Chapter21 (THE perfect age)

As I said, I left him standing there. I figured I had handled that situation as calmly and rationally as I could. I knew winning over Boromir wasn't going to be as easy as strait-forward talk, or a mug of beer...but I'll admit that I thought he would be more accepting.

Now I had no choice but to accept my own fate. I was stuck with someone, a particularly dangerous someone who didn't like me.

"Laching yrchs, what did I get myself into?" I breathed.

But as it would turn out, there would be a change in Boromir soon....

As you all know, Gandalf insisted that we wait until spring until the quest was started. And so, we were stuck in Rivendell for a grand total of two months, or almost that.

The day dawned gloriously. The final one I would see from my bed in The Last Homely house for a long time. I sighed and got up.

The elves must put something into their food I swear. Because now my hair was at least three, yes three, inches longer, and I swear I was taller. The others as well.

I had thought about cutting my tresses too, but remembering the journey through the snow, I figured I would welcome their weight and warmth before the end.

Now I packed up my things into a small green backpack that was provided for me. And sighed again. I'll admit, I was very reluctant to leave.

Coming out of my door I turned to see Pippin coming out of his. "Good morning Pip," I said groggily. He nodded and rubbed his eyes. I smiled. Pippin was not a morning person.

Merry, Sam and Frodo came next, and we all gathered, then walked as a group to say farewell to our gracious hosts and hostesses.

I was sad to say goodbye to Arwen, and there was a serving boy that I have to admit I would miss as well... (Ha ha)

We were at the last gate when Arwen came out once more. I had been holding Clenna's reins, but I passed them to Pippin, and trotted over the short distance to her.

"Here," she started, not even out of breath. And she handed me a small leather bound book, inkwell and feather pen. Tied to the cover of the book was a tiny and smooth wooden flute, about three and a half inches long.

"Thank you Arwen, these gifts will be precious to me, forever." I said. She had been like a best friend to me, and I was really going to miss her.

"It's alright. They are just small tokens. The book is an Elvish dictionary of sorts. There are some blank pages in the back for you to fill in if you like. Don't stop your lessons." She said smiling.

"Uataer." I said, using the elvish word for 'never'. I made the farewell gesture, then turned and walked back to the others, who were starting to look impatient.

But after I took a few steps she said urgently, "If you play that flute just right, something will happen. It's a wonderful surprise, but you must play exactly the right tune. I thought you could have some fun with it, in your spare time."

She smiled at me and waved. I waved back, and then we left...

We were back to traveling. This time with a few more companions to be sure, but it was walking all the same. First, we were all just silent. But then, everyone, especially Pip and I, got very bored.

So we started telling tales of home and family. Legolas had quite a few interesting ones about he and his brothers. But that got old very quickly as well.

Then, I whipped out my flute and blew a couple notes. They were clear and crystal sounding. And even though I never used to be able to play anything, I could play this flute.

Night came swiftly, and as a treat, when Gandalf and the others were smoking, he turned the otherwise gray and boring smoke, into wonderful whirls of color, and little pictures.

I slept serenely that night, besides the fact of being surrounded by guys...I did set my bedroll pretty close to Pippin's though. I knew he'd protect me. Smiles

We traveled on for days after that, and at each rest, Boromir would teach the tweens swordsman skills. I didn't really have a knack for the sword though. And after having the one Aragorn gave me sheared off, I decided not to try my luck anymore.

But before I had left Elrond's company, I had requested a bow and quiver. And I had gotten one. It was beautiful polished wood and sinew string. And almost as tall as I was. Though to the elves or anyone else, it would have been a short bow. And I had also received two small, but very full quivers of arrows.

So, after a couple of days, I worked up enough courage to ask Legolas to teach me. I would've asked Aragorn, but he seemed to have a lot on his mind at present.

And I mean whom better to teach me then the tall, and strong and handsome, and flexible prince of Mirkwood? Blushes, coughs He is after all, an elf; and a really good shot.

Of course, valiantly Legolas agreed. And so began my lessons.

After many days we reached the mountain pass. And as much as I wanted to say something and spare us all the time and effort, I didn't.

