2008 Birthday Drabbles
Dwimordene's 2008 Birthday fics: 12. Winnowing - by Gwynnyd
Winnowing
"You were right, Gaffer. That crop made me a lot of money." Bilbo mopped his red, sweaty face.
Hamfast Gamgee straightened, leaning on his shovel's handle. Of course he was right. Bilbo cared more for tales than crops and Ham knew more about farming than Bilbo ever would.
"Good job, m'boy. Here's something extra for you."
Bilbo flipped Hamfast a coin that flashed gold. Ham caught it and tugged at his forelock. "Thankee, Mr. Bilbo," murmurred from his lips but his heart burned with the injustice. His ideas, his skill, and his labor kept Bag End profitable. Why should Bilbo lord it over the tenants and train up his namby-pamby foreign heir instead of making Ham his bailiff? It should be his place. It would be his. Young Frodo would be easier to manage. Played right, the whole estate would be his family's someday.
The shovel whistled as it came down with a wet crack on Bilbo's skull. Crouching down over the still form of his former master, Ham pulled a pouch heavy with gold and a thin chain from Bilbo's weskit pocket. Hamfast slid the chain through his fingers. It was all his now. He slipped on the ring.
