DISCLAIMER: See previous chapters.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: YES! Have finally updated! Sorry about the delay, but I have three other stories on the go, another four in progress, not to mention tons of homework, so updates on any of my stories might be a little bit slow. (someone at the back mutters, "Understatement of the millennium!")
SPECIAL MENTIONS: A big, massive thank you to all my kind reviewers: shirebound (BTW, I *loved* your idea about the stables! It's not too far off my own idea, actually - but I'm saying no more!), Lindriel, addicted, Tallis, Lotho's Cute Villainess Minion, cheerleader15, tiggivon, helga, Elwen, Ivory Tower and Pearl Took. You have no idea how much your support means to me!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHAPTER FOUR: PREPARATION
"Fair enough!" Pippin said, throwing his hand in the air in a gesture of surrender. "You were right, I was wrong. But we still have one *tiny* problem."
Merry folded his arms across his chest, leaning against the damp cavern wall, hoping that Pippin could see the smug expression on his face even in the darkness. "And what is that?"
"How in the name of the Shire do we get them out of here and to the party?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Breakfast at Bag End was a solemn affair. Sam and Rosie exchanged worried glances when they thought Frodo wasn't looking; but he knew all the same.
The strained silence was broken by an impatient chap on the door. "I'll get that," Rosie said, her chair scarping along the floor as she stood. "Morning you two!" Her voice, dripping with feigned nonchalance, filled the hall. "They're here!"
Pippin sauntered into the kitchen, eyeing the plates of cooked food lining the wooden table. Merry followed promptly, an unusual silence falling over the two normally exuberant hobbits. Frodo assumed they were still half- asleep, judging by their lethargic movements and bleary eyes.
"Morning," Frodo yawned. The two new arrivals nodded in reply, seating themselves on either side of him, and reaching for some toasted bread.
"Well, seeing as everyone's here," Rosie said, smoothing a crease from her pristine white apron, "It's time we got down to business! First of all, were will be hosting this party?"
"I had an idea last night," Pippin said through a mouthful of toast, before taking a large swig of tea. "Why don't we hold the party in Tuckborough?"
"Tuckborough?" Sam echoed. "Why there?" His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Well, Frodo is a Took, after all!" Pippin patted the hobbit on the back. "Besides, the gardens are absolutely beautiful this time of year; some of the most beautiful in the Shire! That is," he added hastily, eliciting bemused expressions from Merry and Frodo, "Other than the gardens at Bag End, of course. By the way, I love the overgrowing grass effect. You've really outdone yourself, Sam!"
"What overgrown grass?" Rosie asked, her eyes narrowing. "Samwise Gamgee! Did you not cut the grass like I told you to?!"
"Um... Oh, look at the time! I've gotta go do... sumpthin' important!" He hurriedly stood and pushed his way out of the kitchen, muttering obscenities under his breath, turning only to glare a Pippin, who shot back a look of pure innocence.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When invitations were sent to various old friends in the Shire, the gossipmongers could not resist the opportunity to speculate. Another Baggins party - would Frodo pull a disappearing act, like Old Bilbo had, and never be seen again? Would there be dwarves and elves and other strange folk coming? Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck, whose tales of adventure in foreign lands never ceased to amuse the young hobbits, soon found themselves on the receiving end of a barrage of questions concerning the party.
Pippin and Merry were no longer fazed by the attention given to them after their heroics at the Battle Of Brywater, but they found this new attention extremely irritating.
"No, for the last time! There will not be a chorus of Wood-elves serenading the guests!" Merry snapped, his temper beginning to fray. "Now if you would please excuse me, Mrs Boffins, I am extremely busy! Good day!"
"That went well," Pippin stifled a laugh. Just then a little hobbit girl with glassy green eyes and unruly red curls skipped up to him and tugged at his waistcoat.
"Mr. Took?" She whispered shyly.
"Well, hullo, Lily!" He greeted, bending down to talk to her. "How are you?"
"Mr. Took, my big brother says that Frodo Baggins keeps a dragon in his cellar, and he's only having the party so he can feed little hobbit children to it!" There was a genuine fear in her eyes, and Pippin could barely restrain a chuckle. Such a sweet, innocent child.
"No, Lily. Frodo doesn't keep any dragons in his cellar."
"Are you sure?" She asked, eyes widening.
"You should trust Pippin, Lily," Merry injected. "He's never out of the cellar!"
The child giggled softly, her fears quelled. Then, the smile melted as a voice hollered, "Lily Proudfoot! How dare you run away like that!"
A flustered looking young woman, dragging a chubby seven-year-old boy with her, marched through the crowd, her face awash with relief. "What have I told you about running away like that?"
