Disclaimer: Hobbits, the Shire, Middle-earth don’t belong to me, they belong to JRR Tolkien.

Characters: Pippin, Merry, Paladin Took, Pervinca Took, Merimas Brandybuck, Pimpernel Took, and Degger Greenhill (original character). Timeframe is late July, S.R. 1406.

Summary: In this story, Pervinca gets invited to her first escorted party. I took the liberty of “creating” a bit of tradition between escorts and fathers, but if I were to explain it here it would give away some of the story. So I will explain it later. Enjoy.Pippin, Merry, and Pervinca; all three have been close friends since early childhood. In the span of several days, a few…misguided words threaten to tear their friendship asunder.

All Joking Aside

Chapter One - Midnight Greetings

It was close to midnight when two cloaked figures rode up on ponies towards the stables at Great Smials. The lantern that hung from the post outside the stable house flickered in the night breeze. Both hobbits dismounted and untied their packs, handing the reins of both animals over to the stable boy who led the ponies inside to the stalls. The light summer drizzle had lasted all day, making the ground slippery to walk on. One of the figures lost his balance, nearly pitching forward as they trudged up the lane towards the Smials.

“Careful, Merimas!” Merry could not help but chuckle, then completely lost his own balance falling onto his backside.

“I told you we shouldn’t have stopped at the inn in Tuckborough,” Merimas chided his younger cousin.

“I wanted to stop and greet my friends. Besides, it was only one pint, cousin,” Merry replied, taking the hand his cousin offered. “It was my mother’s cousin, Addie. He likes me, you know.” Merry swayed a bit as he tried unsuccessfully to wipe the mud off of his breeches and cloak.

Merimas smirked, “What about the other two pints? Surely, your eyesight cannot be so blurred that you saw only one!”

“Indeed, I saw only one: one from Addie, one from Everard, and one from Freddie!”

Merimas picked up Merry’s rucksack and swung it over his own shoulder, “Well, cousin, I’ll wager that tomorrow morning you will have learned your lesson about folks buying you pints. Come on.”

Merimas was not sure as to which entrance to use, but eventually decided that the large, round door in the center lit with decorative lanterns would suffice. He guided Merry up the cobblestone walkway between two rows of green shrubbery. They halted at the large, round door that was painted red then pulled on the door bell.

“No, no,” said Merry, “you’ve got it all wrong!” On countless occasions he had been a guest here at Great Smials at the courtesy of his Uncle Paladin and his family. Why were they knocking at the door? Merry turned the brass door handle, swinging the door inward (Tooks never locked their doors).

At this, a muffled cry was heard behind the door, “Ow!”

Merimas peered behind the open door. He saw a lad around his and Merry’s age sitting on the floor rubbing his head with his hand. “Gracious me! Are you alright?”

Merry also peered around the door. “Degger! I’m sorry--I didn’t expect anyone to be there,” Merry sobered up a bit and crouched down next to the lad.

“I’m all right, Master Merry,” Degger replied. He continued to rub the injured side of his forehead. “I was waitin’ for you by the private entrance then saw you lads come around to the main door.”

This time it was Merry who offered his hand. “I’m sorry about that, Degger, I honestly didn’t expect anyone to be up at this hour.” This was Merimas’ first visit to Great Smials, so Merry turned to introduce Degger to his cousin.

“At your service, Master Merimas,” Degger bowed.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” Merimas bowed in return, "and I at yours.” Then he made a quick observation of the pink blotch swelling on Degger’s forehead. “You should put some ice on it.”

“Thank you, and I will. Please allow me to show you to your rooms,” Degger turned as if to lead the way. “I personally saw to it that your old room was freshened up earlier, Master Merry.”

“Thank you, but Degger,” Merry asked, “what are you doing playing the host? I thought you were the new assistant to the Smials’ Gardener?”

Degger smiled at Merry’s observation, “I am, but can’t I greet an old friend?”

As they walked down the main corridor towards the guest quarters Degger spoke over his shoulder, “Why don’t you lads clean up a bit then join me and Master Pippin in the dinin’ room for a bit of pie? We could talk for a while and catch up on news.”

“Sounds like a grand idea,” said Merry, then looked at Merimas, “are you up to it, cousin?”

“For pie? Always.”

~ ~ ~

Pippin held up the last slice of apple pie on the pie server. Two pie pans sat empty next to each other on the dining room table. “Anyone? This is the last piece.” He secretly hoped there were no takers.

“No, Pippin,” Merry sighed, placing one hand upon his filled belly. He waved his other hand towards the teen, “go ahead.” He shifted a bit in his seat to get more comfortable. “How many pieces does that make you?”

“Two,” Pippin replied, then paused, wrinkling his brow in thought, “no….three--I think.” He gingerly shoved the late night nibble onto his plate and licked his sticky fingers. Off to the side, Degger silently held up four fingers to the visitors. “I am glad that you have finally been able to persuade your cousin to escape that East Farthing place,” Pippin teased, saying the last part with mock distaste, then shoved a bite of pie into his mouth.

“I’ve been out of the East Farthing before,” countered Marimas.

Merry sipped his tea then piped in, “Of course he has! Three times, and each time it was to the Free Fair on the White Downs.”

“Well,” Pippin said between bites, “I suppose we shouldn’t pick on poor old Merimas too much when our own Degger hasn’t been out of the West Farthing.” He smiled at Degger before filling his mouth yet again.

Degger blushed, “I’ll travel elsewhere in the Shire someday, but right now I like to visit my sister at Michel Delving.”

Merry grinned, “and who else?”

Degger laughed and replied, “No one else!”

Presently, Merimas stood up from the table, “If you lads don’t mind I am going to bed now.”

Pippin looked at Merimas, “But we only just got started.”

“Yes,” added Merry, “We won’t be up for too much longer--why don’t you stay and chat?”

Merimas declined, saying, “Thank you, but I don’t think so tonight.” The lads quietly watched Merimas walk out of the kitchen.

Pippin gave Merry a quizzical look, “Was it something that I said?”

Merry let out a long breath. “No,” he said, “he’s been doing this for a while--ever since he began studying to be an apprentice healer. Now that he is one, he spends even less time outside his room.” Merry shook his head, “He even brought his books along on this well-earned holiday.”

“Why?” asked Pippin. “I thought you were able to convince him that he needed time to himself?”

“Seems as if he misunderstood,” replied Merry, “or he is more stubborn than I am.”

“A Brandybuck trait,” Pippin explained to Degger.

“It’s a Greenhill trait as well,” said Degger.

Pippin asked Merry, “Is he still doing this all because of his mother?”

“Pippin, every decision he’s made about being a healer has stemmed from his mother’s death. His family worries about him, and so do I.” Merry drained his cup of tea.

“Maybe he just needs a reason to come out of his room--or his gloom.” It was Degger who spoke. Merry and Pippin looked in his direction; both cousins knew Degger’s background*.

“Perhaps,” Merry replied, “but I hope the reason shows itself soon.”

 _{*Degger’s background can be found in my story, "Riches to Rags"}

Chapter Two - Pippin’s Resolution

The following afternoon, Merry and Pippin were hovering over a game of chess when they heard Pippin’s sisters enter the Smial. They were laughing as they passed by the main sitting room on their way to the bedrooms. Each lass carried at least one bundle in her arms; Pearl held several bolts of pale green velvet and silk material. Pim and Pervinca merely assisted their sister with carrying a host of other items. The two older sisters paused in the outer hallway as Pervinca entered the sitting room holding out an envelope between her only two free fingers.

She wore a broad smile as she nudged her brother who was pretending to concentrate on his next move. “Read it, Pippin!”

Pippin snatched the envelope she offered and opened it.

“Dear Miss Pervinca Took,

You and your escort are cordially invited to my Birthday Party. It will be held on July 27, S.R. 1406. It will begin at 6 o’clock in the evening with supper.

Sincerely,

Estella Bolger"

“And?” Pippin said, handing the invitation over to Merry.

Pervinca puzzled at his reaction. “And what?”

Pippin could not hide his grin when he asked, “and who is the poor unfortunate?”

“Pippin!” Pimpernel was straining under the weight of her burden, “She’s been invited to her first escorted party. Can’t you be happy for her?”

“Or, think of it this way, Pip,” Pearl added with a grin, “one nearly gone, the last two on their way!”

Merry finished reading the invitation, rose up and gave his cousin a hug. “I’m happy for you, Pervinca, but I, too, would like to know who the young escort is.”

“Thank you, Merry,” she said. She returned the hug as best as she could with her arms full, then answered, “I couldn’t tell you as I haven’t accepted any offers yet.”

“That can be interpreted as being no one has asked you.” Pippin received a whack over the head with a small bolt of lace for that comment.

Pervinca narrowed her eyes at her brother, “I’ll have you know, you little rat, that Mirto Boffin asked me if father was going to be in his office tomorrow. Do you know what that means?”

Why, Pippin thought, did Pervinca have to open herself up for such remarks? He tried so hard, but he just could not restrain himself in saying it. He answered, “It means that he’s in for a miserable evening!”

Dead silence. Everyone gaped at Pippin.

“Pippin!” Came Pearl’s admonishment. She shook her head, “I can’t believe you said such a mean thing.”

Pervinca blinked away a stinging tear then backed her way out of the room. “I’m…I’m going to my room,” she spoke softly. Pearl and Pimpernel surrounded their sister, glaring at their brother. They left the sitting room, accompanying the crushed girl to her room.

Pippin flopped back into his chair. “Why, Merry, do I say such things? Why can’t I learn to just keep my mouth shut?”

Merry was still staring at his cousin as he settled into the chair he occupied before. “I don’t know, but that was a very cruel remark you said to Pervinca,” he said. “I daresay if it were Mirto who said that, you would have wrestled him to the ground and bloodied his nose over it.”

