When Meli and Molly lead Pippin back into Bag End, Rosie is torn. Joyful that he son has returned, and yet fearful of what he has done. The way the girls touch him, hold him up gives her heart, and the fresh marks on Meli's neck tell the rest of the story.
Outside the sun rises, and she hustles the three into Pippin's room, safeguarded against the deadly light. They curl into each other, Pippin safely in the middle and Rosie smiles.
She shuts the door quietly and leans against it, choking back a sob. Bad enough her Pippin, but Dinny's bright Sparrow and Stel's shining Lark lost to the night as well. Rosie wipes away her tears and moves into the kitchen, fixing breakfast for her family.
It will be all right. None of them are alone, and the dark is not so strong in the face of unified light.
~