~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Frodo jumped out of bed at the sound of loud crashing and banging from all around. He panted and tried to calm himself while lightning struck outside. He jumped again and glanced around….Where was Merry? Merry, at about seven years of age, had come home with Frodo when it started; a storm broke out while they were playing at Bag End. Merry intended to wait for the rain to let up and then head back home to Buckland, but the storm only grew stronger.
“Merry?” Frodo called. “Merry, where are you?”
More thunder boomed overhead and Frodo heard a quiet gasp coming from beneath his headboard. He got down on his knees and peaked under his bed. He saw nothing ’till lightning lit the room and Merry, eyes wide and full of fear, could be seen curled up in a ball under the bed. His dishwater colored hair, mangled and knotted, in need of a trim, rested atop his shoulders. His grey-blue eyes, having a tint of Took in them, gazed at Frodo with what Frodo called his ‘death glare’. He could stare so long without blinking that it became slightly scary.
Frodo sighed. “Dear, Merry, come out,” he said. Merry shook his head.
“You don’t have to be afraid,” Frodo said. “It’s just a storm.”
“I am not afraid,” Merry said, trying put on a brave face when more thunder could be heard. He jumped and buried his head in arms, shielding his face.
“So, you are not hiding here because you are afraid?” Frodo asked.
Merry shook his head and paused a moment, as if pondering this, then nodded. Frodo smiled and crawled under the bed next to Merry. Merry clung onto his cousin’s waist and Frodo wrapped his arms around him. He brushed his curls from his eyes and held his little cousin.
“You do not have to be afraid, Merry,” Frodo said soothingly. “It is only a storm.”
“I am still afraid,” Merry said. “It is loud.”
“I know, but it will pass,” Frodo said.
“How do you know?” Merry asked. “What if it never ends and the sky is always dark and loud noises boom at us?”
“The Shire has seen many storms like this and survived them all,” Frodo said.
“I don’t like storms,” Merry said. “I want to go home.”
Lightning crashed again.
Merry gasped and hid his face is Frodo’s lap.
“A brave hero such as yourself has nothing to fear,” Frodo said.
Merry looked up at Frodo, his eyes twinkling. “You think I’m a hero?” he asked.
“Well, I know you are,” Frodo answered.
Merry sighed. “No, I’m not. I am hiding under the bed.”
“You can come out,” Frodo said.
“No,” Merry said. “It is far too scary.”
“Bilbo told me before that your courage is within and you can only find it by facing what you are afraid of,” Frodo said.
“Are you not afraid?” Merry asked.
“I am not afraid because I know that with a hero like you, there is nothing to fear,” Frodo answered.
“I wish I was a knight,” Merry said. “You Bagginses are very brave, and daring, and if there is an adventure, you are sure to sign up for it, but I am just a small Brandybuck.” Merry crossed arms over his chest and let his head droop.
“Maybe you aren’t,” Frodo said. “Come and face your fear.”
Merry shook his head when more thunder boomed. “I can’t,” Merry said. “It is so big and I am so small.”
“This isn’t a storm, though, Merry. It is a fierce dragon guarding his treasure of gold and silver.” Frodo smiled.
“Let the knight take care of it,” Merry said.
“You are missing the point, cousin,” Frodo said. “Even the knights shake in their armor when facing this terrible beast, but you- you can stop the dragon.”
“The knights are braver than I, and if they can’t do it, I can’t,” Merry said.
“You measure your strength by the strength of others?” Frodo asked. “You are the knight, Merry. A knight of….of….Gondor, is it?”
“I like Rohan,” said Merry. “They have a pony on their flag. ”
“Well, then, Meriadoc Brandybuck, I knight thee as a knight of Rohan, and you shall be called Meriadoc the Magnificent.”
Merry smiled much liking this idea.
“Come and fight the dragon with me,” Frodo said. “I am a servant of the king and cannot defeat this beast alone.”
