The day started off clear. The clouds were either nonexistent or sailing on the far horizon. The blackness that hugged the land all night was now slowly changing. More colours could be seen as the light of the sun started to spill over the land.
A crispness clung to the air. Chimneys had been throwing their smoke out into the world. The day was still warming up as birdsong started to echo around the quiet world.
Creatures were rising from where ever they nested for the freezing night. But for some creatures, the night had been present and comfortable.
Hobbiton was slowly, but surely, rising from its deep slumber. Dug into the hill was a whole house. It was hidden by a grassy roof that laid on top. Only the smoking chimneys broke up the outline of the hills.
Inside the hobbit holes, the hobbits were safe from the coldness. As the sun rose, they did too. Pimpernel, who had woken up just a few hours before, had woken up again.
Tiredness did not seemed to effect her as she woke up in her room. For a few moments, she laid there, wondering where she was. It was when she looked over at the empty chair that she remembered.
She took a deep breath and drew back the duvet. The air make the hair on her large feet tingle. Pimpernel sat up and dangled her feet over the edge of the bed.
Pimpernel yawned as she rubbed her eyes. The window showed the first light through the condensation. The clock ticked, showing the time to be just after six in the morning.
Pimpernel smiled as she stood up. Her head quickly began to spin as she stood there. But it quickly settled down after a few moments of waiting.
Hunger was getting to Pimpernel again. of course, she ate just a few hours ago. But, then again, she was a hobbit. So, opened the door, Pimpernel made her way down towards the kitchen.
But she was not the only one that was awake. Pearl took a deep breath as she arose. She knew that Pimpernel would need some food.
So, Pearl got out of her bed and put her dressing gown on. She smiled as her body warmed itself up. Her door opened and she made her way down towards the kitchen.
There, as she entered, Pimpernel was already sitting down. Pimpernel took a deep breath as she looked up at her sister.
"Are you alright?" Pearl asked.
Pimpernel had not had a wash in a few days and it was showing. Her hair had a dirty glint to it. Pearl didn't receive an answer.
Pimpernel did not even look at her. Pearl took a deep breath.
"Would you like some tea?" she asked.
Yet again, she did not receive and answer. So, Pearl walked over to cupboard door and opened it. a few seconds later, two mugs were taken out and placed on the work top.
Pearl looked around at her sister, who was sitting like a stone statue. Pearl took a deep breath and continued on preparing the tea.
A glass jar of honey and a glass jar of white sugar were grabbed from the cellar. She smiled as she picked up a wooden box, half filled with dried tea leaves.
Milk was also brought out. Pearl had to make another trip to get this. Pearl did not speak a word as she got the tea ready. Two spoons were taken out of the draws. They were set beside each empty mug.
A kettle had been filled with cool water and was now hanging on a rusted hook. Pearl took a deep breath as she placed a few leaves in each mug.
A few minutes later, Pearl took her hand cloth and took the scolding kettle off of the hook. The hot water was then poured into both mugs. Pearl placed a spoon in each and picked them up.
She turned around and walked towards the table.
"There you are" she said, placing one mug before Pimpernel and the other at her place.
The jars of sugar and honey, plus the small vase of milk were placed on the table. Pearl could now sit down and properly talk to her sister.
Meanwhile, many miles away, Origo was eating his breakfast. It had become a daily ritual for both Mya and Ivy to stop. The three of them were now descending on a bridge, apply named the Last Bridge.
After that, the road ran beside a small forest named Trollshaws. Rivendell was still a few days away. Mya knew that she could stay there for a few days. For she knew a few of the elves that lived there.
"Right" Mya said, seeing that the little pup had finished.
"Should we get moving then?" she asked.
Ivy smiled as she fluttered. Her part in the morning ritual had come and gone. Mya and Origo were now ready to get moving again.
Ivy fluttered around, over the puppy. Origo looked up, his puppy eyes following her every movement.
"Puppy, come on!" Ivy said, fluttering away.
But Origo did not chase her. instead, he waited until Mya had put her pack on. Mya looked down to see the gorgeous puppy standing there, seemingly waiting for her.
"Come on then" she said, walking past.
Origo wagged his tail and followed her. Mya smiled, looking down every so often to see if Origo was still there.
