The Scarf
By Robin Gurl
Chapter 1
Canon: Movie
Beta-ed June 2009

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea. The movie gave me a plot bunny with Pippin having a scarf!

"But mom I don't want to learn how to knit." Meriadoc Brandybuck exclaimed as he followed his mother down the winding hallways of the giant Brandy Hall.

His mother Esmeralda chuckled a few times but was still firm. "I don't care Meriadoc. It will be a good skill to learn." She led him into her sewing room and pulled out different colored yarns.

"What about the lasses? Shouldn't they be doing this?"

"Meriadoc, they already know how to knit. Now sit down, I am not going to have a child of mine not know how to knit."

Merry sighed but sat down, he knew better than to upset her anymore than he already had.

10 years later Merry was in his room knitting. Of all things to be doing he mused softly. Those words "It will be a good skill to learn" had been a trap. But then again, now he could make anything. Merry Brandybuck smiled looking at the green..thing. It was supposed to be scarf for Pippin.

Though to be honest, it looked pretty pathetic. But the 12 old wouldn't mind. A few minutes later he held up the knitted piece of material with a hopeful glance. His mother had congradulated him on at least choosing colors that looked good together. She claimed his father couldn't match two colors together if his life depended on it. She had also sugguested that he make something for someone as a way to show her she had succeeded in teaching Merry how to knit. So he had decided to knit a scarf for Pippin. He had chosen green because it matched his young cousin's eyes.

Merry dropped the knitting needles on the table beside him and tightened at the hook knots, tugging to make sure they weren't going to come apart. After all Pippin being young meant the material was going to have to stand up to a lot more than usual. Little hobbits were not easy on clothes and Pippin was definitely no exception.

"Merry, Pippin's here." His mother called from the front room.

"Tell him to come in." Merry quickly replied hiding the scarf and the sharp needles.

A few minutes later the door creaked open and a small head of curly hair peaked in. "Merry?" The figure stepped in softly, it was a hobbit lad no more than 12 years old. His hair was a dark blondish color and he was wearing green trousers and a white button up shirt. Perturbed that he couldn't find his older cousin he stomped his foot. "Merry come out!"

Merry laughed softly from behind the door. Quietly he moved out and grabbed the child scooping him up. "Hey botheran, how are you?"

Pippin squeaked with delight and hugged his cousin. "Merry! My Merry!!" He wrapped his legs around Merry's waist and his arms around Merry's neck laying his head on Merry's shoulder sighing contently.

Merry chuckled rubbing the young one's back soothingly. "Are we tired already? I would have figured you'd slept the whole way over here."

"To bumpy of a ride." Pippin replied yawning. "Da said we may have to stay a few more days."

"Oh?" Merry sat down in his reading chair, Pippin still in his lap. He noticed Pippin relaxed considerably now that he was content in Merry's arms. "And why might that be?"

"It's snowing."

"Oh? It is?" Merry looked out his window and saw that indeed it was snowing. He guessed with his knitting project he had lost track of the time.

"Yes, want to come out and play with me?"

"I thought you said you were tired." Merry jested resting his chin on the top of Pippin's curls. "Tired hobbits can't play in the snow."

Pippin sat up a little more energetic than before and clapped his hands. "Oh please Merry let's go play in the snow!"

"We have to ask your ma first." Merry stood back up and carried his young cousin down the hallway and into the family room where Uncle Paladin and Aunt Egg were sitting talking to his parents.

"Well hello there, Meriadoc. I see you found our son. I hope he hasn't been a bother?"

"Oh please, Paddy. If I hadn't kept Merry busy he would have been out in the snow waiting on the cart to appear." Esmeralda laughed ruffling her son's hair. "Isn't that right Merry?"

Merry blushed crimnson at the attention but then turned his attention back to why he came up to begin with. "Can Pip and I go play in the snow?"

Esmeralda eyed Eglantine who nodded. "Alright but please dress warmly. I'd rather not have the both of you getting the Winter Sickness before Yuletime."

"Pippin that means a jacket, cloak and a scarf!" Eglantine put in eyeing her sulking son still in Merry's arms.

"No worries, I'm sure we have an extra scarf lying around." Merry started glancing at his mother grinning.

Back in Merry's room the two hobbit lads were getting their out clothes on preparing themselves for the big blast of cold air that was going to be coming their way. Pippin sat on the edge of Merry's bed watching his cousin search through his closet of clothes. "What are you looking for? I've got a jacket and a cloak."

"Just a scarf." Merry replied back his voice slightly muffled by the shirts and vests.

"But you have a scarf!" The little one exclaimed.

"Didn't your mother say you needed to wear one before you could go outside?" Merry asked turning around with something behind his back. Pippin nodded curiously eyeing the thing behind Merry's back. "I made you something today, I've been working on it for a long time. I know it doesn't look the best but - well here."

Pippin stared wide eyed at the piece of green woven cloth in Merry's hands. "What is it?"

"It's a scarf."

"You made that?" Merry watched as his little cousin looked thoroughly amazed by it. "It's pretty."

Pippin watched as Merry wrapped his around his neck and then he let out a sigh of relief. "Oh, it's warm!"

Merry noticed it was a little long right now but as Pippin grew up, the scarfs length would shorten for a more normal size. "Not bad at all if I do say so myself. Matches your eyes perfectly." Pippin giggled in response as Merry poked his nose. "Alright, now then lets get the jacket and cloak on. The snow is going to melt by the time we're finished dressing."

A few minutes later both were dressed in their outer wear and were walking down the hallway when Pippin stopped and tugged on Merry's hand. "Yes, Pip?" Out of habit Merry knelt down to be eye level with his cousin and instead of a reply he got a hug.

"Thank you Merry!!" Merry laughed and hugged Pippin back.

"You're welcome. Just remember to wear it always."

"Of course!! Let's go outside! First I want to show Momma!"

End Chapter 1