Pippin smiled.
"I hope Estie likes her chops" Pippin said.
Estella smiled.
"I was thinking about going to see Pimpernel later, would you like to come?" Estella asked.
Pippin looked over at Diamond.
"Go on, I need to clean up" Diamond said.
"Oh, Diamond, you can come too" said Estella.
Diamond took a deep breath.
"Well, Origo can come too" Estella said, kissing Origo on the head.
Diamond smiled.
"I'm sure that Pimpernel would like to see him" Diamond said.
The puppy whined again and looked down at the floor.
"Do you want to go on the floor sweetie?" asked Estella.
Origo nodded and looked at her. Estella smiled and placed him on the floor. The three hobbits then walked into the kitchen. Origo looked at them go around the corner.
"Hey!" he barked.
"Hey, I want to go and play!"
Just then, Diamond looked around.
"Ori, come on!" she said and smiled.
But the puppy stood there. He barked again and looked at the door behind him. Diamond looked back; she could see him looking at the door.
"Do you want to go outside?" she asked.
Origo nodded. The snow outside was getting heavier. Diamond walked up to him and went to the door. She opened it. The snow started to blow inside. The hobbit quickly closed it again.
"I don't think that you want to go out there" she said.
Origo shivered. He didn't like the cold.
"Shall we go and put the food on?" asked Diamond.
Origo nodded and looked down the hall. Diamond started to walk and the puppy followed. They walked into the kitchen to find Pippin and Estella was sitting down already.
Diamond smiled at Estella and walked over to the chops. The hobbit the got out a pan and placed it on the cooker.
Pippin got up and walked towards the cupboard. He opened it and got out three mugs.
"Right, who wants a drink?" he asked.
A smile came over his face.
"Not for me Pip" said Diamond.
"I'll have a small one" said Estella.
Pippin nodded and put one of the mugs back. He closed the door with a bang. The hobbit then walked over to another cupboard. He opened it and looked inside. There were many bottles of liquid. So more precious then others. Some older then others. Pippin placed the mugs on the table and popped open the bottle of beer. He poured a small bit into Estella's mug.
"Thank you" she said.
The sound of frying meat started to fill the room. Diamond had placed two pieces in the hot pan. There was a bit of oil resting in the pan. Origo was sitting down and looking around. He started to get hungry again. The puppy then lay down on the floor. Estella smiled and looked down at Origo. He was yawning and resting his head on his fluffy paws.
"So, when are you going to see Pimpernel?" Estella asked.
"We can go after lunch" answered Diamond.
Estella nodded.
"I'm sorry, but I can't be able to come, I have to clean the hole" Estella told them.
"Oh, well you can come next time" Diamond said.
She then flipped the two pieces with a metal spatula. The fizzling strengthened again then died off. Diamond placed the spatula on the side and went to the cupboards. She got out a large plate and placed it down. The hobbit then picked up the spatula and scooped up the cooked meat and placed it on the plate.
After a few more minutes, all of the pork chops were ready. It was usual for hobbits to have meat and no vegetables. Diamond placed the three plates down and sat down.
"Thank you Diamond" said Pippin happily.
Diamond smiled. Estella nodded as she took her first piece and ate it. Her face lit up.
"Oh Diamond!" she said.
"You have to write down the recipe for me" Estella said.
The hobbit then started cutting into the meat again. Diamond smiled.
"I'll tell you after we've been to Pimpernel" she answered.
For the rest of the meal, they ate in silence. Pippin was the first to finish, closely followed by Estella. Diamond wasn't feeling that well. Pippin was drinking from his mug again.
"I need more" he said, looking into the small drop resting in the bottom.
"No you don't Pippin!" said Diamond.
Pippin was half sitting, half standing as Diamond said that. He looked at her strangely.
"Why not?" he asked.
Diamond shook her head.
"Because when you say "I need more" You really mean "I need to get drunk!""
