[piosenniel]

Farmer Maggot and the Missus were the first to leave, saying it was a long way back to the Marish, and they’d best be getting themselves and Fang home before the night was completely past. Cami offered them a room at the Inn, so that they could start out tomorrow morning, rested. But they both declined, saying they’d sleep much better in their own bed, under their own roof. They made the rounds, saying good bye to the people they’d met just that evening and to Merry and Pippin and to Fatty. Then to Sam and Frodo and last of all Bilbo. ‘I don’t know how long you’ll be staying,’ he said to Frodo, clapping him on the back, ‘but I’ll have one of my boys come round in the next day or so and deliver a basket of mushrooms.’ They climbed aboard their wagon, settling Fang in comfortably on an old blanket between them, and with one last wave they were off down the Great East Road.

Tom and Goldberry followed close behind them. It was not often, or ever, that they left the borders of their country, and they would not tarry longer here than needed. Their footsteps were light as they hurried East, toward the Old Forest, and the overhanging hill brow of the Downs where the Withywindle bubbled down in falls.

For a long while, their voices could be heard, drifting back on the night breezes to the Inn. Tom’s merry voice rang out, lightening the hearts of all who listened:

Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! and merry-o,
Goldberry, Goldberry, merry yellow berry-o!
Poor old Willow-man, you tuck your roots away!
Tom's in a hurry now. Evening will follow day.
Tom's going home home again water-lilies bringing.
Hey! come derry dol! Can you hear me singing?

Then Goldberry’s voice followed, weaving in the next verse, as clear and clean as a Spring freshet follows the melting snow:

Hop along, my little friends, up the Withywindle!
Tom's going on ahead candles for to kindle.
Down west sinks the Sun: soon you will be groping.
When the night-shadows fall, then the door will open,
Out of the window-panes light will twinkle yellow.
Fear no alder black! Heed no hoary willow!
Fear neither root nor bough! Tom goes on before you.
Hey now! merry dol! We'll be waiting for you!

Fatty Bolger said his goodbyes to his dear friends, and especially to Cami, reminding her that she was more than welcome to bring her friends and visit in Budgeford any time. Then he too was off, along the Water to Bridgefields in the Eastfarthing.

The Muddyfoots picked up their sleeping trio from Pio’s rooms, and said their whispered good byes to her, Angelica promising that she would get together soon with Miz Pio to make plans, and that she would bring Peony with her. ‘Amaranthas,’ offered Merimac to the elder Hobbit who now stood at Pio’s side, ‘would you like to ride home with us? We can see you safely to your door.’ Pio smiled, and thanked Merimac for the kind offer, but she had made arrangements for Miz Amaranthas to stay with her tonight, and she would take her back home tomorrow.

Amaranthas took Angelica aside as Pio spoke with Merimac, saying how glad she was that Angelica had decided to be midwife. She surprised Angelica no end, then, by inviting her to come round some afternoon and have some tea and seed cake with her.

Having said their farewells, Pippin and Diamond retrieved the sleeping Faramir, and turned their cart westward toward Tuckburough, and the Great Smials. Merry and Estella waved to them as they parted company on the main roadway, after extracting promises from them, that they would bring Faramir and come for a long visit soon. ‘And Pip,’ cried Merry, just as his friend flicked the reins and headed off, ‘remember to bring those new chapters you’ve worked up to the “Tale of Years”. I’ve found some new information on Tar-Minyatur that you’ll find interesting.’

Sam and his Rose were the last ones to go. Sam and Pio carried the sleeping Gamgees to the cart and nestled them in like peas in a pod. Hamfast was handed up to Rose, and bundled in a warm blanket for the ride home. Pio promised she would come up to Bag End for a visit, and Sam lingered, speaking with Frodo and Bilbo, before climbing up to the seat beside his wife. He was loath to go, but Rose needed to go home to rest, and with a certain reluctance, he turned his wagon westward and headed toward Hill Lane and the Hill.