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Title: Spring fever
Slow, sluggish movements. An arm reaches up to shield squinting eyes from the sharp rays of the sun. A soft but rhythmic whislpering in the grass. Gentle feet walking. Someone is drawing close. A soft nudge to soft hobbit belly. “Ha! I found you!” A not-so-soft female voice. The scent of soap and sweat in the air. But also flowers. Flowers in the meadow around him and the scent of flowers taken captive and stored away in a bottle for later use. The voice continues. “Now, get up you sluggard! There is work to be done.” The spring fever has taken hold and Title: A cooking conspiracy In Frodo`s opinion, Bilbo was one of the best cooks in the Shire and he loved the cooking lessons his dear old cousin gave. Bread and scones, pies and cakes all seemed to flow like magic from Bilbo`s hands and he made the most delicious stews and soups and could stew and bake and cook mushrooms in the most mouthwatering of ways. Now Frodo poured over one of Bilbo`s famous recipes and was honoured to be put in charge of making luncheon. They were awaiting guests and Frodo was to prepare a feast. Soon his Buckland cousins Esmeralda and Saradoc would arrive with little Merry, and Merry was to stay a whole month by himself. It was Merry`s first visit since Frodo had come to live with Bilbo and Frodo wanted to make it special. An hour later the bread was baking in the oven, strawberry and blackberry tarts were cooling and the mushroom-and-beef stew was simmering on the stove. Tea was brewing and ale and cold milk was set out on the nicely laid table. “This is wonderful Frodo!” Bilbo said, and Frodo beamed. “I`m impressed.” Frodo had done his best and was happy that it was to Bilbo`s satisfaction. Just then they heard pony hoofs on the road and a moment later the cart stopped and Frodo and Bilbo went out to meet their guests. Frodo had barely opened the door before Merry launched himself at him, shouting “Frodo! Frodo!” Frodo laughed and lifted his little cousin up hugging him tight. “Hullo Merry. Did you have a nice trip?” “Yes!” The little face beamed with happiness and Merry launched into a tale of what they had seen along the road. “But I missed you so much!” Merry finished and buried his head in Frodo`s shoulder, taking in the scent and feeling of his beloved cousin. “I missed my Merry-lad too.” Frodo said. “But we`re together now and let`s have a splendid visit!” He set Merry down and greeted Merry`s parents with a tight hug for each of them. He had missed them too. Esmie looked Frodo up and down for a moment then smiled brightly. Bilbo was taking good care of him and she was very pleased to see the smile reaching all the way to his eyes and his rosy cheeks. “Come along everyone.” Bilbo said after greeting Saradoc and Esmie and giving Merry a hug. “I think Frodo has a surprise for you.” “I have?” Frodo said, then laughed as he remembered that he had cooked luncheon for them all by himself. “What is it?” Merry demanded, squirming down from Bilbo`s arms. “You will see in a minute.” “Frodo has made us luncheon all by himself!” Bilbo said as they entered the kitchen and saw the nicely laid table and the food waiting for them. “This is delicious Frodo!” Esmeralda said, savouring a bite of the mushroom-and-beef stew. “You`ve taught him well, Bilbo.” “You made all this?” Merry asked, mouth open in awe. “Yes,” Frodo couldn`t help but laugh as his little cousin looked at all the food. “He`s been a very good student.” Bilbo said happily, giving Frodo a pat on the shoulder. When stew and bread and tarts all were eaten and praised Bilbo shooed the lads out saying that Frodo shouldn`t do the washing up since he`d done all the cooking and Frodo and Merry went out into the garden and the lovely summer day. At first they lay down on the grass, too full from the lunch to do much, but soon Merry was running around and chasing butterflies, chatting away while Frodo lounged in the grass watching him. “What are these?” Merry said, peering down on a patch of greens sticking up of the ground. It was the Gaffer`s vegetable garden. “That is carrots.” Frodo said. “And that?” Merry pointed to another patch of green turfs sticking up from the ground. “Potatoes?” Frodo answered. “And what are those? Can we eat them, Frodo?” Merry was all excitement and questions, running around the vegetable garden. “I think you`ll make a great cook, Merry,” Frodo said when he was dizzy of answering question after question. “Will you teach me?” “Of course.” Merry beamed and launched himself at Frodo. “You’re the bestest!” “You`re not so bad yourself” Frodo laughed, hugging Merry tight. “Come on. Let`s see if we can find something to make.” END
Title: Cruel Caradhras
The four hobbits sat huddled together as close as they could. Pippin sat on Merry`s lap and Merry was leaning against Frodo, who again was leaning against Sam. None of them spoke much. Legolas, Aragorn and Boromir had gone to make a path in the snow drift for them and to see if it was possible to get down on this side of the mountain of if they had to head back. Merry tried to get a better look at their surroundings but all he saw was white and shades of grey. The skies were low and it had started snowing again. Why was it so difficult to see? Merry rubbed his eyes, but it didn`t help. “What are you doing?” Pippin asked. Gandalf, who had been sitting in his own thoughts, turned his attention back to the hobbits. Frodo and Sam were quiet but Pippin and Merry was talking and Merry looked to be squinting. Merry had been unusually quiet during the day, Gandalf thought and a too quiet Merry meant no good.. “What fascinates you so, Merry?” Gandalf asked. “You`ve been staring at the same spot for a long time.” “It`s nothing. I was just trying to see what is out there.” “And do you see anything of interest?” Gandalf turned to look at the sky. Nothing had changed since the others left and they had been gone for some time now. “No, that`s it. I can`t see anything. Everything is just grey and white.” Merry rubbed his eyes again then moved his hands to rub at his temples. Gandalf watched him intently. Why was Merry rubbing his eyes and his head? Was he quiet because he wasn`t feeling well? Was it possible that he was blinded by the snow? Gandalf turned his gaze to Frodo. Both he and Sam were also watching Merry now. “Tell me, Merry, do you see those rocks over there?” Gandalf pointed to a bit of cliff sticking up over the snow. Merry leaned forward and squinted again. “No. I don`t think so.” Merry had everyone`s full attention now and Frodo looped an arm around his shoulder. “Merry? What`s wrong?” “I don`t know Frodo. All of a sudden I can`t see right. My eyes hurt.” Merry rubbed at his eyes and temples again. When he took his hands away Gandalf was crouching down in front of them and hearing his voice so close, Merry jumped. He couldn`t see Gandalf properly. Everything was blurry. Was he going blind? Merry couldn`t comprehend how life would be with not being able to see, having people guide you wherever you went, walking with a stick perhaps to keep on his feet… Gandalf lifted up his hand and held it in front of Merry`s face. “Can you see how many fingers I`m holding up?” Merry tried to focus, then squinted and shook his head. “Three? No, four?” “That is good.” Gandalf said, he had held up four fingers. Seeing that his cousin barely could see, Pippin whimpered and squirmed in Merry`s lap, leaning in even closer. “What is wrong with him?” Frodo asked, squeezing Merry`s shoulder and laying a kiss in his curls. “I think he`s snowblind.” Sam said matter-of-fact. “Yes, you are quite right, Sam.” Gandalf said. “Merry can`t see because his eyes have been exposed to the snow for too long without rest. Sometimes the light and the snow can be too much for one`s eyes and you become snow-blind.” “How about you?” Merry said, turning to face Frodo. “Can you see?” “Yes I see just fine Merry.” “Pip?” Merry turned back. “I can see too.” Pippin turned in Merry`s lap and hugged him before leaning back a little and looking into Merry`s eyes. “You can`t see me properly!” Merry`s eyes had not locked on Pippin`s. “No I can`t. Sam?” Merry said with rising fear in his voice. “Gimli?” “I see just fine too, Mr. Merry.” “Aye.” Gimli said. “Gandalf!” Merry was scared now. His head started pounding and he moaned involuntarily, feeling sick again. “Do not let this trouble you too much. It will pass as soon.” Gandalf said, trying to soothe the distraught hobbit. “Is there nothing to be done?” Frodo rubbed gently at Merry`s shoulder as he leaned against him. Merry`s moan had not escaped him. “No, I`m afraid not. Try to keep your eyes closed. It will be better.” Merry sighed and leaned heavily against Frodo, closing his eyes. It felt good to keep his eyes shut, but he was too cold and his head hurt too much to try to sleep. A few moments passed before Frodo needed to move. Merry hadn`t moved and for a moment Frodo wondered if he had fallen asleep. “Merry?” He nudged a shoulder. “Can you move?” Merry opened his eyes again and sat up a little. “Oh!” He reached out with a hand steadying himself against the wall. “Merry? Are you not feeling well?” Frodo said, concerned. What little movement Merry had done should not be enough to make him dizzy. “I`m a bit dizzy, is all.” “Dizzy?” Gandalf asked, he had sat back after looking at Merry`s eyes but now he was sitting down in front of them again. “Pippin, sit down beside Merry, won`t you. I need to get a closer look at him.” Pippin nodded and sat down beside Merry, taking his hand. “How are you feeling?” Merry thought for a moment before answering, trying despite the cold to assess his situation. “My head hurts, I`m dizzy as you saw and I feel a little nauseated.” “Oh, Merry!” Pippin and Frodo said, both of them wriggling a little closer. “Why didn`t you say you were feeling poorly?” Frodo demanded. Gandalf studied Merry. If it was possible to say with four cold and pale hobbits, Merry looked paler than the others and he had a light sheen of sweat on his face. Gandalf reached out to feel for fever but found none. “Am I guessing right that this came over you recently and that you didn`t feel ill before we started climbing?” “Yes.” Gandalf nodded, agreeing with himself. “I say he`s suffering from a case of altitude sickness and that this too shall pass as we descend.” Gimli said, from where he had been sitting on Sam`s other side. “Look!” Pippin said. He could see first one, then two other grey specks coming towards them. “They`re coming back.” ”Well,” cried Legolas as he ran up, `I have not brought the Sun. She is walking in the blue fields of the South, and a little wreath of snow on this Redhorn hillock troubles her not at all. But I have brought back a gleam of good hope for those who are doomed to go on feet. There is the greatest wind-drift of all just beyond the turn, and there our Strong Men were almost buried. They despaired, until I returned and told them that the drift was little wider than a wall. And on the other side the snow suddenly grows less, while further down it is no more than a white coverlet to cool a hobbit's toes.”* As they prepared to go Gandalf took Aragorn aside and had a quiet word with him about Merry. “Come Merry.” Aragorn said, gentle eyes looking the hobbit over. He`d be well again soon. “Climb up on my back and I shall carry you. Let`s follow Boromir`s example.” In front of them Boromir was carrying Pippin in the same manner and Merry could hear Pippin chat away about how marvellous it was that Boromir and Aragorn had managed to plough a way through the snow drift and even through the highest part of it all. At length, Aragorn sat Merry down beside Pippin and turned with Boromir to get the others. Legolas stayed with Merry and Pippin. “Feeling any better?” Pippin asked as they waited. “No, not much. But I trust to hope in what Gandalf said.” Finally the rest of the Company – Boromir with Sam, Gandalf leading Bill with Gimli perched on top and lastly Aragorn carrying Frodo – reached them. As Frodo slid down of Aragorn`s back the mountain rumbled and snow and stones rained down behind them. The force of it all pressed them against the cliff and the spray of it half blinded them for a moment. At last the rumble stopped and they saw that the path was blocked behind them. They all brushed off their clothes and soon everyone was ready to go and they walked and slid down the snowy side of the mountain, It was a dizzying trek and they were all hungry and chilled to the bone as they all they all stood once more on the flat shelf at the head of the steep slope where they had felt the first flakes of snow the night before. With his feet firmly on the ground again Merry started to feel better and he let go of his hold on Boromir and Pippin. The morning was now far advanced. From the high place they looked back westwards over the lower lands. Far away in the tumble of country that lay at the foot of the mountain was the dell from which they had started to climb the pass. Frodo's legs ached. He was chilled to the bone and hungry; and his head was dizzy as he thought of the long and painful march downhill. Black specks swam before his eyes. He rubbed them, but the black specks remained. In the distance below him, but still high above the lower foothills, dark dots were circling in the air. “The birds again!” said Aragorn, pointing down. “That cannot be helped now,” said Gandalf. “Whether they are good or evil, or have nothing to do with us at all, we must go down at once. Not even on the knees of Caradhras will we wait for another night-fall!” A cold wind flowed down behind them, as they turned their backs on the Redhorn Gate, and stumbled wearily down the slope. Caradhras had defeated them. END *From “the Fellowship of the Ring”, chapter three “the Ring Goes South”. Title: A rocky path
“What is it, Sam?” Frodo said, concerned. “It`s nothing. I just stepped wrong, is all.” Sam said, trying to ignore the pain in his foot and ankle. “Are you sure?” Merry, who had been walking behind them stopped in his tracks. “I knocked my toes against some rocks a bit back there. It`s easy to get hurt if you don`t watch where you`re going.” Sam nodded. He couldn`t gainsay that. If he only watched a bit more closely where he put his feet he wouldn`t get hurt. For a moment Sam almost wished for boots. With your feet tucked inside boots like Gimli`s sturdy ones your feet would be protected from the rocks. It looked difficult to walk like that though. “Everything all right?” Legolas asked as he came up to them, Pippin at his side. “Yes.” Sam said. He took a better hold of Bill`s lead and started walking again. He didn`t manage to go far though, as a searing pain shot up through his foot. He swore under his breath and trudged on, bowing his head in concentration. “Sam!” This time it was Pippin who caught his attention. “You can`t walk. You`ve been hopping along on one foot long enough. Let Strider have a look at it.” “Oh, no, Mr. Pippin. Mr. Strider is up front talking important business with Mr. Gandalf. I couldn`t bother them.” “No?” Merry said. “Then I will. You can`t continue like that.” He quickened his pace and ran up beside Aragorn and Gandalf. A few moments later, Sam was seated on a boulder and Aragorn was looking his foot over. A sharp pebble had buried itself in his foot and as gently as possible Aragorn eased it out. He wet a cloth in water from one of the Company`s water bottles and cleaned the wound. Sam`s ankle looked swollen and Aragorn thought it was twisted. Sam bit his lip against the pain, but couldn`t help but suck in his breath as Aragorn cleaned the wound and probed at the sole of his foot and the ankle. The other hobbits had gathered around them and Frodo was keeping a steadying hand on Sam`s shoulder. “There.” Aragorn said at length. “I`ll wrap a bandage around it and you should be fine. I think you ought to keep your weight off it for the time being. I`ve removed the stone but your ankle is twisted.” He turned to face the rest of the Fellowship. “Would you carry him, Boromir?” “Oh no, sir. Mr. Boromir shouldn`t be bothered with that. I`m sure I can walk.” “Stand up and let us see.” Gandalf said. “You would only slow us if you can`t walk properly.” That spurred Sam into motion and gingerly Sam slid down from the boulder and put first his good foot then the hurt one down. Pain shot through his leg and he lifted the hurt foot again. “Aragorn is right. I will carry you.” Boromir bent and lifted a protesting Sam. “Wrap your arms and legs around me.” “Don`t worry, Sam.” Frodo said, trying to reassure his friend. “Relax and enjoy the ride.” “But Mr. Frodo. It isn`t right. If anyone should be carried, it`s you.” “Oh, I`m sure I`ll get my portion of being carried too, Sam. Right now it`s your turn.” Sam couldn`t gainsay Frodo on that. They walked the rest of the night with Gimli or Legolas leading Bill and after a few hours, Aragorn took over carrying Sam. As the first light of dawn brightened the sky in the east, they halted and made camp. Aragorn looked at Sam`s foot again. “You don`t need to get on your feet more today, Sam. Merry and Pippin are already working on supper or breakfast if you will, so I`m going to make a poultice and wrap your foot in and by tonight I think you should be ready to walk again. How does that sound?” “I can help.” Sam tried. “Sam!” Frodo had sat down beside them, watching as Aragorn tended Sam`s foot. “If you say so.” “Yes I do. I`m sure Merry and Pippin will manage just fine with making supper and they won`t break any of your pans.” Frodo smiled. “Rest now.” Reluctantly, Sam did rest and as it were the supper the two younger hobbits had cooked were quite pleasant and Aragorn had even consulted him when it came to what herbs to use in the poultice that now was wrapped around his foot, both easing the swollen ankle and keeping the wound from the pebble clean. When darkness fell, the Fellowship ate breakfast and soon set out again. Sam stood on his foot and to his and everyone`s relief he could both stand on it and walk on it. “What did you do?” He asked Aragorn in wonder. Surely the Ranger had asked him for his thought about the herbs to wrap the foot in, but he must have done something else… used some of that elven magic he seemed to have, man as he was. “I did not do anything you didn`t witness. It`s all your doing. I only used herbs you suggested or agreed to use. You know a great deal, Master Gamgee, and today you have healed yourself with your knowledge.” Aragorn said, looking at him. “That is no little feat.” “See? What would we ever do without you?” Frodo said. Sam wasn`t sure how Frodo would have managed without him so he refrained from answering and only smiled. Mr. Merry and Mr. Pippin were good for a great deal of things but no-one knew his Frodo as Sam did, and Sam knew that. “I`m glad you`re with me.”
