Hey guys! I have 7 reviews! YAY!!! I consider that great! Even if 3 are
from my best friend! I have 7 reviews! Yipppie!!! Anywho, um. I can't
really think of anything important to say. This chapter follows the same
format as the last one. Um. guess that's it. Here's the next friggin
chapter!
Disclaimer: How many times do I have to tell you!? I don't own LOTR! Get it through your stinkin' head so I can stop doin' this! Gezze! Oh and I don't own Clay Aiken, (though I wish otherwise), and his song Perfect Day which you shall see yet again.
Chapter 4: Perfect Day (Part II)
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Darla pulled away first. She felt like some sort of rebel out here with Merry. It was fantastic! She smiled impishly and ran off into the foliage.
"Where do you think you're going?" Merry asked chasing after her.
"Anywhere, I feel like flying to the moon!" she yelled spinning around in circles and then falling in a heap on the ground.
"I see you're having a good time," Merry remarked coming to sit down next to her.
"Oh no, my little Merr-Bear, you are wrong completely," Merry looked at her dumbstruck, "I'm having the best time of my life!" she screamed and fell onto her back in a fit of giggles.
"Well, if you want to have an even better time I'd advise you to get up off the ground and follow me," Merry said getting up. Darla sat up and looked up at the hobbit in front of her.
"What else could you possibly have up your sleeve, Mr. Brandybuck?" she asked smiling.
"You'll see," he answered helping her up, "Just follow me."
Merry walked off into the brush and Darla followed looking wearily around her. She'd never been here before. Of course she hadn't been a lot of places. She had only been out of hobbiton once, and that was before her mother became ill.
"What is this place?" she asked stepping over a fallen log.
"It's a little island I found when I was a lad," he said moving low hanging branches aside so Darla could pass, "Me and Pip found it one day when we were rowing around the lake. We came here almost every chance we got after that." He paused, "Then we grew up."
"I never really had a childhood," Darla said nonchalantly, "I've always had to help around the house and such. Even when mother was well, she still wasn't very, able." Merry looked back at her expecting to see tears. Her eyes were dry and she smiled at him. "Even though mother is sick, she doesn't want me rotting away in that house like my father. She has told me time and time again that I really should get out more, that I need to find me a young man who will whisk me away on an adventure."
"Is that right?" Merry asked shocked.
"Yep! It's my father that keeps me around. And my weak-mindedness, I never could stand up to father. I've run away many a night, but every time I come back and finish the dishes in silence."
"I believe your father is afraid to let go of his little girl," Merry said the leaves crunching under his feet.
"I doubt, he's just too lazy to take care of mother his self," she replied spitefully, "It's always been hard for him to deal with her illness. He can hardly stand to look at her. Even after all these years. That's why he needs me around, all he wants is his little caretaker daughter and plenty of pipe weed."
"You know that's not true," Merry consoled.
"No I don't, he's never really shown me that he loves me, he just always grunts and bellows about the house."
"I sure that somewhere down in there, your father loves you, I'm certain," he smiled at her. Darla just sighed in response.
"Darla-Darlin'," Merry said offering his hand, " It's time for an adventure." Darla looked at his hand and after much deliberation grabbed it.
"Lead on, captain!" she beamed.
--------------------------------
Merry led Darla into a small clearing. A small stream was flowing in the corner and birds were twittering happily. He looked at her face as they stepped out of the shadowed forest. When the sun hit her face she lit up. It was as if someone had flipped a switch and changed this old maid into a ravishing princess. Merry smiled. It was fantastic.
"Merry, this place is even more magical than the lake," she gushed running over to the stream. She dipped her toes into the cool water.
"I know. That's what kept me and Pippin coming back, the magic in this place," he said walking around the edge of the clearing. His hand grazed each tree as if looking for something.
"I feel like I could stay here forever," she said lifting her hands above her head.
"I often dreamt of running away and living here forever, and I almost did once, but you know little boys. I never did and I soon grew out of this place," Merry's voice had a sad forlorn note in it.
"Merry," Darla said concerned, her arms dropping, "What's wrong?"
