The Unlikely Ones
Chapter Six: Never Give Up
a Lord of the Rings fanfiction
by Van Donovan
joy@crackerboxpalace.com

Merry awoke with the sun and for a moment he was confused as to where he was. He felt Frodo beside him and saw the boy curled up into the pillows and remembered. He crawled out of bed silently and dressed, leaving the lad to sleep, for no doubt he would be sore from having ridden two days on a pony. He crept from the guestroom taking his pack with him and set about making a small breakfast. He was surprised how light hearted and refreshed he felt. Within an hours time he had eaten his fill, fed his pony and written a short note to Frodo for when he woke up, leaving it on the breakfast table for him. Merry had been gone almost a month from Buckland and he really needed to get into his office to see what had developed during his absence.
He also had the pressing urge to talk to Pippin, although what he would say was just beyond him. He whistled as he walked into work, his thumbs on his suspenders, pushing the lapels of his jacket back. He called out greetings to those he passed in their yards or on the road, surprising some by his merry nature. He turned the bend in the road and soon was at the actual Hall that made up Brandyhall. There he was met with surprised councilmen who had not known he was coming back yet. "Master Brandybuck!" He heard exclaimed and was soon met with a sea of smiling-wary faces, all of whom he shook hands with and disarmed their fears with his smile.
He moved into his office where he found a neat stack of paperwork waiting for him and sat down to work. Most of the affairs were light and carefree, merely requiring his approval or signature for something. "Well, well Merry, so glad you thought to drop in and say 'hullo' to me!" Merry laughed at the voice and looked up as his dearest friend and cousin entered the room. Pippin was wearing a fancy blue vest and white dress shirt that he had had imported from Gondor. His curly brown hair was parted on one side and he was looking quite the part of the Thain. Still, Pippin's face was youthful in some regards and the greying of hairs had not hit him yet so bad as Merry. True there was an eight year difference in their age, but Merry seemed far older than his best friend. It was no mistake to say he had aged ten years during the year Estella had been ill.
He got to his feet, going to embrace Pippin. "It's good to see you again, Pip," he mused as they hugged. Pippin pulled back, his hands on Merry's shoulders and studying his face with a grin.
"You look better than I should think," he laughed, his voice light and accented as he spoke, "seems Rosie's cooking has healing properties as well as delicious taste, mm?"
Merry laughed lightly, feeling that perhaps all was right in the world, if Pippin could still joke. His cousin had been hit hard by Estella's death, for not only were Merry and Pippin dear best friends but their wives had become close and the four of them were always seen together out at public events and affairs. It seemed the lapse of time had helped Pippin heal some too. "The Gamgee's are an amazing lot," he said in response, and suddenly he felt the desire to tell Pippin everything that had happened. Not here and now, but he knew he could not keep it secret from Pippin. It would be known soon that Frodo was here in Buckland before the week was through no doubt, but it would be proper and fine, for Frodo was to be his gardener and there was nothing strange about letting such a gardener stay inside such a large hole as Merry had, but he could not keep the developments between himself and his cousin a secret, even if no one else could know.
"We must talk tonight, Pippin," he said looking at his cousin seriously. Now that he was over the worst of his grief, spending time with Pippin seemed so logical. Frodo was a great source of comfort for him, but he brought more problems than he solved. In Pippin there was complete security and understanding. Why he had run from him and Diamond was beyond him now.
"Of course Merry," Pippin said with a smile, "you must come over and have dinner with Diamond and I tonight."
Merry was about to agree when he remembered Frodo. "Yes, but please come to the Brandyhall with me instead. I should enjoy entertaining there again." Pippin nodded with little disagreement, for he did very much like Brandyhall. Pippin, as the Thain, had many homes throughout the Shire, but he predominantly lived here in Buckland to stay nearer Merry. He also had holes in Tookbank, Michael Delving and Hobbiton, but they were not as large or nice as his home here, and Brandyhall was easily the nicest of all their holes combined.
"Things have been quiet while you were away, Merry," Pippin said, for he had acted as Master in Merry's absence. "You should not have to spend more than a day sorting through the backlog and then you must come and tell me how it is down in Hobbiton."
