Diamond of Long Cleeve

            “The drink of the elves?  Well  yes,  you  can say that, I              think we’ve began to drink it because of them. Though,              they  surely  are  wine drinkers, you see, and their own              wine  is  far  stronger  than  the  one  we  usually drink!”

        And as she said she wanted to see an elf one day, and mentioned         they are beautiful,  he  could  not  help  but  laugh softly, and nod in         agreement.  He  had  met  quite  a  lot  of  elves  now, and still they         amazed him. Truly they were beautiful,  but  in a magical way, as if         he would get ensnared by their beautiful if he would stare too long         at them — and he would not let that happen.  It  wasn’t  the  kind  of         beautiful that would make his heart leap, though — but maybe that         was  simply  because  his  ’beautiful’  was  different from the elves.

            “Indeed  they  are  beautiful!  But  it’s  a  kind  of  beautiful in              a  magical  way…  you  know…  it  feels  somewhat…  weird.              I  like  your  kind  of  beautiful   more   than   theirs,   though,              just  as  I  like  the  beauty  of  the  Shire  above  the  beauty              of their lands. But I’m quite sure one day you’ll meet an elf!”

        He blinked,  though, once she nudged him, and he turned his gaze         towards  the  happily  married  couple. Indeed they looked happy —         and it had been a while since he had seen a smile as great as this         one on the features of Sam.  Long  has  their  quest  been,  and  he         truly  deserved  to  be happy now, just like Frodo, and Merry, and all         their  companions  which  they   shared   their   journey   with  really.

"My kind of beautiful?"

All thoughts of elves and wine and distant lands disappeared as she shot a glance up to her counterpart, blinking with surprise. Cheeks flushed for a brief moment, eyes averting to the dancefloor and back again.

"I think you must have had far too much ale."

Shooting a brief grin, she caught Rosie's eyes across the dancefloor, offering a wave. Leaning closer to Pippin, she lowered her voice slightly.

"I've known Rosie since we were children. She'd been waiting for a proposal from Sam for a while before he went away. You should have seen her when she heard of your.. journey."

She groaned from the fall, winded somewhat from the fall, and looked up with dirt and leaves in her face. “Hello…”

"Who are you?"

Then, after a moment, she remembered her manners.

"Are you alright?"

        Indeed  he had Merry, as he always had him, and always            would  have  him.  Merry  was simply someone he couldn’t            live without, and his journey had proven that as well, for his            thought  were  always with him, even when they were apart.            And  that  was  why  they were living together now, because            they  knew  that  they belonged together, for their friendship            was  far  greater  than  any  kind  of  friendship  he had ever            experienced,        or        heard        about       from       others.

                    “Ah yes, that is indeed so! I have you as well                      besides having Merry around! And there are                      many  more  that  would  be  around  me, if I                       could   lift   my  eyes  from  the  both  of  you!”

           Because  it  was  true  also  that  he  had  Diamond, and she            had become a great friend now —  or maybe he even thought            of her as more than just a friend.  She  would  laugh with him,            and  listen  to  his  stories even though they weren’t about his            adventures at all. But most of all, she would take him for who            he is, and who he was, without all that he had done while he            was away. She liked him for being himself, which he greatly            enjoyed,    as    it    wasn’t    something    most     others    did.

Thinking hard, the Hobbit gnawed on her lower lip, dark eyes resting on the cotton clouds above them.

"I don't suppose we'll need too much. We have each other, after all. We can figure out any troubles along the way."

Although hopefully troubles wouldn't come seeking them out. That would be all they needed. Still, it didn't do well to dwell on negativities. Instead, Diamond only smiled, her imagination carrying her away.

"Perhaps it shall be a great tale that is put into story books. Or told to future generations for many years to come. I shall tell my children of all my adventures, without a doubt."

I still don’t know what you are all doing here and why so many of you are following me, like… what is happening. I feel so grateful for all your love and friendship and kind words, really. I’ve had so much fun on this account and each day it makes me even more glad that I’ve made it. But just… it’s all thanks to you guys that it’s so much fun, really!! You guys make me feel so welcome and loved, that I just… I’ve never felt so at ‘home’ in any RP community before as I feel here. Thank you so much for that. All of you.

Now, I’m probably going to forget like 50 of you, so I’m sorry if I do forget you… just know that I love you, okay? All of you, new or old.

The gf who doesn’t like LOTR sugiis - I love you Natasha, even though you don’t like LOTR <3

The soulmate ofbrandybuck - Even though we don’t have as many threads as we’ve had before, I still love you, Orsi. Let’s have a Hobbit party soon again!

The Fellowship thaneuerebor - diamondxlongcleeve - tallxfairxbold - cleverindeed - greyistari - ofalionsheart - braveism - dualwielded - adunada - reubalach - viridiiscu - silvxnelf - azaghin - soldixroflove - enethestel - edhelernil - grishildr

If she didn’t give him a better answer soon—

"BAGGINSES!"  he cried yet again, all too sure the hobbit was lying, his face and his grip unyielding. Gollum could almost smell the falseness on her, underneath the smell of grass and earth and other things that once were sweet. Bitterness stirred in his heart, reminding him not to think of such things now.

