The morning came and Gandalf and the hobbits prepared to leave for the Shire. As they went to gather their packs, Elrond pulled Pippin aside.
“Alatáriël and I have some last minute gifts for you,” he said leading Pippin to his chamber. He opened the door and ushered Pippin inside.
Alatáriël was inside and upon seeing Pippin, she approached and kneeled down. “Pippin I have truly enjoyed getting to know you to these past couple of weeks. You’re more than a student, you are a friend.”
Pippin hugged her. “I count you as a friend as well. I shall miss you Alatáriël. Thank you so much for everything.”
Alatáriël pulled away and handed him a leather book. “Here is the music to all my favorite songs. You should be able to play any of them now.”
Pippin was exuberant and hugged her again. “I really do hope we see each other again.”
Hugging him back tightly, she replied, “So do I Pippin. Let us not say farewell rather until next time.”
“Until next time then.” Pippin said with a smile.
Elrond approached then and handed him an intricately carved wooden box. “This is a case for the flute, Peregrin. I hope it preserves the instrument at least half as well as you’re preserving our music,” he said with a smile.
Pippin took the case which had a leaf design matching that of his flute. It was beautiful! Elrond had done so much for him; so much more than he had asked for. He couldn’t believe he had ever feared the elf lord. He carefully put the case and book aside before hugging Elrond as well. “Thank you so much Elrond! You don’t know how much this means to me!”
Elrond hugged him back before replying, “You’re more than welcome, Peregrin. I am honored that you would want to preserve our music and I am honored to have come to know you. I count you as a friend, Pippin and I hope that by now you have gotten over your fear of me and count me as such as well,” he finished with a smile.
Pippin hugged him again. “Of course I do! You’re not so bad once you get past the lordly exterior. However, I believe Merry is still quite afraid of you.”
“Is he now? That must explain why he was the one who didn’t want to come to my chamber alone?” Elrond smirked. "Now come, we must get you outside or they’ll leave without you,” he laughed seeing the blush on Pippin’s face.
**
And as Gandalf and the hobbits rode off, Pippin turned one last time and gave one last wave to Alatáriël and Elrond who he would only see one last time and that would be when they left for the West with Frodo.