"I've never wanted to come back to this place until yesterday, until I met you," he looked at her, his hand still grazing the bark of one of the trees. Darla didn't respond. "When I saw you, I don't know why but I felt this strange surge of happiness. I haven't felt that since before I went off with Frodo. I've never been this hopeful. I want to show you what a real adventure is."
"Merry, what are you saying?" Darla asked a little intimidated.
"We, being Sam, Frodo, Pip and I, are all going to the gray harbor to see Bilbo off and I want you to come with me. I want you to see real magic, and I want to show you the elves."
"The gray harbor? Elves? Merry, I don't understand. What is so special about me?"
"Everything! You've never had a real childhood, you've never left the Shire, and you've never seen the sunset on the ocean! I want to show you these things and more! I want you to see real magic, not just this crazy stuff in hobbiton."
"Merry," she began, "My father would never- Real magic? - You're talking fools talk- Father would kill-"
"Darla, you have never left your parents house for more than a day, I am asking you to go on a trip that may take weeks even months. I'm asking you to do the one thing your father dreads," he paused, " Travel." Merry looked at the hobbit in front of him. She was yards away, but she seemed to be miles away. He could only guess what was going on in her head. He only knew one thing. He wanted a yes.
"Merry," she said striding over to him.
"Yes!?" he responded his voice wavering nervously.
"You have your self a traveling partner," she said extending her hand. Merry couldn't control himself. He grabbed her into a mighty hug.
"This is great!" he beamed. He felt her pat his back.
"Yes, but what do we tell my father?" she asked.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
DB: Don't worry this ain't the end of the chapter I just wanna do sumthin cool right now.
Pippin: And what would that be?
DB: I'm gonna do a commercial!
Pippin: Are you high?
DB: Just a lil bit, but don't worry! I just need to let this out!
Pippin: *winces* Everybody watch out she's gonna blow!
DB: No, I'm just going let all this out!
Pippin: Well get on with it, a lot of people would rather read your story than this crap.
DB: Fine Mr. Smarty Hobbit Pants. *takes deep breath* I LOVE CLAY AIKEN AND MONKEYS ARE HOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BUY HIS CD RIGHT NOW!!!!!! CLAY'S NOT THE MONKEY'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pippin: That's it?
DB: Yup!
Pippin: *shakes head in disgust* You make me sick.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
They were back in the boat and Merry was rowing them back to the shore of the lake. Darla couldn't believe what she had gotten herself into. She was going off to some harbor with a few hobbits she had just met yesterday. This wasn't the Darla she knew so well. Even though, she couldn't help but smile. She noticed neither could Merry.
"Aren't a happy couple of hobbits," Merry remarked looking off towards the sun, which was just starting to head towards the horizon.
"Yes, but we still have to figure out what to tell my father," she said seriously, "I don't know how you even got him to let me come here. All today. It's amazing!"
"It's my Brandybuck charm, and my dashing good looks, darlin" he smiled.
"I don't believe your good looks have anything to do with what my father will or will not say."
"Are you saying I'm handsome?" he asked
"Well- No- I- Oh, dammit!" she stuttered.
"So you admit it, you are smitten by my radiance and beauty," he teased.
"Oh, so much that I can hardly keep my hands off of you," she sarcastically remarked.
"I get that a lot."
"I bet you do," she muttered her mind flashing for a moment to Frodo.
"What was that?" he asked smiling.
"I said I bet you do and I guess I better watch out or else you'll be askin some other prettier girl to go with you to the gray harbor," she mock frowned.
"I wouldn't ask for any other gal to go with me on this trip than you Darla," he replied seriously. She heard the reality in his voice.
"Really?" she asked.
"Really."
She smiled and looked off at the glossy lake surface.
The wind whipped at her hair and it billowed around her causing her vision to be blurred. She tried to pull her hair out of her face but it would not stay in her hands. She got lost in a mess of hair for a moment. Suddenly a large wave rocked the boat and Darla was thrown out. The cold water hit her skin like nails. She was under the water in a second. That's when she realized; she didn't know how to swim.
----------------------------------
"DARLA!" Merry yelled combing the water with his eyes. The sun was reflecting off the water and not allowing him to see under the water. "DARLA!" he yelled again. There was a commotion of bubbles to his right. He dove in after it.
