Pippin stood on the front step of the little house, his hands jammed into his pockets, leaning against the doorjamb as he watched the posthobbit go off with his letter. He missed her. Diamond only been gone a day, and he already missed her. Her visit had been all too short.

He knew she had to get back to the Great Smials. An apprentice's time was not her own, especially a healer's apprentice. The sooner she finished her apprenticeship, the sooner they could announce their betrothal, and plan their wedding.

Well, at least they wouldn't have to wait forty years.