Disclaimer: I do not own 'The Lord of the Rings'. I am just a fangirl who takes pleasure in Tolkien's works.


"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance."

-Alan Watts


Chapter II: Insufferable Hobbits


All was quiet in the peaceful valley of the elves when Gandalf returned with Drnugrl, who was padding close to his side, her wide eyes widening still as she took in the world with this newfangled point-of-view. Throughout all of her existence, Drnugrl had only ever dwelt near the River Bruinen, and had never once considered visiting elsewhere, even to Rivendell, which lay close to her home. She now wished she had. Although the hour was late, she could nonetheless sense the dreamlike serenity that seemed to penetrate and sedate the mind as she tread within the borders of the elven dale. Here the breeze had died down, though the air remained crisp and cool, and a delicate scent of some sort of unknown vegetation wafted through it. Far off Drnugrl could hear the dull roaring of multiple waterfalls, along with it a soothing symphony from a sundry of night creatures.

As Gandalf led her along a stone pathway that gradually ascended towards a grand house upon a slope against the valley's far wall, he quietly instructed the female maia.

"We will not wake Lord Elrond at this time, so your induction to the Fellowship must wait until tomorrow, I'm afraid. In the meantime, I will call upon one of his servants and perhaps find you something suitable to wear."

He came to a stop when they reached the foot of a flight of stairs that arched upward to the entry door of the house and Drnugrl mimicked his motion, halting next to him. Gandalf turned to her, his gaze thoughtful.

"I think it best that you go conceal yourself in the gardens over yonder until I have obtained your outfit. I don't believe anyone would still be awake at this time, but just for extra precaution."

Drnugrl gave a nod in assent, pivoting and gliding away from the wizard in the indicated direction, swift and silent like a passing shadow beneath the moon.


"You know, Merry, I don't think I have ever actually been full from a meal before. Not even at our holiday feasts did I feel so content as I do now. It's a bit... unsettling."

Away back in the Last Homely House of Lord Elrond, in a spacious and warm chamber, there were two hobbits that had not found sleep as of yet. The one named Merry emerged from the lavatory that was attached to the room, stretching his arms above his curly-haired head, yawning widely.

"I concur." said he, scratching the back of his neck and striding over to his bed with purpose.

"You think breakfast will be just as spectacular?" the first hobbit wondered, sitting atop his own bed, cross-legged, resting his chin in his cupped hands.

Merry, who had climbed up into the bed and brought out his trusty pipe, was in the process of filling it with the little stash of weed he had left from back home in the Shire, shrugged his shoulders.

"I'd say it's almost a guarantee."

"I don't suppose they would know anything about second breakfast, or elevenses, or luncheon or afternoon tea either."

"I doubt it," said Merry, topping the weed off. "Perhaps this is the opportunity for you to teach those who are ignorant to our tasteful culture?"

This notion seemed to make the other hobbit perk up a bit, straightening so that his hands dropped into his lap and he was looking directly across at Merry, his green eyes alight.

"Yeah, you know I never thought about it, but these big people really would do well to know a little more about us hobbits!" said he enthusiastically.

Merry nodded, half-listening as he was mostly concentrating on igniting his pipe.

"Indeed, Pippin."

The hobbit, Pippin, was now energized with the prospect. He slid off his own bed, one of the two beds that were far too large for he and his companion, and strolled out onto the broad balcony that extended from the room, all the while the wheels in his head were turning.

From his languid position on the bed he occupied, Merry smirked at Pippin's back, taking a long drag from his polished pipe. It didn't take much to set a fire under the young Took and it was always a pleasure to witness once one had. And Merry was an expert at doing so. He knew his baby cousin like he did the back of his hand. Pippin may not have been a very wide hobbit, for he had quite a bit of filling out to do yet since he hadn't even reached adulthood, but that did not hide the fact he had a heated passion for food. More so than even Merry did himself, and that was saying something, because he was likewise a hobbit, and it is a well-known fact that all hobbits shared a love for food.

A few minutes had gone by in utter silence, which was a rarity in the presence of Pippin Took. Merry craned his neck to get a look at Pippin outside, noticing his cousin was watching something intently from the veranda of their chamber, leant so far over the baluster he feared that the younger hobbit would tumble right over it.

"What are you looking at, Pippin?" said he, tendrils of smoke expelling from his mouth and nostrils due to his most recent draw on the pipe.

The Took did not answer straight away. He was indeed engrossed in whatever he was witnessing below and it rather made Merry slightly curious.

"There's a naked lady down there in the garden, Merry." he finally came to respond in a hushed voice.

Merry choked on his pipe. "A what?!"

In an instant he was out of bed and had hastened from the room out to the balcony to join Pippin, almost throwing himself over the side in an effort to see the nude female. His eager features fell however, when he saw that there was no woman at all below them: just a fountain, a multitude of flora and what appeared to be a common housecat stalking around, probably in search for a tasty midnight snack. Merry heaved an aggravated sigh, straightening and throwing a scathing look at his cousin.

