The Road Goes Ever On (Adopted By Frodo Baggins:Book 4)

They Found Us!

Merry and I were wandering around Fangorn Forest, searching everywhere for Pippin. "I'm worried, Merry. What if we never find Pippin?"

Merry placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "I'm sure we'll find him. Eventually."

"Yeah, eventually." I frowned.

"Don't give up hope, Briana." Merry reassured.
"I know he's still out there. Somewhere."

I heard a shrill cry. "Wait, Merry. Do you hear that?"

"Eh, It's probably a bird." Merry assumed.

"No, Merry. It wasn't a bird. It sounded like....like...."

I quickly turned around and saw a blurry figure up ahead, near an oak tree with its large, twisted roots covering the leafy ground.

"Pippin!" Merry and I cried out in unison.

We ran as fast as our feet could carry us.
When we arrived at the oak tree, I noticed that there were large, hairy feet dangling from underneath it.

"Help! Help!" a muffled voice shrieked. "Come on, Merry! We have to help him!" I took a hold of Pippin's left foot, which was hovering
through the air, and Merry took a hold of Pippin's right foot."

When we yanked Pippin's feet, he let out an ear-splitting shriek.

"Agh! Be careful!" Pippin protested.

"Sorry, Pip." Merry apologized. "One more time. One. Two. Three. Pull!"

It didn't work. Pippin was lodged underneath the tree and we couldn't get him out.

"It's not working, Merry!" wailed Pippin. "Please, get me out of here!"

"We're trying our best, Pippin. Don't worry, we'll get you out of there!" Merry reassured.

Out of nowhere, I heard a loud crash in the distance.

"Away with you. You should not be waking. Eat earth. Dig deep. Drink water. Go to sleep. Away with you." said a thunderous voice that echoed through the forest.

Treebeard approached us and Pippin was finally released from the clutches of the old oak tree. Pippin crawled on his hands and knees.

"I thought I was going to be dead!" he remarked.

I crossed my arms in frustration. I gave Pippin a stern look.

"Brianna, you're here!" Pippin smiled.

"You know, I'm never going to forgive you for what you did. I can't believe you left!"

"I didn't mean to, Brianna."

"You promised me that you would never leave me and what did you do? You left me. You hurt me, Pippin. In ways you cannot understand."

"I'm sorry. I really am. I didn't mean to hurt you. I promise that I won't do it again."

I sighed quietly. "Alright, Pippin. I accept your apology. But from now on, we're friends. Strictly friends."

Pippin nodded his head. "I understand. Do you still love me?"

"Of course I do, Pippin. But, only as friends."

"Alright. Only as friends." Pippin grinned.

"I'm sorry, Pippin. I didn't mean to get mad at you like that."

"That's alright. I understand."

"Glad that's over." huffed Merry.

"Are we ready to continue our journey, Master Meriadoc?" asked Treebeard, who was waiting patiently.

"Yes, Treebeard." Merry answered. "Come on, Brianna. Come on, Pippin."

"I'm coming. I'm coming." replied Pippin.

A terrifying and blood-curdling howl was heard. As soon as Treebeard was about to pick me up, I saw many pairs of glowing eyes glaring back at me in the forest.

"They found us!" alerted Pippin.

"They're coming after me!" I exclaimed, in terror.

Treebeard lifted me from off of the ground. Merry, Pippin and me clutched onto his wide branches tightly.

"Hang on, little ones!" warned Treebeard.

All of a sudden, several large, hairy beasts emerged from the depths of Fangorn. On top of their backs were orcs. Huge, dangerous, blood thirsty orcs. The beasts growled menacingly.

"Orcs! Run!" I cried out.

Treebeard picked up his feet and started to run. He ran vigorously, trying to evade the orcs. The Warg riders lined up in a straight line behind Treebeard. One of the Wargs jumped onto Treebeard and sinked its razor sharp claws into his bark.

"Aghhhh!" Treebeard roared.

"Treebeard!" Merry, Pippin and I exclaimed.

We entered the far reaches of Rohan. The land was flat and bare. There were dark, heavy clouds covering the sun. A massive shadow sprang over our heads, like a tidal wave.

"We can't outrun them!" Merry yelled. "They're too close to us!"

"What are you going to do, Treebeard?!" I cried.

Treebeard rotated clockwise and faced the Warg Riders that had barricaded around him. He lifted his left foot in the air and kicked the Riders, sending them flying into the air. The Wargs let out high-pitched yelps as Treebeard struck them down and they scurried off into Fangorn Forest.

Merry and Pippin and I cheered with joy.

"Yay, Treebeard!" I applauded. "I knew you could do it!"

"Bru-ha-hroom." mumbled Treebeard. "Onwards, little ones. Let us continue our journey."