Chapter 19
Everything That He Knows
Degradation filled the Took's heart as he stood in the center of the kitchen where the servants stopped everything that they were doing to stare openly at him. Their mouths opened widely, as did their eyes that ogled him. The clanging of the pots being washed ceased and the clicking of the plates came to a standstill as each head was turned and each ear bent to listen.
The Took's face was as crimson as the ear that Hatty held between her thumb and forefinger. Letting go his ear quickly, she placed her hands upon her hips with her face angry and set.
Pippin placed his fingertips together in front of him and it looked at if the Took would suddenly fall to his knees to beg her forgiveness. But he did not. Before Hatty could get a word out edgewise, he immediately began to ramble out things in searching for away to make amends with her.
"I know you're angry, Hatty and I'm as sorry as I can possibly be. I tried not to make a mess last night, but it was not entirely my fault. That foal is very spirited, as spirited as any you have ever seen!" A sheen of sweat appeared over his upper lip and his brow as he took in a deep breath and continued nervously. "I-I-I can fix things for you, Hatty. Really I can! I'll wash the dishes and dry them or I could stir something for you. I can even sweep the floor!" Pippin rushed over and grasped the broom handle to show her his willingness to help her. Taking two strong swipes with the broom to the floor, he accidentally bumped into a table leg and brought it back hitting the other. The first swipe made the clean teacups begin to rattle and tip. The second swipe sent the stack of teacup toppled over with a slight roll before they came crashing down upon the floor.
Faramir and the guard who just walked into the kitchen stood frozen in place after seeing the teacups beginning to teeter. Faramir held his hands over his ears knowing that the crashing glass was going to be very loud.
An unbelieving look crossed Pippin's face and in a quick moment of panic he nervously dropped the handle of the broom and fell to the floor. His hand trembled trying to pick up the broken teacups until a loud clang from the broom handle hit the silver tray that rested upon the countertop. The tray flipped into the air and landed next to Hatty's feet. His eyes set in panic stared horrified at the red face cook who looked as if she was going to explode. Knowing his luck has worn thin, Pippin raced to stand quickly and thought of making his escape. A loud gasp was heard coming from the servants who watched the event.
The second Pippin stood his backside hit the edge of the table that caused the table end to lift and teeter. The clean stacks of plates that rested on the other end of the table slide off and came crashing down upon the floor. The wave of loud breaking glass drowned out any other noise in the kitchen. Staring in wild amazement at the site of all the broken dishes laying in a pile of broken shattered glass, Pippin began to slowly back away from the table. His feet felt slow and ponderous with each step he took away from the angry and raged cook.
In frightening suddenness the cook bent down to pick up the fallen broomstick that rested upon the floor and raised it threateningly at Pippin.
"You get out of my kitchen, you……you…….. Clumsy footed Took!" she shouted at him in a rage of fury. "My dishes, my teacups! You've broken 'em all! Get out! Out!" she pointed and screamed at him. The madder she became the less coherent were her words. "Look what……..You ever……..Out!"
"But Hatty, I did not know that was going to happen! I'm sorry, really I am!" said Pippin as he continued to back away nervously.
Faramir immediately noticed that his father was about to run into the wooden shelf that housed rows of metal pots and pans. Before he had time to shout a warning to him, his father ran directly into them and they came crashing down around him. Pippin turned around quickly to stop the shelf from teetering any farther and he held out his arms and hands to stop it. However, not fast enough to prevent the pots from crashing and clanging upon the floor. One pot landing upon is head and another that he stepped into that his foot became lodged. There he stood in darkness from the pan that rested over his head and upon his shoulders. He clanged as he took a step and tripped when the straw broom was brought down upon his behind.
Faramir cringed and winced closing his eyes with each wallop of the broom that Hatty brought down upon his father.
"Ouch!" he shouted but not before another hit from the broom and then another hit that landed upon him.
Scrambling to get the pot from his head and the other one that was stuck to his foot. The Took crawled for his life trying to avoid another hit of the broom.
Faramir stood motionless and speechless in shock staring at his father getting beat upon. He now knew why his father feared her so much.
The guard rushed to Pippin and pulled the pot from his foot and dragged him away from the area. Taking Faramir's hand and having Pippin in the other, the men folk dashed out of the kitchen just before the pots were flung and hit the closed door making their narrow escape.
