It was a starry night in Minas Tirith when Peregrin Took was staring at Mount Doom from her bedroom window. Her long, white dressing gown flapped
around her ankles and her long, brown hair flew in the wind. Suddenly, she heard a noise. She turned around. It was Tom.

“Oh,” she said, “it’s you. What are you doing here?”

“Your door was open and I could see you on the balcony and I thought I should check on you,” said Tom.

Pippin chuckled. “Petty, petty boy,” she said, “Proudfoots have always been over protective.”

“Oh, are we now?” said Tom, “well, Tooks aren’t the sharpest
sword in the army.”

“Very funny,” said Pippin. She sighed.

“What?” said Tom.

“I miss my friends,” Pippin said.

“What about your family?” asked Tom,
“surely you miss your family.”

Pippin snorted. “My family couldn’t give a damn about me,” she said.

“And how’s that?” Tom asked.

“Let’s see…” said Pippin, “my mom treats me like I’m five, my three
older brothers torture me and my dad treats me like I killed someone.” Pippin’s green eyes were swimming with tears. She covered her face with her
hands and turned away from Tom. Tom walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder.

“Aren’t you scared?” he asked.

“What?” said Pippin. “I have to fight tomorrow,” Tom said, “against
Mordor. I might get killed. Aren’t you worried?”

“A little,” said Pippin. Then, without thinking, Tom kissed Pippin on the cheek. Pippin looked at him, her eyes on his, the green meeting the brown for
the first time. “What was that for?” she asked.

Tom looked at Pippin for a brief second and said, “I love you.”

Pippin was silent for a moment. Finally, she said, “I love you, too.” She put her arms around Tom’s neck and Tom placed his hands on her hips
and pulled each other into a close embrace. Their lips met.