Chapter Three
While Merry was remembering the events from 14 years ago, at the other table the discussion was based on some very recent discoveries. Melilot had given Pervinca the short version of what had happened in the Hall since she had last visited it, and one of the things she said to her was that her older cousin Berilac, a very fine and mild-mannered (for a Brandybuck) hobbit lad, had been asking about the Took siblings. It seemed he for some reason had waited for their arrival as much as Melilot, although he would shrug the matter off if he was asked.
Now that the guests were here, Melilot triumphantly observed that her guesses had been more or less correct: one of the Took girls had caught Berilac's eye. She smiled a small, snug smile as she watched her cousin glance up from his plate every now and then, then blush and lower his eyes again.
"Poor cousin Berilac, he's been glassy-eyed all evening. And no one seems to notice..."
Pervinca giggled at Melilot's quiet remark and nudged her.
"The way he keeps staring at my sister, someone's bound to notice!"
Melilot's gaze wandered over to Pimpernel, who was talking to the Master Saradoc. Pimpernel... well, why not? She was surely the easiest one of the thain's daughters to marry, given an appearance that would please any hobbit's eye and good manners. Melilot snorted; Pervinca would be another thing altogether... and for the very best reason. A dreamy smile slowly spread on her face, as if the thought reminded her of something else, something far away in the past.
"Look! Pimpernel's leaving with the Master", Pervinca exclaimed, pointing at the end of the biggest table. "And Berilac got up and went after them! Oh dear, if *that* isn't the start of a huge uproar, among our respectable aunts at least. He didn't even mind that everyone saw him as he went!"
"I wouldn't bet on it, Vinca. Not the way everyone is downing beer and talking each other's ears off."
Pervinca took another bite of cheesecake and then leaned closer to Melilot, so that her lips touched the dark curls. Melilot smelled so nice and clean, and distantly of lavender. It must've been the soap she used, but Pervinca was sure that half of the lovely scent came from Melilot herself.
"As we are, Lottie dear, and yet, we noticed it."
Melilot hesitated a bit, then turned around. Her big, serious eyes burned into Pervinca's.
"Vinca."
"Hm?" Pervinca smiled fondly.
"We should probably tell your mother, shouldn't we?"
Melilot's eyes, though always serious and honest, now seemed to be even more so, and her best friend frowned in worry.
"You're worried about something. I don't want you to worry when I'm here!" Pervinca leaned even closer and, on the spur of the moment, pressed a quick, secret kiss on Melilot's earlobe. "Or perhaps, you weren't talking about cousin Berilac at all... but us?"
Melilot turned her head slightly to give Pervinca a sharp glance. Her cousin was looking half dreamy, and half decidedly wicked - a combination that, as Melilot very well knew, more than often meant trouble.
She nodded her head towards the children with whom they shared the table. At the moment, they were far too caught up in their own business to even notice her or Pervinca, however, and Pervinca snorted at Melilot's reaction.
Who would notice, thought Pervinca huffily, or even more importantly, *care*, if she gave her best friend a quick kiss? She was feeling far too happy right now to care. How could Melilot not see it? Her mother had finally let Pervinca come to Brandy Hall, and now suddenly, there was Melilot, and all Pervinca's favourite pies and cakes that she remembered from her earlier times spent in the Hall, the cheerful and fun Brandybucks, and the scent of the place itself, a bit of old books with a tinge of adventure and sweet danger... Pervinca loved this place. She almost felt she had come home.
"Vinca, dear", Melilot now leaned closer to whisper, her voice gentle, "I don't want to, ...to push you away, you know I don't, but I believe I already told you that your sister Pearl has the eyes of a hawk!"
"But what of it, Melilot?" Pervinca smiled, not bothering to whisper. She leaned her cheek on her hand and sighed contentedly. "Surely sister Pearl would have nothing against a little kiss. Anyway, it looks like she's busy at the moment, so don't fret."
Melilot followed Pervinca's gaze to the next table, and let out an unsure laugh.