Estella was sitting in the middle of it. Diamond was angry, Pippin knew this.
"It's not like that" Pippin said.
Origo, who had been lying down, was now standing up and looking at them.
"So, what is it like Pippin? Are you going to stay up until three in the morning again?"
Pippin was now standing up, so was Diamond.
"I… I… I…"
But Pippin couldn't argue. Diamond was crying now. Tears ran down her face. It was then that Pippin knew he needed help. Ever since Pippin had got back from his journey, he hadn't been the same.
Origo looked from Pippin to Diamond. Estella was stuck in the middle. She sat there, not wanting to get involved. The small puppy then barked.
"I think… I should go now" said Estella slowly getting up.
She got up and walked towards the door. She opened it and walked out. Diamond was beginning to get really upset. She watched Estella walk out.
"Diamond, please can we sort this out?" Pippin asked.
Diamond shook her head.
"I don't know" she said.
Diamond couldn't take it; she suddenly walked out of the kitchen. Pippin was now feeling really guilty now. He heard his wife go to the bed room. Origo was still in the kitchen. He looked up at Pippin and then to the door. The pup then ran out, leaving Pippin by himself.
Origo trotted to the bed room. He looked in. The room was dark, but warm. Origo could see Diamond's feet on the bed. He slowly walked in and looked up at her. He barked to get her attention. But it didn't work.
"Hey!" he barked again.
He wanted to find out what was wrong with his Diamond. So, he ran towards the small chest at the bottom of the bed. He jumped onto it and then onto the bed. There was a wooden plank at the bottom. Origo had no problem getting onto the bed. He stopped and looked at the hobbit lying down.
He barked. But still, Diamond did nothing. The pup then started to walk on the soft duvet. He stopped and pawed one of Diamond's feet.
Origo then climbed on them. Diamond looked down. She was too upset to talk. Origo slowly walked along her legs. But he slipped off.
He growled and continued to walk towards Diamond. The hobbit looked down to see the puppy coming up to her. She took a deep breath.
"Come here, Ori" she said glumly.
Origo whined and came up to her. Diamond held him and cuddled him.
"I think Pippin's going to leave me" she said.
There was sadness in her voice. She wished that it didn't come to this. Ever since she had met Pip, she liked him. But now, she was sure that they were drifting apart.
Origo licked Diamond's hand. The hobbit was brought back to reality. She started to stroke Origo's fluffy head. Diamond took a deep breath.
"I wish you could understand me" Diamond said.
Origo whined.
"But I can" he barked.
"You cutie" Diamond said.
She kissed the puppy on the head. As soon as her lips left the pup, she felt extremely tired. She couldn't help but yawn. Origo was feeling tired as well. Both Diamond and Origo were falling asleep.
Outside, the snow outside was deepening. The wind blew each unique snowflake to the ground. All of the markets had packed up and moved on. Only a few of the older hobbit children were out in the snow. Their coats were blowing in the wind as they ran along the path. They laughed as they caught the snowflakes on the tongue.
Back in the hobbit hole, Diamond was in deep sleep. But there was life stirring in the hole. There were two hobbits sitting at the kitchen table.
Merry Brandybuck and Peregrin Took were sitting exactly where they were the night before. But this time, they were not as drunk.
"She fancies you" Pippin said as he laughed.
Merry laughed as well. Pippin was getting two mugs out and two plates. He placed them on the table.
"Won't Diamond be asleep?" asked Merry.
Pippin didn't like to talk about. He looked at Merry, then away. Pip then walked to the cellar and opened the door. He could feel the coldness hit him as he walked in.
In the bed room, Origo was waking. He whimpered sadly. Diamond was still holding him. The pup was resting his head on his paws. Another louder noise came from the kitchen. This one woke Diamond up. Origo yawned.
The hobbit groaned. She was having a nice sleep. She opened her eyes. The darkness made her confused.
