Disclaimer: I don't own them, I'm afraid. I wouldn't be in debt up to my
eyeballs if I did. ::sighs:: One can only imagine!! I do, however, own
Merry and Beri's sons!! Yay for me! Ok, the names are very original, but
what can one do? As for Merry not having any children, it says that he and
Pippin pass their offices to their sons so he had to at least one. Since
I've stuck Pippin with only have one, I have to content myself with
building up Merry's little family
Estella-Me thinks Essy can see the future. LOL. It was sad to write this chapter, especially since I had to keep adding to it as I keep giving Merry children in my other story! Poor Merry!
Ilovehobbits-Thank you! Little Merry and Frodo and everyone are wonders. ::dies @ well-written comment:: Thank you!! I'm always rather critical of my work so that means a lot! Innocence and happiness are the marks of hobbits, though you wouldn't know it from my stories...I have 3 more waiting in the wings and angst is a very common word. It is broken up with happiness and merriment that make hobbit, hobbits.
LOTR Fan Board Comments:
*sniff* That was a wonderful ending to a wonderful inkling! (((((Merry)))))-Queen of Gondor (Thank you!!)
Beautiful; the end of an inkling is always a sad affair.-suzie sheelf (Yes, it is. ::Sniffles:: Thank you!!)
AWWW! Pip, thank you! I loved reading about little Merry and Frodo. (((Pippinmerry)))-Belladonna Took (Glad I could please! Thanks for reading!)
I loved this inkling! This last chapter was great! (Aw, thank you whoever!)
Hey, Pip, what happened to Ferdi? Huh? Wonderful chapter, but sorry to see it end! *sniff*-Silivren Ithildin (You'll have to see! Thank you!)
This was sad but very beautiful can't wait until your next inkling-vaires (Aw, thank you!!)
Chapter Thirteen-Remembering
Merry smiled to himself as he thought back to his eighth birthday. Frodo's first visit since moving to Bag End had been a happy memory and one that stayed with Merry, even now, fifty years later. He sipped his ale and glanced over at Beri, who sat hunched over the table, finishing up his report on how the crops were doing.
He shook his head and laughed. "Beri, come over here and join me. It is my birthday after all."
"This has to be done, Merry."
"Well, yes it does, but I only get one birthday a year. Come on."
Beri reluctantly joined Merry by the fire. He saw the look on his cousin face and knew he was lost in a distant memory. "What are you thinking of?"
Merry smiled slightly. "My eighth birthday. Frodo's first visit to Buckland."
"Yes, I see. I miss him you know, though not as much as you I would say."
"Frodo once said I filled a void that was left by his parents death. When he left, I didn't think anything could replace my void."
Beri chuckled. "I'd say Pippin did that."
"Yes, he did. The day he was born had to be one of the best days of my life even though he lived in Tuckborough." Merry sighed and leaned forward. "In a way, I was closer to Pippin then Frodo. I guess because we weren't always together. But Frodo was my brother. And I do miss him."
"Hard to believe he's been gone for..."
"Nineteen years this September." Merry leaned back in his chair and thought back to that day.
"I'll miss you, Frodo," he said through his tears.
"I know, Merry." Frodo embraced his cousin. "Keep an eye on our Pippin for us. Remember, you are my brother," he whispered in his ear. He pulled away and kissed Merry on the forehead before turning to Pippin.
"I'll never forget that day." He finished off his drink and poured himself another.
Beri let out a light chuckle. "Look at the two of us."
Merry raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"How often did we find our fathers sitting by the fire, drinking? After your father became Master?"
Merry smiled. "Too often. Seemed to me they never did any work. Couldn't wait to do it myself."
"Looks like we are."
Merry waved a hand at Beri. "We work. Work far harder than that Took cousin of mine. He needs two assistants to help him," he said, referring to Regi and Ferdi who Pippin had named as his Stewards. "I only need you."
"Merry, he's not just Thain of Tuckborough, which is bigger than Buckland I might add, he's Thain of..."
