Dearest Diary,





Well its been several days since the party and I am feeling a bit guilty that I have not taken the time to write

more recently. It has been a very busy time for me though. We moved into our new home the morning after

the party, much to the dismay of my mum. I suppose she never let the thought of her only child moving

away from home become a reality until it was too late. For the first few nights it was very quiet, not at all

what I had expected. I think a lot of that had to do with the fact that Merry Brandybuck, Stell's beau from

her party, came to call for her quite often. I was left alone on most days so I feel as if I came to know my

new home fairly well. All in all, our hole is lovely. It has that same feeling of comfort of my old one with the

small exception that I now have to do everything for myself instead of having mum do it for me. It is a large

and roomy hole which makes it all the more still when you are sitting in it alone. This is the reason that I

discovered the small garden that lies outside. It is full of color and smells absolutely wonderful. Behind us

there is a small stream flowing which at first I had no use for it. In fact, I protested it for a while. However, I

discovered my favorite spot, which incidently is where I am right now. There is a small dock that extends

over the water a bit. I was told that this was once a popular place to fish. Its such a peaceful spot that no

matter how alone or upset I feel I simply come out here and all is forgotten. Which brings me back to my

first point. Merry Brandybuck. The first of several reasons that I needed an escape anyways. I went for

days believing that he was trying to steal my friend away from me. I hardly saw her, not even for meals. He

would show up on our doorstep sometime around breakfast and they would leave hand in hand, smiling as

they went. I very nearly cried on several occasions. I really couldn't blame her though. Had it been me I

think I would have done the same. After all Merry is an attractive lad from a good family and he shows

intrest no less. He has a look about him. There is a slightly dangerous gleam in his sparkling blue eyes that

makes you wonder what he has been up to, and when he laughs I dare say that any in the room laughs with

him. He is just the sort I would have choosen for Stelly myself. He compliments her shy and meek nature.

However, it doesn't matter who it is, it is no fun being left out. Especially when you only know a handful of

folks in town. I guess she noticed the mood I was in because Stell asked me what the matter was the other

day. I told her most of what I have just confessed on paper. She hugged me and said something along the

lines of "You should have told me that this was bothering you." ( I thought this statement a bit odd since I

just had.) After that I thought she would stay home a bit more, but sure enough around time for tea the next

day there was an all to familiar knock on the door. To my horror, I now had two problems to deal with. I not

only have to deal with Merry but now he had brought his insulting cousin along. I must have looked

compleatly shocked because I felt Stell's hand grasp my shoulder and the overly excited look on her face

told me that I most definately was not going to sit at home alone on this day. I tried to explain to her in a

hushed voice that I barely knew Merry and I most certainly didn't, nor wanted, to know his cousin. She

took me aside and said "Now Diamond, you musn't be closed off to meeting new faces." I couldn't help to

think that this wasn't a new face, It was the same old face of the lad that had nearly annoyed me to the point

of decking him at the party. Merry realized I guess that I was having a bit of difficulties at the odd

arrangement. He elbowed the other, who let out a yelp and then turned his frown into a scowl. He muttered

something that, I think, was hello. Stell now had a worried look and she seemed to be searching for help

from Merry, but he only shrugged helplessly. Stelly, always the peacekeeper, smiled politely and said,

"Diamond, I would like you to formally meet Peregrin Took. I felt my stomach churn abit hoping that I

wasn't any relation to such a crude lad. He rolled his eyes abit and added, "Pippin, if you please." I nodded

and something wicked in me went off when I said, "An honor I'm sure, Peregrin." I guess my snide tone was

too noticable since I felt Stell pinch me on my arm. Merry, looking quite relieved, said something to the

extent of our leaving before it gets any later. Since then we have taken regular walks on a daily basis around

town. Pippin and I, or Peregrin as I prefer to call him when he is around since he squirms so, have been civil

to one another. We have managed to strike up a few conversations, mostly arguements, since we are

usually left to each others company while Merry and Stelly go off to make eyes at one another. Rarely do

the two of us agree, except on one thing, we were somehow forced into playing the role of chapperone and

are being held in that position against our will. Will write more as it developes.



-Di