Pippin smiled as well. He looked down at the book and closed it.
"I'm not really that hungry" Pip told his friend.
"Then what would you like to eat?" he asked.
After a few seconds thought, Pippin gave his answered.
"Just a bacon sandwich" he answered.
Merry smiled and nodded.
"Exactly what I was thinking and some ale to go with" he said.
The cellar door was then opened as Merry got the fresh loaf of bread from the shelves. He then picked up a packet of thinly cut bacon and walked out again.
He smiled as he walked towards the work top.
"So, how's your book going?" he asked.
Pippin looked back. It was a question that he did now want to answer.
"It's going well" he said, not wanting to go into any more detail.
"Can I read it?" Merry asked, as he walked towards the draw.
Both of the hobbits knew the answer to this.
"I'd rather you didn't" Pippin said, sliding the book closer to him.
"Pippin, that's the second time you've said I can't, why can't I?" Merry asked.
Pippin took a deep breath and looked at the cover of the book. There were many memories floating around in his head that he did not want to share with him.
"Well, its sort of"
Pippin paused for a split second.
"Personal"
Rosie Gamgee was sleeping in her bed. Her eyes were shut and the fire seemed to be now only hot embers. Illness had caught Rosie, making her head throb and her stomach churn.
She had changed into nightgown and got into bed.
But this did not mean that the activity in the house stopped as well. In fact, it had become more hectic then usual as Samwise tried to control it.
"Ah, no Rose, leave that alone!" Samwise said, seeing that his daughter opening the knife draw.
She smiled innocently and closed it again.
"Can I go out?" asked a new voice.
It was Elanor.
"Your mother said that you are not allowed today" Sam answered.
Elanor huffed and thought quickly.
"But, she said I could, didn't she tell you?" she asked.
Sam looked down at his eldest daughter. He knew that his daughter would not lie to him. yet, there was always the possibility that she would.
"Your mother said that you weren't allowed and I have to stick by it" he said.
Elanor took a deep breath. She knew that she could not argue with that. So, without another word, she stormed out of the room.
Sam took a deep breath and continued to get lunch ready. But he was not the only one. Diamond Took was getting things ready as well.
She took a deep breath as her thoughts turned to Pippin. Neither of them knew that they were thinking the exact same thing.
Diamond had a very different view of the party that she had attended all those years ago. Unlike Pippin, she had arrived much earlier then him.
She was sitting at her own table. She and her mother and father had made their way down to Hobbiton. It had taken them a few hours, by cart, to reach Hobbiton.
They had crossed rough paths and stony passes. The nearest town to where Diamond lived was Dwaling.
"Alright missy, we're taking a small break" said her mother.
Diamond opened her eyes. Little Diamond had been asleep for the past few hours. The sun was now up as they pulled into the small town.
Diamond's mother looked exactly the same as her. both had curly hair and wonderfully big, blue eyes that looked like oceans.
Diamond yawned as she sat up. The cart had been going on this path before sunrise. But now, it was time for a quick breakfast before they headed onwards.
The cart rolled up outside an inn. It was the only one in the town. Diamond's father stopped and got off of his seat. He smiled as he looked around. The morning mist was clearing in the forest that surrounded the village.
From out of the mist came more one story houses that stretched on like snakes into the thick forest.
"Good morning" he said, lifting his daughter from the cart.
Diamond felt the mud slop over her clean feet. She did not like mud one bit. Her mother got out of the cart a few seconds later.
"Come on" she said, holding out her hand.
Diamond took it and smiled. The cold morning air tickled her face as she moved her hair out of her eyes. The small family walked towards the inn.
Diamond's father opened the door and smiled. Diamond and her mother walked in, her father closed the door behind them.
The inn was small and cosy. Candles flickered on their stands that were mounted to the wall. There were ornaments hanging from the wall. Most of them were farm equipment. Long, rushing blades used for cutting wheat. Hooks and horseshoes swung from the nails that had been hammered into the wooden beams.
"Go and sit down and I'll speak to the bartender" her dad told them.
