Merry lay down. He was thoroughly pleased with his work with Pippin and
Boromir, but how would he work that same magic with himself. He snuggled
down again next to Pippin who was cocooned under Boromir's arm. Everyone
was asleep, but not he. He was busy plotting about the one hobbit who
conveniently lay closest to him. Frodo Baggins. He would be sly. He reached
over and gently ran his finger up and down Frodo's large curved ear. He
giggled a bit and pulled up his blanket around his head.
"Stop it Sam please," he said.
"Sam?" said Merry to himself.
He looked to the chunkier hobbit on the other side fast asleep. So there was the competition, a home-grown, weed eating Gamgee. Well saddle up Frodo because it was time to unleash the charm that was... Meriadoc Brandybuck. He smirked to himself, this going to be one fun ride.
The next morning Pippin woke up because he was feeling slightly cold. He reached for Boromir and his eyes snapped open when he felt nothing. He sat up yawned and stretched, scratching his head sleepily. He could not remember a better sleep. Boromir's grinning face swam into view.
"Rise and shine Pippin, it is time to break our fast," he said ruffling Pippin's unruly, sleep tangled hair.
Merry was already up. In fact he was the first up for one reason.
"Frodo! I got you Breakfast!"
Frodo smiled at his cousin, "Thank you very much Merry, it looks great!" he said taking it from him.
Sam scowled; Merry smirked. He just loved competing in any form. He was used to always beating Pippin, but Sam, he did not know about Sam as well.
"Very sly Mer," said Pippin, strolling up with Boromir. "If you ever need any help I'll be right here to offer any advice."
"You? Offering any advice? On love? Ha! Don't you remember Pip, I was always the heartthrob of the Shire not you. You where the pesky baby cousin remember?"
Pippin decided to play along with the age-old argument. "I'm not a baby Merry," and he pouted. Merry laughed.
They all sat down to Breakfast. Pippin and Merry, as usual, were stuffing themselves with as much food as they could and Boromir managed to sneak them more when he could. Soon it was time to start off again. Pippin after his good night's rest wanted a piggyback ride from anyone that would give him one. Boromir offered himself a few times but Pippin insisted that he had way to much stuff to carry as it was so he dashed from one Fellowship member to another.
Merry was following Frodo and was just about to engage him in a dodgy conversation.
"So Frodo, used that ring much, does it hurt when you have to put it on?"
"Merry, I am unsure what you are talking about. I don't like having to put the ring on."
Merry sniggered, 'Virgin.' He thought to himself. "Well... let's put it this way,"
He was rudely interrupted by Pippin leaping onto his back snapping his heels into Merry's side and shouting, '"High Ho Merry!" "Ahhhh!" and Merry feel flat on his face.
Pippin giggled nervously sitting on Merry's back, at the deadly glare his cousin was giving him, sprawled on his belly tapping his fingers. Pippin giggled again and removed himself. Merry dusted himself off. Frodo was trying hard not to crack up.
"That was not funny Pip, you could have crushed poor Merry's back, and then what would I do?"
Merry looked astounded at what Frodo had just said. Frodo then winked and turned away calling for Sam to give him a hand. Merry blushed and he looked amazed.
"Thank you soo much Pippin." He said, hugging his cousin.
"No, thank you Merry," replied Pippin.
"No you, thanks so much for almost breaking my back."
"No you, thanks soo much for nearly breaking my pride."
"You."
"No you."
"I say thank you very much Pip, good day!"
"No I say..."
"I said, good day..."
"Damnit you always do that Mer!"
They walked on through the terrain, always keeping the Misty Mountains to their left and following them in a fairly straight line south. Soon they came to a stream. This stream flowed down from the top of one of the highest peaks of the mountain range where there was some spare ice covering the slopes. It was the first time since they had seen a source of water large enough to bathe in.
"Gandalf, may we stop and have a bath here?" asked Pippin trotting up beside him, trying to keep up with the wizards large strides.
