Pippin skidded to a halt just outside the open barn doors. He quietly slipped inside and hid behind a low wall. He looked around the corner to see what his cousin was doing. Merry, his cousin, was next to an empty stall, looking guilty. He was picking up pieces of wood that appeared to be what was left of the stall door. Merry’s father was running around trying to catch a spooked pony, while at the same time yelling at his son.

"Merry, you foolish hobbit! What possessed you to put that mouse in her stall? You know how jumpy she is! Of all the stupid, idiotic...."

Pippin chose to ignore what else he was said and instead focused on the pony who appeared to be getting even more nervous. ‘I would too, if I was being yelled at like that’ Pippin thought, shaking his head in amusement. No one had noticed him yet. When the pony started past his hiding place, he stepped out and gently took a hold of her halter. She tried to break away, at first, but calmed down once she saw who it was that had a hold of her.

Saradoc, Merry’s father, noticed the pony had stopped and skidded to a halt. "What the...." he began, then he noticed Pippin and smiled. "Pippin! I should have known. You always did have a way with animals. You have my thanks."

Merry, having heard Pippin’s name, looked up from the broken door, smiling when he saw his friend. "Pippin, how’d you do that? My father has been trying to calm her down for five minutes!"

Pippin smiled brightly, quickly slipping on what his father called ‘The Took Mask’, "It wasn’t hard, she’s always loved me. Besides, what girl could ever resist the Took charm?"

Merry shook his head, laughing. "The Took charm? Pip, a muddy pony has more charm than you!"

Pippin frowned and looked at his feet then, after a few moments, looked back at Merry. He had accomplished what he wanted. They were no longer wondering about his ‘way with animals’ as Saradoc had put it. He smiled. "You’re just jealous." Merry burst out laughing and Saradoc snorted as he took the pony from Pippin, taking her to an undamaged stall. Pippin put on a hurt expression and waited patiently for Merry to stop laughing.

After a few moments, Merry’s laughter died down to a few giggles, and he shook his head. "Fool of a Took."

_________________

A/N: Another short chapter. Sorry. But that seemed the perfect place to leave off. At least I thought so.