And Drink to Me Yet
Chapter 2 - Into the Mirkwood
"Sam won't come on account of Rosie being ill, Frodo and Gandalf sailed over the sea, and Boromir's dead. That leaves us, Legolas, Gimli, and King Elessar."
Pippin nodded as he and Merry rode along. "So, where are we going first?"
"Gimli's moved into the Mirkwood," Merry informed him, "We've only to stop there, then ride on to Gondor."
Pippin gulped. "How long before we reach the Mirkwood?"
Merry's eyes flashed. "Days. Far too many days."
Pippin nodded again, looking away. He had hidden his sword under his traveling cloak so Merry wouldn't see it. He now fought the urge to draw it out and watch the sunlight gleam on it. Riding for days with Merry? In the past, it would have been a dream come true. But it wasn't the past. He hoped the days passed by quickly.
The next week passed, if not quickly, in silence. The two hobbits only spoke at meal times, commenting on their progress or asking for the salt. Other than that, all was peaceful and quiet. Pippin spent the time watching Merry. The closer they drew to the Wood, the more agitated Merry grew. His features changed visibly from day to day, turning from a scowl to a grimace to a look beyond Pippin's comprehension. Nonetheless, he heaved a deep sigh of relief as they passed at last into the cool shade of the Mirkwood.
They were greeted by the Elves, who sang and laughed as they led the halflings deeper into the Wood. Pippin felt his heart lift as he joined their revelry. But Merry, he observed, seemed to shrink back. His clouded eyes were darting about, glaring suspiciously at the Elves around him. Pippin frowned for a moment. In the days that were now legend, he and Merry had lived among Elves, laughed and drunk with them, learning their languages and singing the nights away. Now Merry seemed to fear and hate these fair beings that were his friends. But Pippin didn't think on it for long. He was enjoying himself too much. He'd think about it later.
A short journey found them in a woodland courtyard, full of peoples of every sort. Bright fires roared, as did voices and music. Mugs of beer found their way to Merry and Pippin's hands. Pippin emptied his glass with a swig to great cheering, while Merry coldly pushed his own mug away. From the midst of all the tumult, a low, familiar voice rang out.
"Meriadoc? Peregrin? Is that you?"
Gimli forged his way through the throngs toward the two dismounting friends. With a swoop of his thick arms he had both hobbits in a headlock. Merry seemed stifled, unsure of how to get out of the situation. Pippin would have laughed but for his great respect of Merry. And the shortness of air to his lungs.
The dwarf finally let them go. He led them through the others as they gasped, gulping in the fresh air and coughing as they inhaled smoke. Pippin recovered first, being more accustomed to the pub-like atmosphere. They soon crossed this courtyard, entering a small side door. Gimli guided them through massive hallways that grew progressively quieter. They reached the end of one and entered a large silver door. All was still and silent. Then a tinkling laugh fell through the air. Pippin felt a small smile creep onto this lips. It was a beautiful sound.
Merry coughed indignantly. The laughter stopped, and there was a movement at the window. Legolas appeared at it, face lit up with a radiant smile.
"Gimli! What news?" Then he saw the halflings. "Meriadoc! Pippin! You're here! You're back!"
He rushed forward and embraced them. Merry looked unable to breathe. Pippin heard another noise at the window. He turned toward it and gasped.
A beautiful young Elf stood there, framed by the dying sunlight. She appeared to be about 15 years of age, though Pippin had come to mistrust the apparent ages of the immortal Fair Folk. Her hair was a long sheet of spun gold, and her eyes the palest blue of the early morn. She looked, quite plainly speaking, like Legolas, only younger and with a more mischievous twinkle in her eye. She was gazing on the new comers with a warm smile, waiting patiently for Legolas to finish his greetings.
He turned and beheld her. With a gesture and a nod, he called her forth to his side. He placed a hand on her shoulder as she observed the guests. Pippin saw quite clearly that his eyes were full of love and devotion for this young friend.
"Meriadoc, Peregrin," he continued with yet another bright smile, "Allow me to introduce my daughter, Agarwaenloth Darkwind."
"Please," the girl said graciously, "Call me Waen."
"Aew, this is Meriadoc Bradybuck and Peregrin Took." Waen held her hand out to each hobbit in turn, eyes lighting up as she heard the names.
"Ah! The halflings from the old tales!" she muttered, face glowing with joy. Now that he got a better look at her, Pippin realized that she also reminded him a bit of Galadriel. Her hand was long and cool in his, her eyes sharp and inquisitive. Legolas gently took her shoulder, whispering in her ear,
"Celo, aew. We wish to speak alone."
Waen started to protest, but a look from her father silenced her. She glided silently from the room, closing the door behind her. Legolas sighed as she did, gazing at the spot where she had stood last. Pippin remarked quietly, "She seems quite lovely."
"She has sustained me since my return..." Legolas replied sadly. Gimli gently patted his arm. With a look of pain, Legolas finished his thought. "She looks just like her mother."
