A/N: Joy! Pippin's scarf makes a cameo appearance in this chapter... which gives you all the more reason to read it. Don't blink, though, or you'll miss it... I love Pippin's scarf, it's so.. Pippin! Hehe.

Sorry this took forever to be posted! It's another fluffball of a chapter, complete with hobbits romping in the snow, but whatever. See author's notes at the end.. mooo.

Enjoy =D



Forgotten Roads
by Ani Ledger




[Chapter Seven]

Pippin and Merry got to the ferry, and I smiled and waved. Pippin had a look of confusion on his face. He squinted, trying to figure out who I was, I guessed. Then suddenly he grinned. When they were across, he jumped off the cart and ran to me. He threw his arms around me, nearly knocking me over. I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck. You're back! he cried. When did you get here?

A few days ago. Didn't you receive my letters?

I've gotten one letter from you, Pippin said, pulling back and looking at me, and I know I've written to you at least four times. He stared at me for a moment, looking almost hurt.

You didn't get my letters? I asked. I know I've written you... and I've gotten yours...

He shook his head, but grinned again. It doesn't matter. You're back now.

And for longer than a week this time, I added.



For as long as I stay, I suppose. Lily doesn't mind, and my parents... well, as I've said... they're probably glad to get rid of me for now.

I can't see how anyone would be glad to get rid of you, he said softly.

---

We walked back into town hand in hand, talking and catching up on the time that we lost. It had been four months since I'd last seen Diamond, and about three since I'd even heard from her, so we had a lot to talk about. I'd missed her so much and was glad she was back, but tried not to make that so obvious. It's not like I'd been counting the moments or completely miserable with her away.

We walked up to Lily's house. Diamond began to open the door, and I glanced in the window. Merry was inside, sitting at the table. He was talking to Lily. I grinned and tapped Diamond on the shoulder, motioning to the window. She looked in and smiled. We peered into the window quietly, watching them. Spying, really, but walking in unannounced would've been just as bad. We couldn't hear their conversation, but Lily kept giggling and what Merry was saying. He would smile and laugh also occasionally. I noticed the way they were looking at each other and smiled. Just as we'd thought. It was obvious... I wondered if Lily had told Diamond anything.

They're so cute! Diamond whispered, giggling.

I rolled my eyes and grinned at her, saying nothing. Deep down I agreed, but I couldn't admit that aloud. You're such a girl, I said instead.

You don't seem to mind, she replied, sticking her tongue out. I leaned over to kiss her but she turned her head, giggling. We looked in the window again and saw Merry and Lily walking to the door. Diamond gasped. I grabbed her hand. We started to get away, but fell, laughing, into a bush.

she laughed as I fell on top of her. I'd tried to break my fall on my arms, but ended up getting dirt all over my elbows. She tried to sit up. Did they see us? she asked.

I said, hearing the door open. We both froze. We were alongside the house, between the bush and the bricks, and facing the door. I could see their feet. Diamond was on her back and couldn't see anything. Merry and Lily didn't seem to notice us.

They were still talking, but I didn't hear a word of their conversation, focusing more on Diamond now. My breath caught in my throat, and I couldn't move for fear of letting Lily and Merry know we were here. Diamond stared up at me from her awkward position on her back. Her head was in the dirt, and we'd both be a great mess when we got up, but still we didn't move. Merry and Lily's voices and footsteps moved up the hill, toward Merry's house, away from us, until all we could hear was our breathing.

Diamond said softly. I stared at her, at a loss for words or anything else.

We were alone, and stuck in a compromising position--in a bush, no less. So what now? I could kiss her--and I wanted to, but decided it would be terribly unromantic, what with the bugs and dirt and all. Or, I could help her up and let her go inside to change, but...

Her breath on my face was warm, and I noticed how close her face was to mine. She continued to stare at me. This only further impaired my ability to form any sort of coherent response or thoughts. she said again, and I snapped out of it.

I squeaked. Great, Pippin, squeak at her. Nice response. Very suave.

Are we just going to stay here all afternoon? she asked.

Unless I think of something better to do, I replied, my gaze transfixed on a spot of dirt on her nose.

Like what?

Oh... I don't know... Before I could say another word, Diamond surprised me by reaching up and kissing me. Nothing major, and not even long enough for me to register what had happened, but just enough to startle me and stop me from babbling.

You took too long, she whispered, grinning.

---

October passed, as did November. I was really beginning to like staying with Lily. I didn't have to worry about being stuck inside with my family all winter. Of course, Lily was technically family, but spending winter here would hopefully be more amusing than back home in Long Cleeve.

Pippin went to stay with his family for a month or so, until January. I missed him, but busied myself with other things. I received a few letters from my family, and it was good to hear from them. Rosemary really missed me, she'd written more than anyone else. She wanted to come visit Lily as well, but our parents wouldn't let her. It was hard enough getting here myself, but for my seventeen year old sister to get permission as well... that was highly unlikely. I wrote her back each time, hoping that my letters were actually being sent, after what happened last time.

