Just= The whole slew of hobbits
In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.
Albert Einstein
"MERRY!" A loud voice called out from the house. I recognized it as Mr. Bilbo's distinct tone. I shuddered to think of what that lad had done to make his uncle so upset. I could hear him coming towards the garden, where I was weeding, so I ducked behind the largest bush. I knew that Mr. Frodo had taken the two young lads out to play earlier, but I hadn't heard anything from them all morning. That is until young Mr. Pippin had come running into Bag End, tears streaming down his scratched face. He was now following Mr. Bilbo out of the house, a look of distinct hurt on his small face. They walked past me, neither taking any notice of my concealed form. They walked on around the back of the house, which is when I made the decision to follow them. It wasn't terribly smart, but I just figured they'd need my help to clean up whatever mess they had gotten themselves into.
I had just rounded the back of the house when I saw Mr. Bilbo glaring at Mr. Frodo and Mr. Merry. He was spouting off a lecture that would have made my old Gaffer proud.
"You should know better! Honestly, whose the youngest? You two or Pippin? What were you thinking, playing dragon slayer together and not keeping an eye on him. He could have been seriously injured! As is he's hurt and is going to need some medicine." I turned my gaze from Mr. Bilbo to young Mr. Merry. He was trying desperately to see how Pippin was, but Mr. Bilbo was blocking him from view.
Now, I'm all for punishing the lad but this seemed unnecessarily cruel. He was clearly on the verge of tears; he needed to see that his cousin was unhurt. But what could I do? Mr. Bilbo clearly intended to not let the young master see his cousin. I know if Pippin had been aware of just how upset Merry was he would have walked around his Uncle and hugged his cousin, but Bilbo wasn't letting him see Merry either. Mr. Frodo could see Pippin, and see that he was alright, but he hadn't noticed Merry's distressed state. Actually, I seemed to be the only one who did.
I took a breath and made my decision, job or not I couldn't let this cruelty continue. I stepped up and grasped young Master Pippin gently by the arm. He looked up at me clearly surprised.
What ya doing Sam?" His voice was quite and mumbled, tears still evident in his voice. I gently pulled him around and in to his cousin's view. Mr. Merry cried out and grasped Mr. Pippin in his arms. The tears in his eyes started to fall out and he just gripped his confused cousin tighter. Mr. Pippin obviously noticed how distressed Mr. Merry was because he gripped him back and patted his back comfortingly.
"It's okay Merry, don't cry. I'm the one that got hurt." Mr. Merry chuckled wetly at that and grasped his cousin even tighter. It's a wonder he didn't crack one of the young lads ribs. I turned my eyes to Mr. Bilbo and noticed that he was looking at Mr. Merry with utter surprise. Had I really been the only one to notice?
"Thanks Sam." Mr. Merry said quietly, meeting my eyes over Mr. Pippin's back. I nodded my head curtly before turning around and heading back to my weeds. I sat down and picked up my trowel, sending a silent prayer of thanks to the Valar that plants were easier to understand than people.
A/N: Not crazy about the ending on this one, but I like it none the less. Fee free to leave suggestions for oneshots/plots you would like me to write on.