Chapter Eight - Our Very Own Brother

It was now the last week of Merry's visit. Him and his cousins were in the kitchen getting their hands inspected before eating lunch. Dahlia took one look at Merry's hands and said, "Back into the washroom, laddie!"

Pimpernel snorted a chuckle. "See! You can't just put your hands in water and expect the dirt to come rolling off! You have to use soap!"

Merry decided he wasn't going down alone. "That isn't fair! You and Pearl kept the soap all to yourselves on purpose thinking you'd get to eat lunch before us!" He then turned up the down-turned chubby hands that little Pervinca held out.

"All right! All of ye back to the wash basin!" Dahlia herded all four children back into the washroom.

"Here, Merry." Pearl handed her cousin one half of the bar of soap. She had taken it and hit it against the edge of the folding table until it broke into two pieces. "I'm sorry we were being selfish before. It's just that....Pim and I only tease you like that because...well, because we feel like you're part of the family--like our very own brother that we can joke with."

"Shhh! You told him!" Then Pimpernel smiled.

Merry thought his cousins couldn't have said anything nicer. He was part of a family. A real family. These parents didn't argue or say hurting words to each other. This father and mother--albeit, an uncle and aunt--truly loved him, and he felt the genuine love they offered unconditionally. After his hands were washed (with soap this time), he turned to Pearl, "Thank you. I like being a part of this family. And since you lasses are like my very own sisters....I will deal with you both the same way." He quickly grabbed all the hand towels sitting out and ran out of the washroom, leaving the girls with dripping hands.

A little while later, they all sat at the table, hands all clean...and dried. Even baby Pippin sat in on lunch, although his high chair and face was covered in boiled and mashed carrots. After the soup and bread was finished up by the older children, Dahlia set before them baked apples with butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Pippin got plain mashed apple. All five children dug into their desserts.

"Muh." Pippin had finished his mashed apple and was pointing to Merry's apple.

"What's he doing?" Merry asked.

"He's saying 'Muh', ninny!" Pimpernel jested.

"Pim!" Pearl chided her sister. "If he's pointing to something, he wants it."

Merry couldn't believe it; he looked at Pippin's empty bowl and then at his plate with the delicious baked apple. "He wants my apple?"

"Yes, and you'd better give him a bite before he starts yelling." Said Pearl.

"Muh. Muh!" Pippin yelled.

Merry quickly took a small piece and fed it to the baby. He watched as Pippin shoved the bite of apple and his fingers into his mouth. Satisfied....for the moment. Merry had barely taken another spoonful when he heard Pippin demanding more of his apple.

"Muh."

"But I've already given you a bite."

"Muh!"

Merry hastily complied. Before long, nearly half of Merry's apple had gone to Pippin, and each time the babe became more vocal in his demands.

"What is all this noise about?" Eglantine asked. She'd come into the kitchen and saw Merry feeding the baby a bite of his apple. "You greedy little baby! And you've eaten all your own, too!"

"Honestly, mother," Pearl said, "he's so little; where does he put it all?"

Eglantine lifted up the baby from his chair and gently bounced him in her arms. "In his diapers, I believe. Just look at you!" She took a towel nearby and began cleaning Pippin's face and hands. "Merry, you may also have a few cookies since you were so generous with your dessert."

"Yes, ma'am!" Nobody made cookies like his Aunt Tina. He ran to the cookie jar and reached in for the cookies. But he knew he'd end up sharing those, too. That's what siblings do...sometimes.

After Eglantine left with the baby and went to the nursery, Pimpernel had a thought. "Merry," She licked her spoon, relishing every morsel and drop of the baked apple. "Instead of going home in a couple days...wouldn't you rather stay here with us?"

Merry thought about it, then answered, "Well...I can't leave my mum all alone, but I wouldn't mind spending another day or two here. Why?"

"Because we don't want you to go home. We've got a plan!"

Pearl had finished her dessert and was starting to clear the table, "No, no, no, little sister, this is YOUR plan!"

"We want to keep you!" Pervinca put in.

"We're not keeping him, silly girl, we're just....borrowing him for a couple more days than originally planned."

Pearl only shook her head, "Your plan won't work, Pim, and I want nothing to do with this deception!"

Ignoring her sister, Pimpernel spoke in low tones to her cousin as she explained the plan....

Two days later....

Five-year-old Pervinca was all gussied up in one of her mother's old dresses and wearing another old and discarded necklace. Her hat, wide brimmed, was sinking in front of her eyes as she tottered out to the little flower garden her older sister, Pearl, kept. It was still a bit early in spring for many blossoms, but the few lilies and other spring flowers that peeked above ground were enough for her little tea party. The toy pram she wheeled in front of her contained all the necessary items for a tea party: teacups, teapot, spoons, and guests. She found a spot where the sun was shining and spread out her blanket. Following that, she set the table; two of her guests were rag-dolls. However, there were four places set. After looking around the garden, she sat down and waited.

She didn't have to wait very long before she saw her father walking at a fast pace past the garden.

She jumped up, yelling, "Papa!"

Paladin stopped when he heard his daughter yell to him from the garden. He walked in her direction to see what the matter was.

"Papa! Let's have a tea party!"

He surveyed the blanket and dolls and teacups. But he knelt down to her level and shook his head. "I'm sorry, love. I can't this time. I'm looking for Merry--have you seen him?"

"I-have-not-seen-him-father."

