The Race to Buckland

Summary: It's been two years since Meriadoc's return to Buckland when he and his fellow conspirators went on an adventure that took them a full year to return to find the Shire over taken by Ruffians. When they rallied the hobbits during the War of Bywater and saved the Shire with their friends Samwise and Frodo, both Meriadoc and his cousin Peregrin became the Shire's most sought after bachelor and most recognized heros in the entire Shire. Although the attention the good folk bestowed upon them in the first couple of years was very much welcomed and gained them many free gifts, especially when they entered a tavern, having all they wanted to drink. It had begun to wear upon the two hobbits and their parents the most. No matter how hard they tried to return to a carefree life in which they enjoyed before they left on their adventure, it was hampered by expectations from all others around them. The two hobbits found out that being the most recognizable and famous hobbits in the entire Shire were trouble in itself, (that and the unwanted attention from all the lasses around them). It was time for Meriadoc and Peregrine to grow up, become mature adults and take responsibility and become who they were meant to become, the Master of Buckland and the Thain of the Shire with wives and children of their own. Perhaps the new ponies that King Eomer bestowed upon Meriadoc for his deepest appreciation for all that he did during the War of the Ring was another way to distract them all. A pony race across the Shire to Buckland, now that should turn their attention around and give them a little more time for themselves…… or will it?

Chapter 1

The thick newly pressed paper that she held in her hand made her heart skip a beat and knew without a doubt that this was exactly what she has been waiting for. Turning it over, she took her time in opening it and a slow smile broke the corners of her lips. It was from the mistress of Brandy Hall and she knew by having this invitation that she did impress her with her sharp wit and keen eye of observation. It was during the noon luncheon in the Great Hall, when Esmeralda found a few minutes by herself at the Brandybuck's private table. She was unaware that an important letter she carried in her apron pocket had slipped out and fallen to the floor. This was the opportunity that gave her a free audience with the mistress. Within a few minutes, she was able to convince Esmeralda to consider her as marriage material for her son, Meriadoc. Knowing Merry as she did when growing up in Buckland and all his special interest, she allowed the mistress to assume that they had so much in common with each other. She could tell even then that she had convinced the mistress well and knew that this invitation to a private tea with the Brandybuck family was short in coming.

Imagines of being Meriadoc's wife and especially being mistress of Brandy Hall someday danced in her mind while her excitement intensified in her grand dreams and schemes. Growing up in Buckland, she knew Merry very well. And lately, she had spent a lot of time, whenever opportunity allowed it, respectfully that is, in being in the same place that he was and casually bumping into him for a few minutes of his time. As children, Merry never seemed that important to her as he did now. In fact he was the biggest pest that she tried to avoid. He was always getting himself into trouble with that cousin of his and causing all sorts of problems in Brandy Hall. Talk of Meriadoc Brandybuck was always what he had done and had gotten into and poor Esmeralda having such a challenging and wayward child to contend too. But now that Meridoc has grow-up that talk has changed and he was magnificent, more respected than even his own father. Esmeralda seemed to glow with pride in her son and she basked in the shadow of it.

During the War of Bywater in which Meriadoc gathered and lead large groups of hobbits in its defense to drive out the ruffians from their boarders shown everyone his true heart and his magnificence of character plunging him into greatness that far out shadowed his own father. He would be remembered forever in the Shire of being one of the greatest hobbits that had ever lived, Buckland's most favored son and the hobbit of her most desire.

A very slight noise of a hem of a dress being brushed against ones legs while someone tip-toed into the room silently behind her caught her attention and drew her away from her invitation. Placing it down upon the table and without turning around to see who had entered, she immediately commented, "Merril, do you really need to go sneaking around corners to get out of your work."

Merril put her hands to her side and made tight fists. "How did you know it was me without looking?" she stubbornly insisted. "Do you have eyes in the back of your head?"

"No, you ninny!" stated Myrtle. "You're the only one in this family so sneaky enough to go tip-toeing around. If mum catches you not doing your chores, she will hold our noon luncheon until you are finished and I'll not have my lunch ruined because of you!"

