The Shire, May of 1438

Every year in May the Hobbits of the Shire held a large fair. The location varied between the four farthings and Buckland, going around in a circle, and this year it was to be held in Buckland. Weeks of planning and preparations were required before the fair could open and it was a massive task even for someone who had done it before. Merry had not.

Since Hobbits would be coming from all around the Shire the first problem was to make room for them all. The inns were fully booked weeks ahead and following a tip from Berilac Merry made preparations to have those who had their own booth sleep in the rooms of the many houses owned by the Brandybuck family. Finding room was a relatively easy problem; if not else people could camp outdoors since it seemed to be a week of lovely weather. But feeding hundreds of hungry Hobbits was a far more difficult task and Merry's face went pale just thinking about it.

The largest meadow in Buckland would be set up as the scene of the fair, since the town squares were too small. There was a huge hustle and bustle as three large tents were raised in which the booths selling food and clothes would be, in case of rain. The rest, those who sold everything from paintings to silverware to leather handicrafts and assorted knickknacks, would be outdoors and could only hope that the weather would hold. More than two-hundred people had signed up for a booth and the meadow was a complete chaos on the days before the fair was set to open.

On top of everything else going on it seemed like a full-time job to keep curious Hobbits away, especially young Hobbits who wanted to sneak a taste from one of the many food booths, or prove their courage by stealing smaller items. Merry soon called in the shirriffs and left it up to them to keep an eye on the young rascals, and the occasional older one who couldn't wait for Monday or didn't like the idea of paying for things.

With the shirriffs came Pippin, which Merry at first thought was a blessing since he had arranged the fair before and knew what needed to be done. But soon it dawned on Merry that Pippin was more in the way then he was a help, when he wasn't with the shirriffs he was bothering Merry with questions which Merry felt pointless. Either they concerned things that had been taken care of weeks ahead or they concerned things which didn't seem important at all.

When Pippin on the third day before the fair was to open brought along his son Merry felt like he was going to throw a fit. The last thing he needed was a Hobbit child walking around the premises with permission. For one thing it made the other youngsters harder to control, since they didn't see why one child could be there and not all. For another Merry was not quite so sure that Faramir Took would stay out of trouble, he had been told that Pippin had been quite the accomplished lifter of food from the booths at a younger age. No doubt Faramir would be the same way.

As if the whole debacle with the fair itself was not enough there was to be a great party held on Saturday night, the last night of the fair, and that alone took a lot of planning. Merry had laid the full responsibility over to Berilac, feeling no urge whatsoever to plan a party in the middle of everything else. But it alarmed him that Berilac seemed to be sparing no expense with the party; just the list of how much beef would be served had made Merry stagger. Berilac insisted however that the bigger the party was, the better it would make Merry and the Bucklanders look.

Monday came and the fair opened, luckily the weather was sunny but not too warm and everything seemed promising. Merry could not believe his eyes when he saw how many Hobbits came, and how big their carts were. Apparently many of them planned on spending a good deal of money. After winter they were all starved of fresh food and luxuries, at the annual fair they could get all of this. Merry stood by the gate that had been set up as an opening and welcomed each and every Hobbit who arrived. After only an hour he felt like his mouth was going dry and he wondered for how long he could keep the smile on his face. They all seemed to know of him, even if they weren't acquainted with him, and all of them wanted to wish him welcome home.

The worst part for Merry was when a whole group of Hobbits came up to him and spoke solemnly about some battle at a place called Bywater, where Merry had apparently done some good deeds, and how they all admired him. It felt odd to be admired for things he couldn't remember and Merry had no idea what to say to them. They called him Captain Meriadoc and all of them wanted to bow to him but he urged them not to, as gently as he could.

Berilac came rushing over when he saw what was going on and with a firm voice he herded the group inside. Merry turned to him and asked what that was all about and Berilac explained as briefly as he could that Merry had been one of four Hobbits to see them through a difficult time. Merry shrugged his shoulders and wondered if all Hobbits were so sentimental, then his attention was turned back to a new group of Hobbits who arrived to the fair. It seems like a whole farthing had been emptied to come and barter.

All in all the first day went well. Everybody made their bargains and business in a civil way and there were no sour faces to be seen. Not a single report of theft came in and if there were any problems at all it was wondering if there would be enough Hobbits left in the Shire to fill the other five days.

But Tuesday brought just as many people as Monday, if not more. Merry did not have to greet them all at the gates this time, which he was thankful for, and he took the time to stroll around the area and admire the results of weeks of hard work. He could not walk more than a few paces at the time before someone stopped him to ask a question, wish him welcome home, or to just stare at him in amazement that he was really alive. Merry found it almost amusing; he was in a wonderful mood and didn't mind letting them look, point and ask questions. He could give them that much today.

He had managed most of the planning for the fair on his own, it was something he had done by himself and he had done it well. It felt very good to have accomplished something without the help of Berilac and he beamed with pride as he watched it all happen around him.

