"You know something, Pip?"

"What's that, Merry?"

"They did a pretty fair job on this city."

"So they did." Pause. "Funny."

"What?"

"We've been living here for two years now. I never really thought about it."

"Gondor does seem like home, doesn't it?"

"Gondor is home. Strange, though, to think of it."

"Why?"

"Well – I mean, here we were – almost seventy years ago – and we first came here. I hadn't even come of age yet, dragged along by Gandalf after looking into that terrible stone –"

"I told you you should've left it alone."

"Oh, shut up. Anyway, here I was, standing in front of Denethor, still a tweenager – and a tired, hungry, frightened tweenager, at that. And for reasons I never understood, I pledged myself to Gondor."

"And I to Rohan. Though that was somewhat different."

"You actually liked Theoden. I didn't care for Denethor at all. Faramir – now there's a hero."

"Yes, agreed. Was there a point to all this?"

"Yes. It's just… we were all caught up in circumstance, back then, during the War. Anything could have happened. I could've died, you could've died, Sam and Frodo could've died –"

"But we didn't."

"No. We didn't. And here we are today."

"Where's that, Pippin love?"

"Princes of Gondor, heroes of the Free Peoples, personal friends to the High King – and Sam and Frodo in Valinor. It's just – incredible, really. When I think what could have happened, what might have been, and what's really come to pass."

"Pippin."

"What?"

"You think too much."

"Do not! Anyway. Don't you think it's incredible?"

"I think a lot of things. That you're silly, not the least. Ouch! don't hit!"

"You deserved it."

"Did not!"

"Did so."

"Did not."

"Did –"

"Shut up and enjoy the view."

Pause. "Did I hurt you?"

Pause. "No. Not really. But you should still shut up and enjoy the view."

"Oh, alright."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Merry?"

"Mmmm…"

Pause. "Merry?"

"What, Pippin?"

"I had a strange dream."

"Pippin! It's two in the morning! You're ninety-six!"

"And?"

"It's too late at night and you're too old to be bothering me!"

Silence.

"Oh, alright. What was it?"

"I'm not telling you."

"Pippin! Don't be like that!"

"Don't tell me what to do!"

Pause. "Sorry. Please tell me?"

Pause. "Maybe."

"Oh, come here, you." Pause. "There. Comfortable?"

"Yes, very."

"Good. Now tell me about this dream."

"It was very… strange, Merry. Very, very strange."

"Strange how? In a bad way?"

Pause. "No… but not in a good way… It was just – oh, I don't know."

"Well, what happened?"

"Nothing, really. We were together –"

"We?"

"You and I. But I couldn't see you, I just sort of knew you were there."

"And?"

"And there was this light around us, like – remember Treebeard's eyes?"

"How could I forget them?"

"D'you remember how they looked like they were – like they were shot through with light?"

"You should've been a poet, Pip."

"You know what I mean, though?"

"Yes, I know. Go on."

"Well, like that. Not a bright light or a dim one, or any sort of color, just – Light. Pure and simple."

"And we're surrounded by this?"

"Yes. And it was warm and – and sort of soft, if you understand me."

"You sound like Sam, saying that."

"Yes, well, that's the strange part."

"What? Sam? He was in the dream?"

"Him and Frodo. Their voices, anyway."

"What did they say?"

"They were talking to someone – some Elf. What's-his-name, the shipwright from the Havens."

"Cirdan?"

"That's the one. They were asking about someone or something. Kept asking when it was coming – or he, I don't remember. Maybe it was they. And the Elf –"

"Cirdan."

"Yeah, him. He kept telling them to wait. Said they'd waited for eachother, they should be good at waiting. Something like that. And Sam said something like, 'Yes, sir, but we were apart, then. We'll be twice as impatient now that we're together.' "

"Sounds like Sam."

"Cirdan thought it was funny, too. Said he could see where that was true, and perhaps it would be best if they moved to opposite ends of the island."

"And so we're standing there, listening in?"

"Well we couldn't help it, really. Their voices were just – there. And then they sort of – faded away, and the light got brighter, and I could see you beside me. And you smiled at me like you were going to say something, and then I woke up."

Pause. "You have very odd dreams."

"Yes, I know! That's why I woke you!"

"Well, what'd you think I could do about it?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to talk about it."

"Silly Pippin. Whatever am I going to do with you?"

"Whatever would you do without me, Merry?"

"Wither away and die."

Pause. "Really?"