So, that's exactly what they did. Diamond sat upon one of the chairs. But she was too small for it. She could barely see over the top on the table.
Diamond's mother smiled and stood up.
"I think some pillows are needed" she said.
Diamond smiled and slid off of the chair. She looked around and spotted her father talking to the hobbit standing on the other side of the bar. After a minute or two, the bartender nodded and walked off. Diamond's father turned around and walked back towards them.
"Said he'll go and make breakfast for us" he said as he sat down.
Diamond's eyes crept around the room. a musky smell lingered everywhere, a sign that the inn was well used. The door opened again, dragging Diamond's attention to it.
Laughter came from the other side as two hobbits walked in.
"Very well" said one of them.
He was very round in the stomach. He had rosy cheeks and soft looking cheeks. He seemed to have looks that suited a baby better then him.
He and his friend, who looked older then normal walked in and sat down in what appeared to be there usual haunt. The two continued to talk. Harvesting the wheat was main conversation for this time of year.
Diamond's memories were snapped from her as a new noise met her ears.
"Faramir" she said to herself.
So, placing down the large cutting knife, she walked away from the chicken and out of the room. The house was much quieter then normal.
Neither Pippin or Origo were in the house. Only the possibility of Pippin coming back was on Diamond's mind. She opened the door to her room and smiled.
"Just in time for lunch" she said to her son as she came to the cot.
Little Faramir was crying in his cot. But for no longer. Diamond slowly and gently picked him up. She smiled as she calmed him down.
"Come on" she said, turning and walking out of the room.
The young boy continued to run as he held his friend in his arms. Trees rushed past him. Twigs and leaves were displaced as he stamped on the ground.
The boy jumped over rotting logs and fallen trees. Birds spied him as he run past. But the boy was running to a hidden destination.
But this did not stop him from running. Mya, the small puppy in his grasp. It was then that a figure started to show its self though the forest of large trees.
Every so often, the boy would see a figure, making his way towards him. Alarm bells rang in his ears as he slowed down. His heart was racing as he watched the figure coming closer towards him. Without thinking, the small, unconscious puppy was placed gently on the floor.
The boy took one more look, the figure was getting ever closer. So, without thinking, the boy changed back into his puppy form. This would make him less obvious and less vulnerable if the figure was hostile.
In fact, the figure was the person that he was looking for all along. A strange song echoed around the forest.
Old Tom Bombadil is a Merry fellow;
Bright blue his jack is, and his boots are yellow.
The puppy looked down at his friend. Her small chest was rising every so often, but there was no sign of her waking up.
He now had a choice to make. To wait until Old Tom was near or to go and get him.
Toms singing grew louder and louder. But, as he came closer, the singing stopped. The puppy listened as no more singing met his ears.
He looked around, back where he heard it come from. But there was no sign of Tom anywhere.
"He must have…"
But this thought was suddenly changed as two towering legs were standing just feet away. The pup slowly looked up from the big yellow, muddy boots.
"My, my, do my eyes deceive me? Old friends from distance lands standing right beneath me"
The puppy suddenly grew at an amazing speed. After a second or two, a boy was standing where the small puppy had been just seconds before.
"It's Mya, she needs help" said the boy.
Tom took on a strange look at the boy, then down to the dirty ground. Without talking a word, Tom pushed the boy to the side and knelt down on the mossy ground.
After a few seconds, Tom picked up the puppy and walked away without a word.
"Where are you taking her?" he asked.
But Tom did not answer him. The boy then set off behind him. Tom's walking speed was much faster then his. The boy ran after Tom as he carried Mya though the undergrowth.
Rosie Gamgee was now waking after a uncomfortable sleep. Rosie lay on the bed for a while, thinking about the future. She gave a small smile and got out of the bed. She gave a small glance over to the cot.
Sam must have been in the room. Rosie smiled, her head still throbbing just a small bit. Rosie, slowly and quietly, opened the door. She could hear her children playing still. The time was now five o'clock in the evening.
Rosie took a deep breath as she entered the empty kitchen. the smell of meals past lingered in the air. This made Rosie very hungry now. Her appetite was coming back.
