Little Middle Earth Short Stories

Mischievous Merry meets Frodo and Pippin

“Go on lad,” he said, looking down at the young frightened hobbit. Merry stared wide eyed at the green door and clutched tighter at his father’s shirt. He smiled as he picked Merry up and placed him on his shoulders. Merry shrieked with excitement as he flailed his arms about.

His father laughed and said, “Don’t worry Merry. Frodo is quite a rascal like yourself, you two will get along.” Merry once again shook his head and said, “What if we don’t? I haven’t seen him before.”

Placing him on the ground he smiled and ruffled Merry’s curls making him squirm, “Go on then, give it a try.”

Laughing, Merry put on a brave face as he nervously walked up the winding path and lightly tapped the green door. The door flew open revealing Bilbo’s weathered face. He smiled upon seeing Merry.

“BILBO,” he roared jumping into his arms. Bilbo laughed as he hugged him and said, “Well if it isn’t my favourite young rascal, Meriadoc Brandybuck.” He smiled warmly at Merry’s father as he shook his hand and ushered them both inside, “Well if it isn’t Saradoc Brandybuck as I live and breathe! What brings you to these parts?”

He laughed and replied, “I won’t be staying here long mind you, I’ve come here for Merry to finally meet his cousin. Where is young Frodo?” Bilbo nodded and placed a hand on Merry’s shoulder and squeezed it softly. “Come lad, let’s find Frodo shall we?”

Merry looked around uneasily and nodded slowly as he entered Bag End. As soon as he stepped into the hallway all his fears and uncertainties were replaced by awe and curiosity. He had never stepped into Bag End and found it to be quite large. “Frodo,” Bilbo called as he led merry into the dining room. Merry eyed the plate of biscuits near the windowsill and tugged at Bilbo’s cloak.

“What is lad?”

“Mister Bilbo can I have a biscuit?”

Bilbo laughed and grabbed a biscuit for both him and Frodo. “Of course you can! Now run along upstairs Frodo is in his room.” He nodded enthusiastically and began racing up the stairs. He burst into Frodo’s room but found no one inside.

“HEY MERRY!” He shrieked in surprise and dropped Frodo’s biscuit as he whirled around to see who it was. Frodo laughed as he saw Merry’s face, “Hi Merry. Was that biscuit for me? Never mind I already ate one!”

Merry’s face turned red and he stuttered an apology. Frodo grinned and said, “Don’t worry about it,” he stuck out his hand and said, “Frodo.” Merry grinned and replied, “Meriadoc or Merry.” Merry noticed that Frodo had big blue eyes and masses of brown curly hair. They looked different and in yet some ways they were the same.

Frodo sighed and grinned mischievously, “I’m meeting up with Pippin now to go ‘crop hunting’ you want to come?” Merry laughed and replied, “Ok.” It took them a few minutes to struggle out the window but once they were outside Merry asked, “Why didn’t we use the door?”

Frodo smiled and whispered, “ssshhhh,” as he nodded towards Bilbo.

He was washing the clothes as Frodo crept up to him. Taking a bottle full of paint he stifled a laugh as he dumped it into the bucket of water. “Come on Merry,” he said grabbing his arm and pulling him away. “What are we doing,” Merry whispered as Frodo smiled smugly,

“Listen!”

“What the…..FRODO!”

He laughed as he grabbed Merry’s hand and sprinted away from the scene. They stopped when they were at the edge of farmer maggot’s crops. “Why did you do that,” Merry asked breathlessly. Frodo shrugged and replied, “For fun.”

Pippin emerged from the crops and smiled as he saw Frodo. “Cousin,” he cried as he tackled Frodo to the ground. “Hey! Get off,” Frodo laughed as he struggled to stand upright. Pippin smiled as he saw Merry, “You must be Merry,” he exclaimed punching him lightly on the arm.

Merry grinned and thought to himself, ‘father was right they are funny!’ “Come one what are you waiting for,” Frodo called waving his arm to Merry. As they crept closer towards farmer maggots ‘special crops’ Merry began to feel sick. “I don’t think this is a good idea,” he mumbled turning a little green.

Frodo looked at him with concern and whispered, “You do look a little grin. Just wait right here me and pippin will be right back.” Merry closed his eyes and nodded, as both Frodo and Pippin left. Not long after Merry heard the barking of dogs and the excited calls of Frodo and Pippin. He tried to stand but he was to frightened.

As he clutched his shirt tighter he stared wide eyed at the crops in front of him. The rustling sounds were coming closer. He whimpered and covered his eyes with his hands. Suddenly he felt two hands grab his shirt and pull him backwards. “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? RUN,” Pippin called over his shoulder. Merry grinned and began running after them.

Just then he spotted a large mushroom in a crate Farmer Maggot had left unattended. Determination filled his eyes as he ran towards the crate a snatched one of the mushrooms. When they knew they were safe they clambered up an apple tree and began looking at their prizes.

Merry eyed the carrots hungrily and went to grab one but Pippin closed the bag and grinned, “Hey if you don’t earn your keep you don’t get to share in the glory.” Smirking he reached for a carrot and took a big bite out of it.

Merry smiled mischievously and replied, “I’m going to make you eat those words,” as he showed the mushroom to both pippin and Frodo.

Pippin choked and Frodo laughed as he said, “Not so smug now pip?” He took the mushroom from Merry and muttered, “I reckon it’s the biggest mushroom I’ve ever seen.”

Frodo ruffled Merry’s hair as he handed it back to him and said, “You keep it, as a trophy.” Merry laughed as he watched Frodo thump Pippin on the back.

Closing his eyes wearily he took one last look at the mushroom and thought to himself, “Father was right.”

I know not really cute, but I thought I might write about The troublesome threesome's childhood X3 Anyway hope you enjoyed that! Xx