"I do not think there is time for such things at this moment Peregrin."
"Oh I think it would be marvellous to have a wash," Legolas said, perking up and the mention of it.
Pippin smirked as the rest of the Fellowship seemed to be all for it.
"I would second that motion," put in Boromir, grinning at Pippin.
"And I!" said Merry, smiling and giving Frodo a quick glance and a smile.
Gandalf, looking out voted and exasperated said, "Let the Ring Bearer decide."
Frodo, catching the glance Merry had given him said, "Hell yeah! I can't stand hanging round these stinky people anymore!" (actually he didn't say that he said, "I should like a bath, it would be a good way to lift spirits among our company before continuing further." )
"Then so be it."
They stopped by the banks of the stream and stripped off. Merry and Pippin where extremely excited about playing in the water. Brandybuck's loved the water and swimming and Pippin had the good fortune of being able to swim having been taught by Merry and his other Brandybuck relatives as a youngster. Legolas was eager to clean the 'grime' from his body, which did not seem to exist. The other Fellowship members just wanted a chance to relax. The only member who did not seem enthusiastic about the idea was Sam, he was untrusting of the water and decided he would cook dinner for the Fellowship whilst they where washing. Merry was the first unchanged and he tore off towards the water Pippin in hot pursuit. He charged into the water, and was up to his knees before he yelled and came running back. Pippin had just reached the shore.
"It's too cold in there!" he shouted, "That has to be the coldest water I've every felt! I had no idea it water could get that cold!"
Usually Merry found no water cold but this was the exception and if it was too cold for Merry it was too cold for anyone.
Gandalf smiled at the shivering Brandybuck and the disappointed hobbits. "Perhaps I could be of some assistance." He stuck his staff into the river and murmured some secret phrases in the tongue of the Istari. The water began to steam and soon the entire river was warmed to a bath temperature, which gained the approval of Master Brandybuck as he leapt into the very centre of the river creating a huge splash, impressive to the hobbits.
"Wow Merry! That was huge!" grinned Pippin, preparing to dive in also. He did and was greeted by the deliciously warm water; he was in instant gratitude to Gandalf for his thoughtfulness. He popped up beside Merry.
"Not bad Pip, a little more technique and you'll have huge waves!"
They where interrupted by Boromir and Aragorn chuckling as they watched the antics of Merry and Pippin, sitting in the river together.
"You hobbits think those puny little ripples where impressive?" question Boromir.
"Huh? Just cause you're bigger than us doesn't mean your splashes will be, size isn't everything it's the technique," retorted Merry.
"I think they just challenged us Boromir," said Aragorn turning to him with a smile.
"Really? That was the impression I got too."
"Well," said Pippin, eager to see the splash of two fully-grown men, "why don't you show us then?"
"Very well, now don't blame me for any grievances that may come of it," warned Boromir.
"We won't." the two hobbits grinned in unison.
Aragorn shrugged and they both got up. The walked a few meters up the hill. "One, two, three!" They ran down the hill and leapt.
The resulting splash was soooo huge the a good deal of the water was splashed out onto the sides of the river.
"Ahhhhhh!" yelled Merry and Pippin having a huge wave come crashing down onto them. The water tumbled them head over heels in the river. Legolas shrieked and looked slightly put off that his hair was rinsed of shampoo prematurely. Frodo was laughing so much he was crying and Gimli was gwarfing in deep manly tones.
"Bleerrg!" Pippin's head reappeared above the water spitting out water as it began to settle down. He paddled around a bit watching Merry reappear beside him also hacking. Pippin grinned. Merry turned to Pippin after looking around confusedly.
"Where's Aragorn and Boromir?"
Pippin had only a second to think about this potentially dangerous situation before:
"Boo!" Boromir and Aragorn appeared before them and dunked them.
Merry struggled to surface his curly head held down for a few seconds before he was allowed to resurface.
