Hey! Thanks for all the reviews; I'll be working on them. This chapter goes kinda fast, and I know it's kinda lame, but I'm going to post it now, and if you really hate it, sorry. I'll be trying to make it a little clearer and slower-passed. Keep in mind, nothing Merry or Pippin is saying is the first time they've said it. I got this idea because in the taking back of the Shire, Sam and Frodo were mostly behind the scenes while Merry and Pippin were out in the public eye doing things. During the gathering, the people are probably more than a little drunk and willing to let common sense be overridden by their two heroes. Just keep that in mind. Thanks! Enjoy!
Chapter Two: The Gathering
The gathering was under what was once the party tree. It was very crowded, and they barely managed to find a place to sit halfway up the hill. Legolas looked around, but he didn't see Merry or Pippin anywhere. Suddenly, there was a sound of a horn being blown. Merry, Pippin, their wives, and ten hobbit-children began their descent to the front of the crowd. A space was made for them accordingly. Aragorn turned to Frodo and Sam, but neither of them would meet his eyes, or each others. The crowd touched the dirty-blonde hair of the children as they passed with reverence. Lily looked disgusted.
Halfway through the singing and dancing, the children were called up for a special story. Frodo, Sam and their wives didn't look to worried. After all, with all the brown heads, their golden-haired children would be easy to keep an eye on. Aragorn was disturbed to see how Merry and Pippin's children were put in front, and how Frodo and Sam's were quietly pushed to the back of the semi-circle, forming a strange hump to an otherwise smooth border. The mayor stood up.
"And now for the story! Told by Mister Brandybuck! Mister Merry Brandybuck!" The applause was resounding, except for the four hobbits sitting up the hill. Aragorn leaned over to Lily.
"What's going on?" Her face was streaking with tears as she answered.
"Listen, and you'll see."
Merry stood up. "This year, I will tell the story about the one ring of power!" More applause followed this statement. Merry waved it off, then began.
"Many years ago, there was a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins. He had acquired a mystical ring, and when it came time for him to give it up, he gave it to me. He said, 'Merry me boy, now go out and seek your fortune! Take this ring, and destroy it at Mordor!' Then he leaned in and asked me one favor. 'Just bring along young Frodo, he has always wanted this task, but only you are worthy! Bring a friend with you! What about young Pippin? So there's your party of three!' I was more than willing, and Pippin and I set off, bringing Frodo out of kindness. He wished to bring Sam Gamgee, and we hadn't the heart to refuse him. So off we went!"
"We reached Bree, and stayed the night, and found another sad companion. A criminal on the run named Strider." Continued Merry. "So then we were five. We made our way to Weathertop, and Frodo was foolish enough to aggravate the lead Nightrider. If I hadn't saved him, he'd be dead right now." Sounds of appreciation rang through the night. Pippin stepped up.
"After that, Sam, the one who was holding the map lost it, so we had to go through the underground land of the Shadows! There we met our next companion. Gimli, the stupid but strong dwarf. He led us out without harm. We continued to the elves' forests, and there another joined us. Legolas, the pretty man." Jeers and laughter followed these colorful statements. Faromir saw Legolas and Gimli muttering angrily and tightening their grip on their weapons. Aragorn hadn't moved. Merry started up again.
"Then we moved on, a member of our party I had to kill for trying to take the ring. Boromir, a fellow criminal of Strider's. Then Pippin and I set off to destroy the ring. Within the month, it was destroyed, with dead orcs spread across the land after tasting the bite of our swords.
"We then had to return to give aid to our struggling companions. Pippin killed the lead Nightrider in a fierce battle. Our deeds rang with praises throughout the land. We were given honors beyond all dreams. Then you all know how we rid the Shire of the big people that were enslaving us! Listen children! Listen well! For this is your heritage! Would all those without brown hair stand?" Nineteen stood, Frodo and Sam's nine, and Merry and Pippin's ten. Pippin called the ten up to him, leaving the nine standing. Merry pointed an accusing finger at them.
"Those are the children of fools and dreamers. That hair? It's not natural!" The crowd agreed with him. "Why should un-natural children be recognized? Why should they learn? Why should they play with the other, natural children? Ban them from schools! Ban them from playing with others! Ban them from Hobbiton!" He was whipping the crowd into a frenzy. The small golden-heads ran back to their parent's in fear.
Lily looked over at Frodo. "I told you we shouldn't have come!" She cried. Frodo looked helpless. "I'm sorry Lily. I guess you were right." He stood abruptly. "We should leave." Within a few minutes, they were all back and safe in The Burrow…for now.