The sun shone brightly in a pale blue sky mottled with wispy clouds. It was unusually warm for the time of year, but none amongst the Fellowship complained, for it made their day's journey far more pleasant. Indeed, most had loosened the cloaks about their shoulders, and all but the Ringbearer, who was now almost constantly exhausted by the sheer weight of his burden, found it gave them new strength, at least for this day.

It came as a surprise to Legolas then that there was one who did not seem to have taken note of the change in weather. True, Pippin was more cheerful than most, although that seemed to be the case most of the time. It was also true that he too had loosened his cloak, following his elder's examples. It was the continued presence of the simple grey woollen scarf gracing Pippin's neck that was the reason behind Legolas's surprise. It was still wrapped tightly around his throat despite the warm sunshine, something that Legolas found very odd to say the least. Being an elf, the temperature did not affect him as much as it did his companions, but he still had the sense to know that there was something not quite right about his young companion's choice of accessory.

He watched the hobbits carefully as they sat down to eat during one of their brief periods of rest. None seemed overly concerned by their friend's strange attire; in fact they didn't even seem to notice it, even after all had removed their cloaks to sit on, and Pippin's scarf became the only evidence of even the slightest trace of a chill in the air.

The young hobbit began to fiddle absentmindedly with the tasselled ends of his scarf, as was his habit, and for a brief moment his face seemed clouded with grey thought.

Perhaps it is a small part of the home he misses and he keeps it close for comfort, Legolas thought. He was so consumed by his musings that he failed to notice when Pippin caught his gaze and began to smile, all hint of sadness forgotten.

"Legolas? Are you alright?"

His face crumpled in to a worried frown that was gone in an instant when he heard Sam's response.

"Maybe he's asleep Mr Pippin, I've heard tell from Mr Strider that elves sleep that way, with their eyes open like that."

Pippin's face lit up as he began to giggle uncontrollably.

"Don't be silly Sam," he gasped "there's no way anyone could sleep like that, not even an elf."

Sam's cheeks flushed rosy pink and he turned away from his friends, feeling highly embarrassed and making Pippin laugh all the more.

"I wouldn't be so quick to laugh, Master Peregrin, for your friend is right, we do sleep in that fashion."

Legolas smiled gently at Sam, who turned an even deeper shade of pink before smiling nervously back at Legolas.

"Begging your pardon sir, but I thought perhaps you might have been resting."

"No, Master Samwise, I was merely thinking."

"What about Legolas?" Pippin asked curiously. The others all turned to him, mouths agape in shock at his boldness. Merry recovered first, speaking to his cousin with an unnecessarily sharp tongue.

"Pippin, it has nothing to do with you what Legolas was thinking! He is entitled to his privacy just like the rest of us. I think you owe him an apology, and Sam too while you're at it."

Pippin turned to face Sam first.

"Sorry Sam, I shouldn't have laughed at you."

"That's quite alright Mr Pippin."

"Sorry Legolas," Pippin said rather sulkily, glaring at Merry even though he knew his cousin was right, like always, "your thoughts are your own. I had no right to pry."

When don't you pry Pip? Merry thought to himself.

"There's no need to apologise little one, in fact I had a question for you myself."

It was then that he noticed Aragorn get up and look towards them meaningfully, clearly wishing for them to be on their way again.

"But it seems I shall have to wait for my answer. Come now, it appears we are on the move once more."

He strode off to join Aragorn, Boromir and Gimli, leaving in his wake four highly confused hobbits.

"I wonder what it is that Legolas wants to ask you Pip" Merry said thoughtfully.

"Now who's prying Merry?" He smiled sweetly at his cousin, the picture of innocence, expression freezing when he felt the handful of mud Merry promptly threw at him trickling slowly down his back.

I'll get you for that, Meriadoc Brandybuck, just you wait!

He stomped off, trying in vain to catch up with Legolas, only to return slightly shamefaced just a few minutes later, quickly falling in to step with his cousins.

"I decided perhaps you are in greater need of my company right now, they seem to be coping just fine. You three, on the other hand, are in serious need of a Took right now. No ounce of sense between you without me here!"

He grinned foolishly, happy that he had got away with his cover story. Merry and Sam had to stuff a hand in their mouths to keep from laughing out loud, and even Frodo had to cover a weak laugh by lapsing in to a violent coughing fit that left Sam momentarily concerned.

"Are you alright Mr Frodo? I thought you were looking a bit peaky earlier, would you like some water or something?"

"No I'm quite alright Sam," Frodo said, straightening up immediately, "I think it's passed now, I suddenly feel a whole lot better."

For a moment the old childish twinkle reappeared in his startling blue eyes, but then it was gone again, smothered by exhaustion. Sam was right; he did look peaky, but it seemed that his strength was the price he must pay for his burden.

