"Chapter Three:
Like Her Or Not?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Merry! Wait for me!" Pippin called to his older cousin.
"Hurry up, squirt." Merry told him.
"I'm trying. I shouldn't be running on a full stomach."
Merry rolled his eyes. "I never thought I'd say this but, you really do eat too much."
"No I don't. Mom says that you ate just as much at my age. She also says that your appetite has hardly slowed."
Merry had to shut his mouth. Pippin had got him on that one. Though, it did seem that the younger hobbit ate eight meals a day instead of six.
"Well, at the moment I don't care what Aunt says. We're going to miss Celalcien."
"So? What's so important about it? We'll see her again." Pippin said.
"You don't know for sure. She doesn't live here you know."
"Frodo says you'd like it if she did."
Meridoc looked at him. "Oh he did?"
Pip nodded.
"Remind me to have a word with our dear older cousin the next time we see him, Pippin." Merry said through his teeth.
"About what?" Peregrin asked.
"About what he's been telling a nosey little Took."
Pippin caught the hint and shut his mouth.
They turned a corner in the road and saw a figure sitting by the small pond.
Merry sighed, he thought she'd have left by now, he was pretty late.
"Merry!" Lal yelled when she saw him.
He waved at her and then noticed that there was someone else with her. As they drew nearer both the hobbits saw it was Rose Cotton.
"Hullo, Rosie." Merry said.
"Good day, Merry. How are you?" the Cotton asked him.
"I'm well. At least now that I know Lal didn't give up on Pip and I meeting her here."
Celalcien laughed. "Now why would I do that? It's not like I have much to do."
"Then why are you in Hobbiton if you don't have anything to do?" Pippin asked.
"Well, I like it here." she answered.
"It was nice talking with you Celalcien." Rosie put in; she needed to be getting on her way again.
"See you." Lal called after her.
"So, you've met Rosie, huh?" Merry asked.
Celalcien nodded. "I met her a last week, right after I got here. I enjoy her company. Though, from what I hear, I'm one of the few."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. She's got a bit too much sass for most people around here." he told her.
"Well, does it really matter what other people think?"
"Around here it does. Unless you're Bilbo."
"Ah, Bilbo. He's very interesting to talk with. I meet him on his walks every once and a while."
"Lal," Pippin began without warning. "Are you going to stay in Hobbiton?"
She looked at him. "I might someday, Pip. But there are still some places I'd like to see." She paused for a moment then said, "Why do you ask?"
"Because Frodo said that Merry would like it if..."
Merry threw his hand over the child's mouth. "Shut up!" he said in his cousin's ear.
"What on earth are my relatives trying to do to me?" he thought to himself as he removed his hand after a moment.
He looked at Lal and could tell she was trying not to laugh.
"He's nicer than I am. I would've bit your hand," she told Merry.
"Then I'm glad you're not him." he said.
"Hey, Pippin. Come here," she told the Took.
He walked over to where she sat and she whispered something in his ear.
"Oh, he said that that Merry would like it if you stayed." Pippin told her aloud before Merry could reach them.
"Pippin! When we leave your life is officially over!" the oldest hobbit said giving them both a dagger like look.
This only made Celalcien laugh. "Merry, he's just being a kid." she told him.
"Is Frodo, who, by the way, is nearly thirty-three, just being a kid too?" he asked, feeling his face flush a little.
"No, he's living his second childhood." Lal replied, still chuckling.
"Celalcien, you are something else." he said, playfully hitting her on the shoulder.
She only grinned at him and hit him back. He found himself enjoying her smile as he sat down next to her and his cousin.
"What?" she asked.
Apparently he had been watching her a little too intently.
"Nothing." Merry said. "Nothing."
As he repeated the word he had a feeling that he was deceiving himself. She was something, something that was pulling at his emotions in an incredible way.
***
Frodo looked up as soon as he heard the door to Bag End close. Merry appeared in the doorway of the living room.
"What have you been telling Pippin?" he asked before Frodo could get a word out.
"What are you talking about, Merry?" the Baggins asked.
"He told me that you said I would like it if Lal stayed in Hobbiton." Merry wasn't exactly angry, but he was irritated.
Frodo smiled. "He must have overheard me talking to Sam. But I don't see you in here denying the fact."
"Frodo..." Merry began.
"What? Look me in the eye and tell me you don't have the slightest interest in her."
Merry sighed and sat down. "Okay, Frodo, okay. You've got me in a spot there."
"I know." the older of the two said.
"I've never known you to have cruel humor before." Merry told him.
"There's a first time for everything."
