A birthday ficlet for Larner

[dreamflower]

Happy birthday, bslarner! A little vignette for your special day.0
Rated: G

Of Red Books and Cherry Tarts


Frodo put down his quill and rubbed his temples. This was difficult, writing of what Merry had experienced upon the Pelennor, his terror and despair. But, oh, his young cousin had proved so brave. He smiled to himself, remembering a seven-year-old who had attempted to stand up to Lotho for him-- why that was the only time in his life that Frodo had struck Lotho, when the bully had pushed Merry down in the road.

Suddenly, he felt cheered, and was unsurprised to see his cousin coming up the path when he glanced out the window. He capped the ink, and went to the front hall, opening the door before Merry could raise his hand to knock.

Merry was grinning ear to ear. “Frodo!” They embraced, and then Frodo pulled back to look in Merry’s face.

“Well, I see you have some news for me!”

Merry laughed outright at that. “I can’t keep anything from you anymore! But I just had to come tell you in person and not in a letter: I gave Estella yellow ribbons last night, after dining with her family at Brock Hall!”

Frodo could not help but grin in return. “And what did she give you?”
Merry’s grin grew foolish. “Why nothing other than her recipe for cherry tarts!”*

“I see then that you are officially a courting couple, then!
Congratulations, Merry-mine!” And he reached up to ruffle the sandy curls.

His brave and gallant Merry.
_______________________________________

A/N: A reference to Larner’s story Of Courtship Rituals and Wizards

Comments

[shirebound]

His brave and gallant Merry.

Awwwww. This is so heartwarming.

[dreamflower]

Thanks, sweetie!

[rivendells.livejournal.com]

Oh, this was adorable! Lovely!

[dreamflower]

I'm so glad you liked it! Thanks!

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Lovely scene between the cousins.

[dreamflower]

I'm quite sure that when Merry had news like that to share, he'd head straight for Frodo! They may have been cousins, but I think they were more like brothers.

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

naww...brave and gallant Merry indeed! :)

[dreamflower]

Those are always the adjectives I think of, when I think of Merry! He just is so gallant!

[grey-wonderer.livejournal.com]

Loved how Frodo managed to make himself smile even after tackling a dark subject. So hobbity!

[dreamflower]

Very hobbity! And I do think that thoughts of his cousins as children would often make him smile.

[addie71.livejournal.com]

Aw, that was sweet.

[dreamflower]

Thank you!

[surgicalsteel.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is sweet!

[dreamflower]

Thanks, hon!

[i-o-r-h-a-e-l.livejournal.com]

That's the Merry I know! :D

[dreamflower]

*grin* Thank you!

[lily-the-hobbit.livejournal.com]

awww... this is lovely!

I really need to get back to writing myself. The last thing I wrote was Merry being really jealous and slamming the door in Frodo's face. Frodo has been banging on that door for the past 11 weeks :p

[dreamflower]

Yes, you should get back to writing! You might get hobbit-withdrawal!

And thanks! I'm glad you liked this.

[lbilover.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is a lovely scene, and very touching.

[dreamflower]

Thanks! I'm glad that it moved you!

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

Oh, but I loved this so, and particularly, of course, the idea that the sharing of recipes is indeed part of Hobbit courting rituals! Am so glad this idea has delighted so many! A wonderful tale with Frodo going from the angst of writing Merry's pain on the Pelennor contrasted to the simple joy of announcing he's now officially courting Estella Bolger! Wonderful!

Thank you so very much!

[dreamflower]

Well, you know, when I read "Courtship Rituals" I nearly smacked myself in the face, thinking "Oh! That's perfect! Why didn't *I* think of that?" It's just so very hobbity!

Merry, I think, usually knows--even when he doesn't know he knows it--when Frodo needs some cheer!

I'm so glad you liked your little pressie!

[julchen11.livejournal.com]

"His brave and gallant Merry."

That's so lovely and soooo Merry, dear.
Just wondeful!

[dreamflower]

Yes, "brave and gallant" are just how I've always seen Merry. I'm so glad you liked it!