Chapter Four: Diamond is Rescued

Diamond set off to Tuckburough as fast as her small and feeble legs were able. With every step, she cursed Pippin. How dare he, she thought, I never would have thought him as thick as this. Why doesn't he think before doing things? Hello! Nothing could have made him stay here. He was only going to sleep on the lawn, not stay for a week. But he should have at least thanked them for their hospitality. Stupid girl! This is Peregrine Took we are talking about, not Saint Pippin of Tuckburough! He doesn't even know what manners are. Stupid boorish pig! Brainless fool!

But these thoughts were emptied when she finally got to his house. She crept over near the circular window and crouched down. As she looked through the panes she was surprised to find out that she was so close to the wall that she could here someone talking, two someones in fact. She realized that Merry was in there with Pippin.

"Hey Merry! Why does the house look so clean?" Pippin called.

"Because it is clean, Pip. I didn't know your sisters were this nice. My family never did anything like this for me." Merry said.

"They aren't this nice. What is going on, Merry? I don't like seeing my house so clean. I feel like my privacy has been intruded upon."

"Where did you learn to say words like that? Has Frodo been teaching you to sound respectable? He should know that it isn't going to work. Besides, your house doesn't look that bad Pip, honestly. Now if it wasn't your sister that did this, then who did? "

"I dunno. Wait a minute…What's this?" Pippin said, holding up what appeared to be a quilt.

Oh No! I did left it in there! How could I have been so stupid? I hope they don't know whose initials those are! Diamond panicked inside her thoughts.

"Merry, what does D.T.L.C. stand for?" Pippin said dumbfounded.

"They are probably the initials of whoever made the quilt. Do you know anyone with a name starting with a D?" Merry questioned.

"A D? No. But Frodo would, wouldn't he? He knows practically the whole Shire being appointed deputy mayor and all," Pippin suggested.

"That's the first good idea you've had all day. Frodo probably would know, after all, not only is he the deputy mayor, but his uncle kept a list of everyone in the Shire. Let's go!" And so Merry and Pippin set off for Bag End.

NO! You aren't supposed to be that smart! Why did you have to find out a way to decipher those initials? Why did you have to have a somewhat intelligent idea now? Diamond thought furiously. She crawled away from the spot where she was at, got up, and walked out to the road and saw none other than Rosie Cotton coming up the row.

Rosie Cotton was the prettiest girl in the Shire. She had rosy cheeks, curly blonde hair, and had eyes the color of the ocean. She was Farmer Cotton's only Daughter and was admired by everyone in the Shire. She was also one of the very few people who were friends with Diamond after the incident. Rosie was always there for Diamond after she got hurt. After the nights that Mr. Long Cleeve beat Diamond, Rosie was always there to support her and nurse her back to health. Rosie was Diamond's true friend. She always helped her in a time of need and Diamond needed her help more than ever right at that moment.

"Eru Illuvatar! Rosie, I am in a lot of trouble. Pippin found out", Diamond said in an extremely worried tone of voice.

"What do you mean he found out? Did he find out that you renovated his house? Or did he find out that you like him?" Rosie asked.

"He saw that his house was a lot cleaner and he found the quilt."

"What quilt? Oh no, don't tell me you made him a quilt, Diamond," Rosie said exasperated.

Diamond nodded guiltily, "I got inspired when I was over there one day."

"They don't know it is yours do they?"

"They don't know…yet. I left my initials on there and they are going to ask Frodo Baggins whose initials they are. They left five minutes ago." Diamond was almost in tears now.

"Maybe it isn't as bad as you think. The whole Shire won't think the lesser of you. They won't care if you like Pippin or not."

"Yes, they will! They will find out I like Pippin and my life will be more miserable then it is now. Plus, his friends will tease him and me about it. My life is ruined." Diamond said hopelessly.

"No, it isn't. There has to be a way to get out of this. Wait a minute...Sam and Frodo are best friends, if I could persuade Sam to tell Frodo not to tell the Shire then maybe you will be off the hook." Rosie said with a hopeful look in her eye. Sam was in love with Rosie and they were probably going to be married by the end of the year.

"There is only on problem with that Rosie, They are already gone. The only way we could save my reputation is if we got there before they did. We could only do that if we had a pony and a cart." Diamond said

Just then, Rosie's brother, Tom, came with his horse cart and was whistling a happy tune. Diamond and Rosie both smiled mischievously at one another.

"Tom!" Rosie called. "May we borrow your cart please?"

"Sure Rosie, What for?" Tom said as he got out of the cart.

"Never mind that, I just need it, that's all."

"Very well then, you do know how to drive this don't you?" Tom asked Rosie after she and Diamond were in the cart.

"I think I've got the hang of it," Rosie said. "Good day, Tom!" And they were off.

Or not.