Disclaimer: ::Looks around:: Don't think I own em. They are Tolkien's and will never be mine. Unless I marry into the Tolkien family...ah...one can dream...

Hai Took-As my friend said, BUSTED! Lucky Pippin. I wanna go see Merry. LOL.

lotrandpotc-LOL...here you go!!

LOTR Board Comments:

Poor Pippin stuck with sister. Maybe he should try all younger brothers. Poor baby. I hope that is not the end. That was really great. You make me want to find him and hug him. :)-Belladonna Took (LOL..who doesn't want to hug Pippin?)

Lovely! I am so glad Took family harmony was restored :)-Orangeblossom Took (::giggles:: Took family harmony!!)

awwwww! That's so cute! I knew his sisters weren't all bad!-Evermind (Yea, just frustrated and misunderstood, but little brats at times..lol)

Sorry this took me sooo long. My 'a' key started freaking out and I couldn't even turn my computer on! Thank God for warranties!

Chapter Nine-Forgiveness

Merry sat on the shore of the Brandywine River, occasionally tossing a stone into it. He found a particularly large one and tossed it with a sigh. He missed his Pippin. He understood his uncle's reasoning behind his punishment but he hoped Pippin would be allowed to come to this birthday party in two weeks.

"Merry son? Isn't it a bit cold to be sitting out here?"

Merry turned around and saw his father standing behind him. "Hello, Father. Not too cold."

Saradoc moved to sit beside his son. "Are you alright, Merry?"

Merry shrugged. "I'm fine. Just thinking. Hoping."

"Is this about Pippin?"

"Yes. I know what he did was wrong, and I understand that Uncle Paladin wants him to learn, but I do hope he can come to my party."

Saradoc put his arm around his son and hugged him close. "I hope you don't think you're getting too old for this."

Merry smiled. "No, I don't think I'll ever be too old for this." He hugged his father back.

Saradoc chuckled. "Hard to believe it's been twenty-one years since you've come into our lives. You were such a tiny thing. Now look at you! A tweenager!"

Merry smiled again and looked back out over the river. "Do you think Uncle Pally will let him come?"

"I do hope, son. He's a bit of a handful and trying at times, but I do love the lad."
Merry nodded. "I miss his laugh the most."

Saradoc thought for a moment. "Yes, he does have an infectious laugh."

"Yes, I even hear it when he's not here." Just as Merry said that, a sound filtered through the darkening night. It was a sweet, lively sound.

Saradoc look curiously around. "Yes. I hear it too."

The two Brandybucks turned around and looked at the lane leading up to their front door. A wagon approached. Merry saw two figures, one was much taller then the other.

He looked at his father. "Who could that be?"

Saradoc and Merry stood up and walked toward the lane. When they were halfway there, Merry recognized the figures. "Father! It's Uncle Pally and Pippin!"

Saradoc laughed as his son ran toward the lane. "Good show, Paladin," he said to himself.

Merry made it to the lane just as the wagon came to a stop. "Uncle Paladin! Pippin!"

"Merry!" exclaimed Pippin as he leapt down from the wagon and right into his cousin's arms.

Although Merry was expecting the attack, the force of Pippin knocked him to the ground. "Pippin." He hugged the smaller hobbit close. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you more." Pippin felt tears sting his eyes and wiped them before they could fall. He placed his head on Merry's shoulder. "I couldn't see anyone. At least you got to see Frodo."

Merry lifted Pippin up so he could he could look into his eyes. "True, but you're my favorite cousin."

"And you're mine. Father says I can stay here as long as Uncle Saradoc and Aunt Essy can stand me."

Merry laughed and hugged Pippin again.

"Merry, remember your place," said Saradoc as he finally caught up with his son.

"Sorry, Father." Merry released Pippin and stood up. "Hello, Uncle Paladin." He pulled Pippin to his feet. "Is Pippin's punishment over then?"

"Yes, very much so. It never should have happened either. It seems, Pearl and Pervinca decided to get their brother in trouble. They've been dealt with. To make up for the past five months, I've brought Pippin early for your birthday. He can stay as long as your mother and father can stand him."

"Thank you, Uncle Pally!" Merry hugged his uncle tightly.

"You're quite welcome, Merry. Now, you and Pippin go off inside now. It's been a long journey and I'm sure Pippin's hungry."

"Alright."

Merry and Pippin went inside and ran right into Esmeralda.

"Oh, Pippin! What are you doing here?" She pulled her nephew in for a hug.

"Father brought me over."

"Well, that's wonderful! Saradoc and I were just saying that if he didn't send you soon, we were going to go and get you."

Pippin laughed. "Aunt Essy, I've missed you."

Esmeralda kissed Pippin lightly on the head. "And I you. Now, come into the kitchen with me. I'm sure your hungry.

Pippin spent a delightful two weeks at his cousin's. Merry's party was going to be a small one. The only people outside of Buckland invited were Frodo, Sam, and Pippin's parents and sisters.

"Oh, I can't wait to see Frodo! I've missed him so much. I was rather disappointed Father wouldn't let me go." Pippin bounced from foot to foot as he stood next to Merry, waiting for the guests to arrive

"I know, Pips." Merry put his arm around Pippin. "I know he missed you."

"Look! That's him!" Pippin pointed at the incoming wagon.

"Sure is."

Sam pulled the wagon to a stop. "Well, look at that Mr. Frodo! It's Mr. Pippin."

"It is indeed, Sam!" Frodo got out of the wagon and was promptly pummeled by Pippin. "Hello, dear Pippin! How I missed you!"

