Three weeks into Pippins Stay and we were ahead of schedule. We already had every cousin in Brandy Hall begging to learn our ways. And we had every cook begging mumma to stop us. With Pippins little body we could fit into more pantry rooms and steal more food than ever!
However, we were caught... randomly, and on those occasions banished to my room for most of the day.
It happened to be one of those days. We'd been inside all day. We were only allowed out for meals, and Pip and I had played every game I knew. Now I was reading.
"Merry..." Pippin whined around the bite of apple in his mouth. (I always had a stash or apples.)
"Yes Pip?" I asked more or less ignoring him as I read the book Frodo gave me for his birthday.
"I'm bored." he sighed
"Me too Pip." I mumbled turning the page.
A minute went by. "No you're not Merry you're reading a book... and I'm bored." I smiled a little. "It's quiet time Pippers."
"Harumph."
I smiled and continued to read. The sighs and "pained" moans of my cousin told me I wasn't getting out of this easily. Annoyed slightly, I turned to see Pip, with his favorite pout, staring at me. I didn't even have to ask how long he'd been doing it. The kid had stamina.
"What!?" I finally caved. "What do you want?"
"I want you to play with me you silly Brandybuck!"
I sighed and walked over to him. I sat in front of him. His eyes lit when I finally nodded.
"OK Pippers." I yawned with a smile. "Lets play." "What are we gonna play Merry!" He cheered.
What a fickle kid. I thought grinning.
"How about... we play quiet hobbit?"
"Merry."
I giggled at his expression. "OK Pip get the blankets. We'll make a cave."
"A CAVE!"
"Yup c'mon hurry we need a cave because... we godda get the dragon!"
"A Dragon!?" He squealed.
I chuckled and quickly constructed a blanket cave. It was suitable for a dragon... as long as the dragon was the size of a dog. Pippin loved it none the less.
As we sat inside, for a long while, Pip just giggled and whispered about Bilbo's stories. Finally he asked me what our Dragon looked like. I smiled. An idea to give myself a bit of fun came to mind.
"Well Pip... he's green, and yellow. He's got long fangs and claws as sharp as knifes." I made a growl noise making Pip sit up. "He has a looong tail and he breaths fire and.... AHHHH PIP! PIPPIN HE'S GOT ME!"
"Merry!" Pippin screamed. "MERRY!"
"Run Pip he's gonna get you run! Tell mumma I love her... ahhhhhh!"
I slid my way under the bed until I was completely out of the tent. I held a laugh as Pippin ran around the room.
"Merry where'd you go!? Merry!" His voice resembled my fathers when I was in trouble. Only much higher and frightened.
I held a laugh. Served him right. I was most happy reading my books and he'd played enough games to last a life time. He could have let me finish!
"Merry? Please come back." It was softer that time.
I watched him plunk down onto the floor from my designated spot under my bed. His eyes searched the room.
Now this was all well and good. Teaching Pip not to disturb me and all, but he's my Pip.
"Merry pleeeeaaassee." He begged with the sound of a sob following his plea.
OK Merry. Time to stop playing. I thought as his little whimpers tugged at my heart.
I pulled myself out to see the little bundle of hobbit crying in his hands on the floor.
"S'ok Pip." I chuckled scooting down. He looked up.
"Merry!" He sniffled. "I thought you got eated!"
I took him into my arms where he sniffled into my shirt.
"No way Pip. I killed the dragon!"
Two watery eyes met mine. "You did?" He whispered in awe.
I nodded getting into my pockets. "Sure and look. I even stole some treasure!"
They were just some coins left over from a gift from Da, but they were treasure to Pip.
"Wow." He said. "You're rich!"
I smiled and gave them to him. "Now you're rich."
"I could buy a pony!"
I chuckled "Or candy."
"Yeah." He sighed with a grin. "Candy!"
"You feel better little Took?"
He nodded and snuggle into me. "Stupid Dragon."
I chuckled and rocked him back and forth resting my chin in his curls. When I looked down he was sound asleep. I smiled and put him in his bed.
I kissed his forehead when he'd settled to sleep. "Night Pip."