A/N: Well guys, here's the last chapter! I've been super busy lately, sorry I didn't get a chance to update, especially seeing as this chapter is really quite short… ah well.

Hope you enjoy!

…

[S.R. 1402, 25th Afterlithe]

"Oh Pippin!" Eglantine's voice was choked with tears, and both her arms and her rose perfume enveloped the young Took.

Pippin initially squirmed in her embrace; but something made him stop and just hug her back, both being taken aback and enjoying the care that he could feel through her touch.

"Don't you ever do something like that again," Eglantine pulled away from her son and held him at arms length, scrutinizing him as if checking for cuts or grazes. "Your father and I were worried sick!"

His sister's clamoured around him. "I was so worried!"

"I could barely sleep!"

"I'm sorry for teasing you."

"We love you, Pippin."

Pippin swallowed, all the words he wanted to say getting stuck in a gloopy mess at the back of his throat. They actually cared. His family had actually been worried…

Paladin put a hand on his son's shoulder and smiled at Frodo, who stood a little ways out from the group, enjoying the reunion. "We cannot thank you enough for keeping our son safe, Frodo."

"Oh, it was no trouble," Frodo said pleasantly, smiling at Pippin. Pippin smiled back, but then looked away. He felt somewhat guilty… for more than one reason…

As he and his family began to walk away, Pippin felt his heart leap in his chest. Turning, he rushed back to where Frodo was still standing and almost bowled him over with the hug he had prepared with as much love and care as a hobbit of his size possibly could.

"Frodo, don't be lonely," Pippin said, his green eyes melting in Frodo's cobalt blue ones. "I love you."

Frodo, though taken aback, smiled at the young Took. "I love you too, Pip."

"I'll always be here for you," Pippin pulled away as his mother had done, "I'll never leave you when you need help."

Frodo smiled and Pippin smiled and neither of them knew this promise would still bind them sixteen years from now.

But that was then and this was now, and Pippin hugged Frodo once more and took off down the path to over the hill, where his parents and sisters were waiting.

…..

~Fin~

A/N: Hope you guys enjoyed this little journey! :3 Leave any thoughts in a review for me!