The first thing he saw was the grinning face of Aragorn. It was an impulse decision. He splashed the warm water into Aragorn's face. He did not know that he had just instigated a full scale splashing war. The area rang with shouts of glee as the war between the hobbits and the men began. Frodo joined in to assist his cousins and Legolas even joined in towards the end to pay Aragorn and Boromir back for the splashing on his hair. Soon Aragorn and Boromir had their hands over their heads, as the attack was just too much for them. It was then that Sam called them that dinner was ready. With a few quiet giggles the soaking Fellowship dried themselves off and sat down to eat their meal of potatoes, tomatoes and a few sides of bacon.
"Ahhhh! This has to be the best day I've had in a while!" sighed Frodo stretching out on the ground. He was full and warm and contented after the swim he had taken and nothing could have made it better. That was until Merry came up.
"Hey Frodo, you want me to give you a back massage?"
Frodo sighed and looked into his cousin's eyes. "That has to be the nicest thing to offer me on this whole trip thank you very much."
"Oh no Frodo, I could do nicer things. Much nicer."
Frodo looked up into Merry's eyes. His blue eyes where clear and where striking against the redish pinks of the setting sun. His usually sunflower golden hair had a coppery hue he had never noticed before in his cousin. And his smile, that wickedly cheerful smile, which told you he was joking, that had a permanent spot on those perfect red lips, was... gone. He was smiling yes but this smile was different. Merry was not joking; he was being serious this time. Frodo contemplated this scene. This moment was like a capture of heaven and to Frodo there seemed there was no way to describe his cousin Meriadoc other than he was simply beautiful. Frodo had a sudden desire for his cousin; he wanted to kiss him. But he managed to catch his self and left Merry with five simple words:
"Be nice to me Merry."
And he rolled over and allowed Merry to not only give Frodo his massage but to ponder what had just past between them in those fleeting seconds... which seemed like an eternity.
Pippin sat down and stretched out his legs. Watching the shadows deepen and lengthen in the approaching darkness. He huffed; he had eaten a bit too much. He looked about the Fellowship. Gimli was still chewing thoughtfully on a piece of salted meat; Strider was sitting down doing much the same as Pippin was except smoking with Gandalf. Legolas had disappeared somewhere, Pippin suspected to go hug some trees. And Boromir was sitting on a large boulder, chewing up the ground with the pommel of his sword.
Pippin turned his head to gaze behind him. He squinted into the sunlight and saw what looked to be like the silhouette Merry giving a half-asleep Frodo a back massage. Pippin quickly scanned for Sam, Sam was not far off but was sleeping with his back propped up against a rock. Good for Merry, he had always loved Frodo, as he did Pippin and all his other cousins but his affections for his handsome cousin had grown since the trip to Bree. Having lived in Buckland all his life Merry never really got to see much of his cousin up in Hobbiton and when that happened it was nearly always a full family affair. Pippin smiled again as memories of carefree days in the Shire floated to the surface of his mind. Memories of parties and beer; laughing with his cousins; playing in Bywater as a child; Farmer Maggot and his dogs. Once again that last day he had spent in the Shire without knowing fear took precedence in his mind. It had been chilly and slightly overcast, a typical autumn day. Just he and his cousin, looking for a bit of fun.
Pippin suddenly discovered that he was bored. Fun memories triggered him to become more playful and the centre of his playful attentions was the man who was absent-mindedly still smashing the dirt up with his sword. Pippin got up and walked away a bit, plastering the classic; 'don't look at me I'm not up to any mischief' look on his face and walked behind Boromir. With a run and a leap he lunged onto Boromir's back earning a yell of surprise as he scrambled up his back to settle himself on his shoulders, placing two hands over the man's eyes. The peace was instantly interrupted as Gandalf, Aragorn and Gimli looked up. They smiled to see the cheery face of Pippin grinning at them, resting his chin on Boromir's head, with hands over eyes indicating them to be quiet. They went back to their peace.
"Oi! Who's that? Pippin?" he asked turning his head this way and that.
