Disclaimer: No. Don't own. If I did, I wouldn't have been rejected by a Tolkien fanfiction site. Won't say which one. Suffice it to say, they didn't think "A Little Help From My Friends" and "Brothers In All But Blood" were good enough for their site. I feel they patronized me about it, but what can you do?

Hai Took-You'll have to see who it is...lol. Glad you like Frodo and Pippin together. I figured they were close. Tolkien did say Frodo, Merry, and Pippin were best friends so...

LOTR Board Comments:

Were you trying to make me cry? IF so you came close. Poor Pip.- Belladonna Took (No...lol. Glad you didn't really cry.)

AN: Finished posting "Brothers In All But Blood"! Yippee! Please read! I know, shameless plug and all. I've finished writing this one. 30 chapters in all at this point as I many edit a few and chop them into 2 chapters. I'll try to post as least one chapter a weel

Chapter Seven-A Nasty Plot

Pippin ran quickly to his guest, while shouting, "MERRY! MERRY! You made it!"

Merry smiled as Pippin ran right into his arms. As Pippin was still smaller than his cousin, Merry picked him up and held him closely. "Yes, Pippin. You didn't think I'd miss your birthday, did you?"

"I don't know, Merry. They said you were sick." Pippin buried his head into the Brandybuck's shoulder.

"I was, but I'm all better now." Merry kissed Pippin's head. "My fever broke and Mother and Father let me come."

Pippin picked his head up and looked at his aunt and uncle. "Thank you!" He got of Merry's arms and went over to hug them.

The rest of the party watched the scene with smiles. Everyone in the Shire knew of the deep friendship between the two and Merry's absence had led to much speculation that something had happened, but their rumors were laid to rest with Merry's arrival.

Pippin took Merry's hand. "Come, Merry. Have some cake."

He led Merry over to his spot. Frodo still sat there, a big grin on his face.

"Hello, Merry. Glad you could make it."

"Well, I had to. Someone has to keep you in line, don't they?" Merry sat down next to Frodo as Pippin ran off to get a slice of cake.

"You've made his day, you know. He's been sulking around most of the party."

Merry smiled. "So, Frodo, do you miss Bilbo? It's been almost a year and no one's seen him, nor Gandalf for that matter."

"I do. He was like a father to me for so long. I think I'll always miss him. I do hope to see him again someday."

"I'm sure you will." Merry patted Frodo on the back.

"Looks like Pippin's on his way back." Frodo nodded in the direction of the food table.

Merry looked over and saw his cousin running over, a huge slice of cake on the plate in his hands.

Pippin sat down at the table and placed the cake in front of his cousin. "Here, Merry! I got you the biggest the piece."

"I guess you did. I don't know if I can eat it all."

Frodo chuckled. He knew Merry very well, and he knew that he could eat the whole thing if he tried. "Come now, Merry. You can do it."

Pippin laughed. "I know you can, Merry. If you can't, I'll eat it! I'm always hungry."

Merry smiled. "Yes, this I know."

The three cousins stay there for much of the party. Pippin was occasionally called on to speak to a guest or two but for the most part, stayed with his cousins.

"Well, Frodo, do you plan to go off on some adventure like good old Bilbo?" Merry asked as he finished off his cake. Frodo had been right.

"No plans as of yet. One day I'm sure I will though."

Pippin glanced over at Frodo. "And you'll bring us right? You can't go on an adventure without us, Frodo!"

"I'll bring you. Maybe not right away. I'd want you to be older but one day I'll bring you on an adventure with me. The three of us."

Merry added, "And Sam."

Sam had just come over to see if Frodo needed anything. When he heard Merry's words, he blushed.

"Oh no, Mr. Merry. That is, I'm quite happy to stay here in the Shire."

"Oh no you don't, Sam!" Frodo pulled Sam down next to him. "You're coming with me. You can't go on an adventure with just three hobbits. Besides, you really want me to go alone with just these two for company?"

Merry and Pippin both glared at their cousin.

"Oh, come on. You two know you'd stick together and I'd be left all alone."

"We wouldn't leave you alone, Frodo!" Pippin put himself right beside Frodo. "You're our cousin, and that means something you know!"

