It was early morning, and two figures riding on ponies left the Shire, never to return. Nobody saw the two elderly hobbits leaving on that grey dawn, and if someone did they would just shake their heads and sigh. Merry and Pippin would leave the Shire quite often, visiting people and places far south. Often, they would ride around the Shire wearing strange garb, acquired when they disappeared on their mysterious journey with Frodo Baggins and Sam years ago.
Frodo was first to leave the Shire. After a few years of living with Sam and his family in Bag End, Frodo left once more. Rumor said he went with the Elves across the Sea. Sam also left. After Rosie died and all his children were grown, Sam rode off, and was last seen by his daughter, Elanor. Folk said Master Meriadoc and Thain Peregrin would leave suddenly too.
It was only two years after Sam left, when a letter arrived for Master Merry. After a long meeting with the Thain, it was declared in Buckland that Master Meriadoc's son would be the Master of Buckland. Across the Brandywine, a similar message was heard, Master Peregrin's son, Faramir, was proclaimed Thain. This was what most expected. The two adventuring hobbits were leaving once more. This time they wouldn't return.
As the two companions rode together on the road, one could hear snatches of songs or the retelling of times past. They stopped in Bree, staying at the Prancing Pony. If one were to listen carefully they would hear the two elderly hobbits speaking of rangers, rings, and black riders. The next day they continued on their journey. Keeping on the road the traveled on, occasionally glancing grimly towards the ruins of Weathertop.
Merry and Pippin stopped briefly in Rivendell. There were no more Elves dwelling there of coarse, but the beautiful buildings and gardens still remained. The two travelers sat and ate beneath a great tree in the garden, which seemed untouched by time, as if the Elvishness of the place preserved it. During their meal, there was much talk about the Elves and their great beauty and wisdom. They walked into one building, and went to a room, that seemed was familiar to them. Maybe it was the room their poor cousin stayed in, or perhaps it was the very old hobbit Bilbo's room, it could have even been the room they once stayed in. After visiting other remembered places, they mounted their ponies and headed off again.
They continued south, till they arrived at the eaves of an ancient forest. The two smiled as they looked into its green depts. They talked of running blindly into that forest and meeting ents, the guardians of the forest. Maybe a passing bird would hear one of the two say, "I wonder if good old Treebeard is still living in there". Finally, Merry and Pippin put their backs to the forest and moved on solemnly remembering that friend they met. So long ago it seemed to them, when the ents marched upon Isengard and Saruman was overthrown.
Evening was setting on the city of Edoras, and two weary travelers went up towards the Golden Hall of Meduseld. They were greeted by the guards and lead into the King's chambers. The older of the two was dressed in the livery of Rohan, and had come to answer his lord's call. The King was coming to the end of his days, and the Master Holdwine was often seen sitting by the bedside of the old king, Eomer.
Spring passed and autumn came. The trees of Rohan dropped their leaves, preparing for the winter to come. As the brown leaves fell to the ground, King Eomer drew his last breath and died. Eomer was placed in a mound next to Theoden's, and simbelmyne blanketed yet another tomb outside of Edoras. That day Master Meriadoc wept for another Lord of the Mark. The next day the two mounted their ponies and left Rohan, never to return.
Merry and Pippin rode to the white city of Minas Tirith. Many times they had visited the King and Queen of Gondor, but this time they will not be going home. As they climbed up the levels of the city, the hobbits remained silent. Much had happened in and outside those walls. An elderly man approached the two halflings.
"Hail Masters Peregrin and Meriadoc! It is so good to see you again. I was just remembering when I first met you," he said.
"Hello Bergil! It is so good to see you too," said the younger of the hobbits, bringing his pony to a halt.
"You have come to visit us again. The King shall be glad of your coming," Bergil said.
"Yes, but this time, we have come here to stay," said the other hobbit speaking for the first time.
"Well come and visit me time from time. Will you?" asked Bergil.
"We shall enjoy your company anytime," spoke the hobbit, Pippin.
"I guess you want to see the King. Well go on. I shall see you soon," said Bergil.
"Yes, good-bye Bergil. It's so nice to talk to you again," said Pippin.
The hobbits continued up to the seventh level. The white tree was as beautiful as ever, and there under the white branches was the King himself. He at first didn't notice the hobbits, for he was reading some book. If the hobbits were paying attention, they would have noticed that he was reading a copy of the Red Book.
Hearing the hobbits approaching, the King lifted his head. Upon seeing them he smiled. "My dear friends! How good it is to see you again. Tell me, how does it fare in the Shire? Was your journey pleasant?" he said.
"Strider! It is splendid to see you again!" said Pippin
"How long shall I be blessed with your presence this time?" said the King.
"We won't be going back to the Shire," said Merry, a hint of sadness was in his voice.
"You mean…"
"There is a new Thain in the Shire, and a new Master as well," replied Pippin.
The King, understanding his friends' plans nodded his head in answer. While the three stood under the white tree in silence, the Queen of Gondor walked up to them, smiling and as beautiful as she was when the hobbits first saw her, many years ago.
"Little Friends! I see you have come to Gondor once more to be among us," she said.
"My Lady," said the two hobbits.
"Come," said the King," You must be weary from your travels. Let me lead you to your lodgings."
That night there was a feast in the courts of the King, and once more the halls were filled with hobbit voices. Old friends were greeted and there was much coming and going from the seventh level. A week after the hobbits' arrival, Legolas and Gimli came to visit their old friends.
"Well it is good to see you two rascals again," said Gimli in his husky voice.
"How are you two faring?" said Legolas, his fair elvish face bore a smile.
"We are doing well, and you?" said the elder of the two hobbits.
"Ah, we are doing well," said the Dwarf.
"I hear from Aragorn that you two plan on staying in Gondor," said Legolas.
"Yes we are," said Pippin with a sigh.
"King Eomer wanted to see me before he died. So Pippin and I decided to leave for good. We are too old for traveling any further," Merry said, "We wanted to be with the remaining Fellowship, before we… go."
The Elf and Dwarf nodded.