Legolas and Gimli had been walking for many days. But their destination was still many days away. Gimli trundled after his taller friend, who was faring much better.

Gimli had not felt his feet since the colder weather had came.

"This wont do my feet any good" he thought.

Legolas stopped and waited for his dwarven friend. This did not improve Gimli's mood.

"How are you feeling?" Legolas asked, his hair blowing in the wind.

Gimli gave an angry huff. But Legolas did not rest. Gimli shook his head at the hastiness of the elf. For hour after hour, the two of them walked closer to Helms Deep.

The sun, which had not been seen in a few hours, slowly started to change the sky above them. Clouds were slowly sailing through the air as the two small beings walked towards the Gap of Rohan.

"Do we need such haste?" Gimli asked, looking very tired.

Never had Legolas suggested walking through the night before. Looking back on it now, Gimli had regretted agreeing to walking through the night.

"We can rest when the sun comes up, but we must move"

Gimli yawned as his friend continued to walk. Gimli's speed had decreased during the night. All he needed now was a long, peaceful sleep. But that would not be easily in the coldness.

Gimli longed to get to Helms Deep a quickly as possible.

"Oh, the caves were just glorious" he told Legolas.

Origo gave a small yawn and rolled over on his side. Origo tried to get back to sleep, but his Diamond's noisy puppy kept him awake.

"Good morning" said a voice.

It was obvious to the puppy that his Diamond was attending to the other puppy. Origo felt very unloved. He heard his Diamond slowly walk out of the room, leaving him under the duvet.

Origo took a few more minutes just laying there before he started to move. Origo poked his head out of the end of the warm, soft duvet and looked around.

A large yawn came over the pup as he stood up. The duvet fell off of him. Every inch of Origo's fluffy body wriggled. His ears flopped as he shook his head.

Diamond smiled and hummed as she walked out of the cellar. In her haste, she almost stepped on her little pup.

"Oh, sorry sweetie" she said.

Origo gave a small whimper and looked up at his Diamond. Diamond gave a small giggle.

"I'll have breakfast ready as soon as Mister Faramir has had his" she told him.

Origo gave a small whimper and looked down. He was always the last to get his meals. Diamond smiled as she went back to preparing Faramir's breakfast.

Pippin whistled as he entered the kitchen. He saw Diamond working to get Faramir's breakfast ready.

"Good morning" Pippin said, walking towards the cellar.

Diamond looked over. She gave a small smile.

"Good morning, Pippin" she answered.

There was no mention of Pippin's doings last night, which was what he wanted. Pippin had sneaked out of the house while Diamond had been asleep.

The coldness was unlike anything Pippin had ever felt. He trundled through the snow. His hands were buried deep within his coat. His feet and tip of his ears were feeling the coldness the most.

A few minutes past before he arrived at Merry's home. With a cold fist, he knocked three times on Merry's door. Pippin's teeth chattered as he waited. A few minutes later, the door opened.

Merry stood there, he eyes looked very head.

"P...Pippin?" Merry asked, trying to get his eyes in focus.

Pippin gave a small smile.

"What do you want?" asked a very tired Merry.

Pippin told merry what had happened. Merry gave a small grumble, but could not leave his friend out in the coldness.

"Come on then" Merry said.

Pippin smiled as he walked inside. Merry quickly closed the door behind him.

"I wont be long, I just need a smoke" Pippin explained.

Merry took a deep breath as he and Pippin made their way down to the kitchen. Pippin smiled as he smelt the stale smell of smoke. Merry kept his pipes in his kitchen. Merry's favorite pipe was taken down from his shelf.

"Could I borrow a pipe please?" Pippin asked.

Merry looked around.

"Where's yours?" he asked.

Pippin explained what had happened as Merry got down a second pipe.

"So, she took it away?" Merry asked.

Pippin nodded.

"And now, she had banned me from drinking as well"

Merry shook his head.

"That's not very fair" he told him.

But Pippin had a different view on it.

"But the thing is, she does have a point"

Pippin had thought long and hard about why Diamond had done this. Slowly, but surely, he had come to see what Diamond wanted.