"We'll stop in a few hours pup, then we'll have lunch"
Origo gave a small whine and looked up. Mya took a deep breath. She knew exactly what the little puppy wanted. Origo whined happily as two large, warm hands wrapped around his little body.
All four of his paws left the ground as Mya picked him up. Origo gave a small whimper as he was placed on her shoulder.
"Good boy" she said, kissing his fluffy head.
Origo yawned and settled down. The sound of crunching snow and bird song were the only sounds that could be heard. The puppy yawned as he rested his head on his fluffy paws. The large plate of Mya's turkey had made the puppy very sleepy.
His little eyes started to slowly fall as sleep gripped him. Mya smile as she looked down. She could now talk to Ivy, knowing that Ori wouldn't wake up.
"Is he asleep?" asked Ivy, fluttering near by.
Mya smiled and nodded.
"How long until we reach Radagast?" Ivy asked.
Origo was sleeping peacefully, having no idea of the conversation that was going on around him.
"I do not know, all I know is that he lives in Mirkwood" she answered.
Ivy knew exactly where Mirkwood was. For she had lived there many hundreds of years ago.
"I used to live in Mirkwood" Ivy told her.
This surprised Mya.
"Did you?" she asked.
Ivy nodded.
"Why did you move?" Mya asked.
Ivy took a deep breath. it was still, after this many years, very hard to talk about it.
"Well, it's a long story" the fairy answered.
Mya smiled.
"I don't think the puppy is going to be awake for a few hours" Mya answered.
Ivy took a deep breath, knowing that there was no escape now.
"Alright" Ivy said.
Ivy dug into the depths of her memory until she came across the time where her friends were still alive. But it was not a time of peace. In fact, it was a time of terror.
"The last leaf is about to fall" said another fairy.
Ivy took a deep breath as she stood on the branch. A single leaf flickered in the cold wind. Any second now, another clan would come into their territory.
The light was fading quickly. As Ivy continued to look up at the leaf. A few seconds later, a large, powerful gust rolled over the forest.
It was then that all hell broke loose. The leaf danced in wind for a few seconds before finally letting go if its mother tree.
As soon as the leaf started to flutter away, small dots of light weaved behind the trees. Rosa, who was standing near by, looked around. She could see the small points of light coming from every angle.
"Ivy" she said, worry was ripe in her voice.
Three more flickers of light flashed in the distance. They were more prominent then the small flickering torches held by the darker, colourless fairies.
"Ivy!" shouted Luna, the silver fairy.
She was the most bubbly of the five. Luna was the most confident of the group, but now, she needed Ivy's help.
"What shall we do?" she asked.
Ivy did not want to answer. All she could do was wish. Wish that she would make it through this ordeal.
"We have to stand up to them" she answered.
"We have to, we just have to"
A sound like rustling leaves in a cool summer's breeze. The light from the flickering flames grew as the fairies descended on the tree.
A smaller group fluttered down towards the five standing on a large branch. The leader of the large clan was big. Bigger then any fairy Ivy had seen before. He had been in many fights. But he did not weld a scar of any sort.
For fairies were self healing. Any cut that would break their skin would be mended within a few seconds.
"Ah" said the leader, landing on the branch.
Ivy stood where she was. The four other colourful fairies cowered behind her.
"My good friends" he said coldly.
The light around this leafless tree grew as more and more fairies settled on its branches. Luna, Rosa, Petal and Leila were all just as scared as she was.
"How are we this fine autumn night?" he asked.
Ivy scowled at him. But all she received back was an evil smile.
"I trust that you have done as we agreed" he said.
Ivy did not say a word. But she did not have to. She took a deep breath and fluttered off. The leader watched her as she zoomed towards a different tree.
"Stay here" he said to the other fairies.
"Make sure they don't move" he said, looking towards the four remaining dots of light.
Luna was now the nearest one to the small group of fairies standing on the same branch. Petal, the purple fairy, looked up. She could see a few of flames dart towards Ivy and the leader of the rival clan.
Petal wondered if Ivy was going to be safe by herself.
"Ivy, my dear" said the larger fairy, settling down on the branch.
"How have you been?" he asked.
Ivy hated him. She hated him even more for trying to be nice.
"I have done what you have asked of us" she said.
