The both of them slept for about an hour, but Flisa knew that they couldn't sleep here forever. She opened her eyes and looked at Pippin. He was much paler than he had been, and his lips were turning blue. 'Poor thing', Flisa thought. 'He's not gonna make it…'
"Get up, love." Flisa nudged his ear. However, his ear was so cold that he didn't feel her wet nose. She rolled her eyes and licked his cheek.
"Whuh?" Pippin's head shot up, and he hit the roof of the hollow log. Flisa winced.
"Yowch. Watch yer head, dearie darlin'," Flisa muttered, chuckling. Pippin smiled, but his face did not blush; it remained deathly pale.
Flisa frowned. He couldn't stay like this. He would surely die. Then, she had an idea. She had tried to avoid this option, but it might work.
"Pip, I gonna have tae do somethin'," she told him.
Pippin looked at her, a little frightened. "W-what?"
Flisa smiled. "Tis nothin' bad, dearie," she said. "I'm goin' tae put a spell on ya, to get ya warmer."
Pippin's eyes widened. "B-but, y-you're just a d-dog! You c-can't use magic!"
Flisa grinned. "Yes, m'dear, but I'm a talking dog, 'member? I ain't no ordinary doggie. Now, this is called a thransmo spell, you'll be fine. 'Til wear off once ya get home. But, we gotta get outta here first."
Pippin nodded and crawled out of their shelter. He crouched on the ground, looking up at Flisa, who pressed her nose to his forehead, and muttered words that he didn't understand.
Suddenly, it was like his body was being filled with light; his muscles warmed up, the color returned to his cheeks. He looked up at Flisa, who smiled.
"Now, c'mon. Let's get goin', dearie." She bent down so that Pippin could get onto her back. His fingers wrapped around her neck, and they started walking once more.
After a while, Flisa found the path. She howled at the sky in joy, and Pippin couldn't help but laugh. However, Flisa knew that they had to get back. Not even a thransmo spell could keep Pippin alive for long.
"Love, mind if I start a'runnin'?" she asked him. Pippin shook his head and gripped her neck tighter. Flisa smiled and started to gallop down the path.
----x--X--x----
Merry, Frodo, Sam, Bilbo, and the Gaffer sat around the fireplace, waiting in silent agony. When would Pippin get back? Would he get back? Was he even alive? All of these questions ran through their minds.
Knock, knock.
All of them jumped when they heard the knock. Was it Pippin? They all rushed to the door, but it was Merry who threw it open.
----x--X--x----
Pippin had jumped off of Flisa and was standing at the door to Bag End. He smiled as he saw Merry open the door. "Merry!" he cried, collapsing into his arms. Like Flisa had said, the spell wore off quickly, and he shivered.
Merry clutched the younger hobbit. "Pip! I thought you would never make it! I'm so sorry!"
The other four hobbits rushed up, patting Pippin.
"How'd you get back?" Frodo asked him.
Pippin smiled. "Well, Flisa helped me." He turned to look at her through the open door.
Flisa was walking off. She walked a few paces, stumbled, and collapsed into the snow, her body cold and lifeless.