A/N: FINALLY. I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so sorry this took thirteen million years. Furthermore, I am sorry for the briefness of this chapter, as I am getting used to writing again. My last chapter was a week before my high school graduation, and since then my life has been unbelievably busy with summer work, scholarships, preparing for college, and finally adjusting to life in the dorms. I'm still pretty busy with lots of homework and clubs, but I can safely say that I am ready and eager to continue this story! Thank you for waiting patiently, and for leaving such lovely comments. I really do appreciate it. :)

I know this isn't the best piece of writing ever, and my mind is a little frazzled lately, but I really am excited to continue.

Now enough about my dumb boring life. Here you go!

"...With trembling hands, he reached for the sacred sword, mustering what courage he still possessed…"

Pippin lay on his back in the grass, lacing his fingers behind his neck as Diamond continued to read aloud.

Months had passed since their last meeting. Winter had melted into spring and then summer. Lithe was approaching again: so as usual, Diamond and Pippin and a host of their friends and relatives found themselves staying in Hobbiton for a few weeks. It was the perfect opportunity to finish the book together.

They had been planning this for a while. Pippin would read a chapter or two, write to Diamond about it, and then wait for a reply before eagerly reading the next one. Even at such a slow pace, the two had reached the last chapter by June. Then the idea occurred to them that it would be much more exciting to read the finale together, and they had waited for their chance.

So here they were in their old secret place, reading aloud under the shade of an apple tree two days before Lithe.

"The skies shook as he struck the final blow…"

Diamond glanced down to make sure her friend had not fallen asleep-a nervous habit. His eyes were closed, but only in concentration, and a little contented smile graced his face.

Of course he is still listening. You worry too much.

But she could not tear her eyes away from his form. The sun shone vividly through the leaves of the tree, casting odd patterns of light and shadow over his handsome features. He seemed to be glowing with warmth. At that moment she felt an unfamiliar sense of admiration rush through her heart.

My best friend.

"Why did you stop?" Pippin asked, opening his eyes lazily.

Diamond felt herself blush. "I thought you had fallen asleep for a second. I'm sorry."

Pippin chuckled and shook his head. "I forgive you."

Diamond smiled shyly and propped the book face down on her knee to keep her place. She had paused to fidget with the thick pink ribbon in her hair, which kept her loose curls from falling too much into her face. Inwardly she scolded herself for acting so strange.

She took the book in her hands to continue, laboring to pronounce the words with a steady voice. Gradually the strange feeling passed and her mind plunged into the story.

An hour went by: soft breezes shook the flowers of the secret place and the sun drifted on into the west, its rays softening.

" … The End," Diamond finally read before letting out a pleased sigh, her eyes fixed on the page.

She thought she heard Pippin sniffle; she tilted her head and looked at him with a crooked smile. He had sat up and begun to wipe his eyes with his scarf.

"I just have something in my eyes," he smiled. His voice was shaking.

"Oh, I see," Diamond answered with a nervous laugh, using a finger to daintily wipe away her own tears.

Then she shut the book and pressed it to her heart, eyes closed in reverence. A silent moment passed as the two collected themselves.

"Wasn't that wonderful?" Diamond sighed again as her eyelids fluttered open.

Pippin leaned back and stretched his legs. Happily he admired Diamond's shining eyes for the first time since winter: They were as lovely as before-perhaps more so. He fancied he saw stars and flowers sparkling in the irises.

"Yes, it was," he replied softly.

"I told you you would like it," Diamond set the book on the grass and propped her chin in her hands, studying Pippin in gleeful triumph.

"What can I say?" He shrugged. "You've made a bookworm of me after all."

His gaze met hers, and immediately he felt weak. Something had changed in her look. Her eyes shone with their magical passion for reading, of course, but there was also something else behind it. It felt incredibly soft and delicate, like clean white lace; intimate as a kiss on the cheek; steady as candlelight.

He had never felt so genuinely adored.

"You're my best friend, Pippin," she whispered. "I'm so... happy."

Now it was his turn to blush and fidget. He scratched the back of his head and mumbled a "thank-you", smiling sheepishly. He could not seem to think straight.

You are acting foolish, he told himself. Why should her tenderness fluster him so? They had been close for years now: of course she was fond of him, as he was of her. It was nothing new.

But he could not deny that something hidden deep in his heart had changed.