LOTR: The Mischief Makers
Chapter 1: Imp in Training
The sun was shining brightly and a slight breeze was blowing through the trees. It was a perfect day for taking a quiet stroll around a garden or going out to meet with friends. To anyone who didn't know better it looked as if that was exactly what Frodo Baggins and young Meriadoc Brandybuck were doing as they strolled along a path. Meriadoc or Merry as everyone called him was only just big enough to go on such a walk with Frodo. He did not know where their destination was but he was happy to be along for the journey.
The two hobbit lads walked until they reached a large wooden fence. Frodo began walking along the fence brushing his hand against the wood as he walked. Merry followed, imitating Frodo as he went. Frodo stopped suddenly causing Merry to bump into him. Frodo glanced down at Merry and then looked about to see if anyone was watching. Frodo returned his eyes to Merry and smiled. "Merry, can you keep a secret?" Merry nodded enthusiastically, happy to share a secret with Frodo. Frodo smiled again and turned his attention to the fence. Frodo grabbed the edge of one of the fence boards and with a good tug pulled it off to the side.
Merry stared wide-eyed at the new hole in the fence. "This fence has been like this since I was as small as you," Frodo explained. "No one else knows it's here, only me and now you." Frodo smiled at his young friend's amazed look. Merry took a tentative step forward and peered through the newly made gap. "What's there Frodo?" Merry asked. Frodo leaned over a bit and peered in too. "Some of the best mushrooms, carrots and tomatoes you've ever seen. In there the tomatoes grow as big as your head, Merry, and that's no lie, I've been in there more times than I can remember."
Merry took all this in and then with excitement pointed and shouted, "I see them! Look how nice they are Frodo!" Frodo quickly pulled Merry away from the fence. "Yes, I know, but you have to keep quiet or someone will figure out what we're up to." Merry looked curiously at Frodo. "What are we up to Frodo?" Frodo smiled at the smaller lad, he very much enjoyed having this little one around. "We're just going to get some tomatoes, maybe even a mushroom or two." Merry laughed and began to hop somewhat in excitement. Frodo took hold of his shoulders to settle him. "You just need to squeeze through the fence and pick them for us." Merry stopped bouncing. "Me?" he asked softly. "Sure you're old enough now to do it and I'm too big to fit through the hole in the fence."
Merry slowly looked through the fence; he could see the bright red tomatoes just waiting to be picked by a hungry hobbit lad. He slowly nodded and grabbed the edge of the fence with his hand, getting ready to squeeze through. "Hold on a moment Merry." Merry stopped immediately and looked up at Frodo. "Remember, be quick and quiet. Just like I do when I search the cupboards. Remember?" Merry nodded with a smile, he had been watching Frodo sneak into cupboards for his entire little life. "Remember, use your pockets, you'll be surprised how many treats you can fit into just one coat pocket and don't take too much that you'll drop them all over the place. If you hurry fast enough, you can make more than one trip. Do you understand Merry?" Merry nodded. "Alright then, off you go and remember to be quick."
With that Merry squeezed through the fence and darted inside. He ran through a carrot patch until he came to the tomatoes. His small pockets soon filled with tomatoes and he began working on an armful when he heard Frodo whisper loudly from the fence. "Merry! Get down!" Frodo whispered urgently. Without question, Merry dropped to the soil, squishing some of the tomatoes he carried in his arms.
Merry was about to ask what was going on when he heard barking followed by a somewhat frantic Frodo, "Merry! Merry run!" Merry looked up to see one of the largest dogs he had ever seen come charging across the field full speed. With a cry Merry got up and ran as fast as his small legs would carry him towards the gap in the fence. "Come on Merry, Run!" Frodo yelled. Merry could hear the dog's paws coming closer and in his fear he imagined he could feel the beast's breath on the back of his neck, it's teeth ready to bite. Merry began screaming as he ran. With a thud Merry hit the fence and worked on squeezing his way through the gap. Suddenly Merry stopped moving. In a frantic fear Merry realized he had somehow wedged himself in and he wasn't able to squeeze through.
"Frodo!" Merry cried wildly. Frodo grabbed Merry's shoulders. "Steady, stop struggling!" Frodo cried, as he pulled hard on Merry. "You're hurting me!" Merry said through gritted teeth. With a last jerk Frodo was able to pull Merry free and the two of them fell to the ground with a hard thud. Frodo jumped up and slid the fence back just as the dog smashed into it. "You never said there was a dog!" Merry said once he caught his breathe, while rubbing his arms where the fence had pressed into him. Frodo sat down next to Merry with a bit of a laugh. "At least he didn't catch you." Suddenly the cracking of wood made Frodo and Merry snap to attention. In shock the two stared wide-eyed as the fence board began to quickly give way as a large growling snout pushed it's way through. Frodo got up as fast as he could, pulling Merry by the arm, which caused him to yelp in protest. "Run Merry!" Frodo shouted
And with that the two turned and sprinted as fast as hobbits could go. The splintering of wood could be heard mixed with the angry growls of what was a monster to Merry.
TO BE CONTINUED………..
A/N: I don't own anything, I know it's short and I'm sorry, but please review. This is my first LOTR fic and tips are welcome. Thank you!