---

Dear Diamond,
We really miss you at home! Well, I do anyway. With only Daisy to talk to, things can get rather boring. And it's not much fun spending time with a twelve year old! Our brother visited with his wife and children, which was nice. We haven't seen them in so long. Their children are growing up so quickly, his oldest is only a few years younger than Daisy. We have snow here. Is there snow in Buckland? Because I know how much you love snow... I'd better end this letter, I just wanted to send my greetings and let you know that we all miss you terribly and hope you come home soon--at least to visit. Say hello to Pippin for me!!
Your sister,
Rosemary

---


Dear Rosemary,
Hello, favorite sister! I miss you also! It's always good to hear from you. Pippin's away right now, visiting his family. I was going to come back for a few days but it's cold and snowy and really not worth the trip, sorry. Maybe when spring comes, when it isn't so cold, I'll come back and see you all. I'm sure it was good to see our nieces and nephew, eh? Give Daisy my love, and everyone else. I miss you all. Lily sends her greetings also, and says that she hopes you can visit come summer.
~Diamond

---

Dear Pippin,
How are you? And your family? It's snowing here right now, and it's cold and gloomy outside. There's not much to do aside from helping Lily around the house. Going out in the snow is out of the question. I like winter, and the snow may be pretty, but I don't like being in the snow at all. But I digress... I hope you come back to Buckland soon, it's lonely around here when there's nothing to do and Lily's over at Merry's... write back soon!
Love, Diamond

---

Dear Diamond,
Things are so boring at home! Vinca is always bothering me, and mum too. But--and I don't like to admit this--it's nice for a change. I should bring you home with me someday so you can meet my parents and sisters. I'm sure they'd love you. And guess what? Mum told me today that I'd gotten several letters over the summer that somehow got lost in our kitchen, or something along those lines, so I finally got the letters you sent me. I was mad at Mum at first, but I really liked reading them. They made my day much better! I'll come back after the new year. Can you believe a new year is almost here already? 1417 went by so quickly, but it was a good year. I met you. Anyway, I better go soon, it's almost time for second breakfast.
Love, Pippin.

---

When winter arrived and the snow began to fall, time seemed to slow to a halt. It was cold out, and I didn't much care for coldness, so I spent many days inside, reading and helping Lily cook. Merry visited a lot, and I wondered if they'd get married. Of course, I didn't verbalize this idea, but I secretly hoped they would someday. I wrote Pippin one letter, and he replied, but other than that it was a pretty uneventful month without him around.

One day, as I was outside getting firewood, I thought I heard someone coming up the road. I turned to see who it was, but no one was there. I shivered. It was cold, even though the sun was shining. I had winter clothes, and I thought the snow was pretty, but I didn't like being in it.

I heard someone behind me again and turned around. A snowball flew past my ear. I cried. Who's there?

I heard laughing, and Pippin emerged from behind a tree.

You're back! I said. I grinned and picked up some snow. I formed a ball with it as best as I could with my mittens and threw it at him. It hit the tree, and Pippin stuck his tongue out at me, running down the hill and throwing a snowball back. He missed again, but kept running. I chased him, knowing I could catch up. We ran, laughing, across the field behind Merry and Lily's houses. He stopped and threw another snowball, and hit me square in the chest. I gasped. This meant war.

He turned and ran toward me, taking advantage of my stunned moment after he hit me with the snowball, and I ran the other way. Pippin chased me up the hill, trudging through the snow. I laughed and tried to run, but he managed to catch up to me and tackle me from behind into a snow drift. I cried, laughing. The snow is cold!

I squirmed in his arms, trying to get free. We giggled, struggling in the snow, and I managed to get away. He looked up, still on his stomach in the snow, and scrambled after me. I ran to Lily's and went inside. Pippin followed me in, taking off his snow-covered coat and scarf. I looked over at him, grinning, and he came over and kissed me. Your hands are cold! I cried, laughing and pulling away.

He stepped close again, still grinning. There are ways to keep warm in the winter, he said, kissing me again. I smiled and let him kiss me, putting my arms around his neck. I willingly gave into his keeping-warm tactics, surrendering and therefore losing our snow war, and giving into the enemy.








A/N: I got my 25 reviews! That's so JOYOUS! How about.. fifteen more? A nice even forty? This chapter was eventful, so give me some comments on.. what I wrote. Or whatever. ;) And should I sing the song? ::should I or should I not? Hmmmm:: Nah.. Hehe. Thanks to all who have reviewed so far.. I honestly truly appreciate it :)
Donkey: Really?
Shrek: Really really.
Ani: Hey! Where'd you come from? This is MY author's note!
Shrek: Sorry.
Donkey: Yeah, we're sorry. We so sorry we never been so sorry before. I ever tell you bout the time I was sorry for--
Shrek: Shut up, Donkey.
Ani: Yeah, that's good. Get outta here. Shoo. I'm allergic to donkeys. Or something. ::cough.:: Anyway.

Erm.. I added the letters as an afterthought.. this chapter seemed too short so I added in some extra boring stuff. hehe.

Pippin squeaked.. hehe. I've noticed in a lot of fanfics that authors enjoy the phrase Pippin squeaked and I had to add it in.. because Pippin squeaking would just be the cutest thing..

Cute, cute, cute. I love Pippin.

Jackie dear (you get a mention for your loverly notes ^_^) I have conflicts on the way. Not this chapter really, and not the next even, but chapter nine.. which is already written (funny because eight and seven aren't.. I'm working on seven and then updating it.. I write some of my author's note first) is absolutely chock full of not-happy-ness. Which, might I add, is quite a relief for me, because yeah, Pippin and Diamond are all cute and happy, but I'm always complaining about all the perpetually happy couples in my school and elsewhere so it's getting to be quite a nuisance writing about one. But they are so very adorable ^_^

And also. Thanks to for the spying on Merry and Lily suggestion. I thought it was cute ^_^

Holy fruitbats, this is a long author's note. Stay tuned. Chapter eight coming soon.. very soon. ::disappears into the night::