"Don't worry, Diamond," Pippin cut in, "She's fine."
"Oh, hello Pippin!" Diamond said, noticing him for the first time. "I'm so sorry, about Lily. She's just like her mother, always wandering off!"
"It's fine, Diamond. By the way, will you and sister be coming? To the party, I mean?"
"Need you ask Pippin?" She laughed, before taking Lily's hand. "Come on, you little scamp! I'll see at the party!"
"Fair enough! Goodbye, Diamond!" Pippin called, a faint grin crossing his lips as he sighed.
Merry snickered. "Goodbye, Diamond!" He squeaked, imitating his friend.
"Hey!" His cousin cried indignantly. "You're one to talk. I've seen the way you flirt with Estella Bolger!"
Before their sparring could continue, Sam appeared at their side. "Are you two ready? We've still got a lotta things to set up! Come on!" He practically dragged the two halfway across the Shire to Tuckbourgh.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Well, that's that!" Sam heaved, helping Merry lower the last bench to the ground. The sun was beginning her descent, marring the powder blue sky with streaks of gold, orange and scarlet.
Merry wiped the sweat from his brow. "Never again!" He panted, sinking onto the bench. "Sam, promise me something!"
The hobbit eyed his friend quizzically. "What?"
"Next time you and Rosie decide to throw a party, promise that I'll not be one of the idiots you recruit to set it up!"
"What'd you mean, next time?" Sam said, staring incredulously.
Pippin dragged his feet along the grass, lifting his hand in a half-hearted wave to the others. "Finished!" he declared, before crumbling to the turf below.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The moon had risen in the black cloak of night when Sam eventually found the energy to walk all the way back to Bag End, but not quite enough to wipe the grimace from his expression as he shuffled along, yawning goodbye to the other two.
"Well," Merry declared, lowering the pipe from bis lips, "That was certainly a productive afternoon!"
"I still don't see how this is going to help with the fireworks dilemma," Pippin muttered bitterly, not particularly from being proven wrong, but the knowledge of what task awaited him after the party.
"Oh, Pip! Have you no imagination!" His cousin leaned back with a sigh. "You'll see soon enough..." he whispered mysteriously.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Another chapter posted! Coming soon (I hope): CHAPTER FIVE: THE PARTY.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: YES! Have finally updated! Sorry about the delay, but I have three other stories on the go, another four in progress, not to mention tons of homework, so updates on any of my stories might be a little bit slow. (someone at the back mutters, "Understatement of the millennium!")
SPECIAL MENTIONS: A big, massive thank you to all my kind reviewers: shirebound (BTW, I *loved* your idea about the stables! It's not too far off my own idea, actually - but I'm saying no more!), Lindriel, addicted, Tallis, Lotho's Cute Villainess Minion, cheerleader15, tiggivon, helga, Elwen, Ivory Tower and Pearl Took. You have no idea how much your support means to me!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CHAPTER FOUR: PREPARATION
"Fair enough!" Pippin said, throwing his hand in the air in a gesture of surrender. "You were right, I was wrong. But we still have one *tiny* problem."
Merry folded his arms across his chest, leaning against the damp cavern wall, hoping that Pippin could see the smug expression on his face even in the darkness. "And what is that?"
"How in the name of the Shire do we get them out of here and to the party?"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Breakfast at Bag End was a solemn affair. Sam and Rosie exchanged worried glances when they thought Frodo wasn't looking; but he knew all the same.
The strained silence was broken by an impatient chap on the door. "I'll get that," Rosie said, her chair scarping along the floor as she stood. "Morning you two!" Her voice, dripping with feigned nonchalance, filled the hall. "They're here!"
Pippin sauntered into the kitchen, eyeing the plates of cooked food lining the wooden table. Merry followed promptly, an unusual silence falling over the two normally exuberant hobbits. Frodo assumed they were still half- asleep, judging by their lethargic movements and bleary eyes.
"Morning," Frodo yawned. The two new arrivals nodded in reply, seating themselves on either side of him, and reaching for some toasted bread.
"Well, seeing as everyone's here," Rosie said, smoothing a crease from her pristine white apron, "It's time we got down to business! First of all, were will be hosting this party?"
"I had an idea last night," Pippin said through a mouthful of toast, before taking a large swig of tea. "Why don't we hold the party in Tuckborough?"
"Tuckborough?" Sam echoed. "Why there?" His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"Well, Frodo is a Took, after all!" Pippin patted the hobbit on the back. "Besides, the gardens are absolutely beautiful this time of year; some of the most beautiful in the Shire! That is," he added hastily, eliciting bemused expressions from Merry and Frodo, "Other than the gardens at Bag End, of course. By the way, I love the overgrowing grass effect. You've really outdone yourself, Sam!"