Merry nodded and after a few exchanges Pippin left to work, and Merry set about sorting through his paperwork. He stopped for lunch and then worked another two hours before things were shaped up enough he felt he could leave them. In truth to finish every last thing that needed sorting he would have had to stay well into night fall, but the most pressing issues were resolved and the rest could wait until morning. After a month free from work saturating himself in it was driving him slowly insane.
He debated stopping by his home to pick up Frodo, but decided he wanted to talk to Pippin about him before they saw each other. He took the path to Pippin's hole but when he knocked on the bright yellow door there, he was met by Faramir's cheery face instead of Pippin's when it was answered. Faramir was yet a boy, nearer to dear little Pippin in age than Frodo and so Merry did not think of Frodo when he saw his smiling face. "Hullo Uncle Merry!" Faramir exclaimed and the two embraced.
"A fine day to see you, dear Faramir. Tell me, is your father home? I should like to speak with him," Merry said, smiling as he straightened.
Faramir's brows furrowed slightly as he shook his head. "No, father went to your home, he said." Faramir blinked at him and Merry tilted his head quizzically. "I think he wanted to surprise you with supper."
Merry blinked and looked over his shoulder at the large hill in the distance that was his home. Pippin was at his house then? That meant he had no doubt already seen Frodo. "Thank you Faramir," he said and turned to go, suddenly very eager to return home. He didn't really think Frodo would say anything foolish to Pippin, but he didn't want to arrive to find out he had been mistake. "I suppose I shall see you around, then," he added then turned and was soon hurrying along the path back towards Brandyhall.
He breathed a sigh of relief as he approached for he could see Frodo in the front lawn, a how in hand, gently raking the dry earth that had once been a flower bed with great concentration and care. "Hullo there Frodo my lad!" Merry called and was met by such a warm smile from Frodo he nearly laughed.
"Merry!" The boy didn't bother setting down his hoe as he hurried over to Merry. They exchanged a very platonic looking hug.
"I'm sorry I left you this morning like so," he said fondly, his voice soft. Frodo was smiling and Merry knew he hadn't minded. "Has Pippin arrived? Faramir had said he had, so I hurried over."
Frodo nodded, leaning the hoe against the fence and walked with Merry back to the front doors of the Brandyhall.
"Ho' there Pip!" Merry called as he stepped into his hallway and was assaulted with the heavy scent of baking. Pippin appeared from the kitchen with a very jovial grin on his face, not to mention white powder on his nose, which Merry assumed to be flour.
"Merry! You rascal, why hadn't you told me you'd brought Frodo-lad back with you?" he said with a laugh and darted back into the kitchen. Frodo and Merry exchanged glances as they followed him back inside. Diamond was there in a pale yellow dress and white apron, contently rolling dough out on the counter.
"Hullo Diamond," Merry said with a nod and she looked at him with a deep sadness in her eyes, for no longer would Estella make dinner for their husbands again. Merry moved to hug her and she held him longer than she normally would have. She let Merry go, turning to wipe her eyes quickly. He let her recompose herself as he looked to Pippin. "The only rascal here is you!" he retorted with a smile, "sneaking into my house and making use of my kitchen. Foolish Took."
This elicited laughter from Pippin who merely smiled. "Yes, yes, well I thought you should like a home cooked meal after your travels. Frodo was a dear and ran to the market to fetch us fresh vegetables too. Quite useful; I'm surprised Sam gave him up."
"As am I," Merry said with a smile, and they both attributed it to the recent death of Estella although neither of them said as much. He helped with the cooking then and then the four of them sat down to a fine meal. After dessert and hearing many tales of Hobbiton both from Merry and Frodo they broke apart. Merry and Pippin saw Diamond off, letting her return to Faramir, so the boys could talk. There was light chatter for awhile and then they settled before the fireplace, Merry and Pippin on the long couch there and Frodo with his legs tucked up under him in one of the plush chairs near the fire.
