"Frodo! Wake up!"

Frodo startled from his dreams and jerked awake to find Merry huddled over him shaking him for all he was worth. "Wha…what is it? Is something wrong?" He struggled to sit up, trying to shake the sleep from his foggy mind. Merry had begun pacing around the room. Frodo's eyes followed him as he swung his legs off the bad.

"Merry! What is the matter?"

"They're gone!"

"Who's gone?"

"Pippin and Sancho! Neither one is in his room." Merry settled on the bed next to Frodo. "Where do you think they went?"

"More to the point is why they went, I think. How did you happen to find out?"

"I couldn't sleep. I was thinking about everything we discussed earlier and it was bothering me so much I went to wake up Pip so I could talk to him. When I saw he wasn't in bed I looked in Sancho's room. Hmmph, big surprise that he was gone too. They're up to something."

"Yes, of course they are. The question is what can we do about it? Where do you think they went? Do you have any ideas?"

Merry shook his head. "There's a fair amount of moonlight. That means they could see easily without a lantern. Frodo, we have to stop them!"

"Yes, but from doing what? Think!"

Merry rose and began to pace again. "Yes, think! Hmm, let's see." He turned to Frodo. "What about that scene at the table? Any clues there do you suppose?"

"I don't know…" Frodo started to pull his clothes on.

"The only thing I really can recall is how Sancho asked Lord Glorfindel what his horse's name was. Other than that, he really didn't say much. Just poked and prodded at Pip quite a few times and looked like he was conspiring."

Frodo tugged at his ear thoughtfully. "Yes," he said slowly. "Wasn't that about the time Pippin wanted to be excused? He looked positively ill."

"Well, you don't suppose--"

"They were thinking about doing anything with Glorfindel's horse? Oh no," Frodo groaned, covering his face with his hands. "No, no, no! Please say it isn't so. They wouldn't do anything that stupid. Tell me they wouldn't Merry. Please."

Frodo looked up to find his cousin staring at him, his mouth gaping open.

"We have to go find out. Maybe it's not too late! If they're at the stable we can stop them, get them back here before anyone finds out. Come on!" Merry tugged at his arm, urging him to hurry.

The hay flew in every direction as the two hobbits rolled about on the floor, each struggling desperately to get the upper hand. Pippin, although smaller, was fueled by his rage and was more of a match for his cousin than he'd bargained for. He pummeled Sancho's face with both fists, managing to connect with his cousin's nose with one well aimed blow before he was again flipped helplessly onto his back. Sancho yelled in pain, his fury increasing when he felt the blood spurting from his nostrils. Pinning his cousin down with one elbow pressed into his chest he drew a hand back and slapped Pippin full force across the face, leaving a red hand print on one cheek and cutting him below the eye with his fingernail. His cousin shrieked in pain and kicked hard, trying to spill him off his chest. Pippin's flailing hands caught hold of a handful of hair and yanked at it viciously, pulling Sancho's face closer and giving him the opportunity to use his other hand to grab his ear and pull hard. Sancho reacted by pounding Pippin's head on the ground.

Asfaloth pranced nervously in the open stall, neighing as the two lads rolled closer to him during their struggles. He carefully sidestepped them, shaking his mane and backing further away.

Pippin was certain he was going to black out for one agonizing moment. He used the hand he had wound into Sancho's hair to pull with all his might causing Sancho to let go of his head and try to disentangle his fingers. The distraction allowed Pip a moment to catch his breath and heave the larger lad off him. Pippin in turn, was pulled down atop his cousin, his hand remaining tangled in his hair. Pippin took advantage of the position and planted a knee in his ribcage. With a bellow Sancho came up, flipping him over again. His balled up fist connected soundly with Pippin's eye. Pippin howled his protest and brought his knee up hard between Sancho's legs, giving him a mighty push. The resulting wail was several decibels higher than his own cry as Sancho tumbled off and Pippin scrambled to his feet, panting heavily. He stared down at him and then felt something warm trickle from his nose and swiped at it in annoyance. Pulling his hand away he stared at the blood covering the back of it.

