A/N~ part 3 done! FYI Eglantine is Pippin's mother… I never really made
that clear. I'm trying to keep slash out of it, and the part at the end of
this chapter is not because they're lovers or anything, but just friends
and family. I believe that family members would feel thus. (Not saying that
slash is bad, I read it all the time =P But I don't really want it in this
fic so blah! =P) kk, r/r! Thanks to all reviewers! ~huggles reviewers~ love
ya guys =)
Unfortunately, Saradoc didn't have a chance. When the female hobbits of Brandyhall noticed their private clothes out to dry in the open, they collected them as fast as possible. Then, they went straight to the Master of Brandyhall to complain. Saradoc suddenly found himself surrounded by angry women wanting to know who did the wash. He was trying to deny anything happening when his wife stormed up to him.
"Saradoc, you had better tell me who did the laundry today, or we will stop cooking for you until you do!" Esmeralda threatened through the agreement of the rest of the mob. Saradoc stood trying to think of what to do. He could turn the boys in and eat, or he could say he didn't know and not eat. Unfortunately for his son and his nephew, food outweighed any thought of redemption.
"Ladies!" Saradoc yelled, trying to gain the attention of the angry mass. "First you must realize that it was a simple childish prank! The boys didn't know how much it would upset you, so you must go easy on them. I have learned them about the great breech of privacy that they invaded and they both are very sorry." Saradoc paused before he went on, thinking that he had won over the crowd. Esmeralda glared at him, but he ignored it and continued. "Alright, if you truly want to know, the perpetrators were Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took."
There was a sigh of disgust throughout the crowd as it dispersed. "Should have known!" or "Of course, who else?" were commonly heard phrases. Saradoc sighed knowing his son and nephew were now fugitives. He decided to go find them and warn them of trouble to come.
Merry and Pippin had a good laugh while they were washing up. The trouble had passed and all was forgiven, they were just normal boys again. Or so they thought…
"So, what do you want to do now?" Pippin asked his cousin. Merry rolled his eyes and started to answer but was interrupted by the door opening and the Master of the Hall entered looking very hurried.
"I just wanted to inform you two that the women are looking for you… It seems that little prank you pulled wasn't appreciated by them, and they want your hides," Saradoc said in a rush. He had come straight to them, as fast as he could. They boys stared at him.
"Isn't there anything you can do, father?" Merry asked, rather frightened. He hadn't expected to receive another spanking this soon after the last one… usually he waited at least a day to cause more trouble. His cousin seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Saradoc shook his head. "I tried, but they wouldn't listen. My advice would be to hide in Tookland for the rest of the night until the ladies calm down a bit and I can talk some sense into them." The boys nodded and immediately ran outside. Saradoc shooed them away and they started running towards the Great Smials.
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The boys arrived at Pippin's home at suppertime. When they walked in the door sweaty, out of breath, and tired, Paladin didn't give them a second thought. Indeed, he actually smiled as his son and nephew nodded respectfully towards him. The little greeting was interrupted, however, when Pippin's eldest sister, Pearl, came over to him in an angry manner, and grabbed Pippin by his ear.
"Where have you been, Pippin?! You should be glad I don't take you over my knee right here and now! Running off like that, and not even coming back when I called you! Mother should give you at least three weeks of chores to do in my opinion!" She yelled. Pippin glared at her.
"Nobody asked your opinion, though, did they?" He said icily. She twisted his ear a bit more and he responded with a fresh "Ouch!" Merry stood back, not wanting to be involved in this. Paladin spoke before Pearl pulled Pippin's ear clean off.
"Pearl, let the boy go, he's no doubt been properly punished over in Brandyhall, judging by how dirty he and Merry are. Peregrin, mind your tongue or you'll find yourself unable to sit down," Paladin said. He sighed, tired of having to keep order of his errant son. Pearl let Pippin go, and he and Merry went into the kitchen for supper.
His mother said nothing, save a hello to Merry, when they entered. Pervinca looked over to her younger brother with excitement, hoping to get a full story of his adventures today. When Merry looked over towards her to say a hello, she went scarlet and mumbled a greeting back. Merry didn't seem to notice, but Pippin did.
"Hey Merry, I think someone likes you!" He whispered loudly to his cousin. Pervinca blushed again and quickly turned to her brother. While he grinned she smacked him on the back.