Title: Knight of Rohan Master Meriadoc was one of the most curious people Èomer had met. The little holbytla was brave and valiant with a noble heart that held more than his beloved Shire. Èomer was proud to announce him as a Knight and Rider of Rohan and knew that this was not an ending, but the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Merry was proud to be a Rider. Rohan and its people had captured his heart and Èomer was a King Merry was happy to serve. He never once regretted that he swore his service to Thèoden, the King that was like a father to him. Èomer, Merry thought, was more like a brother. Title: Farewell
“You need a nap, Pippin.” Merry stepped closer but didn`t let go of Pippin`s hand. “What`s going on?” Frodo said, coming down the lane from Bag End. “He doesn`t want a nap.” Merry said, relieved to see his cousin. Maybe Frodo could help. Merry turned back to Pippin. “And you need one if you want to stay awake during the party.” Pippin pouted but stood up. He wanted to go to the party and be there for every bit of it. He was a big lad now. He didn`t need to be tucked away to bed with the smaller children. “Why don`t you both come back up, that was what I was coming down here for anyway. We can have some elevenses and then Pippin can nap a bit.” Merry nodded. He and Pippin had been down at the Party Field to look at the last preparations for the party. ***** Elevenses was a busy affair at Bag End this day. Both Pippin`s and Merry`s parents and grandparents and Pippin`s sisters were there and it was crowded at the table. The meal was a merry one as they all were looking forward to the party. Merry sat watching as the grown ups talked and noted that his grandda and Bilbo were having several silent conversations with their eyes. Was something going on? Merry knew they were good friends but why couldn`t they talk properly? Had this something to do with that magic ring of Bilbo`s? And what about that very secret book Merry barely had managed to sneak a glimpse of? Merry decided that he would watch his elderly relative very closely this day. Was there perhaps a reason why he invited half the Shire and had made enough food and drinks for the whole Shire to come? “Merry?” Esmeralda said, touching her son`s shoulder lightly. “Hm? Oh, yes. Come on Pippin.” Merry rose and lifted Pippin down from his chair. “Let`s go and have that nap, shall we?” ***** When Pippin woke up from his nap an hour later everyone had changed into their best clothes and Bilbo and Frodo had already gone down to the Party Field to great the guests that had arrived there. The party was to last all day and many had already come. Soon Pippin too was in his finest and they all went down to the Field to stand in line in front of the white gate Bilbo had put up for the occasion, waiting to be greeted along with their families. As he waited, Merry noted that Bilbo said a few words to each and that he said a few extra words to some of them. Why was he doing that? Couldn`t he just say the accustomed words of greeting and give out the mathoms? Merry had an increasingly hard time holding Pippin in place and wished that the greeting went faster. Finally they arrived at the gate and Bilbo shook everyone`s hand and hugged each of them. Merry noted that he talked in hushed tones with both Paladin, Saradoc and Merry`s grandda Old Rory at length before he handed them their mathoms, Merry pricked up his ears as he heard the word “Thain”. There had been rumours for some time now that Ferumbras was going to name Paladin Thain, but Merry didn`t know what to make of that yet. His attention was turned back to Pippin though as Bilbo spoke to his sisters, saying that all of them were fine young ladies. That in itself wasn`t very unusual but there was something about Bilbo today that Merry couldn`t place. Merry shook his head. Bilbo was probably just happy to see them all. Albeit being labelled as odd by many, Merry knew Bilbo was highly respected and loved and that he had a great and generous heart himself. “Hullo again little Pippin.” Bilbo said as the turn came to Merry and Pippin to get their mathoms and enter the field. “My but you are growing up into a big lad. You be good now, and mind your Merry. I`m sure you`ll be a great…farmer when you grow up.” Bilbo said and tousled Pippin`s curls before he handed Pippin his mathom. Why had he paused before telling Pippin he`d be a great farmer? If Uncle Paladin became Thain, Pippin would too, surely Bilbo knew that! Merry also thought it was odd that Bilbo commented on how Pippin was growing when he`d seen him earlier in the day. Maybe it was something older relatives always had to say and that he had forgot it this morning? Pippin didn`t seem to notice but smiled and thanked him before he moved to be hugged by Frodo and given another mathom. “Now then, Merry-lad.” Bilbo said. He proceeded to look Merry up and down, and Merry wondered for a moment if it was really true that Bilbo was mad. He`d seen both Merry and Pippin less than an hour ago, what was this strange behaviour? Bilbo patted Merry`s cheek and smiled. “You`re a good lad, Merry. Look after Pippin, won`t you?” Merry nodded. That was something he heard from time to time. Maybe he`d been completely wrong in thinking there was something odd about Bilbo today after all? “You mind your lessons now and you`ll be a good Master when your time comes.” Merry blanched. That was not something he was used to hear. “Thank you. And I will.” Bewildered Merry received his mathom and a hug and was ushered on by those behind him in line to be enveloped in a hug by Frodo. When every guest had been welcomed and was finally inside the gate, there were songs, dances, music, games, and, of course, food and drink. There were three official meals: lunch, tea, and dinner (or supper). But lunch and tea were marked chiefly by the fact that at those times all the guests were sitting down and eating together. At other times there were merely lots of people eating and drinking - continuously from elevenses until six-thirty, when the fireworks started. The party was splendid and Merry forgot his suspicions for some hours, laughing and dancing and singing with the others. There were cousins as far as the eye could see and he and Pippin also found Sam and his friends the Cotton brothers and they had a splendid time playing and eating. Gandalf was there too and his fireworks were the best they had ever seen. They were not only brought by him, but designed and made by him; and the special effects, set pieces, and flights of rockets were let off by him. But there was also a generous distribution of squibs, crackers, backarappers, sparklers, torches, dwarf-candles, elf-fountains, goblin-barkers and thunder-claps. They were all superb. The art of Gandalf improved with age.
There were rockets like a flight of scintillating birds singing with sweet voices. There were green trees with trunks of dark smoke: their leaves opened like a whole spring unfolding in a moment, and their shining branches dropped glowing flowers down upon the astonished hobbits, disappearing with a sweet scent just before they touched their upturned faces. There were fountains of butterflies that flew glittering into the trees; there were pillars of coloured fires that rose and turned into eagles, or sailing ships, or a phalanx of flying swans; there was a red thunderstorm and a shower of yellow rain; there was a forest of silver spears that sprang suddenly into the air with a yell like an embattled army, and came down again into the Water with a hiss like a hundred hot snakes. And there was also one last surprise, in honour of Bilbo, and it startled the hobbits exceedingly, as Gandalf intended. The lights went out. A great smoke went up. It shaped itself like a mountain seen in the distance, and began to glow at the summit. It spouted green and scarlet flames. Out flew a red-golden dragon - not life-size, but terribly life-like: fire came from his jaws, his eyes glared down; there was a roar, and he whizzed three times over the heads of the crowd. They all ducked, and many fell flat on their faces. The dragon passed like an express train, turned a somersault, and burst over Bywater with a deafening explosion.
“That is the signal for supper!” said Bilbo. Bilbo and Frodo had invited 144 guests to the family supper which was held in the pavilion where the Party Tree stood. It was a wonderful feast. Merry was sitting beside Frodo, with Pippin in his lap as Bilbo rose to begin the Speech that was inevitable to come on an occasion like this. “Look, Merry!” Pippin said excited and fairly aglow with food and sweets. He held up a cracker. “Help me pull it?” “Of course.” Merry took the other end of the cracker and together they pulled. “It`s a horn!” Pippin looked at the toy with wonder. It was marked “Dale” and it was a real instrument, only small enough for a hobbit-lad to master. “It`s wonderful!” Merry said, looking at it. Pippin blew a tone and Merry noted in amusement that several hobbits around the table hastily covered their ears. The horn made a sweet sound though, and not as high-pitched as some had thought. “Open yours.” Pippin said. Merry held out his cracker to Pippin and again they pulled. Inside it was a little drum! Merry took the sticks that came with the drum and gently started to beat a catching rhythm on it. ”My dear People!” Bilbo said, and rose to stand on a chair. A cheer of “Hear! Hear!” went up. “My dear Bagginses and Boffins,” he began again; “and my dear Tooks and Brandybucks, and Grubbs, and Chubbs, and Burrowses, and Hornblowers, and Bolgers, Bracegirdles, Goodbodies, Brockhouses and Proudfoots.” Bilbo had everyone`s attention now and Merry looked at him intently, putting his drum down. “Today is my one hundred and eleventh birthday: I am eleventy-one today!” Bilbo said. ”I hope you are all enjoying yourselves as much as I am.” Again there were cheering and shouting and at Merry and Pippin`s table some of the elder cousins started playing their instrument and Merry and Pippin joined them. Everard Took and Melilot Brandybuck jumped up on a table and started to dance the springle-ring. Bilbo snatched Pippin`s horn and blew three loud hoots to stop the rackus. ”I have called you all together for a Purpose.” What was this? Merry put his drum down and looked expectantly at Bilbo. He shot a glance at his grandda and saw that he was leaning forward in his chair, looking very intently at Bilbo. Now Bilbo was fingering his pockets. Had this something to do with that ring after all? Merry looked at Frodo and he too was looking expectantly at Bilbo. ”Indeed, for Three Purposes! First of all, to tell you that I am immensely fond of you all, and that eleventy-one years is too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable hobbits. I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.” This last didn`t make much sense and Merry had a growing feeling that this had to do with that ring. Was Bilbo going away? Perhaps to stay with the elves? Now Bilbo proceeded to talk about Frodo and Merry reached over to hug him as the crowd cheered again. Then Bilbo talked of his barrel ride dwon to Lake Town. “Frodo?” Pippin whispered, he was bored. “Is he finished now? I want to play my horn.” “Sssh. Not yet it seems.” Frodo said. “Is he going to recite poetry?” Merry asked. “I don`t know. He hasn`t spoken to me about this speech so I don`t know what he`s going to say.” Frodo said. ”I wish to make an ANNOUNCEMENT!” Bilbo said and everyone hushed. ”I regret to announce that - though, as I said, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to spend among you - this is the END. I am going. I am leaving NOW. GOOD-BYE!” Bilbo stepped down and vanished and there was a blinding flash of light as he disappeared. Suddenly everything came clear to Merry. The odd behaviour at the gate was really to say good bye to everyone! He was leaving them after all. Merry was completely sure that this was the case when he heard what Old Rory said to his Mum: ”'There's something fishy in this, my dear! I believe that mad Baggins is off again. Silly old fool. But why worry? He hasn't taken the vittles with him.” END
Title: Merry Samwise Gamgee
Periantari ordered Merry seeing Pippin off to the battle at the Black Gate Title: To Battle Author: Anso the Hobbit Characters: Merry Timeline: Minas Tirith, March SR 1419 Notes: Not betaed. Also written for the 20_rings challenge. My arm aches so much that the very core of my being shivers, but my heart aches more, for my Pip has gone away and there`s nothing I can do to help him. He`s gone to do what mayhap was destined to be his part in this War. My heart aches for him and with all my heart and soul I pray to the Valar to protect him and guide him. He`s so young, but he`s a Took and I cling to the hope that he once again proves that he is one, for the Tooks always seem to come out on top.
For Dreamflower who wanted to see Merry`s thoughts about Sam. Sam`s one of those hobbits you can trust no matter what. He`s steady as a rock and has his feet well planted on the Shire`s good, tilled earth, and when Pippin and Frodo get to elaborate and start talking adventures, sensible Sam always has something practical and logical to say. I can be just as adventurous as any Took, but when it comes to what`s best for the Shire and what will make it prosper, thrive and live, a hobbit does well in listening to what Samwise Gamgee has to say. And I love him for that.
For SilverMoonLady who wanted a glimpse into Merry`s life as Master of Buckland. Sometimes, when I`m buried in work, I long for the guidance of Gandalf or Aragorn. I long for Frodo`s wisdom or Pippin`s unquenchable cheerfulness or Sam`s sensibility, but it`s me they come to, it`s my advice and answers they want. Sometimes I long for my Da`s guidance too, and if I listen I can hear his voice. But I`m Master of Buckland now and I can only hope that I have learned something from them - Gandalf and Strider, Frodo and Da – and I know that if I want them, I have only to head off to Tuckborough or Hobbiton and Pippin and Sam will be there, providing what I need.
For RabidSamFan who wanted to see Sam`s thoughts about Merry and Pippin at Cormallen. Oh, but it`s good to see them again! Mr. Pippin and Mr. Merry are here and they are alive and look well. It is a wonder to see them standing tall and proud before their Kings. But when mail and livery comes off and they are just Merry and Pippin again, I see that they too are changed. Mr. Pippin has grown up and I see a new wisdom in Mr. Merry`s eyes as he looks at his cousins, his gaze lingering and where he earlier would quickly find reassurance that all is well, he now needs confirmation before he is satisfied.
Title: Fading Scars "Hmph?" Merry`s voice is muffled by the heavy blanket he has drawn up around himself to ward off the chill from spending hours outside in the fields.
