Chapter 1
Title: The Price
Author: Anemone Frost
Email: Weepingwillow987@aol.com
Pairing: P/OC; P/M
Rating: PG-13 (Eventually NC-17)
Summary: (AU Fic, Pre-Quest) 1/? Paladin and Eglantine want marry their son off but want to do it for a profit. Pippin’s parents begin to choose the best suitors for their son, and they don’t care if it’s a lad or lass, narrowing it down to Merry Brandybuck and Marroc Smallburrows. Pippin wants Merry, but Merry doesn’t ‘seem’ to want Pippin. Pippin aims to make Merry jealous, but his plan backfires. Marroc will do just about anything to get what he wants, and he’s intent on making Pippin his.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Warnings: None for this chapter.
Disclaimer: Characters belong to Tolkien.
Pippin sighed as he gazed out the window, watching the spring scenery. He longed to be outside, but his parents were forcing him to stay indoors. After all, there were suitors to entertain. It made him sick, knowing that his parents were practically bidding him off to the richest lass or lad. A shudder slid down his spine at the thought. There was only one male he wanted to be with. Merry.
The hobbit was considerably rich and would be an ideal suitor in his parent’s eyes. Hopefully, he would arrive soon and save him from this madness. That’s what he loved most about Merry. He would always sweet talk his parents into some excuse that required Pippin to leave the hobbit hole. Those days or evenings were the most enjoyable moments of his life, but it had been nearly two months since he last saw Merry, only receiving letters of his whereabouts and activities. He promised to return on Pippin’s eighteenth birthday.
Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be a very festive party for Pippin, considering this was the time his parents decided to ‘auction’ him off. He didn’t understand why his parents were doing this. They were already considered one of the wealthiest families in the Shire but his father, Paladin, was greedy. He always craved gold and had even sold off his dear sisters Pearl, Pimpernel, and Pervinca to other wealthy hobbits. He was nothing more than an object to his father. Now, for more then three hours, he had been passed around from lass to lad from lad to lass, allowing each one to inspect him like a piece of meat.
“Pippin, darling, you are needed out here!” came Eglantine’s voice, Pippin’s mother.
“Coming Ma!” Pippin yelled back.
She came bursting through the door anyway, vibrant and smiling down at her son. “Darling, you know your father will be upset if you do not hurry. I do not want a scene between you two. It would be most embarrassing. We are trying to impress a young lad out there.”
“Lad?” Pippin echoed, turning pale. “What of the others?”
“Your father has them occupied in one of the spare rooms,” Eglantine answered. “There is one called Marroc Smallburrows that carries the most money. He is a rather good choice and waiting for you in the parlor.” Her smile grew. “It should also interest you that Merry is also waiting. Your dear cousin is eager to see how you’ve grown.” She lowered her ear to his, whispering.
“Impress him, for he is rich too. I assume you would want him over Marroc. Don’t try to deny it. I’ve watched you two grow since childhood, and you’ve always had a close bond with him. Believe it or not, I do want you to be happy and I know that Merry would treat you with kindness. I hear rumors that Marroc only wants you for your beauty, and— something to deflower.”
Pippin blushed furiously. “Ma, please— ”
“I’m only stating the truth,” Eglantine shrugged. “Now get back out there before your father decides to punish you.”
Bile rose into his throat. He hated this life. He hated being an object. He was shoved into the parlor, spotting two hobbits each sitting on a stool. One was his father, and the other was relatively handsome, plump, yet not fat. His hair was strawberry blonde, and his eyes shimmered a bright blue. The blazing orb’s almost reminded him of his cousin Frodo. The hobbit stood from his seat, and strolled to Pippin’s form, slowly circling around the trembling hobbit, obviously gazing over the ‘prize’.
“My, you do have a beautiful son, Paladin,” Marroc chuckled darkly. “I never thought he would blossom into such a pretty flower.”
“Good looks run in the family,” Paladin proudly stated.
“Hello, dearest Pippin,” came another voice.
Pippin spun around, smiling widely as his cousin Merry emerged from the darkness in the corner. Without thinking he ran to Merry, embracing him tightly despite the disgruntled growl from his father.
“Merry! You came!” Pippin cried.
“Yes, and how you have grown,” Merry chuckled, hugging him back. “I wish I hadn’t disappeared for so long, but father needed a hand with the business and farm. I missed you, Pippin.”
“Ahem, that is enough of that ridiculous display Pippin!” Paladin snarled. “Get back over here and treat our guest with a little more respect. If you don’t obey you’ll regret it later.”
Pippin reluctantly moved away from Merry, and centered himself in the parlor.
