For the Noble Platypus on her birthday. A drabble. Young Merry and Wee Pippin, on the night of “The Five Rules of Cooking.” Merry is 14 and Pippin is 6.

Merry passes on a tradition.

Cheeky Took

Merry looks at Pippin with approval. “Ready to go?”

“Ready!” Pippin exclaims, bouncing excitedly, a humorous sight in his present condition. “How many times do I have to go?”

“This many.” Merry flashes all five fingers of his right hand. He peers out from their hiding place between two tents. The Mayor is announcing the winners of the Junior’s Cooking Contest.

Merry pats Pippin on the back. “Do me proud, Pip.”

“I will Mer-Bear!” Pippin vows, turns and dashes for the stage to accept their prize, wearing not a stitch of clothing.

It is a most memorable Free Fair.

GF 1/24/09
 
 

A/N: To see how this tradition began, read "In a Flash", chapter 10 of my GamgeeFest Keepsakes collection.