Red String

Tea and Cakes

Meriadoc Brandybuck paced the floor before his quarter doors with great anticipation. This Afternoon Tea meeting today was just another one of his ingenious plans that he had ever had. Of course, with Peregrin Took – his other cousin – out running around on errands over Buckland, it would not be fully completed today. Merry sighed. This whole visit of his cousin Frodo Baggins coming to Buckland was just a vague scheme, with several mini schemes to try and make the hobbit have some sense of happiness.

Even as a closer cousin, Merry did not know exactly what happened to his cousin or his cousin's gardener, Samwise Gamgee. The two had been very vague on the subject, but then again maybe Pippin's curiosity had finally made Merry insane. Nearly all of his and Pippin's adventure had to do with Pippin's curiosity going into full throttle. Merry sighed again and pulled out his pocket watch, which he had inherited form his father upon his return to Buckland.

Today's little scheme was not really that all grand and magnificent as what his and Pippin's others had been. Even visiting his cousins, Frodo was silent, rarely spoke, and when he did it was soft and almost as if he were not within the present conversation; more along the lines of being far away in a distant land, and remaining there. Perhaps the Ring and Quest did more to his dear cousin than at first thought.

Merry sighed again. This month of August was smoldering hot, more so than it normally was. He continued to pace, thinking along on what he could do for his cousin. Yet then he had other things to worry about as well. The restoration of the Shire and Buckland, finding a bride to continue on the proud Brandybuck name, but then also he was a Knight of Rohan, and what if King Eomer needed him at a point? He sighed again. All this would surely make his mind explode sooner or later.

Then there was a nock.

"Master Meriadoc!" the voice of one of the house maids called. She must have been one of the younger ones, to have such a high pitch voice. "One of your guests have arrived, sir, shall I lead…."

"Yes, please." Merry said. The sound of quick feet leaving was heard, and then a few moments later the sound of double the feet was present.

Another nock.

Merry opened the door to find what he had thought; a younger maid and his guest. He smiled and nodded for the maid to return to her other duties, then let his guest inside.

His guests name was Miranda Chubb. One of his later childhood friends. He had made recent contact with her again once the restoration of Buckland was set into motion. Miranda smiled at Merry and the two hugged in the old friendship way, Merry leading her to the table to sit.

"Well, Merry, I was surprised you even remembered this Afternoon Tea meeting, with the entire ruckus that has been heard from Brandywine Hall." Miranda joked. Merry noticed that she had an accent now, probably from staying all that time in the South Farthering with her Aunt.

"And since when did the lovely and charming Miranda speak in such a proper voice?" Merry teased, pulling the chair out for her and letting her sit down comfortably before pushing her chair into the small table in the sitting room. "I don't recall the Miranda I know being such an old woman."

Miranda laughed and hit Merry playfully in the arm. "It comes from living with my Aunt, you nut old Brandybuck." She teased back. "They are all rather formal there, speaking like I am now…but don't worry, a few days with you and Pippin around will have me back in my Bucklander self.."

It was now Merry's turn to laugh. "Yes, well, I'm afraid that Pippin won't join us today…he is out restoring Buckland, and couldn't make it."

Merry studied Miranda. She had grown about another inch from when he last saw her, a year ago before he had run into Frodo and the band of hobbits leaving the Shire for Bree. Her long curly auburn hair was shorter about by three inches, pulled back into a braid in the back of her head. She bore a straw hat with a large sunflower in the front, a blue ribbon across the place where her head was. She wore a normal summer time dress, short sleeves, thin skirt, and a vest that came down to her hips. The dress was a dark forest green; Merry had to admit that greens had always fitted her.

"But, don't be worried." Merry continued on his conversation. "I have invited another guest to fill his place." He smiled and Miranda lifted her eyebrow in suspicion, knowing very well that the Brandybuck was up to something. "No it is not some crazy tween."

"The only crazy one is you." Miranda smiled. She placed her hands neatly in her skirts. "So, then, who is this lucky hobbit to take such the honorable spot of Peregrin the great?" she placed sarcasm on the words of 'great' and 'honorable'.

Merry thought a moment how to explain this. If he told her, then Miranda would instantly catch on to his and Pippin's scheme, but then maybe she'd figure it when Frodo came by. Merry pulled out his pocket watch again, checking the time. It was half past one, and Frodo was going to be late. Late! Who had ever heard of a hobbit being late for a meal? Especially this one! He looked up at Miranda as she lifted her eyebrow again. "Oh, you'll see." He said simply.

"Merry, you old schemer!" Miranda leaned forward, her hands on her hips. "What are you up to this time?"

"Nothing of a terrible sort, promise." Merry held up his hand in a vow. "Cross my hungry stomach and hope to starve."

"Oh please, like you could ever starve!" Miranda joked. "You'll just go picking out of gardens if you need a snack." She giggled.

Merry snickered. "Well, not anymore! I am the Master of Brandywine Hall, can't be doing that now, can I?"

"No, you could always raid the kitchen instead." Miranda said thoughtfully. Merry let out another laugh.

 There was another knock at the door. Merry jumped up and ran to the door, opening it. He smiled and opened the door, letting his cousin in. Frodo quietly stepped into the room. Miranda was looking at the designs on the small tea cups. Frodo looked at Mira with no expression then turned his gaze to Merry.

 "This is Miranda Chubb, cousin." Merry smiled happily, patting Frodo on the back. Miranda turned her head and stood, smiling friendly at the new comer. "I have gotten back in touch with her since our return, and I'd figure I'd invite her to our tea this afternoon."

 "If Ms. Chubb doesn't mind spending the afternoon with us." Frodo said, coming over and taking Miranda's hand up, kissing it in a gentleman fashion.

 Miranda smiled. "I wouldn't mind, Mr. Baggins, I've been interested in meeting another cousin of Merry's…wondering if they are all cracked like Merry is." She smiled, and something flashed in Frodo's eyes but it was brief. He then satin a seat in between Merry and Miranda, on the side of the table.

 Merry took his seat as well and smiled to himself. This was working out good.

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a/n: thank you all for reading. ^^

she-hobbit: Yes, lots of Merry and Pippin. They are the largest side characters ^^