Sancho lay writhing on the ground, crying and clutching at his groin. "I'll get you for this Peregrin! Just you wait and see! I'll, ahhhhh--"

Sancho jerked in surprise as he was lifted swiftly aloft. He dangled from Asfaloth's mouth by the seat of his pants, momentarily speechless. Pippin covered his mouth with both hands and squeaked his astonishment into them. The horse sauntered out of the stable and into the night, heading straight for the smial at a gentle trot, Sancho wailing his protests all the while. Asfaloth ignored him. Pippin followed as quickly as he could. He couldn't help giggling at the sight of Sancho swaying back and forth, helpless in the grip of the huge animal, furiously swinging his fists at the empty air. It was only when they reached the Hall and saw Frodo and Merry headed their way that Pippin realized how this was going to look.

"Put me down! You stupid horse! I SAID PUT ME DOWN! NOW!" Sancho swung his arms and legs but was unable to connect with anything.

"What the…" Merry trotted on ahead.

"What's going on here?" Frodo reached them and stopped, staring in disbelief. "Are you all right?"

"YES! Now make him put me down Frodo!"

"Sancho, you're bleeding!"

"Really? How keen of you to notice! Now get me out of this animal's mouth, will you?"

"So are you Pip," Merry was inspecting his little cousin closely. "Are you all right? What happened?"

Pippin nodded and winced when he heard approaching voices. He fixed his mournful eyes on Merry and whispered, "It's not exactly what you think, Mer."

"I think the two of you went a couple of rounds. Am I right?"

Pippin nodded again and wiped at his nose with his sleeve. The bleeding was slowing. He groaned. "I am in so much trouble."

"What happened? What were the two of you doing?"

"It's a long story." Pippin sighed. His head shot up when he heard his father's voice. "Och! Da is going to kill me! Right after your da kills me."

"Well, maybe not kill you…" Merry grinned at him. "But, by the looks of things neither one of you is going to be sitting comfortably for awhile." Merry looked up as a frowning Bilbo made his way through the small crowd of relatives. "On the other hand Pip, I'd definitely steer clear of Bilbo for a good long while."

Pippin groaned again.

"What in the name of all that's good and proper is going on here?" The old Master hurried out the door, close on the heels of his son. When Rorimac spied the horse he called over his shoulder. "Someone please summon Lord Glorfindel!"

Pippin shuddered at the words. He looked over at Sancho. Nothing seemed to be bothering him save the fact he continued to dangle from a large animal's teeth. He wondered just how much Sancho was going to say and if he would lie.

The elf lord emerged from the smial and stood silhouetted in the light of the fully risen moon. Asfaloth trotted right up to him and gave Sancho a little shake before plopping the hobbit lad into his arms. He nickered and shook his mane, as if saying, 'I brought you something! What would you like me to do with him?'

Glorfindel frowned hard at the little being in his arms. "Young one, what exactly have you been up to this night that involves my horse?"

Sancho gulped and stared into the elf's eyes. "I, I, uh…" He looked around helplessly at the small gathering. His dark eyes widened at the sound of his father's voice.

"Sancho Proudfoot! What exactly is the meaning of this?"

Glorfindel placed the lad upon his feet just in time for Olo to reach him and pinch an ear between his fingers.

"Oww! Not so hard, Da!"

"Aye, that's something I'm wanting to know too." Paladin fixed an unhappy look upon his son. "And I'm wanting to be told right now."

Pippin moved behind Merry and peered around him cautiously. "Uh, Da. It really isna what you're thinking."

Merry sighed and pulled his cousin out from behind him. Paladin reached for his arm and tugged him along.

"Come inside. We need to hear what this is all about." He paused and looked his son over, just then realizing the extent of his state of disarray. "Why are you bleeding? And your eye is blackening!" He frowned in Sancho's direction. "You two were fighting?"

Pippin nodded miserably.

Paladin took his son's chin in his hand and turned his head from side to side, plucking some pieces of hay from his hair. "Well, come along then. You can tell me what happened while we get you cleaned up. Your mother is going to have a fit when she sees you."

Saradoc shook his head in dismay. "My apologies for the lads sir! It would seem they allowed their curiosity to get the better of them."

