Author's Note: I was doing some house cleaning the other day, when the idea for this story floated into my head, and wouldn't let me rest until it was written!
My spelling and grammer skills leave much to be desired, so if you see anything that needs work please tell me!
May the Path you Tread be Easy
The landscape was quiet and still, too still, like a great beast asleep but soon to wake. Something that I could not seem to grasp was making me feel uneasy. We were crossing the deserted land of Hollin, marching at night and attempting sleep during the day. Although the seemingly ceaseless wind had finally abated, the air was still cold and sharp, and we were rarely thoroughly warm.
That night, well morning really, it was my turn to keep watch, an activity I had always enjoyed. Watch was a chance for me to get the solitude that I craved. I sat, facing outward looking out over the barren landscape. Midway through my watch, I was startled by a soft rustling behind me, gripping my sword hilt; I turned to see the cause of the sound. I turned to find not orcs, not wargs, not foul beasts of any kind, but a sleepy, disgruntled-looking hobbit. "Hullo Pippin" I called out in his direction "couldn't sleep?"
"Of course I couldn't sleep!" he remarked grumpily. "It's not natural! How do you expect me to sleep in the daytime?"
"Close your eyes" I retorted wickedly.
"Harrumph"
"Is that so?" I asked, unable to not make a few jests at our youngest companion, he was almost as much fun to tease as Gimli! Wordlessly, he made his way to my side and sat abruptly. Despite my love of solitude, I found myself enjoying the companionable silence we shared. The silence was quickly broken by the sound of my companion's soft singing.
"May the path you tread be easy,
And all your days be bright
May the time until we meet again
Be calm and full of light.
May the lark-song guide you,
And ever be it gay
May that you go safely
And are never led astray.
May that I will find you,
When our paths do meet
May that if we are to fall –
We land upon our feet!"
At the last line he smiled slightly, as did I, but as he did a few soft tears rolled down his face. "That's a beautiful song Pip."
"It's always been my favourite. My father taught it to me when I was just a little hobbit. It's a common song, a walking song, among hobbits, but it's always been special to me."
"Because your father taught you?" I asked. He nodded. "He must be a very special person" I remarked.
"Hobbit"
"Oh yes, Hobbit." I laughed.
"It's actually an old tradition in the Shire. You're supposed to sing "May the Path you Tread be Easy" at the outset of a journey, or when leaving somebody you love, for good luck. Not many Hobbits do anymore though."
"You do" I responded.
"Yes, so does my father, and Merry and Frodo, and I suppose cousin Bilbo did too."
"It is a good tradition"
"Yes" he said, looking up at me. "It makes me miss home though. Do you miss your home too Boromir? And your family?"
"Very much so, I miss the White City, I miss my brother Faramir, and I miss my bed too! He laughed his infectious laugh, and I could not help but join in.
"Me too!" he said.
We lapsed back into companionable silence, and when I turned back to him several minutes later, he was sleeping. I looked out over the land, I looked back over my sleeping comrades, and I looked to the one sleeping beside me. I do not know what perils we were to face in future, but I figured a little luck could only help. So quietly, I began to sing:
"May the path you tread be easy,
And all your days be bright
May the time until we meet again
Be calm and full of light.
May the lark-song guide you,
And ever be it gay
May that you go safely
And are never led astray.
May that I will find you,
When our paths do meet
May that if we are to fall –
We land upon our feet!"