"Come here." Estella moves her hand from Merry`s curls to rest it on his shoulder, rubbing slightly to ease tense muscles. He`s working to hard again. She can tell by the tension in his shoulders. Too many hours spent over the scrolls and books in the study or working in the fields. She tugs slightly and Merry rolls over to lie on his back and slowly turns his head to face her, smiling tiredly and looking at her expectantly.
"I`m tired, love. What is it?" Merry rubs his eyes and yawns.
"Come here." Estella repeats, scooting a little closer herself to encourage him, quickly and playfully kissing his nose. "I love you." She reaches out to draw her stubborn-headed husband close, hugging as his head comes to rest on her shoulder. Sometimes Merry needs more encouragement than words. He is heavy and sleepy in her arms but she persists and draws him closer yet, rubbing her hands down his arms to remove the chill the blankets have yet to remove and kisses him.
"Love you too." Merry mumbles, slowly but passionately kissing back. He is almost asleep with his face pressed against his love`s fragrant and springy dark curls as the kiss ends. He wraps his arms around her drawing her as close as possible.
Estella sighs contentedly then and leans back against her Merry. She can sleep now. She reaches down to clasp his hand in hers and kisses the fading scars on his wrist. He`s here and he`s warm and well and they love each other and the world is perfect.
End
This is all Dreamflower`s fault. :)
The Courtship of Merry and Estella
Their courtship was very romantic and Estella couldn`t help but think that Merry tried to make up for the year he`d been away. Each time he knocked at her door he brought flowers or candy or other things that makes a heart melt. He`d stand there looking shy with his cheeks and the tips of his ears slightly red and a smile always played around his lips and his eyes always shined with a laughter and a love she soon learned to know was only for her. He didn`t look much like the warrior who had returned to the Shire in these moments but Estella found she loved him even more for it and threw herself into his arms in sheer joy and he swung her about and their laughs rippled like water over stones and then he kissed her.
Title: Sleeping *****
Frodo soon got used to a little body sneaking in and snuggling up beside him demanding stories or songs or reassurances that no scary monsters was going to take them and that yes, Frodo felt very safe with such a force to be reckoned with as Merry to protect him. Then Merry would promptly fall asleep to Frodo`s soft voice and calm stroking of golden curls and snuggle in deeper and keep Frodo awake for still a bit with cold little feet. And Frodo would feel safe then, with the warming presence of little Merry in the bed beside him.
Title: Sleeping (Part Two) Pippin couldn`t think of anywhere more comfortable to sleep than beside his Merry. Merry would wrap his arms around him and snuggle him close and Pippin would lay his head on Merry`s shoulder and breathe in the smell that was his Merry – apple and leather and ponies and books. Then, when morning came he would search out soft exposed skin and tickle Merry awake and laugh as Merry opened his eyes and greeted the new day with a yawn.
Later, when safety got a new dimension Pippin burrowed down in Merry`s arms under the cloaks and blankets, giving as much as taking warmth.
******
Estella could watch her Merry sleep for hours, watching how his features smoothed out as the sleep deepened and the worries and troubles of the day disappeared. But sometimes they would give way for more troubled dreams than she`d ever thought possible and she`d take his hand then, crooning softly and reassuringly and stroke his brow and never letting go. Other times his face would smooth out and resemble the youthful face of the Merry she loved the best – the happy, contented and carefree Merry and she would smile and kiss his nose playfully and then happily lay down beside him.
Title: Merry hobbits
Author: Anso the Hobbit
Pairing: Merry/Estella
Rating: PG
Timeline: Brandy Hall SR 1433
Note. Not betaed.
Estella was deep in thought and bread dough when two cold, wet hands closed over her eyes and a chin landed snugly on her shoulder. She shrieked and turned around, angry at the cheek and embarrassed at her own lack of control. She ought to have known better.
“Oof!” Merry said arching his back out and sucking his belly in, trying to avoid Estella`s sharp elbow as she turned to face him, her hands full of dough, the flour flying.
“Merry?” Estella smiled, mischief gleaming in her eyes and Merry ought to have been warned but she straightened with him so that they stood cleft chin to top of dark curls. Estella reached up on her toes and leaned in as if to kiss him, her hands raised as if to clasp them at his neck or stroke through his hair. Instead she latched onto his face with both hands and covered him quickly in flour and dough and kissed his nose. “There!”
Merry blanched for a moment. He hadn`t expected that. A tickle yes, or a pinch to soft belly for the interruption. He shook his head, trying to remove some of the flour blurring his sight. She`d bested him this time.
“I wonder,” Esmeralda Brandybuck said the head Cook “if Merry ever will grow up.”
“I doubt it.” Cook said, laughing with the Mistress as Merry tickled Estella and got as good as he gave, the both of them laughing hard. She looked pointedly at Estella`s protruding belly. “And it looks like the Brandybucks will be blessed with another generation of merry little ones if these two are anything to judge by.”
Title: Untitled (lol)
Author: Anso the Hobbit
Characters: Merry and Pippin
Timeline: Rohan, SR 1419, the night after the Company of Elves, Gandalf and the hobbits leave Aragorn, Arven, Èomer and Eowyn and Treebeard has invited Merry and Pippin for a last farewell drink.
Rating: PG-13 for drunken hobbit talk and sillyness.
Disclaimer: Not mine, they just own me. :)
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”Pippin?”
”Yes Merry.”
”I do believe I`ve drunk too much.”
“How so?”
“I don`t feel very well.”
“Oh.”
*****
“Mer?”
“Yes, Pip?”
“I don`t feel very well either.”
“See. You`ve had too much too.”
*****
“What`s that noise?”
“What noise?”
“That.”
“Oh, It`s just the horses grazing Merry.”
“Hmph.”
“What?”
“Ponies doesn`t graze that loudly.”
“They don`t?”
“No!”
“All right then.”
*****
“You don`t suppose it was ordinary ent draught Treebeard gave us, do you?”
“Why shouldn`t it be?”
“Because we haven`t had wine or ale for days and no-one else is feeling sick or complaining about the amount of noise around here.”
“True.”
“But, Merry. Do you think he did it on purpose?”
“Who?”
“Treebeard.”
“What?”
“Gave us another kind of ent draught than the ones we`ve had before.”
“No.”
“What? You think he misplaced it for the ones he gave us before?”
“I don`t know, Pippin.”
“But what if it does something else to us. Maybe we`ll start growing leaves.”
“I don`t think so, Pippin. Do you feel twigs starting to come out of your head?”
“No.”
“That`s too bad.”
“What?”
“Because it would explain why you ask so many daft questions.”
“Merry!”
*****
“It would have been interesting though. You do look good in green.”
“Pippin!”
“It`s true.”
“No it`s not.”
“Yes it is. You just won`t admit that you care about what you wear.”
“I don`t!”
“Yes you do.”
“Don`t!”
“You do so.”
*****
“Pip, do you think we will grow any more? Because I really like this green and white uniform and I would hate to grow out of it.”
Title: The Sun
Author: Anso the Hobbit
Characters: Saradoc Brandybuck
Timeline: Buckland, SR 1419
Note. Not mine. They just own me. Not betaed.
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Sometimes I am so afraid that I think my heart will stop beating, and as time goes and no news of the lads come I`m afraid I am going to stop breathing too. Slowly the sun has dimmed and clouds are rolling in fast to darken the sky that only my Merry can brighten with his sunny smile and joyful soul.
As the terror that we have started calling the Trouble roll in over us, I am afraid that I will never be able to look at the sun in the sky again and not weep for the loss of my own Sun.
Title: Of Onions And Ears It was bedtime when Pippin decided to take a certain matter of ear-rubbing up with his cousin Merry. Merry had been constantly rubbing his ears this day and now his curiosity got the better of Pippin. Concerned he asked “What`s wrong?” Pippin studied his cousin intently, watching as Merry scrunched up his face and again rubbed at his ears.
“My ears are funny.” Merry said, rubbing vigorously.
“Who told you that?”
“Nobody told me that. They feel funny.” Merry said.
“Are they growing? That would be funny.” Merry should have stopped growing a long time ago and really hadn`t grown for many years now as far as Pippin knew.
“Of course they`re not growing, Pip! Not much I should think anyway. Allthough it`s said that hair and ears and fingernails grow all your life.” Merry mused, tracing the outline of his ear-shell with tentative fingers. Maybe that was it? Maybe his ears had decided to have a growing-spurt now that the rest of him was fully grown, to catch up with the rest of him? But then, the funny feeling was more on the inside than on the outside…
“Let me see!” Pippin pried Merry`s hands away, brushed the curls back and studied the pointed appendages on each side of Merry`s head. “They look just fine to me… A bit too large, perhaps.” Pippin laughed and ducked when Merry swatted at him.
“Pippin! It`s not on the outside, you nitwit! It`s on the inside. It tickles and it`s like I can`t hear anything.”
“DO YOU HEAR ME NOW?” Pippin practically swallowed Merry`s ear in his attempt to speak loud and clear.
“Of course I hear you. It`s just like… you know when you`ve been swimming and get water in your ears? It`s like that only I can`t get it out.”
“And you haven`t been swimming,” Pippin stated, looking out of the window at the frozen night “unless you got it when bathing? How long have it been like this?”
“Since yesterday morning.” Merry sat down on his bed, pondering what to do. It wasn`t like it hurt exactly, it was only annoying and he couldn`t hear clearly. His ears were a little sore though…
“Maybe you should go see the healer?” Pippin tried. Merry was just as reluctant about seeing a healer as he himself was. Pippin guessed that was the Took in Merry. No Took would voluntarily go to the healer.
“No. I`ll just wait and see if it goes away.” Merry said, rubbing his ear again.
“Have you talked to Aunt Esmie about it? She usually knows what to do,”
“Yes she does. But she is so busy now with guests coming tomorrow and my Da`s birthday and everything.” Merry said.
“Merry! She`s your mother, she`ll always have time for you.”
“I`m sorry. I know.”
“Hm… Maybe I know of something to do…. I have had my shares of earaches you know.”
“I know, Pippin, but I also know your so-called remedies. Or Frodo`s for that matter. If we were in Hobbiton I could have asked Sam but he will think me a fool for writing him about such a silly thing as a bit of an earache. And besides, he has better things to do.”
“Yes he has. But he would know how to help if you asked him.” Pippin started pacing Merry`s room. “Hm…” Suddenly he stopped. “I know! Onions!”
“Onions?”
“Yes. Peal an onion and place it on your nightstand. That should help.”
“Pippin! That is ridiculous!” Merry laughed.
“No it`s not. It worked on me.”
“It did?” Merry shook his head, still laughing.
“Yes it did.” Pippin crossed his arms indignantly and stared at Merry. “Does your ears hurt or not?”
“Yes they do.”
“Then trust me in this, will you cousin. I`m almost a hobbit grown now Merry, I do know a thing or two about earaches.”
“I`m sorry Pippin. I was just laughing at the picture of me in a bed with an onion at each side of my head.” Merry said.
Pippin tried to not laugh but he couldn`t help himself and sat down beside Merry on his bed, laughing so hard he had to hold his sides. That would indeed make a sight: Merry sound asleep with a plate with a pealed onion standing on each side of the bed. Pippin sobered up a little. “But who would see you?”
“It`s not a matter of who would see me Pippin, it`s the smell. What would the lasses say if they found me reeking of onion? You know how much onions smell! And don`t laugh at me! What would people think?” Merry tried to sound indignant but failed miserably as he barely could contain his own laughter.
“That you`re fond of onions? You`re willing to try then?” Pippin said. “It`s not as if I ask you to put them in your ears, because that would look absolutely ridiculous.”
Merry thought for a bit. It couldn`t hurt, now could it? It was better than any foul concoction or tea the healer would give him. And he could just bathe before breakfast instead of after like usually did so he wouldn`t smell that bad. The sheets would smell for a bit but he would keep his window open and if he lighted a scented candle in the morning the smell would probably go away during the day. Although he wasn`t sure if it worked it couldn`t possibly make things worse. He decided to humour Pippin. “All right.”
“Great. Let`s go get those onions then.”
*****
Merry tried not to feel embarrassed as he lay down to sleep. He knew the Tooks had a lot of wild ideas but so had the Brandybucks. Onions for an earache though, that was something new altogether. Thankfully no-one had seen them go to the pantry and get the onions. That would have lead to too many questions. He tried to ignore the smell and soon he drifted into sleep.
*****
“Well?” Pippin said teasing Merry awake and out of bed the next morning. “Did it work?”
Merry thought for a moment, his ears still stuffed up. ”No. I`m sorry Pip, but there`s no difference from yesterday.”
“Did you believe they would help, then?”
“Well… probably not.” Merry looked down. “It sounded too ridiculous to work so I couldn`t not try it. And it isn`t as if you showed me lots of examples of people it worked on either.”
“I suppose not. But Mama always put an onion beside my head when I had an earache and it always helped.”
“Did you believe it would help?”
“Of course!”
“There, you see. It`s like drinking milk with honey when your throat is sore. You believe you get better because you know that it soothes your throat, but it doesn`t necessarily make you better. It`s the believing in the milk and honey that makes you better, not the drink in itself. That`s why the onion worked on you and not on me. I didn`t believe in it, but you did.” Merry said, rubbing his ears again. “I`m sorry Pip.”
Pippin pondered that for a minute then said. “Let me see again. Maybe you have wax in your ears? My aunt Lilac always complains about having too much wax in her ears even if she washes them every day.”
Merry started to shake his head – he didn`t have his ears full of wax, but Pippin had already a firm grip on his ear, studying it closely. “I can`t see anything. Maybe you should go to the healer anyway?”
“No.”
“All right then. But don`t come complaining to me when your ears get worse.”
*****
The day went by and Merry was busy helping Saradoc with the accounts of that years harvest and forgot about the aching in his ears. Lunch came and went and after Merry was busy greeting guests and preparing for the festive dinner that night Pippin decided to ask Merry about his ears again and took him aside, leading him into an empty parlour.
“I think,” Merry said, rubbing his ears tentatively and swallowing to see if they still were stuffed “that it`s gone! I can hear normally and my ears don`t feel stuffed at all! It worked after all! Your onions helped!”
“See?” Pippin said, smiling from ear to ear. “You just had to believe in it.”
“I guess you`re right.” Merry smiled. “You and your remedies, Pippin!” Merry said and hugged Pippin.
Just then Esmeralda came in to the parlour and sat down in the sofa on the other side of the table. “Merry? Why does your room smell of onions?”
END
Title: The Fin Art of Pipe Weed Smoking “’Tis a fine art, Merry.” Frodo said solemnly, and a little admiringly. “It`s not something you can do just so.” He snapped his fingers. He had found Merry coughing and choking with a guilty look in his eyes and a smug smile on his face from stealing his father`s pipe and weed. Apparently the young rascal had managed to snatch the pipe and weed from under his father`s very nose.
Merry nodded, still coughing. He had been sitting hunched over in a chair when Frodo arrived but sat up now, drawing a deep breath, which of course only led to more coughing and hacking.
