1. Bit of Post-Traumatic Stress for poor Pippin, stupid Nazgûls..
(In case it makes no sense, the shriek of the kettle reminded him.)

2. No, I'm not advocating getting drunk as a way to kill life's pains :p
(But wow, those little Hobbits sure do love their ale, now don't they..?)


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It was so good to be back..

"On warmth of pillow or warmth of bed
We shall not yet rest our weary heads,
Instead we'll dance, 'til the light of morn
Or until both our feet & our breath are worn!
With our mugs half filled, and our bellies full,
We fear neither Orc nor the great Nazgûl!"

The two voices, half singing, half shouting in familiar tune, belonged to the two youngest members of the Fellowship, Merry and Pippin, who were dancing atop a long table at The Green Dragon a few weeks after their return. Somber on their first few return visits, then forever being asked of their time away after that, or wearily answering question upon question for still many more visits after, they were now doing their best to return a bit to the way things were before. Before everything.

But as they ended the last line of their song, the piercing shriek of a kettle came from the direction of the kitchen, startling Pippin so badly that he lost his footing, nearly falling off the table had it not been for Merry catching him by the arm in time. The music ended with a last noisy whine of bow against string, and a few confused looks settled upon them. But Merry understood.

His arm around Pippin's shoulder, he spoke quietly, and for Pippin's sake alone. 'There now Pip, you'll be alright. Especially with that second half in you,' he said, nodding toward the mug in Pippin's hand. Pippin tilted his head. 'Can't I have another once I'm through this?' he asked innocently, holding up the mug. Merry laughed. Neither one of them was the same as before, for better or worse, and never would be, but somehow nothing had really ever changed, either. He smiled at his best friend, closer than a brother to him and thankfully as still as alive as he was, which was nothing short of miraculous considering all that they had been through. 'Yes, Peregrin Took, you're going to be alright.' Pippin returned his friend's smile and thrust his mug into the air. 'Music, please! I feel this is a fine time for dancing.'