And we made our way. In good time of course, that is until the snow started. It was freezing, and we were all layered in clothing. But I knew it wouldn't help. We stumbled on blindly through the snow. The wind was horrendous.

My feet were icy and numb within hours. I could hear the chattering of teeth and the curses mumbled under breath. Soon I couldn't take it anymore. I fell and landed face first in the drifts. My chapped lips started to bleed, and I could taste the coppery warmth of my own blood.

Merry picked me up, and stood me on my feet then walked close by. I leaned on him from time to time, and noticed that Pippin was doing the same with Sam.

It was so cold. Like nothing I have ever felt before. And soon, us little folk were huddled in a secure bunch of five; desperate for warmth. I couldn't think beyond just moving my feet, and talk seemed impossible.

Then suddenly Boromir cried out, "Gandalf we must stop, I am starting to fear for the little ones. They are so cold."

"We can't permit that I am afraid. If we stop, the drifts will cover us entirely. We'll have to continue on as best we can." He shouted back.

Boromir stopped in his tracks, "Here then, Aragron, Legolas, Gandalf, help me!" and with that he came over and picked up Pippin and I. "We'll have to carry them."

I was surprised that he had picked me up. No, I was stunned.

In the end, Gandalf took Frodo, Legolas took Merry, and Aragorn took Sam. Who protested being a burden, until Aragorn silenced him.

Boromir was the only one with two. And after a couple of hours I could tell we were weighing down on him. His steps were slower, and he kept rearranging his arms. I was pretty warm now, though my feet were still cold. So I squirmed out of his arms.

I landed on my bottom in the snow, but I got up and dusted myself off. I would walk on my own.

Then I pulled out my flute again, just as Legolas turned and shouted, "There is a fell voice on the wind!"

Minutes later, we came to a small impression in the rocky side, a cave almost. We halted, and soon had a fire going. It was still cold as death though. There was idle chitchat, then I started to play my flute.

Just little tunes, when suddenly it grew hot. I sucked in a breath in surprise, before I dropped it. And it lay glowing on the snowy ground like an ember. Just then I noticed that I was WARM.

It was like being wrapped in fleece, and sitting in front of a real hearth. I picked the flute up again, and repeated the same pattern, just four simple notes, and received another blast of warmth.

I remembered then, that I had played the same pattern days ago, and I had been thirsty at the time. And though my water skin had been almost out, the last time I checked it, it was full when I went to take a drink.

I realized then that the flute provides you with what you really need at the time you play the correct notes. If only in small quantities.

"Pippin, c'mere quick. I want to show you something." I said loud enough so only he would hear. He came right away, curiosity getting the better of him.

"What is it Merna?" He asked, face eager.

"It's my flute. Here, play these notes once." I said, and instructed him to which ones.

He did and suddenly he looked up at me in surprise, "I'm warm...it's warm!" He exclaimed. I beamed, I thought it would work on others.

I called the rest of the hobbits over after that, then Gimli and Legolas, then Aragorn. All were surprised at the effects of the music, and thanked me.

Gandalf came over next, without my calling him, having noticed the hubbub. "What's all this now?" He asked. Then he got his turn.

"Remarkable, where did you get this?" He asked looking at me sternly.

I smiled, "No Gandalf, I didn't pinch it. The Evenstar gave it to me, I swear."

"Ah, then you will be sure to take good care of that little whistle, won't you?" He said with a smile and a wink.

I nodded, then went over to where Boromir sat, facing the fire and trying to warm his hands. I put one of my small hands on his arm.

He looked at me, and I played the notes on my flute. "Here, play that." I said, handing him my treasure.

He gave me a queer look, but played it. Then he sighed, and leaned back.

"Are you warm?" I asked.

"Yes," He nodded, "Thank you." He handed back the flute.

I smiled big, "Thanks for the ride. I owed you. Does this make us uh...friends then, Boromir?"

He smiled, "Yes, I think that it does."

I was very glad, and I reminded myself to say thank you to the Lady Arwen, if and when I see her again. Her gifts really are precious...

Author: Yea, another chapter. Review please.

Thanx Pippinsgal011890