"Yes. I suppose." a smile pulled at the corner of Merry's mouth.
A comfortable silence fell between them for a few minutes.
"Where is Pippin?" Frodo asked.
"He's with his siblings for the rest of the day."
"I think he would prefer to be with you."
"Maybe. But I had to do something to keep me from killing him", Meridoc replied.
"Killing him?"
"He told Lal what you said about her staying."
Frodo couldn't help but laugh. "That's Pippin for you."
"Well, there are days I wonder if he'll ever grow up, Frodo."
"That's funny, I often wonder the same thing about you."
Merry looked at him.
"You'd never thought of that, had you?"
"No, I guess not. Anyway, I think I'll go see if I can find Bilbo." Merry said rising.
"He's in the study." Frodo told him.
The Brandybuck nodded his thanks and left the room.
Frodo just shook his head at the younger hobbit. Some days he wished he were a teen again, not anticipating the coming of his thirty-third birthday. This year would be a milestone for him. Bilbo was leaving and soon Frodo would become the master of Bag End. There were times when he did not feel ready for it all, but he knew time would not wait until he was.
Suddenly Sam walked in. "All done." he said.
"Good, Sam. Pull up a chair."
The Gamgee did. "I saw Merry come in, did he say anything about Celalcien?"
Frodo laughed. "He's head over heals and doesn't even know it."
"Do you think we should interfere, Mr. Frodo?"
Frodo shook his head. Sam was normally not mischievous. But every once and a while he got an idea that nearly surpassed even Merry and Pippin's imaginings.
"Now that you mention it, Sam, he may just need a little help."
Both hobbits smiled and their grins broke into laughter.
"Well then, Mr. Frodo, we've got work to do." the Gamgee said between chuckles.
"That we do, Sam. That we do."
***
Bilbo looked up as Merry knocked on the open door of the study.
"Merry, how are you lad?"
The boy smiled. "I'm fine, Bilbo. You?"
"As good as ever." he replied.
"What are you working on?" Merry asked indicating the open book Bilbo had been writing in.
Quickly the Bilbo shut the book, how could he have been so careless? "Oh, nothing important."
Merry raised an eyebrow and Bilbo was afraid his greatest secret, his magic ring, would soon be discovered. But the younger hobbit said nothing more about it.
"What can I help you with lad?"
"Just a quick question actually. If you were in Rivendell, how would you say 'you're welcome' in Elven?" Merry asked.
"Lle creoso." Bilbo replied. "Why?"
"Because, Lal said that the day we met her. I just wanted to make sure she was..." he seemed at a loss for words.
"Truthful?" he asked.
Merry nodded, "I guess."
"That's a little unlike you, Merry. Normally you don't have a problem with people from outside the Shire."
"I know. And it's really not that. I was just curious."
"Now that does sound like you. Are you just curious about Celalcien in general?"
Merry smiled and looked away.
"I'll take that as a yes. She's making a rather unpredicted impression on you, isn't she?"
"If you're trying to ask if I like her or not, just ask." Merry told him.
"Do you?" he asked.
Merry looked at him. "I don't know."
Bilbo thought for a moment, he remembered being young. Finally he said, "Go for a walk for a while, Meridoc, clear your head. And make sure you go by yourself. No Frodo, Sam, or Pippin. And no Celalcien."
"I think I'll do that." With that said, Merry left.
After Bilbo was sure Merry was gone he turned back to his book. Picking up his pen he mumbled, "Another piece of a very large puzzle revealed, she speaks Elvish."
***
Celalcien lay on the soft grass near the water. She had fallen in love with that little pond, which was the Bywater she had come to find out (she had also discovered that Merry's "...all the way to Bywater" was an exaggeration).
Silently she rolled herself up in her blanket. Sleeping at the Ivy Bush had been nice but she had had just about enough of indoor living for now. She just hoped that people wouldn't mind her sleeping by the side of the road too much. For her it was the ideal spot. Close to the water, Bag End, and Bagshot Row. Her three favorite places.
For a while she looked at the stars above. They sparkled in the cloudless night, reminding her of Rivendell.
Rivendell, her thoughts wound in its direction. She was so far away from it, and for some reason glad. Maybe it was because elves weren't breathing down her neck all the time. Namely Elrond. For some reason he had fulfilled the role in her life that a protective uncle would. Maybe it was because she was close to Arwen; maybe it was the loss of her father. And then maybe it was both. Now her mind turned to Arwen who had not yet returned from Lothlorien. The daughter of Elrond was normally the reason Lal visited that valley. Gandalf was her friend as well but he rarely visited Rivendell these days. Though, she supposed, he had good reason. Lal sighed. She did not miss the silken sheets, nor the large stone halls. Only the people, the few she knew. She was more content to be here, in the Shire. It was surprising to her, such a simple way of life was lead here, everything was so innocent. No evil had touched this land, no terror worth fretting over. She prayed such things would never come here, would never scar these people the why it had her. This was the last place where such peace existed.
