And Drink To Me Yet
Chapter 3 - A Heart that was Broken
The next morning, Pippin yawned as he trotted out of the woodland realm, his pony swaying gently beneath him. Before him, full of his own importance, rode Merry, in a hurry to be off again at once. He could hear Legolas talking with Gimli as the two brought up the rear behind him. Riding happily beside him was Waen, who kept glancing over her shoulder at the disappearing forest she called her home.
He took a stab at conversation. "You carry a sword. I don't think that you'll need it ." Here Pippin discreetly adjusted his own under his cloak. He hoped neither of their swords would be needed. Waen blushed and bowed her head, tightening the strap about her shoulder. It bore upon it a sword and dagger, as well as a bow and some arrows.
"I don't want to forget what I have been taught. If father leaves or passes beyond our reach, I will be the leader of my people. It will be my duty to protect them in times of war and teach them in times of peace. And it cannot hurt to be prepared," she noted with a small grin. Pippin readjusted his sword again so it could no longer be seen. Waen once again glanced over her shoulder.
"What's wrong, m'lady?" he asked her as she turned forward again with a sigh. She started at his voice, then smiled charmingly. She really did look like Legolas, very fair and slender.
"This shall be the first time I have ever left my home," Waen explained, "Father doesn't care for adventures much anymore. He kept me within those halls my whole life. Now... now I don't know what to expect."
Pippin nodded as he turned away. He thought back to the night before. After Merry's artful negotiations with Legolas, the hobbits and Gimli had gone to sup and leave the Elf to reflect. It was then Gimli had related the story of Legolas' crushed love to them, and the birth of his fair child.
Before leaving for Rivendell, Legolas had bid his love farewell. He had expected to return within a month or so. When he joined the Fellowship, he was unable to send a message to his father. Instead he sent a ring, a lovely silver ring that had belonged to the royal family for years. It was meant to be a sign of his safety. It was taken to be a sign of some accident.
It was the same day the ring arrived that it was discovered his love was growing round with child. She wept that her dearest would not ever see his child, and was on the verge of throwing herself into the Sea. The hand of fate intervened; she became too weak for childbearing and illness to move, much less take her own life. The child was born, and news was received from Rivendell of the Fellowship. Joy abounded, and the Merry Folk laughed again, singing praise for the father and joy for the child.
But fate can be a cruel one, and indeed end joy so newly sprung. In despair before her child's birth, the mother had pledged to sail across the Sea when the Three departed for the Grey Havens. When Legolas returned, he was given his child and told that his wife was gone. Unable to bear bidding him farewell, she had left for the Golden Wood before his return, to join the party of Lady Galadriel before the Passage. Embittered with grief, Legolas had mourned the loss for years. But as his child grew before his eyes, he saw day by day her mother appear and blossom eternal within her. It was this child and his stout Dwarf friend that sustained him, keeping him from fading or crossing into the West.
Pippin glanced now at Waen as they rode on in silence. She looked far too serious for one her age, and was far too pale from being raised indoors. He watched as she bit her lip and twisted a ring on her finger. It was a thin silver ring bearing the royal crest, all she had left of her mother.
They rode on for days, passing along roads they had once known like old friends. Pippin soon befriended Waen, telling her stories of his youth, pointing out familiar nooks and crannies from the tales that were now legends. She was very bright, and drank in all he said to her. They would joke and laugh, making up little stories that made even Merry smile faintly at times. The sun did her good, Pippin noted, as did the fresh air. It did them all good, excepting Merry.
Merry remained cold to them, a bit of frost on the warm summer days. His eyes flashed and his voice chilled, worsening as they drew nearer to their goal. Pippin had never gotten to know the infamous Grima, but he imagined that if he had, Merry would remind him of the sniveling traitor. It seemed at times that he even grew toward the attitude of Gollum. Pippin tried to shrug these thoughts away, to cast aside his friend's cold look and ignore his own growing sense of dread. At least he was not alone, for one night as he was gazing up at the stars, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
It was Waen. She had left the warmth of the fire to sit with Pippin on the grassy hillock he was lying on. With a small smile, she handed him a warmer cloak. "The night is chill, Master Hobbit. Put this on."
"As m'lady bids," he replied as a thank you, pulling it on against the whispering breeze. Waen sat beside him on the grass, eyes fixed on the stars her people loved and called by name. They sat for a moment in silent awe of the summer sky's beauty. Waen's soft voice broke the stillness, singing a short little tune Pippin himself had written and taught her.
"I've often sat alone at night
And drunk from the cup of sorrow
But nothing now can make me sad
For I'll be with old friends tomorrow
Here's to the friendships
That once we had
With age they only grow better
They'll never go bad
Come drink with me
From the love we share
If we trust one another
We'll make it there
Just think of me
And you'll never be alone
And drink to me yet
When I'm dead and gone."
