Chapter 23 Merry's Big Day

. We were planning Merry's wedding that would be in three months, I didn't think he would wait that long but he wanted Aragorn, Eowyn, Faramir, Legolas, Gimli, and everyone else to come and that would take awhile.

I walked into Crickhollow and saw a falcon on the table with a letter in it's beak. I eagerly grabbed the letter and the falcon waited for my response. Ripping it open I saw the familer handwriting.

'Tulo tae ni Mirkwood. Legolas'

So he wanted me to come to Mirkwood. I quickly wrote my response.

'Im von afad. Pippin.' I will come. Pippin.

I gave it to the falcon and it flew away. I walked back into my room and pulled some tunics together and grabbed my brush and some other things I would need. It would take me a few weeks to get there so I packed some money to buy food at the inn. I carried my packs so I could leave that night.

Merry came in as I was filling up my water bottle.

"Where you going?" he asked surprised.

"Mirkwood, Legolas has asked me to come." I looked at his face and instantly said. "Don't worry I'll be back in time."

"Good. Come back soon." he said helping me tie my bundles onto Elenril and I mounted.

"Bye Mer, see you soon." I said as I nudged Elenril into a trot. I rode all night until I got to Bree. I told my name to the gatekeeper and rode to the Prancing Pony. I gave Elenril to the stable boy and walked in.

It was the same full of smoke and loud. I was too exhausted to drink or eat I just got a room and asked the innkeeper to wake me at first light. I fell asleep the moment I hit the covers.

"Master Peregrin. Master Peregrin." I felt someone shake me and I slowly opened my eyes. A hobbit shook me and told me to wake up. I was out on the road eating some bread and cheese for my breakfast.

A week later I arrived in Rivendell. A few elves were there. Master Elladan and Elrohir let me in and gave me a room. We spent the night telling stories and the twins told me embarrassing stories of Aragorn and Legolas that could be useful blackmail later in life.

Three days later I rode out accompanied by the twins. We traveled together and on the borders of Mirkwood we stopped and made camp.

"So who is going to get the firewood tonight?" Elladan asked and we drew straws. Poor Elrohir lost and went out to find the wood. Elladan and I drew more straws and I had to do the cooking while he made a tent. I had killed a duck when Elrohir came back.

That night we had roasted duck and wine and fell asleep as soon as we were done.

We woke at first light because it took a day to ride through the forest. We were riding lost in thought when Elrohir spoke.

"Seems less evil don't you think? I mean when Sauron was still around it seemed dark and evil full of spiders and other nasty things. Now it just seems lighter." I jumped at his voice. Then I looked around it was true, the forest was light and I could hear birds whistling and singing.

"Hey! You're right!" Elladan said smiling. We laughed and rode through the forest now feeling even more like home.

In the afternoon we arrived at the gates and gave our names and rode in.

"Elladan! Elrohir! Pippin!" Legolas ran down the stairs and embraced us. "Come in come in!" He led us in and we sat around the fire talking. "Heard about Merry." Legolas smiled at me. "Good for him."

"Yeah. I'm glad he got it done he really loves her." I smiled back but suddenly my eyes grew wide. "I haven't gotten them a wedding present!"

Legolas smiled and stood up. "Come here Pippin you can get something in the treasury." he began to pull me away.

"But...I cant!" I started and he shook his head.

"No you have to! Merry deserves the best." The elf pulled out a golden key and unlocked the room. I was about to say something when the door opened and I saw the dazzling jewels sparkle. "Find something." he pushed me in and I looked around and he began to help me.

"Hey!" I looked through the heaps of jewels. "Look at this!" I pulled out a sword. It's handle was covered in many different jewels. Diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and opals. They were arranged in a amazing pattern and the blade itself was gold with a streak of silver.

"I bet Merry would like that." Legolas grinned.

"I bet he would." I put the sword in the scabbard and looked at it. It was just as stunning.

"Here." he handed me some gold silk and I wrapped it. "We can leave in a month." he smiled. I had taken me almost a month to get here and we wanted to spent time here.

A month later we packed up out things. I tied the golden bundle and attached it to the saddle where I could keep a watch on it. We rode to Bree and waited until most men were gone or fast asleep when we snuck into the Prancing Pony.

We left before dawn and arrived at the Shire three days before Merry's wedding.

"Bout time elf!" Gimli shouted while several other dwarves cheered.

"Yes, what took you so long?" Aragorn smiled.



"I was helping Pippin! Is that a crime?" Legolas said innocently. They laughed and the twins and Legolas went to find a area to stay. Legolas told me he would die if he was in a hobbit hole. He is claustrophobic. The elves just pitched some tents and put their things there. We spent the next two days eating and drinking. On the wedding day I was in the grooms tent. I was the best hobbit as it was called. Merry didn't have any brothers so he got to choose. I got the honor of standing next to him on his big day.

