Merry jumped from one foot to the other, more in impatience than cold, although it was a frigid February morning. His mum and da had told him they were going to the Smials that day, and he was to meet his new baby cousin. Pippin was the first lad-baby to be born to the Tooks, and Merry couldn’t wait to meet him, which was why he was dancing about with an incredible amout of anxiety for an 8-year-old.

Finally, finally, the carriage was loaded up, and he and his mum situated; Saradoc would be riding his best pony nearby. Merry was a little glad of that; his da could be very gruff, and now he could ask his Mum all the questions he wanted to.

“Mum, what if Pippin doesn’t like me?” Merry twisted his cloak in his hands a little, voicing a fear that had just come to him the night before.

His mother smiled a little, and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close. “Oh, sweetheart, Pippin’s just a baby still! He couldn’t truly like or dislike anyone, and besides, why wouldn’t he like you? You’re his own dear cousin, Merry. Just love him, and I’m certain he’ll adore you back.”

“Oh.” Merry pondered this for awhile. “Why did we wait so long to visit him? We were there three days after ‘Vinca was born!” Merry made a face at that; he and his cousin did not always get along, usually having to be separated by the end of the day.

“Well, Merry,” his mother paused and cleared her throat a little, “Well, you see, when Pippin was born, both he and Aunt LaLa were very sick. You remember making her a picture, right?” At Merry’s nod, she continued. “Well, Pippin was very sick for quite awhile, and needed to just stay quietly at home with his mum and da and sisters, but now he’s much better, and we can go visit him.”

Merry took this in with great seriousness. “I’ll help take care of him, Mum,” he said, looking up gravely, “For always, I’ll help. For we are to be great friends, and I want him to be here forever.”

Merry’s mother surprised him then, by scooping him up and holding him close. He squirmed a little, but stayed there; he liked it when his mum cuddled him close, even if he was a big 8-year-old lad now, who had a new cousin to take care of.

“I know you will, sweetheart,” Esme whispered in his ear, “I believe you shall always be great friends, and he will grow up strong. Maybe he can take care of you, sometimes,” she teased, tickling a little. Merry giggled and squirmed, but lay his head on his mother’s shoulder.

“Tell me a story, Mum?” And she did, telling the story of the meekins who were sometimes helpful, sometimes mischeivous, and always very hard to see. Eventually, her soft voice lulled Merry to sleep, and he napped the remainder of the ride away.

Merry was still rubbing the sleep out of his eyes when they got to the Smials, greeted by Pearl at the front door. Once kisses and hugs had been exchanged, and heavy cloaks spirited away, the Brandybucks were met by Eglantine and the new babe in the best front parlor.

Merry hung back a little shyly in the doorway as his Mum and Da took turns holding the new baby, and cooing over him in what Merry regarded as an utterly silly way. It was Aunt LaLa who invited him to come closer, after his Da and Uncle Paddin had gone off to talk about whatever it is Da’s talk about on their own.

Merry came close, shy and nearly dying of curiosity at the same time. His Mum pulled him up onto the tall sofa, setting him between her and Aunt LaLa. Merry peered over his aunt’s shoulder as she held up the wrapped bundle, and couldn’t stop from smiling hugely when his cousin came into view. Fine, reddish-brown hair was already curling in wisps on top of the babe’s head, and Merry found himself stared at quite seriously by huge, lovely green eyes. The baby had properly chubby cheeks, but a sharp nose and slightly tilted eyes that promised finely-drawn Took features someday.

“Hello,” Merry said softly, and Pippin smiled, wide and toothless. Merry couldn’t help but laugh with the joy if it--his lad cousin, his new best friend, had smiled at him!

“Hello,” he said, “I’m your cousin, Merry. We shall grow up to be best friends, you know.”

The baby yawned a little, and then stuck his tongue out at Merry, making spitty little raspberry noises.

“Oi!” Merry laughed, “What did I ever do to you?” And then he stuck his tongue back out at the baby, and crossed his eyes, making Pippin (and his mum and aunt) laugh.

“Would you like to hold Pippin, Merry-lad?” Merry mother asked with a sweet smile.

“Oh! Yes, I would like to very much, please.” Merry turned to his aunt and smiled his most charming smile. Eglantine made a mental note to watch out for that look in the future, but agreed readily.

Merry settled back on the sofa, and held his arms out for the little blue bundle. He felt a thrill as the warm baby, so light still at a whole six months old, settled in his arms.

Pippin smiled up at him happily, crying out “Ga! Ga!” before shoving his fist in his tiny rosebud mouth.

Merry smiled right back, instantly in love. He brushed one finger gently over Pippin’s cheek, marvelling at the soft baby skin. His cousin had delicate eyebrows, and the finest, nearly-invisible eyelashes Merry had ever seen. The one hand visible (that now emerged from Pippin’s mouth to grasp at Merry’s finger) had five perfect, itty-bitty fingers, and each finger was tipped with the tiniest of nails.

“Oh, Pippin,” Merry sighed happily, “We’re going to have such adventures together. I love you, and I’ll always take care of you, I promise, because you’re my own lad-cousin, and I’m so glad you’re here.”

Pippin smiled at the little speech, and nuzzled his head into Merry’s chest, which set Merry to laughing. “Pip! I’m not your mum, and you know it. Stop being silly!” And he folded the blankets aside, tickling Pippin’s round belly until the baby shrieked with laughter.

Esme and Eglantine exhanged a smile over the enraptured child’s head, both certain they had just witnessed a very rare, very complete bonding.

Merry continued to play with his cousin, blissfully unaware of anything or anyone outside of the two of them.

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