Pippin took a deep breath as he was handed the pipe. It was then that Diamond face came into his vision. Pippin gave a small smile. But there was something about her that Pippin did not like.

"She's going to find out" thought Pippin.

But then again, she was asleep and Pippin had a few hours to try and get the smell off of him.

"Then again, I'm certain that she'll not find out"

Merry smiled as he took some of the tobacco out of his pouch and past it over. Pippin took longer to fill up his pipe, for he was thinking.

Merry smiled as he got off of his chair. For a moment, Pippin wondered what he was doing. But, upon turning back around, Pippin realised that Merry had lit up a small stick from the fire.

It took a few attempts to start the tobacco burning. After a large puff of silver smoke, Merry quickly past the burning slither of wood over to Pippin.

Pippin had no trouble what so ever in lighting his pipe. Silver strands were now snaking up into the dark room around them. Pippin's head, which had felt like it had been caught in a vice for the past few hours, had now all but gone.

This was when Pippin was most calm. His head was light and he could think clearly. He drew in some smoke and let it rest in his lung for a few seconds before a large smoke rings out.

Peregrin watched as the ring of smoke sail into the darkness of the kitchen. The two of them had fallen silent. Merry started to think that Pippin's coming was a good idea. For now, he was even more tired and knew that he would better nights sleep after.

Pippin, on the other hand, now needed to get rid of the smell of smoke from his clothes. Plus, he also needed to be extra quiet when he returned.

Diamond smiled as she opened a draw. Origo sat near her chair, his little brown eyes scanning the area around him.

"Did you have a good nights sleep then?" she asked Pippin.

Pippin, who had taken out a few pots and pans from the large cupboard, stopped for a split second.

"Oh" he said, trying to sound like he hadn't snuck out.

"Yes, I slept very well, what about you?" he asked.

Diamond took a deep breath.

"Well, Faramir woke up again, he needed his milk" Diamond said as she cradled her son.

Faramir's food had now been prepared and she had sat down. Pippin smiled, thinking his little late night trip to Merry's had been unnoticed.

But that was not the case.

"I heard a funny sound last night" Diamond said as Pippin emerged out of the cellar.

Pippin knew what was coming next, but he had to act like he was asleep.

"What sound?" he asked.

Diamond did not really know what had caused it.

"Well, it sounded like the front door opened and closed" she explained.

Pippin knew that he could not get away with his little trip to Merry's home last night.

"What do you think it was?" Diamond asked.

Pippin took a deep breath and placed the pot on the side. He knew that he had to tell Diamond.

"It was me" he answered, not even looking at her.

Diamond, who was about to say what she had been thinking, stopped feeding her son. The spoon hovered inches from Faramir's face.

"You?" she asked, her eyes fixed on Pippin.

"Why?"

Thorin and the rest of the dwarves had finally reached the Western boarder of Mirkwood. Their spirits rose as the trees thinned.

Dis and Thorin were the first to reach the edge of Mirkwood. The sun was out and birds were singing. The small party of dwarves were not used to so much light.

"We should rest, we'll continue after a good meal"

Thorin smiled as he sat down on the soft grass.

"Well" he said as Frerin joined him.

"I am glad I don't have to go in there again"

But Thorin would eventually make his way back into the forest. But, for now, he needed to help find a place to stay.

"We need to get moving in a short while" said Thror as he looked across the grassy land before him.

Thrain stood by his father.

"Our people need rest, they are weak and we will encounter some opposition if we try and move too quickly"

For now, the remaining dwarves ate more then usual, but there was still the matter of getting over a flowing river. Just thirty miles to the west was an old ford. This was where Thrain and his company would have to cross. But it would not be plain sailing as they would soon find out.

Thror remained standing. He was brought food, which he gladly took. His eyes were scanning the horizon. The peaks of the Misty Mountains could be seen, but nothing else.

The dwarves sat for hours, regaining their strength, getting ready for the walk ahead. Most were talking and laughing as a small fire was started. The smoke rose into the air. Thorin smiled as he watched the dwarves celebrate their trip through Mirkwood. But he could not help thinking that their hardship had only just begun.

An hour of eating and drinking later and the dwarves were ready to put more miles behind them. Thorin and Frerin put their packs on and were volunteered to lead the way.

