Chapter 3

Thank goodness Merry had a cart waiting around the corner or we wouldn't have reached Hobbiton until daybreak! We set off at a slow pace at first so we wouldn't make too much noise. We didn't want my parents to hear! Then once we were at a safe distance, Merry clicked his tongue and snapped the reins with a flick of the wrist. The horses went off at a steady cantor. Not galloping otherwise someone would've heard us! About half way there I began to wonder if this would put any more of a damper on our punishment that we just got. I decided not to mention that to Pippin. He seemed to be having such a good time laughin' and jabberin' with Merry. I wanted to see Frodo too and I wasn't about to spoil this chance!

As we approached Bag End, I could see the warm, cozy light of the fire streaming out of the window. Frodo's home was always cozy. Especially in the winter—I loved visitin' Frodo in the winter where he always had hot chocolate ready for us to drink and stories to tell of Bilbo, or elves, or dwarves.

The cart was small so Merry was able to stop it right in front of the fence. He knocked on the door with his fist. We waited for a few seconds and then the door swung open.

"Hullo!" Frodo said surprised, but laughing. "What are you two doing here?"

I cleared my throat really loud. Fiddlesticks, that hurted.

"Oh, you three." Frodo smiled at me. I smiled back. How can you not forgive cousin Frodo? He's so nice! I gave him a big hug an' then he invited us all inside.

Uncle Bilbo's place is really interestin' and fun to explore. He has a lot of things he got from his adventure all over. I heard tale of his old Elven dagger he named Sting long ago. Frodo said Bilbo had told him that the blade glowed blue when orcs were near by. Goodness! I've heard nasty stories about those things. I wouldn't wanna run into one of them! I've never seen Sting before because Bilbo took it with him when he disappeared at his eleventy-first birthday party. But I HAVE seen his cellar full of treats from just about every corner of Middle-earth! I love the dark chocolate mints the best.

We all sat at the table in the kitchen an' the older guys just talked and laughed. I hate it when older people just talk. It's boring. I tried to stay as patient as possible. I laughed when they did and tried my best to look interested. But soon, I started getting restless. I shifted in my chair a bit, twiddled my thumbs, and swayed my feet.

Then my foot hit Merry's leg. Oops! He just looked at me an' smiled mischievously. Phew. I looked back at Frodo and Pippin, who were laughin' about something again. But then something hit my leg this time.

I looked at Merry, who had a playful grin on his face.

Oh, I get it!

I kicked his leg an' giggled softly. He kicked mine again. Fiddlesticks! That one hurted!

We started to kick back and forth, back and forth: no mercy! No matter what, I would not stop! I giggled loudly as our kick fight sped up. We must've looked so silly! Frodo and Pippin were startled out of their conversation and looked at Merry and I, amused.

But then Merry's whole body disappeared under the table. I whipped my head around and as bent over to look under the table, he grabbed my leg and pulled me underneath! I squealed and punched his arm.

He chuckled slyly. It seemed he had a little plan of his own. I knew I wasn't gonna like it.

He stared ticklin' me.

Not fair! I began to giggle uncontrollably. I couldn't stop! My cheeks and stomach were hurtin' just from laughing so much.

I attempted to squirm and kick my way out of his grasp, but he just kept on ticklin'. I punched his arm an' pulled his hair; it was the only thing I could do!

Merry was laughing at me as I desperately tried to escape again. I kicked wildly and he finally let go. Yes! I lunged at him, making us both topple out of under the table into a play fight. I love play fights!

I kicked, pulled hair (he yelped), an' punched as hard as I could, but Merry never grew tired. He must be made of steel!

Pippin and Frodo sat behind us watching an' laughing. Pippin broke into insane guffaws when I kicked Merry in the no-no spot. Oops! I didn't mean to. Merry fell back groaning with his eyes crossed a bit an' softly chucklin'. Merry's a good sport. That's why he's fun to play with!

