Author: Sam

Story: The Games We Play: 4 of 15

Series: n/a

Note: 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

It was raining. A couple of good, sunny days had passed, but autumn was certainly blowing in evidence that morning. Leaves were whipping in the trees and the numerous waterfalls were almost roaring as they swelled with the downpour.

With a sigh, Frodo turned from the balcony. He was bored and worried. Wanting distraction from his current and future problems, the Ring Bearer had hoped to convince Pippin to get another Hobbit game going on. However, with the lack of a large running field, there weren't any games Frodo could play... at least none he could recall. It wasn't just a large area he wanted, either. He longed for a distracting crowd to take his mind off of the coming Quest.

Another sigh escaped the young brunette, but before he could give into the threatening melancholy, Sam's voice broke through. "What's wrong, Mister Frodo? You sound that sad, Sir." The chubby Hobbit had a concerned look on his friendly face, his green-gray eyes fairly radiating his need to help his master.

"I'm... bored."

Sam's concern made Frodo's response sound a bit childish, but he didn't try to explain further. Surprisingly enough, as often happened with Sam, the younger Hobbit didn't seem to need an explanation. He nodded knowingly and slid his hands into worn pockets. "The rain, Sir... it makes many a Hobbit depressed when he'd rather be out in the sunshine and grass. Even in this Elf place it's dreary."

"Exactly, Sam." Frodo nodded in relief, "and I had hoped for another game of Pippin's to pass the time." He tried a smile for Sam, and was relieved when he could feel it forming. Sam's answering smile made it seem a little brighter suddenly, though his words belied that.

"That scamp would soon as get you run back into bed, Mister Frodo. You've only just got up a few days ago, and he's had you running from Bree to back without a nay-say in the bargain. What you need is a good sit-down game to keep you still, but keep your mind working." Sam nodded, then wracked his brains for some sort of entertainment that matched his requirements. Unfortunately, Sam was unfamiliar with many games, having had little free time to indulge, as he was a working Hobbit.

A voice from the doorway came to the rescue.

"The Old Hobbit's Cat!" Two Hobbits seemed to tumble in as the door swung wide on well-kept hinges. They were seemingly as different as night and day, the aforementioned Pippin being dark and slim and very youthful, while Cousin Merry was on the pudgy side, with a head of tousled blond curls and a more mature, worldly air about him. Their personalities matched their appearances, as well, Pip's being naïve and playful while Merry was intelligent... though just as much up for a good prank.

Landing pretty much at Frodo's bare feet, Merry grinned up at his cousin, Pip's head caught under his arm in a grappling move. Apparently they'd been romping in the hall and had determined to involve Frodo in the fun... or so it seemed to Frodo. However, the oldest of the four friends didn't mind the intrusion one bit. He started laughing and reached down to untangle his youngest cousin, Pippin, before the other brunette could lose his breath from the hold he was in.

As Frodo stopped, he suddenly stopped, a thought coming to him. "The Old Hobbit's Cat? Why didn't I remember that before? What a marvelous idea... Merry." It could easily have been Pip who'd suggested it, as in their breathless tussle, the voice had been unrecognizable, but Frodo was willing to bet it was his more intelligent cousin who'd thought of such an intellectual, calm game.

Merry nodded with a grin, confirming his cousin's suspicions. "Of course. It's perfect for the great Dining Hall, too. Lots of room for people to gather in a circle there. And with the rain, those Elves'll be wanting fun, won't they?" He finally consented to let Pip go, and the younger Hobbit collapsed, laughing and gasping for breath.

Looking up, laughter dancing in his merry blue eyes, Peregrin Took clapped his hands. "I've only played that game at parties. I always lose it, too." He didn't sound unhappy at the prospect however. "I bet we can get Boromir to play."

"Right, Pip. Let's go, then." And without further consultation, or even waiting for confirmation that they would indeed be playing, the two younger Hobbits sprang from the floor and ran from the bedroom, making a draft of cool air fly back to brush at the remaining duo's clothing. They looked at each other and both let their breath out. Merry and Pippin could have that effect at times.

Racing down the hall, as if some silent competition had been called, the two young Hobbits hurried for the Weapons Room. Both knew that Boromir and Gimli would be in there on such a gloomy day, as that room seemed to draw the two warriors. There seemed, also, to be some unspoken agreement that the first to get Boromir's agreement in the game would somehow win the impromptu race.

