Like Brothers
Chapter 12
Birthday Party and Kisses
Breakfast was served for the twelve hobbits that would stay at the Great Smials until the rain ceased; which would be pouring for days, according to Bilbo. At this, Merry and Pippin grinned at each other from across the table. Merry sat in between his parents. His mama would not stop fussing over him, and Merry blushed with slight embarrassment as she kissed him over and over again. After his papa had overcame his worries, he constantly told Merry, "Don't you ever do that again." And Merry heard similar words across the table from his uncle Paladin, directed to Pippin.
During breakfast, Merry noticed that Pippin's enormous appetite was still evident, as he asked for three servings of scrambled eggs. When he had asked for a fourth, his mother refused to give it to him, but Bilbo secretly scooped his own onto Pippin's plate. Pippin grinned at him, and Bilbo winked back, then placed his finger to his sealed tight lips, signaling for Pippin to keep quiet. Pippin clenched his teeth and giggled to himself.
Many conversations took place, but what was mainly discussed was Pippin's new found academic talent. Paladin proudly stated, "Someday, my lad will write a book," And every hobbit at the table nodded and talked with their neighbor, agreeing greatly on this.
"He has a very strong talent, indeed."
"It's so obvious that the lad is gifted!"
"Sentences already, just imagine... and at the age of just six..."
"He's my brother, you know. This sort of talent is just genetic."
"The adorable scamp... is there anything he can't do?"
Saradoc also brought up the fact that it was his son who taught Pippin.
"He's done such a wonderful job."
"The lad must have a lot of patience, to teach a six year old those things..."
"Meriadoc is obviously gifted as well."
"He's my cousin, you know. This sort of talent is just genetic."
Another conversation that took place at the table was of Odovacar's daughter. It was her birthday this weekend and there was to be a birthday party, and everyone was invited. Merry was happy that he would get to see his good friend, Fredgar, or Fatty as he was more commonly known, for Merry hadn't seen him in months.
"Will there be cake?" Pippin asked excitedly.
Odovacar nodded and Pippin squealed with joy.
After breakfast, Merry and Pippin rushed to the Thain's office and collected everything they would need for their studies for the day. They ran down the hall, racing each other, to Pippin's room.
The two lay on the floor writing and constructing many words and sentences. Merry found that he was hardly needed, for all he would have to do was say a sentence, and Pippin wrote it out perfectly; he occasionally had a spelling error, but other than that, Pippin was doing very well. About an hour and a half into their studies, Frodo came and observed their work. He was very much impressed with his cousins, but he must've added one comment too many, for they kicked him out. Pippin claiming him to be too loud and disruptive, "We're doing very important work, Frodo Baggins. And if you can't keep quiet, then you get out!"
After they got rid of Frodo, they continued with their work for another two hours. They only stopped because of Pippin's rumbling stomach. But after Pippin consumed half a watermelon, they began their studies again, only stopping to eat. And so it was for three rainy days.
When Merry and Pippin were forced to separate, their parents had to constantly remind the two that they would see each other in just two more days.
"The longest two days of my life," Merry had told his mama as he and his family went to the Bolger's home to attend little Estella's birthday party. When they arrived, they found that music and dancing already too place.
"Has Pippin arrived?" Merry asked Frodo.
Frodo shook his head, "Not yet."
Merry frowned, "I'd wish he'd hurry up and get here..."
"O, come on, Merry!" Frodo said trying to cheer him up a little, "It's a party! Why don't you go and say hullo to Estella, the birthday girl?"
Frodo pointed at Fatty's sister, but Merry paid no attention to it. He didn't care much about the lass, and from what he heard from her brother, she was quite evil. Merry told Frodo this and Frodo laughed, "Mer, she's not evil!"
"How do you know?"
"Well... she's just a lass.... there's nothing threatening about her!"