Pippin then moved his eyes from the heavens to his friend, asking, "What's wrong, Waen?"
She looked down at her feet, then back up at the skies. "You often tell me stories, stories I delight in hearing. You, father, everyone in your tales are glad and joyful. Yet it seems not so among you now. Prey, what has befallen Master Meriadoc?"
Now it was Pippin's turn to look at his feet and pause. "I don't know, Waen. I just don't know. But I'll tell you this. Whatever's wrong with him has some to do with Aragorn or someone in Gondor. And I plan to find out what and why. Don't worry, Waen," he added, gently taking her hand as she opened her mouth to speak, "I'll get him back. I swear it. You'll love him once you meet him, he's a good old chap..."
His voice broke off as he thought of his childhood with Merry. He felt tears spring to his eyes as he remembered the times they would sit on a hillock and gaze up at the stars, just as he was doing now, trying to count them but always giving up after ninety three. The young Elf gently pressed his hand as he turned his head away.
"I believe you." And she was gone, just as silently as she had come. Pippin remained, glad to be alone with his thoughts and memories.
The season was beginning to turn when the band of travelers reached Gondor. The city rose before them, a glittering white smudge that grew into a small image and then into huge stone walls and spires. They crossed through the gate, Merry riding proudly ahead. Soon they reached the highest level, where they dismounted. Their horses were led away as Merry strode up to the porter at the castle door. He whisper something into the man's ear, and with a nod the porter opened the door.
Pippin gasped as a man presently stepped out before them, voice ringing throughout the courtyard. "Meridaoc! You've returned. And look who with! Peregrin, Gimli, Legolas, and the girl! Far better than I could have expected."
((*Gasps* Who is this strange man?? *Hopes no one guesses the obvious, and that everyone is still in suspense* and yay! An explaination for the funny title in that purdy lil' song o' mine! ok, time for more self-defense! 3)That Elves can't get sick. No, they can't. But Waen's mother was having a baby, so she got 'like' sick. This isn't making any sense. I'll shut up now. *Shuts up* More coming right up! Keep those reviews coming! I've got chaps 1 - 8 all written, and I will now hasten off to complete the story! Ta-ta!)
Chapter 3 - A Heart that was Broken
The next morning, Pippin yawned as he trotted out of the woodland realm, his pony swaying gently beneath him. Before him, full of his own importance, rode Merry, in a hurry to be off again at once. He could hear Legolas talking with Gimli as the two brought up the rear behind him. Riding happily beside him was Waen, who kept glancing over her shoulder at the disappearing forest she called her home.
He took a stab at conversation. "You carry a sword. I don't think that you'll need it ." Here Pippin discreetly adjusted his own under his cloak. He hoped neither of their swords would be needed. Waen blushed and bowed her head, tightening the strap about her shoulder. It bore upon it a sword and dagger, as well as a bow and some arrows.
"I don't want to forget what I have been taught. If father leaves or passes beyond our reach, I will be the leader of my people. It will be my duty to protect them in times of war and teach them in times of peace. And it cannot hurt to be prepared," she noted with a small grin. Pippin readjusted his sword again so it could no longer be seen. Waen once again glanced over her shoulder.
"What's wrong, m'lady?" he asked her as she turned forward again with a sigh. She started at his voice, then smiled charmingly. She really did look like Legolas, very fair and slender.
"This shall be the first time I have ever left my home," Waen explained, "Father doesn't care for adventures much anymore. He kept me within those halls my whole life. Now... now I don't know what to expect."
Pippin nodded as he turned away. He thought back to the night before. After Merry's artful negotiations with Legolas, the hobbits and Gimli had gone to sup and leave the Elf to reflect. It was then Gimli had related the story of Legolas' crushed love to them, and the birth of his fair child.
Before leaving for Rivendell, Legolas had bid his love farewell. He had expected to return within a month or so. When he joined the Fellowship, he was unable to send a message to his father. Instead he sent a ring, a lovely silver ring that had belonged to the royal family for years. It was meant to be a sign of his safety. It was taken to be a sign of some accident.
It was the same day the ring arrived that it was discovered his love was growing round with child. She wept that her dearest would not ever see his child, and was on the verge of throwing herself into the Sea. The hand of fate intervened; she became too weak for childbearing and illness to move, much less take her own life. The child was born, and news was received from Rivendell of the Fellowship. Joy abounded, and the Merry Folk laughed again, singing praise for the father and joy for the child.