“I know.” Pippin now clenched his fists to his face, trying to hide from his own annoyance at himself. The realization of what he had said settled into his stomach like a rotten apple. “I must go to her and apologize.”

“PIPPIN!” A bellowing voice could be heard approaching the sitting room. Paladin stepped firmly into the doorway and beckoned for his son to follow him.

~ ~ ~

“What just happened in the sitting room?”

Pippin was downcast; he looked at the colors in the woven rug at his feet. It was alternating red, blue, green, and yellow; red, blue, green, and yellow; red, blue--

“Why, Pippin?” Pippin startled. His attention snapped back to his father’s speech. “What prompted you to utter hurtful words to your sister?”

“I…I don’t,” Pippin faltered.

Paladin sat on the sofa waiting for his son to continue. “I don’t know, either, but I thought your mother and I raised you to behave as a young gentle-hobbit.”

It was a long minute before Pippin spoke again. “I was only jesting, or I thought I was. She used to like my jokes, so I thought she would laugh. I never meant to hurt her, Father; we’ve always been close. Now she’s all grown up and being escorted to parties.”

“That is what troubles me about the whole affair, Pippin,” said Paladin, handing his son his pocket handkerchief. “You and Pervinca have always been close.” Paladin watched his son wipe his eyes. “Children grow up, Pippin. Young tweens go to parties and gatherings to be social, and later to perhaps find that one special hobbit.” Suddenly this conversation gave Paladin a twinge in his heart and he sighed, “Your day will come soon, Pip, when you will be the escort. You will be the one to ask the father for permission to accompany his precious daughter to her first party or to her first dance. I hope by that time you will have developed into a respectable young-hobbit.”

“I meant to go apologize to Pervinca before you called for me.”

Paladin shook his head, “She’s upset right now, son. She may not want to talk to you.”

Pippin was silent again, then asked, “What will my punishment be?”

“I am not going to punish you, Pippin. This is something I want you to deal with on your own. Learn to do what your own heart tells you to do. You cannot go on simply doing or saying whatever you please. You must learn that there are consequences for your actions, son. Your first ‘consequence’ is in her room right now crying--what are you going to do?”

The teenager sat in thought, then he stood up before his father. “I will go apologize to her first, and then, from now on I will only speak kindly to others.”

“Very well,” said Paladin. “I will hold you to your word, Peregrin. Now,” he continued, “about this birthday party Pervinca plans to attend; who is the intended escort--do you know?”

“Mirto Boffin.”

Paladin nodded; he knew this young tween. After Pippin left the study, Paladin sat in thought for a long while. He would now expect a visit from the lad tomorrow requesting permission to be his daughter’s first escort. They were only young tweens, he thought, but still…Pervinca was his youngest daughter--his last. His precious, little Sweet Pea.

Chapter Three - Champions to the Rescue

“Pervinca?” Pippin had opened the door to his sister’s room after no answer seemed forthcoming. The little parlor adjacent to her bedchamber was well lit with the two lamps on her tea table. No one seemed to be about so he quietly stepped through the door. The door to the bedchamber was open, but it was dark inside and therefore could not see beyond the doorway. “Pervinca?” He tried once more.

Instantly, Pimpernel stood in the darkened doorway and blocked his entry.

“I only want to talk to her,” he said.

“You’ve ‘talked’ to her enough this evening,” answered Pim.

Pippin lowered his eyes. “I feel horrible for what I said. I want to apologize.”

“You ought to! Is it part of your punishment to apologize to her?”

“Let him in.” Pimpernel turned towards the small voice beyond the door.

“All right,” Pim answered. Begrudgingly, she stood aside and called to her sister, glaring at her bother as he passed him by, “but if you need anything, I’ll be out here in the parlor.”

Pippin walked just inside the doorway, letting his eyes adjust to the darkness of the room.

Pervinca sniffed. “What do you want?” she asked sitting up, using her handkerchief to clean her face.

“I want to say that I’m sorry. I’m sorry for what I said…and for making you cry.”

Pervinca looked up, tears still streaked down her flushed cheeks. “Why did you say it?”

Without going into a long dissertation Pippin replied, “I don’t know. I guess I wanted to make you laugh. You used to laugh at my jokes all the time, but now I suppose you’re all grown up now, busy going to parties and then getting married.”

“Married? What are you talking about? I’m only going to one party, Pippin,” she answered.

“It’s one party now, but eventually you will get married just like Pearl and move far away.”

Pervinca sighed, “Pippin, we’ve had this conversation a long time ago. I can’t help it. You can’t help it. We all have to grow up, and I wish you would, too.”

That remark stung Pippin, though he felt he deserved it. “I am, Pervinca,” he said, sitting down next to his sister. “From now on, I am only speaking nicely to other people.”

“You don’t have to do that.” She said half smiling, “Pearl says that I’m starting to sound a lot like mother these days, all serious and proper. But I can’t help it--this is me.”

“And it’s me now, too,” he replied, then added, “but in a lad’s sort of way.”

Pervinca smiled at her brother’s words. “Apology accepted.” She leaned over and hugged him.

* * *

The following day, three young hobbits rode their ponies into Tuckborough. It was difficult for Merry to tear his older cousin away from his books, but after convincing Merimas that he was looking rather peaked and needed more sun on his face, the health-conscious cousin finally laid his books aside, accompanying Merry and Pippin into town. Once they reached the market square, Merimas found out the true reason for their little trip.

“I cannot believe I am taking part in this ruse!” Merimas said in dismay to the two conspirators standing in front of him. He cautiously glanced about the area next to the blacksmith’s shop; the pounding of iron against steel filled their ears. The threesome stood near the back of the shop waiting on young Mirto Boffin to come out of the Oak Leaf Inn.

“We’re only going to talk to the lad, Merimas,” stated Merry. “It’s not as if we’re common thieves planning to waylay him. Now stand right here and act as if you don’t know us when we walk by.”

Merimas wanted to crawl under a rock somewhere. “You can count on that, cousin!”

Merry and Pippin walked nonchalantly towards the Inn and waited near the porch where the coach would stop. It would seem to onlookers in the market area that the lads were waiting on the next coach. From his position next to the blacksmith’s shop, Merimas could see a young tween leaving the Inn. Merry glanced in his direction, giving him the signal. Poor unsuspecting lad, thought Merimas. He turned back round in his place and picked up a piece of scrap iron at his feet, pretending to examine it. Soon he could hear the voices of his cousin and Pippin coming up.

“…we only want to talk to you, Mirto--honest.” It was Merry who was now speaking.

“Yes, and we want to…get to know you a bit better,” added Pippin with a persuasive air. “You don’t mind, do you?”

“Uh…no--I guess.” Young Mirto Boffin was being ushered to the back of the shop by Merry and Pippin. Merimas stood examining his piece of scrap metal, watching out of the corner of his eye as they passed him. The baffled look on Mirto’s face indicated he was truly oblivious as to what was going on. Apparently, Merimas reasoned to himself, Mirto had no sisters to protect.

“Now, Mirto,” Merry began, “You know that you will be Pervinca’s first escort, do you not?” Mirto nodded. “Do you know how dear of a cousin she is to me?” Mirto shook his head, but thought better and then nodded vigorously. “Pervinca is like a sister,” Merry grinned wickedly, patting Mirto on the shoulder. “Just wanted you to know that.”

“However, she is my sister,” said the smaller hobbit. “Now, Mirto, I cannot stop you from escorting my sister to the party, that is between you and her…,” then he, too, smiled mischievously, “and my father.” Mirto was getting anxious by now. “I know that you will treat her with complete respect, will you not?” Pippin paced in front of Mirto with his hands behind his back waiting for an answer (much like his father would do with him before punishing him).

Mirto may have been caught unawares at first, but now he was getting his nerve back. “Now half a minute,” he said, yanking his arm away from Merry. “If you don’t like the fact that I intend to escort Pervinca to her first party, then I suggest you turn your heads. Furthermore, what we do before, during, or after the party is our own business!”

“Fine,” answered Pippin. He stood in front of Mirto and locked his green eyes upon the tween. With all seriousness he added, “just pray I never find out anything ‘disrespectful’ happens after this party or any party--and you may as well share that bit of information to all the other lads in the Shire.”

Young Mirto made the mistake of forgetting who else was around. He looked derisively at the smaller teen, “You’re still a little squeaker, Pippin. I don’t care what you think!”

This last remark caught the attention of Merimas. Both he and Merry came to Pippin’s defense, crowding around Mirto and forcing him to back into the shop wall. “You had better start caring, laddie,” said Merimas, thinking of his own sisters, “or you will have all three of us on your tail.”

Seeing that Mirto was once again intimidated, the three friends parted to give way for him to leave. They stood watching the lad stomp off.

Pippin had his arms folded across his chest, gazing at the retreating figure, “What do you lads think?”

“I don’t think he’s unscrupulous--not yet at least,” answered Merimas. “but I say give him a couple years. Hopefully Pervinca will see him for what he truly is--or will become.”

“That’s what troubles me, Merimas,” said Pippin. “Pervinca has always been so…trusting.”

Merry watched with interest as Mirto walked further into the distance. “I think we ought to inform Uncle Paladin about him.”

The young hobbits walked back together towards the stables to retrieve their ponies. In the distance Pippin could be heard asking, “I sounded nice, didn’t I? I mean, I didn’t sound unkind or anything?”

Chapter Four - Degger in Demand

“Hullo, Master Pippin,” Degger paused in his gardening to address the teenaged hobbit walking by. “Lovely afternoon for a walk in the garden, eh?”

