Gondor arose to a bright morning. The white city, named Minas Tirith, was made whiter by the snow that had fallen on it. But the snow was now melting quickly.
The roves of buildings had icicles hanging down from them. The city was slowly coming alive again as people woke up. Stalls started to open up as more and more people wondered the streets.
There was a strange mist hanging over the city. It seemed that the further up the city someone travelled, the thicker the mist became.
On top on the grand city where the king and queen of Gondor. The great hall was silent as King Elessar sat at the table. He had both of his elbows were resting on the table he sat at.
Just then, foot steps started to echo around the hall. His eyes met the person that was coming towards him. The man walked up to him and stopped.
He then whispered in the King's ear. Elessar gave a small smile and got up. The man followed in the King's wake as they walked towards a door. There were many other rooms on the top level of the city. But the top level was out of bounds to the public below.
The King walked over the threshold of the door. A short corridor and up a spiral stair case. The corridor opened up into a larger passage. Down the hall way, a maid was standing outside of the door.
She looked down and saw the King coming towards her. She curtsied and opened the door. Inside, there was a bed and, lying on the bed was Arwen.
A smile came over her as she made herself comfortable as Aragorn made his way towards her. A seat had been set out for Aragorn as he came closer.
"How are you?" he asked, taking his wife's hand.
Arwen gave a smile.
"I've felt better" she answered.
Her complexion seemed unchanged, tiredness did not affect elves. The sound of a crying baby came from behind the King as he sat there. A smile came over him as he slowly looked around.
A midwife was cradling their first and only son. Aragorn stood from his seat and walked over to him. The midwife carefully past over the crying baby.
The baby had been wrapped in a white blanket. King Elessar looked down at his son. The baby had very fine hair, the same colour as his father's and pointy ears, like his mother. His eyes were light blue with a hint of soft grey.
"He looks like you" Arwen said, breaking Aragorn's eye contact with his son.
A smile came over him.
"Yet he looks more like his mother then his father" he answered, spotting the ears.
Arwen drew back the duvet that had been lain over her and she slowly got up. She smiled as she walked slowly towards Aragorn. The baby was then carefully handed over to his mother.
"I will see you in a while, there are important things I need to do"
Arwen smiled, understanding that the role of being a King was a very busy one. Aragorn nodded and walked out, leaving mother and son in the room.
The king walked back down to the corridor again. A minute or two later, Aragorn came back into the large room where he had been before.
A servant was walking by him.
"Get me some parchment" Aragorn ordered.
The servant nodded and, without a word, he walked away. Aragorn had to write a letter to a very important friend. A friend that he missed more then anything.
Peregrin Took.
They had met, many years ago now, in the Elven town of Rivendell. But that was only the start of their friendship. They would soon face many perils, either on their own or together.
The servant came back and placed a piece of parchment on the table. The King was also given his quill and an ink pot. Normally, others would write what he told them. But this time was different. He wanted to write his own words.
The ink bottle was then unscrewed and the top came off. Aragorn picked up the quill.
"Would you like me to write, my Lord?" asked the servant.
The king looked at him.
"No, thank you" he replied.
"I would rather write this one myself"
The servant smiled, bowed and retreated away from the table, leaving the king by himself. Aragorn's eyes were now trained on the sheet in front of him. The quill was moving around between his fingers as he sat there, thinking how he could start it.
Dear Friend of the King,
It is with great pleasure that Arwen, Queen Of The Reunited Kingdom, has given birth to a son. Arwen, as always, is very beautiful and precious to me.
The rebuilding of Osgiliath is slow, but steady. Yet it will take some time to restore it to its full glory.
I hope you are all well in Hobbiton, I would like a letter back as soon as you can.
King Elessar, Aragorn.
The King gave a small smile as he read back what he had wrote. It was to his approval. So, he placed the quill down and screwed the top of the ink pot back on.
As he did so, the servant came back over.
"Take this to the Shire" he explained, handing the let over.
"I would also like a reply"
At that, the servant walked away. The king watched him until out of sight. The king smiled as he sat there. He did so for the next few minutes before standing up and walking towards the large front doors. They opened slowly as he walked towards it.
