CHAPTER 11
Pippin decided that he would do more listening than babbling this evening. No good to chatter on like a hobbit-child when in the company of grown hobbits--or nearly grown in the case of most. The teen Pippin didn't recognize came up to him and introduced himself as Folco Boffin. "Welcome.", he said and shook Pippin's hand.
"Gather round, everyone!", called Frodo, "it's time for gifts! I decided to give special ones to my dearest friends."
Folco and Fredegar opened their gifts; each received one of Frodo's most cherished books. Sam opened his gift next. The gardener received a pair of gloves. Frodo explained they were for use when handling rough plants, such as roses. Sam blushed.
To Pippin's utter surprise, Frodo handed him a gift. Pippin opened the wrapping to find none other than...his very own pipe! It was a bit smaller than an adult's pipe, hand carved from fine walnut wood, and it was polished to a sleek, smooth feel. His delightful smile gave away is heart. Pippin looked up at Frodo, and tried to act the teenage hobbit he wasn't but said with all sincerity, "Thank you, Frodo." Frodo nodded in satisfaction.
Last, but not least, was Merry. Frodo moved to where Merry sat, pulled a chair up to him, and took his cousin's hands in his own. He said, "I have no material gift to offer, because the gift I impart to you is shelter in this humble dwelling; from the storms of weather, and the storms of life. You are most welcome here, Merry, for as long as you wish."
Merry seemed genuinely stunned. "T-t-to stay, you mean?", he asked. Frodo nodded. Merry was speechless at first, but finally said, "I don't know what to say."
"Thank you, will suffice!", Frodo laughed. "and to say that you will at least consider moving in to Bag End!"
Pippin was stunned. He thought for sure Merry would choose to live at Whitwell! While everyone was standing round patting Merry's back and congratulating him on his wonderful gift, Pippin slipped out of the room.
When would Merry leave? In the middle of the night? Didn't Merry feel welcome at Whitwell? Would Merry even think to say good-bye to him? Why doesn't Merry want to live with us--or me? All these thoughts were racing through Pippin's mind as he made his way towards the door, and on his way out....he filled his mug...again.
Just as Pippin opened the door to walk out into the crisp night air, he heard a familiar voice. "Pippin!" It was Perva. Pippin rolled his eyes with the anticipation of Perva getting on his last nerve. "Where do you think you're going?", she asked as she attempted to stand between Pippin and the outdoors.
"Outside! Now out of my way!", Pippin growled as he shoved past his sister.
Perva was shocked at Pippin's behavior, "I'm telling momma and papa!"
"Oooh, I'm scared!", Pippin shouted over his shoulder as he walked outside.
CHAPTER 12
Pippin sat in the large tree on the hill. It was a tad treacherous getting up; he slipped a couple times on the wet bark, but was able to climb, albeit carefully, up into the heights of the tree. Here he was content...for now. He sipped from his mug and fingered his new pipe. So smooth it was. He wished he had some leaf to go into it, but realized the rain would have sputtered out any flame. The raindrops soaked his good clothes and ran down his face from his wet hair. He was pondering Merry's notion to leave without so much as a goodbye, when he heard the door squeak open and then close shut. It was Merry. Pippin sat quietly where he was.
The rain smelled good and fresh to Merry; it cleaned the air. He walked up the lane just before the garden and stopped in front of the tree where Pippin was perched. Merry gazed at the garden; it looked very beautiful to him and noticed it was well tended by the Gaffer and Sam. Not a rose out of place, and the bluebells together with the marigolds completed the splendor. He wondered if bluebells had to make such difficult decisions as he did tonight? He laughed to himself at his own nonsense. He put his hands in his pockets to ward of shivering, but his clothes were getting wet; after that, nothing would keep out the chill. The silence was comforting, though; the earth always seemed quiet during rain.
What do I do?, he thought as he considered Frodo's offer. Move into Bag End? His choices were either to remain at Whitwell, or move here. He would not go back home to Buckland, that much he knew. But where to from here? His heart knew the answer, but how would he tell them?