"Looks like it. Your little brother and cousin Merry are extremely good at keeping older hobbits busy - the rascals!" She turned to look at Pervinca, her eyes flickering with fondness and teasing. "Which includes you too. Haven't you been throwing glances in their very direction all night long? You want to leave my obviously very boring company and go make mischief with them as usual, I take it."
Pervinca took in a sharp breath. "No, Lottie, that's not true! I'm just - I mean, it's -"
She hesitated, then closed her mouth altogether. She *did* like being with Merry and Pippin and the other Brandybuck boys in the Hall, and was anxious to ask Merry what it felt like to be almost adult, but running around making pranks was just a bit of fun. She could do that later, it could wait. Melilot couldn't. Being with Melilot felt so much more important, it felt satisfying and yet never dull. And Pervinca had missed her best friend's gentle presence for the past two weeks. She had missed having her hair pushed out of her face by soft, able hands, missed hearing the rare sound of Melilot's carefree laughter when she was tickled; missed all the little details that she didn't have to see or hear or feel to know that they were there.
"Oh, I know, Vinca", Melilot softly said, "I didn't think you would actually leave. And do you think I would *let* you go, you silly little Took?"
Their eyes met, and suddenly there was a flash of intimacy so blatant and unveiled that Pervinca lowered her gaze, round cheeks blushing faintly - something that didn't occur often. She suddenly wanted all the other hobbits to disappear from around them. Then the entire world would be Melilot and her lovely scent so that she could drown in it...
"L-Lottie? You didn't show me that new room of yours yet."
Pervinca's heart fluttered at the thought, and she could feel her pulse starting to quicken suddenly. Could it be that Melilot saw the meaning behind the words that seemed to have fallen off her lips of their own accord? Those few little words. Pervinca's brave little heart wavered at the thought of how much weight she put on them.
"I'm afraid it's a lot smaller than the one I shared with Mentha."
Melilot put one finger under Pervinca's chin and raised it to make her look at her. There was a happy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, not quite there, but very much trying to.
"Though I suppose you wouldn't mind, now would you."
"You're teasing me." Pervinca bit her lower lip and met Melilot's eyes bravely.
And now Melilot truly smiled.
"You're usually the one to play games, so I'm just taking my equal share." She raised both hands to brush the unruly curls from Pervinca's face, gently stroking behind her ears. A warm feeling spread to Pervinca's whole body and she wanted very much to lean forward and kiss those beautiful lips that looked very soft and inviting indeed.
"Lottie...? Let's go." Her voice sounded strange and wavering to her own ears.
"Alright then. But don't you think we should at least stop by the next table to say hello?" Melilot got on her feet and straightened up the hem of her moss green dress. Little yellow flowers and vines ran from the hem to the collar; she had embroidered them herself. She had a sharp eye for details, and sure and nimble fingers.
"Of course. You're right." Pervinca took a firm hold of those fingers, squeezing them tightly in her own small and strong hand. They made it to the long table that was a few steps away, but before they reached it, three pairs of eyes had already turned to them.
*
"Merry." Pippin nudged his cousin, who was lost in his thoughts.
Merry jumped a little, then straightened his back and his eyes that had gone glassy for a few moments now focused on Pippin as clear as usual.
"Vinca is coming this way", Pippin said, pointing his mug in the direction of the two hobbit girls, then taking a sip of his drink.
Merry turned to say something to Pearl, but now saw that the older hobbit was no longer there. He leaned over the table, and didn't see either Pimpernel or his father at the end of it. Apparently whatever important business the two sisters had with the Master of Buckland, they had gone to attend to it.
*I must have been deep in my thoughts not to notice she left.* He slowly shook his head. *The spiced wine, I suspect...* He shrugged cheerfully and finished another cup of the warming liquid.
"Hullo, cousin Merry!" Vinca caught his attention. Merry span around, a grin spreading on his face.
"And hello to you too, Vinca! It's been far too long. Cousin Melilot, I must say it was rude of you to keep her entirely to yourself. We have been missing our craftiest prankster here, haven't we, Pippin?"
Pippin smiled widely at him. He was getting deliciously drowsy from the dinner and the wine.
"Well, let's see if I can make amends", Melilot said, her gentle voice dripping with hidden laughter. Pervinca looked at her quizzically, still holding her hand in hers. Both Merry and Pippin also looked at her curiously.
