in the rules of hobbit courting, his parents were only allowed to tell him their opinion one time. They couldn't do anything else but to shake their heads and move on. Bungo and Belladonna didn't care about their opinion. They had found something in each other that they had been unable to find in any other hobbit. A connection that ran so deep it couldn't be faked.

They used to run around in the fields together and climb trees. All were unlikely for hobbits to do but not for Bungo and Belladonna. Of course some hobbits began to wonder if Bungo was just the thing that might calm Belladonna Took down. It seemed to work for a while. The tree climbing stopped. The young couple was only seen wandering the streets together and buying groceries. They would finally become respectable hobbits after all. Just like the Shire wanted.

Until that one fatal morning when Bungo seemed to be missing from Belladonna's side. There were many whispers about where the male hobbit could be. Especially when one of the Took's neighbours confirmed she had heard Belladonna crying one morning. What happened? They subtly asked her parents to find out but they wouldn't let a single word leave their lips. Neither would the girl. Rumours were spreading quickly and became more wild over time.

Some suggested something bad had happened to Bungo and that the Took family was mourning his loss. Others pointed out that they wouldn't hide such a thing. Then, the rumour spread that Bungo may have done something wrong, or mor likely Belladonna did something wrong, and the courtship had been ended. But why would they not tell anyone? Because of the shame that came with it. Bungo may have fled to Bree or another town. None of this seemed to be the truth. Everyone was trying to come up with some sort of explanation. They would discover the first rumour hadn't been much off.

Something bad had happened. Thankfully, it was only a bad thing in the eyes of hobbits. Bungo had thought long and hard on what gift he wanted to give to Belladonna. And he finally came up with one. He would go on an adventure! At least, he would travel past the fields they had run through together. In a hobbit's book, that was an adventure. He would keep a journal of his adventures and give the book to Belladonna. She would appreciate it. The other hobbits would think less of him but it didn't matter.

In the meanwhile Belladonna tried to calm her heart down. She knew he was going on an adventure but she couldn't help but to feel worried about her missing love. Everyone in town was talking about it, which didn't help. Somehow she had to stop thinking about him that much.So she started working on her gift. It needed to be something about his personality... What could she give him? He loved books and food like any hobbit. That wouldn't do. They had spend so much time together and now she couldn't think of a gift. What had he told her on that one night when the moon was full... A small smile appeared on her lips. That's what she was going to make!

When Bungo finally returned he was happy that he still had all his limbs attached to his body. He had seen so much past the hills and was ready to share everthing with his love. He had thought of her non stop. Especially when he felt like returning home at cold nights. With the thought of her in his mind he continued on his dangerous quest. Until he had finally found what he was looking for.

They embraced each other like never before. Safe and sound in their hobbit hole he shared the stories of his adventures with her. How he came across and old, wise hobbit who showed him the way. Of the times he had almost disturbed the quiet slumber of an orc. It made her heart stirr even more when he told her about his encounters with dwarves.

'Now I have told you enough, and it is time for my present to you' he said. He got up from his comfortable chair. The lights were dim. Most of the light came from the lit fireplace next to their chairs. Bungo got something out of his bag. It was something thick, quickly wrapped in some old paper. Bungo held it in his hands and looked at it with sad eyes. 'I would have wrapped it in something else but I just want you to have it' he explained.

She smiled lovingly at him. 'You silly hobbit. I don't care how it is wrapped. And I don't care what anyone else thinks. You own my heart. No matter what.' Bungo looked up when he felt a soft kiss on his cheek. He handed her the gift and she tore the paper off of her present. She gasped when she realised what he had given her. 'Did you bind it yourself?' she asked in awe.

He nodded, yes he had. 'The elves taught me how they did it. After that I had to practice a couple of times.... and here it is' he said the last softly. Tears welled up in her eyes. 'This is beautiful. How did you manage to come up with so many survivel tips?' she asked confused. There were tips in this book that she herself had never thought of.

'Some of them were told to me by the dwarves. They were very happy with me after I told them I did this all for you. Others were told to me by the elves. And most of them come from me' Bungo concluded. Belladonna closed the book and swung herself around his neck. 'I accept your gift Bungo. It s lovely' she cried. He hugged her tightly.

'Wait, let me get your present' she said excitedly. She ran to the hallway and opened her cabinet. Belladonna took a deep breath before she returned to the room. Bungo was patiently waiting there. She felt unsure about her gift. What if he had forgotten? Then this present wouldn't be to his liking and...

'Stop thinking about that Bella. You are the One for me. No present, no neighbors and no hobbit rules will stop me from giving my heart to you. You have owned it for so long. Please don't give it back now.' Hesitantly, she gave him her present. 'I made it myself. Everything' she said as he unwrapped the gift.

She held back her breath when the wrapping paper fell to the ground. What was he going to say?

A beaming smile came through on his lips. Not long after that did Bungo start laughing. 'You remembered?' he asked in tears of laughter. Belladonna nodded. 'I can't believe you made this all by yourself. A whole basket with hand-drawed paintings and lovely notes for a whole year?' He couldn't stop himself from laughing out loud.

He ran towards her. Bungo grabbed her by the waist and spun her around in the air. 'You are the most perfect hobbit lass that I have ever seen. Do you know that?' he asked, carefully putting her back down on the ground. 'You haven't. Though you have told me that you loved me before' she said.

They stared in each other's eyes. There was a bond that could never be broken. 'You mean that I love you, honeypon' Bungo said.