Wherever You Are Is Home Chapter Three - "Decisions of a Father" It is 1396 in the Shire Reckoning Pippin is 6 and Merry is 14 It was a warm summer day in Buckland, the sun-kissed breeze blowing lightly across the fields where the children played. Merry sat on the ground, very close to the place where he had fought with the Boffin boys, chatting with a few of his friends. He sighed, curling his toes in the warm grass, and tried to ignore the way that Marigold Bracegirdle was looking sideways at him and twirling her hair in her fingers. Stupid girl. Did she not think he could see her looking? Girls were a trial, and an annoyance. He liked Pimpernel and Pervinca. And Pearl, sometimes, but that was different. His father had told him that he would grow out of his girls-are-icky phase. He had, to a point. He no longer thought they were icky, but he was still unamused with them for the most part. At least, a year or two ago, while they were still icky, they would play. The would kick balls, and climb trees, or go swim. Now, all they wanted to do was sit around and talk, and were always worried about getting dirty or ripping their dresses or mussing their hair. And they stared. Marigold had given over looking at him to eyeball his cousin Berilac. He had not fully forgiven Berilac for the fight, but they had come to an understanding. They were pleasant to each other in public, even joking sometimes, and Berilac had ceased to spend time with the Boffin yobbos on a regular basis. He was polite to Pippin, calling him Master Took, and even made attempts to play with him, even though he knew Pippin would refuse. "What about a swim?" Berilac offered to the group. "You just want to see us in our underclothes." Marigold's friend Daisy said, giggling. "I certainly do not." Merimas Brandybuck said. Merry eyed him suspiciously, and was quite sure he was lying. Impulsively, Merry reached out and pulled the clip out of Marigold's hair. She gave a yelp, and swatted at him. "Give it back." Merry shrugged, and held it out. She reached for it, but as soon as her hand touched it he snatched it back. "Meriadoc Brandybuck." She said, sternly. "That was not nice. "I know." He said, holding the clip up over his head. Berilac, Merimas and Daisy were laughing. Marigold blushed, made a few futile swipes at the clip from where she was sitting, and then she leapt at him. Marigold jumped at Merry, knocking him to the ground. Merry had managed to twist his arm behind his back, so that he was laying on the clip. Marigold was laying on top of him, struggling to pry his arm out from under him. "Merry." She whined. "Marigold." He said flatly. He moved abruptly, rolling and putting Marigold under him. She had shifted up in an attempt to get away, so when she landed on her back their faces were even with each other. The group gave a gasp, and Merimas whistled through his teeth. She shifted again, and he almost lost his balance. He drove the hand with the clip with it to the ground, right above her head to keep from falling on her and crushing her. The result put their faces very close together, and he could feel the Marigold's breath against his lips. He shivered. It felt kind of nice. Now that he thought about it, having her under him did not feel too bad, either. He looked up quickly, noticing that the other hobbits had discreetly began moving towards the river. "Merry?" Marigold asked, in a weird, breathy tone. He looked down at the girl under him. Her breath was hitched and shallow as it brushed his lips, and her eyes were wide. He decided that Marigold was not exactly icky, either. Not as not-icky as Nel and Vinca, but still, not totally icky. Suddenly his mouth was very close to Marigold's, although he did not remember putting it there. Marigold sucked a sharp breath, and her eyes slid half-closed. Then he noticed a movement from Marigold. She was inching to close the distance between them. Unsure of what else to do, he closed his eyes. "Merry?" A familiar voice made his spine snap taut like a fishing line. "Pippin." He whispered. Marigold's eyes snapped open. Merry jumped up off her in a fluid motion, leaving the clip in the grass next to her sprawled frame. Marigold began to make unhappy noises as she sat up and straightened herself, but he ignored her. He looked around, beginning to think that the voice was in his head, when he was attacked by a flurry of cinnamon curls. He was bowled over, falling into