Oct. 9
I got an invitation. I got an invitation! Me! For me! I know now after travel to town that there’s postings on notice boards about it, but that I was specifically thought of brings me such uncontainable giddiness. I suppose I should specify: “It” is a ball at the Pretty Peach on Harvestmath’s Eve.
Addie visited last night, and she and I listened to Kithri's tale. The pain she went through, the treatment she endured; it was incredibly difficult to hear, and today I still feel exhaustion from all the tears I shed. But, this morning, waking with her nearby, I am reminded she is safe, and she is healing.
So — perhaps this is incredibly selfish of me — I cannot stay the joy I feel every time I think of being invited to festivities. And I am very saddened Kithri will probably not be able to attend, for firstly she is still healing, and secondly may not be ready to be so boldly in the public eye. But — I am so deathly excited over it, and she seemed excited for me. That there shall be pie-eating, that there should be pumpkin food and drink; I am nearly ill from having to wait.
I have sent a reply to Miss Piper, mainly to ask if I could bring a guest. And, though there is the great possibility I may be late or not go at all due to nervousness or needing to help a patient or both, the fancy of it still makes me smile. And, if I shan’t be in attendance, I shall at least have the knowledge that I was simply invited. That makes me smile.
A great source of my happiness: Costumes! Kithri and I discussed ideas. I mentioned I could be an oversized pumpkin, and she scolded me for it. She seemed very willing to assist in the gathering and creating of an ensemble and — she suggested a most hilarious concept that nearly brought tears of laughter to my eyes due to the quaintness of Hobbits and the mental painting it created.
Companion costumes: A miner and a gem! My hand shakes now with my giggling. Firstly, she said I would be a gem and Maurr a miner, which I of course refused as I think the opposite would be much more fitting! For I used to mine aplenty, and Maurr needn’t change a thing about himself since he is already quite a gem. Kithri’s suggestion — so stereotypically Dwarvish in nature that it turns back to hilarity — makes me actually wish to dress as a dirty miner. She said Maurr’s costume would matter less, for he would be trying to take off his shirts in the middle of the ball. She is certainly not incorrect about that, but I would certainly not mind.
*I wonder how one would go about dressing as a gem! Perhaps by attaching jewels to every inch of a shirt? Wearing a gown and dressing as a Lady? Woe! I think of Maurr doing such and another bout of laughter overtakes me! I haven’t a singular doubt that he would accept doing such. We would be an image of my father and mother; father a crass miner and mother a truly noble gem. But Maurr could never be as wide as my mother, and I am hopefully not so rude as my father.
I shall begin searching for my helmet and recalling the songs that used to be sung in the mines.
~~~~~
Oct. 10
A good morning it is! I write this now at an hour especially chilly.
Firstly: I received word from Miss Piper that I may bring as many guests as I wish! So Maurr will be able to come along if I am to go, or perhaps he will go in my stead if I cannot. Though I hope I can, for he requested that my first two dances be reserved for him, and though that may have been made in sarcasm... Well, I hope it was not made in sarcasm, but I would not fault him if it were.
I couldn’t resist: After writing the snippet from yesterday morning, I went to the Stone Quarter in search of costume parts. Find them I did! Suitable gloves, a pack (that will hold all my normal contents but at least match my theme), a pick, a helmet (left mine in the Hills). I rushed home to thrust all of it at Kithri’s furry feet. The only part of my costume that is missing is a shirt — which I suppose is most vital, for nobody wishes to see shirtless Doc at the ball! I have a robe being made by a tailor that I should receive before the party; I needed it because my shirts are growing tight, and I desired something new and flattering for my cousin’s arrival. While I would never wear such a nice thing while actually mining, I think it shall be fine for costume.
Sans shirt, I still modeled everything else for Kithri! I reckon I looked ridiculous, but I was too happy to care. She still tried to argue that I should dress as a gem, and would appear handsome in blue, the ridiculous Hobbit. Though I love her, she speaks and thinks too kindly of me. And I know I look best in warm colors.