Merry ignored this; he saw his uncle Paladin and aunt Eglantine arrive with Pearl, Pimpernel, Pervinca and Pippin. Pippin immediately spotted Merry and he began to run over to him, but Pimpernel stopped him. She shook a finger at him and said something, but Merry was unable to hear whatever it was. The Tooks went to Estella and gave her their gift. Each took turns giving her a friendly hug, but Pippin did it very reluctantly and made a face afterwards; thoroughly expressing that he did not enjoy it. He turned to Merry and began to approach him, but Pearl stopped him. She shoved her brother towards Estella. Pippin reached into his pant pocket and retrieved an envelope and handed it to Estella. She smiled at hi, and kissed him on the forehead, and Pippin gagged. Finally he was free and he ran over to Merry.
"She kissed me!" he exclaimed, disgusted with himself.
Merry laughed at him, "What was in the envelope?" he asked.
"A birthday card. I wrote it all by myself," he said proudly. He paused recalling what he wrote, "It said: 'Dear Estella. It is your birthday. I hope it is good. Happy Birthday. Love, Pippin.'" he said, "Er, my sisters made me put 'love'!" he added quickly.
Merry smiled, "Come on, let's go see where Frodo and Fatty have gone..."
Frodo, Fatty, Merry, and Pippin started a fun game of horse shoes. Pippin found that it was too hard to throw the heavy objects and so he was appointed the job as the judge. Frodo and Fatty later regretted giving the lad such a responsibility, for he always ruled in Merry's favor, even when it clearly shouldn't have been.
About halfway into the game, when Merry was nearly fifty points ahead, Estella came accompanied with Pearl, Pimpernel, and Pervinca. The girls watched the boys play, and then started to complain to them that they weren't paying enough attention to the birthday girl. None of the lads could care less, and they ignored the lasses and continued on with their game. But the lasses grew persistent and when the boys refused to dance with them, the girls complained to Esmeralda Brandybuck, who told all the boys that they weren't being gentlemen.
Defeated, the boys were forced to dance with them. Frodo with Pearl, Fatty with Pimpernel, Merry with Pervinca, and Estella had insisted of dancing with the adorable Pippin Took. In fact, there was a fight amongst the girls on who would get to be the dance partner of the cute hobbit. "It's my birthday! It's my choice!" said Estella.
Frankly, Frodo, Fatty, and Merry were relieved that they didn't have to dance with Estella. Fatty said it would be deathly embarrassing to be seen dancing with his little sister. And Frodo and Merry feared the kiss that Estella had given Pippin earlier. Sure enough, as soon as their dancing was done, Estella gave Pippin a small peck on the cheek.
"Tortured at such a young age..." said Fatty, "The poor lad..."
The boys resumed their game of horseshoes, but only after they took Pippin inside the smial and scrubbed his face clean with soap and water, preventing any chance that his skin might break out in some horrible rash.
"I don't like dancing..." frowned Pippin as he rubbed the spot where the kiss was planted, half expecting to feel a bump.
"Neither do I," Merry agreed.
"It was kind of fun," said Frodo. The other lads stared at him and Frodo blushed, "But, er, for the most part it was terrible," he added."
"Pippin!" called Pearl, "We're leaving now!"
"Already?"
His sister nodded. Pippin said his farewells and reluctantly followed his sister. Pearl turned to Merry, "Mother and Father said you could come too. Perhaps, spend the rest of the weekend with us..."
Merry grinned, "Really?"
"Really?!" Pippin jumped up and down.
Pearl nodded, "After all, Pippin needs to keep up his studies."
Merry beamed and followed Pearl and Pippin to where his aunt and uncle, and mama and papa stood. There, Merry kissed his mama good bye and hugged his father after receiving a long lecture about behaving himself and being a good guest. The Tooks and Merry went to say their farewells to Estella.
"Good bye, Estella," Merry and Pippin said at once rather glumly.
Estella giggled childishly and gave each of them a kiss on the cheek. Merry and Pippin looked at each other horrified, and ran to the nearest sink.
