Storm
Pippin never thought that rain could sound so loud, or that thunder could be so frightening.
His whole world was suddenly awash with white light, so bright that it nearly obliterated all shapes and colors. In that brief instant he saw tree tops sway in the whipping wind, pools of water riddled with countless spikes of splashing raindrops, and Frodo's hand resting on his knee. Then inky darkness returned and Pippin fought the urge to whimper and run for the safety of Frodo's arms.
This is wrong, Pippin thought morosely. This is not how I imagine a camping trip would be like. It was always exciting in Merry's stories; full of songs and meals eaten under starry skies. Merry never says anything about huddling cold and soaking wet and ... oh, stars... hungry.
He felt Frodo's left arm slung around his shoulders and tried to steel himself not to turn and curl into Frodo the way he usually did when he was a small lad in love with a much older cousin. No. It had taken a lot of rather embarrassing whining and cajoling and blackmailing to get Frodo to take him on a cross country trip to the North Downs. Obtaining his own mother's permission had been a lot easier. Pippin was not about to let Frodo regret his decision. No. He would show Frodo what a brave ten-year-old hobbitlad he was, what a great company he could be, what...
Another blast of thunder cleaved through the deafening roar of the rain and Pippin twitched and cringed involuntarily.
"Pip?" Frodo's voice was almost muffled by the rain. "All right there?"
Pippin nodded vigorously though he knew Frodo could not see him. "Yes," he shouted. "Are you?"
"Well, yes, Pip," replied Frodo. "I'm sorry your first trip starts so badly."
"Oh, I don't mind, Frodo," lied Pippin. "I think it's more thrilling this way."
Another violent explosion and flash of blinding brilliance and Pippin nearly jumped, stifling a squeak. He could feel Frodo's arm drawing him nearer. He found himself enjoying the closeness and hoped Frodo would not laugh at him.
"Oh..." Pippin breathed, hoping he could fool Frodo with his shaky cheerfulness. "That was the biggest one yet, wasn't it?" He realized that he was trembling.
"Yes," said Frodo. "And quite scary."
"Here," said Pippin, taking Frodo's hand and squeezing it tight, creeping surreptitiously closer to his cousin's side. "Don't be afraid. It's just thunder. We'll hold hands, how's that?"
"I think I'd like that very much, Pip," said Frodo, tightening his arm around his younger cousin and laying his face on Pippin's hooded head. "Thank you."
Pippin rested his head on Frodo's shoulder and closed his eyes. Thunder roared again, but to Pippin it did not sound so terrible this time.
fin
