Chapter One
Molly was sitting on the stool in front of Pippin Took's bar,as Merry made her a virgin ale. Pippin had died a few months before,and the Inn that the old Took had owned had gone,not to the next oldest Took,but to Merry,his best friend. Merry was eyeing his daughter,almost guiltily. Nothing had been done the right by her for eight years. How could it be that she still loved and respected him as she did?
"Here you go,Love."
He slid the mug across to her,and she caught it,with the same quick reflexes as was the dominant attribute of all Tooks. She was just like her mother in that way. "Molly,there are some things that you need to know,before I bring you back to Buckland."
She sipped at her "ale" and nodded."Yes,Merry?"
Merry cleared his throat,and looked at his little girl,afraid for a moment that he would break down. "You are not Samwise Gamgee's sister." She looked at him,without saying anything,and he sighed in relief. "You're my daughter,Molly." After a minute of her continued silence,Merry wondered if he'd put her into shock. "Molly? Please say somethin'...anythin'"
"How can I be your daughter,and live with the Gamgees all this time?"
Merry sighed.
"It's a long story,my little one...a very long story."
"It is not all that long,Meriadoc,and I doubt you know the right story." A gruff voice spoke up from behind the pair,and Merry turned around to see a tall,young hobbit clad in a black hooded cloak standing there.
"I'm sorry,Sir,but the Inn's closed today,"Merry began,but the stranger crossed to the bar,and sat down beside Molly."or...maybe not for you..."
"I thought not. Do ye remember me,Cousin?"The stranger pulled back his hood,and looked at Merry,green eyes glinting at him,as they adjusted to the Inn's dim light. His hair was a light brown color,barely groomed,and dirty. Now that Merry had a better look at him,he pulled Molly closer,in fear,for he did remember him,and what he was all about.
"Broca Took. What brings you back to the Shire?"
"My brother's death,of course. I got word of it only last month. It's been hell for me,ye know."
"But you were banished. Do not look for welcome here,and do not come near this child with your fell hands!"
"Oh do shut up,you coward,and get an innocent hobbit a bit of ale",was the sharp reply,Broca's eyes never leaving his neice's face.
"Who is 'e,Merry?" Molly asked,fearful because Merry was afraid also.
"He is your uncle,Molly,but do not go near 'im,Love. He is a murderer." Merry was watching Broca as he made the ale.
Molly scooted over to look at the hobbit closer. "Did you really kill someone?"
"According to the gardener at the time,I did. I did nothing of the sort,but I have killed others..." She backed up a little,and Broca laughed softly. "Nay,little one..not children. Only the ones who truly deserve it. I don't deal in judgement."
Merry came back,and set the ale in front of his estranged cousin. "Molly,come away from him now,and finish your ale."
"When did ye turn against me,Merry? Before,ye were on my side. Now ye've gone and taken thiers?"
Merry didn't want to discuss it. It had been a long three months,this one being the longest. He had fulfilled Pippin's wishes of getting Molly out of Sam's house. He'd reopened the Inn,and was in the middle of rennovating half of Brandy Hall. Now he had to deal with telling Molly why she could not legally return to Sam,and...this Broca.
"Ye have a lot on your shoulders,Merry. Come and let it off."
"I did not ask for your council,Broca."
Molly spoke up softly,"Merry? tell me about why I was living with the Gamgees."
Merry sighed,and sat down between his daughter and Broca."This isn't easy,Molls.I'm not really sure how to explain it to you,so it might come out all wrong."
"Perhaps,then,Merry,I should tell her." Broca's now gentle voice was almost too much for Merry,though.
"She is my daughter,Broca! I will tell her in my own time!"
Broca sighed,and fell silent. "As you wish,Merry."
"Thank you! Now then,Molly..." He turned to look at her. "I will tell you it slowly,ok?" He pulled her into his lap,and began the story.