-=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=--=- = Dream

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ = Scene change

(Takes place when Ashia is about 14, according to the elves. doesn't start with any of the LotR characters at first. but they'll be here, promise)

"She said life sucks, it's the truth to me, didn't you think it would be better than this? So where's the prize that I was promised, where's my great reward, where's my happiness.?" - More, J Englishmen

Chapter 5

Pippin and Merry-The Loyal but Unsure

"Poor Frodo," Pippin whispered into the night, thinking Merry was fully awake, "He has to carry this thing and it seems to be such a burden and then what happened to Gandalf. It's been so hard for us, especially mister Frodo. Merry? I don't understand this at all. It seems everything has been happening to him lately."

"Mmph. go to sleep Pippin, he's fine, but you won't be if you don't shut up and at least let me have some rest!" Merry grumbled but he was concerned about Frodo. The ring clearly was a weight on Frodo's mind and body, or it could be the endless travel, or Gandalf being gone and all. Merry wasn't the expert on these things, maybe all three? This quest was an adventure at first, but it was finally setting in on Merry and Pippin's minds what they'd gotten themselves into.

"Merry?" Pippin sounded like a little kid now, and Merry rolled over to face him. They were best friends, and had been for as long as they could remember, but Merry had only once before heard that tone in Pippin's voice.

"Yea, Pip?" he was wide-awake now, and suddenly very aware of everything that had happened that day.

Pippin searched for the right words to say. He felt so stupid now, at first he had begged Lord Elrond to let them go, now he would have begged to go back, if they hadn't already gone so far. "Do you, Do you think that this might be our fault? Maybe mine? I mean. I don't know, it just feels that way.oh god, Merry I feel like such an idiot! What have we gotten ourselves into?"

"Shhhh! No, I don't think its our fault. no, it isn't," Merry was surprised at his buddy's sudden insecurities. "I don't know Pip, I don't know much about this. just try to sleep, you'll feel a bit better in the morning and after you eat something."

"You're right Merry, g'night," Pippin rolled over and closed his eyes, trying desperately for sleep, and was about to drift off when Merry spoke again.

"Pippin. Now I can't sleep!" Pippin turned to see Merry glaring at him. Pippin couldn't help himself and started to laugh quietly and Merry joined in. Eventually they closed their eyes and fell asleep.

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A few days passed, but in the land of the elves, time seemed to affect them very little. Their sorrow faded gradually, and they became the clown-like hobbits they were used to being. Few worries rested in their mind, none of them about the Ring. Aragorn wasn't around for the most part, and when he was Legolas would look suspicious. Merry was the one to point this out to the slightly younger and slower of the two.

"Pippin, do you notice anything weird about Legolas and Strider? Do you think they're fighting.?" Merry wasn't as curious as Pippin was, but this had been bothering him for a while now.

Pippin, who was stuffing his face at the moment, looked up briefly. "Huh? Oh. don't worry Merry. They're just upset about this stupid Quest. err. Mission? Nonetheless. we should investigate!" Pippin's eyes grew bright and his curiosity was growing.

"I don't think we should be." but Pippin was already heading off into the trees, trying to find the Ranger and Elf, then hide. Merry sighed. "Stupid Pippin." he muttered and chased after him, to make sure he didn't get into trouble and because he was now growing curious himself.

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

"Shhhhh!" Pippin smiled mischievously. "Listen." Merry followed his friends gaze and saw the Ranger, muttering to himself. They couldn't make out any words, except some in Elvish. They hardly noticed when Legolas slipped into the clearing, until he spoke.

"Are you all right, Aragorn?" The young prince sounded angry and worried. Strider turned suddenly, but showed no signs of being startled. "You haven't been around, and we're staring to worry."

The Elf was searching Strider's face like he was an enemy, "Yes, Legolas. I am fine. I have just felt the need to be alone" Strider replied calmly. The air between them seemed to almost fizzle. Merry looked at Pippin and Pippin looked at Merry. They wore the same expression, 'what?'

Legolas smiled, almost looking amused; "You are lying Estel. You know very well that you are not all right, as do I. Now tell me, friend, what is bothering you?" Legolas was questioning Aragorn, and it obviously was getting him mad.

He paused, seemed to calm down a little. then spoke through gritted teeth "If you do not mind, I am doing very well, and I would wish very much to be alone." He said it, and left. Legolas looked crushed, and the Hobbits were confused. Merry rolled over and a twig cracked under him. The hobbits winced but the Elven prince seemed not to take any notice, and walked off. Only Pippin could see that he was on the verge of tears.

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