Notes to Readers:

Thank you for the comments! I am very tired this a.m. and hope these responses are at least coherent.

Aemilia Rose, "Give that lady a cigar... no, a pipe... no, a teacake!" Yes, this is the background story behind the brandy in "At the End of His Rope". Thankfully, that story had a happier outcome as she was further along when the coach tipped. Also, don't know if you noticed one of the connections between "Rope" and "Flames"--Pippin was riding up on top of the box with Ferdi when the coach tipped, just like in the chapter in "Flames" where they fetch Pimpernel and her family from Bridgefields. Sometimes I am too subtle for myself, I didn't even notice the connection until a day or two ago... Sure glad something somewhere buried in my brain is aiming for consistency.

Xena, the Muse thanks you, as a matter of fact, that fresh glass must have helped, for she stopped sulking and spat out quite a few chapters of "Truth" this week; that story is nearly done. (First chapter to be posted on the morrow or very late tonight, ffnet willing. *sigh* Poor Samwise.)

Bookworm, is it okay to say I like reading about my Farry, too? I write the stories I'd like to be reading... Sometimes I catch myself itching to go searching for Ferdi stories on the web, and then I remember... He has become so real to me, living in my imagination the past few months...

PansyChubb, I know, this is a very sad subject. I remember going through childbirth preparation classes, and one class touched the topic of the "options" when the baby dies. Those nurses were so brave and compassionate, I don't know if I could do what they do. I hate the thought that in hobbit tradition, the baby goes without a name, but I established Naming Day early on and am stuck with it now. In my imagination, I think that the family would have named the babe, even one lost early in a miscarriage, it just wouldn't have got written in the official record. I know my own children still talk about their brother or sister "Jo" whom they hope to meet in heaven someday, a baby we lost early on and didn't know, even, if it was a girl or a boy. You cannot imagine the speculation that goes on here, sometimes...

SilverMoonLady, o another new face, welcome! Unlike me, who's a bit shy with new people, the Muse steps up with a broad smile to greet you. Have a seat, would you prefer by the hearth or the window? And how do you like your tea? Thanks for reviewing. (Shhhh, everyone, let us pipe down until the Boss has passed by.)

Hai, my children excel at hearing things they oughtn't. Am considering learning French to converse with dh on things. OTOH, they'd probably learn French faster than I would. Hmmm. A new home educator's gimmick. "How to teach your children a foreign language, the fun and easy way..."

FantasyFan, bad ffnet, naughty evil ffnet, not to let you review. (Monty Python drifts to the fore and is firmly shoved back.) You are right, the hobbits were enlightened about acknowledging the babe's existence as a person... a friend of mine who lost a child to cancer at six still talks about her anger and resentment that people try to act as if Heather never existed, as if that would spare her more pain than talking about this bright, beautiful little child. Going back into my imagination, I think that if this had happened to common hobbits, rather than in one of the great halls where mum and dad are busy and leave much of the child-stuff to minders (not as much as Men might, but still...and this is not to say I'm in favour of that lifestyle, just that it is the way of the upper classes, more than less), the whole family would have shared in the grieving process.

runaround, I'm sure Farry appreciates your sympathy. Perhaps you might take him fishing, or bird-nesting, or somewhat, help him get him mind off his troubles...

Ff.net permitting, expect to see the next chapter of this story two days from this posting. Ffnet announced that there will be maintenance scheduled Monday, so if you cannot access Monday's chapter, try www.storiesofarda.com. You can leave reviews there, as well, and there is a "reply" feature where I can reply to a review right there rather than within the text of the story. Amazing place, that SoA.

The first chapter of the sequel to "Merlin" will be added on the morrow, if ffnet agrees. It is called "Truth", and focuses more on the Gamgee family than any previous stories have, though of course we will still see Pippin and Faramir. (Still no Merry. Hmmm. All I can think is that he is on vacation in Rohan. Musie, dear, is there a Rohan story in the works? Answer cometh not, but the empty glass is held out to indicate a need for more pina coladas...)

***

3. Bad Company

'What did you want to talk to me about?' Pippin asked his special assistant. Ferdi had asked Regi to come a little late to the study this day, so that he might have a private word with the Thain.

Ferdi cleared his throat. Never at a loss for words, he had no idea how to say what he needed to say.

'It's Faramir,' he finally began. Instantly the Thain was alert, tense.

Ferdi held up a hand. 'Nothing like that,' he said. 'The lad's fine, eating well, sleeping again, seems to be full of spirits.'

'O you gave me a scare just now, Ferdi,' Pippin said, wiping his brow. 'Do not do that to me!'

'I'm sorry, cousin,' Ferdi apologised, 'it's just that...'

'What?' Pippin said.

'Those cousins of his are leading him astray,' Ferdi said.

'Which ones?' Pippin said. A reasonable question, since everyone at the Smials was cousin to everyone else in one degree or another.

'The ones he's been spending so much time with lately,' Ferdi said. 'Ever since...' He did not want to finish the sentence, but the Thain understood anyhow.

