"Happy 90th birthday!" cried my dearest friends. Yes, today I was turning ninety years old. It has been three years since the War of the Ring, but I couldn't help but feel sad. Everyone was here, except Boromir who fell near Parth Galen, Haldir who fell at Helm's Deep and Théoden who fell at Battle of the Pelennor Fields. I missed them dearly, for they were good men, and elf, and friends, but there was one person who I wished was here as well. He didn't die, he just went away.
Peter. I only knew him for less than a day, but I could tell he had the markings of a great king and warrior. I wished he could've stayed, met my wife and friends, but he said his task was done and that he had to leave. The one thing that kept me from mourning his absence, were his words to me.
(Flashback)
'Will I ever see you again?' I asked him when he was leaving. 'I'd love for you to meet my wife and friends.'
'Perhaps one day, friend,' he said.
(Flashback ends)
For two years I waited, and waited, for my friend to return. Today wasn't any different. After we met, I walked in the garden every day at the same time he appeared, hoping he would appear like he did two years ago. I was brought back from my thoughts when I felt somebody place their hand on my shoulder. I started a bit and turned, only to see Arwen behind me.
"Make a wish," she said in her angelic voice. I looked in from of me and saw a cake in front of me.
"Come on Strider," said Pippin. "We're hungry."
I laughed along with the rest when Merry hit him on the shoulder. I see some things never change. The Hobbits came all the way from the Shire to visit me. Sam even brought his lovely wife, Rosie, with him. All our friends the friends we made during the War of the Ring were here. Eomer, Eowyn, Faramir, Lord Elrond, even Elladan and Elrohir were here.
"Be polite, Pip," said Merry.
"It is quite all right," I said. "I was just lost in thought."
"What were you thinking of?" asked Sam.
"An old friend," I said. I told them all about Peter, but I don't know if they believed me. Gandalf seems to be the only one that truly believed me.
"Is it that boy you met in the garden?" said Gimli.
"He wasn't a boy," I said. "He was a king and a warrior."
"Can we continue this later?" asked Eowyn. "Sam and I sent a lot of time baking this cake."
I really hope they didn't see me shudder. Eowyn was a fine warrior and a good friend, but she was a horrible cook. At least I knew that Sam helped her which meant he could've saved the cake. I looked at the cake and blew out the candles. I wish for my friend, Peter, to be able to celebrate this day with me. Then I heard Eowyn, Rosie and Arwen gasp while the others let out yelps. I looked up and saw the ladies and Hobbits standing in front of their seats while the others had their weapons drawn. Gandalf and Lord Elrond were the only ones seated, but even they seemed startled. I looked at what they were all looking at, and what I saw astonished me.
Sitting at the other end of the table were two boys and one girl. The girl and youngest boy had dark hair and kind brown eyes. The oldest boy had golden hair and warm blue eyes.
Peter.