Chapter Nineteen: Linnsil ["Song of the Moon"]

Written by Carithawen

Webposter's notes: FINALLY! A chapter written with my own imagination, and not the movie script! :)

Pippin Took stood on a small incline overlooking the nighttime beauty of Rivendell. As he took another bite of the apple that he had stolen from the eating hall, his eyes scanned the trees behind him, noticing how they stretched up towards the creamy moon in the clear night sky. You didn't see trees like this in the Shire… this whole place of Rivendell was something otherworldly. He sighed to himself as he took another bite of the apple, and finally realized how much more flavorful they were than the Shire's.
As he was about to take yet another bite, his mouth over a part of the apple, when his ears picked up the faint sound of song coming from within the trees. As he lowered his apple, listening further, he could make out that it was a woman's voice… an Elf. After placing the apple core on a nearby rock, he began to make his way into the tall trees, searching for the area the voice was coming from. As he edged closer to the center of the tree garden, the voice became clearer to him. It was beautiful… beautiful even though it seemed slightly haunting… singing gently in the Elven tongue.
Óma tindómessë…
The hobbit moved towards the trees, making sure that he didn't make even the slightest of sounds, not wanting to scare the Elf away. He stopped suddenly when he saw a gently-radiating white figure, the last several trees before the circular clearing in the middle, of which the form was seated on a small stone bench, blocking his full view.
Úr lilta ortonnar…
He slowly moved up to behind one of the last trees, slowly peeking his head around the side to observe the figure in full view.
An Amaurëa túla…

Who was she…? Pippin looked on, concentrating. His eyes widened when the thought finally struck him… "E--Elfindel?"

The Elf promptly stopped singing, turning around just as quickly to face the voice that scared her so, her long hair gently swinging about her head as she did so. Her quickened heart slowed as she beheld the cowardly hobbit, whose eyes lowered in shame as he kept one hand on the tree trunk. The soft moonlight shone brightest on his face, and Elfindel's eyes softened when she beheld it. "Pippin…?"

The hobbit didn't raise his eyes. "I'm sorry, Elfindel… I… I didn't mean to scare you… I… I just wanted to hear you sing…"

Elfindel couldn't help but gently grin. "Pippin… you heard me all this time?"

He nodded slowly. "You… you didn't want to sing at the Green Dragon… You thought that your voice wouldn't sound melodic…"

"Pippin--"

Pippin quickly raised his eyes to look at her. "--But it is…"

Elfindel closed her mouth slowly, the thought of Pippin actually bringing himself to comment her being somewhat of a surprise. She smiled softly, as she slowly extended a friendly hand towards the courageous young hobbit, who was still hiding behind the tree. "I think it is safe to come forward now, Pippin…"

Pippin's eyebrows raised. "Are y-you certain?"

She couldn't help but laugh gently. "I am certain, Pippin."

Still unsure of himself, he slowly made his way towards the Elf, stepping into the circular clearing of grass, the soft moonlight fully shining on him.

As he approached her closer, he noticed that she was in an Elven gown and not in her traveling attire. He could feel himself slipping into a gaze again…

She moved over on the bench, making room for him to take a seat next to her. Pippin looked at her, as if nonverbally confirming her notion. Elfindel nodded once, and Pippin took a seat on the bench next to her, and sighed as he did so.

Elfindel observed him, speaking gently. "What were you doing out here by your own…?"

Pippin looked down at his furry feet. "I was eatin'…"

The Elf maiden smirked slightly. Of course. "Apples?"

Pippin quickly looked up at her. How did she…?

"I saw you take several from the eating hall," she said with a grin.

Pippin lowered his eyes again. "I know that it was wrong of me…" He jumped when he felt a gentle hand on his, and his eyes traveled up to look at Elfindel once more.

"To be scowled for such a small thing would be foolish, Pippin," she said comfortingly. "You will find no reprimands from me."

Pippin found himself grinning gently as his reply. It had been a long while since he last looked upon her face this closely… looked upon her Elven beauty… a long time since-- He looked up at her. "When… you came to the Shire… I…" He was silent for a long moment.

Elfindel eyed him still, her voice both gentle and comforting. "What is it, Pippin?"

The hobbit reached into the inside pocket of his teal coat, pulling out something that was encompassed inside his fist. Elfindel glanced down at his clenched hand before looking up to him again. Their eyes met as she did so, and Pippin looked down. "…I got this for you, Elfindel…" He slowly extended his fist, and Elfindel caught sight of the beautiful necklace that was in his palm. Its thin gold chain glistened in the moonlight, and the green stone that was part of its pendant looked as if there were a thousand novas inside it.

Elfindel's eyes moved up to meet his once more, not able to find any words for a moment. "Pippin… This is unexpected…" She slowly took hold of the necklace, observing it.

Pippin kept his eyes on her throughout. "Y-you like it…?"

Elfindel's gaze found his once more, and she grinned softly and warmly. "Amin harmuva onalle é cormamin, Pippin…"

Pippin only looked at her in question.

"I will treasure your gift in my heart, Pippin…" she spoke in Westron, the common speech.

Inwardly, Pippin jumped in surprise, but on the outside, a gentle grin slowly formed on his face.