Disclaimer: I own none of the following characters or the world in which they live. Tolkien owns such.
A/N: The following tale sort of came out on its own, a manifestation of many things we deal with today. I realize that some of the story may be hard to follow or not make sense at some parts. You needn't comment on this (or you may if you like) but I wanted to point out that life is like that. Many things that happen make the least bit of sense and have nothing to offer us later, they just are.
A tale of friendship and dark paths.
Being the Seventh Part of….
To Tread the Path of Darkness
The Calling
Peregrin Took gazed at the wineskin hungrily. No matter what he thought about, no matter what he looked upon, always his eyes and mind returned to that beautiful, alluring 'skin upon the Dwarf's belt. He watched in fascination as the liquid within caused it to dance and he fancied he could hear the golden drink singing sweet promises to him. In the midst of these fantasies, he jerked to the present and glanced about guiltily, his gaze oftimes looking to the wizard. None noticed.
Whenever the Dwarf would drift back to take a position behind the Hobbit, Pippin was torn between relief and desperation. Relief because he could no longer see the teasing wineskin and desperation from the very same fact. His mouth was annoyingly dry and no matter how often he took his own waterskin and drenched his throat with cool water it made no difference. He felt that he was ever berating himself for dreaming of taking just one more sip of the burning liquid. Just one more, surely it wouldn't hurt. He hadn't had a single draught of liquor--not counting the other day--since they set out from Rivendell more than six days ago. Surely he was deserving.
And then the wizard's words would come back to him: "The Orcs are upon you . . . What will you do, Peregrin Took?"
His own cry of defiant conviction hardened his resolve: "I will fight!"
"I will," he told himself, turning away from the Dwarf. He looked to the heavens, resorting to stare at the glaring sun instead of the weakness that had held him captive for so long. His eyes burned but he did not look away. Gandalf says you are a comfort and he is very wise. Won't you help me? But the young Took did not feel comforted and as the Sun began its decent in the West, Gandalf called a halt and the Fellowship gratefully prepared a late mid-day meal.
Pippin, his eyes burning and filled with bright spots, ran into Bill's flanks and rebounding, tripped over a rock and fell painfully on his backside. He groaned pitifully and considered telling Gandalf what he thought of his Lady.
A strong hand reached down and helped the disorientated Hobbit to his feet. "Careful there, Master Hobbit," came the Dwarf's rumbling voice. "Are you alright?"
Pippin reached out his hands to steady himself and accidentally brushed up against Gimli's wineskin. He blinked several times and as the darkness slowly faded he saw the concerned visage of a Dwarf. "Yes, Gimli, thank you," Pippin said, somewhat breathless and entirely embarrassed. "Yes, I am fine . . ." his words trailed off as his gaze--now sharp with hunger--fell upon Durin's Bane.
Gimli looked at him in concern. "Are you certain?"
Pippin blinked. "Uh, yes, most assuredly." He grinned and his cheeks flushed a dusty pink. "Merry has oftimes told me I ought to mind my sights to the fore and not to the heavens."
Gimli chuckled. "Find the sky is better company than what lies beneath your feet? My brethren and I would call that a wistful heart. Dreams and fancies float upon the clouds whereas reality his solid beneath our feet." He thumped his walking ax twice upon the hard-packed forest floor. "Mind the ground, young Hobbit, for otherwise it can catch you unawares and you'll find your face planted in it . . . without a friend to lift you back to your feet."
Pippin's grin broadened, though, too, his brow furrowed. "An interesting theory, my good Dwarf, and one in which I think I'll take to heart." His eyes drifted distractingly toward the wineskin but he hurriedly forced his gaze aside. "It is sound advice."
Gimli nodded, pleased. "Much is sound among the Dwarfs, whether 'tis advice or honor or friendship. We are fierce warriors but fiercer friends as well . . ." Gimli looked down at the Hobbit pointedly and Pip, catching the Dwarf's piercing gaze, looked down with sudden interest at his furry feet. My, he thought in some surprise, studying his toes, but I do need a bath.