"Merry, dear cousin, you remember the big fuss about those empty storage rooms at the Eastern part of the Hall?"
"Yes." Merry nodded, raising his eyebrows questioningly, not quite following her train of thought. "I believe father ordered them to be tidied up and made into living-rooms, and by now, they should be ready. I must confess that I haven't been to the Eastern wing a lot lately, however."
"Then you haven't seen my new room yet, either." Melilot smiled primly. "It happens to be one of those rooms, and small, but very cosy, and best of all, it has its own fireplace. I propose that we meet there tonight, after you've been shown your rooms, Pippin and Vinca, and talk about all sorts of things."
Pervinca made a little surprised sound in her throat, and Melilot squeezed her hand a bit tighter, turning to look at her.
"I know Vinca here is curious to know a couple of things concerning your upcoming birthday, and I have quite a few questions of my own, some that I would rather not state here." She glanced meaningfully at her mother, who had already pricked up her curious ears.
"I do see your point, Melilot, however..." Pippin yawned and stretched his arms, accidentally poking Merry's stomach and eliciting a soft yelp as he did so. "Much as it would please me to gossip and chatter with you, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep my eyes open. I'm dozing off."
Merry snorted, giving him half a smile.
"That's the wine talking. We just take you out for a bit of a stroll, and you'll be as perky as a foal at springtime."
"It is decided, then!" Pervinca exclaimed, reaching out to pull her brother up on his feet. "A stroll and a good talk afterwards! Why, our wild bunch of rascals and pranksters is starting to get frighteningly well-mannered!"
They all laughed at that, and made their way to the hall to put the needed winter clothes on.
"A stroll", Pippin snorted as he wrapped his favourite scarf around his neck, "with the four of us, what ever will come of that, I wonder."
Merry gave him a look, and Pippin was delighted to see a sparkle in his eyes that hadn't been there for a long time.
"I have a few ideas", Merry announced mysteriously, then put the woolly hat on Pippin's head and grinned at him slyly.
***
While Merry was remembering the events from 14 years ago, at the other table the discussion was based on some very recent discoveries. Melilot had given Pervinca the short version of what had happened in the Hall since she had last visited it, and one of the things she said to her was that her older cousin Berilac, a very fine and mild-mannered (for a Brandybuck) hobbit lad, had been asking about the Took siblings. It seemed he for some reason had waited for their arrival as much as Melilot, although he would shrug the matter off if he was asked.
Now that the guests were here, Melilot triumphantly observed that her guesses had been more or less correct: one of the Took girls had caught Berilac's eye. She smiled a small, snug smile as she watched her cousin glance up from his plate every now and then, then blush and lower his eyes again.
"Poor cousin Berilac, he's been glassy-eyed all evening. And no one seems to notice..."
Pervinca giggled at Melilot's quiet remark and nudged her.
"The way he keeps staring at my sister, someone's bound to notice!"
Melilot's gaze wandered over to Pimpernel, who was talking to the Master Saradoc. Pimpernel... well, why not? She was surely the easiest one of the thain's daughters to marry, given an appearance that would please any hobbit's eye and good manners. Melilot snorted; Pervinca would be another thing altogether... and for the very best reason. A dreamy smile slowly spread on her face, as if the thought reminded her of something else, something far away in the past.
"Look! Pimpernel's leaving with the Master", Pervinca exclaimed, pointing at the end of the biggest table. "And Berilac got up and went after them! Oh dear, if *that* isn't the start of a huge uproar, among our respectable aunts at least. He didn't even mind that everyone saw him as he went!"
"I wouldn't bet on it, Vinca. Not the way everyone is downing beer and talking each other's ears off."
Pervinca took another bite of cheesecake and then leaned closer to Melilot, so that her lips touched the dark curls. Melilot smelled so nice and clean, and distantly of lavender. It must've been the soap she used, but Pervinca was sure that half of the lovely scent came from Melilot herself.
"As we are, Lottie dear, and yet, we noticed it."
Melilot hesitated a bit, then turned around. Her big, serious eyes burned into Pervinca's.
