The sun shone brightly through Merry's window. He knew it had to be early noon, at least, yet he didn't feel quite like getting up yet. So he turned over. A promising calm was in the room that was almost too quiet. Especially since it was the first Sunday of summer, which meant only one thing to Merry; Pippin was coming. Merry groaned at the mere thought. It wasn't that he didn't love Pippin, he did. In fact, mostly all of his memories were running through the fields with the young took, stealing at will. Almost dying a few times, but fun none the less. The only thing was, that was a while ago. It had been a good three years since he had seen Pippin, and those times were over. Or should be, at least. He had matured in those three years and now his memories with pippin seemed...somewhat childish. But Pippin was still young, so it would be wrong of him to deprive him of his fun. So all that he'd have to do is set someone else to hang out with Pippin, no big deal really. He fell asleep with that on his mind.

MERIADOC BRANDYBUCK! COME HERE THIS INSTANT!

Merry awoke startled. Once he remembered who he was, where he was, and what he was supposed to be (and wasn't) doing, he jumped out of bed, straightened his clothes, and made a mad dash towards the kitchen area. When he arrived he was quite out of breath and from the look of impatience on his mother's face, hadn't made it quickly enough.

"Sorry mum." He said pecking his mom on the cheek. She sighed.

"He's outside waiting for you Merry, go on now. Don't get into too much trouble, I beg you." She finished, and gave him a small smile. Merry groaned. "What's this now? You don't want to hang out with your favorite cousin, all of a sudden? This hardly seems fitting, what's wrong?"

Merry sighed. "Don't you think I'm a bit..old...for Pippin?"

She laughed. "Old? Nonesence. Go outside and accompany your guest." She left leaving no room for argument.

The light outside the hole was (not too shockingly) blinding as he exited. He couldn't spot Pippin anywhere, always a bad idea , he thought. At once he felt a heave on his back, only to realize he had cumulated a Pippin sized back pack.

"Hullo Pip!" He managed with the little breath he had.

Pippin kissed the top of his head. "Hullo my Merry! Didja miss me?"

"Hardly." Merry said shaking Pippin off his back. Pippin feigned a look of disbelief. " You didn't miss me? I sure missed you, I'm hurt, hurt merry. Turn and look at me! You haven't looked yet, come bear witness to my immense hurt!" Merry gave in and turned around, only to have his breath momentarily taken from him. Pippin had grown, he had very few signs of the chubby little hobbit he used to be. His eyes shone a deep green (had his eyes always been green?) And his hair, even looking like a mop on his head, complimented his smooth creamy complexion. He looked...amazing. Not a baby anymore, that was for sure.

"Aye, it has been a while hasn't it?" Pippin said putting his shoulder around his cousin. "Ye don't look too bad yourself. Well, when you don't have your mouth hanging open that is." Pippin added, smiling cheekily.

Merry closed his jaw tightly and blushed a little. Pippin laughed loud and deep. "Ah, don't worry. I felt the same way when I saw you. How's about we go to the lake, yeah? Been a while since I've been there. Must have been three years, right? Yeah three years, wow it's been that long has it--"

"Lake," Merry said interrupting Pippin's rambling, "sounds like a very good idea." Pippin smiles. "Right then! Lake it is."