The Millipede

The birdsong sounded loud to his ears, for a moment he could hear nothing else; nothing other than the thump of his own heart. Then, what was that: the snuffle of a horse; the ring of its metal shoe scrapping on a stone? Pippin kept very still - controlling the shudder of revulsion as a millipede tumbled past his head and landed right beside him - it’s multitude of legs moving in unison. Ignoring the loathsome insect he looked to his right - Frodo! What was the matter with Frodo? He had turned pale, very pale. Why was he scrabbling in his pocket? Pippin watched, mesmerised, as Frodo brought out a gold ring. Inch by inch, ring and finger reached out for one another. Ouch! Pippin was pushed back, hard against a tree root, as Sam stretched over and grabbed his master’s hand.

LBJ