Frodo pulled Pippin into his lap. "Yes, it does. And I know you wouldn't leave me alone, but three is such an odd number. Four is just right I think."

"We can't leave Nelly out, Frodo. She has to come, too."

Nel, who was standing nearby, turned her head. "Oh, no, you just leave me out of this. I'll stay here, thank you very much."

Frodo smiled down at Pippin. "See, just the four of us."

"Besides, who wants a lass around?" said Merry, to which the others laughed.

Before long, the party was drawing to a close. Pippin struggled to stay awake long enough to say good bye to everyone, and he soon fell asleep on the soft earth.

Paladin bent down and picked up his ever growing son.

"Won't be doing that for long, Paladin," said Saradoc as he helped his wife into their wagon.

"No, and when that time comes, I think I'll miss it." He hugged his son closer as though hoping it would stop his aging.

Saradoc laughed. "Yes, I do on occasion." He looked over at his son who was laughing at something Frodo had just told him. "Are you sure you don't mind Merry staying over for a few days?"

"You know he's always welcome, Saradoc."

"Yes, and the same goes for that one there."

"Well, it was good to see you both." Paladin walked over and kissed his sister on the cheek. "Good evening, Essy."

"Thank you, again, Paladin." She ran her hand over Pippin's curls before kissing the boys head. "Tell him, thank you when he decides to wake up."

"Of course. When should I send Merry back?"

"Saradoc and I don't have any plans as of yet. When you tire of him, I guess."

"Be glad Pippin's asleep. He'd never want Merry to leave," Saradoc said as he sat next to his wife. "Good bye, Paladin. Say goodbye to Tine and the girls for us."

"Of course." Paladin waved as the wagon headed down the lane. He turned toward the three remaining guests. "Well, Frodo, Sam, are you two staying as well?"

"If you don't mind, Paladin. I'd like to spend some more time with Pippin. I rarely see him," said Frodo as he, Sam, and Merry joined Paladin on their way inside.

"Of course I don't mind, Frodo." Paladin turned to Sam. "I suppose since Frodo's staying, you are too."

"Well I reckon so. If it'd be no trouble that is, Mr. Paladin."

"You never are, Sam. I'm quite glad Pippin invited you." Paladin readjusted Pippin slightly as he opened the front door.

"There you are. Well, I thought just Merry was just staying," Tine said as she came towards the door. "Hello, Frodo, Sam. I assume you two are staying as well. Merry, you can sleep in Pippin's room seeing as he usually ends up in your bed anyways. Frodo, you and Sam can share our guest room. Let me go finishing getting it ready"

"Oh, you don't..." started Sam but Tine was already down the hallway.

"No use arguing with her, Sam," chuckled Paladin. "Merry-lad, why don't you take Pippin and get ready for bed?"

"Of course, Uncle." Merry took Pippin from his father and headed down the hallway.

"Mmm. Merry?" Pippin picked his head up off his cousin's shoulder. "Where are we going?"

"Your room, Pippin. I'm staying, remember? So are Sam and Frodo. Your mother said I could stay in your room."

"Really?" Pippin said, sleepily. "Good then." He made to laid his head on Merry's shoulder again.

"No, Pippin. You have to get ready for bed." Merry opened the door to Pippin's bedroom and walked in. "Here." He put Pippin down on the floor and grabbed one of his nightshirts.

"Merry, can you stay in my bed?" Pippin asked he got dressed.

"Pippin, you're getting too old for that now. You're twelve." Merry pulled on his own night clothes.

"Please, Merry. Just for tonight?"

Merry sighed. He could never say no to Pippin. "Alright, just for tonight." He knew that in all likelihood, however, Pippin would end up curled next to him every night.

Pippin smiled and got into bed quickly. "Will you tell me a story, Merry?" he said as he yawned.

Merry got in next to his cousin. "Not tonight, Pip. You're tired and so am I. Let's just sleep. We can do stories tomorrow. I'll be here for at least a few days." He pulled Pippin up next to him.

Before too long the two cousins were sound asleep.

Tine peeked her head in a half an hour after the two had disappeared. She saw them sleeping, Pippin nearly on top of Merry. She smiled and walked over to the two lads. Carefully, she moved Pippin off his cousin and pulled the blanket over both of them.

Merry stirred slightly before waking up. "Aunt Tine?"