"Pippin! I do not!" she exclaimed, not daring a look at Merry. Merry was blushing almost as much as Pervinca, but Pippin let the matter drop. Not because he wanted to, however. It was because supper had been finished and they were now starting to eat.
The boys ate quickly because Pippin wanted to get as far away from Pearl as he could, before she did take him over her knee. He still didn't think it was fair that Mum and Da had enabled her to discipline him, no matter how much older than him she was. But they had felt it necessary, since Pearl babysat the rest of them so much that she should be able to correct them if they misbehaved. Which, of course, Pippin never did.
Eglantine and Paladin finished their meals first, and told Pearl to look after the children, since they were going out. Pearl nodded and their parents left. Merry cast a glance at Pippin, who had almost dropped his fork. There was an understanding reached through both boys' minds… leave immediately. Pippin and Merry got up from the table and started to leave when Pearl grabbed each of them by their braces.
"Oh no, you two are doing the dishes unless you want some encouragement first," she threatened. Merry turned to argue.
"Pearl, I haven't done anything to you! Why am I involved?" He asked hoping to be let off. Pearl looked at him the way an older sister does when she is ready to kill. Merry gulped.
"Because you are part of this family as well, and cause half of Pippin's trouble. Now work or I'll spank you as well!" She yelled. Pervinca and Pimpernel looked at each other and decided to go hem some clothes… anything to get away from their domineering sister. Pippin and Merry weren't so lucky.
Pearl had them start out washing the dishes from supper. That didn't take them very long, so then she set them to clean the kitchen floor. Pippin grimaced. The floor was very dirty from things being spilled on it all the time, and hadn't been cleaned in months. This was not something he wanted to do. He decided he wouldn't.
"No," he said plainly. Merry did a double take. What was Pippin trying to do? Get them both whipped? But the look in Pippin's eye told Merry that Pippin wasn't going to let his sister, 15 years his senior, boss him around. Pearl didn't look too happy at her younger brother's tone.
"What was that?" She asked viciously. She had had enough of Pippin's attitude today, from ignoring her in the morning to refusing her now. He will be miserable when she is through with him.
"I said no. I won't do your dirty work!" Pippin exclaimed. Pearl blew up.
"Oh you won't, eh? Well maybe I can change that mind set for you!" She yelled. Taking a hold of the scruff of Pippin's shirt she dragged him into the living room and forced him halfway over the back of the couch. "Merry, go get me the paddle from the kitchen."
"Yes ma'am," Merry replied not wanting to be on the receiving end. He saw what was being used as a cutting board on the counter and brushed the few leaves of lettuce off of it. He was rather amazed at how heavy it was, and the fact that it would soon be used to warm his friend's bottom. He brought it to Pearl who took it from him and he decided to go inform Pervinca and Pimpernel of what was about to happen.
Meanwhile, Pippin was struggling to get out of his sister's grip, which wasn't working too well. Pearl had a strong grasp, and was able to hold him down and take off his britches at the same time. Pippin went still as he lost the battle, and instead turned his energy to try to keep from crying out. The tears welled up in his eyes in anticipation, and once Pearl took a hold of the paddle he braced himself. It hadn't been long since Pearl had last beat him, and the memory of it still brought tears to his eyes. The realization that it was happening again was almost paralyzing.
Pearl took a step back and grasped the paddle with two hands. Using all her strength she swung the paddle and it connected to its target with an enormous "CRACK". Pippin burst out in tears and immediately started squirming. After five more hits the lad was apologizing and moaning something awful.
CRACK! "Pleeeeease Pearl! I'm sorry!" CRACK! "I'll clean the floor!! I will!!"
CRACK! "Peregrin save your breath!" CRACK! "I'm not nearly finished with you! Maybe this'll teach you to do as I say!"
CRACK! "Ooowww!! Please!!" CRACK! "Pearl!!" CRACK! "Please!!" CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Pippin had stopped begging and only could concentrate on the pain in his backside. He was sobbing and moaning. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Pearl had meant it when she said she would change his mindset. She intended to make sure he didn't run his mouth at her ever again. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! The paddle rained it's stinging magic upon Pippin's behind, which was now a deep red colour. Pearl gathered all the strength she could muster and gave him one more blow, which hit dead centre and Pippin screamed in pain through his sobs. Then, it was over. Pearl put the paddle to be washed and let Pippin put his trousers back on.
