Disclaimer: Nothing LoTR is mine…not even Pippin…sob….

Thank You To LotR-FaNAtiC, my first reviewer and favorite online author. Thanks for the info about the P/D age difference I am fixing the first 2 chapters.

Chapter Three-Love Does Not Envy

Pippin whirled around to see Diamond trying to run to him only to be grabbed around the waist by a rather large male hobbit…Gregorio Chubb. There was a look of genuine fear on her face.

"Let me go you buffoon!" Diamond screamed as flailed her arms and finally succeeded in punching her attacker in the nose.

He hollered in pain and grabbed his nose, dropping Diamond to the ground. "No hobbit lass does that to Gregorio Chubb and gets away with it you little good for nothing who…."

That was too much for Pippin, he raced to Diamond's rescue. He got there just as Gregorio had grabbed her wrists in one of his and drew his other back to hit her.

"Let her go Chubb!"

"Why why if it isn't the Great Peregrin Took, knight of Gondor. What is this little wench to you?"

"I would be careful who I call that, if I were you." Pippin said as he tried to contain his rage.

"Well you aint me are ye!" Gregorio sneered as he yanked Diamond to her feet, "Even though you wish that you were!"

"What is that supposed to mean?!" Exclaimed Pippin as he stepped closer to Gregorio, his fists clenched.

"She is a pretty little thing aint she?" He asked as he stoked the side of Diamond's face. She shuddered in utter disgust and spat in his face. "Lively too."

"Get to your point Chubb!" Pippin had nearly lost patience until he looked into Diamond's frightened eyes.

"She is mine," Seeing the look of shock on Pippin's face, he smiled wickedly and continued. "Her eldest brother promised her to me. She is to marry me after her coming of age next month."

That was the final straw for Pippin, "Leave now Chubb!" Gregorio looked into Pippin's face, there was a fire of pure anger in his eyes. "This is your final warning. Let her go and leave NOW!"

"Make me." Gregorio said with voice faltering. That was invitation enough, before he knew what was happening, he fell to the ground gasping for breath. "Alright I will leave, for now. I promise however I will be back."

Pippin watched as Gregorio Chubb stormed off. He sighed with relief as his head disappeared around the bend in the path. "Goodness, what an oaf! Making up things to make his life more interesting!" He turned around to see Diamond stand and as a lone tear began to fall down her cheek she started to run toward the dense forest nearby.

"Diamond! What in middle earth? Did I say something wrong?" Pippin raced after her. He almost smiled thinking how similar the two of them are. Diamond was not as fast as he so he caught up quickly. He grabbed her shoulders and turned her around quickly. Her face was quite tearstained and filled with sorrow. "Di?" he said softly.

"It is true, all of what Gregorio said is true. My brother did promise me to that vile creature. He was gambling and was drunk at the time and ran out of things to wager with so when Gregorio asked for me as his reward, my brother quickly agreed." She started to sob bitterly.

Pippin wrapped his arms around the lass. "You will not marry him."

Diamond lifted her head and looked into Pippin's eyes "But how?"

"Trust me Di you will have to trust me. I will figure something out."