"Take you food and go"
But this was not going to happen as quickly as she hoped.
"My dear, we will go when we want to" he told her.
"Maybe we like this part of the forest, maybe we want to stay" he said.
"No!" Ivy shouted.
She couldn't take it any more. All she wanted to do was live in peace like she had done. But it seemed unlikely.
"I will not have to ruin our beautiful forest!"
Ivy was digging herself into a hole that she could not get out of. And she knew it.
"Ruin your beautiful forest?" the evil fairy asked, taking a few steps towards her.
Ivy backed away a few inches, scared of what this fairy could and would do to her.
"How is it your forest?"
Ivy's heart rate had shot up.
"Please, don't hurt me" she answered.
The fairy, standing before her, was taller and stronger then she was. He could easily kill her. But he did not.
"Now, why would I kill you?" he asked.
Ivy was taken aback by this.
"That's… that's what you do. You kill innocent fairies for fun" she answered.
The taller, strong fairy took a deep breath.
"Yes, I do. But you can save yourself and your friends" he said, looking over at the four others surrounded by his troops.
"You understand that you have two options" he said.
Ivy took a deep breath.
"Yes" she answered.
"You know that you will survive if you comply to our rules"
Ivy took a deep breath and looked down.
"Now, on a happier note" he said, bringing out his dark wings.
"Lets see what food we have" he said.
A rush of wind blew Ivy's hair as she watched them take off. She took a deep breath and looked over at her friends. She could still make out the four different colours still standing there.
Ivy started to flutter her wings and followed the leader of the clan down. The chief of the clan knew exactly where the food was sorted. For he had sent spices to watch them.
"Ah ha!" he said, landing on a different branch.
The tree's girth was much larger here. Ivy landed a few seconds later. The chief walked down towards the hole and went in.
A large chamber had been carved inside of tree. There, Ivy and her friends had been gathering food for the past few months. It had been very hard work. They had been working nearly every day since their last meeting.
Luna and Petal had been appointed the job of keeping the berries fresh for the months that followed. Leafs had been collected and wrapped around bunches of red berries.
But, upon closer inspection, it had not worked. The leaves had rotted, spoiling the berries that had been wrapped inside of them.
"Oh dear, oh dear" he said, shaking his head.
He picked up a brown berry and looked over at Ivy. Ivy now felt sick again.
"What happened here, Ivy?" he asked.
His voice was cold and calm. This scared Ivy to the point that she started to feel sick.
"We had an agreement" he said.
"I… I…"
But words could not come to the little fairy as she stood there. All she could think about now was what would happen to her and her friends.
"Do you know what will happen now?" she was asked.
Diamond yawned as she stood before the hot stove. Pippin sat in his usual place, holding his son. He grasped a silver spoon in his free hand.
"Open up" he said, placing a spoon full into his son's mouth.
Diamond had noticed a significant change in both Pippin and Faramir. Pippin had matured even more. Diamond had a lot of time on her hands now. Perfect for cleaning.
"One more" Pippin said, scooping up the rest of food from the bowl.
Faramir was so close to finishing when he face changed. Diamond gave a small smile as she heard her son start to cry.
"I think someone wants his mummy" she said.
Pippin took a deep breath as he handed Diamond. Faramir continued to cry for a few seconds before starting to calm down.
"Would you finish cooking, please?" Diamond asked as she cradled her son.
Pippin smiled and rose from his seat. All Pippin needed to do was place the many rashers on the plate. Pip smiled as he saw the mountain of food on the plates that Diamond had prepared.
Diamond smiled as she talked to her son. Faramir seemed to have calmed down as the sound of sizzling stopped. Pip held the spatula in his right hand and the handle of the pan in the other. A large pile of rashers had been cooked and had already been placed on the plate.
Pippin placed the last rasher on the plate. Everything was now ready for them to eat. Faramir gave a little yawn as Diamond thought about putting him back in his cot.
"I'll be back in a minute" Diamond explained.
Pippin nodded and smiled. He started to placed the plates on the table. Two more plates were taken out and placed before each place.
Diamond smiled as she walked back into the warm kitchen. She noticed that Pippin had basically set the table. The knives and forks were in their right place, empty plates had been set in front of her chair and in front of his.
