The local girls always flocked to the low fence behind Pippin's house. Everyday, around three o'clock. Why? To watch the local single heart throbs practice. No one knew where they learned how to fight, but everyone assumed it was during the year that Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin disappeared. Sam was a family man now, Frodo had disappeared with Gandalf again, and Merry and Pippin were the bachelors everyone either wanted or envyed. All the girls were standing next to the fence, cheering on either Merry or Pippin, and sealing every now and then. Inside the fence was a big grassy yard, at the center of which were two shiftless young hobbits. They were holding their swords loosely and talking before they started their practice. They stopped their banter after a few minutes and fixed their stances. Then the fight began. Strike, parry, strike, backhand, dodge, strikeback. They were quick and graceful. They had incredible control, stopping any strike that would have touched their partner, inches before the touch. This went on for a good hour, constantly,no pauses or breaks. They broke apart and stood about five feet away from each other to breathe for a second
Pippin called out. "LOSER BUYS DRINKS TONIGHT" and Merry nodded. Pippin moved forwards suddenly and knocked Merry off balance and brought his sword to Merry's neck when he fell to the ground. Merry rolled and came up to a crouch. He brought his sword up and charged Pippin. Parry, strike, strike, strike, dodge, parry. Merry slashed at Pippin and Pippin's sword flew from his fingers. Going several feet and embedding itself in the ground. Merry brought his foot up and kicked Pippin in the chest. Sending him to the ground. Merry put his foot on Pippin's chest and his sword to his throat. "Yeild?" Merry asked calmly. Pippin nodded and held up his hand. Merry grasped it and pulled him up, stabbing his sword into the earth as he did so. "Almost everytime. You win almost everytime." Merry grinned at Pippin' so complaining and responded "You should've been joined the actual battle instead of staying safe inside the city". Pippin shook his head and said " You do remember that the orcs got inside the city and we were fighting for our lives in there too, right?" Merry shrugged. "Meh, I guess. I still won though." They both chuckled and grabbed their swords. They looked over at the board of young female hobbits and waved casually. The girls squealed. Merry picked up their shirts and they walked inside. The girls slowly walked away from the fence.