Well, here it is. The last chapter to Pippin's Fiddle. I know I haven't been that consistent in my reviewing for this story, but here's the end at last. I hope you enjoy this, as well as my whole story! One final review would be appreciated ;). Thanks so much to everyone who took time out of their day just to read my little story of Peregrin and music, his and my passion.

Chapter 12: Pippin and his Fiddle

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Shire Reckoning:

Thursday, September 22nd, 1401

Bilbo Baggins laughed as he watched the little Bracegirdle children run off with the little dwarf-crafted toys he gave and he turned back on his heels to the guests in line. Adelard Took came up with his wife and Bilbo slapped a hand onto his shoulder.

"My good friend! All the way from Long Cleeve, eh?" Bilbo asked and Adelard wrapped his arm around his wife.

"Aye, we did. And this celebration better be as good as the rumors for our long travel!" Adelard smirked and he laughed shortly, "Say! Is that the wizard?" He asked with much curiosity and Bilbo nodded as they stared at the 'magician' with the tall grey hat.

"He's always around to start up excitement with his fireworks and such! Now, you enjoy yourself with a nice ale and give your wife a spin on the floor this evening!" Bilbo winked and they laughed. Bilbo shooed them away and he pointed his finger towards Bag End, "Don't you worry, Adelard! There's an umbrella with your name on it down in the Hill as a token for my birthday gift!"

"I'll trust you on that, Bilbo. I'll be off now since my wife has already left me for the food and entertainment! I do say, I've got a soft spot for music and this band you've gathered is extremely exceptional!" Adelard commented and Bilbo nodded.

"Ah, yes indeed it is. Some of the best players in all the Shire have come to play for my party, both old and young…"

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Before the party had began or guests had arrived or even before old Bilbo made his way out of Bag End, the musicians were ready to start playing. Their faithful director Nobby Goodbody set their little stage up and gathered them around.

"Now everyone, we've been through this but I just want to go through the run-a-round of the schedule. We have already decided which of you will play during the first half of the party and the last half, just to make sure we all get to have some fun of our own at Mr. Bilbo celebration!" Nobby smiled enthusiastically, "Alright, the first group of players get arranged on the stage and we'll practice a song or two!"

Pippin took a big breath and stepped up on stage with Estella. His fiddle was in his hand and he was surprised he managed to sneak it out without his father or mother knowing. For all they knew, they thought Pippin was out helping set up the tents and such. The field was bare now but he knew that within an hour, everyone would start to pour in, including his family. He smiled nervously.

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Estella finished rosining up her bow for the last time and glanced up. The sun was setting slowly and down the slope hobbits from all directions were walking leisurely up, "Pippin, look! The guests are arriving!"

Pippin smiled brightly and Nobby scurried over in a rush and knew the signal to start would come from Bilbo who had just arrived by the white gate to greet the guests. Half of the band set up on stage, including Pippin and Estella, and Nobby had his handy baton in his right hand. Bilbo gave a glimpse over to the stage and nodded with a grin to start. Nobby started his baton and Pippin's heart raced as he thought of this as his first major performance, and it was for Bilbo's big party nonetheless!

Nobby started by signaling the pipes and they started with the percussion and Pippin and the rest of the fiddles began to play with a soft entrance. The hobbits slowly came and headed straight for the refreshments. The lights hanging from the tree gave a warm glow as the sun settled down and Pippin almost jumped when he saw Gandalf the Grey. He knew of his great fireworks but never expected to see them exploding right in front of him. They were of all colours and shapes and there was even a time one whizzed right over the heads of the players making the pipers squeak as they gasped. The crowd laughed and after their bellies were quite full from the little snacks, they joined arms and danced to the music.

There was much merriment and energy in the air and every hobbit was having a wonderful time. This party would surely be planted in their memories for years to come.

Estella and Pippin glanced over at each other and giggled at everyone having a good time and neither of them would have guessed that an hour had already passed. Pippin always kept his eyes to the audience and finally spotted his family through the crowd of the dancers. Luckily, none of them saw him yet. Not that he didn't want them to, it was just his father he worried about if he was to notice the fiddle out.