"I must have… have fallen asleep" she said, yawning midway though the sentence.
Origo whined and snuggled back down. But it was useless; he was not tired any more. Diamond looked down. She smiled.
"Are you hungry, pup?" she asked.
Origo nodded and yawned again. Diamond smiled.
"Come on then" she said, sitting up.
Origo was the scooped up and placed on the floor. The pup shook himself and looked up at Diamond. She slowly got up and stretched. Diamond then walked to the door. The pup followed close behind.
The two of them walked out to the corridor and down to the kitchen. Merry and Pippin were still sitting down. Diamond came to the door. Pippin, who was facing away from the door, looked around.
"Let's go to the study" he said, getting up.
Merry nodded and drained his mug and picked up the small bit of bread. Diamond moved out of way and looked down. Both of the hobbits walked out without a word. Diamond looked back, wanting Pippin to say something. Diamond closed the door. It was a few seconds before she remembered why she had come into the kitchen.
"Right" she said, looking down at Origo.
"Turkey?" she asked.
Origo nodded ecstatically. Diamond smiled and walked towards the cellar. She was followed by the pup. He saw Diamond open the door and disappear from sight. Origo stopped and sat there. He wondered what she was doing.
Just as he was about to play under the table, Diamond reappeared. She was carrying a large turkey. Origo started to wag his tail as he saw the turkey.
Diamond smiled as she placed the turkey on the worktop.
"How much do you want?" Diamond asked.
Origo barked once.
"Lots?" Diamond laughed.
Diamond then went to get two cutting knives. She closed the draw. Diamond then walked back to the turkey. Origo was now sitting patiently on the floor.
Just then, the door creaked open. But it was not due to wind. Pippin was standing there.
"Diamond?" asked Pip.
Diamond stopped cutting. She took a quick glance around, but didn't answer back. Merry had gone back home. The hobbit was standing there with two empty mugs in one hand. Origo looked around and up at Pip. The hobbit looked down at the pup. Pip scowled at the dog that was sitting there.
"Diamond?" Pip asked again.
She had gone back to cutting the meat. Pippin looked down and then started to walk into the room.
"Stop" Diamond ordered.
She slowly turned around.
"I know what you're going to say" she said.
Origo was looking at the two hobbits.
"Please?" Pippin asked.
Diamond shook her head.
"What do you want?" she asked.
Pippin looked down. He knew that she would not believe him, but he needed to tell her.
"Diamond, I love you. But… but I'm just going though a really tough time right now" he answered.
Diamond was looking at him. Pippin could feel her eyes on him. He looked back. Pippin suddenly realised why he had fallen in love with her. Her striking blue eyes were as precious as they had been the day they met. A huge wave of guilt rushed over Pippin.
"Diamond, I need to figure this out" Pippin told her.
There was a moment of silence.
"What are you saying?"
Pip took a deep breath.
"I need to get away from here for a while" he answered.
A single tear ran down Diamond's face.
"You're going to leave me, aren't you?" she asked.
She spun around and placed her had over her mouth.
"No, no, no, we can get out of together!"
Diamond started to look back slowly.
"And where shall we go?" she asked.
Pippin was now put on the spot. He hadn't thought about it.
"Err… Rivendell" he answered.
"Rivendell?" Diamond asked.
Pippin nodded. Origo was still sitting there, waiting for his turkey.
"We can stay there until he's born" Pippin told her, looking at Diamonds bump.
Diamond thought about it for a few seconds.
"Him?" she asked.
"It could be a her"
Pippin smiled. He then looked back and saw Origo still sitting there.
"You alright there pup?" he asked.
Origo tilted his head. Pippin smiled and looked away.
Diamond had gone back to cutting the rest of the turkey. Pippin yawned and headed towards the cellar. The door had been left ajar. Origo yawned and lay down. He rested his head on his fluffy paws and waited.
