Chapter Seven: Of Pie and Camping Trips

"That was the best pie I’ve ever eaten!" Merry said, pushing back his chair and sighing contentedly. He glanced at Frodo’s plate, which still had half a slice of pie on it. "You going to eat that?"

Frodo laughed. "No. Here." He pushed the plate over to Merry, who eagerly stuffed half of it in his mouth. "I’ll wager you’ll say the same thing tonight at Peony’s house after trying some of her apple pie," he said teasingly.

Merry grinned. "Probably."

Sam took the last bite of his slice of pie and looked at Frodo. "So, Mr. Frodo," he said, "are we goin’ to stay at Mr. Milo and Miss Peony’s house for the rest of our time in Bywater?"

Frodo shook his head. "I don’t know," he said. "It depends on what you and Merry would like to do."

Merry looked up, his cheeks distended with pie so that he looked a squirrel with acorns in its cheek pouches. He gulped the pie down. "Well, I for one want to stay with Peony and Milo," he said.

Sam nodded. "I s’pose I’d vote for them, too, but it’s up to you, Mr. Frodo."

"Well, I wouldn’t want to invade their home," he said, "especially with this walking stomach I call my cousin." He recieved a sharp elbow in the ribs from Merry. "But since they’ve invited us, I suppose it will be all right. I hope they know what they’re in for," he added with a sly glance at Merry. "Merry will probably eat them out of house and home."

Merry folded his arms. "I will not," he protested indignantly as Frodo and Sam laughed.

"I was only teasing you," Frodo assured him, patting his shoulder. He got up and pushed his chair in. "Well, since we seem to be in agreement that we’ll stay at the Burrowses, we’d best go pack."

***

After they finished packing, Frodo went back out into the common room to inform Mr. Sandybacks. He found the Innkeeper wiping one of the tables clean. "Hullo, Mr. Sandybanks," he said with a smile. "Would you like some help with that?"

Mungo looked up in surprise at seeing him there. "Oh, hullo, Frodo," he said. "No, I don’t need any help, but thank you kindly for offerin’." He finished cleaning the table and went to pick up the enormous pile of dirty dishes on another one.

Frodo quickly took part of the precarious stack. "Please, I’d like to help."

Mungo sighed resignedly from behind his pile of dishes. "All right, young Frodo, if you insist," He chuckled. "Stubborn lad, aren’t you? Just like your Uncle Bilbo."

Frodo grinned. "Thank you, sir!" he said. "I’d be pleased if I was."

As they carried the dishes into the kitchen, Frodo said, "Mr. Sandybanks, I’m afraid that my friends and I will be leaving the Inn today."

Mungo set his stack down on the counter and took Frodo’s from his arms. "I’m right sorry to hear that," he said sincerely. "And where might you be goin’, if you don’t mind me askin’?"

Frodo smiled and helped him pump water into the sink used for washing dishes. "We're staying in Bywater for another day or two with some friends, Milo and Peony Burrows. D'you know them?"

Mungo nodded as he scrubbed a plate. "Aye," he said. "They’re nice folk. I’m right glad to hear that you’ll be stayin’ in Bywater for a few days more. Perhaps you’ll drop by for a visit if you get the chance."

"We shall," Frodo promised. "And I’ll pay on our way out. We shall probably leave in about a half an hour, I should guess. That’ll give Merry a chance to have some lunch before we go."

Mungo laughed. "That boy could probably eat every scrap of food in this entire Inn by himself!"

Frodo nodded. "I’m sure he could," he said. "But now I’d best get back to our room before he and Sam wonder where I’ve gone."

Mungo finished washing the last of the dishes and dried his hands on his apron. "All right, then," he said. "I’ll get some luncheon ready before you leave."

Frodo thanked him and made his way back to their room. He opened the door just as Merry and Sam were coming out. "It’s about time you came back!" Merry said with his hands on his hips. "What took you so long?"

"We were beginnin’ to worry ’bout you, Mr. Frodo," Sam added. "Did you tell Mr. Sandybanks?"

Frodo nodded, shutting the door behind them as they entered the room and sat on the edge of Merry’s bed. "Yes," he said. "He was sorry to see us go, but I promised him that we would come by for a visit."

They made ready to go, making their beds (much to Merry’s annoyance) and strapping their packs on their backs.

"Mr. Sandybanks said that he’d have lunch ready before we leave," Frodo said as they left their room.

Merry’s eyes lit up. "Oh, good!" he said, rubbing his stomach. "How long has it been since elevenses? I’m starving!"

Frodo laughed. "Probably about an hour."

Merry looked horrified. "An entire hour?!" he exclaimed. "No wonder I’m so hungry!"