Thorin took the first few steps away from the forest. Dis was right behind them. Everything that had happened seemed to have been left in the forest.

Thorin forged a path through the long grass. It was very difficult, there were hidden lumps that tripped Thorin up a few times. The dwarves seemed to carve a small path through the grass land. There were a few trees growing on the grassy land that stretched before them. But none of them bore fruit.

Thorin and the rest of the dwarves negotiated small hills and streams. Dis held her brothers hand as she made her way over a small stream.

Diamond ate in silence. Not only because she was eating, but because she did not want to talk to pippin. She was very disappointed that he had snuck out when she had gone to bed.

"Do you want any more?" Pippin asked.

Diamond did not even look up at him. The cries of her son echoed down the hall way. Little Origo had been served his first bowl of turkey. Diamond smiled as she placed it on the floor.

But bowl of turkey did not last long. Diamond had barely started hers when she felt Origo tug on her night gown. She looked down to see her puppy looking up.

"You eat too quickly, Ori" she said.

Origo tilted his little head as Diamond looked back up. Pippin placed two more bowls on the table and sat himself down. Diamond took a deep breath as she piled food onto her plate.

Origo, who was full of turkey, began to feel sleepy again. He snuggled down, right under Diamond's chair. Diamond finished her meal and looked on the table.

Pippin had forgotten to pour some water for them.

Diamond rose from seat and walked towards the cellar. Pippin watched as she entered. A few moments later, she came back with a small vase of water.

Pippin shook his head and closed his eyes.

"Yes, of course" he muttered.

Diamond got out a mug and poured herself some water. Pippin looked around and watched as Diamond placed the glass stopper back.

Thorin took a deep breath as he reached the brow of a small hill. He smiled as, in the distance, he saw a silver band of water. Behind it, he could see the Misty Mountains.

Thorin, Thrain and Thror had agreed that the mountains were the best place to start fresh. Thrain reached the top and looked on the horizon.

"It will take us a few days of walking to get there" Thorin told his father.

Thrain nodded and looked around. The forest of Mirkwood seemed to slowly sink under the Eastern horizon as they travelled West.

The rabble of dwarves became more and more hungry as they day grew brighter. Birds sang their different songs as the dwarves walked past. Thorin knew that they would not reach the river until late that night.

Diamond smiled as she walked into her room and closed the door. Little Origo had already arrived in Diamond's bed room and had snuggled back down on his Diamond's pillow.

"Puppy?" she asked, looking down at her Origo.

Ori looked up and tilted his head. Diamond smiled and picked him up.

"What do you say about visiting Dolly?" she asked him.

Origo gave a small whimper and looked towards the window. Diamond looked towards the window as well. The terrain outside could not be seen, for the window had misted up.

"Oh, puppy" she said.

"It's not that cold outside"

But Origo didn't see it that way. He wanted to stay warm and dry instead of wet and cold.

"It's just a short walk to Dolly's home" Diamond explained.

"And I'm sure she has some turkey" she said, trying to bribe Origo into coming.

Origo thought about it for a split second and gave a small whimper. He couldn't turn down an offer of turkey.

"Good boy" Diamond said, kissing him on his fluffy head.

Origo was then placed on the bed again as Diamond got ready. Faramir had already been washed and clothed. His blue eyes looked up at his mother's face.

"Mummy will be back in a minute, sweetie" Diamond told her son.

Faramir, who was longing for a cuddle, started to whimper as his mother walked out of the room. Diamond did not like her only son to be upset.

She was only away for a minute, but to Faramir, she seemed to be away for hours. Faramir then heard a funny noise. His eyes glided over to his mother.

Diamond had put her large coat on and buttoned it up. She smiled as she picked Faramir up. On the bed, she had put a large, warm blanket. As she reached down to get the blanket, she saw Origo had snuggled up on Faramir's blanket.

She gave a small smile, her puppy looked so peaceful.

"Puppy, come on, Faramir needs his blanket" she said.

Origo lifted his head and gave a very sad sounding whimper. Diamond gave a small smile as her puppy vacated the warm blanket.

Diamond started to walk out of the room, leaving her Origo to find a way to get off of the bed. Origo started to worry that his Diamond would leave without him.

