Chapter3
And there we were, still smiling. Well, I was anyway.
I was partially still in shock from having had actual physical contact with one of the LOTR characters. My favorite one to be exact. I snapped out of it a bit, you might say, when I saw all of the anxious glances Pippin was throwing over my shoulder.
'Hmmm.....I wonder what he's looking at' I thought. I then looked up into the two small mirrors that were his green eyes, and saw him.... Meriadoc Brandybuck. Creeping up behind me.
I gave a little half smile, and decided to halt whatever this little game was, that those two were playing so innocently.
I drew myself up, and prepared my voice for the best imitation of Gandalf I would ever deliver...
"MERIADOC BRANDYBUCK! Stop right where you are! Not another step, you hear me?" I boomed. Perfectly Gandalf, I might add.
Pippin jumped about a foot in the air, and I heard Merry's sharp intake of breath, all the way over where I was standing.
I turned around to find a rather red-in-the-face Merry, staring down at his feet, in what I hoped, was shame. He looked up, and asked innocently "How did you know?"
"Dear, dear Merry; how could I not know? You walk louder than an Elephont. And Pippin, could you be a little less obvious?" I said with a huge grin. I looked at both of their stunned faces with mirthful triumph.
"Pippin!" Hissed Merry.
"You've seen an Elephont?" said Pippin.
I gave a small nod, not exactly a yes, and not exactly a no.
"So what was the prank this time you two? Honey in my hair? Or have one of you found a nice little garter snake to startle me with? C'mon, lets see." I said, mock-angry with my hands on my hips . . . . . . .
Merry produced his hands from behind his back and in them was the ABSOLUTE largest garden snake I had ever seen in my life. I gulped. It was not exactly what I expected.
But, I had something to prove. So I reached out and took the snake from Merry's grip. "Poor thing," I mumbled nervously as I brought it to the edge of the trees. I released it gladly.
And then wiped my hands on my skirts to try and rid myself of the feel of snakeskin. I turned and smiled at the mischievous tweens' shocked expressions.
"You both look like you've never seen a Lass handle a snake before." I said, smiling.
"We haven't." They said in perfect unison.
"Oh . . . . . well, now you have." I said nervously. "Were Frodo and Sam in on this little bit too?" I asked.
Both of them shook their heads no. I arched a brow, but I could tell that they weren't lying. I sighed, and looked around. "Well lads, what do we do now?" I asked.
They looked at each other and shrugged. That was lots of help, let me tell you.
Pippin squinted at the sun, "It's still early, not even lunch yet. I suppose, we could go for a walk." He cast a sidelong look at Merry. "Or do you have to go back to picking?" He said with a smile.
That reminded me, I bought a hand up to the back of my head, and felt the sticky mess where there once were curls. And then I remembered my mother. I paled. "She is going to kill me." I thought grimly.
"I do still owe you for this one Peregrin Took." I said, pointing exaggeratedly at the back of my head, "But I do have to go back and pick. My mother is going to heat up like Mt. Doom otherwise, you know what I mean?"
Pippin nodded. "Sorry" he said quietly.
I smiled. "How about I meet you two at the Green Dragon later tonight? Maybe I'll bring a friend, a' Merry?" I said with a wink. I had just the person in mind.
"Sure. We'll see you there." Said Pippin. I looked at Merry, uncertainly. "Sure." He said with a smile.
"Oh, and bring Sam and Frodo, if they'll have it. They could use a night out." I said quickly. "Bye!" And with that I turned and ran. Following my nose back to the strawberry patch; and leaving the tweens in my wake . . . . .
When I reached it I was stopped abruptly, someone had grabbed my arm. I looked over, flinching and expecting to see my mother, and was met with the smiling, but worried face of someone that could be no other, but Rosie Cotton.
"Merna! What were you thinking disappearing like that? Your mother is so angry with you now. I covered for you as best I could, but you know HER. She saw straight through me." Said Rosie breathlessly.
"Oh Rosie! Thank you. But what did you tell her?" I asked, waiting for the worst.
I told her you went to use the privy, but that only worked for so long . . .and then I told her you hand run home for a snack, which didn't help at all. And then . . . then . . . she emptied your basket into her own, and said I was to tell you that you have to stay here until it yours was filled again. She also said that no one was to help you." Rosie finished. "Oh." I said quietly. I looked at my basket with disdain... it had taken me so long to fill it even half full. I was starting not to like the hobbit that was my mother very much.
"Well, Rosie girl, I'm going to be here for a while; a long while. Since you aren't supposed to help me pick, do you think . . . that you could bring me something to eat later on? Please, I haven't had much today and I am starving!" I said as cheerfully as I could manage.
"Sure. You must be hungry, I will. Do you want me to stay with you awhile?" Rosie asked sweetly.