A cold breeze hit him as he walked into the snowy yard. A smile came over the man as he walked down the steps. There were workers sweeping the steps. There were large piles snow at either side of the long steps. The ground levelled out as Aragorn walked towards the out most point of the highest level. A cold wind blew as he reached the end of the level. There, he stood alone, looking down at his lands.
In the distance, a small silver band weaved its way to the sea. This was the river Auduin. Aragorn looked down at the large area of land that lay between Minas Tirith and Osgiliath.
Small dots could be seen moving too and from both dwellings. These were people. Supplies were being brought to Osgiliath in an effort to rebuild it.
Aragorn stood, one foot on the small raised area that ran around the outside of the level. Every so often, the smaller raised stones would turn into large walls for a few meters.
Aragorn was deep in thought as he stood there. His mind solely positioned on the Shire. It had been a few years since he saw the hobbits that had become his friends.
"One day" he said to himself, a small smile came over him.
"One day I will see you again"
At the same time, far away in the Shire, hobbits of every ages were rising. The night had been warm inside of their homes. The candles and heaths had been kept alit to give them as much warmth as possible.
Pimpernel arose to a strange smell. One that was not normally associated with breakfast. The dull sounds of someone working in the kitchen echoed down the corridor.
Pimpernel's eyes pulled away from the door and over to the clock. The hobbit took a deep breath and drew the warm duvet from her. Pimpernel's large feet felt a sudden bite of coldness.
The hobbit then sat up, tiredness clinging to her. Her rubbed her eyes and stood up. The girl walked over to the door and opened it. The smell rose even more as she walked into the corridor.
Pearl was standing at the oven. A pan was in held in one hand while a spatula was held in the other. Pimpernel walked in and smiled as her sister turned.
"I thought that we could have a nice, large breakfast" Pearl told her.
Pimpernel could see sausages and bacon cooking in the pan. Two plates had been set out. They had many eggs, beans and, favourite of all, mushrooms all on the plate.
"Why are you doing this?" asked a tired sounding Pimpernel.
Pearl seemed not to be so tired.
"Am I not allowed to make a nice breakfast for my sister?" she asked.
Pimpernel gave a small smile as she took her seat. Pearl seemed hard at work getting the food ready. She smiled as she plated up the bacon. Soon after, the sausages were placed on the plates as well.
But the preparation was not done yet. Pearl opened up the oven and slid out the very hot trey. On top of the trey were brown pieces of bread.
They too were placed on the plate. The plate was looking very full now. A large pile of mushrooms, crispy rashers of bacon lay on the plate too. Eggs had been cracked and fried in the pan. Sausages had been cooked 'til brown.
Pearl smiled as she placed Pimpernel's plate in front of her.
The portion was very big. In fact, a fully grown man would have struggled to finish the portion on the plate if he was eating it.
"Thank you" Pimpernel said, picking up a knife and fork.
But Pearl did not sit down. Instead, she walked towards cupboards and retrieved two large mugs. The doors were closed and the large cellar door was opened. Pimpernel was watching her sister until out of sight.
A large barrel was laying on its side. A small tap had been placed in one end. Pearl smiled as the tap was turned on. She placed one of goblets under the tap and a stream of liquid poured down. It gathered in the goblet. The level of ale started to slowly rise until there was enough in the goblet to satisfy her.
The second goblet was then placed under the unbroken stream of ale. It too started to fill with ale. After another few minutes, Pearl came out again.
Pimpernel had full started on her breakfast as a goblet was placed at her place. Pearl smiled as she took her seat and picked up her knife and fork.
The two girls were now eating breakfast. Pimpernel stopped for a moment to take a drink, but quickly started to eat again. Hunger was very strong as she continued to eat. But it started to subside as she ate.
The many eggs that had been fried were now bleeding their rich yellow yoke. Pimpernel took large mouthfuls and started to chew. The bacon was particularly nice. It had a smoke taste to it as well as a crunchy bite as well.
Pippin awoke with a start. Knocking from the door had pulled him from his relaxed sleep.
"Pippin?" asked nagging voice.
It was his mother. She was standing on the other side of the door.
"Pippin?" she asked, louder then before.
Sleep had sure been taken away from him as he groaned. The hobbit turned over, forgetting that he had actually moved to his mother's house.
From the other side of the door, foot steps could be hear trailing away. Pippin yawned again and closed his eyes. Yet not all doors to the world of sleep were closed. The hobbits slowly started to drift back into sleep.