Just then, a door down the corridor opened. The sound of bare feet slapping on the cold tilted floor.
"Oh, hello dear" said Sam as he entered the kitchen.
Rosie gave a tied smile.
"Are you feeling better now?" Sam asked.
Rosie nodded.
"A bit" she answered.
Rosie needed to say something very important to her Sam.
"Sam, I need to tell you something" she said, walking over to the door and closing it.
Sam did not know what was going on.
"About what?" he asked.
Rosie took a deep breath.
"This is not the first time that I haven't felt my best" she said.
This gave Sam no clue as to what Rosie meant.
"Well, people do get ill every so often, it'll pass" he said.
Rosie shook her head.
"I've felt like this five times before now" she said.
"Five times?" asked Sam, still not making the connection.
Rosie took a deep breath.
"Sam, I'm pregnant again" she told him.
There was a strange silence in the room now. the words seemed not to have sunk in yet.
"P-p-pregnant?" he asked, still not trusting his ears.
Rosie slowly nodded and looked down. Her hand rubbed her stomach. Sam's smile grew and grew.
"Do the children know yet?" he asked.
Rosie shook her head.
"No, I think we should leave it until the time is right"
Just then, the door slowly opened. It was Elanor. She smiled.
"Hello" she said, walking in.
Sam and Rosie's conversation was cut short.
"Afternoon" said Rosie.
Hunger was getting to the young girl.
"What is for dinner?" she asked.
Rosie smiled.
"What do you want?" she asked her daughter.
Elanor thought for a few seconds.
"Umm, can we have roast chicken?" she asked.
Rosie smiled.
"Of course, would you like honey on it?" she asked.
Elanor nodded and smiled. Rosie yawned as she walked towards the cellar. She opened it up and walked inside. Elanor watched her mother go in. boredom got to the young girl. She turned around and walked out of the room.
The snow outside was pouring down. The wind was whistling though the gaps in the doors. Birds had hunkered down in the trees around, trying to stay as warm as possible.
But birds were not the only creatures trying to keep warm. A small puppy was shivering as she walked ever onwards.
Abira was now very tired, very cold and very hungry. She only had hours to live and the sun was already low in the sky. Flakes continued to stick to her fur.
No one knew where she was. Not even her Pimpernel. But Abira had a job to do and a friend to save. She was following the tracks of Origo as he made his way, with Ivy, to the Great East Road.
There, the two of them would head towards Rivendell before got to Mirkwood. Origo was in a much better state then Abira. Ivy had put a spell on the pup, but a helpful spell.
A warm bubble surrounded the pup as he walked down the path. The snow seemed not to effect on the little fairy as she fluttered though the flakes. The coldness was not bothering Origo any more. But the strong wind was.
He held his head down, fighting against it. Ivy fluttered near by.
"Maybe we should get out of this wind!" she shouted.
Origo whined and looked at him. He stopped in his tracks. The snow continued coming down, covering his tracks that lead for miles.
But neither of them knew, especially Origo, if there were any fox dens around where they were. The sun and the temperature was lowering as the day wore on.
Ivy did not know where to start with looking. The area around them was unknown to her. Her wings fluttered as she turned in the air. Her hair was floating around in the wind.
Ivy was looking around. She needed to find a place to keep Origo safe from the weather. But Origo was not the one that needed to keep safe. Abira was now laying in the snow. Unknown to anyone and on the brink of dying.
Memories flashed before her eyes. Many, many years of memories flashed before her. Blackness surrounded her. Mumbling voices echoed around the eternal black abyss.
"Will she be alright?" asked one of them.
The pup found it hard to understand what he was saying. It seemed like there would be no connection between her and the other world.
"I am sure of it"
The second voice was female. Her voice was fair and soft like a cool summer breeze. Her name was Goldberry. Her hair was golden, almost yellow in the light of the candles. Her gown was brilliant green, just like the lush grass surrounding the house outside. Her eyes were of the bluest blue that made the sky look like it had a hint of smoke clinging to it.
