To tell this story, and for you guys to be thoroughly entertained by this, I'm going to have to take it back to two Septembers ago, when our little group first formed.
I knew Merry first. He and I go way back. I went all the way through high school with him, through all of his hardships, too. You see, Merry discovered a particular plant at 15. And he's not as bad now, but it's still one of his favourite activities. And one of mine too, admittedly.
It's how he met Legolas, actually. I vividly recall my first meeting with Legolas. I had just finished History, my major, and as I glanced out of the window of my lecture hall, distracted by the pouring rain, watching it bounce against the concrete. I was making my own sound effects. I saw Merry, stood under the smoking area across the parking lot, I recognised him by the sleek leather jacket he always wore and how his boots were always so loose. This time, he was with somebody.
That wasn't new.
Merry had a knack for making friends everywhere. I have to admit, with hope that Legolas won't ever read this, that I thought he was with a girl. Curious, and having no boundaries in my friendship with Merry, (I'll get into that later), I ventured over, tucking my chin into the flimsy collar of my purple plaid shirt. I didn't bring my coat. I skipped over a few of those murky puddles, which was when I noticed that this 'girl' was in fact a guy. I stood next to Merry, beaming up at him, not saying a word, waiting for him to introduce me.
He smirked a little. "Legolas, this is Pippin." He said fondly. I smiled brightly at Legolas, noticing the red hue to his eyeballs. I then glanced back at Merry, and noticed the diffused red glow in his own eyes.
"Nice to meet you, Pippin." Legolas greeted politely. I though he sounded British, turns out he just had good manners. And he was baked.
I could have guessed that Legolas was into weed. He looked so creative. His hair was blonde, silvery from the rain. He has a small braid on the right side, and his whole locks were scooped up into a low bun. His clothing was almost pastel, mostly pale blues like the light denim of his jeans and jacket and greens like his shirt. I thought, still think, he's pretty cool.
After that oddly tranquil exchange under the smokers shelter, (yes, I did have a few drags), was when the group seemed to fall into place. Well, most of the group.
Merry and Legolas hung out a lot, and I obviously tagged along. I wasn't jealous, not at all. Legolas made it clear he had a best friend. In fact, we met him in the following days. Along with another one of his friends.
Gimli, the best friend, was not actually aware he was Legolas' best friend. Or if he was, he wasn't happy about it. I can honestly say I was shocked. And that doesn't happen too often. They were both so different! You see, Legolas stands around 6'.1", and very slender. It was almost like he floated around everywhere, like a chocolate bar wrapper in a puddle.
No,
More like an angel I guess.
Or maybe a duck.
Anyway, I actually recognised Gimli from the Football team. Legolas was not on the Football team, that I knew. Legolas entered the common room, nimbly manoeuvring through the groups of people. He glanced back at Merry and I with a grin, obviously gesturing for us to follow. Once breaking through the crowds, we saw Legolas perching on the coffee table, and Gimli rolled his eyes.
"You're being ridiculous Gimli. You like me really." Legolas tucked his braid behind his ear, his bright blue eyes vibrant. I often wondered how somebody like Legolas became so close to such a gruff and grumpy Gimli. Turns out, they grew up together.
After Merry and I were introduced to Gimli, which was nothing more than a brief acknowledgement and a gruff noise each, we met the captain of the Football team.
I was almost taken aback by Aragorn, definitely not the archetypal star quarterback. He was humble, diplomatic, fun and a really nice guy, really. Legolas and Aragorn knew each other through a mutual friend, Haldir. And Gimli and Aragorn knew each other from football. And me and Merry knew Aragorn from then and- you get the point.
We began to hang out a lot, mostly in mine and Merry's flat. Until this one time. We ended up out down town one night. It wasn't my idea.
"We need a night out..." Aragorn announced, tucking his finger under the ring pull of his cola can. "I'm sick of soda."
Merry smirked, reclining back into the couch in the common room. "Want some rum with that?" He inquired.
Aragorn chuckled, nodding a little too. "I'm more of a vodka guy, but you have the right idea Mer!" He glanced at Legolas and Gimli.
"I'm game." Legolas shrugged, he then turned to Gimli.
"Bunch of pansies. Lot of you." He grumbled. "Real men drink beers!" He laughed, obviously all for the idea. I like Gimli's laugh. It's warm and hearty. Like a gleeful rumble.
All of them turned to me. I honestly wasn't paying that much attention, but I got the basics. However Merry answered for me.
"Course Pip's in!" He beamed at me, raising his eyebrows suggestively. It was common for Merry and I to get high and drunk and cause havoc. He was right. Of course I was in.
"Brilliant!" Legolas marvelled. I was so sure he was British.
I then smiled around at the group. "Sure thing. Why not, eh?"
Aragorn clapped his hands together loudly. "Perfect! I'll ask my roommate, Boromir, if he'll be joining us!"
"Boromir...?" Legolas skimmed his fingers around his mouth.
"Yes!" Aragorn praised him, almost. "The one with the goatee." He informed the group, almost inquiring if we knew him.