All that was left was to fill two large mugs with water. But water was not what Pippin would have liked to fill them with. He smiled as he took out two mugs and started to walk towards the cellar.
"Pippin?" Diamond asked, standing by the sink.
Pippin turned around.
"Yes?" he asked in return.
"I thought we were having water" Diamond said, hinting to Pippin.
Pippin took the hint right away. With a deep breath, Pippin turned around and walked back over to the sink. Diamond smiled, knowing that Pippin would do what ever she wanted him to do.
Plans started to form in her head. But there was another reason for doing it. Diamond still needed to make sure that Pippin was not going to lie to her again. She would do this by a number of secret tests.
"Thank you" she said, walking to her seat.
The sound of rushing water came a few seconds later. Water filled the two mugs. Pippin placed one down and turned off the torrent of water.
He turned around and saw Diamond already sitting down. He gave a small smile and placed the mug of water down. There was literally no more space on the table as Diamond started to pick up the plates. She placed the plate dangerously near the edge. But she knew that it would not fall.
Diamond placed five sausages on her plate. At the same time, Pippin was putting the warm, crisp rashers of bacon onto his. He smiled as he placed the plate back where it belonged.
Only a few bowls had been place out. These were for the mushrooms, beans and yellow sweet corn. Pippin scooped out a spoonful of each and placed them on his plate. Space was now becoming very short as more and more food was piled on his plate.
Pippin smiled as he placed a few slices of brown toast on a separate, smaller plate on his left. He picked up his silver knife and started to spread butter on his toast.
Diamond smiled as she cut a bit off of her sausage. She looked up at Pippin. He was concentrating hard on spreading a mountain of butter to notice he was being watched.
A loud crunch came from across the table as Pippin started to eat. And Pippin could eat. In fact, Pippin could eat more then anyone else in the Shire, save for Fredegar Bolger.
The clock ticked as the two of them continued to eat their breakfast. In comparison to the Gamgee household, their was very calm.
Rosie took a deep breath as she dished out breakfast.
"Could I have some more, please?" Elanor asked.
Rosie looked down at her, then to her plate.
"You have enough on your plate, dear" she answered.
Elanor took a deep breath and looked back at her plate. It was true, she had far more then she usually had. Rosie smiled as she moved down one side of the table.
By the time that she had dished everything up, there was hardly anything left. But Rosie had thought ahead. As she walked around the table, she piled food onto her plate and Sam's plate too.
Rosie looked at each one of her children. They all seemed happy enough as she sat down. Little Pippin, who was growing up fast, still needed some help. So, before Rosie started eating, she chopped up Pippin's breakfast so that he could eat it himself.
Rosie smiled as she picked up her own knife and fork before started to eat. For a couple of minutes, there was silence in the household. It was usual for even the biggest families to fall deathly silent when eating.
Both Samwise and Rosie treasured these moments of calmness. For, a few minutes after the children had permission to leave the table, the madness would start again.
Rosie knew that her family were getting a good breakfast. For her hunger was now being tamed and fought back into submission.
Elanor was the first to finish. She left her sausage 'til last. She smiled as she cut the last bit into two. She placed the bit of warm sausage in her mouth and started to chew.
Meanwhile, Diamond and Pippin were finishing up their breakfast. Pippin and Diamond finished up their first serving of breakfast.
As soon as his plate was clean, Pippin started to fill up his plate again. Diamond started to fill up her plate as well. But Diamond would not have as much as Pippin.
Pippin finished filling his plate up for a second time. Before he ate, he picked up his mug of water. It had hardly been touched during his meal. But now, Pippin was very thirsty. So thirsty that the level of water in the mug quickly lowered.
Diamond watched as Pippin drank without stopping. Pippin had gone crossed eyed as the water tricked downwards. Pippin took a deep breath as he finished his water.
Diamond had watched him for too long. A confused look came over Pippin as he saw Diamond's eyes looking directly at him.
"Diamond?" he asked.
Diamond seemed to snap out of her gaze. She was very embarrassed. Her eyes darted away and her cheeks went rosy red.
Pippin took a deep breath and cast the look off. Pippin smiled as he looked back down at his plate. He then picked up his knife and fork for the second time and started to eat.
The gaze that Diamond gave him slowly trickled back to him. There was something strange about the way she looked at him. Something familiar about the way she looked at him.