Eglantine was in the kitchen. She and Paladin had already eaten breakfast and were now waiting on Pippin. But Eglantine had other plans. She was planning to get more provisions.
And they needed it. They knew that Pippin could eat more then anyone else. This caused a few problems. Especially when he was younger.
"I'm still hungry!" he said, just finishing his large dinner.
There was still a few things in the bowls that had been lain out. Four other hobbits sat around the table. Eglantine and Paladin at either end of the table. Pippin's sisters sat on either side of the table as well. Pervinca and Pearl sat facing Pippin and Pimpernel.
"Just wait, dear" she said mother who was still eating.
Pippin took a deep breath and sat back in his chair. This was the worst moment of dinner, having to wait for the others to finish.
"Why can't they just let me eat?" he asked himself.
Pimpernel was the second one to finish. She smiled feeling that her hunger had been tamed. But she could do with a little bit more. She was eyeing the roast potatoes. But she was not the only one. Pippin was as well.
Pimpernel picked up her goblet. Pippin seemed to be the only one with water in his. The rest had ale or beer from the cellar.
After what seemed like ages, they had all finished. And Pippin's eagerness for more food had not away. His mother noticed the same look that he had when he wanted more.
"Go on then" she said, without him having to ask again.
Pippin smiled and grabbed for the nearest bowl. It contained roast potatoes. The spoon was larger then normal spoons. Pippin placed the large bowl on his lap and started to scoop the potatoes onto his plate.
Pimpernel watched her little brother, making sure that he did not take all of them. Five turned to six and six to seven.
"Pippin!" Pimpernel said, seeing the ever decreasing number in the bowl.
Eglantine looked at her only son.
"That's enough for now pip, leave some for the others"
Pippin took a deep breath and handed over the bowl to Pimpernel. She smiled as she too started to scoop more potatoes onto her plate.
"Be careful with" Eglantine said, watching Pippin pick up the hot gravy train.
Pippin held the handle tight as he lifted it off of the table mat. But Eglantine's fears were not played out as Pippin started to pour the thick, brown liquid onto his roast potatoes.
But everything had changed since then. All of eglantine's children had grown and flown the nest, as hobbits would say when their son or daughter had left home.
Pippin yawned as he got up. The coldness of the air around tingled against his legs. This was the part of waking up that Pip did not like. But hunger was getting to him.
The door to his room was opened as he walked out. Candles were flickering on their mounts as Pippin walked past. The door to the kitchen had been left ajar. Pip entered the room as the clock started to strike. It did so ten times.
"Ah, so he is awake" his mother said, looking around.
Pippin gave a small smile and took his seat at the table. It was the same place that he had when he was younger.
"I am going over to Diamond's house in a few minutes" Eglantine told her son as she placed a plate in front of him.
A confused expression came over his face.
"Why?" he asked.
Eglantine could not believe what her son was saying.
"Why?" she asked, turning to face him.
A few pieces of cold toast were now resting on his plate.
"I'm going over there because she had a new born baby and your not there to help!"
Pippin took a deep breath as he picked up the butter and placed it nearer.
"Well its not my fault" he said.
Eglantine could do nothing but shake her head.
"Your fault or not, she needs help" she told her son.
Pippin scrapped the top on the block of butter, gathering some of the creamy butter. The knife was then drawn over the toast. A minute or two later, the toast was ready to eat. Pippin picked the buttery piece of toast up and took a large bite. He smiled, finally getting something to eat.
Eglantine walked out of the room. Her mind was now set on visiting Diamond. She walked down to the bathroom and opened the door.
"Your very silly, lad" said Paladin.
Pippin took a deep breath, now getting it from both parents.
"I told you that it wasn't my fault"
Paladin huffed and looked over at his son.
"Now, where have I heard that before?" he thought.
But there was something in his voice that made Pippin feel like he could remember clearly when he had heard it.
"Honestly, it wasn't!" said Pip, but knowing that no one trusted him as much as they should.
In the bathroom, a warm bowl of water had been run. Eglantine smiled as she rubbed soap on her hands. She then placed the soap back down and rubbed her face.
The day was getting brighter, but no more warmer. Birds were singing and fluttering around. There was a fresh layer of snow had fallen over night. The air seemed clearer then normal.