“Hullo, Degger,” Pippin replied. He had decided to take a stroll through the north garden to try sorting things out in his head and almost missed his friend addressing him. Pippin noticed the wheelbarrow standing off to the side as Degger threw clippings and weeds into it. He stooped to lend the tween a helping hand.

Degger pulled off one glove, wiping the sweat away from his brow before he quickly crouching down and overtaking Pippin in cleaning up the refuse on the ground. “You don’t have to do that, you know. I was just makin’ a comment about the day. You looked like you were walkin’ in a fog.”

“I don’t mind, Degger,” answered Pippin. “I suppose I was walking in a fog. I have some matters on my mind.” He stepped up to the filled wheelbarrow and lifted it by the handles while Degger picked up the last few remnants of clippings.

Degger pointed towards the farthest end of the field, “These go over to the burn pit over there.” He walked alongside the wheelbarrow in silence until he ventured a question. “What sort of matters are on your mind--if you don’t mind me bein’ so bold?”

Pippin chuckled, “Being bold has never stopped you before.” When he perceived he said yet again another hurtful remark, he added, “but I meant it in a good way, Degger. I like you that way; you speak your mind. All good friends do that.”

Degger always smiled when Pippin referred to him as a friend. “Well,” he said, “sometimes I tend to forget my place.”

“What place?” demanded Pippin. He knew that social status was a part of hobbit life, but it incensed him that certain members of his family lorded their own status over that of the servants. “Who was it this time?” he asked. “Let me guess--Ferdibrand? His sister, Saffron? Or was it one of the Chubb cousins this time?” There was an uncomfortable silence between the friends as they approached the burn pit. “I’m sorry Degger. I get angry when my cousins think themselves above all others. I love them, but they can sometimes be snobs.”

“They mean well, Master Pippin.”

“They mean well for themselves, Degger,” Pippin countered. He looked around them and continued, “When it’s just us, Degger, please drop the ‘Master’, all right?” Pippin thought Degger was one of the most thoughtful people he knew--besides that of Merry and his own family. Then an idea sprang into his head. “Degger, I’ll tell you what is on my mind if you do one tiny, little favor for me.”

Always eager to help, Degger asked, “What is that?”

Pippin proceeded to tell about the day’s events; about his, Merry, and Merimas’ unpleasant scene in Tuckborough with Mirto Boffin. Then he ended his speech with his request, “Why don’t you take my sister to the birthday party, Degger?”

Degger’s jaw gaped open. “That’s not a ‘tiny, little favor’, you know! I can’t do that! You know well that your family would throw out me on my ear for my cheek--and that’s after your father or sister were to even consider me.”

Pippin set down the barrow at the designated burn pile. “They wouldn’t if I tell my father ahead of time what I plan. At least think about it, please? I hate the thought of my sister being escorted by that Mirto.”

The tweenager sighed. How did he let himself get muddled into another of Pippin’s schemes? “I’ll think about it, and that’s that.”

~ ~ ~

In the meantime, inside the Smials within the Thain’s office stood a lad of twenty-four years old. A little nervous perhaps, but after what he had been through this morning, he figured he could get past this. “Sir, I’m here to inquire about your daughter, Pervinca.”

“You are?” Paladin acted coy, though he had been waiting for this appointment all day. “Come in, lad, and sit down.” He stood up, offering his hand to the tween.

Mirto shook Paladin’s hand then sat down in the chair opposite the ominous desk. He gazed about the room; at the red drapes, marvelous tapestries, the brass chandelier that hung from the ceiling. Mirto could not forget that he was actually sitting in the Thain’s study. Mister Paladin was not yet the Thain, but everyone knew by now that it was inevitable. Thain Ferumbras III was ninety-years-old. There would be no bride for him now.

Paladin sat in the large chair enjoying the smell and the feel of the supple leather. It was one of the perks of office that he would one day enjoy on a regular basis. For now, he merely spent a few hours each day in training with cousin Ferumbras. The rest of his time was spent in his own study.

Intimidation was the effect Paladin was looking for. He got up from his comfortable seat, walked around to the other side where Mirto sat and leaned on the edge of his desk. He held his hand out to the silver platter with matching silver carafe, he asked, “Would you care for a cup of tea? It has the flavor of blackberries in it. It’s my precious, precious daughter’s favorite.”

Somehow, Mirto got the feeling that this would be a long appointment.

~ ~ ~

Midsummer had passed a few weeks ago, yet the summer air seemed to be more heavier than usual to Degger. As he came in from working in the garden, he felt his throat was parched and decided to stop at the kitchens to bring a fresh pitcher of cool water with him to his quarters. He smiled when he recalled how he got to where he was as the Smials’ Gardener.

When Mister Took came to live at Great Smials, he appointed Degger as a personal family servant, and gave him his own quarters--all at the tender age of eighteen. He remembered how Mister Took cut his work hours in half--still giving him the same wages, then Mister Took used the idle hours to further school Degger in his letters and numbers. Degger’s own family, except for his sister, had perished by unfortunate accidents and circumstance, but it seemed to Degger that he got a new family in return. Not a replacement family, but another family who cared for him just as much. Even Master Merry was good to him--another lad who was apparently a ‘stray child’ that Mister Took had taken under his care.

Degger stopped pumping the water when it was more than halfway to the top of the pitcher. He allowed the remaining water to trickle into the container before pulling it away from under the spout. He turned around and nearly dropped the pitcher in his hands. Degger thought he was alone in the kitchen, but somehow Merry had come in unannounced. “Master Merry,” he said, putting a hand to his thumping chest, “you gave me a start! I didn’t know you were in the kitchen.”

“Sorry, Degger,” Merry answered. He looked around the kitchen; satisfied no other staff were around, he whispered, “When it’s just you and I, you can just call me Merry, all right?” Then he scooped up several biscuits that were cooling on the table and walked with Degger out into the hallway. “Mind if I talk to you in your quarters, Degger?”

This took Degger by surprise; rarely did anyone want to visit him inside his quarters. “Of course.” After a few twists and turns of the hallway they reached his room. Once inside, Merry noticed it was well kept. No books lay open on the desk, or clothes scattered on the floor as in Pippin’s room. Books were placed neatly on the bookshelf while the floor was spotless. The only furniture that Degger maintained in his room was a bed, wardrobe, bureau, and a table with two brass lanterns.

“Care for water?” Degger set the full pitcher on the table and offered Merry a glass of water, then poured himself one.

“Thank you,” said Merry, taking the glass. He needed a bit of water to wash down his pilfered biscuits. He gratefully drank the refreshment and then proceeded with his discussion. “Degger, there comes a time in a lad’s life…,” he stopped. That sounded too drastic. He started again, “Degger, sometimes a lad…,” he stopped again. That was not what he wanted to say, either. As there was no other way to ask, he came right out with it. “Degger, why don’t you ask Uncle Paladin to take Pervinca to the birthday party?”

Degger choked on his water, spraying it atop the table. Merry got up and patted his friend’s back as Degger regained control of his wind pipe. Degger wiped away the tears from choking, then said hoarsely, “That’s just it, Merry. Mister Took is your uncle, not mine. He’s my benefactor and that’s all. I’ve just been over this with Master Pippin.”

“Really?” Merry raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Pippin asked you the same question?”

“Yes, when we were takin’ the garden refuse out to the burn pit. It seems you two think alike.” Degger felt weary and laid his head in his hands. “I can’t, Merry. I’m not of an important family like you and Pippin. Pervinca’s a fine lass and she doesn’t deserve to be laughed out of Tookland because her first escort was her gardener. I don’t reckon that I ought be the one to escort her, Merry.”

Merry sighed, “I don’t agree with your reasoning, Degger, but I understand how you might feel. Would you think about it, though?”

When he came in from working in the gardens, Degger felt tired. Now after this difficult discussion, he felt absolutely drained. “I will think about it, Merry, but I make no promises.”

~ ~ ~

WHACK!

Mirto jumped in his seat when Paladin swung the flat of the sword onto his desk. “That is what Bandobras did to heads of those foul orcs who tried to take over the Shire!” Paladin leaned in close to the tween, his finger tapping the sharp, pointed end. “A fine sword, don’t you think? I just had the smithy whet it. It is a shame that it must hang up on the wall. But one never knows if he should be called upon to protect his family, or his…daughter.” He watched the lad swallow hard and smiled to himself. He then turned his back on the tween as he stepped onto the chair, replacing the sword over the mantelpiece. “But I won’t have to worry about that with you, will I lad?” Paladin heard no response. When he got down from the chair he turned back round…and found the chair empty.

Chapter Five - Bridling the Tongue

“Look, Merry--an envelope for Merimas.” Pervinca sat down on one of the couches in the main sitting room.

Merry was stretched out on another when he heard his cousin enter. He answered while never taking his eyes away from the book he was reading. “Fine. Put it on the table--I’ll give it to him later.”

Pervinca saw the return address on the envelope; it was from Merimas’ sister, Melilot. Pervinca was very friendly with Melilot and Mentha ever since she was a young girl when her father would take the family to celebrate Yule at Brandy Hall. Living at Great Smials now, Paladin was now obliged to attend a good many Yule holidays at home. “Why not now?” she asked.

“Because I’m reading now.”

“Meriadoc Brandybuck, you are the laziest hobbit I know--besides Pippin!”

That grabbed Merry’s attention. “Now wait just a minute,” he answered. “You didn’t think I was lazy when I delivered to you the new rocking chair you purchased for your room--nor when you needed someone to stand on chair and pound a couple nails into your wall so you could rearrange the tapestries in your room. Or back in Whitwell, when we were all helping Uncle Paladin in the fields; you got tired and flushed so I took your basket and filled it up right alongside with my own. How about the time--”

“All right!” Pervinca cut him off before he could think of more instances. True, she did ask him for a few favors recently, and he normally did help when asked. Yet the more she looked at the envelope, the more her curiosity grew. “Very well then, I’ll take it myself!”

