One Morning

by MerrytheHobbit

Two hobbits are watched by two creatures on the morning of their departure. A short story taking place during Merry and Pippin's last journey.

A timid deer steps out of hiding. Sniffing the air, the creature senses for any danger. After being ensured of its safety, the doe begins to nibble on some dew-laden grass. The animal is disturbed from its meal by a noisy falcon, which had swooped down from its perch on a large, ancient tree. The bird makes a few circles over the meadow and flies higher into the morning sky. Entranced by the falcon's twirls in the air, the deer does not notice two figures moving slowly along the silent road. The two figures are elderly hobbits, riding on shaggy ponies. The deer suddenly senses another presence. Looking with frightened eyes and listening with large ears the doe spots the two elderly hobbits. The deer does not flee back to the safety of the woods, but stares on at the two strangers. One of the hobbits, the younger one, points up to where the falcon playing in the morning winds. The other hobbit nodded a smiled, gazing up into the sky.

The two hobbits slowly pass, and disappear from the dear's sight. The creature continues its meal, and looks up in time to see the small falcon vanish into the morning sky, flying up into the heavens. With a cry the falcon fades away from sight and the two last hobbits of the Fellowship, leave their homeland forever.