Chapter 1: Laughing by the campfire.

It had been late evening when Aragorn had finally said that they would stop for nightfall. Frodo stepped out of the boat, onto the solid ground. The sun had just disappeared behind the trees and mountains in the west and it was starting to get dark rather quickly now. He let out a deep sigh. He was happy that he could stretch his legs again, they had been in the boats the whole day. He helped Aragorn getting the boat onto shore, although he knew the ranger didn't need his help. He looked over to the others. Legolas was watching the shore on the other side, and seemed extremely alert, in contrast with Gimli, who was leaning heavily on his axe. If Frodo didn't knew better he had thought that the Dwarf had fallen asleep.

Suddenly he heard a cry and a 'Splatsch', followed by the giggling from Pippin. Frodo and the rest of the Fellowship turned their heads to the last boat. Merry was laying on the ground, with mud on his face and in his hair. Pippin was standing beside him, laughing. Boromir was standing beside the boat, not knowing if he should either help Merry, or join Pippin. Frodo admitted that Merry looked rather ridiculous. Merry turned red, and tried to get up. Pippin helped his friend up.

"I - I'm sorry, Merry." Pippin said trying to control his laughter. Tears were now streaming down his face. His laughing seemed contagious, and soon enough the rest of the Fellowship was laughing too, even Merry seemed to find it hard to not burst out in laughter now. He brushed the dirt of him, little sticks and leaves still sticking out of his hair.

"I think we should set up camp as soon as possible. It's getting dark." Aragorn said after they hid the boats, which wasn't that difficult for they were Elvenboats. They followed Aragorn into the woods, the tension of the past view days had vanished for a little bit, and besides Merry and Pippin's normal chatter, the other were talking too. Even Frodo seemed somewhat loosened. After they had walked for some time, Aragorn called them to a halt and decided that they would set op camp here. Although most op them were weary of that day's journey it seemed that they liked walking around more then sitting down, having been sitting the whole day already. Aragorn even allowed Sam to make a small fire, and that evening they enjoyed a warm meal. The talking and laughter around the campfire wasn't for long, soon enough everybody seeked the comfort of their bedrolls. Boromir had the first watch, and he placed himself upon a rock on the edge of the camp, humming softly as he watched the others drift off into sleep.

The next morning came, coloring the sky in brilliant colors, red, orange, yellow. It promised to be a beautiful day.

"It's a lovely morning, isn't it Mr. Frodo?" Sam said while he prepared breakfast. "It is indeed, Sam." Frodo answered, looking at Boromir who tried to wake Pippin. He grinned.

"Wake up, little one." The Gondorian soldier shook Pippin carefully. The hobbit grunted and turned around. "Wake me up for second breakfast..." He mumbled, Boromir grinned. "If you won't get up now, you won't get anything." At this Pippin opened his eyes and sighed. "Okay, okay, I'm up!"

Legolas was standing on a hill, away from camp. His eyes glanced trough the forest, in the distance he could see a glittering. It was the Great River. Something was frustrating him, although he didn't know what it was exactly. As if Aragorn could feel the frustration within the Elf he walked over to him. "Is there something amiss?" He asked, and Legolas turned around. He waited a moment before he answered. "I feel danger getting closer as we speak.. We must not linger here any longer." Aragorn was silent for a moment. He knew better then to ignore an Elf his feelings, especially when that Elf was named Legolas, he nodded. "We will leave as soon as we can."

The two walked back to camp, where they came just in time to witness Merry and Pippin trying to steal Sam his Breakfast. They hadn't taken more then four steps away from Sam when a cry signaled that Sam had found out. Soon enough the two Hobbits were laying on the ground with a very angry Sam on top of them. Boromir laughed and before Frodo knew what was happening he was taken into the romp too. Hobbit laughter filled the air and Aragorn smiled at the sight. But then he remembered Legolas words and he stopped the Hobbits, telling them that they should break up camp immediately.

Half an hour later the Hobbits were slipping and gliding down to the riverbank. They watched as the others pulled the boats into the water and placed their bags in them. A moment later they pushed the boats of shore and prepared for another day on the river. Merry looked at the water and sighed. "Well, I really would have liked that second breakfast." As he said it Sam looked at him angrily, and Merry grinned.

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Authors note: I know Frodo is out of character, but I like him better this way, more Hobbitlike =). Anyway I hope you liked it. Oh, and please review!