A/N: Quick note before you start. You may have noticed that Merry referred to Faramir as his nephew in the last chapter, and Faramir referred to him as uncle. This is perhaps an oversight on my part, but I will continue to do so for two reasons; firstly, I think it sounds better than Merry referring to him as Faramir all the time, and secondly I get the impression from watching the films that Merry and Pippin are as close as brothers, and so therefore it seems somehow appropriate. Anyway, hope this is okay with you! Happy reading!

Merry sat bolt upright in bed as a tremendous crash from the kitchen echoed down the hallway.

"You'd better go and see what that was darling," Estella said sleepily, "and check on Faramir while you're up. I don't think he's been sleeping all that well tonight. I heard the floorboards creaking terribly not so long ago."

She rolled over and fell back to sleep. Merry got up quietly, took a candle from out in the hallway, and crept silently down to the kitchen. The flickering shadow of a tiny figure cast against the dimly lit walls made Merry relax almost immediately.

"Faramir Took! What are you doing out of bed at this time, making all that racket? Come out now, you little rascal!"

After a few moments Faramir emerged miserably from behind one of the kitchen cupboards. Merry had to stuff a fist in his mouth to prevent himself laughing out loud at the sight before him.

Faramir was covered from head to foot in flour. Not only that, he had obviously tried to wash some of it off already, as the water had mixed with some of the flour on his face and in his hair to form a paste that now dribbled slowly down his neck and off his shoulders. All in all he cut a pathetic, if not comical figure.

"I couldn't sleep, Uncle Merry, so I thought I would try and bake the pie for Mama and Papa. I managed to climb up to the shelf where Aunty Stella keeps the flour, and I picked it up alright, but then my foot slipped and I fell and made all this mess. I'm so sorry Uncle Merry, I'll clean it all up, I promise. Please don't be mad at me."

His bottom lip began to tremble. Merry picked him up, careful not to get too much flour on his own clothes, and placed him in the large stone sink.

"There's no need to worry lad," he said as he began to gently dust the dry flour off Faramir's nightclothes, "it's easily fixed. We'll get you cleaned up first, then I'll sort out the rest. Your intentions were good, little one, but I think its best that we leave the cooking to your aunty next time."

He winked fondly at Faramir before scrubbing delicately at his face.

"That tickles Uncle Merry!"

"Funny, that's what your father always used to say when I had to wash the jam off his face after he had been on one of his late night excursions to the kitchens at the Smials, when I used to go and stay with your grandparents."

"Really, Uncle Merry?"

"Yes lad, really. Now, you hop down from there and put your head over the sink, and I'll try and wash this mess from your hair."

It took three rinses with warm water before Merry was satisfied that he had washed all the flour off. He took a towel and roughly dried Faramir's hair before combing his fingers gently through the tangled curls.

"There, all done! You go and change in to some clean nightclothes while I clean up the floor, then I'll see about some cocoa for the two of us."

Faramir gave his uncle a quick hug before dashing off down the hall to his bedroom. Merry picked up a dustpan and brush and set about sweeping down the cupboard and floor.

He was just finishing when Faramir returned, blanket in tow.

"Somebody looks like they need their bed soon. I'll make you some cocoa but then you have to try and get some sleep, or else you won't be awake for your parents arriving later."

Faramir nodded, failing to stifle a yawn as he did so. Merry got up and poured some milk in to a pan, setting it down to heat through on the stove.

"Uncle Merry?"

Merry turned to face his nephew.

"Yes, little one?"

"Do you miss Uncle Frodo? Only, Papa was feeling sad before I left, and when I asked him why he just said it was something about this time of year. Mr Gamgee told me that Uncle Frodo sailed away on an adventure at the start of autumn many years ago, before I was born. Is that why Papa was sad? Because Uncle Frodo hasn't come home?"

"Yes little one. Your father and I miss your Uncle Frodo a lot, particularly around this time of year when the leaves begin to fall. But it's alright because we know he is still with us in our hearts. We know he's safe now and that makes him not being here easier to bear. Besides we have each other, and your father has you now too. You're very special to us all."

Behind him, the milk began to bubble. He quickly took it off the flame and poured it carefully in to two mugs. He took some cocoa from a tin in one of the cupboards and stirred it in to the steaming milk.

"Be careful with that now," he cautioned "it's very hot so try not to spill it."

He sat down, handing a mug over to Faramir. They sat and drank the sweet mixture in silence, both too exhausted for further conversation.

Presently, Faramir put down his mug, eyelids drooping heavily. Merry put down his own mug and picked up his nephew, wrapped tightly in his blanket, carrying him out of the kitchen and along to his bedroom. By the time he had placed him back on the bed, Faramir was fast asleep.

"Night little one." Merry whispered, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He tiptoed back to his own room, and settled silently under the blankets, asleep again in minutes.

It was late morning by the time Faramir emerged sleepily from under his blanket. His nose wrinkled as the pleasant smell of breakfast wafted through the crack under his door. He rubbed his eyes. Perhaps he ought to be getting up. After all, he might be needed to help with the cooking, and there was always a spoon around that needed to be licked. He stumbled out of his room and down the hall to the kitchen, still half asleep.

"Morning Aunty Stella." He yawned.

"Morning Faramir. There's some porridge on the stove, you sit down at the table and I'll fetch you a bowl. Then perhaps you can give me a hand, there's a lot to be done before your parents arrive this afternoon."

She poured some of the porridge in to a small wooden bowl and placed it down on the table in front of Faramir. He ate it hungrily; the previous evening's supper seemed a long time ago after his late night wanderings. He got up from the table and carried the empty bowl over to the sink. It was then that he realised someone was missing.