“I knew it.”

“Knew what?” she inquired.

“You’re being nosy again.” Merry grinned mischievously behind the leaves of the book.

“I am not!” she retorted. “I only--I only wanted to see…,” Pervinca had to think swiftly. “I only wanted to ensure Merimas received his posts.”

Merry jumped up and took the envelope out of her hands and read the addresses. “This is from Mel!” he smirked. “You want to know if she’s been invited to the party, don’t you?”

“No…I--I…,” Pervinca stammered her reply. She could never fool Merry and it infuriated her to no end. She grabbed the envelope back from her cousin’s hand and lashed out, “You are a lazy, lazy hobbit, Meriadoc Brandybuck! You could have taken it to Merimas for me, but no! You would much rather lay here on the couch reading your herb lore books--and probably end up snoring all over the pages!”

Merry was never this easily offended, but for some reason Pervinca’s words cut right through his thick skin and down to the marrow. He quietly picked up his book and started to leave.

Pervinca saw the terrible effect of her outburst. “I’m sor--” She put her hand on his shoulder as he walked past her, but he jerked it away.

Merry turned to her in response, “What has gotten into everybody? Yesterday it was Pippin who spoke rudely, today it is you. When will the madness stop?” He turned back round and left the room.

~ ~ ~

Pervinca slowed down as she approached Merimas’ room. She knew he was closed up inside reading his healing manuals and studying; something Merry had told her about the day before. She kept pacing in front of the door trying to decide whether or not to knock. It was not seemly for a lone maiden to be calling on a bachelor in his room, but she tried reasoning within herself that calling on him was not what she was doing. She only wanted to give him his envelope that the Messenger Post dropped off today…and find out if Melilot was also invited to Estella’s party. Just as she raised her fist to knock on the door, to her surprise it opened up, making her flinch.

“Pervinca! Hullo,” Merimas smiled, but he was puzzled at the same time. “I heard someone walking out here in the hall. Is there something I can help you with?”

Pervinca flushed red. “I wanted to give you this,” she held out the envelope in her hand. She stood expectantly at the door waiting to see his reaction…and to see if he would divulge the contents of the letter.

“It’s from Mel,” he said, smiling to himself. Bit by bit, he meticulously opened the envelope, knowing full well Pervinca was waiting to hear what information was written in the letter. His two sisters behaved in the same manner as this young lass who stood before him. “Let me see…I think it says,” he read slowly, squinting and brought the paper up to his eyes. “I’m sorry,” he said apologetically, “I can’t read it anymore.” He laughed when he saw the intense expression on her face.

Pervinca then realized that her meddling manner was obvious. “I’m sorry, Merimas, I must confess; I did want to know if your sisters were coming to the party as well. I would love to see them again.”

When Merimas looked again at Pervinca, he did not see a young slip of a girl. Instead, he saw a beautiful tween with golden highlights in her honey-brown hair. There was a sparkle in her emerald green eyes that captivated him, while her skin…

“Merimas?”

“Um…yes, it,” he stammered, clearing his throat, “it, um, it says that she will be arriving tomorrow at around four o’clock. It does seem Mentha will be with her as well; Mel asks that I make arrangements for her and Mentha to stay at Great Smials.”

“That is wonderful news, Merimas!” she smiled. “I can make those preparations, if you don’t mind. I’ll arrange for them to stay near your room, it you’d like.” But before Pervinca left to make her plans, her own eyes were caught by the light of his blue, Brandybuck eyes.

“That will be acceptable,” he replied, mesmerized by her gaze once again.

Pervinca came to herself then excused herself to the Host’s office.

~ ~ ~

At three o’clock, Paladin, his family and guests took tea in the private dining room within the family’s quarters. Degger had a standing invitation, and so he, too, joined them. He sat on the ‘lads’ side of the long table. As soon as the cakes, tea, and finger foods were served, everyone fell to business.

Pimpernel had dropped her fork and decided to pick on her favorite brother. “Pippin, fetch me a clean fork from the sideboard.”

Pippin looked over at his sister with contempt. His first reaction was to fall back to his “old ways” and tell her to get it herself. However, he did give his word to his father that he would not speak boorishly to others. Quietly he got up to get the clean fork for his sister.

Degger, who used to be a server in the kitchens, would often fall into his old habits. With a quick motion, he wiped his mouth with his napkin then got up from his seat to fetch the desired item.

“Degger, please sit down and finish your meal,” instructed Paladin. “Pimpernel requested for Pippin to get it for her.” He stared at his daughter when he emphasized one particular word. “And she also meant to say, please--isn’t that correct, Pim?”

Pimpernel looked up as Pippin as he handed her the clean fork. She batted her eyelashes, answering, “Why yes, Father--however did I miss that? Please, Pippin, and thank you!” She locked eyes with her brother; they told a completely different story.

Pippin grinned; looking down he caught her gaze. Pippin felt he could read her true response in her eyes that seemed to say: “Being a good little imp today, Pippin? Please! That will be the day!” In an instant he could hear his own reply echoing in his head: “Just take the fork, you greedy ingrate!” He was supposed to be reforming! Pippin stopped the banter going on in his head when he slapped his hands to his eyes. He yelled out loud, “Stop!”

Pimpernel was mystified at his outburst. She self-consciously put her hand over her bosom thinking there was more cleavage showing than she intended.

Eglantine noticed her son’s behavior, “Stop? Stop what?” Then she saw Pimpernel’s action. She got up, took her son by his pointed ear and hauled him out of the dining room.

~ ~ ~

It was after tea when Pimpernel stood in the parlor of her room and opened her door a crack to see into the hallway. She felt like a sneak, but there was no other way to do this. She bided her time, waiting for her moment of opportunity behind the doorjamb.

After her initial reaction at the dining room table, Pimpernel realized that Pippin was not doing what she thought he was. She understood Pippin was a normal teenager, however, she also knew he would not do something like that with his sisters; with other lasses perhaps, but not his sisters. What was going on in that head of his? It was as if he could hear her teasing him without speaking a word, if that were possible. The whole matter unnerved her.

Pippin was casually walking down the hallway on his way to Merry’s room when he heard his sister calling to him from her room. She held out a ceramic pitcher and demanded that he fill it up with fresh water from the kitchen. Isn’t this what we employ servants for? he thought. Then he kicked himself for sounding like one of his cousins.

It was only his sister he disliked submitting to. But then he remembered the dreadful word he gave to his father. He silently took the pitcher from his sister and headed towards the kitchens. When he returned with a full pitcher, she took the container and set it on her table, then requested he come inside--please. He stood in the middle of her parlor waiting for whatever she wanted to speak to him about.

Pimpernel walked over to the door and firmly shut it, “All right, where is he?”

“Where is whom?” asked Pippin.

“Where is my little brother? Where have you hid him?”

“Oh, that little brother,” he smirked. “He had to go away. Yesterday I gave my word to father that I would speak courteously to everyone. And that, unfortun--I mean, includes you.”

Pimpernel was not so certain she liked this new Pippin. About ten years ago, ever since Pippin could stand up and shake a finger at her, she and Pippin would banter with each other with a wicked twist--often getting themselves into trouble with their parents. Pimpernel looked forward to their little ‘battle of the wits’ on a daily basis, and she thought Pippin enjoyed it, too.

“Pippin,” Pim began, “Pervinca is not the same girl you used to play with when you were a small boy. She has developed a different temperament over recent years, and you should’ve realized that yesterday when you spoke out of line. But with you and I…it’s another matter. I can’t be a delicate flower when I’m shouting orders twenty yards away to the workers in Father’s fields--many of which are lads much older than myself. It’s a sort of release for me when you and I go back and forth in our words. I understand that we’re both jesting--at least I am.”

“I know that you jest, and so do I,” he said. “But I can’t go back on my word to Father. I’m sorry, Pim, but this is the new Pippin.” Then he blushed, “and I wasn’t--”

“I know you weren’t,” she answered. “I talked to mother already.”

“Thanks,” he said. “What did she say?”

Pim tousled his curls and laughed, “I think we’re making her go mad! She said that she can’t wait until we’re all out of our tweens and moved out.” She let out a long, sad sigh. “Will you at least consider what I’ve said? Father will understand if you talk to him.”

Pippin felt when he gave his word, it was as good as being carved in stone. It saddened him to think that she didn’t like his change. “I’ll consider it.”

Chapter Six - Falling Short

It was a quarter past five when Pervinca finally caught her father alone in his office after his last appointment of the day.

“Come in, Pervinca,” Paladin looked up and saw his youngest daughter enter his study. He knew what she was there for and guiltily put his attention back to the document he was reading.

Pervinca was in good cheer as she traipsed around her father’s office, picking up small trinkets and then putting them back down as she made her way towards his desk. She stopped at a collection of ceramic ponies and gave a sidelong glance at her father. “Have you seen him?”

Paladin did not look up. “Seen whom?”

“You know…him.”

Paladin absently scratched at his head, “Him who? I’ve seen several ‘hims’ today.”

“Father,” Pervinca walked over to the sofa, gathered her skirts and sat down. She bore a conspirator’s smile, saying, “You know of whom I speak! I want to know if Mirto came here today.”

Paladin had long given up trying to read the document in his hand. He let out a long breath as he set the document back on top of the pile of papers. “He was here,” he confessed, “and now he is gone.”

“Gone?” Pervinca was confused, “Did he not ask you a very important question?”

“He did,” he said. He rose up, collected his wits and went over to the sofa, sitting down next to her. “Now he is gone; ran out, I’m afraid. I made a terrible mistake, Sweet Pea.”