The pup did not have far to go when he heard his name being called. Origo jumped over the thin wooden board at the end of the bed. He landed on a small wooden chest and walked to the edge.

He took a few seconds to survey the drop. After three or four seconds, Origo landed on the fluffy carpet that the bed stood on.

Diamond looked back to see her puppy scampering along. But he soon stopped as the door was opened. The coldness hit him even before he left the house.

The snow had hardened over night. Origo slowly made his way out. But, before Diamond could close the door, a hand stopped her from doing so.

"Diamond?" asked a voice.

Pippin popped his head around the door. Diamond looked up.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"I'm going to see Dolly" she answered.

A confused look spread over Pippin's face.

"Why?" he asked.

Diamond was getting very annoyed at the questions being asked.

"Can I not go and see one of my friends with a barrage of questions?" Diamond answered.

Pippin did nothing but look at Diamond. After a few seconds, Diamond turned around and walked towards the wooden gate. Not another word was said on the matter.

Pippin looked down and saw Origo looking right back at him. For a second, he thought Origo was going to start barking. But Origo didn't.

Pippin took a deep breath as he closed the door.

"She'll be away for hours" he told himself.

Normally, he would have sat down to a pint and some tobacco. But they were off limits. Pippin knew that Diamond would find out anything that he had done when she had been away.

"But could she really mind if I had one little pint of ale?" Pippin asked himself.

Peregrine thought long and hard about it. He was split between getting one, which meant disobeying Diamond or not going to get one and just sitting around.

Diamond, Faramir and Origo reached Dolly's home. Origo, who's head had been ducked as the coldness blew at him. Diamond knocked on Dolly's door three times and waited.

Faramir was wrapped up warmly in his nice big blanket. But, as time wore on, Diamond started to get suspicious that Dolly was no inside her house.

"Should I check?" Diamond asked herself.

After another minute of silence, Diamond reached her hand out and opened the door. Diamond felt like something had gone wrong. But she did not know what, but she knew something was up.

The door opened slowly. Diamond peaked around the corner. The corridor showed no signs of Dolly.

"Dolly?" Diamond asked.

But there was no answered.

"Ori, come on" Diamond said, opening the door wider and walking inside.

Origo got to the threshold, but suddenly stopped. He had a bad feeling about the house he was going to enter.

"Origo, come on!" Diamond ordered.

Origo gingerly walked into the house and the door was shut. Diamond looked around. The candles seemed not to have been put out.

Diamond, slowly followed by a weary puppy, walked down to the kitchen. There was no sign of Dolly anywhere.

"She cant still be asleep?" Diamond asked herself.

Pippin sat with his eyes focused on a large, frothy pint of ale. His hand was wrapped around the handle. But the voices in his head were louder then ever.

"Don't do it, Pippin!" the voice said.

But the other grew even louder.

"What is one little pint going to do?" it asked.

But Pippin knew that one pint would turn into two, which would eventually turn into four or five.

"I cant let that happen" he told himself, blocking out the two other voices in his head.

Pippin got up and, taking the mug with him, walked over to the sink. He was just about to pour the liquid away, but something stopped him.

"Maybe his one little sip wont hurt" he said.

Pippin licked his lips and rose the goblet to his mouth. The next second, the level of ale in goblet started to lower. But not all of the ale was drunk. Pippin stopped as half of the amount was drunk and half the amount was left.

Suddenly and without warning, Pippin heard the door open down the corridor. Pippin only had seconds to react. He tipped the rest of the ale away and turned the tap on. Diamond could be heard rushing down the corridor.

Pippin turned around, the ale had now gone and it had been replaced with water.

"Oh, Pippin!" Diamond said, rushing up to him and gently throwing herself at him.

Pippin was surprised, yet curious, as to what had happened. It was then that he noticed she was crying.

"Diamond?" asked Pippin, looking down at her.

"What happened?"

It was obvious that something very bad had happened.

"Dolly" Diamond whimpered, wiping away tears from her eyes.

"I think she, I think she maybe…"

But Diamond could not bring herself to say it.