Loud curses followed them as the three raced off down the long corridor and to safety.
Wiping his sleeve across his sweating brow, Pippin looked at his rescuer and thanked him. "I owe you for that one, lad!" commented Pippin. "That was a close one!"
"If I were you, sir!" the guard said breathlessly. "I'd avoid seeing old Hatty for sometime to come!"
Pippin nodded knowingly and straightened himself. Looking down upon his son, his faced reddened slightly. "I'm sorry you had to see that, son," trying to regain some control over himself. "She's got the hottest temper that I've ever set eyes upon. Let that be a warning for you, my boy, never cross a tempered cook in a kitchen. It could be very hazardous to your health!"
Straightening his shirt collar and clearing this throat nervously, the Tooks walked respectfully back down the corridor to continue their search.
Walking hand and hand with his father down the long corridor and weaving in and out of the many hobbits in front of them, Faramir dropped his father's hand and dashed away from him suddenly.
"Faramir! Stop!" shouted Pippin losing sight of his son. Standing to his tallest height and peering over the crowd in front of him, he searched the crowd to find him. Knowing that for Faramir would be in danger if spotted by Faradom. His heart raced in his chest while he pushed himself in panic through the crowd and desperately scanned each hairy foot for his only son. "Faramir!"
The crowd parted to let the Took through and he raced down the corridor to find him. Images of his son being taking drifted in his thoughts and increased his fear and desperation.
He heard a loud laughter coming from the group up a head of him and stopped suddenly to see Estella with her arms wrapped around Faramir. Pippin stopped in front of Merry and eased the panic of his beating heart.
Merry put his arm around Pippin to greet him with a warm smile. "It's a fine day, my dearest cousin! My Da has a wakened and doing fine!"
"That's wonderful news Merry," commented Pippin but his smile soon faded and he wondered how he was going to tell Merry about Faramir's news. Pippin looked into Merry's smiling face and prepared himself for his next words. "But our troubles are not entirely over with. Faramir has spotted the lad who took Estella and your mother. He has not found his end in the cave-in of the tunnels. He is here, Merry, in Brandy Hall dressed as one of your guards!"
The smile on Merry's face instantly faded and his eyes darkened at Pippin's news. Estella set Faramir upon the ground and rose to stand next to her husband. Placing her hand upon Merry's arm she saw his face turn to darkness. He stepped away from the small group and paused a moment lost in his thoughts. Shifting his eyes to the guards within the hall, he knew it would be difficult to sort them out since half the young lad's in Brandy Hall were guards. Taking Estella's arm, he asked her to take Faramir to his room and pulled Pippin closer to him and whispered. "Pippin, we must find Berilac and Merimac. I think we need to question Sheffield a little more. That lad has not told us everything that he knows!"
XXX
Tom smiled softly and waved as Tulsi left him standing in front of the bedroom door were he was to rest during his healing. Tom looked around for the guard who once stood by this door and wonder why he was no longer their. Shrugging his shoulders, his thoughts turned to the lad who was still in the room. Tom opened the door and went inside.
Sheffield was standing next to his bed and pulling on his trouser and buckling them up.
"Where are you off to?" Tom asked and suspiciously stared at him.
"I just can not stay in bed resting. I have some things I need to take care of!" stated Sheffield without looked towards his roommate and gathering the few things of his.
Tom folded his arms in front of himself and stubbornly refused to move away from the door. Thinking that if the guard was not looking after this Tweksbury, then it was his duty to keep him there until the guard returned. "I think ya ought ta be resting as the healers has told ya!"
Sheffield turned around and saw the determined look upon Tom's face and instantly knew that the lad would not let him pass. Feeling trapped and knowing that Fardom was wandering around Brandy Hall, he was determined to get pass the lad. "I wasn't aware o' being arrested and held against my will."
Tom cocked his eyebrow knowingly and still held firmly in his place. His arm was sore, but nothing but a good size bruise upon his shoulder. The Brandybucks were making a big fuss, but Tom knew that they only wanted to thank him and give him a soft bed to sleep in since the stables were burnt down. With all the good meals and heavy workout doing farm chores, gave bulk to this lad. However, Sizing Sheffield up, Tom felt that he could stop him if need be. Sheffield was a thin hobbit and did not look to be able to punch himself out of a wet bag.
"Until Master Merry gives me word, you'll not be going nowhere, but yer bed!"
