Application for Meriadoc Brandybuck, Lord of the Rings

[hobbitwithaplan]

The door of the Sorting Room opens, and what looks like a small, curly-headed child walks in, holding a pipe. Only, rather than a small child, the figure is instead rather a tall hobbit; and in taking in the proportions of the room he finds himself in, he looks perhaps understandably confused

Comments

[mello_n_choco]

"Nine walkers? Baby sitter? And these are useful...how?" And, who'd trust a kid to baby sit? Not that I'd ever consider that a really 'useful skill' in anyways. I'm not fond of kids.

[hobbitwithaplan]

Merry gave Mello an even look. "We were to guard and assist the Ring Bearer on... an errand, you might say, from Lord Elrond and the Council. And babysitting is important in as large a residence as Brandy Hall."

Merry's fond of children.

[mello_n_choco]

"Guard the ring bearer? In what culture is a ring bearer in need of guarding?" I've heard of some weird wedding customs, but I'd never heard of any that endangered the ring bearer.

[hobbitwithaplan]

"The Ring was evil, and had to be destroyed. We accompanied him on - well, a significant part of the journey, until our ways were parted for us."

[otakukonata]

"You're shorter than I am!"

When you're the shortest person in the class, this is a good thing.

[hobbitwithaplan]

Merry blinks.

"I'm a hobbit. That's not particularly odd."

[otakukonata]

Well, maybe for him. For Konata it's odd. Except her cousin, but that's family.

"Well, I like your answer to the Ravenclaw question over your dad's. There's more important things in life sometimes!"

Like MMORPGs.

[hobbitwithaplan]

Or ale. Or saving the world. Merry has experience with both.

"Well, he has many civic duties. He forgets, sometimes, that inventories and such are not the be-all. It was rather aggravating, when I was younger."

[red_eyed_l]

"But it's fun to be a scoundrel sometimes. Especially if you don't get caught."

[hobbitwithaplan]

"Of course, it depends on how one defines 'scoundrel'." Merry is unable to lay claim to having been the most responsible youth. "But for that question, I'm afraid I'd have to disagree with you."

[red_eyed_l]

"And why? There's such a thrill, and a rush for power." He smiled menacingly.

[hobbitwithaplan]

Having spent the past month hunting down ruffians much, much taller than himself, Merry is not quite as intimidated as he might have been. Nevertheless, he's glad of the sword hanging at his side.

"Because there are standards that decent folk abide by."

[woocha]

It had taken Wishbone a long time, but he did read the Lord of the Rings trilogy. (He liked to imagine himself, oddly enough, as Sam.)

Ooh! You're Merry!

[hobbitwithaplan]

Merry was becoming fast used to this: his grand knight's livery and Rohirrim sword, as well as his actions in the Battle of Bywater, had already earned him the name 'Merry the Magnificent'.

But this was the first time he had been hailed by a talking dog.

"I... am," he said, rather taken aback.

[woocha]

So what was it like working with Frodo and Sam and Gandalf and everyone? Wishbone was dying to know.

[hobbitwithaplan]

"You know Gandalf, little fellow?"

That might explain the animal's ability to speak.

[i_am_an_hero]

A heard one thing that interested him.

"What's pipe-weed? Do you have seeds? Does it have flowers, or healing properties?"

[hobbitwithaplan]

"I have no seeds, I'm afraid. It's a herb that is cultivated in my homeland, though I believe it originated in Gondor, where it grows much richer, and larger - though in those parts only esteemed for the fragrance of its flowers. We hobbits dry and smoke the leaves. Would you like some?"

In his middle-age, Merry will go on to write a book called Herblore of the Shire, a rather exhaustive volume; for now, his interest is chiefly in pipe-weed.

[i_am_an_hero]

"Smoking isn't very healthy," A responded with a trace of primness. "But Matt smokes, so maybe he'd like some. It's a shame you don't have any seeds or cuttings, especially if it has nice flowers."

[hobbitwithaplan]

"Where are we? I assume not the Shire... it would not be very difficult to obtain seeds or cuttings, though they only flourish in warm, secluded areas, and with a great deal of care."

He pulls a smallish pouch from one pocket.

"How much would your friend like?"