"W-who are y-you?" Pippin stuttered, looking at the dog in wonder. The dog chuckled.
"Well, Imma called by many a name in many a place, Peregrin dear. But…you can call me Flisadora. Or, Flisa, if it's easier."
Pippin's eyes widened as she said his name. "H-how do y-you my n-name?" he asked?
"There's plenty a lot o' things I know, darlin'. But, then, there's a plenty I don't." She looked around, her eyes narrowed against the stinging snow. "Dya think you could hold on to me if I walked, love?" she asked him, after being silent a few moments.
Pippin tilted his head. "Where are we going?"
Flisa smiled. "Well, we cannae stay here, Pippin. We's a got to get back to Bag End. Tis closer than yer home." Pippin thought this over a moment, and finally nodded weakly. Flisa walked over to him. "C'mon now, dearie," she murmured softly. "We've got tae get a' goin'."
Pippin slowly stood up, wobbling slightly, and fell over, gripping Flisa's side as he fell. He recovered a little strength and pulled himself onto her back, wrapping his arms around her neck.
"L-let's go," Pippin murmured. He was worried she hadn't heard him, but Flisa started to walk slowly, her muzzle in the air.
----x--X--x----
They walked for a while. Pippin was getting sleepier and sleepier; it was all he could do to hold on. He had so many questions. Why was she here? Was it wise to be with her? Was she dangerous? Why could she talk? However, he was too weak to say anything, so he concentrated on holding on.
Understanding Pippin's weak state, Flisa walked slowly, but steadily, trying to find her way to the path. The wind blew harder than ever. The branches rattled ominously, but luckily they didn't give way.
Finally, Pippin became too tired to hold on. His grip loosened - he fell off Flisa's back and into a pile of snow. Flisa stopped, and glanced around.
Pippin had curled up into a ball on the ground. Flisa poked his side with her nose. "C'mon, dearie. Just keep goin' a lil' longer, so we can find somewhere tae rest."
Pippin tried to stand, but fell again. Flisa smiled affectionately and bit down on the back of Pippin's cloak. She lifted him off the ground and started to walk, her neck shaking under his weight. Pippin didn't protest; he simply hung limp.
After walking for a few minutes, Flisa found a large, fallen oak with a hollow trunk. She set Pippin down in front of an opening. "Go on, Pip." Pippin had barely crawled into the log when he collapsed.
Flisa smiled, came into the log through the opposite entrance, and curled up away from Pippin, one eye open.
----x--X--x----
Pippin shivered in his sleep, his teeth chattering. His mind was blank, his body was numb.
"F-F-Flisa?" he stuttered, his energy focused on keeping his eyes open. The dog looked up.
"Yessum, lil' one ?"
"I-It's f-freezing."
Flisa grinned warmly. "Indeedy, dear."
Pippin muttered something incoherent and closed his eyes. Flisa's grin widened and she laid he head down again. She raised it again moments later, when she felt Pippin coming closer. Her neck stretched and her nose touched the side of his face - he was much too cold.
Flisa slid to the side and allowed the semi-conscious Pippin to lay next to her. She slid back, and Pippin clutched her fur in his sleep, burying his face into her shoulder. Flisa smiled and hugged him close with her muzzle, closed her eyes, and drifted into a light sleep.