Frodo knocked tentatively on the round door, hoping he wasn't interrupting anything.
But the door opened almost immediately and Merry greeted him with a friendly, "Happy Birthday, Frodo! What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to give you your mathom, " Frodo said, walking into the messy dorm room and glancing around uncertainly for his other cousin.
As if reading Frodo's mind, Merry volunteered, "Pippin's in class." He smiled impishly before adding, "But I hope you won't make me wait for him."
Frodo shook his head. He was actually relieved that they were alone because he had been nervous about how Pippin might respond. After all, Frodo hoped Merry's gifts would be a fun reminder of good times past, but he knew those times had been anything but good for Pippin. So it was perfect that Frodo had caught Merry here alone.
Frodo smiled and handed the slim cylindrical object to Merry. "Here -- this is for you."
Merry crinkled his forehead in both confusion and disappointment. "A pencil?"
Frodo laughed and shook his head. "Just look at it."
Merry twirled it between his fingers, reading the lettering on the side. "An EYELINER pencil?" Merry looked up at Frodo, his expression resembling a deer caught in the headlights. "Look, Frodo, I don't know what you're thinking, but just because I'm dating Pippin now doesn't mean I plan to turn into an all-out
drag queen."
Frodo laughed heartily at Merry's paranoia. "Goodness, I didn't think you would." He nodded at the pencil once more. "Don't you recognize it?"
Merry stared down at it, his initial panic dissipating. A slow smile spread across his face as realization began to dawn. "Is this yours?"
Frodo nodded. "From seventh grade. My Goth phase. Remember?"
"Of course!" Merry laughed at the memory. "Those were the days, huh? I remember how you used to keep this in your locker so Bilbo wouldn't find it."
"And I'd make YOU put it on me every morning. What rebels we were!"
"Yeah -- straight-A rebels."
Frodo shook his head proudly. "I got a C in P.E."
"Yeah, well, Proudfoot always was an ass."
Frodo nodded as the memories of the drill sergeant P.E. teacher came flooding back. But he shook them from his mind -- that's not why he was here.
"And here's the other half of your mathom," Frodo said.
Merry took from his hand the proffered strip of photos and instantly burst into laughter. Frodo was pleased with his reaction, for it was the same one he'd had when he found the photo booth strip this summer.
"We look so young!" Merry said between laughs. "And so liberated!"
Frodo nodded, leaning over to view the strip of four photos again. He could remember the day it was taken as clearly as if it were yesterday. It had been in the middle of his stay with the Brandybucks, long before it had been decided that he would go live with Bilbo. Merry was still grounded at the time, but that particular weekend "Uncle" Saradoc was away, so "Aunt" Esmeralda had secretly let them go to the mall. They had felt like two soldiers out on leave, and they'd thoroughly enjoyed themselves that day, indulging in everything from arcade games to ice cream sundaes to photo booths.
"Just look at my eyeliner," Frodo pointed out as he peered at the photos now.
"Your eyeliner's nothing -- just look at my green hair!"
"I don't have to look at it," Frodo teased. "That hideous neon colour is forever etched in my memory."
"It wasn't hideous!"
"Well, you didn't have to look at it all day long!"
"Yeah, at that age I sometimes went DAYS without looking in a mirror -- it was safer that way." Merry's laugh began to fade as he remembered more. "You know, I don't think my father's ever forgiven me for dying my hair. He was so mad at me -- to this day I've never seen him so furious."
"Wasn't that kinda the POINT?"
Merry nodded, lost in thought. "Yeah. I guess I wanted to hurt him as badly as he'd hurt me."
"I don't think he meant to hurt you," Frodo pointed out. "I think he just wanted to teach you a lesson."
"Well, he could've taught it just as easily with a few good smacks to my backside," Merry said bitterly. "After all, there are plenty of ways to teach me that 'shoplifting is bad' -- he didn't have to exile me from my best friend for four months."
"Was it FOUR? That IS a long time -- I guess I don't remember it being that long."
"That's because YOU weren't living it." Merry sighed. "Though I guess I really shouldn't complain. I mean, poor Pippin -- he didn't have anyone during those four months. And at least I had you." Merry's impish smile returned as he added, "Even if you DID wear eyeliner!"
Frodo smiled. It had been a rough time for him as well, trying to deal with the sudden death of his parents, and he'd been grateful for Merry's friendship.
Even if he DID have hideous green hair.
***
Pippin was just leaving the music building when he heard his name being called. He looked across the green lawn to see his cousin approaching.
"Frodo!" Pippin said, hurrying to meet him. "Happy birthday!" He gave his cousin a big hug and then smiled expectantly at him. "So?!"
Frodo laughed. "So?" he repeated, as if he had no idea what Pippin was waiting for.
Pippin couldn't believe his cousin was torturing him this way! After all, everyone knew that Frodo gave the most thoughtful mathoms, and Pippin had been counting the days till his birthday, wondering what his cousin had in store for his this year. "So...where's my gift?!"
Frodo shook his head in amusement as he handed over a small envelope. "Here."
