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b2memFormat: chaptered story, though it could probably be read on its own.
Genre: drama, family, romance, recipe!fic
Rating: PG
Warnings:
Characters: Pippin Took, Merry Brandybuck, Marigold (Gamgee) Cotton, Sam Gamgee, Frodo Baggins
Pairings: Merry/Estella, Pippin/Diamond (in later chapters)
Creator’s Notes (optional): I disclaim "The Man in the Moon Stayed Up Too Late", of which a part is quoted.
Summary: The spring after the Travellers return to the Shire, Pippin receives orders to resume his duties as the Thain's Heir, by attending the Brockenborings Spring Festival among the North-tooks. That's a bit too far from Crickhollow for Pippin's liking, but Merry won't let him make the journey alone. Chapter Two brings our lads from Budgeford to Bag End...
“Do you remember the fragrance lasses acquire in autumn?” Merry sang under his breath as they rode along. It wasn’t one of Bilbo’s Walking Songs; this was a tavern song, one he’d learned down South if Pippin was any judge, and he raised a slender eyebrow. They hadn’t stopped for elevenses, so he nibbled idly at an apple from his pack.
“Are you going to be going on nonstop about lasses now you’ve…” he trailed off. “Now that you and Estella are…” He paused again. “What did she give you for her birthday?” he asked instead.
“A family receipt, of course,” he replied. “One for fish, at that. It’s one come down through the Took side, I’d warrant, since it uses Southern fruits like lemon - Isengar must have brought it back with him. In fact I think I remember the inns in Gondor serving it a time or two.”
Pippin remembered it too. “With such a lovely combination of herbs, and the roasted vegetables - I don’t think we have those little cabbages here in the Shire!”
“No, those come from a vale near Imloth Melui. I have heard they are so ubiquitous in Gondor that the children actually refuse to eat them, if they can get away with it, and there you were taking thirds!” Merry laughed.
“I’m a growing lad!” Pippin said, laughing too. “No proper hobbit would turn their nose up at any food, especially a nicely cooked vegetable, unless they could not eat it for some reason. It’s just poor manners. Bergil was amazed, though, I do remember.” They had come South over the Water, and were turning onto the East-West Road, riding westward toward Frogmorton. “Shall we have luncheon at The Floating Log, or keep on, do you think?”
“You and your stops! If we don’t keep on, we’ll be riding until Lithe!” Merry scolded, though he understood, truly. “We’ll stop in Hobbiton tonight and stay with Frodo, what do you say to that?”
Pippin was immediately cheered. “Oh yes, Merry, I’d like that!” Frodo, he knew, wouldn’t turn them away. And if he was in Michel Delving on business, as so often happened, then Sam would be there and let them in. Everything would be all right.
As they skirted the Frogmoors, keeping a wide berth of the wild toads and slugs, Pippin’s mind began to wander again. Even Merry’s reminiscing about Mistress Bell and the lovely foods she used to bring up to Bag End didn’t keep him from worrying.
“Pip!” Merry finally brought him up short. “What are you doing? You nearly rode Butter off the Road!”
Pippin shook his head. “Just thinking about what Fa...the Thain is going to say,” he said morosely. “He’s playing at politics, that’s what it is. I thought we’d left all that behind in Gondor.”
“You’re Uncle Paladin’s heir, Pippin,” Merry said gently. “Just like I’m Da’s. We’ve always known that.”
“At least your father didn’t disown you for running away into the Blue,” Pippin sighed.
“I left a note. And I’m of age. Uncle Paladin’s likely angrier with me or Frodo than you,” Merry replied. “Really, he can’t blame you; you’re not legally responsible for such actions. Technically he could claim we stole you away.”
Pippin laughed without any humour. “I doubt even the Took and Thain would want to bring an action against the Baggins, as well as his own nephew,” he murmured, shaking his head. After all, who would judge such a dispute? It was easier for his father to be angry with him.