After a few moments, Diamond finished cutting the turkey. She had cut more then she wanted, knowing Origo would be upset if he didn't get as much as he wanted.
Pippin came out from the cellar holding a bag.
"I thought we could have these for dinner" he said, holding the bag up.
Diamond looked over at him. She knew exactly what was in the bag.
"Sure" she agreed.
So, Diamond cut the last slice of turkey and got out a bowl. Origo was now sitting up, his little tail wagged with excitement. Diamond went to the cupboard and got out a bowl. She looked around at the pup and smiled. She knew that he was waiting for his turkey.
"Right then" she said.
She placed the turkey in the bowl and walked over to Ori. The puppy stood up. As soon as Diamond's hand let go of the bowl, Origo started eating.
Pippin, meanwhile, had gotten the jar of cookies down from the shelf. He smiled as he looked around at Diamond.
"Cookie?" he asked.
He held one up.
"Thank you" Diamond said.
She took the cookie from him. Pippin then placed the lid back on the jar and put it back. Diamond's hand was rubbing her large stomach. She yawned. She was still tired from her nap earlier. Pippin was looking at her. He walked around the table and pulled out the chair.
"What's all this?" Diamond asked.
"Well, you've always been my princess, so why not?" Pippin asked.
Diamond smiled.
But, over in the corner, there was a sound that distracted them. Origo was franticly eating the last of his turkey. Both of the hobbits looked over at him. Diamond smiled.
"He gives you a run for your money" she said.
Pippin smiled and shook his head.
"But, does he only eat turkey?" Pip asked.
He broke a bit off of his cookie and walked towards Origo.
"He won't take it" Diamond told him.
But Pippin didn't stop.
"Hey pup" he said.
Origo looked up; he still had a bit of turkey hanging from his mouth. His little eyes darted from Pippin, then to Diamond and finally to Pippin's hand.
"Good doggy, do you want some cookie?" Pip asked.
He threw the small piece onto the floor in front of Origo. The puppy looked at it.
"What's this?" he thought to himself.
Origo sniffed it.
"Yuk!" he whined.
He backed away, not wanting to go near the thing on the floor.
"I told you" Diamond said.
Pippin shook his head. He got up and walked towards the table.
"Didn't you want to go to Pimpernel's?" he asked.
Diamond nodded.
"Bit it's too late now" she told him.
"Too late?" asked Pippin.
Diamond took another bite of her cookie. Origo was still looking at the bit on the floor. He barked at it. Diamond looked around.
"See Pip, he hasn't touched it"
Diamond picked up the bit of cookie. Origo the looked around and saw the last bit of turkey in his bowl. He then went to it and ate the last of it.
"I thought dogs were meant to eat everything" Pippin said.
Diamond laughed.
"Well, maybe he's not an ordinary pup" Diamond told him.
Pippin took another bite of his cookie. Diamond looked at Origo. Their eyes met. Something strange happened between them. Diamond felt like she had known the puppy long ago.
But where?
Origo tilted his head. The hobbit then walked towards him.
"Are you still hungry Ori?" Diamond asked.
Origo looked back at his bowl for a second, then back to Diamond. He shook his head. Diamond smiled.
"Right, we can clean up and visit Pimpernel" she said.
Pippin nodded as he rubbed his hands together. Diamond picked the puppy up and kissed him on his fluffy head.
"I was thinking about going for a walk tomorrow, would you like to come?" Pippin asked.
He was holding a small saucer in his hand.
"Sure" Diamond answered.
The sun was going down now as the snow continued falling.
"Do you want dinner?" Pip asked.
Diamond looked surprised, her mouth hung open.
"Well?" Pippin asked.
"I…" Diamond started.
But she couldn't find the words.
"So?"
"Yes, yes of course" Diamond said.
She had never been asked if she wanted dinner by Pippin before.
"And Origo can have his turkey"
The pup barked.
"What do you want?" Pippin asked.