"Yes indeed. Please accept our most humble apologies Lord Glorfindel!" Rorimac tossed a furious frown over his shoulder at the departing company. "I assure you they will be dealt with properly for their mischief!"

Bilbo joined him in making apologies. "I just don't know what's got into those lads."

"May I see your horse safely back to his stall?" Saradoc offered.

"Yes, please do accompany me. I wish to speak with you."

They set off toward the stable, Asfaloth trailing freely beside them.

Saradoc glanced up at the elf. "All that excitement can sometimes be upsetting to an animal. I do hope your horse has not been too distressed."

Glorfindel's mouth twitched in amusement. "This little incident has not been overly upsetting to Asfaloth. Indeed, I believe he viewed it as an entertainment."

"I'm sorry?" Saradoc was uncertain he had heard that correctly.

The big elf looked down at the hobbit. "Do not trouble yourself sir. My horse has seen battle. The antics of two small lads would not cause him any true distress."

"It is quite interesting that he brought Sancho straight to you."

Glorfindel nodded. "He knew they should not be doing whatever it was they were up to."

They reached their destination and Asfaloth was returned safely to his stall.

"May I?"

Glorfindel nodded and Saradoc rewarded the horse with an apple from the barrel nearby.

"However, I am a bit dismayed that the lads would be about this sort of mischief with a large animal such as Asfaloth. Were it not an elvish horse they might have been in grave danger of being injured severely, or even killed. Fortunately that was not the case."

"Aye that is indeed an excellent point. One that I will be sure to bring up when I have my talk with them."

"Please do not be unduly harsh with them on my account sir. Truly, I am not offended, and there was no harm done. My only wish is that you impress upon them the folly of their actions and the potential for harm they created.

"Aye, I'll impress the folly of their ways upon them all right! You may rest assured of that. Of course we won't be inappropriately hard on them, however they'll be getting a bottom tanning they won't soon forget! They were after all warned to be on their best behavior. We have several guests visiting the Hall at this time in preparation for a birthday celebration. They both disobeyed my directive."

Glorfindel tilted his head in understanding.

"What's this?" Saradoc'a attention was drawn to a trail of pink in the hay. At first he thought it was blood but bent to retrieve the can of paint that had spilled. His face became a thundercloud as he reached for the paintbrushes lying nearby. He looked at the elf in dismay. "Obviously there's more to the story than we have heard thus far."

"Indeed." Glorfindel frowned, his expression becoming more severe. "This discovery sheds a new light on the nature of their antics. It appears they intended to paint Asfaloth as well as ride him. That would not have been a wise idea and I would indeed have been most unhappy had they succeeded. I am very thankful their mischief did not progress that far."

"Aye, my feelings exactly. I'm taking this back to the Hall and show their parents. I am anxious to hear what's been said."

"Oh my! Whatever happened to you? And what were you doing out there in the middle of the night, my lad?" Eglantine fussed over Pippin as she cleaned the blood from his face and tsked over each cut and bruise. She placed a cold cloth on his blackening eye. Paladin lingered nearby, arms folded across his chest and said nothing while his wife worked. At last, satisfied with her efforts she pulled up a chair and took one of her son's hands in hers. "Now, I want you to tell us everything that took place and I want to be hearing just how you got that black eye and bloody nose, and all the other assorted cuts and bruises. And don't leave anything out!"

He tentatively began his story, starting with Sancho's fixation on the elf's horse, and his plans for a 'game' they could play that led up to the fight in the stable. He chose his words carefully with the intent to be as honest as he could without getting into all that nasty business involving his and Merry's little outing. Pippin was still unsure if Sancho was going to tell all, but he was certain that his cousin's version of tonight's adventure would not place him in a favorable light.

Eglantine and Paladin listened closely to his story, occasionally exchanging a frown. At last Paladin spoke.

"Is that why you were so restless at dinner tonight? You were worried about what Sancho was planning?"

Pippin nodded slowly.

"What about you following him out to the stable? Did you mean to take part in his prank Peregrin?"

"I didna know for sure just what he was planning to do. I…I wanted to find out."

"Which means you hadn't decided yet just how far you were willing to go along with him, hmm? Am I right son?"