Pervinca had a dreadful feeling in the pit of her stomach. “What did you say to him?”

Paladin gave an account of his antics from earlier in the afternoon. He kept looking at his daughter for a response, but she only had a blank expression on her face. When he finished, she laid back against the sofa in misery.

“What have I done?” she finally answered. “Why me? First, I am insulted by my brother last night, and today my own father chases away my first escort.”

Paladin replied with a note of sadness, “I don’t know what to say…I don’t know what came over me. Please believe me when I say I want nothing but to see you happy, Pervinca, yet I have failed miserably at it today. I am sorry.”

They both sat without speaking for a long time. “Father,” she whispered, wiping away an errant tear, “I’m not little anymore. I’m in my tweens now. I would like to someday fall in love with a dashing young hobbit and get married. Is that so bad?” She saw the pained expression on her father’s face and at once understood why he reacted to Mirto the way he did. She drew close to him and put her head on his shoulder. “I am not a little girl, father, but I will always be your little girl.”

Paladin wiped away his own tear. “I’m sorry, Sweet Pea. I promise to start behaving like a proper father from now on.”

Paladin felt the arms of his forgiving daughter around him as she answered, “You already do.”

~ ~ ~

Meanwhile, in another part of the Smial, Pippin was knocking on Merry’s door; this is where they agreed to meet for their afternoon pony ride. The old Pippin would have marched right in without Merry’s acknowledgement, but this was the new Pippin knocking this time, and so he waited. He could hear a muffled discussion going on inside between Merry and what seemed to be his cousin, Merimas. Pippin knocked again. Soon he could hear Merry’s voice approaching the door, then it swung open.

“Hull--,” Merry seemed irritated with the young Took. “Pippin! I was talking with Merimas. Why didn’t you just walk in--like you always do?”

“That would be impolite,” answered Pippin. Merry gave him an odd look as he went back to his conversation with Merimas.

“As I was saying, Merimas,” Merry sat down in the chair next to the desk and continued, “we came on this holiday so you could get away from your study books. Come riding with us. What you need is a good whiff of fresh air.” Merry glanced at Pippin, “Tell him, Pip. He’s decided that his books cannot wait even one hour for him to relax and take a ride around the Hills.”

“What you need is a good whiff of fresh air,” Pippin repeated his cousin’s words. “Lay aside your books and come with us.” He put his arm around the shoulder of the tween and added, “that is, if you wish.”

“I wish not to,” Merimas was quite blunt in his answer.

Pippin turned to his cousin, “He doesn’t wish to, Mer.”

Merry gaped at his younger cousin. “That isn’t what you tell me! I was counting on you telling him what you always say to me or Frodo when we’re being obstinate.”

Merimas turned to the teenager, “and what would that be, Pippin?”

But Pippin was silent; he was not as familiar with Merimas as he was with his cousin, Merry. If he were to say the things that he used to, he was quite certain that he would offend Merimas.

After a moment Merimas grinned at Merry, “Sounds like good advice to me, Pip.” With that, he turned around in his chair and opened a book that he had brought in with him.

“Pippin!” Merry was growing irritated. “What is wrong with you? You always call me a stubborn, pig-headed Brandybuck before dragging me off to goodness knows where.”

Pippin merely shrugged. “Nothing is wrong with me, Merry; this is the new me,” he explained. “I am being very polite; this way I won’t offend anybody.”

“Since when?”

“Since my father and I spoke about my insulting behavior yesterday.”

“I don’t think that he meant for you to take things so literally, Pip.”

“Literal or not, I gave him my word that I would not say anything hurtful anymore.” When it came to his sister Pimpernel though, Pippin found he still had to bite his tongue a little.

Merry sat down in a chair gazing dumbfounded at his closest friend. “Why did you do that? There is nothing wrong with a simple jest, Pippin, it’s only when you go to the very limits as you did with Pervinca.” He shook his head sadly, “Don’t change, Pippin.”

“I thought you would be happy with the improvement.”

“Happy?” Merry said, “Improvement? If you’ve ‘improved’ as you say you have, then you’re no longer the same person as before--which means you’ve changed. You haven’t grown; you’ve conformed. I liked you for who you were. Didn’t that account for something?” Merry got up and walked out of the room, muttering, “I’ve had enough of this madness, I’ll go riding by myself!”

~ ~ ~

The wind felt good against Merry’s face as it rushed past his skin. Kicking the pony into a full gallop, he filled his lungs with the summer air that carried a warm fragrance of the wild flowers that were strewn along the bridle path. For a little while, he would put the madness of the last couple of days in the back of his mind. Just as the path was heading into a grove of elm trees he heard a shout far behind him. He brought the pony back into a trot then turned round in the saddle; it was Pippin. Merry was still fuming over his recent conversation with his young cousin but his heart told him to walk the pony until Pippin, riding upon his own pony, could catch up.

“Merry!” Pippin called, chasing after his cousin. He could see Merry was heading straight for the trees where the path forked to the left. Pippin wanted to speak with his friend, but once inside and under the boughs of the trees, Merry would not be able to hear him call out. Luckily, Pippin saw that Merry had slowed down his pony; that was a good sign.

Merry could hear his cousin approaching from behind; he listened as the soft thunder of galloping hooves hit turf. He heard it slow down to a canter as Pippin caught up with him. As Pippin came alongside him, Merry dismounted, took the reins of his pony, and then walked the bridle path.

“Merry, wait!” Pippin shouted to his cousin, now just several yards away. He, too, dismounted then led his pony as he walked up along with his cousin. “You shouldn’t be riding alone; you tell me that all the time.”

Merry marched ahead silently, gazing at the trees and flowers in the meadow. In addition to sorting out his feelings, he also was regretting the terse exchange of words with the teen back at the Smials. “Do you always listen to me?”

“Well…,” The teen hesitated, “yes. I always listen to you. Is there something wrong with that?”

“I suppose not,” Merry answered, “but were you listening back in my room?”

“I heard you, but I can’t say that I agree with you.” Pippin felt the cool breeze blowing under the shade of the trees as they entered the grove. “I’m not ‘conforming’, as you say,” he looked at Merry, who still would not look in his direction. “I’m merely trying to use serious reasoning with or without jests.”

“But that’s the problem, Pippin,” Merry countered, “there have been no jests. These past couple of days you’ve been speaking nice words; grim words that sound nice to you, yet sound artificial to the listener.”

“Artificial?”

“You know…forced,” explained Merry. “As in, you don’t really mean what you’re saying.”

Pippin sighed. “I do most of the time, don’t I? I mean, I tried to sound sincere when I spoke to Merimas, but…,” he trailed off.

“I know you gave your word to your dad, Pip,” Merry said, “but if you remember, you also gave your word to me; that you’d help me get Merimas away from his books.”

Pippin grimaced at the recollection. He threw out his hands in frustration, “What do I do, Mer? If I say one thing, it’s an insult to another, yet if I don’t say the insult, then I’m offending someone else.”

“You only offend someone when you take your jesting to a personal level.”

Pippin sighed; looking far off into the trees at nothing in particular. He felt as if he were being torn in two. “Which is why I’ve made my pledge to my father--so I don‘t make the mistake of doing it again. I’m sorry if you don’t like the way I am now, Merry.” Pippin lifted himself into his saddle making his way back towards the Smials.

Merry watched him go, allowing his cousin to be with his own thoughts for now. He would follow after Pippin in a few minutes. Then he saw his young cousin was riding heedless towards a low branch in the trees. Merry tried to warn him, “Pippin!” He looked on in horror as Pippin was swept out of the saddle, landing on the ground with a sickening thud. Running to his side, he saw Pippin was unconscious; his cheeks were wet from tears streaking down his cheeks.

Chapter Seven - Heart to Heart

A somber mood pervaded the dining room like a dark cloud over the family and guests. Supper was quiet; hardly anyone spoke. After the initial affair of passing food platters and carafes of water around the table, only murmurs of ‘please pass the rolls’ or ‘may I have the salt’ was all that was said. Paladin broke the silence when he asked the whereabouts of Merry and Pippin; both were absent from the table.

Merimas answered, “I believe they went riding, sir.” When he finished his statement, Merimas caught the stare of pretty lass sitting across from him.

“They should have returned by now. They know when supper takes place.” Paladin was concerned; both lads were always on time for meals, unless they were sick.

Merimas still held her gaze when he answered, “I’m finished. If I may be excused, I shall go looking for them.”

Pervinca blushed, averting her eyes. When she thought his attention was elsewhere, she found herself drawn to gaze in his direction. So well mannered he was; so handsome, she thought. Would he…? But no, she thought. He was an older, more mature tween with no time for younger tweens such as herself.

~ ~ ~

Merimas was riding his pony along the same bridle path he knew his cousin to take earlier before supper. He saw the path was forked in the distance; the right lane followed a bend on the outer rim of the meadow, while the one to the left went through a grove of trees. Both lanes merged back together on the far side of the field where the trees ended. He leaned on the pommel of his saddle trying to decide which way his cousin would have gone. He saw the group of trees on the left path, but thought the lowering sun would make it too dark to travel under. He decided on the path to the right. Merry and Pippin had been gone long enough to have gone farther than these trees.

Earlier, after Merry stormed out of his room, guilt began to work at Merimas. He did recall telling his cousin that he would spend less time studying, but unfortunately, he could not abandon it altogether. Maybe he could reduce it some. With that decision made he put his books away. He thought perhaps they would all do something together after supper, but when the lads were absent from the table, he, too, wondered what was keeping them away. He went out to the stables to fetch his own pony, as he volunteered to be the one to search for the lads. He felt could still catch up to them.