"Don't give me such a nasty look, Merry! She was right there, I swear!" insisted Pippin, pointing like mad at the supposed spot. "She had this long, white hair and-and pale skin-like-like the moon! In fact, I think she was sort of glowing like it-"

"Oh come off it, Pippin!" Merry snapped, punching the younger hobbit's shoulder roughly. "You've had your fun, now let's go to sleep! We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, don't forget." With that he turned and shuffled back into the connected bedroom, grumbling under his breath the whole way.

Pippin looked after him over his shoulder, rubbing at the spot where he'd been struck, his brow knotted in a mixture of confusion and vexation. Vexation at his cousin for being so grouchy and confusion about the woman he had seen. For he had indeed seen a woman, no doubt about it! And she was certainly not clothed. In the second he had blinked and Merry came zipping over, she had seemingly vanished into the cool air of the night. It was so bizarre...

A sudden yawn erupted from the young hobbit lad then.

"Merry's right, I need sleep. The road is sure to be long in the following days ahead." he hesitated before retreating from the baluster, sweeping one final glance down at the garden for the mystery woman.

Little did the hobbit know, as he was yawning and clambering into bed minutes later, that the woman he had seen was still in the garden, her glassy orbs fixated on the balcony overhead. Though not as easily done as in her former state of being, Drnugrl was able to find a suitable hiding spot amid a row of bushes that golden flowers bloomed from. She wondered, as she crouched there breathing in the gentle fragrance of the flowers, what sort of creatures had been watching her just seconds ago. They were most certainly not elves. Elves Drnugrl knew very well, for they often frequented her territory along the Bruinen. These creatures had a peculiar aura about them and their cadence was nothing short of alien to her. The first one had been observing her for some time before he alerted his kin, which startled the female. Though she did not know him, Drnugrl felt that the first creature had no ill intentions when it came to her. He was young, this she knew for certain, and exceptionally inquisitive-a trait that she admired and admittedly harbored herself. The second creature that was similar to the first did not exude so much of awe as he did hunger, and this spooked the woman-like being that presently hid in the thick hedge of flowers in the garden of Lord Elrond.

There was a sudden growing sound, like that of wood tapping upon stone, accompanied by the thuds of footfalls and rustle of clothing. Someone was steadily approaching the core of the sprawling gardens, coming up the stoneflagged path. The woman stiffened instinctively within her sanctuary.

"Drnugrl? Where are you?" it was Gandalf.

She relaxed in a moment, letting out the breath she had unknowingly been holding.

"Here." said she, creeping out of the bushes in a fashion akin to a deer, noiseless and nimble.

Gandalf stood a few feet from where she had laid hidden, a light bundle of material resting in the crook of his left arm. He noted her slightly ruffled air.

"Everything alright?" he inquired.

The pale woman shook her head and motioned up towards the veranda.

"Someone seen me. It was not an elf." said she.

The grey wizard lifted his line of sight to the place she had pointed, knowing in an instant who took temporary repose in that particular chamber. He sighed with weariness, shaking his head and murmuring to himself; Drnugrl watched him closely, blinking and tilting her head.

"I should have known they'd still be wide awake... insufferable young hobbits..."

"Who are they? And what are hobbits?" questioned Drnugrl, highly intrigued.

"The two who were spying on you were hobbits and they go by the names of Merry and Pippin. But don't worry over them tonight-you'll have plenty of time to get to know them tomorrow, along with the rest of the Company. For now, take these and cover yourself. Once you've done so, we will find you a spare room in the house for you to sleep."

As the wizard handed off the pile of clothing to the woman, she responded in barely a whisper to him.

"I do not sleep, Olorin."

Gandalf seemed oddly amused by this, a small glint in his old eyes. He set a firm hand on her right bare shoulder, taking note to how cold she felt beneath his spindly fingers; her flesh form had yet to collect warmth of experience. He looked into her eyes then. They were round and unblinking, holding an infinite depth within them. She was peering into him, wise yet innocent. She was the perfect paradox that blended ageless knowledge and infantile virtue.

"My dear sister, you will find that with your new state of being, sleep is a necessity. As is eating and drinking and other bodily functions. It will take time for you to adjust, I know; however, it is not so bad once you do. In fact, you may find some of the earthly qualities to be rather enjoyable from time to time."

Something told the Grey Wizard that his Maia sibling was not wholly convinced by his words, but she inclined her head and obeyed him just the same. With some aid from Gandalf, she managed to dress herself for the first time in her life and it goes without saying that it was truly the most strangest thing she had ever done. Gandalf had not gone for anything too complicated, just a simple elven nightgown of an almost sheer white material. It was enough for now, though tomorrow he would certainly arrange her a more practical ensemble for traveling.

"Well, what do you think?" said he.

"I think it is superfluous," said Drnugrl in displeasure, studying her reflection in a shallow pond some feet away. "Tell me again, Olorin, why such things are needed? To me, it would seem only to hamper any action that may be taken."

"It is not an easy concept to understand in the beginning, but in this materialistic environment that elves and men inhabit, baring particular parts of the body is... unbecoming." said Gandalf with care, ambling over to where she was.