Pippin tried hard not to giggle and give himself away as Boromir was right on the mark.
"Pippin, I know it's you?" he said with a hint of doubtfulness in his voice, he had thought (or hoped) the hobbit would give himself up by now.
Pippin spoke, lowering his voice as much as he possibly could, "I ate your hobbit friend. I am No-Brain Ugly-Face, Chief Orc in this region."
Boromir tried hard to restrain himself from laughter and decided to play along. "That is a shame, I was hoping I could catch him tonight while he was sleeping and eat him myself. Was he tender and juicy, or was he tough and bitter?"
Pippin shrieked in delight and uncovered Boromir's eyes. The Gondorian only saw a brief snatch of light before two arms swooped around his head, hugging him dearly. He laughed at the hobbit's generous love and happiness he was displaying.
Then Pippin settled back and said, "You wouldn't really eat me would you Boromir?"
"I don't know. I've been tempted I must say."
Pippin chuckled again, his chin once again resting on Boromir's head, his legs swinging over his shoulders.
Boromir's brow wrinkled as his eyes rose to smile apon the grinning face he saw there.
Pippin's eyes fell to the dirt in front of the man's boots.
"What have you been doing Boromir, breaking up perfectly good soil? You really are an Orc! So much for Boromir the Benevolent, more like Boromir the Brute!" he giggled cheekily.
"You'd better watch yourself young Master. Did you not learn the lesson I gave you last night?"
Pippin frowned, "That reminds me. I still have not paid you back for that one, Boromir the Brute!"
Before Boromir could say anything, Pippin had slipped down past the open buttons at the top and into Boromir's shirt and pushed him off the rock on to the ground. An "oooff" escaped Boromir's lips, which was soon replaced with small rumblings of laughter, a prelude to the booming gales that followed under Pippin's relentless attack.
The hobbit could feel Boromir's chest heave and shudder at his touch. He was enjoying listening to that full, lovely laugh so much that he had almost forgotten what a beautiful body he was tormenting. While under that shirt, Pippin discovered that Boromir was exceptionally ticklish on his lower ribs and that if Pippin dug his fingers deeply into those flanks and tickled really fast, the resounding effect was enormous.
The huge man was practically squeaking, bucking and almost crushing Pippin in an effort to get away from his deft fingers.
"Mercy! Mercy Pippin I'm sorry! Ahhhh! Someone help! This hobbit has gone.... No! CRAZY!"
Pippin grinned at the result he was getting, but he had never imagined it to this extent. Boromir was at his complete mercy.
Soon a new voice was heard, "Right that's it Pippin you've had your fun."
It was Strider.
A large shadow descended and Pippin felt two hands grab him. He stopped tickling. Boromir's hysterical laughter calmed down and gave way to extreme panting, large breaths came thick and fast and Pippin felt it like an earthquake. Hewas slowly lifted out of the now steaming hot shirt.
"Good grief, I don't think Boromir would have survived that much longer! He is in a state," said Gandalf, who had obviously come to assist the Steward's Son as well.
Boromir was still lying on the ground breathing heavily, red in the face, eyes wet with tears, a permanent grin was stuck to his face, which was obviously paining him but he could not remove. The poor man did not look like he was going to be moving or getting up in a while.
"I am not sure he isn't dead Gandalf. Boromir picked a fight with the wrong hobbit. Pippin proved to be a worthy adversary. I don't think Boromir will try getting him fired up anytime soon," added Aragorn grinning down at both Pippin at his side and Boromir at his feet.
"Aye, the Steward of Gondor has learnt his lesson. He will rue the day if ever the hobbits make war on the men of Gondor," chuckled Gimli who had been enjoying the spectacle from a distance.
"I think... I will just stay here..." said Boromir slowly, speaking up but still not moving.
Aragorn and Gimli laughed again and then decided that it was indeed time to settle down. Gandalf appointed himself for watch and Legolas returned from his solitary wanderings.
