Chapter 2

After what seemed like hours later, Pippin was returned to the cell. He was unconscious, and Merry noticed with a pang that he was covered in a fresh layer of wounds. He couldn't tell which of the cuts had introduced the poison to Pippin's bloodstream, but he was certain of its existence. When they were once again alone, Merry listened to Pippin's breathing grow progressively more shallow and rapid, and Merry was sure that if he felt for a pulse that it would be very weak and unsteady. Shivering slightly from a cold feeling in the pit in his stomach, Merry huddled closer to Pippin, his thoughts running wild. What if Pippin died before they were saved? What would he tell Frodo? What would happen to Pippin's body? Would it be honored, or desecrated? Merry shuddered at the thought and began to whisper in Pippin's ear about the Shire, about their youth, and about stealing vegetables from Farmer Maggot's farm. Merry smiled when he thought about Pippin's love of food, especially mushrooms. Gently, he leaned over and kissed Pippins brow.

"You'll be able to eat all the Mushrooms you want, soon, Pip" he whispered. He cuddled closer to Pippins still form and closed his eyes, deciding to try and get some rest.

Merry was awoken soon afterwards by the door being thrust open by the same guard as before. Grima Wormtongue followed the guard into the room and sneered at the hobbits.

"It seems the White Lord has some unwanted guests, and he wishes you to entertain them," he told Merry.

"My friend is sick, dying even. Can't you leave us alone?" Merry yelled, suprising himself at how angry it sounded..

"Your friend's state of health is the least of my master's concerns" Grima countered, turning his back on the hobbits and walking away. Another guard came in, and Merry struggled as he was unchained and lifted over the man's shoulder. They were carried out of the dungeon area of the tower and up into Saruman's study, where they were dumped onto the cold, hard stone floor. Merry crawled over to Pippin and clutched his unconscious cousin's body closer, his eyes darting around the room. He finally spotted Saruman standing out on his balcony, looking down at something on the ground. Merry figured he must have made a noise, as Saruman suddenly spun around and glared at the two Hobbits lying on the floor.

"Halflings, come here," he boomed. Merry staggered to his feet, his own body in pain from his own torture. Pippin was still unconscious, so Merry bent over and picked him up, shocked at how light his cousin really was.

"My friend is sick, he could die. Can't you help him?" Merry pleaded as he reached the wizards side. Saruman snorted with contempt.

"Your friend's health is of little concern to me, Halfling" he told Merry, brushing past him to address Grima. Merry looked down for a moment, before carrying Pippin out onto the balcony. Merry's jaw dropped as he peeped over the railings. Trees were walking around out there, throwing rocks at the orcs and destructing everything in site. Merry silently cheered them on. A group of them were heading towards the dam wall, and Merry had little doubt as to what they were going to do. Merry smiled and was about to crouch down beside Pippins inert form, when he noticed a group of people standing on the remains of the wall that had once encircled Isengard. Squinting slightly, Merry noticed there was one who was shorter than others, and one whose silhouette was slightly elf shaped. Realization dawned on Merry. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, as well as some others who Merry couldn't recognize. Merry crouched down beside Pippin and squeezed his hand.

"Pippin, we're going to be saved, it's Strider and Legoals and Gimli. It's going to okay" Merry whispered. Pippin groaned in response and blearily opened his eyes.

"What?' he whispered.

"Strider, Legolas and Gimli, they've come to rescue us." Merry excitedly told him. Pippin frowned and sat up a little straighter, wincing at the movement

"Shouldn't they be off with Frodo and Sam? They need the help more than we do."

Merry shrugged, "I don't know, but they're here now." The two hobbits broke apart when they realized Saruman was watching them.

"Well, young Halflings, it seems you are familiar with our guests" he smirked as he spoke. Merry slowly stood up, pulling Pippin up beside him, not trusting himself to speak. Pippin grabbed onto the railing, biting his lip to keep himself from crying out. He glanced out across the ruins of Isengard and looked at the group standing on the wall. His jaw dropped slightly as he identified one of the strangers.

"Merry," he whispered, tugging at his friends sleeve. Merry shook him of and continued to gaze wearily at Saruman. Pippin tugged at Merry's sleeve harder.

"Merry, look out there, it's Gandalf!" Pippin almost yelled the last word, and Saruman directed his attention to the smaller hobbit. Merry also turned to face his cousin.

"What are you on about?" he asked, wondering if the poison was causing Pippin to hallucinate. Pippin had begun to loose his strength again, but he pointed out towards the strangers on the wall. Saruman had strode across the cold black marble floors and joined the Hobbits looking out across the destruction caused by the Ents. Merry gasped as he too recognized the figure clad all in white, while Saruman snarled as his eyes fell upon his enemy. Pippin chose that moment to laugh softly, causing more pain to shoot through his body.

"No offence, Mr. Saruman" he said in a quiet voice that reminded Merry forcibly of Sam, "But Gandalf looks so much better in white than you do"

Merry almost burst into laughter, he would've if the situation had not been so serious, Saruman turned towards Pippin, who had plastered a look of innocence over his face. When Saruman spoke, his voice shook with anger.

"You, Halfling, are a fool to make such comments" he told Pippin, before raising his hand. With all the force he could muster, Saruman struck Pippin in the head, causing the smaller Hobbit to slide to the ground, unconscious. Merry leapt up at this act of hostility against this cousin and jumped upon Saruman, who brushed him off like an insect. Merry fell to the floor with a thud, and as he felt his head connect with something hard, the world went dark. Saruman surveyed the two unconscious hobbits with indifference, before turning his back on them and leaving Wormtongue to drag their limp bodies off the balcony before they were washed away by the coming flood, he'd need them in his plan to push, drive the other "White Wizard" down into the depths of despair

A.N. Oh, what's gonna happen next. Please review