"Aunty Stella, where's Uncle Merry?"

"Oh, he's just gone out for a walk." She began to search through one of the large kitchen cupboards. Frowning, she pulled out an empty jar.

"That's funny, I'm sure there was plenty of flour in here yesterday. Hello dear," she said as Merry came through the front door, "did you know there wasn't any flour left? I'm certain we had some in here, only I need it to make the pastry for the apple pie."

"I picked up a bag while I was out, no need to worry!"

He winked conspiratorially at his nephew as he pulled out a small hessian sack from under his cloak.

"Well then Faramir, why don't you go and get dressed, then we can start doing some cooking."

"He tried to do some cooking on his own last night," Merry told Estella once Faramir had gone to get dressed, "ended up tipping flour all over himself. That was the noise we heard. I told him it would be best to leave the cooking to you next time."

Estella chuckled softly.

"That child is a bigger rascal than his father use to be! Never mind, he can give me a hand this morning instead. I've baked some bread already, but there's that pie still to be made. Oh, and can you go and get me some berries? Only I need some for the cordial."

"Of course sweetheart, is there anything else milady requires?"

"No, I don't think so. We have some cheese to go with the bread, maybe we could do with some vegetables for a stew tonight perhaps. Is there anything you need for your trip tomorrow?"

"What trip tomorrow Aunty Stella?" Faramir asked as he came back in to the kitchen.

"Never you mind little one! Now, I want you to give your hands a good wash under the hot water before we start, make sure you use plenty of soap, and scrub beneath your nails too."

"Well, I'd better be off. I'll be back by lunchtime." He kissed Estella softly on the cheek before strolling out the front door again.

By the time Merry returned at midday, Faramir was just putting the finishing touches to the apple pie he had helped bake for his parents. His face was screwed up in deep concentration as he carefully shook the sugar jar over the golden lid that covered the stewed apple filling. Miraculously he had so far avoided becoming messy, despite the obstacle of dealing with the flour as he helped roll out the pastry, but that was all about to change. As Merry walked in to the hallway, the front door slammed shut behind him. Faramir jumped, and the sugar he had been so carefully distributing went all down his apron and in his hair. Merry swallowed down a laugh as, red-faced, Faramir began to brush the sugar from his thick curls. A familiar voice rang through the hall, making them both turn around immediately.

"Nice to see you're keeping my son out of mischief Merry!"

"Papa!"

Faramir ran straight over to his father, covering him in sugar as he gave him a big hug.

"What have you been up to then lad? You seem to have more sugar on you than one of your mama's apple pies."

"I've been helping Aunty Stella, we've made a special treat for you and Mama for supper. Where is Mama anyway?"

"She'll be here in just a second. My my, you've grown little one! Wait till your mama sees how tall you've grown."

Faramir beamed with pride.

"Perhaps one day I'll be as tall as you and Uncle Merry."

"Perhaps you will lad. Now, why don't you go and find your mama while I speak to your aunty and uncle?"

Faramir needed no second bidding. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him out of the front door to his mother. Smiling, Pippin turned to Merry and Estella, giving both a quick hug.

"It's lovely to see you both! I hope my son hasn't been too much trouble."

"Only as much as his father used to be when he was small, no need to worry."

"Oh dear, that bad?"

"No, not at all. Just the usual mischief. As I said, just like his father at that age."

They all spent a lazy afternoon talking and enjoying each other's company. Faramir was of course eager to fill his parents in on everything that he had done since leaving home a couple of weeks previously. Then Merry and Pippin began to talk about the goings on in the Shire while Estella and Diamond made preparations for supper. The sun was setting when Estella called them through to the kitchen. As they walked down thehall the smell of warm bread and apple pie hit them.

"Is that what you were up to this morning Faramir? Helping Aunty Stella bake an apple pie for us?"

"Yes Papa, I remembered that it's your favourite."

They settled down at the old oak table and began to help themselves to bread and cheese. Then followed the apple pie. Faramir waited with baited breath as his parents took their first mouthfuls.

"Well, you and Aunty Stella have done an excellent job! Is there enough for seconds at all?"

"Well, there is, but I thought you boys might like to save yours for the trip tomorrow, it could make a nice supper for you all."

Faramir's face fell. He turned to his father, wanting some answers.

"Where are you going Papa? Aunty Stella wouldn't tell me earlier, aren't I allowed to come with you?"

"Why, of course you are lad! Whatever gave you that idea?"

"Well, no one would tell me what was going on, so I thought you and Uncle Merry were going without me."

Merry spoke softly to him.

"That was because we didn't want to spoil the surprise! We're going camping tomorrow night down by the river. But we are going to have to leave quite early tomorrow, so I think perhaps you ought to have your bath soon and then head off to bed so you're ready for tomorrow."

"Can I have my bath now then? Only I want to make sure there's plenty of time for Papa to tell me a story before I go to sleep."

"Of course," Diamond said, gently picking up her son and carrying him along to the bath. Faramir smiled happily. It was great to have his parents here with him, and he was sure that there would be plenty of adventures to be had tomorrow. Sleep wouldn't come quickly enough tonight!

A/N: So there's the end of chapter two! The style of this story, so light-hearted, is new to me so please bear with me if you think I'm going overboard on the fluffiness. I would appreciate any comments or advice you can give me, even if it is just to tell me I'm being too soppy! My usual thanks go to Chris, who has really helped me with this chapter, and to Tiz who continues to encourage and support me, you guys are fab! Anyway, all reviews are treasured, as are all readers. I will always try to get back to you if you leave me a comment, so any queries, just ask.

Until next time……

Smileyhalo