Thinking a while longer she absently played with the ring about her finger. There had been so many clear nights such as this, but only this one brought her comfort.
Turning from the stars she rolled onto her side. A figure traveling on the road from Bywater passed but did not notice her, to her relief.
A yawn escaped from her and Lal closed her eyes. She was going to meet Merry and the others at Sam's home tomorrow, and it wouldn't do to be only half awake.
***
Merry stood on the front step of Sam's hole, watching the road intently.
"Don't forget to breath, Mr. Merry." Sam said looking up from his seat on the lawn.
Frodo chuckled a little.
"What?" Merry asked them both.
Sam shook his head and smiled. "Well, Mr. Frodo, I think Master Brandybuck here has finally fallen for a lass."
Merry tried to force a "What on earth are you talking about?" look, but failed when he felt his cheeks grow red.
At this Frodo burst out laughing, which got Sam started too.
Merry glared at them, "Would you two stop?"
Frodo managed to gather himself enough to answer. "I'm sorry, Merry, but you're not that great an actor. You know what we're talking about."
Merry looked away for a minute, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't help the way he acted at the mention of Celalcien, he hated being a teenager! At least when it came to all this.
"Come on, Merry, what's wrong? We were only teasing!" Frodo said, his smile beaming.
Merry turned back to them and sat down on the step next to his older cousin.
Sam and Frodo became serious for a moment; it wasn't like him not to join in a joke. And he normally took them well, too, but not now.
"Mr. Merry. Something really is wrong, isn't it?" Sam inquired.
"I'm just thinking, Sam.", Merry replied.
Sam nodded and Frodo cast him a wary glance.
Just then Pippin came up the walk, followed by Pearl.
"Merry!" the child exclaimed.
"Hey, Pip." Merry replied, forcing a smile.
Pearl walked up the group of hobbits. "Merry, can Pippin go with you today?" she asked.
Meridoc looked at her. "Does he have to?" he mumbled.
"Well...it would help."
Merry sighed. "Pearl, we're supposed to meet a friend and..."
"Hopefully you're bringing the younger cousin along." a new voice cut him off.
Merry looked around Pearl and saw Celalcien standing outside the front gate.
"Lal!" he said.
"Hey, Merry." she replied. Taking a look at Pippin she added, "We're not dumping the kid, are we?"
Pearl smiled. "I don't believe we've met."
Lal looked at her. "No, we haven't. I'm Celalcien."
"Pearl Took."
The two ladies shook hands before Celalcein added. "And we'll be glad to take Pip with us."
"Thank you." Pearl replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me I'm late getting somewhere."
They all watched as Pear left and then Merry turned to Lal. "You had to say we'd watch him, didn't you?"
She gave him a funny look then laughed. "Ahh, come on, what's wrong with you?"
Merry gave another forced smile and hoped it looked real. "Nothing, let's go."
As they walked out the front gate Pippin ran ahead to look at something hiding in the bushes and Celalcien followed him.
Merry watched her run after the younger hobbit and sighed. Frodo
suddenly appeared beside him.
"Admit it Merry."
"Admit what?"
Frodo looked at him. "You like Lal and you know it."
Merry shook his head, "And how do you know?"
"Because, every time you see Lal you look like Sam does when he sees Rosie."
Merry laughed a little then became quiet again. "I wish I was as sure as you are."
They continued walking until they reached the place where Celalcien and Pippin had stopped.
"Look what Lal caught!" Pippin exclaimed.
Celalcien turned around at the statement to reveal a very small rabbit hiding in her arms.
Merry came forward and whispered, "So, that breakfast?"
Lal laughed and shook her head. "Not today. Besides this one's too cute to eat."
Pippin rolled his eyes at her. "Girls." he mumbled.
"What's wrong with them?" Sam asked.
"They're silly." the child replied.
Frodo looked at him, "So are you."
The only answer was a huff from Pippin.
"Well, should we find someplace to eat?" Sam asked.
"Let's go to Bag End." Frodo suggested.
After a few minutes of talk and contemplating it was decided. They would eat at Bag End that morning and at Sam's house the next.
"Let's go." Pippin said impatiently.
"Alright." Celalcien told him.
The company continued to walk up the path to Bag End and Merry found his thoughts elsewhere.
