The Shire had never felt so warm and safe to Merry. He had missed his home and all of his hobbit friends. Merry had followed Pippin to his home, where small hobbit children were outside waiting for Mr. Took’s stories. Merry, feeling like his stories weren’t as exciting, excused himself and went up to his favorite place in the shire, a large, leafy tree. He climbed up the tree and settled himself in, staring up at the crystal blue sky. He thought of all the things he had missed while he was gone. He had missed the sweet fruit that would soon be blossoming again, he missed the harvest of the sweet fruit, and he missed the lovely hobbit women baking pies and making jams. He felt tears welling in his eyes as he remembered all the good times he had enjoyed in his younger years. He was now a man—whether it was by fate or accident. Merry began snapping small twigs on the side of the limb when he heard the giggle of young hobbit women.

Merry climbed higher into the tree so not to be seen by the girls. There were four of them, Rosie Cotton, Azalea Millstone, Sweetpea Brockhouse, and Lila Bolger. He listened to their giggles as they passed by, watching Lila the closest. She was a fair hobbit, and she almost seemed elf-like to Merry. She had shoulder length brown hair and fair skin. She was a bit taller than the hobbit women, in height she was like a hobbit man. Her lips were red like sweet berries and her eyes shown like clear puddles of cool water. Merry became entranced by her and began ignoring the world around him. Before he knew it, Lila was right next to him in the tree. The other girls, who were leaving, giggled at the sight of Merry jerking out of his trance.

“Hullo Merry” Lila said “Nice to see you back.” Her voice was cheerful and sympathetic

“Oh! Hullo Lila! Yes, it is very good to be back” Merry choked for words, struggling to find what to say.

“Pippin told me about your venture. It sounds like you were one of the bravest hobbits.” Lila smiled at Merry “I hear you out smarted creatures called orcs”

“Oh well it doesn’t take much to do that. They were rather stupid, but they were tricksy” Merry sighed, “I suppose you could say that it was quite a feat. Anyhow, how have you been, dear Lila?” Merry’s eyes glowed, anticipating grand stories of what had happened in the beautiful Shire while he was on his grand journey.

“Well, of course we had the harvest.” Lila said quietly “I know it was your favorite time of year. Perhaps I have some jarred berries left in our cellar. We really don’t need them, the crop was quite good this year” Lila began to feel guilty as she told the story of the harvest to Merry.

“I had my seventeenth birthday while you were gone. Small party, just the girls came. Wasn’t much of a party really. I did get this necklace though” Lila pulled a chain out from the shirt of her dress and showed it to Merry. It was a single white circular stone with silver lacing around it. It reminded Merry of Galadriel and Arwen.

“That’s quite lovely” Merry said “Dear Lila, could I trouble you to fix me a meal tonight? I have no food in my home and I’m very hungry” Merry felt sheepish asking a question to such a beautiful, young girl.

Lila didn’t hesitate a bit. “Of course Merry. I’d be happy to make you a meal! Come to my house before sundown and we’ll have a feast. Just you and I. I’ll send my parents out for the evening. Make sure that you’re on time” Lila giddily climbed down the tree and skipped off to her house by the hill.

Merry breathed a deep sigh of relief. His heart fluttered in his chest. Merry collected himself, wiping his brow and then climbing down the tree. Merry walked to his home at a rabbit’s pace and drew himself a bath. He was going to do everything he could to impress Lila.