Ok, I couldn't wait to get this chapter up, I' very impatient! LOL Well time for some author notes!

PippinFinn: Thanks for reading sis! But you reviewed me on my account! LOL for anyone reading this, that review was my sister's, I do not review myself!! :)

Shirebound: New reader! Glad you've joined the fiddle party! Thanks a lot!

LoveoftheRing: I'm so glad you like my story! You are the best! I love reading your reviews, I look forward to them! Billy Boyd in M&C plays Berrett Bondon (I can't spell sorry!) and he steers the boat! Yay! 'South! South-east!' LOL might I add, the captian plays the fiddle...;) Ironically, my story has a boat in it this chapter! Hehe!

Aemilia Rose: Thank you so much for reviewing! I got to add in all that Rosie/Sam stuff in because I love it so much! This chapter is full of it, whee!

Hai: I'm also so glad Pippin owns the fiddle now! If we could only hear him play... ;)

Luthien of Imladris: Yay! Another new reader! So happy you're reading and you enjoy my story!

Ok I'm going to shut up soon, really! I'm not sure when chapter 8 will be up, but I'm sorry to keep you hanging if it is for a while!! Alright, here's:

Chapter Seven: The Woes of Fall

~·· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ·· ··· ··÷¦÷·· ··~

It was a lazy day in the late months of summer and the signs of fall was appearing in the leaves of the trees. The weather was still warm, much to everyone's delight, and everyday the sky was an empty blue with the brilliance of the sun upon it. The days were quiet all except for the young children's laughing or the cool breezes that flowed through the long grass.

He was outside on a rickety, old porch bench and he stretched out his legs, his curly-topped feet brushing the infant blossoms that sprung out of the ground. His brown eyes caught glimpse of a yellow butterfly, swerving gently in the air, and his nimble hands cupped around it carefully. Its delicate wings fluttered against his rough hands. He opened his hands and the butterfly lay still on his thumb, flapping its wings softly.

Pippin walked steadily down the path, which was unusual for his animated personality. He held his case in his hands, instead of swinging it beside him. He looked for Bag End up the hill when he saw Bagshot Row come into view: Sam was on the front porch in front of Number Three.

"I was expecting you at Bag End, Sam!" Pippin said and when he came to the front porch, he set his fiddle-case down on the grass.

"As much as I love being there, Mr. Pippin, I can't be working there everyday," Samwise said and his hands were still while the butterfly fluttered slowly there.

Pippin sat next to him and grinned widely, "Guess who owns the Hildigrim fiddle now??" Pippin asked as he bounced happily on the bench.

Sam looked down at the fiddle and back at Pippin and smiled, "Congratulations, Peregrin! You own the fiddle now? Well, let's 'ear a song for the occasion!" Sam said and the butterfly fluttered off his hand and flew around the garden the Gaffer and Sam tended lovingly.

Pippin cautiously opened the case and Sam moved off the old bench down to the grass on the ground. Now that it was his, he wanted his father to know he was still responsible and he didn't want anything to happen to it. He tuned it slightly, deciding to play the Cherry Bark song. While he played he thought of his sisters and the sweet tune of their singing lyrics filled his mind. Sam sat in silent awe as he watched his finger and bow-work on the thin strings. The light-hearted song was heard around Bagshot Row and hobbits could even faintly hear it by the Water.

Rosie was coming up the hill with a basket in her hand when she heard the sweet tune come from the tiny fiddle. She followed the song down the path to Bagshot Row. She leaned quietly on the small, wooden gate in front Number Three by one of the pink-blossoming trees as she listened to the enchanting song. She had only heard fiddles play at parties and such but never had she heard a solo song play so splendidly. It overwhelmed her when she saw it was coming from young Peregrin Took, who seemed too energetic to spend his time patiently practicing his songs until they were perfect.

Sam clapped loudly when the song ended; any sorts of music made his heart feel full and emotional. Rosie clapped as well at the end of the song and Pippin eyes smiled when he saw her outside of Sam's gate, "Hullo, Rosie!" He called and she picked up the hem of her dress and walked into the Gamgee's porch. Sam looked over at the sound of her name and immediately became shy and nervous.

"My, Pippin! That was one of the loveliest things I have ever heard," Young Rosie gasped and she set her basket by her feet, "I was coming back down to Bywater Pool with lunch for me brothers and I, when I heard you play. Oh! That song was so pure and gay! Will you play another? I mean, if you have anymore..." She asked eagerly and she took a seat on the ground next to Sam. Pippin kept himself from laughing when he saw Sam's fidgety face turned red with Rosie sitting next to him.

"Of course, Rose. I have plenty," Pippin said and Sam thought he saw a mischievous twinkle in his eye. He started the song and Sam felt himself shrink when he realized what Pippin was playing. It was the same pleasant tune he named after Rosie many months ago. Rosie watched his fiddle while Pippin played, her eyes brimmed with sparking tears for the sweet and almost sorrowful song. Sam listened as well but his mind was far off with thoughts of Rosie every time her shoulder or bouncing curls brushed his arm.

