The summer sun is the best thing in the world to share with your closest friend. That's why Pip and I were always laying about it with each other when we had the opportunity. The fresh grass suited him well, the vibrant quality of it bringing out his eyes spectacularly. Of course he always says the same thing about the sky and me. Maybe we just suit each other. Whatever it is, it draws me to him, and always has. Most likely it always will.
"Merry?" Pip and I were wallowing about near Brandy Hall one day, and I had thought him asleep until he said my name.
"Yes, Pip?"
"What do you think life would have been like if we hadn't known each other?" He propped himself up on his elbows, eyes unusually thoughtful.
"Well, that's a silly question. We're family, we'd always know each other."
"But what if we hadn't? For some reason, any reason. A feud. Bad timing."
"Bad timing?" I smiled. "Well, if for some reason the timing really was that bad and we just never crossed paths, I suppose life would be…quieter."
He nodded, but said nothing. I continued. "Quieter, most definitely. And lonely. Who would I laugh with if I didn't know you? Or steal mushrooms with?"
"Well, that's just it. You'd have a different best friend. Maybe you'd go off to Bag End and live with Frodo, you know, since he's all alone." He began picking at several blades of grass, and the beginning of a very sullen expression was starting over his countenance. I knew the look the well. Pippin was brooding.
"First of all, Frodo enjoys living by himself, and the only hobbit in existence he would want living with him is Bilbo, and you know that. Sec-"
"He wouldn't tell you no, and you know that!" A frown was now clearly placed.
"But that's not the point. I wouldn't want to intrude on our cousin. And second," I eyed him as to ward off any further interruptions, "I can't think of ever having a different…well, you. You're my Pip, and mine alone, you know that don't you?" I absently ran my hand through his curls.
He tried to hide it, but he was smiling. "Yes, I know," he finally gave in. "And you're my Mer." He paused for a few moments, the mood about him lightening decidedly. "Speaking of our dear cousin, I'd say it's about time for us to pay him a visit. It's been weeks!" He sprang up out of the grass and began racing toward home, shouting all the way, "Come on, Mer! You must be getting slow in your old age!"
When we did reach the town of Hobbiton, some days later as Pippin was quiet fond of side trips, the first person we met was Frodo's gardener, Sam Gamgee. Sam's got more sense in his little pinky than I'll wager half of the Shire, but he certainly lacks the confidence to show it most of the time. He was very shy to near point of being clumsy around us. Pip and I met him in the Green Dragon, where we stopped for a quick drink before heading up Bagshot Row to Bag End.
Pippin was always a favorite at the Green Dragon. As a matter of fact, he's a favorite at nearly every pub in the Shire. His first few rounds are always paid by well-meaning hobbits, just enough to loosen him up, and somehow it ends in Pippin buying the entire pub occupancy more rounds than can be safely consumed. It's really quite amazing how the entire thing plays out the same every time. Except on this particular excursion, as I firmly put my foot down after two drinks. I didn't want Frodo's first sight in weeks of his younger cousin to be of him stumbling in to his cozy hobbit hole in a demeaning state of drunkenness. Although I did miss the usual song and dance.
As we were making our way up the Row, Pippin lazily slung an arm over my shoulder, and I patted him on the back. Sometimes we just didn't need words.
Frodo was, apparently, not at home, but for the life of me I could not figure out where he was. Sam Gamgee, who had left the Green Dragon not long after Pip and I had, told us he expected Frodo would come home before long, and not to worry. He was probably just out on a quiet walk.
"Quiet?" I turned to Pip who was sprawled out on the dirt path leading from the gate to the door. "If he's in a quiet mood I'm not sure he'll want you around," I emphasized my point with a light kick into his side.
"Do you suppose we'd know each other if met again in different lives?" The question had come out of nowhere.
I groaned, plopping down in the grass beside him. "Not this again, what's with the philosophical Pippin lately?"
He ignored my question. "Do you think we would?"
"I don't see why not. I can tell if it's you coming down the road by the mere clop of your pony's hooves. Why shouldn't I recognize you in another life?"
"That's different."
"It is not."
Yes, it is. That's this life. What if I look different? What if you look different?" He turned his head to look up into my eyes. That green again… "What if your hair wasn't brown? What if your eyes weren't blue? How would I know you?"
"What's all this about different lives, anyway. Isn't one enough for you? Need to carry out mischief across multiple generations? Will we have Peregrin Took tormenting the Shire for generations to come?" The sun was nearly down. I wished Frodo would come home soon, and interrupt this conversation.
"Don't hop around the question, Merry." He sounded more serious than he ever had before.
"Why not?" Suddenly angry, I leapt off of the ground. "Why are you asking these things, Pippin? Why do you need to wonder like this?"
"The inquisitiveness of the Tooks."
"That's not it! I don't like it when you talk like this Pip. It…It makes me sad." Slowly, I sat down with my back against a gatepost.
"Why? It's a question," he looked genuinely confused. "That's all."
"I know, Pip, its only…I don't like to think of needing another lifetime with you. I just…I want this one to continue…forever."
He was silent for several moments before he spoke to me again. "But that can't happen, Merry. You know that." When had little Pippin become this thoughtful, this deep? I thought he would drop the subject there, but he didn't. "I think if I saw in a another lifetime and I didn't know you…I believe I would just nearly go mad."
"Pippin, please, don't." It was totally dark now. We could have gone inside, but we didn't.
"And I think if I went mad, you would too." His voice was so young, the words sounded awkward and gross coming from it.
"Yes, I suppose I would. Now please, stop."
"Stop what?" A new voice entered the conversation, disturbing the stillness ours had been brought to. We both looked at the gate and saw Frodo there, opening it. We hadn't heard him walk up it.
"Nothing. Nothing at all. It's good to see you, cousin."