What was it like outside of the Shire? What had made Lal into such an adventurous person? What was it that made her so...so wonderful?
"Wonderful? Where did that come from?" he thought to himself.
After a few more minutes they reached Bag End and as they climbed the path to the door Merry still didn't have his answer.
***
"You know it's true." Rose Cotton exclaimed later that day as she poured Lal a cup of tea.
"Fine. It's true. You've got me figured out Rosie." came Celalcien's reply.
"I knew it."
Lal rolled her eyes. "Now, what else do you know that I haven't told you?"
"Lal, please. It was just so obvious."
"It wasn't so obvious to anyone else."
Rosie laughed, "Well, it was to my mother."
"Ahhhh, motherly intuition." Lal said leaning back in her chair. "So, what's going on with you and Sam?"
"Um...er...", Rose blushed. "Who says there's anything going on with Sam and I?"
Lal laughed, "Come on, Rosie, you know you like him. Time to confess."
"Alright, looks like you and I are onto each other."
"Yes, we are." Lal sighed with content.
Silence fell in the Cotton's kitchen, not something that happened often.
Suddenly the scene was broken when the back door opened. "Celalcien, how are you?" Mrs. Cotton asked as she entered.
Lal smiled at the hobbit, "I'm fine, Mrs. Cotton."
"Good. Say, where have you been staying?"
She was silent for a moment, caught off guard by the question. Finally she answered, "Near the Bywater."
Rosie huffed at the statement. "Near the Bywater nothing, Momma. She's been sleeping right next to it...on the ground. Though, I've got to wonder why."
Celalcien glared at Rose for a moment for handing out that information. She didn't want anyone's pity. However, she immediately received Mrs. Cotton's most abundantly.
"Lal, why didn't you say anything? We can put you up here. Sleeping on the ground out in the open, quiet unnatural." the hobbit shook her head, causing her white curls to bounce. "Do you have your things with you?"
Lal nodded, "Out on the front porch."
"Good. You'll sleep here during your stay in Hobbiton."
She opened her mouth to protest but Mrs. Cotton would have none of it.
After making the arrangements for Lal to share a room with Rosie the elderly hobbit walked out the door once again.
"Well, Rose, looks like your stuck with me for a while."
"Fine with me, I did, after all, get you to admit you like Merry."
***
"Come on Mr. Frodo! You'll whip him yet!"
"No he won't, Sam, Merry's gonna' win this one."
Sam laughed at Pippin's statement and watched as the two cousins continued wrestling.
Frodo and Merry had been at it for the past five minutes. As a few more seconds passed the wrestling match continued. Sam expected it to gone on for a good while longer. His expectations were not, however, met.
"Alright, Frodo, alright. You win this time!" came Merry's voice. Frodo had him pinned to the lawn and wasn't going to let up until he won.
"Told you I could take you down." Frodo told his cousin.
Merry laughed as he accepted Frodo's hand to help him up. "So you did."
After Merry was on his feet Frodo turned to face the two spectators. "Sorry to disappoint you, Pip. But I..." he never finished that sentence. Before he knew what was happening he and Merry were rolling down small slope of the Bag End lawn. Apparently the Brandybuck had decided the fun wasn't over. As they continued to roll Frodo called out, "Merry, what possessed you to do that?"
Merry laughed, "I have no idea."
Soon they began to slow and the small white fence at the end of the yard finally stopped their decent. They lay on the ground for a few moments catching their breath. After they had gathered themselves they sat up to find Sam and Pippin coming toward them.
"Well, Mr. Merry that was quiet unexpected." Sam laughed.
Merry simply smiled. "Yes, I know. Now why don't we all go get something to eat?"
***
Bilbo watched the boys make their way up the hill. They were all covered in grass stains from head to toe. "There are days I wonder if he is ready for my departure," he told his guest who was sitting at the table.
"As you told me the other day, it is time for him to be his own master."
"Yes, I did say that, didn't I? But in many ways he is still a child, Bifur. He has no true idea of the dangers that lie outside the Shire."
"Neither did you when we were acquainted, old friend." the dwarf replied. "And you were well beyond thirty-three."
Bilbo sighed, "Yes, I suppose. And he's heard more about it at his age than I had. He is quiet the adult if I might say. Even if he insists on wrestling on the lawn with is cousins."
"He does that to entertain them, and you know it, Bilbo Baggins." Bifur replied.
"Yes, he does. Can't say I wasn't much the same at his age."
"He'll be fine. You've raised him well."
"I hope so, Bifur, I really do."
