The Brightest Star Ch. 9 A Spoonful of Pippin
I hope my family is too full of you to want to eat you alive, Daisy said to Pippin as they hung their heads and continued to pace the small area afforded them in the powder room, hoping to divine a solution.
Pippin looked up and shook his head with a amusement. With the way you cook, that shouldn't be a problem, Daisy.
After a few more seconds of pacing, Pippin threw his arms in the air. If only Azaelia were here! he said, She's so good at figuring out how to get out of messes.
The door flew open and two Hobbits rushed into the room, slamming the door behind them.
Get your hands off of him, Daisy! Azaelia yelled.
She's my lass now, Pippin! Merry exclaimed, You can't have two!
Daisy and Pippin exchanged looks, both surprised and relieved that their significant others were there, but before they could even crack a smile at the coincidence of their meeting, Azaelia and Merry lurched toward them with less than good intentions.
Pippin and Daisy held their hands up in protest. NO NO NO! You've got it all wrong! they yelled, cringing away from their friends.
Merry grabbed the front of Pippin's shirt and pushed him against the wall before any more explanation could be voiced. Pippin breathed sharply, expecting a punch or something else fairly uncomfortable.
What don't we understand, my dear Pippin? Merry asked with sarcastic patience, Please continue or I'll pound you to the floor.
There's nothing going on between us! Pippin rattled, This was all an unhappy coincidence and Daisy and I were just about to figure out a plan to get us out of this mess but I knew we'd never think of something clever unless Azaelia helped and I was just about to go find her so everything would be alright! I swear that's all! That's all we were in here for Merry please don't pound me into anything!
Merry looked over his shoulder at Azaelia, who was sighing with relief at this news. As he released his grip on his friend, she rushed toward Pippin, grabbed his head and quickly kissed his mouth.
Oh you're such a crazy boy my Pippin! she said, nuzzling his nose.
If I had one more ale in me I might've punched you into orc-bait, Merry said as Daisy walked up to his side and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Daisy reached up and scratched Merry's hair, saying, Calm down, love. No more to worry about. You looked so depressed ten minutes ago, my poor Hobbit.
After all wounds were nursed with reassuring hugs and laughs, the conspiracy of four Hobbits brainstormed as quickly as physically possible for the perfect plan...
...They emerged from the powder room one by one at staggered times and with not a sign of concern on their faces. Merry and Daisy both walked back into the Barrelcracker crowd, finding it easy to split ways while they established a sense of normalcy before the conspiracy's show began. Azaelia and Pippin were to rejoin the Featherdown party to do the same.
Merry said loundly, pretending to be drunk, Go ask those people in the kitchen for more ale out here, I'm dry as dirt!
I'm not sure that's been a problem for you tonight, Sam protested, but Merry soon covinced him otherwise and pushed him in the general direction of the double doors.
Sam was soon walking toward the kitchen when he saw Pippin quickly walk past the kitchen doors. Sam watched for a few minutes, expecting him to come right back out. No one else seemed to notice this strange behavior, so he entered the kitchen in hopes of finding his friend.
Sam called Pippin's name and as he got no discernible answer, he bumped and scooted his way through the crowded aisles of counters and stoves, soon coming upon another set of double doors like the ones he came through before. Waitresses were walking in and out of them constantly, but he ran up to the round window in one of the swinging doors to get a look at the next room.
He could hardly believe what his sneaky eyes had found as they widened at the sight of Pippin dancing with a lass that was definitely not Daisy. Oh my Elbereth, Sam said under his breath, What'll come of this?
Just then a hand grabbed Sam's shoulder and he jumped at the surprise.
What're you sneaking about for, Samwise? Rosie hissed as she pulled him away from the doors. I don't think we're supposed to be rooting around the kitchen.
Sam stuttered and fumbled for words to justify his curious peeping, but all he could do was point at the window in the door.
Rosie gave him a strange look, but pushed him aside and took a look for herself. She stood there for a moment, then pulled back and stared at Sam openmouthed and amazed. What the Mordor is going on here?!
Shhhh! Rosie, your language! Sam hushed her, pulling her away from the door. We gotta keep this secret! Pippin's one of my best friends, we can't get him in trouble.
Rosie was in agreement about this, but she still felt guilty about keeping something like this bottled up. We gotta tell somebody, she whispered, Maybe we can get Merry to talk some sense into him.
Sam said, allowing his wife to usher him through the kitchen in search of their friend.
Just as they disappeared past the opposite doors, two sets of cheery green eyes peeped through the window, catching a glimpse of the couple reenter Daisy's party.
They saw us! Azaelia whispered happily.
Pippin giggled beside her. They're gonna do all the work for us. Now it's all up to Merry and his acting skills, he said, instantly pulling her into a tight embrace. He smiled, looking her in the eyes to add, You're too smart for me sometimes.
Only sometimes? she asked with mock disappointment, a finger fondling one of his curls.
The rest of the time you're too beautiful for me, love, Pippin crooned, tickling her everywhere possible.
(A/N: Sorry so short, but I had to give you something for hanging on so long. Conclusion is soon to come!!!)
