"If you could just push me along a little bit, Uncle Merry, I can almost reach them now!"

Faramir Took sat on a sturdy branch about halfway up one of Farmer Maggot's apple trees, trying desperately to reach some of the shiny red fruit that hung tantalisingly just out of reach of his outstretched hands. Merry groaned inwardly as he helped his nephew to climb further along the branch. If Pippin knew what they were doing, or Diamond come to that, then he was sure he would be banned from seeing his young nephew until the child had entered in to adulthood at the age of thirty three. As it was, Faramir had used his considerable charm to persuade his uncle to assist in a plan that was so full of potential problems he didn't know whether to be proud that his nephew was so like his adventurous father or scared witless that the boy had inherited none of his mother's sense of caution. Despite the fact that it had rained heavily the night before and that the young Took had built up a reputation that rivalled his father's with the red-faced farmer, Faramir was determined to pick as many apples as possible from the tree for a special pie he was going to convince his Aunty Stella to make for his parents' arrival the following day. Merry looked around the orchard once more, careful to spot any signs of the farmer's approach.

"Come on now Faramir, Farmer Maggot will be here any minute! I'm in half a mind to leave you up this tree and go back home, apples or no apples! A respectable hobbit such as I cannot be seen to be taking liberties in regards to other people's property, I'm a hobbit of authority now you know!"

He was interrupted by a small thud as the first apple fell in to the basket that sat on the ground next to him. Faramir smiled as he called down to his uncle.

"Papa told me you had a sense of adventure and recklessness, but I think he must have mistaken you for someone else. I was under the impression that you were a noble hobbit willing to take a risk for a cause of great importance, but instead you appear to be one of those stuffy hobbits who wouldn't dare bend the rules for anything, not even to help his young nephew. Never mind, I'm almost done now."

He knocked a few more apples in to the basket before climbing deftly along the branch and down the gnarled trunk. Merry could hear the old farmer shouting as he approached from his house away across the other side of the orchard.

"Stay away from my fruit, d'you hear? If I find you've been stealing again, Faramir Took, then I will be straight off to tell your father!"

Merry grabbed his young nephew's hand and began to run.

"I think it's time we made our exit, don't you?"

"But Uncle Merry, we've left the basket!"

Faramir tore his hand away from his uncle's, darted back to the basket lying forgotten on the ground, picked it up and sprinted off ahead of his uncle and out of the open gate. When Farmer Maggot finally reached the tree a few minutes later, he found one of the branches relieved entirely of its fruit. He walked on towards the orchard gate, and found it swinging wide open.

"The apple never falls far from the tree as they say. Just like his father and uncle that one is! One of these days he will get in to some serious trouble, mark my words!"

With that he ambled slowly back to the farmhouse. Faramir Took could wait for another day; there was the more important matter of supper that required his attention just now.

They didn't stop running until they reached the winding lane that led down to Merry's large house on the outskirts of Buckland. Merry collapsed first down on the grassy banks that laid either side of the path, completely out of breath, soon followed by Faramir, who began chattering excitedly.

"That was fun, Uncle Merry! I think next time we should try and get some pears, or some berries. Or maybe we should get both. Aunty Stella-"

"Hold it right there Faramir Took! Firstly, there probably won't be a next time. I am too old now for this sort of thing, I don't know how you managed to convince me this was a good idea, but I won't be fooled again so easily. Secondly your Aunty Stella would be less than pleased to learn that we had been stealing from Farmer Maggot. This stays between us, alright?"

"Alright Uncle Merry, I promise I won't tell," Faramir sighed, "but you know we weren't really stealing, right? I mean, Papa told me you and he used to visit Farmer Maggot all the time, and he never used to mind if you borrowed a few mushrooms or the odd apple then, did he?"

Merry looked down at his ten year old nephew, face so full of innocence, and smiled. Faramir was so like his father; emerald eyes shining with unending curiosity, hazel curls falling messily across his brow as he grinned cheekily up at his uncle.

"No, I don't suppose he did, but we mustn't be too greedy. Farmer Maggot is older now; it isn't as easy for him to run the farm any more, and we must respect that. No more 'visits' this week alright?"