“Here.” Frodo handed him a mug of water. “Take small sips. Not too fast now, or you`ll be sick.”
Merry nodded and slowly drank from the mug and finally regaining some colour in his cheeks. “Thank you.” He finally managed.
“That`s better.” Frodo patted him on the back and shot a glance out through the door to see if anyone saw them. “Now. I`d better teach you this properly before you decide to steal your father`s weed again. Come on.” He helped Merry to his feet and after retrieving Frodo`s own pipe and pouch the they walked outside. They found a lovely little hill a bit to the side of the Hall and sat down.
“Now then,” Frodo said, taking out his pipe and looking at it. “I assume you have been watching a hobbit smoke his pipe before?” Merry nodded. “Good. Now hold your pipe just so.” He handed the pipe to Merry and watched as he held the pipe. “Now, you….”
*****
“put the pipeweed in the bowl.” Merry filled his own pipe slowly so that Pippin could see how it was done and watched as Pippin filled his own. “Not too much now, not enough to fill the bowl completely. You don`t want your pipe to burn, just the weed.”
“Why doesn`t the pipe burn, Merry? All pipes I`ve seen are made of wood.”
“Yes, but the inside of the bowl is set in with something to prevent the bowl from being too hot and the pipe itself to burn. That`s why you can hold the bowl while the weed still is burning.”
“All right.” Pippin held up the pipe. He had just recently got it as a birthday present from Merry and was quite proud of it. His earlier attempts at smoking hadn`t worked out very well, and the last time he had a hard time explaining to his mama why he suddenly were sick all over his bedroom floor. He`d told Merry when came to celebrate his birthday a few days later, and as if Merry had read his thoughts, he`d brought Pippin a pipe and a pouch of weed, giving him them at the proper time, the evening before his birthday. “I know you`ve tried.” Merry had explained. “And if you hadn`t I thought it was time that I taught you how to do it.”
“Now,” Merry said and Pippin looked up from his pipe again. “Light the weed and suck hard on the stem with your mouth closed and swallow the smoke.”
*****
“You`re not supposed to swallow the smoke!” Pippin objected. “You just inhale long enough to let the smoke fill your lungs and then let out the excess smoke through your nose.”
“Now, careful…” Merry said, watching Frodo-lad intently.
Frodo hacked and coughed and Merry handed him the mug of ale. “That is very good for your first try. Now, the pipe musn`t die, so gently now inhale again, but not as much as the last time.” Frodo did so and the weed took on an orange-red glow and he managed to keep the smoke in his lungs and blow out through his nose.
“Excellent!” Pippin slapped him on the back, pleased with his pupil. “Now continue like that and don`t let the pipe out.”
Frodo smiled. He knew he could trust his “uncles” to teach him to smoke and used the opportunity when they all were gathered to celebrate the 22nd of September. Sam hadn`t wanted him to learn to smoke yet, though. Frodo-lad thought that might have to do with all the smoke poor Mr. Frodo had inhaled when he and his Da had climbed up that mountain and that maybe Sam had thought there was a connection between Mr. Frodo and himself, although Frodo-lad didn`t quite see it. He felt like a Gamgee through and through.
Just then someone cleared his throat behind them and all three of them turned to look at Sam.
“What`s all this about?” He said, hands on his hips.
“Um… well.” the Thain and Master chorused, just like they had done when faced with the wrath of an elder after some mischief when.
“It was my idea, Da!” Frodo said. “And you know it, I would have learned to smoke soon anyway.”
Sam looked at them for a long time then finally nodded. “All right. I suppose you`re right.” He looked at Merry and Pippin. “Now, don`t you come here and teach him any outlandish manners though. No Gondorian drinking songs or battle verse from Rohan.”
“Well,” Merry said. “Frodo used to say that it was better to learn these things early by someone knowledgeable about them than to find them out yourself later on.” He leaned back in the chair and fondly remembered the time Frodo had taught him to smoke properly.
END
Title: Merry`s Mushrooms
Author: Anso the Hobbit
Beta: Marigold
Characters: Merry, Frodo, Esmeralda, Saradoc, Pearl, Pimpernel, Pervinca, Eglantine, Paladin
Timeline: Brandy Hall, SR 1387 so Merry is five, Frodo 19, Pearl 12, Pimpernel eight and Pervinca two.
Summary: Because there is probably nothing as important as to know which mushrooms are good and which are bad if you are a hobbit.
Disclaimer: Not mine. They just own me.
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Merry looked at the huge dish of mushrooms placed far back on the table in front of him. The bowl was almost flowing over with delicious looking fungi in a variety of shapes and colours – from long and thin ones to sturdy round ones – from almost pristine white to bright yellow and dark brown and any and every shade in between. Looking around the kitchen where his mum was occupied with cutting potatoes on the other side of the room, Merry got a stool and carefully climbed up to just have a closer look at the treats. Frodo had been mushroom-picking earlier in the day and had brought home two large baskets. Mum had ruffled Frodo`s curls then and kissed his cheek, which meant that she was very pleased with him.
Later Frodo had showed Merry how to gently brush the mushrooms off and then he was allowed to help Frodo cut them. Frodo held the knife and Merry was allowed to put his hand on Frodo`s and help with the cutting. Merry found it boring after some time, though, to pretend-cut, so he started dislocating the hats from the stems instead, giggling in satisfaction when there was a little pop sound as the hat came free. He`d been found out eventually, and Mum had taken the mushrooms away from him. “Don`t play with the food, Merry-lad. Why don`t you go wash your hands and then you can have a mug of fizzy juice when you come back.”
Merry had dutifully done as he was bid. The juice was bubbling quite nicely in his tummy now and he rubbed it happily. Fizzy juice was a funny drink, Merry thought. If you weren`t careful it would make you sneeze, which of course was very amusing but also would gain you a frown from the grown-ups. You could also belch but that would gain you a scolding if someone caught you. Frodo had taught him how to belch like a proper lad, but he had also said that Merry was not to do it when seated at the table or with his parents or other grown-ups.
Now Merry`s tummy was full of Uncle Merimac`s pale-gold pear juice and he decided that a few mushrooms would be the thing, just to tide him over until dinner. Looking at his mum again Merry quick as could be snuck a hand out and caught a few small mushrooms in his fist. He soundlessly climbed down from his stool, replaced it under the table and walked out. When he came out into the hallway he looked to both sides before hurrying to his room to eat his little treat. He knew he would get a scolding if he ate so soon before it was time for dinner.
Finished with the mushrooms Merry went in search of Frodo and found his cousin playing with Pearl and Pimpernel. Merry`s Took cousins had arrived the day before and now Frodo was playing with them. Pearl was all right, Merry thought, a bit bossy perhaps but she was a teen so nothing else was to be expected. Pimpernel was great fun to be with. She was a few years older than Merry and quite daring and liked rough lad games. Baby Pervinca was crying all the time and when she wouldn`t stop after he had tickled her or yelled or rocked her, Merry gave up and found himself profoundly tired of baby cousins. It was high time someone presented him with a new lad cousin, Merry decided. “Hullo!” he said, greeting them.
“Hullo there, Merry,” Frodo looked up from the game of farmers checkers they had been playing as the set of ordinary draughts were nowhere to be found. “Come here. What have you been up to?”
Merry walked over and plopped himself in Frodo`s lap, suddenly a bit dizzy. “Nothing. I`ve been in the kitchen. Mum gave me some of Uncle Mac`s pear juice. I bet I can make a glorious belch, Frodo. Want to hear?” Merry drew his breath and opened his mouth ready to demonstrate his skills when Frodo hastily put his hand over his mouth.
“Not here, Merry. Never in front of the lasses.”
Merry let the belch slip out in Frodo`s hand as it was quite impossible to keep it in when you first had it on the top of your throat. “I`m sorry.”
Nell giggled and Pearl looked disapprovingly at him, trying to hide her smile. She was growing up too fast, Merry thought and it was not so much fun playing with her any more. Lasses were fun up to a certain age then they became boring and concerned about how they looked and if they got dirty. Nell was not like that yet, so Merry decided that this was a perfect time to pull one of her carefully bowed yellow hair ribbons.
“Merry!” She yanked the ribbon out of his hand and tackled him so that Frodo fell backwards and hit his head on the table behind him. Merry squealed with laughter and tried to tickle back at the same time as he tried to squirm out of the way of Nell`s merciless fingers. Frodo yelped and rubbed his head, looking a little pale.
“Children!” It was Merry`s Aunt Tina. Aunt Tina was Merry`s favourite aunt and he loved her very much but she could be just like his mum sometimes, stopping the play when it was at the most fun. Nell stopped tickling and sat up and Merry decided that lying sprawled on the floor with his head on Frodo`s hip and his clothes in disorder (two buttons on his waistcoat were open) was not the best way of greeting his aunt.
“Hullo Auntie,” Merry said, sitting up.
“Hullo, Merry.” Merry watched as she surveyed the children, looking for any damage or injury and satisfied that everyone was relatively unharmed and no furniture was turned upside-down or destroyed she retrieved Pervinca from the cot. “It`s dinner time in a few minutes. Frodo and Pearl, would you be so kind and see to it that Nell and Merry have washed up and made themselves presentable before you all sit down?”
“Yes, Mama,” Pearl said.
*****
Merry watched Frodo intently as they ate. The large dish of mushrooms he had sampled earlier was now transformed into a lovely bowl-full of stewed mushrooms and onions.
“Merry!” Frodo hissed. “Stop leering at the mushrooms. You`ll get your portion soon.” Of course, with mushrooms being the best thing any hobbit could want to eat Merry`s mum took one plate after another and portioned out the delicacies. Merry bounced on his chair in excitement when she put his plate down in front of him. He started to eat before Frodo could serve him with chicken and potatoes and carrots. “Merry!” Frodo elbowed him gently and took the plate away before Merry could mange to eat more. “Watch your manners!”
Merry sighed and waited until his plate was properly filled and set down in front of him again. “I`m sorry,” he whispered. Merry wolfed down his food until he finally felt Da`s watchful eye on him. He slowed down and was almost finished when he discovered that Frodo hadn`t eaten much. Frodo never ate as much as Merry – or as fast – but he never ate this slow either. “Frodo? Don`t you like the mushrooms?”
“Yes of course, Merry.” Frodo started eating again but Merry clearly saw that his spirit wasn`t in it. At Merry`s persistent look he finally relented. “I`m just tired, Merry-lad. Don`t worry.” Frodo ruffled Merry`s curls and smoothed out the worried line on Merry`s brow with his thumb. “Eat up now. There`s blackberry-and apple tart for pudding.”
Merry ate the rest of his dinner in silence but couldn`t help but feeling a bit uneasy about Frodo`s behaviour. Usually Frodo would give him a special smile and say that it was such hard work looking after Merry and that that was the reason he was tired, but he hadn`t done so today.
*****
Merry was quite pleased with that evening`s events, despite his worry over Frodo. He had been allowed to play for a longer time than usual in the bath and had made some lovely sculptures out of the foam. He stood up in the tub so that he just barely could see himself in the looking glass and made himself a wonderful helmet of foam that covered his wet curls neatly and even had a pointy top. After, he made dwarves and played at being Bilbo rescuing them from the spiders. When he was completely wrinkled from the hot water, his da scooped him up in an enormous towel and tickled him dry, making him laugh and giggle and not even feel that he dried the insides of his ears, because that was the worst thing Merry knew about bathing and if he was aware of it happening it would usually result in blood-curdling screams until the hobbit who was drying him off stopped in fear of having the whole Hall at the bathing room door wondering who was mistreating a child like that. Merry simply hated having the towel in his ears and would constantly think up new ways to avoid it.
Merry was plonked down on his bed before his da helped him put on a nightshirt. Merry thought himself big enough to put it on by himself but the buttons weren`t always easy to get into the proper holes and impatiently he just let his clothes stay unbuttoned instead. That is, until some grown up found him and re-buttoned his shirt or waistcoat or whatever he hadn`t managed.
Uncle Paladin came to tell him a story, and it was so exciting that Merry had not fallen asleep at all, and besides, it was a rare treat to have Uncle Paladin tell him a story so he wanted to enjoy all of it. When the story was over he had to have a song too so that he could fall asleep and at last he contentedly snuggled down in his blankets.
*****
Merry woke with a start and in a rush remembered Frodo`s funny behaviour the night before. He sat up in bed and pondered for a moment if he should just turn over and sleep some more when his tummy told him that it wanted attention, so Merry decided that he would go check on Frodo and if he was well, ask him to come with him to the kitchen and have a glass of milk and bread and maybe a bit of tart if there was something left.
He jumped out of bed, but the sudden movement made him a bit queasy and he stood still for a moment. Was he that hungry? Merry remembered that he had been so hungry one time that he felt sick and he had had a headache that only went away after he had eaten. Frodo had better be well then so he could join him in the kitchen. Merry knew he was too little to help himself yet, and he was strictly forbidden to use a knife, but that was all right, he didn’t mind. He`d seen Cousin Dodinas cut himself once, and although there had been lots of blood – which in itself was interesting, but also a bit scary – Merry hadn`t wanted for Dodinas to hurt himself and felt sad when he later heard that Dodinas had been bundled off to bed and instructed to eat liver because he had bled so much. Poor Cousin Dodinas. Merry hated liver even more than he hated to dry his ears and in fear of any possible future liver meals he stayed away from the knives.
Merry padded off to Frodo`s room. He stood on tip-toe to open the door and managed to enter without any noise. The lamp was burning on Frodo`s table, something Merry found alarming. Frodo always slept with the lamp off. Always. Merry climbed up in Frodo`s bed and snuggled down beside his cousin, bumping Frodo`s chest with his head so that Frodo sleepily draped an arm over him. Merry lay still for a moment but then his tummy told him that he still was hungry. He squirmed around a bit and shook Frodo a little. “Wake up, Frodo. I`m hungry.”
Slowly Frodo opened his eyes and Merry watched as he came awake. “Merry?”
“Yes?”
“What is it? Everything all right?”
“I`m hungry. How are you feeling?”
Frodo yawned and looked at Merry. “My head hurts but I`m all right. Why do you ask?”
“You were so strange at dinner, not teasing me as you usually do so I thought something was wrong.” Merry snuggled in deeper and felt Frodo`s arms hug him close.
“My Merry, my Merry.” Frodo said in that in a strange and a little sad grown up way Merry didn`t quite understand. Frodo wasn`t grown up yet, but sometimes he sounded like he was. Merry had a feeling that this moment was important and something to remember, so he lay still as Frodo stroked his hair and kissed his head, squeezing him a little.
When Merry thought Frodo might be asleep again he lifted his head and scooted up in the bed, kissing Frodo`s cheek, looking at him. His tummy made a funny movement and Merry decided that he`d better find something to eat now before he was so hungry he`d start eating the pillow. “I`m hungry, Frodo. Please, come with me.”