He need only think of the precious, his precious…

It was both a comfort and a torment, his hands snaking up to the hobbit’s throat, pressing down on it again and again.

The only explanation that she could piece together was that Bilbo or Frodo had met him before. After all, what else could Bagginses mean? He was after one of the two, and she wouldn't let it happen. She couldn't allow this creature to hurt either of them.

"Bilbo has left!"

Tears of frustration and fear rolled down her cheeks as she blurted out those words. She wouldn't mention Frodo, who still resided in Bag End. She'd protect him with all she had.

"He doesn't live in the Shire anymore. You're.. You're too late."

           ”Oh  it doesn’t matter how long it had been since the             last time you’ve danced — you’re still a good dancer…             or  maybe  it  makes you an even better dancer, then!             But yes of course they’ve got wine here,  I’ll  get  you a             glass        straight        away,        just        you        wait!” 

        And  as she said he was  a  gentleman,  he  simply  smiled  at         her —  though  it  wasn’t  a  cheeky smile as he would normally         show  anyone  after  getting  a  compliment  or  something like         that — no, it was  a  sweet  smile,  a  heartfelt  one,  and  it  was         warm. It actually froze him on the spot for a few more seconds,         just  to  look  at  her  smile,  before  he walked off to get her the         drink    she    wanted,    and   to   get   himself   a   mug   of   ale.

        So  he  returned  with  the  mug  of ale and the glass of wine, and         carefully handed her the glass, bowing to her and laughing softly.

As Pippin returned, the girl's eyes lit up, her grin brightening as she took the glass from him and sipped it. It truly was good, better than any she'd had in the past. Sam and Rosie truly did have the best.

"Thank you, its lovely! I've heard that wine is the drink of the elves, isn't it?"

With a pause, she glanced up at her companion, eyes shining at the mention. She knew that Sam was interested in elvish culture, so perhaps that was the reason.

"I should like to meet an elf one day. I've heard that they are beautiful."

The bride and groom were dancing on the dancefloor, an unheard conversation between them as they laughed and jested. Diamond couldn't help her smile at the sight, nudging Pippin so that he could see too.

            “Oh  yes,  indeed,  you’re  right!  I can do whatever I want,              and whenever I want!  But  though  I  may  be  able  to  do              so, that won’t do good at all if I don’t  have  anyone  to  do              it with, really! Being alone is no fun at all, I would tell you!”

        And  it  was  good  he was never really alone anymore. He         lived with Merry,  though  of course both of them went their         own  ways — and  he  would often visit the Tooks when he         had the time. But also, he would visit Diamond, when she         would like and he had the time,  and  he  would talk to her,         or go for a walk  with  her,  before  taking  his  leave  again.

        He let  out a soft hum as he thought of when the right time         would be to leave. If they wanted to stay in the woods, and         travel  all  the  way  through the Shire, they would better be         leaving soon — but not too soon,  if they wanted to see the         snow fall as well.  And  so  he  turned  to her, as he spoke.

For they were friends now, weren't they? Good friends. Diamond knew that she would do anything for Pippin if he asked it, no matter what it was. She was only thankful that he'd so far only asked her for a walk.

At the mention of travelling in two weeks time, the younger Hobbit nodded in agreement, a bubble of excitement ready to burst. Oh, how she longed for it to be today! Yet she knew that he was right. They had planning to do first, and she was well aware that she couldn't just up and leave without telling anybody about it first.

"Yes, two weeks! I can make us some food for the journey, and we'll need blankets too for when it gets cold. What else shall we need?"

"[Hobbits] dressed in bright colours, being notably fond of yellow and green […] Their faces were as a rule good-natured rather than beautiful, broad, bright-eyed, red-cheeked, with mouths apt to laughter, and to eating and drinking. And laugh they did, and eat, and drink, often and heartily, being fond of simple jests at all times, and of six meals a day (when they could get them). They were hospitable and delighted in parties, and in presents, which they gave away freely and eagerly accepted." Lord of the Rings - Prologue, JRR Tolkien

             ”Oh  I  was  only joking really! I think I do  not               want to leave the Shire any day soon as well,               though,  as  I’ve   really   missed   the   place!”

         And indeed he had. Though he enjoyed seeing other lands,          and see the mountains,  Fangorn,  Rohan  and Minas Tirith,          there  was  no  place  like  home — no place like the Shire. It          seemed  that  this  was the only place that truly warmed and          pleased his heart. But of  course,  that  was  also  thanks  to          the  family  and  friends  that he had around him in the Shire.