"I miss you too, Frodo. I held your coin everyday but it just wasn't same."

"Yes, it isn't. Your punishment over?"

"Well, see, it wasn't me that did it, Frodo. Pearl and Pervinca set me up."

Frodo and Sam exchanged a look. "Did they now? Are they coming as well?"

"I don't think so. Uncle Paladin told Father they were confined to the house, like Pippin was. Since he couldn't come to yours, I don't think they'll let them come to mine."

Frodo nodded as Merry glanced back up the lane. "Well, here's our answer. That's Uncle Pally now. They're the last ones."

"Hello, Merry! Frodo, Sam good to see you two as well," said Tine.

"Hello, Aunt Tine, Uncle Paladin, and Nelly! Come here!" Merry hugged Nel. "Good to see you."

"You too, Merry. And you as well Frodo."

Paladin got out of the wagon. "Merry, happy birthday, lad. Pearl and Pervinca send their love."

Merry laughed as he, Pippin, Frodo, Sam, and Nel headed toward the party.

It was an uneventful party as most hobbit parties are. Soon, the only guests left were Sam, Frodo, and the Tooks.

"We'd best be off, now. It was good to see you again, Pippin." Frodo made to get into the wagon. "Oh wait, I forgot your gift." He got a small package from underneath his seat. "I do hope you like it."

Pippin quickly opened it to reveal a pipe. Puzzled, Pippin looked back up at Frodo. "Mother and Father say I can't smoke yet."

Frodo smiled. "That was the one Bilbo used after you broke his old one. When you gave him the one you made, he stopped using it and used yours. I only just found it. I figured you should have it."

"He really used mine?"

"Yes, he loved it, Pippin." Frodo kissed Pippin on the cheek. "Good bye, Pippin."

"Thank you, Frodo!" Pippin waved as Frodo and Sam disappeared down the lane.

"Pippin, we're leaving now!" Paladin called.

He ran over to where his father stood. "Do I have to go?"

Paladin looked at Saradoc who nodded. "You may stay. But you'll have to come back by the fifteenth of March. It's your sister's birthday." He glanced at Nel. "You don't want to miss that, do you?"

"Oh, never. I'll be there, Nelly!"

Nel embraced her brother. "I'll miss you, Pippin but I'm glad you're happy."

Pippin waved goodbye as his parents and sister disappeared down the lane.

Spring came to the Shire and the annual Spring Festival was on everyone's mind. It was especially busy at the Took household.

"Girls! Hurry up! We have to get moving!" Tine called.

"Coming, Mother!" said Pearl. She turned to Pervinca. "I'm glad Father came to his senses and is letting us go." The two hadn't been told that Pippin had been the one who had convinced their father to let them go.

"Me, too. I love the Festival and would hate to miss it." Pervinca looked down. "You know, Pearl, it was a right stupid thing we did. We shouldn't have done that Pippin. Father had a point. What has he done to us?"

Pearl sighed and sat down. "I don't know. We were very happy he was born in good health. I know I wanted a sister, but I was quite happy it was boy. I guess I just got jealous. He's sick so often and Mother and Father just expected me to look after you and Nel. They never asked me if I could."

"You wouldn't have?" Pervinca looked up at her sister.

"No, I would have. I guess I just got frustrated. For weeks, all the talk was about Pippin. Mother and Father didn't seem to notice me."

"Did they at least thank you?"

Pearl smiled at Pervinca. "Yes, they did. Mother and Father aren't heartless you know. Now, what about you? What did Pippin do to you?"

Pervinca frowned. "He took my place. I was the baby for so long and then he came along. I guess I was jealous too. I feel bad for how we've treated him all these years."

"I do, too."

"It took you two long enough to come to your senses," said a voice at the door.

The two girls looked up to see their father leaning against the doorway.

"Hello, Father," said Pearl. She looked at her sister. "Yes, it did, but we have."

Paladin walked in and sat on Pearl's bed. "I didn't tell you two this, but Pippin was the one who convinced me to let you go. He knows how much you two love the Festival."

"He did?" Pervinca asked. "Poor Pippin. He really loves us, doesn't he?"

"Yes, he does." He kissed his youngest daughter on her head. "And if I'm not mistaken, you two are ready to admit you love him."

The girls nodded and both left the room in search of their brother.

They found him in his room getting ready for the festival.

"Pippin?" Pearl said as she knocked.

He looked up, surprised to find his sisters standing there. "Yes, Pearl? I didn't do it, whatever it is."

Pearl smiled. "Yes you did."

Pippin sighed. "What did I do now?"

The two girls walked into the room.

"You convinced Father to let us go today." Pervinca placed her hand on Pippin's shoulder. "Thank you." She hugged her little brother.

Pippin was shocked but quickly recovered to return the gesture. "You're welcome, Vincy."

"And we're sorry for what we did, Pippin. We do love you, and, well, we're sorry for not showing you before." Pearl hugged him as well.

"It's alright, Pearl. I knew you did. Deep down. You just had to find it."

The two girls kissed their brother before returning to Pervinca's room to finish getting ready.

Nel watched as they left. "What did they want?"

"Oh, nothing. Just wanted to visit their brother. And say they were sorry."

"Well, it's about time!"

"Nelly, just leave them alone, please? They are our sisters, and no matter what they do, they always will be."

Nel nodded and left her brother's room.

Pippin just shook his head. "Sisters," he said to himself as he finished getting ready.