Drnugrl was trying to comprehend the idea, her pallid features twisting and scrunching while she thought about it. She reached her hands up to first hold her head then sliding them down to grasp her neck then further descending to the delicate mounds that were her breasts then so and on and so forth, before eventually releasing a soft sigh.

"Never did I think this day would come..."

A pang struck Gandalf's heart to hear her sound so for forlorn. He knew very well what she was feeling in that moment: restrained, dim and a desire to remain as she once had been. But she will never be what she once was ever again. Her fate as one of the Maiar was predestined long ere the creation of Arda itself, as was his. Over the many years he had wandered the expanse and time of the wide world, Gandalf had quelled much of his wild spirit. Drnugrl, however, was just opening her eyes after the birth and her spirit was anything but tame. She would need more than some time to settle in to this unfamiliar world; unfortunately, there was no time to spare anymore. They would have to make due and she would learn as she went with him as her teacher and the Fellowship as her test. It would be difficult, but Gandalf had the utmost faith in her. She need only to meet the smallest of their party to discover her nature, for she was created to safeguard those that are innocent and lend strength to the weak.

"Nor did I," he took her hands in his. "You mustn't dwell on dreary thoughts. Let us go now and I will show you to your chamber. In regards to future days, rest is imperative. I strongly suggest you get yourself some tonight, dear Drnugrl, whilst we are still in safe borders."


"Rise and shine, lads! Tis a glorious morning!" rang the melodious voice of Frodo Baggins as he practically burst through the entry to his cousins' chamber.

Merry started, sitting bolt upright in his bed, bleary-eyed and muzzy from deep sleep. Pippin, on the other hand, did not move a single muscle and went right on snoring lightly into his feather pillow.

"Frodo-? What?" said Merry in a scratchy voice.

"Up! Time to get up!" Frodo marched into the room, making a beeline for the curtains that had been drawn closed the evening preceding. "We've a long day ahead! You two ought to start preparing for it!"

By his jaunty and buoyant demeanor, one would never begin to suspect that they were all about to depart on a perilous journey; yet, who could not possibly be somewhat exuberant with the waking of a new day in such an immaculate place as was Rivendell? Following in his wake was Samwise Gamgee, Frodo's loyal friend and garderner. Unlike Frodo, Sam did not bound like a hyperactive hobbit child into the room; rather, he stepped in quietly and respectfully.

He watched from just inside the doorway as the elder hobbit yanked the evergreen drapes apart and bit back a chuckle when the radiant sunlight was unleashed upon the chamber and its occupants, eliciting a strangled hiss from Merry.

"I think you've blinded me!" cried Merry, burying himself under his covers.

Frodo rolled his blue eyes, walking up to the bed and ripping the blankets away from his cousin, causing Merry to object most vocally.

"Give me a chance to at least gather my bearings, you crazy old hobbit!"

"You can gather your bearings on your own time, Cousin. Right now, I ask that you get up out of bed and make yourself presentable. Gandalf says there is to be another meeting sometime this morning before we take leave." said Frodo, going to Pippin's bed next.

"Another meeting?" said Merry with patent distaste, rubbing at the crusties in his eyes. "Whatever in the world for? Have we not all the information we need?"

Frodo shook his head, pulling his youngest cousin's coverings back.

"He did not say explicitly, though he had hinted that there may be one more addition to our Fellowship. Come on now, Pippin, the sun has long since risen this morn."

Pippin groaned dramatically, kicking out his leg and hitting Frodo square in the chest, sending the older hobbit reeling backwards with a yelp.

Sam gasped and scurried forward. "Mr. Frodo!" he cried.

Merry was laughing his head off and Pippin, now fully awake, looked on at his Cousin Frodo with apprehension, knowing he'd just made a big mistake.

"That's what you get for being so bossy!" chided Merry, holding the stitches in his sides.

"Oh shut it!" snapped Frodo, readjusting his waistcoat, his face flushed pink. "You two, out of bed! Wash up, brush your hair and dress appropriately! I'll be waiting for you down in the courtyard."

And with that he left, Sam trailing behind him and shutting the door on the way out. There was a few straggling giggles that issued from Merry as he slipped off his bed and made for the lavatory, Pippin eying him and stretching.

"What's happening?" he asked through a yawn.

"We've another meeting today before we go. Apparently they're adding a new member to the Fellowship or something," Merry relayed the information provided by Frodo seconds ago. "You had better get ready, else our mad cousin will surely tan our hides."

Merry disappeared into the lavatory, leaving Pippin alone with his thoughts, which were buzzing like hundreds of bees in his head. They were adding another member to the party? Why was that? Who could it possibly be? They would not honestly do this just so they could discharge him from the Fellowship, would they? After all, Elrond had been pretty obstinate when it came to his objection of the hobbit partaking in this quest, as he considered Pippin too young. The thought of them doing such a thing infuriated the Took.

"Oh they had better not!" he spoke aloud to himself, hopping out of bed, bound and determined to go with his cousin Frodo. "They will regret it terribly if they attempt it. Even if I have to smuggle myself in one of their packs, I am going on this adventure!"

Because if there was one thing Pippin Took was an expert at, it was getting his way.