Chapter 2
Title: Sorrow
Author: Anemone Frost
Email: Weepingwillow987@aol.com
Pairing: Pippin/Other; Pippin/Merry
Summary: 2/6 Merry summons the local
Shire doctor to tend to Pippin.
Rating: PG-13
Feedback: Yes, please.
Warnings: Angst, blood, and implied death
Merry sat with his head between his knees
on the wood floor. Across from him was a
tiny room. Behind the shut door the local
Shire doctor, Mr. Brombleburr, who was
attending to Pippin's wounds. Although Merry
had wanted more than anything to be in that
room with his cousin, the doctor made him
wait outside. He occasionally rose from his
stiff seat to gaze out the window. Sam had
been notified and now Merry was waiting for
his arrival. The windowsill reminded him of
time with Pippin, not too long ago.
Dark clouds billowed over the night sky,
slowly drowning out the stars. The darkness
increased over the land, bringing a chilling
air. In the Shire the massive rows of Hobbit
houses stood silent, all inhabitants sleeping
peacefully in the warmth, save one. A shadowy
figure stirred within, opened the shutters,
and perched near the ledge. Embers of a dying
fire glowed from behind. As the fire nearly
went out a different form tossed another log
in, feeding the dying flame.
"What is the point in staying up if you
can't keep the fire lit, you foolish Took!"
Merry chuckled.
Pippin remained silent, occasionally tapping
his fingers on the windowsill.
"What ever is the matter with you Pippin?"
Merry asked, moving next to his cousin. "You
haven't been your cute, aggravating,
energetic self lately."
"I don't know Merry," Pippin replied. "I
have been thinking....."
"Oh, you, actually thinking?!" Merry
laughed. "I hate to break it to you my dear
cousin, but your brain isn't your strongest
attribute! Just what were you pondering
about?"
"Old times....with Frodo, Gandalf....
with everyone," Pippin sighed. "How long
has it been since they have left?"
"Hmm, I guess I lost track as time went on,"
Merry answered, his eyes softening. "It has
been a while since Frodo and Gandalf left.
I also fear that Sam will be joining them
shortly as well. Rose`s health is starting
to fade."
"I never thought they would all leave so
soon," Pippin said. "It's amazing how we
can take our time here for granted. If I
knew things would have passed so quickly
...I would have spent more time with Frodo.
It just went by too fast....."
"There's no point in grieving over something
you can't change, Pippin," Merry replied,
wrapping his arm tightly around his cousin's
shoulder, nestling his head in the nook of
the other's neck. "Take comfort that they
are in a better place! When our time comes
we will leave this land and join the
departed. Then, dear Pippin, we can spend
all the time we want with our cousin and
our friends."
"I suppose," Pippin said.
Merry glanced at Pippin's face intently.
"You seem to have doubts cousin. Why is
that?"
"I...I don't know. It is nothing I guess."
He turned and walked toward the door.
"Perhaps I'll try to lie down for a bit.
I haven`t had a good nights rest in the
past week."
"Yes, I am afraid that old age will do
that to you Pippin!" Merry sneered. "You
are getting up there in the years!"
"May I remind you Meriadoc Brandybuck
that you are just as old as I am!" Pippin
snapped. "Besides we still have a long time
before we reach one hundred! The last time
I kept count we were only thirty years old!
Heaven forbid if we ever become senile at
this young age!"
"Well, I don't know about myself, but as
for you Pippin, I fear that you have
already reached that mark!" Merry
laughed.
"Oh, really," Pippin said, raising an
eyebrow. "And just how long did it
take you to figure that out? Goodnight
Merry. Will you join me?"
"In a bit," Merry answered. "There are
a few things I want to finish first.
Goodnight.....cheer up Pippin! Remember
that we still have many years here on
Middle-earth. We should enjoy those days
while we still can!"
The door quietly slid open and Merry
rushed over to greet the doctor.
"Mr. Brombleburr, is he....will he be
alright?" Merry stuttered.
A sad look formed on Brombleburr's face.
"I am afraid his injuries are most
grievous. A chill is spreading over his
body, but I think I have contained that.
He is covered with warm blankets next to
a toasty fire. Pippin's cheekbone has
been shattered to pieces, which will
take months to heal, expecting he will
survive till then...."
"What do you mean expecting he will
survive?!" Merry cried, his eyes welding.
"The assault on the side of his rib cage
was traumatic. The force was so powerful
that two of his ribs were dislodged and
driven into his right lung. For the past
hour, he has been coughing up small
amounts of blood, but I am frightened
that the flow will increase over the days."
"You don't know that for sure!" Merry
screamed, in disbelief. "How can you be
certain?! Maybe he's just....just....."
"I have watched his breathing and it is
very labored. Whenever he draws in a
single breath, a moan of pain comes from
him. I have also examined his rib cage and
I can feel the two dislodged ribs. Look,
there is nothing more I can do for him
except give him herbs for the pain. I
cannot guarantee on how much longer he
has here. It could be a day or even a
week, I do not know. Perhaps, he will
survive, but it will take a miracle. I
think it would be best if you sit with
him now. He may wake up soon. If you want
to tell him the news you are more then
welcome to or I could return later to
tell him myself. Take care Merry."