"Come on, lets get you a nice cup of tea and I'll go and check up on her"

Diamond gave a small whimper as she sat herself down. As Pippin took the kettle off of the hook and carried it over to the sink. The old water was poured away and fresh, clean water was poured inside. A minute later and the fire started to gently boil the water.

Pippin slowly sat down in his seat, his eyes fixed on Diamond.

"What did you see?" he asked.

Diamond looked down at her son.

"Dolly, I saw Dolly" Diamond answered, sniffing.

"She didn't open the door when I knocked, so I went inside"

Diamond replayed the moment that she had found Dolly.

"She was in her bed"

Pippin noticed that Diamond's eyes were fixed on a distance spot.

"Dolly?" Diamond asked as approached Dolly.

Origo remained at the bedroom door. He knew that something was up, but did not know quite what it was.

"Dolly?" Diamond asked again.

There was a sudden cold chill run down her spine.

"Please wake up" Diamond said.

A slow realisation swept over Diamond.

"Please don't" she said, her eyes filling up.

She knew that Dolly was old and on her last legs, but she did not expect her to go out this quickly. But, alas, the time must come when one would pass the silver curtain and into a realm of peace and tranquillity for the remainder of time.

Diamond sobbed as she ran out of the room. Origo, who was still looking at the bed, was almost left behind. He turned his head and saw his Diamond quickly walking away from him.

Origo gave a small whimper and ran after his Diamond. Diamond had reached the door and looked back. But she did not say a word.

Origo re-entered the coldness and stopped. Diamond did not say a word to her puppy, but walked right past him. Origo tilted his head and gave a small whimper.

"Ori, please hurry up" Diamond said.

A few minutes later, Diamond reached her home again.

Pippin took a deep breath as he looked at the table. The water in the kettle bubbled gently, letting know that it was hot enough.

"Maybe Paladin could help" Pippin said, half thinking it, half telling Diamond.

Diamond knew that Dolly had now close family in Hobbiton. But she maybe friends among the elders. Dolly had been present at most of the hobbits since she started.

Pippin looked over at the kettle and took a deep breath. A few minutes later, after getting the tea leaves out, Pippin placed the mug of strong tea before Diamond.

"Thank you" she said, sniffing.

Pippin remained standing.

"I'll have to go to Paladin, will you be alright?" he asked.

Diamond gave a small smile, a tear ran down her face. She nodded and picked up her tea as Pippin walked out of the room.

Thorin and the rest of the dwarves had reached the river. The water trickled over what looked like a man-made pass that would lead them to the other.

"Ready?" asked Thrain.

Thorin had volunteered to go first. Dis watched as her brother waded through the cold water. For an elf or human that were to cross the ford, they would have no trouble.

But Thorin did.

The water was freezing and, soon, it numbed his feet after a minute or two. Dis was more worried then anyone. She was not very sure that it was the best idea to cross.

After what seemed like a few minutes, Thorin reached the other side.

"Right" Thrain said.

Dis looked up.

"I think me and Dis should go across together" her father said.

Dis took a deep breath and grabbed her father's hand. Thorin watched as, one by one, the dwarves made their way over. Soon, all of the dwarves had managed to make their way over the ford.

Thorin took off his wet boots and placed them on the ground. His old, worn socks were also wet.

"Get a bit of rest, we'll carry on when our boots are dry enough" Thror said.

The party of dwarves were now bathed in sunlight. But the sunlight would not last long as, on the Eastern horizon, the first signs of night approached them. An orange glow started to shroud the West and a inky blackness rose from the East.

Thorin put his shoes back on. They were wet, yet less wet then they were thirty or so minutes before. Dis put her large shoes on as well. Mud was engraved into the very fabric that the boots were made of.

"Ready?" asked Thorin, standing up.

Dis gave a tired smile. She did not like the prospect of walking, but there was no other way of getting to a new place to stay.

The dwarves started to walk again. There was only an hour or two left of the day, but this did not stop them from walking.

Their journey became even harder when the sun fell under the horizon.

Diamond placed a sleeping Faramir in his cot. Lunch had been made and eaten by the growing baby. Diamond smiled as, like every time Faramir went to sleep, she looked at him.

