Endless miles on short, dull, tasteless rations; always hungry with no prospect of a decent meal ahead. Pippin knows what Merry's thinking:

"Farmer Maggot's mushrooms..."

"Don't."  Merry groans. "Bilbo's seed cake."

"Stop it," wails Pippin.  "Baked ham. Fresh bread. Apple-pie and ice-cream..."

Dozing beneath bushes at midday they both have visions: Tables groaning with food, more than you could ever eat. It could all be yours, if not for this mad quest. If the Ring had...a different keeper...

On the march again, Merry looks uneasily round, mutters in Pip's ear:

"I had the strangest dream –" 

Pippin grimaces.

"Me too."