Author: PipMer
Title: A Conspiracy Begun
Theme: Young/Old Pairing for the September 2008 LOTR Challenge
Elements: cheerful, swift, plain
Author's Notes: My Young/Old Pairing was Merry/Bilbo
Beta: Elanor; thank you so much for your help with this story!
Summary: We all know how the Conspiracy was unmasked; but how did it begin? Let's start at the VERY beginning...
Word Count:3372

Everything had changed for him a week ago. He had been visiting Lilac Goodbody, his mother‘s second cousin once removed, and her husband, Prodo in Hobbiton. His father had dropped him off on his way to doing business at Michel Delving, and he was to spend a week with his family, and then a week at Bilbo and Frodo's along with little Pippin, who was going to be visiting as well. It was to be a very full fortnight for young Merry, who had just turned eighteen the month before.

It was the second day of his visit, and Merry had decided to take the short walk to Bag End to say a quick hello to Bilbo and Frodo. He had set out with a cheerful smile on his face, walking along the dusty road, hands in pockets, whistling a tune…. One of Bilbo’s walking songs, in point of fact. The sun had been shining brightly, and a slight breeze danced by, ruffling his curls. He was going to surprise Bilbo and Frodo by popping in on them for a few minutes. It might very well be the only chance he got to have them to himself before the little Pipsqueak came to visit!

As he came round the bend, he had smiled with delight to see Bilbo not a hundred feet ahead of him. Merry had just taken a breath to shout out a greeting, when two things happened.

The Sackville-Bagginses had appeared in the lane, and Bilbo had disappeared.

In the blink of an eye, Bilbo had gone from walking along the road, to not being there at all! What in all the Shire??

Merry immediately hid in the hedges on the side of the road. He watched the SB's travel on, and then fixed his eyes on the place where he has last seen Bilbo. And a moment later Bilbo reappeared, flipping something with a glint of gold into the air and then into his pocket.

Merry caught his breath, and felt a surge of panic. Frightened, he turned in the direction of his family’s home, and fled.

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And now... now, here he was to spend a week in Bilbo's home, in close proximity to whatever sorcery or magic Bilbo had been using that day. The thought alarmed him immensely, and he couldn't think how he was going to get on.

He stood, trembling, heart hammering, at the door to Bag-End, his hand poised to knock. And he remained frozen in that position for at least five minutes, before finally he screwed up his courage. Taking a deep breath, closing his eyes, he knocked three times on the green door. After what seemed like an eternity, Bilbo appeared, smiling cheerfully, to usher Merry into his little sanctuary. Merry stared at Bilbo with a mixture of awe and trepidation. He had known the old hobbit all of his young life, but now he was seeing him in a whole new, rather disquieting light.

"Merry, how very fine to see you again! Pippin has not yet arrived but he should be here within the hour. Frodo has been waiting very impatiently for you to show up; seems he has plans for you two this afternoon. Well, come in, come in, young hobbit! What's the matter? You look as though you've seen a ghost."

“Uh, erm…“ Merry gulped and then he blurted out: “Bilbo, I saw you!"

Bilbo looked at him askance. "You saw me? You mean before just now? Did you see me jaunting around town while you were staying with your aunt?"

Merry‘s resolve crumbled as quickly as he had plucked it up. "Um...yes. And I'm sorry I didn't stop to say hello, but I was in a bit of a rush at the time. Didn't want you to think I was being rude, though."

"My dear boy, I could never think that YOU are rude! You are the most polite hobbit I know. Unlike your little cousin Peregrin, who, by the way, shall be here at any moment. Don't just stand in the doorway, lad! You know where your room is. Go put your pack there, and then go find Frodo. I imagine he's in the study, impatiently awaiting your arrival."

Merry nodded, hurrying past Bilbo with downcast eyes. As soon as he reached his room, he shut the door, leaned his forehead against the cool surface of the wood, and took a shaky breath.

How on earth was he going to make it through an entire week?

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Fifteen minutes later, a small bundle of energy flew into Bag End and in very short order upset it for days afterwards. Pippin made a swift beeline for Merry, giving his favourite cousin a ferocious hug. And Merry hugged back just as fiercely. Pippin was also his favourite, aside from Frodo.

“And how are you this fine day, young Master Took?” Bilbo said cheerfully as Pippin rushed past him into Merry’s arms.