Paladin cocked an eye. That sounded rehearsed. "Pervinca," He tugged on her oversized dress, "if I don't find Merry soon he will miss the coach."

She smiled, "Has he missed it yet?"

"No, but he will if we don't find him soon. Will you help me?"

Pervinca pulled on his cloak, renewing her efforts. "Please Papa, let's have tea!"

"Sweet pea, I cannot. I need to find Merry--and I believe you must know where he is to make such a fuss."

"Honest Papa, I don't know where he's hiding."

"He's hiding?"

Pervinca covered her mouth in surprise. Paladin scooped her up into his arms and walked out to the courtyard. "Pearl! Pimpernel!"

Pearl came outside when she heard her name being called. "Yes, father?"

"Where is your other sister?"

"In the barn." She nervously pointed in that direction.

Handing the little girl in his arms over to Pearl, "Here, take Pervinca and get her ready to go to town with us."

"We're going to town?"

"Yes! There's no time to dawdle." Then he called over his shoulder, "And fetch Merry's bag while you're at it."

As he came up to the barn door he reached out and swung it open. There behind it stood Pimpernel and Merry. "You weren't hiding very well." He said.

"I was hiding in the hay, but we heard you talking to Pearl, and so I decided to come out." Merry cast his eyes to the ground; he knew he was in trouble.

Paladin let out a deep breath. He couldn't be angry for long--Merry, at least, looked too comical with straw sticking out of his curls. "Come along, then--both of you; we're going to town." If the girls went to all this trouble to try and keep Merry, then he would at least allow them to ride to town to bid him farewell.

"Hullo, Merry!" All three turned towards the hail echoing in the courtyard. It was Frodo riding in on his own pony.

"Frodo!!" Merry cried and ran up to meet his other cousin. Once dismounted, Frodo and Merry met and embraced. A few seconds later Pearl emerged from the smial holding a bag in one hand and her little sister in the other, now wearing her own dress.

"I'm sorry Frodo, but we must get Merry to town to catch the coach. If we don't start soon he'll miss it." Then he thought of an idea. "Frodo, why don't you come along with us? You can tether your pony to the back of the wagon so it won't be a long ride back alone."

"It wouldn't be a long ride, Paladin. I'm visiting Reggie Took over at Great Smials, where I learned that Merry had been staying with you. But yes, I believe I'll join you all in taking this rascal to town."

Soon, all eight hobbits were on their way to Tuckborough. Upon seeing her chance for an afternoon holiday of peace and quiet, Eglantine handed Pippin over to Pearl to accompany the rest of the children.

As he drove the wagon, Paladin smiled at hearing all the laughter and chattering of the children. A clear sign that his children were happy, Frodo was now happy at Bag End, and Merry was happy...here. He did not look forward the cloud of gloom that would descend upon them all as Merry would climb aboard the coach.

The wagon entered the market square and Paladin found a place to set it while waiting for the coach. He hopped out and went over to one of the booths and purchased a dozen apples. He took one out for himself, and then handed the sack over to the children. When he heard Pippin screaming for an apple, he climbed into the back with them, taking out his pocketknife out to peel and slice apple bits for his screaming son.

"It's a good thing you're a farmer, Paladin!" Said Frodo. "This one's going to eat you out of smial and home!"

"Yes," Paladin agreed, "but I've recently learned my occupation isn't as appreciated by everyone."

Frodo smiled furtively, "So I've heard!"

Pippin was now content; he had a piece of apple in his mouth, and one in each hand. He toddled over to his favorite cousin--nearly toppling in the effort, but he made it, then settled into Merry's lap. Lots of clapping and cheering from the audience. He offered Merry a piece of apple. "Muh." Merry already held the sack of remaining apples for his trip. "For me?" Pippin's only answer was to stick his hand further in Merry's face. "Thank you, Pippin." He took the apple and then gently hugged his baby cousin. Pippin stayed seated with Merry, except, of course, to get up for more apple pieces from his father.

Conversation and laughter was plentiful in the back of the wagon. "What are you going to do when you get back to Brandy Hall?" Asked Frodo.

"Continue my lessons with Master Greenhill. I must say, though, this was a nice holiday." Then he added, "But I won't be fighting with Berilac anymore. It isn't--I mean, he's not worth it." He looked at his uncle, "and it won't change things."

"Well, in case you want a change, you know you always have a room here with us." Replied Paladin.

Pervinca was puzzled by all these words. "Why can't we keep him, Papa?"

"Because he's not ours, silly girl." Said Pimpernel. "Our plan to borrow him didn't--" She quieted down after receiving a stern look from Paladin.

"I'm not a silly girl!" Retorted Pervinca, sticking her tongue out at her sister.

Paladin was somewhat relieved to see the coach rounding the far west corner in the road. Everyone made their way out of the back of the wagon to say their goodbyes. After much ado, Merry climbed aboard the carriage and silently waved out of the window. To Paladin, he looked as if he were about to burst into tears. He wanted to reach up into the window and rescue the sad boy, but he held himself in check. Pimpernel was in the rear of the wagon, crying in a corner. Pearl held Pippin in her arms, and hid her face in his shoulder. Paladin picked up a whimpering Pervinca and held her in his arms.

Only Frodo stood facing the carriage, waving as it wheeled east towards the road that would take Merry back to Buckland. He alone witnessed what Merry went through at home. He's right, he thought. Things won't change at Brandy Hall, and he'll be back.

~The End~