Pippin nodded reluctantly. "But I knew when he wanted to ride Lord Glorfindel's horse it was wrong! And then he wanted me to help him paint him. With pink polka dots!" He shook his head and lowered his eyes. "Da, I just couldna agree to that! Honestly! I'd never do such a thing, please believe me."

Paladin took his son's chin in his hand and looked into the tear filled eyes. "I know you wouldna hurt an animal Pippin. Or do anything you thought might hurt one."

Pippin collapsed in tears as he felt his father's strong arms encircle him in a hug. He turned to his mother who pulled him down onto her lap and stroked his hair while he cried out the rest of his tears. Eglantine frowned unhappily at her husband over Pippin's shoulder, her son's sobs tugging at her heart. When he had gained control his mother pulled him back and looked him in the eye.

"We still have the wee matter of you going out to the stable with Sancho when you knew you shouldn't and failing to be on your very best behavior, young sir! Your uncle is terribly embarrassed by what happened tonight in front of our guest and he's going to want a word with the both of you."

"Is he going to punish us?"

"That will be up to him Pippin. He certainly has the right to! Most likely he'll be leaving that up to your father and me though."

"Sancho's always trying to get me in trouble you know."

"Then why haven't you told us? Pippin! Have we ever given you reason to be afraid to tell us anything?"

"Well…"

"Aye, of course we have Eglantine. Anytime it's had something to do with getting himself into trouble! Am I right?"

Pippin noted the little smile on his father's face and he grinned and nodded.

"I do want you to tell us one thing. Would you have ridden Lord Glorfindel's horse with Sancho if things hadn't ended the way they did?"

Pippin looked into his father's eyes and knew he was between the proverbial rock and hard place. If he said no he'd be lying. But if he said yes he might have to explain just why he'd agreed so readily. And open up a whole other place he'd rather not go. But Sancho may have told already. He struggled with his conscience for a moment. Finally he nodded.

"Aye."

They turned as one when Saradoc entered the kitchen, the can of paint and brushes tucked under his arm. He set them on the table and fixed a stern look on Pippin. Before he could speak Paladin held up a hand to stop him.

"Doc, we already know about the paint. Peregrin just told us." He frowned in his son's direction. "Apparently Sancho had the notion they should paint the elf's horse with polka dots and then go for a ride. Pippin was actually the one who stopped him. That's why they were fighting."

Saradoc gave his nephew a long hard look. "Are you telling your parents the whole truth lad?"

Pippin swallowed hard. Crossing his fingers behind his back he nodded.

"What exactly were you up to?"

Pippin repeated the story he had told his parents. When he finished Saradoc heaved a great sigh of disgust and shook his head.

"Lord Glorfindel has been very gracious tonight, considering all that has happened. He was however extremely dismayed when we discovered the paint. I dare say he would have felt much less forgiving if his horse had ended up painted with pink polka dots!"

"Aye. Thank goodness that didna happen. Pity though that it took both boys whaling the stuffing out of each other to put a stop to it." He looked at Pippin, a small grin appearing on his stern features. "I am proud of you though, for not agreeing to go along with his foolishness."

Pippin couldn't help smiling broadly with delight at his father's words.

"I'm going to speak with Olo before I talk to Sancho. You coming Pad?"

"Oh, yes indeed!"

"We'll all speak together after that. I want both of you to make a full apology to Lord Glorfindel."

Pippin shifted uneasily at his uncle's words. It was not unexpected but he was not looking forward to facing the big elf. He looked at his mother, eyes sad. "Sancho's in a whole lot of trouble, isn't he?"

Eglantine nodded. "You're not exactly out of the woods yet either, my lad."

Pippin stared at his feet. "How come he wants to do mean things?"

Eglantine put her arms around him and hugged him tightly. "I dinna know my dear." She planted a kiss atop of his head.

The scene in Saradoc's study a short time later was every bit as bad as Pippin had pictured it. Both boys stood before the group of adults, keenly aware of the frowning elf lord's presence. Each in turn made his apologies. Pippin, feeling very humiliated, did his best to make a sincere attempt while Sancho required prodding all the way through.

