What We Keep Alive

For NancyBrooke - always a pleasure!
Disclaimer: all shinies borrowed from the Prof Poor prose is mine


What We Keep Alive



Slash. Parry. Sidestep, lunge and thrust.

The blade sang through the air, more easily now than a year ago, when it had really counted, and he spun away, natural agility and hard-won strength making light of the weight of mail and leather.

Feint, sidestep and… The unseen root caught his heel and he stumbled, over-balancing, and fell. Eyes closed and breathless, he heard the ghostly echo of friendly laughter.

‘Curious strategy,’ chuckled the remembered voice, and Pippin opened eyes to the silent Tookland glade, curiously warmed by the memory.

Rising again, he saluted his absent Captain and continued, grinning fiercely.