"The Shire, I know Beri. I just like to pick on him." Merry looked over at his cousin. "That is what cousins are for."
Beri smiled in spite of himself. "That they are. Merry, if Frodo had stayed, do you think he would've become Mayor?"
"No, I don't think so," Merry said, shaking his head. "He went through too much. He just wanted peace, and that's what he got."
"Sam went through the same, if you're telling the tale correctly."
Merry looked back at the fire. He had told Beri of all they had gone through several years ago, when he had been named Master. It seemed only proper that the Master's steward knew the truth. Pippin had also told Regi and Ferdi, a few years before, but under different circumstances and for different reasons. "It was the truth. It was different for Sam though. I can't explain it though. Frodo could. Sam, too, if he ever felt like talking about."
"None of you seem to feel like talking about."
"It's hard, Beri. We saw too much, too soon. If you had been there..." He trailed off, and finished off his second drink.
"Please don't, Merry." Beri held up a hand. "Believe when I say I couldn't have done half of what you did and an twelfth of what Frodo did. I don't know how you did it or why."
"This, Beri." He gestured his arm around the room. "We did it because we wanted the Shire to remain just like it is. Frodo did what he did, went through what he went through for you, me, Sam, Pippin, everyone. Even those that thought he was just as mad as Bilbo." He poured himself a third drink. "Even the Sacksville-Baggins," he added with a smile.
Beri thought for a moment. "I wish we could tell them. It may stop all the talk."
"It may, but...but we swore not to tell anyone. Sam was very upset when he learned I'd told you." He finished off his drink. "Now that I think about it, he wasn't mad at Pippin, but that happened after I told you so, he may have just accepted it."
Beri took the bottle of ale before Merry could pour a fourth drink. "Well look at the time, dear cousin!" He stood up and put the bottle away. "Here we are, sitting around like our fathers." He sat back down across from Merry.
Merry laughed and shook his head. "Beri, I can always count on you to make forget." He grasped Beri's hand. "I thank you for that." He stood up and walked over to the desk. He signed off on Beri's report without reading it. "You know, in a way, it was a good thing Frodo left. Brandy Hall, not the Shire, I mean. I doubt we would've gotten this close. Well, we may have after you moved back to Brandy Hall, but I'm glad we got to know each other as children."
"Me, too, Merry. I just wish I hadn't moved in the first place."
"Why did you move anyways?" He went to the cupboard and retrieved the bottle of ale once again.
"Merry," Beri started as he went over and took the bottle. "Sit. What would Estella say if I set you to her smelling like you bathed in ale?"
"Hello, love?" Merry said as he sat back down. "You worry too much, cousin. And why are you ordering me around? Who's the Master and who's the Steward here?"
"I am the older cousin, remember? Someone has to take Frodo's place. Otherwise, neither of us would be fit to run Buckland." He thought of his own two glasses of ale.
"True. Now, answer my question. Why did you move?"
Beri shrugged his shoulders. "My father didn't get along with Grandfather. Don't ask me why, they just...didn't."
"Grandfather was very different from Uncle Meri. So was my father for that matter. Wonder why they got along so well."
"My father wasn't afraid to say something. Not that your father was, Merry," he added quickly. "Just...my father was more...vocal, I guess would be the best word."
"Where's Frodo when you need him? He could always find the right word, that cousin of ours."
"I'm sure he's happy where ever he is."
"That is he, Beri. That brother of mine." Merry shook his head and smiled.
"Do you think we ever see him again? I don't mean now, but after we...well, you know what I mean."
"I don't know, Beri. We may. I'll have to ask Legolas next time I see him."
"You plan on seeing him again?" Beri said, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, yes. He's been living in Gondor off and on for years now. Pippin and I have talked about returning pretty regularly. He's been Thain for nearly six years now and has establish a name for himself. He wants to take Faramir to meet his namesake." He looked away from Beri and at the fire. "I plan to go with him."
"Both of you plan on leaving at the same time?" Beri raised an eyebrow at his cousins.
"Yes, I do believe we can trust you and Regi to keep an eye on things for us. Keep everyone in line."
