Chapter 19: Traveling With an Ent
"Hello little elf, are you friends of these hobbits?" the giant tree man said making me tense up while Pippin scampered down replying, "This is Marina she's the one we told you about. Marina this is Treebeard our escort."
"It is nice to meet you… you're an Ent correct?" I asked curiously while he said, "I am indeed."
Pippin stood beside me while Merry climbed down too as I wrapped my arms around Pippin breathing in his scent relaxing against his touch. Once I pulled away I gave Merry a hug as he pat my back telling me he was glad I was alright.
"Oh, here this is yours." I said to Pippin handing him his clip for his cloak as he grabbed it with a mischievous smile looking towards Merry saying, "See I knew somebody would understand."
Merry rolled his eyes but smiled saying, "We need to get moving to the council to decide what to do with Saruman."
I nodded climbing up onto Treebeard finding a comfortable spot I could lean against with feeling like I would fall off sighing gently.
"How long has it been since you rested?" Pippin asked as I looked towards him saying, "Since you were taken we haven't stopped keeping up to try and find you both."
I reached into my pack handing them each some Lembas as they ate it happily while I just smiled looking them both over still amazed they were okay.
They told me about what happened since being taken by the Uruk-hai while I had the grave news of telling them about Boromir's fate seeing the grief consume their faces.
"It was our fault, he was trying to protect us." Pippin said making me frown saying, "It isn't your fault, don't blame yourself."
They both went quiet as Treebeard turned his head towards me saying, "We have a very long walk ahead little elf you should rest."
I nodded trying to get comfortable but it seemed my body didn't care dozing off into a deep dreamless sleep.
I awoke to sunlight hitting my eyes groaning lightly going to move but realized I couldn't snapping my eyes open to see I was covered in vines.
"The young hobbit did not want you to fall." Treebeard said as he pulled them off of me seeing they were still wrapped up as well but sleeping soundly.
"How much farther is it to the Ent's council?" I asked sleepily while he replied, "Tis at least another two days but fear not little elf we shall get there in due time."
I could hear light snoring coming from Merry and Pippin finding a pebble in Treebeard's head tossing it towards Pippin hearing him snort louder looking around defensively.
"Honestly Pipsqueak and you say I snore." I said with a slight smirk while Merry woke up saying, "What did I miss?"
During the long trek, Treebeard told us a lot about the Ents while Merry and Pippin told me about life in the Shire to pass the time. They talked about the things they missed the most namely food, mead and pipeweed which didn't surprise me in the least. After though they brought up their families seeing they did miss them dearly while I also wished I had been able to get to know my father more.
"When this is over you should come and meet my sisters and parents, they'd like you." Pippin said thoughtfully making me smile while Merry said, "She'd have them all calling you Pipsqueak before second breakfast."
He looked towards me fearfully causing me to laugh saying, "That is my nickname alone for you, I shall keep it safe."
He smiled saying again, "That's comforting, what are you going to do… you know once this is over?"
I stared off at the horizon saying, "I honestly am not sure, I was offered to stay at Bag End with Frodo and my father, perhaps I'll do that. After everything we've been through it would be nice to enjoy a quiet life."
"You should." Pippin said quickly making me turn towards him raising my eyebrow as he cleared this throat looking away saying, "It would be nice to spend time with your father and I'm sure Frodo would enjoy you being there too."
"Smooth Pip." I heard Merry whisper making me turn away trying to hide the smile that graced my lips.
The sun had begun to set when Treebeard stopped saying, "We shall rest here for tonight, this part of the forest is enchanted and will keep us safe."
He helped us all down as the soft grass felt nice seeing a small waterfall stream down a tree into the forest seeing a pot and plate beside it deciding it was best to ignore it. I sat against a tree getting the Lembas bread out throwing some to Pippin and Merry wishing I could do some hunting but it seemed all that was around were birds.
I handed them my water skin letting them drink as well while we all leaned against a tree watching Treebeard wander off but his footsteps could still be heard.
"Do you think the Ents will help against Saruman?" I asked looking towards them hearing Merry say, "I should hope so, they are destroying the forest to build the armies it only seems right."
"Have you ever met Saruman?" Pippin asked while I shook my head saying, "No, but Gandalf had told me about how powerful and wise he was, though I suppose none of that matters now that he's sided with Sauron."
"We've heard the stories of your mother but living with her, what was she really like?" Merry asked curiously as I smiled lightly, "She was stern but fair when I was little I was afraid of thunderstorms and she'd always come and protect me from them. She taught me how to defend myself and never stop defending those who I seek to protect."
I was quiet for a moment before saying, "She was also sad… when she didn't think no one was looking or around I would see it. Then she began to grow weaker and I wish I had known why then…"
"What do you mean?" Pippin asked while I sighed leaning back on the tree saying, "Not many things can kill elves, death in battle is the main one but we can also die of a broken heart."
"Is that how she died?" Merry said softly while I frowned saying, "I believe it is… she fought it for so long trying to be strong for me and make sure I would be ready but I think the pain of not being with the one man she loved eventually consumed her."
"That was Bilbo." Merry said while I smiled nodding lightly replying, "My mother had come back when I was young alone since I was too sick to make the trip once she finished battling the orcs against Rivendell but she thought he had moved on seeing him with Frodo. In the end, she would have rather seen him happy even if he didn't choose her."
"Your mother was strong, not many would do that." Merry said while I looked towards them saying, "No, I don't think they would but I do believe one day they will be reunited again in the afterlife."
"I believe that too." Pippin said giving me a warm smile as I returned it, that belief was what gave me true comfort at night.
