Forgotten Roads
by Ani Ledger



[Chapter Three]

I walked Diamond back to Lily's house. She went inside to find Lily, and I was about to walk up the hill to Merry's, when I saw Merry come out and start walking down toward me. I waved.

Welcome back, Pip, Merry said with a grin. Where have you been?

Oh... I almost got caught at Farmer Maggot's, he said.

You tried to take mushrooms again? Pippin, you know that's--

Diamond got caught while she was looking for me, I said. Well... the dogs were after her, anyway. We had to run and hide. And I did get mushrooms! We ended up just sitting and talking for a while.

And you weren't hungry? You missed afternoon tea! Merry said. He knew better than almost anyone else that I rarely miss meals. He gasped. You like Diamond, don't you!

I looked around, worried that someone would hear. I nodded my head toward Lily's. She's just in there, I whispered. And yes, I do. I-- I gulped. I don't know if she likes me back though... I was going to try and kiss her-- Merry grinned and shook his head. --but then Lily came and she jumped away from me. I stuck my hands in my pockets and looked down at my feet.

Merry was still shaking his head. I knew I'd not hear the end of this one until--well, not for a while.

What's for supper? I asked, changing the subject.

I'm not sure. Lily invited us to eat, and I don't know what she made. Why do you bother asking, though? Afraid you won't like what she's cooking? I don't believe there's any food you won't eat, my friend.

I shrugged. Just wondering, is all. Merry started to go into Lily's, and I stopped for a moment. If we were eating at Lily's, Diamond would be there. If Diamond was there... maybe I could talk to her later. I smiled to myself and followed Merry inside.

---

I heard the door open and close, and Merry came into the kitchen. he said.

Lily turned around and smiled at him. Why, hello, she said. Is Pippin coming along, too? she asked, glancing sideways at me. Merry glanced at me also, and Pippin came into the kitchen a moment later.

What's for supper? he asked, and Lily and Merry both laughed.

Nothing you don't like, I'm sure, Lily replied with a smile.

Pippin smiled. Good, because I'm hungry.

You're always hungry, Pervinca said, entering the kitchen also. And it certainly is nice to see you again, you've been gone all afternoon.

I know, I know. Pippin looked at me and smiled a little. I felt all fluttery inside, and smiled back. What is wrong with me? I thought. Earlier, I'd felt so comfortable around him, and now whenever I so much as thought about him, my stomach was suddenly full of butterflies and I didn't know what to say. I took a deep breath. I just had to calm down and not get worried about... well, about anything. There was nothing to worry about. Sure, I had a growing crush on Pippin, and I was pretty sure he liked me too, as he'd tried to kiss me and all, so worrying needlessly was something that could be put behind me.

Lily told us all to sit down at the table, and Merry helped her bring the food over. Merry sat down between Lily and Pervinca, and I sat on Lily's other side. Pippin sat next to me. While we were eating, and the three older hobbits were all engaged in a conversation about... whatever they were talking about (which happened to be quite uninteresting to me, and to Pippin also, I guessed, judging from his lack of contribution to their conversation... in fact, he seemed more interested in his potatoes at the moment than anything else), I glanced over at Pippin. He looked at me, and for a moment neither of us said anything. So, um... I had fun this afternoon, I said.

So did I, he replied. It's nice having someone closer to my age around here. It's fun spending time with Merry, but lately he's been spending most of his time with Lily. He looked at both of them. They didn't seem to hear us. Usually when I visit, especially now, I sit around, bored. Visiting Merry used to be fun, but lately he doesn't want to hang around with me as much... I'm just a tween, after all. So I'm glad you're here.

So am I, I replied. It's nice to get away from my parents... I have two older brothers, and two younger sisters, and being the middle child I'm either forgotten or criticized the most.

I'm the youngest in my family, he said. It's not any easier being the youngest than being a middle child, or the oldest, I'm sure. They all have their ups and downs.

I smiled. You're probably right, I replied, and turned back to my meal.

After dinner, I helped Lily clean up the kitchen, and Pervinca, Merry, and Pippin left. You like Pippin, don't you? Lily asked with a smile.

Was it that obvious? I asked, smiling sheepishly. Yes, I suppose I do... we had fun this afternoon, just talking and stuff.

Yes, it was that obvious. I'm sure he likes you too, Diamond... I don't think I've ever seen him look at another lass that way. He definitely likes you. She grinned. You know, the last time you visited here, you met him. You were very little then.

Really? Tell me.

You were five, and he was about ten. There were no other children around, and you followed him around like a puppy. He was complaining to Merry, who was about eighteen at the time, and I could tell that Merry felt the same way when Pippin followed him around.

I smiled. Does Pippin remember that?

I don't know. You could ask him.

Perhaps I will. It'll give us something to talk about.

Good girl, she said. But you'll talk to him tomorrow, because now you should probably run off to bed. It's getting late.

I nodded, and yawned, feeling very tired. It was dark outside, and it had been a very long day. After we finished cleaning the kitchen, I changed into my nightdress and got into the bed in Lily's guestroom, and quickly fell asleep.

---

After supper, Merry talked to Lily for a few minutes alone, leaving Diamond and I alone for a little while. I didn't really know what to say, so I helped her clear the table. When they returned, Merry and I went back up the hill to his house, although I hadn't really wanted to. I would've liked to stay and talk to Diamond for a bit longer, although I didn't have much else to say to her. I made a mental note to talk to her tomorrow, and decided to go to sleep for the night.

I woke up when it was still dark out, jarred out of a dream. I couldn't remember what the dream was about, but it woke me up. I tried to fall back asleep, but for some reason I couldn't. I yawned and got out of bed. Vinca was sound asleep, and Merry's bedroom door was shut, and I figured he was probably still asleep also. I yawned and went into the kitchen to see if I could find anything to eat.

Almost as soon as I'd walked into the kitchen, I heard the door open. I stopped short. Who would be coming in so early in the morning? Merry and my sister were both asleep...

...or so I'd thought. Apparently, I'd been wrong in assuming that Merry was asleep, because he appeared in the round doorway to the kitchen. He jumped when he saw me. Pippin! What on earth are you doing up?

I suppose I could ask you the same thing, I replied. I couldn't sleep. Where had he been? Something was going on here...

Merry paused for a moment and nervously ran his fingers through his hair. Neither could I. I went out for a walk.

I raised an eyebrow at him. He obviously hadn't just gone out for a walk, but didn't ask any more questions. He looked very nervous, and usually didn't make excuses. If Merry wanted to tell me what was going on, he'd tell me.

Anyway, If I had to guess, I'd think Merry had gone out to meet a girl in the middle of the night. And if I had to guess who she was, I wouldn't hesitate to guess Lily. There was something going on there, definitely. I wondered if Diamond knew anything. But it really wasn't my business, and I decided I'd keep my nose out of it... for now.

I'm just... going to to back to bed, Merry said. He walked past me and went to his room without another word and shut the door.

I fell back asleep for a while, and woke up when I smelled breakfast. Good morning, Merry said when I went into the kitchen. Sleep well?

I nodded and sat down. Merry probably still wouldn't tell me where he'd been the night before, so I didn't ask.



[A/N: Okay, this chapter was rather boring, sorry.. and then it just kind of ended. But I wanted to upload another chapter tonight and needed a place for chapter three to end... here was the most convenient place. Chapter four is coming soon! =) Pleeeeease keep reviewing.. ::smiles::]