On being dragged out of headspace

[bemerry]

My dear mun, while I appreciate the new tobacco– [ Merry raises his pipe in salute ] you might want to think about what it means to be sharing me out in the open.

I can seem rather different than I am in the movies, you know. Older, for one, and more calm.

[ Some thoughtful puffs of smoke ] I don't ask for much, but I don't know if we are quite ready to take this step, to be truthful. But I will stand with you, as I do with Frodo, if this is what you chose to make of it.

Comments

[marchwarden]

I wonder why hobbits and dwarves both fancy the flavor of their tobacco more than anything else.

[ A light chuckle ]

I suppose you and your friend shall do well together. My writer believes so.

[bemerry]

[ It's an elf! Those strange, largely-hairless creatures. Merry is... a bit in awe. And somewhat affronted, for his tobacco's sake. ]

Oi! Tobacco is an art. Just because the elves have no taste for a fine crop of weed does not mean that the good folk cannot appreciate one of the finer aspects of life. Why, even the great Gandalf knows enjoys a good pipe now-an-then. Not everyone can spend their lives singing tragic songs in words that the other peoples cannot speak.

[ Elves were strange, but nice, over all. Perhaps he shouldn't have been so rude. ]

If you'll pardon me, sir. I just do love a good pipe, is all.

And, er, well, my mun seems to think that yours knows 'er stuff, so I'll take that as a good sign.

[ Merry's face ahs regained some of its lost good humor. He pauses a moment, before pulling a spare pipe out of his pocket. ]

Would you like to give it a try. You might like it.

[marchwarden]

[ How come every time an elf appears before a hobbit, these little Shire folks go nuts? A sigh escaped Haldir's lips as he listen to the tiny creature rant about the wonders of tobacco. With a look of minor disdain and boredom in his gaze, Haldir listened in silence until the hobbit finished his rant.

It was the polite thing to do. ]

You are pardoned but do try to refrain from such idle chattering.

[ That prideful smirk of his settled on his lips once more. ]

Indeed, they do. It would seem that my mun is quite impressed with yours. These two have become fast friends over the last few days.

[ When the spare pipe is offered to him, Haldir wrinkles his nose in disgust. ]

I apologize but I must decline.

[bemerry]

[ "idle chattering" Merry opens his mouth to retort, but shuts it and puffs his pipe thoughfully, instead. ]

I'd rather they be on friendly terms, given the times. There has been enough conflict in this world.

[ Perhaps surprisingly deep words, for a hobbit. ]

Suit yourself, then.

[ Merry just shrugs as he tucks the pipe back into his pocket. Have it your way, Mr. Hairless Snooty. ]

sob merry yes

[valouric]

...Merry?

Eowyn <3333

[bemerry]

[ One of Merry's favorite persons. He's rather excited to see his former queen. ]

My lady Eowyn.

[ Merry is all smiles with her as he kneels. ]

And how do you fair!

[ Forgive him for not putting his pipe away. 'S not done in Hobbiton, he wouldn't know that it's sometimes polite to not smoke in fornt of ladies. Eowyn is a queen, anyways. The best queen. ]

I CANNOT MY FEELS I'VE WANTED TO PLAY WITH HIM FOR SO LONG

[valouric]

[ she gives him a smile so rarely seen on her. ] All the better for having seen a friendly face in this so foul a place. And you? How do you and your kin fare?

I didn't even know I could find an Eowyn! so excited <3333

[bemerry]

We are doing well, my lady. The shire is truly blooming. If you and his lordship could spare the time to visit, it might do y'good.

[ Merry is happy to see her smile smiles had been so few, and so weighted, before though he wishes that things were going as well with her. ]

I would have that you no longer need to dwell in foul places. [ Merry looks around. ] 'S not so bad as some, though 'tis no Hall of Rohan, either.

Merry <3

[iorhael]

Older, yes, and almost more respectable even.

