Cherry Pie

Disclaimer: Tolkien owns it all. I am just playing with his characters and promise to put them back when I am finished.

For my biggest little brother who can always make me laugh. Love you, Jake

Author's Note: Frodo is 18 and Merry is 5. Roughly 12 and 3 in human years.

Esmeralda placed a slice of steaming golden pie before each of the hungry lads. Frodo grinned up at her, his blue eyes sparking. After all cherry pie was one of his favorites. Her son was entranced by the lovely smell and licked his lips in anticipation. Saradoc smiled and winked at her from the head of the table, beside him Grandda Rory smiled at the young ones. It wasn't often that they ate with only their immediate family. When everyone had a piece she sat down before her own slice of warm pie. At a nod from Saradoc they bent to their plates, exclamations of delight rising up from the adults at the soft, flaking crust and sweet filling.

"Now Merry, be careful of the pits. Chew slowly, alright." Frodo warned the five year old beside him. Had it been up to Merry the pie would be gone in less than a minute.

Frodo lifted his fork and carefully chewed the piece of pie. Sweet and tart all at once. His eyes closed for a moment in pure bliss.

"Frodo?" Merry's high, childish voice interrupted his thoughts.

"What is it Merry-lad?" He said around a mouthful of cherry pie, then frowned. Merry was just sitting there, his fork in hand, staring holes into the slice of pie before him. He was studying his pie with great concentration for a five year old.

"Can I ask you a question, Frodo?" He asked without looking up.

"Of course, Mer." answered a confused Frodo. What could be troubling the lad so that he wouldn't even be touching his pie? Everyone had stopped eating and were now watching the lads with interest. He looked at Esmeralda and Saradoc but they were just as puzzled at Merry's strange behavior as he was.

Merry took a deep breath and finally looked up at his eighteen year old cousin with a confused and slightly worried expression. Looking into his beloved cousin's eyes he knew that Frodo would have the answer, he always did. Reassured of that fact he asked his question in a soft, earnest voice.

"What's a spit?"

***END***