The little crowd that had watched his punishment dispersed, all feeling different emotions. Pervinca felt sorry for her brother, Pimpernel felt he got a little more than he deserved, and Merry was amazed at how hard Pearl could hit. He had always thought her to be the weaker one of the family since she almost never did any work. She only watched over the rest of the children, and Merry had never supposed that that included discipline. He decided to get to work cleaning the kitchen floor.
Not long after Merry started Pearl came in hauling Pippin. He wasn't crying now, but his face was still very red and he seemed rather exhausted. Pearl told him to get to work, and then left. Pippin looked like he was about to cry again, and Merry went over and gathered him in a hug. After Pippin had calmed down a bit more he pulled away from the hug and looked at his cousin ashamed.
"What's wrong?" Merry asked curious. Pippin looked at the ground. "I- I didn't want you to know that… that she could spank me. I thought you would laugh at me…"
Merry looked surprised, but told him the truth. "I admit I never had thought, but I understand. You are a hard hobbit to handle, you know!" He said smiling. Pippin relaxed a little and smiled too. Merry turned serious again, though.
"Now, I want you to lie down near the hearth while I clean the floor. You are too exhausted to do anymore work today, and I am not very tired at all. No arguing! If Pearl comes back I will tell her why you aren't working, don't worry."
Pippin gave a smile of thanks and lay down by the hearth on his stomach. Merry found a brush and some lye and started scrubbing the floor. After a while Pippin was asleep and Merry was only half finished. Pearl came back to check on them and was outraged when she found Pippin asleep.
"Wait Pearl, I let him. He was too exhausted to do any work, he would have collapsed!" Merry explained. Pearl didn't agree. "Since when are you the one who decides who works and who doesn't in this house? I believe that he was well enough to do a little scrubbing! Fine. If you want to take on his responsibility, you can take his share of the punishment as well. Come here Merry."
Merry gulped as Pearl brandished a wooden spoon. She sat down on one of the stools and gave Merry a hard spanking. By the time she was finished Merry was kicking and crying. Still, he didn't mind too terribly. He had saved his cousin from work that wasn't deserved, and felt that this spanking was nothing compared to what the Thain would have given him if Merry had tried to change the punishment Mr. Took assigned. Pearl let him go back to work and after half an hour's time he had finished the rest. Pearl finally let him and Pippin go to Pippin's bedroom where Merry set his cousin in the bed and contented himself in a chair. His bottom still stung a bit, but he was so tired he didn't even notice it.
Unfortunately, Saradoc didn't have a chance. When the female hobbits of Brandyhall noticed their private clothes out to dry in the open, they collected them as fast as possible. Then, they went straight to the Master of Brandyhall to complain. Saradoc suddenly found himself surrounded by angry women wanting to know who did the wash. He was trying to deny anything happening when his wife stormed up to him.
"Saradoc, you had better tell me who did the laundry today, or we will stop cooking for you until you do!" Esmeralda threatened through the agreement of the rest of the mob. Saradoc stood trying to think of what to do. He could turn the boys in and eat, or he could say he didn't know and not eat. Unfortunately for his son and his nephew, food outweighed any thought of redemption.
"Ladies!" Saradoc yelled, trying to gain the attention of the angry mass. "First you must realize that it was a simple childish prank! The boys didn't know how much it would upset you, so you must go easy on them. I have learned them about the great breech of privacy that they invaded and they both are very sorry." Saradoc paused before he went on, thinking that he had won over the crowd. Esmeralda glared at him, but he ignored it and continued. "Alright, if you truly want to know, the perpetrators were Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took."
There was a sigh of disgust throughout the crowd as it dispersed. "Should have known!" or "Of course, who else?" were commonly heard phrases. Saradoc sighed knowing his son and nephew were now fugitives. He decided to go find them and warn them of trouble to come.
Merry and Pippin had a good laugh while they were washing up. The trouble had passed and all was forgiven, they were just normal boys again. Or so they thought…
"So, what do you want to do now?" Pippin asked his cousin. Merry rolled his eyes and started to answer but was interrupted by the door opening and the Master of the Hall entered looking very hurried.
"I just wanted to inform you two that the women are looking for you… It seems that little prank you pulled wasn't appreciated by them, and they want your hides," Saradoc said in a rush. He had come straight to them, as fast as he could. They boys stared at him.
