Outside the Shire, S.R. 1425

Kiearâ wasn't sure how to tell Pippin about Kelleghêr. She could tell he hadn't noticed anything unusual about Kelleghêr. Though she could understand why. There wasn't anything obviously unusual and what there was, was covered up, due to her mother's persistence. As far as anyone was concerned Kelleghêr was just a regular, if rosy cheeked baby with a beautiful head of wavy caramel brown hair and bright smile.

Chewing her lip absently, she turned back to Pippin, sitting on the stool nearby holding Kelleghêr on his lap trying to look calm but just ended up looking annoyed. And somewhat hurt.

Glancing up at her, Pippin said, trying to sound cheerful.

'So what does his father look like?'

Startled, she didn't respond. She turned away from him, reverting her attention back to the washing at hand. How to tell Pippin? She sighed. She was ashamed of herself at how hard this was for her. But what could she say, how could she say it? What was she supposed to say? She shook a mental fist at herself, reprimanding herself for her lack of communication.

'Kiearâ?'

'Yes Pippin?' she turned slightly, watching him from the side. He looked slightly hurt and confused by her lack of response.

'Are you all right?'

He seemed to be watching her intensely, as though afraid of the answer somehow. Not sure what to say she shrugged, feeling completely helpless and foolish. What was she to say? Pippin, darling, Kelleghêr here is your son?

Not being able to stand it, she hurried out doors to collect her laundry outside. Her house, though small, was well made woven of beech and ash branches and could stand against the weather rather well. It stood by a stream, by which she hung her clothing out to dry. Sighing she knelt near the gently moving river, taking her time to carefully pick up and then fold every set of clothing there.

Startled, she felt a hand slip around her waist.

'Oh Pippin you startled me.' She said, not able to keep the terseness out of her voice.

'Hm.'

She waited as he held her. She wanted to throw her arm around him and tell him everything and hold him forever and never let him go.

'Pippin's where's--'

'Kelleghêr?' he finished for her. 'He's inside. No need to worry.'

She felt him tighten his grip on her waist, as though daring someone to come and take her away from him. She sighed.

Gently but firmly he spun her around, forcing her to look down at him as he peered up into her eyes with searching eyes of his own, trying to gain some sort of truth through hers.

'Kiearâ look, you and I…we,' he seemed to blanch a moment, 'are very…close…and you know that I…that you can tell me anything.' He finished rather lamely

He looked hard at her, his eyes lacking their usual brightness.

'Kiearâ, tell me the truth. I deserve to know…'

To know if this was all a mistake, all just a game, she finished for him inside her head voicing his unsaid words.

She sighed. She tried to turn away but he held her firmly.

'Why can't you tell me?'

She heard his voice crack slightly, his emotions starting to break through his carefully crafted barrier he had erected. She bit her lip. Hanging her head, she whispered hoarsely.

'I thought…I don't know what I thought…I just…I didn't…I don't know how to tell…'

Kissing her hand, Pippin murmured.

'You know you can tell me anything. You know I…how I feel…'

He glanced up at her. His eyes were so anxious, so sad, and yet so hopeful at the same time. She felt at a lost of what to say or do.

'Kiearâ please…just tell who it was.'

He asked softly, closing his eyes, as though expecting a large blow about to break his heart.

She looked down at him a moment, watching him silently.

'You. It was you. You're Kelleghêr's father.'

Pippin's eyes shot open. Stunned, he gaped at her quite taken by surprise at her unexpected words.

Kiearâ felt a small laugh began to bubble inside her at his expression. She smiled slightly at him instead.

'But…how?' he stammered. She gave him a look and realizing the absurdity of his question he blushed slightly, feeling his face go redder as Kiearâ laughed and flung her arms around him holding him close.

§

Later that night they stood side by side in one of the smaller rooms Kiearâ had just recently constructed, with no other light except the faint glow from the waning moon shining through the open window.

'Are you sure…er, it was me?' Pippin asked as they watched Kelleghêr sleep soundly.

Silently Kiearâ nodded. Smiling down at him she said, 'Who else could it have been?'

Pippin shrugged slightly.

'Well, you never know.' He responded helplessly.

'Gee, your faith in me is overwhelming.' Kiearâ teased, wrapping her arms around him steering him out of Kelleghêr's room.

Startled, Pippin muttered back, seeming unaware of her sarcasm, 'That wasn't what I—'

She silenced him with a kiss. Taken aback he raised an eyebrow at her, studying her warily. Nudging his shoulder she whispered.

'Oh you know I didn't mean it.'

Looking up at her Pippin made a face of half annoyance and half amusement at her.

'Oh, all right then.' After a moments pause he added. 'But you better make it up to me.'

She thought she should have been startled but she laughed. Pippin growled slightly and grabbed for her but she dodged him leading him on a merry little chase around the main room until he finally caught up to her pulling her to the wooden floor. Somehow their little sport of tag did not once disrupt Kelleghêr's sleep.