"Well, we have mushrooms. But we can have…"
Diamond thought, but didn't know what to have.
"What about chicken wrapped in bacon?" she asked after a few minutes.
Pippin smiled and nodded.
"You're favourite" he said.
Diamond smiled too. She looked down at the small fluffy bundle in her arms. She loved dogs ever since she was just a small hobbit. She had loved them but, because she was smaller then the rest of her family, she was not allowed.
"I'll just go and get it ready then" Pippin told her.
Diamond nodded as Pippin walked back to the cellar. Diamond then looked down at Origo. He had fallen asleep in her arms.
"I'm just going to put Ori on the bed" Diamond told Pippin.
She looked down at the snoozing pup in her arms. So, Diamond walked out of the kitchen and along the corridor. Origo's eyes were closed and his breathing was slow and peaceful.
Diamond opened the door to their room. The hobbit walked to the bed and placed Origo on it. Origo whined as he was put down on the bed.
"It's OK, it's alright" she told Origo.
The pup whined and curled up. Diamond smiled and waited until he had settled down. A few minutes later, she got up and walked out of the room.
Diamond walked back to the kitchen. Pippin was pouring some oil into the pan. There were two large pieces of chicken sitting on the worktop. Close by were rashers of bacon.
Pippin looked around. He smiled as he took the first piece of bacon and wrapped the uncooked chicken. After a few more slices, he placed it on the pan. The meat started to sizzle. There was a pepper grinder on the worktop. Pip reached over and grabbed it. He twisted it so that small black bits of pepper fell onto the meat.
Diamond liked watching Pippin cook. It was the concentration on his face. The cracking of the pepper grinder filled the room again.
"I hope there's snow tomorrow" Pippin said.
Diamond smiled, she was a bit confused.
"Why do you say that?" she asked.
"Well, we can make snow elves" Pippin said happily.
Diamond laughed. Every time that it snowed, Pippin and Diamond had made snow elves.
"Sure, honey" Diamond said.
Pippin then placed the second piece of chicken into the pan. He moved the first piece around with the spatula.
"I'm going to do some baked potatoes" Pippin told Diamond.
So, he headed back to the cellar.
"And some bread as well" Diamond shouted after him.
Pippin smiled as he walked into the cellar. He came up to the potatoes and stopped. In the cellar, there were red, green and yellow peppers, orange carrots. Green cabbage, red and green apples and lastly, potatoes. Pippin picked two of the biggest potatoes. He held them in one hand as he walked to the bread. He picked one up and placed it under his arm. He smiled and walked out.
Diamond was standing at the stove, spatula in hand, moving the chicken around in the pan.
"Oh Diamond! Pippin said.
"I'm sorry, Pip. It just doesn't feel right that I'm not going anything" she answered.
Pippin put the bread and potatoes down and walked over to her.
"Diamond, Please just let me cook for you" he said.
They looked at each other. Diamond was struggling to say "Yes", but she knew that Pip was only trying to help.
"Just go and sit down and I'll cook for you"
Diamond took a deep breath.
"Get the potatoes in" she said and laughed.
She walked back to her seat. She yawned and rubbed her tummy.
"Not long now" she thought.
Meanwhile, Pippin took the potatoes and opened a small door. It was the door to the oven. He placed them on the trey inside. He then shut the door.
Pippin then looked back at his wife.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
Diamond was looking very tired.
"Yes" she yawned.
"Yes, I'm fine"
Her hand was still rubbing her large stomach. Pippin walked over to her.
"You're pale" he said.
He knelt down and took her hand.
"It's cold"
Diamond didn't look at all well.
"I think… I think I should go to bed now" she said.
Pippin was worried.
"Should I get Dolly?" he asked.
"No, no leave her" Diamond answered.
"We need a doctor at least" Pippin told her.
He was starting to worry now. Not only for Diamond, but for their unborn child.
"Let me go and get a doctor" Pip said.