A figure stepping into the hall at that precise moment put an end to the race, and nearly the entire game plan.

Merry managed to just dodge out of the way of the gray colored figure, but Pippin, head down in his efforts, barreled right into the Wizard Gandalf. He yelped as both went tumbling to the ground, the elderly Wizard grunting in surprise and the landing. The blond Hobbit skidded to a halt, slamming into a wall by preference to the Wizard. At least he'd hurt no one, even himself. Pippin hadn't been so lucky.

"Peregrin Took! What do you think you are doing? This is a hallway, not a pony course, and you'd do well to recall that people use it to traverse at normal speeds." Gandalf pushed himself to a sitting position, checking his thin body for signs of injury, patting hands over robe and head. With a start of surprise, he noted his hat was missing.

Pippin stood and offered the battered pointed hat to the old Wizard. "I'm that sorry, Gandalf. I didn't know you'd leave your room then, or I'd have dodged left, like Merry."

Harumphing, Gandalf stood and snatched his hat away, slamming it onto his head with a glare for the foolish youngster. "Dodge left... humph!" With a final brush at his dirt-stained robes, he turned his glare on the other Hobbit.

A wide grin was quickly hidden behind a mask of concern as Merry offered a belated helping hand. He looked past Gandalf towards the next hall, hoping to get away quickly so he might still talk to Boromir. Unfortunately, his inattention was very much in evidence, and Gandalf pounced on it as a sign of mischief, which it often was.

"And where do you think you're off to, Meriadoc Brandybuck? Trouble, no doubt, and that would merit serious work to put you in mind of how next to traverse Elven halls."

Merry's head shot around and his gray eyes widened in horror. "Not trouble!"

This was echoed by a desperate Pippin. If Gandalf wanted to assign them tasks to prevent mischief, there'd be no games. "We're not causing trouble, Gandalf, Sir. We wanted to let Boromir know there's another game to play."

Stifling a groan, Merry glared at his young cousin. Games weren't exactly a responsible alternative or a good reason for running. He shoved his hands in his pockets, none-the-less, and backed his cousin up, as ever. "Yes, a nice, intellectual game with sitting down, not running around."

Gandalf seemed less hostile, intrigue lighting his pale blue eyes. "Oh? Intellectual with no running at all?" He waited to see if either Hobbit would back-pedal at his tone of awe. Neither did, to his surprise.

"Yes, Gandalf... we're going to play The Old Hobbit's Cat, because Frodo wanted a sit-down game. Sam's to play, too, and we're going to get Boromir... and Gimli," Pip threw in for good measure, counting on the Dwarf to be with Boromir in the Weapons Room; it made it sound more official if they had more players.

The Wizard nodded. "Well..." he scratched at his long beak of a nose and looked thoughtfully over the pair of troublemakers. Drawing out the moment, watching them begin to squirm, Gandalf finally smiled a bit and nodded. "I'll play then... if you can get the rest of our Fellowship to join this game, too. I shall even see if Elrond will let us use the Dining Hall, as that game requires a good number of people."

As the two Hobbits nodded relief almost comically evident now, the Wizard turned and started walking towards Elrond's chambers. He could resist the chuckle that escaped him, as he often found Pippin and Merry quite amusing... especially when trouble wasn't involved.

Merry and Pip looked at one another and, as one, sighed. "Well, that was close," commented Pippin ingeniously.

The blond laughed, rolling his eyes. "Close? This means we have to get Strider to play. That'll be harder than convincing Gandalf we're telling the truth."

"But, Merry, we were telling the truth."

Glancing over his shoulder at his young cousin, Merry started moving down the hallway, noting the brunette was following. "Of course we were telling the truth, Pip, but Gandalf doesn't often hear us telling truths, so it's be hard for him to recognize it, wouldn't it?" Confusion dawned in the young Took's eyes, and Merry took that as a sign to just let it go.

The pair rounded the corner towards the main rooms of Elrond's great house. This hall was wider and traffic a bit heavier since all errands had to be run inside or risk the rain. Dodging skillfully among Elves, the Hobbits made their way into the Weapons room, where they were brought up short.