Under the water was an eerie silence. Merry opened his eyes to see Darla her hair still in her face just hanging there. He grabbed her and pulled her up above the surface. Somehow he heaved her into the boat and got in after her. It seemed that the eerie silence of the water had followed them to the surface. Not a sound was heard. Nothing moved. Merry looked at Darla. Her pale face made no sign of life. He began to panic.
"Darla, wake up! Please!" he said patting her face and feeling the cold of her skin.
"Darla-darlin' it's Merr-Bear! Please wake up!" He grabbed her face and opened her mouth putting his ear to it and listening for her breath. No sound was made.
"Please forgive me!" he begged and performed the kiss of life on her. It didn't work. He tried again. Still nothing. Once more.
Darla coughed and sputtered to life. She retched up the vile water that had filled her lungs. Merry looked at her expecting to get told about how terrible it was. She smiled.
"That was amazing!" she weakly croaked, she was feeling a little sick from the experience. Merry blinked in surprise.
"You could have died!" he said shocked.
"I know! Isn't that fantastic?"
*&*&*&*&*&*
There's a look in her eyes, that makes me feel alright, lights the perfect sky, that I couldn't see before, and she helped me to find, now that I've seen her shine, I know I'll never be alone, cause now I know that I, have love I can't deny, won't let it go, You could tell me tonight, that maybe the world would end, that the sun wouldn't rise, and it was gonna rain again. Just as long as she's in my arms, it's gonna be a perfect day! It's gonna be a perfect day! I think I lost you in another life, a part of me that I left behind, I won't go one with out you. And now I know that I have put the past behind. Won't let it go, You could tell me tonight, that maybe the world would end, that the sun wouldn't rise, and it was gonna rain again, just as long as she's in my arms, it's gonna be a perfect day! -Perfect Day- Clay Aiken
*&*&*&*&*&*
Merry smiled, "So, has today been as perfect as you said it was?"
"It's been beyond perfect. I'm sopping wet in a boat on the middle of a lake and I'm going traveling! I can't imagine anything better!" she beamed ringing her hair out over the side of the boat. Merry went back to rowing.
"I really think I should learn to swim," Darla remarked after ringing her hair out.
"It couldn't hurt," Merry answered.
"If I'm going to go traveling, I should expect anything, so I think I should like to learn to swim."
"I could teach you," Merry offered.
"I don't know if I could find the time, though, there's so many things to do around the house during the day, father is probably lost without me right now."
"What about at daybreak?" he asked.
"Daybreak?"
"Yes, just as the sun is about to rise you could slip out here to the lake, and I will teach you how to swim, just how my father taught me," Merry answered.
"Father would be furious," Darla muttered, "Let's do it!" Merry watched her eyes catch a gleam of mischievousness. She was ready to do anything. He was ready to help.
-------------------------------------
Darla didn't want the day to end. It had been wonderful. Merry had taken her back home and they were standing at her front door. It was time for her to begin dinner.
"I don't want to go," she said looking at the door.
"I don't want you to go, but part we must," Merry said. Darla looked at his still soaking hat. She picked it up off his head.
"You're so wet, do you want to come in and dry off, I'm sure father wouldn't mind, just to dry or even stay for supper?" she asked.
"I really shouldn't," he said looking at the ground.
"You shouldn't, but do you want to?" she looked up at him her eyes shining.
"Yes." He whispered getting lost in her violet eyes.
"Then come in, I won't mind cooking for one more," she whispered.
"I-I- can't, I- must really be off."
"Oh," she answered even more softly looking at the ground, "Well, that's okay. See you tomorrow then? Daybreak?"
"Yes, daybreak."