They talked about light things: gardening, mayoring, travel and rain. Merry kept trying to think how he could bring up the subject of himself and Frodo, but every time the opportunity to discuss it presented itself, he got cold feet. As the evening wore on, he noticed Pippin occasionally looking at Frodo with a sort of strange look. He couldn't tell if it was suspicion or annoyance but despite the smiles he gave it was obvious he was not quite at ease with the boys presence. "So, Frodo-lad, I'm sure you're sore from all that riding you've done," Pippin said after a moments lapse of silence. Frodo's eyes glanced to Merry, then he nodded to Pippin.
"Yes, but working in the garden today helped a lot with the tension." Which was a partial truth. He was still rather sore and tired, but he wanted to stay up as long as Merry did, for he felt certain Merry was going to tell Pippin about 'them' and he wanted to be present for the event.
"Not ready for bed yet, then?" Pippin asked, his tone implying perhaps Frodo should take a clue and let the two old men chat alone. Frodo ruffled visibly. "It is getting late," he added with a polite smile, "might be time for getting off
Frodo obviously was not taken with Pippin's attempts to dismiss him. "Indeed then, good uncle," he retorted, getting to his feet, "you know the direction of the door if the hour has grown so late you wish to depart."
"Frodo," Merry warned, looking at him hard.
Pippin's mouth was open, gaping. "I thought your father had taught you better manners than that, Frodo!" He set down his mug of ale and looked the boy over. "I haven't seen Merry in a month, lad, and I'm trying to drop some subtle hints to get you off to bed, but you don't seem to be biting. You should be ashamed of yerself."
Merry was on his feet between Frodo and Pippin before the younger of the hobbits could retort the bitter remark on the tip of his tongue. "Now wait a second Pip, Frodo," Merry said, looking between the pair. He felt his heart grow heavy with the weight of what needed to be said. This was not the situation he had intended to tell Pippin about them in. He turned to face Pippin, his face changing its expression to one of a strange sort of sadness. How would Pippin take the news? He couldn't imagine the hobbit would be happy for him, and more likely he'd probably feel he was disgracing both Estella's soul and the Gamgee family name. He felt his voice catch in his throat.
"Pip. I . . . Frodo and I . . . well, we need to talk. To you. About. About us." He looked at Pippin, trying to gauge the other hobbits expression. Pippin seemed quite confused, his eyes darting between Frodo and Merry's faces.
"'Us'?" Pippin echoed, sensing the mood change.
Merry was at Pippin's side, taking his cousin's hands in his, looking up at him. He took a breath and began, "Please let me finish before you cast your judgment, dear Pippin, for what I'm about to tell you is going to come as a shock, and, and I don't quite understand it all myself yet."
Pippin, who was now beginning to fear something horrible had afflicted his cousin while he was down in Hobbiton, gave Merry's hand a squeeze and said, "Out with it Meriadoc!"
Merry nodded and pressed on, "Dear Pippin," he began and ignored Pippin's anxiously annoyed face, "you know how distraught I've been over my dear Estella's passing." Pippin's face relaxed a fraction as he nodded. "I went to Hobbiton to stay with the Gamgee's to be surrounded by love and joy and people who cared for me. Not that you didn't care for me, dear Pip, but I wanted to get away from Buckland." Pippin nodded, for he knew all of this already. "I never went to Hobbiton expecting to find anything but compassion and friendship from the Gamgee's and those there. I never thought my head would be turned again, after my Estella had left me, and certainly not so soon thereafter."
Pippin's eyebrows raised, as it seemed Merry was saying he had found a new lass that he had fallen in love with. Pippin's eyes darted to Frodo, wondering what the boy had to do with all of this, then. "Oh Merry," he began.
"No, let me finish, Pip, for it's not as you would think it," Merry interrupted, his voice straining with the words. "This is so hard for me, for even saying so it seems so strange on my ears, but you are my dearest of dear friends and cousin, dear Peregrin, and I must tell you for our lives are so intertwined I should dry up without the ability to have your council on the matter." He could tell Pippin was growing anxious again and so Merry, feeling all over like a tweenager again, champed the bit and blurted, "Frodo-lad and I have become involved."
Silence descended into the Hall of Brandybuck's, save for the gentle popping of the fireplace and the quiet breathing of three hobbits.
Finally, Pippin broke the silence with a hesitant, "Involved?" inquiry.