Sheffield looked at Tom's wrapped arm and bandaged forehead and did not feel too threatened by him and knew if push came to shove, he could get around this impenetrable looking lad. He may be small, but after years of living with the Tweksbury, he was fast and very surefooted.
Sheffield tucked in the remaining shirttail and rolled up his sleeves on the shirt that the Brandybucks' gave to him. "I don't have time ta be mincing words with ya, lad. Now move or I'll be going through ya!"
"Try if ya think yer able!" said Tom and took on a more determine stance.
"Fine, have it yer way!" with sudden speed and agility he made a dash for Tom, but quickly sidestep and spun around him. At the same time, Sheffield grabbed the door handle while Tom staggered upon his feet trying not to lose his balance.
In one quick movement, Sheffield opened the door and ran directly into Merry and Pippin who stood in the hallway and seconds from opening the door.
Merry grabbed Sheffield's arm and pulled him back into the room. Tom's red angry face glared up at the lad and then smiled seeing Merry had him firmly.
"We got a few questions to ask you, Sheffield. Why not be a good lad and come sit a spell and tell us everything that you've been holding back so far!" snapped Merry and sat him down upon his bed.
Rubbing his arm, Sheffield made himself comfortable before he looked upon Merry and then over at Pippin. "What do you want to know?"
"The lad that stole my wife and mother was spotted walking in the corridors of Brandy Hall dressed as one of my guards. Who is he?" asked Merry firmly.
Tom knew who Merry was speaking about immediately and was shocked to hear that he did not die in the cave in. His eyes quickly turned to Sheffield who looked nervously at the walls and windows and then turned back to the Master of Buckland. "His name is Faradom Tweksbury and he means revenge upon ya fer his family bein' kilt."
"Is this your plan, too? Have you both joined forces for your revenge?" asked Merry.
"It's never been my plan, sir and ta some extent I owe 'em Tweksbury's nothin'. Nor will I help him! That Faradom is the worst o' the lot and a very accomplished thief," added Sheffield and noticed their doubting his word. It was clearly written upon their faces. Trying to convince them that he was no threat to them, he continued. "Faradom stole into this room last night and threatened me to hold me tongue. He's plannin' his revenge upon yer family and has stolen ya blind all ready. You'll not find him an easy prey ta capture as he's as surefooted and sneaky!" Sheffield paused a moment to let his works sink in. Taking in a deep breath, he watched their eyes in the hope that he could convince them that he was not like the Tweksbury. "He's found yer tunnels under Brandy Hall and now knows the ins and outs o' this 'ere manor, so to speak. I know Faradom and his ways. If'n ya allow me ta draw him out, I can get him fer ya!"
"Why would we do that since you're a Tweksbury and a part of his family? And why should we trust you?" asked Merry.
"I'm not a Tweksbury, sir. They stole me as a young lad and forced me ta do unthinkable things. I feared 'em, sir. And being such a young one, I've no memories of me past or my own family. You'll not catch him, sir, if'n ya not allow me helpin' ya. Trust is earned, sir. I'm meanin' ta show ya my worth!"
Merry looked at Sheffield for a long moment without saying a word. There was something in his eyes and his concern for the safety of the Bucklanders that swayed Merry to consider what he was asking. Momentarily, Merry nodded in agreement. "I'll take your assistance in helping us find this Faradom fellow. But Sheffield until we know the extent of your worth, as you put it. I'm meaning to be by your side the entire time. Do I make myself clear enough?"
Sheffield nodded. "Yes, sir. The first place to watch him is with the elder hobbits who brought down his family. Knowin' Faradom, he'll not rest until he has repaid that debt."
Pippin looked at Merry and knew that his father was in the gravest danger as well as Saradoc. Merry turned to Berilac and Merimac, "There is only a few guards we can trust, and if Faradom is posing as a guard he'll be able to slip in and out without every being questioned. Berilac you post only your trusted guard around the Tooks and Merimac, you do likewise with my father. We must not let anyone near them!"
Turning to the crowd of hobbits in this small room, Merry motioned them out. Looking at Tom and knowing he needed a trusted friend to help him, he asked. "Are you feeling fit, Tom to help us find this Faradom?"
Tom quickly nodded. "Yes, sir!"
"Good then, you, Sheffield and Pippin will help me search the tunnels until we find him."