Mumbling to herself about her older sister's keen eye and attention to details, she went back to the sewing room to finish her mending job.

Myrtle smiled at her cleverness and quick wit that has always got her the things she wanted the most, and Merry Brandybuck was utmost on her mind.

xxx

"Did you trade the cakes?" asked Merry as he pulled his cousin closer to his side and whispered into his ear while he kept his eyes focused upon those within the room.

"Yes!" said and nodded Pippin with a smirk upon his lips. "It was easier than taken one of ole Maggots watermelons!"

"Good then, let's see how much the lass can sweat dealing with my mother's questions and pepper powder from old Hatty's cupboard." Meriadoc lead his cousin to the settee and sat properly waiting for his mother.

Esmeralda carried the tea pot into their parlor and greeted her guests. She saw her cakes that were cut and served on individual plates, sitting on the table and was grateful that her son had been so kind to help her. He looked so charming sitting on the settee dressed appropriately in his finest vest and tapered dark pants. Merry casually visited with the Goodbodies and played the perfect host. In her mind she thought how grown-up he appeared and how gracious he has become. She beamed with pride for her son when she sat down next to him and greeted her guests.

Standing, Merry offered the serving tray of cakes to his guests while his mother poured the tea into each cup. Making sure the lass would take the first cake to his left as planned, Merry smiled sweetly to her. Then looking back to his mother, he knew in his heart that he had fooled her completely. He wondered why in his past for the times he use to make such a fuss about these tea parties that she was so fond of, when it was so much easier to turn things around on the others and take the focus off of himself. It was by far more of a challenge and made each party bearable for him, (not to mention how much fun they have become). With his fellow conspirator, there was not a chance his mother was ever going to find out. Least ways, it stopped her nagging at him to attend and her endless lectures on good manners and his plans for his future.

Peregrin was no better off, he taught to himself. After all his family was doing the same thing. Even though his cousin was much younger than he and still Pippin has not reached his coming of age, his father the Thain believed with his new respectability among the Tooks, that time could not be wasted. Peregrin, whether he was ready or not must take his place and help lead the Tooks of the Green Hills. They looked up to his son with the highest respect after the War of Bywater. The Thain Paladon was putting pressure on his son for his marriage and to further his respectability.

Merry looked over at his cousin and gave him a knowing smile, together the two would out wit and out think their parents, so they could have the life of leisure and carefree days in which marriage had no plans for either of them.

Lilly's eyes warmly greeted Merry when she looked up to him as he served her the cake. She instantly memorized each curve of his gentle, handsome face and the soft texture of curls that fell close to his shoulders. Almost becoming lost in her day dreams of this lad, she almost forgot to take the cake that he offered.

Thinking that she was refusing to take the cake this gave, Merry pause and quickly thought of a way so she had no choice but to eat his mother's cake.

"My mother spent all day in the kitchen to make this cake for the both of you, really you must try a piece, it is quite remarkable, I must say."

Pulling herself from romantic thoughts of Merry, she blushed slightly and took the cake.

Peregrin standing off to the side of the group with Saradoc and the father of the Goodbody family of Buckland, gave a wink at his cousin and smiled. He took a sip of his tea and tried to look inconspicuous in this conspiracy and returned half his attention back to Saradoc.

"Well, Mrs. Goodbody, I hear that your daughter, Lilly is quite talented with playing the fiddle. Many have commented about her playing during a luncheon in the great hall last week," commented Esmeralda just before she took a very small taste of her cake and sipped her tea. She smiled in knowing her cake was well thought of and felt this was one of her best that she has ever made. It was light and crumbly and baked to perfection.

Putting her teacup down, she turned to her son. "Meriadoc also plays the fiddle and also has some talent in it.

Merry smiled sweetly at his mother and nodded. "Tell me Lilly, how long have you played the fiddle?'

Taking a small piece of cake in her mouth, she immediately felt the hot burning of the pepper seasoning that stung her tongue. Her eyes began to water as she quickly swallowed and rushed to grab her teacup. A slash of hot tea spilt on her dress and lap that began to burn her leg. She stood abruptly from the pain of the burn as Esmeralda looked shocked at the girl.

