So that evening they headed back into Hobbiton. The lights shone invitingly from the windows of the Green Dragon. Calen had been telling Frodo about her life in Rohan before Gandalf had come when two forms suddenly came up behind her and steered her ahead by her elbows.

"Now the first thing you must know about Frodo is that-" one began.

"He's rather... touchy," the other finished.

"Yeah, and he cries a lot."

"Misses his family, you know. He hates to be alone..."
"Guys," Frodo called from behind. "You wouldn't be making me look bad in front of my guest, now, would you?"

"And he's an all around good guy," the first one finished.

Calen laughed.

"You must be Merry and Pippin."

"Also known as Mippin and Perry."

"Or Yrrem and Nippip."

"And don't forget Yrrippin and Nipprry."

"Or you could just call this one Merry," said Frodo, coming up behind the lighter haired one, "and this one Pip," he moved to the other with the pointed nose.

Merry and Pippin released her arm and stepped back.

"Darn. Blew our cover," Merry joked.

"Where's Sam?" Frodo asked.

"Oh, he's already inside. Said something about saving a table-" began Pippin.

"But we know he's just looking for Rosie," Merry finished.

"Ah," Frodo nodded. "Well, should we go in?" he suggested and held the door open.

As Calen passed. He put a hand on her shoulder.

"Sorry about them, Calen. They're a little... much to start out with, I suppose. I hope they didn't bother you."

"Don't worry about it," she said. "They seem like fun guys to be around. I never got to know anyone like that back home, so this'll be fun."

Frodo sighed in relief.

"Great! You'll love them once you get to know them better..."

They joined the others at the table.

A hobbit girl who worked there passed the table and Merry and Pippin looked at Sam, who blushed but continued to watch her from the corner of his eye.

"Who's that?" Calen whispered to Frodo as soon as the attention was focused back on Merry and Pippin, who were telling an animated story about one of the times they'd raided Farmer Maggot's crop.

"Rosie Cotton. Sam's been head over heels for her for forever, but he wont admit it. Funny thing is, she likes him too," Frodo whispered back.

Later that night, Merry asked Calen where she'd come from.

"Lot's of places!" she replied playfully. "But if you really want to know, I live in Rohan with my three cousins and my uncle. He's the King."

"That means you're a princess," said Pippin matter-of-factly. He got up and tried a wobbly bow, but had to grab his chair to keep from falling.

"I think you've had one to many drinks, Pip," said Sam as the others laughed.

Merry meanwhile, had been thinking.

"Rohan, huh? So you're one of those horsemen. Or, horsewomen, I should say."

"I suppose. My cousin, Eowyn and I, were taught how to ride at a very young age. That probably wasn't the best idea on my uncle's part-we're both quite rebellious now, in case you haven't noticed," she paused. "Are we really called horsemen?"

"Not here. Most people here don't care about anything outside the Shire. But there's folk in Bree who've heard of Rohan. They say it's where the Horse Lords live," he explained.

"Really? I've never known anyone from Bree... Well, they're right anyhow. I expect horsemen is a good term, though I prefer Rohirrim. I cant be too picky about that, though. It's not important," she finished.

"I'm sure there's folk who have nicknames for us, I'm sure," Pippin assured her.

"Like 'vicious little knee biters'?" Calen teased.

Frodo chortled into his drink. As soon as he was able, he laughed out loud.

"Knee biters?" Merry asked.

"And we are most definitely not vicious," Sam complained.

"Who called us that? Clearly they've never met a hobbit before," commented Pippin.

Calen laughed, thinking of Tatiana and Legolas.

"It's a long story... Some other time," she promised. "But anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if you don't have too many nicknames. I mean, I had never heard of hobbits up until a few months ago."

"You're missing out," Merry told her.

"I'm sure I have!"

They talked for about two hours more before Calen had to stifle a yawn. Luckily, she wasn't the only one. The others were starting to slow down as well.

Sam finished the rest of his drink and sighed.

"Well, I'm done for the night."

The others agreed, so they gathered their things and went outside.