A story about LOTR from Merry's point of view, set before the fellowship…remembering.
A kind of explanation of why Merry and Pippin have such a strong bond.
Disclaimer: I own nothing of Lord of the Rings, all that belongs to Tolkien, I do however own Zillah, who is Merry's sister, and her name means Shadow.
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I can hear Pippin. He is calling my name, his voice in my head. He doesn't know how he does it, but it could be something to do with the mystery surrounding his history. He can communicate with me without saying a word. And he is calling my name. I fall asleep to him calling me. I dream of Pippin. He is at home in his bed. He is tossing and turning and is twisted in his sheets. He is fevered and he is calling for me. In my dream his door opens and Pearl enters with a bowl and a cloth. He must be sick. He wants me and I must go.
It is dark when I wake and the floor is icy as a tiptoe through my home. I grab my cloak and open the door, preparing to sneak out.
"You should get changed first. It's cold outside." Sprung!
My mother leads me back to my room.
"Where were you going?" She asks as she ushers me into my bed.
"To see Pippin" I reply, a bit annoyed at being stopped.
"Merry, it's 3am? You're going to Pippin's in a few days, not tonight."
"Please mum, he needs me. I have to go." I knew she wouldn't understand.
She hesitates before tucking me in. She's right though; I would have to have gotten changed. Outside the snow covers everything.
"Goodnight dear, we'll talk about this in the morning" She kisses me on the forehead and leaves the room. I wait to hear her door close before climbing out of bed again.
This time I change. I pull my hood up on my jumper and realize my cloak is down the hall and I'll have to go without it.
I unlatch my window and climb out, making my way to the stables. Finding it hard to think with Pippin's insistent calling.
Snowfoot is my father's pony, but the only one accustomed to walking comfortably on snow. I saddle him and am soon off, waving back at my home, where a light still shines from the study. My dad is probably still up working.
I cannot enjoy any of the ride, as my head is filled with Pippin's voice. Half of me wishes he would stop, but then I am filled with dread by what that would mean. I am worried about him, and feel guilty about running away from home like the child my mum still thinks of me.
I hunch down in my saddle and wrap my hands in Snowfoot's mane to prevent me from falling, and then I doze.
I awake with my stomach rumbling; I should have brought food. Snowfoot is dutifully jogging along. I pull my hood back onto my head and shiver as icy rain begins bucketing down. I'm coming Pippin hold on.
I am so hungry by the time it starts getting dark again and I feel so guilty for leaving home. Pippin is calling me though, he sounds weaker, more defeated than before. I mustn't cry or my tears may freeze and it will only make me colder.