She could see the girl's face turning bright red with embarrassment from spilling her tea, so she taught.

Shaking her dress and gulping her tea at the same time to cool both her burning lap and her burning tongue, Lilly looked a fright upon all those that watched her.

"My dear, are you all right," her mother commented trying to help her daughter.

"It was that cake, it tasted…….." she stopped herself quickly before she blurted out how horrible and hot it tasted and then looked at her hostess. Esmeralda looked shocked at the girl and knew if she told her the truth that she would think her rude and asked her to leave and her chances with Merry would be ended. So she gently commented. "It tasted wonderful and such a surprise that I forgot myself for a moment."

Esmeralda, liking the nice comment from Lilly about her cake, smiled with pride at her skill with baking and gestured for her to sit down.

Merry nodded to his cousin and grinned and turned back to the lass in a polite manner to listen to her comment of what he asked her.

Throughout the tea party, Lilly's face remained reddened and small beads of sweat began form upon her brow and upper lip. For each bite she took of Esmeralda's wonderful cake, she took a big gulp of the tea and dabbed each corner of her eyes. It did not go unnoticed to the hostess who kept her eyes upon the girl and felt she seemed to be very odd in manners. She felt certain that this girl was not marriage material for her son. She mentally scratched her off her list.

Merry's brilliant idea worked and he knew that the lass who was trying so hard to win him over with his mother, would all fail and he would not be forced into marriage.

When the tea party ended, Merry bid them a good day and shown them to the door and joined his cousin to celebrate another well planned victory.

After the Brandybucks have settled down in their family quarters of Brandy Hall, and Meriadoc and his cousin decided to walk to the stables to see Merry's new ponies, Esmeralda decided to speak with her husband and joined him at his desk where he was working.

"Saradoc, have you spoken with the healers concerning the health of our residence of Brandy Hall?" she questioned.

"No, my dear," stated Saradoc pulling himself away from his desk and placing his quill down upon his ledger. "Why are you insisting that the healers be concerning themselves with this matter? Have there been an outbreak of a sudden illness going around these halls?"

"Well, don't you think it odd, in these lasses that have been coming to tea, lately," she began after sipping her tea and then continued. "Take Miss Goodbody for instance, did you see the reddest of her cheeks during the entire tea party? She was almost glowing!"

Saradoc shook his head and thought his wife was being too critical, "Now, my dear, really. The girl was just excited in being in company with our son. She is just smitten with him."

Raising her eyebrow towards her husband, she added, "and the way she kept dapping at her watery eyes!"

Saradoc raised his eyes towards the ceiling in remembering the same thing. "She was a bit emotional, if I recall."

"She was profusely sweating the entire time!"

Saradoc looked directly into his wife's eyes, "It was a bit warm in here this afternoon."

Wrinkling her eyebrows and thinking her husband needed more convincing she added, "Then what about the other lasses last week and the week before that? One kept twitching and itching, while the other kept sneezing. I am telling you, Saradoc, something is not right here."

"And you're sure my dear, that our Merry has nothing to do with this?" he added and asked suspiciously.

"Really, Saradoc! Aren't you the suspicious one," she paused a moment and then added, "Our Merry has been the most gracious host. He, in fact is most charming in his greetings. He has changed, Saradoc. He's grown and matured. Those wayward days are past him."

"I'm not that convinced, my dear," Saradoc insisted.

"Besides, when have you known Meriadoc to agree so willingly to tea parties? Has he not firmly refused to attend in the past? He's grown and changed, Saradoc. I feel that he is now ready for marriage. He is truly interested in meeting these fine Bucklander's lasses and he is enjoying himself. Anyone could see this!"

"Okay, you have convinced me. I will see the healers this evening and discuss with them the health concerns of our residence."

Esmeralda was delighted that she was able to convince her husband towards her wishes, and gave him a hug before she stood and went into her pallor to find her needle point work.

xxx

A slow and steady chuckle began to build inside Pippin as he walked beside his cousin to the stable and suddenly exploded into hysterically laughter.

