Chapter 4 Welcoming Gandalf

Merry, Pippin and Lily sat at a table beside Sam and Frodo. Merry and Lily had told them of their happening. There was a round of cheering before Frodo asked in a hushed tone.

"Will you be married?

Merry looked at Lily.

"I don't know we'll have to think about that" Lily said as she smiled at Merry. They laughed for hours reminiscing and telling jokes. Frodo and Sam laughed as Merry, Pippin and Lily danced on the tabletop, singing and drinking late into the night. There was a flash of light as Gandalf set off some of the fireworks that he was famous for. Lily felt happiness rush into her heart, she'd forgotten all about the events that had taken place. Tonight, she could smile; she could lose herself in the music and just be herself, no mask, no tears, just a smile, a mug of ale and her best friends. She sat down; breathless…she hadn't danced like that since she was a child. Merry sat next to her, gently brushing her hair away from her face. She flushed with color. They sat there, watching the Hobbits dance and laugh, letting the pain flow from their hearts, into the fire. Tonight, things, for once, looked hopeful. Lily watched Pippin awkwardly dance with Rose, she couldn't help but giggle along with Merry and Frodo. Sam apparently had gone to stare at Rose, another hobbit… Sam didn't have the courage to talk to her, let alone ask her to dance. It was well after midnight before the party finally came to a stop. Hobbits left, walking this way and that, discussing the events of the night, Merry and Lily bid goodnight to their friends and strolled into the night. They reached Merry's house and Merry collapsed on the bed. Lily went outside to gather firewood; she hadn't reached the door when she heard Merry's snores float into the night. The sound of crickets surrounded her, and the smell of lilac and rose on the night air made her sleepy. She fed the fire, and climbed into bed along side Merry, and fully clothed, slipped into an easy sleep. Lily was in a place she didn't know, it seemed familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. She could see shadows up ahead, four of them, she started running, realizing it was her family, she ran, closing the gap between them, she could almost reach them now, when she found herself staring at the ceiling of Merry's house. She turned to wake Merry, but found his blue eyes staring into her green ones.

She looked at Merry, and smiled. She found herself getting lost in his eyes; she looked away as she up sat next to him, gently giving him a kiss on the cheek. He pulled her closer and kissed her, his heart exploded with love and nervousness. They looked away, each blushing and each happy. Lily smiled softly, picking up her light blue dress and going to change. She came back in and looked out the window.

"What a lovely day, shall we go outside for a bit?" she said to Merry. They opened the door and sun exploded into their faces. Merry smoke a pipe as Lily read a book, which was just like Lily; if she wasn't running around and causing mischief in Hobbiton, she had her nose in a book; many times Pippin would find Lily missing, only to stumble upon her in a tree, reading. Lily loved to read, to see the image in her head; the book would suck her in, the world was oblivious to her while she was reading, all she saw was the characters, the setting, and that's all she wanted to see. Merry watched the Hobbits pass, lounging on the warm day, the gentle breeze carrying the laughter of the small ones playing. Lily looked around, suddenly filled with the urge to walk somewhere.

"Merry, do you want to walk somewhere?" She asked, closing her book and setting it down.

"But to where?"

"The meadows? The Woods?" Lily suggested. She wanted to be out in the sun.

"The woods? Lilian! You know we're not supposed to be in the forest!" Merry whispered. He never called her Lilian, no one did, only when she was in deep trouble or being stubborn.

"Well, that's why it's fun!" Lily said with a gleam of mischief in her eyes. Lily and Merry slipped quietly out of the yard and made their way towards the silent forest on the edge of the town.

Hello all, what'd ya think? it's a bit shorter than i'd hoped, but skiing this weekend limited my writing time, so this is what i've got, Chp. 5 should be around soon (I hope)