Tom scrabbled to find his trousers and quickly put them over his nightshirt and followed them out into the hallway.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
ShireElf : Yes, I remember, pushing evil off the cliff is a good way to get rid of them quickly! I too have an obsession with that! Hehehehehe…..evil laughter….mawa…..LOL!
I hope you enjoyed that little scene with Pippin and Hatty in the kitchen. I tried many ways in thinking about what Hatty would do to get even with the Took. But it seems like he turned things around and has gotten himself into more trouble with her. Whatever is she going to do next to Pippin?
Faradom must be stopped and I am currently playing with a bunch of scenario in finding the right solution to his demise…..thinking about that cliff thing for a moment…..hum…..I wish Brandy Hall had a tower and a window……Maybe Allanlon will pop in with his elfstones to take care of him….(Just joking here for a moment!)…LOL. I'm still obsessing about Terry Brooks and the Sword of Shannara. That story I want to write next is pressing in my mind and forcing me to finish this story about Merry and Estella. Perhaps only you and I will have fun burning that section of FF with those awesome characters in our own stories, (I love Shea and Flick!). Have you read the Wheel of Time Stories from Robert Jordon yet? A friend of mine read an article from Robert Jordon who quoted saying that he would track anyone down who used his characters in a FF story inappropriately…..hehehehe. Oh my gosh that would be awesome to meet Robert Jordon in person….LOL….(just kidding again, it would scare me too much if he actually did!)
BedTimeMonster: Let's hope that Merry, Pippin, Sheffield and Tom find Faradom in those tunnels before nightfall. Or he tries to make a move on Paladine and Saradoc so Merimac and Berilac can catch him. He's a very tricky hobbit, just like Sheffield had told them. I have an interesting idea for the next chapter. Hehehehe…..evil laughter coming from the back of loveofthering's throat. LOL….(just kidding)
I also wanted to thank you for reading. "For My Estella," and knowing that you enjoyed one of my older stories. It is awesome to open your reviews to see an additional one added on an older story! It seems lately, that I have found writing about Merry and Estella a lot of fun and fascination with this couple. I think Merry is awesome! Now I get to see more of Dom on Wednesday nights on TV, in the show called, "Lost!"
Everything That He Knows
Degradation filled the Took's heart as he stood in the center of the kitchen where the servants stopped everything that they were doing to stare openly at him. Their mouths opened widely, as did their eyes that ogled him. The clanging of the pots being washed ceased and the clicking of the plates came to a standstill as each head was turned and each ear bent to listen.
The Took's face was as crimson as the ear that Hatty held between her thumb and forefinger. Letting go his ear quickly, she placed her hands upon her hips with her face angry and set.
Pippin placed his fingertips together in front of him and it looked at if the Took would suddenly fall to his knees to beg her forgiveness. But he did not. Before Hatty could get a word out edgewise, he immediately began to ramble out things in searching for away to make amends with her.
"I know you're angry, Hatty and I'm as sorry as I can possibly be. I tried not to make a mess last night, but it was not entirely my fault. That foal is very spirited, as spirited as any you have ever seen!" A sheen of sweat appeared over his upper lip and his brow as he took in a deep breath and continued nervously. "I-I-I can fix things for you, Hatty. Really I can! I'll wash the dishes and dry them or I could stir something for you. I can even sweep the floor!" Pippin rushed over and grasped the broom handle to show her his willingness to help her. Taking two strong swipes with the broom to the floor, he accidentally bumped into a table leg and brought it back hitting the other. The first swipe made the clean teacups begin to rattle and tip. The second swipe sent the stack of teacup toppled over with a slight roll before they came crashing down upon the floor.
Faramir and the guard who just walked into the kitchen stood frozen in place after seeing the teacups beginning to teeter. Faramir held his hands over his ears knowing that the crashing glass was going to be very loud.
An unbelieving look crossed Pippin's face and in a quick moment of panic he nervously dropped the handle of the broom and fell to the floor. His hand trembled trying to pick up the broken teacups until a loud clang from the broom handle hit the silver tray that rested upon the countertop. The tray flipped into the air and landed next to Hatty's feet. His eyes set in panic stared horrified at the red face cook who looked as if she was going to explode. Knowing his luck has worn thin, Pippin raced to stand quickly and thought of making his escape. A loud gasp was heard coming from the servants who watched the event.
