365

mar.26.22

Rain pelted the ground, making mud instantly on contact; it had snowed in the morning, roughly after second breakfast, and didn't turn to rain until well into afternoon tea. It was strange, seeing the sudden downpour in precipitation, after the day yesterday was warm and splendid, with blue skies and chirping birds.

Pippin and Merry were supposedly on their way, Frodo had said, and Samwise just wanted to wait out the rain before he joined them. Lullaby sat outside beside the door, undercover from the rain. It was slowly ebbing, becoming a slow drizzle.

Frodo was worrying around her, making sure everything wad alright; she assured him she would be fine, and wanted to go outside for some fresh air. Frodo let her go alone, much to his chagrin, and said he'd prepare dinner and supper, with Bilbo's help.

Sitting on cobblestone beside a patch of lupins, Lullaby watched the Shire in the weather. She'd brought a blanket and a book with her, and Frodo had brought her a tea a while ago. She sipped it now, it being cold. She didn't mind; the spiced apple flavor was still soothing.

Trudging up the walk were two cloaked figures; they were laughing at the mud under their bare feet, and they each held pipes, gently smoking long curved pipes. One held a basket dangling from his arm, a red cloth covering the contents.

They opened the Baggins' gate, walking up the rain-soaked steps. They paused a bit at seeing Lullaby sitting on the stone.

"Hello there," said the one in the navy blue cloak. "What might you be?" His tone was polite and inquisitive.

Lullaby smiled at him. "I'm a human, I'm Lullaby," she answered. "I'm staying with Bilbo and Frodo for a little while."

"Where'd you come from?" the other asked, dresses in a dark green cloak. He carried the basket.

"It's a long story, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to hear about that." She gathered her book and blanket and now-empty teacup, and stood up. "Are you Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took?" she asked, remembering Frodo when he said other hobbits would be coming over for supper and dinner.

They both chuckled at her words. "Professionally, yes, that's us," said the hobbit in the blue cloak. "But you can call me Pippin."

"And me Merry," said the hobbit in the green cloak. He held his hand out. "Pleasure to meet you, Lullaby."

She returned the gesture, shaking his hand. "Likewise."

"Are Frodo and Bilbo inside?" Pippin asked.

Lullaby nodded. "Yes, they are. Here, come in."

She opened the door, and all three stepped inside. From the kitchen, Frodo called, "Lullaby? Is that you?"

As she went to speak, she stopped; she exhaled, then began again. "Yes, and I have Merry and Pippin with me."

As the two hobbits wiped their feet, Frodo appeared in the entryway. His eyes widened in surprise. "Were they polite?"

"You have no trust in us," Pippin said, offended.

Lullaby chuckled. "Yes, Frodo; they're very quite welcoming."

"See?" Merry said. "We're welcoming."

Frodo chuckled and shook his head. "Tea's on, if you're interested. Supper's almost ready."

"Just in time," Pippin commented. Both him and Merry hung up their cloaks. They each looped their arms through Lullaby's, all three following Frodo to the dining room. "You're obviously joining us, right?"

"Yes! We'd like to get to know you, being as we've never met you before," Merry added.

Lullaby couldn't help but laugh. "Sure, if you'd like."

As they gathered in the dining room, Bilbo welcomed them in with warm tea. Merry set his basket on the table, revealing it to be full of pastries. Conversation began, happy and warm, adding to the atmosphere.

Lullaby exhaled; the warmth reminded her a bit of the dwarfs when she'd first met them. Merry and Pippin made her think of Fili and Kili, of their childish and goofy behavior, and her heart began to ache. She wrapped her fingers around her mug, keeping her eyes down; she didn't want to cry in front of these nice hobbits, all because they reminded her of friends so dear they were family, that she would never see face to face again.

She felt Bilbo's hand on her arm; she looked up, surprised. Laughter carried on around them. He smiled kindly at her; he knew where her thoughts were, as his were, too.

She smiled back, as the words around her became clearer.