         He let out a  soft  laugh  once  she  mentioned  her  plans,  and          he nodded quickly.  Of  course  he  would  join her in the Green          Dragon  after  their  little  ’adventure’,  as  he always loved to go          there — whether  he  had  something  to celebrate or not. But to          think that it would be more exciting than Old Bilbo’s adventure?          He was not sure,  but it would at least be as fun as it was,  and          maybe    even    as    fun   as   his   own   adventure   had   been.

Leaning back, Diamond stretched out on the grass, hands resting behind her head. Closing her eyes for a few moments, she imagined the snow of Long Cleeve, the way that the flakes covered her home in a blanket. It didn't seem to ever happen anywhere else except the North, causing many of the Hobbits to visit the Northfarthing at the time.

Yet, with the sun beating down on them, it was hard to imagine the chill of such weather.

"Whenever you wish to," she replied, her voice drifting away. Her eyes opened then, a small smile gracing her features as she tilted her head slightly in his direction. "You lead, and I'll follow."

         When  the  song had come to an end, and with that the             dance as well,  he still held her,  and laughed as he had             truly enjoyed himself.  And  she  had done so as well, or             so  he  assumed  by  her  laughter.  As she pressed her             head against  his  shoulder  for  a  moment,  he  smiled,             lightly pressing his cheek against her hair. He hummed             quietly  for  a  little  while,  until  a  soft giggle passed his               lips    again,    and    he    cleared    his    throat  to speak.

                    “Indeed it was fun! You’re a good dancer,  you know!                      But now it seems that you need to rest  a  little,  and                      maybe sitting down would do you good. And as you                      do  so,   would   you  like  me  to  grab  you  a  drink?”

Walking in step with him, Diamond felt like perhaps sitting down would be the best option. Although dancing had been a lot of fun, she felt as though her head was spinning, giddiness creeping up on her.

Setting herself down, she sent a soft smile to him, grateful for his offer of a drink.

"Thank you, Pippin! They have wine here, don't they? Would it be okay if I could have a glass of that?"

She blinked at him then, dark eyes pleading innocently. It was the method she used on her parents, always to get her own way. Being the middle child, it had seemed to work at getting their attention. She only hoped that he wouldn't think her lazy, although he had offered to get it himself.

"You're quite the gentleman."

          He  blinked  at  her  as  she  moved,  and  for  a moment it               was   as   if   he  was  looking  at  a  female  version  of  his               younger   self.    Indeed   he   had   wanted   to   go   on   an               adventure  of  his  own  when  he  was younger, especially               after  hearing  Bilbo’s  stories.   Then   he  had  gotten  into               his  own  kind  of adventures, as he would planning some               mischief with Merry, until he actually went on an adventure,               one that he  would never be able to wipe from his memory.

              Yet the excitement made him grin, and he was quite in the               mood for an ‘adventure’ himself as well. He had somehow               missed  sleeping  under  the  sky, or not sleeping at all, so               going on  an  adventure  with  Diamond  would  be  perfect!               Especially   because    she    would    be    great    company.

For it was true, Diamond had never known true danger in all her years in the Shire. The lack of conflict in her life was akin to that of any Hobbit. The adventure she had planned in her head consisted far more of campfires and starry nights and running through the woods than danger or fear.

She was just an ordinary Hobbit lass, after all. The closest she'd come to a real adventure was hearing Bilbo's story as a child, and her mind would not even comprehend the danger that Pippin had put himself into.

No, this journey would be a much happier one.

Relaxing, she let go of his hand, settling back down beside him as she gazed up at blue skies and cotton clouds. Taking a bite out of her honey cake, she pondered their plans for a few moments.

"And after we've explored every inch of the Shire, we can go to the Green Dragon, and drink and toast and dance, and tell our story to everybody! It shall be even more exciting than Bilbo's, I promise you."

          Blinking  as  he  felt  the  sudden  movement  of  her,  he               carefully touched the flower behind his  ear,  and  laughed               once  he  noticed  she  stuck  it  there.  In  the  past he had               gotten used to it, as his sisters used to do it as well. They               would make him flower crowns,  or  simply put the flowers               in his curls —  and he would dislike it enough to get angry               at them.  But  now,  he  didn’t  mind at all — in fact, he liked               the gentle though  mischievous affection she showed him.

                     ”I  can’t  say that’s a lie, to be  honest!  But  one  really                       shouldn’t   care   much   about   what    others    think,                       because that will only limit you in every step you take.”

              It’s what his father had told him when he was young, and               rather shy.  Though he could still often show his shy side,               he had gotten far more open than he had ever thought he               would  be,  and  mischievous  as  well — and he still was,               though     he     had     grown     a     lot     older     by     now. 

Sitting forward, the girl kneeled in front of him, clasping at the Hobbit's hand in her haste.

"We can make campfires to keep warm, and sleep under the stars at night! And we can bring lots of food to keep us going. Oh, can we? It's all I've ever wanted!"

She may have been almost a woman grown, yet there was a childlike glint in the girl's eyes as she spoke, getting carried away in her words.

"We can get completely lost for a little while."

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