Chapter 1
Title: Sorrow
Author: Anemone Frost
Email: Weepingwillow987@aol.com
Pairing: Merry/Pippin
Chapter Rating: PG-13
Summary: A ride in the Shire turns
into a nightmare for Pippin and Merry.
Feedback: Please.
Warnings: Violence-Pippin abuse.
It takes place after the Ring's destruction,
and Frodo has sailed to the Undying Lands.
Hope is the destination that we seek.
Love is the road that leads to hope.
Courage is the mother that drives us.
We travel out of darkness into faith.
The Book of Counted Sorrows
Rain splattered throughout the Shire
bringing a gloomy shadow over the land.
Down a path in the woods, a small pony
trotted, carrying a cloaked Pippin. The
cold breeze increased the flow of the
bitter rain, smacking it directly in the
hobbit's face. He shivered, tugging on
the hood.
"What a day I picked to go out for a
ride!" Pippin scowled. "Of course it was
bright and sunny when I departed, but when
I'm a good distance away from home, the
weather changes on me! There goes the picnic
I had planned! Just my luck! At
least I will meet Merry halfway down the
path. I can only hope he remembers to show
up this time." The pony suddenly halted,
facing two separate paths. "Hmm, which
road to take? I could have sworn Merry
told me not to take one of the paths, but
which one? Oh well, I'm sure it doesn't
matter. Either one will lead back into
Hobbiton."
Pippin spurred the pony and the beast
picked up its pace. The forest grew dense
and the trees sheltered the hobbit. A
shadow moved in the woods. The hobbit
jerked his head in direction of the
movement, but he saw nothing. A pang of
anxiety swept over him, causing sweat to
form on his brow. To the fight the fear
Pippin began to hum an old child's song.
"The cooling rain that drops to the land,
I shall never fear.
Although it can bring death to those unwary,
it shall nourish dying land."
A twig snapped in the background. At that
Pippin began to spur his pony hard. He was
being followed. The instinct to flee was
overwhelming and more than anything, he
wanted to follow that instinct. Another
part was forcing him to remain to calm,
though. Going into a panic wouldn`t make
the situation any better.
"The freezing....."
He never finished. A towering form leapt
from the woods onto the path behind him.
Before the shadow could overtake Pippin,
he violently slammed his feet into the
pony. In an instant the pony took off at
high speed down the path. Pippin turned
his head, glancing at the path. The sound
of galloping hooves echoed in the distance.
Indeed, it appeared someone was chasing
him on horseback and if that was the case,
he was in trouble. Though his steed was
fast, for a pony, it was no match for
horse. The only possible chance of escape
was to leave the path.
Pippin steered into the grove of trees. He
took one more glance behind and it was his
undoing. By the time he turned around it
was too late for him to notice another
towering figure. The pony abruptly stopped
and reared. The tiny hobbit was too shocked
to obtain a good hold of the reins and he
fell to the ground. For a moment he
remained motionless, unable to move from
the pain in his arm. When he finally gazed
up a man cloaked in black hovered over him.
In due time another horse pulled up beside
him, followed by another. Pippin cowered
before the men, looking desperately for an
escape route. Unfortunately, he was
surrounded and there was no way out.
"Well, looks like we have found another one
of the Shire folk straying from the pack!"
Briggs chuckled.
"It never ceases to amaze me! I cannot
believe that these weaklings travel by
themselves!" Delton sneered.
The leader of the pack stepped down from
his horse and stared down at the hobbit.
"Now, that's the kind of attitude I told
you two not to come in here with!" growled
Haridur. "By themselves the Shire folk may
not be much, but together they can do their
share of damage! You two look about and be
wary for any others that may travel down
the path. I'll search the halfling for
any valuables."
At hearing that, Pippin drew forth his
sword from its sheath and jumped to his
feet. "Get back! Do not take another step
toward me!"
The sight of the tiny hobbit brandishing
a weapon made the thieves laugh. A growl
rose in Pippin's throat. He lunged at the
leader, slashing his sword at him. Haridur
was taken back in shock as the small sword
sliced into his thigh. Blood spurted from
the wound, mingling with the fallen rain
in the forming puddles. Haridur groped his
leg, trying to stop the dangerous flow of
blood.
"Get him! Hold him down!" snarled Haridur.
With speed that Pippin never knew exist,
the men leaped from the horses and tackled
him. His face was slammed against the cool,
soaked earth. He kicked at the nearest man,
hitting him directly in the shins. The man
retaliated and he drove his fist into Pippin's
back. The hobbit cried in pain and became
still. A crushing weight formed on his legs
preventing, him from trying to kick again.
His delicate arms were yanked over his head
and forced to the ground. The two men
snickered as Haridur stalked over to the
hobbit. Pippin's eyes widened in horror
as he saw the man's enraged face. It was
now that he truly regretted his actions.