“All right you rascal,” Frodo said and tickled Merry before bundling him up in a blanket and carrying him off to the kitchen. There he sat Merry down on a chair and found bread and a quarter of a round of semi-soft cheese, milk and a bit of left over tart. He prepared a plate for Merry and sat down with his own glass of milk. Merry started eating as Frodo watched. The bread tasted a bit funny and Merry looked at it to see if something was wrong but it looked just fine. He sipped a bit of milk but that too tasted funny. “Please may I have some water instead, Frodo? The milk tastes funny.”
“It does?” Frodo sipped a bit of Merry`s milk – perhaps the glass wasn`t properly clean and had some soap left on it? The milk tasted just fine though, but he found another glass and poured Merry some water from the bucket in the cooling-room instead.
Merry drank thirstily but the water too tasted funny. “Everything tastes funny, Frodo.” Merry sat the glass down and looked mournfully at his plate. He`d just taken a few bites of the bread and cheese, and he loved that cheese! It was one of Cook`s specialities and she added pepper and a bit of dried bell peppers and parsley to it to make the taste spicy.
Frodo came down to kneel in front of him. “Is everything all right, Merry?”
“I don`t know. I thought I was hungry but my tummy is funny and now I`m not hungry at all.” A few tears leaked down his cheeks and Merry brushed them away with his sleeve.
Frodo lifted Merry up from the chair and sat down with him in his lap, rubbing Merry`s tummy soothingly – not soft enough to tickle but not so hard that it hurt either. “Is that better? You did eat quite a lot of those mushrooms for dinner, you know.”
“I know,” Merry said. It felt good to have his tummy rubbed and he leaned into Frodo`s embrace. He didn`t think it was possible to eat too many mushrooms though, and said so. Frodo laughed and so Merry had to laugh too.
“There now,” Frodo said after a while, gently tickling Merry`s sides and wrapping the blanket in around him. “All better?”
Merry nodded and snuggled down in the blanket, sleepy again.
“All right. Let`s bundle you off to bed then, shall we? I`m sure your tummy will be good again in the morning.” Frodo rose and whisked Merry into bed. Just as Merry was about to turn over to lie on his side, something lurched inside him and he was very sick over his nightshirt and sheets and Frodo`s hands and everything. He started to cry out of sheer misery and all the soothing in the world couldn`t take away the hurt in his tummy.
“Sssh, now. Lie still, Merry. I`ll just wash my hands. Then we`ll see about getting you into a fresh nightshirt.
Before Frodo had finished washing his hands Merry was sick once more and just as the fresh nightshirt was pulled over his head a third bout came. “All right, sprout. Let`s wake your mum and see if there`s something she can do about your tummy-ache, hm?” Frodo carefully rubbed at Merry`s bare tummy, blowing at it, trying to make Merry giggle, but Merry was too absorbed in trying not to be sick to take much notice of it. Frodo bundled up the soiled sheets and nightshirts and wrapped Merry up in a fresh blanket. He placed a cushion just so in the enormous armchair and sat Merry down in it, laying him so that he rested against the cushion and the armrest. Frodo stroked his cheek and was not gone long before Merry sleepily heard his mum and da coming into the room.
Merry didn`t remember much of what happened in the next few hours but he remembered that his mum had taken him in her lap and rocked him gently and Merry thought he could stay there forever. The funny feeling in his tummy had turned to an ache now and he was sick again. He felt hot and tired and whimpered when he was put down in his bed and someone he didn`t know felt his tummy and face and asked questions Merry was too tired to answer or didn`t quite understand. Someone, his da Merry thought, stroked his brow before starting to sing softly.
*****
“Merry my love, wake up now.” Merry didn`t know how long he had been sleeping but the sun was shining in through the window and making the green walls in his room shine golden. It must be noon soon then, he thought. He turned over and looked up at his mum who looked back at him with a smile. His tummy still felt funny but not the same funny as it had the night before when he was sick. Merry was lifted from the bed and placed in his mum`s lap. “Drink a bit of this,” she said and Merry drank and found that he was very thirsty. The drink was some sort of tea and tasted a little strange.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?”
What had actually happened, Merry wondered? “I don`t know.”
“The healer said that you probably ate something you shouldn`t have and that you were lucky to not have eaten more of it, because then you would have been very, very sick, and that would have made me very sad.” She squeezed him a little, and kissed the top of his head. “Did you eat something while you were playing outside, Merry? Perhaps you ate some of the fertiliser for the flowers? Berilac did that last year and he was quite sick after.”
“What happened?” Merry asked.
“Well, he ate some of the white bits of fertiliser and was sick just like you were last night. He had to drink lots of milk after to get it out of his tummy, but he was lucky. Did you eat that, Merry?”
Merry shook his head. He`d been playing in the fields the day before but never thought the white bits that looked like seeds interesting enough to eat them. He had eaten a flower once, but that had been all right. He`d shown it to Frodo and Frodo had said it was nastur… something and that was quite safe to eat. After, Merry had eaten a whole little bouquet of them just to see if Frodo was right.
Merry felt his mum think. He wasn`t quite sure how he knew that she was thinking, but it was something about the silence and the way her heart fluttered behind his head. “I`m sorry, Mum.” Merry hated to make people sad. “I`m sorry I made you sad.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Merry squirmed around in her lap so that he could look up at her. His mum was crying now and Merry reached out to dry the tears with a bit of his blanket.
“Don`t be sad, Mum.”
She shook her head then. “It`s all right, love.”
After a while she took up the drink she`d given Merry earlier. “Drink a bit more of this, will you, sweeting?” She lifted the cup to his lips and Merry drank some more. “Merry? Did you eat any of the mushrooms before they were cooked yesterday?” she asked when he had finished drinking.
Merry nodded. “I`m sorry. They looked so nice and I was so hungry.”
“Oh, Merry!” Merry felt his mum begin to cry again. “I thought they were far enough out of the way for you to not reach them. They are very lovely mushrooms, my love, but not all of them are good raw.” She hugged him tight again. “I`m sorry, my poppet.”
Merry did the only thing he knew that worked when he`d made someone sad and started crying too.
Merry`s mum turned him around in her lap so that she could look him in the eyes. “Meriadoc, will you promise that you will never eat any mushrooms raw again before you are completely sure they are safe to eat?”
Merry nodded solemnly. When someone called him Meriadoc it usually meant they were angry or very serious. “I promise, Mum.”
“Good. And will you promise me that you will come to me or or your father, or Frodo if you find mushrooms you have not specifically been told are safe to eat, no matter what?”
“Yes, Mum.”
She sighed. “I suppose it`s time you learn how to pick mushrooms and separate the good from the bad. I`m sorry that you had to find out the hard way what happens if you eat mushrooms not properly prepared but perhaps it`s a lesson well learned and a lesson you will remember.”
Merry wasn`t sure what all of that meant but he thought it was important so he nodded. “I will.”
They sat like that for some time, rocking back and forth in the large chair until Merry grew drowsy again. He felt tired and empty after being sick and was relieved when he was put back to bed for a nap.
*****
“Merry? Wake up? I`ve brought you lunch.” It was Frodo. Opening his eyes Merry saw a large tray of food on his nightstand. “Look,” Frodo said with a twinkle in his eyes, “mushrooms!”
“I`m not sure I want any mushrooms today,” Merry said and sat up. He had slept half the day away then.
“Are you sure?” It was Nell, coming in behind Frodo, carrying a chair. Behind her Pearl came in carrying another. “They look delicious.”
“I`m sure,” Merry said.
“All right.” Frodo fluffed Merry`s pillows and placed a bed-tray with a steaming bowl of chicken soup on his lap. “Your da says you`re to stay in bed today and tomorrow if you`re up to it, I`ll teach you where to find the best mushrooms!”
*****
Many, many years later, in a book on the herblore of the Shire, Master Meriadoc dedicated a whole chapter to the fine art of growing, finding and preparing mushrooms, because he knew – from hard earned experience – how crucial it was to know what mushrooms to pick and when and how to prepare them just so to please the sensitive palate of hobbit kind.
END
Title: The Trouble With Responsibility “Pip?” Merry`s head appeared from the covers, his voice muffled by the heavy blankets.
“Yes. You have been sleeping for two hours. Is everything all right?” Pippin came fully into the room and sat down at Merry`s side. “You look warm.”
“I don’t feel well. My stomach hurts.” Merry tried to sit up, but flopped back down. "It took some time before I fell asleep." Merry burrowed down in the blankets again, tucking them up under his chin and sinking his head deep down into the pillows.
Pippin touched his cheek. “You’re running a fever. Does it hurt a lot?”
Merry nodded. “I tried being sick earlier but I couldn’t manage. I just gagged and nothing came up,” Merry said.
“Poor Merry!” Pippin rubbed Merry's shoulder through the blankets. "Is there anything I can get you? Do you want me to rub your tummy? That sometimes help when it aches," Pippin said soothingly. "Or find some dry biscuits and a bit of water or tea for you? Have you eaten at all since breakfast?"
“I don’t think I could handle food now, Pip. But maybe some water, please?”
“Of course,” Pippin patted Merry's arm and went to the kitchen to fill a pitcher with fresh water and find a mug. He climbed up on a chair and made a plate of dry toast to bring Merry in case he would want to eat anyway when presented with the food.
Merry had closed his eyes while Pippin was gone, but opened them as Pippin sat the things down on the table by the bed. He poured water into the mug and steadied Merry as he sipped at it.
Merry lay down wearily and sighed. "What time is it, Pip? Have the others come back yet?"
“It’s soon time for supper, but we’re alone I think. Frodo should be back soon though. He has been in the library all day and Sam has been with him, saying that now that everything was over he had time to study the lore of the elves. He didn’t get to do much of that when we were in Rivendell, you know." Pippin helped Merry lie back and stroked the hair back from his face. “Now, how about that rub, eh? I am sure it will help, Merry. I`ll be gentle.” Pippin smiled reassuringly. Merry had rubbed his tummy on more than one occasion when Pippin had had some sort of stomach pain and it had often helped.
Merry nodded and tried to relax under Pippin's gentle ministrations. The rubbing didn’t make the pain worse and it was good to feel the coolness of Pippin's hands.
Pippin gave Merry’s belly a final pat and tucked the covers up around him nicely again. "How’s that?"
“Better,” Merry mumbled. The soft rubbing had made him sleepy again and he turned over onto his side and curled up. “I think I`ll take another nap. Don’t eat all the mushrooms, Pip,” Merry slurred and was asleep between one breath and the next.
“I'll save some for you. That is, if we're having mushrooms. I don't know what we will get. It’s not my night to cook." Pippin looked at his sleeping cousin. “Actually, Merry, it’s your turn, but since you are sleeping your way though supper I suppose we will have to manage without you." Checking that Merry was sleeping peacefully, Pippin stoked up the fire and lit a candle which he placed on the table by the bed in case Merry should wake up or need something. Just as Pippin turned to leave, Merry's eyes flew open and he grabbed Pippin by the hand.
“Pip, I think you should get Strider," Merry whispered before letting go and sinking back into the bed.
Pippin tried to hide his shock of hearing Merry actually asking him to get Aragorn. Instead he said “I’ll go get him at once.” He squeezed Merry`s arm reassuringly. “But I’ll get Frodo to sit with you first.”
Merry nodded and curled up again. Pippin watched him disappear beneath the blankets then ran out of the room, remembering just in time to close the door quietly. “Frodo!” He ran out into the kitchen, where Gimli, Frodo and Legolas were arriving.
“What`s wrong, Pippin?” Frodo asked in alarm. He put his books down on the table and ran over to Pippin, taking his shoulders to calm him.
“It’s Merry. I need to get Strider!”
“What?” Frodo said. “What’s happened to Merry?”
“He's sick," Pippin explained and continued in a rush. "He asked me to, Frodo. Merry never tells me he’s not feeling well or asks to see the healer. Something is very wrong. Will you go sit with him?”
“Of course I will.” Frodo started walking towards the hobbits’ bedroom.
“Wait, Pippin. I’ll go find Aragorn,” Legolas said. “I am swifter on my feet than you and your cousin need you.”
Pippin nodded thanks and followed Frodo into the bedroom. Merry was not asleep but lay shivering, completely covered by the blanket.
“Merry?” Frodo said softly. “How are you feeling?” Frodo climbed up on the large bed beside Merry and started rubbing his back.
“Not so good,” Merry mumbled.
“Pippin tells me your stomach hurts. Have you tried to lie on your front or lie on a pillow beneath you? That might help." Frodo reached for a pillow and placed it in front of Merry so he could take it if he wanted. Merry mumbled some inaudible thanks and pressed the pillow to him and curled up around it.
In the meantime Pippin had started lighting more candles and saw to that the fire burned merrily. Merry was running a fever, but it would not do him good if the room was chilled.
Aragorn arrived with Legolas a few moments later and went straight for Merry while Legolas went back to Gimli in the kitchen. By now Merry was dozing, Frodo was still rubbing his back and singing softly, now and again checking Merry's face.
“Merry?” Aragorn sat down on Merry's other side and placed a hand on his brow, stroking the curls away from his eyes. Merry lifted his head from the confines of pillows and blankets and looked at him with watery eyes.
“Hello, Strider.”
“Legolas said you had asked Pippin to find me and that you feel sick. I know that you don’t easily admit to not feeling well, so I'm guessing that you are hurting pretty much?" Aragorn asked, peeling away blankets and feeling along Merry*s right arm and hand, which were too hot like the rest of him. No bad dreams were causing this ailment then.
Merry nodded and told him what he earlier had said to Pippin. "I tried being sick."
“Anything else?” Aragorn asked, now gently prying away the pillow Merry was clutching.
“I feel so tired and weak. It feels like I could sleep for an Age but for the pain. I’m sorry to take you away from your duties and the Lady Arwen, Aragorn," Merry said trying to sound contrite but was too miserable to make an actual effort.
“Sssh. Do not say such things. You are my friend and I am concerned when you are not well." Aragorn said. "Can you manage to lie on your back?"
“I`ll try.” Merry rolled onto his back and scrunched up his face as his body stretched out.
“All right,” Aragorn said as he finished poking and prodding. Merry had tried to lie still, but it was obvious that he was in too much pain. Even the slightest pressure caused him pain and Aragorn frowned when Pippin said he was able to rub Merry¨s belly just a short while ago and that it felt normal, except for the heat of his skin. Merry had not yet regained the soft and rounded belly of a proper hobbit that he had when they left for the Quest - none of them had.
Aragorn continued to ask Merry questions about what he had eaten that day and the previous and if some of the foods were new to him.
“I had that funny yellow fruit that looks like a pine cone but is sweet but also a bit sour," Merry said. "Other than that I can't remember anything unusual.”
“A pineapple?” Aragorn asked.
“Yes," Frodo said. "I remember Merry liked it quite well. He did eat quite a bit of it."
“I found it goes lovely with those oranges,” Merry said. “They are truly lovely!”
“He loves those too,” Pippin said.
Aragorn smiled. "How many oranges did you eat, Merry?"
“Three,” Merry admitted. “And almost a whole pineapple.”
“And he had some of that green fruit Sam loves so much.” Pippin added.
