Chapter 5 I yawned the next morning, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes and looking up to the sun through the quaint window. Merry was already up, as was Pearl, Pervinca, and Eglantine. Vinca had already started the tea and Merry was ready the paper sleepily at the table. "Did you have a good sleep dear?" Eglantine asked sweetly. I nodded gently and sat, buttering a piece of toast. Diamond walked out several minutes later and began chatting with Pearl immediately. Pippin was the last to wake, save Paladin whom had left early on business, and with a long-lasting yawn, he sat at the table groggily between Merry and myself. "Good sleep, Peregrin?" his mother similarly repeated. "Yes. Mother," he responded, and then, looking askance towards me, "but I'm not sure if that goes for everyone." Merry looked over from the article suspiciously, "Oh? What do you mean by that Pip?" "Nothing," he answered mysteriously, "Just stating a fact." The rest of the breakfast was permeated with a cloud of awkward silence. The three of us shot quizzical glances, sometimes clearing our throats or fidgeting in our seats. Vinca seemed to notice our uncomforted actions, although did nothing. However, Diamond showed no interest, nor any actual knowledge of the situation and indeed, as usual, talked the whole first breakfast away. After breakfast, I insisted on leaving as quickly as possible, saying my mother was in need of my assistance for the day. I bid them all farewell and walked off, toward my hole, quite relieved to be rid of the situation. Soon after, as I was still walking down the dirt road, humming softly to myself, I was met by an exhausted Merry. "What on Middle-Earth was going on back there?" he asked, completely out of breath. I explained to him my story, nearly quoting the whole conversation, carefully detailing Pippin's pushy persistence. "I couldn't tell him Merry," I ended defiantly. Merry almost burst out laughing, "Is that all?" I couldn't believe him! "Is that all? Merry, he wouldn't leave me alone. I told him nothing was wrong! He just wouldn't listen!" Again, Merry snickered, "And would you have let it go? Honestly, you do know he was right, don't you? You are hiding something from him; it is bothering you." I opened my mouth as if to say something intelligent but stopped, rethinking his statement. "I thought so," he finished. We walked farther; I quickened my pace, my thoughts filled with confusion and the anger of being defeated in a game of mind. My obstinacy was clearly not my best quality. My hole was clearly in sight then, and, bidding Merry goodbye once again, I thanked him for his words of wisdom, "Thank you dear friend for your advice. A year ago, I would have never have thought that I would be going to Meriadoc Brandybuck for such wonderful debate." He smiled, truly happy and walked away, almost skipping. I shook my head, smiling also. Walking into my hole, I looked down to the floor, soaking in the noise of hobbit children and stain on the rug. Shaking my head I walked briskly to the kitchen, soaked a rag, and tackled to the red mark on the family's carpet. My cleaning was stopped by a shriek. "Willow Sweetgrass! Where have you been? I was up all night with worry! Estella said you were off to that Peregrin's hole! The thoughts that went through my mind! He's so.frisky." She ended. "Mother!" I shouted, surprised of her accusation. She thought I was staying the night with him! "He's engaged Mum! His mother insisted I stay when the rain came down; you can ask her yourself!" She looked partially satisfied, though continued to hide her relief with a scowl, "Just tell me next time. I'm going to be late if I don't leave now. You'll be fine with Daisy right?" I nodded and stood, walking out to see my little sister playing with her dolls. I smiled as she noticed me, running up to give me a hug. "We'll be fine mother. Do your errands, and take your time," I smiled weakly. I wanted her to have some time alone, but I was paying a price: watching Daisy is no simple task. Time had passed, and Daisy had laid down for a nap, as all young hobbit children need. I was sitting outside on the beautiful bench in the garden my grandfather had made for the family, reading a book dreamily. I was surprised when I heard a rustle in the bushes, only to be met by young Peregrin Took once again. I dropped the book, standing to meet him. "Pippin, are you stalking me?" I teased, unaware of the look on his face. "Diamond just told me that she doesn't want to get married to me; the wedding's off." He kicked a leaf on the ground. "Oh, I'm sorry Pip," I announced with a hug, "Are you all right?" I looked into his eyes, still connecting my arms around him, and felt my heart skip a beat. He answered, "I don't know Wil. Part of me is crushed, but the other part is . . . relieved." A gust of wind shifted my