And Drink To Me Yet By Ara E R Took

Chapter 1 - The Calling

Pippin gazed boredly out the window. Of course, nothing was happening. Nothing ever would. He sighed. This wasn't the life for him.

He looked over at the mantelpiece. On it lay his sword of old, from the days of the Fellowship. Its handle was worn, and there was a patch on the faded scabbard. There were fond memories behind that sword. He glanced around. No one in sight. With stealthy step, he crossed to the mantle. He gently lifted down the sword, and drew it out. The metal still shone bright and clear, a true Elvish blade. Smiling, he gripped it with a firmer hand. He whirled around, parrying an imaginary enemy. With a laugh and a battle cry, he began leaping about the room, battling orcs and saving his companions time and time again.

Then a hand caught him on the shoulder. He froze, and with a gulp looked over his shoulder.

"Oh! It's just you, Merry! Thank goodness! I thought I was in troub-"

He faltered, unable to complete his sentence. Merry was gazing sternly at him. He looked pointedly at Pippin's sword. With a blush, Pippin hurriedly put it away. Then he rounded again to face his old friend.

"Merry, what's gotten int-"

"I told you not to call me that anymore!" Merry's eyes flashed. Pippin shrank back a little, amazed at his friend's icy voice. "My name is Meriadoc. Not Merry."

"Oh." Pippin muttered, confused. He sat down at his little writing desk, eyes still fixed on Merry. "Well, what can I do you for, Meriadoc?"

"I," Merry said loftily, "have been sent to find you by the Lord and King Elessar of Gondor and his Lady Queen Arwen. They are recalling the Fellowship for a gathering at Gondor. Shall I have the pleasure of informing them that you will attend?"

Pippin pretended to check his calendar, leafing through the thick book before him. Out of the corner of his eye he was studying Merry. Meriadoc Brandybuck was standing with his arms crossed over his chest, eyes restlessly roaming about the room. 'He misses the adventure too,' Pippin thought, 'He just doesn't want to show it.' He nodded and looked up at his friend.

"I have no urgent appointments for a few months. But tell me," he asked earnestly, leaning over his book to catch Merry's eye better, "Why does 'Elessar' want to see us?"

For just a moment, Merry frowned. His eyes cleared up a bit as he scratched his head and said, "I don't know, Pippin." But then his frown changed back into a scowl as he said, "But it is not our duty or station, Peregin, to question the will of the King."

Pippin stifled a disappointed sigh as Merry's eyes clouded over again and he resumed his uppity air. He was worried about Merry. Ever since he had become Aragorn's councilor in the Shire, Merry had been acting odd. He held himself differently and spoke differently. But the greatest change of all was his eyes. They had become haughty and, Pippin noticed now, a little clouded. Pippin closed his book and stood, holding out a hand for Merry to shake.

Merry looked coldly down on the hand. Meekly, Pippin drew it back. "When..." he stammered under Merry's scornful glare, "When will we be leaving?"

"Now." Pippin started. He hadn't expected that.

"Really?"

"Yes. Pack your things and be outside in 10 minutes. I'll have a servant bring your horse around."

"Um, Merr-, I mean, Meriadoc?"

"What is it now?"

"I haven't got any servants."

Merry's eyebrow shot up as Pippin cast his eyes down at the floor. He didn't have any servants. He didn't need any servants. He could manage just fine by himself. But the look in Merry's eyes was beyond pity or scorn. It was reproach.

"I'll send one of mine." Merry said in the same icy voice he had used before. Pippin nodded, hardly daring to say he could get it himself. Merry swept from the room muttering. Pippin remained seated, head in his hands. He stayed that way for a minute, contemplating. Then he arose, opening another door and entering his bedroom. He quickly threw some clothing into a bag, taking care to bring his best suit, just in case. He returned to the other room. Pausing, he looked again toward the mantle piece. He glanced about him again, no one there. With a bit of a smile, he took down his sword again. Just in case.

((hi!*waves* I got this story idea from a friend, and she did some of the chapters, so if it sounds farmilier... that's because it is. ooer... anyway! What will happen next? What's wrong with Merry? Will Pippin need his sword? Can they get the Fellowship back together? And what the bloody hell does Aragorn want with them anyway? Almost all... well, SOME of these questions will be answered in Chapter 2!!! BUT, because I'm an evil whatsit, I will only post it if I get REVIEWS! *laughs madly.* so, if you want to find out what happens next, please R&R! Criticism welcomed. But before you go on a criticism spree, i'd like to defend this story on a few points, which will be spaced acording to the time at which they become relevant in this story. *Clears throat* 1) the fact that Pippin outranks Merry. do you think Merry cares??? he's EVIL I tell you, EVIL!!! well, ok, maybe just brainwashed, but STILL!! 2)that Sam and Pippin were counselors too. Sam and Pippin stopped going because Aragorn was so mean! Anyway, more defenses and chapters soon!!))