Two small creatures were making their way towards a very old friend. But they had a very long way to go. Origo yawned as he walked though the fresh snow.
His small paws were clogged with snow, making it harder to move. But he could not feel its coldness. The bubble of warmth that Ivy had put around him was helping more then she knew.
A few times, curiosity got the better of Origo as he looked around. His memory lose was becoming more of a burden as time went on.
"This way" Ivy said for the umpteenth time.
Origo's breath could be seen rising in small clouds as he walked along. The distance between them and Hobbiton slowly increased as they walked.
Ivy looked around, there was forest on either side of her for as far as she could see. But there was something nagging her. She knew that she was not the most powerful fairy and a fox would make a very difficult competitor.
But for now, she did not have to worry. It was the humans that she had to worry about and a cart full of them was heading their way.
Ivy stopped where she fluttered and looked down the road. Something was coming their way. And fast. Origo carried on, not knowing what was coming.
"Puppy, we have to move" said Ivy, her eyes fixed on the object speeding towards her.
Ori stopped and looked back at her. But time was running out. The man on the horse drew ever closer. Ivy fluttered towards the puppy.
"Come on!" Ivy said, fluttering near the pup.
But it was too late. The horse rushed past, one of its powerful hooves knocked Origo into the air. Gravity took a hold of him and he fell to the ground.
"Whoa, whoa!" said the man on the horse.
The horse slowly came to a holt, the man on its back looked at the small black object. A few seconds later, the man dismounted and stood there. Origo's small chest was rising and falling.
But Ivy seemed more worried about Origo then the man did. She fluttered over to him, speechless. For a moment, she could see what happened back in the kitchen.
Without saying a word, the man picked the puppy up. He placed one hand over the pup and took a deep breath. He was a very busy man, he had places to go and people to see. This accident would only create a set back to his plans.
"Well, I cant leave his here" he said to himself.
An idea then came into his head. There was an town, not too far from where they were. It was called the Three Farthing Stone. There, he could leave the pup in the safe hands of the barmaid and carry on his way.
So, the man gently placed the puppy in the large bag he was carrying. Ivy only had a few seconds to follow the puppy into the beg. Her small wings propelled her though the air and into the small gap. She struggled for a few seconds as the man closed the bag.
The horse beneath started to move. The small fairy in the bag was bouncing around, trying to get comfortable. The puppy was laying at the bottom of the bag.
He was in a far off world, unknown to anyone. Time seemed not to exist for him. Happening around him were unknown to the pup as the horse galloped away.
Trees rushed past at the horse maintained a speed that neither Origo or Ivy could get to. The wind whistled around the man as he rode back down the road he had come to.
His cheeks had now taken of a rosy colour to them. His long hair seemed to blew in the wind as he made his way towards the town.
In an alternate reality, things were much better. For Abira and Origo had spent the night playing. But now, he was back with his Diamond. Diamond seemed happier in the alternate universe.
Ivy fluttered around Origo, waiting for him to finish his lunch. Yet again, Origo had turkey to eat. Diamond had given in to him eating anything else. And she had tried many times to get him to eat other things. But she could not get him to.
Diamond yawned as she held her son in her arms. The house was much cleaner without Pippin there. Diamond had a lot more time on her hands. But the time she did have was dedicated to her son.
Faramir was now crying as he was fed. A small silver spoon, full of orange mush, was place into his mouth. Only a small bit in the bowl was left.
"Good boy" Diamond said, scooping more out.
"Just a little bit left" she told her son.
But his cries continued. Diamond took a deep breath, waiting for him to calm down a bit. But it was no use. The bowl that lay on the table only had a small bit left in it.
"It wouldn't hurt to leave it, I suppose" thought Diamond, placing the spoon back.
But the crying baby did not stop. Diamond smiled as she stood up.
"Alright, darling" she said, wrapping her son up in the blanket.
The air around was not too cold, but there was a cold breeze running though the house every so often. Diamond smiled as she walked out of the kitchen and down the corridor.
Origo had finished his turkey and was now looking around. Ivy was standing on the cold floor beside the pup.
"What do you want to do today?" Ivy asked.
But Origo was not concentrating on the fairy beside him. He was looking out of the door that Diamond had gone out of. The next second, he scurried away.