"Alright," she placed his hat on her head and walked into the house closing the door behind her. She leaned against the door and sighed. "Parting is such sweet sorrow," she murmured and went to change into some dry clothes.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ya know what? Right now at this moment I have just realized that I love this story. This is my favorite story that I have written. I hope ya'll like it too! Thank you 7 reviewers, even though 3 of them are from panda, and 2 are from Megs. Thank you! And ya know what else. I haven't eaten anything today. It's almost noon, I need to go eat something. Review ya'll! Laterz!-DB:D
Disclaimer: How many times do I have to tell you!? I don't own LOTR! Get it through your stinkin' head so I can stop doin' this! Gezze! Oh and I don't own Clay Aiken, (though I wish otherwise), and his song Perfect Day which you shall see yet again.
Chapter 4: Perfect Day (Part II)
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Darla pulled away first. She felt like some sort of rebel out here with Merry. It was fantastic! She smiled impishly and ran off into the foliage.
"Where do you think you're going?" Merry asked chasing after her.
"Anywhere, I feel like flying to the moon!" she yelled spinning around in circles and then falling in a heap on the ground.
"I see you're having a good time," Merry remarked coming to sit down next to her.
"Oh no, my little Merr-Bear, you are wrong completely," Merry looked at her dumbstruck, "I'm having the best time of my life!" she screamed and fell onto her back in a fit of giggles.
"Well, if you want to have an even better time I'd advise you to get up off the ground and follow me," Merry said getting up. Darla sat up and looked up at the hobbit in front of her.
"What else could you possibly have up your sleeve, Mr. Brandybuck?" she asked smiling.
"You'll see," he answered helping her up, "Just follow me."
Merry walked off into the brush and Darla followed looking wearily around her. She'd never been here before. Of course she hadn't been a lot of places. She had only been out of hobbiton once, and that was before her mother became ill.
"What is this place?" she asked stepping over a fallen log.
"It's a little island I found when I was a lad," he said moving low hanging branches aside so Darla could pass, "Me and Pip found it one day when we were rowing around the lake. We came here almost every chance we got after that." He paused, "Then we grew up."
"I never really had a childhood," Darla said nonchalantly, "I've always had to help around the house and such. Even when mother was well, she still wasn't very, able." Merry looked back at her expecting to see tears. Her eyes were dry and she smiled at him. "Even though mother is sick, she doesn't want me rotting away in that house like my father. She has told me time and time again that I really should get out more, that I need to find me a young man who will whisk me away on an adventure."
"Is that right?" Merry asked shocked.
"Yep! It's my father that keeps me around. And my weak-mindedness, I never could stand up to father. I've run away many a night, but every time I come back and finish the dishes in silence."
"I believe your father is afraid to let go of his little girl," Merry said the leaves crunching under his feet.
"I doubt, he's just too lazy to take care of mother his self," she replied spitefully, "It's always been hard for him to deal with her illness. He can hardly stand to look at her. Even after all these years. That's why he needs me around, all he wants is his little caretaker daughter and plenty of pipe weed."
"You know that's not true," Merry consoled.
"No I don't, he's never really shown me that he loves me, he just always grunts and bellows about the house."
"I sure that somewhere down in there, your father loves you, I'm certain," he smiled at her. Darla just sighed in response.
"Darla-Darlin'," Merry said offering his hand, " It's time for an adventure." Darla looked at his hand and after much deliberation grabbed it.
"Lead on, captain!" she beamed.
--------------------------------
Merry led Darla into a small clearing. A small stream was flowing in the corner and birds were twittering happily. He looked at her face as they stepped out of the shadowed forest. When the sun hit her face she lit up. It was as if someone had flipped a switch and changed this old maid into a ravishing princess. Merry smiled. It was fantastic.
"Merry, this place is even more magical than the lake," she gushed running over to the stream. She dipped her toes into the cool water.
"I know. That's what kept me and Pippin coming back, the magic in this place," he said walking around the edge of the clearing. His hand grazed each tree as if looking for something.
"I feel like I could stay here forever," she said lifting her hands above her head.
"I often dreamt of running away and living here forever, and I almost did once, but you know little boys. I never did and I soon grew out of this place," Merry's voice had a sad forlorn note in it.
"Merry," Darla said concerned, her arms dropping, "What's wrong?"
"I've never wanted to come back to this place until yesterday, until I met you," he looked at her, his hand still grazing the bark of one of the trees. Darla didn't respond. "When I saw you, I don't know why but I felt this strange surge of happiness. I haven't felt that since before I went off with Frodo. I've never been this hopeful. I want to show you what a real adventure is."
