Pippin tossed the stone as far as he could, the plunk of its landing lost in the sound of breakers on the shore beyond the harbour. He looked at the tall white ship and wondered how deep the water needed to be to accommodate it. Much deeper than the Brandywine, he reckoned. He started as a hand landed on his shoulder, and Frodo’s whisper came in his ear.
“Careful cousin. Remember what happened last time you threw a stone into a puddle.” There was a small smile on Frodo’s lips, but a sparkle of tears in those large blue eyes and Pippin felt very small, despite the fact that he was now looking down at his cousin. Frodo grunted as he was suddenly enveloped in a huge hug, but it took only a split second for him to return it.
When he could recover his breath enough to speak, Frodo turned his cheek to rest upon Pip’s chest, and they both looked out at the wide grey expanse of water.
“Do you remember when we used to jump puddles, Pippin?”
Pip sniffed and blinked away one of the tears that rolled, unchecked, down his cheeks. “You always found the biggest ones, and I was so small. That was mean of you, you know? You always cleared them, and I always ended up wet.” He glanced down at the dark curls resting against him. “But this is no puddle, Frodo. However tall I grow I will never be able to jump this one.”
Frodo patted his cousin’s chest gently. “Learning that there are some things that are just too big for you is an important lesson in life. I had hoped that you would learn it young, while the only harm you could come to would be splashed breeches.”
Pippin snorted. “You didn’t have to go back and face Pervinca. I’m sure that’s why I was so small when I was younger. I spent so much time in hot baths that as fast as I grew inches Pervinca scrubbed them off.”
Leaning away from him, Frodo looked up into those green-gold eyes. “Well, I think Treebeard took care of that for you. But there’s more to growing up than inches, you know.” Frodo turned back to the shifting water before them. “I’m just sorry that you had to grow up too soon. That was one puddle I shouldn’t have led you into.”
The arms wrapped about him grew tighter. “It was no-one’s fault, Frodo. And you didn’t lead me into it… I chose to come with you… we all did.”
“Why did you come with me, Pip?”
The chest beneath his ear began to shake, and Frodo heard his cousin’s light giggle bubble up for Pippin’s bright soul could not be restrained too long in tears. “Because I love you, you silly goose.” Strong hands pushed Frodo away, and they faced each other square on. “And that’s also why I’m letting you go without me now instead of begging you to stay.”
For the first time in what seemed like an age, Pippin saw pale lips curl upwards, and there was a flash of the old Frodo in those azure eyes. One, four-fingered hand came to rest upon Pip’s shoulder.
“You don’t need to jump this puddle, Pip. You’ve learned to take your own path, and for that, at least, I’m glad. Have a full and happy life, cousin. And teach your children to jump puddles while they are still young enough to run home to their mama and a hot bath.”
With one final, quick embrace, Frodo turned, and Pippin stood still, watching him walk away.