Merry watched silently from his seat beneath the oak tree, unseen and unquestioned. In a few minutes he'd get up and help, but for the moment he was content to merely observe.
It the six months since Diamond's return, he'd seen an amazing change come over his best friend. Suddenly Pippin was always cheerful and happy, always ready to play jokes on people, and always ready to go home just to watch Diamond prepare dinner. Merry would have found it amusing if he hadn't seen what Pippin was like without Diamond- miserable, lonely, irritable, and downright terrible company.
And now they were moving to Bywater, which on the whole made sense seeing as Pippin preferred it and the Hobbiton area to Tookland. Diamond didn't care, apparently, as long as they were still within a reasonable distance of Long Cleave.
Merry tilted his head slightly. Yes, speaking of Diamond- she had settled down quite a bit from the flighty creature that he'd first met nearly two years previous. She wasn't as moody now, and more apt to laugh. And recently she had a particular glow about her, which turned someone who was pretty hobbit-lass into a beautiful woman. Merry didn't comment to anyone about that, especially about his own suspicions. He was probably right anyway, but chose to keep it to himself.
Weary of sitting and thinking, Merry rose and walked down the hill towards the large wagon being unloaded. Pippin was overseeing it and Diamond was chatting with a few of her new neighbors nearby.
"Pippin!" Merry joined his lifelong friend, giving him a hearty smack on the back. "Good to see you. I thought you wouldn't be here until tomorrow."
Pippin shrugged, although he couldn't smother a grin. "Diamond's parents are coming out and we wanted to get things in order as quickly as possible."
"Out for what?"
"Housewarming, mainly."
"What else?"
Pippin sent Merry a mock-glare. "You'll find out later, you meddler," he said, his tone teasing. "As soon as Diamond sets the secret loose."
"The one she's carrying around under her skirts, you mean?"
"Merry!"
Merry laughed at the irritated look on Pippin's face. "I see you two all the time, I'm not blind," he said, chuckling. "I've suspected for a good while now, actually. Any hobbit-woman who glows like that is either getting married or with child, and you've covered the first one already."
"You pay too much attention for your own good, Meriadoc," said Pippin, unable to smother a grin. "You can congratulate yourself now."
"Myself? Good heavens no." Merry grabbed Pippin's hand and shook it thoroughly. "I'm to congratulate you, and Diamond."
"Well all right." Pippin extricated his rather crushed hand from Merry's and shook it out. "Go and talk to her; I've got things to do."
Merry nodded and left Pippin to his overseeing. He made his way through the milling mass of curious onlookers and found Diamond, where she was talking with three young ladies from across the way.
"Hello girls," said Merry nodding to the hobbit-lasses and eliciting several giggles. He then seized Diamond in an enormous bear hug.
"Merry!" Diamond squealed. "Set me down!"
Merry obediently set her back on her feet, grinning unapologetically. "I'd like to be first to offer both my condolences and congratulations," he said cheekily.
"What ever do you mean?" Diamond asked, blushing slightly.
"I'm not blind, cousin," he said, raising his eyebrows. "Beyond that, no one brings a cradle to their new house without reason."
One of the local girls let out a squeal. Her sisters silenced her and the three moved off to allow Merry and Diamond their private conversation.
"You're a born meddler, Merry," said Diamond with a laugh, shaking her head. "I don't know why I like you."
"Funny, Pippin said the same thing. Anyway, about how far long?" he asked.
"Three months or so," Diamond said, blushing a deeper shade of scarlet. "It's part of the reason we moved- larger house, fewer relatives within walking distance. And of course, an all-around lovely little village."
"Of course it is," Merry said pompously. "I live here."
"Which makes you our only close relative and most likely candidate for changing nappies," Diamond said, smiling mischievously.
"Oh dear."
"Mmm. Help us put our things in order? It seems the cart has been emptied."
"Certainly."
They went inside, along with Pippin, who was carrying a few bundles that might have been blankets. The entry hall was piled high with boxes, bundles, and cartons.
"I hope you were nice," said Pippin, addressing Merry. "Nothing inappropriate." He glanced at Diamond, who merely rolled her eyes.
"Please, Pippin," said Merry. "You act as though I would take your wife somewhere and ravish her."
"I should certainly hope not," Diamond said indignantly.
"Indeed," Pippin agreed with a wicked little grin. "That's my job."
Diamond let out an indignant noise and smacked Pippin's shoulder amidst laughter from both he and Merry. "And you were talking about not being inappropriate!"
They spent the rest of the day setting the place in order, which altogether wasn't all that difficult. Then Diamond made a simple supper of baked mushrooms and the three dined together in the Tooks' new kitchen.
"Here's to new beginnings," said Merry, lifting up his glass of milk in a toast. Diamond and Pippin too raised their glasses, and they all drank deeply. Diamond set her glass down first and surveyed her surroundings with satisfaction.
"It's wonderful," she said. "Thank you for helping, Merry."
"You are most welcome," said Merry graciously. "I'm just up the road if you ever need anything."
"Yes, we know," said Pippin. "We've been there often enough."
"It's been a splendid day," said Merry. "I'd best be off, then, and let you two get used to your new home." He drained his glass and rose, nodding to Diamond and then letting himself out.
He wandered down the dark path towards the Green Dragon, whistling merrily and thoughts of how much he was going to tease Pippin when the world found out.