Maurr knocked on the door while I was still dressed like THAT. I am nearly grateful he has not the use of two hands, for he must knock on the door with his foot and call for it to be opened if his one hand is occupied (which it was). Some sort of panic possessed me, as I would have been so terribly embarrassed for him to see me clad like THAT. I threw my things onto the floor and kicked them under the bed, but then couldn’t find my shirt I had earlier. All while poor Maurr was standing outside and waiting. I wish not to know what he thought of the clatter happening within; the door is very thin after all.
I found my shirt (after Kithri suggested it was under the bed) and I hastily put it on — backwards. Nobody thought to tell me it was backwards; I only learned just earlier this morning while changing. And I still had my costume boots on then, but dear Maurr was too oblivious to notice. Any way, it is laundry day, so I have no shirt at all at the moment.
*Maurr, Maurr, Maurr brought More groceries! He keeps buying food where it is unnecessary: cabbages, onions, carrots, wrapped meats, potatoes, wheels of cheese (One from Ered Luin, one from the Shire, one local and dressed with herbs)! I know not what he thinks I could do with all of it, nor where I could store it in my tiny apartment; I’ll have to use Jackilyn’s wheelbarrow and carry it all to the Soothery, if only to use the kitchen there to make a good meal! (Elias did say it was as much mine as his). Maurr can carry Kithri from town, or she can ride with the produce. It actually does touch my heart, that he would buy such things for us — but I have no great kitchen at home!
But back to the ball: Maurr thought this would be one of those stag balls, such as where dwarrow in barracks draw straws to see which of them has to wear a gown. He may if he wishes, and pretend to be my lady-date (though that would fool nobody, and I fear I would lose pie-eating to laughter, if he were to sit nearby doing as such), but I would not be able to fill one correctly, so my dressing in a gown is not offered.
Alas, though, he said he wishes to dress as a pirate, which I also anticipate seeing! I have to now make a hook for his hand, and quickly; that will be what I shall work on all hours of this day, and tomorrow, and perhaps the morrow after. For I will be so joyous to see his expression when he receives it in due time for the festivities.
He also, last night, offered to wash all the dirty mugs that were lying about. I accepted, filled with so much fondness that I was left momentarily discomposed. And, upon his return from outside, he had such a hard time finding places to put them, because their normal residence is the floor, and the shelves with the other clean mugs were occupied by cheeses or such that he bought!
Finally of Maurr: (I know I write so much of him) he told me he’d like to speak with me later — or was it ask me something? I can’t entirely recall which, but either way he said it somewhat gravely, and now I have a bit of a worry. I hope it is nothing terrible. I suppose I shall learn soon.
Kithri had me share the bed with her last night. She felt horrid that I would still sleep on the floor with Maurr no longer there. I rightly expressed concern that I would crush her, for she is just a fragile little Hobbit and I am such a fat Dwarf. But, she insisted, and used logical reasoning, and we stayed up a bit talking like young lasses at a sleep-over. I never had much of any sleep-overs as a child, except with perhaps my cousin. Certainly none with a group of friends where we could all gossip or joke or play games, so the night with Kithri was most enjoyable to me and made me feel young though we both be middle-aged.
I keep thinking of things like love and age and companionship. Nothing in specific — simply vague concepts. I’ve found I greatly enjoy cooking for someone, caring for someone, sleeping beside someone. Maybe I am overwhelmed from suddenly getting the privilege to keep good company after being alone for so long. I just have so much love for my friends that I want to do nothing but inundate them with care and keep them close. Perhaps that is selfish — my desire for them to stay when they don’t wish it. Maurr has taken up sleeping in the Boarding House again, Kithri shall move on when she is better, and I’ll have an empty home again.
I’ll survive it.
Maybe I am getting old and restless. Certainly not as old as poor Yurri, and not even as old as Master Tumunir. Will I suddenly become grumpy like them, when I reach two-hundred? I know not, and I know not this feeling in my chest. My heart simply seems to beat harder these days.
*“Pick your beard up! You won’t die because you have no friends; you’d be in a tomb already if that were so.”
...I am starting to think my father did not give the best of advice.