Ivy took a deep breath and fluttered off after. She just caught sight of him running into Diamond's room. Ori stood as he saw Diamond putting Faramir to bed.
A smile came over her as she saw the puppy standing there.
"Is my little puppy jealous?" she asked, breaking away from the cot.
Faramir was still crying. A confused expression came over the pup.
"Come here, boy" she said, patting her thigh.
Origo barked and bounded towards her. He was suddenly scooped up. Diamond kissed him on top of the furry head. Ivy smiled as she fluttered near by.
"We're going to see Auntie Pimpernel and Auntie Pearl later for dinner" Diamond told him.
Origo blinked twice and licked his Diamond. Diamond smiled as looked up. For a moment, she could have sworn she saw something fluttering just a few feet away. But there was nothing there.
"Right" she said, placing the pup down.
"I have to do some cleaning pup, then I can come and play" she said.
Origo's small tail wagged as he watched his Diamond walk away. The sound of her feet on the hard tiled floor echoed away as she made her way down the corridor.
A small door, situated near the large front door, was opened. It had all of Diamond's cleaning equipment. A bucket and mop were taken out. The door was closed afterwards.
But reality was much different. For Diamond did not have either Origo nor Pippin with her. It was as she was about to lay down again, to get some extra sleep, that a knock came from the large front door.
This was strange. For Diamond had no knowledge of inviting someone around. So, without wanting to be rude, Diamond walked out of the room and down the corridor.
The large front door then clicked open and, standing on the other side was Eglantine. She smiled.
"Good morning dear" she said, smiling broadly.
"Eglantine?" Diamond asked, rubbing her forehead.
The broad smile Eglantine wore slowly fell.
"Oh dear, were you asleep?" she asked with a hint of worry in her voice.
"I… no, no I wasn't" Diamond asked.
She yawned, but gave a smile.
"I was hoping to see the little one" she said.
Faramir was not awake, but asleep. Diamond, not wanting to disappoint her mother in law, smiled.
"Sure, he's just asleep at the moment. He should be waking up soon"
So, she let Eglantine in and closed the door. Pippin's mother took off her coat and hung it on one of the free pegs. Diamond noticed wet foot prints where Eglantine had been standing.
"Great, more work" Diamond thought.
"Oh, the house smells nice" Eglantine told her.
A smile came over Diamond, but she did not say anything. She walked down to the kitchen.
"Would you like some tea?" Diamond asked.
Eglantine had followed her.
"Oh, tea would lovely" she answered, taking a seat.
Diamond smiled as she picked up the cold kettle and walked over to the sink.
"So, Pippin turned up at our place last night"
Diamond stopped for a moment. She did not like to talk about it, but she knew she had to.
"Did he?" she asked, almost forgetting how to talk.
"He said he was kicked out of Merry's house"
It was then that Diamond started to make assumptions.
"Drunken fight most likely" she said, turning the tap off and walking back to the hook.
She placed the heavy kettle on the metal hook. The fire below was not very strong. So, Diamond placed more wood in it. The fire slowly started to grow and tickle the bottom of the kettle.
"No, not at all. In fact, I don't think Pippin had anything to drink that day" Eglantine corrected her.
Two large cups were then taken out of the cupboard and placed on the work surface.
"Then again, Pippin can handle his ale or beer. It take a lot to get him drunk"
Diamond took out a box and placed it on the work top. The box was made of wood. It wasn't too big yet not too small.
The lid was then opened to revile tea leaves. Hundreds were packed into the box. She picked out a few leaves and placed them in the large cups.
"I really don't know what to do" Diamond said, crossing her arms and lent on the work top.
Eglantine took a deep breath.
"I mean, Pippin was really up for being a father. He even helped me when I was in…"
But there was no way to describe what had happened to her those weeks ago. She could not remember a thing. But what she did remember was Origo.
"Ori, I'm alright, I just don't feel well" she said.
And then, it all went blank. There was no light in this dark world. The world around her rushed by. And, when she woke, she was in an old Elven town that she had only heard in tails.
Eglantine hung on every word.
"I did not know that that had happened" Eglantine said.
There was a strange silence. Respect was now growing for Pippin. Eglantine had not noticed that her son and Diamond had vanished.