the grass, the owner of the cinnamon curls on top of him. He heard giggles, and then his face was covered in kisses. "Merry." Pippin said, smiling. He scooted down Merry's body to wedge his head in its usual place, right under his chin. "Pippin?" Merry asked, hugging the boy and reaching up to twist his fingers in Pippin's hair. "I did not know you were here." "I just got here." Pippin said eagerly. "My Dad felt like taking a ride, so he put me on his pony, and the next thing I knew, we were in Brandy Hall." "Oh, Pip." Merry said. "That is wonderful." He had not seen Pippin in close to a month and a half, and had been missing him horribly. "Were you out here by yourself?" Pippin asked. Merry looked over, finding that Marigold had made herself scarce. He smiled. Sweet girl. He would have to thank her later. "No. Merimas and Berilac were here. And some girls." Merry said. Pippin wrinkled his nose. He was just entering the girls-are-icky phase. "I think they decided on a swim." "Do you want to swim?" Pippin asked. "Not particularly, unless you do." "I don’t know." Pippin said thoughtfully. "I could eat." "You could always eat." Merry gave back. Pippin made a protesting sound, and then giggled. "How long are you here for?" "I don’t know, really." He said. Probably depends on when my Da decides to go back to the Smials." Pippin wiggled, moving up to look at Merry. "You want to go to the river, then?" Merry made a noise, as Pippin's elbow dug into his shoulder. He moved his head, and felt Pippin breath across his lips, just like Marigold's had done earlier. It was a nice feeling. He would have to see if he could get Marigold to do it again. "Let's go." He said, pushing Pippin off of him. The group at the river was larger that he had thought. The four that he had been sitting with were there, as well as about five hobbit lads closer to Pippin's age. He sat under a tree with Merimas, dividing his time between watching Pippin, who was play in the river, and eyeing and Marigold and Daisy, who were chatting softly under another tree. Eventually, Daisy joined them, though Merry thought she really wanted to talk to Merimas alone. Merry made polite conversation for a minute, and then went over to join Marigold. "Are you mad?" Merry asked her as he sat down. "Yes." Marigold said. "I didn’t say you could kiss me." "I didn't kiss you." Merry said, confused. "You meant to." Marigold said. "And if that meddling Took had not happened about, you would have." "He is not meddling. He is just young." Merry said defensively. "He follows you everywhere." Marigold gave back. "And you never want to do anything when he is around." She was quiet for a minute. "You were going to kiss me." She said petulantly. "I might have." He said. "But I didn’t. You can’t be mad at me for kissing you if I didn't." "Maybe I am mad because you didn't." Marigold said, scooting a little closer to him. Merry sighed loudly, and decided that girls were a bother. "Thank you." Merry said softly. "For what?" Marigold asked, inching closer. "For not sticking around when Pip showed up. If he had seen us like that he would have asked questions." Merry lied. Pippin probably wouldn’t have asked questions, but he would have been angry. Lately, he got pouty if Merry was affectionate with anyone but him. "What do you care if he asks questions?" She asked. "He is young." Merry said lamely, and left it at that. He turned his attention to where Pippin was playing in the river. He was splashing and kicking water everywhere. He sent a wave at one young lad, who began chasing him as soon as he had sputtered all the water out of his mouth. Pippin began to shriek, and tried to run away from him, nevermind that he was in water past his knees. "I should teach Pip to swim." He thought. "What?" Marigold asked. "Huh?" He hadn't realized that he had spoken out loud. "Oh, I was saying that I should teach Pippin to swim." "Oh." She replied, favoring Merry with a frown. Dimly, Merry became aware of something soft brushing against the hand he had resting in the grass. He ignored it at first, thinking that he was imagining things, but it grew more insistent. He glanced down out of the corner of his eye to see that it was Marigold. She was trailing her fingers along the back of his hand in a lazy manner. A loud splash turned Merry's attention back to the river. He saw Pippin emerging out of a large spray of water. Pippin walked up the bank, shaking water