Chapter 2 : Rage Explained

Merry lifted his head to the usual bustle of a quiet morning in Brandy Hall. He had fallen asleep the opposite way round on his bed and found that he had heavy and sticky eyes. Then he remembered the shouting and crying, some of that was himself. The smell of bacon and eggs and toast floated through to his keen nose. A sniff and he was out of bed for he was mighty hungry.

Entering the dining room he noticed there were more people than usual. His cousin Pippin was already here along with his sisters and mother but there was no uncle Paladin. Bilbo and Frodo were there too and many other relations that in effect should not have been there.

He gave them a sleepy smile and plonked himself down in between Pippin and Frodo. Pippin had no idea what was going on, he was only six after all so he greeted Merry with a hyper hug and a

"

what you say to us going up the hills?" a cheeky grin plastered to his face. Merry just picked up his fork and dug it into the plate that was placed in front of him.

All the adults, including Frodo, had been told of the past nights events and had come straight to Buckland. After five or so minutes they all left leaving Merry with his two favourite cousins. Pushing his half finished plate away he dropped his head onto his arms on the table top. Pippin thinking he was just tired patted his back and ran away to the loo calling over his shoulder that he wouldn't be long.

Frodo put a comforting hand on Merry's back but said nothing. He pulled his head up and steady tears were cascading down his cheeks.

"

It was about Rowan wasn't it?" Merry looked at his most trusted cousin. "She…" he choked "She aint all hobbit is she?" Frodo still didn't't say anything but pulled Merry into a tight hug.

"

Why don't I tell you the story somewhere more private? Although that means we need to shake Mister Peregrin" it wasn't meant to sound nasty but to the young Took who was listening behind them, it was harsh. They were leaving him out. Pippin knew Brandy Hall like the back of his hand and fled to his favourite hiding spot. The wine cellar.

Merry and Frodo had whipped round as a small whimper had escaped Pippin's mouth. They both felt instantly bad but Merry decided that telling Pippin would be good, that way he would understand and everything just seemed to be better that way.

Frodo led his younger cousin into the den. It was small and cosy. This was where all the kids and youngsters went to extinguish boredom. It had a low roof and brightly painted walls in natural yellows and creams. Big couches were positioned round the room and a big square window was set low in the West wall. There was three big cupboards which held a seemingly endless amount of games and pastimes.

Merry let Frodo lead him to a pink patterned couch near the window and sat him down. For a while they just sat there looking at the small fire burning away in the fireplace. It flickered solemnly, reflecting slightly, the mood that settled about it.

Soon Frodo decided that it was time to break the silence. He looked hard at Merry.

"

So, I take it that you have probably guessed some of this" his voice wavered. But Merry only nodded, making his golden curls wriggle.

"…

and" Frodo continued in a soft voice "that she is only half hobbit and…" he faltered as tears began to trickle from Merry's eyes again. What could he say? This was harder than explaining to him that he had to leave Buckland forever, just a few years ago.

"

Okay so basically she is your half sister, and obviously she has the same mother as you but" there was a long pause "but she is not your father's and…..and well he. Well he- Merry you have to understand that-"

"

that my father hates her because she aint his?" Merry's tone had a hint of anger in it. " Frodo? Who is her father then?" the question was panged with so many emotions that Frodo couldn't even count them all.

"

Well Merry, nobody knows. Apart from your mother. As it turns out" Frodo explained slowly so nothing was left out "remember that hen night she went to? Well as it turns out she had a bit of a…a… well a one night stand sort of thing."

By the expression on Merry

's face the young hobbit took it all in but seemed to be having trouble coming to terms with it. They both shifted on the couch. It was what Merry had thought. She was half man kin. Her round ears and simple smooth feet, not forgetting wavy hair (not tight curls) were all sure signs she wasn't all hobbit. However she had big eyes and the smallness of a natural hobbit.

"

Where is my Father? I haven't seen him since yesterday evening!" Frodo was still. Eyes downcast. Merry hung his head fearing the worst.

"

He went to Bree, hoping to find the man, but I have a feeling he is just going to drink until he is numb." Saradoc was known for drinking away his emotions. He brought up Merry with strict discipline and an even harder hand, but even with strong discipline he was a kind man. Unless he got angry. Many times had Merry got his father angry which had earned him either a hard blow on his ears or on his bottom. Then there was the very odd occasion where his father would threaten to do worse. And everybody knows threatening is worse.

"

Uncle Paladin followed him last night and that's why Pippin and all that are hear, to see if your mother is okay." almost immediately after the words left his mouth Frodo knew that he shouldn't have said that.

"

Why what's happened to my mum?" It was clear that something had happened and Merry was worried. "What happened?" he asked again but Frodo only looked at him. Then a sudden darkness came over Merry. "WHAT HAS HAPPENED?!" his voice was deep and angry.

Frodo just looked at him with wide eyes. He looked so much like his father when he was angry and he wasn't sure whether to be afraid or cautious or both! Merry realised he had shouted and turned towards the wide window.

As the sun shined happily on the green grass tears spilled down Merry's face. He felt bad. He felt bad for shouting at Frodo like that. After all he was trying to help him and explain his father's rage. He mumbled an apology but it couldn't be heard over his sobs.

Frodo hugged Merry from behind and rocked him slightly, like he used too when Merry was little. That was before he moved to Bag End. The next words Frodo whispered as if they were delicate. And that too loud a sound would shatter them.

"

Your dad hit your mum." he said the words with sadness and a heavy sigh followed. He hugged his little cousin just that little bit harder so that he could feel that Frodo was there to support him. Merry just cried.

It wasn't the first time that Saradoc had hit his wife but it was ultimately the worst. He had gotten so angry because she had cheated on him, so when she finally blurted out the truth he whacked her over her head with a tightly clenched fist. He had then gone to the baby's crib and took her out, but before he could do anything to the infant, one of Esmarelda's cousins had knocked the door through.

As Saradoc stormed from Brandy Hall he vowed three things.

1. To make his wife pay by taking away her precious babe who she couldn't even conceive with her own husband!

2. To find the dirty, scum of a man that was so dishonest to do this with a married woman!

3. And three, he vowed to make sure that the girl could not be identified by the name Brandybuck!

ocument here...