"I'm sorry, Merry love. I didn't mean to wake you." She brushed back Pippin's hair and kissed her son's forehead. "Good night, love," she whispered before turning to Merry. "I just came to say good night to you two."

Merry smiled up at his aunt. "Good night, Aunt Tine."

She kissed her nephew. "I see you decided to just let him sleep with you."

"Yes, it seemed easier than being woken in the middle of the night."

Tine smiled at her nephew. "Yes, probably. Good night, Merry-love," she said before leaving the room quietly.

Merry soon fell back asleep.

Outside Pippin's room, Pearl was leaning against the wall. She was getting quite sick of Pippin always getting his way. When she had learned of Pippin's punishment after the kitchen incident, she had been very happy. What she didn't understand was why her parents were letting not only Merry, but Frodo and Sam stay over.

"Well," she whispered, "I'll just have to make sure they don't get to stay long."

She ran down the hall to Pervinca's room. "Vincy, let me in, please."

Pervinca opened the door. "Pearl, this better be important. I'm about ready for bed."

"It is." Pearl went in and closed the door behind her. "I have a plan to make sure that Merry and Frodo don't get to stay here very long."

"Whatever for, Pearl?"

"Pippin was only punished for two days. He should still be punished and not have friends over."

Pervinca sat on her bed. "You make a good point, but how are we going to get them to leave without getting into trouble ourselves?"

"You'll see, Vincy, you'll see."

The two sisters conspired into the night.

The next morning, they put their plan into action.

Pippin and Merry walked into the dining room later that day and found Frodo, Sam, and Nelly eating second breakfast.

"Good morning, you two," said Frodo. "About time you got up!"
"Frodo! You're here too? And Sam?" Pippin ran over and sat next to his cousin.

"Yes. We stayed the night and will probably stay through tomorrow."

"I told you that last night, Pippin," Merry said. "Guess you were too tired to listen to me."

Pippin smiled and hugged Frodo. "That wonderful! I hardly ever see you anymore!" He turned to Nel who was sitting across from them. "Frodo's here! See, Nel!"

"I see, Pippin," she said with a smile.

Halfway through breakfast, Pearl walked in. "Pippin, Father wishes to see you in the fields.

"Oh, thank you, Pearl. I'll go see what he wants and be right back."

Pippin hopped away from the table and headed outside. He ran out to the field. "Father?" he called.

Pippin walked through the crops for quite some time, not finding his father anywhere. He saw something up in front of him and he ran toward it, thinking it was his father. What he found was many of his father's crops broken, ruined, or half-eaten. Pippin stared in horror at the scene before him.

"You're in for it now, Pippin!" said a voice behind him.

Pippin whirled around. Pervinca stood there, looking equally as horrified. "I didn't do it!"

"Right you didn't. You've taken food from the fields before. You won't get away with it this time." She took off and headed towards the stables where most of the Took's animals were kept. "Father! Pippin's been in the crops again!"

Paladin sighed. "Is it really all that tragic, Vinca?"

"Yes! Many are broken and ruined as well. Some are just half eaten."

Paladin got up and quickly followed his daughter back to the scene of the crime. When he got there, he saw his son covered in dirt and sweat standing over several broken crops.

"Peregrin Took, what is the meaning of this?"

"Father, I didn't...I didn't do this."

Paladin frowned at his son. He placed his hand on Pippin's shoulder and led him away, Pervinca behind them.

The three of them entered the hobbit hole and walked into the kitchen. Frodo and Merry looked at Pippin and then at Paladin. They both knew this couldn't be good.

"Frodo, would you mind terribly taking Merry back to Buckland? Pippin has caused a great deal of trouble and I don't think he should be rewarded with friends around."

Merry started to say something but Frodo put up his hand. "No, I don't mind. What should I tell his parents?"

"Exactly what I just told you. Please, do it quickly, and make your good byes now. I still have to talk to my son about this."

Pippin hung his head, trying to hide his tears. He hadn't done anything, yet his father refused to listen to that.

"Pippin..." was all Merry could say, before hugging Pippin.

"Good bye, Pippin," said Frodo, hugging him as well.

The two, followed by Sam, made their way down the hallway as Paladin led Pippin into his study for the second time in four days.