"That'd be great, thanks. And then I can tell you all about our plans for tonight." I said mischievously, with a wink.
I then spent all afternoon picking and picking, and oh . . .yes, I remember . . . . . . . picking.
It was fun to talk to Rosie though, and later on when she went to get me something to eat, she fetched Estella Boldger back with her. And after only a bit, she agreed to go to the Green Dragon with us as well. I knew Merry would be pleased.
Now the sun was low, and I was hungry again. We said our good-byes, and decided to meet outside of my hole. My idea, considering I didn't know where Estella's or Rosie's was.
I then looked around uncertainly, and began to make my way back the way I thought home was.
I then realized that I had made a royally screwed up decision when I had decided not to walk home with Rosie, or even Estella.
So I just bumbled around, and around the Shire, wishing for some clue to point me in the right direction. I tried vainly to remember what color my door was, to no avail.
I looked around with an exasperated sigh when I noticed a rather lavish looking hole, with a brilliant leaf green door, with two repainted knock marks in it: Bag End. My heart began to pound. I was SOOOOO close to Frodo.
I looked around again nervously, and decided to knock and ask him to point me in the right direction to get home.
I was just walking towards the door, when it opened and out strode Gandalf, robed in white, as always. I froze like a hunted rabbit. His eagle eyes spotted me, and he increased his pace.
My heart was pounding so hard and fast now, I was sure that any second, it was going to pop right out of my chest, and I would see it in lying the dirt.
I turned and began to walk very, very briskly away. I heard Gandalf's footsteps behind me. I walked even faster . . . . . . .
"Diamond Stop! Or should I say MERNA?" Gandalf said loudly. I stopped. And flinched when I felt the touch of his rather large hand on my shoulder. I turned around. And looked up at him. I was scared stiff.
"Ah . . .so it is as I thought. How are you adjusting to Middle Earth young miss?" He said lightly.
"Um . . . . . . . . . .ah . . . . ." I stammered uselessly.
Gandalf smiled. "Also as I thought." He said. I began to relax, his voice was so friendly, and I just couldn't stay tense.
"Actually," I said, finally regaining control of my vocal skills "I would really appreciate it, if you could tell me how to get home. To my hobbit hole that is. I DON'T want to go back where I came from." I finished lamely.
"Home is it? Are you sure?" Gandalf asked with a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Well . . .um . . .yes. I have to drop these berries off, and I really need to get something to eat. Before I head over to the Green Dragon. Can't live off just drink, you know." I said lightly.
"Hobbits are amazing beings aren't they? Hungry most of the day, and night. It's a wonder they keep so small." He said.
"Gandalf, can you show me how to get back please?" I said. I was getting tired of him being so evasive with me.
"All in good time." He said with a smile as he pulled out his pipe, leaned against the fence post, and began to blow colored smoke rings.
I sighed. "Fine, stay and smoke. My mother is already going to kill me, and the fact that I will be even later because of this dumb foolishness is not helping me!" I said loudly. I was starting to get a bit annoyed with the whole situation. I picked up my heavy basket of berries, and bumbled away angrily. I didn't get far before I heard Gandalf's patient laugh.
I turned around. "WHAT is so funny?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"My dear Lass, you will never get home that way. All you will get . . . . . . .is tired." He said with another smile.
I smiled back, kicking myself for getting so angry. "Yes, I know." I said solemnly.
Gandalf left the fence post and began to walk. I, assuming that he could only be taking me home, followed.
And I was right. He did take me home. When we arrived at my door, the sun was sinking below the horizon, and Gandalf pulled a small map out of his pocket. He put it in my hands, and turned to go.
"Gandalf, wait!" I said. He turned around slowly. "Thank you, for everything." I said . . . he nodded. I ran forward and threw my arms around his waist, and hugged him. "Thank you" I said again.
He laughed and put his hands on my shoulders. I released him, and he began to walk away again.
"Gandalf?" I asked. He turned again. "Yes?" he answered.
"Frodo, and the others, . . . . . . .when do they leave for Bree?" I asked.
"In six months time." Gandalf said solemnly.
"Gandalf, I suppose I should not say anything about it, or anything that's still to come; right?" I said quickly.
"No, that would not be wise. Good bye Merna. Our paths may cross yet." He said with a last smile.
"Good bye, Gandalf." I whispered at his retreating back. I watched him until he was out of sight. Pondering his words.
I then looked down at the map. I was rolled into a tight little scroll. I unrolled it. And looked with amazement at how detailed and accurate it was. Down to the last potted plant. I then notice the charcoal colored writing in the lower corner . . .
It read: Beware of what you say. Keep your books guarded well. You know of the ones I mean
Gandalf
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Author: I hope you liked it! It's moving along much faster than my other stories. The next chapter is set in the Green Dragon. So stay tuned!
DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!
