Thanks Womba Warrior for the review - at least someone else appreciated
Legolas's nicknames, and Anna - I hope you enjoyed the rest of the chapters
as much as the first! Anyway, Haldir's answers up now, but first Merry's in
a pickle.
"Something's not quite right here." Merry said to himself quietly. And indeed something was amiss. The clock could be heard ticking away in the room across the hall, no crockery rattled from the dining room, no echoes of passing feet and voices could be heard. The house at Crickhollow stood silent and still.
"That's not right at all." The large hobbit proclaimed and began to search the house for evidence of Pippin's co-habitation. "Pip?" He called towards his room, and the kitchen, and the dining room, but from nowhere came an answering call.
Merry began to worry. It was getting on for suppertime and since Pippin was mostly ruled by his stomach, it was odd that he should be missing with the prospect of food. Unconsciously picking up an apple and biting into it, Merry wandered to the front door and peeped out. Outside was just as quiet as inside, no wind disturbed the plants and bushes, darkness just beginning to creep into the evening sky. Shutting the door again, Merry stood in the hallway and pondered. He scoured the house one more time, and had just returned to the hallway with the apple core in his hand when the front door burst open with a flurry.
"Merry, look who I found!" Pippin's voice cried as he ushered a figure in before him. The figure looked up and smiled fondly at Merry.
"Frodo!" Merry exclaimed, running to greet his friend, swamping him in a huge hug. "Why I've not heard from you since you sent out your answers in that chain, where have you been hiding since?"
"I've been keeping him well-fed and well looked after." Another voice, high and cheery chimed in. Merry smiled across at Rosie and Sam, who also stepped over the threshold.
"Well," Merry began. "This is turning into a proper party! At least the larder is full, for it's time for dinner."
Pippin made straight for the kitchen. "That's exactly what my stomach thought!" Sam laughed and the little group followed the vanishing form of Pippin. Merry went to close the door, but before he could a loud voice startled him.
"And here I thought a hobbit's door was always open to visitors."
The hobbit did indeed open the door to his visitor, with absolute pleasure. "Gandalf! Come in, come in."
"Thank you Meriadoc." The wizard replied, and stooped so low to get through the door that his beard nearly swept the floor. "I do not interrupt you?"
"As if that has ever stopped you before." Frodo retorted from the kitchen doorway where everyone was stood. Merry wafted Gandalf into the house, and closed the door on the night. Now the party would really begin.
And it did. It went on so well that no one heard the knock on the door. No one heard the door opening and voices asking if anyone was at home. And no one heard the brief cry of pain or the thump of a head hitting a ceiling beam. And so it was that the first anyone in the party knew of the arrival of Legolas, Gimli and Rumil was Gimli sniggering at the silly royal elf that was too proud to duck.
"And this is Rumil," Legolas concluded after the hugs and greetings had concluded. "He was travelling here and it was our good fortune to meet with him just a few moments ago."
Rumil smiled uncertainly, but the party welcomed him all the same. It was Pippin who was observant at that moment. "You have the look of Haldir, from Lothlorien, would you know him at all?"
The Lothlorien elf looked relieved. "He is my brother," He confessed. "And also my reason for being here. I come bearing correspondence from him." He took out a handful of letters and they were distributed to their rightful owners. Merry's was the first in hand, and it read:
First make a copy of this letter and change the answers so they apply to you. Then send it to all the people you know. You may learn some interesting facts about your friends!
"Here we go again." Merry declared, for everyone had the same message. Since he had already begun to read, the party declared him the spokesperson to read it to them all. And so he did.
Name: Haldir
Nicknames: Number 1, messenger now too apparently.
If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? I am happy enough here in Lothlorien, but if the rumours are true then perhaps East Lorien would make a happy home.
What is your favourite place to be? On leave in our fair city of Caras Galadon near to my Lord and Lady.
What is your least favourite place to be? Surrounded by the enemy. The assaults on Mirkwood and Lothlorien itself were most harrowing to me.
What is the last good song you heard? A little homecoming tune by my brother Rumil, it is nice to know at least one of my siblings appreciates his older brother.
What is your favourite colour? The gentle golden glow of the Lothlorien in the summer months.
What is your favourite smell? The niphredil flower on full bloom.
What is your favourite article of clothing? My border-guard tunic. I have worn it long and it reminds me of my responsibilities.
What makes you angry? Trespassers, especially when you have been all night in a tree and wish to rest.
