Childhood in The Shire

By: Kari (little took lassie3)

Chapter 2

If there is anything I know, it's the way to get to Brandy Hall. I remember a few years ago my cousin Merry had gotten lost in the forest on a simple journey to the Great Smials from Brandy Hall, and I knew I had to be careful, but I know the way, and I know I can get there safely. After writing a note to my family explaining that I was to be at Brandy Hall and that I promised Pearl I would not miss her birthday, I was on my way to see Merry. It wasn't hard to sneak out of my home; it was two in the morning and everyone was sound asleep.

I arrived at Brandy Hall at about four in the morning. I crept around to Merry's window. I could almost imagine Merry's surprised face when he saw me, but when he opened the window he revealed an angry expression. He helped me through the window and into his room, "Pippin, what in Middle-Earth are you doing here?!"

"Aren't you glad to see me, Merry?"

"No. What happened? You weren't even gone for one day! Pippin, what the hell?! You're parents must be deadly worried! Peregrin Took, I thought you were more considerate than this!" Merry spoke in the most cruel manner I've ever heard from him. My eyes started to flood with tears. Merry drew a deep breathe, "Aw, Pip, don't cry."

I sniffed and wiped the tears from my eyes, "Why are you so mad, Merry? I thought that we were best friends."

He opened he mouth to retort something, but I interrupted him, "Please, don't yell at me."

Merry's face relaxed. He took me by the hand and led me to my room, "Get in your bed clothes and go to sleep, Pippin," he said uncharacteristically.

I obeyed, and once Merry saw that I was in bed, he left. I laid in bed and felt comfortable. My place was here in Brandy Hall, and I was sure of it. It was the only place I felt safe. At Brandy Hall I had Merry. At the Great Smials I had nobody.

Merry's reaction was nothing compared to my aunt and uncle's. They immediately sent word to my parents that I was safe. I thought for sure that I was going to be sent home, but I was permitted to stay until Sunday; that meant I could go fishing, but Merry didn't seem too excited.

"Aren't we friends anymore, Merry?" I asked him.

"Of course we are, Pippin. We're the best of friends."

"Then why don't you won't me to go fishing?"

"It's not that I don't want you to go, but I know that when we get there you'll be bored."

"No I won't."

"Yes you will. Pip, we're not playing hide and seek. We're doing older hobbit things."

"Like what?"

"Like stuff you won't like."

"Like what?"

Merry didn't answer.

I stomped my foot angrily, "Like what, Merry?!"

"Stuff that won't interest you," he said simply.

I grew mad. Why wouldn't he tell me what they were going to do? Were they going to talk about me? I asked Merry and he said of course not, and that its just stuff I won't like. "How would you know that? You don't know if I like it or not!"

But Merry was right. During our fishing trip, I was completely bored. At Brandywine river Merry and I met up with Frodo and Sam. Sam was a stout hobbit. He was shorter than Merry, but taller than me. He had plain brown eyes that stayed focused at his own feet. Sam was a shy lad and I figured I would have to fix that. I started a conversation with him. I found out that he was the youngest son of the Gaffer, the gardener at Bag End. Frodo met Samwise Gamgee when uncle Bilbo started to tutor him.

"Merry is the one who tutored me," I informed him.

"Really?" he seemed impressed, "How old are you?"

"Nine."

After a while Sam left our conversation to join Frodo and Merry with theirs; I was totally lost in it. It sounded like they were talking about some girl. But that was impossible. Merry hates girls, and there he was listening to Frodo's description of some lass named Cecelia Greenhand, "Golden brown curls, bright, beautiful blue eyes, and the most beautiful smile--"

"Frodo?" I interrupted.

"What is it, Pippin?" he smiled down at me.

"Why are you talking about a lass like that?"

Sam and Frodo chuckled with amusement. Merry simply smiled at me. I asked them what was so funny. I turned to Merry for some answer. He looked down at the ground as if he didn't see me there before him, "Merry!?"

"Yes, Pippin?"

"Why are you all talking about a girl like that?"

"You're too young to understand," was the answer.

"I'm nine years old. I can understand anything the three of you can. I'm not little anymore."

Frodo lowered himself down to my eye level, "Cecelia is my -- Er-- special friend."

The way Frodo said "special" was a curious way. I asked him what he meant by "special" and there was more laughter.

Frodo remained kind towards me, "Cecelia is my girlfriend."

I gasped, and was surprised to receive more laughing at my reaction. What was so funny? Frodo was doomed. He had a girlfriend. Girlfriends are evil; Merry said so himself… at least that's what he said a couple years ago. He seemed to have a different opinion now. But why? Oh no, did he…? I quickly turned to Merry, "You don't have a girlfriend, do you, Mer?"

"No."

I sighed with relief. Merry was safe. But for how long? I had to make sure that he didn't fall under the same fate as cousin Frodo. Frodo asked me if I would like to meet Cecelia. I said yes, which was half a lie. He said she'd be at my sister's birthday party. Then he winked and informed me she had a little sister. I didn't really understand his point, and I told him that that was nice, and they all laughed at me once again. Next time when Merry says not to go fishing with him, I'll listen. Not only did I not catch any fish, but I was cast into a world that I didn't understand. A world of girls and things that disgusted me. Things that used to disgust Merry, too. What had come over Merry and Frodo was a wonder to me. I don't think Sam influenced any of this behavior, for he was way too shy. Plus today was the first day Merry and Sam met, and now that I think about it, Frodo had sort of always acted like this. When girls asked him to dance with them at parties he did so with no objections, unlike Merry and I who tried any plan of escape. Whatever did this to Merry, I had to reverse its effect on him. What if a girl asked him to dance at Pearl's birthday party? Would he do it? The Merry I know would never do it, but who was this stranger now? He was a whole new hobbit, but that was nothing I couldn't change. Yes. I had to save him before he did something crazy like getting a girlfriend, or worse.