“Excellent, Cousin Bilbo!” the young Took proclaimed. He turned to give the waiting Frodo an enthusiastic embrace as well. “Da says that I can go fishing with Frodo and Merry this visit! See, I even brought my own fishing pole!”

“So you did, so you did,” Bilbo indulgently tousled Pippin’s chestnut curls. “Well, lad, let Merry help you carry your pack and pole to your room.”

As Merry led a chattering Pippin away, Bilbo turned to Frodo with a frown. “Does Merry seem alright to you, lad? His colour seems a little off, and his whole demeanour seems rather forced.”

Frodo shrugged. “I think he’s just moody. He’s almost a tween you know. I expect we’ll have to be on the look out for some adolescent angst for a while now.” He smiled at Bilbo. “Don’t worry, Uncle. I’ll keep both of the lads occupied and out of your hair for the better part of the week.”

“Oh, I don’t mind having them over once in awhile,” Bilbo said cheerfully. “Merry responds well to my storytelling, and Pippin responds well to my cooking so all is as it should be!”

Frodo laughed.

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Dinner that night was a strained affair. Bilbo asked how their afternoon had gone (the lads had taken Pippin on his first fishing trip). Pippin proceeded to spin a yarn about how many smaller fish he had caught that he had to toss back, until he had finally caught the one that he was now eating. Frodo teased Pippin by telling Bilbo how squeamish Pippin had been about putting the worms on the hook; he then deftly changed the subject and told Bilbo about some of the translations that he had been working on before Merry and Pippin had arrived. This usually would serve to perk Merry up; he was a very scholarly lad, and enjoyed learning about the history of early Middle-earth; he had even picked up some Elvish along the way.

However, all through this meal, Merry sat silently eating, stealing glances at Bilbo out of the corner of his eye. Bilbo tried to engage him in conversation, but only got monosyllables in reply.

“So then, dear Merry, did you enjoy your afternoon?”

“ Yes.”

“How many fish did you catch?”

“Three.”

“Frodo says he thinks a walking trip tomorrow is just the thing; what do you think?”

“Fine.”

Bilbo finally gave it up as a bad job. The whole time, Merry’s mind was awhirl. What had that glint of gold been? Would Bilbo inadvertently produce it again? Did Frodo know anything about it? Might that book that Bilbo was writing contain any clues as to the source of this ‘magic’?

Merry wondered how was he going to make it for six more days under the malevolent gaze of this hobbit sorcerer? Now, gulping, he managed a weak smile as Bilbo looked at him with concern.

“Are you feeling alright, Merry? You look a bit peaked.”

You know, I AM feeling a bit under the weather,” Merry responded tremulously, prompting an astonished look from Frodo. “I think I may just go to my room after dinner and spend the evening there. Perhaps I’ll feel better for the walking trip tomorrow.”

“Yes, perhaps that IS for the best. Why don’t you turn in now, and I’ll send Frodo in with some afters for you in an hour or so.”

“Thank you, Bilbo,” Merry said, trying to inject some gratitude into his tone of voice. “I’m sorry I’m being such a kill-joy tonight, Frodo. I promise I’ll be up bright and early for the day tomorrow.” And with that, he made a hasty exit.

True to his word, about an hour later Frodo knocked on Merry’s door, and in response to Merry’s weak ‘come in’ entered with some scones. Setting the tray off to one side, he came over to where Merry was lying on the bed with his back to the door.

“What’s going on, Merry?”

Merry turned over and looked owlishly up at Frodo.

“I’m sorry, Frodo, I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I felt fine during the fishing trip…”

“I know you did.”

“But then, before dinner I seemed to have developed an upset stomach, and a headache, and a sore throat…”

“Stop it Merry. Something’s troubling you.” Frodo sat down on the bed next to Merry. “No more tall tales now; you know you can tell me about it.”

Merry swallowed. “Frodo, has Bilbo ever done anything… odd in your presence? I mean beyond the usual, of course. Do you think perhaps he could have picked up a magic spell or two from that wizard he was always hanging about with?”

“You mean Gandalf?” Frodo laughed. “No, Gandalf’s harmless. He never uses magic unless there’s dire need of it.. Certainly he doesn’t use it frivolously.”

Frodo suddenly felt a chill; he shivered in spite of the evening’s heat. Surely there was no way Merry could know about….. No, there was no way whatsoever he could even have an inkling!