"Really truly. I couldn't live without you, Pip."

Pause. "I'm glad. I shouldn't want you to live without me."

"Why's that?"

"Because I want to be with you always, wherever you are."

"Oh, Pippin. I love you."

"I know."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Pippin?"

Silence.

"Pippin, wake up!"

"Mmmm… What is it, Merry?"

"I had your dream."

"What?"

"The one you told me about last night! I had your dream!"

"I don't understand. How could you have my dream?"

"I don't know. But I did. It was just like you described it."

"Really?"

"Well, almost. With the light and the softness."

"Well, what was different?"

"We didn't hear their voices. Sam and Frodo and the Elf."

"Cirdan."

"Yes, Cirdan. Good to know you remembered."

"Bother that. Of course I remembered. Anyway?"

"Well, instead of hearing them, we saw someone else."

"Saw? Saw who?"

"You'll never guess."

"Don't be smug, Merry. Who?"

Silence.

"Merry! Who was it?"

Silence.

"Merry, please?"

Silence.

"Oh, spit it out, for pity's sake!"

"Boromir!"

"What?"

"Boromir! We saw Boromir!"

"Well, what was he doing? How did he look? Did he say anything?"

"One question at a time, Pip! How'm I supposed to answer if you keep firing questions at me?"

"Well?"

"He looked like Boromir. The way he did when we first met, that is. Handsome and noble and – and manly, don't you know."

"I know. I remember Boromir. So what'd he do?"

"He smiled at us and knelt down and held open his arms, and we started running to him, but then he sort of faded, and the light got brighter, and I woke up."

"Like my dream."

"S' what I said. I had your dream."

"How strange. What d'you think it means?"

"I don't know. I don't think it's anything bad."

"No. It didn't feel bad. Strange. I wonder…"

"What?"

"I don't know. I'm going to ask Legolas about it."

"When, right now?"

"No, Merry-mine. Tomorrow. I suppose if anyone knows, he will."

"I'll come with you."

"I won't go without you."

"Then it's settled."

"Yes. So let's go back to sleep."

"Alright. Night, Pippin."

"Night, Merry. Love you."

"I know."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"What d'you suppose he meant by foresight, Merry?"

"Well, foresight is seeing ahead. So maybe like a vision."

"A vision? Of what?"

"We asked, silly. He didn't say."

Pause. "He looked sad, didn't he?"

"Yes. Yes, he did. Not very Legolas-like, to be sad."

"No, it's not. Maybe it was the Sea-calling, bothering him again."

"It bothers him most days, now. Sometimes, he rides to the Sea and stares at it for hours and hours."

"How do you know?"

"I found him there, once. Gimli was with him, polishing a shell."

"Poor Gimli!"

"Why?"

"Legolas is going to leave soon, and Gimli'll be left behind."

"Oh. That is sad."

Pause. "Maybe that's why Legolas looked sad. Because he has to leave Gimli behind."

"I should imagine so. I think it's worse for Gimli, though. To be left behind like that."

"Sam was left behind."

"With the sure and certain knowledge that they would meet again. Gimli doesn't have that."

Pause. "It's an Elven Paradise, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Then I don't expect they'd let a Dwarf in, elf-friend or no."

"Probably not."

"How very sad."

"Yes. Gimli deserves to go. He's earned it."

Pause. "Well, maybe the Lady will put in a good word for him."

"Maybe so. I would hope so."

Pause. "I'd die if you left me behind, Merry. My heart would break into a million pieces and I'd die."

"Stop talking like that. I'm not leaving you behind, not ever. No matter what."

"Promise, Merry?"

"Cross my heart, Pip."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"They last longer, now."

"I noticed. Longer before they fade."

"And the light gets brighter."

"Longer before we wake up."

Pause. "How long has it been?"

"Three weeks. You know what the strangest thing is?"

"What?"

"They're never quite the same. Sam and Frodo's conversation is always a little different."

"Like they were actually talking and we just walked in on them."

"Yes."

"But it's always Boromir we see."

"No. Once I saw Gandalf."

"Gandalf!"

"Yes, Gandalf!"

Pause. "I should like to see Gandalf again. And Boromir. But Sam and Frodo most of all."

"That would be nice, wouldn't it?"

"Yes, it would. I wonder what they're up to?"

"What would you be up to if we were in their place?"

"Their place?"

"Think, Pippin. Young, beautiful, immortal, surrounded by splendors untold. I'm sure Valinor has plenty of quiet corners…"

"Merry!"

