Disclaimer in chapter 1

Sorry I haven't written in so long (school/homework) but in that time, you could have REVIEWED! I swear, next chapter will not be updated if you do not start to REVIEW. Trust me, I'm up to chapter 17 but if you don't REVIEW...

Chapter 14: Pippin Departs

I followed Gandalf, Merry, and Pippin to the stables silently.

"Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst. Hurry, hurry!" Gandalf shouted as Pippin ran closer to Merry.

"Where are we going?" Pippin questioned in a whisper as I looked on with pity for the two innocent hobbits about to be separated.

"Why did you look? Why do you always have to look?" Merry asked, angrily.

"I don't know. I can't help it!" "You never can." Pippin stopped walking.

"I'm sorry, all right? I won't do it again."

"Don't you understand?" Merry asked. "The enemy thinks you have the Ring. And because of you, they know Aranel is here!" Merry seethed and Pippin glanced at me worried. I nodded slightly with a small smile, trying to silently encourage him it would be alright.

"He's going to be looking for the both of you, Pip. They have to get you out of here," Merry finished.

"And you- ? You're coming with me? And you too, Aranel?" Pippin asked the both of us. Merry turned and walked into the stables, leaving Pippin calling after him.

"It's alright, little Hobbit. Come on." I said to him softly, guiding him inside.

"How far is Minas Tirith?" Pippin asked when Gandalf put him on top of Shadowfax.

"Three days' ride as the Nazgul flies. And you better hope we don't have one of those on our tail." Gandalf warned then continued packing.

"Here. Something for the road." Merry said, handing Pippin a small leather pack.

"The last of the Longbottom Leaf," Pippin said shocked. The pipe-weed they loved.

"I know you've run out. You smoke too much Pippin," Merry attempted to joke.

"But- But we'll see each other soon." Pippin said worried and Merry looked to Gandalf and I.

"I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen,"Merry replied sadly as Gandalf got on his horse.

"Aranel," the old wizard started, turning to me, "you may stay here. Aragorn has sworn to protect you to the best of his ability. Not to say you couldn't yourself-" He quickly said when he saw me about to interrupt, "-but I trust him and know he would do almost anything for you. Be safe, young princess."

I nodded once and backed away, pulling Merry with me to give Shadowfax room. "Run, Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste." Gandalf muttered as Shadowfax galloped off.

Merry sprinted off to one of the wooden watchtowers as I called after him alongside Aragorn. "He's always followed me everywhere I went...since before we were tweens," Merry reminisced as Aragorn wrapped an arm around my waist. "I would get him in the worst sort of trouble...but I'd always be there to get him out. Now he's gone. Just like Frodo and Sam."

I bent down to Merry's level and looked him in the eyes. "They will return. It might take a while but if you don't loose hope, I'm sure they will come back. One day."

"One thing I have learned about Hobbits: They're the most hardy folk," Aragorn said as I stood up again.

"Foolhardy, maybe. He's a Took." Merry replied with a slight chuckle. Aragorn and I smiled and turned back to watch the scenery.

A/N: Sorry it's so short! Remember, REVIEW if you want me to update!