Afterward, Lord Glorfindel stepped forward. He regarded each of them sternly for a moment before speaking. "I accept your apologies young ones, but I am extremely displeased with your mischief tonight for one very important reason. Your behavior was not only foolish but could have been dangerous in the extreme, both to yourselves and to my horse. I am very thankful you did not succeed in your plan to paint Asfaloth, young Sancho. That would have been most unwise! It's quite obvious the two of you came to blows, and that is also unfortunate. Family members should not be fighting with one another." He nodded at the adults. "I will take my leave for the night then."

Pippin hung his head at Glorfindel's words. Sancho averted his eyes. Neither uttered a word.

"I think it's time we put this matter to rest, wouldn't the rest of you agree?" He nodded at their parents.

Both boys shifted uneasily at their uncle's words.

Saradoc leaned against his desk, arms folded. "Please look at me, both of you."

Two faces rose reluctantly to meet his. "I probably should spank you both myself! And that would be in addition to whatever your parents have planned for you. I will tell you that if that horse had been wearing pink spots tonight and you had ridden him I'd be headed out to cut myself a switch right about now! And I dare say the elf would have been offered a turn at your backsides as well!" He sighed and gestured at Paladin and Olo as both boys quivered at his words. "I guess I've had my say. Go join your parents now, lads. You may use my study of course, if you've a mind to." He gave them all a nod and left the room.

"Well Sancho! You and I have quite a bit to discuss it would seem." Olo stepped forward and snatched his son's arm. Sancho flinched but said nothing. "I don't think we've ever been quite so embarrassed before in our lives by any of your antics!" He gave him a rough shake.

"And I'm not very happy about you two fighting either," Paldin reminded them. He looked at Olo. "I'd like the opportunity to sit down with the boys tomorrow after things have calmed down and discuss this further."

Olo nodded. "Aye, of course Pad."

Sancho's mother got up to leave when Olo began removing his belt. "I'll be leaving this between the two of you now."

Sancho was being instructed to lower his britches and bend over the big desk as the rest of them followed her. They had no sooner closed the door than the sound of a strapping could be heard along with Sancho's pitiful wails. Pippin gulped and looked up shakily at his parents, a question in his eyes.

Eglantine nodded firmly at him. "Yes, young sir! It would be your turn now. Go with your father."

Pippin nodded sadly and followed him to his bedroom. His eyebrows lifted in surprise when Paladin picked up the hairbrush and sat on the bed. He had been certain he would be getting a strapping too. His father explained as he nodded at him to take down his britches and then pulled him across his lap.

"You're being punished for failing to use your own good judgment soon enough son, and letting things go as far as they did." Pippin cried out as the first hard swat fell. "Dinna think I'll be going easy on you either, because I'm not." He brought the brush down again, more forcefully this time, and Pippin wailed. Paladin continued his lecture as he paddled. When he was finished he placed his son back on his feet and awkwardly wiped some of his tears away with the back of his hand, taking special care to avoid his blackened eye. "If someone is doing something they hadn't ought to you need to come to us boy! Don't risk getting yourself in deeper trying to bear all the burden yourself! You hear?"

"I hear you, Da.

"Good. Get yourself to bed then!"

"Yes Da."

First breakfast was an uncomfortable affair for two young hobbits lads who were forced to face one another in the light of day. They thought they'd endured enough the night before. They'd both got the scolding of their life after all, the humiliation made that much worse by the presence of the elf.

Pippin glared at Sancho from the opposite side of the table. His eye still smarted and had swollen shut this morning. Sancho caught Pippin's eye and stuck out his tongue. He winced at the sharp stinging sensation his action caused due to the split lip Pippin had given him. A large bruise bloomed on his chin. He most likely would have carried on further except for the fact his grand da saw the gesture and cuffed him on the back of his head. Pippin couldn't resist grinning at that, but looked down at his plate rather quickly when his mother frowned her disapproval. For the most part each remained quiet throughout the meal.

Merry and Frodo also had little to say about the outcome. They planned on getting the full story from their cousin later. Bilbo had recovered well from his upset and conversed quietly with Glorfindel as he prepared to leave.