"Oooooooooo!" Both Frodo and Pippin cringed. I fell back on my rump again and started giggling an' pointing. Pippin was red in the face with laughter! I cross my heart, he was about to die of compulsive hysterics. Did I just use a big word? Yay!

Merry flew across the room, landing on Pippin. His chair toppled over with the two hobbits in a massive fighting ball. They fought much harder than me an' Merry. I'm glad I wasn't in it!

Frodo sat back laughing till he was purple. I jumped up and down, cheering, "You guys are such idiots!"

Then I glanced at Frodo, who had all his attention fixed on Merry and Pippin. The two rolled down the hall and back again, ramming against the door. Then, I got an idea.

I snuck around Frodo, as quietly as possible. When I was directly behind him, I quickly covered his eyes with my hands. He yelped softly, lifting his head, tryin' to shake my hands off. He reached his arms over and grabbed my waist, flipping me over onto his lap! Whoo! That was quite a ride!

I turned around to see him smiling at me. He ruffled my hair and snickered. Why does everyone do that?! It annoys me. He was getting' it this time!

I pushed him hard, making us both fall over in the chair. I tried to start another wrestle-fight just like with Merry. But he still had a hold on me and stood up to set me down.

Hey! This isn't gonna be over without a fight!

I lunged at him again, but my head bumped into the palm of his hand. With my head still at the end of his extended arm, I swung my arms in a punching motion, but kept missing. He was holding me too far back!

A growl escaped my throat and Frodo shot me a bewildered look. I guess I frightened him!

I guessed wrong.

He whipped his leg under me and I fell.

THUD

I giggled and grabbed his leg, trying to pull him down too. He just stood there laughing at Merry and Pippin, who were practically killing each other. Why was Frodo so strong? I guess it was because he was bigger than Merry and Pippin.

Frodo bent down to my height and tried to calm me. "Hey, wanna hear my plan?"

I quickly threw aside my urge to keep fighting and nodded my head hard. I love plans! Especially when I'm in on them.

He whispered the plan into my ear. It was simple, but it sounded fun! The boys would be surprised. We snuck back into Frodo's bedroom to get a bunch of his extra feather pillows. I couldn't wait to see Merry and Pippin's reactions!

We readied ourselves at the doorway of his room and then, at Frodo's signal, careened down the hall, pillows raised high and voices shrieking out war cries. I started hittin' Pippin with my pillow as hard as I could. He giggled and took a few hits. As they started gettin' harder, he began to fight back a little more and grabbed my pillow-- boy he has a strong grip! He shoved it in my face, making me fall backwards. Fiddlesticks!

I growled and got back up. Pippin was still laughing at me.

I lunged at him again, with the pillow in hand, and landed on his chest. He gasped for air and struggled to get free. Now I really had him!

"Whoa, Pimmy-girl! You're going to break one of my ribs before I even come of age!" He laughed wildly again. Pippin ALWAYS laughs... I guess that's what makes him Pippin!

I started to slow down on my attack and just sat in Pippin's lap giggling. That's what was happening with us. Frodo and Merry were only a few feet away from us, still fightin'.

Pippin and I were suffering from a serious giggle-fit. I was laughing so hard that I couldn't lift my pillow! Pippin had tears streaming down his eyes and is face was as red as one of Farmer Maggot's tomatoes. My cheeks hurt and so did my eyes from squinting when I laughed. We both tried to stop, but every time we looked at each other we would start laughin' again. But then we noticed that Frodo and Merry had stopped and were looking at the door.

I tilted my head in confusion. Pippin and I immediately stopped laughing as the door opened revealing Mum and Paddy. I could feel my face fall. I looked at Pippin who sighed, looking down in shame as Frodo stood up and straightened his vest. Merry just remained on the floor in a strange position, spitting out a few feathers and staring boggle-eyed at Mum and Paddy. Fiddlesticks.... no, DOUBLE fiddlesticks.... even worse, fiddlesticks with cow poo on them! Pip and I were in for it. BIG time.