After eating lunch and bidding farewell to Mr. Sandybanks, the hobbits walked through town toward the Burrowses’ smial. As they passed the post office, Frodo stopped. "Half a moment," he said. "I’d like to check for letters from Bilbo."

They went inside and the postmistress, Rowan Bolger greeted them cheerfully. "Hullo lads!" she said. "What may I do for you? Surely not another letter to your Uncle, Frodo. You’ve sent three already!"

Frodo smiled and shook his head. "No, Mistress Bolger, not for a few days yet! But I was wondering if there were any letters for any of us?"

Rowan nodded her head and went into the back to get them. "They came in just this morning," she said. "One for you, Frodo—my, but your Uncle answers quickly! And there’s one for young Merry and for Sam as well." She came out, holding the three letters in her hands. "Here you are."

Frodo thanked her and they left the post office, each eagerly opening their letters and reading them silently.

‘My Dear Frodo,’ his letter read.

‘Hullo there, lad! Glad to hear that you have made it to Bywater safely. Be sure to stop by the Burrows’ house while you’re there. I just got a letter a few days ago from Peony, telling us to visit soon. She always was a sweet lass, and one of the few who truly enjoyed my tales. Milo’s a nice chap, too, and he takes short trips out into the forest every now and again. Perhaps he’ll take you on one while you’re there.

‘How is old Mungo doing? I didn’t have a chance to see him the last time I was in Bywater, and I’m sure he was pleased to have you staying in the Ivy Bush.

‘The Broadbelts sound like wonderful folk, and I wouldn’t mind you staying with them for a while at all. Though, I must admit, it is getting lonely around here without a young lad about. Perhaps I’ll join you later, since you plan on staying with them long enough to help harvest, which will no doubt take at least a month. Always wanting to help, aren’t you, dear boy?

‘Well, I’m afraid I must go. Lobelia is coming over for tea this afternoon—oh, there she is at the door now. I envy you, Frodo, for being able to get away from those dreadful S.-B.’s!

‘Much love,

‘Bilbo

‘P.S. Be sure to keep an eye on young Merry! That lad always manages to find mischief somewhere. And try to stay out of it, yourself, as well, Frodo; I daresay you’ve inherited my most unhobbit-like curiosity! Good-bye, my dear boy!’

Frodo smiled and tucked the letter into his pocket. Letters from Bilbo made him feel almost as though the dear old hobbit were right there with him. He had lived for them, growing up in Brandy Hall, after his parents died. Obviously, since he now lived with Bilbo, he didn’t get them often anymore, but when his Uncle went on trips by himself, he always sent Frodo a letter.

He looked at the other two, and saw that Merry had finished reading his letter and put it in his pocket, as well, but Sam was still reading his. No doubt he had already read it once, but it was a rare thing for him to get a letter. This one was from his mother, written in Bilbo’s hand (as Sam was the only Gamgee to learn his letters). It read:

‘Dearest Sam-lad,

‘Mr. Bilbo has just received a letter from Mr. Frodo, saying that you’d arrived safely. I’m so glad! I’ve been worrying about you ever since you left. I hope you’re enjoying your stay there, and staying out of mischief.

‘Mr. Bilbo has also told me that you three are planning on staying at the Broadbelts’ home for a month or so. I don’t mind you staying there, and I know you’ll help with the harvesting. I actually grew up with Mrs. Broadbelt and know them well. They’re very nice folk, and I’m sure that little Daisy is just as pretty as her mother is.

‘Your own Daisy-sister sends her love, as do the other children, of course. It seems so strange, not having you here. Little Marigold keeps asking me when you’ll come home, but I’ll not tell you to hurry. I know you’re enjoying your time with Mr. Frodo and Mr. Merry, and you deserve it, my dear. Be sure to behave yourself and take care of them.

‘Much love,

‘Mother’

Sam wiped a tear from his eye and realized that Frodo was watching him. He forced himself to smile and tucked the letter into his pack. The truth was, he felt a wee bit homesick, but he didn’t want to spoil the trip for the other two, so he said nothing.

They reached the Burrows’ smial and Frodo knocked. This time, it was opened by a young hobbit in his forties, with sandy colored curls and sparkling grey eyes. "Hullo, lads!" he greeted them cheerfully. "It’s about time you’ve got here. Peony and I were wondering if you’d forgotten. Come on inside!"

The hobbit lads entered and he ruffled Merry’s hair. "Hullo, Milo!" Merry said cheerfully. "Have you finished carving that bird for me yet?"

Milo laughed. "Leave it to you to get right to the point. Yes, as a matter of fact I have finished it." He led them down the hall and into the guestroom, which had been made ready for them.

"You seem to have known that we would accept your offer to stay," Frodo commented with a smile.