[Definitely not starting anything]

Frodo! <3 Merry's getting all the love today xD

[bemerry]

Oh hush, you, Frodo Baggins. After all the preparations I'd made, to make it look as though you were moving to Buckland when instead you set off on this quest. And you, a respectable Baggins!

[ Merry puffs good-naturedly, teasing. ]

A sight you were, tryin' to say good-bye as all the while were were planning on coming with you.

[ Start something? Of course not. ]

Of course! <3

[iorhael]

You did an admirable job at it too, thank you!

Though I suppose I could have done it myself... although it was a daunting business right there for one hobbit, and there was enough to think about as it was. You were, however, noticeably absent when it came time to begin dealing with the SBs on the matter! [So much for cousin support through thick and thin!]

[oh don't even, Merry]
It would have been safer for you all if I had gone on. I really did think none of you save Sam knew what was going on. I should have trusted my gardener a little less and been on the look out for your curiosity and prying a little more!

<33

[bemerry]

Why thank you, Frodo.

[ Merry is teasing now, though he is slightly flushed. It does feel nice when someone thanks you for your work. As far as the Sackville-Bagginses, however... ]

What can I say, cousin? It would have been rude of me to intrude. They aren't from my side of the family, you know.

[ convenient excuse is terribly convenient ]

Perhaps, Frodo, but Gandalf believed you needed the company. Besides, we'd have figured it out eventually. I had already known of the- [ He pauses. They won, of course, but should he still say it? Better to go with caution. ] –of it, and it was better I knew how important it was as a secret.

[ The more he thinks about it, the more uncomfortable Meriadoc feels about it. What if the Dark Riders had come to his door? Would he have been able to say no, then? Before all they had been through, and not knowing the true importance of Bilbo's "little secret?"

Well, no use dwelling on that. Merry blows a teasing ring of smoke at Frodo. ]

Really, who knows what you would have gotten up to without us around.

[oakenshield]

[ It was nearly at the mention of the said "tobacco" that a certain dwarf appears. These fine hobbits always seemed to be in possession of the finest chopped weed to ever grace his lips, something that Thorin greatly admired about the Shire folks. Tempted to assist Merry in smoking the rest of his heavenly gift, the would-be Dwarven King approaches the hobbit and nods his head curtly towards Merry. ]

A mighty fine day this is, don't you agree?

[ A smug smirk of a smile settled on his typically frowning lips as he eyed the hobbit in near merriment. ]

Aye, such a day is quite uncommon in these parts considering that these foul muns tend to keep us "muses" at bay. Nevertheless, I'm quite surprised but much obliged to greet you. There's a rumor stating that you're a friend of the "burglar".

[ Thorin chuckles lightly. ]

A friend of a friend is a friend indeed, yes? Then I humbly introduce myself to you, friend of Bilbo Baggins. [Humble? This damn dwarf is NEVER humble!] I'll try my best to keep my royal title off my lips for now and simply introduce myself as none other than Thorin Oakenshield.

How do you do?

Tobacco Moocher.

[bemerry]

Indeed it is sir!

[ The burglar, eh? It had been a while since someone had called old Bilbo Baggins that. ]

So you're the King Under the Mountain, then.

[ Merry had read the book. Meeting Gimli had been one thing, he was just the son of one of Bilbo's drawven friends. But the actual leader? It was like seeing a hero out of a story book. Of cousre, Merry fails to recognize that he's rather one of those, now. What with stabbing the Witch-King in the knee and all that.

He tips his head, respectfully. ]

It is a pleasure to meet you, sir! I'm doing fine. Join me for a smoke?

[ And wasn't Merry presumptuous ]

HUSH!

[oakenshield]

[ Thorin smiled broadly once the hobbit mentioned his kingly title. It seems that many have heard of the legendary Thorin II Oakenshield, and twice as many probably admire the dwarven noble for his unbridled courage and skill with the blade. Feeling need to bow, Thorin does so and quite elegantly at that.]

Ah, it seems you have heard of me. How delighted I am.

