"Do you think we will ever meet any Elves, Mr. Frodo?" Samwise Gamgee asked Frodo Baggins one day as he and Frodo were relaxing with Merry and Pippin. Frodo was sitting up in a branch reading one of his favorite adventure books. He stopped for a moment and looked down at Sam and smiled softly.

"You never know. I doubt we will ever see any in the Shire, but maybe someday, somewhere else," he stated.

Sam smiled and leaned back against the thick trunk of the tree. He closed his eyes and started to drift into a lazy sleep. Sam loved to dream about adventures of Elves and Dragons. He listened many times to Old Bilbo Baggins's tales of Smaug and goblins and often envisioned himself as actually being there. He looked up at Frodo and knew his friend was thinking the same thing. What fun it would be to go see other lands. But that would never happen. Both Sam and Frodo loved the Shire very much and they couldn't leave. They wouldn't leave. Not even for all the gold and fortune in Middle Earth.

Suddenly, some noise from Pippin disturbed Sam's rest. He cocked an eye open and looked at the young hobbit. Pippin was rummaging through his nap sack frantically looking for something.

"What are ya looking for Mr. Took?" Sam asked curiously. Pippin didn't look at Sam. Instead, he kept searching his bag. "My apple. I brought an apple to eat and I can't find it."

"Well, I have a peach. You can have that if you are hungry," Sam suggested.

"No, no, I wanted that apple, not a peach Sam," Pippin argued. Sam just shrugged it off and closed his eyes again. It was then a large belch awaked him.

"Oops, excuse me," Merry stated as he came and sat by Sam. He held an apple and was nibbling at it quietly.

If you could have seen the expression on Pippin's face when he saw the apple, you would have run all the way to Rivendell without stopping just to get away from him. "Merry?" Pippin asked through a tense, restrained tone.

"What's up Pip?" Merry asked as he took another bite of Pippin’s apple.

"Where did you get that apple from?"

"I found it in your bag. I didn't think you would mind if I ate it...I was hungry," Merry stated casually as he took the last bite and threw the core away.

"I do SO mind," Pippin argued. "I was saving that apple for lunch."

"Gosh, I'm sorry Pippin," Merry apologized.

"No you're not. You are always taking my things without asking and I am tired of it. What am I suppose to eat now?"

"I think Sam has a peach you could have," Merry stated. Pippin just growled in annoyance.

"Oh, come on Peregrin, Calm down, I would think you haven't eaten in days, not like you are gonna starve."

"You don't know that. I am a growing hobbit and I like to have my food when I am hungry. Especially food I have been saving without others taking them without asking," Pippin stated. He got up and grabbed his bag and started down the road.

Merry looked at his cousin and friend as he walked away. A bit of irritation and guilt filled his mind. He then got up off the ground and ran up to him. "Pippin, wait!" he yelled.

"I don't want to talk right now. I am too mad," Pippin stated as he continued to walk.

"Aw, come on Pip. You know you can be just as inconsiderate as me," Merry commented.

"When did I ever steal YOUR food?" Pippin asked. He stopped in the middle of the road and looked at his cousin.

"Well, what about that bread I was making that one time and you ate it before it was even cooled?"

"I was fourteen years old," Pippin protested.

"You still did it though. You are just as much a pig as me."

"I am not a pig, I can stop eating when ever I feel like it," Pippin argued.

"Oh, please. You couldn't last three days without food," Merry protested.

"I can so!"

"Can not!"

"Can SO!"

"Wanna bet?" Merry said with a competitive look in his eyes.

"Fine. We will see who can go the longest without food!" Pippin snapped.

"Deal. And the looser has to make the winner their meals for a weak," Merry added. The two looked at each other for a moment, then shook hands.

"Starting now," Merry stated.

"Now? But I didn't eat lunch yet. You at least got my apple. How am I suppose to not eat on an empty stomach?" Pippin argued.

Merry gave him an odd look but gave in. "Fine, we eat lunch, THEN we start the contest.”

"Good. I heard Farmer Maggot has his potatoes harvested," Pippin stated. Merry's ears perked up and the two ran off in the direction of Farmer Maggot's without even saying a word to each other.

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"What do you think that was all about?" Sam asked as he watched the two cousins run down the road.

Frodo just turned a page in his book and sighed. "Who knows with those two. One minute they fight, the next minute they are best friends," he stated as he read a few more lines of his book.

"I guess you're right Mr. Frodo. But I must say, their argument today made me hungry."

Frodo took his head out of his book and looked at Sam with a grin. "Me too. Let's go get something to eat. There are some berry cakes and tea with our names on them at home." Closing his adventure book, Frodo jumped out of the tree branch. He led Sam down the road and towards Bag End for lunch.

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Two days had passed and Frodo had heard no word from either Merry or Pippin, which was odd since they always seemed to come to visit him every other day or so. It was a rainy day in the Shire and Frodo was about to settle down by the fire and read some more of his book. He was almost finished with the story and what better thing to do while it was cold and gray outside? As he read however, he became tired and his eyelids became heavy. Before long, Frodo fell into a soft sleep in his chair.

Knock, knock, knock!