So, he heaved Diamond up. She has deteriorated quite quickly. The two of them waddle towards the door. Pippin kicked it open.
"Come on Diamond" he said.
They headed towards their bedroom. Origo was still sleeping on the bed. The two of them came into the room. Pippin made Diamond sit on the bed. Origo continued to sleep. But not for long.
Pippin went over to him and picked him up. Pip then placed the pup on the floor. Origo suddenly woke up and started to whimper.
"Not now, Ori" Pippin said.
He was sweating. It was pouring off his nose.
"Stay with her" Pippin said to Origo.
The hobbit then turned back.
"Diamond, I'll be back soon"
Pippin then kissed her forehead and rushed out of the room.
Diamond heard the front door shut. The noise was ten times louder then normal. Diamond massaged her head and closed her eyes.
Origo looked up at the bed and barked.
"Ori, I'm here" Diamond said.
The pup suddenly ran to the end of the bed. A few seconds later, he was on the duvet. Diamond had her hands over her eyes. Origo walked towards Diamond as fast as he could. The hobbit could hear the pup whimpering near by.
"Ori, I'm alright, I just don't feel well"
Diamond was pale, her hand then rested on the puppy. The warmness spread up Diamond's arm. But it was not enough.
A few moments later, the door opened again.
"She's though here" Pippin said.
A moment later, two hobbits came into the room. Pippin was followed by an old looking hobbit. It was a woman.
Her name was Dolly.
"Diamond, Dolly is here" Pippin said.
Dolly was an old looking hobbit, very stern, yet very gentle.
"How long has she been like this?" Dolly asked.
She knelt down next to her.
"About ten minutes" Pippin answered.
Origo was looking around; Diamond's hand was still on his head.
"Get this puppy away"
Diamond raised her hand an inch. Pippin then took Origo out of the room.
"Origo, stay" he said, placing the puppy on the ground.
Without another word, Pippin stood up and walked towards the door. Origo whined as Pip closed it behind him.
"What's going on?" Origo barked.
But no one answered.
The pup looked down sadly.
"Maybe they don't love me" he thought.
He whimpered and looked down the corridor. He then looked back at the door. A few seconds later, he started to walk away.
Origo knew that they didn't love him. For a while, he did. But not anymore. Origo came to the big round door that lead outside. He looked at it.
"How am I going to get out?" he asked himself.
He yawned. Origo knew it late, but he needed to get out. So, he walked to the door and pawed it.
The wooden door didn't move an inch. The pup looked down. He wished he could get out.
Back in the room, Diamond now had her eyes closed.
"We need some Elven help" Dolly told Pip.
There was fear in her voice.
"But Rivendell is weeks away, they wont be able to get to here" Pippin told her.
He was more worried then dolly. He looked down at his wife.
"There must be a way" Dolly said to herself.
"Even if there was, the snow is too deep now"
Dolly's hands were shaking.
"This is all I can do for now" she said.
In her hand was a bottle of medicine. Pippin looked at it.
"Elrond will save her, he saved Frodo once"
Pippin stopped suddenly. He remembered what had happened that night. He could hear and see the Nazgûl.
"But that doesn't mean he can save Diamond" Dolly told him.
Pippin snapped out of his day dream.
"What?" he asked.
Dolly stood up.
"Frodo was special. He had been stabbed. Pippin, you were there, he might not save her"
Pippin couldn't believe what Dolly was saying.
"This is exactly the same!" Pippin snapped.
Pippin then had an aide.
"We're going to Rivendell in a cart" Pippin said.
Dolly didn't understand.
"Pippin, if you do that both of them will die, it's too cold!"
But Pippin wasn't listening. He walked around to the end of the bed. He opened the large storage box. Inside were lots of coats and woolly blankets. Pip started to empty out the blankets.
"You're really going to go, aren't you?" Dolly asked.
The look in Pippin's eye was enough for Dolly.
