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[grey-wonderer.livejournal.com]

B2MeM Challenge: I-18 Bingo Card "Life Events", prompt is Old Age
Title:  Shades of Grey
Format: prose, 861 words
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Characters: Legolas, Merry, Pippin, and Sam
Pairings: none
Summary: Prior to a dinner, Pippin makes a discovery and his reaction to it confuses Legolas.

Note:  This is my first time posting here and taking part in this challenge for B2MeM so if this is posted incorrectly or if I have broken any rules, please let me know.  Help is always appreciated.  Thank you.



I18 Life Events
Old Age
For March 1st.
'Shades of Grey"

“I don’t understand,” Legolas frowned.  “You seem happy about this.”

“I am,” Pippin smiled still admiring himself in the mirror.

“Is this an important right of passage among hobbits?” Legolas asked standing behind Pippin and looking into the mirror as well.  “I have noted that among humans it is often a rather sad occasion.  It seems especially so among females.  I have been told that it is impolite to discuss it, but I suppose that other folk of Middle earth view it differently.”

“No,” Merry sighed, leaning back in his chair and puffing on his pipe.  “Most folk view it in much the way that you’ve seen before, Legolas.  Even among hobbits, Pippin is, once again, the exception.”

“It’s exciting,” Pippin said, running a hand through his hair.  “There must be dozens of them in there.  There are a great many near my temples and if I were to comb my hair a certain way, some of the ones near the crown of my head might show more clearly.  Merry, are there many in the back?  I’m having difficulty seeing that properly.”

“Why not let Legolas look?  His eyes are keener and he’s already standing,” Merry suggested.

“Legolas, do you mind searching the back of my hair for me since Merry is too lazy to help?” Pippin asked.

“Very well, but I shall have to be quick as we are all expected at the evening meal soon,” Legolas said.

“Yes, and no matter how happy you are about this, I do not plan to miss meals for it,” Merry said.

Legolas began searching the hair on the back of Pippin’s head.  “I shall be quick.  Your visits here are few and far between, so I do not want to make either of you late for dinner.”

“Be thorough, Legolas and ignore Merry.  I do, most of the time,” Pippin said.  

“That’s true enough,” Merry agreed.  “But don’t expect me to wait on either of you.  I am leaving for dinner in five minutes with or without you.”

Sam entered the room and frowned.  “Are you lot ready yet?  I’m getting hungrier by the minute.  I can smell something wonderful coming from downstairs.  I think the cooks have outdone themselves if my nose is any judge.”

“We’ve been held up by a few grey hairs, Sam,” Merry sighed, getting to his feet.  “Pippin has Legolas searching for more.”

“You aren’t about to let a few grey hairs trouble you, are you?” Sam frowned at Pippin.

“Oh, I’m not troubled, Sam,” Pippin grinned.  “I’m pleased.”

Sam looked as confused as Legolas had earlier.

“Are there more back there, Legolas?” Pippin asked.

“Only a very few and they are difficult to find at this point, Pippin,” Legolas said.

Pippin shrugged.  “Well, at least they’ve started.  Now that they’ve got going in the front, they will work their way to the back directly.”  He took both hands and finger-combed his hair back from his temples so that the slight greying there was visible.

“So, you *want* your hair to go grey?” Sam asked.

“I do,” Pippin said.  “My Father’s hair was grey at the temples from the time I was very young and-”

“I shouldn’t wonder,” Merry grinned, giving Sam a wink.

Pippin looked annoyed, but he continued.  “By the time he was Thain, he had streaks of grey and even silver running all through his hair.  It made him look distinguished and dignified.  I’ve always wanted to look dignified.  Even when he was an old hobbit, near the last of his years, my Father  looked dignified and very wise.  I had hoped that I might start to go grey earlier, but as I didn’t, I was starting to worry.”

“Well, I do recall your Father lookin’ every inch distinguished,” Sam said. “But it’s like my old Gaffer used to say, ‘Snow on the roof don’t make you wise, it just makes you old.  Life makes you wise if you’ve the sense to listen.’”

“I miss your Father, Sam,” Merry smiled fondly.

“As do I,” Sam sighed.

“And we’re about to miss our dinner,” Merry pointed out.

“I still think it makes me look slightly more distinguished,” Pippin objected.

Merry stopped, turned Pippin about to face him and studied him intently for a minute and then sighed.

“What is it, Merry?” Pippin asked.

“Your distinguished grey temples are making *me* feel old,” Merry said.  “Do me a favour and don’t go grey all at once if you can help it.  I’m old enough already with any help from you.”

Grinning, Pippin wrapped an arm about Merry’s shoulders and said, “Come on, Merry-lad, let your distinguished cousin lead you down to dinner.  You’ll feel better when you’ve had something to eat.  You look a bit peckish.”

“More than a bit,” Merry grinned.  “And Pippin?”

“Yes?”

“It does make you look a bit like your Father at that,” Merry smiled. “Now, you go first, Pip.  After all, age before beauty.” Merry took a step back and waved Pippin forward with a slight bow.

Pippin beamed and the four friends went down to join the others for dinner.

03-01-2012

GW