"Merry, what are you saying?" Darla asked a little intimidated.
"We, being Sam, Frodo, Pip and I, are all going to the gray harbor to see Bilbo off and I want you to come with me. I want you to see real magic, and I want to show you the elves."
"The gray harbor? Elves? Merry, I don't understand. What is so special about me?"
"Everything! You've never had a real childhood, you've never left the Shire, and you've never seen the sunset on the ocean! I want to show you these things and more! I want you to see real magic, not just this crazy stuff in hobbiton."
"Merry," she began, "My father would never- Real magic? - You're talking fools talk- Father would kill-"
"Darla, you have never left your parents house for more than a day, I am asking you to go on a trip that may take weeks even months. I'm asking you to do the one thing your father dreads," he paused, " Travel." Merry looked at the hobbit in front of him. She was yards away, but she seemed to be miles away. He could only guess what was going on in her head. He only knew one thing. He wanted a yes.
"Merry," she said striding over to him.
"Yes!?" he responded his voice wavering nervously.
"You have your self a traveling partner," she said extending her hand. Merry couldn't control himself. He grabbed her into a mighty hug.
"This is great!" he beamed. He felt her pat his back.
"Yes, but what do we tell my father?" she asked.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
DB: Don't worry this ain't the end of the chapter I just wanna do sumthin cool right now.
Pippin: And what would that be?
DB: I'm gonna do a commercial!
Pippin: Are you high?
DB: Just a lil bit, but don't worry! I just need to let this out!
Pippin: *winces* Everybody watch out she's gonna blow!
DB: No, I'm just going let all this out!
Pippin: Well get on with it, a lot of people would rather read your story than this crap.
DB: Fine Mr. Smarty Hobbit Pants. *takes deep breath* I LOVE CLAY AIKEN AND MONKEYS ARE HOTT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO BUY HIS CD RIGHT NOW!!!!!! CLAY'S NOT THE MONKEY'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pippin: That's it?
DB: Yup!
Pippin: *shakes head in disgust* You make me sick.
*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
They were back in the boat and Merry was rowing them back to the shore of the lake. Darla couldn't believe what she had gotten herself into. She was going off to some harbor with a few hobbits she had just met yesterday. This wasn't the Darla she knew so well. Even though, she couldn't help but smile. She noticed neither could Merry.
"Aren't a happy couple of hobbits," Merry remarked looking off towards the sun, which was just starting to head towards the horizon.
"Yes, but we still have to figure out what to tell my father," she said seriously, "I don't know how you even got him to let me come here. All today. It's amazing!"
"It's my Brandybuck charm, and my dashing good looks, darlin" he smiled.
"I don't believe your good looks have anything to do with what my father will or will not say."
"Are you saying I'm handsome?" he asked
"Well- No- I- Oh, dammit!" she stuttered.
"So you admit it, you are smitten by my radiance and beauty," he teased.
"Oh, so much that I can hardly keep my hands off of you," she sarcastically remarked.
"I get that a lot."
"I bet you do," she muttered her mind flashing for a moment to Frodo.
"What was that?" he asked smiling.
"I said I bet you do and I guess I better watch out or else you'll be askin some other prettier girl to go with you to the gray harbor," she mock frowned.
"I wouldn't ask for any other gal to go with me on this trip than you Darla," he replied seriously. She heard the reality in his voice.
"Really?" she asked.
"Really."
She smiled and looked off at the glossy lake surface.
The wind whipped at her hair and it billowed around her causing her vision to be blurred. She tried to pull her hair out of her face but it would not stay in her hands. She got lost in a mess of hair for a moment. Suddenly a large wave rocked the boat and Darla was thrown out. The cold water hit her skin like nails. She was under the water in a second. That's when she realized; she didn't know how to swim.
----------------------------------
"DARLA!" Merry yelled combing the water with his eyes. The sun was reflecting off the water and not allowing him to see under the water. "DARLA!" he yelled again. There was a commotion of bubbles to his right. He dove in after it.
