Author: Sam

Story: The Games We Play: 1 of 15

Series: n/a

Rating: PG

Summary: After the Council of Elrond, but before they can leave on the Quest, the Fellowship finds ways to pass the time and possibly get to know one another... with some rather odd Hobbit Games.

Spoiler: Basically not much, unless you've never seen the first movie or read the first book at all. Then it's a spoiler for pretty much those who don't know who winds up in the Fellowship.

Category: Bookverse. (Based on a plot bunny by Balrog Pimp.)

Setting: Rivendell: between the Council of Elrond and leaving Rivendell.

Disclaimer: LotR is a trademark of JRR Tolkien and his surviving children. I am in no way connected with these people, and I do not claim ownership to these characters, lands, or names. I have borrowed them to share a story... and most likely not a story Tolkien would have written, had he had the time or no. I am making no money from this, and it is just for my entertainment, and that of free entertainment to a select group of friends. Thank You.

Distribution: Please ask first?

Note: I am not exactly sure what date the Council of Elrond was held on, as all of my Tolkien books, except the Atlas of Middle Earth, are at work and I am snowed in at home. So, if there is a discrepancy, I apologize. I merely know what the Atlas states as the dates they are in Rivendell.

Second Note: I have based the games listed in this series on several mentioned by the actors themselves or from childhood memories of simple games. I intend to do a series of these games for this group, so feel free to request a specific game you would like to see played, even if it's not on this list. All I need are basic instructions to work with. Here is a translation of all the games into our terms, but for complete instructions as to how to play them, please contact me privately: *Mentioned by one of the actors, ^From childhood, ~A blend of other games.

Feedback: Yes, please? Especially constructive. samwise_baggins@yahoo.co.uk

Webpage: http://www.oocities.org/samwise_baggins/index.html

The sun was warm and bright, the leaves shining deeply green. Soft grass and cooling shade trees ringed the glade, set for rather an impromptu picnic. The Fellowship was restless but still was kept from truly beginning their arduous journey. As the autumn deepened and the winter chill grew, the nine balked at Elrond's restrictions; thus when this glorious day dawned no one could resist Bilbo's plea for a bit of an outdoor luncheon. Elrond had masterfully arranged everything, and now the entire Fellowship was in a clearing in the woods of Imladris, accompanied by various other Elves, Dwarves, and Men.

Legolas sat with Elrond's children, watching in near-fascination as the five Hobbits seemed to pack away more food than was possible, especially for such tiny beings. He shook his head, letting curiosity actually guide him as he leaned across the table to ask the closest Hobbit, "How do you do it?"

Samwise Gamgee blinked and looked up, surprised that the beautiful Elf would speak to him of all people. He looked around and Frodo, next to him, smiled and elbowed his friend. With a gulp the gardener looked at the tall, graceful blond. "Do what, sir?"

"Eat so much and still manage to move so quietly?" Legolas gestured to where Pippin sat, unaware of a grinning Merry approaching from behind. The younger Hobbit gave a small shriek as Merry grabbed his waist, then whirled and laughingly pushed his friend to the ground, following to scuffle with him.

Sam and Legolas looked once more at one another and the Hobbit flushed a bit, shrugging. "We just do, Mister Legolas. Hobbits are folk made to eat and play."

"Play?" Gimli, the Dwarf, seemed almost to pounce on that statement. "What sorts of games do Hobbits play?"

Merry, having pulled out of the scuffle with Pip, called out in answer, "Oh, loads of games. Hobbits are wonderfully inventive. We play Cups and Nudge and Tig and Excuses, I Never... and all sorts of games."

Pippin rolled over, adorably mussed and winded. "We have Jump Squares and Keep Away..."

"And Look Away..." interjected Merry.

Pippin continued as if uninterrupted, "and Touch The Table and..."

Again Merry threw in his suggestion, "Eggs, Bacon, Sugar, Tea..."

"Duck The Fool..."

"Find Me..."

"Sing Out..."

"Cat's Cornered..."

"Excuses, I Never..."

Merry stopped and glanced at Pippin. "We already said that one, Pip." He turned back to the listening group, "...and Dodge It." He sounded triumphant. "There's more if you like?"

The rest of the feasters were sitting rather stunned, having fallen silent during this amazing list of odd-sounding titles. Shaking his head, Gimli grumbled in amazement. He was not the only one who wondered just how Hobbits could find time to play so many different games and still get their work done.