"Yes" he answered.
Dolly looked back at Diamond. She was still looking pale. There was nothing that she could do now. Deep down, Dolly knew that Pippin was right.
"Pippin, I'm coming with you" Dolly told him.
Pip looked up. He had a few blankets over his arm.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
Dolly nodded.
"Good, take these"
Pip handed the blankets to Dolly. She took them and Pip walked towards the door.
"Where are you going?" Dolly asked.
Pippin looked around.
"To get the cart ready" he answered as he pulled the door open.
Dolly watched him disappear around the wall. Suddenly, Origo ran in. Dolly looked down at him.
"I thought I told you to stay out" Dolly said.
But Origo barked and looked up at Diamond.
"Do you know Diamond?" Dolly asked.
Origo nodded and whined. Dolly looked at the door. A cold draft came though the home. This meant that Pippin was now in the snow.
"We're going to the elves, you'll have to go back to your owner" Dolly told the pup.
Origo tilted his head. Dolly smiled and put the blankets on the bed. She then picked Origo up.
"Right, let's see where you live" Dolly said.
She looked in Ori's fur. But he didn't have a collar.
"Hmm" said Dolly.
"You haven't got one"
Dolly looked back at Diamond. She hated seeing that way. The front door then opened again. Dolly heard Pip come back in. There was another blast of cold air as Pippin rushed in.
"Come on, the cart is ready" he said.
Dolly was still holding Origo.
"Bring him" Pippin said.
Dolly was looking at the pup and then to Pip. He was now trying to lift Diamond by himself.
"Dolly, put him down and help me"
Dolly then pup Ori on the floor and helped Pippin. Origo watched them helping Diamond up. They heaved Diamond up.
"Origo, come on!"
They were heading slowly towards the door. Origo rushed after them. He could feel the coldness rushing though the house.
"Come on!" Pippin half shouted as they reached the door.
Origo was now on their heals. Pip closed the door behind the three of them and Origo. But, in the chaos, the potatoes had been left in the oven.
Pip and Dolly had reached the gate. Snowflakes were melting in their hair. The cart was parked just outside of the gate. Pippin got into the cart leaving Dolly holding Diamond up.
"Pass her here" he said.
He held out his hand. After a moments struggle, Pippin and Dolly started to lift Diamond onto the cart. Origo was looking at the two of them struggling. He looked back at the closed door.
"Hand him here" said Pip.
Dolly bent down and picked the pup up. She placed him in the cart. Ori was now starting to shiver.
"Come on" Pip said, holding out his hand.
Dolly took it. Pip helped her up. Origo had gone over to Diamond was now licking her face. But she didn't do anything.
"Wake up" Origo barked.
But it didn't work. Pippin had gone to the front to drive.
The snow was horrible for Pippin. He couldn't see it coming. He snapped the reigns and the ponies moved off. Pip's face started to feel numb from the coldness.
Only the pony's hooves could be heard over the blowing wind. Origo was shivering and whimpering as he lay next to Diamond. Dolly was watching him.
"Come here, pup" she said.
Origo looked around and slowly got up. He walked over to Dolly. Dolly picked him up. There were extra blankets for the journey. Dolly picked on up and unfolded it. She then wrapped Origo up in it. He was still whimpering.
"Shh, shh" she said.
She cuddled the pup. Slowly, Origo started to warm up. Ori closed his eyes. Dolly was as gentle as Diamond.
After a few minutes, Origo had warmed up and was now asleep.
Meanwhile, Pippin was not warm or tired. He was cold. His whole body was shivering. Pip pulled his coat around him. The heat from his body was melting the snowflakes that were landing on him.
The road started to bend and lead away from Hobbiton. Bree was a few days away. Pippin had taken the road before, many years ago. But this time around was much different. There were no Nazgûl trying to hunt them. Pippin looked back every so often. He knew that he needed to get to Rivendell.
But would Diamond make it?