The second Pippin stood his backside hit the edge of the table that caused the table end to lift and teeter. The clean stacks of plates that rested on the other end of the table slide off and came crashing down upon the floor. The wave of loud breaking glass drowned out any other noise in the kitchen. Staring in wild amazement at the site of all the broken dishes laying in a pile of broken shattered glass, Pippin began to slowly back away from the table. His feet felt slow and ponderous with each step he took away from the angry and raged cook.
In frightening suddenness the cook bent down to pick up the fallen broomstick that rested upon the floor and raised it threateningly at Pippin.
"You get out of my kitchen, you……you…….. Clumsy footed Took!" she shouted at him in a rage of fury. "My dishes, my teacups! You've broken 'em all! Get out! Out!" she pointed and screamed at him. The madder she became the less coherent were her words. "Look what……..You ever……..Out!"
"But Hatty, I did not know that was going to happen! I'm sorry, really I am!" said Pippin as he continued to back away nervously.
Faramir immediately noticed that his father was about to run into the wooden shelf that housed rows of metal pots and pans. Before he had time to shout a warning to him, his father ran directly into them and they came crashing down around him. Pippin turned around quickly to stop the shelf from teetering any farther and he held out his arms and hands to stop it. However, not fast enough to prevent the pots from crashing and clanging upon the floor. One pot landing upon is head and another that he stepped into that his foot became lodged. There he stood in darkness from the pan that rested over his head and upon his shoulders. He clanged as he took a step and tripped when the straw broom was brought down upon his behind.
Faramir cringed and winced closing his eyes with each wallop of the broom that Hatty brought down upon his father.
"Ouch!" he shouted but not before another hit from the broom and then another hit that landed upon him.
Scrambling to get the pot from his head and the other one that was stuck to his foot. The Took crawled for his life trying to avoid another hit of the broom.
Faramir stood motionless and speechless in shock staring at his father getting beat upon. He now knew why his father feared her so much.
The guard rushed to Pippin and pulled the pot from his foot and dragged him away from the area. Taking Faramir's hand and having Pippin in the other, the men folk dashed out of the kitchen just before the pots were flung and hit the closed door making their narrow escape.
Loud curses followed them as the three raced off down the long corridor and to safety.
Wiping his sleeve across his sweating brow, Pippin looked at his rescuer and thanked him. "I owe you for that one, lad!" commented Pippin. "That was a close one!"
"If I were you, sir!" the guard said breathlessly. "I'd avoid seeing old Hatty for sometime to come!"
Pippin nodded knowingly and straightened himself. Looking down upon his son, his faced reddened slightly. "I'm sorry you had to see that, son," trying to regain some control over himself. "She's got the hottest temper that I've ever set eyes upon. Let that be a warning for you, my boy, never cross a tempered cook in a kitchen. It could be very hazardous to your health!"
Straightening his shirt collar and clearing this throat nervously, the Tooks walked respectfully back down the corridor to continue their search.
Walking hand and hand with his father down the long corridor and weaving in and out of the many hobbits in front of them, Faramir dropped his father's hand and dashed away from him suddenly.
"Faramir! Stop!" shouted Pippin losing sight of his son. Standing to his tallest height and peering over the crowd in front of him, he searched the crowd to find him. Knowing that for Faramir would be in danger if spotted by Faradom. His heart raced in his chest while he pushed himself in panic through the crowd and desperately scanned each hairy foot for his only son. "Faramir!"
The crowd parted to let the Took through and he raced down the corridor to find him. Images of his son being taking drifted in his thoughts and increased his fear and desperation.
He heard a loud laughter coming from the group up a head of him and stopped suddenly to see Estella with her arms wrapped around Faramir. Pippin stopped in front of Merry and eased the panic of his beating heart.
Merry put his arm around Pippin to greet him with a warm smile. "It's a fine day, my dearest cousin! My Da has a wakened and doing fine!"
"That's wonderful news Merry," commented Pippin but his smile soon faded and he wondered how he was going to tell Merry about Faramir's news. Pippin looked into Merry's smiling face and prepared himself for his next words. "But our troubles are not entirely over with. Faramir has spotted the lad who took Estella and your mother. He has not found his end in the cave-in of the tunnels. He is here, Merry, in Brandy Hall dressed as one of your guards!"