As he was pondering this, he was surprised to see a pony running out from the grove. He puzzled at this; was the pony spooked? When the pony ran past, he recognized it as belonging to Pippin. Something was not right. Merimas kicked his pony into a run, heading for the trees. As he drew close to the trees, he saw someone emerge from the lengthening shadows of the trees, carrying a small burden. The figured walking towards him looked to be…“Merry!”

~ ~ ~

When Pippin woke up, it was dark inside his room. Through the twilight seeping through the window, he could see two slumped figures in sitting chairs on either side of the bed. The door was open to his parlor; it’s dull light of several lit candles spilled into his room. He determined one of the slumped figures was Merimas when he saw some of the light flickering on his face. He was asleep. Pippin could not see the face of the other hobbit so he lifted himself onto his elbows for a better look. He felt a wave of nausea come over him then rolled over onto his side to ease the sensation.

“Do you need the pail again?”

“No.”

Neither hobbit spoke for a while. It was an uncomfortable silence for both. They were life-long friends, and for the first time in their lives they had nothing to say to one another. Merry got up after a minute and took a couple cloths from the ice water to change the ones that were already about his cousin’s head. As he wrung out the water, he caught sight of a small scar on the skin just inside of his hand, between his left forefinger and thumb. As he remembered the meaning of the scar he paused. He stared at it for several minutes; enough time to warrant dipping the cloths into the ice again.

The small scar was almost invisible now after eight years. The ‘ceremony’ took place after one of the most disastrous birthday parties that he had ever attended. One day, while he and Pippin were on the mend at Whitwell, they took an excursion down to the stream. Merry had lit a small fire near the trees and then revealed the paring knife he pinched for just this purpose. He had whetted it using a small rock he found, then washed it in the stream. As the fire became hot, Merry held the knife edge over the fire; imitating what he saw the healers to. It was then and there that they declared their undying friendship to one another. They would be more than cousins--and to some degree, more than friends. They would be brothers. If they couldn’t be brothers through their parents, then they would be brothers through a promise.

The ice in the bowl brought Merry back to the present when his hands began to feel numb.

Pippin saw that his cousin was standing still for a long time then pulled his hands out of the bowl with a jerk. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

Merry dried his hands with a towel. Rubbing his hands together to warm them up, he ventured his third attempt to wring out the cloths.

He gently put the cool cloths around Pippin’s head. “How does that feel?” he asked.

The teen shivered when Merry touched him. “Cold--and so are your hands,” he answered.

“To match a cold heart, eh?”

“What are you talking about? Are you insulting me again, Merry?”

“I was speaking of my own,” Merry replied. “Do you remember these?” He held his hand out at an angle for Pippin to view his scar.

Taking his hand out from under the blankets, Pippin looked at his own scar that lay in the same place as Merry’s. It seemed so small, so long ago. He was a little boy when he pledged his love to his cousin; to be friends and brothers for life.

“I’m sorry, Pip. Above all others--except your mum and dad, I should be the most understanding of everyone. I should have accepted the new Pippin before anyone else, but…,” he hesitated, “I was being a pigheaded, stubborn Brandybuck again.” He added sadly, “I’m going to miss the old Pippin.”

Pippin reached out with his left hand to grasp Merry’s and drew him down to sit on the edge of the bed; their scars touching as he spoke. “You weren’t entirely wrong, Mer. At first, I changed because I felt so wretched over what I said to Pervinca. But when I saw that my ‘changing’ wasn’t liked by some,” Pippin smiled at Merry, “then I think the Brandybuck blood that mixed with mine long ago boiled up and got stubborn. I thought if everyone believes Pervinca can change, then why can’t I?”

“But she didn’t change, Pip--she just,” Merry searched for the right word, “grew up--and you will, too. In fact, I think it’s started already. You have to admit it, Pippin; changing overnight like that is quite drastic. It took everyone by surprise. When you let the change come gradually as you mature then it’s not so severe. Am I making sense?”

Pippin was elated. “You really think I’m starting to grow up?”

“Yes,” Merry smiled, “It was bound to happen sooner or later, Pip.” The momentary silence was broken by a loud grumbling noise, then Pippin held his stomach. Both hobbits went into a fit of quiet snickering, trying not to awaken the others. “But I don’t think you’ll ever be done growing on the outside!”

~ ~ ~

Merry was on his way to the kitchens to get breakfast for him and a very hungry Pippin when Pervinca stepped out of her room, nearly bumping into him. He walked on the far side of the hallway.

“Merry,” Pervinca called after him. Merry kept on walking. “Please!”

Merry stopped and turned on his heels. “What?”

“I want to apologize for what I said yesterday.”

Merry put his hands in his pockets. “Really? What changed your mind? Am I still not the same lazy hobbit who stood before you then?” A few dining room servers passed by in the hallway. Pervinca looked as if she were about to burst into tears. Now he was feeling bad for what he just said. “Let’s go into the sitting room, shall we?”

Merry felt the morning chill in the room as they entered. The cousins settled themselves next to each other on a couch so they could speak privately. He noticed his cousin fidgeting with the fringe on the pillow she set in her lap. “Well?”

Her eyes remained fixed on her fingers. “I want to say that I’m sorry. You have never been lazy, Merry; you’ve always been good to me, helping me whenever I have asked for it.” She continued to look at her fingers. She noticed a catch in one of her nails and proceeded to pick at it.

“Then why did you say what you did?”

Pervinca took a deep breath and plunged in. “I was angry that you had guessed what I wanted. You always see through my schemes, Merry, and it made me angry. I was also afraid that you would guess the other half of it and laugh at me, so in order to keep you from guessing it, I…I created an argument.”

Merry puzzled. “The other half? You mean…” Then he understood. “You mean Merimas? You wanted to visit Merimas?” He smirked, “Then why were you asking me to take the letter to him?”

“Because I was going to go with you, silly boy,” she sheepishly answered, nudging his leg with her own.

Merry nudged her leg in return. “I didn’t guess it--and I would not have laughed, silly girl. I think it’s wonderful that you like him.” This was good news, he thought to himself. Perhaps he would have a heart-to-heart talk with Merimas after breakfast.

Pervinca threw her arms around her favorite cousin, “Thank you, Merry.”

Chapter Eight - Pervinca in Demand

It was after lunch when Paladin was sitting at his desk, alone in his study. He heard someone knock upon the door then boldly enter the room. He looked up and saw it was his dearest Tina. He smiled, walked over to his wife and kissed her in greeting. “What brings you to my humble dwelling, love?”

“I am entreating on behalf of a young lad to beg for just a half hour of your precious time…,” she pretended to be confused, “yes, I believe that is how he said it.”

Paladin laughed, sitting down next to his wife on the couch, “Who is he and why does he want a half hour of my time?”

She returned a tender kiss to her husband before she arose from the couch saying, “Sit here, and you will see.”

He watched his wife depart his office; so elegant she looked in the simple frock she wore. After Thirty-one years of marriage, Paladin still thought she was the most beautiful lass in the Shire. He was musing on their courting days when the guest walked in. Paladin stood up and offered his hand to the young hobbit. “Merimas! Are you the lad my wife was imploring for?”

Merimas was used to addressing important elders. He was only a tad nervous, but he laid it aside. He smiled his reply, “Yes, I must confess that I solicited your lovely wife for my own gains.”

“What can I do for you?”

Merimas did not dance around the issue; he went straight to the purpose of his visit. Taking a deep breath, he spoke, “I would ask for your blessing to escort your beautiful daughter, Pervinca, to Miss Estella’s birthday party.”

~ ~ ~

Later that afternoon, once Pippin was feeling better, he stood in the sitting area of Pimpernel’s room and called to her. He smiled, as he yelled out, “Someone left you a gift out here, MISS Pimpernel! I suggest you come out here and get it before it runs away!”

Pimpernel was in the bedroom; she looked up from the letter she was writing and smiled at the recognition of the voice. Her smile momentarily disappeared in order to give full affect to her response, “If you dared enter my room without so much as a knock, I am going to flay you for supper, Peregrin Took!” Then her smile reappeared.

“That’s only after you catch me, you indolent lass!”

Pippin was smiling as Pimpernel came running out into her sitting room. He held out a bouquet of wild flowers to her.

Taking the flowers, Pimpernel gave her young brother a warm embrace, “Don’t you ever worry me like that again, you wicked little boy!”

Pippin had a wry grin on his face when he answered, “I’m not little!” He felt her give him a gentle squeeze.

~ ~ ~

Paladin was again sitting at his desk. Merimas had left mere minutes ago when he was interrupted by another knock on his door. This time it was Merry who walked in.

“What is it, son?”

Merry tried to keep from smiling, but he did like it when his dear uncle called him that. “I, um…,” he stammered, “I would like to ask your permission to…”

It was obvious to Paladin that Merry had no more experience in this than young Mirto Boffin had. He leaned back in his chair, quite amused by his nephew’s gallant gesture. “My permission for what?”

“To…accompany Pervinca as her escort to Estella’s birthday party,” he continued. “I’ve heard that she is still in need of an escort.”

“I am afraid I must inform you, Merry,” Paladin answered, “that Merimas has already asked.”

“And?” Merry was eager to know the results. He was happy to hear his cousin had in fact left his books long enough to summon up the courage and ask.

“I gave him my blessing,” he said, “but Pervinca must agree to it. It really is up to her.”

~ ~ ~

Nearly an hour had passed since Merry had left his study when Paladin sat down on his couch to enjoy a belated cup of tea. Just as he was taking his first sip, he heard another knock upon the door. “Come in.” Paladin set his cup down on the tea table.

“Sir?”

“Degger! How nice to see you today. How is the gardening coming along?” Paladin was truly happy to see the young gardener; he could leave Pervinca’s matters aside for a moment.