"What?"

"Really!"

"Oh, stop giggling in that scandalized manner. There's nothing they've tried that we don't know about."

"Having tried it ourselves."

"Well, yes."

"Anyway. Regardless of what they're doing, I should still like to see them again."

"Me too. Very much so."

"D'you suppose we ever shall?"

"I don't know. Maybe."

"They probably fit right in with the lords and ladies there. Save their height."

"They always looked a bit too Elvish for hobbits."

"Too slim."

"Too pretty."

"But that's been said about us, too."

"All those Gammers, just despairing of us. 'Too tall! Too thin!' "

" 'Far too good-looking!' "

"Hmmm. Modest, too."

"Oh, thanks!"

"And grateful!"

"Merry! Stop laughing!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Does it seem like they're getting clearer?"

"Yes. Every time. Like they're getting clearer, and the world's fading away."

"I just want to sleep, now. To go back there."

"Me too. It seems more – real than this."

"Merry?"

"Yeah?"

"Is it more real than this?"

"I think it's getting that way, Pip."

"Why?"

"Are you scared?"

Pause. "No. No, I want to be there. But why are things like this now? Why should our dreams be more real than what's real?"

"Maybe they're not dreams, never were. Legolas called them 'foresights', remember?"

"Yes, but he didn't say what he meant by it."

"I think he meant we're seeing … what it's going to be like. For us."

"In the future?"

"Yes."

"But Merry…"

"What?"

"Boromir's dead. And Sam and Frodo are in Valinor."

"I know, Pip. And I don't understand. But I'm pretty sure of what Legolas meant."

"Merry, are we dying?"

Pause. "I don't know. Not yet, anyway."

"Oh. That's good, I guess."

"I suppose. Good night, Pippin."

"Night, Merry."

Together.

"Love you."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"I think Aragorn knows."

"Knows what?"

"That we're –"

"Dying?"

"Yes."

"Legolas definitely knows. The way he looks at us now."

"It must be sad, to live forever. You have to see all your friends die."

"Most Elves' friends are other Elves. I don't think they have to worry about it."

"Yes, but most of Legolas' friends are mortals."

"True. Poor Legolas! I hadn't thought of that."

"I don't think he understands. Being immortal."

"Understands what?"

"That it – that it's not so bad, really."

"Especially not if we go together."

"We will, won't we?"

"I'm not going anywhere without you, Pip."

"And I'm not going anywhere without you, Merry. The trouble a lone Brandybuck in Gondor could cause – ouch! no kicking!"

"Serves you right! Slurring Brandybucks like that!"

"Well, it's true!"

"Is not!"

"Is so!"

"Is not."

"Is so. So you're stuck with me, Merry Brandybuck."

Pause. "I'm glad of it, Pippin Took."

"Me too."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"I feel younger, somehow."

"So do I. Isn't that odd, now?"

"What?"

"That we should feel younger, the closer we get to death?"

"Sam got younger before he left for Valinor."

"Same principle, you think?"

"Could be. It'll be soon now, Pip. Very soon."

"I know. D'you know, I actually saw Sam and Frodo last night?"

"Really?"

"Yes. They were standing by a fountain in some sort of garden, talking to Bilbo."

"Talking about what?"

"They were griping about waiting again. Wish I knew what they were waiting for."

"We never seem to catch that part."

"D'you think we'll find out? I mean, after we – ?"

"I don't know. Maybe. I'd like to, anyway. It's been bothering me."

"Maybe they're waiting for Legolas."

"That would make sense. Good night, Pippin."

"Night, Merry."

"Pleasant dreams."

Pause. "Merry, you're too old to be ridiculous."

"Made you laugh, anyway."

"Oh, go to sleep."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Merry?"

"Pippin, look. It's all around us."

"I know. I thought I was dreaming again."

"I don't think we're dreaming, Pip."

Pause. "This is it, then?"

"Seems to be."

"It can't be. We're still in bed."

"But the light, Pippin. Look at the light."

"We've faded into it, haven't we? It's not the world that's been fading, it's us."

"Yes. It's us."

"Merry, are we dying?"

"We're dying, Pip."

Pause. "I always thought it would be horrible."

"Me too. Painful and lonely and hard."

"And bloody. Somehow I always saw death as bloody."

"That's because of the War."

"I suppose."

"But this isn't bad, is it?"

"No. No, it's not. All warm and soft and light. How strange."

