At Breakfast

The sweet sound of a high, clear voice lifted in song reaches him on the breeze, and Frodo looks up and smiles, for Pippin is a picture of innocence this morning, untroubled by what they have seen. Yet it hurts Frodo too, to think it, because this moment is doomed to fade and he fears what lies ahead.

Torn between loving and protecting, he knows in his heart that he will lose his young cousin whatever the outcome of his choice, and he longs to hold him close and never let go. But he will let go. He has to.