What time do you wake up in the morning? If I awoke whenever I wanted I would be reprimanded for falling asleep on duty. I sleep when I can and wake when I must.
Can you juggle? Admittedly no, but I am a border-guard, not a jester.
What would you hate to be left in a room with? My brothers. Although I love them dearly, they do talk so. And Orcs. And perhaps dwarves.
Is the goblet half empty or half full? I should hope half full, but never on duty.
What is the first thing you think when you wake up? Regretfully I always think where are my weapons - I like to be prepared.
What is your favourite form of exercise? Climbing to my watch talan. And winding up my brothers.
Who do you have a crush on at the moment? There is perhaps a certain maid who I have missed in my absence, but I shall not mention her name.
What have you got in your pocket? My brother Rumil's lucky arrowhead. He doesn't know it yet.
Who is most likely to respond to this letter? Probably the dwarf who's eyes I bound upon his visit, although it will most likely be a letter of complaint; I doubt he will have forgiven me.
Who is least likely to respond to this letter? My brother Orophin. He loudly informed me of all his answers while I wrote this and I would not wish his replies upon anyone.
"That... wretch!" Rumil spluttered. "I wondered where my arrow head had gone." Legolas commiserated him with a hand upon the shoulder and refilled his glass with wine.
"At least you seem a better fellow that your brother," Gimli told Rumil, I remember you now from Lothlorien, you led us a little way I believe."
"I had that pleasure, although at that time we had heard little of your adventures." Rumil agreed, anxious to remain on the dwarf's good side. Legolas tried to put the young elf at ease.
"But now talk of our little escapades have filtered to your fair forest?" He asked.
"Oh indeed." Rumil nodded eagerly. "There was... some talk of a Balrog...?"
At the other end of the table, Merry was rescuing his letter from a puddle of beer. "Well, I think it's high time I filled out these questions." He spoke almost to himself, but his thoughts were briefly interrupted.
"Merry, we're nearly out of wine!"
He jumped from his seat, and ran to the cellar for another few bottles. Letters could wait; he had guests to entertain.
So there's a roaring party going on in Crickhollow. I'm jealous I didn't get an invite now! So Merry is next, especially for Daz, Lily Potter and Clover - sorry it's taken so long! Still, better late than never! Hope he doesn't suffer from hangovers though.
"Something's not quite right here." Merry said to himself quietly. And indeed something was amiss. The clock could be heard ticking away in the room across the hall, no crockery rattled from the dining room, no echoes of passing feet and voices could be heard. The house at Crickhollow stood silent and still.
"That's not right at all." The large hobbit proclaimed and began to search the house for evidence of Pippin's co-habitation. "Pip?" He called towards his room, and the kitchen, and the dining room, but from nowhere came an answering call.
Merry began to worry. It was getting on for suppertime and since Pippin was mostly ruled by his stomach, it was odd that he should be missing with the prospect of food. Unconsciously picking up an apple and biting into it, Merry wandered to the front door and peeped out. Outside was just as quiet as inside, no wind disturbed the plants and bushes, darkness just beginning to creep into the evening sky. Shutting the door again, Merry stood in the hallway and pondered. He scoured the house one more time, and had just returned to the hallway with the apple core in his hand when the front door burst open with a flurry.
"Merry, look who I found!" Pippin's voice cried as he ushered a figure in before him. The figure looked up and smiled fondly at Merry.
"Frodo!" Merry exclaimed, running to greet his friend, swamping him in a huge hug. "Why I've not heard from you since you sent out your answers in that chain, where have you been hiding since?"
"I've been keeping him well-fed and well looked after." Another voice, high and cheery chimed in. Merry smiled across at Rosie and Sam, who also stepped over the threshold.
"Well," Merry began. "This is turning into a proper party! At least the larder is full, for it's time for dinner."
Pippin made straight for the kitchen. "That's exactly what my stomach thought!" Sam laughed and the little group followed the vanishing form of Pippin. Merry went to close the door, but before he could a loud voice startled him.
"And here I thought a hobbit's door was always open to visitors."
The hobbit did indeed open the door to his visitor, with absolute pleasure. "Gandalf! Come in, come in."
"Thank you Meriadoc." The wizard replied, and stooped so low to get through the door that his beard nearly swept the floor. "I do not interrupt you?"
