Disclaimer: AU Story. My third large LOTR fic. I can't stop! None of the characters or settings are mine. They all belong to Tolkien. I wish I were related to Tolkien, don't you? It would be so cool! Oh, and the plot here is derived from my own imagination. Hope you enjoy.

Shirebound: Heehee- yay! Lossa wargs and disgruntled elves! I'm sorry that the anticipated reunion is taking so much time in coming but it will hope eventually

Koko Kung: Yay! You were in time! Hope you have (or had by the time you read this) a wonderful holiday! Sorry I'm scaring you *stops baring fangs* I'll try and be less intimidating for when you come back

TrueFan: Ah! So you're a Legolas fangirl! Well, he's a little tied up at the moment, what with getting buried and all. Lots of fanwargs will be throwing themselves on him, I'll bet. Yes *holds up shield to defend self* I'm writing, I'm writing! Btw, I tried your tip about randomness in milk and you're right! It tastes really sweet. Add some limejuice- it adds flavour

Lil*bee: Lost in Moria, Trials of Lórien and Memories of Home are kind of companion pieces. I don't know. Would you like them in a series? And yes, I will be writing a Two Towers fic hopefully later. This will take a long time but afterwards yeah.

Crazytook: I didn't describe Gimli, I guess, because it's night and Legolas could not see his injuries clearly. More to come on that issue later! Are you a fan of the conversations? They are so much fun to write. Lots of characterisation for me.

Alatariel: Wow! I am so pleased that you are enjoying this. Tormented Frodo and Sam- yeah- its what I live for. :-)

~ Chapter Twenty ~

Midnight dragged on and Merry and Pippin did not rest; far too eager to see their long lost cousin again. They trailed blindly through the snow until Pippin suddenly disappeared out of sight.

"Aha!" he cried from the newly dug hole, "The road."

"We're still on it?" Merry exclaimed, hauling his friend back to solid ground.

"Yes! Come on, Merry, let's go!" Pippin cried forging ahead. But he quickly vanished down again and in the end, the snow petered out to frozen ground again.

"It's no good," his friend answered, "We're going to have to sit down for a while- at least get our breath back."

"Ah, you're a weakling!" Pippin gasped, giving his friend a light push.

"I'll show you who's the weakling!" Merry cried. He jumped to his feet and raced off into the distance. Shouting and laughing, his comrade followed close behind.

--

Frodo flinched as the first rays of light came creeping sluggishly over the hill. His eyes were sore with lack of sleep but he was immensely comforted by the morning's brightness. He gently nudged Sam and Emáten awake.

"Good morning," he said brightly as they sat up and looked round. "It's time we were on our way. We've a long way to go yet."

"Are we allowed breakfast?" Sam asked with a smirk. He was worried at his master's drawn face and the dark rings under his eyes but he said nothing. Frodo smiled.

"We will eat as we go."

"Why so eager?" Emáten said with a yawn. The hobbit shrugged.

"The more we do now, the less there will be tomorrow, I suppose. Come along. I'll go and see to the horse."

As he watched Frodo jump back over the wall, Emáten glanced at Sam.

"He has not slept at all," he whispered.

"I know," Sam replied simply and began packing up the gear.

They set off when dawn was still in the air and the whole countryside was silent. It felt wonderful. Chilly, yes, but the world seemed so fresh and new at that moment, as if everything had been frozen in one place just for them to admire. Slowly, the birds filled up the sky and light broke through the departing clouds of night. A soft warmth stroked the hillsides that had sprung up around them. There was not a soul in sight. The crossroads hove into view and the companions stopped to read the signs.

"Buckland," Frodo read.

"Nope," said Sam.

"Hobbiton, no. Southlands, yes. I hope it's warmer there than here."

"Minas Tirith will be beautiful now, all covered with snow," Emáten said wistfully and the hobbits smiled at him.

"I remember it," Sam murmured, "It was always full of life. A lot busier than the Shire ever was."

"And a great palace..." they heard Frodo say under his breath. Then he shook himself and started walking down the southern road. Suddenly, he stopped. A cry had gone up somewhere behind him. Sam frowned and glanced at Emáten who was looking back to the field of snow behind them.

"There is somebody coming," he said, shading his eyes as he peered at the figures that were fair falling down the slope towards them. They were waving their hands and shouting something incomprehensible. The closest one leapt clean over the high wall and came charging onwards.

"Frodo!" he was yelling, "Frodo Baggins, it's us!"

"Mister Frodo," Sam cried, turning to his master, "It's Merry and Pippin! Your cousins!"

He watched as Frodo's expression changed from confusion to delight. He guessed he could even hear the memories rush back, like a tidal wave. Merry and Pippin stumbled the last few steps and threw themselves at Frodo.

"You came back! It's really you and you came back, didn't you? Oh Frodo, we've missed you so much!" Merry sobbed.

"And you haven't changed a bit!" added Pippin.

They were too out of breath to say anymore but just kept hugging his legs. Frodo bent down and put his arms round them both.

"You two! How on earth did you find me so fast?" he laughed. He knew them both so well; it astounded him how he could have possibly put them from mind for a single moment! It was as if a bond had been forged anew between them that shone bright as the sun in that second.

"Your return is all over the Shire- everybody knows. We just had to get here as quick as we could!" Merry gasped. Pippin nodded,

"You don't think we'd forget about you, now, do you?"

Sam and Emáten shared an anxious glance. It may have been a joke but it could easily hurt Frodo now. But he just shook his head and let out a gale of laughter.

"Knowing you two, I'm surprised you were not there to meet me at the Havens! Sam beat you to it."

"Hullo, Sam," Pippin said brightly. "Where have you been hiding yourself? We haven't seen you in ages!"

"Well, I..." the hobbit began haltingly but he was cut off by his friends.

"So it was you who found old Frodo? Congratulations, Master Samwise! Well done, sir!" Merry cried, clapping him on the back.

"Yes, he's been with me all the way," Frodo said, beaming at his friend.

"Of course he was!" said Pippin. He wiped his eyes and it was as if they four of them had never been parted. Emáten felt he was quite out of place there and stood awkwardly to one side with the horse. He felt very guilty to have marred this reunion. And honoured! He was in the presence of the very four hobbits that had seen nothing but danger and death all their lives. The two that had walked in Fangorn Forest and drank from the Entwash. He had heard that Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took were fair, fearless knights but it had always been just a rumour. They were certainly taller than either of their companions. They would have come up to Emáten's shoulders!

"And whose this?" Merry asked, getting to his feet and helping Frodo up beside him.

"I'm not quite sure," said Frodo, "He's been wandering round with us for sometime now."

"This is Mr. Emáten, Merry," Sam said, stifling a giggle. Merry and Pippin came across and bowed low. Emáten hurriedly did the same and smiled at them.

"I met you once before, Lord Peregrin," he said shyly. Pippin peered at his face a moment then drew back with a look of pure joy on his face.

"Of course! I remember you now! Emáten, son of Emritan."

"Yes, that's right," the man answered, feeling a glow of pride deep within him. Suddenly, he felt something cold strike his cheek. He looked up. Snow was beginning to fall again and the sun, as it rose above the horizon, disappeared under a haze of clouds.

"Well, what are we going to do now?" Sam asked worriedly. "We're going south."

"So are we, aren't we, Pip?"

"We are? We are."

"Oh honestly. You followed me once before, I recall," Frodo said, "A conspiracy."

"And look where that got us. Look, Frodo, where would you be without us if we hadn't come with you?" scoffed Merry.

"I don't know," Frodo replied. In total honesty.

~

Sorry there was so much talking in that. Plot will be resumed in ensuing chapters.