“What green fruit? Did you eat something that wasn’t ripe, Merry?”
“No it was ripe all right. Quite juicy too actually,” Merry said. He had curled up again and was clutching the pillow. “It was one of those kiwis."
“Merry,” Aragorn said. “All the fruits you have been eating are full of acid. A little of all of them is good, but not the amounts you have been consuming."
“I suppose,” Merry said. “But that isn’t why my stomach hurts. I usually drink some milk if I feel I have to much acid and I had some earlier today."
Frodo and Pippin looked at Merry worriedly. “Merry?” Frodo said, edging closer and stroking his hand comfortingly though Merry’s hair. Pippin climbed up beside Frodo and reached for one of Merry’s hands. Merry looked at them gratefully and closed his eyes for a moment. He was so tired, but it hurt too much to sleep.
“How are your duties, Merry?"
Merry opened his eyes again. “What do you mean?”
“I know that you work hard to do your best for Éomer and Rohan. Éomer told me yesterday that he was very pleased with you but also a little worried because you work harder than you need to." Aragorn said.
“I am glad to hear he is pleased, but there is a lot to do. He needs all the help he can get.” Merry said.
“I am sure that there are many tasks that need to be done, but Merry, don't you think that you do more than your fair share of them?" Aragorn asked gently.
“I am his servant, I could do no less,” Merry looked Aragorn square in the eye. “It is my duty to do what I can for Rohan and its King.”
Aragorn sighed. Stubborn hobbit! Sometimes Merry was too responsible and to well aware of his duties. He had tried to look out for signs of what he feared now was ailing him, but Aragorn understood now that he hadn't seen them in time. "Merry, your duty is first and foremost to yourself. Éomer is your friend. I do not think he would like to see you work yourself into a stupor. He came to me because he was concerned that you might do just that. You are a Knight of Rohan, a Rider, but you are also a hobbit. And if nothing else, I am sure that there is someone back in the Shire, in addition to your cousins and friends here, who would like to see that Merry Brandybuck is well and happy. Don't you agree?"
Merry nodded sheepishly. “Yes.”
“I thought so.”
Frodo looked from Merry to Aragorn. “What’s wrong?”
“He is overworked." Aragorn looked at Merry again. "You have worked harder than you can handle. When you don't see the signals the body starts to protest and that is why you are feeling sick now."
“Is there anything you can do?” Pippin asked.
“Not much. He needs to rest and restore his energy. I will provide a tea for his stomach pain but other than that rest is the only remedy for this. Merry, I am saying this as your friend and healer: You are to rest and I am talking to Éomer to take you off duty for the rest of the week and next. Also, I am going to give you some exercises you can use to train yourself to take the signals before things go too far." Aragorn rose. "I will be back shortly."
For several seconds the three cousins looked at each other in silence. Frodo was furious and Pippin was scared, Merry observed.
“How could you?” Frodo asked angrily. “Have you learned nothing?”
“Yes!” Pippin said. "How could you scare us like that?"
“’M sorry,” Merry said weakly, shying away from them a little and burrowing deeper in under the covers. “I just wanted to do my best and show my worth.”
“Merry! You have shown your worth to Rohan and Gondor and all of Middle-earth ten times over and more! What do you have to prove?" Frodo asked a little more gently.
“It’s just that we are hobbits, and small, and everything here is so big. People look upon us as children. Yesterday I watched a woman look at me in wonder, rub her eyes and look at me again before shaking her head. It was not an experience I’d like to repeat."
“I am sorry about that, Merry, but we are something out of legend for the people here, you know that.” Pippin said, shaking off the memory of a similar experience he had had himself.
“And if they don’t take me for being a child they take me for a page," Merry said. "That isn¨t so bad in itself, because I want to do what I can to be of help, but it doesn't help them understand that I'm not a child either."
“I suppose,” Pippin said. “But working yourself into a stupor doesn’t make things better. If you are as old and wise as you try to be you should have seen the signals."
“Mr. Frodo?” Sam's voice could be heard calling from the hallway.
“We’re in here, Sam!” Frodo said. "Please come in.”
“Oh,” Sam said, seeing the cousin-pile on the bed. “I am sorry if I am disturbing anything important.” He looked closer at Merry. “Are you all right, Mr. Merry? You do look a might unwell if I may say so. Should we get Mr. Strider?”
“He has already been here.” Pippin said. “He’s gone off to make some tea for Merry. I bet it is a nasty and foul-tasting one.”
"Pippin!” Frodo said.
"I'm sorry, but don't you think he deserves that after acting so foolishly?"
Frodo tried not to laugh but a small snicker escaped anyway. “I suppose you’re right.”
“Hey!” Merry sat up slightly. “Don’t I have something to say in this?”
“No.” Frodo said and pushed him down again. Turning to Sam he said. "He’s worked himself into a state and has fever, exhaustion and a stomach ache to show for it.”
“That's a shame,” Sam said. "What happened?"
“Oh, just a bit of foolishness and wanting to be of use." Merry said. “I have had my share of being overlooked and considered a bother and a bag to last me a lifetime and probably tried to hard to show that I could do what was asked of me."
“And a good bit of what was not asked, I warrant?" Sam said.
“Yes, that too,” Merry admitted and ducked his head, blushing.
“So, now that we have all agreed that you are a fool and have taken your mouth too full, I’d say that you have learned your lesson and won’t do it again?" Pippin said, crawling closer to Merry, who by this point was almost about to fall off the bed on the far side, and drawing him closer, covers and pillows and all.
Merry nodded. “I shall learn to listen more to my body from now on." He said solemnly.
“Good!" Pippin said sternly, looking Merry in the eye. "Do you promise?"
“I promise, Pip, I promise.”
“Good.” Frodo said and then he and Pippin reached over and hugged Merry tight.
“I am thinking," Frodo said, "that you were caught unawares this time since you didn't get one of your bad headaches now.”
“Yes,” Merry said. "I didn’t think I had been overexerting myself when I started feeling sick, I was more worried about doing my duty than what could be wrong with me." Merry sighed and let Pippin fluff the pillows before settling more comfortably in the bed. “And to be honest, I thought I would be better for a nap.”
“You aren’t and we'll just have to hope the rest and Aragorn’s tea will do the trick. Where is he anyway?"
“I hope he got caught up on the way," Merry muttered. "I do not want any of his awful concoctions."
“Awful or not Merry, you are going to take them, if I have to pour them down your throat myself. You have to take responsibility for your actions. You who are so concerned about being responsible all the time should know that better than anyone." Frodo admonished.
“Yes, Cousin,” Merry said. He was growing increasingly tired and the pain had eased a little. He sighed. Some sleep would be nice now. He turned a little on the pillow and tucked his hands in under his head and was soon asleep, listening to the others soft murmurs and Pippin's cool hands placing a cold cloth on his face.
“Poor lad," Frodo said fondly, watching Merry fall sleep.
“Well, someone ought to see about supper,” Sam said. "I’ll go get things started.”
As Sam was about to open the door, Aragorn entered. “I am sorry my friends, but I was delayed. Our friends the Dwarf, the Steward of Gondor, the King of Rohan and a certain Lady was quite persistent in their demands about the state of our Knight of Rohan here. I eased their worries, but I am curtailing Merry's visitors to you today, so he can get some proper rest." Aragorn said.
He placed a tray of various phials and covered cups on the table by the fire and looked over at Merry. “How is he?"
“I think the pain has lessened a bit, for he is sleeping again.” Pippin said, watching Merry’s face carefully. “But it feels like the fever is up a little."
Aragorn nodded. “I suspect it will rise further as he relaxes and his body gets to work." He prepared a tea and sat down beside Merry on the bed, softly shaking his shoulder. "Wake up now, Merry, just for a little while."
Merry turned over and in the sleepy moments of wakening thought it was morning. “Hullo, Strider. It can’t be time to get up yet? It`s dark and I’m tired."
“No, it`s not time to get up, Merry.” Aragorn chuckled. He placed a hand under Merry’s back and lifted him slightly. “Here, drink this.”
Merry opened his eyes and remembered that it wasn't morning at all and that he had promised to drink whatever foul concoction Aragorn would make. Merry sighed and let the drink pass through his lips. As he predicted, it tasted horrible and he gagged. Aragorn hastily gave the cup to Frodo and reached for the empty chamber pot that stood under Merry's bed and just barely managed to hold it in front of Merry before he was violently sick.
At last Merry lay back wearily. "That was awful."
“I should think so yes, by the look of it. And there*s plenty more over there if you want," Frodo said nodding to the table. “And you promised.”
“He promised what?” Aragorn asked.
“Oh, we just had a cousinly talk about responsibility and straightened some things out." Pippin said nonchalantly, averting Aragorn's curious gaze and concentrating on brushing Merry's curls from his forehead.
“Ah." After knowing the hobbits for almost a year, Aragorn had learned the hard way not to interfere when the cousins had a discussion going. "Do you think he has learned his lesson, then?"
“I hope so,” Frodo said. “I think he should know that he got an eye-opener when he realised that he could have other symptoms than a bad headache after exerting himself too much."
“That is true." Aragorn nodded in approval. "Good thinking. Now, I`ll let this Rider get some rest and go have supper. I suppose you want to eat here? I warrant he'll want some company when he wakes up again."
“Yes, thank you,” Pippin said and sat down beside Frodo, the both of them settling down comfortably for a night of cousin-watching. “So, Pip. He can’t get away with this. What do you suppose we should do?” “No,” Frodo shook his head smiling broadly. "We definitely need to think up something."
“Well, since it looks like we’ll be sitting here some time we might as well get to work,” Pippin said, rubbing his hands, a mischievous smile lighting up his features and for the moment chasing away the worry that had settled in his eyes.
END
Title: Far Away But Close At Heart Dernhelm didn’t speak much and riding in secrecy as they were, Merry supposed that was all right, but it would make the time go faster if he would speak a little. Merry had tried asking questions and telling a bit about the Shire, but gave up after some time as the only response he got was silence or the occasional “yes” or “no”. None of the soldiers seemed in mood for much talking these days. He supposed all of them thought they were riding to their deaths just like he was. Merry didn't think he would survive a great battle of Men but he would do anything to save his friends, to protect them, and if dying was what he needed to do, then so be it. The odds of him surviving such a battle that he predicted they were facing, were too small. He was little and easily overlooked which meant that he could hide easily among the large horses and men but it also meant that he could be trampled down fast.
Suddenly he thought of Boromir and he remembered in horror the many arrows that had pierced him. Merry’s heart lurched and he longed for Boromir with all he was. He would have been able to help. Gondor was after all his country. But poor Boromir had died defending Merry and Pippin and no matter how much Merry longed for him to be alive just now, nothing could be done, Boromir was gone. That great Man who had been such a steady comfort and friend to Merry and Pippin was gone forever now. When the orcs attacked that day Merry had hewn off some hands and arms and Pippin had shown his mettle too, but whatever they did, it wasn’t enough to save poor Boromir's life. Merry sighed in regret. Boromir would have known what to do now. He would have brought words of comfort or maybe even a jest to lighten the mood. Being around hobbits had rubbed off of him, Merry thought and he had learned that grievous situations could be brightened with a light-hearted comment or song, just as the hobbits did. Especially Pippin.
Merry choked a sob when the thought hit him that he might never see Pippin or Frodo again. He'd do anything to help and be of use, to protect them. He was frightfully worried for all of them. Where were they? Where were Frodo and Sam now? Were they safe? He supposed not. His stomach rumbled. Merry had eaten a bit of bread in the morning but that was many hours ago now and he thought longingly of a hot meal. Did Frodo have any food? Merry thought that he would gladly give up some of his food so that Frodo could have it. His cousin had barely eaten like a proper hobbit since they left the Shire, thanks to that dratted Thing around his neck. And Pippin, how was he faring in that huge City of Men alone with Gandalf. Merry shuddered.
Poor Pip. Pippin had grown a lot lately and had again and again surprised Merry but he was still so young. A familiar and much loved picture suddenly appeared in Merry's head. A little Pippin was climbing a tree, squealing with joy and loudly exclaiming over all he could see from its branches while Merry was lying underneath it, looking up at Pippin as he climbed higher. It was a long time since Merry had stooped warning Pippin about tree climbing but he couldn't help feeling the need to protect him anyway and watch carefully as Pippin climbed higher, always at the ready to climb up and fetch him if need be. Gandalf would look after Pippin in Minas Tirith, Merry knew that, but there wouldn't be any other hobbits to look after him. Who would make sure that Pippin tidied himself up properly, combed his hair and washed his ears? Pippin was in so many ways still a lad, often too occupied with what the new day might bring than to think about how presentable he was. There had been times during their journey where none of them had looked anything but muddy and grimy, exhausted and cold, but still Merry would with fingers shivering of cold run his hands through Pippin's hair or brush it behind his ears, wet a piece of cloth and wash his face if Pippin was too cold to manage himself.
A gust of cold wind tore through Merry's clothes and he tucked his cloak more securely in around himself. Pippin was often cold and after they set out on the Quest it had become one of the most natural things for Merry to wrap himself around Pippin and cover them up with blankets and cloaks, one arm stretched out to touch Frodo too. Merry longed for the warmth of his cousins now and wrapped his arms around himself. Was Frodo cold now? How about Sam? Where exactly where they? If Frodo succeeded in throwing that cursed Ring into the fire, Merry was sure that he would know somehow, but what if he failed? What if he didn't even make it to Mount Doom? Sam would of course finish the task for him but what if he didn't make it either? Merry shook himself. He could not think like that. As far as he knew Frodo was on his way to Mount Doom this very minute and Merry needed to focus on that, not despair. Frodo, Sam and Pippin were all far away now, but they had a place in Merry’s heart and focusing on that he would not lose hope, Merry told himself sternly. There was still hope.
The day was drawing to an end now and Dernhelm stopped their horse along with the rest of the Riders. He jumped down and lifted Merry down off the horse. Merry collapsed in a heap as soon as his feet touched the ground, his muscles too sore to manage to keep him up. Slowly he sat up and looked with apology at Dernhelm who just smiled back and helped him to his feet, steadying him until Merry could stand by himself.
“You will get used to it soon.”
Merry nodded. “I suppose." His stomach rumbled again and Merry blushed and looked down, thinking that Dernhelm must think him constantly hungry. Which he was, but he didn’t want to say anything.
“Do not worry. I will get us some food." Dernhelm patted Merry on the shoulder and soon came back with two bowls of hearty stew and some bread. Merry rolled out his bedroll and sat down on it gingerly. There was a curving stream nearby and the horses were already standing along it, drinking from the cool water. Merry thought longingly at the water as he ate and looked around to see if he could find a secluded spot where he could soak his sore limbs. Many of the soldiers had seen him and acknowledged him they did not talk to him or encourage him in any way and he had to keep out of sight if he could manage. Merry hadn't thought he would need his hobbit stealth in this way during their travels, but found it very convenient now when he moved about the group of soldiers. He couldn’t vanish completely of course, but staying at the outskirts of the camp he could walk silently and not be heard, hiding his fair curls under the hood of his cloak so they wouldn't betray him.