It was long day for them all. Aragorn did not call for a rest again until just before nightfall and the hobbits were almost asleep on their feet by the time they stopped to make camp a few hours later. Two of the company were needed to keep watch however, and it was Merry who was chosen for duty, alongside Legolas, to whom sleep had become a redundant function anyway. They sat beside the small fire that Aragorn had allowed them to light, Merry yawning loudly whilst Legolas sat serenely gazing in to the flickering flames. Merry was just beginning to wonder if his companion had fallen asleep when Legolas began to talk, still not tearing his gaze away from the bright orange glow of the fire.

"Your cousin, Pippin, he is considered young amongst your people, is he not?"

"He is not an adult just yet if that's what you mean. He is what we call a tweenager; not old enough to be an adult but no longer considered a child. He comes of age in about five year's time."

"Well then perhaps we should not be so hard on him when he is curious; that is the job of the young, to ask questions."

"It is also the job of a Took to ask questions, for that is where his curiosity stems from. It is not age that is at fault; it is his bloodline. Tooks are naturally inquisitive, some may say nosey, and they have a need for adventure which is considered unnatural amongst most other hobbit families."

"I do not believe that curiosity is a fault, Merry; indeed, in most cases I believe it is something we must encourage. Pippin is not the only one to have been struck by curiosity during our journey; at some time or another we have all felt the urge to ask questions, both of ourselves and of others. I myself have a question that I would like to ask, concerning Pippin in fact, but since he is sleeping and you are not, then perhaps you can give me the answer I seek."

"I will try my best, although I don't know how much help I can be to you. What is it that you want to know?"

The elf became quiet once more, as though considering how best to word his question. After a few moments pause he looked up at Merry, face glowing softly in the firelight.

"I was watching him today, and there was something about him that seemed rather odd to me, although it did not seem to bother you or your companions."

Legolas fell silentagain. Merry began to feel rather agitated; he thought he knew his cousin inside out but it seemed that Legolas had become alert to something he considered rather serious, and without knowing what it was, Merry did not know if it was something he too should begin to worry about. He wished Legolas would just speak his mind.

"Did you not feel the sun grace her with your warmth today?"

Now is not the time for strange questions, Legolas. What is wrong with Pippin?

There was no way he could be so rude as that, although it was exactly what he felt like saying, so instead he decided to humour the elf in the hope that he may be able to get some answers that way.

"Yes, it was really quite warm today considering the time of year. Begging your pardon, Legolas, but what does the weather have to do with Pippin exactly?"

"I was wondering why it is that despite the warm weather Pippin still chose to wear his scarf. I found it rather odd, and I was wondering if you could tell me the reason. It has puzzled me greatly these past few hours."

Merry could have laughed out loud in relief, but given the serious look on Legolas's face, he decided that perhaps an answer would be a better idea.

"There is a story behind it Legolas, if you would like to hear it. I will try my best to keep it brief, but I'm afraid hobbits are known for the length of their stories. The simplest tale can be turned in to an epic if the teller has the mind for it."

"Well we have at least a couple of hours to spare my friend, so by all means go ahead with your tale, for I would very much like to hear it."

"Well it began when Pippin was around nine years of age…."

It had been a bitter winter, the coldest in many years of Shire records. Esmerelda had ordered the children to remain indoors for the past few days, worried that they would catch a chill if they were to venture outside whilst the air remained so cold. Merry and Pippin grew restless; they were not ones to be cooped up indoors, wishing instead that they could go out and play in the snow that covered the ground around the Hall. Merry's parents ignored their pleas to be let outside; they knew their young nephew in particular was very susceptible to illness, and while he was in their care they were determined that he would remain healthy. But fate had decided otherwise...

Merry flopped down heavily on his bed, feeling utterly frustrated at his imprisonment within the confines of the Hall. He wished for nothing more than to go outside and play in the snow like all the other hobbit children, but there was no way on Arda that he could convince his mother that it would be a good idea, especially whilst Pippin was staying.

He had tried his best earlier that day, but his mother had made her feelings on the matter quite clear to him.

"You know how poorly your cousin was last year when the cold weather arrived. He was in bed for weeks! There is no way that I will let you two out whilst the weather remains this bad, so I'm afraid that you will just have to find some way to keep busy indoors until it warms up outside."

"But Mama, why can't I go outside by myself? I won't get ill, I promise."

"You know that wouldn't be fair on your cousin. You are not to go out Meriadoc Brandybuck, and that is my final word on the matter."

Esmeralda Brandybuck stood before her son with hands on her hips, looking at him sternly as though daring him to argue with her authority. Unfortunately for him, Merry had never been one to refuse a dare.

"But mama-"

She fixed him with a fierce glare, deciding that enough was enough.

