As he nervously approached Elrond’s chambers he heard a soft sound that seemed to float in the air. He couldn’t explain it, but it reminded him of home, of the Shire, of Tuckborough in the spring, of rolling green hills, blooming flowers, and fresh rain. He stopped suddenly struck by a moment of homesickness. He truly missed the Shire, missed his parents and sisters. They were probably worried about him. He couldn’t wait to see them again and that would be in a couple weeks! Cheering up again, he drew himself together and approached Elrond’s door. Pippin hesitated gathering his courage and then knocked knowing that Elrond probably already knew he was there and would come get him if he didn’t knock soon.
Elrond opened the door and beckoned him in. As he stepped in, his eyes were immediately drawn to the balcony where there sat a beautiful dark-haired elve dressed in a gown of shimmering pale blue that looking like rippling water. She was the one who was making the haunting music which had stopped him before. Elrond guided him forward and said, “Master Peregrin, I like you to meet Alatáriël.”
Pippin bowed. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Alatáriël. And please call me Pippin.”
Alatáriël smiled. She already liked the young hobbit. “I’m pleased as well Pippin.”
And before Pippin could ask why Alatáriël was here or what she had to do with anything. Elrond smiled, “I know you have questions Master Took. I’ll explain everything to you in a minute, but first I must give you something.”
Elrond pulled out a smaller version of the instrument Alatáriël had been playing and handed it to Pippin. “This is a flute; somewhat similar to the pipe of the Shire which I have heard you already have some experience with. As part of my conditions Alatáriël will teach you how to play this elven flute in the following weeks before you leave so that you will not only have elvish music, but also an elvish instrument as well to aid you in trying to recapture the music being lost to the west.”
Pippin was stunned. The flute was beautiful. It was pale with a leaf design carved into it and around the bottom their looked to be an elvish engraving. This was more than he had ever hoped for when he had requested the music from Elrond.
Elrond saw Pippin looking toward the engraving and softly said, “It translates into ‘Wind of the West’ since elvish music seems to fly on the wind. When it is played, it transcends the self. One becomes part of nature as if the wind itself. You will feel this connection as well. Of course not as strong as the elves do, but stronger than most for in you dwells the faerie blood of our ancestors though you keep it well hidden.”
A/N: The reference to Pippin having elvish/faerie blood is from my other fic, The Took Family Secret. If you’re curious that story explains more on his relationship to the elves and his first experience with them.