An Unexpected Fanfiction: The Hobbit & LOTR One Shots

A Woodland Walk

(requested by the wonderful lotrmxisyy! Thank you so much for the request!)

Type: One-shot

Pairing: Meriadoc Brandybuck x Female (Hobbit!) Reader

Hope you like! 

Five knocks on the front door of Bag End echoed through the cozy halls of Maisy-Rose Baggins' dear home. A scribble or two later, she left her notebook on the side of her dresser and slipped out of bed, curiosity filtering into her thoughts. The sun had only risen an hour ago, and as it was Summertime, that made it still quite early for callers. Still, she quickly dressed, calling to Frodo to get the door in her stead. A familiar voice came from the doorstep, then moved to the parlor along with her half-brother, and Maisy grinned. She had a feeling she knew who it was, but still, she withheld a jump to conclusions. After all, she hadn't seen him in over a week, and it was a Tuesday morning, an unusual time for a catch-up, no matter how sudden.

"Well, I'm not about to break it now."

"I know- and you shouldn't, Merry, it's only-"

"Good morning!"

Merry's eyes palpably lit up as Maisy walked into the parlor, quickly tying the belt of her pinafore around her waist. Both stepped quickly into each other's arms for a hug, neither noticing the knowing smile on Frodo's face.

"About time you stopped by!" Maisy scolded him, and he ran a hand through his curly hair, tilting his head to one side, then the other.

"I wish I could visit you more- I really do. I've just been so...

"Busy?"

"Yes, busy."

Frodo looked away, seeming like he was trying not to shake his head, but Maisy did not notice his disappointment, only Merry's wide smile.

 "We should go somewhere. Just the two of us. How does that sound?"

"Lovely!" Maisy blushed a little, realizing how eager she must seem, and added quickly, "I should have breakfast first, though. Have you eaten yet?"

"Yes."

Maisy grinned. "Second breakfast it is!"

After a splendid morning meal for all three hobbits, Frodo offered to do the dishes so Merry and Maisy could head along. Not even the empty chair at the head of the table, where her dear relative Bilbo always sat yet did so no more, could lower her spirits. Out the door they went, Merry courteously holding it open for Maisy, and both were glad to find the cool morning mist that often settled over the Shire in the middle of the summer was dissipating quickly as the sun warmed the earth.

"Where shall we go?"

"Anywhere," Merry responded softly, then paused. Maisy looked at him, noticing his hesitation. There was something on his mind, she'd picked that up well enough when she'd walked into the parlor earlier, but she did not know what it was, nor did she want to bother him by asking. Merry lapsed into motion again and Maisy followed him out the gate and down the row.

"And where would anywhere be?" she asked, seeing as he'd chosen a direction and assuming he had a place in mind.

"Ah, how about a walk? To the wood. Perhaps we'll see the red doe with her fawn, like last time."

Maisy nodded, a smile creeping onto her lips. "A splendid idea."

Merry offered her his arm and, as Maisy's heart fluttered, she took it with a smile.