Disclaimer: I don’t own anything. I am just borrowing the characters and situations from Tolkien and New Line Cinema for my own enjoyment and for the entertainment of others.

He stared up at the sky and wondered why things couldn’t be different. ‘Why was Gandalf gone? Why did he have to drop the stone into that well,’ he thought as tears started to silently run down his face.

He was so caught up in his own misery that he didn’t hear someone approaching. He was startled by an arm being placed around him and a kiss in his curls. He turned expecting Merry, but was surprised to see Frodo. ‘Frodo. Fordo who had his own worries, who carried the worst burden of all, who should be resting instead of here with him,’ he thought causing more tears to fall. ‘He was just causing more trouble for Frodo. He should have stayed home like Elrond had suggested; he was useless here.’

Frodo looked upon his youngest cousin and as always knew exactly what was going on. He drew his cousin close and simply said, “It was no fault of yours, do not blame yourself for his passing. For good or worse it was fated that we part from him in Moria.” He caught Pippin’s chin, lifting it from where it had burrowed in his drawn up knees and made eye contact before continuing. “And don’t think your useless and a burden. I’m glad you came with us, Pip. Your lightheartedness makes the burden easier to bear.”

At that Pippin crushed Frodo to him, forgetting all his own troubles. “I love you Frodo! I’m so sorry you have to carry it.”

Frodo hugged his cousin back just as hard “I love you too, Pip. But this is fated as well. Only time will tell how it will all end,” he finished softly. “Come, let’s get back to bed.”

And after Frodo had fallen asleep, Pippin silently cried again. Only this time it wasn’t for himself, or even for Gandalf, but for Frodo who had been resigned to his faith, for dear Frodo who the ring was killing a little more every day.