A heavy gloved hand rested itself upon the Hobbit's small shoulder. Pippin looked up to find the Dwarf looking at him earnestly. "I came to apologize, Peregrin Took, for the trouble I caused you the other night. I do not, however, apologize for making your struggle known to your cousins. I have seen this sickness you face too often among my kin and many I have loved cannot fight it. It is a terrible foe and I would not see . . ." his voice trailed off even as his mind recalled memories he had long ago banished. Still, they haunted him. "I would not see you face this alone," he said softly, as if to someone far away in another time.
"Sickness?" Gimli came back with a start, looked down at the small halfling. "I know not of what you speak," he said, taking a step backwards, his eyes flickering down to the wineskin. "And besides," he said, forcing his gaze away from the temptation. "I am not alone. I have Merry, and Frodo that I might confide in . . ." His eyes were sincere and completely devout of guilt.
Gimli nodded, barely withholding a sigh of relief. "Yes," he said. "You have your cousins." He glanced past the youngest Hobbit and spied the three other halflings half-heartedly going about their chores--Sam was aiding Boromir and Legolas at their attempts at Luncheon; Merry was picking through his pack, ever so often rubbing at his eyes tiredly; and Frodo was offering his own services for preparation of the meal but got shooed away by both Boromir and Sam (though Man and Hobbit tried telling Legolas off, pointedly assuring the Elf that they had everything under control but he would have none of that and remained by their sides offering his help no matter the two's protesting), and so Frodo wandered aimlessly about until he sat down by Aragorn who was coaxing a small fire to life.
Gimli's gaze returned to Pippin and found the halfling was smiling. "You are all so very concerned about me," he said, "but I believe it is not I that is in trouble. Indeed, I am well. Is it not my cousin that we ought be concerned with? Is this not the Fellowship of the Ring? Frodo is the Ringbearer, is he not?"
"Aye," the Dwarf had to agree. "But what was that--what was that you said before the Ring?"
Pippin frowned. "Fellowship?"
Gimli smiled and nodded. "The Fellowship. If we ourselves cannot hold true to the Ring what good are we? We mustn't forget--the Ring is our main concern but without our aid, the aid of the entire Fellowship, then this Quest will come to ruin. Do not underestimate yourself, Peregrin Took, for the Wise chose you and they are not called thus lightly. Do not hurt that which you are a part of . . . nor belittle your involvement in this tale."
Pippin's gaze faltered and he wondered at all these Big Folk. Why must they concern themselves with his affairs and speak upon matters that had naught to do with him? They did not understand him, but they spoke as if they did. Slowly, Pippin nodded, for the Dwarf looked at him earnestly and the halfling would please him. "I will think on this, Gimli . . . and thank you."
"We are a Fellowship, dear Hobbit," the Dwarf said gruffly, "And though some of us are very different--" and here the Dwarf's gaze fell upon Legolas sitting beside the Man and poking fun at his food, "—we must put aside such things, for our world may very well depend upon it. I am willing to do so, but in return you too must have faith in your fellows. Do you understand, Pippin?"
Pippin thought about this, though it was very difficult as his mind often drifted to that which hung from the Dwarf's belt. Finally, the halfling nodded. "I understand, Gimli." He smiled at the Dwarf's concern and all other tensions between the two were immediately forgiven. "Do not fear for me, for I am well. It would do good for people to trust me once in a while." And here the look he gave the Dwarf was one of hurt and filled with accusation.
The Dwarf thought on these words for but a moment and though he was reluctant to do so he nodded. "Very well, Master Hobbit, I trust to your judgment. If you say you are well then indeed you are." Pippin smiled, both pleased and relieved. "But," the Dwarf continued, "I will be here, should you need me."
Pippin was quite pleased with his and Gimli's talk and perhaps the pleasure might have lasted longer had the Dwarf not removed his pack to take care of some personal business beyond the ring of the Fellowship. It was not Gimli's pack in particular that held the Hobbit's attention but that which lied beside it, looking very lonely and without a suitable friend—the Dwarf's wineskin.
Pippin's hands began to shake.
~*~