"Leave her be, she needs to sleep"
"Sleep?" asked the small puppy, her own voice was much louder in her head then the others.
On the other side, a boy was standing over her. The small pup was laying on the table, her fur was now dry. Something then came though dark abyss before her eyes.
Light.
The small spot of light slowly started to rise as she was welcomed back into the world. Strange noises met her ears as she lay sideways on a small table. A small, warm sheet had been placed over her, keeping her warmer then usual.
"So tell Pilith, why is it you were crossing the river?" asked Goldberry as she slowly and gracefully sat down.
Pilith, as the young boy was known, took a deep breath.
"It started many years ago, when we first set foot on these lands"
He gave a small pause.
"We were the creation of Valar. There were many more of us wondering the lands ever since the first age. But now"
Pilith stopped and looked over at the sleeping puppy.
"Now, there are only two of us left"
There was a strange silence. Every word that Pilith told them was taken in by both of them.
"What happened to the rest?" asked Goldberry.
Her voice was soft and inquisitive. The woman sat with excellent posture. Pilith took a deep breath and looked down.
"Well, they did what they set out to do" Pilith answered.
"They found who they wanted to spend their lives with and died with them"
There was a strange silence as birds tweeting outside was the only sound that they could hear. The heath was cold and fireless, in this weather, there was no need for it.
"Over here" said a voice.
The snow was now akin to a blizzard as they walked though the forest. Ivy could hardly see where she was going. Her eyes, although better then the pups, were still not good enough.
Diamond found herself looking out of the window. Days had past now, Pippin had not around again. his letter lay read and reread on the kitchen table.
Thoughts were running around in her head. Some more then others. The clock on the wall chimed, breaking her gaze with the outside world.
She smiled as she thought of starting on the dinner making. Once again, she would had to make it just for herself. So, walking away from the window, Diamond walked out of the room.
The hobbit walked down the corridor to the warm kitchen. She, like after every meal, washed and put away the things had had used.
After a few minutes, she got out some cutting knives, forks and trays. She then placed a large vase of oil on the work top too. But that was not all that she needed.
She walked back into the cellar and picked out one large packet and a few smaller ones. She placed them on the work top like all of the other things.
The house was now back to its unusual quietness. But Diamond seemed to have gotten used to this as she opened the larger pack. Inside, a large uncooked chicken. For hobbits were very fond of the taste of chicken.
Hobbits would eat it for lunch and dinner, if they did not run out all of the time.
Diamond placed the chicken on the tray. The bird was featherless and uncooked.
"Almost forgot" she said as she was pouring the oil onto the bird.
The golden stream stopped as she placed the vase back on the work top. Diamond smiled as she walked back to the cellar. Just inside the door were lots of jars.
Some were half empty, some had only a small amount of what they had in left. The jar that Diamond needed had just enough for what she had in mind.
The jar of honey was then picked up. It was a dark golden colour and it was sticky. A small bit of it was sticking to the side of the glass as Diamond walked out.
But food was not on Origo's mind as Ivy took him deeper and deeper into the forest. The path that they had left was now too far away to see any more.
But there was no success in finding a fox den. Every so often, a dark figure would cross the forest near by. They were inquisitive foxes, out for a hunt. But Origo was not on their mind.
The snow came down, looking like curtains in the wind. The ground that had once been snowless was now like a soft white carpet again. Origo's prints seemed to disappear after a few seconds.
Ivy turned around as she heard a small whined coming from the pup. Origo had stopped suddenly. He was looking up at the fairy.
"I know your sleepy, pup, but we have to get you into a den!" Ivy Said as she struggled towards him.
Origo looked around.
"What about that way?" he asked.
Ivy looked where he was.
"What's that way?" she asked, landing on her feet.
A large gust of wind blew her. The small fairy started to fly again, not wanting to lose balance. Origo looked at her with a blank look. Ivy took the hint right away.
"I think we should just go back to the path" she said.
But that was when she knew she had gone too far into the forest. Ivy looked the other way, but could only see a few trees and then a carpet of snow and darkness.
"Great" she thought.
