Merry shifted uncomfortably on the ground, old feelings of guilt surfacing as he remembered the story from times long past. He had always regretted that argument with his younger cousin, especially considering the events that followed.

"Are you alright friend?

Merry had forgotten that he was supposed to be talking still. He looked in to the eyes of his expectant companion and nodded.

"I am fine Legolas, would you like me to continue?"

Legolas was about to answer when they became distracted by a slight rustling of the grass beside them as Frodo sat down next to Merry, wrapped tightly in his cloak. His face was still pale and the flickering firelight highlighted the dark circles under his dull eyes.

"I was having trouble trying to sleep," he said in answer to their questioning looks, "Sam breathes rather heavily when he sleeps, and his whistling was driving me mad."

He smiled weakly at them, and Merry chuckled softly, glad to see that at least his cousin's sense of humour had not deserted him yet.

"So what is it that you two are talking so seriously about then? Why the glum face Merry?"

"I am fine I'll have you know Frodo Baggins! Legolas was just asking me about Pippin's scarf, so I have been telling him the tale behind it. Who knew that an elf could be puzzled by such a simple thing as Pippin's scarf?"

"These are strange days indeed," said Frodo "but please, don't stop on my account. I would very much like to hear a story right now, perhaps then I may be able to finally get some sleep."

"I hope you were not trying to imply anything just then, dear cousin. I happen to think I am a rather good story teller, thank you very much."

"Well Merry," said Legolas "the secret behind a good story teller is for them to know when not to keep their audience hanging. So please continue, or else I fear we will not finish this tale before our watch is over."

Merry smiled.

"I'm sorry Legolas. Now where was I?"

Legolas sighed impatiently. Impatience now? What great powers must that little hobbit possess, to be able to make even elves, immortal creatures, impatient?

"Pippin had just fallen asleep."

"O yes, I remember now. Well, by that time chaos was about to take hold back at the Hall…."

"Merry, dear, it's time for dinner! Go and wash your hands, and make sure your cousin washes up too. Goodness knows what mischief the pair of you have been up to, it's been far too quiet for my liking this afternoon."

Merry walked slowly down the hall to the bathroom, washing his hands quickly with some cold water, feeling very confused. He ran down the corridor, almost bumping in to his mother as she carried a full tray of food down to the dining room.

"Be careful Merry! You almost knocked me over then. Now, where is that rascal cousin of yours?"

"Isn't he with you Mama?"

"No dear, I haven't seen hide nor hair of him all afternoon. I thought he was with you."

Merry shifted uncomfortably on the spot, not knowing what to do. His mama would be so mad at him if he told her about the argument, so that meant he would have to lie to her, make up some kind of excuse to explain his cousin's absence until Merry was able to find him.

"He wasn't feeling well earlier so I told him to go and see you because I thought you may be able to give him something to make him feel better, but maybe he went for a lie down instead."

"Well he didn't come and find me, that's for sure. Oh dear, I was hoping that if we kept him inside he would be alright. That poor boy, he always seems to get ill this time of year."

"I shouldn't worry Mama, I'm sure it will pass. I'll go and find him, see if he needs anything."

He turned to go back along to the sleeping quarters, but paused as his mother spoke again.

"What about your dinner Merry?"

"It's alright Mama, I'm not hungry. I'll have something to eat later, maybe I can get Pippin to eat later too."

"Alright dear, just let me know if you boys need anything. I'll come and see you both after dinner."

She walked on down to the dining hall, leaving Merry stood alone at the end of the corridor. The guilt that had been gnawing away at him all afternoon had increased tenfold, and he was now frantic with worry about his cousin's disappearing act. He just hoped that Pippin had not gone too far. He was only small after all, and who knew what could happen to him in weather like this. Merry had to find him, before it was too late. He dashed off back along the corridor in the direction of his room, took a cloak and scarf from the stand just outside it, and walked as quickly and as quietly as possible back along the hall to the grand front door. He opened it silently and stepped out in to the snow. If his parents had been paying attention, they may have heard the soft click as the door closed behind him. Luckily for Merry, they were too busy eating to notice his swift exit out in to the cold air. He just had to hope he would find his cousin before they finished their meal and noticed that either of them had left the Hall behind, or else they would both be in serious trouble when they returned.