Chapter 12
Birthday Party and Kisses
Breakfast was served for the twelve hobbits that would stay at the Great Smials until the rain ceased; which would be pouring for days, according to Bilbo. At this, Merry and Pippin grinned at each other from across the table. Merry sat in between his parents. His mama would not stop fussing over him, and Merry blushed with slight embarrassment as she kissed him over and over again. After his papa had overcame his worries, he constantly told Merry, "Don't you ever do that again." And Merry heard similar words across the table from his uncle Paladin, directed to Pippin.
During breakfast, Merry noticed that Pippin's enormous appetite was still evident, as he asked for three servings of scrambled eggs. When he had asked for a fourth, his mother refused to give it to him, but Bilbo secretly scooped his own onto Pippin's plate. Pippin grinned at him, and Bilbo winked back, then placed his finger to his sealed tight lips, signaling for Pippin to keep quiet. Pippin clenched his teeth and giggled to himself.
Many conversations took place, but what was mainly discussed was Pippin's new found academic talent. Paladin proudly stated, "Someday, my lad will write a book," And every hobbit at the table nodded and talked with their neighbor, agreeing greatly on this.
"He has a very strong talent, indeed."
"It's so obvious that the lad is gifted!"
"Sentences already, just imagine... and at the age of just six..."
"He's my brother, you know. This sort of talent is just genetic."
"The adorable scamp... is there anything he can't do?"
Saradoc also brought up the fact that it was his son who taught Pippin.
"He's done such a wonderful job."
"The lad must have a lot of patience, to teach a six year old those things..."
"Meriadoc is obviously gifted as well."
"He's my cousin, you know. This sort of talent is just genetic."
Another conversation that took place at the table was of Odovacar's daughter. It was her birthday this weekend and there was to be a birthday party, and everyone was invited. Merry was happy that he would get to see his good friend, Fredgar, or Fatty as he was more commonly known, for Merry hadn't seen him in months.
"Will there be cake?" Pippin asked excitedly.
Odovacar nodded and Pippin squealed with joy.
After breakfast, Merry and Pippin rushed to the Thain's office and collected everything they would need for their studies for the day. They ran down the hall, racing each other, to Pippin's room.
The two lay on the floor writing and constructing many words and sentences. Merry found that he was hardly needed, for all he would have to do was say a sentence, and Pippin wrote it out perfectly; he occasionally had a spelling error, but other than that, Pippin was doing very well. About an hour and a half into their studies, Frodo came and observed their work. He was very much impressed with his cousins, but he must've added one comment too many, for they kicked him out. Pippin claiming him to be too loud and disruptive, "We're doing very important work, Frodo Baggins. And if you can't keep quiet, then you get out!"
After they got rid of Frodo, they continued with their work for another two hours. They only stopped because of Pippin's rumbling stomach. But after Pippin consumed half a watermelon, they began their studies again, only stopping to eat. And so it was for three rainy days.
When Merry and Pippin were forced to separate, their parents had to constantly remind the two that they would see each other in just two more days.
"The longest two days of my life," Merry had told his mama as he and his family went to the Bolger's home to attend little Estella's birthday party. When they arrived, they found that music and dancing already too place.
"Has Pippin arrived?" Merry asked Frodo.
Frodo shook his head, "Not yet."
Merry frowned, "I'd wish he'd hurry up and get here..."
"O, come on, Merry!" Frodo said trying to cheer him up a little, "It's a party! Why don't you go and say hullo to Estella, the birthday girl?"
Frodo pointed at Fatty's sister, but Merry paid no attention to it. He didn't care much about the lass, and from what he heard from her brother, she was quite evil. Merry told Frodo this and Frodo laughed, "Mer, she's not evil!"
"How do you know?"
"Well... she's just a lass.... there's nothing threatening about her!"