"Very strange. I feel – relieved, though. I mean, it's been coming for a while. And now it's here."

"It's here. Merry?"

"Pippin?"

"I love you, Merry. Always and forever."

"I love you, Pippin. Always and forever."

"Are you scared?"

"Are you here with me?"

"Yes. Of course."

"Then I'm not scared."

"Merry?"

"Yeah?"

"Hold my hand."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"I'm sorry, Aragorn."

"When were they found?"

"An hour ago."

"How did they – ?"

"In their sleep. Together."

Pause. "So there was no pain?"

"No. No pain."

Silence.

"I'm sorry, Aragorn."

"It's not your fault, friend Legolas. I should have known. Did you know?"

"For a while now."

"And you said nothing?"

"You would not have listened."

"Legolas, I –"

"You would not have listened, Aragorn."

Silence.

"Oh, my friend. Why tears? They're happier now."

"They were not happy here?"

"They were. But they were tired. Do not grudge them their rest."

Silence.

"Aragorn."

Silence.

"Aragorn, stop."

Silence.

"You must quiet yourself, my lord. This weeping does not befit a king."

"I am not a king today. I am the healer that called them back from the darkness when they were young. I am the Ranger they met at the inn at Bree. I am Strider, one of the Nine Companions. I am a man who has lost his brothers; a father who has lost his sons. I grieve their passing into the West, even as I grieved Frodo and Samwise. They have been my friends, and I loved them well. They are gone now. I will weep, for I am not a king today."

"Oh, Aragorn. Dear friend, dear friend…"

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Merry? Is that –?"

"I don't know, Pip. I think –"

"Little ones!"

Together.

"Boromir!"

Running. Embrace.

"Boromir, how –"

"Boromir, where –"

"When –"

"Why –"

"Stop, stop! One question at a time! I'd forgotten how talkative you are."

"Boromir, where are we?"

"Between, young Merry."

"Between what, Boromir? And why'd you call him young?"

"Look at yourselves."

Pause. "We are young. I don't understand."

"Between what, Boromir?"

"Between, Pippin. You will understand later."

"But I want to know now."

"By the Father! Not even death has made you quiet!"

"Sorry. What's going on? Is this where you live? I mean, exist?"

"No, little one. I told you, this is Between. I am here merely to wait with you."

"Wait for what, Boromir?"

"The one who is coming for you."

"Who's that?"

"Mithrandir."

Together.

"Gandalf!"

"Yes."

"But why Gandalf? I don't understand."

Pause. "You do not know, then?"

"Know what?"

"I thought you knew… Surely you were told…?"

"Told what?"

"Nothing bad, I hope."

"No, Meriadoc. No, indeed; a cause for rejoicing. But you weren't told…"

"What? What is it?"

"Pip, you're going to tear his sleeve if you don't stop tugging like that."

"I want to know."

"Alright, alright! You depart for Valinor when Mithrandir arrives."

Silence.

"Impossible. We're dead."

"No. You are Between."

"But – why…? We're not heroes, like Sam and Frodo."

"It was decided."

"By whom?"

"The Valar. It is their land."

"Yes, but why?"

"You're heroes. The kin and companions of the Ringbearers. They spoke for you, and Mithrandir, and the Lady Galadriel. You were considered, and it was decided."

"It sounds very mystical."

"The decision was not lightly made, nor easily. Such a concession has never been granted before, and probably never will be again. Consider yourselves highly blessed."

"Oh, we do."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"They're coming?"

"Yes."

"When, sir?"

"Soon. Very soon."

"How soon?"

"Frodo, will you never learn?"

"Learn what?"

"To be patient!"

"No."

"First with Samwise, now with them – boy, you're going to drive me mad!"

"They're my cousins! I missed them! I want to see them again!"

"Can't you wait? Even for a little while?"

"No!"

"Sam! Talk to him!"

"I'm sorry, sir. I'm that impatient myself. I don't think it would do any good."

"You are both impossible!"

Pause. "Oh, dear. I think we made him angry."

"I don't think so. That's just Mr. Gandalf's way."

"Hmmm… When are they coming, Sam?"

"I don't know any better than you do."

"Bother that. You know everything."

"I wish! I'll tell that to Cirdan; he'll think it funny. I know everything…"

"More than I do, anyway."

"Sorry, Frodo. I don't know this."

"Oh, s' alright."

"Soon, though. They've faded already."

"Will he go for them?"

"Gandalf? I think so. To bring them here."

