Merry heard the river before he saw it. He came to a stony clearing where the brilliant blue ribbon of water, (now looking inky dark), was swiftly flowing past the blue-grey rock face. He scrambled down the bank, towards the edge of the water and dipped his hands in. He bought them back up and poured the liquid down his throat. The water felt like ice hitting his tongue and it flew like quicksilver down his dry throat. It had been long since he had had such fresh water. He took the flask from his back pocket and filled it to the brim.
Decided to take a little walk, he set off upstream. Leaving his jacket as to mark where he started, he began the journey.
Fae stared into the clearing where Merry had exited to walk to the river, 'it has been a while,' she thought nervously, 'I hope he's ok.' She tapped Ruby, "Ruby! Wake up," she whispered, (quite loudly!). The only reply she got was a wave of the arms as she snuggled up against Pippin.
"Fine, I'll go alone!" she said heatedly. Stomping past the group of trees, she rudely stuck out her tongue back at Ruby and slunk away into the inky blackness of the night.