Frodo and Merry crawled out from under the bed. “Come,” Frodo said. Taking Merry’s hand, they ran into the kitchen and Frodo placed a bowl on Merry’s head. “Here is your helmet, sir knight.” Frodo bowed. He also handed him a spoon for a sword. Frodo took his own spoon and held it close. “What is your plan, Merry the Magnificent?”
Merry thought a moment. “We will run to the dragon and kill him.”
“What if he breathes fire?” Frodo asked. “Bilbo said they breathe fire.”
Merry gulped. “We will need water,” Merry said.
Frodo filled a mug up with water and handed it to Merry. “Here you go,” he said. “What else?”
“The dragon!” Frodo exclaimed. “He made it inside!”
“Oh, no!” Merry gasped. “What do we do?”
“He is going into my room!” Frodo exclaimed.
“Let’s get him,” Merry said, racing through the hall, his small feet pattering on the floor, with Frodo at his heels. Merry made an effort to climb on the bed, but failed. Frodo lifted him up on the bed and climbed with him.
“Where is he?” Merry asked.
“Oh, no!” Frodo cried. “He’s going back into the parlor!”
Merry jumped up and down on the bed before leaping to the floor. He slipped on landing, but shook it off. He and Merry raced into the parlor with their spoons drawn.
“Where is he?” Merry asked.
Thunder boomed as if answering his question.
“Over there!” Frodo yelled. “He’s breathing fire! Throw the water!”
Merry tossed the water across the room in the direction Frodo pointed, soaking Bilbo’s floor.
“Did I get him?” Merry asked.
“Yes,” Frodo answered. He gasped. “Merry, he is coming towards me! Help!”
“What do I do?” Merry asked.
Frodo dropped onto his back and hit the air. “No! Help! Someone help me!” Frodo let out screams and gasps.
“Frodo!” Merry screamed. “No!”
He dived onto Frodo and stabbed the air with his spoon.
“You killed him, Merry!” Frodo exclaimed.
“I did?” Merry asked.
“You did it!” Frodo lifted Merry up and spun him around. Merry giggled and threw off his helmet, well, bowl. It landed on the ground with a loud crack. Frodo winced, knowing it would wake up Bilbo. Within moments, Bilbo marched into the room looking as tired as ever. “What’s going on?” he asked.
“We slayed the dragon,” Merry answered plainly.
“You slayed the dragon, eh?” Bilbo asked. “Was he fierce?”
“Terrifying,” Frodo answered. “He attacked me, but valiant Merry the Magnificent saved me.” Frodo knelt down in front of Merry. “You are indeed a Knight of Rohan. And someday, the entire Shire will recognize you for extreme bravery.”
Merry’s eyes twinkled. Frodo smiled and tapped his nose. “And I am sure all the lasses will love you.”
Merry faked a cough and shuddered. “I will never want a lass, that much I know.”
“That is the very thing Frodo said when he was your age,” Bilbo said. “Though, I doubt it will last for long.”
Merry giggled and embraced his cousin’s neck. “Thank you, Frodo.”
Frodo kissed Merry’s head. “Someday, you and I will face real evil together and triumph over it. And the Shire will know us as heroes.”
Merry kissed Frodo’s cheek as a child would kiss their parents. “I am glad to have you, cousin Frodo.”
“I am proud to be your cousin,” Frodo said.
“When I grow up, I hope to be as brave as you,” Merry said.
“You are far braver already,” Frodo answered.
“Take this, my lad,” Bilbo said approaching the two with a golden helmet. “For what is a knight without his helmet? This was found in the treasure of the dragon, Smaug. Quite a beautiful object.”
Bilbo handed it to Frodo who placed it over Merry’s head. It slid down over his eyes, blocking his sight.
“Does it look nice?” Merry asked from underneath the helmet.
“Hmm,” Frodo said. “You may have to grow into it.”
“Maybe,” Merry giggled, lifting the helmet up so he could peak out.