A Visit to Hobbiton

Beta'd by Frodothejedi

Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. Tolkien does, and New Line Cinema owns the movies.

Merry, clothed in his pajamas, sat down on his bed clutching his favorite toy, a stuffed horse. His face had a frown on it and his eyes were reflecting sadness. It had been a week since Frodo left to live with his Uncle Bilbo, and Merry was still getting used to the idea that Frodo did not live with him anymore.

"Merry! Time for first breakfast!" his mother called to him.

"I'll be right there mama," he answered.

He put his toy down, threw on his robe and left the room. Merry walked slowly towards the dining room with a glum look on his face. He half expected to see Frodo sitting in his usual chair at the table smiling at him and telling him that he was going to play some games with him later.

But when he entered the dining room, he saw an empty chair where Frodo would have been. His heart ached just a little more, and he tried to put it out of his mind. His mother gave him a plate with bacon, eggs and toast. Merry half heatedly picked up the toast and attempted to eat it, but food just didn't interest him.

His parents noticed his glum look and his lack of appetite. Esmeralda turned to her husband.

"I think we should have a talk with Merry," said Esmeralda. "It's been a week and he is still upset over Frodo moving away to Hobbiton."

"I know dear, but we shouldn't be surprised; Frodo and Merry are very close. It will take some time before he gets used to the idea of Frodo living with his uncle."

"I just want him to be happy again," she said.

"He will be," said Saradoc. "It's hard for him right now, but he'll get used to it."

"I know how he feels; I miss him too," said Esmeralda.

"So do I, but he is closer to Frodo than either of us are."

"I know."
After breakfast was over, Merry walked into his room and started playing with his toys. His parents knocked on the door.

"Merry, your mother and I want to speak to you," said Saradoc.

"Come in," Merry said sadly.
"Your mother and I noticed how sad you have been this past week, and we are worried about you."

"You still miss Frodo, don't you?" Esmeralda asked.

Merry nodded.
"He's like the brother you never had," she continued. "I know how close you two are."

"I miss him," Merry said. "I wish that he was still here. He used to comfort me when I was afraid of thunder and lightning, and he always played with me. I know he is not my brother, but he is the closest person I have to a brother. It makes me sad he's gone, but I know he's happier with Bilbo."

"I'm sure he is, but he misses you as well, son," Saradoc said to him.

"Leaving here was just as hard on him as it was on you, but he needs a parent-like figure, and Bilbo is the best one for him."
"I know, he told me that before he left. I understand why he moved in with Uncle Bilbo, but that doesn't stop me from being sad and missing him."

"I have an idea," said Esmeralda. "Why don't you write him a letter, tell him you miss him, but tell him about your happiness too. I'm sure this week wasn't all sadness."

"You're right mama," said Merry. "I did have some fun this week too."

After his parents left, Merry got out some paper and pen and began a letter to Frodo. He wrote Frodo about how much he missed him, finding snails near the river, and his father laughing when one of his friends fell into a haystack. When he finished writing the letter his mother had it delivered to Frodo.

A week later, Merry was still sad, but less so. He walked into the dining room for breakfast without expecting to see Frodo sit in the chair. The emptiness of that chair still made his heart ache, but he was eating more than he did before.

"Your father and I have something for you," said Esmeralda, her eyes sparkling. Merry looked up eagerly.
"Can I have it now mama?" Merry asked.

"No, you must finish your breakfast first," Saradoc answered.

"Oh," Merry said, disappointed.

He turned his attention back to his breakfast, and hurriedly ate everything on his plate.

The family ate their breakfast until everything was finished.

When breakfast was finished, and the dishes were cleared, Saradoc gave Merry an envelope. Merry opened the envelope and took Frodo's letter out.

Dear Merry,
I miss you too.
I have always considered you to be my "brother" even before you were born, but of course during that time I did not know if you were a boy or a girl. I'm glad that you are a boy, although I would have loved you just as much if you were a girl. I wish we didn't live far away from each other; I wish we can see each other more often too.
Uncle Bilbo and I are getting along well. He tells me all about his trip with the dwarves, and he takes me for walks. Gandalf came to visit the other day and showed us some of his tricks. I'm sure you would have enjoyed his visit.

Merry was smiling as he read the letter, but when he read the next part his smile turned into a frown.

I made a new friend name Sam. He's the son of Bilbo's gardener. Sam and I play near the pond, and we found lots of snails and frogs, but he won't go swimming with me because he doesn't like the water. Sam is a fun person and only a little older than you are. You'd like him.

Esmeralda noticed Merry's frown and sad eyes.

"Are you okay, Merry?"she asked.

"I miss him, mama."

"I know."

"Can I be excused?"

"Of course dear," she answered.

Merry rushed into his room with tear filled eyes. He thought about the words Frodo said to him in the letter about Sam. He wondered if Sam was going to replace him as Frodo's "brother" because Frodo lived near Sam now instead of him. He picked up his stuffed horse and began to talk to it.

"I hope Sam doesn't replace me as Frodo's 'brother', and that he still likes to play with me. I won't be able to play with him all the time like Sam will because he lives far away now. What if Frodo has so much fun with Sam that he forgets about me? I don't want to lose my 'brother'!"
Merry threw himself on the bed and sobbed.

"He seemed upset, didn't he, honey?" said Esmeralda.

"I know, and he was just beginning to feel better," said Saradoc.

"I was really hoping that the letter would cheer him up," said Esmeralda. "But it made him sadder instead."

"There is one thing that might cheer him up: a visit to Hobbiton," said Saradoc.

"Yes, that would make him happy. Do you think we could arrange for him to go to Hobbiton?" she said.

"Precisely what I was thinking. I'll make arrangements with Bilbo for Merry's visit. If it is alright with Bilbo he can leave in a carriage in a week or so."

"He's not going alone," Esmeralda objected. "He's much too young."

"Of course he won't go alone. We're taking him there."

To be continued