Pippin looked up at Diamond, sitting opposite him. Unlike a few minutes before, Diamond was not looking at him.
"That's strange" he told himself.
But Pippin was not the only one secretly talking to himself.
"I wonder if he noticed" Diamond said.
Her voice could only be heard by herself. Pippin was talking to himself as well.
"Why did she look at my like that?" he asked himself.
Both Diamond and Pippin could feel a tension between them. Words needed to be said, but instead were kept quiet.
"Maybe she still likes you, Pip" said yet another voice in his head.
Pippin continued to eat. His eyes darting up to the woman sitting opposite him. A few time, their eyes would meet. But only for a split second.
"Maybe she wants you back" said the voice in Pippin head.
"Want me back?" Pippin asked himself, looking over at the woman sitting opposite her.
"She might"
The voices in his head stopped as he finished up the remainder of his second helping. Pippin placed his knife and fork down as Diamond got up. a small burp came from Pippin had he sat back in his chair.
"That was marvellous" Pippin said, giving Diamond a smile.
Diamond gave a smile back as she started to clear away the table. Pippin continued sit there for a while. Diamond picked up bowl after bowl. But, as she started her third trip to the table, she stopped in her tracks.
The tall figure of Pippin stood there. He was holding two mugs in one hand and a set of plate in the other. Diamond looked up at him. A small smile came over her. Pippin had never helped her with clearing the table.
"Maybe this is a sign" she said.
Diamond had an imaginary list. A tick could be put next to one more thing on her list.
"Thank you, Pippin" she said, walking around him to the table again.
Meanwhile, very far away from the safety of Hobbiton and the Shire, Mya was still walking. Ivy had retreated to the safety of one of Mya's pockets. For there were lots of crows around.
Ivy liked being on her own sometimes. It was then that she could do the most thinking. Her memory stretched back before the time of any man, hobbit or dwarf. There were only a few creatures as old as she was.
Ivy's life had been very peaceful at times. Other times had been very hard on her.
"Do you know what will happen now?" she was asked.
Ivy was very scared. The fairy standing before her was twice as big as she was. Ivy's four friends were watching from afar.
"No" Ivy said, shaking her head.
The chief of the larger, more powerful clan grinned coldly at her. But he said not a word. This made Ivy all the more scared and frightened about what would happen.
The small flickering torches of the many clan members started to fly away. Ivy was left on her own. But not for long. Four different colours were zooming her way.
"Ivy?" asked one of them.
Ivy's breath had not become any easier. Her four friends landed close by. From what they saw, everything went well. But things had not gone well.
In fact, the five of them were in more trouble. Ivy stood there, her mind was buzzing with answerless questions. All she wanted to do now was go curl up and forget that this was happening.
Ivy jumped as Petal tried to ask what was going on. Ivy took a quick look at her friends, then started to flutter away. She made a bee-line straight for her tree.
Time seemed to slow down as her tree came into view. Her friends watched her green glow grow smaller and smaller. After a minute of flying, which felt like hours for Ivy, she arrived.
Ivy did not land on the branch like she normally did. Instead, she dived straight into her nest and hit the floor. Ivy instantly curled up.
Everything in her world had taken yet another turn for the worse. Ivy wished that everything could just be erased and forgotten.
Ivy felt at home in this great forest. She was in love with anything that grew. In the summer months, everything bloomed. All of the creatures were more active at this time. Winter in the forest had its own beauty as well.
The forest would shed its leaves a few months before the first flurry of snow. The coldness became deeper and harsher. A few of the animals that were present in the warm, summer months had now gone into hibernation.
But there were still animals roaming around as the weather grew colder. Robins kept singing their song as the snow fell.
It had now been a few months since Ivy's last meeting with the larger, more dangerous gang. Life was getting more bearable. But Ivy was still very weary about flying around.
Ivy's day dream had been torn away from her as a familiar sound met her. Origo was now away. Ivy smiled as she fluttered out of the large pocket.
Mya, who had been walking for almost an hour, was getting cold again. Ivy's magic did not work for long. But, when it did work, it was welcomed by both Mya and the puppy she was holding.
Origo yawned and rested his head on his paws.
"Did you have a good sleep, pup?" Mya asked.