"As if that has ever stopped you before." Frodo retorted from the kitchen doorway where everyone was stood. Merry wafted Gandalf into the house, and closed the door on the night. Now the party would really begin.
And it did. It went on so well that no one heard the knock on the door. No one heard the door opening and voices asking if anyone was at home. And no one heard the brief cry of pain or the thump of a head hitting a ceiling beam. And so it was that the first anyone in the party knew of the arrival of Legolas, Gimli and Rumil was Gimli sniggering at the silly royal elf that was too proud to duck.
"And this is Rumil," Legolas concluded after the hugs and greetings had concluded. "He was travelling here and it was our good fortune to meet with him just a few moments ago."
Rumil smiled uncertainly, but the party welcomed him all the same. It was Pippin who was observant at that moment. "You have the look of Haldir, from Lothlorien, would you know him at all?"
The Lothlorien elf looked relieved. "He is my brother," He confessed. "And also my reason for being here. I come bearing correspondence from him." He took out a handful of letters and they were distributed to their rightful owners. Merry's was the first in hand, and it read:
First make a copy of this letter and change the answers so they apply to you. Then send it to all the people you know. You may learn some interesting facts about your friends!
"Here we go again." Merry declared, for everyone had the same message. Since he had already begun to read, the party declared him the spokesperson to read it to them all. And so he did.
Name: Haldir
Nicknames: Number 1, messenger now too apparently.
If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? I am happy enough here in Lothlorien, but if the rumours are true then perhaps East Lorien would make a happy home.
What is your favourite place to be? On leave in our fair city of Caras Galadon near to my Lord and Lady.
What is your least favourite place to be? Surrounded by the enemy. The assaults on Mirkwood and Lothlorien itself were most harrowing to me.
What is the last good song you heard? A little homecoming tune by my brother Rumil, it is nice to know at least one of my siblings appreciates his older brother.
What is your favourite colour? The gentle golden glow of the Lothlorien in the summer months.
What is your favourite smell? The niphredil flower on full bloom.
What is your favourite article of clothing? My border-guard tunic. I have worn it long and it reminds me of my responsibilities.
What makes you angry? Trespassers, especially when you have been all night in a tree and wish to rest.
What time do you wake up in the morning? If I awoke whenever I wanted I would be reprimanded for falling asleep on duty. I sleep when I can and wake when I must.
Can you juggle? Admittedly no, but I am a border-guard, not a jester.
What would you hate to be left in a room with? My brothers. Although I love them dearly, they do talk so. And Orcs. And perhaps dwarves.
Is the goblet half empty or half full? I should hope half full, but never on duty.
What is the first thing you think when you wake up? Regretfully I always think where are my weapons - I like to be prepared.
What is your favourite form of exercise? Climbing to my watch talan. And winding up my brothers.
Who do you have a crush on at the moment? There is perhaps a certain maid who I have missed in my absence, but I shall not mention her name.
What have you got in your pocket? My brother Rumil's lucky arrowhead. He doesn't know it yet.
Who is most likely to respond to this letter? Probably the dwarf who's eyes I bound upon his visit, although it will most likely be a letter of complaint; I doubt he will have forgiven me.
Who is least likely to respond to this letter? My brother Orophin. He loudly informed me of all his answers while I wrote this and I would not wish his replies upon anyone.
"That... wretch!" Rumil spluttered. "I wondered where my arrow head had gone." Legolas commiserated him with a hand upon the shoulder and refilled his glass with wine.
"At least you seem a better fellow that your brother," Gimli told Rumil, I remember you now from Lothlorien, you led us a little way I believe."
"I had that pleasure, although at that time we had heard little of your adventures." Rumil agreed, anxious to remain on the dwarf's good side. Legolas tried to put the young elf at ease.
"But now talk of our little escapades have filtered to your fair forest?" He asked.
"Oh indeed." Rumil nodded eagerly. "There was... some talk of a Balrog...?"
At the other end of the table, Merry was rescuing his letter from a puddle of beer. "Well, I think it's high time I filled out these questions." He spoke almost to himself, but his thoughts were briefly interrupted.
"Merry, we're nearly out of wine!"
He jumped from his seat, and ran to the cellar for another few bottles. Letters could wait; he had guests to entertain.
So there's a roaring party going on in Crickhollow. I'm jealous I didn't get an invite now! So Merry is next, especially for Daz, Lily Potter and Clover - sorry it's taken so long! Still, better late than never! Hope he doesn't suffer from hangovers though.