Pippin considered the aftermath as he picked at his food. For once he wasn't very hungry. He'd felt a little guilty as he had listened helplessly to Sancho's crying as he was whipped soundly by his father in the study. His guilt was relieved just a bit when his own da took him over his knee, but he knew he had not received as harsh of a punishment as his cousin. He knew that his own comeuppance was mostly about disobeying his uncle's directive to be on his best behavior. Sancho had many things to answer for and by the sound of his wailing Pippin figured his da had addressed all of them. Still, it was a wonder either of them were sitting this morning.

Lord Glorfindel was about to leave and Pippin's parents gave him a nod. Pippin sighed and stood up to make his apologies.

"Lord Glorfindel?"

The big elf turned to face him. Once again Pippin was astounded by his sheer size. He gulped. "I, I just wanted to say again how sorry I am about all the trouble last night. He glanced at his mother. She nodded firmly. "I want you to know I won't do anything like that again, ever."

Glorfindel patted him on his shoulder. "That is good to hear young one. I'm very glad to hear you have learned your lesson. You should be very cautious around an animal of Asfaloth's size."

"Aye. I do know that. We have cows on our farm. They're pretty big too!"

Glorfindel nodded.

Sancho was forced reluctantly to his feet by his father. He didn't care for this public apology stuff at all, but he wasn't being given a choice. He mumbled his apologies.

"Speak up Sancho," Olo admonished.

Sancho stood up a bit straighter and looked at Glorfindel. "I said I was sorry last night, but, uh…I'm still sorry for what I did…um, tried to do. Uh, so I'm sorry!" He looked at his parents, gulped and turned back to Glorfindel. "Sir," he finished.

The elf studied the hobbit, his expression bemused. He nodded. A less sincere apology he had never heard. He addressed the family as a whole. "Thank you kindly for the hospitality you have extended. It will not be forgotten. I'll take my leave now."

Sancho and Pippin eyed each other warily. Eglantine came to the rescue, suggesting in no uncertain terms that they both remove themselves from each other's company for a time until they were ready to sit down and talk. Pippin knew he would not be speaking to Sancho anytime soon, especially after their very brief conversation before breakfast. Eglantine shooed them in opposite directions and then called to Frodo.

"Dear, see if you and Merry can talk to Pippin about what happened will you now? And if you could help me with keeping an eye on them both I'd be most appreciative! The party will be over with today and we'll just need to keep them apart for now until it's time to leave."

"Certainly we'll look out for Pip Auntie," Merry piped up. Frodo nodded.

"Of course."

Outside they located a mournful little lad sitting alone underneath a tree tugging at some tufts of grass. Merry curled up beside him and put an arm around his shoulders. "What's wrong Pip?"

"I just dinna understand Sancho. I thought he was my friend."

"Well Pip, sometimes it's hard to understand why people do things," Frodo said, sitting down opposite them.

Pippin shook his head. "Sancho threatened to tell on me for something I did. He was trying to force me into going along with him. That's why we got into a fight. Because I wouldna go along and I got angry at him for trying to make me do something I knew was very wrong. So, he still wants me to be in trouble. He said he's saving the information for some other time when he needs it. I know he's going to hold it over my head to try and get me to do other things I don't want to."

"What? Why that little--"

"Merry…What is it Pip? What did you do that's so terrible? Maybe we can help."

Pippin shook his head. "No, thank you Frodo! I'm going to figure out what to do about it on my own." He tugged harder at the grass. "Maybe I'll have to tell on myself. But I don't want to. I'll get in big trouble." He thought of Merry's involvement. Perhaps he could leave him out if he had to tell. He sighed. But then it would be a lie. He really didn't know what the right choice was! Not yet anyway.

Merry and Frodo exchanged grins. It looked like their little cousin had learned a valuable lesson in trust and had grown a quite a bit from the experience. But they'd continue to keep an eye on him just in case!

"Sometimes Pip, it's easy to get in over your head. If you go along with something you know isn't right…well, you aren't in it halfway. You're in all the way! Sometimes way over your head."

Pippin gave his cousins a little smile. "Aye, I know what you mean! If you're in for a penny, you may as well be in for a pound!"

END