attention towards the gray sky. "Let's talk inside. It looks like rain," I said, the clap of overhead thunder confirming my statement. He nodded and followed me inside. I led him to the living quarters showing him a comfortable seat, which also happened to be the closest to myself. "I feel terrible Wil, because when she told me she wasn't in love with me, I almost smiled. I tried to look hurt, but I almost hugged her with happiness." He shook his head, letting it fall into his hands. "Oh, that's nothing to feel bad about; at least she agrees. You just. didn't love her." The words must have consoled him somewhat, because Pippin raised his head and spoke, "I guess your right Wil. You've always been great at that." I laughed a little, "At what?" "At." he thought on how to word it, "at advice," he finished. "And," he continued on, "you're great at making tea. Mind if we get some? I missed Afternoon Tea to come here." He asked with a twinkle in his eye. "You always have room for food, no matter what the circumstance, don't you?" I stood and walked to the kitchen ready to prepare tea for an expecting guest. As I was walking hastily I didn't notice my little sister creeping to the room where Pip then sat. "Pip?" she yawned, "That you?" She held her stuffed animal by one appendage, letting it trail across the floor. "Hey Daisy! How are you?" he answered. Daisy always loved when Pippin came over. Usually, he'd bring her candy or a flower; he loved the way her eyes lighted up. She was young, only five, and looked up to him, no matter how annoying that sometimes got. She seemed to be awake now, and realized that, yes, Pippin was indeed right in front of her, "Oh Pip! You're here!" She jumped on his lap, carrying her toy. He huffed in surprise, by welcomed her with a smile and a laugh. "You missed me?" he asked in fake surprise. She nodded to his question with reassurance. "Why were you gone so long? I missed you," she pouted. "I'm sorry; I was busy." He winced slightly remembering that he was busy with the wedding. She seemed not to care and continued babbling on, talking about what had happened since he last came over to visit. I came back with the tea, shocked to see Daisy so deeply in discussion with Pippin. "Ah, I see we have an extra hobbit in our company," I smiled and sat. "Wil! I was just telling Pip about the bunny I saw in the garden. He took a carrot," she explained matter-of-factly. I handed him his tea, just as my mother stepped in. She seemed quite happy with her solitude she received and was ready to have some tea. "Willow, dear, I can smell that wonderful aroma. Will you pour me a cup of tea?" she asked from the threshold. "Of course," I answered back, fetching a cup from the kitchen. She walked in to see Pippin sitting with Daisy. Although teasing, she solemnly spoke, "Hasn't my daughter seen enough of you today Peregrin? You did make her late coming home. I was worried sick; just about to call my husband from his busy work to look for her." He stood up, already catching on to her joke. Pippin cleared his throat, and stood up, trying to suppress and smile, "I apologize completely, Mrs. Sweetgrass. I take complete responsibility for her tardiness." He bowed for theatrical drama. My mother could take it no longer as a smile crept over her lips. I returned with her cup and prepared her tea. I sat next to my sister, ready for conversation. "Oh, Willow, I have news for you, but please before I tell you, you must promise me not to act unlady-like, especially in front of our guest, once I tell you." Suspiciously, I nodded and she continued. "I spoke to your father today. He told me that he has arranged a marriage for you to Otho Boffin." I stopped drinking my tea and stood up in pure anger, screaming hotly at the top of my lungs, "Otho Boffin? That disgusting pig? Never!" I walked out in rage, grabbing my cloak and preparing to stay away in an inn for the night. My mother froze in shock still holding her teacup midway to her mouth. Daisy sat with confusion sketched on her face, obviously uncomfortable with Pippin's rush to leave after me. He stood up muttering to himself, grabbing his cloak in suit. He clasped the elven leaf brooch and left the hole in the opposite direction of myself. I ran to Estella Buldger's hole, holding back tears as I knocked on the door. Fatty, her older brother, answered in hastily, but stopped his mumbling profanities when he saw by red, swollen face. "Is Estella in?" I queried. "Willow? Is that you?" I heard a voice behind him before he could answer. Estella was there, standing behind her brother in a shawl. Fatty moved to the side as Estella rushed to hug me as a good hobbit friend would. She ushered me to her room where I told her of my situation. "That's terrible, Wil, just terrible," she exclaimed. I nodded in agreement, "Yeah, and for once, I just don't know what to do."