For a few weeks he had even forgotten about his longing to go to Minas Tirith or Ithilien and see Éowyn again. His troubles were all forgotten when he was faced with pulling off the fair and he had liked it. He felt good about himself and about the place he was in. With the exception of the situations with Pippin and Estella, and a few others, Merry was starting to disregard his memory loss and carry on with life. He was not quite so vulnerable now as he had been during the first months, now he had memories of the past two years and it was good enough for him. He no longer had to lie awake at night with not even memories to think of, he was gathering a set of new ones which worked very well for him.

Wednesday and Thursday went by without a sight of trouble. The weather held up and so far there was enough food and ale to go around. Berilac reported that everything was going well with the preparations for the party on Saturday and Merry was beginning to relax more and more. With a little luck, and he sure had deserved some luck by now, everything should be going as planned. He could not deny that the great fair had been good for Buckland, for the visitors not only came to buy and sell; they came to eat and drink at the inns. The profit would no doubt be large which meant less worry about this year's harvest.

On Friday they got some unexpected visitors. A troop of five Dwarves, led by a Dwarf with a purple hat, white beard and a face that looked at least two-hundred years old. He asked to see the three Hobbits of the Fellowship, but as only two were present he settled for that. Merry had no idea who he was but he assumed he was a friend of Gimli's. Pippin didn't recognise him either but when the Dwarf bowed deeply and introduced himself he knew who it was.

"Nori, most faithful servant" the Dwarf said.

"Peregrin, servant to your family in all ages" Pippin replied as Bilbo had taught him and bowed as well.

"Meriadoc, likewise" Merry said, not knowing what else to say, and bowed too.

"It is an honour to have such a noble visitor to our humble fair" Pippin went on, taking over Merry's duties as Merry looked like he had no idea what was expected of him.

"It is an honour to be here, Peregrin son of Paladin" Nori replied, being well-informed on the Hobbits of the Fellowship.

"Can we offer you some accommodation? Perhaps a pint of ale, or some wine to drink? Or would you perhaps like a tour of the area?"

"Accommodation sounds lovely" Nori said. "But not until evening falls. Until then, we are here to do business. The deft hands of the Hobbits make fine leather crafts which our hands are too old to create on their own. We are hoping to find some goods here."

"Of course" Pippin said. "The craftsmen are right down that way. When you are finished, come find me or Merry and we will take you to Brandy Hall for a nice supper and some stories by the fire."

"Your stories outshine mine I'm afraid" Nori said. "We shall come find you once we are done."

As soon as the Dwarves had wandered off Merry grabbed Pippin briskly by the arm and began to walk with him, hissing in his ear.

"What was that supposed to be good for?"

"What was what?" Pippin asked in his regular voice.

"Inviting them to live at Brandy Hall! Eat our food, drink our ale! How much do you think five Dwarves will consume? We have enough mouths to feed and there's a party tomorrow night!"

"Yes and I'm inviting them to stay for it" Pippin said without a concern in his voice. "Nori is an old friend, even though we haven't met him until today. He travelled with Bilbo Baggins, someone we both knew well at one time, as well as with old Gandalf, and we owe him our hospitality."

"Inviting him to the party?" Merry hissed, having not heard or cared about the rest. "I cannot believe you would be that stupid!"

He hadn't expected the reaction he would get. Pippin yanked his arm free and backed away from him.

"Don't call me stupid!" Pippin cried. "Don't even call me stupid! You were the only one who never thought I was stupid…"

"Or at least the only one who never said it out loud" Merry said in a challenging tone and crossed his arms.

Pippin looked at him with eyes that showed desperation, and Merry could see that they were beginning to fill up with tears. The reaction surprised him; a moment ago Pippin had been fine.

"How can you be so cruel?" Pippin asked in an oddly composed tone.

Merry didn't know what to answer him. Before he could think of anything Pippin had stormed off. He didn't even stop to acknowledge Diamond who came from the other direction with a full basket in her hands; he just shoved her aside and kept walking. Diamond looked over at Merry with surprised eyes and Merry sighed deeply.

XX
XX

During the rest of the day Pippin was nowhere to be found. He didn't appear again until Nori announced that he and his friends were done bartering and were in the mood for some food and ale. Playing the role of humble host to perfection he guided the Dwarves to Brandy Hall, even though a few of them already knew where it was, and found rooms for them to sleep in. Merry came with them, leaving the events at the fair to Berilac, but he stayed in the back and felt rather out of place. He had no idea what to say, to the Dwarves or to Pippin, and thought it best to simply keep quiet. Pippin spoke for the both of them, asking questions about this Dwarf here and that Dwarf there and making references back to old events which had taken place long before either Pippin or Merry were born. If he was still angry he did not show it.

It surprised Merry later in the evening that Berilac didn't appear concerned that the Dwarves had eaten two large hams and most of the shepherd's pie. He said exactly what Pippin had said, that full hospitality should be shown and that the Dwarves should be invited to the feast the following night.