The smile on Merry's face instantly faded and his eyes darkened at Pippin's news. Estella set Faramir upon the ground and rose to stand next to her husband. Placing her hand upon Merry's arm she saw his face turn to darkness. He stepped away from the small group and paused a moment lost in his thoughts. Shifting his eyes to the guards within the hall, he knew it would be difficult to sort them out since half the young lad's in Brandy Hall were guards. Taking Estella's arm, he asked her to take Faramir to his room and pulled Pippin closer to him and whispered. "Pippin, we must find Berilac and Merimac. I think we need to question Sheffield a little more. That lad has not told us everything that he knows!"
XXX
Tom smiled softly and waved as Tulsi left him standing in front of the bedroom door were he was to rest during his healing. Tom looked around for the guard who once stood by this door and wonder why he was no longer their. Shrugging his shoulders, his thoughts turned to the lad who was still in the room. Tom opened the door and went inside.
Sheffield was standing next to his bed and pulling on his trouser and buckling them up.
"Where are you off to?" Tom asked and suspiciously stared at him.
"I just can not stay in bed resting. I have some things I need to take care of!" stated Sheffield without looked towards his roommate and gathering the few things of his.
Tom folded his arms in front of himself and stubbornly refused to move away from the door. Thinking that if the guard was not looking after this Tweksbury, then it was his duty to keep him there until the guard returned. "I think ya ought ta be resting as the healers has told ya!"
Sheffield turned around and saw the determined look upon Tom's face and instantly knew that the lad would not let him pass. Feeling trapped and knowing that Fardom was wandering around Brandy Hall, he was determined to get pass the lad. "I wasn't aware o' being arrested and held against my will."
Tom cocked his eyebrow knowingly and still held firmly in his place. His arm was sore, but nothing but a good size bruise upon his shoulder. The Brandybucks were making a big fuss, but Tom knew that they only wanted to thank him and give him a soft bed to sleep in since the stables were burnt down. With all the good meals and heavy workout doing farm chores, gave bulk to this lad. However, Sizing Sheffield up, Tom felt that he could stop him if need be. Sheffield was a thin hobbit and did not look to be able to punch himself out of a wet bag.
"Until Master Merry gives me word, you'll not be going nowhere, but yer bed!"
Sheffield looked at Tom's wrapped arm and bandaged forehead and did not feel too threatened by him and knew if push came to shove, he could get around this impenetrable looking lad. He may be small, but after years of living with the Tweksbury, he was fast and very surefooted.
Sheffield tucked in the remaining shirttail and rolled up his sleeves on the shirt that the Brandybucks' gave to him. "I don't have time ta be mincing words with ya, lad. Now move or I'll be going through ya!"
"Try if ya think yer able!" said Tom and took on a more determine stance.
"Fine, have it yer way!" with sudden speed and agility he made a dash for Tom, but quickly sidestep and spun around him. At the same time, Sheffield grabbed the door handle while Tom staggered upon his feet trying not to lose his balance.
In one quick movement, Sheffield opened the door and ran directly into Merry and Pippin who stood in the hallway and seconds from opening the door.
Merry grabbed Sheffield's arm and pulled him back into the room. Tom's red angry face glared up at the lad and then smiled seeing Merry had him firmly.
"We got a few questions to ask you, Sheffield. Why not be a good lad and come sit a spell and tell us everything that you've been holding back so far!" snapped Merry and sat him down upon his bed.
Rubbing his arm, Sheffield made himself comfortable before he looked upon Merry and then over at Pippin. "What do you want to know?"
"The lad that stole my wife and mother was spotted walking in the corridors of Brandy Hall dressed as one of my guards. Who is he?" asked Merry firmly.
Tom knew who Merry was speaking about immediately and was shocked to hear that he did not die in the cave in. His eyes quickly turned to Sheffield who looked nervously at the walls and windows and then turned back to the Master of Buckland. "His name is Faradom Tweksbury and he means revenge upon ya fer his family bein' kilt."
"Is this your plan, too? Have you both joined forces for your revenge?" asked Merry.