This was when he was at his most peaceful. In fact, this was when the house was at its quietest. For the sounds, which were quiet, seemed to amplify when Faramir was a sleep.

A very gentle whimper met Diamond's ears. She took a deep breath and turned around. Standing there was her little puppy. Diamond's heart melted as she picked her little Origo up.

"How are you?" she asked.

Pippin trundled along in the coldness. But he was not alone. Paladin, who was now getting very old, was struggling to keep up with his son. Pippin looked around and saw his father walking far behind him.

Pippin took a deep breath as he waited for his father.

"It's just down here" Peregrin told Paladin.

Paladin gave a deep breath, trying not to shiver. But the coldness was too harsh. A large, yellow door came into view.

The two of them walked down towards it. Pippin took his hand out his pocket and unlatched the gate. Paladin smiled as he was let through first. A minute later, the two of them entered Dolly's home.

The two of them felt a strange vibe as the entered the house. Pippin closed the door behind them. Paladin did not take off his coat. He walked down the corridor and stopped at a door.

Pippin joined his a few seconds later.

There was a small click and the door opened. Paladin looked inside before entering. Pippin took a deep breath. Though he had been in battle where many bodies had been laying on the ground, he still was not used to the stillness of a person who had passed away. There was an unease about the room.

Pippin felt a chill as he stood there. Dolly was still lying in her bed, she looked very peaceful. Paladin wasted no time in walking up to her.

"Dolly?" he asked, making sure that she was not just asleep.

But there was no answer. Paladin took a deep breath as he gently picked up one of Dolly's hands. It was clear that Dolly's life had ended.

"What do we do now?" Pippin asked.

His voice was quiet, almost whispering.

"Well" Paladin said, gently placing Dolly's limp hand back on the bed.

"We need to sort her funeral out, do you know if she has any close family?" Paladin asked.

Pippin shrugged. He had no idea who Dolly's family were.

"I don't think she has" Pippin answered.

Paladin took a deep breath.

"Well, at least she had some good friends" he said.

Paladin remembered the births of all of his children. Pearl was the first to be born. Paladin and Eglantine were much younger then they were now.

"Excuse me dear" said a younger looking Dolly.

Paladin smiled as he watched his wife. Minutes felt like hours as Eglantine sat there.

"I think you're ready" said Dolly, smiling.

A small bag lay at her feet.

"I think you'll have to give us a moment or two"

Paladin nodded and rose from his seat. He walked over to Eglantine and kissed her on the forehead.

"I love you" he said.

Eglantine gave a painful, yet loving smile. Paladin took a deep breath and walked out. He needed to settle his nerves.

The kitchen was the best place to do that. His mind was racing, his future now laying on whether Eglantine had given birth to a boy or a girl.

The house was unusually quiet. Though the painful moans from Eglantine echoed down the corridor. Paladin headed straight for a cupboard. He gave a smile as he reached in and took his faithful mug out.

Paladin walked into the cellar. At the back, there was a barrel laying on its side. A small tap had been hammered into the wood.

Paladin placed his cup on the floor, just below the tap, and started the torrent of ale. Paladin watched as the light from the candle reflected on the golden liquid.

After a minute, the mug was full. The tap was turned off, yet a few droplets escaped. Paladin smiled as, in one hand, he carried the candle and, in the other, he carried his ale.

Paladin sat at the table and started to drink. His nerves were shaken, partly due to excitement and partly with worry.

But, as the clock struck three times, a different sound echoed up from the corridor. Paladin knew that the time had come. A smile crossed his face as he rose from his seat.

His feet slapped on the tilted floor as he walked down to the spare room. He knocked three times on the door. A few moments later, Dolly opened it.

"She's here" Dolly told hm.

Paladin wondered what that meant. But he did not question it. His smile grew as he saw his wife. She was holding a small bundle in her arms.

Eglantine had a few beads of sweat running down her face and she looked very tired.

"Hello" she whispered.

The little new born had been wrapped in a large blanket. The baby had yet to be given a name.

"It's a little girl" Eglantine said.

This was not what Paladin wanted. He wanted a boy first so that his name would carry on for generations to come. But there was plenty more chances to have one.

"Well" said Dolly, standing next to paladin.

"What is her name?" she asked.