"What happened here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at the still grinning non-moving Boromir on the ground.
"Pippin beat up Boromir extremely well." Aragorn smiled. "That I did," sighed Pippin looking down at his object of admiration and love, "that I did..."
TBC
"Stop it Sam please," he said.
"Sam?" said Merry to himself.
He looked to the chunkier hobbit on the other side fast asleep. So there was the competition, a home-grown, weed eating Gamgee. Well saddle up Frodo because it was time to unleash the charm that was... Meriadoc Brandybuck. He smirked to himself, this going to be one fun ride.
The next morning Pippin woke up because he was feeling slightly cold. He reached for Boromir and his eyes snapped open when he felt nothing. He sat up yawned and stretched, scratching his head sleepily. He could not remember a better sleep. Boromir's grinning face swam into view.
"Rise and shine Pippin, it is time to break our fast," he said ruffling Pippin's unruly, sleep tangled hair.
Merry was already up. In fact he was the first up for one reason.
"Frodo! I got you Breakfast!"
Frodo smiled at his cousin, "Thank you very much Merry, it looks great!" he said taking it from him.
Sam scowled; Merry smirked. He just loved competing in any form. He was used to always beating Pippin, but Sam, he did not know about Sam as well.
"Very sly Mer," said Pippin, strolling up with Boromir. "If you ever need any help I'll be right here to offer any advice."
"You? Offering any advice? On love? Ha! Don't you remember Pip, I was always the heartthrob of the Shire not you. You where the pesky baby cousin remember?"
Pippin decided to play along with the age-old argument. "I'm not a baby Merry," and he pouted. Merry laughed.
They all sat down to Breakfast. Pippin and Merry, as usual, were stuffing themselves with as much food as they could and Boromir managed to sneak them more when he could. Soon it was time to start off again. Pippin after his good night's rest wanted a piggyback ride from anyone that would give him one. Boromir offered himself a few times but Pippin insisted that he had way to much stuff to carry as it was so he dashed from one Fellowship member to another.
Merry was following Frodo and was just about to engage him in a dodgy conversation.
"So Frodo, used that ring much, does it hurt when you have to put it on?"
"Merry, I am unsure what you are talking about. I don't like having to put the ring on."
Merry sniggered, 'Virgin.' He thought to himself. "Well... let's put it this way,"
He was rudely interrupted by Pippin leaping onto his back snapping his heels into Merry's side and shouting, '"High Ho Merry!" "Ahhhh!" and Merry feel flat on his face.
Pippin giggled nervously sitting on Merry's back, at the deadly glare his cousin was giving him, sprawled on his belly tapping his fingers. Pippin giggled again and removed himself. Merry dusted himself off. Frodo was trying hard not to crack up.
"That was not funny Pip, you could have crushed poor Merry's back, and then what would I do?"
Merry looked astounded at what Frodo had just said. Frodo then winked and turned away calling for Sam to give him a hand. Merry blushed and he looked amazed.
"Thank you soo much Pippin." He said, hugging his cousin.
"No, thank you Merry," replied Pippin.
"No you, thanks so much for almost breaking my back."
"No you, thanks soo much for nearly breaking my pride."
"You."
"No you."
"I say thank you very much Pip, good day!"
"No I say..."
"I said, good day..."
"Damnit you always do that Mer!"
They walked on through the terrain, always keeping the Misty Mountains to their left and following them in a fairly straight line south. Soon they came to a stream. This stream flowed down from the top of one of the highest peaks of the mountain range where there was some spare ice covering the slopes. It was the first time since they had seen a source of water large enough to bathe in.
"Gandalf, may we stop and have a bath here?" asked Pippin trotting up beside him, trying to keep up with the wizards large strides.
"I do not think there is time for such things at this moment Peregrin."
"Oh I think it would be marvellous to have a wash," Legolas said, perking up and the mention of it.
Pippin smirked as the rest of the Fellowship seemed to be all for it.
