DISCLAIMER: I, not being Tolkien, don't own the charming hobbitses or any other part of the LOTR world.
Pippin was almost bouncing with contained energy and haste. "Merry, would you hurry up? We're going to be late for Sam's bachelor party if we don't get going, and you know it will spoil the surprise if we're not there and hidden by the time he comes!"
Merry was looking under piles of papers and dumping out boxes of keepsakes in his hurry to locate something. "I know, I know! I can't find his present!" He glanced around the room yet again, seeing everything just as it had been the last time he looked, with no trace of what he persistently sought. He began frantically searching through his desk yet again, when, as is common enough for hobbits, his stomach growled. This reminded him of eating, and the fact that he had been putting the finishing touches on the gift while having second breakfast that morning. He'd been called away and had stashed it in a handy corner of a nearby cupboard and forgotten about it.
"All right, Pippin! Go saddle the ponies, I'll be right there." Merry trotted hastily down the hall to the kitchen where he quickly located the present. It was a smallish carving, or rather two; one of an eagle perched on a branch, the other just landing nearby. During the long journey back from Minas Tirith after Frodo had completed his Quest, the pace had been much gentler and rests more frequent than they had been accustomed to in their first experience of extended travel; this gave all the companions more time for exchanging stories, telling jokes, and teaching skills. During the time Aragorn traveled with them, he found that Merry was quite talented in the art of carving and whittling. Aragorn's skill in this area was not well known, but he had created dozens of beautiful statues over his eighty years. He was delighted to be able to pass on the knowledge he'd picked up over the years to such a willing student as Merry, and even after Aragorn turned back, Merry continued to refine his technique as the weeks went on. His practicing was put aside, of course, until the conflict in the Shire due to the greed of Otho Sackville-Baggins and the interference of Saruman was resolved, but once life had resumed some type of normalcy, he was able to continue in his hobby. Knowing, as they all did, that Sam would speak for Rosie Cotton once he'd seen that Frodo was taken care of, Merry had begun a gift that he knew would remind Sam of the beauty of the eagles and the hope which had come out of the destruction of the Ring.
Merry wrapped the figures in a few thick cloths and put them in a sturdy leather pouch for protection during the ride to Bagshot Row. He hurriedly put on his cloak and fastened the brooch, then ran out the door and down the path to where Pippin was waiting with the ponies. He secured the pouch and mounted, and they were off.
A/N I've posted this as complete; if by chance anyone wanted it to continue, I'd be happy to try to oblige. Constructive criticism would be welcomed (along with any encouragement); it's my first fic so please be kind! Thanks for reading!