Degger held his straw sunhat in his hands--it helped to keep them from shaking too much. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out; his tongue was clinging to the roof of his dry mouth.

“Glass of water?”

Degger nodded. He took the cool refreshment and drank the entire glass in just several gulps.

Paladin noticed that the lad was trembling. “Please, sit down, Degger.” He wondered to himself what in Middle-earth could have happened in the gardens to make him appear so anxious. It was rather cool in the Smials for a fine summer’s day, yet Paladin could see perspiration glistening on the lad’s face.

The tween placed the empty glass upon the table, dabbed his chin with a handkerchief then used it to wipe the sweat from his brow. “Sir,” he began nervously, “I…I am here to…” He wiped his brow again. “Oy,” he muttered more to himself. “I am here to ask about Miss Pervinca, sir.”

~ ~ ~

It had been a long afternoon for Paladin. He breathed a sigh of relief after Degger had left and decided to stretch out upon the couch for a well-earned nap. He groaned when he heard yet another knock upon his door. “What is it?”

“Father?” It was Pippin.

Paladin draped one exasperated arm across his eyes, “No, Pippin,” he moaned, “you cannot take your sister to Estella’s birthday party. You are too young to perform such a task, or even make such request. I am trying to recover from the other three who came in before you, so please, do us both a favor; turn around and march back to whatever activity you were engaged in prior to coming here.”

Pippin ignored his father’s plea. He came round towards the couch, sitting down in the chair on the other side of the table. “What other three?”

Paladin lifted his arm just enough to glare with one eye at his son. “You know very well which three I am speaking of--or at the very least, you ought to know one of them.”

“Merimas?”

“He’s one; try again.”

The guilty teen looked away from his father’s gaze, “Degger?”

“He’s another; he told me everything.”

At those words, Pippin looked back at his father, “Everything?”

“Everything.” Paladin wearily sat up on the couch, then said, “It seems you and a couple others had a talk with Mirto before I did. No wonder the lad ran out of here like a frightened rabbit.”

“We were only--,” Pippin began, but was interrupted.

“I’m not concerned about Mirto, Pip, but what I would like to know is how you could put Degger up to something like that? You have no idea the position you put him in.”

“What do you mean?”

This was going to be another long talk…Paladin could feel a headache coming on. He braced himself and forged ahead. “Pip, you have spent most of your life living on a farm, and I never want you to forget that. I never want you to forget what it is like to put in a day’s work. But, at the same time, lad, you have to remember where you are now. The title you will one day inherit holds sway over the things you ask your friends or members of our staff to do today.”

Pippin let out a long sigh. “I’m not doing so well this week, am I Father?”

“I am not scolding you, Pip. I’ve had a very long day and I am overdue for bit of sleep. I only want you to be mindful that some folks are eager to do your bidding. More times than not, it is because you will one day be Thain of the Shire, though I know that wasn’t the reason in this instance.”

Pippin fell silent as he thought about the few awesome responsibilities that he had already been privy to in recent months as their cousin, Thain Ferumbras III, became more aged. “I’m sorry, Father. I think I understand what you’re saying. I will go now and apologize to Degger.”

“No, son,” said Paladin, “I have already talked to him and he--we know that you asked him to do this out of love for your sister. And I want you to know that he responded in kind because of his love for you and Merry--and yes, Pervinca, too, but Pip, he doesn’t see her as…well…as--”

“Merimas?” Pippin was grinning, “Merry told me about him.”

“Yes, as Merimas,” Paladin answered, sprawling out on the couch again. With that, Paladin took in a deep breath to relax.

Pippin took this as a sign that the conversation was over. “Have a good sleep, Father.” He stood to his feet and left.

Chapter Nine - Someone for Everyone

In spite of a sore back, Pippin walked with a bounce in his step as he and Merry walked towards the quarters of their good friend Degger. His buoyant spirit was derived from recalling a conversation that he had with Merimas just before lunch. Pippin used his natural ability to persuade and encouraged Merimas to ask Paladin about escorting Pervinca.

As they came near to the room, Merry noticed his cousin’s demeanor. “What are you smiling about?”

Pippin made light of it; “Oh, nothing. I was just thinking that if I hadn’t talked to Merimas this morning, I would be the poor unfortunate escorting my sister to the party.”

Merry laughed, “Well, dear cousin, if you haven’t noticed by now, it’s a couples party, and you--a small hobbit-teen--would be seen as nothing more than an irritant midge and sent on your merry way.” He then added, “Besides, it was I who spoke with Merimas this morning.”

“Oh, indeed!” Pippin stopped in the middle of the hallway, “and what time was it that you spoke with your cousin?”

“It was just after First Breakfast,” replied Merry.

“Oh.” Pippin’s pride was deflated.

“It doesn’t matter, Pip,” Merry put his arm around Pippin’s shoulder and both began walking again. “What matters is that Merimas is no longer completely absorbed in his books. I am grateful that you took the time to talk to him. I had a feeling that my conversation alone wouldn’t have done much good.”

Merry’s comment made Pippin feel a little better. The two cousins stopped at Degger’s door and knocked. Merry admonished the teen, “Now remember what Uncle said earlier; we shouldn’t ask him to do personal favors.”

Pippin grinned, “But he said nothing about us using our own discussion to sway him!” Leave it to Pippin to find a hole in one of his father’s lectures.

“Hullo, Master Pippin…Master Merry!” Degger greeted both of his friends as he opened the door. “What can I do for you?”

“Nothing, Degger,” answered Merry, “but we thought you might like to meet up with our little group in the dining room. We’re filling up the corners with sweet cakes and tarts. Care to join us?” Merry saw the tween hesitate. “Please, Degger. I am sorry about earlier; Pip and I have learned our lesson and we won’t ask you to do that sort of thing anymore.”

Relieved, Degger stepped out into the hallway closing the door behind him. “I’m not angry or anythin’, and I’m glad Mister Paladin wasn’t angry about me askin’.”

“Why would my father be angry, Degger?” Pippin asked, “You ought to know him better than that. The only thing anyone cares about in my family is that a hobbit treats another hobbit kindly and to be honest. Whatever anyone else thinks is their loss.”

“Pippin is right,” Merry said, concurring with his cousin, “and I know just the cure for that sort of mindset.”

Degger walked warily between his friends, “and what’s that?”

“Sweet cakes and tarts with your friends, you goose egg,” said Pippin, “and the company of two very nice lasses.”

Merry gave a sharp look to Pippin. Degger stopped walking, letting the other two step a few paces in front. “What was that last part, Master Pippin?”

Pippin sighed, “Just Pippin, all right Degger?”

Merry explained further, “My cousins Mentha and Melilot have arrived for the party tomorrow. They did not heed to the ‘escort’ written on the invitations and…came without any. I have agreed to escort Mentha, but Melilot still needs one, though I would not ask you to consider being her escort after the horrors you experienced this afternoon.” Merry hoped his words were convincing enough.

Degger sheepishly put his hands in his pockets, “I…I didn’t say it was a horror. Just a bit…unnervin’.” Then he looked at the two cousins, “I don’t know if I’m up to askin’ yet another father to escort his daughter--titles or no.”

“But that’s the beauty of it,” Pippin answered. “Her father isn’t here; you would be asking Merimas.”

“As I’ve said, we’re not asking you to, Degger,” Merry replied with another look towards Pippin. “We’re only asking you to come join us for cakes, tarts, and tea.” Merry knew Degger was a little shy; all he needed was to meet the lasses and become comfortable around them.

Degger relaxed some, saying, “Well, I suppose tea and cakes would be harmless.”

When the three young friends entered the dining room Merimas immediately stood up to introduce his sisters. In turn, as their name was called, each sister stood up to greet the newcomer. He first introduced Mentha and then his youngest sister.

“This is Melilot,” said Merimas to Degger. “She’s been walking in the gardens and has asked me to give her compliments to the gardener. Melilot,” he continued, turning to his sister, “this is the gardener, Degger Greenhill.” He leaned in closer to her, “Give him your compliments yourself!”

Degger found he had to tear his eyes away from her warm face, her smile, her long, brown curls, her blue eyes… “Assistant gardener. At your service, m’ lady,” he finally said, bowing low. “I’m pleased to meet you.” He was a bit flustered when he heard the others giggling.

“She’s just Melilot, Degger, or just Mel to her friends,” said Merimas. Merimas gave Merry and Pippin a wink when Degger took his seat next to Melilot.

~ ~ ~

The following day after first breakfast, Merry and Pippin once again flanked Degger on either side as they traveled down the main hallway towards the guest quarters. None of the lads spoke; this was a significant moment for their friend.

For Degger, the door they sought loomed about fifty feet away, getting bigger and bigger with every step until the tween thought he would be consumed by it. All three lads came to a halt in front of the ominous door. He stood before the door nervously straightening out his waist coat and sleeves; no good to look untidy when conducting oneself as a gentle-hobbit. Normally, he would be already be out in the gardens enjoying the sunshine while pruning and trimming, but right now, something greater was about to happen in his life.

Merry and Pippin each solemnly shook his hand in turn, wished him good luck, and then left him there standing alone at the door. He took a deep breath, gathered his wits and knocked on the door. Then the door opened.

“Hullo, Degger!” the occupant smiled, looking at his pocket timepiece, “and you’re on time. Come in.”

The smile put Degger more at ease. “Thank you, Mister Merimas.”

Merimas chuckled as he ushered the younger tween into his sitting room. “I am not quite a ‘mister’, but I’ll take it nonetheless; in my father’s stead, if you will, as he’s not able to be here in such short notice. I’m only a couple of years older than you, Degger, though my studies and duties as an apprentice healer may say otherwise.”