Like Her Or Not?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Merry! Wait for me!" Pippin called to his older cousin.
"Hurry up, squirt." Merry told him.
"I'm trying. I shouldn't be running on a full stomach."
Merry rolled his eyes. "I never thought I'd say this but, you really do eat too much."
"No I don't. Mom says that you ate just as much at my age. She also says that your appetite has hardly slowed."
Merry had to shut his mouth. Pippin had got him on that one. Though, it did seem that the younger hobbit ate eight meals a day instead of six.
"Well, at the moment I don't care what Aunt says. We're going to miss Celalcien."
"So? What's so important about it? We'll see her again." Pippin said.
"You don't know for sure. She doesn't live here you know."
"Frodo says you'd like it if she did."
Meridoc looked at him. "Oh he did?"
Pip nodded.
"Remind me to have a word with our dear older cousin the next time we see him, Pippin." Merry said through his teeth.
"About what?" Peregrin asked.
"About what he's been telling a nosey little Took."
Pippin caught the hint and shut his mouth.
They turned a corner in the road and saw a figure sitting by the small pond.
Merry sighed, he thought she'd have left by now, he was pretty late.
"Merry!" Lal yelled when she saw him.
He waved at her and then noticed that there was someone else with her. As they drew nearer both the hobbits saw it was Rose Cotton.
"Hullo, Rosie." Merry said.
"Good day, Merry. How are you?" the Cotton asked him.
"I'm well. At least now that I know Lal didn't give up on Pip and I meeting her here."
Celalcien laughed. "Now why would I do that? It's not like I have much to do."
"Then why are you in Hobbiton if you don't have anything to do?" Pippin asked.
"Well, I like it here." she answered.
"It was nice talking with you Celalcien." Rosie put in; she needed to be getting on her way again.
"See you." Lal called after her.
"So, you've met Rosie, huh?" Merry asked.
Celalcien nodded. "I met her a last week, right after I got here. I enjoy her company. Though, from what I hear, I'm one of the few."
"Yes, I suppose you're right. She's got a bit too much sass for most people around here." he told her.
"Well, does it really matter what other people think?"
"Around here it does. Unless you're Bilbo."
"Ah, Bilbo. He's very interesting to talk with. I meet him on his walks every once and a while."
"Lal," Pippin began without warning. "Are you going to stay in Hobbiton?"
She looked at him. "I might someday, Pip. But there are still some places I'd like to see." She paused for a moment then said, "Why do you ask?"
"Because Frodo said that Merry would like it if..."
Merry threw his hand over the child's mouth. "Shut up!" he said in his cousin's ear.
"What on earth are my relatives trying to do to me?" he thought to himself as he removed his hand after a moment.
He looked at Lal and could tell she was trying not to laugh.
"He's nicer than I am. I would've bit your hand," she told Merry.
"Then I'm glad you're not him." he said.
"Hey, Pippin. Come here," she told the Took.
He walked over to where she sat and she whispered something in his ear.
"Oh, he said that that Merry would like it if you stayed." Pippin told her aloud before Merry could reach them.
"Pippin! When we leave your life is officially over!" the oldest hobbit said giving them both a dagger like look.
This only made Celalcien laugh. "Merry, he's just being a kid." she told him.
"Is Frodo, who, by the way, is nearly thirty-three, just being a kid too?" he asked, feeling his face flush a little.
"No, he's living his second childhood." Lal replied, still chuckling.
"Celalcien, you are something else." he said, playfully hitting her on the shoulder.
She only grinned at him and hit him back. He found himself enjoying her smile as he sat down next to her and his cousin.
"What?" she asked.
Apparently he had been watching her a little too intently.
"Nothing." Merry said. "Nothing."
As he repeated the word he had a feeling that he was deceiving himself. She was something, something that was pulling at his emotions in an incredible way.
***
Frodo looked up as soon as he heard the door to Bag End close. Merry appeared in the doorway of the living room.
"What have you been telling Pippin?" he asked before Frodo could get a word out.
"What are you talking about, Merry?" the Baggins asked.
"He told me that you said I would like it if Lal stayed in Hobbiton." Merry wasn't exactly angry, but he was irritated.
Frodo smiled. "He must have overheard me talking to Sam. But I don't see you in here denying the fact."
"Frodo..." Merry began.
"What? Look me in the eye and tell me you don't have the slightest interest in her."
Merry sighed and sat down. "Okay, Frodo, okay. You've got me in a spot there."
"I know." the older of the two said.
"I've never known you to have cruel humor before." Merry told him.
"There's a first time for everything."
"Yes. I suppose." a smile pulled at the corner of Merry's mouth.