“Let’s just focus on enjoying the Fair when we get there. The North-took archers will be something to see,” Merry cajoled gently. Pippin sighed and nodded. As they passed through Bywater, he saw The Green Dragon open for business, and brightened a little. It was completely restored from the last time they had seen it together; the Ruffians were long gone, and Hobbits were streaming in and out, merry snatches of song floating to their ears. Pippin heard a familiar tune struck up, and though they weren’t stopping, began to sing;
“There is an inn, a merry old inn,
Beneath an old grey hill,
And there they brew a beer so brown
That the Man in the Moon himself came down
One night to drink his fill…”
He paused. “Do you suppose that inn was The Prancing Pony?” he asked Merry, who laughed.
“Well, that’s where we were at the time, Pip! I dare say it might have been!” Imagine, the Man in the Moon, who the Elves called Tilion, he thought. The song had apparently spread from Bree to the Shire, since it had become so well known, and he wondered who had brought it. Surely not Frodo. Sam, perhaps, or Bree-hobbits who had witnessed Frodo’s...mishap with the Ring.
As it was, they passed through Bywater, and then Hobbiton, sturdy Stybba and faithful Butter pricking up their ears as the ponies carried them through the middle of town. Outside the Ivy Bush, the pair stopped to stable their ponies, and continued on their way.
Sam’s sister Marigold, now young Mrs. Cotton, was in town for the market and they paused to chat to her for a bit - Mari’s eyes widened when they gave her the news of Merry’s impending nuptials.
“And I’ll expect to see you there, lass,” he said with a smile, “you and all the Gamgees and Cottons that can come. And if your Da tries to say it isn’t proper, you just have him settle with me. I wouldn’t fail to invite the family of one of my dearest friends!”
Marigold beamed. She liked Estella; for all the other lass was gentry, they’d spent time together during the troubles. “Oh, I do hope I can convince the Gaffer,” she said. “But of course it’s Young Tom as is my husband now, so it’s up to him whether we go or nay.”
“He’ll come,” Merry said knowledgeably. “Don’t you worry. You’ll all have a formal invitation soon enough.”
“Thank’ee, Mr. Merry, sir,” Marigold remembered to say - blushing at her familiarity with the Son of the Hall - and bobbed a curtsey, before rushing off with a delighted smile. Merry rolled his eyes and shook his head as they walked on up to the Hill.
“She’s worse than Sam and his ‘mistering’ Frodo.”
Pippin laughed. They’d have ever such a lot to talk about with their Baggins cousin!
When they reached the Hill, however, Frodo was nowhere to be seen. Sam was staggering to the door with a loaded market basket on each arm; Jay Goodchild from down the Hill had another one.
“Here, let me help you with that, Sam!” Merry took one of Sam’s baskets away from him. “Is Frodo home?”
“Aye, Mr-I mean, Merry. But he’s had a bad turn,” Sam sighed.
Merry grimaced. “We’ll help you see to Frodo, Sam,” he promised.
(TBC)
Estella's Tookland Salmon:
Ingredients:
4 salmon filets, skin removed (about 2 lbs total)
4 cups halved brussels sprouts (or sliced zucchini, diced potato, broccoli, etc)
2 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter
2 Tablespoons bunched rosemary leaves, chopped
2 Tablespoons parsley (I use dried, chopped)
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
2 lemons
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
sea salt, to taste
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or a silicone baking mat. Arrange salmon and brussels sprouts on top.
Brush the melted butter on top of each salmon filet. In a small bowl, mix the rosemary, parsley, garlic, juice of 1 lemon, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper together with a spoon. Spoon evenly onto each filet, spreading all over the top. Slice 1/2 of the 2nd lemon and arrange 1-2 slices on top of each filet. Squeeze the other lemon half on top of the brussels sprouts. Sprinkle the brussels sprouts with remaining 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Sprinkle sea salt evenly over the whole pan-- not much is needed. Go by your preference.
Bake for 15 minutes or until the salmon is just cooked through. Don't overcook or the salmon will taste dry.
Serve with additional lemon slices if desired. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for a few days. Reheat to your liking.
Recipe Notes:
For a more rounded out meal, serve the salmon and brussels sprouts with brown rice, quinoa, or baked sweet potatoes.
(Credit: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/baked-lemon-herb-salmon/ )
no subject
Date: 2019-03-25 08:21 pm (UTC)- Erulisse (one L)
no subject
Date: 2019-03-25 10:05 pm (UTC)