Merry nodded his head and Frodo glided forward, his eyes fixed on Pippin and gently laid his hand over Merry's shoulder. One of Merry's hands broke from holding Pippin's and rose to cover Frodo's. Pippin's eyes widened at the implications as everything made sudden sense. He was glad he was sitting, for otherwise he would have reeled. "You're not serious are you?" he meekly said, eyes wide as Merry nodded.
"I know how you feel, Pip, I felt the same at first. It's a long story, but if you want me to explain it I will." Pippin's eyes never left Frodo's face, staring aghast at the youth who kept a possessive hand on his best friend.
"Yes, yes do tell Merry," he mumbled, his face going pale.
So Merry began his tale, telling him how he had grown to love Frodo, son of Samwise, starting from the night of his arrival when Frodo had come to comfort him in his room. He left out the details of their first night together, but by the time he was done Pippin was looking quite green. "You're both mad," the Took said plainly.
"Mad with love," Frodo said, his voice light, trying to lighten the mood with a joke but it was not taken lightly.
Pippin's eyes narrowed at Frodo, as though the boy was some sort of plague that had latched onto Merry and was draining the life out of his friend. He looked back to Merry finally, shaking his head, "Dear Merry, are you quite sure? This is so sudden and . . . and well it's just not right. Sam and Rosie would never have let Frodo come if they had known, and you should be ashamed of yourself; you could be his father!"
"I know dear Pippin, and that is why I knew you would not take the news lightly." He stood and Frodo's hand dropped from his shoulder. He sat on the couch beside his cousin and looked at him for several moments before speaking again. "There hasn't been a day since I gave in to my heart that I haven't wondered what tom-foolery I've gotten myself into, but all the same I come to the conclusion that I went to Hobbiton a broke and lonely man, and was blessed to be able to return feeling whole and loved again. I know the circumstances are not quite normal, but I hope once you have come to terms you may find it in your heart to be happy for me. Us." He glanced to Frodo who smiled at him.
Pippin got to his feet and to his credit he did not shake or tremble. He wanted to say he didn't approve and that he was going to ride into Hobbiton first thing in the morning on his fastest horse and tell Rose and Sam, but the look of fear and hope in Merry's eyes stilled his tongue. He cupped Merry's face with his hand and pain showed in his eyes. "Dearest Merry," he said, shaking his head, "I only wish for your happiness." He brushed Merry's curls and sighed, "I do not think that this is the best way to obtain that happiness but I will respect your wishes. You have a very long road ahead of you, if you hope to make this last." His eyes darted to Frodo with a blank sort of expression. "I cannot say I wish you success, for in your success there will be anguish in the line of Gamgee's, but I wish you happiness."
He stooped a bit and kissed Merry's brow, pulling back as if perhaps that was not right to do anymore. The two cousin's eyes met and they studied each other for several long moments. Neither said anything, but a great deal was passed between them. Pippin let out a small sob and bent to suddenly hug Merry. "You are the foolish one, dear cousin," he said in a murmur into Merry's ear, "I can see nothing but you walking to your doom," he pulled back to look into Merry's eyes again, and touched his cheek, "but I love you dearly, cousin, and because you have chosen to tell me this I will not break your trust." He rose to his feet again, shaking his head. "I must go now," he muttered, then swallowed as he looked at Frodo absently, "but I shall speak with you again in the morrow, Merry."
Merry nodded, rising to his feet and walked Pippin to the door. "I could ask for no greater friend than you, Pippin." Pippin turned to look back at him with a sad expression. Despite how much this news disturbed him and tore him apart he knew Merry was right. Very, very few hobbits would be able to take all of these factors into account. Age differences, under-aged love, sexuality, eldest sons and being Master of Buckland all weighed in his heart for Merry as trials that would play against them.
"Take care of him, Frodo," Pippin said, looking over Merry's shoulder to where the lad, for that was what he was, still stood, silent.
"Thank you, Pip," Merry said and with a last clamp of affection on Pippin's shoulder the Thain departed, pulling his cloak about him and walking out into the cold night. With a sigh Merry shut the door behind him and locked it. "I think he took it well," he muttered and sighed when he felt Frodo's arms encircle him from behind as the boy rested his head against Merry's back.