Legolas took the lead again and asked Frodo, "Would you teach us a game?"

With a laugh, for he'd been looking for something a bit more normal to do before going off into danger, Merry leapt to his feet. "Certainly. We can teach you anything." He didn't seem too worried by the blond Elf's glare for having taken the conversation from the Ring-bearer.

Frodo smiled and nodded. "A game would be just the thing on such a day; what game would you have?"

"Oh, Dodge It is by far the most entertaining to watch, my lad," called out a previously drowsing Bilbo. "Any number can play... if they think they can, that is." He smiled, a look of challenge in his eyes for those not familiar with the games of Hobbits.

Getting to his feet, Pippin negligently brushed himself off. "I love Blind Dodge..."

But Gandalf, who also had stood, interrupted him. "Blind Dodge is much too difficult for beginners, Peregrin, and some would find themselves seriously handicapped without Hobbit quiet or Elvish hearing. Plain Dodge It will suffice."

"Are you joining us then, Gandalf?" Frodo couldn't help but smile, realizing a bit too late that he, like Gandalf, had just committed to playing the game. Ah well, it would be nice to have a small distraction from his troubles.

Gandalf nodded, taking his hat and setting it carefully aside. He began to tie up his robes, exposing surprisingly well-formed legs. "Of course. If the Hobbits can do it, so can I. The game is simple enough." The wizard glanced around at the rest of the group. "Anyone else care to play?"

Elrond frowned lightly, "Perhaps if we knew the rules, Gandalf?" His tone didn't ask for an explanation, it expected it.

"Oh, it's not hard at all; children play it in the Shire." Frodo smiled to reassure the group, glancing around at the suspicious looks cast on him by those present. With a shrug, he slipped out of his coat and weskit, leaving his vest on. Merry, and Pippin were doing likewise.

"If a Hobbit child can do it, I, Gimli, can do it!" The Dwarf stood, a challenging glare on his face. He laid his heavy coat aside and removed his hard boots in unspoken deference to the soft shoed wizard and the bare-foot Hobbits.

Legolas jumped to his feet. "I too will play." Aside went the ever-present leather over-tunic; he wasn't about to be shown up by a Dwarf.

The elderly wizard smiled as the Fellowship itself started taking up the challenge of this as yet unknown game. They might be agreeing to play together to best one another, but still it was together they would be playing. It boded well for their coming journey.

"The rules," Frodo raised his voice a bit to gain attention, though later he might wonder at his own audacity among such an assortment of important peoples, "are simple. There are two teams and two balls. Either team may use either ball any time it is on their own side of the Half-Line. The Half-Line separates the two sides of the playing field. Members of one team must not cross the line. The members throw the balls trying to tag the opposite side out one by one. If someone catches a ball, he is safe. If he fumbles it, however, he is out. One must always keep the ball in plain site: no hiding it. I believe that's it." He shrugged one shoulder, smiling almost whimsically at the crowd.

"That's all? Throw a ball at someone to get him out and you win?" Boromir looked stunned at the utter simplicity of the great game the Hobbits were so eager to play.

"I assume you will play, as it is not so hard?" Aragorn's deeper rasp cut in from the side, admonishing the other Man for his un-implied insult to the Hobbits. He didn't even flinch when Boromir whirled around and glared at him.

After several moments of intense silence, Pippin inadvertently broke the tense staring contest by exclaiming, "I didn't know we were playing Look Away!"

Merry glared at him, but didn't say what was obviously on his mind.

Sam was turning back from the group when Frodo put an arm around him, squeezing lightly, further relieving the tension in the glade with his cheery, "Sam'll be on my team, won't you, Sam?" The chubby gardener looked surprised.

"If you say so, Mister Frodo." He stood there, not entirely pleased as he hadn't intended to play at all.

"No fair!" Pippin and Merry's voices raised in simultaneous protest, "Sam's the best Dodge It player in the West Farthing!"

"There's no hope for it," continued Merry, turning to his young cousin, "Pippin and I will have to be on Strider's team." As Aragorn had never really played before it was rather a silly assumption that he might best the best player in the West Farthing, but nobody pointed this out. Rather, teams formed up quickly from that point.