When the Dwarves sat down for a moment of storytelling that night Merry asked Nori to tell him about Bilbo Baggins. Nori didn't seem surprised at the request. He thought Merry knew the story by heart, but Hobbits loved to hear the same stories over and over, especially these ones and especially when the stories concerned someone they knew. Merry listened with a gaping mouth and wondered if he should believe his ears. Nori told of a wizard who did fire tricks, of goblins in the caves, a ring that made Bilbo disappear, eagles, spiders, barrels and a dragon. Most of all he talked about treasure. Merry swallowed every syllable and kept asking for more whenever Nori seemed to stop. He had heard some of it before, the story of the trolls and of the river where one of the Dwarves had fallen in and fallen asleep, but the vast majority of it all was new to him.

Pippin listened too, loving to hear the story again but not at the edge of his seat like Merry was. He sat leaned back in a chair, blowing smoke rings and watching them sail up towards the ceiling as Nori told his story. It was interesting to hear it told by someone new, when Gloin had told it there were some differences to Bilbo's tale, and Gandalf's version was not quite the same as theirs. Some details always changed, as they had seen and felt things differently, and they remembered things differently.

Remembered. There it was again.

The story continued but Pippin was no longer listening. He was thinking of his own story, his own adventure. And how the one person who could tell most of the same events would never have a different version than him anymore.

XX
XX

The party the following day was grand. Berilac had done a fine job pulling all of it together and in spite of the five Dwarves the food was enough for all and there was ale and wine aplenty. Merry and Berilac presided at the head table, while Pippin made sure he was seated further away. He didn't want anything to do with his cousin tonight; he wanted to forget all about the argument from the day before even though it stung every time he thought of it.

Diamond was by his side and seemed oblivious to his somewhat murky mood. She was at very high spirits, having made some great findings at the fair and could not wait till next year's. Around her left wrist she wore a beautiful bracelet Pippin had bought her early the day before and she felt on top of the world. After a while Pippin couldn't help but be caught by her mood, as he always was, and he forgot all about the day before. Together they sang and laughed and ended up presiding at their own table, having all eyes on them. They sang one of Diamond's favourite songs which she had taught Pippin shortly after they first met and they began to teach it to those at their table who didn't know it from before. Soon the whole table was singing the song loudly, cheering and banging their hands on the table so that you had to hold on to your glass if you didn't want it to fall over.

When dinner was over and the orchestra began to play Pippin took her to the dance floor and before they knew how it had happened they had entered a dance contest and competed against five other couples for some trophy a Bunce had been unable to sell at the fair.

It was good to laugh and dance and feel like a real Hobbit again. Pippin and Diamond danced wildly and happily and didn't care much that they only came in fourth. Once the contest was over one of the shirriffs asked to dance with Diamond and Pippin took a seat and watched her twirl around. He was glad to get the chance to catch his breath for a moment. It had been a long time since he had danced like this.

He suddenly noticed someone watching the dancing couples, laughing and applauding, and he rose to go over and ask her for a dance. Estella Bolger was not much of a dancer as he recalled, but for some reason it bothered him to see her standing there alone. He bowed most gracefully and asked her to dance with him in such an eloquent way that she could not think of anything else to say but yes.

Pippin led her out to the dance area and soon noticed that she was indeed not much of a dancer, but he had fun anyways and he hoped she did too. There was something lonely about her when she just stood by and watched and he wanted to remedy that.

"It's been far too long since you and I have been close enough to talk" he said to her with a smile and continued to dance with her even though the tune turned slower.

"Yes it has" she replied softly and almost looked like she was blushing.

"How have you been?"

"I am always fine, don't you know that?"

"I know that you are just like the hay. You might seem soft and weak but no matter how hard the winds blow you won't break."

Estella blushed.

"I'm not used to being told things like that" she said.

"You will be again."

"I know" she said and smiled again. "It won't be long now until everything is back the way they should be. For me at least. I hope I can say the same for you."

"Oh don't you worry about me" Pippin smiled. "I too bend to the wind and refuse to break. You concerns are sweet but I don't need them."

"Is it hard to be alone still even though he is here?" she asked frankly.

"Look at me" Pippin said. "Don't I look thriving?"

"Yes… But not around him."

Pippin didn't reply. He bit his lower lip and tried to think of something else to say. When the tune was over he led Estella back to where he had brought her from and danced with Diamond again. She nuzzled her head against his neck and caressed his cheek gently with the hand that had the bracelet.

"Don't you start pouting now, Peregrin Took" she whispered. "I am in a great mood tonight and I intend on staying that way."

"Who's pouting?" Pippin asked and smiled at her.

She gave him a kiss on the neck and he sighed contently. He had been wrong before. Merry was not the only one who never thought he was stupid. Diamond never had either. And she never would.