Pippin watched Merry from his perch. What was Merry doing out here? Was Merry following him? Why was he pacing up and down the lane? Surely he had "decisions" to make, as he remembered his papa's words, and it was obvious to Pippin what Merry's decision would be...Bag End.
Pippin was feeling quite relaxed by now; in fact, he was starting to feel a bit dizzy. He fingered his pipe again. He wasn't angry with Frodo; Pippin was glad someone had offered shelter to his dear cousin. He knew Merry would not go back to Buckland, but why would he not stay with his family? Even for a little while longer? Was it so bad being a Took? Merry indeed had Took blood in him! Pippin searched his heart to find the "why" he was aching to answer. A chill came over Pippin and he sneezed.
Merry was deep in thought. He stared out into the darkness of the fields of Hobbiton, and found no easy answers. He heard a noise; he thought it sounded like a...a sneeze? He turned to each side and peered into the darkness to find no one. He was certain he heard something....perhaps it was his own imagination. Wait....he turned around and looked up into the tree. His eyes spotted the source.
"Pippin! What are you doing up there?!", Merry asked, trying not to speak too loud.
Pippin thought if he didn't answer him, Merry would go away.
"Pippin! Come down from there!"
"Leave me alone!"
Puzzled, Merry ventured again, "Pippin! What's going on--what's the matter?"
As if he didn't know! "You! You're the matter, that's what!"
Wait!, Merry thought. "What are you talking about?!"
"Do you think I'm stupid?! I was there when Frodo gave you your gift--don't you remember? I was there! He gave you a piece of Bag End, which probably wasn't even his to give, and you! You ate it all up!" By now, the ale was talking in full force for Pippin. "And what are you thinking about now, I might ask? How fast you can pack your bags and leave without so much as a good bye? Won't you even think about how much we will miss you? I won't ever see you again! You're all I...", and Pippin stopped himself; he told himself no tears, but here they were.
This won't do, he thought, and he started to climb down. Between the rain, and his drunkenness, Pippin slipped, but caught himself on a lower branch, dropping his mug...it was empty anyway.
This scared Merry. What was wrong with his cousin? He seemed alright not too long ago in Bilbo's Study. In fact, Merry was quite proud of his young friend. "Wait!! Hold up, Pip!" Merry hurtled over the low hedge that lined the lane, and raced up the hill to the tree.
Pippin caught his feet on the branch below, and decided to jump the rest of the way, and as he dropped, he realized his judgment was terribly wrong.
"Pippin!! NO!!", Merry shouted.
But it was too late; Pippin sailed past several huge branches before he hit something....
Merry barely felt the jolt upon his head, and tumbled down the other side of the hill, with Pippin tumbling alongside him. The other side of The Hill was not as well tended as the front side. Brambles and thorns tore at their flesh, scratching up their skin to the point of drawing blood. Merry felt his head hit something hard several times, while tumbling on they went.
When Pippin jumped from the tree, he felt he landed on something, but didn't know what; he did know that it wasn't the ground. Then he realized he was still falling, he shot out his left arm to catch himself on the ground and immediately felt a sharp pain shoot up his arm as he tried to shield his second landing. He let out a muffled cry. Head over heels he went until he came to a stop by a huge rock. He hit it with such force that it knocked the wind out of him.
After a few minutes, they heard voices; "Who's down there?", Pippin heard someone up the hill yell. But he found he couldn't answer. He couldn't find his breath; where was he?
Merry got up on his hands and knees, dazed himself. "Hullo, up there!", but his voice was too small to carry up the hill. Merry heard the buzz of a hundred people up the hill.
Merry's whole body throbbed; he let himself settle onto the wet, muddy ground. He was too dazed and weak to crawl back up the hill. "Pip?" Half not expecting an answer; Pippin fell from a great height, and he guessed Pippin to be in a bad state. Merry felt around in the darkness to find Pippin. His hands felt a trembling body on the wet ground. He moved slowly towards the shivering mass. He hovered close until his body felt the warmth--or lack thereof-of Pippin. How long was his cousin in that tree? Pippin was completely soaked through to the skin. He lay himself next to his young cousin with Pippin's back to his chest. Merry enveloped his cousin and wrapped his cloak about them both, until darkness stole his mind away....