Within ten minutes, Frodo's team consisted of Sam, Legolas, Boromir, Gandalf, and Elrohir, one of Arwen's brothers. The other team, led jointly by Merry and Pippin, had Aragorn, Gimli, Elladan, and a rather feisty young Dwarf named Bimli, a cousin who had accompanied Gimli to the Council of Elrond and had yet to return home. As both of his twin sons were in the game, albeit on opposite teams, Elrond sat between Arwen and Glorfindel. The rest of those present arranged themselves on either side of the area claimed for the playing field. From somewhere, assumed to be the knot of fascinated Elven children standing to one side, two balls were produced which belonged to the venerable old Bilbo Baggins. An almost easy camaraderie was starting, though the Elves and Dwarves seemed to have determined that this game would prove their own race's skill over the opposite race. Bilbo, familiar with the game, sat beside Erestor and claimed he would explain what was going on in case someone missed something interesting. He also had the job of claiming if anyone had broken the rules, thereby making the offender pay a penalty.

At last everyone was settled and the two teams faced each other over the Half-Line marked in the ground. The teams had colorful scarves, donated by some of the Elf women present, tied around their necks to mark their team: yellow for Frodo's team and lavender for Merry's. Thus, Bilbo stepped forward balancing the two heavy balls in his aged hands. "All right, lads, a nice clean game, shall we?" And with that, he tossed the balls straight up into the air and shuffled as quickly as he could from the field, narrowly missing being toppled as the teams rushed forward to gain possession of Bilbo's balls. Sam and Gandalf were the only ones to hang back from the main rush.

A loud cheer broke out from the Men and Dwarves, the Elves looking quite stunned at the rudely distracting noise. Arwen seemed to catch on first. She stood and started cheering and soon the others joined in, the last, hesitantly, being Lord Elrond.

On the field, the action was pretty heavy, right at the outset. Boromir had managed to get a hold of one ball while Gimli got the other. The Human decided merely to throw it at a random person in a lavender scarf, intent on simply scoring the other team out quickly. However, he missed when Pippin, his target, sensed its approach and threw himself to the ground, hard, the ball soaring over his head by a good foot. Gimli, however, was aiming gleefully at Legolas, spotting the blond Elf with the yellow scarf somewhere near Gandalf. He threw the ball but missed as Legolas danced out of the way with a triumphant glance at the shorter Dwarf. Elrohir was not so lucky and was hit by the stray ball in the stomach. A loud laugh erupted from young Bimli, though a random Elf in the crowd protested the strength used to throw the ball.

Bilbo ignored the minor protest, starting his commentary belatedly, as he'd been too absorbed to speak sooner. "Yes, we already have an out as Elrohir... or is it Elladan? Oh, bother, I can never tell. The twin in the yellow scarf is taken out by a well-placed ball from Gimli of the lavender team. Oh! What a nasty fall Meriadoc's had, tripping over Lord Boromir's stray ball, which, by the by, nearly took off young Peregrin's head. It was quite an impressive... Oh! Aragorn has gotten the ball and run towards the Half-Line, apparently aiming to take out Frodo. Looks like Frodo stumbled there... over Samwise's foot I'd say. What an embarrassing way to be saved, I must say. Elladan... or is it Elrohir... has got the... Botheration! Will you please? I cannot hear myself over that infernal chattering you seem to call poetry!"

The last was aimed at Erestor and Glorfindel shouting in unison, "Come on Yellow. Duck and Run! Come on, tag out Aragorn!" It was in fact a most pathetic verse, but served to encourage the yellow team none-the-less.

Due to the bizarre, badly rhymed poem, Bilbo missed seeing young Bimli stumble directly against Sam, over the Half-Line. Sam had a ball in his arms, and thus it was rather simple for the Hobbit to take out the Dwarf to the ecstatic cheering of Erestor and Glorfindel.

"What?! What'd I miss? Confound it all; I'm missing all the fun with those infernal cheers distracting me!" Bilbo tried to see just who had his balls at the moment: Aragorn and Boromir, who were both turning out to be excellent players of this child's game.

Despite the complaints, Arwen managed to get several of the female elves to stand up and cheer in an equally bad poem, "Throw that ball, and wipe that sneer, off the face, of Boromir!" Even Elrond had to groan at the poor rhyme, but the lavender team took heart and Pippin even threw a wink and a smile towards the cheering lasses.

