A/N: At the request of shadow929, here comes another little tidbit from the Voice Within universe. This one takes place somewhere between chapter one and two, after the hobbits have just arrived in Rivendel. Enjoy :)

By the way, this took faarr longer than it should have, Shadow929 and for that I apologise, please blame my high school teachers lol. I'm not entirely happy with this either but hopefully it will do :)

Elwing-Evenstar: Glad you liked it :)

SmileyHalo: So glad you enjoyed it lol.

Shadow929: Thank you for the praise lol. Hope you enjoy this :) Sorry it took so long though!

Sakura123: Sorry it took so long lol, I felt terrible watching the months tick by and not updating. Glad you liked it!

Thuraya Known: Thanks :) Glad you liked it.

DanceswithHippogriffs: You're welcome lol. Thanks for the review :)

Tatharwen Took: Thank you :) I'm glad people like 'my' Pippin, lol, I'm always worried I'll make him to childish or silly. Thanks for the review!


Gandalf

Though mostly preoccupied with the soft warnings from Elrond, informing sparingly about Frodo's condition and what might possibly need to be done, I hear the young hobbits low voices almost loudly in the quiet hall, and pause, listening.

I heard from Elrond that they had indeed arrived more or less safely with his sons, but had fully expected them to have been taken away to wash rooms, and given warm meals. I'm surprised therefore to find them huddled in the doorway to a bedroom, speaking tonelessly amongst themselves.

Frodo's gardener, Samwise, is on his feet, every line on his pale face tense as he paces back and forth, whispering in response to Master Brandybuck. Meriadoc. I have not seen this imp in quite a few years. He sits cross-legged by the doorframe, muttering quietly to Sam, as his younger cousin curls up at his side, silent.

Peregrin. The lad has grown since I last saw him, if only minutely. Of course, when last spoke with him, he still had his voice. Pippin was always a bright young thing, too mischievious for his own good, and rarely unexcitable to the point of overwhelming. Frodo of course explained to me the youngster's illness when at first it happened, through his letters, but also confided that he worried about Pippin; The spark of youthful exhuberance had seemingly been extinguished along with his voice.

Sam looks up suddenly and finds me watching, and snaps to attention, blushing faintly.

"Mr Gandalf sir," he manages, weakly. "We didn't mean to be loitering, sir, and we were shown to such nice rooms and such, it's just that-"

"Hush, Samwise, you are not in trouble," I cut in gently, coming closer. Frodo's cousins glance up at my voice, Merry's eyes widening.

"Gandalf, you're here," he exclaims, hope flashing across his expressive young face. "It is good to see you. Do you- have you heard-"

"It is good to find you all here and well too, Meriadoc, but I'm sorry; I have not yet received news on your cousin. But rest at ease; he is in the best hands now. Lord Elrond will do everything he can." Merry nods glumly, sinking back into his gloom, and tightening his arm around Pippin's side.

Pippin looks up hesitantly, almost shy. A far-cry from the energetic young hobbit of old. His bright Took-green eyes stand out strikingly against his pale and scratched face, almost pleadingly.

Ignoring the stubborn ache in my back, I crouch before him, reaching out lightly with a finger to touch his forehead. Merry and Sam watch me carefully, but Pippin merely gazes back, his dull expression revealing more than words possibly could.

"I am glad to see you safe, young Peregrin," I declare, gently, without the usual trace of gruffness. "It would do my heart well, however, to see you and your companions here washed, warmed and fed, and rested. Will you come with me?"

Holding out a hand, I am not surprised when after a brief hesitation, the young hobbit takes it, and allows himself to be carefully lifted to his feet. He pauses again, however, turning back to Merry with eyes now awash with tears. Almost inperceptibly he gestures with his hands, and Merry nods, climbing unsteadily to his own feet.

"Gandalf," he ventures, moving close to Pippin's side. "Do you think Frodo will be alright?"

The three pairs of watery, miserable eyes boring into me hopefully force a weary smile to my face, and I find myself praying, not only for dear Frodo but for his dear friends, that my trust in Elrond is well founded.

"Your Frodo is strong hearted, Merry. Strong willed and thick headed, as well. If anyone can recover from this, it is that young Baggins." They smile, albeit sadly and yet with little hope, and Pippin scoots closer, looking around me to peer down the hallway.

"If you three will join me," I continue, allowing the gruffness to creep back into my voice. "We will get you all warmed up, and find some hot meals, and then we will go and locate Lord Elrond to discuss Frodo."

Merry and Sam nod and glance at each other, whilst Pippin simply smiles up at me, grateful. I shake my head slightly as they fall into step around me; Merry and Sam unconsciously keeping a respectful distance, and Pippin close at my side, thoughts elsewhere.

It is nice to see that, despite the horrors of the last few weeks, some things about my young friends never change.