[ Honestly, Bilbo better not have written anything unsavory about him in that book or that poor hobbit might be in for a good thrashing! As much as he does admire Bilbo's bravery, there's just some things Thorin shan't tolerate even if he has long departed from the world. ]

How could I ever deny such a wonderful invite? Of course I would be honored to join you!

YOU HUSH. 'S MY tobacco.

[bemerry]

The pleasure is mine, sir.

[ Bilbo wrote all sorts of things about him he's better off not reading, though he wrote a lot of good things about him, too.

Don't be too harsh on the man. Until Gandalf came along, the Bagginses had been terribly respectable and in Merry and most of the Brandybucks' opinions, terribly boring. His journey was an extremely big deal, even for the more adventurous of hobbits. ]

You have your own pipe, I assume? Bilbo said that you dwarves were fine smokers.

[ Not so fine as he himself, perhaps, blowing a triple ring just to warm up. He pulls out a pouch. ]

One of out finest years, this one. Brandybuck stock, just before the drought of 1223. Very old, you know.

[elfling_prince]

Tobacco. [The tiny prince makes a face at the mention.]

What step don't you think you're ready to take?

[bemerry]

Oh, come now. It's not that bad, is it?

[ He'd be a bit more offended, but... cute little elf is cute.

And smart, asking hard questions. ]

The step of entering the world. It's a big step for a Hobbit, to leave the Shire. Is it not for you, to leave your homes?

[ Curious hobbit is curious, and he doesn't dare ask Haldir. He'd just be smarmy about it. Probably ]

[elfling_prince]

It smells gross.

[Wait until he finds out who he is.]

You're allowed to leave the shire though, aren't you? I'm not really supposed to leave ada's halls. Mirkwood is dangerous to anyone who can't fight.

[Haldir is pure smarmy-ness. Bitty Legolas has no comment on that.]

yeeaahhh books books books

[tofindthesun]

How now, Meriadoc, are you trying to have the rest of this place join in on your smoking habits? There will not be enough pipeweed to go around.

[and it'll be even harder to breathe. X(]

Books are flawless. (and your jounral makes me want to play Into the West on the piano again)

[bemerry]

Ah, Legolas, you underestimate my supplies. A good hobbit is always prepared!

[ His smile is teasing, though he tries to puff a bit less frequently. ]

And how has it been for you?

only because orlando keeps looking at nothing X( (ON THE HORIIZOOON)

[tofindthesun]

Prepared for a mob of smokers to steal from your loot?

[raising an eyebrow, but he's smiling.]

I have been well enough, for an Elf with no woods and a flooded Hobbit hole. How are you and your search for new dwellings?

merryyyy~

[updownunderhill]

Ho now, Master Merry!

[A tip of the cap and a rather secret smile from old Tom.]

Aye, it's true, we're none of us as we seem, but that's for them as need to figure out, while we stand amidst a world all a-changing.

amg tom bombadil you are my everything

[bemerry]

Tom!

[ He hadn't seen this person in... well... it seemed almost like forever since he'd been trapped in that old willow. A lot of what Tom had says makes more sense to him now, odd as that is. ]

Changing, perhaps, but more for the better as I can see it. An' the most of us change right along with it.

[ Merry smiles, and has a passing thought as to whether or not Tom knew Treebeard or any of the other Ents. It wouldn't surprise him. ]

And how fair you and your lady?

augh i'm sorry for my lateness, i had no internet for three days

[updownunderhill]

[Tom had liked the young hobbit-folk, and it's a pleasure to see one of them again. He's heard of their fates, and that of their burden, from Gandalf-- and those were long days of story and song-- but it still brings a smile to his face.]

Change indeed! Why, you're near as tall as old Tom now. Forests deeper than Tom Bombadil's have queer magics to them; stayed much longer, and you might have started sprouting leaves yourself!

[A knowing twinkle of blue eyes.]

Down along under hill, Tom's house is as ever; he keeps the forest down, and Goldberry the River. For some the world is fading, but we remain as always.