"I would second that motion," put in Boromir, grinning at Pippin.
"And I!" said Merry, smiling and giving Frodo a quick glance and a smile.
Gandalf, looking out voted and exasperated said, "Let the Ring Bearer decide."
Frodo, catching the glance Merry had given him said, "Hell yeah! I can't stand hanging round these stinky people anymore!" (actually he didn't say that he said, "I should like a bath, it would be a good way to lift spirits among our company before continuing further." )
"Then so be it."
They stopped by the banks of the stream and stripped off. Merry and Pippin where extremely excited about playing in the water. Brandybuck's loved the water and swimming and Pippin had the good fortune of being able to swim having been taught by Merry and his other Brandybuck relatives as a youngster. Legolas was eager to clean the 'grime' from his body, which did not seem to exist. The other Fellowship members just wanted a chance to relax. The only member who did not seem enthusiastic about the idea was Sam, he was untrusting of the water and decided he would cook dinner for the Fellowship whilst they where washing. Merry was the first unchanged and he tore off towards the water Pippin in hot pursuit. He charged into the water, and was up to his knees before he yelled and came running back. Pippin had just reached the shore.
"It's too cold in there!" he shouted, "That has to be the coldest water I've every felt! I had no idea it water could get that cold!"
Usually Merry found no water cold but this was the exception and if it was too cold for Merry it was too cold for anyone.
Gandalf smiled at the shivering Brandybuck and the disappointed hobbits. "Perhaps I could be of some assistance." He stuck his staff into the river and murmured some secret phrases in the tongue of the Istari. The water began to steam and soon the entire river was warmed to a bath temperature, which gained the approval of Master Brandybuck as he leapt into the very centre of the river creating a huge splash, impressive to the hobbits.
"Wow Merry! That was huge!" grinned Pippin, preparing to dive in also. He did and was greeted by the deliciously warm water; he was in instant gratitude to Gandalf for his thoughtfulness. He popped up beside Merry.
"Not bad Pip, a little more technique and you'll have huge waves!"
They where interrupted by Boromir and Aragorn chuckling as they watched the antics of Merry and Pippin, sitting in the river together.
"You hobbits think those puny little ripples where impressive?" question Boromir.
"Huh? Just cause you're bigger than us doesn't mean your splashes will be, size isn't everything it's the technique," retorted Merry.
"I think they just challenged us Boromir," said Aragorn turning to him with a smile.
"Really? That was the impression I got too."
"Well," said Pippin, eager to see the splash of two fully-grown men, "why don't you show us then?"
"Very well, now don't blame me for any grievances that may come of it," warned Boromir.
"We won't." the two hobbits grinned in unison.
Aragorn shrugged and they both got up. The walked a few meters up the hill. "One, two, three!" They ran down the hill and leapt.
The resulting splash was soooo huge the a good deal of the water was splashed out onto the sides of the river.
"Ahhhhhh!" yelled Merry and Pippin having a huge wave come crashing down onto them. The water tumbled them head over heels in the river. Legolas shrieked and looked slightly put off that his hair was rinsed of shampoo prematurely. Frodo was laughing so much he was crying and Gimli was gwarfing in deep manly tones.
"Bleerrg!" Pippin's head reappeared above the water spitting out water as it began to settle down. He paddled around a bit watching Merry reappear beside him also hacking. Pippin grinned. Merry turned to Pippin after looking around confusedly.
"Where's Aragorn and Boromir?"
Pippin had only a second to think about this potentially dangerous situation before:
"Boo!" Boromir and Aragorn appeared before them and dunked them.
Merry struggled to surface his curly head held down for a few seconds before he was allowed to resurface.
