Pippin had been frightened by the intensity of the storm, and only Legolas’s soft singing had lulled him to sleep. When he awoke, it was late morning, and everyone except for Frodo was up and about, doing different tasks.
“How do you feel?” Aragorn asked. “You slept long and well.”
“Better,” Pippin replied. “Not nearly as dizzy.” He sat up and looked around, truly alert to his environment for the first time since the crash. Puzzled, he counted the people he could see. “Aragorn, where’s Hal?”
“You speak of the pilot?”
Pippin nodded.
“I am sorry, little one,” Aragorn said quietly. “He did not survive. We buried him with honor.” He took something out of a pocket and handed it to the young hobbit. “Merry told us of your friendship with him, and thought you might like to keep this.”
Pippin clutched the golden pin tightly, tears obscuring his vision of the wings engraved with the pilot’s name – Hal Barad.
~*~
Late that afternoon, Gimli looked up from the bejeweled chess set he had retrieved from his baggage to find Merry next to him, studying the board intently.
“It is called chess,” the Dwarf said in a friendly manner. “Do you wish to learn?”
“Should we warn Gimli?” Frodo whispered to Pippin. He still felt weak and dizzy, but restless with the enforced confinement. At his request, Legolas had brought him all the maps and logbooks that could be found, and Frodo sat in the shelter, protected by the sun, studying them.
“Warn him?” Legolas asked.
“Merry has been Shire chess-champion five years running,” Pippin said with a grin.
“I see. Let us not interfere,” Legolas counseled. “Perhaps the arrogance of Dwarves will be cut down a bit this day.”
“It’s hardly fair not to---”
Frodo’s words were cut short by a sudden loud, frightening noise, coming from the jungle. Pippin grabbed his hand, and Sam was instantly at Frodo’s side.
Gandalf leaped to his feet and strode toward the sound, his staff in hand. Boromir, Merry, Gimli, and Legolas rushed to the wizard’s side, while Aragorn ran to where the luggage had been piled. Quickly locating a long, well-padded case, he withdrew a glittering sword and joined the wizard.
“A sword!” Pippin gasped. “How did they let him on the plane with such a weapon?”
“Do you see anything?” Gandalf asked Legolas.
“No,” the Elf frowned. “I sense malevolence, and evil intent... but I see nothing, nor can I discern what is there. What do you---” He suddenly gasped and staggered slightly.
“What is it?” Aragorn asked, concerned.
“Something just probed our thoughts,” Gandalf muttered. “It was very subtle and quick.”
All at once the jungle grew silent, and Legolas relaxed. “It is gone,” he murmured.
“Where did you get that?” Boromir suddenly said. He grabbed Aragorn’s hand and stared at the sword the Ranger held. “I have seen a sword such as this in portraits in Minas Tirith, and the songs say that...” His eyes narrowed in rage. “What else have you stolen, Ranger?”
“Boromir,” Gandalf said quietly, “He did not---”
“I can defend myself, Gandalf,” Aragorn said. He sheathed the sword and faced Boromir. “It is mine by right of inheritance, and came to me through my father, and his, back to Isildur himself.”
“You?” Boromir snorted in disbelief. “You do not resemble the kings of old. Where are your proofs?”
“They lie in my blood,” Aragorn replied. “I am no thief, Boromir, but neither am I a king. I am, as you say, a Ranger.” He turned and went to ensure that Frodo, Sam, and Pippin were safe. He found Pippin and Sam trying to restrain Frodo, who was trying to struggle to his feet.
“Aragorn,” Frodo said desperately, “we’re not alone. We have to get out of here. It knows I’m...” His strength suddenly gave out, and he sagged weakly, barely conscious. Aragorn caught him and lay him down gently as the others rushed over.
“Gandalf,” Sam said urgently, “Frodo’s not safe here. What can we do?”
The wizard sighed. “We have to tell everyone, Sam. It’s the only way to protect him.”
“Tell us what?” Boromir asked.
“There is someone on this island who greatly desires something that Frodo possesses,” Gandalf addressed the group. “He is in danger, and we must do what we can to keep him safe. Something is coming.”
“What could a hobbit possess that would bring such malevolence toward him?” Gimli asked.
“The crash was no accident,” Gandalf said slowly. “A dark wizard once of my order brought down the plane because he sensed that what he has long desired was aboard. He will stop at nothing to get it.” He took a deep breath. “Frodo is guardian of the One Ring, long thought lost.”
Gimli’s eyes widened, and Aragorn and Legolas looked thoughtful. The three hobbits huddled protectively around Frodo.
“A sword out of legend and the One Ring, here amongst us?” Boromir muttered. He stared at Frodo. “Show us this Ring,” he demanded.
With a great effort, Frodo sat up, trembling, holding onto Merry and Sam for support. “For seventeen years I have kept it hidden,” he said to Boromir, eyes blazing, “and hidden it will stay.”
Aragorn stepped closer, his hand on his sword hilt. “No one will take it from you, Frodo, while I draw breath.”
Boromir stood tall and gazed calmly at the Ranger. “Aragorn, you
said you are no thief,” he said, “and neither am I.” He looked
down at the injured halfling. “Forgive me, Frodo, if I frightened
you. How came you by the One Ring?”
