* * * One week later It was late afternoon in Rivendell. Tamis's class had finished their lessons for the day, and were all gathered in their playroom tower, playing cards, doing homework and eating smuggled iced lembas. Akidiel Hillion caught sight off something-strange outside. "Girls!" she called. "There's something down there!" There was a stampede as the elven girls scrambled over and tried to fit all fifteen of their heads around the window frame. Much to Tamis's annoyance, she was last, and of course she couldn't see over the girls' elbows. "Is it an orc?" Galadae asked anxiously. "Is it a band of uruk - hai?" Shuddered Elwing. "No - just a hobbit." Said Akidiel. "A bit strange for a hobbit to be hanging around here, if you ask me." "Not as strange as an Elfling with afro hair." Laughed Gorawen, tugging at one of Akidiel's fuzzy pigtails. "I thought it was something gross, like a dwarf." That comment made Tamis think of Legolas. "Dwarves aren't that gross." She said defiantly. Gorawen turned around, sneering. "I'm sorry - you're the one who's friends with." Gorawen paused to make sure everyone was listening, "a dwarf - liker!" All the Rivendell girls shook their heads, to them being a dwarf - liker was the ultimate insult. Disgusted, Kimios stepped forward. "Her friend happens to be our prince." She snapped. "So you can show some respect, Gorawen Nasai." "Oh, shut it, you two." Akidiel said impatiently. "It's not an orc, or an uruk, or a dwarf. It's a hobbit, and that's what matters. Is he a relative of yours Tay?" "How would I know!" Yelled Tamis. "I can't see!" "Oops - sorry Tamy." Kimios lifted her onto the windowsill. "Hey!" Cried Tamis. "It's Pippin!" Makana giggled. "Yes - we all know how Tamis feels about Pippin." Tamis blushed, and the girls laughed. "Girls!" Glorfindel called up the stairs. "Dinner!" "I smell apple chicken stew!" Yelled Sindarharth and Xeyah, and everyone followed the twins downstairs. Tamis grabbed Kimios and Makana by their skirts. "Girls." She begged, "Can't you go with me to meet Pippin?" "You? Skipping dinner for anyone? What's middle earth coming to?" Yelped Makana. "Yeah, besides, how do you know he's here to see you?" Kimios agreed. "Pllleeeeeeeeeeeesssse?" Tamis wailed. "Oh, all right. I'll remember this, Tamy." The three elflings crept down stairs, but there was really no need for caution, everyone was in the dining room. They found Pippin wandering aimlessly around the entrance hall. "Pippin!" Tamis threw her arms around his neck. "How goes you?" "A little confused." Said Pippin, squirming out of Tamis's arms. "I am supposed to meet lady Galadriel here in Rivendell." "Lady Galadriel?" Interrupted Makana. "She's in Rivendell?" "Yeah." "Well, she's not in the house of Elrond." Said Kimios. "If she was, we'd know." "Of course, it's entirely possible that she's staying at the Imladris lodge." Frowned Makana. "But why would she do that?" Just then Kimios's stomach made a sound similar to thunder. "Oops, my bad." She blushed. "You two go on to dinner." Said Tamis. "Pippin and me will go check the Imladris lodge guest book." Makana licked her lips. "Sure, we'll save you some stew." Tamis and Pippin snuck outside, and next door to the elf hostel where every thing was well respected, except for Nilthion, the sleazy bellhop. "Hello fair Dawnstar." Nilthion said greasily. "What may I do for you?" "Um, I'd like to see the guest book please." Said Tamis nervously. "Sure Dawnstar. Anything for you." Crawled Nilthion as he handed her the heavy book. Tamis looked under the day's date. "Here we go! She arrived two hours ago, in room twelve. So why does she want you, anyway?" Pippin puffed his chest out. "That's for me to know and you to find out." "Oh fine." Growled Tamis. "I'm going." She started to walk back to Elrond's palace, but turned around. Curiosity had gotten the better of her, and she was eager to know why Galadriel would hold council with a hobbit, Pippin at that. She followed them until they reached a clearing, where they stopped and Tamis crouched behind a tree. She could see they were talking, but could not hear what they were saying. They suddenly, they leant in and kissed. Repulsed, Tamis turned and ran, not stopping until she reached her playroom tower. "Geez, you took your time." Said Kimios when she came in. "What did the white lady want with master Peregrin, anyway?" "I really don't know." Said Tamis wearily.

The next day

"PIP-PIN1" Called Merry as he wandered the banks of the Brandywine. "Where the heck are you?" "Merry1" Frodo jogged over the hill to join his cousin. "Any sign of him?" "No." Sighed Merry. "I don't know where he could have gone." "When did you see him last?" "Yesterday morning. He said he was going for a walk and not to expect him back for a while." Frodo was perplexed. "Well, why don't we go back to Bag End and think about this over some brandy?" "Sure Frodo. Oh I hope he's all right, he only took one meal's worth of mushrooms." However, before Frodo even had the glasses on the table, there was a knock on the door and Pippin fell in side. His fellow hobbits were shocked at his state. His clothes looked terrible. His shirt was ripped in several places, and a few buttons were missing. The suspenders he had been wearing when he left were no - where to be seen. Pippin's hair was wet and tangled more that usual. He had also been sweating heavily so he smelt putrid. But in spite of it all, he had a stupid grin on his face. "Pippin1" Cried Merry, pulling him to the sofa. "Are you all right? Where have you been?" "I've.oh.wow." Sighed Pippin. Merry raised his eyebrows at Frodo, who rotated an index finger around one ear several times. "I take it you had a good time?" He asked. "It was.amazing." Said Pippin dopily, and keeled over.and fell asleep. Merry turned to Frodo. "I don't know where he went, or what he was doing, but he seems to have enjoyed himself." "Perhaps it's best we never know." Said Frodo softly.