Origo was standing in the snow. His paw prints had now vanished as the snow continued to fall. Ivy and Origo were now trapped in a never ending woods.
"Ivy?" whimpered Origo.
Ivy was looking around. none of this looked familiar, yet it all looked the same. The fairy looked down at the small puppy standing there.
"We need to get out of here, maybe if its best if we… we just go back"
That was easier said then done. Ivy fluttered around, trying to make a choice.
"Right" Ivy said, finally taking charge of herself.
"Right, lets go this way, back towards the path. Then we can work from there"
But Origo was not moving. Ivy fluttered off a few feet before stopping again. It was very hard to turn in the powerful wind.
"Origo?" she asked.
Her wings were fluttering madly. She finally stopped and landed in the snow. She made now foot prints, unlike Origo.
"Puppy, what's wrong?" she asked.
But Origo did not answer. Origo was looking deeply into a distance spot. Ivy stood in front of the puppy. Origo's brown eyes seemed to be focusing on a far away point.
For what seemed like an eternity, Origo did nothing but stand. But suddenly, Origo snapped out of his small trance.
His tail started to wag as his gaze changed to Ivy.
"I'm hungry" he whimpered.
Ivy took a deep breath, knowing just hours before that Origo did not want any food.
"Hungry?" she asked.
Origo nodded his head. Ivy took a deep breath and looked down.
"Alright, what do you want?" she asked.
But still, Origo did not know what he wanted to eat. Ivy needed Origo to eat something, otherwise weakness would start to set in.
"Origo, would you try what I get for you?" she asked.
Origo looked around, quickly making a choice. His brown eyes connected with the fairy's. the puppy slowly nodded. Ivy gave a small smile.
A plate full of turkey appeared before them both. Ivy knew that it was Origo's favourite. But that was up until two days before.
The turkey was steaming as Origo looked at it. Ivy smiled as she watched her curious puppy looked at it. But there was still the little glint in Origo's eye that made him seem human to her.
"Go on, eat it pup" she said, picking up a bit.
Origo sniffed the meat, wondering if it was safe enough. For the puppy had become lest trusting of things. Origo eyes focused in on the small fairy carrying a large bit of turkey.
"Eat it" she said.
The fairy placed the large piece on the other pile of turkey. Origo slowly picked up a piece and started to chew. Ivy gave a broad smile and continued to watch the puppy.
After a few seconds, Origo took another piece. But two pieces were not enough for the puppy. After a few more, Ivy thought that Origo was going to stop.
But he did not.
In fact, the plate was nearly empty as Origo finally finished. Ivy gave him a big smile.
"How was it?" she asked, making the plate vanish.
But Origo did not give her an answer. His fully belly, plus the warmth of the invisible bubble around him made his very sleepy indeed.
"I think we should go to bed" Ivy told him.
The day was getting late as a small cart, carrying a man, a woman and a small girl, entered Hobbiton. But they were not only ones to do so.
"Stable look quite busy" said Diamond's father said as she helped her off.
The path, unlike the one they were on a few hours before, was not muddy. Diamond stood up and took a look around. birds were singing and, in the distance, a few shouts and large bouts of laughter echoed up.
Diamond smiled as excitement began to rise higher then ever. The young girl looked around to see her mother looking towards the large, bustling field as well.
"I'll meet you two down there, I'll go and park the cart" her father said.
Diamond smiled as she took her mother's hand. The two girls walked down the path towards the field. The singing, laughter and Merry-making grew louder as a gate came into view.
The young girl stopped for a few seconds, taking the view before her. she smiled as she started again. After a few more minutes, the two of them reached the gates. There were a few steps leading down to the field.
Standing to one side of the gate was a very important hobbit.
Bilbo Baggins.
Bilbo had been on his feet for a few hours now and it had started to show. A few times, he would show signs of strain by stretching his long and hairy feet.
"Ah, you have arrived" he said, spotting Diamond and her mother.
"Old Bilbo, I have not seen you in a while"
Diamond's mother let go of her daughters hand and embracing Bilbo in a friendly hug.
