Merry: I finally cleaned up all that ink. You stained my desk, Pip.

Pippin: But there are also blueberry pie stains.

Merry: Yes, I know...Pip, no, keep away from that ink!

Pippin: I was reaching for that pie!

Merry: Pippin. Everyone knows: My pie goes on the left, yours on the right.

Pippin: I know that.

Merry: You just reached for the left slice.

Pippin: I already ate mine, so I was going to eat yours.

Merry: *facepalm*

Bilbo walked excitedly down the trail. He was almost to where Frodo had arranged to meet him. It was a beautiful day. The sun was out, the birds were warbling, and he sang softly as he walked.

"The Road goes ever on and on,

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way,

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say."

He arrived at the trail head an within an hour. He sat down and waited. After a while, he began to get worried. Frodo was normally on time, and even early. He had expected to find the hobbits waiting for him. Maybe the Black Riders had somehow penetrated Imladris. After another hour, Bilbo was nearly frantic with worry. Something had to have happened! He had to go tell the elves. He leaped to his feet, and was about to leave, when he saw a small piece of paper on top of the trailhead sign. There was a stone on top of it to keep it in place. He picked it up and unfolded it, seeing that it was a note…

Dear Bilbo,

I am truly sorry about this, but Merry and Pippin got hungry and wanted to return. I argued with them, but they thought you wouldn't mind. I'll hike with you in a couple days, I promise. Merry and Pippin are having a hard time surviving without all the meals we eat in the Shire. Elladan and Elrohir are going to show me maps tonight, so I will see you tomorrow.

Frodo

Bilbo looked sadly at the letter in disappointment. Oh well, he would hike another day. He shouldered his pack and started back.

LOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTR

Elladan ran into his room; his brother was already there. "Did you get it there?" he asked cheerfully.

Elladan smirked. "I made it there far before he did. I took a shortcut through the woods. I put it on the sign and placed a stone on top so it will not blow away. Did you accomplish your mission?"

"Yes, it was fairly easy to persuade Frodo that we had some beautiful old maps that he would love to see."

"Then all is in order! Bilbo will get to his bedroom before he can talk to Frodo and find out someone else is behind this."

LOTRLOTRLOTRLOTRLOTR

When Bilbo got back, he fetched a few snacks and decided to work on some poetry for a while. He sat down and opened his red book. He gasped in horror. The picture Ori had drawn for him was ruined. He could not see any of it, only black ink splashed all over the page. He stared at it for several minutes, unable to believe his eyes. Who would have done such a thing? And they at least could have apologized to him. And why was someone snooping around in his things anyway? He picked up the picture, or what had been the picture, and opened a drawer to put it in. And…there it was. The real picture was in the drawer. It was not harmed at all. It was a trick, then. He rolled his eyes. So this is what Frodo had been up too. Merry and Pippin had probably helped. He took out the picture and placed it carefully back in the red book. He then took a spare piece of paper. A rhyme had come to him. He dipped his pen in the ink well, and began to write.

"What…" Bilbo muttered. There was something wrong with the ink. It was smearing badly. And there was a faint smell of blueberries…and it was coming from the ink. He sniffed it. It definitely smelled like blueberries. He dipped his finger in it and licked it. It was blueberry syrup. So this also was a prank. He laughed. It was just like something mischievous tweenagers would do.

As he climbed into bed that night, he found that his bed had been short sheeted. He sighed in exasperation. Young hobbits were impossible. But then, he thought, so we're old hobbits…he had been very mischievous himself a long time ago. And he still could be. Frodo would soon find that out.

Pippin: *runs into room* Hey, Merry, I swiped a pot of cream! *trips and falls, sending cream all over Merry and the paper*