Pippin studied the letter in his hand thoughtfully. It was early summer, and the warm, cheerful sunlight streamed through the window. Two months had passed since his wedding to Diamond, and the newlyweds had enjoyed settled, blissful life at Crickhollow with Merry and Estella. All had been well.
But there was something that disturbed the sweet perfection of their life at Crickhollow. Pippin had noticed that Diamond seemed distant and withdrawn whenever Merry was present: remote yet still polite. He wished that he could attribute this odd behaviour to her shy nature, but it was unlikely. Although quiet and reserved when around those she was unfamiliar with, Diamond required very little time to become comfortable with others. And since Merry was Pippin's cousin and best friend, Pippin had expected Diamond to accept him as family. Yet regardless of how friendly and warm Merry acted toward Diamond, she remained unreceiving.
Pippin did not know of any incident that could have prompted Diamond's reserve. He had briefly queried Merry concerning this, but Merry's only reponse had been a shrug accompanied by a careless, 'I don't know'. Pippin had been wise enough to decide not to ask again. He hadn't yet approached Diamond about it; and nor did he intend to. Pippin had wisely (or so he thought) drawn the conclusion that Diamond was merely still uncomfortable with Merry. Time would pass, and perhaps the tension would ease.
"Pippin?"
He glanced up from his letter to see a sleepy-looking Diamond leaning against the doorframe of his study. Pippin smiled fondly at her, taking in the tousled red-gold curls, hazy grey eyes, and sleep-dazed expression.
"Good morning, dearest," Pippin greeted her. Diamond came over to him and lay a tender kiss on his forehead.
"Good morning," she replied with a yawn. Noticing the letter Pippin held, Diamond inquired, "Who's that from?"
"Uncle Saradoc and Aunt Esme," Pippin told her. "They've invited Merry, Stella, and us to a picnic at the Brandywine at noon today."
"Shall we go?" Diamond asked.
Pippin sighed and rubbed his temples. "I don't know. I can't seem to decide. Merry thinks we should."
"Come now, Pippin. It would be fun," Diamond said persuasively. "An afternoon by the Brandywine River would be very relaxing. And you know I love to go there; it's where you proposed to me, after all. Don't you think we'd have a good time?"
Pippin couldn't resist a smile at Diamond's pleading eyes. He chuckled. "Alright, love. We'll go."
She snuggled against him, her face buried in his chest. "Thank you, Pippin. I love you."
"I love you, too."
:III:
It was a beautiful day along the shores of the Brandywine River, and many couples had taken advantage of this and gone for an outing. There was an abundance of Brandybucks, but a few Tooks had come as well, including Pippin and Diamond.
The Brandybucks had brought numerous boats along, and quite a few hobbits had gone out onto the river. But Pippin, Diamond, Estella, and Merry were sitting at their ease beneath the shade of a great oak tree, enjoying the fine weather and the sight of their fellow hobbits having a good time.
"You must thank your parents for inviting us here," Estella told Merry with a fond smile. "It's a lovely setting, very enjoyable."
"Mmph," Pippin agreed through a mouthful of apple.
Diamond laughed and cuddled closer to her husband. The foursome were sprawled across a large blanket, snuggled beside their respective spouses.
"Merry, would you take me out on a boat?" Estella asked her husband. "The weather's lovely, and I'd like to go out on the water."
A brief shadow crossed Merry's eyes. "I'm sorry, Stella. I can't row today. My arm…" He rubbed his right arm absently.
"It's all right, Stella," Pippin said quickly, standing and helping Estella up. "I'll take you. We shan't be gone long," he added with a fleeting glance at Merry.
Merry nodded, relief evident in his eyes. "Thanks, Pip. Be careful."
Diamond watched as Pippin led Estella down to the riverbank, where the two climbed into the boat. She carefully kept her eyes from Merry's face. Something about him unnerved her. It confused her as well, for she seemed to be contradicting herself. Part of her was perturbed by his actions to her, friendly and yet withdrawn, and disliked his company. But the other part wished to stare at him…stare at his eyes…
What was she thinking?
Diamond shook her head to clear such thoughts from her mind. Just married, and already seeking the affection of another! She wouldn't, no, she couldn't. Her attraction to Merry was strictly friendly, and why did she think it was otherwise? No, Diamond was drawn to Merry in no such way.
Then why did her eyes deliberately meet his when he looked her way?
"It's an old wound from the War," Merry explained, answering her silent query. "My right arm's never been the same since. Some days it's better, some days it's worse."
"Did you receive it during the battle with the ruffians?" Diamond inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"No," Merry replied with a chuckle. "The War of the Ring. Hasn't Pippin told you?"
"Some," Diamond returned, twirling a blade of grass absently. "But not all. I know there are some things he'll never be able to tell me."
Merry paused briefly. "Does that trouble you?" he asked softly.
Diamond hesitated before assuring him, "No. I have no wish to open up wounds that need to stay sealed. If Pippin ever feels the need to tell me, I am certain that he will. But until then, let it remain unspoken."
"Of course," Merry agreed. He dared a discreet glance at Diamond, and whilst her outward appearance seemed calm and composed, he perceived the turmoil in her eyes and the concern in the crease of her forehead. Merry pitied the lass. For all the years that she had known Pippin, she'd been forced to endure his nightmares, odd fits, strange fears, and whatnot, and he'd never told her of the cause of all this?
He knew Pippin had his reasons. It had taken Merry two years of marriage to Estella before he had confided in her. Perhaps Pippin would eventually do the same with Diamond. She certainly deserved it.
A sudden strong wind blew from the south, whisking along the Brandywine and taking with it parasols and fans that had been neglected by their owners. Diamond rose with a sudden gasp as her hat was swept off of her head and tumbled down the shore. She bounded after it, surprised to see Merry move ahead of her and snatch it from the air. He carried it back to her with an amused smile on his face.
"Here you are," he said softly, carefully setting the hat atop her red-gold hair. Merry was intensely aware of how close they were, and, needless to say, it was taking its toll on him. Merry's hand lingered on her face of its own volition, yet…somehow, he didn't mind.
Diamond's heart pounded loudly, and fear clenched her nerves. She knew she shouldn't be doing this, she knew it was wrong, and she wanted to stop…but oh it felt so right, so wonderful, so perfect. Diamond's nerves, numb with anticipation and dread and ecstasy, told her nothing of how warm Merry's hand was against her face. She felt a terrible, tremendous ache within her that yearned for what was forbidden… what she could not do…
Why was she feeling this?
Each breath seemed a torture, each beat of her heart was loud and ominous, each blink of her eye drawn-out and burdensome. Time passed slowly, tormenting and long and lingering, until something in Diamond snapped. She gathered her wits and confidence, then spoke.
"Thank you," she said quietly, her words so abrupt and sudden that they seemed to hang, suspended, in the thickened air. She held Merry's gaze for a spellbinding moment before a shrill scream pierced the silence.
"HELP! HELP ME!"
:III:
A/N: Oooh…the plot thickens…REVIEW!