"What overgrown grass?" Rosie asked, her eyes narrowing. "Samwise Gamgee! Did you not cut the grass like I told you to?!"
"Um... Oh, look at the time! I've gotta go do... sumpthin' important!" He hurriedly stood and pushed his way out of the kitchen, muttering obscenities under his breath, turning only to glare a Pippin, who shot back a look of pure innocence.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When invitations were sent to various old friends in the Shire, the gossipmongers could not resist the opportunity to speculate. Another Baggins party - would Frodo pull a disappearing act, like Old Bilbo had, and never be seen again? Would there be dwarves and elves and other strange folk coming? Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck, whose tales of adventure in foreign lands never ceased to amuse the young hobbits, soon found themselves on the receiving end of a barrage of questions concerning the party.
Pippin and Merry were no longer fazed by the attention given to them after their heroics at the Battle Of Brywater, but they found this new attention extremely irritating.
"No, for the last time! There will not be a chorus of Wood-elves serenading the guests!" Merry snapped, his temper beginning to fray. "Now if you would please excuse me, Mrs Boffins, I am extremely busy! Good day!"
"That went well," Pippin stifled a laugh. Just then a little hobbit girl with glassy green eyes and unruly red curls skipped up to him and tugged at his waistcoat.
"Mr. Took?" She whispered shyly.
"Well, hullo, Lily!" He greeted, bending down to talk to her. "How are you?"
"Mr. Took, my big brother says that Frodo Baggins keeps a dragon in his cellar, and he's only having the party so he can feed little hobbit children to it!" There was a genuine fear in her eyes, and Pippin could barely restrain a chuckle. Such a sweet, innocent child.
"No, Lily. Frodo doesn't keep any dragons in his cellar."
"Are you sure?" She asked, eyes widening.
"You should trust Pippin, Lily," Merry injected. "He's never out of the cellar!"
The child giggled softly, her fears quelled. Then, the smile melted as a voice hollered, "Lily Proudfoot! How dare you run away like that!"
A flustered looking young woman, dragging a chubby seven-year-old boy with her, marched through the crowd, her face awash with relief. "What have I told you about running away like that?"
"Don't worry, Diamond," Pippin cut in, "She's fine."
"Oh, hello Pippin!" Diamond said, noticing him for the first time. "I'm so sorry, about Lily. She's just like her mother, always wandering off!"
"It's fine, Diamond. By the way, will you and sister be coming? To the party, I mean?"
"Need you ask Pippin?" She laughed, before taking Lily's hand. "Come on, you little scamp! I'll see at the party!"
"Fair enough! Goodbye, Diamond!" Pippin called, a faint grin crossing his lips as he sighed.
Merry snickered. "Goodbye, Diamond!" He squeaked, imitating his friend.
"Hey!" His cousin cried indignantly. "You're one to talk. I've seen the way you flirt with Estella Bolger!"
Before their sparring could continue, Sam appeared at their side. "Are you two ready? We've still got a lotta things to set up! Come on!" He practically dragged the two halfway across the Shire to Tuckbourgh.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"Well, that's that!" Sam heaved, helping Merry lower the last bench to the ground. The sun was beginning her descent, marring the powder blue sky with streaks of gold, orange and scarlet.
Merry wiped the sweat from his brow. "Never again!" He panted, sinking onto the bench. "Sam, promise me something!"
The hobbit eyed his friend quizzically. "What?"
"Next time you and Rosie decide to throw a party, promise that I'll not be one of the idiots you recruit to set it up!"
"What'd you mean, next time?" Sam said, staring incredulously.
Pippin dragged his feet along the grass, lifting his hand in a half-hearted wave to the others. "Finished!" he declared, before crumbling to the turf below.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The moon had risen in the black cloak of night when Sam eventually found the energy to walk all the way back to Bag End, but not quite enough to wipe the grimace from his expression as he shuffled along, yawning goodbye to the other two.
"Well," Merry declared, lowering the pipe from bis lips, "That was certainly a productive afternoon!"
"I still don't see how this is going to help with the fireworks dilemma," Pippin muttered bitterly, not particularly from being proven wrong, but the knowledge of what task awaited him after the party.
"Oh, Pip! Have you no imagination!" His cousin leaned back with a sigh. "You'll see soon enough..." he whispered mysteriously.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Another chapter posted! Coming soon (I hope): CHAPTER FIVE: THE PARTY.