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Very perilous was the Redhorn Pass through Caradhras. However, the pass did have one thing going for it, and that was that it contained plentiful snow for packing into snowballs.
WHAP!
Aragorn son of Arathorn whipped around, hand on his sword hilt, his muscles tense and ready to defend against any threat.
What caught his attention, however, was no ordinary threat. It was four hobbits–Ringbearer included– who appeared entirely too innocent.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow and reached with one hand to shake the snow out of his hair. “Gentlemen,” he spoke regally, placing his hand ceremonially back on the hilt of his sword, “if it is war you seek, it is war you shall receive.”
“I surrender,” The gentle Samwise raised his hands above his head and quickly sidled away.
“Coward!” Pippin called after him, pulling his hands from behind his back to reveal two snowballs.
“This needn’t get ugly, Strider!” Frodo announced seriously, his eyes twinkling. “Surrender or face the wrath of the Shire!”
“Never!” Aragorn laughed. “My allies are many and my revenge swift! Oft shall you regret the day you challenged the heir of Gondor! Legolas! I call upon thee!”
The aforementioned elf had of course heard all that had been spoken and gracefully took his place at Aragorn’s side.
“The wood elves stand with you, my lord,” Legolas said with a wry smile.
The hobbits glanced at each other, the hope on their faces falling as they undoubtedly reconsidered their choice of battle. It did not last long, for Pippin hurled his ammunition towards the two defenders.
“For the Shire!”
Legolas dodged the projectile with ease. Aragorn did not.
“You shall rue this day, Hobbits!” He laughed, ducking to scoop up the nearest handful of snow and hurling it towards the youngest hobbit.
Merry shoved Pippin out of the path of the snowball and took the blow on the shoulder. “Save yourself, Pippin!”
“For Merry!” Pippin hurled another snowball. This one grazed Legolas, who finally scooped up a snowball and aimed at Merry. It hit the hobbit square between the eyes.
“FOR GONDOR!” A bellow came from behind the hobbits, who turned in surprise to see Boromir barreling through the snow, launching a massive snowball at the ranger.
Aragorn yelped and ducked too slowly. He fell backwards dramatically into the snow and Merry and Pippin jumped him with fits of laughter, pinning the ranger to the snow.
“You fiend!” Legolas cried, turning on Boromir.
“Surrender, elf!” The man grinned broadly, Frodo by his side with a threatening snowball in hand.
“Alas, that I have no choice.” Legolas lamented, setting down his snowball and raising his hands.
“We’ve won, Frodo!” Merry cheered from his comfortable seat on Aragorn’s chest.
Pippin popped up from his seat on the ranger’s legs and aimed a snowball at the elf.
“Let this be the last time that you challenge the might of the Shire and Gondor!” the smallest hobbit announced.
“It is a mistake I shall not make again soon,” Legolas promised.
“That’s enough fiddling around,” Gandalf’s voice interrupted the horse play. “Supper is ready and then we retire early, for our start must be early in the morn.”
Aragorn got to his feet with a laugh, “Very well, Gandalf. Let us see what excellent fare Master Samwise has created today.”