Disclaimer: I only own Merry (sort of)!

Chapter 1

The sun shone beautifully down upon the lush land that was called the Shire. Everything was busy around Hobbiton. All the excited folk were readying for Bilbo's eleventy – first birthday party. But only slightly beyond the commotion was a beautiful forest filled with trees of all sorts. From pines to evergreens, oaks to willows, and many more. But in the center of it all was an angelic meadow filled with wild flowers of every color and more. This was a place where all stayed quiet. The only sound heard here was the laughter of four best friends playing amongst the rays of golden sunlight.

Yes, indeed, all was quiet even now. Everything was as still as the sunrise. Except for one hobbit, Peregrin Took. He was very late. Each morning the four of them met in the field. The field discovered and claimed by the very hobbit he was rushing to meet. He really wished one of the others were there running beside him. Maybe they could come up with a better excuse than; " I slept late and did not realize the time!" It was the truth, but still not a very good excuse.

He wondered if Frodo was already there. Pippin almost wished he wasn't. If Frodo arrived late, maybe he would take the focus off of Pippin. Sam would not meet them in the field today. He was helping prepare for Bilbo's party. He, being one of the finest gardeners in all the Shire, was charged with arranging the flowers.

"How lucky for him to have such a fine excuse!" Pippin thought to himself.

As he came to the clearing, he slowed to a brisk walk. As he walked into the meadow, a soft breeze brushed his face, and he could hear a beautiful slow melody in the air:

When the cold of winter comes

Starless night will cover day

In the veiling of the sun

We will walk in bitter rain

But in dreams

I can hear your name

And in dreams

We will meet again

He found the owner of the voice standing beside a weeping willow at the edge of the clearing picking wild flowers with a red flower behind her right ear and a rainbow bouquet in her left hand. Her bright orange, curly hair covered most of her face until she felt his presence and looked up to smile sweetly at him. Then she quickly turned her expression to one of mock anger and frustration. Pippin took a moment to admire how beautiful she looked in her long red dress. The dress was her mother's that she only wore on special occasions.

"You're late," she told him firmly.

"I'm sorry. I slept longer than I expected," Pippin apologized. " Forgive me?"

In order to persuade his friend, he put on the cutest face possible. As a result, the expression on his friend's face changed once again. This time from anger and frustration to a smile and laughter. She then threw her arms around him, and they spun on circles, laughing together.

"Of course you're forgiven!" she told him, and with a thud they both fell, dizzy, onto the soft, rainbow – colored ground.

"Where's Frodo?" Pippin asked his friend.

"I'm not sure. He left before I did this morning. I expected to find him here, but he must be off reading one of my books again," she responded.

"What do you say we go back and see how the party is looking?" Pippin suggested.

"Alright, let's go," she agreed.

Pippin stood up quickly to help his best friend up. Normally, she wouldn't let anyone help her, but on this rare occasion she was wearing the special party dress that impeded her movement a great deal.

"It should be a tremendous party!" Pippin exclaimed as they navigated their way through the trees. "Not only because it's Bilbo's 111th, but it's yours and Frodo's 33rd. Your first day of official adulthood!"

"Yes, but I don't expect they'll be paying a great deal o attention to us. It's Bilbo they're celebrating tonight. In fact, I believe you, Sam, Bilbo, and Gandalf are the only ones who remember that we even have a birthday!" she stopped moving for a second. "In fact," she continued speaking. "Let's not go any farther. I'd rather play here."

And they did. The two of them eventually met up with Frodo who told them that Gandalf had arrived with fireworks. Pippin and the red – head standing beside him turned and grinned malevolently at each other open hearing this news. It was a look that meant planning mischief in the near future. The three of them played together until nightfall when the party began.

So, what did you think of my first chapter? Good? Bad? Okay? Tell me what you think, but be gentle. I love reviews! They will keep me going! I promise it gets a lot more exciting in future chapters! Introductions suck! Ebon and Nfinity, do your worst! Mel