"Alright. When it comes to leaving places quickly," Frodo announced, "We are failures."

The other hobbits nodded in agreement.

"How on Middle Earth did we end up staying in Mirkwood for a week?" Sam asked.

"Probably because someone showed Esmerelda and Pippin where the kitchen was." Primrose glared accusingly at the two hobbits.

"What?" Pippin asked innocently.

"You two ate everything!" Bilbo sighed in exasperation.

"Poor Thranduil. It's not as if he already has a bunch of other stuff going on." Frodo sighed.

"A single father with three kids. Poor guy." Esmerelda commented while munching on a carrot.

"Where do you keep getting food?" Pippin asked in disbelief.

"You don't want to know the answer to that Pippers."

"We made it to Laketown!" Frodo announced.

"I thought Laketown got destroyed ny Smaug?" Sam said in confusion.

"We're in a Fanfiction Pippin. Get used to it." Bilbo said.

"What's a Fanfiction?" Esmerelda asked.

"Don't worry about it." Bilbo told them. "There just stories fans make up about their favorite fandoms."

"Fandoms?" Frodo asked.

"Bilbo are you alright?" Primrose asked.

The hobbit threw his hands up in defeat.

"Just forget it!"

The hobbits agreed to drop the subject.

They entered Laketown and asked everyone if they had seen a hobbit pass by.

No luck.

"I bet Bard might know." Bilbo said. "We should find him."

The hobbits went to Bard's house only to learn that he wasn't home.

"Now what do we do?" Pippin asked in defeat.

"Let's think guys." Primrose said. "Where would Merry go this far east and why?"

"Food?" Esmerelda suggested.

"There's food in the Shire." Pippin sighed. "If I know Merry the only reason he would have come out here would be to-"

He stopped. His eyes lit up and jumped in the air, accidently smacking Frodo in the face.

"I got it!"

"OW! Pippin!"

"Got what?" Sam asked.

"I know where Merry is! Come on!"

Pippin began running with Esmerelda, Sam, Primrose, Bilbo, and Frodo following.

----

"Why are we at Erebor?" Primrose asked.

"This is where Merry is!" Pippin replied.

"Why would Merry come-" Frodo started but then suddenly realized what Pippin meant.

"Why didn't I realize this sooner?"

"What?" Sam, Primrose, Bilbo, and Esmerelda asked.

"Merry's here to see Vili!" Pippin told them.

Suddenly his smile faded. He clenched his fists and his face began to turn red.

"Uh... Pippers? You ok?" Esmerelda asked nervously.

"MERRY WENT SOMEWHERE WITHOUT ME!!!! WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS??? MR. MEETSAHOTDWRARFANDISTO
GOODFORAMYONEELSE?"

"That is a long and unnecessary name." Esmerelda commented.

"MERRY YOU'RE GONNA BE SORRY!!!"

Pippin raced into Erebor with the others in hot pursuit.

----

They actually didn't get far because as soon as they got inside two dwarves were standing right at the entrance.

Bilbo recognized them.

"Fili! Kili! It's so good to see you again!"

Kili nudged his brother.

"Look Fili! It's Bilbo Boggins!"

"Um... Kili, it's Baggins."

"No it's not. It's Boggins."

"Baggins."

"Are you sure Fili?"

"Yes."

"You mean to tell me all this time I thought his last name was Boggins?"

"Yeah I guess so."

"That's embarassing."

"Yes it is. Now Bilbo Baggins, why don't you tell us why you're here?" Fili asked.

"We're looking for a friend of ours. He's a hobbit with red hair and a funny looking face."

"Merry doesn't-" Pippin started but was interupted by Kili.

"You're missing someone too? We've been searching all over the place for our sister, Vili."

"AH HA!!!" Pippin shouted.
"That proves it! Merry is with Vili!"

"Wait a minute... Our sister is woth who?!?!" Fili shouted.

"No time to explain let's go!" Pippin raced out the door with the other once again following.

----

Ok, the next chapter will wrap up what's been going on with Merry. Don't worry! I'll be getting on with all the other stuff hopefully by Friday or Saturday.