It was empty.

"Now what'll we do, Merry? Gandalf expects us to get the others."

Merry thoughtfully nodded, pretty much ignoring his cousin's question. He glanced around the room, searching his mind for some idea as to where the members of the Fellowship might be holding up. It was some minutes before he hit upon an idea, and suddenly became aware that Pippin had been talking the entire time. He turned and grinned at his cousin, slapping him playfully on the back. "Never fear, Pip, I've thought where Legolas might be."

With a nod, Pippin gladly dropped his attempts at location suggestions and trotted obediently after his cousin, letting him take the lead, as always. After all, the two were rarely apart, and with Merry being the smarter, more inventive, Pip naturally fell into the role of follower... which he minded not in the least. He noted, with interest, that they headed into the Dining Hall.

The blond Hobbit grinned in delight as he noticed that Gandalf had already arranged, or had arranged, the room. A very large circle of chairs was set up, the tables pushed back out of the way. Already several interested Elves were either sitting in the circle, or hovering nearby. Among those to have gyrated to the center of activity was the Prince of Mirkwood, Legolas Greenleaf himself. Merry had been right that the Elf would center in on the commotion and check into it.

"Oh, look, Merry. There's Legolas."

"Of course, Pip. I knew he'd be here." Merry gave his cousin a saucy grin and trotted over towards the Elf, almost counting to himself as he walked. As if on a cue, by the count of twelve, a large voice boomed across the dining room, confirming another of Merry's suspicions: Where Legolas wandered, Gimli the Dwarf was sure to follow, if only not to be left out of any excitement.

"What's this I here of a contest? We Dwarves are notoriously good at contests." Following his large voice came the squat form of the warrior Dwarf, conspicuous in his clothing, armor and axe missing.

Rolling blue-brown eyes, Legolas the Elf turned his back towards Gimli and muttered, "Only if the contests involve stench and getting caught." It was fortunate that only those closest could hear, as such a remark could have set off a very hostile encounter.

Pippin turned his course to meet that of Gimli's, grinning widely in his enthusiasm for their scheme. "We're to play The Old Hobbit's Cat, Gimli. It's a lovely, fun game where we..."

The Hobbit was cut off by Gandalf's voice. "Contain yourself, Peregrin. The rules will wait until all are assembled. Have you located the other two?"

"Uh..."

"Here I am." Boromir's strong voice brought relief to Pip's face. He, too, had heard of the game and came in to find out what this new start from the Hobbits would be like. After all, he'd yet to win one of their games, but they hadn't been dull in the least, passing the time until Elrond determined the Quest might start.

Frodo, Sam, and Aragorn entered at that point, the elder Hobbits having gone to fetch him from one of the reading rooms. More excitement rang through the room as Elrond and his three children entered, followed slowly by the eldest Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins. At last the company was set.

Frail voice matching frailer body, Bilbo slid gingerly onto a low, cushioned chair specially set up for him. "Are we having a game, then?" The rain made his joints ache abominably and he didn't think he would manage anything more than enjoying the scene. He didn't seem too bothered that his chair was actually located outside of the circle, rather than with the group.

Elrond sat next to Bilbo and nodded at his guest. In his calming, deep voice he affirmed, "I understand Frodo has requested entertainment."

The comment made Frodo flush, as it sounded to him as if he was making demands. But no on else seemed bothered by the information, and the brunette slid into a chair, starting to relax. Sam made certain his was situated before joining his master in the circle. Frodo nodded his thanks. "I thought the rain was a bit... dreary, and hoped a game might cheer things up, Uncle Bilbo."

"Ah..." Bilbo nodded wisely, but refrained from further comment as the rain had made him drowsy. He took that opportunity to nod off a bit.

Aragorn sat on Frodo's other side, and the others who wished to participate took chairs as well. The ranger noted that every member of the Fellowship, as well as Elrond's three offspring, had joined the game. He turned interested eyes to Frodo, whom he noticed was slightly flustered by the sudden attention... just as he had been during the first game together.

"Well..." Frodo cleared his throat and nodded, trying again. "Well, we're going to be playing The Old Hobbit's Cat. Everyone's to clap in rhythm together, so no one falls out of beat. As we clap, we have to recite to the beat. If someone falls out of beat, he's out of the game. It goes until there is only one left." Relieved to have that over, the Hobbit sat back, ready to enjoy the game.