"Well, you can, but..." Beri shook his head. "I don't know what everyone will say. Estella for one, your sons."
Merry laughed. "She knows already and is encouraging us. As for Perry, Merry-lad, and Harry..." He shook his head, thinking of his twelve- year-old son, Peredoc, six-year-old son, Meridas, and one-year-old Tharadoc "They understand. Neither has any interest in going anyways."
"That's their mother, thankfully. Hate to think they inherited their father's thirst for adventure." Beri thought for a moment. "Although, one would think they'd want to see Rohand or..."
"Rohan," Merry said with a chuckle. "Perry doesn't want to go since Rory won't be able to. And Merry-lad because Sarry won't. Harry's too young." He sighed. "I'm beginning to think our wives conspired and planned on having our lads at the same time," he said, referring to the fact that Beri's son, Rorimas, was the same age as Perry, his other son, Saramoc, was the same age as Merry-lad, and his youngest, Paladoc was the same age as Harry. Perry and Rory had been born within three days of each other, Merry-lad and Sarry had been born on the same day, and little Pally and Harry were just two days apart. The lad had become each other's best friends, none of them really willing to leave the other's company, especially Perry and Rory.
"It'll be hard, you know." Beri looked at his feet. "I'll have to be father to six lads instead of just three."
Merry smiled. "You'll manage. The way our lads hang around each other now, you father them all as much as I do." He looked over as his cousin. "You and Regi get on pretty well, don't you?"
"Of course! We both have to deal with a crazy cousin who likes to...gallivant all over the place. We've had long discussions at the Green Dragon about the two of you." Beri sat back in his chair. "I'll be all alone. Regi at least will have Ferdi."
Merry glanced swiftly at the floor. "Ferdi's going too."
"Why?"
Merry simply shrugged. "I don't know. Something happened. Pippin's ordered him to go with us."
"Hard to imagine Pippin ordering anyone around."
"Yes, I know." Merry looked up at his cousin. "Off with you now, Beri. We're done for the night I'd say and that wife of yours is probably wondering what's keeping you."
Beri nodded. "Happy birthday, Merry," he said as he rose and left the room.
Merry sighed and moved to the fire to put it out. "I hope we can see one another again, Frodo," he whispered.
Estella-Me thinks Essy can see the future. LOL. It was sad to write this chapter, especially since I had to keep adding to it as I keep giving Merry children in my other story! Poor Merry!
Ilovehobbits-Thank you! Little Merry and Frodo and everyone are wonders. ::dies @ well-written comment:: Thank you!! I'm always rather critical of my work so that means a lot! Innocence and happiness are the marks of hobbits, though you wouldn't know it from my stories...I have 3 more waiting in the wings and angst is a very common word. It is broken up with happiness and merriment that make hobbit, hobbits.
LOTR Fan Board Comments:
*sniff* That was a wonderful ending to a wonderful inkling! (((((Merry)))))-Queen of Gondor (Thank you!!)
Beautiful; the end of an inkling is always a sad affair.-suzie sheelf (Yes, it is. ::Sniffles:: Thank you!!)
AWWW! Pip, thank you! I loved reading about little Merry and Frodo. (((Pippinmerry)))-Belladonna Took (Glad I could please! Thanks for reading!)
I loved this inkling! This last chapter was great! (Aw, thank you whoever!)
Hey, Pip, what happened to Ferdi? Huh? Wonderful chapter, but sorry to see it end! *sniff*-Silivren Ithildin (You'll have to see! Thank you!)
This was sad but very beautiful can't wait until your next inkling-vaires (Aw, thank you!!)
Chapter Thirteen-Remembering
Merry smiled to himself as he thought back to his eighth birthday. Frodo's first visit since moving to Bag End had been a happy memory and one that stayed with Merry, even now, fifty years later. He sipped his ale and glanced over at Beri, who sat hunched over the table, finishing up his report on how the crops were doing.
He shook his head and laughed. "Beri, come over here and join me. It is my birthday after all."
"This has to be done, Merry."
