A/n: Sorry it took so long to update. Please review! I know I have so many fans out there! *Crickets*

Disclaimer: I only own Jade!

Jade: You can make other creations. I'm restless. I can't help it!

Sophie: It's just a phase, be patient.

Jade: But I don't want to *be* patient!

Hee hee sorry about that sequence from a nightmare before Christmas.
I couldn't resist! But it's true I have only created Jade. Merry, do
you have the tissues?

Merry: Here you go dear.

Sophie: Can I please have a hug?

Merry: Fine

*Merry attempted to hug Sophie but she pulled him in and made him
cuddle. She buried her face in his chest.*

Sophie: I love you Merry.

Merry: I love you too; do I have any other choice?



The sun beat down on the two hobbits as they wandered through the marketplace. Both of their heads were down, watching their feet, and kicking rocks in their paths. Merry nudged his best friend. Pippin realized Merry was looking straight ahead; he met what Merry was looking at- a pretty hobbit lass. Pippin's heart flipped. It was Diamond of Long Cleave.

"What was she doing here in Buckland?"

Merry nudged him again, "Go talk to her!" he whispered. Pippin stared at his cousin disbelief. "Talk to her? I'll get a hug lump in my throat! What would I say? I can't!"

Merry grinned teasingly "My cousin? That little playboy? Afraid of
talking to a girl? My little cousin is growing up! He's in love!"
Merry's voice was now much louder than whispering.

"Stop it, stop it! Shhh! Fine, Fine, I'll talk to her!" Pippin begged
Merry. Merry laughed and Pippin wobbly approached the anti- biotic
stand where Diamond was standing. Diamond turned her head and her eyes
lit up.

"Hi Pippin!" he crookedly smiled

"Hi.... (Gulp) Diamond!" He took her hand and gently kissed it.

"My, you look handsome today, Pippin"

"So do you, Diamond."

The hobbit lass giggled.

"I m-mean you l-look v-very pr-retty today, Diamond"

His face was bright red. He coughed and leaned his shoulder onto the
stand but missed and fell over onto the ground. Merry quickly came up
behind him and helped him up. He pretended that he just noticed
Diamond.

"Why, hullo Diamond!"

"Hullo Merry."

"I was just picking up some bandages, a guest at my house has a
gruesome cut, I think she might've fallen or something."

"Why, that's awfully nice of you"

"Uh yea, but I'm afraid we must get back home, her bandage must be
changed soon."

"Well if you must, goodbye Merry, good bye Peregrin"

Her goodbye to Pippin was very flirtatious. He blushed and slightly
waved as Diamond skipped off turning her head back and winking at
Pippin. He just stood in awe.

Merry chuckled. "I think she likes you."

"You think?" Pippin asked innocently.

"I know so..."

Pippin smiled and looked very content.

"Well, we really must be getting home, Ma would want us to help clean
the house, and Jade does need her cut re bandaged.

Pippin nodded and the two hobbits head back to Merry's hobbit hole.

"So Jade is injured?"

"Slightly, but the cut is pretty grisly"

"How'd she get it?"

"I'm not sure... I think she might've fallen, or gotten caught by
something like a wolf or it might've been a knife, it's a rather clean
cut. She seems reluctant to tell me, though."

"Well, when we get home, I'll help you make some cinnamon and
chocolate cream drink. It'll make her feel better, I know it!"

"Thanks, I know how much you hate cinnamon."

"Blech, nasty stuff, but everyone else loves your specialty beverage."

Merry put his hand on his younger cousin's shoulder. It seemed like
the days events have had a great effect on Pippin's mood. Maybe he
even had a change of heart about Jade. Merry could only hope.