Chapter18 (Even Better!)

The next day was pleasant. I had more lessons with Arwen (I can now actually say a few phrases in Elvish) and after snooping around a bit, I was able to find out where Sam had been hiding when he wasn't right next to Frodo...

He was in the gardens, learning as well. I left him too it. Preferring the rambunctious-ness and unpredictability of the tweens (damn, I just realized that I have been calling Merry a tween, when he is in fact, 33. I am deeply sorry. Though I will continue to do so, as it is simpler smiles)

I have to admit, I was a bit surprised that there was no retaliation on their parts, but I guess they decided better of it, finally figuring out what I was capable of...

I also had long talks with Aragorn, Gandalf, Bilbo, and even Gloin. Whom I found out had been staying at Rivendell for just over a month.

It was all quite enjoyable and... I tried to get Elrond alone, so I could converse with him as well, but unseen forces seemed to be keeping us apart.

My third day ended as uneventful as the last, the fourth followed suit. But on the fifth day it was all I could do to keep away from Fordo's bedside, and let things happen, as they should.

Instead, I forced myself to lessons and racked my brain as I tried to speak intelligently with Arwen in her own tongue. I let Pippin, Merry and especially Sam catch up with Frodo before I even approached him.

Arwen sensed something was on my mind, so after a while, she told me a couple of amusing stories about herself, Aragorn, and her father.

We laughed for awhile before my mind began to roam again, it was by that time, late afternoon, and she sent me off with her blessings...

I walked down the corridor to the hospital wing quietly. I stopped just outside the door, finding that I was almost hesitant to go in. I poked my head in the doorway anyway though, and found that Frodo was not alone, as Gandalf was seated and talking to him as well.

He noticed me first, and uttering polite excuses, made his leave as he ushered me in.

"Hello Merna, how long have you been up?" asked Frodo with a smile.

"Near the average of four days I guess. I awoke the first night. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes. And you? How's your hand?"

"I'm fine, they healed me up good." I showed him my palm, and he told me about his shoulder.

It was silent for a bit, so I made an idle comment, "Oh, did Gandalf tell you, the Evenstar is teaching me Elvish."

"Then that was you," he said with a grin, "I heard in my dreams, someone singing in Elvish, but I could tell it was not an elf."

I blushed, but smiled. "It was me, alright. And you're the only other person, besides Arwen that has ever heard me do it" I said.

"Not even Pippin?"

"No, I had thought it to be more of a special gift to you." I said quietly.

"I feel very privileged then, what else have you been up to?" He asked.

"Well, I out tricked Pippin and Merry two nights ago, and I had a couple good chats with Gandalf and Aragorn and their like..." I mumbled, not wanting to give away the facts that Bilbo, and Gloin were here as well.

"You out-tricked my cousins? I had thought that impossible, how ever did you achieve such a feat?"

"I made I bet. I told them that I could get the Lady Arwen to dance with them. Let's just say, they didn't think the possibility was very good, and they bet against the fact. They lost." I said, grinning widely.

"And just what did the losers have to do?" asked Frodo, thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Stand up, and sing the elves a drinking song. And I have to say, the elves rather enjoyed it."

Frodo didn't have anything to say to that, so he just laughed. I laughed with him, the humor of my jest, seemingly renewed.

I talked with Frodo for hours after that, perched on the end of his bed, filling him in on everything that had happened while he was asleep.

We exchanged information about the elves as well, and later, I even spoke a little elvish with him. I left just before dinner, and at the table I was greeted with the smiling and innocent faces of Merry and Pippin.

Too innocent. I knew then that they were up to something, but I didn't know quite what. As the dishes began to be passed out, I got my first glance at tonight's meal. The first course was somewhat of a soufflé, in a small crystal dish.

I picked up my tiny spoon and took a DAINTY bite, not sure what exactly was in this fine looking dish. As soon as the food passed my lips, I looked across the table at the tweens, who were seemingly waiting expectantly for my reaction.

I wondered why, the food was fine, though I admit it was unlike anything I had ever tasted, and the taste of it further more, gave no clue to its ingredients. I smiled at them, and took a larger bite.

Their expectant grins faded, and I began to suspect that they had laced my dish with something...but somehow, I had not received the one they had intended. With a shock, I looked around the table, trying to figure just who had gotten that particular dish.

Merry and Pippin were doing the same, worry etched in every line of THEIR faces, as we scanned the other diners' faces... but none were showing any reactions...

Suddenly, Gandalf's face turned a bright red, and his temples glistened. He looked very alarmed and reached for his wineglass, which he downed in one gulp. Whatever was wrong, seemed not to have dissipated, for he reached for his water next, and soon that was gone as well.

His problem still persisted. But now, not wanting do draw attention to himself, he sat very still with his mouth clamped shut.

"What did you do!" I hissed at the tweens from across the narrow table.

Both of the boys looked horrified, after fully realizing that it was indeed Gandalf's food they had tampered with, not mine.

They looked at each other, and then conspicuously down at their dishes. They didn't utter a sound.

The next course was served, and Gandalf received yet another unpleasant surprise, it would seem. This continued to happen to him throughout all of the meal. The only thing that was not fooled with was the dessert.

For no respectable hobbit would dare sabotage dessert.

As the meal ended, I suddenly felt very, very, very sorry for Merry and Pippin. As Gandalf did not look at all amused. And as the dancing and conversations commenced once again, he began to make his way over to the tweens...

I pulled him aside quickly though, determined to offer something on their behalf...

"Gandalf, wait." I began, chuckling nervously, not sure exactly how, oh lets just say, 'severely' they would catch it, from the ever wise Mithrandir...

"They meant YOU no harm. As I am almost positive, that their aim was on me. Somehow, the serving order must have gotten confused. And though I am sure they deserve some sort of punishment, I humbly ask you to go easy on them. I beg of you, at least allow them continue to be in proper mind and body." I finished with a grin.

"Do not worry yourself so, Merna. I will not damage them . . . . . . .badly." Gandalf said with a merciless smile.

He uttered the last word so quietly, I almost didn't hear it.

I then watched in silent amusement as he hauled both Merry and Pippin out into the corridor by their pointy ears.

I believe the count was now: Merna: 2, Tweens: 0.

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Author: Ha ha ha haaaaaa! I win again, I mean Merna wins again. # cough #

Hope you all liked it. I had this typed for two days already before postage, but I was nursing a wounded ego for receiving so little reviews, that I waited.

That'll teach you! # sniff #

Thanx anyway, Pippinsgal011890

But a big thank you to Halfblood Princess, for being so devoted and constant with her reviews, it has been VERY appreciated!