“No harm done,” Marroc snickered. “Besides, Paladin, for your sake you better not bruise this beauty. It’ll tarnish the sale.” Paladin gave a weak laugh and rubbed at his neck. “There is something I need to know before deciding to purchase this delightful creature— is he a virgin?”
A blush crept over Pippin’s cheeks. Merry tensed at the statement, left in complete shock, and he turned red himself.
“Yes, of course,” Paladin laughed. “He’s a virtuous boy. I see to that. He’ll be a nice toy on the wedding night, if you get my drift.”
Laughter erupted amongst the two, but Merry was left boiling. He knew fully well what was taking place; he had known Pippin’s purpose since birth. He was grateful his parents never did the same thing to him.
“I do not think it is appropriate to discuss such things,” Merry growled.
“Ah, so you are jealous,” Paladin laughed. “If you give me a reasonable offer, I shall allow you to purchase my son. I know you must want him. How could you not?”
“I will do no such thing,” Merry shot back.
Sweat slid down on Pippin’s brow, and he felt dizzy. Merry didn’t want him. Merry didn’t want him. It repeated over and over in his mind.
“I will not pay for Pippin like some sort of property,” Merry snorted. “It’s disgusting! How can you do that him?! How could you do that to your daughters?!”
“There’s a profit to be had,” Paladin answered. “It’s all they’re good for.”
Hope flashed in Pippin’s mind. Perhaps Merry did want him after all. He just didn’t want to pay for him. Pippin knew he had to convince Merry to somehow go through with it. He didn’t want to end up with the other hobbit. He could see lust and cruelty flashing in those bright eyes.
Marroc coughed, and drew back Paladin’s attention. “I want to fully inspect him first before making any decisions.”
“You may strip him if you like,” Paladin answered. “See for yourself. There is nothing wrong with him.” He glowered in Merry’s direction. “I suggest you leave the room, unless you promise not to make a spectacle. You knew this day would come for Pippin— so deal with it.”
“I’m not going anywhere!” Merry spat.
“Suit yourself,” Marroc snickered, stalking over to Pippin.
The younger hobbit looked at him with wide eyes. The male was a great deal taller, and appeared quite muscular for a hobbit. Marroc’s hands worked on the fastens of Pippin’s waistcoat, exposing his pale chest. Pippin felt heat rise to his cheeks. He couldn’t allow the hobbit to undress him in front of Merry. He had to do something distracting that would get Merry riled up to the point where he would certainly pay for him.
Pippin raised to the tips of his feet and planted a kiss on Marroc’s lips. The older hobbit was taken back in surprise, but quickly responded with ferocity. Pippin nearly gagged as the older hobbit’s tongue invaded his mouth. A hand traveled down and squeezed his rump while the other trailed along his cleft. It was humiliating, but he could tell that it was upsetting Merry from the startled gasp he gave off. Pippin didn’t want to do it, but he had to get Merry’s attention somehow.
Marroc chuckled as he drew away, still groping at Pippin’s rear. “You know, Paladin, I’ve had a sudden change of heart. I don’t need to inspect him right now. He seems like a fine prize.”
Paladin beamed, grinning from ear to ear. “Splendid! I’ll just have you sign a contract and pay half the money up front, and then you can choose when to begin. Eglantine! Go to the library and retrieve the contract!”
“I believe it will be sometime soon,” Marroc chuckled. He eyed Merry. “I want this pretty creature before someone else decides to try to snatch him away.”
Paladin and Marroc exited the parlor, leaving Merry alone with Pippin. The younger hobbit stared at the floor, suddenly ashamed of his actions. The glare he received from Merry didn’t help matters.
“Why did you do that?” Merry asked, his voice wavering in anger.
“What did you expect me to do?” Pippin sighed. “I didn’t want him to strip me, so I tried to distract him the only way I knew how.” He gazed up, eyes starting to water. “It’s not like I want him Merry. There’s someone else that I would prefer.”
Merry snorted. “A shame then. I think I will be staying at the local inn, The Red Dragon, instead of here.”
“Oh, Merry, don’t go!” Pippin cried.
“I’ll be back, Pippin,” Merry replied, heading quickly to the door. “I just need time to settle in.”
Pippin could tell that his cousin was hurt. His eyes were turning puffy, and gleamed from the rising tears. Sadness crept over Pippin’s mind. Maybe Merry didn’t think he was worth all that money. He hung his head, turning away as his cousin rode off on the trail. There would be another chance to talk. Now, he had to deal with Marroc.
To be continued.
Chapter 2
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