Disaster Waiting For Trouble
Disclaimer: These are JRR Tolkien's characters, not mine. I'm every bit an amateur, so constructive criticism is always welcome. Happy reading!
Hello! And thanks to Natta, Pansy Chubb, and loveofthering for your kind and thoughtful reviews! I thought more on chapter 5, and I, too, thought Harmin was a bit too violent! Honest; I'm not a violent person!, and sometimes post stories before I actually "sleep on them". I love Merry and Pippin dearly, and two of the several points I wanted to convey were these: 1) Merry and Pippin love and depend upon one another--even more than they know!, and 2) It's not easy moving to a new "neighborhood" where you don't know everybody. Hope this helps, and again, Happy Reading!
Chapter 1 - Farewell To Whitwell
Pippin stood on top of his mattress in his empty bedroom; the walls echoed when he cleared his throat. He looked around to make sure no one was looking, then stole a few last jumps; he hadn't jumped on his mattress in a long while--the last time was about...two weeks ago! But this would definitely likely be his very last time on this bed, so he savored every bounce. After a minute of jumping, he got down and walked over to where his wardrobe used to be. He gazed at the spot where his mother used to place his clean clothes and linen. Apart from his bed, his entire room was empty--apparently the bed wasn't needed at Great Smials. Lastly, he stood before the window that gave him a view of distant trees filled with green leaves and of wild flowers in the meadows during the warm summer months. He remembered back as a small child running from flower to flower, catching each one in his hand for his mother before they ran away. His older cousin, Merry, had told Pippin that the pretty flowers would all run away after nightfall, never to return. Pippin grinned at himself for being so gullible, but then again, he thought, most four-year-olds are...
"Pippin!" Pippin heard his mother calling him, and so he finally walked out of his room. As he passed through the empty kitchen, he paused and imagined once again all the rivalry and laughter that surrounded the family dinner table. He wistfully sighed, and stepped outside the door, leaving behind him the first twelve years of his life.
"Pippin, we're waiting on you, son!" In contrast to the bright, sunny spring day, Eglantine watched a gloomy Pippin, hands in his pockets, walk towards the last wagon. She knew this was difficult enough for her son, and didn't want to rush him; but there were three wagons laden with furniture, food, and other goods. If they didn't start soon, they may as well stay another day--and with what? Everything was packed!
Pippin didn't say a word; he silently lifted himself into the back of the wagon Frodo and Merry were driving and slouched down between two wooden boxes so no one would bother him. Pippin heard his father, driving the lead wagon, flick the reins of his ponies, "Let's go!". Next was Cousin Avelard and his sons Reginard and Everard, and last in line was Frodo and Merry. One by one, the wagons rolled on towards Great Smials.
It was slow going up the narrow winding road, and in the rear distance, Pippin could still see Whitwell. The grim expression on his face was in total difference to that of his sister's laughter. Pervinca sat on a crate directly behind the front seat exchanging funny stories with her cousins, and Sam--one of Frodo's friends. After a while, she came back to sit with Pippin.
"What were you all laughing about?"
"Everything...and nothing." Pervinca studied her brother, "You are in a dour mood, aren't you?" Pippin didn't reply; he just continued to look out over the road behind them. "There's nothing anybody can do to change things, Pip. I lived my whole life at Whitwell, too."
"That doesn't mean I have to like it, does it?" Pippin still aimlessly gazed at the road winding behind them.
"No, Pippin, you don't have to like it. But I am sure before long you'll be up to your old tricks again!" Pervinca tried to cheer her brother. "It's not like you to let life slip by without so much as sticking your toes in to test the water!"
Pippin took his eyes from the road, looked at his sister and sighed. "Yes, I suppose I'm good for that, aren't I?"
"Don't let this go to your head Pip, but there's never a dull moment when you're around!" Pippin turned his face in the other direction, but Pervinca knew he was hiding a smile.
The wagons all came to a stop in front of the Thain's entrance. Pervinca made ready to climb out of the wagon. "Pervinca!" Pippin grabbed her arm before she could leave. Pippin paused; he was trying to find the right words, then finally said, "Thanks."
His sister smiled in return, then climbed out.