"Yes Uncle Merry."

Merry winked and ruffled his curls fondly.

"Good! Now we must be getting back before your aunty starts to worry. The sun is beginning to sink already."

He took Faramir's hand and pulled them both up on to their feet. They gathered up the basket again before walking off along the path back home.

Estella was beginning to worry. Supper was almost ready now, and they still hadn't returned. She took down a lantern from the wall and looked out in to the gathering gloom once more, and to her relief, she spotted them both walking steadily along the path just yards away.

A few seconds later there was a gentle knock at the door. Estella opened it and found Faramir holding a basket full of shiny red apples, her husband stood behind him. She took them from him, placing them in the sink ready for washing, before returning to the door and wrapping him in a warm embrace.

"You're freezing cold Faramir! Let's get you settled by the fire before I see about some supper for the both of you."

Faramir began to giggle as she carried him over to the cosy wood fire that crackled invitingly in the grate, Merry following behind to sit at the old oak table that stood next to the stove. She sat him down in an overstuffed chair and walked back over to the pot that hung over the stove, stirring it gently for a few moments, before pouring the steaming mixture in to three bowls. She carried one over to her husband, who accepted it gratefully.

"Thank you, Stel. I'll make sure Faramir gets his bath as soon as he's finished supper."

She smiled at her husband before carrying another bowl over to her nephew, who sat staring sleepily in to the fire. She perched on the arm of his chair and began to talk to him as he ate the stew hungrily.

"It's going to be a long day tomorrow Faramir, so I think it would be a good idea for you to get an early night, so you're not too tired for seeing your parents in the morning. Uncle Merry will draw you a bath before bed, but make sure you finish your supper first."

"Okay Aunty Stella."

She took her own bowl and settled down in to a chair beside her husband.

"So whose idea was it to pick apples down at Farmer Maggot's place?"

Merry looked up from his bowl.

"I'm sure I wouldn't know what you were talking about Stel. We found them on the ground further down the lane and picked them up. Faramir thought you could maybe use them for a pie as a special treat for his parents arriving tomorrow. Isn't that right Faramir?"

Faramir, who had remained silent as he listened to their exchange, now nodded ferverently. Estella arched an eyebrow as she studied Faramir's face, which was as usual a picture of innocence. He struggled to keep from giggling, but he didn't want to let his uncle down, so he carefully suppressed his laughter.

"Well now, I know your uncle is a great teller of tales, but I think I can give you the benefit of the doubt. Now, off you go, get your things ready for your bath."

Faramir scooted quickly out the room and down the corridor to the guest room in which he was staying. Estella turned once more towards her husband, fixing him with a look of firm disapproval.

"One of these days, you will get that boy in serious trouble Meriadoc Brandybuck! Away with you, go and draw Faramir's bath."

Merry kissed her softly on the brow before departing to the bathing room. Estella began to clean away the plates, chuckling softly to herself as she listened to the shrieks of delight coming from her young nephew as he splashed joyfully around in the deep copper tub.

An hour later, Faramir was laid in bed, his uncle settled in the chair beside him.

"When will Mama and Papa be arriving Uncle Merry?"

"Well your father said they intended to leave early so hopefully around lunchtime. Have you missed them?"

"I have a bit, but it's alright because I've had you and Aunty Stella to look after me."

He smiled sleepily and snuggled down underneath his blankets. Merry kissed him on the brow and got up to leave.

"Sleep well, little one. Sweet dreams."

He closed the door quietly behind him, his nephew already fast asleep, snoring softly.

A/N: I'm trying something new here, something a bit more light-hearted. I would appreciate any advice or comments you would like to give if there is any way you think I can improve this. The next chapter should involve the reunion of Merry and Pip, the original terrible twosome! I really hope you enjoyed reading this. Fear not I haven't abandoned Trials, its next on my list!

Also it might be worth me mentioning that Merry is married to Estella Bolger in this story. I know it's not said that they marry in the appendices, but they seem to be accepted as a couple in the majority of adult Merry fanfics that I have read.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time…..

Smileyhalo