Pippin nodded, then looked puzzled. 'Astray?' he asked. 'Adelgrim, Palangrim, Odobard and Hildibald?'

'Those are the ones,' Ferdi said grimly.

'I cannot believe you, cousin, they're just high-spirited lads! What's a little mischief, after all? You and I did plenty of our own, in the old days. Nearly burned down the old Thain's stable, even.'

'They are leading him astray,' Ferdi reiterated. 'Not just pranks, mind, but serious mischief.'

'I cannot believe it,' Pippin repeated. 'They come of some of the finest families in the Smials! What are you on about?'

Holding on to his temper, Ferdi said, 'They may be the grandsons of your father's sisters, but they are trouble, Pip. Believe me.'

'I cannot,' Pippin said. 'What is this about?' He gave the other a searching glance. 'I know that Farry has not spent as much time in the company of your sons, lately...'

'No, for my sons do not spend time with those Tooks,' Ferdi answered.

Pippin shook his head. 'Ferdi,' he said seriously. 'I think you have an unreasonable prejudice against those families. I know that they were instrumental in your shunning, years back, but that was cleared up after my father died.'

'This has nothing to do with that,' Ferdi said in frustration. One simply did not shout at the Thain, no matter how blind and aggravating the hobbit might be acting. 'Your father put me under the ban, and it was his prerogative as Thain, unjust as it might have been. His sisters and their families didn't need to take such pleasure in carrying out his wishes, of course, but I can understand that they wanted to honour Thain Paladin's decision.' They still had avoided speaking to him, after the unjust ban was lifted, but that was beside the point.

'It is just that I do not think they are the best companions for your son.' Ferdi would not say the phrase "bad influence", but the words hung between them.

'Ferdi, Ferdi, Ferdi,' Pippin sighed, shaking his head. He put a soothing hand on his assistant's shoulder. Ferdi gritted his teeth and refrained from shaking it off. 'Calm yourself. Give the lads a chance. They're good lads, really, very polite and proper.'

Of course they were polite and proper in the Thain's presence. They weren't fools. That was part of the problem. Had they been fools, Faramir would not suffer their company.

'I cannot move you on this?' Ferdi said bleakly.

'I see no point in it,' Pippin said. Turning the subject, he added, 'We have a lot of business to cover this day; I'd suggest we get started.'

Ferdi sighed, and nodded.

'Very well,' he said.


***

That day at teatime, Ferdi had a serious talk with his children. Well, not his, not exactly, they were the children of his own Nell's first marriage, who'd become children of Ferdi's own heart when he married their widowed mother.

The topic, of course, was Faramir and his new bosom friends.

'They praise him and flatter him and laugh at his jokes, even the lame ones,' Rudivar, the eldest, said in frustration. 'They've turned his head, and he won't hear me.'

Ferdi made a difficult decision. 'Then you are not to associate with Faramir,' he said, and Rudivar, Odovar and Fredevar gasped. 'None of you,' he went on, looking from Rudi to his brothers. 'Not so long as he is going about with that crowd of cousins. Do you understand me?'

Rudi nodded slowly. 'I understand, Da, but...'

Ferdi shook his head. 'No, lad, I will not have your younger brothers spoilt... nor yourself, though I suspect you have too much sense to let that happen.'

'Yes, Da,' Rudi said obediently. Reluctantly, Odo and Freddy gave their word as well.

***

'Come with us!' Faramir called. 'We're off on an adventure!'

Rudi dug his toe in the dirt. 'I can't,' he said.

'O come on!' Faramir said. 'You've been busy every time I've invited you the past fortnight! Surely you're not busy today!'

'I've other fish to fry,' Rudi said sullenly. Faramir and the others had fishing poles over their shoulders; it looked as if they would be having much more fun this afternoon than he anticipated having himself. His da, Ferdi, was not going far from the Smials these days.

'Dunno where you'll find any, here at the Smials. Come along with us and you'll really have fish to fry,' Palangrim said.

'O leave the old stick-in-the-mud,' Odobard laughed. 'He'd just scare the fish away, anyhow, pulling that long face!'

'It's your burial,' Faramir said, turning to follow the others.

'No, more likely it's yours,' Rudi muttered after him, but of course Faramir didn't hear, running as he was to catch up with his cousins.

***

That evening, as Ferdi told stories by the cheerful fire on the hearth, Pimpernel gave a gasp. He broke off, anxious. 'What is it, Nell, my love?' he asked. 'Is it the babe?'

'No,' she said, then, 'Well, yes, it is, but not in the way you meant. He's not coming this minute, or even this night, but he is kicking hard enough to take my breath away.'

She looked around the circle of expectant children and said brightly, 'Your brother's dancing, who'd like to greet him?' An eager chorus broke out, and they swarmed around their mother, laying eager hands on her swollen belly, each one exclaiming as he or she felt the movement of the newest member of the family, eagerly awaited, and due any day.