Chapter Three - Children Everywhere

"Hello, cousin!" Fiodrin gave Paladin a fierce hug, "It's always good to see you." Then he saw the boys. "Gracious me, they're both getting so big!" This made Pippin smile. Fiodrin looked around, "Where's Pervinca?"

Paladin was reminded of the absent child. "She became ill yesterday and had a fever."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Fiodrin answered cordially, but was sincere in his reply.

"Tell me, Fio," Paladin asked, "where exactly does this Mister Thatch live?"

Fiodrin thought for a second, "almost directly across the empty fields on the west edge of the town. Not far from the market where he'll be selling your crops." Then Fiodrin became serious, "I've only met him once, and he seems a shrewd business-hobbit to me."

Paladin nodded in understanding. He could be shrewd himself when the moment called for it, but it was only used as a last resort. This was why he wanted Merry and Pippin, and even Pervinca to some degree at the meetings. This would be an educational experience for them; the more they observed at the meetings, the more they would learn how to negotiate in business. However, Paladin had an odd feeling about this Mister Thatch.

Mr. Thatch was not one of Paladin's long-time friends. In fact, this will be the first time he has met him at all. Apparently, Thatch was new in Michel Delving, living there for just over a year, having purchased the mill from the now deceased previous owner's estate. Having built up a few booths at the Market, he was now looking for someone to purchase fresh produce from.

The three hobbits indeed passed the Market on their way to the Thatch residence. There were three booths set up and painted with large letters saying, 'Thatch's Pipe-weed', or 'Thatch's Mercantile' where he sold just about everything else. The last booth, freshly painted read, 'Thatch's Produce'. Paladin had a good guess as to who might be providing the produce.

Merry observed one young lad behind the mercantile booth was younger than he was. He slowed down, mesmerized by all the young children behind each booth in Thatch's employ. They were all poorly dressed, clothes tattered and dirty. Faces in dire need of a washcloth.

"Hey, laddie!" Laughed one boy, about Merry's age, "Ye look like ye need a bit of this!" He pointed to a barrel with a label that read, 'Primo's Brew'. A chorus of laughter came from the group of boys.

Now aware of his gawking, Merry regained his composure and sheepishly smiled, "Perhaps, but I'm already in trouble for smoking a pipe!" This garnered more laughter from the boys.

Once the well-to-do strangers walked further on, one of the older lads approached the first boy, "Why do ye waste yer breath on them, *Degger? They care nothing for us."

True to Fiodrin's word, Paladin, Merry, and Pippin stood on the doorstep of a huge mansion-like hobbit row house not far from the Market place. The empty field across the road seemed to beckon to the boys standing at his side. As the door opened a young lass greeted them, "Good afternoon, sirs. May I take your cloaks?" Pippin grinned; he had never been called 'sir' before.

So far, Paladin was not impressed with a fellow business-hobbit employing young children in his Market booths, or with keeping very young girls in the house as servants. "No, thank you, miss...?" Paladin thought to at least put a name to the young face.

"Marla, sir," the girl curtsied.

When he looked at Marla, he was reminded of his youngest daughter, Pervinca. Unlike the children at the Market, these children were at least washed, and seemed to be well fed. I suppose it would be no good to be greeted by a dirty and hungry child, he thought. "No, thank you, Miss Marla," he said aloud. "We won't be staying long."

She curtsied again, "Yes, sir. Then Lord Thatch invites you into the parlor for an early tea."

Paladin and Merry exchanged looks as they followed the girl down the hallway. Lord Thatch? They smirked when their eyes met.

"Ah! Mister Paladin Took!" Mr. Thatch rose to greet his guests. "It's a pleasure to meet you!"

Paladin wasn't so sure it was a pleasure for himself, but he remained amiable. "Thank you, sir. I've been looking forward to meeting you as well." That remark was closer to the truth. He then introduced the two lads with him. "This is Meriadoc, my nephew, and the little one here is my son, Peregrin."

Mr. Thatch seemed to ignore his guest, "Marla, find Lillia and tell her that my guests are waiting for tea!"

"Really, Mr. Thatch, it's not necessary," Paladin offered.

Pippin looked up at his father; he was hoping for a few apple tarts, but decided against vocalizing it. He got a distinct feeling this was not the time for saying anything funny. It was just at then that the girl, Lilllia, came through the door carrying a heavy tray with a large tea urn, a carafe of milk, and a honey jar along with various kinds of tarts and cakes.

"It's about time, lass!" chided the elder hobbit.

"Mr. Thatch," Paladin began, "I couldn't help but notice the young children you keep in your employ. Would they be used in selling the products I provide to you?"

Mr. Thatch replied, "A very observant hobbit--and I've already hired a few more lads in anticipation of opening my new booth in the Market. Have you seen it?"

"Yes," answered Paladin. "That's where I saw the young boys--is in the Market place. Are there no grown-hobbits here in Michel Delving that would suffice instead of children?"

Thatch wasn't a fool; he got the hint that this farmer would not be dealing with him. "Truth be told," he replied, "another local farmer has already visited me, Mr. Took. Says he's able to give me the supply I will need through to the harvest." He looked at Paladin, "I can tell you are no simple farmer, sir--you and I are both lettered hobbits. These children had no parents, no homes, and no means of caring for themselves." Then he looked at Merry, "Like you, young lad, they are all orphans, and I would gladly put you to work in my mill. I daresay its hard work, but I would pay you well."

"Merry is not an orphan, Mr. Thatch," Paladin interjected. "Both of his parents are very much alive."

Thatch gave the other business-hobbit a puzzled expression, "Why else then would you keep a child other than your own?"

Paladin turned to the boys sitting nearby, handing Merry two pennies, "Take Pippin and wait for me outside."

Initially, Merry was confused at his uncle's intent, but then saw the look his uncle gave him, "Yes, sir." He saw there was a storm brewing behind those green Tookish eyes. Merry took his little cousin by the hand and shuffled towards the door and outside into the sunshine.

* A/N: Yes, this is the same Degger who makes an appearance in an earlier fic, titled, Irrepressible Pippin