Pippinsgal011890
And there we were, still smiling. Well, I was anyway.
I was partially still in shock from having had actual physical contact with one of the LOTR characters. My favorite one to be exact. I snapped out of it a bit, you might say, when I saw all of the anxious glances Pippin was throwing over my shoulder.
'Hmmm.....I wonder what he's looking at' I thought. I then looked up into the two small mirrors that were his green eyes, and saw him.... Meriadoc Brandybuck. Creeping up behind me.
I gave a little half smile, and decided to halt whatever this little game was, that those two were playing so innocently.
I drew myself up, and prepared my voice for the best imitation of Gandalf I would ever deliver...
"MERIADOC BRANDYBUCK! Stop right where you are! Not another step, you hear me?" I boomed. Perfectly Gandalf, I might add.
Pippin jumped about a foot in the air, and I heard Merry's sharp intake of breath, all the way over where I was standing.
I turned around to find a rather red-in-the-face Merry, staring down at his feet, in what I hoped, was shame. He looked up, and asked innocently "How did you know?"
"Dear, dear Merry; how could I not know? You walk louder than an Elephont. And Pippin, could you be a little less obvious?" I said with a huge grin. I looked at both of their stunned faces with mirthful triumph.
"Pippin!" Hissed Merry.
"You've seen an Elephont?" said Pippin.
I gave a small nod, not exactly a yes, and not exactly a no.
"So what was the prank this time you two? Honey in my hair? Or have one of you found a nice little garter snake to startle me with? C'mon, lets see." I said, mock-angry with my hands on my hips . . . . . . .
Merry produced his hands from behind his back and in them was the ABSOLUTE largest garden snake I had ever seen in my life. I gulped. It was not exactly what I expected.
But, I had something to prove. So I reached out and took the snake from Merry's grip. "Poor thing," I mumbled nervously as I brought it to the edge of the trees. I released it gladly.
And then wiped my hands on my skirts to try and rid myself of the feel of snakeskin. I turned and smiled at the mischievous tweens' shocked expressions.
"You both look like you've never seen a Lass handle a snake before." I said, smiling.
"We haven't." They said in perfect unison.
"Oh . . . . . well, now you have." I said nervously. "Were Frodo and Sam in on this little bit too?" I asked.
Both of them shook their heads no. I arched a brow, but I could tell that they weren't lying. I sighed, and looked around. "Well lads, what do we do now?" I asked.
They looked at each other and shrugged. That was lots of help, let me tell you.
Pippin squinted at the sun, "It's still early, not even lunch yet. I suppose, we could go for a walk." He cast a sidelong look at Merry. "Or do you have to go back to picking?" He said with a smile.
That reminded me, I bought a hand up to the back of my head, and felt the sticky mess where there once were curls. And then I remembered my mother. I paled. "She is going to kill me." I thought grimly.
"I do still owe you for this one Peregrin Took." I said, pointing exaggeratedly at the back of my head, "But I do have to go back and pick. My mother is going to heat up like Mt. Doom otherwise, you know what I mean?"
Pippin nodded. "Sorry" he said quietly.
I smiled. "How about I meet you two at the Green Dragon later tonight? Maybe I'll bring a friend, a' Merry?" I said with a wink. I had just the person in mind.
"Sure. We'll see you there." Said Pippin. I looked at Merry, uncertainly. "Sure." He said with a smile.
"Oh, and bring Sam and Frodo, if they'll have it. They could use a night out." I said quickly. "Bye!" And with that I turned and ran. Following my nose back to the strawberry patch; and leaving the tweens in my wake . . . . .
When I reached it I was stopped abruptly, someone had grabbed my arm. I looked over, flinching and expecting to see my mother, and was met with the smiling, but worried face of someone that could be no other, but Rosie Cotton.
"Merna! What were you thinking disappearing like that? Your mother is so angry with you now. I covered for you as best I could, but you know HER. She saw straight through me." Said Rosie breathlessly.
"Oh Rosie! Thank you. But what did you tell her?" I asked, waiting for the worst.
I told her you went to use the privy, but that only worked for so long . . .and then I told her you hand run home for a snack, which didn't help at all. And then . . . then . . . she emptied your basket into her own, and said I was to tell you that you have to stay here until it yours was filled again. She also said that no one was to help you." Rosie finished. "Oh." I said quietly. I looked at my basket with disdain... it had taken me so long to fill it even half full. I was starting not to like the hobbit that was my mother very much.
"Well, Rosie girl, I'm going to be here for a while; a long while. Since you aren't supposed to help me pick, do you think . . . that you could bring me something to eat later on? Please, I haven't had much today and I am starving!" I said as cheerfully as I could manage.
"Sure. You must be hungry, I will. Do you want me to stay with you awhile?" Rosie asked sweetly.
"That'd be great, thanks. And then I can tell you all about our plans for tonight." I said mischievously, with a wink.
