By: Dana
Summary: The first time I saw you.
Characters: Merry, Pippin; Frodo, Sam; Pippin, Diamond; Estella, Merry
Pairings: None (perhaps implications of future Pippin/Diamond and Merry/Estella)
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Author's Notes: Four interconnected drabbles. The first time Merry ever saw Pippin. The first time Frodo saw Sam. The first time Pippin saw Diamond. The first time Estella saw Merry.

For Lindelea, for my birthday.
Nominated at the 2006 MEFAs.

Disclaimer: The author makes no claim to owning the rights of anything to do with J.R.R. Tolkien or New Line Cinema. Any and all characters and situations that have been borrowed are for the author's personal use only, and for the entertainment of others.

The ride from Buckland took the better part of four days, with the summer storms so heavy – and Merry's tired, and he says as such, and what's so important about babies, anyhow? He didn't want to hold it, that's for certain, but his mother very carefully set the swathed bundle, wrinkled-pink and small, in his arms. Merry wonders, what's so special about another baby, even if the baby is a Took lad, the first for Aunt Lana and Uncle Pal?

When baby-blue eyes open wide, thoughts change, and perhaps, one day, we two might just be the best of friends.

The ride from Buckland hadn't lasted near as long as Frodo would have liked, and the autumn-grey sky had promised rain. Bilbo laughed at his arrival, smiling and nattering on fondly, urging Frodo from the carriage and introducing him, right away, to his gardener, and his gardener's son: "Hamfast Gamgee – the Gaffer, if you will – and Samwise. This is my cousin, Frodo, who I've told you more of than you've likely been wanting. Hurry on, Frodo – and Sam, won't you please help with the bags?"

Sam will, of course – and one day, Frodo thinks, he'll prove more than just that.

The ride from Buckland lasts far too long for Pippin's liking, causing him to think that, by the time they arrive, the Thain's birthday celebration would be done and over – and he would miss out on, amongst other things, a fabulous gift. Pippin all but forgets what he's wanting, though, when they arrive – a contingent of North-tooks had come, as well, and amongst them a lass near enough his own age. Not just her looks, but as well as her smile, he thinks – even knowing that Merry will tease – this is just the sort of lass he'll marry, one day.

The ride to Buckland is one that Estella knows well enough, as her mother always has had a love of the river – a love that Estella shares, though her father and her brother don't. Well, Estella thinks, that leaves more river for her. The very best part of the journey, of course, is the ferry ride, flowing wide across the water.

The ride is as it ever is, though they've company more than the guide – the Master-to-be, and his son, and Estella stares at the lad, hard. And she thinks, one day, perhaps he'll look back – or else she'll kick.