A huge birthday cake was carried out and the crowd clapped and made-way to let it though. Merry led it over by the party tree where Bilbo directed it too and he waved at Pippin on stage. Pippin gave a nod and Merry gave a wink to Estella who was extremely flattered guessing by the way her cheeks turned pink.

Frodo stayed close to his uncle when he wasn't out dancing and as much as he loved fiddling, Pippin couldn't wait to get out on the party floor. There was much too much fun waiting for him like dancing and running around with Merry.

He noticed Rosie Cotton dancing in her party dress and she would skip right past Samwise many times. She had caught every lad's eye actually, with her ribbons and nimble footwork and such, but she hadn't excepted anyone's hand yet. It was when Frodo pushed Sam out to the floor with her when Pippin laughed and smiled for Sam's sake.

Nobby held up his finger and Pippin knew it was time for the last song for the group until the second half came on and took over. Pippin breathed deeply as he anticipated the final song and gave Estella a smile.

"Are we playing this last song for you, Pip?" Estella asked and Pippin shook his head.

"No, it's for my Da," He said sincerely and the bells started.

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Across the ale brewery, Paladin found an empty mug and filled it with a beer tap. His family had scattered throughout the party and he sat down with his ale and watched the fireworks. He enjoyed the music he heard coming west from the Party Tree and he hummed a fiddle song of his favorites.

The music was soft at first and had a familiar ring and beat to it. When the fiddle bows hit the strings, he turned his head around. These notes. Where had he heard them before? The theme of the song came in and his eyes lit up. Spring. The only word that came to his head was Spring. The fiddles played and he stood up. They took a pause and began again. Summer.

He pushed his way politely through until the music came closer and he saw the stage. The party had been so big that he hadn't been to this side of the field and he saw the fiddles on stage. There was a fiddle that caught his eye under the Party Tree lights on the shoulder of his son. Pippin smiled subtlety when their eyes caught each other's and Paladin sat down in front.

The third phrasing of the medley came in and it was as if old memories were being replayed in the mind of father Took. He hadn't heard Fall's song in so long and his eyes clouded over with heedless tears. The distant chiming of the bells and soft pipes in the song of Winter added the image of snowfalls and Paladin had never heard the song played so beautifully. He knew his own father would have loved this as much as he was.

After the echoing note was lost, Pippin packed up his fiddle as the second half filled the stage. He bid Estella farewell for the time being and ran to his father. He was still sitting there with his ale untouched.

Pippin wove his way through the bodies with his case until he found his Da and Paladin came up and kneeled on his knees as threw his arms around his son.

"Peregrin…how did you ever…?" Paladin asked and Pippin hugged him back tightly.

"I found it in the case all along, Da. I'm sorry I have lied to you so many times these past months, but of late I have been sneaking off to practices to play for Bilbo's party. And---and, I know I can't have the fiddle out here but this was special. It was just for you. I found the music and rewrote it for everyone. Mr. Goodbody helped and Merry and Estella Bolger of course, but I just wanted you to be happy and remember it again," Pippin explained still in his father's arms.

"Oh, Pippin, you have made me so proud. As proud as any father could be right now. You are my son and that is the only reason for me to always be happy," Paladin murmured quietly by his ear and Pippin pulled away.

"Da, you shouldn't cry. I never meant this to make you cry," He said. His father's face was streaming with tears and made his strong and supportive father looked almost vulnerable. Paladin sniffed slightly and replied with, "But my crying is because I love you so much."

They held each other in one last hug. Paladin didn't need to tell Pippin the fiddle was his now and forever until he passed it down to his son and so on and Pippin didn't need to tell him he was also crying on his shoulder.

Finally, Paladin stood up with a straight face and ruffled his hair, "Now you get along and enjoy yourself after playing for so long. Look, here comes Meriadoc."

Merry skipped up and bowed his head politely towards Paladin by Pippin's side. He then took Pippin's hand as he held an apple in the other and whispered, "Come on, Pip! You'll have no idea what I found behind the dishwashing tent! A whole cart of Gandalf's fireworks!!"

Pippin's eyes lit up with a mischievous twinkle and before his disappeared behind the rows of tents with Merry, he gave a look towards his Da that only a father and son would know. An expression of love.

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End of Pippin's Fiddle