The first thing he saw was the grinning face of Aragorn. It was an impulse decision. He splashed the warm water into Aragorn's face. He did not know that he had just instigated a full scale splashing war. The area rang with shouts of glee as the war between the hobbits and the men began. Frodo joined in to assist his cousins and Legolas even joined in towards the end to pay Aragorn and Boromir back for the splashing on his hair. Soon Aragorn and Boromir had their hands over their heads, as the attack was just too much for them. It was then that Sam called them that dinner was ready. With a few quiet giggles the soaking Fellowship dried themselves off and sat down to eat their meal of potatoes, tomatoes and a few sides of bacon.
"Ahhhh! This has to be the best day I've had in a while!" sighed Frodo stretching out on the ground. He was full and warm and contented after the swim he had taken and nothing could have made it better. That was until Merry came up.
"Hey Frodo, you want me to give you a back massage?"
Frodo sighed and looked into his cousin's eyes. "That has to be the nicest thing to offer me on this whole trip thank you very much."
"Oh no Frodo, I could do nicer things. Much nicer."
Frodo looked up into Merry's eyes. His blue eyes where clear and where striking against the redish pinks of the setting sun. His usually sunflower golden hair had a coppery hue he had never noticed before in his cousin. And his smile, that wickedly cheerful smile, which told you he was joking, that had a permanent spot on those perfect red lips, was... gone. He was smiling yes but this smile was different. Merry was not joking; he was being serious this time. Frodo contemplated this scene. This moment was like a capture of heaven and to Frodo there seemed there was no way to describe his cousin Meriadoc other than he was simply beautiful. Frodo had a sudden desire for his cousin; he wanted to kiss him. But he managed to catch his self and left Merry with five simple words:
"Be nice to me Merry."
And he rolled over and allowed Merry to not only give Frodo his massage but to ponder what had just past between them in those fleeting seconds... which seemed like an eternity.
Pippin sat down and stretched out his legs. Watching the shadows deepen and lengthen in the approaching darkness. He huffed; he had eaten a bit too much. He looked about the Fellowship. Gimli was still chewing thoughtfully on a piece of salted meat; Strider was sitting down doing much the same as Pippin was except smoking with Gandalf. Legolas had disappeared somewhere, Pippin suspected to go hug some trees. And Boromir was sitting on a large boulder, chewing up the ground with the pommel of his sword.
Pippin turned his head to gaze behind him. He squinted into the sunlight and saw what looked to be like the silhouette Merry giving a half-asleep Frodo a back massage. Pippin quickly scanned for Sam, Sam was not far off but was sleeping with his back propped up against a rock. Good for Merry, he had always loved Frodo, as he did Pippin and all his other cousins but his affections for his handsome cousin had grown since the trip to Bree. Having lived in Buckland all his life Merry never really got to see much of his cousin up in Hobbiton and when that happened it was nearly always a full family affair. Pippin smiled again as memories of carefree days in the Shire floated to the surface of his mind. Memories of parties and beer; laughing with his cousins; playing in Bywater as a child; Farmer Maggot and his dogs. Once again that last day he had spent in the Shire without knowing fear took precedence in his mind. It had been chilly and slightly overcast, a typical autumn day. Just he and his cousin, looking for a bit of fun.
Pippin suddenly discovered that he was bored. Fun memories triggered him to become more playful and the centre of his playful attentions was the man who was absent-mindedly still smashing the dirt up with his sword. Pippin got up and walked away a bit, plastering the classic; 'don't look at me I'm not up to any mischief' look on his face and walked behind Boromir. With a run and a leap he lunged onto Boromir's back earning a yell of surprise as he scrambled up his back to settle himself on his shoulders, placing two hands over the man's eyes. The peace was instantly interrupted as Gandalf, Aragorn and Gimli looked up. They smiled to see the cheery face of Pippin grinning at them, resting his chin on Boromir's head, with hands over eyes indicating them to be quiet. They went back to their peace.
"Oi! Who's that? Pippin?" he asked turning his head this way and that.
Pippin tried hard not to giggle and give himself away as Boromir was right on the mark.
"Pippin, I know it's you?" he said with a hint of doubtfulness in his voice, he had thought (or hoped) the hobbit would give himself up by now.