"To think I was going to let a little
piece of dirt like you live!" Haridur spat
in disgust. "Just for that outburst, I'll
leave you to die in the mud!"
A swift, powerful kick was delivered to
Pippin's side. The hobbit howled in anguish
as kick after kick, each more fierce than
the other, continued to bombard his side.
The blows were so strong that the two men
strained to keep Pippin from flying out of
their arms. Pippin's eyes welded with tears
as the shots were rained upon him. He could
hear his ribs cracking from each kick.
"Take it easy on the halfling Haridur!"
Delton cried. "You may actually kill him!"
"Look, Haridur, we may be thieves, but we
are not murderers!" Briggs snapped. "Mind
you, we have played some nasty tricks, but
it never wound up taking a life! I am not
about to take part in this! I thought you
were only going to rough him up a bit!"
"You two will stay in your place!" Haridur
growled. "Or you will meet the same fate,
as he will!" The man leered down at the
hobbit, making him shudder. "My, he sure
is a pretty thing. Perhaps we could have
a little fun with him?"
Briggs glanced up at him with apprehension.
"You can't mean that! You'd kill him for
sure! Besides, there's no time!"
Haridur was about to speak when noise
forced him to silence. Pippin turned his
head and a smile grew. It was good old
Merry strolling down the path on his pony.
"Merr---"
As Pippin tried to cry out, a cloth was
forced into his mouth. When he attempted
to spit it out, Delton tied it around his
head. He gave muffled cries and squirmed
relentlessly, but it did not alert Merry.
The hobbit disappeared from view and despair
grew in Pippin's heart.
Haridur was above him, and drawing out his
sword, dangling it over the hobbit. Pippin
squeaked against the cloth and attempted to
squirm away, terrified that he was about to
be stabbed. The man dragged the tip across
his back, threatening to plunge it into his
flesh. However, he turned the sword upside
down, bring the butt end close to Pippin's
head.
"You know, halfling, I certainly hope you
survive," Haridur growled. "You haven't
seen the last of me."
The butt of the sword shot down, slamming
into his face. A sickening crunch filled
the air as Pippin's cheekbone shattered.
The pain became unbearable, and the land
around him began to spin. The assault
continued, driving the hobbit closer and
closer to unconsciousness. Finally, the
brutal attack ceased. The men stood, and
searched his listless form. Once they had
taken all the valuable materials, Pippin
was left alone. The trees could not protect
him from the freezing rain for he had been
dragged into the clearing, leaving him
exposed. The rain poured down hard, soaking
Pippin's brown curls. The cold, autumn
breeze grazed over the hobbit, chilling
him to the bone. Now a sharp, stabbing
pain was spreading all over his body. To
Pippin's relief, the agony soon gave way,
but his entire body became numb.
"Oh, Merry, Merry, where are you?" Pippin
moaned, sobbing into the mud. "I don`t
want to die alone....."
The darkness overwhelmed him.
***
"Oh, where is that bothersome Took?!" Merry
growled, glancing about the woods. "He
practically broke my arm into agreeing to
meet him here and what does he do?! He
forgets to show up as usual!" He sighed
in disgust. "I have been up and down this
path enough! Perhaps, he somehow passed by,
and is waiting back at home for me. If he
isn't, then he can journey back by himself!"
The road twisted, and Merry found himself
back at the crossroad. He was about to turn
to the left when he noticed something moving
on the other road. Curious, he spun around
and went on the opposite dirt path. His eyes
squinted.
"Why, that looks to be Pippin's pony!" Merry
cried. A lump grew in his throat. "Pippin?!
Pippin?! Where are you?!" He dismounted and
searched the area. A trail of torn cloth led
off the trial, and Merry took it. "Pippin, I
swear if you are playing another one your
pranks......Oh no, Pippin!"
There, on the ground, Pippin laid face down
as a pool of water, mixed with blood, slowly
rose up to his mouth. Merry rushed to the
clearing in panic. He swept Pippin's form
into his arms and rocked him gently. Growling
in rage, he removed the cloth from his cousin's
mouth with a trembling hand.
"Oh, Pippin, wake up!" Merry wailed, bursting
into tears. He buried his face in Pippin's
damp curls and shook him. "Please, wake up!"
So cold, so stiff was his dear cousin. "Who
has done this to you Pippin?! Oh, whatever
shall I do?!" A low gurgle rose from
Pippin's throat.
Merry dragged Pippin out of the clearing.
He forced the pony down to the ground and
securely placed the hobbit on. Merry mounted
the steed and spurred it back up. He held
Pippin protectively as they raced through
the woods at a dangerous speed.
"Don't worry cousin, I'm sure I'll figure
something out! I know! I'll get you to a
doctor and he'll make you good as new again!
You'll be up in no time acting like your
annoying self and playing cruel jokes on
me! Please hang on a bit longer!" The rest
of the way Merry continued to talk to
Pippin, as if he could hear.
To be continued.
Chapter 2
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