"I wonder…"

"Frodo?"

"Nothing. I wonder if they've been told, yet. Gandalf was being very mysterious about that part."

"If they haven't, they're certainly in for a surprise."

"Yes, they are!"

"There. I made you smile."

"Oh, Sam. You always make me smile. Come on, let's go for a walk."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"So we're like them now?"

"Yes, little one. Or you will be, once you get there."

"Of all the strange things that have ever happened to me, this is undoubtedly the strangest."

"I'm still surprised you weren't told."

"Who would have told us?"

"Mithrandir. He was supposed to, anyway. He told me he had told you."

"No one tells us anything."

"We generally find out on our own."

"It's why we came on the Quest in the first place."

"Yes, I was aware."

"Boromir, are you coming with us?"

Pause. "No, Merry."

"Why not?"

"It was decided."

"I think that's rotten."

"It was decided."

"We're sorry. We wish you could come."

"I thank you."

"If you're not coming, why're you Between?"

"To wait with you until Mithrandir arrives. It seemed best not to leave you alone."

"They're afraid we might break something."

"Hardly, Pippin. Rather, they were concerned that you not be needlessly confused or afraid."

"Considerate of them. What? What's so funny?"

"How I've missed you both!"

"We missed you too, Boromir."

"We're sorry you can't come. We'll speak up for you."

"I think it would be best if you didn't."

Pause. "Oh. Well, we will anyway."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Frodo?"

"What?"

"They're coming."

"When?"

"Today."

"How do you know?"

"You forget, I know everything."

"Sam! Don't be coy!"

"Sorry. Mr. Gandalf's left."

"To get them, you think?"

"Seems most likely."

"I wonder what they'll think of this place."

"Only good things, Frodo. Only good things."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Standing around doing nothing. I should have known."

Turn. Together.

"Gandalf!"

"They are leaving now?"

"Yes, Boromir. I'm afraid they have to go."

Pause. "I shall miss them."

"I know, my friend."

"Could they not reconsider – ?"

"They do not change their minds quickly, nor easily."

Pause. "I know. It was presumptuous of me."

"I will speak on your behalf. There is yet hope, my friend."

"We'll speak for you, too."

"Little ones. I know you will." Pause. "Fare you well, then. I hope to see you again."

"Boromir, we l – that is, I – we – "

"I know."

"Take my hands, you two. Come along, now…"

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"How will they get here, sir?"

"I don't know, Master Samwise. It was not made clear to me at the council."

"Maybe they'll just – appear."

"It could be so."

"I wonder what they think of all this."

"They are glad, surely?"

"I should think so. If they stop and think about it. The trouble with them is, they're too full of questions to just stop and think. They have to know everything."

"You halflings are a curious race."

"An' it gets us into no end of trouble."

"Perhaps you should not be so curious."

"I'm afraid we're made that way. Some of us. The four of us, at any rate."

"And yet, if you had not been, we should never have met."

"I would be sorry if that were true, sir."

"So would I, Master Samwise. Where is Frodo?"

"At the lookout rock. I told him I don't think they're coming that way. He didn't listen, though."

"He can be very stubborn, your beloved."

"I know. Lord Cirdan?"

"Yes?"

"You spoke for them, didn't you?"

Pause. "Yes."

"Why?"

"Because they are heroes. They deserve their reward, they have earned their place here."

"And?"

"And because you are my friend, and I know they are dear to you."

Pause. "Thank you, sir. Really and truly – thank you. I'm indebted to you."

"Not at all, Master Samwise. I acted only as a friend should."

"Thank you anyway. I'm forever grateful."

"You're forever welcome." Pause. "They are coming. Soon."

"How do you know?"

"I can feel it."

"I'll go get Frodo."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Bilbo! Bilbo!"

"What is it, lads?"

"They're coming!"

"Says who?"

"Lord Cirdan, sir. He said he could feel it."

"I don't doubt it. Well, then. I suppose we had better go."

"Gandalf showed you where?"

"Yes."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Gandalf?"

"Pippin?"

"Where're we going?"

"Boromir told you. To Valinor."

"How long until we get there?"

"As long as it takes, Meriadoc."

"How long is that?"

"A curse on all Brandybucks, Bagginses and Tooks! Why can't you be patient?"

"What's the fun in that?"

"Don't be funny, Peregrin, or I shall take you back to Gondor and leave you there."

"Oh, don't be so irritable."

