The morning sun shone brightly in the sky amongst the few clouds that
hovered. The children played together in the sunshine while most of the
elder hobbits went about their business. The market was full of hustle and
bustle as trades took place. Life had been slowly getting back to normal
since Sharkey had been overthrown and buildings had started to be rebuilt
or restored.
A young hobbit watched Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took in amazement as they wandered through the marketplace. 'Lordly' folk called them, with their shiny mail shirts and riding their ponies. All of the younger hobbits were amazed by them. He tugged at his mother's skirt as they walked past and. His mother turned to face him, "Now, now dear don't stare - it isn't polite."
Merry and Pippin were both aware of the stares that they had been receiving since they had returned. They had both gotten used to the stares and whisperings whenever they went almost anywhere in the Shire. One thing that they had not gotten used to however was that many a hobbit-lass would try to catch their eye.
"Look over there Merry, it's Fatty," Pippin pointed in Fredegar Bolger's direction. "Let's go over and see him." The two hobbits walked over to say hello. "Hello there Merry and Pippin, how are you today?" Fredegar greeted him with a smile on his face, he looked much better since his ordeal in the Lockholes. "Have you seen my sister lately? She was supposed to meet me here a little while ago but she's late, as usual."
Merry and Pippin both shook their heads, "No sorry Fatty, I don't think we've even seen Estella since we've come back," Merry said. "Oh, that may be because she's been looking after our aunt. She hasn't been well lately but she's getting better now so Estella will be coming home soon." Fredegar told them, "You should come over to visit when she is back at home, Sam and Frodo too - if they can."
"Thanks for the offer Fatty," Merry said, "We're heading over to see them now as a matter-of-fact and I'm sure they'll also accept your invitation." Fredegar nodded, "Well I won't keep you waiting then, have a day. Oh, and if you do see my sister please remind her that I am waiting for her." He asked, looking around the market again.
"Of course." The two hobbits turned to leave, "See you later Fatty." Fredegar waved as Merry and Pippin walked away and headed over to fetch their ponies who had attracted a small crowd of children hobbits. Some of the children moved away while others watched in awe as Merry and Pippin mounted and rode away.
A young hobbit watched Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took in amazement as they wandered through the marketplace. 'Lordly' folk called them, with their shiny mail shirts and riding their ponies. All of the younger hobbits were amazed by them. He tugged at his mother's skirt as they walked past and. His mother turned to face him, "Now, now dear don't stare - it isn't polite."
Merry and Pippin were both aware of the stares that they had been receiving since they had returned. They had both gotten used to the stares and whisperings whenever they went almost anywhere in the Shire. One thing that they had not gotten used to however was that many a hobbit-lass would try to catch their eye.
"Look over there Merry, it's Fatty," Pippin pointed in Fredegar Bolger's direction. "Let's go over and see him." The two hobbits walked over to say hello. "Hello there Merry and Pippin, how are you today?" Fredegar greeted him with a smile on his face, he looked much better since his ordeal in the Lockholes. "Have you seen my sister lately? She was supposed to meet me here a little while ago but she's late, as usual."
Merry and Pippin both shook their heads, "No sorry Fatty, I don't think we've even seen Estella since we've come back," Merry said. "Oh, that may be because she's been looking after our aunt. She hasn't been well lately but she's getting better now so Estella will be coming home soon." Fredegar told them, "You should come over to visit when she is back at home, Sam and Frodo too - if they can."
"Thanks for the offer Fatty," Merry said, "We're heading over to see them now as a matter-of-fact and I'm sure they'll also accept your invitation." Fredegar nodded, "Well I won't keep you waiting then, have a day. Oh, and if you do see my sister please remind her that I am waiting for her." He asked, looking around the market again.
"Of course." The two hobbits turned to leave, "See you later Fatty." Fredegar waved as Merry and Pippin walked away and headed over to fetch their ponies who had attracted a small crowd of children hobbits. Some of the children moved away while others watched in awe as Merry and Pippin mounted and rode away.