I then spent all afternoon picking and picking, and oh . . .yes, I remember . . . . . . . picking.
It was fun to talk to Rosie though, and later on when she went to get me something to eat, she fetched Estella Boldger back with her. And after only a bit, she agreed to go to the Green Dragon with us as well. I knew Merry would be pleased.
Now the sun was low, and I was hungry again. We said our good-byes, and decided to meet outside of my hole. My idea, considering I didn't know where Estella's or Rosie's was.
I then looked around uncertainly, and began to make my way back the way I thought home was.
I then realized that I had made a royally screwed up decision when I had decided not to walk home with Rosie, or even Estella.
So I just bumbled around, and around the Shire, wishing for some clue to point me in the right direction. I tried vainly to remember what color my door was, to no avail.
I looked around with an exasperated sigh when I noticed a rather lavish looking hole, with a brilliant leaf green door, with two repainted knock marks in it: Bag End. My heart began to pound. I was SOOOOO close to Frodo.
I looked around again nervously, and decided to knock and ask him to point me in the right direction to get home.
I was just walking towards the door, when it opened and out strode Gandalf, robed in white, as always. I froze like a hunted rabbit. His eagle eyes spotted me, and he increased his pace.
My heart was pounding so hard and fast now, I was sure that any second, it was going to pop right out of my chest, and I would see it in lying the dirt.
I turned and began to walk very, very briskly away. I heard Gandalf's footsteps behind me. I walked even faster . . . . . . .
"Diamond Stop! Or should I say MERNA?" Gandalf said loudly. I stopped. And flinched when I felt the touch of his rather large hand on my shoulder. I turned around. And looked up at him. I was scared stiff.
"Ah . . .so it is as I thought. How are you adjusting to Middle Earth young miss?" He said lightly.
"Um . . . . . . . . . .ah . . . . ." I stammered uselessly.
Gandalf smiled. "Also as I thought." He said. I began to relax, his voice was so friendly, and I just couldn't stay tense.
"Actually," I said, finally regaining control of my vocal skills "I would really appreciate it, if you could tell me how to get home. To my hobbit hole that is. I DON'T want to go back where I came from." I finished lamely.
"Home is it? Are you sure?" Gandalf asked with a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Well . . .um . . .yes. I have to drop these berries off, and I really need to get something to eat. Before I head over to the Green Dragon. Can't live off just drink, you know." I said lightly.
"Hobbits are amazing beings aren't they? Hungry most of the day, and night. It's a wonder they keep so small." He said.
"Gandalf, can you show me how to get back please?" I said. I was getting tired of him being so evasive with me.
"All in good time." He said with a smile as he pulled out his pipe, leaned against the fence post, and began to blow colored smoke rings.
I sighed. "Fine, stay and smoke. My mother is already going to kill me, and the fact that I will be even later because of this dumb foolishness is not helping me!" I said loudly. I was starting to get a bit annoyed with the whole situation. I picked up my heavy basket of berries, and bumbled away angrily. I didn't get far before I heard Gandalf's patient laugh.
I turned around. "WHAT is so funny?" I asked through gritted teeth.
"My dear Lass, you will never get home that way. All you will get . . . . . . .is tired." He said with another smile.
I smiled back, kicking myself for getting so angry. "Yes, I know." I said solemnly.
Gandalf left the fence post and began to walk. I, assuming that he could only be taking me home, followed.
And I was right. He did take me home. When we arrived at my door, the sun was sinking below the horizon, and Gandalf pulled a small map out of his pocket. He put it in my hands, and turned to go.
"Gandalf, wait!" I said. He turned around slowly. "Thank you, for everything." I said . . . he nodded. I ran forward and threw my arms around his waist, and hugged him. "Thank you" I said again.
He laughed and put his hands on my shoulders. I released him, and he began to walk away again.
"Gandalf?" I asked. He turned again. "Yes?" he answered.
"Frodo, and the others, . . . . . . .when do they leave for Bree?" I asked.
"In six months time." Gandalf said solemnly.
"Gandalf, I suppose I should not say anything about it, or anything that's still to come; right?" I said quickly.
"No, that would not be wise. Good bye Merna. Our paths may cross yet." He said with a last smile.
"Good bye, Gandalf." I whispered at his retreating back. I watched him until he was out of sight. Pondering his words.
I then looked down at the map. I was rolled into a tight little scroll. I unrolled it. And looked with amazement at how detailed and accurate it was. Down to the last potted plant. I then notice the charcoal colored writing in the lower corner . . .
It read: Beware of what you say. Keep your books guarded well. You know of the ones I mean
Gandalf
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
Author: I hope you liked it! It's moving along much faster than my other stories. The next chapter is set in the Green Dragon. So stay tuned!
DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW!
Pippinsgal011890