Her hand tickled the sleepy pups right ear. Origo gave a little whimper, his small eyes darting around. Ivy popped up over the back of Mya's shoulder. Origo's brown eyes glinted in the light.
As Mya walked, the trees on either side could be seen running towards the centre of his eyes. Ivy smiled. She could see her green glow reflecting in his eyes.
"Did you have a good sleep, puppy-cakes?" she asked, bobbing around.
Origo replied with a small whimper. Another yawn came across his. Ivy giggled at his cuteness.
"We'll stop in a few hours, pup" said Mya.
She knew exactly what Origo was saying. Once again, he was hungry. But Mya could not stop. She had to put the miles behind her before she stopped for lunch.
Mile after mile crumbled behind her feet. The warmth that Ivy had put on her just two hours before was starting to seep out and be replaced by coldness.
Mya's feet were the first to feel the true coldness. Her toes had started to stiffen as she walked. But she continued on regardless. For she could not talk to Ivy now that Origo was awake.
Mya looked down at the puppy. Origo was taking in the new surroundings. Everything had changed yet again. The snow still covered the ground. A set of foot prints could be seen trailing behind them.
Mya took a deep breath as she felt the little puppy squirm.
"Oh, puppy!" Mya said, almost dropping him.
Origo was placed on the ground a few seconds later. His every movement was watched by the small green fairy hovering in the air.
Mya stopped and watched him as well. She smiled as the pup sniffed the ground. Ivy wondered what he was up to as well. So, she fluttered down to the ground and stopped a foot away from the curious puppy.
"Puppy?" she asked, hovering just centimetres from the snowy ground.
Origo looked up. A confused look came over him. As Mya came back, still printing her feet into the snow. A few patches of ground were snowless, but still damp. Drips were falling to earth, landing on rotting leaves that lay on the floor.
"Puppy?" Mya asked, standing there.
She wondered what Origo was sniffing at. Origo raised his head from the ground and looked up. For a few seconds, the two of them look at each other. Origo's tail started to wag. A second later, he bound towards her.
Mya smiled. She resisted the urge to change into a puppy and play with her Origo. Instead, Mya had to pick him up.
"Oh!" she said, surprised at all licking she was getting.
"Puppy" she said, holding him away.
Something different about the little pup. Origo was now very awake. Mya found this to be an advantage. She placed the puppy down again and looked around.
She knew that she needed another stick for Origo to nor on. Origo watched as Mya walked away. Ivy fluttered close by to the pup to reassure him that Mya was not leaving him.
A small whimper came from the curios pup.
"She's going to be back in a minute, Ori" Ivy told him.
Origo looked around at her and tilted his head. He blinked twice, then looked back at Mya. A minute later, after picking up a slimy stick, Mya came back.
"Look what I have, puppy" she said, twiddling a stick between her fingers.
Origo wagged his tail. Mya stopped as the little puppy bound towards her. Mya smiled as she teased Origo with the stick. She smiled, taking it just out of reach.
The next second, Origo gave little bark and ran off. His little paws made prints in the thinning carpet of snow. Mya smiled as she watched the little pup come to a stop.
Ori turned around and barked.
"Throw it!" he said, his little eagerness made him all the more cuter.
Mya took a deep breath and raised her hand. Origo watched as the stick flew up into the air. His brown eyes tracked it as he ran along.
After a few seconds, the stick started to fall to earth. Mya watched as Origo tried to catch it. But he didn't catch it. Instead, as Origo tried to catch it, it fell a few inches away. Origo skidded on the snow and stopped. Mya watched as Origo picked the stick up and wrestled with it.
The pup wrestled with it too long. For the next second, it snapped in two. Origo instantly stood up at the sound of the break. Mya thought this was very cute as she walked over.
"Puppy?" she asked.
Confusion reigned over the pup as he looked at it. His eyes darted from the stick to Mya.
"What happened?" she asked.
Origo gave a little whimper and looked up. Mya took a deep breath, knowing that Origo wouldn't go anywhere if he wasn't happy.
Bree was now very busy. The local pub and inn, named the Prancing Pony, was full of locals and travellers alike. A young girl smiled as she placed two plates in front of two very tired looking people.
"There you are" she said, smiling.
The two young men were muddy, tired and hungry.