school assignment - Merry & Pippin fic!

[silentdescant]

One of my school assignments was to write a short scene about Merry and Pippin if they had gone back to the Shire instead of accompanying Frodo and the Fellowship on their journey. Is that not the coolest assignment in the world? :D So, here it is. It was harder than I thought, actually, because I've only ever written Real Person fics before. Oh, and I made up the song myself, using a couple sites for help with the rhyming. (the sites are here and here) One more thing: this is NOT slash, but I did hide one (intentional) reference to Merry/Pippin slash. *g*

“I don’t understand why we have to go back to the Shire,” Pippin grumbled, treading a few steps behind Merry. He hiked his pack up farther on his back. “How far are we? I’m hungry. It’s past noon; we should stop and eat.”

 

“We’ll stop when we get to a clearing. I’m sure there will be one shortly,” Merry called over his shoulder. “We have to stay out of sight of the road, though.”

 

They marched on for a few more minutes. Merry finally sighed and dropped his pack to the ground. The forest was thick, and while the many trees shielded them from the road, it also meant that the empty ground space was small. Merry shrugged his shoulders at Pippin and sat down next to his pack, his back against a tree.

 

“I’ll start a fire,” said Pippin happily, turning to gather some small sticks. Merry nodded started unpacking their lunch.

 

“We should be approaching Buckland by tomorrow afternoon,” Merry said thoughtfully. “What are we going to tell people?”

 

“We should tell them about the Riders, don’t you think, Merry?”

 

“Yes, but how much should we say? Lord Elrond implied that the mission was to be kept secret. Should we talk of the Ring, tell people of its evil?”

 

“Well, we really don’t know much of the story. We weren’t invited to the council, and Frodo wouldn’t tell us the details of what went on.” Pippin shrugged and went back to his meal.

 

“I think we should at least tell everyone that Frodo and Sam are on some kind of a quest. It would explain their continued absence.”

 

“I still don’t understand why Sam was chosen to accompany Frodo!” Pippin suddenly cried. “We’re his friends too; we should have gone with him!”

 

“Our job is important, Pippin. We must warn everyone of the coming danger! I’m frightened that other enemies besides the Black Riders will try to seize the Shire. We have a chance to show Lord Elrond and Gandalf that hobbits can be useful to them,” Merry reasoned. “And I must tell you, Pippin, I agree with them in the fact that you are to young to go on such a dangerous journey.”

 

“But our mission is dangerous also, you said so yourself. We must stay away from the road and travel in secret.”

 

“It is dangerous. But nothing we can’t handle, I think.” Merry grinned. “And think, Pippin: once we’re home in the Shire, we will be heroes! We have a chance to save the Shire. We can’t let the Fellowship down.”

 

“I suppose you’re right, Merry. But I can’t help thinking that Lord Elrond didn’t listen to reason when he sent us away.” Pippin poked at the fire with a stick, sending sparks into the air. “I think Frodo would have been comforted by our presence. Just think of how he is probably feeling now, wherever he is. Poor Frodo is surrounded by strange people that he’s never met before with only Sam to lift his spirits.”

 

“It will be a hard journey for him, but Sam will lighten his mood, I think. He’s very loyal.”

 

“Are we as loyal to Frodo as Sam is?” Pippin asked suddenly, catching Merry’s gaze.

 

“We’re doing what we must, Pippin. These are dark times. Everyone must play their part, however small or insignificant it may seem. The Fellowship—Frodo—needs us to warn the people at Bree and in the Shire. It’s an honorable mission; we cannot fail.”

 

“And so we won’t, Merry. Come, let us be off again!” Pippin pushed some dirt over their fire to extinguish it. Merry stood up, then reached down to help Pippin to his feet.

 

“A song for our walk, don’t you think? Start one off for us, Pip.” They hoisted their packs and began walking again.

 

“Here’s a song of my own making,” Pippin prefaced, falling into step behind his friend. He then started singing, though quietly to keep their whereabouts hidden.

 

“The ever-winding road,

may see us through one day,

to the happiest of homes,

and a bed in which to lay.

 

The ever-beaten path,

though hard beneath our feet,

will take us on our journey,

to meals, so often sweet.

 

The trail we follow now,

will lead us far away,

from all we’ve ever known,

and all we’ll ever say.

 

So when the footfalls end,

and we’re snug inside our bed,

we’ll think about our journey

and follow where we’re led.”

 

fin.