Merry grabbed his cousins by his arm and dragged him quickly into the stables so no one would see them.

"Be careful, Pip!" snapped Merry. "If my Mum or Da would catch us snickering, they'll be thinking something is up and figure out we're to blame for it!"

"But, Merry!" Pippin laughed out loud. "Did you see her face?"

Again he roared in laughter just thinking about it and his tears rolled down his cheeks.

"I-I-I don't know which was funnier; Poor Lilly's predicament with the spicy cake or your mum's expression at watching her!"

Again he roared out loud in laughter, holding his side and stooping over.

Merry smiled thinking about it, but did not find it as funny as what his cousin did.

"For a minute, I thought she'd give us away by blurting out about the spicy cake!" again Pippin laughed and snickered. "But she knew if she did, she would have hurt your mum pride in her cooking. She's a smart one, Merry. Perhaps you should reconsider a courtship with that girl."

"Not a chance, Pip!" said Merry a bit more serious. "If my Mum wants me married, she'll find it a bit harder than she realizes. I'll never marry and spend my life behind my father's desk working until the wee hours in the night. I have bigger dreams than that for myself!"

"Whatever you decide, Merry, you just make sure I'm included in those plans!" stated Pippin.

"You, my cousin, will more than likely be married way before I am."

"Never, Merry!" insisted Pippin. "I'll never marry and become my father either. I will have one adventure after another adventure. After all that we have seen and have done, I know there is more for me than what they have planned."

Pippin walked up to his cousin bit more serious and turned him around so he could look him into his eyes. "You are going to come to Tuckborough tomorrow, aren't you?"

Pippin began to worry when Merry did not answer him straight away. "You promised me, Merry and I'll hold you to it!"

"Yes, yes….Pippin, I'll be there."

"My Da has invited his distant cousins, twice removed, I remind you and they have daughters, Merry, my age!" Pippin spun around his cousin as he began to worry and fret even more.

"You're bringing the itch powder and ole Hatty's squeezing powder, as you promised!" he added.

"Yes, Pip," said Merry while he placed his hands on both of his cousin's shoulder to calm him. "I'll not let them marry you off so soon, Pippin. Not yet anyway."

Merry enjoyed his teasing of Pippin and smiled to show him that he was just jesting with him.

Pippin chuckled at his cousin little joke and trusted him with his life. He knew deep down that Merry would never disappoint him.

When Merry walked away from Pippin suddenly, and in that instance, Pippin had one more moment of doubt. "Perhaps you should bring the hot pepper spice as well. You never know, it could come in quite handy."

Pippin stopped when he noticed what had captured his cousin's attention. A beautiful snow white pony stuck her head out from her stall and Merry stood before it.

She had a long white mane and Merry brushed it back from her face. The pony brushed up against Merry's weskit and nuzzled him with her nose. "Oh, I know what you want, Snowclad." And he reached deep within his pocket. Finding the apple, he brought it out to give to his pony.

"She's beautiful, Merry!" said Pippin.

"Yes, she is and no other can compare to her. She's the only love of my life and always will be."

"Are you ever going to let me ride her?" asked Pippin wanting to share something so precious of his cousins'.

"It's not by my choosing if you ride or not, Pip. It's Snowclad here. King Eomer has told me that she will only accept one master and not allow another to ride her. It's how the Rohirrim has trained her," commented Merry when he stroked her long white mane.

"She'll accept me, Merry. After all, were cousins and……"

Pippin did not have a chance to finish his statement because when he reached his hand up to pet her, she snorted and reared upwards.

"You better just keep your distance from her for a time, until she gets to know you better," stated Merry and chuckled at Pippin's retreat from his pony.

xxx

Myrtle stood in the shadow just behind the bookcase and over heard Lilly tell her mother about the hot spicy cake and commented that she knew it was Meriadoc and Peregrin who played this trick on her. Her mother put her arms around her daughter and escorted her from the study.

Myrtle folder her arms in front of her and came up with her own plan when her tea party was scheduled for next week…..