"No buts Merry!" she shouted "off you go now, and I don't want to hear any more arguments from you. And don't think about asking your father either, you'll get the same answer from him."

With that, she had bustled off down to the kitchens, leaving Merry alone. He walked miserably down the corridor that led to his room, resentment against his younger cousin bubbling inside him. He loved Pippin dearly, but he seemed to have a habit of spoiling Merry's fun, even if he did not always intend to. He had almost lost count of the amount of times he had been made to keep an eye on his cousin when he could have been out with his friends instead, and Pippin could be rather annoying sometimes, with his constant stream of nonsensical questions and childish requests.

There was a swift knock at the door, followed by a soft thump as Pippin landed heavily on the bed beside Merry, smiling happily. Merry scowled at him; he really wasn't in the mood to keep his cousin entertained, he would much rather be alone.

"Would you like to read me a story, Merry? I would love to hear a story about dragons, like the one that Bilbo told us. Do you think he was being serious when he said it was real?"

"I don't know Pippin."

Merry rolled over on to his side with his back to Pippin, hoping that his cousin may get the idea that perhaps he would like some time alone. But understanding subtlety was not one of the nine year old's strong points, so instead of leaving Merry in peace he began to tap Merry on the shoulder in the hope that he would turn over and talk to him again.

"Merry?"

Merry was getting very annoyed by now. He just wanted to be left alone!

"Merry?" Pippin said, louder this time.

That was it. Merry turned over and glared fiercely at his cousin. Then he began to shout.

"Why don't you just leave me alone Pippin! I don't want to play with you, I don't want to read you a story, all I want is to go outside in the snow, but I can't because Mama says it's not fair on you! So I just want you to go away, I want some time to myself for a while, alright?"

Pippin stared at Merry, eyes wide, utterly bewildered by his outburst. He then clambered slowly off the bed, wiping tears from his eyes, and ran out of the room, leaving Merry alone at last.

At first he had enjoyed the peace and quiet that came with the absence of his cousin. Then the guilt caused by his harsh words began to gnaw at his insides, making Merry feel very bad indeed. After all, Pippin had really done nothing wrong; it wasn't his fault that he was prone to becoming ill, and he hadn't intended to annoy Merry. No, Pippin hadn't done anything wrong at all. Merry would have to apologise later, but he guessed that right now Pippin was probably helping his Mama in the warm kitchen, sampling the food she had on offer to make sure it suited his tastes, as he was wont to do. He was probably far too distracted with that to be upset with Merry, so Merry thought it would be alright to wait until the evening before he sought him out to say sorry.

How wrong he was...

The little hobbit cut a rather pathetic figure as he stumbled clumsily across the frozen fields that surrounded his cousin's home, shivering violently without cloak or scarf to keep himself warm. He hadn't thought about those things in his hurry to leave the Hall, but now that he could feel the bitter wind tore at his freezing body, he was beginning to sorely regret his haste.

The first rumblings of his empty stomach brought to his attention yet another problem that the child was not equipped to deal with. He had forgotten to bring anything to eat as well. Today really wasn't looking to be a good day for him.

After almost falling to the ground for what seemed to be the hundredth time in the past half an hour, Pippin decided that perhaps it would be a good idea for him to rest a while, just until he decided what it was he was going to do next. He swept the snow away from a small patch of grass and carefully sat down on the cold ground. A tune wove its way in to his mind, a song he had been taught by Bilbo the previous summer when he and his family had paid a visit to Bag End. A small smile crept across his gentle face as he began to sing softly.

"Upon the hearth the fire is red,

Beneath the roof there is a bed;

But not yet weary are our feet,

Still round the corner we may meet

A sudden tree or standing stone

That none have seen but we alone.

Tree and flower and leaf and grass,

Let them pass! Let them pass!

Hill and water under sky,

Pass them by! Pass them by!"

Just for a moment, as he sang that final note, a feeling of warmth spread throughout his entire body. He closed his mouth again and it was gone, snuffed out, to be replaced by the icy cold once more. He felt sad and tired now too; disregarding the snow around him, he curled up in to a tight ball and let his mind drift away, sleep soon coming to claim him.

A/N: This was a plot bunny that had been nagging at me for the last couple of weeks,so I have finally sat down and began to write! I would love to know what you think of it, so if you have any comments, questions or suggestions, leave me a review and I will get back to you as soon as I possibly can.

I hope that I have not made any major mistakes, but please do let me know if there are things that I need to change. If you find any minor oddities, then please put them down to me using creative license

The song that Pippin sings at the end of the chapter is a verse from Bilbo's walking song that is sung during the chapter "Three is Company" in the Fellowship of the Ring.

I hope to have the next chapter up within the next few days, so until then...

SmileyHalo