I assume you know all the warnings if you read the last chapter.  Which I think I can say you did.  So basically: it's slash, and if you don't like it, don't read it.  Again, please review and constructive criticism is welcomed.

Thanks for all the reviews that I have already received: you're all wonderful and I'm glad you like the story – especially if you don't normally like slash.  This chapter is mostly just a connection between 1 and 3 (obviously), but it's useful to the plot overall and reminds everyone what's happening in Fellowship of the Ring at this time.  A quick note: Fatty Bolger is the often overlooked, fat hobbit who was another of Frodo's friends and a member of the Conspiracy (with Merry, Sam and Pippin).  He stayed in the house at Crickhollow when they left.

Just A Child Chapter Two

It was barely a week later, and in the house at Crickhollow Fatty was bringing various plates over to the table in the bustling manner he took up whenever food was ready but not yet eaten.  By the time he had moved from the kitchen counter to the table several times, there were two plates before Merry, three before himself, and another six side plates in the centre laden with smaller nibbles.  Each hobbit was also supplied with a large cup, and somewhere in between them on the table, nestled between the many plates, was a well-proportioned jug of good ale.

As Fatty sat down, Merry, who was already seated, surveyed the wealth of food before him: mushrooms, omelets, cheese and crackers, vegetables, roast meat, hard-boiled eggs and many other small wonders beside.  This table was a hobbit's dream, and he knew well enough he should be happy for such a large breakfast.

'This looks delicious, Fatty!' he complimented the chef with as honest a grin as he could.  'I only wish the others were here to share it with us.'  Especially Pippin.  He hated the idea of his Peregrin being out there in the cold and damp of a rain-sodden countryside.

Fatty had already taken a bite of mushroom omelet and didn't reply till he had swallowed.  A grin spread over his cheery face.  ''Tis very good, if I say so myself,' he acknowledged.  'That omelet is done to perfection and beyond.  Even my ma couldn't have cooked it better.  And it was her recipe in the first place.'  He chortled with laughter, downing a quick mouthful of ale.  He then watched Merry pick at the food despondently, and a worried look came into his eyes – though he still ate, and spoke through a mouthful of toast.  'What's wrong, Meriadoc?  I know as it can't be the food, for you've eaten everything I've prepared before happily.'  Fatty had his guesses as to what was wrong, but he wouldn't want to voice his opinion prematurely and cause any unnecessary discomfort.  After all, it was a tricky business, love.  'You shouldn't worry too much about them all in the countryside.  They'll be fine, you mark my words.  Frodo's wandered enough times before for him to keep them all safe and well-fed.'

Merry forced himself to swallow a chunk of cheese, but his mouth was dry and it was hard, almost painful.  'Of course it isn't your lovely breakfast, Fatty.  I know no hobbit who cooks better than you do!'  He looked up and met Fatty's wide, concerned eyes.  Marry knew that Fatty was a lot more intelligent and perceptive than most folk supposed him to be.  The Brandybuck sighed.  'Yes, Fatty, I am worried about them, to tell you the truth.  It's some of the roughest country in the Shire between here and Hobbiton.'  And Pippin's not used to traveling.  He'll find it hard.

Fatty waved his fork about to signal that he wanted to say something.  When his mouth was clear enough of mushroom to speak, he continued: 'ah, but they're not cutting across country, are they?  They'll be going by the road, and that's safe enough.  Not many mishaps can occur to them when they follow that way.  Apart from maybe Frodo delaying to tell them tales of Elves; or Samwise running off to chase them; or little Pippin tripping over his own feet.'  He smiled good-naturedly.

Merry attempted valiantly to smile back, and managed a twitch of his lips.  Pippin may be little, yes, but he's not clumsy.  Not by any means.  He's quick of eye and hand and tongue and wit.  Quick to laugh, quick to love, quick to forgive.  'More likely for Pippin to dally in some tavern,' he said with a knowing raise of his eyebrow.  'And they must have been dragging their feet all the way here, for they're late as late can be.'

'Don't you worry yourself, Meriadoc,' came the reply.  'I'm sure they're all fine, Peregrin most of all.'

Merry tried to hide his surprise.  There was a knowing tone in his friend's voice.  Could Fatty possibly have guessed…?  No, that was impossible.  Or at least, highly unlikely.  Merry was sure his feelings were well-hidden.  'All the same,' he replied as evenly as he could, 'I can't help but be anxious for them.  I think that I'll help you put the finishing touches to the house this morning, and then after lunch I'll go and have a check for them.  Make sure they haven't fallen drunk into any ditches, or been waylaid in any other manner.'  He tired to make the last statement sound joking and lighthearted, but it didn't work.  The words feel like stones to his stomach, and a worry began to nestle there.

'You do that, then, if you're so troubled by it,' chuckled Fatty, now practically sure that his shrewd guess was right, and not sure of what that truly meant.  He couldn't care in the slightest, and thought Merry would be a very good influence on the wild, flighty young Took, but he wasn't sure how the others would take it.  Anyhow, he wouldn't be the one to tell them, or indeed anyone.  'But first eat up and be merry, for the day's only just beginning and your food's getting cold.  Besides, if you don't eat it, I will with pleasure.'

'I assure you, Fatty, there won't be a crumb left on my plate to feed your stomach!' Merry surprised himself then by laughing, and sure enough, by the time his hunger was sated there was not a morsel of food left anywhere on the table.

***

Merry did indeed find them that night.  To his joy, Pippin was not harmed, though he looked a little frightened for some reason; and when they boarded the ferry the Took insisted that Merry dismounted so they could embrace each other.

'I see you missed me, Pip!' whispered Merry jovially as he let the fair-headed hobbit go.

Pippin nodded emphatically, reluctant to let his cousin go.  'You won't believe what's happened to us on our way, Merry!  I wished you had been with us a thousand times, I swear I did.  It would have been far more bearable with you there.'  I was so scared, Merry, and I wished you were there to hold me and laugh and tell me that it was all fine, and that Black Riders would never hurt me while you were there…

Merry's heart didn't know whether to inflate with happiness at the idea of Pippin having missed him, or to pound with worry to hear that something had been amiss on the journey.   Badly amiss, to judge by Pippin's wide eyes and the way he clung to the older hobbit.  'You'll tell me later what it was?'  He asked, concerned.

Pippin snorted.  'You'd have to gag me to stop me telling you!'

It was with great unwillingness that Merry trotted away from them when they had crossed the river, and after having seen the dark shape on the other shore.  He wanted to bring Pippin with him onto Crickhollow, to hold him in his arms in front of him in the saddle and to protect him from the dark and its horrors.  But that would not happen, since Pippin was needed to stay with Frodo and make sure he could find the way to the house.

Merry turned around in the saddle just before a corner in the road separated him and those who walked far behind.  He waved back solemnly.  Hurry on, Pippin.  I'll worry about you, he silently thought as he watched the shortest figure of the three.  'See you at Crickhollow, and don't dither about on the way!' was all he said in as cheery a voice as he could manage.

'Hurry on, Merry!'  Urged Frodo with a laugh that echoed in the empty night.  'If you don't get back soon, then there'll be no dinner when we arrive, so hurry up!'

Merry obeyed wordlessly, a slight smile on his lips.  Things couldn't be so bad if Frodo was still laughing.  Merry followed Frodo's orders willingly, for the sooner he got home, the sooner the wanderers would be rested and fed and willing to tell Merry exactly what had terrified them so much.

Especially Pippin.