Disclaimer: I don't own Lord Of The Rings
Pervinca Took sat alone in the library of Great Smials, pushing aside yet another of the books that usually held so much comfort to her. She sighed, pressing her head in her hands. She lightly touched her sheathed knife, which lay sinking into the old wooden table.
It was a beautiful weapon. The gold rimmed hilt was of the strongest steel, but furnished so that it caught the light in a way that reflected rainbow colours around the room. It had been made to suit her grasp and her style. It was sheathed with a thin layer of bronze, coated with the finest leather. It shone when unsheathed, catching the light in a dangerously beautiful manner. Although the surface appeared smooth, it was probably the sharpest weapon in the Shire.
It wasn't the task at hand that tortured her; it was the reasons the task needed to be done. One year ago, everything had been, well, normal. The Shire had been the Shire. Then Pippin had gone off with Merry and Frodo, and the people had begun to look to her for guidance in their personal lives.
She smiled despite herself, remembering her little brother's mischievous smile and perpetual humour. She had guessed in the months before that he had planned to go away, though why she had never learned. When she had confronted Pippin, he had confirmed her suspicion but told her only one thing- that he would be accompanied by Merry, Frodo and Sam Gamgee.
That led to one more question: who would accompany her? She was definitely going to take Everard up on his offer, but whom else? She had asked both Pearl and Pimpernal, but Father couldn't spare them and it would be inappropriate for her to have any sort of authority over her older sisters. If only Pippin was still there…
But Pippin was gone. And it didn't do to dwell on the past, dreams, what might have been, or anything, really. Not when you are the Thain's daughter and have just been appointed a task which could mean your death.
She heard the door creak open behind her. Instantly, she spun round, unsheathing her knife as she moved.
Her father stood in the doorway, bags underneath his eyes. She relaxed. "You're on an edge," he said gruffly but kindly. "What ails you?"
"Oh, you'll never guess," she replied, sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Despite himself, Paladin chuckled, but he was worried for her. She was dangerously beautiful, the way she held her weapon in front of her, determination amid sadness deep within her eyes. What was the world coming too, that a young girl must carry a knife with her wherever she went? "The Shire has changed so much in the last year," he murmured.
"You have a talent for understatement, Father" said Pervinca.
"Okay, Vinca," said Paladin, easing himself into a nearby lounge chair. "What's the plan?"
"Pearl shoots an arrow to some random guard, telling him that his post has changed, Everard and I get out via the empty post and away we go. We make for Buckland, and if that's not possible, we improvise," Pervinca gabbled. Perhaps she sounded rash, but it calmed her down to talk in such a way, to make everything sound simple. Besides, it was pretty much true.
Paladin did not like it, but nodded his head in agreement. "I suppose that's the best that can be done. And if there was ever anyone that could do it, it's you".
"Or Pippin," Pervinca said suddenly.
Paladin nodded. "Yes. Or Pippin."
Pippin's grin was made even more maniacal due to the current situation.
Rollin, one of his companions, shook his head. "You - want - to get yourself captured."
Pippin nodded vigorously. "Of course," he said. "If we were any further away from Tookland I'd be worried they'd use me for - ahem- negotiating with Merry, Sam and Frodo, but because we're this close..."
Rollin shook his head again. "Sorry, Captain Peregrin, but I don't like it. There are so many things that could go wrong. What if they decided you were too dangerous, and decided to kill you?"
"They won't, I'm too valuable."
"Modest, aren't we?" perked up Drinlo, Rollin's brother.
Pippin chuckled. Of all the bubbly young lads that had decided to accompany him (never mind that a good many of them were older than he was) he was closest to Rollin and Drinlo. They were funny, light-hearted, strong and smart, and they knew always when to stop fooling around and be serious. Pippin wasn't one to make any sort of estimate about the future (or he wasn't anymore, anyway) but he suspected that he had made a couple of friends he would have for the rest of his life.
"In all fairness, Drinlo," he replied, "I am the son of the Thain."
Rollin, for some reason, found this remarkably funny and burst out laughing. Pippin and Drinlo (who quite agreed with the plan) took advantage of Rollin's current disposition to discuss it. "Anyway, even if they do decide to kill you, or to not take you to Great Smials, we just interfere early, right?" said Drinlo. Only two members of the party, including Pippin, were actually going to get captured. The rest were to follow them and, once in Tuckborough, ambush them.
"Of course," said Pippin again.
"Well, since Drinlo's so enthusiastic," said Rollin, apparently recovered, "I guess he'll be the one to get captured with Pippin."
"Of course," said Drinlo in a perfect imitation of Pippin.
"Well then, I guess it's settled," said Pippin. "All in agreement say Pip-"
"Rollin," interrupted Rollin.
"Piprollin," shouted Drinlo.
One by one, the previously silent team members voiced their agreement. Rollin was last, and he claimed only to do it for a chance to rescue his younger brother. Ah well, so long as he does agree, thought Pippin.
"We have a plan," Pippin announced.
"Thanks for that, Captain Obvious," muttered Rollin.
A highly determined Pervinca Took furiously tacked up her pony. Beside her, Everard was doing the same, but not with quite so much aggression. Across from them, Negrinard, a childhood friend of Pervinca, Pippin and Everard, sat mounted upon his own pony, trotting it around in circles.
Paladin surveyed the trio with some interest, concern for his daughter etched across his face. He saw Pervinca strap her knife to her belt, and sling her pack across her back. In unison, she and Everard mounted their ponies, and together they rode out to join Negrinard.
Minutes later, Pearl Took came galloping down the hill, her dark hair flying back off her face. "You're all set," she said. "The post just behind the garden of Great Smials is currently unguarded. Pimpernal's over there, waiting for you."
"Fabulous," said Pervinca. "We are go."
A party of ruffians stood ahead. Seven hobbits stealthily rode up behind them. As they drew nearer, Pippin and Drinlo reigned into the middle, within full view but not within earshot of the ruffians.
"Fabulous," said Pippin. "We are go."
Thanks to Lyrical Ballads for your encouraging reviews. I've noticed all the grammar and spelling mistakes in this chapter too, so i've just gone through and corrected them.
Also, I don't really know what to do with Everard. I'm thinking about making him a traitor but i'm not sure. Or maybe Negrinard should be a traitor?
What do you think?
Will try to update soon. The school holidays are coming up, so i'll have time then to work on this fic.
Please, pretty please review! Constructive criticism welcome!