Pippin eagerly ripped open the envelope, pulling out a folded piece of notebook paper with beautiful inked words upon it. After glancing at it for a moment, Pippin made a face and looked back at his cousin, annoyed. "This is my mathom? A page of homework?"
Frodo shook his head. "It's not homework," he said patiently. "Look at the top."
Pippin's eyes went to the top of the page. It read: "Haven -- words by Frodo Baggins, music by Peregrin Took."
Frodo must've seen the confusion in Pippin's eyes for he quickly explained. "The song you wrote this summer? For Merry? I wrote lyrics for it."
"These are lyrics?" Pippin asked, still not quite comprehending. But as Pippin started to read through them, he began to fill with a happy warmth. He couldn't believe it -- Frodo's words were perfect! They completely expressed his feelings for Merry without being syrupy or stupid. And they fit the lines of the music beautifully, as if Pippin had written the music specifically to fit these lyrics instead of the other way around.
"Do you like it?" Frodo asked tentatively.
Pippin answered him with another hug. "It's brilliant, Frodo! Thank you!" Pulling back from the embrace, he enthused, "You're my favourite cousin...."
Frodo joined in with him as he quickly added, "...besides Merry."
Pippin laughed, realizing how predictable he'd become.
Frodo smiled back. "Well, I'm glad you like it."
"Oh, I do!" he said, smiling eagerly. "But when do I get my REAL present?"
***
The Perk was surprisingly quiet for a Friday afternoon, but Sam wasn't complaining. He had a big test on Monday, and he was scheduled to work all weekend, so he was taking advantage of the unexpected lull to get some studying in.
He was suddenly startled by someone clearing their throat on the other side of the counter. Sam quickly stood up, his open textbook crashing to the floor into a puddle of spilt coffee. Sam frantically grabbed a towel and wiped off the wet pages, making sure that they were still legible, before turning to the person at the counter.
"Oh, Frodo, it's you!" Sam sighed, happy and relieved to see his friend. "Are you here for a birthday coffee? I can give you one for free, if'n you'd like?"
Frodo shook his head, smiling. "No thanks, Sam. I just came here to give you your mathom."
"Ah, you didn't have to do that, Frodo. You don't have to give me anything."
"I'm not, actually." Sam didn't quite follow, but luckily Frodo explained, "My mathom is an invitation to my birthday party tomorrow evening."
Sam's heart fell. He'd known all about Frodo's party for weeks, and he'd hoped that the Perk wouldn't schedule him to work, but now that the new schedule was posted, there wasn't anything he could do about it. "Oh, I'd love to come, Frodo, but I can't. I'm working tomorrow."
Frodo shook his head. "No, you're not."
"Yes, I am, Frodo. The work schedule was posted last night."
"I know," Frodo said. "And that's my mathom to you -- I called up Fern Chugg, and she's going to work your shift for you."
Sam didn't quite follow. "What?"
"Fern will work in your stead tomorrow so that you can come to my party," Frodo explained. "And don't worry, you'll still get paid, even though you're not working. I made all the arrangements."
"I don't know what do say," Sam stumbled out, overwhelmed by Frodo's generosity. But of course Frodo knew full well that he couldn't really afford to miss a day's wages, and Sam was touched that his friend had shown him such an unexpected kindness.
"I know it's not a traditional mathom," Frodo said, "but I hope you like it anyway."
"Like it? I love it! It's the best mathom you could've given me."
"Not quite," Frodo said, smiling mischievously. "But I'm getting to that part."
Sam watched in confused silence as Frodo walked along the counter until he was level with the door to the kitchen. Frodo waved at someone in the back, and Rosie suddenly appeared from the kitchen. Sam blushed at the mere sight of her, unable to even dream of what Frodo was up to.
"Can I help you?" Rosie asked as she walked up to the counter.
Frodo nodded. "Yes. My name's Frodo Baggins," he said, gallantly extending his hand.
"Oh, Sam's friend, right?" Rosie asked as she shook his hand. "I've seen you around here a lot."
Frodo nodded. "I'm having--well, my uncle and I are having a big birthday party tomorrow afternoon over on the campus, and I'd like you to come. It's nothing fancy, but there'll be free food and ale, and live music for dancing."
"It sounds fun." Rosie smiled. "Thank you for the invitation."
Frodo nodded towards his friend, adding, "You can ask Sam to give you all the details later."
"That'd be wonderful." Rosie smiled gratefully at Frodo. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."
Sam then watched in horror and excitement as Rosie turned and smiled briefly at him before returning to the kitchen.
Frodo walked back over to his friend, waiting until Rosie was safely out of earshot before explaining, "That's your second mathom. I know how much you like her. And I figured you'd need a dancing partner."
"But I can't dance," Sam said. The mere thought of holding Rosie in his arms made him practically trip over his own two feet.
Frodo laughed. "You'll be fine. I'll see you tomorrow."
As Frodo reached the door to the cafe, Sam called out, "Frodo -- thanks! This is gonna be your best birthday ever!"
***
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