Merry shook his head, and as did I. Gimli had contributed enough to the conversation and had strode off to the vending machine for a snickers. I was in agreeance, and swiped Merry's wallet from the jacket of his leather coat, which he carelessly slung over the back of my seat, and joined Gimli at the vending machine.
Gimli got another snickers. He prodded the buttons with his thick fingers and stared at the chocolate bar as the metal ring slowly released.
"Should be a good night out, lad." He stated.
"Should be!" I smiled, feeling fairly accepted now. I smiled even more so when Gimli smiled himself, but it was for the snickers of course.
I pawed through the folds of the wallet, picking up the change and pressing it into the machine.
"You could just ask." Merry snatched his wallet from my hands. I glanced up at him. He was smirking.
I faintly smiled back and punched in the number for M&Ms.
"Are you alright?" Merry's voice was a lot softer, a gentle tone I heard rarely.
"I'm okay." I offered him a reassuring glance.
He still seemed concerned. "You're getting distracted again..."
"I'm not." My voice cracked a little. Of course I was. But not that much. "I'm just a bit shy I guess. New people and whatever."
"Tonight will be better." Merry stated, although it sounds more like he was trying to assure himself. He leaned against the vending machine, watching me fiddle with the packet of candy. "Alcohol makes you better."
I smiled a little, looking back up at him. "It does."
"Unless you need your..." Merry spoke lowly, leaning in a little closer to me.
"No." I said firmly. "I haven't needed them for nearly 3 years." I was a little stern with him. I felt kinda bad. But I really wanted to open my M&Ms without him stealing any. But I don't need it anymore. I grew out of it. And drinking does make me feel better, it really does. I can learn now too, in History, I like History, I can concentrate.
Merry led me over to the group, who quickly dispersed, wanting to get ready for the evening ahead.
The plan was, the dress up all snazzy, so we have a better chance of getting into the good bars, but not too snazzy, because we are going to bars. Then we'd roll up at Aragorn's, meet this Boromir guy, have pre-drinks and then we hit the town.
Merry had occupied the shower first. Which was fair enough, he did take the longest. I went into my bedroom, flicking through my folded shirts in my draws, I felt like wearing green today. Perhaps taking inspiration from Legolas' bandana that day. Once I picked my shirt, I heard Merry clear his throat at my door.
"Looking good." I remarked, a little sarcastically, since he was in a towel.
"Last chance." He was all serious again. Yawn.
"I don't need it, Merry I really don't..." I shook my head and sighed heavily.
He shrugged, scrunching another towel into his damp curly hair. "Suit yourself. I'm only looking out for you, kid."
He left, then. I smiled a little. And then it faded. I guess I was a little too harsh. He was only trying to look after me, like he promised my mother.
After selecting our wardrobe, Merry and I went over to Aragorn and Boromir's dorm room.
Merry rapped his knuckles against the door, reading from the back of his hand the number of their apartment and double checking, despite already knocking.
It was Boromir who opened the door. Well, I presumed it was Boromir, since he was tall and ginger. Not stout and ginger, like Gimli.
"Merry and Pippin?" It was more like he was telling us, rather than asking.
"Boromir?" Merry did the same back.
Boromir nodded and stood aside allowing us to step inside with approving nods.
Aragorn was shirtless, and greeted us with a gleeful laugh. He raised his arms, and then waved us over to the segment of the room that the kitchen. "Come on over boys! Just in time for some shots!"
Legolas was perched on the counter, next to the platter of shots that Aragorn had sloppily poured. Gimli was on the stool next to the island. He seemed like he already had a few.
We gathered and all took the dainty glasses in our fingers. I took the shot, it wasn't half bad, cheap vodka I think. Better than a cheap tequila.
The group weren't as easy going with it. Merry retched. "Is that the best you got in?" He then laughed, running his dark sleeve against his mouth.
"We have some schnapps and Irish cream, in fact we have a lot of alcohol. Ar's just cheap." Boromir smirked, going into the cupboard and taking out the bottles.
Aragorn rolled his eyes and shrugged. "Fine, fine!" He grabbed a 6 pack from the fridge. "Have all my alcohol!" He mused, setting down the cans and then raising his hands in defeat.
"The more we drink now, the cheaper this night will be!" I piped up, already feeling the buzz from the first shot.
Boromir chuckled. "I like this guy!" He gestured to me as he poured schnapps into each shot glass carefully.
"I feel pretty fancy with these..." Legolas smirked as he took the first glass, just as the cream settled on the top of the peach flavoured schnapps.
"You are pretty." Gimli chuckled. "Pretty with that little ponytail you have there."
The group erupted again with laughter, and Legolas attempted to defend his ponytail. "It's not like you lot have particularly short hair!" He grinned before pouting a little in mock.
"We don't wear hair clips though." Merry raised his shot glass and smirked at Legolas.
"Fellas!" Aragorn again took control. "Let us all enjoy our nipples..." He spoke calmly, panning his gaze around the kitchen counter at all of us. The corners of his lips twitched. "Not grow our hair to our nipples..." He murmured, and we howled again and downed the crafted shot. Much better than the first.