Pippin awoke, shivering, as the first fresh flakes of snow began to drift lazily from the clouded sky. He had thought that perhaps his rest may make him feel better, but the opposite was true. He was still exhausted, his head was pounding and his throat was raw. His slight body was aching all over, and he was utterly miserable. All he wanted was to go back to the Hall and have a hot drink with Merry and forget all about their argument. It didn't look as though that was likely to happen any time soon, however; the snow thickened swiftly, and soon he could barely see anything through the white flakes that swirled around him. He sat huddled on the cold ground, legs tucked up to his chest, bare arms wrapped around them. There was no choice; he would just have to wait.

Merry was awfully glad he had put on his cloak and scarf as he felt the cold caress of snow against his face. He pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders and trudged onwards, shouting his cousin's name again and again, until his throat became hoarse. An hour had passed since he had left home; his parents were bound to notice they were gone now. He just hoped that his cousin was alright; after all, this was all his fault. He, Meriadoc Brandybuck, had driven the little cousin he so adored to leave the Hall. He, Meriadoc Brandybuck, the one who was supposed to look out for Pippin, had instead placed him in danger. There was no way he could ever forgive himself if anything happened to Pippin. He had to find him, and soon. He just hoped Pippin was alright.

"Pippin!"

Pippin's ears pricked up as he heard faintly the desperate cries of his cousin. He wanted to move, to get up and run to Merry, but his body felt too stiff and sore. He wanted to shout back to Merry, but when he opened his mouth, no sound came out. He was scared now; he wanted Merry to find him, he didn't want to be sick again, not like last time. Tears coursed down his cheeks as he pulled his legs tighter to his chest, still waiting.

Merry scrunched up his eyes, hoping in vain to be able to see through the thick flakes of snow that continued to fall around him. He couldn't make out anything more than a few steps in front of him, so he just pressed onwards, hoping that sooner or later he would stumble upon his cousin. That was exactly what he did no more than fifteen minutes later. He managed to save himself from toppling on to his cousin, but only just. He recovered swiftly to crouch down next to his cousin, who was staring in to space, paying no heed to Merry's presence whatsoever.

"Pippin?"

It was as though Pippin had not even heard him. He didn't look up, didn't move a muscle. He just continued to look blankly ahead of him. Merry was scared now; this wasn't like his little cousin at all. He shook Pippin's arm roughly. Nothing.

"Pippin, it's Merry. Look at me!"

Nothing. It was as though Merry was looking at an empty shell where Pippin used to be. He had to get him back.

But what was he supposed to do? He didn't know how to deal with his cousin while he was in this state, but there was no way he could leave him here while he ran to fetch his parents. Besides, his parents didn't even know either of them were out here, so their help wasn't an option. He would just have to deal with it as best he could until he got them back home. He could worry about explanations later.

Pippin's teeth began to chatter loudly, bringing Merry from his thoughts in an instant. He hadn't noticed how much Pippin was shivering. He tore off his cloak and wrapped it tightly round Pippin's shoulders.

Fool! You're a fool Meriadoc Brandybuck! How could you put him through this?

Pippin continued to shiver, but the shuddering of his shoulders began to gradually lessen, and after a few minutes it stopped altogether. Pippin still hadn't made any indication that he knew Merry was there though, and this was what worried Merry more than anything. He tried again to get his cousin's attention.

"Is that better Pip? Please lad, talk to me."

"

I'm just going to check on the children dear, then I'll make us a nice cup of tea."

Esmeralda was getting worried. Dinner had finished half an hour ago and since then she had been waiting for her son to make an appearance, even if it was only to ask for some food for himself and Pippin. But so far, she hadn't heard a word from either of them. The quiet was unnerving when both were usually so noisy; it wasn't a normal day without there being at least one accident, with either one of the children or her furniture being damaged as a result.

