Chapter Six - What Friends Can Do

The pony shoe sailed gracefully through the air, peaking at its arc, then slowly turned a flip as it made its descent. Down it went, slamming into the iron stake piercing the ground and twirled round it a few times.

"Ringer! Pay up, little brother!" Reginard walked over to Everard, hands in his pockets and smiling broadly. "I shall expect my bed to be made every morning for the next week!"

"And Merry..." Sadabelle ambled alongside her brother, "...since this was your first game, and you're only visiting...I'll let you off the hook. But I won't be so gracious next time!" She sweetly smiled and left for the smial with Reginard.

"I'm sorry, Everard." Merry was depressed. He didn't seem to be good at any game.

"Sorry? For what?" Asked Everard. "You did splendidly for your first time! At least your ankle isn't bothering you as much, but those bandages had to have gotten in your way. And don't worry about Reggie; I'll make his bed tomorrow and the next day, but after that, I'll claim I forgot or something. Besides, one of the many servants employed here at the Smials arrives twice a week to clean. For all that, Reggie should be making his own bed!"

Merry brightened up. "You mean you're not angry with me?"

Everard gave Merry a strange look. "Why?"

"I lost the game for us."

"You didn't lose the game! If you remember, I missed a few ringers myself."

Merry smiled. "I like you, Everard. You remind me of my most favorite cousin in the world."

"Call me Evver. Who is your favorite cousin?"

Merry hobbled at Everard's side, "His name is Frodo. He used to live at Brandy Hall, but then moved away the summer before last to Hobbiton to live with Mr. Bilbo at Bag End. I don't see him much anymore, and I miss him dearly."

Everard stopped walking. "You mean, Frodo Baggins?" Merry nodded. "If we're speaking of the same Frodo Baggins, then I can tell you he comes to visit Reggie every so often when the fit takes him. A very fine fellow, he is. He always lets me tag along. My brother hates it, but he doesn't get any other visitors, so he puts up with it." The boys started walking again. "Tell me, Merry, how did you get so banged up?"

Merry smiled, thinking of what he must look like to others. "Well, the ankle I injured on the way here. I jumped out of the wagon and landed on my foot wrong. But my hands and my eye were injured when...I got into a fight with my cousin, Berilac." Merry decided he didn't want to give long explanations at this point.

"Is he bigger than you?" Asked Everard. Merry nodded in assent. Everard whistled, "Give me a reminder when I'm irritating you!"

"You have nothing to ever worry about--Evver!" Both boys laughed at Merry's word play.

"I know! Let's go knock on Freddie's door and see if he wants to come running with us!"

Merry was still hobbling, "But I can't run."

"Don't worry about that! Freddie has an old wagon we used to play with--we'll pull you around in it and have fun!"

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"Let's go out for a walk, shall we?" Said Addie. Both hobbits were finished with their pipes and mugs.

Paladin followed his cousin out the door, heading up the lane, rather than back down it. Hearing children laughing and playing in the distant meadow made him stop. "Who are those children?" He strained his eyes to see.

Addie put his hand to his brow to see clearer. "Why that's my Everard, and I believe I can see Fredegar, too. The other one must be--"

"Merry!" Paladin exclaimed. "This is the first time I've seen him smile or even laugh since he arrived yesterday evening!"

Addie smiled. "It's nothing short of a wonder what having good friends can do."

"Yes." Replied Paladin, still gazing out at the young boys pulling a wagon around with another riding. He kept watching them as he and his cousin meandered towards the meadow. "I hope my own son finds good friends such as these when he is older."

Addie chuckled. "Yes, I daresay last year wasn't exactly a banner year for babies in the Tookland. But your lad was most definitely a treasure to behold, Paladin. By all rights, he shouldn't even be here, being born far too early, and then all the worrying about his and Tina's health."

Paladin smiled grimly. "Yes, those were trying times, Addie. A few months ago, after all the relatives finished their rounds with Tina and the baby, I hired a woman to help her around the house so she could mind Peregrin better. That was the best thing I could do for her--and me. I certainly never knew how lively three young girls could be! Tina now has more time for all the girls, and still manages to keep our little Pip in order."

Addie laughed. "Pip? I suppose he is a little one at that! Is he weaned from his mother yet?"

"Oh yes. She had to; he's like a bottomless well. He's been eating soft foods and even sips from a small cup now." Paladin laughed, "You should see him, Addie! It's so funny to watch him--he tries to walk and ends up tripping over his own feet. He does quite well however, when Tina or I hold his hands." He inhaled the fresh air deeply. "All babies are funny at that stage. His first birthday will be next week, cousin. Are you coming to the party?"

"Wouldn't miss it."

The yelling and laughter of the boys grew louder as they approached the play area. "Watch this Uncle Paladin!" Merry shouted, as all three lads piled into the wagon and let it fly down the small hill, laughing the whole way down. Paladin smiled, watching his nephew laugh.

"Very good, Merry!" He yelled down the hill and then picked up the walking stick lying on the ground at his feet. "One more time, and then say your good byes. We must be heading back home."