Chapter Eleven - Provisional Departures

"Frodo lad, I need to ask you a few questions."

Paladin sat across from Frodo on the couch in his study. Frodo looked wide-eyed at his elder cousin, thinking he was in yet more trouble. "Did Merry sing too many songs?"

Paladin hesitated at Frodo's question for barely a second. He shrugged and said, "My wife seems to think so, but that's not what I'm speaking to you about."

"I'm sorry, Paladin," Frodo replied nervously. "but those were the only songs I knew--an older Brandybuck cousin taught them to me, and--"

"Frodo," Paladin tried further to convince the lad, "that's not why I've asked you here!" Frodo calmed down a bit. Paladin continued when he had Frodo's undivided attention. "I understand that you and Merry are quite close at home, am I correct?"

"Yes." The teenager nodded. "He's like a little brother to me."

Paladin smiled inwardly, while trying to find the appropriate words, "Has Merry spoken to you at all recently?"

"About?"

"About his father, Saradoc." Then he leaned a little over the low tea table between them, "What I'd like to know, is what Saradoc said to him the night before he and his mother arrived here."

Frodo licked his lips nervously. "I...he--he didn't say much to me."

"Frodo," Paladin spoke firmly, "Merry is my sister's child, and I am utterly concerned with his welfare at home. If you love Merry as you say you do, then help me."

"He made me promise not to tell anyone."

Paladin gazed at his young cousin. "A five-year-old made you promise not to tell?"

Frodo looked down at his feet. "Yes." Then he looked up at Paladin, "He trusts me, and I won't break that trust. I will keep his secret until my last breath, until he bids me to tell you, because I love him. However, I will tell you this: what Saradoc said in his son's hearing wasn't good at all, bottle or not. He and I have had words over Merry, and I tell you now that I will never look at Saradoc the same way ever again."

Paladin looked into Frodo's blue Brandybuck eyes and admired the resolve of the young hobbit in keeping Merry's trust. "Very well, then. Just do me one favor, eh?"

"What's that?" The teen asked.

"Please keep my nephew's best interest in mind. Keep and eye out for him, and if things become unbearable at home for him, send me an immediate message." Just as Paladin finished, both hobbits turned at the sound of little feet.

"Frodo! You're here! You're really here!" Merry ran heedlessly into the study, bounding into his favorite cousin's arms, hugging him fiercely.

"Yes! I am here to take you back to Brandy Hall with me!"

Merry whispered into his cousin's ear, "Frodo, Auntie doesn't like our songs here, just like Mummy. Pimpernel likes them, though." He didn't see Paladin's eye go wide in shock.

"That's all right, Merry!" He eyed his elder cousin, whispering back in Merry's ear, "We can sing them on the way home!"

Paladin smiled and shook his head. "Are all your things packed and ready, Merry?"

"Yes, sir. And I got my spinning top, too."

"Good! We wouldn't want Berilac to think he's the only child to have such a wonderful toy!" Paladin winked.

After everyone had eaten a nice lunch, all gathered outside to send off the trio of travelers. Eglantine handed a sack to Bilbo, "Here is a little something to keep you three on your feet until you get to Stock."

Bilbo gratefully took the sack, "Thank you, Eglantine, and I assure you none will be wasted!" They hugged and Bilbo stepped up into the front seat of the cart he drove.

Frodo shook the hands of his cousins, still being the bashful teen. Then he came to Paladin. "Goodbye, Paladin. I will do as you asked."

Finally it was Merry's turn. Following his cousin's lead, he shook the girls' hands. Then his Auntie swept him up into her arms, kissing him, "Goodbye, sweetie! We're all going to miss you here!"

Merry kissed his aunt, "Thank you, Auntie. I will miss you, too."

Paladin took Merry from his wife's arms and tossed him in the air before catching him. "Oy, laddie! You're already growing some!" That made Merry smile. "Now you make sure you come back to visit more often! I don't want it to be another three years before I see you again. Tell your Mummy that!"

Merry smiled, "I will." Then he laid his head on Paladin's shoulder and whispered, "I love you. You're my favorite Uncle."

Paladin kissed Merry and whispered back, "And you're my favorite nephew." And Paladin truly meant it. "Run along now, and be a good lad!" While his family stood and waved goodbye to the departing relatives, Paladin quietly slipped away inside the Smial. He sat in his study listening to laughter and tears of farewell. His own tears falling silently as he thought of the little boy heading back to the lion's den.

"Paladin?"

He jumped up, startled at the sound. But it was his wife. "Oh, Tina, it's you." He wiped his face.

She walked over and put her arms around his waist. "I worry for him, too." She said. "I have a feeling he's going to be back. And that wouldn't be a bad thing at all if it were only for a visit of leisure."

Paladin took in a deep breath, "I only hope that Essie was right. But all I can do is be here for Merry when his heart breaks again."

"We both will be here for him." Said Eglantine.

Paladin smiled and embraced the love of his life, "Did I ever tell you I married the most beautiful and wonderful lass in the Shire?"....

~The End~