"He took me all the way to Rivendell. He went though the coldest of nights, just to save me and his unborn child. He did this because of me and me alone"
Diamond took a deep breath. The water was now bubbling gently. But the bubbling increased. Slowly at first, then it increased.
The kettle was then taken off of the heat and the water was poured into the two mugs. The metal kettle was then put back on the hook.
"He does surprise me" Eglantine said, as Diamond opened a draw and got out a small silver spoon.
"Why?" asked Diamond.
The spoon was placed on the table. It waited to be used. A large jar of full of white grains was then placed on the table as well. The jar was full of sugar. Something had hobbits seemed to love. For all hobbits, no matter what age, loved sugar.
Cakes, chocolate and tea all contained large, very large, amounts of sugar. The lid was then taken off. The tea laves that had been taken out, leaving the water with a dark brown colour. Diamond smiled as she turned around with a cup in each hand.
Eglantine smiled as one was placed on the table mat in front of her.
"Thank you, dear" she said.
Diamond smiled as she drew her chair out and sat on it. Eglantine took the small silver spoon and dug it into the sugar. The spoon was now loaded with white sugar. The hobbit smiled as she poured spoonful after spoonful into her tea.
Diamond waited patiently for the sugar. After what seemed like ten spoonfuls, Eglantine finished putting sugar. The jar was then slid over to Diamond, the spoon was left inside.
A minute later, Diamond started to stir the tea. Eglantine did the same. There was a lack of conversation around the table. The only sound that broke the silence was the gentle bubbling of the kettle and the odd pop and crackle of the fire.
Through the pain of glass, a bird could be heard singing to the world. A small, red breasted robin fluttered around. The small bird eyed hobbits going about their daily routine.
Laugher came from the fields away down by the river. A young hobbit and her friends were building yet another snow hobbit.
"This one had to be the biggest yet!" said Elanor, help pushing an already large snow ball.
But it was still not big enough. The children were not only watched by the robin, but by Samwise Gamgee as well. His cheeks took on a rosy colour as talked to an elder.
"Why yes, I do say so myself" said Sam, looking out at the land that lay before him.
For miles and miles, all that could be seen was a carpet of snow.
"It'll be a hot summer, you mark my words!" said the elder.
Sam slowly nodded.
"I hope it will, this coldness is getting to me"
The elder laughed and sniffed.
"Well, my dear lad, I best get to the Dragon, I have a mug of ale waiting for me"
Sam nodded and the elder walked off. Sam shivered a bit where he stood. The snow under his feet started to melt. He moved onto a fresh piece of snow.
Elanor struggled to push the snow ball. Even with help from her friends, they could not push it. Elanor took a deep breath, her hands were started to tingle. She wiped her wet hands on her coat, making then drier. An idea then to her. She looked over at her father, standing by himself now.
She smiled and scuttled over to her. Sam smiled as his oldest daughter stopped in front of him.
"Err, daddy?" she asked, taking a look back at the large ball of snow.
"Would you help us make our snow hobbit bigger?"
Samwise did not want to disappoint his daughter. He quickly had to make an excuse.
"Your doing a grand job by yourself, do you need it much bigger?" he asked, hoping that it would deter her enough.
But it did not.
"No!" Elanor said, looking at her father.
She was now determined to get her father to help. But Sam was determined not to.
"We need it much bigger, so big that it can be seen from the other side of the lake!"
Samwise took a deep breath. He really did not want to do it. Yet he did not want to upset his daughter.
"What do you need me to do?" he asked.
Elanor smiled and took her father's hand. Sam now had no way out of helping now.
Ivy felt the horse slow down. Its speed decreased as the man drew nearer to the destination. Origo had still not awoken.
There was a sudden movement as the man dismounted. The bag seemed to have a green glow about it, a glow that only two creatures could see.
The reigns of the horse were tied. The man smiled as he entered the inn.
"Ah, back again are we?" Ivy heard someone say.
"I have an injured animal that needs to be attended too"
Ivy knew that they were talking about Origo. The bag suddenly opened and light poured in. a large hand came down and picked up the limp pup.
"I accidently knocked into him. He was on the road. I have no idea where he came from"
Ivy watched as Origo was handed over. The man that was sitting down looked at the pup.
"Well, he seems alright"