Milo grinned over his shoulder. "Aye, we expected you would," he said. "Now, I put Merry’s bird in here somewhere—ah! Here it is!" He brought out a small wooden bird off of a shelf and handed it to Merry. It was in the perfect likeness of a robin, head cocked as though looking at something puzzling and it’s wings spread out slightly.

"It’s wonderful," Merry breathed, turning it gently over in his hands. "Thank you, Milo!"

Milo beamed. "I’m glad you like it," he said. "I—" He was interrupted by Peony, calling from the kitchen.

"Supper’s done, lads—and so’s the pie!"

Even at the mention of food, Merry slowly and carefully placed his wooden bird back on the shelf. Then he snapped back to his usual, ever-hungry self and, dropping his pack on the floor, darted out of the room. Frodo and Sam dropped their packs as well, and quickly followed him and Milo, who had dashed out even before Merry.

***

"That was the best pie I’ve ever eaten!" Merry said with a contented sigh.

"I told you that you would say that!" Frodo said teasingly. He turned to Peony. "It truly was wonderful, Peony."

"Even better than the raspberry tarts you made for us last time!" Merry added.

Sam swallowed the last bite of pie on his plate. "It was delicious, Miss Peony," he said.

Milo nodded enthusiastically. "It truly was, my dear!"

Peony blushed with delight at these compliments. She did not bake very often and was only just learning how to do it properly. "Thank you lads," she said. "I’m glad you liked it." She stood up and cleared away the dishes.

"Would you like me to help you, Peony?" Frodo offered.

Peony laughed at her cousin’s ever-willingness to help. "No thank you, Frodo," she said, washing a plate. "What kind of hostess would I be if I let my guests do all the work? Besides, I think you had better pack."

Frodo looked at her quizzically. "Pack?" he asked in confusion. "We haven’t even unpacked yet!" Peony smiled knowingly and after a moment, decided to have mercy on the young hobbit and tell him straight out. "Milo is going to take you boys camping in the forest outside of Bywater tomorrow," she said, watching with satisfaction as Frodo’s face lit up. "You’ll be leaving at dawn, so I suggest you pack now so you can spend as much time with your favorite cousin before you go."

Frodo raised his eyebrows. "And who might my favorite cousin be?" he asked mischievously. "Merry and Milo are going with me, Bilbo’s back home, and Pippin’s in Tuckborough!"

Peony laughed and swatted him with the dishtowel. "Go on, you imp," she said. "You’d better tell Sam and Merry."

Frodo laughed and darted out of the kitchen before she could swat him again. Peony smiled as a moment later, she heard an excited whoop from Merry and an eager question from Sam about whether they would see Elves or not from down the hallway. The sounds of their enthusiastic chatter faded away as they went into the guestroom to pack for their camping trip.

***

That night, the boys were so excited that they couldn’t sleep, so Milo and Peony stayed up late with them, talking and finishing the last few slices of the apple pie. Peony recounted her adventure in the Old Forest of Buckland. "So I wandered for hours," she said. "And when night fell, I curled up in the hollow of a tree. Early in the morning, when it was still dark, I heard a ferocious growling and snarling surrounding the tree. I could see three pairs of bright yellow eyes staring at me and I screamed and shut my eyes, thinking that any moment that I would be torn to pieces."

The boys held their breaths, wide-eyed as though this was their first time hearing it (though in reality, Peony had told it many times). "But suddenly, I heard a voice call out and I carefully opened my eyes again. A lantern shown nearby and I could see that holding it was a young hobbit lad a little older than I was; his late tweens, I learned later—of course that wasn’t on my mind just then.

"The yellow eyes whimpered and slunk off, and I joyously ran out of the tree and hugged my rescuer tightly. He seemed surprised at first, then bent down and asked, ‘Are you Miss Peony Baggins?’ I only managed a small nod, concentrating on not crying in front of a stranger. He gently picked me up and carried me—I wasn’t sure where, at the time. ‘Everyone has been lookin’ for you,’ he said as we walked along. I could hear rustling in the bushes on both sides of us and saw that those yellow eyes were still following us. The boy must have seen my eyes get wide in terror, because he said, ‘Don’t worry ’bout the dogs, miss. They won’t hurt you. They belong to Farmer Maggot, but he let me bring them with me to help find you.’

"I must have looked amazed, for he laughed. ‘Didn’t you know where you were?’ he asked. I shook my head. ‘You were almost at the edge of the forest,’ he said. ‘By Bamfurlong, Farmer Maggot’s land. Quite a distance from Brandy Hall, though.’ I smiled and asked, ‘What’s your name?’ He grinned rather sheepishly. ‘Oh, I’m sorry, miss,’ he said. ‘We haven’t been properly introduced. My name’s Milo Burrows.’"