Gandalf cleared his throat, smiling in gentle amusement. "Very easy to follow rules, I'd say. However, this is one thing which concerns me, Frodo Baggins." Said Hobbit looked up, confused. "What is it we are to recite in beat, pray tell? You have managed to leave that bit out."

Frodo's face flamed brightly.

Sam took over, however, coming to his master's supposed rescue without a thought. "Oh, we recite 'The old hobbit's cat is a...' well, you put in a word there, see, then finish with 'cat'. And the word has to be starting with whatever letter we're on at the time. And you can't go using someone else's word, neither, Sir."

"I see." Gandalf nodded. "So, it truly is an intellectual game, is it not? And I suppose we start with A and continue with A until someone breaks rhythm? Then we go onto B, hmm?"

Sam nodded, smiling. The rest of the group murmured, but none dropped out of the game. Gimli looked quite pleased convinced that any game, which had a steady beat, was no problem. Dwarves, in his opinion were great at holding a beat. Legolas, on the other hand, was convinced that he could easily out last the Dwarf, as vocabulary didn't seem high on Gimli's list of priorities. Of Boromir's and Aragorn's opinions, there was no evidence. Both remained neutral in expression, merely waiting for the game to begin.

With a snort, Bilbo awoke, distracting everyone just as they had prepared to start their clapping. He looked around, watery gray eyes confused. After harumphing and coughing, the elderly Hobbit shifted into a more comfortable position and asked, "Weren't we going to play a game? Might I suggest The Old Hobbit's Cat? It's frightfully fun and people do get so very angry when they lose... really amusing to watch." And, he wouldn't be required to play, either, which pleased him no end.

Bilbo couldn't understand why everyone laughed, the sound cheerful, not mean.

Then the Hobbit's were clapping steadily, and everyone else started picking up on the simple beat. In fact, it was a beat that almost any child learned, beat and beat and beat and... so on. Then, as he had wanted the game, Frodo took charge and started.

"The old hobbit's cat is an angry cat."

"The old hobbit's cat is an apricot cat," added Sam, and on it went.

As far as games went, the watching was certainly amusing, as person after person missed the beat, trying to think up a word that hadn't been used, and getting annoyed when someone before them used the word before it became his or her turn once more. Playing was fun, too, but did require a good working knowledge of vocabulary, as Legolas suspected.

Pippin lasted until D, in which he was called out, not for losing the beat, but for using the noun Dog as an adjective. As Merry pointed out, there are Wolf Spiders and Dogfish, but no Dog-cats. Thus, the youngest Hobbit was out. Merry lost on E, as he was sixth in line and could think of nothing other than Evil, which Boromir had used, and Energetic, which the Elf next to him had utilized.

Rather than sit still and listen to the vast amount of words being thrown back and forth, despite it perhaps being helpful in future games, Pip jumped up from his chair and started circling round the outside of the ring. He was grinning and mouthing something, but as he was not interrupting nor distracting, no one stopped him. As he passed Merry, however, the other Hobbit distinctly thought he heard Pippin mummer "Duck... duck... duck..." Merry watched him through narrowed eyes.

Boromir was delighted when Aragorn struck out with the letter K. Arwen had gotten Kitty Cat, and that had thrown the ranger off beat as he tried to get the childish term from his mind. The Man from Gondor however also was struck out on K, as he couldn't think of another word when it was his turn, klutzy and kinky having been taken, among others. Gimli smugly watched as Legolas stumbled over Q, privately thankful it hadn't gotten to his turn, as he'd have been out, as well. U, unfortunately, stumped the Dwarf, but he determined to brag about how much longer he'd stayed in the game than his rival had.

Thus, among those remaining, Sam, Frodo, Gandalf, Arwen, and one of Elrond's twin sons remained, along with a handful of Elves and one other Dwarf. The Dwarf was out on i>V, however, and Elves lost the last four letters. Without missing a beat, Sam started over with A, words having been previously used now included once more. He was out with C, though... having missed the fact that someone else used in this round.