Under the water was an eerie silence. Merry opened his eyes to see Darla her hair still in her face just hanging there. He grabbed her and pulled her up above the surface. Somehow he heaved her into the boat and got in after her. It seemed that the eerie silence of the water had followed them to the surface. Not a sound was heard. Nothing moved. Merry looked at Darla. Her pale face made no sign of life. He began to panic.
"Darla, wake up! Please!" he said patting her face and feeling the cold of her skin.
"Darla-darlin' it's Merr-Bear! Please wake up!" He grabbed her face and opened her mouth putting his ear to it and listening for her breath. No sound was made.
"Please forgive me!" he begged and performed the kiss of life on her. It didn't work. He tried again. Still nothing. Once more.
Darla coughed and sputtered to life. She retched up the vile water that had filled her lungs. Merry looked at her expecting to get told about how terrible it was. She smiled.
"That was amazing!" she weakly croaked, she was feeling a little sick from the experience. Merry blinked in surprise.
"You could have died!" he said shocked.
"I know! Isn't that fantastic?"
*&*&*&*&*&*
There's a look in her eyes, that makes me feel alright, lights the perfect sky, that I couldn't see before, and she helped me to find, now that I've seen her shine, I know I'll never be alone, cause now I know that I, have love I can't deny, won't let it go, You could tell me tonight, that maybe the world would end, that the sun wouldn't rise, and it was gonna rain again. Just as long as she's in my arms, it's gonna be a perfect day! It's gonna be a perfect day! I think I lost you in another life, a part of me that I left behind, I won't go one with out you. And now I know that I have put the past behind. Won't let it go, You could tell me tonight, that maybe the world would end, that the sun wouldn't rise, and it was gonna rain again, just as long as she's in my arms, it's gonna be a perfect day! -Perfect Day- Clay Aiken
*&*&*&*&*&*
Merry smiled, "So, has today been as perfect as you said it was?"
"It's been beyond perfect. I'm sopping wet in a boat on the middle of a lake and I'm going traveling! I can't imagine anything better!" she beamed ringing her hair out over the side of the boat. Merry went back to rowing.
"I really think I should learn to swim," Darla remarked after ringing her hair out.
"It couldn't hurt," Merry answered.
"If I'm going to go traveling, I should expect anything, so I think I should like to learn to swim."
"I could teach you," Merry offered.
"I don't know if I could find the time, though, there's so many things to do around the house during the day, father is probably lost without me right now."
"What about at daybreak?" he asked.
"Daybreak?"
"Yes, just as the sun is about to rise you could slip out here to the lake, and I will teach you how to swim, just how my father taught me," Merry answered.
"Father would be furious," Darla muttered, "Let's do it!" Merry watched her eyes catch a gleam of mischievousness. She was ready to do anything. He was ready to help.
-------------------------------------
Darla didn't want the day to end. It had been wonderful. Merry had taken her back home and they were standing at her front door. It was time for her to begin dinner.
"I don't want to go," she said looking at the door.
"I don't want you to go, but part we must," Merry said. Darla looked at his still soaking hat. She picked it up off his head.
"You're so wet, do you want to come in and dry off, I'm sure father wouldn't mind, just to dry or even stay for supper?" she asked.
"I really shouldn't," he said looking at the ground.
"You shouldn't, but do you want to?" she looked up at him her eyes shining.
"Yes." He whispered getting lost in her violet eyes.
"Then come in, I won't mind cooking for one more," she whispered.
"I-I- can't, I- must really be off."
"Oh," she answered even more softly looking at the ground, "Well, that's okay. See you tomorrow then? Daybreak?"
"Yes, daybreak."
"Alright," she placed his hat on her head and walked into the house closing the door behind her. She leaned against the door and sighed. "Parting is such sweet sorrow," she murmured and went to change into some dry clothes.
^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
Ya know what? Right now at this moment I have just realized that I love this story. This is my favorite story that I have written. I hope ya'll like it too! Thank you 7 reviewers, even though 3 of them are from panda, and 2 are from Megs. Thank you! And ya know what else. I haven't eaten anything today. It's almost noon, I need to go eat something. Review ya'll! Laterz!-DB:D