Brombleburr patted him on the shoulder
and left the hobbit hole. Merry was left
standing in shock, uncertain what to do.
"Merry, are you around cousin?" a low
voice asked.
Merry's eyes burned feverishly, but he
fought back the tears as he walked toward
the door. He nearly lost control at the
doorway, but regained himself. For Pippin's
sake, he had to remain calm. When he
entered the room the battered hobbit gave
a warm smile and beckoned Merry over.
"Well, are you going to sit by me?" Pippin
asked. "You act as if I have the plague."
"It's good to see you awake cousin," Merry
said, kneeling beside his bed. He took the
hand next to him and kissed it. "Do you
feel any better?"
"I feel a lot better from when I was in
the woods!" Pippin chuckled, suddenly
coughing. "I have an awful pain in my
chest and it hurts to breath, but other
than that I am fine. I want to know what
the doctor said about my condition Merry."
Merry`s face became flushed and his eyes
stung. "He said everything was going to
be fine Pippin," he choked. "Everything
will be fine in due time. You just need
plenty of bed rest and you`ll be ok."
"Liar," Pippin solemnly whispered.
"Meriadoc Brandybuck if it is one thing
that you are atrocious at doing, it is
lying to me! From what I can read from
your face my time here will be cut
short......"
"Mr. Brombleburr could be wrong!" Merry
shot back. "You are a hardy little hobbit
and I know that you can pull through this!"
"Perhaps," Pippin replied. "It`s my ribs,
isn`t it? There is something wrong with
my ribs." Merry nodded. "I thought as
much. Every time I breathe I feel a sharp,
stabbing pain in my lung. The herbs
Mr. Brombleburr gave me help a little, but
it doesn't take away all the misery."
An eerie silence swept over the room as
the two sat next to one another. The calm
silence was soon drowned out when Pippin
began to violently hack. He turned away
from Merry and pulled a bucket near the
bedside. Merry was almost in tears at the
sight. Blood was sliding down Pippin's
chin and when he coughed, more blood
drained onto his hands. Tears dripped
from his eyes as he looked down at the
mess.
"I am sorry Merry!" he sobbed. "I have
ruined your sheets!"
"Do not worry about the sheets!" Merry
cried. "I can easily replace sheets! It
is you that I cannot replace!"
He buried his face in Pippin's shoulder
and sobbed.
"Merry, where will I be buried?" Pippin
asked. "I haven't picked a spot yet."
"Pippin, do be silent!" Merry snapped.
"You will have no need for a grave! How
many times do I have to tell you that
you will be alright!"
"Merry, I am scared," Pippin whimpered.
"I don't want to die alone!"
"I am here with you and you are
certainly not dying!" Merry growled,
kissing Pippin's forehead. "Everything
will be ok. Everything will be ok." Merry
gently cradled Pippin in his arms,
repeating his statement over and over.
Pippin`s eyelids slowly began to droop.
"Will you stay with me for a bit?"
"Certainly," Merry replied, snuggling
against Pippin. "Close your eyes and
when you wake a new day shall begin."
"Yes, a new day," Pippin whispered,
drifting off. "I love you cousin."
"I love you too, my sweet one."
Merry wrapped his arms around Pippin
and kissed his neck. His tears stained
the sheets as he too fell into a restless
slumber. Merry's sleep was interrupted as
soft hands shook him. When he awoke there
was Sam hovering over him.
"I'm sorry for my lateness," Sam said.
"The roads are awful from the rain. It
wouldn't surprise me if the river
flooded. My steed became stuck in the
mud and as I pulled him loose, I became
lodged too. I'm afraid that I have
tracked mud all over your floors, Merry.
Don't worry though. I'll clean them
right up for you..."
"No, it is fine Sam," Merry said.
"You sit with Pippin for a bit and I
will clean it up. I need a break to
clear my head anyway."
"What did Mr. Brombleburr say about
his condition?" Sam asked.
Merry's eyes became downcast. "According
to him Pippin is dying. Two of his ribs
have punctured his lung. I, however,
believe that Pippin will pull through
nicely. He has gotten himself into
worse I suppose and....I just know
he'll pull through. He has to."
"Yes, I'm sure," Sam replied quietly.
The hobbit left the room heading toward
the kitchen. There he found a bucket of
water and he proceeded to clean the mud
from the floor. The rain hammered into
the roof and thunder crashed in the
distance. Merry didn't know how long
he had been at work, but Sam came
bursting from the door deathly pale.
"Whatever is the matter Sam?!" Merry
cried.
"It's Pippin! He's retching a lot of
blood and gaspin' for breath!"
Merry immediately ran into the room
next to Pippin's side. He was still
vomiting into the tiny bucket, which
was now close to overfilling. His
eyes were wide with terror, and he
shook violently. When the vomiting
ceased, he drew in a breath and
cried out. Merry shook and glanced
about trying to think over the panic
that was rising in his mind.
"Sam, you stay with Pippin and I will
fetch Mr. Brombleburr!" Merry ordered.
"Oh, Merry, don't leave me!" Pippin
wailed, clamping on his cousin's hand.