Choking back a sob, the fair Elf crossed once again to the window. He sprang lightly onto the sill and gazed out into his Wood as he tried to regain composure. Gimli signaled his small friends he would explain later. Pippin nodded. He knew what it was like to ache, to long, to hurt. Merry stood chewing his lip, considering the events. Then a black light came to his eyes as he took a step toward the window.
Legolas turned 'round to look at his three friends. He managed a weak smile as he said, "Well, it has been a long time since the Took and Bradybuck showed their faces in the Realm of Mirkwood. Why come you know, dear friends?"
"Elessar has sent me," Merry said smoothly, "He wishes to congregate the Fellowship at Gondor."
"What? How excellent!" Gimli exclaimed. "Legolas and I were just considering it. We really should get together again... only, what of the Ringbearers and Boromir? And where is that Gamgee pup?"
"Sam couldn't make it." Pippin piped up, in an effort to be helpful. No one seemed to notice.
"Sam couldn't make it, his wife is ill," Merry said. Legolas twinged at the statement while Merry continued, "Boromir is dead, Frodo and Gandalf are gone. We four and Elessar are all that remain."
The others were silent as memories swelled up inside them all, even Merry. As Pippin held back his tears, he glimpsed Merry and Gimli each secretly wipe some away. Legolas broke the silence as he said, "A change of scenery will do us all good. To Gondor, then. I'll call Waen and let her know."
"Now wait just a moment," Merry interjected. Pippin thought he saw a crafty smile flash across Merry's face, but he couldn't be sure. "Elessar wanted the Fellowship, and the Fellowship alone. I can't allow you to bring your daughter with us."
Legolas' eyes flashed. "What? Then I won't go!"
Gimli grunted. "If he doesn't go, I don't go!"
Pippin glanced at Merry. This was a problem. What would Aragorn say or do if only two of the 6 remaining companions showed up? He shuddered to think. The last time he had seen the High King in a rage, an entire room in Gondor's palace had been destroyed and Pippin himself had only just managed to escape with a broken wrist and sprained ankle. And Merry had been worse. Much worse.
((What is Merry thinking? Is Aragorn abusive or what? Who is Legolas' mysterious daughter? Is her mother dead? Is Legolas single? [drooool, Greenleaf fans, droooool, I say!] And what about the questions from chapter 1? GAH! *Hurries to write more* so, hope I get chap 3 up soon! Until then, please R&R! I want CRITICISM!!! Wait, what am I saying? They're going to tear this pathetic story to SHREADS!! aaaaaaa!!))
Chapter 2 - Into the Mirkwood
"Sam won't come on account of Rosie being ill, Frodo and Gandalf sailed over the sea, and Boromir's dead. That leaves us, Legolas, Gimli, and King Elessar."
Pippin nodded as he and Merry rode along. "So, where are we going first?"
"Gimli's moved into the Mirkwood," Merry informed him, "We've only to stop there, then ride on to Gondor."
Pippin gulped. "How long before we reach the Mirkwood?"
Merry's eyes flashed. "Days. Far too many days."
Pippin nodded again, looking away. He had hidden his sword under his traveling cloak so Merry wouldn't see it. He now fought the urge to draw it out and watch the sunlight gleam on it. Riding for days with Merry? In the past, it would have been a dream come true. But it wasn't the past. He hoped the days passed by quickly.
The next week passed, if not quickly, in silence. The two hobbits only spoke at meal times, commenting on their progress or asking for the salt. Other than that, all was peaceful and quiet. Pippin spent the time watching Merry. The closer they drew to the Wood, the more agitated Merry grew. His features changed visibly from day to day, turning from a scowl to a grimace to a look beyond Pippin's comprehension. Nonetheless, he heaved a deep sigh of relief as they passed at last into the cool shade of the Mirkwood.
They were greeted by the Elves, who sang and laughed as they led the halflings deeper into the Wood. Pippin felt his heart lift as he joined their revelry. But Merry, he observed, seemed to shrink back. His clouded eyes were darting about, glaring suspiciously at the Elves around him. Pippin frowned for a moment. In the days that were now legend, he and Merry had lived among Elves, laughed and drunk with them, learning their languages and singing the nights away. Now Merry seemed to fear and hate these fair beings that were his friends. But Pippin didn't think on it for long. He was enjoying himself too much. He'd think about it later.
A short journey found them in a woodland courtyard, full of peoples of every sort. Bright fires roared, as did voices and music. Mugs of beer found their way to Merry and Pippin's hands. Pippin emptied his glass with a swig to great cheering, while Merry coldly pushed his own mug away. From the midst of all the tumult, a low, familiar voice rang out.
"Meriadoc? Peregrin? Is that you?"
Gimli forged his way through the throngs toward the two dismounting friends. With a swoop of his thick arms he had both hobbits in a headlock. Merry seemed stifled, unsure of how to get out of the situation. Pippin would have laughed but for his great respect of Merry. And the shortness of air to his lungs.