"How have you been?" he asked.
Diamond's mother took a deep breath.
"We are tired, especially Diamond" she answered, looking down at her daughter.
Bilbo gave a small, confused smiled.
"Diamond?" he asked.
Diamond looked up at Bilbo.
"Is this little Diamond?" he asked.
She gave a small embarrassed smile. She looked down, feeling her cheeks going red.
"Last time I saw you, you barely had a hair on your feet"
Bilbo turned to the small table that had been put out. Presents lay on top, small tags had been placed on them. After a few seconds, Bilbo turned around again. Two small gifts were held in his hands. Bilbo smiled and gave one to each of them.
"Thank you" she said.
Diamond then looked back up at the hill. Her father was still not here.
"Alright, come on Diamond" said her mother.
Diamond stood there for a few seconds before moving off. Her attention was now back to the party as she and her mother walked in. The contents of the gift was still unknown.
"Over here, darling" said her mother.
Diamond had been taking everything in. She had almost walked the completely wrong way. So, turning her course, she made towards her mother.
The party was now in full swing as hobbits sat around and ate to their fill. Diamond and her mother arrived at her table.
Diamond placed her small box at her place. She smiled as she turned around. Seeing all of the plates of food were making her now very hungry.
"Lets get some food" Diamond's mother said, smiling down at her.
Laughter erupted from a table near by as Diamond walked by. It took longer to get to the long and large table of food. There seemed to be too many hobbits on the field. Many hobbits were eating at their tables. But as soon as the music started, the tables seemed to empty as it echoed around.
After ten minutes, Diamond managed to fill up her plate and get back to her table. her mother followed a few minutes later due to being stopped by many hobbits for a talk.
Diamond picked up her knife and fork. She then started on her meal. It was then something hit her back. A small ball rolled away as she looked around.
"Oh, sorry" said a young boy.
Diamond's eyes met his. For a few seconds, there was silence between them.
"That's… alright" Diamond said.
The girl picked up the ball and looked at it. It was red and made of very tight strands of string.
"Could I have it back?" asked the boy.
Diamond looked at the boy and smiled. She held out her hand. The boy took it and smiled.
"Thank you" he said.
Without another word, he ran off. But Diamond did not stop watching him. There was something about him that Diamond was drawn to.
After a minute, Diamond turned around. Food was now back on her mind. Every so often, she could hear the boy talking in the background. But she did not turn around.
Pippin was still writing his view of events in the book.
Merry forced me to go back and say hello to you. I knew I should and I wanted to. But something was holding me back.
I was scared.
Ever since I saw your blue eyes, I've missed them.
Finally, after a few minutes, Merry had made up my mind for me. He pushed me nearer. It was then that I got your attention. My mouth was dry and my brain was stumped. Words seemed to just to get lost in mumble.
As you may have noticed, I left quickly afterwards. Yet my plan on talking to had worked. I finally knew your name. and that was enough.
Pippin smiled as he came to the end of the page.
"I think that is enough for tonight" Pippin said, placing the quill down.
Darkness had come over the land. The clock showed it to be approaching mid night. The candles were now very short. Some of them looked like frozen waterfalls.
Pippin smiled as he finished his fifth mug of ale. Ale was drunk more then any other in Merry's household. The chair that Pippin had been using had been place back under the table.
The mug was then placed near the sink. Pip picked up the book and closed it. The memories trapped between its pages.
He walked out of the room and down the corridor. Pippin took a quick look into the study. The smell of smoke hit him as he looked around. only the heath had a few spots of red hot embers.
Pippin slowly, and quietly, closed the door and walked down to the room that he was staying in. He entered the room and walked over to the bed side table.
The door was then closed as Pippin changed into his night gown. He was too tired to get a wash.
"It wouldn't hurt to miss just one" he told himself as he lifted the duvet up.
Pippin slid into the warm duvet. His head hit the pillow. A smile came over Pippin's lips. Tiredness was defiantly getting the better of him.
He yawned one more time before closing his eyes. Sleep would come easily to Pippin tonight.