Merry ignored this; he saw his uncle Paladin and aunt Eglantine arrive with Pearl, Pimpernel, Pervinca and Pippin. Pippin immediately spotted Merry and he began to run over to him, but Pimpernel stopped him. She shook a finger at him and said something, but Merry was unable to hear whatever it was. The Tooks went to Estella and gave her their gift. Each took turns giving her a friendly hug, but Pippin did it very reluctantly and made a face afterwards; thoroughly expressing that he did not enjoy it. He turned to Merry and began to approach him, but Pearl stopped him. She shoved her brother towards Estella. Pippin reached into his pant pocket and retrieved an envelope and handed it to Estella. She smiled at hi, and kissed him on the forehead, and Pippin gagged. Finally he was free and he ran over to Merry.
"She kissed me!" he exclaimed, disgusted with himself.
Merry laughed at him, "What was in the envelope?" he asked.
"A birthday card. I wrote it all by myself," he said proudly. He paused recalling what he wrote, "It said: 'Dear Estella. It is your birthday. I hope it is good. Happy Birthday. Love, Pippin.'" he said, "Er, my sisters made me put 'love'!" he added quickly.
Merry smiled, "Come on, let's go see where Frodo and Fatty have gone..."
Frodo, Fatty, Merry, and Pippin started a fun game of horse shoes. Pippin found that it was too hard to throw the heavy objects and so he was appointed the job as the judge. Frodo and Fatty later regretted giving the lad such a responsibility, for he always ruled in Merry's favor, even when it clearly shouldn't have been.
About halfway into the game, when Merry was nearly fifty points ahead, Estella came accompanied with Pearl, Pimpernel, and Pervinca. The girls watched the boys play, and then started to complain to them that they weren't paying enough attention to the birthday girl. None of the lads could care less, and they ignored the lasses and continued on with their game. But the lasses grew persistent and when the boys refused to dance with them, the girls complained to Esmeralda Brandybuck, who told all the boys that they weren't being gentlemen.
Defeated, the boys were forced to dance with them. Frodo with Pearl, Fatty with Pimpernel, Merry with Pervinca, and Estella had insisted of dancing with the adorable Pippin Took. In fact, there was a fight amongst the girls on who would get to be the dance partner of the cute hobbit. "It's my birthday! It's my choice!" said Estella.
Frankly, Frodo, Fatty, and Merry were relieved that they didn't have to dance with Estella. Fatty said it would be deathly embarrassing to be seen dancing with his little sister. And Frodo and Merry feared the kiss that Estella had given Pippin earlier. Sure enough, as soon as their dancing was done, Estella gave Pippin a small peck on the cheek.
"Tortured at such a young age..." said Fatty, "The poor lad..."
The boys resumed their game of horseshoes, but only after they took Pippin inside the smial and scrubbed his face clean with soap and water, preventing any chance that his skin might break out in some horrible rash.
"I don't like dancing..." frowned Pippin as he rubbed the spot where the kiss was planted, half expecting to feel a bump.
"Neither do I," Merry agreed.
"It was kind of fun," said Frodo. The other lads stared at him and Frodo blushed, "But, er, for the most part it was terrible," he added."
"Pippin!" called Pearl, "We're leaving now!"
"Already?"
His sister nodded. Pippin said his farewells and reluctantly followed his sister. Pearl turned to Merry, "Mother and Father said you could come too. Perhaps, spend the rest of the weekend with us..."
Merry grinned, "Really?"
"Really?!" Pippin jumped up and down.
Pearl nodded, "After all, Pippin needs to keep up his studies."
Merry beamed and followed Pearl and Pippin to where his aunt and uncle, and mama and papa stood. There, Merry kissed his mama good bye and hugged his father after receiving a long lecture about behaving himself and being a good guest. The Tooks and Merry went to say their farewells to Estella.
"Good bye, Estella," Merry and Pippin said at once rather glumly.
Estella giggled childishly and gave each of them a kiss on the cheek. Merry and Pippin looked at each other horrified, and ran to the nearest sink.