(Written for the October 2013 LOTR GFIC "Lost and Found" Challenge)

Author: Dreamflower
Title: Cast Away
Rating: G
Theme: Lost and Found
Elements: My element was the emotion "regret".
Author's Notes: This double drabble takes place in The Two Towers The first part is set in the "Treebeard" chapter, when Merry and Pippin spend the night at the Ent's home in Fangorn; the second part is set immediately after the end of "Flotsam and Jetsam" and before "The Voice of Saruman".
Summary: Pippin regrets a foolish action, only to learn it's not so foolish after all.
Word Count:200

Safe and warm in their green herb-scented nest in Wellinghall, Merry was about to drop off to sleep when he heard Pippin heave a sigh.

"What's wrong, Pip?"

"I was missing my brooch, the one the Lady gave me when we left Lothlorien." He clutched at the neck of his cloak.

"I'd been meaning to ask about it, Pip; did the Orcs steal it?"

"No. I was just a fool of a Took. I threw it away on the march, a clue for Strider if he was looking for us. Just a stupid thing to do, and I regret it."

Merry and Pippin were gathering up the remains of their picnic with their newly reunited friends. Pippin paused to grin at the brooch in his hand; he'd never expected to ever see it again, and he couldn't believe it had come back to him. He polished it on his sleeve and fastened it back at the neck of his cloak. He grinned. "I won't have to keep holding my cloak on now!"

"Good old Strider!" said Merry. "You were right about Aragorn following us!"

Pippin nodded. "I was, wasn't I?"

"Not so foolish now?"

"I don't regret it after all."