Author's Notes: I think I began this fic one day when I was feeling exceptionally down and depressed. Regardless, it was inspired by one of the last entries in the second appendix in my copy of RotK and so I wanted to expand on it in my own way. Each chapter will begin with a quote for atmosphere and mood and will probably contain flashbacks for effect and all... written of course in italics for your own personal convenience. This first chapter is a taste-- a teaser if you will for the story... the beginning of course as I want to know what you think before I continue on. And really, we could all do with some post-RotK stories right now... or at least I could. Seeing the movie has left me feeling hollow and emotionally drained. Seeing the words "The End" come onto the screen was even more crushing than the moment I finished the books. I haven't recovered and I don't think I ever will. It's pathetically sad...
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or places encountered in this story so there.
The Days Have Gone Down in the West
Chapter One: Unwanted News
"Tomorrow will take us away far from home."
~ The Bard's Song (Into the Forest); Blind Guardian
Winter had ended and the days of spring were upon us. The trees had begun to bud as life crept back into the world. The days became longer and warmer, serving as an invitation for the young hobbits to once again brave the outdoors of the Shire and run, laughing through the fields. I enjoyed spring. It reminded me of days long passed and I almost felt youthful again. I would sit outside in the garden and watch the hobbits of the Shire go about their carefree lives.
The children especially caught my eye. I had been like them once. Young and innocent with no burden of responsibilities to weigh down on my shoulders. Like them I would scamper up and down the lanes in pursuit of adventure. Pretend adventure of course, for danger was not something a sensible hobbit would willingly accept.
Maybe I was not a sensible hobbit but a loony old man then, for I had committed to an adventure years ago; embarked on a task which now seemed long forgotten by the Shire inhabitants. They seemed not to care or remember that we halflings had played a role in the preservation of the world.
But, as I said, that had long since passed. Frodo was gone; he had sailed across the great sea with Bilbo and Gandalf back when I was still a youth. I had not yet come of age even when my cousin departed forever into the West. I remember feeling a great emptiness for some time even if I knew it was for the better. All the same, it was something I never wanted to feel again.
Then Sam left us. He had not even told me he was leaving to follow Frodo. I had gone to visit the Gamgees in Hobbiton (Sam had not been the same after Rose passed away) and was surprised to discover Frodo-lad was now the Master of Bag End. I was most upset at not being given the chance to say good bye. But there was nothing I could do about it. That was two years ago.
I gave a shuddering sigh, feeling my heart sink from the loneliness which had begun to creep up on me. Everything and everyone I had known and become so close with was fading away from me. What was a hobbit to do?
My reflecting had distracted me from my casual observations and I was startled out of my thoughts as I heard a familiar voice call out my name. I looked down at the gate. There, standing by the road was my most dearest cousin; aged and weathered by the years but with his ever youthful spark of mischief glinting in his crystalline eyes.
"Merry! It's so good to see you!" I greeted, making my way down to the gate. It took me some time to get to him. My lack of energy unnerved me. I did not like these weary signs of old age. We embraced each other happily. It was so good to see a familiar face. "What brings you across the Shire to Tuckborough? I thought you said you were too old to travel."
"Indeed I am," said Merry, "but I had to come. It is a matter of great importance, Peregrin."
My face fell, all traces of a smile gone. No one, especially Merry ever used my proper name. Something serious as going on and something told me I would not like what Merry had come to discuss. I ushered Merry inside the house and into my study where we would not be bothered by any relations. The Smials had always been full of generations of Tooks when I was a lad and things had not changed since.
"Can I get you some tea or anything, Merry?" I asked. "I expect you're quite hungry after your journey."
"No, I'm quite the opposite, Pippin," said Merry, taking a seat. He sat quietly for a while, gazing past me out the window. "The Shire is quite beautiful this time of year, isn't it, Pip?" I nodded vaguely, searching my cousin's face for any clue as to what was going on. I found none. "I shall surly miss it..."
My ears perked up and I could not help but look startled by what Merry had just said. Merry looked back at me sadly and pushed a letter across the desk towards me. Wordlessly, I picked it up and examined the envelope. The broken seal of wax bore the familiar green emblem of the horse lords. It was a message from Rohan. I pulled out the parchment and scanned over the letter.
Master Holdwine,
Our Lord King Eomer has fallen ill for what appears to be his last time.
He requests that you come immediately for he should like to see your familiar
face one more before his time ends.
I looked up at Merry. "You mean to go." I read over the letter once more as I recalled Merry's earlier words. "And... you mean not to return home?"
"Pippin, I'm old," said Merry, "far too old to be traveling across the Shire let alone Middle Earth." He sighed heavily. I could see he was right. His years were now showing. My cousin looked almost frail in the light. "Estella is gone and my days are numbered. One hundred and two is not natural for a hobbit. Every day it seems to become harder for me to get up and out of bed. I don't think I would have the energy or life to make it back."
"But Merry, you can't just leave me like this!" I cried. "Without you I am alone! And I don't wish to spend my remaining years as a lonely old hobbit."
"That is why I came, Pippin, relax." Merry put a comforting hand on my shoulder. "I wanted you to come with me."
"Leave the Shire?" I frowned. "Leave with no intention of returning?"
"Pippin, our time is coming to a close," insisted Merry. "Bilbo may have far surpassed our years but we have no magic rings to keep us alive." He looked at me sadly. "Your Diamond has passed, Faramir is grown, and I cannot ignore the wishes of King Eomer. I will go, alone if need be. But, Pippin," Merry sighed heavily. "Pippin, I should like you with me."
I said nothing, frowning down at my desk. I traced the ancient oaken grains with my eyes. I suddenly remembered the days when it had been my father sitting in this chair and I, being no taller than the desk, would come running with some horrible tale of childish terror. This had been home my entire life and I did not want to leave it. The quest had been one thing; I had been gone for only a year and had at first expected to return home before things went horrible amiss. But this time if I left, I would not return. That was something I felt I could not bear to do. But... Merry was right. Diamond had passed away years ago and Faramir was grown with his own family. I could leave my responsibilities as Thain to him finally and pass on with Merry. But this was home. It was filled with the memories of all my years. Yet, I could not bear to end these memories with shaded years of loneliness if indeed I stayed behind.
"Pippin? Are you all right?" I looked up. Merry was looking at me concerned. I noticed my eyes were stinging. I had inadvertently begun to cry.
"I'm fine, Merry." I gave a great shuddering sigh and turned over my options within my head once more. I had no choice. I needed to be with Merry... even if it meant abandoning the Shire for the distant lands of Men. "I... should like to see the horse lords again," I said slowly. "And Fangorn... Rivendell... the beauty of Lothlorien... and the sparkling pearl of Minas Tirith."
Merry smiled. "Thank you, Pippin."
I returned the smile but only half-heartedly. I did not truly want to leave, but I would not allow myself to be left behind.
And there's your teaser. Leave a review to let me know what you think.