Heather finds Bailey in the fantasy section of the library. “Hey Bailey,” she says, waving. “What are you looking at?”
“Books for Cole,” Bailey says absentmindedly. “Oh wait, I wasn’t supposed to tell you that.”
“Don’t worry,” Heather replies, giggling. “Your secret is safe with me.”
“What made you come here?” Bailey asks, picking up a book and thumbing through it.
“I need help with my gift,” Heather admits. “I can’t think of anything Caleb would want.”
“Well,” Bailey says, putting the book back. “He really likes Rubik’s cubes, chess, mystery books…”
But, Heather didn’t hear the rest of the list. “Chess!” she repeats excitedly, cutting Bailey off.
“Yes, he likes chess,” Bailey says, confused by Heather’s sudden exclamation.
“I found some rabbits playing 3-D chess on my way over here,” Heather explains. “I’m sure he would love that!”
“Definitely,” Bailey agrees.
“Thanks for your help!” Heather exclaims, quickly heading out of the library.
“You’re welcome,” Bailey calls after her. “Now back to looking through books. Cole already has Lord of the Rings, but he’s been saying how much he wants to read The Silmarillion.”
Bailey finds the Lord of the Rings section, but no Silmarillion. “Hmm, that’s odd. There were a couple of copies not too long ago.” As a matter of fact, there was only one copy of The Hobbit in the entire section. “Where did they all go?” she says to herself.
Bailey walks over to the librarian. “Do you know where all the copies of all the Lord of the Rings books went?”
“Two blonde bucks borrowed them,” the librarian, an older doe, explains. “They seemed oddly excited.”
“Do you by chance remember their names?” Bailey asks anxiously. She doesn’t have much time to get the book.
“Hmm… I think it was Mippin and Perry,” the librarian answers. “No, it was Periodic and Falcon. No, that’s not it either. I’m sorry, but I can’t remember. I can look it up in our records though.” She turns around to pick up a large book, but by the time she turns back around, Bailey is gone. “Some rabbits have no patience. Odd looking rabbit though.” She returns to her work.
Bailey glides down the stairs, hoping to catch up with Merry and Pippin. She has no idea where they might be but wants to check Savory Den first. She rounds the last corner of the staircase just to run straight into Jo, who crashes into both Picket and Perk.
“What were you flying so fast for?” Perk asks, standing up and dusting himself off.
“I’m trying to find Merry and Pippin,” Bailey answers after she catches her breath. “They have the entire Lord of the Rings section of the library.”
“Don’t you have your own copies?” Picket asks. “Are you really that obsessed with the books?”
“I don’t have The Silmarillion,” Bailey explains.
“You don’t have a Lord of the Rings book?” Jo asks. “How is that even possible?”
Bailey just rolls her eyes. “Have you guys seen them?”
“They were downstairs at a table near the edge of the Savory Den,” Picket answers. “They were being weird. Well, weirder than normal.”
“Thanks!” Bailey exclaims, taking off again. She quickly finds the two rabbits.
“Do you want a copy of our world-famous adventures?” Pippin asks.
“They aren’t yours,” Bailey says, scanning to see if they still have The Silmarillion.
“Of course they are!” Merry retorts. “Who else is called Meriodac and Peregrin?”
“I mean the books aren’t yours,” Bailey explains, sighing. “They belong to the library.”
“Wait, I thought you paid for them,” Merry says, turning to Pippin.
“I thought they were free!” Pippin replies in defense. “You won’t tell, will you?”
“I won’t if you give me two untouched copies of the Silmarillion and one Unfinished Tales,” Bailey answers.
“You sure you don’t want them signed?” Pippin asks while Merry finds the books.
“Yes,” Bailey replies sternly. They hand her the books. “Thank you. Besides, you can go back and pay for the books now,” she adds as she is walking off.
I thought it'd be funny if all the books were missing and a certain mischievous duo has 'borrowed' them. Anyway, I hope you like it!