from his body as he walked. He spied Merry, and ran over to him. Merry snatched his hand away from Marigold's wandering fingers as Pippin drew close. Lifting a leg over Merry, Pippin sat on Merry's knees and slid down his legs until he landed in Merry's lap with a thud. Merry gave a groan as a sharp pain spread through his groin. Pippin leaned in against Merry's chest, laying his damp head on Merry's shoulder. "Oi, Pip!" He sputtered. "Your too heavy to do that now. It hurts me." Merry felt water seeping into the cloth of his tunic. "And you are wet, Pippin." "I love you , Merry." Was Pippin's defense. He kissed Merry on the nose, and laid his head back down. Marigold reached out to touch Merry's hand again, but found only grass. She looked for the missing hand, and discovered that it was rubbing Pippin's back in circles. "Meddling Took." She muttered as she walked away. Pippin reached to snatch a bean off of Merry's plate, but Merry swatted his hand away. "Here. Sit down and I'll make you a plate." "But I want to sit in your lap." Pippin whined. He stood next to Merry's chair, stamping his foot. "Not at dinner." Merry explained, as he lifted Pippin into the empty chair next to him. "You are too big for that." "I am not to big to sit in your lap." Pippin said, pouting. "I sat in your lap at the river." He slid of the chair again, and eyed Merry expectantly. "No, Pip." Merry said, putting down his fork. "I mean, you are too old. It is past time that you sit in your own chair and eat off your own plate at dinner. You are almost seven." "I want to sit in your lap and eat off your plate." Pippin said, tears sliding down his cheeks. "Pip, do you sit in your own chair and eat off your own plate when you are at home?" Merry asked. "Yes." Pippin snuffled. "Unless you are there. Then I sit in your lap." Merry sighed. "Pippin, I am not going to argue. You are too old to sit in my lap for dinner." With that, he picked Pippin up under the arms and sat him in the chair. "Fine." Pippin gave a mighty snuffle. He sat quietly for a minute, staring at the plate Merry had set out for him despondently. Then he tried to climb over the arm of the chair and slip into Merry's lap. "Peregrin Took." Merry said sternly. Pippin looked at him through his lashes, eyes wide, and stuck his bottom lip out. Merry gave him a level look, shook his head, and gestured for Pippin to sit down. "I love you, Merry." Pippin said. He threw his arms around Merry quickly before settling back into his own chair. "Did you see that, sister?" Paladin Took said, waving his fork in the direction of Merry and Pippin. "Aye, brother." Esmeralda said, and shook her head. "I do not understand." The Thain complained. "The boy is an unruly pain, and there is nothing that my wife or I can to do calm him." The Thain took a bite of potatoes, murmuring appreciatively. "But one word from your son," he continued around a mouthful of potatoes, "and suddenly he is most well-behaved child in the Shire." "I don't rightly understand it myself." Esmeralda said. She did understand, but did not want to discuss it. How was she to tell him that Merry had usurped the place in Pippin's heart that should have belonged to him and his wife. "A wonder." The Thain mumbled into is ale mug. He took a deep draught, and peered at his son and nephew over the rim. Esmeralda followed his glance. The other hobbits Merry's age ate hurriedly, chatting amiably while the chewed. There was the occasional roll tossed between them, and every once and awhile one hobbit would snatch a bite off of another's plate. A mug was knocked over, resulting in a loud buzz from the hobbits. It was a scene of youthful mirth; cheerful, loud, and a bit messy. Through it all, Merry said quietly. He smiled at the antics of his friends, but did not participate. He ate calmly, chatting with Pippin. He broke the conversation occasionally to admonish Pippin for using his hands, or to instruct him on how to hold his fork properly, or on how to butter his roll without making a mess. "Look." The Thain said, pointing with a forkful of beans. Merry leaned over his chair. Reaching around Pippin, he took the boy's hands in his, and showed Pippin how to cut his beef in neat chunks that would fit on his fork. After making a few slices, he released Pippin to let the boy do it for himself, protective hands hovering in case Pippin looked like he was going to cut himself. "The wonder works both