Chapter 3: There and Gone Again
I followed Pippin and Merry behind a nearby tent as I peeked around the corner not seeing any Hobbits come through too busy on eating food and enjoying the party. They lit the firework but didn't stick it in the ground first watching them both argue over whom was going to hold it making me step back as it sparked off watching it blow up near their face seeing them turn black. I suppressed a giggle as it soared through the air turning into a dragon watching all the hobbits begin to freak out falling to the ground until it soared high in the air exploding into hundreds of fireworks.
"Brilliant." Merry and Pippin said seeing Gandalf approach as I pointed my finger towards them hearing Gandalf say, "Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took… I should have known."
Pippin went to point towards me but I was already gone disappearing into the crowd as I found Frodo sitting with another hobbit near his age as he ushered me over.
"Marina this is my very good friend Sam." Frodo said smiling as I put my hand out saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"You're elvish aren't you?" he asked looking me over as I laughed saying, "I am yes, my mother was elven."
"What about your father?" Frodo asked curiously as I smiled saying, "He was a hobbit actually but I never knew him."
"I was wondering why you were so short." Sam said but turned red saying, "I'm sorry milady I didn't mean that in the offense."
I laughed lightly saying, "No offense was taken, yes I am quite short for an elf but still a bit taller than hobbits."
"Well, should you ever need a guide around the shire just ask, we would be glad to show you around." Sam said as I smiled thanking him kindly.
"Looks like those two got in trouble again." Frodo said looking behind me as I saw Merry and Pippin cleaning all the dishes angrily while Gandalf smoked his pipe beside them.
"Those idiots always have to start something serves them right." Sam said making Frodo laugh while I suddenly felt guilty.
"I best be off, it was nice meeting you Sam." I said waving as he smiled waving back while I made my way to the drinks grabbing two mugs.
"Uncle Gandalf you should be out enjoying yourself, I can watch these two if you'd like." I said seeing him eye me curiously looking at my mugs saying, "Quite a bit for just you my dear."
I shrugged saying, "It's not as strong as what I'm used to."
He chuckled looking at Merry and Pippin saying, "You both best not move."
They nodded quickly as Gandalf walked off to talk with Frodo and Sam turning my attention on the two curious hobbits in front of me.
"A peace offering, for getting you both in trouble." I said holding out the mugs as they eyed them suspiciously while Merry said, "So you can tell on us, I don't think so."
Pippin ignored his friend taking one of the mugs drinking some as I tipped the mug saying, "More for me I suppose."
"Are you actually related to Gandalf?" Pippin asked while Merry rolled his eyes saying, "That's highly doubtful Pip."
I laughed sitting on the stool Gandalf was replying, "No I'm not related to him but he helped raise me and when my mother died he took me in."
"Sorry." Merry mumbled quietly while I gave a sad smile saying, "It's alright, it's been almost a year now since her passing."
"So you're really an elf?" Merry said while I nodded replying, "Half yes, I'm also part hobbit."
Pippin choked on his ale saying, "An elf and a hobbit had a child that's unheard of."
"That's what my mother thought I would imagine, as far as I'm aware I'm the first ever mix such as that." I said laughing as Merry replied, "Do you know who your father is, perhaps we've met him?"
I frowned shaking my head saying, "Doubtful he would be much older than you both."
"How old are you?" Pippin asked making Merry elbow him in the ribs saying, "That's impolite to ask a lady."
I shook my hand saying, "It's alright I don't mind answering, I'm 60 years old."
I watched their eyes widened hearing Merry says quietly, "That's old."
I scoffed saying, "I'll have you know that's quite young in elven years though being part Hobbit I would think I age must faster than Elves."
"You'd be around our age I imagine." Pippin said making me shrug replying, "Possibly."
We all heard cheering seeing Bilbo get on the stage as I watched quietly while he did a speech amazed he was 111 years old which must have been very old for hobbit standards I imagined. He grew quiet and sad seeing him whisper something as he suddenly vanished from thin air causing all the hobbits to gasp in fear.
"Is that a normal thing for a hobbit to do?" I asked Merry and Pippin quietly as they looked worried saying together, "No it isn't."
Sorry for such a short chapter the next one shall be longer.