"It's never been my plan, sir and ta some extent I owe 'em Tweksbury's nothin'. Nor will I help him! That Faradom is the worst o' the lot and a very accomplished thief," added Sheffield and noticed their doubting his word. It was clearly written upon their faces. Trying to convince them that he was no threat to them, he continued. "Faradom stole into this room last night and threatened me to hold me tongue. He's plannin' his revenge upon yer family and has stolen ya blind all ready. You'll not find him an easy prey ta capture as he's as surefooted and sneaky!" Sheffield paused a moment to let his works sink in. Taking in a deep breath, he watched their eyes in the hope that he could convince them that he was not like the Tweksbury. "He's found yer tunnels under Brandy Hall and now knows the ins and outs o' this 'ere manor, so to speak. I know Faradom and his ways. If'n ya allow me ta draw him out, I can get him fer ya!"
"Why would we do that since you're a Tweksbury and a part of his family? And why should we trust you?" asked Merry.
"I'm not a Tweksbury, sir. They stole me as a young lad and forced me ta do unthinkable things. I feared 'em, sir. And being such a young one, I've no memories of me past or my own family. You'll not catch him, sir, if'n ya not allow me helpin' ya. Trust is earned, sir. I'm meanin' ta show ya my worth!"
Merry looked at Sheffield for a long moment without saying a word. There was something in his eyes and his concern for the safety of the Bucklanders that swayed Merry to consider what he was asking. Momentarily, Merry nodded in agreement. "I'll take your assistance in helping us find this Faradom fellow. But Sheffield until we know the extent of your worth, as you put it. I'm meaning to be by your side the entire time. Do I make myself clear enough?"
Sheffield nodded. "Yes, sir. The first place to watch him is with the elder hobbits who brought down his family. Knowin' Faradom, he'll not rest until he has repaid that debt."
Pippin looked at Merry and knew that his father was in the gravest danger as well as Saradoc. Merry turned to Berilac and Merimac, "There is only a few guards we can trust, and if Faradom is posing as a guard he'll be able to slip in and out without every being questioned. Berilac you post only your trusted guard around the Tooks and Merimac, you do likewise with my father. We must not let anyone near them!"
Turning to the crowd of hobbits in this small room, Merry motioned them out. Looking at Tom and knowing he needed a trusted friend to help him, he asked. "Are you feeling fit, Tom to help us find this Faradom?"
Tom quickly nodded. "Yes, sir!"
"Good then, you, Sheffield and Pippin will help me search the tunnels until we find him."
Tom scrabbled to find his trousers and quickly put them over his nightshirt and followed them out into the hallway.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
ShireElf : Yes, I remember, pushing evil off the cliff is a good way to get rid of them quickly! I too have an obsession with that! Hehehehehe…..evil laughter….mawa…..LOL!
I hope you enjoyed that little scene with Pippin and Hatty in the kitchen. I tried many ways in thinking about what Hatty would do to get even with the Took. But it seems like he turned things around and has gotten himself into more trouble with her. Whatever is she going to do next to Pippin?
Faradom must be stopped and I am currently playing with a bunch of scenario in finding the right solution to his demise…..thinking about that cliff thing for a moment…..hum…..I wish Brandy Hall had a tower and a window……Maybe Allanlon will pop in with his elfstones to take care of him….(Just joking here for a moment!)…LOL. I'm still obsessing about Terry Brooks and the Sword of Shannara. That story I want to write next is pressing in my mind and forcing me to finish this story about Merry and Estella. Perhaps only you and I will have fun burning that section of FF with those awesome characters in our own stories, (I love Shea and Flick!). Have you read the Wheel of Time Stories from Robert Jordon yet? A friend of mine read an article from Robert Jordon who quoted saying that he would track anyone down who used his characters in a FF story inappropriately…..hehehehe. Oh my gosh that would be awesome to meet Robert Jordon in person….LOL….(just kidding again, it would scare me too much if he actually did!)
BedTimeMonster: Let's hope that Merry, Pippin, Sheffield and Tom find Faradom in those tunnels before nightfall. Or he tries to make a move on Paladine and Saradoc so Merimac and Berilac can catch him. He's a very tricky hobbit, just like Sheffield had told them. I have an interesting idea for the next chapter. Hehehehe…..evil laughter coming from the back of loveofthering's throat. LOL….(just kidding)
I also wanted to thank you for reading. "For My Estella," and knowing that you enjoyed one of my older stories. It is awesome to open your reviews to see an additional one added on an older story! It seems lately, that I have found writing about Merry and Estella a lot of fun and fascination with this couple. I think Merry is awesome! Now I get to see more of Dom on Wednesday nights on TV, in the show called, "Lost!"