A comfortable silence fell between them for a few minutes.
"Where is Pippin?" Frodo asked.
"He's with his siblings for the rest of the day."
"I think he would prefer to be with you."
"Maybe. But I had to do something to keep me from killing him", Meridoc replied.
"Killing him?"
"He told Lal what you said about her staying."
Frodo couldn't help but laugh. "That's Pippin for you."
"Well, there are days I wonder if he'll ever grow up, Frodo."
"That's funny, I often wonder the same thing about you."
Merry looked at him.
"You'd never thought of that, had you?"
"No, I guess not. Anyway, I think I'll go see if I can find Bilbo." Merry said rising.
"He's in the study." Frodo told him.
The Brandybuck nodded his thanks and left the room.
Frodo just shook his head at the younger hobbit. Some days he wished he were a teen again, not anticipating the coming of his thirty-third birthday. This year would be a milestone for him. Bilbo was leaving and soon Frodo would become the master of Bag End. There were times when he did not feel ready for it all, but he knew time would not wait until he was.
Suddenly Sam walked in. "All done." he said.
"Good, Sam. Pull up a chair."
The Gamgee did. "I saw Merry come in, did he say anything about Celalcien?"
Frodo laughed. "He's head over heals and doesn't even know it."
"Do you think we should interfere, Mr. Frodo?"
Frodo shook his head. Sam was normally not mischievous. But every once and a while he got an idea that nearly surpassed even Merry and Pippin's imaginings.
"Now that you mention it, Sam, he may just need a little help."
Both hobbits smiled and their grins broke into laughter.
"Well then, Mr. Frodo, we've got work to do." the Gamgee said between chuckles.
"That we do, Sam. That we do."
***
Bilbo looked up as Merry knocked on the open door of the study.
"Merry, how are you lad?"
The boy smiled. "I'm fine, Bilbo. You?"
"As good as ever." he replied.
"What are you working on?" Merry asked indicating the open book Bilbo had been writing in.
Quickly the Bilbo shut the book, how could he have been so careless? "Oh, nothing important."
Merry raised an eyebrow and Bilbo was afraid his greatest secret, his magic ring, would soon be discovered. But the younger hobbit said nothing more about it.
"What can I help you with lad?"
"Just a quick question actually. If you were in Rivendell, how would you say 'you're welcome' in Elven?" Merry asked.
"Lle creoso." Bilbo replied. "Why?"
"Because, Lal said that the day we met her. I just wanted to make sure she was..." he seemed at a loss for words.
"Truthful?" he asked.
Merry nodded, "I guess."
"That's a little unlike you, Merry. Normally you don't have a problem with people from outside the Shire."
"I know. And it's really not that. I was just curious."
"Now that does sound like you. Are you just curious about Celalcien in general?"
Merry smiled and looked away.
"I'll take that as a yes. She's making a rather unpredicted impression on you, isn't she?"
"If you're trying to ask if I like her or not, just ask." Merry told him.
"Do you?" he asked.
Merry looked at him. "I don't know."
Bilbo thought for a moment, he remembered being young. Finally he said, "Go for a walk for a while, Meridoc, clear your head. And make sure you go by yourself. No Frodo, Sam, or Pippin. And no Celalcien."
"I think I'll do that." With that said, Merry left.
After Bilbo was sure Merry was gone he turned back to his book. Picking up his pen he mumbled, "Another piece of a very large puzzle revealed, she speaks Elvish."
***
Celalcien lay on the soft grass near the water. She had fallen in love with that little pond, which was the Bywater she had come to find out (she had also discovered that Merry's "...all the way to Bywater" was an exaggeration).
Silently she rolled herself up in her blanket. Sleeping at the Ivy Bush had been nice but she had had just about enough of indoor living for now. She just hoped that people wouldn't mind her sleeping by the side of the road too much. For her it was the ideal spot. Close to the water, Bag End, and Bagshot Row. Her three favorite places.
For a while she looked at the stars above. They sparkled in the cloudless night, reminding her of Rivendell.
Rivendell, her thoughts wound in its direction. She was so far away from it, and for some reason glad. Maybe it was because elves weren't breathing down her neck all the time. Namely Elrond. For some reason he had fulfilled the role in her life that a protective uncle would. Maybe it was because she was close to Arwen; maybe it was the loss of her father. And then maybe it was both. Now her mind turned to Arwen who had not yet returned from Lothlorien. The daughter of Elrond was normally the reason Lal visited that valley. Gandalf was her friend as well but he rarely visited Rivendell these days. Though, she supposed, he had good reason. Lal sighed. She did not miss the silken sheets, nor the large stone halls. Only the people, the few she knew. She was more content to be here, in the Shire. It was surprising to her, such a simple way of life was lead here, everything was so innocent. No evil had touched this land, no terror worth fretting over. She prayed such things would never come here, would never scar these people the why it had her. This was the last place where such peace existed.