If her nephew was indeed ill, then that would go some way in explaining why there was so little noise to be heard coming from the bedrooms; after all, when Pippin was healthy, he certainly had a way of making his presence felt in terms of the amount of noise he was able to make. It would not, however, explain her son's silence. Merry knew the best thing to do when his cousin was ill was to keep him occupied so that he would be somewhat distracted enough not to be too upset by his symptoms. The best way to occupy her nephew, they had discovered, was to tell him stories. With such an inquisitive nature as his, he would get so caught up in asking questions about all the people and things he had heard about that it was possible to distract him for hours at a time. Esmeralda was therefore surprised that she could not hear her son's animated chatter echoing down the hallway.

"Merry dear, do you boys want anything?"

No response. How strange. She discovered the reason for their silence just a couple of minutes later when she walked first in to Pippin's and then Merry's room, and found both empty.

"Saradoc!" she cried frantically "the children. They've gone!"

He looked so scared, so small, so utterly vulnerable. Pippin turned and gazed at Merry, silently pleading with him for help.

"Pippin, what's wrong?" Merry said, voice rising in alarm. There was something seriously the matter with his little cousin, something that went beyond a simple case of cold.

"I can't help you until I know what's wrong. Please Pip, forget about what I said this afternoon and talk to me."

I can't! Pippin thought, feeling very frustrated. Then an idea struck him. He pointed desperately at his throat, shaking his head at the same time,and inwardly breathed a sigh of relief when Merry finally began to understand.

"You can't talk?"

Pippin nodded vigorously, smiling for a brief moment before he realised the movement was making his headache worse. He grimaced slightly as pain shot through him.

This really can't be good, Merry thought to himself, I don't think even Mama can fix him now.

"Come on then Pip," he said, taking holding of his cousin's hands and pulling him to his feet, "let's get you home."

Pippin stood unsteadily on his feet for just a few seconds before his knees buckled and he and Merry were sent sprawling across the ground.

"Pippin" Merry said as he clambered to his feet again, brushing the snow from his trousers, "if you wanted me to carry you, you should have just asked. I don't bite you know!"

Pippin smiled, then opened his mouth wide, pulling an angry face at the same time. Merry laughed as he scooped his little cousin up in to his arms and began to walk back in what he guessed was the direction of home.

"Alright I'll take that one, but only because you're ill Pipsqueak! And I'm sorry for shouting at you like that, but I promise I don't bite, well, not unless I get really hungry. Which reminds me," he said as he felt the vibration of his cousin's rumbling tummy against his own, "I missed supper to come out here and get you, so I hope you're hungry enough to eat something when we get back, else I fear that Mama won't want to feed me at all."

In answer, Pippin rubbed his tummy and smiled.

"That's good to hear, little one. I'll get us back as soon as I can, and I'll see if Mama will get you some soup, you could definitely do with something hot inside you to warm you up a bit."

Secretly, Merry was still rather worried about Pippin, but he was glad to know that at least he was managing to keep his spirits up so far. Things could be worse.

Saradoc had been sat in his chair with a pipe in hand, feeling perfectly content. Then he heard his wife shout and his momentary peace was shattered. He put out his pipe and got quickly to his feet, making his way out in to the hallway, where his wife was stood, almost hysterical with worry.

"I told him, Saradoc, I told him not to go outside! I thought he understood! Now they're both out there somewhere, goodness knows where, and most likely freezing cold. What am I supposed to tell Eglantine? How could I let this happen? I swore that Pippin would be safe while he stayed here, and now look what's happened!"

"It's alright, love," he said, placing a hand under her chin and tilting it upwards so that her eyes met his, "we'll find them. It's going to be alright, you'll see."

She smiled weakly at him. He nodded reassuringly, before taking a cloak from the stand further along the corridor and returning to pick up a small gas lamp from a hook by the door.

"You ought to make sure there's something hot for them to eat when we get back, they'll no doubt be hungry. Don't worry love; we'll be back before you know it."

He opened the door and stepped out in to the swirling snow, soon lost to sight. Esmeralda shut the door with a sigh, before returning to the kitchen. She put a small pan of soup over the stove, before going to fetch some blankets from the cupboard next to her son's room. They would need more than soup to keep them warm after being out in such weather.