Bilbo once more picked up the commentary. "Aragorn takes aim and gets Prince Legolas across the legs as that amazingly nimble lad tries to jump over the ball. Bit of misjudgment there, I'd say. And such a shame, too. I recall once... Oh!" His reminiscing was fortunately cut short as he noticed something happening on the field, which wasn't really a difficulty as the play was still hot there. "Samwise has picked up the ball, giving the yellow team the advantage of having both of the balls in their hands. Oh, this is such an exciting game! That team may have one player less, but with all of the firepower on their side, they have a heavy advantage. Oh!" He stood and cheered with everyone else, even the lavender supporters. It couldn't be helped. Both Sam and Boromir had thrown their balls at the same time, slamming Elladan from both sides. It was a truly harmonious play worthy of even Dwarven applause, despite being against their chosen team. This now left four players apiece on the field with two free balls for anyone to grab, rolling slowly across the ground. Boromir was first to lunge as a ball crossed the Half-Line back to yellow's side.

Suddenly, a cry of protest went up from the lavender supporters. It seemed two Elves had tried to join the game midway, choosing the yellow side to latch onto. This promised a good knockdown brawl until Elrond stood and signaled his erring fellows to leave the field. They did so regretfully, throwing glares over at Gimli, who once again had a ball in his powerful hands.

Taking aim, Boromir knew he had a clear shot at Aragorn, who appeared to be trying to convince Gimli to go for the Man rather than Samwise, which was his intended target. With a triumphant smile, the Man from Gondor released the ball. Unfortunately, his aim was off as Pippin and Merry hurled themselves over the Half-Line at him, taking him to the ground with a mighty "Oof!"

"Foul!" the cry went up from the yellow supporters. Legolas was the only one to see Gimli slip the ball behind his back to Aragorn, pretending to still have it. The Elf's protest of this obvious breaking of the rules by four members of the lavender team was drowned out by traded shouts from both sides.

Elrond stood and raised his arms. The Elves fell silent and, after a moment, Men and Dwarves, too, quieted. The game paused, though Boromir seemed more stunned or winded than obedient. Pippin straddled the man's pelvis and Merry had his face pressed into Boromir's shoulder and neck. Both were still struggling to keep the stronger man down. When they noted the lapse in sound, they looked up, Pippin wriggling around to glance at the Elf Lord.

"Let us not tackle one another. Keep safety in mind at all times, please." Elrond paused for a long moment then sat, letting Bilbo make the call as to whether the two hobbits would be disqualified or punished. Bilbo shook his head, allowing them to continue their play.

No one had noticed that during the break Gimli had snuck over to the second ball and picked it up, hiding it behind his back and looking smug. No one noticed, that is, except Gandalf on the yellow team. "So, they would cheat us, would they? We'll see about that," the wizard muttered softly under his breath, waving a hand.

Bilbo called out loudly, "Let the game commence!" He smiled and began his commentary once more, though consternation immediately made the smile fade. "Oh! Now how'd that happen? I could have sworn that ball was a free ball, with no one grabbing or handling it. How in the Four Farthings did Aragorn wind up with... Oh! Not good! Looks like Gandalf of the yellow team decided to take the ball back with some sort of spell. I can't believe he would try such a thing. Poor show, Gandalf!"

Gandalf had indeed cast a levitating retrieval spell, but Bilbo's words drew attention to his little trick and he was forced to apologize. Frodo helped Boromir to his feet, Sam assisting, as the other two Hobbits had finally gotten off of him to return to their own side of the Half-Line.

Legolas' voice suddenly joined Erestor and Glorfindel's. The poem was just as corny as it had been the first time, but by then no one seemed to care. "Come on, yellow. Duck and run! Come on, tag out Aragorn!" He had put arm moves and an odd kick into the cheer, something the others imitated immediately. The other side also adopted these new movements for their cheer, looking better since they were made up of a group of females.

Bilbo cheered as Frodo claimed a miss-thrown ball then cleared his throat and tried to appear neutral once more. "Frodo gets a ball, as does Peregrin. They eye each other, sizing each other up. Now, oh! Beautifully done!" He turned to Erestor beside him, excitedly, "And I thought those balls would hit each other, they passed so close!" He turned back, "A ball takes out Lord Boromir and... not again!"

Gandalf had once more attempted his spell, trying to get the loose ball Frodo had thrown wild. This obvious cheat brought on a new protest, but Bilbo claimed he could remain in the game if he left his magic out of it. Gandalf reluctantly agreed.