Pippin spoke, lowering his voice as much as he possibly could, "I ate your hobbit friend. I am No-Brain Ugly-Face, Chief Orc in this region."
Boromir tried hard to restrain himself from laughter and decided to play along. "That is a shame, I was hoping I could catch him tonight while he was sleeping and eat him myself. Was he tender and juicy, or was he tough and bitter?"
Pippin shrieked in delight and uncovered Boromir's eyes. The Gondorian only saw a brief snatch of light before two arms swooped around his head, hugging him dearly. He laughed at the hobbit's generous love and happiness he was displaying.
Then Pippin settled back and said, "You wouldn't really eat me would you Boromir?"
"I don't know. I've been tempted I must say."
Pippin chuckled again, his chin once again resting on Boromir's head, his legs swinging over his shoulders.
Boromir's brow wrinkled as his eyes rose to smile apon the grinning face he saw there.
Pippin's eyes fell to the dirt in front of the man's boots.
"What have you been doing Boromir, breaking up perfectly good soil? You really are an Orc! So much for Boromir the Benevolent, more like Boromir the Brute!" he giggled cheekily.
"You'd better watch yourself young Master. Did you not learn the lesson I gave you last night?"
Pippin frowned, "That reminds me. I still have not paid you back for that one, Boromir the Brute!"
Before Boromir could say anything, Pippin had slipped down past the open buttons at the top and into Boromir's shirt and pushed him off the rock on to the ground. An "oooff" escaped Boromir's lips, which was soon replaced with small rumblings of laughter, a prelude to the booming gales that followed under Pippin's relentless attack.
The hobbit could feel Boromir's chest heave and shudder at his touch. He was enjoying listening to that full, lovely laugh so much that he had almost forgotten what a beautiful body he was tormenting. While under that shirt, Pippin discovered that Boromir was exceptionally ticklish on his lower ribs and that if Pippin dug his fingers deeply into those flanks and tickled really fast, the resounding effect was enormous.
The huge man was practically squeaking, bucking and almost crushing Pippin in an effort to get away from his deft fingers.
"Mercy! Mercy Pippin I'm sorry! Ahhhh! Someone help! This hobbit has gone.... No! CRAZY!"
Pippin grinned at the result he was getting, but he had never imagined it to this extent. Boromir was at his complete mercy.
Soon a new voice was heard, "Right that's it Pippin you've had your fun."
It was Strider.
A large shadow descended and Pippin felt two hands grab him. He stopped tickling. Boromir's hysterical laughter calmed down and gave way to extreme panting, large breaths came thick and fast and Pippin felt it like an earthquake. Hewas slowly lifted out of the now steaming hot shirt.
"Good grief, I don't think Boromir would have survived that much longer! He is in a state," said Gandalf, who had obviously come to assist the Steward's Son as well.
Boromir was still lying on the ground breathing heavily, red in the face, eyes wet with tears, a permanent grin was stuck to his face, which was obviously paining him but he could not remove. The poor man did not look like he was going to be moving or getting up in a while.
"I am not sure he isn't dead Gandalf. Boromir picked a fight with the wrong hobbit. Pippin proved to be a worthy adversary. I don't think Boromir will try getting him fired up anytime soon," added Aragorn grinning down at both Pippin at his side and Boromir at his feet.
"Aye, the Steward of Gondor has learnt his lesson. He will rue the day if ever the hobbits make war on the men of Gondor," chuckled Gimli who had been enjoying the spectacle from a distance.
"I think... I will just stay here..." said Boromir slowly, speaking up but still not moving.
Aragorn and Gimli laughed again and then decided that it was indeed time to settle down. Gandalf appointed himself for watch and Legolas returned from his solitary wanderings.
"What happened here?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at the still grinning non-moving Boromir on the ground.
"Pippin beat up Boromir extremely well." Aragorn smiled. "That I did," sighed Pippin looking down at his object of admiration and love, "that I did..."
TBC