"Well, yes it does, but I only get one birthday a year. Come on."
Beri reluctantly joined Merry by the fire. He saw the look on his cousin face and knew he was lost in a distant memory. "What are you thinking of?"
Merry smiled slightly. "My eighth birthday. Frodo's first visit to Buckland."
"Yes, I see. I miss him you know, though not as much as you I would say."
"Frodo once said I filled a void that was left by his parents death. When he left, I didn't think anything could replace my void."
Beri chuckled. "I'd say Pippin did that."
"Yes, he did. The day he was born had to be one of the best days of my life even though he lived in Tuckborough." Merry sighed and leaned forward. "In a way, I was closer to Pippin then Frodo. I guess because we weren't always together. But Frodo was my brother. And I do miss him."
"Hard to believe he's been gone for..."
"Nineteen years this September." Merry leaned back in his chair and thought back to that day.
"I'll miss you, Frodo," he said through his tears.
"I know, Merry." Frodo embraced his cousin. "Keep an eye on our Pippin for us. Remember, you are my brother," he whispered in his ear. He pulled away and kissed Merry on the forehead before turning to Pippin.
"I'll never forget that day." He finished off his drink and poured himself another.
Beri let out a light chuckle. "Look at the two of us."
Merry raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"How often did we find our fathers sitting by the fire, drinking? After your father became Master?"
Merry smiled. "Too often. Seemed to me they never did any work. Couldn't wait to do it myself."
"Looks like we are."
Merry waved a hand at Beri. "We work. Work far harder than that Took cousin of mine. He needs two assistants to help him," he said, referring to Regi and Ferdi who Pippin had named as his Stewards. "I only need you."
"Merry, he's not just Thain of Tuckborough, which is bigger than Buckland I might add, he's Thain of..."
"The Shire, I know Beri. I just like to pick on him." Merry looked over at his cousin. "That is what cousins are for."
Beri smiled in spite of himself. "That they are. Merry, if Frodo had stayed, do you think he would've become Mayor?"
"No, I don't think so," Merry said, shaking his head. "He went through too much. He just wanted peace, and that's what he got."
"Sam went through the same, if you're telling the tale correctly."
Merry looked back at the fire. He had told Beri of all they had gone through several years ago, when he had been named Master. It seemed only proper that the Master's steward knew the truth. Pippin had also told Regi and Ferdi, a few years before, but under different circumstances and for different reasons. "It was the truth. It was different for Sam though. I can't explain it though. Frodo could. Sam, too, if he ever felt like talking about."
"None of you seem to feel like talking about."
"It's hard, Beri. We saw too much, too soon. If you had been there..." He trailed off, and finished off his second drink.
"Please don't, Merry." Beri held up a hand. "Believe when I say I couldn't have done half of what you did and an twelfth of what Frodo did. I don't know how you did it or why."
"This, Beri." He gestured his arm around the room. "We did it because we wanted the Shire to remain just like it is. Frodo did what he did, went through what he went through for you, me, Sam, Pippin, everyone. Even those that thought he was just as mad as Bilbo." He poured himself a third drink. "Even the Sacksville-Baggins," he added with a smile.
Beri thought for a moment. "I wish we could tell them. It may stop all the talk."
"It may, but...but we swore not to tell anyone. Sam was very upset when he learned I'd told you." He finished off his drink. "Now that I think about it, he wasn't mad at Pippin, but that happened after I told you so, he may have just accepted it."
Beri took the bottle of ale before Merry could pour a fourth drink. "Well look at the time, dear cousin!" He stood up and put the bottle away. "Here we are, sitting around like our fathers." He sat back down across from Merry.
Merry laughed and shook his head. "Beri, I can always count on you to make forget." He grasped Beri's hand. "I thank you for that." He stood up and walked over to the desk. He signed off on Beri's report without reading it. "You know, in a way, it was a good thing Frodo left. Brandy Hall, not the Shire, I mean. I doubt we would've gotten this close. Well, we may have after you moved back to Brandy Hall, but I'm glad we got to know each other as children."