Pippin finished and set his bow down, his confidence with playing in front of groups was getting better and better. Rosie wiped her eyes quickly and she smiled sweetly. "That had to be the loveliest song that ever blessed my ears! It was beautiful---did you name it?" She said and clasped her hands together. Her eyes were bright and she had forgotten all about Bywater Pool and her brothers.

Pippin looked over at Sam, who still sat silent and shy, and said, "Its name be: 'Lo! Doth Thou See the Wild Rose Bloom'n?'," Pippin said and before the opportunity slipped he smiled and said, "Sam named it---after you."

Sam's wide eyes seemed to be looking for an escape but Rosie grasped his hand, "You named a song after me, Sam Gamgee?" She asked and looked deeply at his face. Her eyes started to water again and she was afraid she would start crying.

Sam's cheeks were still pink and he gathered the courage to say anything to her, "Aye, Ms. Cotton. I s-s'pose it reminded me of, of you," He stuttered and his voice faltered.

She laughed a good-hearted laugh as a tear rolled down her fair face. She leaned in and kissed his burning cheek and Sam's breath shuddered. Pippin put his fiddle away, not wanting to seem like he was watching. And being embarrassed for the first time that visit, Rosie quickly gathered her basket and skipped off the porch. "I'll have to listen to more songs another time. Farewell, Sam, Peregrin." She called blushing and she walked down towards the pool.

Pippin burst out and giggled at Sam, "Now she what happens when you talk to her?" He commented and he laughed.

Sam smiled nervously and stammered, trying to sound aggravated, "Now, Mr. Pippin, go be a gentle-hobbit and-and walk her down to the pool!!" He commanded and Pippin immediately skipped down the path to Rosie's side, offering to hold her basket. Sam touched his cheek with the hand that she held and watched them walk away.

Pippin walked back to Bagshot Row after leaving Rosie and her brothers by the shimmering water, and came towards Number Three. He quietly stepped towards the Gamgee's house when he heard Sam's humming the song to himself, the delicate yellow butterfly sitting on his hand again.

I·· ··÷¦÷·· ··I

Fall came and the trees were full of vibrant colors of reds and oranges. The weather became brisk and the cold breezes snapped at the hobbit's faces. Many were preparing for winter in the upcoming months and the leaves fell from the trees. Many of the hobbit-holes were warm from the cracking hearths and hobbits without fireplaces managed misfortunately.

Pippin made less visits to Bag End and stayed inside the Took smial with his fiddle when the days got too cold. His mama kept him cooped up inside, scared he was going to catch the cold or a runny nose. So Pippin lazily stayed inside, arguing about how it was only early fall and he wouldn't catch any colds.

October came and Pippin lay on his bed, tossing a ball of twine in the air when he heard tapping on his window. He turned and saw Merry's smiling face peeking through the curtains behind the window. Pippin opened his window and a rush of cold, fresh air blew on his face.

"Merry! Oh, how happy I am to see you!" Pippin said and Merry crouched down.

"What are you doing inside? Get a coat on! I have something I want to try out before the lakes and rivers freeze over!" Merry said excitedly and Pippin hurriedly grabbed a thick coat and climbed out his window.

Merry pulled him out and they ran away from the sight of Pippin's home. Then they stopped a few yards down, Pippin looked down at Merry's hands, "Merry! Where did you get that?!" Pippin asked excitedly.

Merry grinned and held up a wooden boat with a sail. It was crafted like one they had seen in pictures with a gleaming white sail on top. "My Pa bought it from a man down in Crickhollow. Isn't it a marvel?" Merry asked and they ran down to the Water to try it out.

For many days, Pippin went out for a few hours with Merry to play with the wooden boat. They'd watch it bob down the Water and then run down the freezing waters to catch it before it was washed down any further. Some days they would try to see if they could make it go any faster than it could, and even one day, they raced with some other hobbit children with their boats.

Pippin fiddled one morning practicing the Song of Seasons medley when an impatient knocking was heard coming from his window. Pippin looked over and saw Merry's flushed face from running and he set the boat in front of the window. Merry pointed excitedly at it and Pippin came over and opened the window.

"Pip, look! My Da helped me paint it last night and he added new sails and everything!" Merry said overjoyed. Pippin gasped and impatient to get outside, he put the fiddle in the case. He closed the sides and lifted the handle, his mind thinking of the magnificent boat swimming down the stream, when he heard a horrible crash. His case seemed lighter and he looked down, dreading the worse. Please, please, don't let it be my fiddle, Pippin begged silently, and on the floor was his fiddle facedown. He had forgotten to button the case shut.

He set the case down and turned his fiddle over, praying that it was still in good shape. His hands trembled as he turned it over. His beautiful fiddle strings were loose and the highest string had snapped. On the floor was the wooden bridge that supported the strings, and it was split in two. Pippin stared at his mangled fiddle in his hands, his breath shaking and tears streaming down his face.

Merry climbed in and came to his dear cousin, setting the forgotten boat aside. He held Pippin's side, "It's all right, Pippin. You can cry," Merry whispered calmly and Pippin set his dead fiddle down on the floor. He shook once more and letting it all out, he wept loudly on Merry's supporting shoulder. The fiddle is smashed, Pippin thought, I never deserved such a thing.