DISCLAIMER: Lord of the Rings isn't mine. Really, it isn't. Would I lie?
It was a lovely spring day in Hobbiton, and love was in the air. And, apparently, so were bluebirds.
" Oh, look at the bluebird, Merry," Estella said happily as the two of them sat beneath the shade of a huge oak tree.
" Where?" Merry asked, tearing his gaze away from his beloved.
" There, up that tree on the low branch," Estella replied as she pointed to the branch the bird was perched on. Merry stared and squinted.
" I still don't see it," he said.
" It's right there in front of you!" Estella exclaimed.
" Oh, there I see it!" Merry lied, for he still could not see it, but didn't want her knowing. She smiled happily and took a bite of apple.
" Mmm, this is delicious!" she gushed as the sweet taste of apple permeated her mouth. Merry smiled, a thing he had been doing often.
" Yes, they are," he commented as he took a bite of his own. Half way through chewing, his face blanched and contorted in disgust.
" Phoo!" he cried as he spit the piece of apple out.
" Oh, Merry, what happened?" Estella asked, her voice full of concern.
" It didn't taste very good is all," he said between great droughts of cider.
" Ahh," he sighed in contentment.
" Here, have another," Estella offered as she held out another apple.
" Oh, no, it's alright, I am full anyway," Merry politely refused. Estella shrugged and put the apple down.
" There goes the bluebird!" Estella exclaimed happily as the creature took flight.
" Where?" Merry asked as he looked up at the sky.
" It is going to fly right over us!" Estella said with a giggle as she looked up. Merry tipped his head back to view the flight of the bluebird. It soared gracefully above himsplat! Merry squeezed his eyes shut to keep the bird poop from running into them, for the bird had decided to relieve itself in mid flight right above his head.
" Eww!" Estella screeched.
" A little help, please!" Merry said desperately, for the doo was beginning to run down his face. Estella grabbed a cloth napkin and dropped it on his head. Merry frantically wiped the offensive, er, stuff, off his face.
" Why don't you go wash off in the stream," Estella suggested, thoroughly disgusted by the whole ordeal.
" That's a good idea," Merry muttered as he stood and began walking towards the said stream. Dipping his hands into the water, he splashed the cold liquid over his face numerous times. Once he was satisfied that his face was clean enough, he made his way back to where Estella was beginning to pack up the picnic.
" Merry, my mother told me she would need my help with supper because my family is coming to visit this evening, so would you mind if we called the picnic short?" she asked.
" Oh, sure!" Merry enthusiastically agreed, although he was feeling anything but.
" Great! Why don't you come by and meet them all?" she suggested to make him feel better. Merry brightened.
" That would be wonderful!" he exclaimed as he began to carry the basket. Estella hesitantly kissed his cheek.
" Thanks for understanding!" she said as she sauntered off towards her hobbit hole. Merry watched her go.
" Nature, why do you plaque me so?!" he yelled with his fist held clenched above his head once he was sure she was out of hearing range.
Over on the other side of Hobbiton, Pippin was walking with Diamond.
" What was that?" she asked upon hearing a faint yell off in the distance.
" Who knows, maybe someone dropped a shovel on there foot," Pippin suggested as the two walked hand in hand.
" Ha ha, probably father! He is always dropping something on his foot," Diamond laughed. Pippin joined her.
" Oh, I hope not!" he chuckled.
" Come on, let's walk through the woods," Diamond suggested as she veered off the road and into the small forest.
" Uh, that may not be such a good idea," Pippin said hesitantly.
" Why not?" Diamond asked curiously.
" Well, you might trip and fall," Pippin said lamely.
" Oh, come on, Pippin, o brave hobbit!" she laughed as she tugged on his arm.
" I don't know" he trailed off as he looked into the forest. It was just any forest, it was the Old Forest, a place he didn't fancy going into.
" If anything happens, I'll have you to protect me, so come on!" Diamond begged.
