These characters and places are not my own, they belong to JRR Tolkien.
Legolas placed Pippin on a bed of flattened evergreen brush, careful in laying down the hobbit's weary head. Kneeling, he nearly stumbled as he tried to bring himself up. His head was a daze and weighed heavy to bare on his shoulders. Rolling to his side, head on the ground and an arm around Pippin, his body shut down and his eyes stared into a restless dream.
***
Heat poured from the sun, its light shone brightly onto Pippin's closed eyelids. The thin sheet of skin that covered his eyes could not block the brightness, commanding him to a squint and soon he awoke. The elf's arm was about him and he thought that very strange. Shifting from under Legolas' arm (he figured it was for some kind of protection, from what he could not be sure) Pippin took ease not wanting to wake the elf if he was not ready to. As he sat up and looked to what surrounded him, the memory of the great beasts returned, as did their journey in the dark. He remembered tasting dirt when he collapsed to the road just before passing out. From where they sat, the road was hidden but Pippin preferred to let the elf awake and guide them rather than uncover it's whereabouts on his own.
A far cry, "Pippin! Pippin!" in the welcoming voice of Merry floated over a distance, but his eyes did not see his friend so he could not believe his ears. Louder the calls came, but no visual sign of the beloved hobbit was anywhere to be seen. The sun cast a bright golden radiance, quite unusual for this season, though he paid no mind to it as he was outside his homeland, and everything different in these strange parts was queer. Merry could be heard again, but this time as clear as bells tolling on a summer day.
"Pippin! There you are!" He said. It sounded like Merry was behind him. To Pippin's surprise, there Merry stood, as real as flesh, rosy-cheeked and gleaming a smile.
"Oh glory!" Pippin exclaimed as he and Merry jumped and danced, singing a tune of discovery. "My eyes feel as if they would jump out of their sockets, it is so wonderful to see you."
"Let's not dawdle, they are waiting for our return, and as they wait, our breakfast grows cold." Merry hurried, pushing Pippin along.
Suddenly remembering, Pippin stopped and turned around, "We can't leave Legolas." He said in a chuckle. "We have so many stories to tell and they must be spun together so as not leave out any important details. You won't believe our adventures, Merry. I've been quite brave. More brave than normal, of course."
Merry grabbed Pippin by the shoulders and turned him opposite again. "I have never seen the elf so peaceful, let him rest a tad longer and the ranger can fetch him. I confess, I want you all to myself!" Merry was practically running, pulling Pippin's arm behind him. Over his shoulder, Pippin peered back. They had run several yards and he could see Legolas emerge from his repose and look out towards them running away.
"We're almost there. I could smell the warmth of breakfast and taste it on my tongue!" Merry said running, recapturing Pippin's attention. Just ahead was a home carved into a hill, not far from where they left the elf standing. Merry pushed open the round door as if he owned the property and urged Pippin to take a seat at the table. Inside the house under the hill, the bright sun did not penetrate except through the well-positioned windows casting light where it was needed and not into the eyes of guests. The temperature was cooler and Pippin almost felt like home.
"Who owns such a…." Pippin trailed off as he turned to Merry who sat opposite him across from the laden table of favored breakfast foods.
"Don't just gawk, you ninny. You'd best start eating before I beat you to it all." Merry encouraged.
"Where are our hosts?" Pippin asked searching about. He thought it odd that Merry made himself so welcome as stranger.
"They are a welcoming, kindly, old couple." Merry answered as if reading his mind. "At the break of dawn, some hours now, they burst with excitement to prepare this feast. There is a farm out back and more chores to do out front. Spies from the wind alerted your presence to them and in turn, they woke us up and reported where to find you." Merry explained as he scooped a load of peppered scrambled eggs onto Pippin's plate.
"Us? Where is the rest of us?" Pippin wondered and then in a silent afterthought, 'How did you arrive here?'
Merry answered and served, this time cubed potatoes fried to a golden crisp. "Just Aragorn, really. We came looking for you after those terrible shrieks heard last night. I could not sleep a wink upon hearing them and followed Aragorn as he set out to find the origins of those cries." He explained to Pippin's satisfaction. "So, tell me of your new found bravery! And don't you stop until you have it all out or you run out of air." Merry placed the plate in front of the hobbit across from him and gestured him to begin eating.
Between bites Pippin divulged all details of his story, from his fall down into the ravine to the strange waking of this morning. He chewed and spoke, chewed again, drank and then both hobbits laughed together. Manners were of no concern when in a room it was just he and Merry. Breakfast was incredibly tasty to eat and he grew eager to tell his stories that he was obliged to do one and the other all at once. Pippin spoke highly of the elf, discounting the "sleeping" oddities and the ill remark made of Bill, he focused rather on his praises of Legolas' bravery and agile fighting techniques, emphasizing how much he gained by example. Merry laughed at the tiff made over Bill's mention; he gasped at Pippin's miscarried attempt with the elf bow but then applauded and hollered when the wolf battle ended in conquering victory. A long time it had been since Pippin performed in front of such a lively audience, he almost forgot the energy a charged listener gave off when exciting stories were told.
Time passed quickly, though Pippin and Merry did not feel it as such. Pippin continued feasting as Merry urged more from him, the tales of their adventurous journey. The Shire dreams were coming true and Pippin could not feel more content than he did at this moment. Frodo's One Ring had no significance to him any longer. Being safe, warm and fed were a top priority and he relished the comfort he had gone without.
A sudden burst came through the door interrupting their merry making. "Legolas!" Merry cried, brightening his eyes and flashing his jolly smile, though Pippin did not share in the same reaction. Pippin beheld the elf standing with a bloody sword in hand and a heart brandish with fire, its flames reflecting in his eyes. It was clear Merry and Pippin were not looking at the same elf, but Merry persisted in his jovial host role. "Join us, fair elf! I have enjoyed the tall, conjured tales of my lad, Pippin, though from your lips I hope to hear the truth." Merry grinned playfully at Pippin.
Legolas glanced at Pippin, his confusion and distress dragged over his face, trying to make sense of what appeared to be madness. Merry stood up and advanced pleasantly towards Legolas but was stopped by the long blade Legolas bore. A round swing moved from left to right, hewing the head of Merry Brandybuck. The headless body fell to the side and the loose head rolled to Pippin's foot, looking up at him with bright eyes and smiling gaily. A mad cry followed, bellowing out of Pippin's lungs. Jerked back at the terrorizing sight, he covered his mouth and gleaned at Merry's killer. He stumbled to distance himself from the slain and its slayer and backed up to a wall screaming and shriveling at the notion he is next to fall victim to the crazed elf's raving antics.
++Sorry for cutting it short (tee hee, no pun intended). The next installment is halfway done. It originally was part of this chapter, but it was already getting too long.
Oh, by the way, there's only two or three chapters left in this story and then I'll have to put it to bed.
Thanks again for reading!++