The dwarf finally let them go. He led them through the others as they gasped, gulping in the fresh air and coughing as they inhaled smoke. Pippin recovered first, being more accustomed to the pub-like atmosphere. They soon crossed this courtyard, entering a small side door. Gimli guided them through massive hallways that grew progressively quieter. They reached the end of one and entered a large silver door. All was still and silent. Then a tinkling laugh fell through the air. Pippin felt a small smile creep onto this lips. It was a beautiful sound.
Merry coughed indignantly. The laughter stopped, and there was a movement at the window. Legolas appeared at it, face lit up with a radiant smile.
"Gimli! What news?" Then he saw the halflings. "Meriadoc! Pippin! You're here! You're back!"
He rushed forward and embraced them. Merry looked unable to breathe. Pippin heard another noise at the window. He turned toward it and gasped.
A beautiful young Elf stood there, framed by the dying sunlight. She appeared to be about 15 years of age, though Pippin had come to mistrust the apparent ages of the immortal Fair Folk. Her hair was a long sheet of spun gold, and her eyes the palest blue of the early morn. She looked, quite plainly speaking, like Legolas, only younger and with a more mischievous twinkle in her eye. She was gazing on the new comers with a warm smile, waiting patiently for Legolas to finish his greetings.
He turned and beheld her. With a gesture and a nod, he called her forth to his side. He placed a hand on her shoulder as she observed the guests. Pippin saw quite clearly that his eyes were full of love and devotion for this young friend.
"Meriadoc, Peregrin," he continued with yet another bright smile, "Allow me to introduce my daughter, Agarwaenloth Darkwind."
"Please," the girl said graciously, "Call me Waen."
"Aew, this is Meriadoc Bradybuck and Peregrin Took." Waen held her hand out to each hobbit in turn, eyes lighting up as she heard the names.
"Ah! The halflings from the old tales!" she muttered, face glowing with joy. Now that he got a better look at her, Pippin realized that she also reminded him a bit of Galadriel. Her hand was long and cool in his, her eyes sharp and inquisitive. Legolas gently took her shoulder, whispering in her ear,
"Celo, aew. We wish to speak alone."
Waen started to protest, but a look from her father silenced her. She glided silently from the room, closing the door behind her. Legolas sighed as she did, gazing at the spot where she had stood last. Pippin remarked quietly, "She seems quite lovely."
"She has sustained me since my return..." Legolas replied sadly. Gimli gently patted his arm. With a look of pain, Legolas finished his thought. "She looks just like her mother."
Choking back a sob, the fair Elf crossed once again to the window. He sprang lightly onto the sill and gazed out into his Wood as he tried to regain composure. Gimli signaled his small friends he would explain later. Pippin nodded. He knew what it was like to ache, to long, to hurt. Merry stood chewing his lip, considering the events. Then a black light came to his eyes as he took a step toward the window.
Legolas turned 'round to look at his three friends. He managed a weak smile as he said, "Well, it has been a long time since the Took and Bradybuck showed their faces in the Realm of Mirkwood. Why come you know, dear friends?"
"Elessar has sent me," Merry said smoothly, "He wishes to congregate the Fellowship at Gondor."
"What? How excellent!" Gimli exclaimed. "Legolas and I were just considering it. We really should get together again... only, what of the Ringbearers and Boromir? And where is that Gamgee pup?"
"Sam couldn't make it." Pippin piped up, in an effort to be helpful. No one seemed to notice.
"Sam couldn't make it, his wife is ill," Merry said. Legolas twinged at the statement while Merry continued, "Boromir is dead, Frodo and Gandalf are gone. We four and Elessar are all that remain."
The others were silent as memories swelled up inside them all, even Merry. As Pippin held back his tears, he glimpsed Merry and Gimli each secretly wipe some away. Legolas broke the silence as he said, "A change of scenery will do us all good. To Gondor, then. I'll call Waen and let her know."
"Now wait just a moment," Merry interjected. Pippin thought he saw a crafty smile flash across Merry's face, but he couldn't be sure. "Elessar wanted the Fellowship, and the Fellowship alone. I can't allow you to bring your daughter with us."
Legolas' eyes flashed. "What? Then I won't go!"
Gimli grunted. "If he doesn't go, I don't go!"
Pippin glanced at Merry. This was a problem. What would Aragorn say or do if only two of the 6 remaining companions showed up? He shuddered to think. The last time he had seen the High King in a rage, an entire room in Gondor's palace had been destroyed and Pippin himself had only just managed to escape with a broken wrist and sprained ankle. And Merry had been worse. Much worse.
((What is Merry thinking? Is Aragorn abusive or what? Who is Legolas' mysterious daughter? Is her mother dead? Is Legolas single? [drooool, Greenleaf fans, droooool, I say!] And what about the questions from chapter 1? GAH! *Hurries to write more* so, hope I get chap 3 up soon! Until then, please R&R! I want CRITICISM!!! Wait, what am I saying? They're going to tear this pathetic story to SHREADS!! aaaaaaa!!))