"Vinca."
"Hm?" Pervinca smiled fondly.
"We should probably tell your mother, shouldn't we?"
Melilot's eyes, though always serious and honest, now seemed to be even more so, and her best friend frowned in worry.
"You're worried about something. I don't want you to worry when I'm here!" Pervinca leaned even closer and, on the spur of the moment, pressed a quick, secret kiss on Melilot's earlobe. "Or perhaps, you weren't talking about cousin Berilac at all... but us?"
Melilot turned her head slightly to give Pervinca a sharp glance. Her cousin was looking half dreamy, and half decidedly wicked - a combination that, as Melilot very well knew, more than often meant trouble.
She nodded her head towards the children with whom they shared the table. At the moment, they were far too caught up in their own business to even notice her or Pervinca, however, and Pervinca snorted at Melilot's reaction.
Who would notice, thought Pervinca huffily, or even more importantly, *care*, if she gave her best friend a quick kiss? She was feeling far too happy right now to care. How could Melilot not see it? Her mother had finally let Pervinca come to Brandy Hall, and now suddenly, there was Melilot, and all Pervinca's favourite pies and cakes that she remembered from her earlier times spent in the Hall, the cheerful and fun Brandybucks, and the scent of the place itself, a bit of old books with a tinge of adventure and sweet danger... Pervinca loved this place. She almost felt she had come home.
"Vinca, dear", Melilot now leaned closer to whisper, her voice gentle, "I don't want to, ...to push you away, you know I don't, but I believe I already told you that your sister Pearl has the eyes of a hawk!"
"But what of it, Melilot?" Pervinca smiled, not bothering to whisper. She leaned her cheek on her hand and sighed contentedly. "Surely sister Pearl would have nothing against a little kiss. Anyway, it looks like she's busy at the moment, so don't fret."
Melilot followed Pervinca's gaze to the next table, and let out an unsure laugh.
"Looks like it. Your little brother and cousin Merry are extremely good at keeping older hobbits busy - the rascals!" She turned to look at Pervinca, her eyes flickering with fondness and teasing. "Which includes you too. Haven't you been throwing glances in their very direction all night long? You want to leave my obviously very boring company and go make mischief with them as usual, I take it."
Pervinca took in a sharp breath. "No, Lottie, that's not true! I'm just - I mean, it's -"
She hesitated, then closed her mouth altogether. She *did* like being with Merry and Pippin and the other Brandybuck boys in the Hall, and was anxious to ask Merry what it felt like to be almost adult, but running around making pranks was just a bit of fun. She could do that later, it could wait. Melilot couldn't. Being with Melilot felt so much more important, it felt satisfying and yet never dull. And Pervinca had missed her best friend's gentle presence for the past two weeks. She had missed having her hair pushed out of her face by soft, able hands, missed hearing the rare sound of Melilot's carefree laughter when she was tickled; missed all the little details that she didn't have to see or hear or feel to know that they were there.
"Oh, I know, Vinca", Melilot softly said, "I didn't think you would actually leave. And do you think I would *let* you go, you silly little Took?"
Their eyes met, and suddenly there was a flash of intimacy so blatant and unveiled that Pervinca lowered her gaze, round cheeks blushing faintly - something that didn't occur often. She suddenly wanted all the other hobbits to disappear from around them. Then the entire world would be Melilot and her lovely scent so that she could drown in it...
"L-Lottie? You didn't show me that new room of yours yet."
Pervinca's heart fluttered at the thought, and she could feel her pulse starting to quicken suddenly. Could it be that Melilot saw the meaning behind the words that seemed to have fallen off her lips of their own accord? Those few little words. Pervinca's brave little heart wavered at the thought of how much weight she put on them.
"I'm afraid it's a lot smaller than the one I shared with Mentha."
Melilot put one finger under Pervinca's chin and raised it to make her look at her. There was a happy smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, not quite there, but very much trying to.
"Though I suppose you wouldn't mind, now would you."
"You're teasing me." Pervinca bit her lower lip and met Melilot's eyes bravely.
And now Melilot truly smiled.
