EPIC: A Demigod's Tale by Frodo Baggins

Chapter 2

The party had spilled outside and tents and tables were arrayed around the dining hall the in the festive atmosphere. Pippin, lurking behind a tent, watched Gandalf select a firework from his wagon and light it. The firework burst into dozens of fiery butterflies, much to the enjoyment of the younger demigods.

Pippin hopped onto the back of Gandalf's wagon while the wizard was distracted with the younger kids. He selected a firework. "This one?" he asked Merri, who was now standing behind him, keeping watch. 

"Not that one! The big one!"

Pippin grabbed the biggest firework and disappeared before Gandalf noticed and got them in trouble. The two sons of Hermes ducked into a nearby tent. Pippin eagerly struck a match and lit up the large firework, which they had stuck in the ground in the center of the tent. The half-brothers stared at the small spark burning its way down the black wick. 

"Um, how about you hold it, and I'll stand back a little ways?" Merri suggested, handing the firework to Pippin. 

"Oh, I don't think so. It was your idea!" Pippin replied, shoving the firework back at Merri. 

"Just stick it in the ground!" exclaimed Merri, pushing it back towards Pippin.

"It's too late!" Pippin yelled as the flame hit the end of the fuse. 

KA-BOOM! 

The firework exploded, rocketing upwards and tearing a hole through the tent. 

A fiery red dragon materialized and swooped down towards several other demigods assembled around the dining hall. They all shrieked and dove to the ground as the dragon passed overhead, then exploded into small, bright sparks. 

The crowd cheered loudly. Pippin grinned. "Well, that was good!"

"Yeah," Merri agreed. "Let's do it again."

"Yeah! With an even bigger rocket!"

Merri rolled his eyes. "Pip, that was the biggest rocket."

Just then Gandalf the Gray came behind them and grabbed them by their ears. 

"Ow, ow, ow!" Merri yelped. "Watch it wizard. I need those for hearing!"

"Well, well, it looks like you have managed to get in trouble quicker than usual," Gandalf said. "Since you don't seem to have much else to do, you can help clean the dishes." 

"Actually, we have plenty to do," Merri said. 

"Yeah, I'll be breaking several ladies' hearts if I can't dance with them," Pippin added. Before they could say another word, Gandalf whisked them away and parked them with the harpies, washing dishes with lava. 

"All the ladies will definitely think I'm hot after this," Pippin said. "Get it, hot?" 

"Oh, shut up," grumbled Merri. Back up in the mess hall, everyone cheered as Bilbo took the stage to speak, and his huge birthday cake was rolled out. 

"First of all," Bilbo Baggins began, "I would like to thank all the sons and daughters of Athena, Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hermes, Demeter, Hecate, Hypnos, Artemis, Apollo, etc., etc. for a wonderful birthday party."

As Bilbo mentioned a god, several demigods from that group would cheer loudly. The ones he left out frowned a little and crossed their arms. 

"I don't know half as you half as well as I should like, and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve."

Two demigods exchanged confused glances, not at all sure what that statement meant. 

"Anyway, I regret to announce that this is the end," Bilbo continued.