“Why do you ask, Merry?” Frodo asked cautiously.

“No reason, particularly. I just got to thinking about his crazy adventure, you know, and how he got mixed up with the wizard, and how some very frightening things happened. I just thought he might have picked some tricks up in his travels.”

“Tricks, eh?” Frodo relaxed slightly. “No, no tricks that I know of. Just ‘Mad Baggins’ with his stories and his piles of gold, you know.”

Merry laughed shakily. “Right. How silly of me to think so.” He sat up, and reached for a scone.

Frodo merrily slapped his hand away. “Oh, no, not until you are comfortably ensconced in an armchair in the parlour. Time for a smoke, and all that.”

Merry reluctantly got out of bed. “Where is the little scamp, anyway?”

“In bed already, he was very tuckered out from the day’s events.”

“Is Bilbo in the parlour too?”

“Indeed he is. Oh, come now! Get rid of whatever silly notions are in your head, cousin! Come enjoy a pipe, and a story or two.”

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The following day dawned bright and beautiful, a glorious day for a Shire walking trip. Pippin was beside himself with excitement, having never been on one before.

“Well, Pip, this is a visit for firsts, isn’t it?“ Merry exclaimed as they sat together at the table as Frodo finished washing up. “Your first fishing trip, and your first walking trip! Pervinca will be jealous.’

“Nah, she won’t,” Pippin replied. “She’s started to act like a real lass lately, with dresses and ribbons and such rubbish. She’s not as interested in doing things outdoors anymore.”

“Rather a bore, I should say,” Frodo said smiling as he walked by, and ruffling Pippin’s curls.

Bilbo poked his head into the kitchen. “Is all ready, lads? Elevenses and luncheon all packed up? Plus some extras for snacking? Right; let’s be off before the day gets too hot.”

Frodo cheerfully grabbed the pack of foodstuffs as the four hobbits made their way outdoors.

The hobbits walked out into a crisp, misty morning. The sun still hadn’t burnt the morning fog away, and there was a slight chill in the air, which was not at all surprising, it being the latter part of Wedmath.

Frodo and Pippin walked on ahead, leaving Merry to walk with Bilbo. Merry felt a distinct sense of unease as the time passed and the silence stretched between them, though Bilbo, discerning Merry had nothing to say, merrily whistled a walking tune, and seemed quite content to keep to himself.

Finally, Merry could stand it no longer. He had been determined the night before to get to the bottom of Bilbo’s secret; he would pry it out of the old hobbit now if he had to!

“I say, Bilbo,” he began hesitantly, “I’ve heard you tell the story of your adventure countless times, but there’s still one part I’m a bit confused by.”

Bilbo, ever happy to talk about his adventure, encouraged Merry. “Certainly, my dear lad. What is it that confounds you? I’ll do my best to explain it.”

Merry took a deep breath, then plunged right in. “It concerns your riddle game with Gollum.”

Immediately, Bilbo straightened up and took on a defensive posture. “Yes?” he asked.

“Well, you never did reveal what it was you had in your pocket; you know, the last riddle that won you the game, and forced Gollum to help you find a way out? At least, until he tried to betray you. What was it that was in your pocket, Bilbo?”

Bilbo smiled. “Why, nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was all just a ruse, in order to escape that loathsome creature.

“But Gollum’s last guess was ‘string.. Or nothing’. And you said ‘neither’.

“I lied,” Bilbo said, seemingly a bit uncomfortable now. “After all, I was fighting for my life! And Gollum wasn’t above cheating either - he tried to squeeze TWO guesses into his last one. I merely ignored the second one, and took ‘string’ to be his guess.”

“I see, ‘ Merry responded slowly.

“See here, lad,” Bilbo said rather heatedly, “I’d like to see anyone be in that position, and see what kind of choices they make and what actions they take. Yes, it was less than honourable… I cheated, basically… no, not basically….. I cheated. But I was only too happy to escape with my life.”

“Speaking of escaping… how, exactly, did you manage that?”

“Well, perhaps I shall tell you, in good time,” Bilbo said, pleasantly but firmly. “But that’s enough wandering down memory lane for now. We’re wandering down this lovely road, and the weather is beautiful…let us take awhile to enjoy our surroundings, shall we?” And with that, the discussion was over.