"Isn't there anything you can do, father?" Merry asked, rather frightened. He hadn't expected to receive another spanking this soon after the last one… usually he waited at least a day to cause more trouble. His cousin seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Saradoc shook his head. "I tried, but they wouldn't listen. My advice would be to hide in Tookland for the rest of the night until the ladies calm down a bit and I can talk some sense into them." The boys nodded and immediately ran outside. Saradoc shooed them away and they started running towards the Great Smials.
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The boys arrived at Pippin's home at suppertime. When they walked in the door sweaty, out of breath, and tired, Paladin didn't give them a second thought. Indeed, he actually smiled as his son and nephew nodded respectfully towards him. The little greeting was interrupted, however, when Pippin's eldest sister, Pearl, came over to him in an angry manner, and grabbed Pippin by his ear.
"Where have you been, Pippin?! You should be glad I don't take you over my knee right here and now! Running off like that, and not even coming back when I called you! Mother should give you at least three weeks of chores to do in my opinion!" She yelled. Pippin glared at her.
"Nobody asked your opinion, though, did they?" He said icily. She twisted his ear a bit more and he responded with a fresh "Ouch!" Merry stood back, not wanting to be involved in this. Paladin spoke before Pearl pulled Pippin's ear clean off.
"Pearl, let the boy go, he's no doubt been properly punished over in Brandyhall, judging by how dirty he and Merry are. Peregrin, mind your tongue or you'll find yourself unable to sit down," Paladin said. He sighed, tired of having to keep order of his errant son. Pearl let Pippin go, and he and Merry went into the kitchen for supper.
His mother said nothing, save a hello to Merry, when they entered. Pervinca looked over to her younger brother with excitement, hoping to get a full story of his adventures today. When Merry looked over towards her to say a hello, she went scarlet and mumbled a greeting back. Merry didn't seem to notice, but Pippin did.
"Hey Merry, I think someone likes you!" He whispered loudly to his cousin. Pervinca blushed again and quickly turned to her brother. While he grinned she smacked him on the back.
"Pippin! I do not!" she exclaimed, not daring a look at Merry. Merry was blushing almost as much as Pervinca, but Pippin let the matter drop. Not because he wanted to, however. It was because supper had been finished and they were now starting to eat.
The boys ate quickly because Pippin wanted to get as far away from Pearl as he could, before she did take him over her knee. He still didn't think it was fair that Mum and Da had enabled her to discipline him, no matter how much older than him she was. But they had felt it necessary, since Pearl babysat the rest of them so much that she should be able to correct them if they misbehaved. Which, of course, Pippin never did.
Eglantine and Paladin finished their meals first, and told Pearl to look after the children, since they were going out. Pearl nodded and their parents left. Merry cast a glance at Pippin, who had almost dropped his fork. There was an understanding reached through both boys' minds… leave immediately. Pippin and Merry got up from the table and started to leave when Pearl grabbed each of them by their braces.
"Oh no, you two are doing the dishes unless you want some encouragement first," she threatened. Merry turned to argue.
"Pearl, I haven't done anything to you! Why am I involved?" He asked hoping to be let off. Pearl looked at him the way an older sister does when she is ready to kill. Merry gulped.
"Because you are part of this family as well, and cause half of Pippin's trouble. Now work or I'll spank you as well!" She yelled. Pervinca and Pimpernel looked at each other and decided to go hem some clothes… anything to get away from their domineering sister. Pippin and Merry weren't so lucky.
Pearl had them start out washing the dishes from supper. That didn't take them very long, so then she set them to clean the kitchen floor. Pippin grimaced. The floor was very dirty from things being spilled on it all the time, and hadn't been cleaned in months. This was not something he wanted to do. He decided he wouldn't.
"No," he said plainly. Merry did a double take. What was Pippin trying to do? Get them both whipped? But the look in Pippin's eye told Merry that Pippin wasn't going to let his sister, 15 years his senior, boss him around. Pearl didn't look too happy at her younger brother's tone.
"What was that?" She asked viciously. She had had enough of Pippin's attitude today, from ignoring her in the morning to refusing her now. He will be miserable when she is through with him.
"I said no. I won't do your dirty work!" Pippin exclaimed. Pearl blew up.
"Oh you won't, eh? Well maybe I can change that mind set for you!" She yelled. Taking a hold of the scruff of Pippin's shirt she dragged him into the living room and forced him halfway over the back of the couch. "Merry, go get me the paddle from the kitchen."