Merry took the last bit of his bread and cleaned his bowl with it. The food was good but sparse and he found himself longing for a proper meal laid out on a table with enough to eat and good friends and family to share it with. Again Pippin came to his mind. Hopefully he had plenty to eat in Minas Tirith. Pippin could not go long without food and it had been a sore trial for the Fellowship to provide enough food for the hobbits to not completely perish, especially Pippin. Merry sighed and a distant part of his mind reminded him that he had been doing that a lot lately. Everything was gloomy and dark, the world covered in a brown cloud that veiled the sun and made everything look black and grey. Hope was fading away quickly.
Finished with his meal he rose stiffly and after retrieving his pack, walked to the stream. The stream was making a little bend just by a copse of trees and Merry sat down there in the shallows, soaking his sore muscles. The water was cold but he forced himself to sit until he couldn't feel the aching in his legs any more. Riding from dawn to dusk on a pony was one thing but sitting on a horse all day was something completely different. He’d been bone-weary tired after riding from Helms Deep to Dunharrow and when Dernhelm said he could ride with him, Merry had thought that his short legs would reach farther down the sides of great, grey horse but he found himself sitting with his legs almost straight out to the sides. He had tried sitting sideways like a lass for some time but that had only made things worse because the saddle was not meant for sitting that way and after almost falling off Merry turned back to sit in the usual position. How had Pip fared on Shadowfax? Merry wondered. That horse was much bigger than Windfola.
At last Merry rose and walked over to his bedroll again. The camp was settling down for the night but he could still hear Riders talking among themselves in hushed tones. It felt like an eternity since Merry had heard laughter, and even worse – laughed himself. Tired as he was, sleep would not come and Merry tossed and turned, twisting his blankets, trying to find a comfortable spot to lie on. He sighed.
“Do not despair,” Merry heard Dernhelm say quietly. Merry could not see the Rider in this constant, gloomy dark, but his voice was not far away. "There is hope still. Your friends may be far away but they love you. You have much to live for Merry. You are pure at heart and brave and that will take you far."
Merry sat up. Dernhelm had appeared to Merry as a young Rider, perhaps even younger than himself if he understood the aging of Men right, but now Merry got the feeling that he was wise beyond his years. How could such a young Rider know so much about hope and despair? Surely he was too young to have been in many battles? “How can you know that?” Merry asked.
“Because love conquers all and so we must have faith in that love is victorious when everything else fails."
Merry thought of Pippin again and how he lonely and afraid he must be just now. He didn't know where Merry was either and Merry knew that Pippin was worried for him. He had better keep up hope then, for Pippin's sake if nothing else. "You are right," he finally said. "I had thought that there wasn't any point in hoping any more but you are right. There is still hope and we need to cling to that. Pippin is with Gandalf and he is safe as long as he is with him. If there is nothing else I can do then I can at least hope that I will survive the battle and find him safe and sound.”
Merry lay down again and closed his eyes and when sleep came to claim him it brought dreams of sweeter days full of promise and hope and the Shire and Pippin and Merry clung to that.
Title: To My Heart’s Content
Author: Anso the Hobbit
Pairing: Merry/Estella
Timeline: Brandy Hall, SR 1428 so Merry is 46 and Estella 43.
Rating: R
Note: Written for the hobbit_ficathon challenge. Not yet betaed.
Disclaimer: Not mine. They just own me.
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Estella lit the last candle and set it carefully down on the table, allowing the room to take on a golden hue in the fading daylight. She had stopped counting the times she shot a glance up at the clock over the mantle and felt time standing almost completely still but she couldn’t help look at it just one more time. The clock's hands seemed to never be moving. He would be home very soon and the time wouldn't go faster just because she looked at the clock. Estella turned and looked out of the window towards the Ferry. Hopefully he would use the private entrance and not come all the way through the Hall. If he did that it could take forever before she got to see him - there was always one hobbit or other who wanted to talk to him about something or discuss something that couldn't wait. She knew that was how it always would be, but sometimes she wished that he was just an ordinary farmer or work-hobbit and not the Heir to Buckland with all the responsibility and work that involved. Estella loved Merry for who he was not because of his title or his wealth. It didn't hurt that he had that of course, but Estella knew deep down in her heart that if Merry had been a hobbit employed by someone else working the fields or the gardens, she would love him just as much. Her love for him would never change.
Merry had protested once when she had said that, telling her that he was an ordinary hobbit, doing his work and not someone special, but Estella knew that Merry knew that he was special. No one was like him and he knew that. Still he didn’t put on airs about it or brag about it and she loved him even more for that.
Estella looked about the Master’s private family parlour. It wasn’t very large, but held a few sitting groups with sofas and chairs, some tables and a large hearth. It was very cosy and she thought it was the perfect place to welcome her love back home. The parlour was held in soft green tones with burgundy curtains and cushions and the walls were full of family pictures. Estella thought about their family. The littlest one was asleep in the cot in the nursery and the others were with Esmie and the nurse. Esmie had been very understanding when Estella said that she would like to spend some time alone with Merry unless some very urgent matter came in the way. He had been so busy lately that he had stumbled exhausted to bed, asleep almost before his head hit the pillow, just to rise early and work late. There would have to be an end to that, and Estella knew it was the season and nothing she really could do about it. When harvest was over things would quiet down. It didn’t mean that she had to like it or wish for quieter times though.
Estella sat down in one of the sofas and folded her hands in her lap just to a second later rise take one of the rose-pattern cushions in her hands and run her fingers through the tassels. She put the cushion down and started pacing around the room. You're behaving like a tween she chided, but couldn't help giggling a bit at the thought of Merry. They had been married for quite some time now, but she could still often feel the butterflies in her stomach when she waited for him to come home.
She knew what she would see – a travel-stained, weary and muddy hobbit greeting her with a tired smile and a kiss before going off to take a bath and sleep some hours before work called him again. And she was all right with that most days, but today she wanted them to have some time together, just the two of them without any interruptions from children or family.
There was a sound at the door and she hurried to open it, just to let one of the kittens in. The little brown-and-grey striped bundle scurried over to the hearth and lay down on the rug there, watching her for some time before licking its fur and going to sleep.
Watching it Estella felt that she loved Merry so much that she thought she would burst from it. Sometimes, like now, she couldn't bear the thought of being away from him and every fibre in her body longed for him. She looked out towards the Ferry again but couldn’t see anyone come up the lane. Just as she turned towards the door again, it opened and Esmeralda came in. Estella tried not to show her disappointment and forced a smile. Esmeralda smiled back and came over to her.
“Don’t worry dear. They are coming over the Bridge instead of the Ferry. Apparently there was some business up at the Gate that had to be dealt with at once. They will be back shortly." Esmie patted Estella's arm and smiled knowingly at her.
Estella nodded. She knew that Esmie waited for Saradoc to come back too. She could see the love that shone in Merry's parents’ eyes when they met after being away for some time and she hoped that she and Merry would be like that when they were old and had lived together as long as Esmie and Sara had.
“I’ll go back to the children now, dear, but our Merry will be back soon. Don’t you worry." They rose and Estella followed her to the door. When Esmie had left Estella started to pace the parlour. Time stood still.
*****
Finally, after what felt like hours the parlour door opened and Merry entered. Estella was standing with her back towards him but whirled around when she heard the sound of the door opening. For what felt like an eternity she just looked at him, smiling with tears of joy in her eyes, taking in his features as if she hadn’t seen him for a very, very long time. He was weary as she had predicted but his eyes shone like blue fire and she felt herself drawn towards the deep blue pools that seemed to flow over with love for her. Estella thought her heart would burst then and she rushed towards him letting herself being enveloped in his strong arms.
“My love,” Merry whispered into her hair, his voice thick with emotion.
“My heart,” Estella said and just stood there, leaning her head against his chest, taking in the warmth and smell of him, not caring that he was dirty and sweaty after a long day's work. Finally she tilted her head up and looked at him. “My Merry.”
Their lips met then – slowly and hesitantly at first as if learning to know the other one all over again, then quicker and more demanding, and for what seemed like an eternity none of them could or would let go.
Reluctantly they came up for breath just to plunge back into another kiss that lasted another eternity. Estella closed her eyes and sighed as Merry caressed her face with a feather light touch, stroking her curls and back. She reached up and folded her arms behind his neck, letting her fingers entwine with his hair.
“I have missed you so,” Merry murmured as they parted to breathe.
“I have missed you too," Estella said and felt the painful longing for him to come home give way for another kind of longing. "But you are here now and we have a few hours to ourselves. The children are with your mother and the nurse."
Merry smiled gratefully and reached down to kiss her again. “Come have a bath with me?”
"Yes," Estella took his hand and together they went to the private bathroom in their apartment. Merry started filling the large tub and Estella dashed out to their bedroom to find their robes and a fresh set of clothing for Merry. Waiting for the bath to fill, Estella found soap and towels and lit a few candles that were placed around in niches on the wall, humming to herself and watching as Merry's muscles spilled as he filled the tub.
At last, when the tub was full of hot, steaming water Merry turned to her with a smoky smile. “Come here."
Estella went willingly and let Merry unfasten her hair and dress, stepping out of it to help him get rid of his own clothes. "My love,” Estella murmured as Merry reached for her, taking her in his arms once again. They climbed up in the bath and Estella sank blissfully down in front of her love, letting Merry's hands caress and do whatever they felt like, relishing the feeling of skin against skin and having her Merry back. She leaned back and sighed deeply, closing her eyes and forgetting that there was a world outside here and now.
“Estella,” Merry murmured as he kissed her neck. “I love you.”
Estella opened her eyes and turned around to face him. "Merry.” She kissed him deeply. "My heart, my love. I love you too and always will." Estella leaned in again and kissed those sweet lips. Closing her eyes, she let her hands caress his face and body, following familiar and loved lines, mapping it all out again. Merry sighed into her touch and smiled broadly when she finally opened her eyes again and let her hands finish their tour by cupping his beloved face. He cocked his head on one side and that mischievous grin that she loved so much played across his features.
“Wash my hair?”
“Of course, dearest.”
They switched places and Merry slid down in the tub, allowing his hair to be drenched as Estella lathered the soap and started massaging it into his curls and Merry sighed deeply, full of content. She helped him rinse and proceeded to wash his back and arms with a soft cloth, loosening stiff muscles as she did so. The bath was starting to get cold and Estella shivered a little and wrapped her arms around him. Merry laughed and looked at her hands, kissing them in turn. "Wë'll turn into two fine prunes if we sit here much longer."
Estella splashed him. “We’ll fit nicely together then," she laughed. "But we don't have to be prunes to do that.”
“No, that¨s true.” Merry yawned suddenly and shook his head, sending small droplets of water all over the room. “I think I need a nap love. Come take one with me?"
“I'd love to." They rose from the tub and helped dry each other off, touching and looking at each other as if they were tweens doing this for the first time. Estella reached for Merry’s right hand, checking with satisfaction that it was warm as the rest of him before putting on her dressing gown and going into the bedroom. She had started checking his right hand whenever he was tired years ago after he had a bad spell one spring after working too long and too much without any rest. His hand would always grow cold if he was too tired and didn't pay any heed to the signs and so she had started checking the temperature of it regularly to monitor his weariness when he was too occupied to pay attention himself. Judging on the temperature she would herd him off to bed for a nap or whatever else she found fitting for him until his hand became warm again and he was well rested.
She pulled back the covers and climbed in. Merry was just a step behind her and climbed in behind her. He lay his head on the pillow then reached for her. "Come, my love." Estella went willingly and snuggled into his arms accepting his caress and love gratefully and pouring her heart into her response.
After, they lay looking at each other for some time in silence until Merry’s eyes drifted shut. Estella tucked her head under his chin and listened to his breathing as it evened out into slumber. “I love you Merry," She whispered and let tears of joy and happiness fall. Merry murmured something sleepily in response and tightened his arms around her. Estella fell asleep then, loved and happy and content that her Merry finally was home again. And if anyone had been watching then, they would have seen smiles play along each of their features as the future Master and Mistress of Buckland slept the sleep you only can sleep in the arms of the one you love.
END
EDIT: I discovered that my story had several serious flaws so a bit of rewriting has been done.
Happy New Year or Merry Yule! This is just a tiny ficlet written in a state of half-sleep so be nice. :P
Title: Safe And Sound Gimli woke to the feeling of something shivering. Blinking owlishly he mused if the Rohirrim had decided to depart without waking him and Legolas and Merry, but listening further he could hear the soft snoring of many bodies around him and let out a small sigh of relief. They weren't abandoned then. He shifted over to his side and tried to ponder where the shivering came from. The earth beneath him felt still and calm and no horses were tramping about. The shivers came as small jerks that sometimes disappeared completely, just to evolve and rise in intensity after a short break. He listened keenly for any sound and at first he couldn't hear anything. Legolas lay beside him in that half-asleep state Elves called rest and on his other side was Merry, pressed up against the corner of a stone wall. The stone floor they lay on was covered with straw mattresses and their bedding consisted of woollen blankets and their Elven cloaks.
At first Gimli couldn't hear any sound besides the snoring and slight shifting of a large group of people sleeping together in one room, but as he woke more fully another sound became clear - the soft whimpering of someone crying in their sleep. Gimli instantly knew that sound and turned to look at the curled up bundle of hobbit beside him. The top of Merry's head could be seen in the dark and his bright curls shone like silver. The little head was almost buried beneath the blanket as was Merry’s wont but a foot peeked out from the cloak that covered him. Gimli sat up and tugged on a bit of the cloak to cover the hairy appendage and as his hand brushed Merry's cold calf Merry turned to lie on his back, scrunching up his nose and flinging one arm out to hit Gimli in the arm. Gimli could barely see Merry’s face but the tears running into his hair shone like small rivers on the mounds of his cheeks.
Turning to Legolas Gimli lightly shook his shoulder. Merry had resumed whimpering and Gimli was at a loss what to do. When the hobbits had a nightmare or started crying one of the other hobbits would always take care of him and Gimli had never been called upon to comfort a distraught hobbit. He remembered that he at first had found the cosseting childish and unnatural but as he came to learn more about the nature of hobbits he understood that the affection between family and friends was something the hobbits wore on their sleeves and to hold another hobbits hand or hug was as natural to them as not doing so was to the Dwarf. Now Merry was alone without his cousins or Sam or even Gandalf to comfort him. Gimli thought back to what the others had done for the hobbit in need of comfort and blushed at the thought of him having to do the same. He was alien to gather someone in his arms and rock them and stroke their hair and face until they calmed or sing soft songs into a small pointed ear until the sobs subsided. He didn't have children and his Dwarven nature was not bound to that kind of behaviour. He knew he must appear hard as the stone he so cherished to the soft-hearted hobbits, but he also knew that they had found trust and the occasional comfort in him. He could remember several occasions where a small body - usually Pippin followed by Merry - would snuggle up beside him for warmth and coax a story or even a song out of him, but when it came to distress the hobbits had always taken care of their own. Gimli had helped out when one of the hobbits was ill but he had never carried them or done anything except give them a extra blanket to lessen their physical discomfort. Others had always taken care of that.
