Pippin stopped for a moment, took a deep breath and looked back once again at Heartstone nestled in the valley below. He was missing Grealle and his family already, but he was also anxious to be reunited with Merry, Sam, Frodo, and the rest of the Fellowship. Aragorn and Gandalf, how he missed them and he knew Boromir yearned to see them as well. The hobbit watched Boromir walking slowly up the mountain they had been climbing for the past two hours. It seemed a lifetime ago since the earth had caved in and trapped them inside the Mines of Moria. The terrible accident had separated them from their companions. In such a short time, Boromir had survived the devastating mishap in the Mines, had nearly drowned in the Lake of Moria, and had led the villagers of Heartstone into victory against an army of orcs. Boromir's body was not completely healed but the proud man was not one to admit that he was unwell. Pippin knew he tired easily and had to force Gondor's captain to rest, much to the man's frustration.

The two companions had been travelling for a good part of the day. Pippin was exhausted and famished. "I'm hungry, Boromir. When are we stopping for our meal?"

Boromir looked back at the tiny figure following him and smiled. "We shall eat once we've reached the top of the mountain. Can you wait until then?"

"I guess I'll have to," Pippin said, sounding rather annoyed.

Boromir chuckled lightly. "You are becoming unpleasant once again, Pippin. Something must be amiss."

Pippin shuddered. Boromir had said the very same words before disaster had struck in the Mines and he tried to put that thought out of his mind. Within the hour they finally reached the top of the mountain, which leveled off into a small clearing. Boromir led the way to a large oak tree growing beside a stream.

"This looks like the perfect place to eat and rest," Pippin said, smiling.

Boromir laid down his pack underneath the tree. "Indeed."

"I'll fry a few sausages and potatoes, and then we can have some of Elainthea's sweet cakes."

Boromir only nodded and let out a sigh as he sat and rested his back against the wide tree trunk. Pippin looked at his companion with worry. His friend looked pale and weary. The battle with the orcs had taken its toll. He busied himself preparing their meal while Boromir slept. The man had fallen asleep where he sat, his head resting on his chest. A half hour later the meal was ready. He hated to awaken Boromir, but he needed to eat in order to keep up his strength.

Pippin shook Boromir lightly. He awoke with a start. "What is it? Orcs?"

"No, Boromir. It's time to eat," responded Pippin, handing Boromir his plate.

Boromir shook his head slightly, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes with the palms of his hands. He took the plate and sat it on his lap. "You've outdone yourself, Pippin. This looks like a feast fit for a king."

Pippin took a huge bite of his sausage; a smile lighting up his face. "And it tastes good too, if I do say so myself."

Boromir chuckled as he stuffed the delicious meat into his mouth. "And humility is something unknown to you."

The beast sniffed the air and caught the odor of cooked sausages, but there was another smell the creature had not detected before on the mountain. The massive animal sniffed the breeze once again; the wind carried the scent of human flesh. The animal whined and waited anxiously for its mate and the rest of the pack to join him. Within moments the creature's family arrived and stood alongside their leader. They could smell the humans as well. Excited at the prospect of having food in their bellies, the beasts ran around their leader with great enthusiasm. It had been such a long time since they had had any human flesh. The leader waited for the pack to settle down before it led them toward their next meal.

Boromir ate the last piece of his sweet cake and began to pack up their bags.

"What are you doing?" Pippin asked.

"There are at least two hours of daylight left, Pippin. We should not waste them."

"We are not going anywhere, Boromir," Pippin said firmly, his arms crossed in front of him. Before Boromir could open his mouth to respond, he continued. "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted and a couple of hours will not make that much difference. I think we should spend the night here, and get as much rest as we can. We can always leave early in the morning and make up the time."

Boromir mulled over Pippin's suggestion for a moment and then nodded. "You are being wise, little one. We shall do as you suggest."

With that said, Boromir took his bedroll out of his pack and lay down to rest, his head resting on his hands. Pippin washed the dishes in the stream, and repacked their supplies. After he finished his chores, the hobbit laid out his bedroll, placed more firewood in the fire and lit the pipe Grealle had given him.

"Boromir?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think we'll find them?" Pippin asked as he sat closer to the fire.

"Yes, of course I do."

"But what if they didn't make it out of the Mines? What if something terrible happened to them?"

"Nay, you forget, Pippin, Gandalf and Aragorn are with the Fellowship. I assure you they made it out of the Mines of Moria and they are on their way to Mordor. I cannot speculate how far ahead of us they must be, but if we persevere and nothing happens to hinder our journey, I believe we will reach them soon."

Pippin inhaled deeply, allowing the smoke to exit through his nose. "Thank you my friend. I needed to hear that." A long moment passed before Pippin again spoke. "Boromir?"

"Yes, little one?"

"I promise not to tell." Pippin said innocently.

Puzzled, Boromir rolled over on his side and got an elbow under him. "What are you talking about?"

"I promise I won't tell anyone about…the cat."

The look of shock on Boromir's face was priceless. Pippin burst out laughing.

"You little horror!" Boromir exclaimed. "I should flog you for that!"

"I'm sorry, I couldn't resist," Pippin laughed heartily. He rolled backward onto his back and kicked his legs in the air.

Boromir tried to look angry but found Pippin's giggles infectious. He, too, roared with laughter.

The pack remained hidden in the thick undergrowth, watching the man and hobbit rolling in laughter. It wouldn't be long before they would have enough meat to last them for several days.