Merry was really tense and was pacing back and forth. "What if she says no? What if she was forced into this? What if she doesn't like me?" Merry was asking I stood up and strode over to him.

"Sit down Merry." I pushed him into a chair and sat by him. "Meriadoc." I always start with his full name when I was serious. "I have never seen two hobbits in as much love as you two. You will be together until you die."

"How can you be sure?" he asked.

"Mer. After you are with her your eyes are all dreamy looking I just know it." I smiled.

"Hey, the groom and best hobbit are needed." a voice shouted.

"Ready Merry?" I asked pulling him up. He was dressed in white and had his Lorien cloak on.

"As ready as I'll ever be." he said closing his eyes then following me out into the clearing. The area was covered in white streamers were strung in all the trees and lanterns were hung up. Even Gandalf had appeared with his legendary fireworks. A small platform was in the middle of this all surrounded by chairs. This looked just like Sam's wedding. The children ran around in their nice clothes playing but were made to sit down when Merry got on the platform. I stood a step below and we both stared at the isle where Estella would walk down.

The maid of honor was in her place already. Diamond was dressing in white silk and stood in front of me. We were both trying not to look at each other but failed.

Then Estella dressed in white as well walked slowly down the isle. She smiled and nodded and it seemed a very short amount of time before she stood next to Merry. It was custom for the Mayor to marry people and Sam was the mayor. I really didn't listen but in about five minutes I could hear him say.

"Estella Boldger. Do you take Meriadoc to be your lawfully wedded husband to love and.." I sort of lost track of what he was saying I was holding my breath hoping she would say what I knew Merry wanted her to.

"I do." her soft voice said as she smiled. I could see Merry relax and smiled to myself.

"And Meriadoc Brandybuck. Do you take Estella...." I didn't care about that.

"I do." Merry smiled at her and she smiled back. They then put the rinds on each others fingers and Sam said.

"You may kiss the bride." he stepped back smiling. Merry leaned forward and kissed her. When they pulled away everyone was cheering. I was trying not to cry and clapped. Merry smiled and kissed her lightly.

Later that night when I was able to pull Merry away for a few moments he pulled me into a tight hug. "Thank you so much Pip!"

I hugged back and smiled. "Now Merry what type of friend would I be if I didn't bring a wedding gift for you."

Merry looked me in the eyes. "You didn't!"

"I did." I pulled the gold silk out of it's hiding place in my cloak. Merry pulled the silk off and gasped.

"Pippin. This is beautiful. How.." he was at a lost for words as he pulled the blade out of the scabbard.

"Legolas let me into the treasury." I said smiling as he almost went cross eyed as he looked at the sword. The we heard a boom. "Gandalf must be doing fireworks."

"Shall we go back." Merry suggested sheathing his blade and tying it across his waist. I nodded and we started back. When we got to the area the dancing had started. Merry saw Estella and went over to her.

I went over to sit with Frodo and Sam. Frodo looked tired and ill. He had gotten sick almost every month. Poor Frodo. I knew he would go over the sea soon. Sam would also when Rosie dies. Frodo would in a few months though.

"Hey Pip. How come your not dancing with anybody?" Legolas asked sitting down next to me. I shrugged and sipped my wine, I decided I would never drink ale again. I felt so bad about what had happened.

"Where's Diamond?" Frodo asked leaning closer so no one else could hear. Again I shrugged and looked at the golden leaves of the mallorn tree. "Where is she? I heard about the incident in the Green Dragon. Go talk to her."

"I don't know I feel so bad about that." I said softly.

"Peregrin Took. You are not like me at all. You are young I am not. You can marry I cant don't throw that all away." he said and then I understood. I took a gulp of the wine and stood up. My elvish armor glistened in the sun as I walked over to Diamond and her friends. I tapped her on the shoulder.

"Diamond may I talk to you?" I asked softly. Her eyes narrowed and she nodded. I led her into the little forest. "Diamond I am so sorry. I didn't know what I was doing I was drunk!" I said and held her hand.

"Were you? Or did you really like her?" she snapped.

"I'll do anything to make it up to you! I swear." I pleaded and the moment I said that I regretted it for her eyes lit up.

"Anything?"



"Anything." I held her hand tighter.

"Fine. Come to my house tomorrow and we'll talk." she walked away.

"That didn't go well." I sat down next to my friends.

"I can imagine." Legolas grinned and we sat and talked for the rest of the night.

Author's Notes: Thanks for reviewing!! I hope you liked this chapter.

Ice Ember: Oh he will. Just not now. :)

Kit Cloudkicker: You know they will. I'm not that mean.