“Gandalf, tell us what you can,” Legolas said quickly, kneeling next to Frodo. He was alarmed, as was Aragorn, by the hobbit’s pallor. “Do not exert yourself, Frodo,” the Elf murmured, laying a hand on the hobbit’s brow, still warm with fever. As before, the Elf’s touch seemed to ease him, and Frodo relaxed and leaned against Sam.
“Frodo’s cousin, Bilbo, found the Ring many years ago,” Gandalf explained simply. He looked at Gimli. “You have heard, son of Gloín, of Bilbo Baggins?”
”Of course,” Gimli said, astonished. “You are kin to the famous burglar?” he asked Frodo, who nodded. “My family’s fortunes stem in large part from your cousin’s courage and resourcefulness,” he said with a bow. “No harm will befall you while I live.”
“A ring of power must not fall into the hands of one who would wield it with evil intent,” Legolas said firmly. He rose to his feet, and moved to stand next to Gimli and Aragorn. “We will safeguard you, Frodo,” he promised.
“Frodo Baggins,” Boromir murmured. “This explains much. Aragorn, do you recall that I told you my father sees far, and sent me to search in the North for something of great value?”
“I do.”
“It was ‘Baggins’ I was sent to find.” All four hobbits looked startled. “Baggins,” Boromir continued, “in a land called Shire.” He looked thoughtfully at Frodo, then seemed to make up his mind. “I would defend weaker folk against peril no matter what the circumstance,” he declared, moving to stand with the Ranger, Elf, and Dwarf. “Gondor will not fail you, Frodo Baggins.”
“Thank you all,” Frodo said gratefully.
Pippin looked at Aragorn, then whispered something to Merry, who nodded. “Go ahead and ask him,” Merry urged.
“Ask me what, little one?” Aragorn asked with a smile.
“Your sword,” Pippin said, “why did they let you board with it? Or... are you smuggling weapons?” he asked eagerly.
Aragorn laughed at the hobbit’s bold question. “Nothing so exciting,” he replied. “I am a Ranger, Pippin. This badge...” He showed them the silver star pinned beneath a fold of his cloak. “...identifies me as someone authorized to go armed anywhere I travel. I was guarding some very valuable cargo.”
“What, sir?” Sam asked.
“It no longer matters,” Aragorn sighed. “It was not among the baggage or salvaged goods. When the plane broke apart, it was no doubt lost in the Sea.” He looked down at Frodo with concern. “I am going to make you some tea for pain, Frodo. Will you take it?”
Frodo exchanged a look with Sam, who nodded.
Aragorn laughed. “I am thankful you approve of me, Sam.”
“Sam can sense a person’s quality,” Frodo explained. “I have never seen it fail.”
“Gandalf,” Aragorn said thoughtfully, “if this island was once part of the drowned lands of the Sea Kings, there may be a very special plant growing here that I can use. It would aid Frodo a great deal.”
“Let us explore this jungle together, Aragorn,” Legolas said. “While you search for your plant, the trees may be able to tell me things about the disturbance we heard -- and felt -- that they would not tell another.”
“Talk to your plants,” Gimli snorted, “for all the good it will do. I need to make myself a sturdy axe, and discover what game is to be found. And perhaps I can fashion other weapons...” He stalked off, muttering, leaving a surprised Company in his wake.
“I think those are the first words he’s spoken to you, Legolas,” Sam observed.
“I never met a Dwarf before,” Pippin added. “He’s nice, isn’t he, Legolas?”
Legolas sighed. The Dwarf was indeed proving distressingly difficult to hate.
“Gandalf,” Merry said suddenly, “our food won’t last. I’m going to take Pip and do some fishing.”
“Stay close to the shore,” Aragorn advised them. “The surf can be treacherous.”
~*~
“I haven’t fished in years,” Pippin said, frowning in concentration. He suddenly thrust his long, sharpened stick into the surf, and held it up, triumphant. A large fish wriggled at the end of his makeshift spear.
“You always were better at fishing than I was,” Merry laughed. “I remember the time... that time when…”
“Which time?” Pippin asked. He quickly made his way to where Merry was staring straight down into the water. “What is it? What do you see?”
“It’s so beautiful,” Merry said, his voice distant. He flung himself into the water and disappeared, then emerged holding something in both hands.
“Oh!” Pippin gasped. “Do you suppose this is what Aragorn was looking for?”
”It’s mine,” Merry whispered, clutching the strange object. “I found it.” He gazed deeply into the gently pulsating globe, and went very still.
“Merry?” Pippin asked anxiously. “What are you looking at?”
“Meriadoc Brandybuck!” Gandalf’s voice boomed out as the wizard hurried up to them. “Give that here, my lad.”
Merry reluctantly handed the globe to the wizard, who hastily covered it with a cloth and walked away.
“Come on, Merry,” Pippin said. “I’ll bet I can catch more fish than you.”
“I’ll be right with you,” Merry said absently. He found himself watching closely as the wizard hurried up the beach and handed the globe to Aragorn. “I just want to see where they put it.”
“What’s the difference?” Pippin asked impatiently.
Merry suddenly shook off the fog in which his mind had been wrapped, and realized that he was soaking wet. He shook his head so that the water in his curls flew all over Pippin. “What are you just standing there for, you silly Took?” he grinned. “We have fish to catch.”
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