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Chapter Eight- Love Is Not Easily Angered

"Di! Diamond where are you?!" Pippin cried out in anguish. He had been running through the foliage for close to a half an hour and had seen no sign of her, he prayed that nothing had happened to her, he would never forgive himself if anything had. The longer he searched for Diamond and without sign nor progress, the more his heart ached. He wrapped his arms around himself and fell to his knees sobbing, he had never known pain such as this before.

"Diamond please! Please let me know that you are okay! I need to talk to you about something, come back!"

From behind a tree ten feet in front of him, Diamond's small figure appeared. Tears flooded down her flushed face. Her eyes squeezed tightly shut, she whispered, "I am here Pippin."

"Di!" exclaimed Pippin. "I am so sorry Diamond for whatever I did that has made you so angry with me. Please forgive me Diamond for whatever I did to cause you to resent me so."

He scrambled to his feet and hurried over to her. He took her small hands in his big strong ones and looked down into her stunning yet sad eyes.

"I am not angry at you nor do I resent you at all!" She murmured rather confusedly. "Why did you think that?" Her face softened seeing his pain over her rapid departure.

"You ran away and refused to talk to me. You always have told me what ails you ever since we were young. The idea that you wouldn't want to share your troubles and joys, is foreign to me." He confessed to her in a low tone. "I could see you are tormented by something, it pains me deeply to see you this way. You know that I cannot bear it when you cry."

She saw her own pain in his big hazel eyes. Diamond wrapped her arms around Pippin's waist. "I am sorry for running off, I just did not want to cry in front of the others."

"That is alright Diamond, love. All if forgiven."

"Pippin is there anything bothering you? For I see pain in your eyes as well." She lifted her head and looked into his troubled face.

"Yes….there is something bothering me. I suppose I must tell you, it is not fair for you not to be aware of this." He sat down on a rock and motioned for her to sit next to him.

Diamond sat down gracefully next to Peregrin, though she dreaded what he may have to tell her. She fixed her eyes on the ground a few feet ahead of her. "Alright, go ahead."

"Diamond please look at me, it will be easier for me if you are."

Diamond hesitantly turned her head towards him. Focusing on his fine, strong features she nodded for him to continue.

"Diamond…its just that….well," He takes in a deep breath before continuing, "I love you Diamond. I have since the very first moment I met you." He looked hopefully into her eyes.

Diamond's eyes widened in surprise. She was at a loss for words, which was quite the rare occurrence. Finally she managed to open her mouth. "What?!" Immediately she realized that she had not chosen her words wisely.

"I love you?" He questioned with voice quavering and eyes beginning to water.

A smile spread quickly over her tearstained face. Sparks of joy ignited in her eyes as she threw herself into Pippin's arms. It took a only a moment for her actions to register in his brain. He hugged her tightly before loosening his grip and looking into her eyes.

"I love you too Peregrin. More than anything." Her eyes glowing with adoration and trust.

Pippin lifted his hand to her cheek and stroked it fondly. Her beauty is enchanting, he thought to himself as he slowly lowered his lips down to meet hers in a soft, sweet kiss.