Peony smiled and nudged Milo affectionately. "Cousin Milo rescued you?" Merry asked incredulously.

Milo pretended to be hurt by his doubt. "And why not?" he said indignantly. "Don’t you think I could?" Merry shrugged and everyone laughed.

"What happened then, Miss Peony?" asked Sam.

"Well," Peony continued, "Milo carried me to Bamfurlong where my parents were waiting for me. Farmer Maggot drove us home in his wagon and I fell asleep on the way. After that, Milo and I became wonderful friends and were constantly together. I must say I was quite smitten with the lad. And years later, when he was 35 and I was just come of age, he proposed to me, and of course, I said yes." She concluded her tale with a smile at her husband.

"Did you ever go back into the Old Forest, Miss Peony?" Sam asked.

Peony nodded. "Oh, yes," she said. "Several times, actually. And both of those times were with Milo. We like to go camp out there on our anniversary sometimes." She fondly rested her head on Milo’s shoulder and Milo kissed her on the cheek.

Merry grimaced. "Wonderful story, Peony," he said hurriedly. "But we’d better get to bed if we’re going to leave at sun-up. G’night!" He dashed off into the guestroom and the others laughed.

"I guess we were getting too… romantic for him," guessed Peony with a giggle.

Frodo nodded, still laughing. "Probably. But he was right about us getting to bed," he added around a small yawn. "Goodnight, Peony, Milo."

He and Sam sleepily trudged into the guestroom. "Thank you for the story, Miss Peony!" Sam called. "G’night!"

"See you in the morning, boys!" Peony called back.

"Early!" Milo added, earning a playful swat from Peony.

Frodo and Sam shut the door behind them and collapsed on the bed. "Where’s Merry?" Frodo asked after a few moments of silence.

Sam propped himself up on one elbow. "I dunno, Mr. Frodo," he said. "I thought he was in here."

Merry crawled out from under the bed and popped up on the side of it, shouting, "Boo!"

Sam jumped but Frodo didn’t even flinch. Growing up with Merry in Brandy Hall had gotten him used to things like this. "Oh, there you are, Merry," he said calmly. "We were wondering where you’d got to."

"Did I scare you?" Merry asked hopefully.

Frodo shook his head. "’Fraid not, cousin," he said smiling. "You’ll have to do better than that."

"Well, you sure scared me, Mr. Merry!" said Sam, his eyes still wide.

Merry grinned. "Good. At least I scared somebody." He pulled his letter from his pack and jumped up on the bed. "D’you want to hear my letter?" he asked. "It’s from Pippin." Frodo smiled and Sam nodded.

"Of course we’d like to hear what Pip’s got to say," Frodo said. "I wonder why he never writes to me," he added, feigning a pout.

Merry laughed. "Because I’m his favorite cousin, that’s why," he said matter-of-factly. "Now can we please read it?" He handed it to Frodo. "Here, you read it to Sam and me."

Frodo pretended that he was giving a speech and cleared his throat dramatically, which caused Sam and Merry to giggle. "‘Dear Cousin Merry,’" Frodo began in his best imitation of Pippin’s high voice with its singsong Tookish accent.

"‘How are you? I am doing good, tho I just had the flu a few days ago. Yuck! You’ll never guess what I did to Pervinca! I actully managed to bring two frogs and a whole jar full of worms and bugs and mud inside the howse and I put them in her bed!! I got in a terrible amownt of trouble of course – I’m still washing the dishes, and I did it two weeks ago! It was definitly worth it tho. You shood have seen her face! And how she screemed! She chased me all over the howse! I wish I had some way to show you, but I gess you and me can do it again when you come visit. You have to come soon, and bring Frodo with you! You’ve told me that he tot you evrything you no, so maybe he can teech me to. I have to go because Pimpernel is chasing me with a broom (I put a cockroach in the soup she was making). Good-by!

"‘Pippin

"‘P.S. When you come, will you bring Sam to? He’s fun to play with and maybe he can show us where the best straberrys mite be growing round here.’"

Frodo finished and found the Sam and Merry had fallen asleep. He laughed softly and tucked the blankets over them before settling down himself. Merry was sucking his thumb—a habit that everyone had tried to get him to break, but eventually, they had given up. Frodo gently tried to pull his thumb out of his mouth, but the stubborn young hobbit managed to keep it in, and swatted Frodo’s hand away.

Frodo sighed and gave up. He turned off the oil lamp sitting on the nightstand and curled up in the blankets. Sam was snoring softly beside him, something that Frodo had gotten used to, and actually enjoyed, strangely enough. He smiled as thoughts of Pervinca, Pippin’s oldest sister, screaming and chasing the young troublemaker all about the Great Smials came to his mind, and he drifted off to sleep.

TBC...