Disclaimer- None of the characters, places, etc. are mine (except for Gregorio and Celeste unfortunately)…please don't sue….only have Pippin action figure remember?

Chapter Five- Love Is Not Proud

"Peregrin Took!" Exclaimed Diamond, "How long have you been standing there?!"

"Only a moment. All I heard was my name and I saw you hug and that was all." Pippin said raising an eyebrow.

Diamond sighed with relief, "Where in middle earth have you been these past few weeks?"

"Um…I have been doing quite a bit of thinking and I have been trying to make up for the trouble I caused my mum a few weeks back. Why did you miss me?" Pippin teased with a cocky grin on his face.

"Yes I did as a matter of fact!" Diamond stood up and gave him a big hug.

"Pippin do you happen to know where Merry might be today? I have something I would like to talk to him about." Estella asked grinning widely.

"I suppose that since he isn't here…he would have to be either at Brandyhall or right outside the door waiting for you!"

"Is he really?"

"Most certainly Stella, he sent me in to see if you were in here….oh…I was not supposed to tell you that he was waiting for you, since he is being such a coward I suppose he deserves it." Pippin said laughing.

"See you later Diamond!" Stella said as she too dropped some money onto the table and practically ran out of the inn.

"My, my she looks happy." Commented Pippin

"Yes she most certainly does. I envy her for it." Said Diamond quite honestly.

"Oh I see." Replied Pippin sounding hurt.

"You see what?" Diamond questioned, somewhat aggravated.

"You love Merry too. Just like the rest of the lasses your age." Pippin said bluntly.

"I most certainly do not! I love someone else for your information not Merry. I meant that I envy Stella for her happiness. The one that she cares for also cares for her…I believe."

Peregrin nods "Aye he does. I am sorry that I assumed that, I was wrong for saying that."

"I forgive you Pippin." Diamond says happily ruffling his hair playfully.

"Would you care to go for a walk Miss. Diamond?" Pippin asked as he offered her his arm.

"Certainly Peregrin." She dropped money onto the table to pay for her tea and gladly accepted his arm.

They left the Green Dragon Inn after saying goodbye to Rosie and teasing Estella and Merry who were sitting under a tree near the entrance.

It was a gorgeous day today. The two hobbits walked for over a half and hour without saying as much as a word to the other, just enjoying each other's company. It was beginning to get late, and Pippin decided that he had better walk Diamond home to ensure her safety. The Shire was not as safe as it had once been, there still would be an occasional foreign creature wandering the forest or fields.

"Diamond may I walk you home?" Asked Pippin sounding rather childlike.

"Of course." She smiled widely at him.

As they walked toward her home she suddenly remembered something.

"Pippin, my coming of age party is next week and I was wondering if you might come."

"I would love to more than anything in all of Middle-Earth."

"That is wonderful." Diamond beamed.

"May I have the honor of escorting you to this very important event?"

"But what about Gregorio?"

"If you wish to go with me, you needn't worry about it. You are not his, not yet anyways, and you may go with whom you choose."

"Then I would love it if you would escort me Pippin."

Pippin was so happy that it took every ounce of self-control to keep himself from cheering.

"I will see you when I come next week then for certain if not before that." He smiled and winked at her.

"Thank you." She whispered before kissing him lightly on the cheek. "Goodnight Pippin" Diamond said as she turned and entered her hobbit-hole.

"It is a better evening than you realize." Pippin said quietly as she closed the door behind her.