Chapter 1: Merry
Pippin's POVToday's going to be a great day! We're going for an ale to the Green Dragon! And then me and Merry will go with Frodo and Sam on a hike and Frodo said he would also take us to Bree if we behaved! I'm sooo excited!
I get ready and brush my golden curls. Now it's getting kind of late. Where's Merry? I drop everything and open his door. And he's sleeping!
"But-but- Merry NEVER sleeps on a fun day!" I cry out loud.
"Merry! Wake up!" I scream, getting scared as I tug at his arm. Nothing. I put a hand to his forehead.
"Oww!" I howl, looking at my hand, which is strawberry pink from my best friend's fever.
"Merry..." I whisper, and then run top speed to the street on the other side to Frodo's house.
"Frodo!" I shout. Frodo screams and drops his books. I guess I really scared him. He's so jumpy these days. That's why I got Sam to live with him.
"What?" he says, annoyed.
"It's Merry! Something's wrong with him!" I wail, hugging him. Frodo's face softens.
"What is it?"
How should I know?
"Just come!" I say, and drag him out. Frodo scribbles a quick note to Sam and leaves with me.
Merry is now awake. "Pippin...Frodo...my head hurts..." he complains. Poor Merry.
"You poor thing," Frodo sympathises, putting a cold rag on his forehead. Merry yelps and I flinch.
"That's cold, Fro," he mumbles grumpily.
"I know," Frodo says in a patient, soothing voice. "but it will make you feel better. I promise."
"Okay..." Merry falls asleep.
"Can you stay with him? Some soup and medicine would do him good." I nod, and Frodo disappears into our very messy kitchen.
"Pip..." Merry moans. "Yes, Merry?" I try to sound as cheerful as possible, for Merry.
"I don't feel good..." he whimpers.
"I know, my dear." I say earnestly. "But I will be here."
"Promise?"
"Yes, promise."
"Pippin." Frodo stands behind us with a bowl of chicken soup and a medicine bottle. I take it and help my sick cousin to eat, slowly so that he doesn't vomit. "He has to take one swallow. That's it. He'll be cured afterwards. Simultaneously." Then Frodo leaves, hugging us both and planting a kiss on Merry's fevered brow.