"Me, too, Merry. I just wish I hadn't moved in the first place."
"Why did you move anyways?" He went to the cupboard and retrieved the bottle of ale once again.
"Merry," Beri started as he went over and took the bottle. "Sit. What would Estella say if I set you to her smelling like you bathed in ale?"
"Hello, love?" Merry said as he sat back down. "You worry too much, cousin. And why are you ordering me around? Who's the Master and who's the Steward here?"
"I am the older cousin, remember? Someone has to take Frodo's place. Otherwise, neither of us would be fit to run Buckland." He thought of his own two glasses of ale.
"True. Now, answer my question. Why did you move?"
Beri shrugged his shoulders. "My father didn't get along with Grandfather. Don't ask me why, they just...didn't."
"Grandfather was very different from Uncle Meri. So was my father for that matter. Wonder why they got along so well."
"My father wasn't afraid to say something. Not that your father was, Merry," he added quickly. "Just...my father was more...vocal, I guess would be the best word."
"Where's Frodo when you need him? He could always find the right word, that cousin of ours."
"I'm sure he's happy where ever he is."
"That is he, Beri. That brother of mine." Merry shook his head and smiled.
"Do you think we ever see him again? I don't mean now, but after we...well, you know what I mean."
"I don't know, Beri. We may. I'll have to ask Legolas next time I see him."
"You plan on seeing him again?" Beri said, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, yes. He's been living in Gondor off and on for years now. Pippin and I have talked about returning pretty regularly. He's been Thain for nearly six years now and has establish a name for himself. He wants to take Faramir to meet his namesake." He looked away from Beri and at the fire. "I plan to go with him."
"Both of you plan on leaving at the same time?" Beri raised an eyebrow at his cousins.
"Yes, I do believe we can trust you and Regi to keep an eye on things for us. Keep everyone in line."
"Well, you can, but..." Beri shook his head. "I don't know what everyone will say. Estella for one, your sons."
Merry laughed. "She knows already and is encouraging us. As for Perry, Merry-lad, and Harry..." He shook his head, thinking of his twelve- year-old son, Peredoc, six-year-old son, Meridas, and one-year-old Tharadoc "They understand. Neither has any interest in going anyways."
"That's their mother, thankfully. Hate to think they inherited their father's thirst for adventure." Beri thought for a moment. "Although, one would think they'd want to see Rohand or..."
"Rohan," Merry said with a chuckle. "Perry doesn't want to go since Rory won't be able to. And Merry-lad because Sarry won't. Harry's too young." He sighed. "I'm beginning to think our wives conspired and planned on having our lads at the same time," he said, referring to the fact that Beri's son, Rorimas, was the same age as Perry, his other son, Saramoc, was the same age as Merry-lad, and his youngest, Paladoc was the same age as Harry. Perry and Rory had been born within three days of each other, Merry-lad and Sarry had been born on the same day, and little Pally and Harry were just two days apart. The lad had become each other's best friends, none of them really willing to leave the other's company, especially Perry and Rory.
"It'll be hard, you know." Beri looked at his feet. "I'll have to be father to six lads instead of just three."
Merry smiled. "You'll manage. The way our lads hang around each other now, you father them all as much as I do." He looked over as his cousin. "You and Regi get on pretty well, don't you?"
"Of course! We both have to deal with a crazy cousin who likes to...gallivant all over the place. We've had long discussions at the Green Dragon about the two of you." Beri sat back in his chair. "I'll be all alone. Regi at least will have Ferdi."
Merry glanced swiftly at the floor. "Ferdi's going too."
"Why?"
Merry simply shrugged. "I don't know. Something happened. Pippin's ordered him to go with us."
"Hard to imagine Pippin ordering anyone around."
"Yes, I know." Merry looked up at his cousin. "Off with you now, Beri. We're done for the night I'd say and that wife of yours is probably wondering what's keeping you."
Beri nodded. "Happy birthday, Merry," he said as he rose and left the room.
Merry sighed and moved to the fire to put it out. "I hope we can see one another again, Frodo," he whispered.