The hand was pale and cold to touch.
"I am not leaving you Pippin! I will
back with Mr. Brombleburr! I won't be
gone that long!"
"Please hurry Merry," Pippin coughed.
"I can barely breath!"
Merry kissed Pippin's cheek and
rushed out of the room heading out the
door. The violent force of the wind
nearly pushed him back, but he fought
with all his strength. Freezing rain
struck him across the face and he pulled
on his cloak tightly. When he reached the
barn he mounted the nearest pony and took
off the down the road. The pony slipped
over the mud, nearly tumbling to the ground
on several occasions, but Merry pushed on.
The pony struggled along the way as its
feet sank into the path. Finally, the pony
became stuck and Merry had to dismount.
"Come on you burden!" Merry snapped,
tugging on the reins. "Put your back into
it!" It was no use; the pony was stuck.
"Fine, I'll walk the rest the way if I
have to!"
He sloshed through the mud, struggling
with each step. The wet dirt clung to
his feet, adding more weight that he
could barely handle. On one of the
steps he slipped and fell face first.
The mud caked onto his face and clothing.
`I have to keep moving for Pippin's sake!'
The rest of the way down the road he
crawled, crossing over the speeding
river, and finally coming to the tiny
hobbit hole of Mr. Brombleburr. He rose
up, pounding on the door.
"What is wrong?! Who is out there?!"
Brombleburr yelled, yanking the door
open. "Oh, it is you Merry. What is
wrong? You are a complete mess!"
"It is Pippin. He is need of your
help," Merry replied. "He has been
vomiting too much blood and has difficulty
breathing!"
"I will do what I can for him!" Brombleburr
said.
The two were soon rushing down the road
atop a new steed. A loud crash rang ahead,
causing the pony to rear.
"What was that noise?! It sounded like
thunder!" Merry yelled.
"That was no thunder!" Brombleburr cried.
"I fear it has something to do with the
bridge!"
Brombleburr dug his feet in the side
of the pony and they continued. He
suddenly stopped the pony and look of
dread swept over his face.
"What is wrong?!" Merry asked.
"The bridge is out!" Brombleburr yelled.
Merry looked ahead to view the last
portions of the bridge to be swept
away in the current. The water rose
over the bank flooding toward the
pony's feet.
"We have to find another way around!"
Brombleburr called. "We will have to
take Woodshot Path!"
"Woodshot Path?!" Merry cried in alarm.
"We cannot take that way! It is far too
long!"
"Look, we do not have any other options!"
Brombleburr snapped. "Besides, it is the
quickest route besides the bridge!"
To Merry's dismay Brombleburr turned the
steed in the direction of the path. For
Merry, the time went agonizingly slow.
The thoughts of poor Pippin struggling
for breath ran through Merry's head.
`Hang on Pippin I am coming! You will
be alright!'
The steed pulled up in front of Merry's
house and the two dismounted. Pippin ran
ahead of Brombleburr, bolting into the house.
He rushed into the bedroom and he halted.
Sam was at the foot of bed, weeping into
the sheets. Merry raised his head and
glanced at Pippin. His eyes were glazed
over and his breaths were entering with
less effort. Blood slowly trickled down
his mouth. In a rush of agony, Merry
stormed over and took Pippin in his arms.
"Pippin! I am here dear cousin!" Merry
sobbed into his neck.
"Oh, Merry it is you!" Pippin whimpered.
"I thought I would never see you again!"
"Now why would you think that you foolish
Took!" Merry chuckled, wiping at his tears.
"I have brought Mr. Brombleburr! He will
help you!" Brombleburr took one look at
Pippin and lowered his head. "Well, what
are you waiting for?! Do something!"
"I am sorry," Brombleburr said. "There
is nothing I can do for him."
Merry's cheeks flushed and tears spilled
down his face. "How can you not do
anything for him! There has to be
something you can do!"
Pippin coughed spitting up more blood. His
body convulsed and his eyes stared at Merry
with an uncertain plea. The hobbit's chest
rose high and dropped dramatically. A gurgle
rose in his throat as he tried to speak.
"Don't talk Pippin," Merry whispered,
stroking his cheek. "You need to save
your strength."
Pippin's eyes closed and opened as he
breathed heavily. A wheezing sound filled
the room.
"You're going to be alright...." Merry
said. A single tear streamed down Pippin's
throat and his chest rose no more. "Pippin?
Pippin?!" Merry broke out in racking sobs as
he hugged his cousin's lifeless form. "Pippin,
my Pippin! Don't leave me! Please! Please come
back! Come back! Come back!" He extended his
hand and slowly closed Pippin's eyes. "Please,
you cannot leave like this!"
"Merry....." Sam tried to say.
Merry didn't wait for him to finish. He
bolted out the door, running into the rain.
How long he ran he did not know. When the
pain in his side became too much he collapsed
to the ground. The rain pounded into his back
as he sobbed uncontrollably.
"Pippin! Pippin, why did you leave me?!
Pippin! What am I going to do without you?!"
He buried his face into the ground and wept.
Overhead, the thunder rolled.
To be continued.
Chapter 1
Chapter 3
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