A/N: Like it so far? Review and tell me what you think. If it seems to be catching on, I'll do more. DISCLAIMER: LOTR not mine.

FOOL OF A TOOK

Chapter Two: Pippin's Decision

Pippin lay back in his bed and mulled things over. He wasn't used to having to think for himself, or even by himself.

He rolled over and stole a glance at Merry. Pippin toyed with the idea of waking him up and telling him what Galadriel had just said, and at the very least getting his opinion on what it meant.

But poor Merry was sleeping peacefully. "Come to think of it," Pippin said to himself, "this is the most relaxed I've seen him since we left Imladris."

He decided to leave Merry out of this for once.

Pippin wrinkled his forehead as he concentrated on decoding the strange words of the Golden Lady. She had said that the fate of Frodo and the Ring were in his hands, and that he would be called a hero.

The thought almost physically struck him. Surely she didn't mean that he was to be the Ring-Bearer? That wasn't what everyone else thought, he was sure of it. It made sense to him though, and lined up with what she had predicted.

A hero, thought Pippin. The only hero in their story, that he could see, was the one who carried the Ring into Mordor. Also, she had asked him if he was willing to die for Frodo. He had assumed that she had meant dying to protect him…but what if she had meant dying in place of him? That could be dying FOR him. It was all in the way you looked at it, thought Pippin, but it could have been what she meant.

He lay there for some time, thinking it through. Maybe he wasn't just a fool after all. Imagine if he were to pull off this entire mission…quest…thing single-handedly. Wouldn't that prove that he was not merely a fool and a nuisance?

"Yes," said Pippin softly, "It certainly would." He stood up again. He would do it for Frodo. He would take the Ring to Mordor in his place and spare his friend's life.

He thought again of Gandalf. The poor wizard had met his doom, thinking Pippin an idiot. He chuckled softly. What would Gandalf think of him when they met up on the Other Side, and he told him what he had done in his absence? The wizard would likely die twice out of disbelief!

Pippin crept around again, making sure everyone else was still asleep, then he tiptoed to Frodo's bed in the base of the largest tree. Frodo was a very light sleeper these days; it would not be easy to remove the Ring without waking him.

He reached out for the Ring tentatively…and Frodo tossed in his sleep. Pippin yanked his hand back quickly and Frodo rolled over onto his belly, mumbling about Gandalf. The ring was now underneath his friend and impossible to get without disturbing him.

Pippin was very nearly frustrated enough to lay back down and forget all about it until the impossible happened. The Ring, as though it were moving by itself, suddenly popped out from underneath Frodo. Pippin jumped back in surprise. It was as though the Ring sensed that Pippin was going to take it, and had made it easier for him.

Pippin smiled in mixed relief (that he didn't have to wake Frodo to get it) and disappointment (his bed was looking VERY comfortable at that very moment), and reached out. He did not touch the Ring, for even he was aware that this small trinket had extraordinary powers.

He had been listening to Frodo talk to Sam about what Galadriel had done with Frodo had offered her the Ring. She had very nearly taken it, and then had recoiled from it as though it were a venomous snake about to bite her. So Pippin was careful to only handle it by the chain.

He dropped the Ring into his pocket and silently grabbed his pack. He stood over the sleeping Frodo one last time. "Sleep well, Frodo," he thought to himself. "Your time is past, and my time has begun."

Pippin went to take a last look at Merry, who was smiling in his sleep. "Dear Merry," Pippin thought. "How peaceful you look. I hope the rest of your life brings you happiness. I will try my best to make a long and happy life for you by destroying this evil thing." He could feel the tears welling in his eyes and a lump in his throat. He and Merry had never been separated before in their lives. This would be harder than he thought.

Then Pippin remembered Galadriel's words. "Use the time you have wisely, and you can return to your Shire a celebrated man. A hero." Maybe he would see Merry again someday, if he played his cards right.

He silently wished the rest of the Fellowship a fond farewell.

With the Ring of Power in his pocket, Pippin turned and made his way to the edge of Lothlorien.

His own quest had begun.