Legolas was instantly alert as Gimli touched his shoulder. “What is it?”
Gimli didn't answer but shifted his gaze to the still shivering and crying Merry.
“Oh.” Legolas nodded and looked at the hobbit. Merry gave a great sniff in his sleep and a particularly deep sob escaped his lips.
“What do you suggest we do?” Gimli whispered.
Legolas rose softly and silently to his feet and gathered the sleeping hobbit in his arms. He sat down beside Gimli again and proceeded to gently rock Merry, humming a light and cheerful, but soothing tune. Gimli watched as the hobbit stilled but tears continued to stream down his face and the occasional soft whimper and dreamy mumblings could still be heard. Legolas shifted Merry and stroked a hand softly through his hair in a soothing manner, never ceasing the soft humming.
“He’s cold,” Legolas said when it finally looked like Merry was sleeping peacefully. “The cloak doesn't provide enough warmth for him and it doesn't make things better that he can't snuggle up to another hobbit for warmth.”
“But we don’t have any more blankets,” Gimli pointed out.
Just then soft footsteps could be heard and both Legolas and Gimli looked up to see a young soldier approaching. "May we help you?” Legolas asked.
“I thought I heard crying and came to see what was amiss,” Éowyn said.
“My lady!” Gimli looked surprised at the King's niece. He had been sure it was a young soldier having lost himself in looking for the privy but now he saw the flowing skirts that covered the slim frame and the long hair flowing down her back.
Éowyn smiled then looked at Merry. “Poor little one! Such a noble heart to offer his service to the King, yet so young and alone in the world. Is he ill or hurt?” She had heard from the soldiers about what happened at Isengard and how Mithrandir had flown away on his horse with the little holbytla's cousin and that he now was alone in the world. He had looked so small and lost and afraid when she first had seen him and although he was out of a legend for her she couldn't help but think of him as a child. They had not spoken much yet and tomorrow the King and the Rohirrim would ride to Dunharrow and he would go with them. She reached forward and gently touched the wet cheek. Merry’s skin felt soft as a child’s to her hand and with a feather light touch she let her fingers explore the pointed ear framed in silky curls, marvelling at the shape of it.
“Nay, my Lady. I do not believe he is ill, except perhaps for his heart longing for his kin, but his journey so far has proved a rough trial for such an innocent folk as his and it is a heavy burden to bear, no matter how noble his heart is."
“He is suffering from a nightmare then?"
“Yes, I believe so." Legolas said.
“I heard that his cousin was taken from him in haste at Isengard?” Éowyn volunteered.
“Aye,” Gimli said, “and those two rascals were inseparable, joined by the hip if you ask me. Merry here was always looking out for Pippin and never lost sight of him. As the story goes he has done so since Peregrin was born and as far as I know they have never been separated with force before.”
They all watched as Merry calmed further as Éowyn touched his face and hair and with a look to Legolas she sat down and he surrendered the sleeping bundle to her. Éowyn put Merry in her lap and cushioned his head against her heart and placed her chin upon his soft curls. With her thumbs she stroked the tears away and slowly they disappeared completely. Merry’s breath evened out and his sleep became deeper.
Legolas rose to tuck his cloak around Merry and wrapped his blanket in around the both of them. Éowyn sat like that for some time, now and again rocking Merry to and fro as if he was her child. When he had been sleeping deeply for some time and no new nightmare or bout of tears seemed to come forth Legolas and Gimli helped her put him down on his own mattress where Merry slept the rest of the night in peaceful slumber to wake with a smile after what he believed was a good night's rest, not knowing what had given him comfort during the night.
“I hope he survives this war and finds his cousin well and his homeland safe,” Éowyn said as she rose.
“Aye,” Gimli nodded, a mist covering his eyes and his gaze turning inwards. He hoped to see the Lonely Mountain and his own family again soon too and a sudden longing for the caves of his home rose in his chest and he swallowed the lump that rose in his throat. He looked at Legolas and the Elf’s gaze was also distant and longing. “I hope we all survive this war, my lady and I hope that you too will find your home and country safe and well when this is over.”
END
Title: Making Merry merry Disclaimer: Not mine. They just own me. Frodo couldn´t sleep. Dreams and hazy memories mingled together and had woken him up several times this night. He tossed and turned a little in his blankets, thinking that a little walk maybe was what he needed. Stretching, he looked around the room. Sam and Pippin were sleeping, but Merry was gone. Now, where could he be? Frodo waited a little, but as he didn`t come back, Frodo decided to go and check on him. If Merry only had gone to the privy he should be back by now. Maybe Merry had trouble sleeping too?
Frodo walked around the Golden Hall, but no cousin was to be found, only a couple of guards standing their watch. Frodo wasn`t too familiar with the Golden Hall yet as they had only arrived two days earlier. Not finding Merry anywhere Frodo ventured outside in the bright summer dawn, thinking a breath of fresh air would do him good and clear his thoughts. Looking about the plains far ahead and the court and city close by he saw nothing that even remotely looked like his cousin, and he walked around the Hall towards a little hill facing east, where the morning sun would soon come into view over the mountain. There Frodo saw a tiny shape sitting still and watching the sunrise. As he climbed the little hill, the sun started to rise and soon after Frodo sat down beside Merry. “It's beautiful!" he breathed, watching as the sun coloured the tops of the mountains.
"Merry?" Frodo said when Merry didn't turn around and look at him.
Merry started and turned in a flash. "Frodo! How... What are you doing here?"
"I couldn´t sleep, so I decided to take some fresh air. It looks like you thought of the same?"
"Mmm. I couldn´t sleep either," Merry said, facing Frodo. "I’m worried about Pip."
"You always worry about Pip, Merry!" Frodo said but smiled when Merry scowled at him. “What is it now?" Frodo added more gently, a growing sense of alarm rising within him. What had happened now that he hadn't seen? Frodo could kick himself for being too lost in his own thoughts and not watch his cousins more closely.
“He frets, he does not sleep as well as he should, he doesn’t eat enough, his joints and bones hurt when he’s tired and sit or stand or lie too long. Where’s my carefree, laughing Pippin, Frodo? I miss the old Pip so much some times that I feel my heart will break.” Merry said, the words rushing out of him. He had been sitting slumped over a little, but now he straightened, to look directly at Frodo. Merry knew that Frodo knew all of this but sometimes Frodo didn't seem as aware of Merry and Pippin as he used to. Merry didn't doubt the reason for it and decided to talk about that later. A yawn suddenly escaped him.
Frodo drew his cousin into a hug, kissing his curls. “I know, Merry. I worry about him too.” Frodo felt Merry`s head nod in his embrace.
“Yes, and then there`s Sam!” Merry said lifting his head again, looking Frodo in the eye.
“We have all changed Merry, you and me too," Frodo said gently, stroking Merry's hair, guiding Merry's head back to his shoulder and slipping an arm around his shoulders. How long was it since he and Merry sat like this? It must have been... Frodo didn't remember. It must have been before they left the Shire then, Almost a year ago.
Merry sniffled a little and snuggled into Frodo’s side, rubbing sleepily at his eyes and watching the sun rise slowly over the mountain. The four hobbits had talked at length about everything that had happened since they were separated but Merry knew that some things took longer to understand and to heal than others, and they had talked about that too but Merry couldn't help but worry.
Frodo looked down on the golden crown of Merry’s head and tipped his own head down and laid his chin on the soft curls. Merry hadn't talked much about how he felt when he was walking from bedside to bedside in Ithilien but Frodo knew that it had been a hard trial for him. Merry had kept to the facts and told what had happened but not much about his feelings. Frodo had questioned Aragorn and Gandalf about it later and they told him a different story – a story where they more than once had carried an exhausted Merry to his cot, wrapping his cold arm in hot poultices and sat with him through nightmares and ills. Frodo had confronted Merry with this and they had argued about it. This repeated itself each time Frodo tried to get Merry to admit how tired he was and tell him if he wasn't feeling well or up to the tasks he had set his mind to. Frodo knew that he was the only one Merry would admit lack of strength or pain or hurt towards, even more so than Pippin, and it saddened Frodo to see that Merry kept this away from him now. In one of their arguments about this Merry had said that Frodo had more than enough to think about than to worry about Merry but that had only made Frodo ask if Merry distanced himself from them on purpose. What kind of a burden did he carry that he couldn’t share? Frodo knew the others had nightmares too, he had woken to them several times. He had gone to Pippin hoping that he could shed some light upon the matter but Pippin had told him that Merry didn't say anything to him about these things either.
Frodo could only hope that Merry would come to him in his own time, like he always had before. He looked down at his cousin. Was Merry snoring? "Merry?" Frodo whispered. No answer. He wriggled a bit and found a more comfortable spot. He looked down on Merry again. Merry's right hand lay in his lap and the other was resting on Frodo's knee. Frodo reached out and suddenly remembered something Pippin had done when Merry had looked pale and worn one day. He touched the hand gently. It was too cold! He touched the hand lying on his knee in wonder. The left hand was warm and felt normal to the touch. He took Merry's cold hand in his and rubbed softly at it to help it regain warmth. Lulled by the singing of the birds and the sounds of Merry's even breath Frodo soon fell asleep.
In a patch of bright morning sunlight, Aragorn found what he had been seeking. Two of the hobbits could not be found, and no one had seen them since last night. It was now past second breakfast. Both Legolas and Aragorn had searched Edoras for the missing hobbits, and while Pippin and Sam both were found snoring in a heavy post-festive sleep, Frodo and Merry were gone.
Aragorn walked on silent feet up to the little green hill where he saw one dark haired and one bright haired hobbit sit unmoving with their backs to the Golden Hall, facing the mountains. The sun was shining down on them, making their Elven cloaks look almost green, and their curls shine; Frodo’s rich, warm and brown, Merry’s like the sweetest of honey. Frodo had his good arm around Merry’s shoulders, and Merry was resting his head on Frodo’s shoulder. Coming around in front of the pair, Aragorn saw that both of them were soundly asleep. Frodo was dressed in the clothes he was given in Minas Tirith, Merry in his livery of Rohan. Crouching down in front of them, Aragorn noticed something else. With his injured hand, Frodo held Merry’s injured hand, and their fingers were entwined.
"Merry?" Aragorn shook the mail clad shoulder a little. Merry murmured something and licked his lips but didn’t wake, his head drooped more and leaning against Frodo´s chest. "Merry!" Aragorn lifted the hobbit’s chin, but Merry slept on, his face peaceful but pale and weary. Gently Aragorn disentangled Merry from Frodo’s grasp and laid the little warrior down on the soft grass, arranging him so that his left hand cradled his head, the right lying across his belly - the coolness of it did not surprise him and Aragorn frowned. Perhaps the last few days had been too much for Merry, what with the funeral and the ride upon the wagon bearing the late King’s arms? Lightly Aragorn shook Frodo´s shoulder. Now that Merry didn’t support his slumbering weight Frodo was falling to his side and Aragorn eased him down beside Merry. The Ringbearer was finally taking both food and rest and his cheeks had taken on a rosy hue. Frodo was alarmingly thin but he had improved a lot over the months and even if his eyes were full of sadness and loss, they were slowly but steadily filling with laughter and happiness.
"Frodo?" Frodo blinked his eyes open, panicking at first when Merry was not nestled close to him. A breath of relief passed over his lips when he saw his cousin resting on the grass. "It’s all right, Merry is here." Aragorn said, seeing the Frodo’s distress.
"He’s so tired, Strider.” Frodo said after rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “He´s worrying and fretting and does not care about himself while he watches over Pip and me. I too, but Merry especially savours every breath Pip takes. I´ve seen him, Aragorn, the way Merry drinks in every move, every word ... every thing from both Pip and me. He thinks I don’t notice but I do."
"I know Frodo." Aragorn said simply.
“And then there's Theoden and the funeral," Frodo continued, “I think Merry loved him dearly and mourns his loss like a fathers.” He sat up and looked at Merry’s sleeping form.
Aragorn nodded.
"We´re all weary,” Frodo said, "but there´s something else about Merry... Back home, before ... He used to be so strong, so joyful, so gloriously happy. And now, now it seems as if he carries a heavy burden. All of us are alive and we’ll soon go home, but Merry isn’t as happy as I would hope for.” Frodo paused and continued musingly after a moment’s thought. “As if seeing us alive and everything done and over with is a larger burden to him than worrying about staying alive during the Quest…"
Tears gathered in Frodo´s eyes now, and he moved over to put Merry´s head in his lap. "He is my Mer, my little cousin, my Merry-lad. He´s been through so much, Aragorn, and Pippin too.” He paused again, looking back at Aragorn's steady gaze.
“Will my Merry be merry again, do you know?" Frodo said. A wistful smile tugged at the corners at his mouth while he traced a few fingers feather light over the scar on Merry´s brow, down his cheek and over his delicate, pointy ear. "He shouldn´t have to worry anymore Strider!"
Aragorn could only watch. He knew, and had seen over and over again how the hobbits looked after each other, shared joys and perils with undivided love for each other and courage beyond what he had ever hoped for and remembered something he had said to comfort Pippin in the Houses of Healing. “Merry was grieved and wearied when he stabbed the Witch-king but even if he remembers his grief Frodo, it will not darken his heart but give him wisdom.” He wasn’t sure if this was what Frodo wanted to hear but Frodo nodded.
There was a rustle of cloth, and both Aragorn and Frodo looked up. Gimli came stomping up the hill. "So here you are. We have been looking all over for you." he said by way of greeting, gazing sternly at Aragorn for not bringing the hobbits back at once. "Is he well?" Gimli added, seeing Merry asleep in Frodo´s lap.
"He will be." Frodo said softly, then cleared his throat and added more loudly and with confidence. "Eventually."
Aragorn lifted Merry from Frodo´s lap and cradled the hobbit against his chest. "Yes, he will. You all will. Let´s get Merry back to bed, and find you some food Frodo. What were you two doing up here anyway?"
"Oh... just some cousinly conversation, that´s all." Frodo said smiling and taking hold of Merry's hand as they walked..
THE END
Title:Parsley Knowledge Thanks to Llinos for making the idiom rhyme and to the Norwegian author Inger Hagerup for writing the lovely children's poem about the parsley.
"Well," Sam said looking at Merry, happy to share some of his knowledge. "We have a saying for that. Many of the weeds look nice but do more damage to the garden than good, but some plants are hardly noticeable and could be taken for weeds if you didn't know how to look for them. Gardener's say that just because the parsley's green, doesn't mean it isn't seen."
Title: Frodo Frodo, Merry thought, was so much more than the cousin he had loved since his birth. Merry couldn't remember life without Frodo and now he was beyond reach. Frodo had left with Gandalf and Bilbo on the ship and now Merry's pilar of support, big brother, wise friend, childhood playmate, teacher and among the dearest of cousins was gone. Merry knew he had to live with that and reminded himself that he hadn't lost Pippin. Still, Frodo would always hold a special place in his heart, no matter how far away he was and Merry took comfort in that.
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