Thinking a while longer she absently played with the ring about her finger. There had been so many clear nights such as this, but only this one brought her comfort.
Turning from the stars she rolled onto her side. A figure traveling on the road from Bywater passed but did not notice her, to her relief.
A yawn escaped from her and Lal closed her eyes. She was going to meet Merry and the others at Sam's home tomorrow, and it wouldn't do to be only half awake.
***
Merry stood on the front step of Sam's hole, watching the road intently.
"Don't forget to breath, Mr. Merry." Sam said looking up from his seat on the lawn.
Frodo chuckled a little.
"What?" Merry asked them both.
Sam shook his head and smiled. "Well, Mr. Frodo, I think Master Brandybuck here has finally fallen for a lass."
Merry tried to force a "What on earth are you talking about?" look, but failed when he felt his cheeks grow red.
At this Frodo burst out laughing, which got Sam started too.
Merry glared at them, "Would you two stop?"
Frodo managed to gather himself enough to answer. "I'm sorry, Merry, but you're not that great an actor. You know what we're talking about."
Merry looked away for a minute, no matter how hard he tried he couldn't help the way he acted at the mention of Celalcien, he hated being a teenager! At least when it came to all this.
"Come on, Merry, what's wrong? We were only teasing!" Frodo said, his smile beaming.
Merry turned back to them and sat down on the step next to his older cousin.
Sam and Frodo became serious for a moment; it wasn't like him not to join in a joke. And he normally took them well, too, but not now.
"Mr. Merry. Something really is wrong, isn't it?" Sam inquired.
"I'm just thinking, Sam.", Merry replied.
Sam nodded and Frodo cast him a wary glance.
Just then Pippin came up the walk, followed by Pearl.
"Merry!" the child exclaimed.
"Hey, Pip." Merry replied, forcing a smile.
Pearl walked up the group of hobbits. "Merry, can Pippin go with you today?" she asked.
Meridoc looked at her. "Does he have to?" he mumbled.
"Well...it would help."
Merry sighed. "Pearl, we're supposed to meet a friend and..."
"Hopefully you're bringing the younger cousin along." a new voice cut him off.
Merry looked around Pearl and saw Celalcien standing outside the front gate.
"Lal!" he said.
"Hey, Merry." she replied. Taking a look at Pippin she added, "We're not dumping the kid, are we?"
Pearl smiled. "I don't believe we've met."
Lal looked at her. "No, we haven't. I'm Celalcien."
"Pearl Took."
The two ladies shook hands before Celalcein added. "And we'll be glad to take Pip with us."
"Thank you." Pearl replied. "Now, if you'll excuse me I'm late getting somewhere."
They all watched as Pear left and then Merry turned to Lal. "You had to say we'd watch him, didn't you?"
She gave him a funny look then laughed. "Ahh, come on, what's wrong with you?"
Merry gave another forced smile and hoped it looked real. "Nothing, let's go."
As they walked out the front gate Pippin ran ahead to look at something hiding in the bushes and Celalcien followed him.
Merry watched her run after the younger hobbit and sighed. Frodo
suddenly appeared beside him.
"Admit it Merry."
"Admit what?"
Frodo looked at him. "You like Lal and you know it."
Merry shook his head, "And how do you know?"
"Because, every time you see Lal you look like Sam does when he sees Rosie."
Merry laughed a little then became quiet again. "I wish I was as sure as you are."
They continued walking until they reached the place where Celalcien and Pippin had stopped.
"Look what Lal caught!" Pippin exclaimed.
Celalcien turned around at the statement to reveal a very small rabbit hiding in her arms.
Merry came forward and whispered, "So, that breakfast?"
Lal laughed and shook her head. "Not today. Besides this one's too cute to eat."
Pippin rolled his eyes at her. "Girls." he mumbled.
"What's wrong with them?" Sam asked.
"They're silly." the child replied.
Frodo looked at him, "So are you."
The only answer was a huff from Pippin.
"Well, should we find someplace to eat?" Sam asked.
"Let's go to Bag End." Frodo suggested.
After a few minutes of talk and contemplating it was decided. They would eat at Bag End that morning and at Sam's house the next.
"Let's go." Pippin said impatiently.
"Alright." Celalcien told him.
