HMP: So many questions! Hmm. . .maybe I *should* make a pink oliphaunt drop out of the sky. . .nah, I like Bag End too much. (

Disclaimer: I don't own LotR, and I'm running out of witty ways to say it!

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Perhaps it was all in his head, but for Pippin, Bree was like an unexplored jungle of towering Men and dreary buildings. The streets were no more than dirt, trampled and mutilated from the endless pairs of feet and hooves that had undoubtedly walked over it throughout the years. The sky, also, seemed darker, almost black, in this place. In the forest, it had been clear and bright. A velvety sort of blue, with specks of sparkling light mixed in. But not in Bree. The sky looked like it was covered by thick smog, unbreakable by light or any other force of nature. It depressed him.

The three travelers had reached Bree a day and a half after the incident with Frodo and Sam. Iris had been very strict about how long they rested for. She said that they had lost a lot of time after her injury, and she fully intended to make it up. Neither Merry nor Pippin understood it, but they didn't object. The only question now was: where were they going?

Pippin stumbled slightly as they entered a large tavern called The Prancing Pony. It was warm and lively here. Cordial light filled the main room, and everywhere Men sat together, talking and laughing and drinking. Pippin smiled. He liked it better here. Iris went to the counter and began talking with the innkeeper while Pippin wandered into the main room to have a look around. Merry didn't notice him wander off.

Setting down his large pack, Pippin walked cautiously, yet curiously, over to a group of Men. They were deep in conversation, and a plate of food sat unnoticed next to them. Pippin's stomach grumbled. He was rather hungry. They had been walking all day, barely stopping to rest or eat at all. Without realizing it, his hand reached up and took a small loaf of bread. Sitting down, he began to munch happily.

"Well, what 'ave we got 'ere?!" one of the Men suddenly roared. Pippin stopped, realizing his mistake. A large hand grasped his collar, pulling him up roughly. "You think you 'ave the right to go stealin' people's food, do ya?!"

Merry looked over and groaned. 'Pippin, what have you done now?'

"I-I'm sorry, sir," Pippin stammered. "I didn't realize-"

"Ah, a Halfling!" the Man thundered, letting out a loud guffaw. "So, you Shire-folk just wander into Men's taverns, thinkin' you own the place jus' 'cause we buy pipeweed from you, eh?"

"N-No, sir!" Pippin cried. "Nothing of the sort! I was just hungry, is all. I meant no harm!"

Just then, the innkeeper hurried over, Iris and Merry close behind. "Now, what's all this?" he asked the Man.

"This 'ere Halfling's thievin' from me!" the Man told him. "I was jus' givin' 'im what 'e deserves, is all."

"Put him down, Will, he didn't mean to cause trouble," the innkeeper said gently.

"Well, least make 'im pay for what 'e stole!" the Man, who Pippin guessed was Will, ordered, setting Pippin back on the ground.

The innkeeper thought a minute. "Well. . .it is the fair thing to do, I'm afraid."

Pippin's face paled. "Oh no. . .um, sir. . .I don't have any money."

The innkeeper turned to Iris. She shook her head. "All I have is to be used for our rooms, sir."

"Then, you'll have to work it off," the innkeeper said, sighing. "Come on, then, I'll have you get started right away. Get it over with so I can worry about more important things."

Pippin glanced shamefully at Merry and Iris as they followed the Man back behind the bar. Merry simply sighed, shaking his head. Pippin felt very bad for bringing this upon his companions. He really hadn't meant any harm. The innkeeper handed each of them an apron.

"You, you'll work in the kitchen," he said to Merry. "And. . .you two, I need my store-room organized. Hop to it."

Pippin nodded and followed Iris into the store-room, where they began to organize the crates of food and ingredients alphabetically. After an hour, they had almost finished. Pippin glanced out the door and into the kitchen. Merry, for someone who wasn't the best cook in the world, seemed to be enjoying himself anyway.

Suddenly, a shout rang out over the bar. A brawl started and the innkeeper jumped over the bar to try and stop it. Before long, everyone in the tavern was involved.

"What's going on out there?" Iris asked, noticing the noise.

"There's a fight going on," Pippin replied, shutting the door quickly as a chair was thrown at it. There was a loud thud as something heavy hit the door, making Pippin jump backwards. He turned to Iris. "We should get Merry and get out of here." He went to the door and pushed. Nothing happened. Pippin groaned. "We're locked in."

He sighed and sat down. Iris went and sat beside him. He blushed slightly, remembering what had happened the morning after she had woken up from her wounds. He shifted in his spot.

"Iris. . .I'm sorry," he said softly.

"For?"

"For getting us into this mess. . .and for when I kissed you." She was silent for a moment.

"It's all right, Pippin. It didn't do any harm. Merry never found out, and I don't think he'll ever know, unless one of us tells him." Pippin nodded, standing. He walked a few paces, his hands in his pockets, thinking. Iris stood also, going to him. She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Pippin?" she asked. "What's wrong?"

"I keep wondering what I'm doing here, and I know I've asked you so many times already. . .but it's like a mystery that I can't ever solve. I wanted to go home so badly before, but at the same time, I wanted to stay with you and with Merry. I can't go home without him. People would start to wonder. . ."

"I know, Pippin." Pippin turned around to face her, smiling slightly. Just then, another loud thud sounded against the wall next to them. Overhead, a box came loose and fell. Pippin pulled Iris out of the way, holding her in a protecting embrace as the box clattered to the ground. She looked up at him, blushing slightly. He searched her face, then pulled her closer and kissed her. He was a little surprised when she returned the kiss, putting her arms around his neck. She finally opened her eyes and pulled away when he deepened his kiss.

"I can't do this," she said quickly, pushing him away. "I'm sorry. I can't do this to Merry." Pippin didn't know why, but he tried to kiss her again. She pushed him further away. "Pippin, I can't. Please understand."

He sighed. "I know. I'm sorry." They turned away from each other for a moment, then began to pick up the fallen box. Pippin glanced at her quickly, a smile playing his lips. For a moment, he knew he had been truly happy.

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A/N: Aww. . .Pip's got a crush! Hehe, please review!