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The hobbits had returned to Bag End around tea time; any longer and young Peregrin would have collapsed into somebody's arms and demanded to be carried. As it was, Pippin was put down for a nap right after everybody had tea. Everyone was tired, but cheerful.

As soon as Pippin had been settled, the rest of the hobbits gathered in the kitchen for some baking. Bilbo was making some pies and pastries for guests expected in the coming days. Merry especially enjoyed this activity, and Frodo didn't mind, as long as Merry was helping. Otherwise, Frodo found it quite the chore.

Merry was quiet and thoughtful throughout the baking process. His mind kept going around and around in circles; what was that glint of gold he saw Bilbo toss into the air after he re-appeared? Merry had a feeling it had something to do with how Bilbo had escaped Gollum’s cave. Something in his pocket had turned him invisible, and allowed him to creep by Gollum undetected. Yes, that was the way of it; he just knew it! And he bet that the answer lay in that book that Bilbo was writing. He needed to sneak a peak, somehow.

Well, there was no time like the present.

“I have to use the privy,” Merry announced. He hastily washed up, and made his way to the back of the smial. Bilbo’s study was located past all of the guest bedrooms, towards the rear entrance of Bag-End. Merry quietly opened the rear door, pretended to exit, and then shut the door. There, he had maybe five minutes to find out what was in that book.

Merry wasn’t sure what drove him so relentlessly to find out what was behind Bilbo’s disappearing act. Maybe it was because he was aware of Bilbo’s repressed wanderlust beginning to reveal itself in the small trips around the Shire that Bilbo had been taking of late. Frodo said that Bilbo had even gone to Bree a few weeks back! Now, why would any hobbit in his right mind take off like that, to wander outside of the Shire? Clearly, it wasn’t natural.

At any rate, here was his opportunity to find out what was going on. Quietly, he pushed open the door to Bilbo’s study, and stealthily entered. The room smelled musty and closed; there was dust everywhere; books and papers were scattered untidily throughout the room.

Merry cautiously made his way to the large oak desk sitting in the centre of the room. There were some parchments lying haphazardly to one side; on the other, a book lay opened, its plain vellum pages gleaming in the gloom. Neat writing in black ink covered the open pages, thought the second page was only half full.

Merry took in a breath. Could he really be so lucky?

He bent down over the book, hurriedly paging backwards, eyes rapidly scanning the pages. About 30 pages back, he found what he was looking for…. Riddles in the Dark. Quickly, he read the account: Bilbo finding a ring, pocketing it, meeting Gollum, engaging in the riddle game.. And finally, asking what was in his pocket. He read rapidly, clear through to end of the chapter, and was rewarded when he read that Bilbo had slipped past Gollum by putting the ring on, which had caused him to disappear.

Merry straightened up, and returned the pages to the position they had been in when he had entered. Swiftly, he exited the room, opened and closed the rear door, and made his way back into the kitchen, where Bilbo and Frodo were still preparing pies.

“Pippin still asleep?” Merry asked nonchalantly.

“Yes, the little fellow is all tuckered out, apparently,” Frodo replied, smiling at Merry. “We usually don’t get a respite like this when he’s around.”

“No, we certainly don’t,” Bilbo rejoined. “That young hobbit tires me out every time he comes to visit. Not that I don’t enjoy his company,” he hastily added. “He’s just a lot of work, that one.”

“Indeed,” said Merry.

The rest of the week passed in easy camaraderie. Merry kept his eyes open for any more bizarre behaviour, but nothing untoward or out of the ordinary happened. He didn’t think the ring was dangerous now; mostly he was just curious as to what Bilbo used the ring for. He decided it probably just came in handy on the spur of the moment, like the time Bilbo needed to evade the Sackville-Bagginses. But he would definitely be keeping his eyes open for anything peculiar from now on!

Merry had a sneaking suspicion that Frodo probably knew about the ring as well, but was keeping the information private, for reasons of his own. Well, that was alright; Merry could keep a secret as well!

When, in little more than a year’s time, Bilbo pulled his final disappearing act, it was all Merry could do to keep mum on the subject, but he did. He just had a feeling that it still wasn’t the right time to reveal what he had seen and read. He did what he could for Frodo; sticking by him during that awful, lonely time of transition. And then, seventeen years later, when he was needed again… he finally revealed what he had known since his teens.

The Conspiracy into which Pippin and Sam had been drawn as well was now unmasked and its origins revealed as a scheme that had started out as a conspiracy of one.