Diamond was perhaps the only lass that Pippin ever truly felt a connection to; while he had become friendly with most of the female hobbits in the Shire - including Rosie and Estella - there was something about Diamond of Long Cleeve that Pippin found himself drawn to.
His parents had been hoping for a romance to blossom between the two of them, though it was not pushed; a union would reunite the two sides of the Took family, and it would be in an appropriate way because they were barely distant relations. Pippin was only young, though, and so he had no intentions of settling down too quickly for he was still not quite of age after the quest.
But Diamond was beautiful, mischievous, cheeky and the only lass that Pippin felt truly spoke her mind openly; she really did measure up to her name, in his eyes, for when she spoke of something she was passionate about her eyes lit up and her smile was as bright as a jewel. While she had a temper that could have rivalled that of any dragon, she was patient with him; she didn't roll her eyes at him if he had a clumsy moment, instead laughing along with him until they were both quite out of air. Some evenings they would sit side-by-side companionably under one of the many trees growing in Hobbiton, reading or talking quietly; occasionally they would look up and smile at each other silently in a content way, and it never felt awkward for they seemed to just understand what the other was thinking without it being said.
Of course, Merry had teased him mercilessly for weeks after discovering of Pippin's affections for Diamond; the older hobbit would grin and ruffle his hair, exclaiming in a high-pitched voice, "Pip's in love! Pip's in love!"
Pippin just smiled good-naturedly, going slightly pink, because it was true. He then turned the subject around by announcing knowingly, "And how are things between you and a certain Miss Bolger?"
Merry stopped teasing, having the good grace to go red himself. "Yes, things are well," He answered, slight hesitation in his voice. His cousin gave a nod and began to drink from his mug of ale. "Her family's farm is doing well; their crops are growing back nicely, and they'll be able to start selling the harvest." He paused. "You know, Pip, I think I would very much like to marry Estella soon."
Pippin immediately choked and spluttered on his drink. "I beg your pardon?!"
His friend and cousin just shrugged, looking down at his own mug. "Why not? You know as well as I that my parents want me to marry - and they can't force me to marry a lass I don't want to, that's for certain."
"No," The younger hobbit agreed, regaining composure. "But if they don't approve of it, then couldn't they possibly...well, disown you? So you don't become the new Master of Buckland?"
"I think they'll understand," Merry said, although he didn't actually look too convinced. "We forget, Pip, that our parents were once young and in love; they can't begrudge us for doing what is natural."
This was true; hobbits were known for loving very strongly, and in some cases they only fell in love once because of their loyalty to one another. In some cases a hobbit may have married a second - or even third - time, but it was highly rare and not particularly looked well upon.
"So when are you going to tell them?"
Merry gave another shrug, not looking keen on the idea. "Not too soon, as I'll have to see if I can warm them to the idea first. If they don't..." He trailed off, but it was evident in his face what he would have done; love was not something a hobbit ignored easily. "Either way, Pippin, I want to marry Estella - maybe not immediately, maybe not for a few months, or even a few years...but I definitely do."
As Pippin soon found out, he was not the only hobbit who had his eyes on Diamond; in hindsight, it was not a surprise for she was a beautiful lass - but it still made things harder for the young Took.
One such rival was Halfred Brownlock; oh, how Pippin could not stand him! He was a hobbit who was quite a few years older than Pippin - though younger than Merry - and did he have the quite the eye for Diamond! Often he would approach her and offer to take her out for a meal or drink; she always politely declined, much to Pippin's relief.
At first the two had not had to communicate; it was only when Halfred had come to ask Diamond to come out with him one evening that he saw Pippin laughing with her joyfully, a lot closer in proximity than he himself had gotten. It was safe to say that he did not take kindly to another hobbit trying to court the lass he desired, and he soon became quite a problem for Pippin.
While he was a Took and future Thain of the Shire, Pippin was still very young and therefore seen as less of a threat than a nuisance - that was, except by Halfred Brownlock. Merry had been sitting with his cousin in the Green Dragon when it happened, happily enjoying mugs of ale and chuckling together; the doors had slammed open, nearly inaudible due to the riotous noise being caused by the celebratory hobbits, and then Halfred had appeared at their table and grabbed Pippin by the collar of his shirt.
This alone was enough to cause alarm in the Green Dragon; hobbits rarely broke out into large fights, even after drinking heartily. For a moment everyone had to wonder if the young hobbit was going to be hit, for it certainly looked that way, but then the two were separated by a now-tall and sober Merry Brandybuck.
"I think you should leave Pippin alone," He muttered darkly to the brown-haired hobbit; maybe it was the added height, or maybe the harsh tone in his voice, but either way Halfred released Pippin with a glare at the two. "Now what is the matter, Halfred?"
"Tell your cousin to stay away from my lass!" He snapped. "He needs to learn to leave things alone that aren't his!"
Pippin was, of course, outraged by this; for a start, he had done absolutely nothing wrong - if she had been betrothed then he could see why this would have angered some, but that was not the case. Secondly, he did not approve of any lass being talked about in such a way that implied them to be inferior or posessions in any way, let alone Diamond.
"You can keep your mouth shut," He said viciously. surprising even himself. "A lass isn't property, and you can't tell someone to stay away from her if it's not what she wants."