Merry turned from the game, frowning as he was certain Pip had said "Duck" in passing. He waited, barely noticing when Arwen was called out for using a C word on K, and when Frodo stumbled trying to get out Malevolent on his turn with M. As Pip made his tenth round, Merry strained to hear. Pippin passed and softly said "Duck... duck... duck..." What in Middle-Earth was that Took up to?

A cheer went up as Gandalf stood and bowed. All attention shot towards the Wizard, including a rudely awakened Bilbo. Apparently, he won by using Quintessential on his turn, and Glorfindel had been stumped. Gandalf was last in the game, and thus called the winner. The applause and congratulations, however, were interrupted as Pippin raised his voice now he wouldn't disturb the game.

"Duck... duck... duck..." He actually reach out and tapped people on the back as he circled. Most of the company fell silent in confusion, watching this odd behavior. It was only a few seconds before chaos reigned, as Merry came to Frodo and slapped him upside the back of the head, yelling "Goose!" at the top of his lungs. He took off running around the circle.

The other brunette took only a moment to assimilate what had occurred, before a wide grin split his face and he jumped from his chair, running after the madly laughing Took. He actually managed to grab him, too, just a few paces away from their chairs.

Other people were catching on to the impromptu game; now, having seen versions of it played by children everywhere. They stood most willing to remain in this new game, moving their chairs out of the way so no one stumbled as they rose. Then, the group of Elves, and others, sat on the floor, ready to begin a slightly more active, indoor game.

Pippin, having been caught by Frodo, had to sit in the middle of the circle... or the Fox's Cooking Pot. If someone could make it all the way around the circle to the empty Goose's Chair, then the Cooking Pot was set free. If not, each subsequent runner that was caught by the Goose would be placed in the Pot. It was one of those never-ending games used to entertain children when there was a lot of indoor room to be utilized.

Frodo started walking around the circle, now, calling loudly "Duck... duck..." as he went and tapping on shoulders as he passed. The Dwarf and Hobbits were at a disadvantage due to their shorter legs, but it would be frightfully boring if none of the taller folk got to be Goose, thus, Frodo determined that he'd most likely wind up in the Pot as he searched out someone to chase him. With a sudden grin, he homed in on whom he thought would be perfect.

With a sudden loud "Goose" Frodo was off and running, Arwen sitting in stunned silence as it sunk in that she had been picked. Scrambling ungracefully to her feet, tangling in her skirts, the Elf woman had to put on extra speed to try to catch up, knowing she'd been picked because Frodo had foreseen the difficulty her clothing would cause. She caught him none-the-less, and everyone laughed as the panting Hobbit made his way into the center to sit with his cousin.

Arwen smiled triumphantly around the group. Still grinning, she bent over to grasp the hem of her long skirts. Straightening, the Elf tucked the ends up into her waistline, making it easier to run, despite showing off a fair amount of shapely leg. No one was crude enough to catcall, and Elrond's daughter started on her circle, tapping people on their shoulder as she moved around the group.

When she named one of her brothers as Goose, a laugh echoed as he tripped over his own feet getting up. He didn't catch his sister, and the Pot was set free with much wild cheering from the two Hobbits. With a sigh, the Elf man shook his head and made his rounds, ending on Legolas. At least he made a graceful showing, but was heartily embarrassed when he was captured by his Goose, Merry. Sitting in the Pot, Legolas deliberately did not look towards the Dwarf, as he knew that smugness would be written all over the other male's face.

By the end of the day, another game of The Old Hobbit's Cat was played, with Gandalf again the winner, again using Quintessential as his word. Another game of Duck, Duck, Goose followed that, as well. Then, it was time to set the Hall back in order, as dinner supper would soon be served. People chatted and laughed among themselves, having passed a surprisingly pleasant rainy day after all. In fact, all four young Hobbits were surprised that they had been having so much fun, they'd forgotten elevensies, lunch, tea, and the other in-between meals of the regular Hobbit day.

Frodo, most of all, was pleased as he slid another chair into place at one of the long tables. He had successfully been distracted all day long. Not once had he thought of the Ring or the Quest... or even Bag End. He nodded and hurried to help Sam with another chair. Yes, a rainy autumn day had turned into a ray of sunshine and fun with the Fellowship.

He wondered what tomorrow would bring.