Each of them now had a pony and Myrth had a tall black horse. They stopped once they reached a fork in the road. A small dirt path was stretched out in front of them. The shadows of trees were cast across it in the moon light. Myrth came riding out in front of them:

"You now have a choice! This is your last chance to return to the Shire! Turn back now or continue on!"

There was a moment of silence then they all galloped off in the moon light. The stars shone bright above them and the wind blew through their hair and it seemed to

Frodo that he now had a reason to find the ring.

"Could we sing something?" asked Pippin.

"How 'bout that old song Bilbo used to sing?" suggested Frodo. He began to sing and everyone joined in besides Myrth. Frodo didn't know where Shrell had learned the song

but she seemed to know it quite well:

The road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way.

Where many paths and errands meet.

And wither then? I cannot say.

They sang many other cheerful song long into the night but when the glow of pink eyes shone through the trees it was hard to keep a tune going. So, they talked for awhile

but soon fell into silence and silence that seemed to go on forever until it was broken by Pippin:

"I'm getting very tired. Couldn't we rest?"

Myrth nodded and called a halt. They found a large tree to sleep near and set up their "beds" which more like cots. They all fell asleep to a peaceful tune Shrell played on her

flute but after everyone else was asleep Shrell set up her cot an was asleep as soon as she lay down.

April 6

"Get up, Shrell" Frodo said as he shook her. She glared out from under her blanket with a look of loathing in her eyes. Frodo backed away. "You're almost as bad as Pippin!

Now help me get him up" Frodo laughed. Shrell got up unhappily and went over and shook Pippin.

"Happy Birthday, Pip!" she said as happily and as loud as she could. Frodo stared at her confused. Pippin's birthday wasn't in April. Pippin shot straight up knowing that birthdays

meant cake. Then, he looked around.

"Shrell!" he groaned and fell back down on his pillow. Shrell smiled at him.

"Get up, anyway. It's a beautiful morning" She told him. Pippin rolled over.

"What's beautiful about it?" He curled up in a little ball.

"You get Pippin up, Frodo. I'll wake Merry and Sam" Shrell stretch and walked over to them.

"Not Fair!" Frodo complained.

"But life isn't always fair, Master Frodo" Shrell said shaking a finger. Myrth,who had been leaning against the tree blowing smoke rings with his pipe chuckled when he saw

this.

After Sam made breakfast and Pippin finally got up they set out once again. Shrell had her hood down and now her dark blonde hair was visible.

"Honestly, Shrell, never do that again! I was really excited about it being my birthday when you said that! It wasn't funny!" Pippin said as that rode their ponies down the dirt

path. Shrell laughed happily.

"Sam, that was a wonderful breakfast! One of the best" Shrell said riding up next to Sam. Pippin glared at her . He had slept through breakfast.

"Thanks!" Sam said.

"Oh, don't worry, Pip. I saved you some" She rode over beside Pippin and handed him a small corn cake.

"A wonderful breakfast? Did you plan this?" Pippin asked.

"Yup!" answered Sam.

"Never sleep late again!" Shrell yelled over her shoulder and rode up ahead.

"Hobbits" Myrth chuckled to himself.

The rest of the day was spent talking and singing as they rode. They also traveled long into the night. The dark dripping creatures never taking there pink eyes off the small

group. Sometimes one would cross the path and look up at them making a horrible hissing noise. Pippin and Merry were the least fond of the creatures and wanted to stop.

Myrth always pushed them on farther until their ponies couldn't take another step.

This went on for days days and everyone was getting more tired everyday.

April 11

Around 10:30 that night they reached the edge of the Misty Mountains. They all gazed up at them in awe. Myrth got off his horse and started setting up his cot. Pippin was

incredibly happy to know they were stopping that early. The rest of them set up their cots and were asleep in an instant........to be continued