1A/N this story was my first fanfic. I am rewriting it now, so hopefully it will be worth reading.
Pardon the OC, but she was my first and I'm actually pretty fond of her. Please review kindly (if at all) because it makes em feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
And as much as I adore hobbits, I don't own any, especially not these ones (except Lily), nor do I own the Shire or any of that stuff.
On with it then!
x x x
It was dark. Rain splattered thickly around Lily's feet as she ran. Behind, drunken shouts were ringing through the night air, as a group of four or so gave chase. Though she had taken to staying home, Lily could not stand having nothing to do for long. Against her better judgement she had ventured to the nearest inn...the Green Dragon. Things had been all right until a table of hobbits, after having a little too much to drink, realized who she was. Now she was fleeing along the muddy road, fairly running for her life. At least, it felt that way. Really she was trying to escape getting a few new bruises and a black eye or two. That's usually how these things ended.
Not entirely sure how close they were to her, Lily twisted mid-step to glance at them, shaking the rain from her eyes as she did so. It was a mistake. She squealed as her feet slipped out from under her and she landed in a heap, mud splashing her face and front. She tried frantically to get going again, but the slick state she was in only sent her down again. The drunkards were nearly upon her when suddenly a hand shot out of a nearby bush, yanking her out of sight as another hand clamped over her mouth, muffling a scream.
"Don't move or they'll see us!" a voice hissed in her ears. Lily couldn't have moved if she had wanted to, so strong was the grip that held her. Her pursuers stomped around where she had fallen for several minutes before finally returning the way they had come, muttering darkly to each other about the dangers of outsiders.
Lily felt herself pushed back out into the open, the hands much gentler than they had been before. Wiping at her face, she watched her rescuer brushing himself off and shaking dripping curls from his eyes. She wasn't entirely sure what to say, but he saved her from starting the conversation herself. Peering closely at her, he smiled.
"Are you all right, miss?"
"A little startled is all. Thank you for helping me."
"Of course. Can't leave a lady to be clobbered, now can I?" Lily blushed, not being used to people referring to her as a lady. He didn't see it in the dark, but he did catch the smile that worked it's way onto her lips. "May I ask your name?"
"Lily."
"Lily? That's lovely. I'm Merry." he bowed politely, but Lily backed away from him, lowering her eyes. She knew very well that the Brandybucks were a very well-to-do family and it seemed a little odd that one of them should be pulling her into bushes in the middle of a rainstorm. In the darkness Merry caught the movement she made and frowned.
"Thanks again, but I'm afraid I should be going."
"Then let me take you home. I'd hate to think of you running into those ruffians again..." he started toward her, but she shook her head.
"No, don't trouble yourself. I'll be all right. Good night Merry." she curtsied and disappeared into the darkness, Merry frowning after her.