Dreamflower · 16 January 2006 · Chapter 3: The Witches of Tuckborough
This was so funny! I loved Pippin's discomfiture and having to be combed and brushed, but the funniest part was in the middle: "Merry," Pippin smiled sweetly at his favourite Brandybuck cousin, "Have you ever seen a witch?" "A witch? You don't see many of those in the Shire, Pippin! Why, I think that the only one seen in recent years was the one cousin Frodo saw when he last visited the Sackville Bagginses with Bilbo..." "I saw one," interrupted Pippin. "In fact, I saw two!" Merry's eyes widened, and he focused his gaze on Pippin, his mushroom soup laden spoon missing his mouth and hitting his cheek as he turned to look at the young hobbit sat next to him. "Really Pippin? Where did you find two witches in Tuckborough?" "I didn't see them at home, silly, although they might have been there..... I saw them in Brandy Hall - in my bed chamber!" "And you're still alive? You are one brave hobbit, cousin Pippin! Where are they now?" Pippin scanned the great dining room and pointed in the vague direction of his two oldest sisters. "Oh..." the twenty year old hobbit said as he followed his cousin's shaking finger. "What are we going to do then?" This was a hoot! I loved the subtle reference to Lobelia! But best of all was Merry's unquestioning acceptance of Pippin's declaration that his sisters were witches, and his immediately wanting to know what they were going to do! LOL! Yay, Merry! No wonder he's Pippin's favorite cousin!