Frodo's eyes flew open with the sudden sound of someone knocking on the door. Letting out a long yawn, Frodo forced himself up. He was a bit annoyed. Who was visiting on such a drowsy, rainy day?

"Who is it?" Frodo called as he opened the large, green circular door. He looked a bit surprised but smiled happily when he saw Pippin standing at the door. "Pippin, what are you doing out in this weather?" Frodo asked as he ushered his cousin inside and out of the rain.

Pippin smiled lightly to Frodo and entered the hobbit hole. "Oh, I wanted to return your coat," Pippin stated. He revealed one of Frodo's old green over coats. It was nice, but the green was faded a bit and the yellow trim on the pockets was a bit worn.

Frodo looked at Pippin curiously. "Pippin, I lent this to you three years ago and you want to return it now? In this dreadful rain? Surly there was another reason to come all the way up here?" Frodo asked.

"Frodo, you are my cousin; you are like a brother to me. Surely I do not need a reason to come see you. Besides, I like the rain and it was a good walk," Pippin said innocently.

Frodo lead Pippin to the kitchen table to sit down. "Can I get you something to …" Suddenly, Frodo stopped his offer and frowned. "I'm sorry. I forgot about your bet."

"Oh, that thing...yes... I have actually been doing quite well. I have not eaten in two days," Pippin responded. "You know? It was a lot easier when I was depressed and didn't want to eat."

"I can understand. When you have lack of motivation to eat, it can be easier than being tempted all the time," Frodo stated. He looked at Pippin, whose eyes seemed a little off to him. He was looking at Frodo very oddly as if thinking about something. "Pippin, are you feeling all right?" Frodo asked. Pippin said nothing however. He just stared at Frodo in the oddest way. "Pippin?" Frodo called a little louder. This time, Pippin jolted awake and looked at Frodo. "I'm sorry Foodo - I mean, Frodo. I was just thinking about something."

Pippin's subconscious slip of Frodo's name confused Frodo a little bit. He hoped nothing was wrong with Pippin. Perhaps they should move on to another topic. Getting up, Frodo took his returned coat and walked over to a small walk-in closet to put it away.

"Ya know? This rain isn't so bad. It is nice for all the crops and the soil," Frodo smiled. He thought about how happy Sam would be when he saw how healthy his plants would look in a few days. "What do you think Pip?" Frodo asked as he hung the faded coat on a hook. Hearing no sound of Pippin, Frodo became a little worried. His behavior was off, even for the young Took. After a few moments of silence, Frodo turned around and saw Pippin standing before him with a knife and a fork.

Frodo's eyes widened in surprise. He just stood still, not knowing how to take care of the situation. "Pippin? What's going on?" he asked.

Pippin just walked a little closer, holding the eating utensils and grinned evilly at Frodo. "Nothing's up, Frodo? Why?" Pippin asked. Frodo backed up but stopped. Any further and he would be trapped in the closet. "Peregrin...I think maybe you should eat something. This isn't good for you," Frodo commented.

"I am perfectly fine Frodo...cousin. I just have the craving for Baked Baggins." Just then, Pippin rushed at Frodo but Frodo was ready. Before Pippin could catch up, Frodo dodged out of the way, causing Pippin to run in the closet. When the coast was clear, Frodo came behind him, shut the closet door and locked it tight.

Pippin, now very upset, started banging on the door. "Frodo! Let me out! I'm sorry! I don't know what came over me!"

"You're staying in there until you can calm down, Peregrin Took!" Frodo snapped and left the closet for the night. Going to his room, Frodo grabbed a brown cloak, put it on and left Bag end. He ran down the road to find Sam. Something had to be done about Pippin...

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Meriadoc Brandybuck did not care that it was pouring rain. He was hungry and he needed food. But no, he could not give in. He was not going to loose to Pippin even if it killed him. That is why he was sneaking around Hobbiton. He just needed to see some food and that would make him feel better.

He walked up the road toward some of the hobbit holes that still had some lights on. There was a better chance that those houses had someone eating just a little food. One house he looked onto was the old Greenhill Family. Tom and Janean Greenhill, their son Dewey and daughter Lily were sitting at a table getting ready to eat second dinner. Merry looked through the small window and started to drool. He spied the tasty potatoes and corn and bread and pies they were eating. Even the aroma was to die for. Merry's stomach started to growl. The thought of food was just making him hungrier.

"This was a lousy idea," he mumbled to himself. "I am cold, hungry, and resorting to spying on neighbor's houses just to see food. And worse yet, I am doing it in the rain," he moaned. Merry decided to leave. Realizing that he was close to Sam Gamgee's house, Merry decided to make a visit. He knocked on the door quietly and waited for Sam to open the door.

When Sam opened the door, he looked a little shocked to see his friend soaking wet and covered in mud. "Merry? Where in the Shire have you been?" he asked, pulling Merry inside.

"No where important. Just wanted a little walk," Merry stated.

"In the rain?" Sam asked. "That is something I would see Pippin do; not you," Sam added.

"I always walk in the rain. It is very pleasurable. Besides, I thought I would come and say hello. I hope I was not disturbing anything," Merry stated. He looked around the house curiously. He had very rarely been to Sam's house because every time they met, they were at Frodo's, the Green Dragon, or somewhere else.

