"Stories" by Tialys
"Sam, where? Here -- move over, I can't see."
"Well, he's right there, Mr. Pippin. Through that patch of weeds to the left."
"Wh -- I..."
"See?"
"Yes. Sam... is that him?"
"Aye."
"On the log?"
"Yes, shh. Quieter."
"Sorry. That's really him?"
"Aye. Gollum."
"How long has he been there?"
"He's been following us the past few nights, sir. But you can really see him good tonight... he's gettin' careless."
"Wow. It's like he's just jumped out of Uncle Bilbo's stories! And he's here and..."
"What?"
"Oh Sam, it wasn't supposed to be like this!"
"Wh -- Come back! What do you mean, Mr. Pippin?"
"We weren't supposed to ever see him! He was a story! And he was supposed to stay that way."
"Oh..."
"...And he's real now, and..."
"Following us -- downriver on a log."
"Sam?"
"Yes?"
"We're part of the story now, aren't we?"
"Aye, I suppose we are, sir."
"Ours is a lot different from Bilbo's."
"Aye..."
"This will make a great story to tell him when we get back! We saw Gollum, just like he did! I wonder if we'll have to play riddle games with him, too?"
"I hope not, Mr. Pippin. I hope this is a close to him as we get."
"Sam, there's no fun in that!"
"Maybe not, but it sure seems a whole lot safer."
"Fine, you don't have to meet him, but I want to."
"For your sake, sir, I hope you never do."
"Aw, Sam! That's not fair!"
"Look at him, sir! He could rip you in two!"
"He's really thin, Sam."
"Maybe, but he's also strong."
"How can you tell?"
"He's followed us for three days down this great river! On just a log! I would love to see you try that."
"Doesn't mean he could beat me."
"It sure helps his cause."
"Oh..."
"Forget it, Mr. Pippin. You should get some sleep."
"Sam?"
"Yes?"
"I don't want to be part of the story anymore."
"Me neither, Mr. Pippin."
May 19, 2004