The company continued to walk up the path to Bag End and Merry found his thoughts elsewhere.
What was it like outside of the Shire? What had made Lal into such an adventurous person? What was it that made her so...so wonderful?
"Wonderful? Where did that come from?" he thought to himself.
After a few more minutes they reached Bag End and as they climbed the path to the door Merry still didn't have his answer.
***
"You know it's true." Rose Cotton exclaimed later that day as she poured Lal a cup of tea.
"Fine. It's true. You've got me figured out Rosie." came Celalcien's reply.
"I knew it."
Lal rolled her eyes. "Now, what else do you know that I haven't told you?"
"Lal, please. It was just so obvious."
"It wasn't so obvious to anyone else."
Rosie laughed, "Well, it was to my mother."
"Ahhhh, motherly intuition." Lal said leaning back in her chair. "So, what's going on with you and Sam?"
"Um...er...", Rose blushed. "Who says there's anything going on with Sam and I?"
Lal laughed, "Come on, Rosie, you know you like him. Time to confess."
"Alright, looks like you and I are onto each other."
"Yes, we are." Lal sighed with content.
Silence fell in the Cotton's kitchen, not something that happened often.
Suddenly the scene was broken when the back door opened. "Celalcien, how are you?" Mrs. Cotton asked as she entered.
Lal smiled at the hobbit, "I'm fine, Mrs. Cotton."
"Good. Say, where have you been staying?"
She was silent for a moment, caught off guard by the question. Finally she answered, "Near the Bywater."
Rosie huffed at the statement. "Near the Bywater nothing, Momma. She's been sleeping right next to it...on the ground. Though, I've got to wonder why."
Celalcien glared at Rose for a moment for handing out that information. She didn't want anyone's pity. However, she immediately received Mrs. Cotton's most abundantly.
"Lal, why didn't you say anything? We can put you up here. Sleeping on the ground out in the open, quiet unnatural." the hobbit shook her head, causing her white curls to bounce. "Do you have your things with you?"
Lal nodded, "Out on the front porch."
"Good. You'll sleep here during your stay in Hobbiton."
She opened her mouth to protest but Mrs. Cotton would have none of it.
After making the arrangements for Lal to share a room with Rosie the elderly hobbit walked out the door once again.
"Well, Rose, looks like your stuck with me for a while."
"Fine with me, I did, after all, get you to admit you like Merry."
***
"Come on Mr. Frodo! You'll whip him yet!"
"No he won't, Sam, Merry's gonna' win this one."
Sam laughed at Pippin's statement and watched as the two cousins continued wrestling.
Frodo and Merry had been at it for the past five minutes. As a few more seconds passed the wrestling match continued. Sam expected it to gone on for a good while longer. His expectations were not, however, met.
"Alright, Frodo, alright. You win this time!" came Merry's voice. Frodo had him pinned to the lawn and wasn't going to let up until he won.
"Told you I could take you down." Frodo told his cousin.
Merry laughed as he accepted Frodo's hand to help him up. "So you did."
After Merry was on his feet Frodo turned to face the two spectators. "Sorry to disappoint you, Pip. But I..." he never finished that sentence. Before he knew what was happening he and Merry were rolling down small slope of the Bag End lawn. Apparently the Brandybuck had decided the fun wasn't over. As they continued to roll Frodo called out, "Merry, what possessed you to do that?"
Merry laughed, "I have no idea."
Soon they began to slow and the small white fence at the end of the yard finally stopped their decent. They lay on the ground for a few moments catching their breath. After they had gathered themselves they sat up to find Sam and Pippin coming toward them.
"Well, Mr. Merry that was quiet unexpected." Sam laughed.
Merry simply smiled. "Yes, I know. Now why don't we all go get something to eat?"
***
Bilbo watched the boys make their way up the hill. They were all covered in grass stains from head to toe. "There are days I wonder if he is ready for my departure," he told his guest who was sitting at the table.
"As you told me the other day, it is time for him to be his own master."
"Yes, I did say that, didn't I? But in many ways he is still a child, Bifur. He has no true idea of the dangers that lie outside the Shire."
"Neither did you when we were acquainted, old friend." the dwarf replied. "And you were well beyond thirty-three."
Bilbo sighed, "Yes, I suppose. And he's heard more about it at his age than I had. He is quiet the adult if I might say. Even if he insists on wrestling on the lawn with is cousins."
"He does that to entertain them, and you know it, Bilbo Baggins." Bifur replied.
"Yes, he does. Can't say I wasn't much the same at his age."
"He'll be fine. You've raised him well."
"I hope so, Bifur, I really do."