"Gandalf? Gandalf!"

The wizard was quickly jolted into awareness by the worried tone in the hobbit's voice.

            "What is it? What's wrong?"

            "I can't find any mushrooms!"

He woke me up for mushrooms. Of all things … "Pippin," said a rather perturbed Gandalf.

            "Yes?"

            "Come here." Thwack! A dull thud was heard as the back of Gandalf's hand found the front of Pippin's head. "Go to the kitchen. I'm sure they have mushrooms there, you little menace to an old man's sleep." The hobbit, as instructed, ran off to the kitchen with thoughts of mushrooms dancing through his curly head.

            Soft light was streaming in through the open windows and a gentle breeze scented with flowers was coming in. The sun was shining and birds were singing; it was a typical day in the tranquil valley of Imladris. And I intend to enjoy every minute of it. Wandering was the Istari's way of life, and it wasn't that he disliked it, but there was just something so heart-warming about waking up in a soft, warm bed knowing there was a large breakfast and friends awaiting you when you got up (which would sometimes be mid-afternoon).

            Gandalf audibly groaned as Pippin trudged back into the room with his face as long and sad as one of Elrond's lectures.

            "What is it now?"

            "The cook said they don't have any mushrooms. She said us hobbits already ate them all. Then she hit me over the head with a big spoon." Gandalf tried to muster at least a smidgen of sympathy for the young perian … and failed. "Will you tell me a story?"

Where did that come from? "Will you leave me alone?" Gandalf asked. Pippin nodded, his face brightening. "Fine then, come sit. I'll tell you the story about the dragon-"

            "Gandalf, I've already heard that one from Bilbo. Tell me one about … the first time you fell in love!"

            His request startled the wizard, who'd been totally unprepared for it (and to catch Gandalf the gray at unawares was no small feat). He thought for a moment, before beginning his tale.

            "Alright, Peregrin, you wanted to, so you shall hear about the first time I was in love. Let me tell you about her. She has golden hair to rival sunlight, flowing in cascades down her perfectly straight and well-formed back. Her eyes are blue to match the sky on a cloudless summer day. Her slender figure is immaculately crafted, her movements are graceful always. With a voice like a bubbling brook, clear and joyous, she can warm any heart and cheer any soul."

            "Who is she?" Pippin asked, somewhat awed by the apparent beauty of the woman.

            Gandalf answered simply, "Goldberry."