Author's Notes: Thank goodness for procrastination. I'm being desperate in putting off writing my philosophy essay because every time I sit down and start writing, I confuse myself. Unfortunately, I know it's only going to hurt me later and I suppose this didn't delay TOO much time... but oh well. Like I said though, I set aside my books and papers for you so I hope you do enjoy this chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own the hobbits or any of the Lord of the Rings characters... if only I did... *wishful thinking*

Pipsqueak Peregrin

Chapter Three: He Speaks Yet He Says Nothing

Pippin avoided me as best he could for the next few days, receiving no complaint on my behalf. Sure enough though, it wasn't long before he went back to his childish routine of trying to grab my attention. Time after time I would make up some sort of excuse to find my way out of Brandy Hall to avoid having to look after Pippin. Auntie wouldn't let him play around outside yet so any excuse to be outdoors was an excuse to be away from Pippin.

Despite my constant liaisons outside though, it seemed that eventually I'd somehow be cornered and forced into tending after my cousin for some time. Thus I'd be forced to sit through Pippin's pathetic attempts to get some sort of attention from me. It was during these long afternoons that I came to one firm conclusion: I hated little babies.

If I thought letting a little smelly hobbit climb and drool all over me was bad, I was completely unaware of the horrors which awaited me in the future. For although Pippin was annoying in his gibberish and giggling whilst he'd yank on my hair for attention, things only became worse once the lad learned to speak. Now not only could he cry with all his might, but he could scream semi structured phrases at whomever he pleased.

It seemed that before Pippin's first and favourite word to use was my name. The "joys" of the common tongue were quickly picked up though and Pippin discovered his love for a new word: "mine." This word seemed to become enticing to Pippin as he suddenly went from becoming a squealing brat to a screaming glutton of goods. Everything was his, no matter what it was. The jars of blackberry jam in the pantry he seemed to adore so much were his, that small wooden boat you left on the floor was now his, even certain hobbits were now objects possessed by Pippin. And why not? He seemed to have everyone eating out of the palm of his hand before, why not finally admit to what he was doing?

Suddenly it became very difficult to keep my things away from Pippin, or to even keep a full meal to myself anymore. The lad still could not walk... rather it seemed, he did not want to walk and who would when you could be carried everywhere by eager aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relations, but he somehow managed to find his way over to me and take what was mine. It didn't matter what it was which I had, if I didn't surrender it to the tiny brat, he would scream and cry. This would then be followed by a long lecture directed towards me about how I should share with those younger than I. Then, as if to add insult to injury, as soon as the lecturer had left, Pippin would smile cheekily at me and crawl off.

He knew very well what he was doing and enjoyed it. Call me crazy if you like but there was no convincing me otherwise of my cousin's true intentions: make me as miserable as possible.

But there was one thing Pippin couldn't take away from me and claim as his own. It was an annual event I had been participating in with my father for as long as I could remember. Every year he'd take me out onto the Brandywine for an entire day of fishing. Mum didn't like it at all, we hobbits are not swimmers and ever since the horrible accident of cousins Drogo and Primula Baggins out on the river, she was as weary as ever about anything which concerned deep water. But Dad was as careful a hobbit as could be when it came to boating on the river and we would go out every year and spend time together in our small wooden boat. It didn't matter how many fish we caught, if we caught anything at all, it was simply time spent together; bonding if you will.

There was nothing which could put a stop to our fishing trip, except for the river drying up but that would not happen any time soon. Or so I believed...

It was not so much a week before the trip when Mum informed me of a sudden change of plans. Cousin Bilbo had been asking for the Tooks to visit him over in Hobbiton for some time. Uncle Paladin and Aunt Eglantine were busy with matters and so she had volunteered me to accompany Pippin to Bag End and help look after him. She actually expected me to miss the fishing trip in order to babysit Pippin! I was outraged by this and wasted no time in seeking out my father to complain.

Dad was no help in the matter. He said it would be good for me to go along and I would be doing a big favour for the Thain.

"But what about our trip?" I asked. "We never miss it!"

"There will be other trips, Merry," replied Dad dismissively. "You can't just say no to your aunt and uncle like that."

"And why not? Mum was the one who decided I should go!"

"You don't want to make Mum look bad, do you?" asked Dad.

"Well... no..." I frowned. "But it's still not fair! I want to go fishing! Not babysit some stupid parasite just so old Bilbo Baggins can have visitors!"

"Meriadoc Brandybuck, you watch your tongue!" scolded Dad. I shrank back meekly as he fixed me with a stern glare. "I don't know what's gotten into you but you need to start treating your relations a lot better, both younger and older!"

"But Dad--"

"I mean it, boy," he snapped. "You're going to Hobbiton and you're taking your cousin with you. And if you don't agree to the task set for you then there shall be no future fishing trips. Understand?"

"Yes, sir..." I said meekly.

It seemed obvious that Dad had no intention of stepping in to rescue me from my impending ordeal. I wasn't going fishing this year and what was worse was it was all Pippin's fault. Somehow the little brat had managed to take away the one special thing I had left to myself... time with my own father. I was not a happy hobbit, to say the least and was not looking forward to the holiday ahead.

You'll probably see another chapter tomorrow when I put off my homework yet again. But until then, keep smiling and as always... review!