Degger remained standing; he was not yet invited to sit down. “Sir, I have come to request--”

“Have a seat, Degger--please.” Never having done this before, Merimas only had the example of Paladin from his quest the day previous. He recalled how the elder hobbit had entreated him to sit on the same couch as he, and then proceeded to pour them both a cup of tea. He remembered the pleasant taste of blackberries. Merimas did his utmost, in like manner, to help the younger lad relax.

Degger swallowed hard, and then proceeded. “Sir, I would like to be your sister, Melilot’s first escort--that is, to Miss Estella Bolger’s birthday party. I don’t have an invitation, but I understand that Melilot does.” Then his brow wrinkled in thought, “Would that be allowed?”

Merimas smiled again; he liked Degger. “Yes, that would be allowed,” he answered, “and as for escorting my sister, I give you my father’s full blessing.” He saw the lad brighten, then a smile appeared on his face. “I must tell you, Degger, that there are some who will regard you as an upstart, but there are twice as many here who want to see nothing but the best come to you. I am one of the latter--and so are my friends. I deem you to be a sincere and forthright lad, Degger; qualities that are lacking in some of the more distinguished hobbits that I know. You, a member of the Smials’ staff, had the spirit to stand in front of the future Thain and boldly ask to escort his daughter to her first dance. That takes courage, Degger, and that is the sort of fellow I wish for my sister to be courted by.”

“Sir--,” he began.

“Merimas, Degger--please.”

“Merimas,” Degger repeated, “I don’t know much ‘bout courage or courtin’, but I do know that Melilot is a fair lass, and if she’s anythin’ like you, or my friends out there in the hallway, then she must be as beautiful on the inside as well.”

Merimas raised his eyebrows at the mention of ‘hallway’; he put his fingers to his lips then crept over to the door. Quick as a rabbit, Merimas swung open the door only to have two young hobbits fall over the threshold.

Embarrassed, Merry sheepishly looked up, “I was inspecting the door for cracks?”

Undaunted, Pippin said, “I was just plain eavesdropping.”

~ ~ ~

It was the following evening, when Paladin had his arm around his wife as they both waved off the young couples departing to Estella’s birthday party. He could hear Eglantine sniffling as the tweens disappeared around the bend in the Hill to one of the other entrances that was closer to the Bolger’s quarters.

“I’m going to go and sulk in our bedroom,” she said once they were out of their sights.

Pippin was nearby, watching his mother leave the room. Paladin stood alone peering into the darkness outside, watching the last of his little girls gracefully change into a young lady.

Paladin turned to his son. “Well, Pippin,” he said wistfully, “I still have you for a few years yet. Let’s say we lads leave lass troubles behind us and spend the evening together, you and I, over a nice game of chess?”

“I’d like that--I’ll even let you win a game.” Pippin rose up from his chair and drew close to his father, wrapping an arm around the elder hobbit.

“Oh, you will, eh?” Paladin chuckled. Together they strolled towards the sitting room where the game awaited them.

“Come to think of it, I’ve had enough of lass troubles for now, too,” Pippin stated, “at least until Tuesday. Moro Burrows is having a party, and--”

“Moro? Doesn’t he have a sister?” asked Paladin, smirking, “Myrtle, isn’t it?”

Pippin blushed red, “Well…I didn’t notice, but as I was saying…”

Chapter Ten - Details 

“Pippin! Wake up!” Merry nudged the teen who made him promise to wake him up when they all returned from the party. It was Pippin’s way of keeping up with the tweens.

After a few nudges Pippin finally rolled over. Without opening his eyes he whispered, “What time is it?”

“It’s three o’clock.”

Pippin rubbed his eyes. He threw aside his blankets, pulled on his night-coat, then followed his friend out to the dining room. The hall lanterns were bright to his sleep-bleary eyes, but by the time he and Merry entered the dining room his teenage get-up-and-go kicked in.

“Hullo, Pip!” came a chorus of greetings as Pippin found an empty chair between Pervinca and Merry. He immediately made himself a cup of tea as the chatter went on around him. “So tell, me everything,” he said. “I want to know every detail--as I was not invited.”

“You didn’t miss a whole lot,” said Pervinca. “Rosamunda was chaperone so most everyone was on their best behavior.”

“Except for you-know-who!” Merry grinned.

“I could not believe that lad!” Mentha put in angrily. “He was with that Angelica lass, but as soon as she excused herself for a brief minute, he tries to coax Mel into going off into a secluded part of the Smial with him!”

“I noticed he disappeared shortly thereafter,” said Melilot. “Did Rosamunda send him off?”

“No, though I believe someone else did,” Merry looked at Degger.

Degger merely continued sipping his tea.

Merry smiled, “We should have come back and asked Pippin to fill in as Angelica’s escort for the remainder of the night.”

“You should have,” Pippin replied, though he was blushing again. He smiled at the prospect of an older lass’s affections.

“You’ll be going to these parties before you know it, Pip,” said Pervinca. She put her arm around his shoulders and gave him a gentle squeeze.

Pippin thought he glimpsed his sister’s other hand still under the tablecloth--clasped in the hand of Merimas who was sitting on the other side of her, but said nothing. He smiled at her.

At present, Melilot yawned then stood up from her seat. “I think I am going to call it a night--or a morning!” she said laughing, then smiled at her escort, “Degger, would you care to walk me back to my quarters?”

“Of course,” he answered. Then gave a sidelong glance at Merimas, “I shall return shortly.” Laying his napkin aside, he got up and ushered his lady out of the dining room.

Pippin slid a piece of apple pie onto his plate. “I am going to a party--on Tuesday,” he stated to Pervinca. “It’s Moro Burrows’ party, and Father already said I may go to it.”

“Moro is having a party?” asked Merry. “He has a younger sister, Pip,” he teased, winking at his friend.

“Merry, stop! You’re making him blush!” Pervinca laughed.

“I am not blushing,” came Pippin’s reply.

“There is nothing wrong with being fond of Myrtle, Pippin,” said Mentha, “I think it’s rather sweet.”

“Well, if you all simply must know,” Pippin said, putting down his fork and swallowing his pie, “I saw her at the Mid-summer Fair and she smiled at me, and that’s all there is to it.” He gave Merry a clandestine glance to squelch anything he ever thought to add. It was Merry who caught him and Myrtle behind one of the tents locked in a kiss.

After a quiet pause, Mentha rose up from her seat and announced that she, too, was headed for her room. She grinned, “I suppose those two have had enough time to say a proper goodnight.” Merry, every bit the gentle-hobbit his mother raised him to be, also got up to accompany his cousin back to her quarters.

Pervinca felt Merimas squeeze her hand. Merimas stood up, saying, “Perhaps I ought to turn in as well."  Bidding a goodnight to Pippin, the couple got up and left to retire to their own rooms--but not before a private, proper goodnight.

Pippin was left alone sitting in the dining room. The clock on the wall read four o’clock. Picking up the last piece of apple pie, he held it aloft on the pie server to no one in the room. “Anyone want the last piece? No?” Sliding the pie onto his plate, he licked his sticky fingers, saying, “Well, I suppose I’ll have to be the one to eat it then. Wouldn’t want to hurt the cook’s feelings.”

“I was hopin’ for a piece of apple pie.”

Pippin whirled around in his seat; he thought he was the only one in the room. He felt embarrassed about his little conversation with himself. “Degger! Cough or sneeze the next time you walk into an empty room! Besides,” he said, “you’re too late. I offered the pie to everyone sitting here but nobody wanted it.” He shoved a large bite of the pie into his mouth.

Degger sat down across from the teenager. Pippin saw his lips were a noticeably brighter red. They both looked towards the door when Merry returned to the dining room, then smiled broadly. “So the love birds went off to a little corner by themselves, eh?”

“Apparently,” answered Pippin.

“So, Degger, did you have a nice time?” Merry asked.

“Aside from that little misunderstandin’, yes I did,” he answered. “Everyone seemed to like me well enough. Even Miss Estella greeted me warmly; she asked me about you.”

“About me?” Merry asked, nibbling on one of the leftover sweet cakes. “What did she ask?”

“She asked if you and Miss Mentha were…how did she put it?” Degger smiled, “Attached?”

Pippin snorted a laugh. “One time I saw them as attached as--”

“Now wait a minute, Pip,” Merry cut him off. “If you don’t say anything about the Yule Party five years ago, I won’t tell him what happened behind the tent at this year’s Midsummer Fair.” Pippin went back to finishing his last bite of pie.

Degger smiled; he did not have to guess much at what probably transpired with either situation. “That was all she was able to ask I’m afraid; Melilot immediately took me away to meet some of her friends.”

It was Merry’s turn to blush; “What did you tell her?”

“I told her no,” Degger answered. Then he placed both hands on the table, rose up and said, “well, my friends, I still have a garden to tend to later in the mornin’. G’night.”

“Goodnight, Degger,” the lads answered in unison.

Merry drank the last of his tea then got up as well. “Come on, Pippin, you’ve had more than enough pie.” Pippin rinsed down his last bite with a small glass of water then was ushered by his cousin back to his room.

Pippin half-turned as he walked in front of his cousin, “Do you think they’ll get married?”

“Who?”

“Pervinca and Merimas,” Pippin replied.

“I don’t know, Pippin,” said Merry. “Merimas is only sixteen months older than I am. That’s like asking if Estella and I are getting married. Pervinca and Merimas have only had eyes for each other in the last couple days, and it is nearly eight years before Merimas comes of age. What do you think?”

They stopped in front of Pippin’s room. “Probably not,” said Pippin. He was hopeful, but was also trying to be pragmatic--they were talking about a pair of young tweens. “You’re right; they probably have about as much chance of getting married as you and Estella do. Goodnight.” With that, Pippin entered his room and closed the door behind him.

~~ The End~~