What a wonderful glimpse at the cousins in later life! This just makes me smile, Merry being so huffy but with a trick up his sleeve, Pippin trying so hard to get just the right kind of fruitcake -- each one working to please the other and make Yule extra-special. Gentle and sweet, yet filled with their special kind of humor.

Your Fruitcake recipe looks so rich! I think it's just the kind of traditional cake that hobbits would love.

Great job, Pearl!