ways." Esmeralda said. "Yesterday, Merry was braying louder than any of the asses at the table, and after dropping his knife, he had ripped at his ham with both hands." The Thain looked choked on his ale at his sister's bluntness, and Esmeralda winked. "Today, he is more concerned about how Pippin holds his fork than stealing turnips off of Celandine's plate. The Thain watched on, thoughtfully, watching Merry lean and brush a kiss against his son's forehead when he had finished cutting his meat. He laughed to himself, and muttered something that Esmeralda did not catch. "You still have not told me what prompted this visit, brother." Esmeralda said playfully. "Does the Took and Thain need a reason to visit his sister?" "The Took and Thain rarely comes to visit his sister without bringing half his household." That was the truth. In all the years since she had married Saradoc Brandybuck, she could count the number of time that her brother had shown up on a whim on one hand. "No reason." The Thain said. He looked uncomfortable, and was studying the contents of his plate. "Paddy?" Esmeralda prodded. "The boy was insufferable today." Paladin Took sighed. "He has been for weeks, but today he was a menace out of one of Bilbo's stories. I was hoping a ride would calm him." "A short jaunt to Buckland?" Esmeralda quipped. The Thain rolled his eyes at her. "Will you and Pip be returning to the Smials in the morning, then?" "I will be returning to the Smials tonight." Here it comes, Esmeralda thought. "You?" Paladin paused, and grimaced at his sister. "Yes, me. My intent was to ask Saradoc about leaving Pippin here for a few weeks." The Thain said. "But I arrived to find that Saradoc left for Michel Delving this morning." "If he was here, Saradoc would say yes." She replied. "He loves Pippin like he is his own." "Pervinca's birthday is in a few weeks, you could bring him back when you venture to the Smials for the party." "Wonderful idea." Esmeralda said, glancing down the table. "Are you finished, Pip?" Merry asked when he noticed that Pippin was playing with the remainders on his plate. "Yes." Pippin said. He reached over the table and grabbed his mug of water. He tipped it too fast, and more water poured down his chin than went in his mouth. "Silly tart." Merry said. Making room on the table, he lifted Pippin off the chair and sat him in front of him. Dipping his napkin in the Pippin's water mug, he began patiently wiping his cousin's face. "You are sure Saradoc won't mind?" The Thain asked, eyeing his wet son wearily. "Brother," She said, nodding in the direction of Merry cleaning Pippin's face, "I don't think Saradoc was the one you needed to ask." "You be a good boy for Uncle Saradoc and Aunt Esmeralda, son." The Thain said to his small son. "If you give them any trouble, I will have them send you back to the Smials immediately." "Yes, Da. I will be good." Pippin said innocently. "Your mother packed you a bag." He said. "It has clothes enough until you come back home. It is the guestroom across the hall from Merry's room." "Thank you, Da." He ran up to his father and hugged him around the legs. The Thain ruffled Pippin's hair, and mounted his pony. "Remember." He said with an admonishing finger. "You be good for your aunt and uncle." The Thain looked over to the figure of Merry waiting at the front door to Brandy Hall, and revised his request. "You be a good boy for Meriadoc." "Merry?" Merry opened his eyes to near blackness. Glancing at the window, he saw the moon in the black sky. It was the middle of the night. "Merry?" The voice was louder this time. "What, Pip? It is the middle of the night." "Its dark in my room." Pippin said. It probably was. The room Pippin had been assigned faced the hill, and had no windows. "Get in, then." Merry said, pulling the covers back and making room. He heard the sound of little feet padding across the floor, and then the mattress shifted as Pippin climbed in. Pippin laid down on his side with his back to Merry, and scooted back until he was leaning against him. He wedged himself in the crook of Merry's arm, and fiddled around with the bedding for a few minutes. "What were you scared of, sweetheart?" Merry asked him when Pippin had settled himself. "I wasn't scared, I was just lonely." With a sigh, Merry wrapped his arms around his cousin and went to sleep. Thus ends Chapter Three, as Pervinca tells it. Chapter Two | Chapter Four Back to the Blue Book