"You're usually the one to play games, so I'm just taking my equal share." She raised both hands to brush the unruly curls from Pervinca's face, gently stroking behind her ears. A warm feeling spread to Pervinca's whole body and she wanted very much to lean forward and kiss those beautiful lips that looked very soft and inviting indeed.
"Lottie...? Let's go." Her voice sounded strange and wavering to her own ears.
"Alright then. But don't you think we should at least stop by the next table to say hello?" Melilot got on her feet and straightened up the hem of her moss green dress. Little yellow flowers and vines ran from the hem to the collar; she had embroidered them herself. She had a sharp eye for details, and sure and nimble fingers.
"Of course. You're right." Pervinca took a firm hold of those fingers, squeezing them tightly in her own small and strong hand. They made it to the long table that was a few steps away, but before they reached it, three pairs of eyes had already turned to them.
*
"Merry." Pippin nudged his cousin, who was lost in his thoughts.
Merry jumped a little, then straightened his back and his eyes that had gone glassy for a few moments now focused on Pippin as clear as usual.
"Vinca is coming this way", Pippin said, pointing his mug in the direction of the two hobbit girls, then taking a sip of his drink.
Merry turned to say something to Pearl, but now saw that the older hobbit was no longer there. He leaned over the table, and didn't see either Pimpernel or his father at the end of it. Apparently whatever important business the two sisters had with the Master of Buckland, they had gone to attend to it.
*I must have been deep in my thoughts not to notice she left.* He slowly shook his head. *The spiced wine, I suspect...* He shrugged cheerfully and finished another cup of the warming liquid.
"Hullo, cousin Merry!" Vinca caught his attention. Merry span around, a grin spreading on his face.
"And hello to you too, Vinca! It's been far too long. Cousin Melilot, I must say it was rude of you to keep her entirely to yourself. We have been missing our craftiest prankster here, haven't we, Pippin?"
Pippin smiled widely at him. He was getting deliciously drowsy from the dinner and the wine.
"Well, let's see if I can make amends", Melilot said, her gentle voice dripping with hidden laughter. Pervinca looked at her quizzically, still holding her hand in hers. Both Merry and Pippin also looked at her curiously.
"Merry, dear cousin, you remember the big fuss about those empty storage rooms at the Eastern part of the Hall?"
"Yes." Merry nodded, raising his eyebrows questioningly, not quite following her train of thought. "I believe father ordered them to be tidied up and made into living-rooms, and by now, they should be ready. I must confess that I haven't been to the Eastern wing a lot lately, however."
"Then you haven't seen my new room yet, either." Melilot smiled primly. "It happens to be one of those rooms, and small, but very cosy, and best of all, it has its own fireplace. I propose that we meet there tonight, after you've been shown your rooms, Pippin and Vinca, and talk about all sorts of things."
Pervinca made a little surprised sound in her throat, and Melilot squeezed her hand a bit tighter, turning to look at her.
"I know Vinca here is curious to know a couple of things concerning your upcoming birthday, and I have quite a few questions of my own, some that I would rather not state here." She glanced meaningfully at her mother, who had already pricked up her curious ears.
"I do see your point, Melilot, however..." Pippin yawned and stretched his arms, accidentally poking Merry's stomach and eliciting a soft yelp as he did so. "Much as it would please me to gossip and chatter with you, I'm afraid I won't be able to keep my eyes open. I'm dozing off."
Merry snorted, giving him half a smile.
"That's the wine talking. We just take you out for a bit of a stroll, and you'll be as perky as a foal at springtime."
"It is decided, then!" Pervinca exclaimed, reaching out to pull her brother up on his feet. "A stroll and a good talk afterwards! Why, our wild bunch of rascals and pranksters is starting to get frighteningly well-mannered!"
They all laughed at that, and made their way to the hall to put the needed winter clothes on.
"A stroll", Pippin snorted as he wrapped his favourite scarf around his neck, "with the four of us, what ever will come of that, I wonder."
Merry gave him a look, and Pippin was delighted to see a sparkle in his eyes that hadn't been there for a long time.
"I have a few ideas", Merry announced mysteriously, then put the woolly hat on Pippin's head and grinned at him slyly.
***