Now Merry had one ball while Gandalf picked up the other. They aimed and threw. Pippin had to slam back into the ground to avoid being tagged out by Gandalf's throw. Instead, Gimli got it in the chest. This raised a loud cheer and added butt-wiggle from Legolas' group of watchers. Pippin looked up from the mud to see a smug Gandalf get hit with Aragorn's return ball. The wizard's smile turned to instant shock and he stumbled from the field amid wild cheers and butt wiggling from Arwen and her female Elf group. This group also added a sort of hop-step to theirs, almost turning it into a simple dance in celebration of Aragorn's prowess for the lavender team. All that remained on the field were Strider and the four Hobbits.

"Give up, Frodo! You can't win, you know! Even with Sam on your side, you'll be defeated! Admit it; we're better than you!" Merry jeered, though it was doubtful his confidence was well placed. Sam had both balls in his hands, a slow smile spreading over his gentle features.

With a loud yell, the normally quiet Hobbit hurled his balls at the stunned ranger on the other side of the Half-Line. A shocked groan choked out of Arwen's squad as Aragorn ducked one ball but was slammed into by the other one. He pulled himself up from the field, frowning. Legolas yelled and did a jump-wiggle, which almost ended in a split, in celebration.

"Yes, Sam! You did it!" Frodo patted his servant excitedly, missing his lower back and feeling his hand slide down over the generous buttock of his one remaining teammate. Sam gasped as Frodo patted him once more for good measure then dropped his hand.

Merry frowned, jaw jutting out, as he retrieved a ball and eyed his formidable opponents. Pippin gulped. "Pick up the ball, Pippin! We can still win!" The younger Hobbit nodded but didn't feel as confident. After all, Sam's Dodge It record was near legendary in the Shire... or at least among those who'd played against the simple gardener.

"Down to two a side; what a game it has been. Filled with action, such skill, I look forward to seeing just who comes out the victor. Our Samwise Gamgee of the yellow team is an imposing foe, with a record of no losses to his credit. His playing style seems to be to let everyone else knock themselves out then come in at the end with his strong arm and win the day. His teammate Frodo Baggins, my nephew I might add, has a less perfect record with his notoriously wild shots. But, he is considered fair at the game. What he lacks in skill, he makes up in sheer inventiveness." Bilbo's comments rang out while the Hobbits stood, merely eyeing each other, Merry and Pippin still in possession of the balls.

"On the other side we have Meriadoc Brandybuck. He has youth, energy, and tenacity on his side. Determination can be seen in every breath as he sizes up his opponents for this final, all-important play of the game. His partner, young Peregrin Took, is... uh..." Bilbo struggled to find something good to say about the youngest Hobbit and finally ended lamely with, "Is a real team player." It was laughably obvious just where his preference lie for teams.

Suddenly, the balls flew through the air. Pip's headed unfortunately wide, missing the yellow duo by several meters. In fact, someone had to go retrieve the ball so it could be put back in play. Frodo wound up with it. Merry's ball also missed and hit the ground hard at an odd angle. That angle sent it rebounding back over the Half-Line and knocking into Pip, sending him crashing to his butt. To the heartily shocked protest of Arwen's cheering squad and the other lavender supporters, Pippin was declared tug out by his own teammate. Merry was now alone with one ball and no allies. The yellow squad did their little cheering butt-dance for Merry, egging him with their applause for his efforts against his own side. Merry frowned.

Again, silence seemed to fall as both sides sized each other up. Even the butt wiggling, cheering Elf squads ceased their bad poetry calling. Not a single sound was heard above the rasping breathing of the three players on the field. The crowd held its collective breath, knowing that all it needed was Merry being hit out and the yellow team would win. In fact, even if Frodo were struck, with Sam still in the game, there would be no worry. But if, by some odd chance, Merry and Sam were left in the game, then whoever's ball hit last would be the winning ball. Truly it took aim and timing to win such a standoff.

The balls were released. Frodo's headed directly towards Merry and Merry's directly towards his young cousin, Frodo.

Then it happened: the balls hit simultaneously, Merry being knocked to his knees with the force. Frodo was hit so hard he was sent reeling, the ball bouncing off of him and hurtling towards Sam, about to tag him out. There was no way Sam could duck that incoming missile, panting as he was for breath after such a heavy game. A gasp went up, then wild cheers and Elven butt wiggling ensued with a vengeance. Bilbo was too surprised by the end results to even make a last official, or unofficial, comment. Hugs and sullen congratulations rang out through the glade as the fellowship's first official game together came to a close, with the yellow team cheering loudest.

Sam had caught the ball.