" But who will protect me?" Pippin muttered to himself. The trees closed in above them, dense and foreboding. The walked for a long while, and it was hard to keep track of time for the trees hid the sun. The roots of the trees began poking out of the ground.
" Be careful, Diamond, you may trip," he whispered as he gripped her elbow.
" Don't worry, Pippin," she muttered.
" Well, I'm just - " his sentence was cut off as he tripped on a root and fell flat on his face.
" Oh, Pippin, are you okay?" Diamond asked frantically.
" Yes, I am fine," he said as he popped off the ground.
" I'm tired, do you think we can rest then head back?" Diamond asked.
" You rest and I'll stand and watch," Pippin said. Diamond sat on the large root of a willow tree and soon fell asleep. Pippin struggled to keep his eyes open. Diamond slid off the willow root and curled up on the ground. Pippin lay where she had been. Suddenly, he felt himself sinking.
Diamond woke with a start. It was beginning to rain. She looked about frantically for Pippin.
" Pippin, where are you?" she cried, slightly panicked. Then she turned and drew her breath in sharply. Pippin's feet were sticking out of a tree!
" Oh, Pippin!" she screamed as she stared at the ghastly sight. Diamond ran to his feet and began tugging on them. She could not loose them. Consumed by despair, she began sobbing uncontrollably.
" Hey, what's this? A pretty young hobbit maid, all alone?" a man's voice asked from nearby. Diamond jumped.
" Who are you?" she asked as she took in the large man's floppy hat, a blue feather tucked in the crown. His fat red face was jolly and kind, with bright blue eyes and a long beard that came down the front of his blue coat. He had thick legs that tapered down to big yellow boots.
" I am Tom Bombadil. Who are you?" he asked curiously.
" Diamond," she answered, taken aback at the sight of this strange man.
" Are you in trouble, Miss Diamond?" he asked, a bright twinkle in his eye.
" Oh, yes! This tree is eating my friend!" she cried.
" Oh, have no worries, it's only Old Man Willow! Hold on a bit, and I'll have the lad loose," Tom said confidently as he strode up to the tree. Putting his mouth the crack Pippin was trapped in, he began to sing. After a moment, he leapt up, grabbed a branch, and began striking the tree.
" Old Man Willow, what are you doing? Go to sleep, eat dirt and grow deep! Bombadil is talking!" he yelled as he continued to strike the tree. Pippin's feet waved about frantically. Suddenly, he was thrown out of the tree like a juggernaut!
" Oh, Pippin!" Diamond cried as she ran to his side.
" I'm alright," he said reassuringly.
" What are two hobbits doing out here?" Tom asked.
" We were walking. Hey, who are you?" Pippin asked curiously.
" This is Tom Bombadil, Pippin! He saved your life!" Diamond exclaimed.
" I am Peregrin Took," Pippin said as he stuck out his hand for a shake.
" Glad to stumble upon you!" Tom said happily, his ruddy cheeks glowing.
" Pippin, we had better go, it is getting dark," Diamond said as she took Pippin's hand.
" I tell you what, why don't you come to my home? My Goldberry would be very pleased to meet you, and you could have dinner and I will take you home tomorrow," Tom suggested. Diamond looked at Pippin.
" That would be a pleasure, Mister Bombadil,' Pippin said, brightening at the prospect of food.
" Then let us be off!" Tom exclaimed as he began leading the two to his home and Goldberry, singing all the way.
Yes, I finally updated! Knew you were all waiting for itmaybe. Expect another update soon because I have some very good ideas! The goat of abomination lives and is very deadly, so go review, or he will come and haunt you!
U2lover: I'm really glad you think this is so cute, and I tried calling you but you were at your grandma's house.
Hobbit's Soul: stinky breath is disgusting. Glad you like the story, here's some more of it!
Elf with a Lightsaber: my goat has rabiesjust kidding! You reviewed, so you are safe from the goat!
Intergrate_cos(2x): the best Merry/Pippin fic?! I am flattered! Thanks so much and here's more of the story!