But fate can be a cruel one, and indeed end joy so newly sprung. In despair before her child's birth, the mother had pledged to sail across the Sea when the Three departed for the Grey Havens. When Legolas returned, he was given his child and told that his wife was gone. Unable to bear bidding him farewell, she had left for the Golden Wood before his return, to join the party of Lady Galadriel before the Passage. Embittered with grief, Legolas had mourned the loss for years. But as his child grew before his eyes, he saw day by day her mother appear and blossom eternal within her. It was this child and his stout Dwarf friend that sustained him, keeping him from fading or crossing into the West.
Pippin glanced now at Waen as they rode on in silence. She looked far too serious for one her age, and was far too pale from being raised indoors. He watched as she bit her lip and twisted a ring on her finger. It was a thin silver ring bearing the royal crest, all she had left of her mother.
They rode on for days, passing along roads they had once known like old friends. Pippin soon befriended Waen, telling her stories of his youth, pointing out familiar nooks and crannies from the tales that were now legends. She was very bright, and drank in all he said to her. They would joke and laugh, making up little stories that made even Merry smile faintly at times. The sun did her good, Pippin noted, as did the fresh air. It did them all good, excepting Merry.
Merry remained cold to them, a bit of frost on the warm summer days. His eyes flashed and his voice chilled, worsening as they drew nearer to their goal. Pippin had never gotten to know the infamous Grima, but he imagined that if he had, Merry would remind him of the sniveling traitor. It seemed at times that he even grew toward the attitude of Gollum. Pippin tried to shrug these thoughts away, to cast aside his friend's cold look and ignore his own growing sense of dread. At least he was not alone, for one night as he was gazing up at the stars, he felt a tap on his shoulder.
It was Waen. She had left the warmth of the fire to sit with Pippin on the grassy hillock he was lying on. With a small smile, she handed him a warmer cloak. "The night is chill, Master Hobbit. Put this on."
"As m'lady bids," he replied as a thank you, pulling it on against the whispering breeze. Waen sat beside him on the grass, eyes fixed on the stars her people loved and called by name. They sat for a moment in silent awe of the summer sky's beauty. Waen's soft voice broke the stillness, singing a short little tune Pippin himself had written and taught her.
"I've often sat alone at night
And drunk from the cup of sorrow
But nothing now can make me sad
For I'll be with old friends tomorrow
Here's to the friendships
That once we had
With age they only grow better
They'll never go bad
Come drink with me
From the love we share
If we trust one another
We'll make it there
Just think of me
And you'll never be alone
And drink to me yet
When I'm dead and gone."
Pippin then moved his eyes from the heavens to his friend, asking, "What's wrong, Waen?"
She looked down at her feet, then back up at the skies. "You often tell me stories, stories I delight in hearing. You, father, everyone in your tales are glad and joyful. Yet it seems not so among you now. Prey, what has befallen Master Meriadoc?"
Now it was Pippin's turn to look at his feet and pause. "I don't know, Waen. I just don't know. But I'll tell you this. Whatever's wrong with him has some to do with Aragorn or someone in Gondor. And I plan to find out what and why. Don't worry, Waen," he added, gently taking her hand as she opened her mouth to speak, "I'll get him back. I swear it. You'll love him once you meet him, he's a good old chap..."
His voice broke off as he thought of his childhood with Merry. He felt tears spring to his eyes as he remembered the times they would sit on a hillock and gaze up at the stars, just as he was doing now, trying to count them but always giving up after ninety three. The young Elf gently pressed his hand as he turned his head away.
"I believe you." And she was gone, just as silently as she had come. Pippin remained, glad to be alone with his thoughts and memories.
The season was beginning to turn when the band of travelers reached Gondor. The city rose before them, a glittering white smudge that grew into a small image and then into huge stone walls and spires. They crossed through the gate, Merry riding proudly ahead. Soon they reached the highest level, where they dismounted. Their horses were led away as Merry strode up to the porter at the castle door. He whisper something into the man's ear, and with a nod the porter opened the door.
Pippin gasped as a man presently stepped out before them, voice ringing throughout the courtyard. "Meridaoc! You've returned. And look who with! Peregrin, Gimli, Legolas, and the girl! Far better than I could have expected."
((*Gasps* Who is this strange man?? *Hopes no one guesses the obvious, and that everyone is still in suspense* and yay! An explaination for the funny title in that purdy lil' song o' mine! ok, time for more self-defense! 3)That Elves can't get sick. No, they can't. But Waen's mother was having a baby, so she got 'like' sick. This isn't making any sense. I'll shut up now. *Shuts up* More coming right up! Keep those reviews coming! I've got chaps 1 - 8 all written, and I will now hasten off to complete the story! Ta-ta!)