She put the blankets on the table and drew a chair up next to the stove. She took a spoon and sat absentmindedly stirring the contents of the pan. There was nothing left to do now but wait and pray that they returned soon, safe and well.

Merry was beginning to struggle. Without a cloak to keep him warm, the cold was starting to get to him, slowing him down considerably. He needed to get them back soon, or else it wouldn't just be Pippin that would be ill.

He looked down at his little cousin settled silently in his arms, and frowned. Pippin was awfully pale and his lips had a slight blue tinge to them. He hadn't moved at all for the past few minutes either.

"Pippin, are you still awake?"

Getting no response, Merry gently shook the bundle in his arms. Pippin slowly opened his eyes and looked up at Merry with a very grumpy expression on his face, hitting Merry weakly on the chest in protest before closing his eyes again.

"Sorry Pip, but do you think you could keep awake until I get you back home? Only I don't think you should sleep until Mama has seen you."

Pippin nodded briefly before falling still again, eyes open this time. Merrysmiled down at Pippinand quickened his pace, ignoring the protest of his aching legs. The sooner he could get them both back, the better.

"Mr Frodo, what are you doing up? You really should be resting you know."

Sam sat down next to Frodo, fixing him with a look that clearly showed his disapproval.

"I know Sam, I know, but I just couldn't sleep. It can get awfully noisy at night sometimes."

Merry winked at him mischievously, struggling to stifle a giggle before turning to Sam.

"Besides Sam, I don't think anyone ever grows out of a good bedtime story, and it seems Frodo here is no exception."

Sam's facial expression changed instantly from disapproval to delight. He had always loved hearing stories back in the Shire, and had found himself missing the old tales and songs from home recently.

"Well don't stop on my account, Mr Merry. What's the story about anyway?"

"I was just telling Legolas the tale behind Pippin's scarf. It appears that our friend here finds the ways of my little cousin very odd indeed."

"Yet still you have not fully explained me the reasoning behind his behaviour, and at this rate I fear I shall never know. So please, for the sake of an inquisitive elf, continue your tale."

"Alright Legolas, I shall continue. By that time I wasreally worried about Pippin, but others, it seemed, had not yet given up hope…"

His lids were heavy with exhaustion, but Pippin was determined to stay awake. His head was still aching dreadfully, and the initial warmth given by Merry's cloak was fading, for he had begun to shiver again.

"It's alright, Pippin, we'll be back home soon, I promise."

Merry was feeling exhausted now too, but he had to keep going, for Pippin's sake. He pulled his shivering cousin closer to him, trying in vain to keep him warm.

"Merry! Pippin!"

Merry stopped dead for moment, straining his ears in attempt to hear again the voice carried by the bitter wind. He was just beginning to think he had imagined it when he heard it again, closer this time.

"Merry! Pippin!"

Was that…could it be? It sounded very much like his father. His father had come to get them!

"Papa? Papa!"

He could just make out a faint pinprick of light, drawing closer to them with every second.

"Papa, we're here!"

He had never been so glad to see his father. Saradoc appeared within view just moments later, carrying small lamp which he promptly dropped to the ground when he spotted his son walking towards him, with Pippin in his arms.

"Thank goodness I've found you! What on Arda are you doing out here? Your mother is frantic with worry Merry; you had better have a good explanation for this."

He looked at his young nephew and his tone immediately changed.

"Pippin, are you alright lad?"

Pippin turned to look at him sadly.

"We need to get him home, Papa. He's really sick this time. He can't talk, and its all my fault!"

A/N: So there ends chapter two! I really hoped you enjoyed it. All readers are appreciated, all feedback treasured, so if you have any comments, questions or suggestions then let me know and I'll get back to you as soon as I possibly can.

Merry-4-Ever: Thank you so much for your review, I'm really glad you liked it and I hope you continue to enjoy! The scarf has always intrigued me too, so it's a bit of a challenge to make up a story that's worthy of such an important item. Hope I'm up to it….

I hope that I have not made any major mistakes, but please do let me know if there are things that I need to change. If you find any minor oddities, then please put them down to me using creative license.

Thank you for reading!

Until next time……

Smileyhalo