Swaying like a branch in the wind, or rather on a branch in the wind, Merry felt safer than he had in what seemed like a very long time, and it gave him a chance to think - and to remember.

'Pippin?'

'Hmm?' Pippin sounded sleepy, which was no surprise as they had been gently rocked in Treebeard's arms with every step he took for countless miles now.

'I miss The Shire too, Pip. I do.'

'I know, Merry.'

Merry sighed. 'This reminds me of old times, when we would stay out all night, just exploring. Or when we would sleep out under the stars.'

'Yes, Merry,' Pippin agreed, 'though we weren't hiding from any orcs at the time.'

'No, but nor were we making friends with an ent like Treebeard. We didn't ever know there were ents.'

Treebeard gave a deep, rolling brhoom of laughter, pulling them a bit closer. 'Ah, little ones, you may yet see your Shire again. For now you are as safe as you were under the stars there, so rest easy in your Shire dreams while you are able.'

The slow rumbling of Treebeard's booming yet comforting voice had sent them drifting into sleep well before he had ended his speech with his bid for them to rest, and he continued to stride on in the quiet darkness for many more miles, bearing his special cargo in careful, caring hands.

'Yes,'
he thought 'I do hope that they will find their Shire still waiting for them in the end.'