"No, you're not disturbing anything," Sam replied.

"Good. I usually hate dropping in on people when I am uninvited," Merry stated.

Sam looked at Merry quietly. There was something off about Merry. "You are always welcome here. You are my friend," Sam said with a forced smile. "I was only making some chicken."

"Chicken?" Merry asked. "Sounds good."

"I don't know, this is the first time I am making chicken, so it will probably come out wrong. I might baste it too much or something."

"Na. I bet you will taste good."

"What?" Sam asked.

"I meant, you would...baste the chicken good," Merry re-stated. He smiled at Sam, who only looked at him oddly.

"Right..." Sam moved over to a small storage room. "Hey Merry. I am so rude. Why don't you have a seat at the table over there?”

"Sure Sam. Sitting sounds good," Merry stated. He felt a little embarrassed at his slip of words and decided to sit down and shut up. He waited for a few minutes, but heard no other sign of Sam. "Sam?" He called as he looked around the room.

Suddenly, Sam and Frodo came up behind Merry and started to tie him to the chair he was sitting on with a small rope.

"Hey!" What's going on?" he asked confused.

"Just stay still and everything will be all right, Merry," Frodo stated.

"It's a good thing you got here to warn me Mr. Frodo," Sam said.

"Guys, untie me! This is torture! I don't deserve this!" Merry yelped.

"Sorry Meriadoc, but you are staying there till morning so Sam and I can figure out what to do with you and Pippin," Frodo stated.

"Pippin? What does Pippin have to do with this? Untie me!" But it was no use. Frodo and Sam left the hobbit hole and decided the best thing to do was to get a room at the Green Dragon to be away from both Merry and Pippin for the night.

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The next morning was much nicer than the day before. The sun was out and there was a slight wind in the air. Frodo and Sam left the Green Dragon and walked over to Sam's house where they decided to move Merry over to Bag End. Leaving him tied, they pulled him over the hill to the last hobbit hole of Bag Row.

Once inside Frodo's home, Frodo told Sam to watch Merry as he went to the kitchen. About twenty minutes later, Frodo returned with plates full of eggs, bacon, muffins, jam, cheese and toast.

Merry could have died and went to heaven when he smelled the delicious foods. Once his kitchen table was set, Frodo went to the closet to released Pippin. When Frodo opened the closet door, he saw Pippin curled up in the corner rocking back and forth. "Pippin? You all right?" he asked.

Pippin just looked up at Frodo. "I am fine..."

"Come on out, I have something to show you," Frodo stated. Pippin did as Frodo asked and stood by Merry. He looked a bit confused. "Merry...why are you tired up?"

"Why were you locked in a closet?" Merry retorted. Sam untied Merry. Merry and Pippin stood in front of the food covered table. "What is all this?" Merry asked.

"You're breakfast. Now eat!" Frodo commanded.

"No way! Then I will loose the bet! Pippin can eat," Merry stated.

"No way! I told you I could hold out longer than you and I WILL!" Pippin returned.

Frodo sighed and looked at Sam. "You both are getting loony on us. You have to eat eventually. And you aren't leaving Bag End until you do," Frodo announced.

Merry and Pippin looked at each other. "Maybe we are being a little crazy," Merry stated.

"Yea...and we can't let all this food go to waste," Pippin added. The two looked at each other and decided that if they both eat at the same time, then both will be even in the bet. As each picked up a muffin, they slowly brought the treat to their lips. Looking at each other, they mentally counted to three and popped it into their mouths.

Frodo and Sam watched this in relief. Merry and Pippin chewed quietly and after they swallowed, they took another bite. After about ten minutes, the entire table was clean of food.

"Thank goodness. Now we can be taken off the menu," Sam laughed. Frodo nodded as both Merry and Pippin looked at Sam and Frodo. "I am sorry for trying to eat you Frodo..." Pippin apologized with a bit of embarrassment in his tone.

"Me too, Samwise," Merry added as he took a few last bites of some eggs.

"Don't worry about it fellas," Sam stated. "We understand. You weren't yourselves."

"We should never make a bet that stupid again," Merry stated.

"I think that is the wisest thing I have heard you say all week," Frodo smiled.

Merry and Pippin grinned when there was a knock at Frodo's door. "I wonder who that could be?" Frodo stated as he walked to the door. When he opened the door, he saw a rather heavy-set hobbit with thick black hair and a round hard face. It was Tom. Greenhill. "Well, good morning Mr. Greenhill. What is the pleasure of your visit this morning?" Frodo asked politely to the older hobbit.

Tom looked around. "There he is!" he pointed to Merry. Merry look shocked and froze as Tom Greenhill barged into Frodo's house and ran towards Merry who quickly dodged out of the house. "Sorry guys...gotta go!" He stated as he started down the hill.

"Come back here you little peeping hobbit! I'll show you to spy on my family!" Mr. Greenhill snapped as he ran out after Merry.

Pippin looked at Frodo and Sam as they just watched in a daze.

"So..." Pippin sighed. "Got anything else to eat?"