"What! Of all the bloody cheek –"

"He didn't mean it, Gandalf, really."

"What d'you mean, Merry? 'Course I meant – ow!"

"Shut up, Pip! This close to Paradise and you're risking it. Honestly, Pippin!"

"Sorry, sorry."

"You two. I'm beginning to regret the council's decision."

Pause. "Are you, Gandalf?"

"No, of course not. Merely teasing, my boy, merely teasing. Look, we're almost there!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"What is this place?"

"Gandalf said they'd come here."

"I've never been to this grove before. What're they going to do, fall out of the sky?"

"With Gandalf, one can never tell. Surely you know that by now, Frodo."

"Oh I know, I know."

"What a beautiful place."

"All the island is beautiful, Sam."

"Yes, but still – what a beautiful place. An' so quiet."

"Not after Merry and Pippin get here, it won't be."

"That's not fair!"

"No. But it's true."

Pause. "Yes, it is. Why is it the last few hours are the worst?"

"How do you mean?"

"When I was coming, the whole voyage was fine right up to the last few hours. Then I was so sick with waiting I could've burst, an' I would've, but for Cirdan. It's like that now. Eight weeks of waiting, and now suddenly it's unbearable."

"I know. I wish Gandalf would hurry it up, already." Pause. "I don't suppose you can tell the Istari to hurry it up anymore than you can the Eldar."

"Frodo?"

"Nothing. Something Gandalf said once."

"Oh."

"Look, lads!"

"What?"

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Is Valinor a forest?"

"No, Pippin. Just this part of it."

"What are these trees?"

"Their names are many and ancient. You will learn them, in time. But now is not the time for botany lessons, Meriadoc."

"Sorry."

"Gandalf? How did we get here?"

"I correct myself. Now is not the time for lessons of any sort. Now is the time for walking and arriving."

"Sorry." Pause. "What a beautiful place this is."

"All of Valinor is beautiful."

"Will Sam and Frodo be waiting for us?"

"Yes, Merry. They've done nothing but wait for you. Wait and ask inane questions about the time of your arrival, till I could have strangled both of them quite cheerfully. I am forever in Cirdan's debt for keeping them occupied."

"Is that what those dreams were? Them waiting?"

"They weren't dreams, you ridiculous Took. They were foresights."

"Yes, that's what Legolas called them. We didn't know what he meant."

"Simple. You saw what was to come."

"It doesn't sound simple."

"It is when it's explained. But no lessons. Look, we're almost there!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Merry?"

"Pippin?"

"Sam! Frodo!"

"Cousin!"

Running. Colliding. Embrace.

"Where have you been?"

"What took you so long?"

"Are you alright?"

"Where's Gandalf?"

"How was your trip?"

"What was it like?"

"Sam, Frodo, one at a time!"

Together.

"Sorry. Well?"

"We were in Gondor –"

" – and Between –"

" – we would've come sooner, but we didn't know –"

" – we're fine. Look, we're young again!"

"We noticed!"

"Lord Cirdan said that eternity was best spent in the days of one's youth and strength."

Pause. "He has a point there."

"'Course he does. He's wonderful, you'll love him."

"I'm sure, Sam."

"What, no word to your old cousin Bilbo?"

"Bilbo!"

"Bilbo!"

"Hello, lads! By the Father, I've missed you both!"

"We missed you, too. All of you."

"We still can't believe it. Valinor!"

"Believe it, Merry."

"You'll have to get used it. You're going to be here for a while."

"Funny, Frodo."

"Thanks."

~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Well."

"Well?"

"I still can't believe it."

"Believe, Pip. Believe."

"It's perfect. It's too good to be true."

"And yet it is."

"Eternal youth, beauty, happiness – incredible."

"I know."

"Strange, though, when you think about it."

"Why's that?"

"Remember our conversation in Gondor?"

"Which one?"

"I said it was amazing how things had happened – how different they could have been, and weren't."

"Yes."

"It's still amazing. It's more amazing. I mean, by all rights, we should be where Boromir is."

"But we're not."

"No, we're not. All the things that could have happened – right from the very beginning!"

"I might never have met you."

"We might not have fallen in love."

"We might not have caught up with Sam and Frodo."

"We might have been forced to stay in Rivendell."

"You might have died at the Last Battle."

"Or you, of the Black Breath."

"The Valar could have decided against us."

"But they didn't."

"No, they didn't."

"And here we are today, Merry-mine."

"Yes, Pippin love. Here we are today."

~fin~