"Yes ma'am," Merry replied not wanting to be on the receiving end. He saw what was being used as a cutting board on the counter and brushed the few leaves of lettuce off of it. He was rather amazed at how heavy it was, and the fact that it would soon be used to warm his friend's bottom. He brought it to Pearl who took it from him and he decided to go inform Pervinca and Pimpernel of what was about to happen.
Meanwhile, Pippin was struggling to get out of his sister's grip, which wasn't working too well. Pearl had a strong grasp, and was able to hold him down and take off his britches at the same time. Pippin went still as he lost the battle, and instead turned his energy to try to keep from crying out. The tears welled up in his eyes in anticipation, and once Pearl took a hold of the paddle he braced himself. It hadn't been long since Pearl had last beat him, and the memory of it still brought tears to his eyes. The realization that it was happening again was almost paralyzing.
Pearl took a step back and grasped the paddle with two hands. Using all her strength she swung the paddle and it connected to its target with an enormous "CRACK". Pippin burst out in tears and immediately started squirming. After five more hits the lad was apologizing and moaning something awful.
CRACK! "Pleeeeease Pearl! I'm sorry!" CRACK! "I'll clean the floor!! I will!!"
CRACK! "Peregrin save your breath!" CRACK! "I'm not nearly finished with you! Maybe this'll teach you to do as I say!"
CRACK! "Ooowww!! Please!!" CRACK! "Pearl!!" CRACK! "Please!!" CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Pippin had stopped begging and only could concentrate on the pain in his backside. He was sobbing and moaning. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Pearl had meant it when she said she would change his mindset. She intended to make sure he didn't run his mouth at her ever again. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! The paddle rained it's stinging magic upon Pippin's behind, which was now a deep red colour. Pearl gathered all the strength she could muster and gave him one more blow, which hit dead centre and Pippin screamed in pain through his sobs. Then, it was over. Pearl put the paddle to be washed and let Pippin put his trousers back on.
The little crowd that had watched his punishment dispersed, all feeling different emotions. Pervinca felt sorry for her brother, Pimpernel felt he got a little more than he deserved, and Merry was amazed at how hard Pearl could hit. He had always thought her to be the weaker one of the family since she almost never did any work. She only watched over the rest of the children, and Merry had never supposed that that included discipline. He decided to get to work cleaning the kitchen floor.
Not long after Merry started Pearl came in hauling Pippin. He wasn't crying now, but his face was still very red and he seemed rather exhausted. Pearl told him to get to work, and then left. Pippin looked like he was about to cry again, and Merry went over and gathered him in a hug. After Pippin had calmed down a bit more he pulled away from the hug and looked at his cousin ashamed.
"What's wrong?" Merry asked curious. Pippin looked at the ground. "I- I didn't want you to know that… that she could spank me. I thought you would laugh at me…"
Merry looked surprised, but told him the truth. "I admit I never had thought, but I understand. You are a hard hobbit to handle, you know!" He said smiling. Pippin relaxed a little and smiled too. Merry turned serious again, though.
"Now, I want you to lie down near the hearth while I clean the floor. You are too exhausted to do anymore work today, and I am not very tired at all. No arguing! If Pearl comes back I will tell her why you aren't working, don't worry."
Pippin gave a smile of thanks and lay down by the hearth on his stomach. Merry found a brush and some lye and started scrubbing the floor. After a while Pippin was asleep and Merry was only half finished. Pearl came back to check on them and was outraged when she found Pippin asleep.
"Wait Pearl, I let him. He was too exhausted to do any work, he would have collapsed!" Merry explained. Pearl didn't agree. "Since when are you the one who decides who works and who doesn't in this house? I believe that he was well enough to do a little scrubbing! Fine. If you want to take on his responsibility, you can take his share of the punishment as well. Come here Merry."
Merry gulped as Pearl brandished a wooden spoon. She sat down on one of the stools and gave Merry a hard spanking. By the time she was finished Merry was kicking and crying. Still, he didn't mind too terribly. He had saved his cousin from work that wasn't deserved, and felt that this spanking was nothing compared to what the Thain would have given him if Merry had tried to change the punishment Mr. Took assigned. Pearl let him go back to work and after half an hour's time he had finished the rest. Pearl finally let him and Pippin go to Pippin's bedroom where Merry set his cousin in the bed and contented himself in a chair. His bottom still stung a bit, but he was so tired he didn't even notice it.