Another palantir one. :) Mostly book, but a little movie influence thrown in. Would probably originally have been "Goodbye" Part 2. (see chapter 6.)

Merry sat down next to Pippin without speaking as Gandalf left them. There was silence, except for the faint voices of the rest talking softly not far away. Pippin stirred uncomfortably. Was Merry angry with him? He opened his mouth to speak, when Merry turned slowly.

"Are you all right?" There wasn't much Pippin could detect from his voice, but Merry sounded... betrayed. Pippin felt even worse. He wasn't hurt, but his cousin was.

"I'm fine," he said, though he didn't feel it. His body felt all weak, his mind was still crowded with horrible things, and he was- what? Not the same. He hadn't meant to do this to Merry, never. Pippin looked at the ground, trying as hard he could to mean the words. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean..." He trailed off, his eyes stinging.

To his astonishment, Merry threw his arms around his friend. "I know, Pippin. I've forgiven you." Pippin was relieved, yet still worried. If it wasn't that, then what was wrong with Merry? His cousin's voice trembled as he let go. He took a breath. "I've... I think I know what's going to happen."

"What?"

Mery looked away and swallowed. "Gandalf's leaving again."

Pippin was silent a moment. "And?" He knew there was more to Merry's trouble than that.

"And..." Merry shook his head. The next words were quiet. "And he's going to take you with him."

"But why?" Pippin was stunned. "How do you know?"

"You're in danger, Pippin. You're recovering quite well, but you haven't forgotten."

Pippin shivered. He hadn't. "No."

"And more than that..." Merry hesitated. "He'll be watching now for you. If you stay here-"

"I could put us all in danger." Pippin understood finally, though he didn't want it in the least. Merry nodded, biting his lip. Pippin took his friend's hand. "If I go, we'll be separated. We've never-"

"It'll be alright." Merry didn't sound as if he believed it. "I'll stay with Strider and the king, and Gandalf will look after you."

Pippin looked at Merry and their eyes met. "What if we never see each other again?" Pippin saw in Merry's eyes tears, trying to come up with something to console his younger cousin, and finding nothing. They didn't speak for a long while.

At last, Pippin broke the silence with a whisper. "Gandalf's coming. Is it time to go?" Merry nodded, hugging Pippin one last time. Pippin wrapped his arms around his best friend. "Goodbye, Merry."

Merry pulled back softly. "Pippin." Pippin understood. There was still so much he wanted to say, but there was no time.

Gandalf stood watching the two hobbits, Pippin lying down, Merry kneeling beside him, and sighed. It was best they left immediately. He approached them and picked up the trembling Peregrin. "You shall come with me tonight," he said. "Shadowfax shall show you his paces." Pippin nodded. Merry squeezed his hand again and let go.

Gandalf mounted. Aragorn laid his hand on Merry's shoulder. Pippin looked back. Merry grew farther and farther behind as Shadowfax ran.