Frodo tapped Merry's shoulder. There was no answer. "Merry" said Frodo hopefully. The last thing Frodo wanted to do was drag an unconcious Hobbit all the way home. Pippin, as if hearing Frodo's thoughts, began shaking Merry. "Merry! wake up!" Merry groaned but made no attempt to move. Pippin shrugged. "So, how long are you planning on staying, Frodo?" he asked.
"Until closing." replied Frodo, a bit too quickly. Pippin raised his eyebrows. "It won't be like last time when you said that will it?" and began to laugh.
"No, not like last time." said Frodo unappreciatively. "Besides, that was different. I was tired." Pippin only laughed harder. "Well, Frodo" he said, "I hope you do manage to stay." Frodo smiled. He figured he wouldn't have any trouble staying awake for 10 mushrooms. Pippin got out his coin pouch and opened it. "That's odd.." he said as he looked inside, "I thought I had at least enough for four Ale's in here. oh well. I guess....Hey! I could borrow from Merry!"
"No!" said Frodo, reaching out to push Pippin's hand away. Pippin looked taken aback. He stared at Frodo with an expression of puzzlement on his face. Frodo thought quickly. "It wouldn't be right to borrow without permission." Pippin sat back. "I guess you're right." he said. Frodo sighed with relief.
Lotho made his way to the counter, ducking behind Hobbits when he was in view of Frodo's table. "Good evening" said the fat, rosy-cheeked Hobbit behind the counter. "May I help you?" Lotho smiled slyly "Yes, you may." he said. and then lowered his voice to a hushed whisper. "You see that young fellow over there" Lotho motioned towards Pippin.
"Yes, that's Mr. Peregrin." replied the Hobbit, rather hesitantly. Everyone knew that Lotho was a troublemaker. Lotho continued, "Could you give him as many Ales as he can drink." the Hobbit opened his mouth to speak but Lotho interupted. "On me, of coarse." The fat Hobbit wrinkled his nose. He knew he couldn't say no to that, and he also knew how much Pippin loved to drink. "Well..." he began "I suppose I could do that." Lotho smiled "Thank you" he said, and made his way back to his table, quite pleased with himself.
A chubby, very short barmaid approached Frodo and Pippin's table carrying a pint of Ale. She smiled, set the Ale in front of Pippin, and left. Frodo stared, gaping at the Ale, horrified. Pippin looked quite pleased. "Wow" he said, cheerfully "Free Ale again" Frodo stopped gaping for a moment. What does he mean 'again'? he thought, and then went back to staring.
After a few moments Pippin noticed Frodo's horrified expression. "I'm sure they'll bring you one too, Frodo." he said. Pippin looked worriedly to the counter and then back at Frodo, when his expression did not change. Frodo? Are you feeling all right?" Frodo slowly nodded, sat back, and tried not to stare. Maybe this had just been some sort of a mistake...new barmaid maybe. Frodo could only hope.
When Pippin finished his second Ale and a third was delivered, Frodo began to suspect foul play on Lotho's part. Frodo glanced nervously at Pippin. Then something happened that Frodo had been dreading all night. Pippin hiccuped. Frodo groaned. He had to stop this before Pippin got drunk and he lost all of his mushrooms.
Frodo slid out of his seat and went up to the counter. "May I help you?" asked the Hobbit behind the counter. "Yes, thank you." said Frodo, "My friend, Pippin has been recieving free Ales and I am beginning to suspect something. Could you tell me who ordered them for him?"
"Well, I believe it was that Lotho Sackville-Baggins it was. Now I wondered what that troublesome lad was up to. Mischief thats what. Always up to mischief."
"Thank you." said Frodo, "Could you stop those Ales from coming?"
"Why, of coarse." he replied. "you're a real gentle-hobbit Mr. Baggins. Unlike that Lotho."
"Thank you again." said Frodo, and he returned to his table. He couldn't believe what Lotho had done. Even though it was completely in character for him, it was still cheating. Frodo shook his head. Lotho must actually be doubting himself.
Lotho, who had been watching Frodo and Pippin, was laughing as Pippin drank. But when the Ales stopped coming, he grew nervous. The more he thought about it, the more nervous he became. Frodo must have known. He wasn't sure how Frodo would react to his cheating. He could only wait and see...And think of another plan.