Merry waved a hand at him to quieten. "Pippin's right," He agreed shortly. "There's no need to cause an argument over a misunderstanding, anyhow, so why don't you sit down with a drink and forget the whole thing?"
Halfred hadn't sat down for a drink, instead grumbling and shuffling out of the establishment darkly; Pippin, on the other hand, didn't want to leave it at that.
"Did you hear the way he talked about her?" He whispered furiously to Merry as they sat down once more, careful not to attract anymore attention. "She's not his, anyway; she won't even go out with him, though he keeps asking."
Merry suddenly got a rather strange look on his face. "She? Her? Who are we talking about?"
"Diamond, of course!"
"Why, Pip," Merry said wryly. "I'd have never thought it true; you do indeed like her in that way! It's happening to you too!"
Pippin was not in the mood to be teased. "Defending a lass doesn't mean I want to marry her," He stated, though he could feel his face heat up slightly. "It just means that I am trying to be a perfect gentle-hobbit." He paused for a moment, and his ears tinged pink to match his cheeks. "Although, I do think she is very good-looking no doubt...and I do like spending time with her..."
"That settles it," His cousin announced triumphantly. "Pippin, you need to ask to see her before any other hobbit does - especially Halfred - and steals your chance...and don't give me that look!" He chided playfully, nudging Pippin slightly. "It's not as scary as you'd think, Pip. If she's got a keen mind on her then she'll say yes when you ask."
But what if she doesn't?
True to everything else in his life, he and Diamond's getting together was not what would be thought of as entirely traditional.
Pippin had been walking her home after they had met in the markets and helping to carry her baskets of food home; they weren't talking about much in particular, just recent events and jokes to make each other laugh - they even arranged for a picnic at lunch for the following afternoon. When they were nearing her smial, however, Diamond suddenly changed the subject rather abruptly and seriously - and not in an entirely bad way either.
"Pippin, I'm going to be rather forward with you," She started, looking at him directly. "And if it comes across as rude or inappropriate then I'm sorry, but this has been on my mind for weeks and I need to share it." He had turned to her then, listening patiently. "We've been spending a lot of time together over the past few weeks; is there something more behind that than just a simple friendship?"
"I wouldn't say our friendship is simple," Pippin disagreed - this moment had come far more quickly than he had hoped. "Most aren't if you really think about it...but I think you are right in thinking that there is something more."
She sent him a knowing smile. "I thought so, but I didn't want to say at first in case it was the wrong assumption. You know, Peregrin Took," She began amusedly. "You are rather frustrating at times when we're together."
"Frustrating?" He asked, alarmed by this. "In what way?"
"There were many times where I thought that you might ask to begin a courtship - or whatever you'd like to call it - but then you never did. I can't be sure of where our relationship is because I'm confused about what your feelings are for me." She gave him an expectant look. "Well? What are your feelings, just so that I know?"
Where to begin? He could launch into a long unrehearsed speech about what he liked about her, though this was something he knew he'd later be embarrassed over (especially if Merry found out - Lord help him then); maybe he could keep his answer short, and just tell her straight. Yes, he decided quickly, he'd get it over and done with and then everything would be fine.
"Well...if you'd like to then I don't mind."
In hindsight, this may not have been the most appropriate response.
"What? Pippin, you're so infuriating sometimes!" Diamond laughed, only a little annoyed. "That tells me nothing about how you feel, and you bloody well know it! You don't court someone just because you 'don't mind' them - it's because you want to."
"I know," He amended hurriedly, briefly wondering why he couldn't be charming or say the right thing even once. "What I meant to say was that I really like you - I do! I mean, you're smart...a-and you make me laugh almost as much as Merry does sometimes. Not to forget that you're so beautiful and one of the prettiest lasses I've ever seen...oh, and whenever you spoke to that Halfred! My, that really annoyed me because I could see that you could do so much better than him; after all, he talks about you like a piece of land! None of the other lasses are as dear to me, Diamond, and...and I'm going to stop talking now."
So, apparently the rambling on and on had been his back-up plan; he just hoped that it worked better than his attempt to keep it short.
Throughout this whole speech, Diamond had watched and listened with a smile growing on her face. "So would I be right in assuming that you do think of me in that way?"
His red face answered that clearly enough. "Mmm...But of course it's not all down to me; it matters about your thoughts and feelings too...which are...?"
She gave a laugh and shook her head. "Oh, Pippin; do you really think I would be asking you these questions in such a direct way if I didn't?"
He suddenly became increasingly aware of her small hand slipping into his and she was leaning in quite close. "So...So are we together? Can I court you?" Pippin asked cluelessly.
"Finally!" She breathed, as if a great weight had been lifted - but the grin on her face implied the joke behind it. "Yes, Pippin, yes you can. I'll see you tomorrow for that picnic you promised - just try not to get your waistcoat in a twist over it."
Before he could even move, Diamond had pecked his cheek goodbye and continued up the garden path to her home, leaving Pippin stunned in the best kind of way. For once, his mistakes hadn't completely ruined everything - in fact, she seemed to actually find it endearing.
Well, he thought to himself highly as he headed for home. I can't imagine Halfred will be pleased with this development - and there's nothing he can do about it!
