Disclaimer-None of the characters or places, etc. (except Celeste and Gregorio…BOO) are mine.

Thank you to LotR-FaNAtiC, Abby, SperryDee, Lady Eleclya, and blu-eyed-belle my wonderful reviewers. Ya'll are great!

Chapter Six- Love Is Not Rude

Diamond awoke the next morning to a light tapping on the window of her bedroom. Startled, she hurriedly leapt from her bed and donned her robe. With much caution she approached the window and peered out. Suddenly, the face of a young hobbit lad appeared in front of her own. She jumped and then relaxed as she realized who her early morning company was. She opened her window and the scent of a fresh spring morning quickly filled her small room.

"Morning Diamond. Did you sleep well?"

"Good Morning to you too Pippin, and yes I slept quite well until you scared me half to death." She laughed.

"Hello Diamond!" Exclaimed Merry as he too popped up out of the shrubs.

Diamond jumped backwards in surprise. "Are there any other hobbits in my bushes that I ought to know about?" Diamond asked jokingly.

"Nope we are it! Merry and I were wondering if you and Estella would like to spend the day with us and go on a picnic."

"I would love too! I wish that you had used the front door to visit me instead of my bedroom window early in the morning."

"Told you it wasn't a good idea Pip!" Quipped Merry hitting Pippin on the back of his head.

"Why don't you two go to my front door and knock, someone will let you in, while I get dressed and ready."

"Alright! See ya soon Di." Pippin said rather embarrassed as he and Merry scurried out of the bushes and to the front door.

When Diamond had finished getting ready she entered the kitchen of her modest home to find Merry and Pippin happily conversing with her oldest brother Nob.

"And so the Inn Keeper says to the….."

"MERRIADOC BRANDYBUCK!" Yells Diamond, "None of that now! If you two want to go somewhere we had better go now we still have to get Estella."

"Alright, come on Merry lets go." says a rather excited Pippin while picking up a large picnic basket that was on the floor by his chair.

"Have a good time now. Keep my little sister safe and have her home by nightfall or I will have your head!" Warns Nod as the trio leave the hole and head down the front path.

"Yessir." Gulps Pippin turning and glancing nervously at Nod.

Merry, Pippin and Diamond hurried down the path towards Estella Bolger's home. After several minutes, they reached their destination. Diamond, who was the first to the door, knocked and soon Fatty, Estella's brother opened the door.

"Oh 'ello Miss. Diamond and Masters Merriadock and Peregrin what are you doing on such a wonderful day as this?" Fatty asked cheerfully.

"We are here to ask if Estella would care to join us for a picnic." Merry stated hopefully.

"Hold on one minute Merry I will go find her. In the meantime come on inside and have a seat."

The three young hobbits entered the hole and sat down next to the small fireplace in the parlor. Estella quickly floated into the room she smiled widely,

"My brother told me that you three asked me to accompany you on a picnic. The truth is that I would love to go with you!"

"Wonderful! Let us leave now so we can make the most of this day!" Diamond cheered as she grabbed Pippin's hand in one of her own and Estella's in her other and hurried to the door. On the way out Estella grabbed Merry's hand and Merry in turn grabbed the picnic basket. The four hurried off down the dirt path arm in arm just as the sun was beginning to rise over the far away hills.