Title: Simple Gifts
Author: Elly
Character: Éowyn, Merry, guest starring Pippin- M/É pairing
Rating: PG
Notes: Some random Éowyn/Merry fic to brighten Abby's day. This is, oddly enough, a bit of a prequel to Without Words. I didn't intend it that way, it just sort of happened.
Not my characters, making no money.
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"She's pretty." "Quiet, Pippin." "Well, she is. And you think so too, or you wouldn't be so very prickly about it." Pippin grinned at Merry who glared back at him. "Of course I think she is. But it's not polite to speak of someone like that, and especially when they're in the same room. She could hear you!" And that will be the end of it, Merry supposed. He reached out and grabbed the apple Pippin was about to take a bite out of and took a bit for himself, glaring at his cousin in an effort to hide the flush in his cheeks, eyes daring Pippin to complain. Pippin wasn't fooled. "You fancy her!" He laughed as Merry glared more, eating the apple and staying silent. "You do. I can tell, Merry. You should tell her, she looks as though she could use some cheering up." It was true. She stood at the window, staring out without seeming to see anything of the busy city. "I know, Pip. But I couldn't possibly…I'm not… It's just that she's…Oh, bother." He huffed out a breath, unable to come up with a reason that Pippin wouldn't laugh at. "Are you frightened of speaking with her? " Pippin was incredulous, now. "You fought in a great battle, traveled all across Middle-Earth and now you're frightened to talk to a lass you fancy?" "Pippin, hush," Merry hissed. "She'll hear you!" "Well, let her hear, then." Pippin grinned wickedly. "Or better yet…" He stood and smiled at Merry with a look in his eye that Merry knew too well. "Pip, what are you going to do? Pippin?" But Pippin wasn't listening; he was busy crossing the room to stand next to Éowyn. Merry bit his tongue, silently begging Pippin not to do anything that would embarrass him too badly. Pippin put his hand on Éowyn's arm. "My Lady? Might I trouble you for a moment of your time?"
"She started at his voice, as though she hadn't noticed his presence. But when she turned to look at him her eyes were kindly. "Well, if you could take a seat with me a moment, My Lady." Pippin gestured to the bench near the window and they both sat, Éowyn cradling her broken arm in its sling, steadying it as she sat. "There, now." Pippin smiled. "I've something to give you, you see." "To me?" She sounded surprised. Merry bit his lip and studied her face all the while wishing he could blend in with the wall. "Aye, My Lady. But it's not from me, it's from my cousin Merry." Pippin gestured to Merry, whose eyes widened when he heard the words fall from Pippin's lip. Éowyn looked at him curiously for a moment, then turned back to Pippin. Merry stood, moving as quickly as he dared, he still was not feeling back to his old self- but that didn't matter. He needed to get to Pippin before he did something foolish. Again. Pippin saw the look in his eye and knew he had to act quickly. "Here you are, My Lady." He said, drawing Éowyn's attention back to him. Quickly, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek, then jumped up and darted out of the room, calling "You'll thank me later, Merry!" Merry went stock-still in the center of the room, unsure of what to do, his eyes glued to Éowyn. She turned to look at him, the surprise evident in her eyes. Merry began to apologize, stammering more than speaking, when she suddenly laughed, one hand pressed to her cheek. "Your young cousin is full of check, my dear Master Merry. Don't," she said when he opened his mouth to apologize again, "you needn't worry. He's done nothing to offend me." And with that, Merry was at a loss for what to say. He stood in the same spot, blushing and wishing he had some of Gandalf's tricks that could make him disappear, or better yet, unmake the whole situation. Still smiling, Éowyn stood and extended her good arm towards Merry. "Would you like to walk in the gardens with me, my friend?" Taking a deep breath, Merry nodded and reached for her hand. She smiled at him and Merry grinned back, supposing to himself that he really would have to thank Pippin. But there would be time for that later. |