Disclaimer: All characters used are the property of Tolkien, well, except a few.
Author's Note: This story in no way, follows Tolkien's time line (in the index) from The Return of the King. It's my own account of Merry and Pippin's fate.
Hope is the destination that we seek.
Love is the road that leads to hope.
Courage is the mother that drives us.
We travel out of darkness into faith.
The Book of Counted Sorrows
Rain splattered throughout the Shire bringing a gloomy shadow over the land. Down a path in the woods a small pony trotted carrying a cloaked Pippin. The cold breeze increased the flow of the bitter rain, directly smacking it in the hobbit's face. He shivered and tugged on the hood.
"What a day I picked to go out for a ride!" Pippin scowled. "Of course it was bright and sunny when I depart but when I'm a good distance away from home the weather changes on me! Just my luck! At least I will meet Merry halfway down the path. I can only hope he remembers to show this time." The pony suddenly halted, facing two separate paths. "Hmm, which road to take? I could have sworn Merry told me not to take one of the paths but which one? Oh well, I'm sure it doesn't matter. Either one will lead back into Hobbiton."
Pippin spurred the pony and the beast picked up its pace. The forest grew dense and the trees sheltered the hobbit. A shadow moved in the woods. The hobbit jerked his head in direction of the movement but he saw nothing. A pang of anxiety swept over him, causing sweat to form on his brow. To the fight the fear Pippin began to hum an old child's song.
The cooling rain that drops to the land,
I shall never fear.
Although it can bring death to those unwary,
it shall nourish dying land.
A twig snapped in the background. At that Pippin began to spur his pony. He was being followed. The instinct to flee was overwhelming and more then anything he wanted to follow that instinct. Another part was forcing him to remain to calm though. Going into a panic wouldn't make the situation any better.
The freezing.....
He never finished. A towering form leapt from the woods onto the path behind him. Before the shadow could overtake Pippin he violently spurred the pony. In an instant the pony took off at high speed down the path. Pippin turned his head, glancing at the path. The sound of galloping hooves echoed in the distance. Indeed, it appeared someone was chasing him on horseback and if that was the case he was in trouble. Though his steed was fast, for a pony, it was no match for horse. The only possible chance of escape was to leave the path. Pippin steered into the grove of trees. He took one more glance behind and it was his undoing. By the time he turned around it was too late for him to notice another towering figure. The pony abruptly stopped and reared. The tiny hobbit was too shocked to obtain a good hold of the reins and he fell to the ground. For a moment he remained motionless, unable to move from the pain in his arm. When he finally gazed up a man cloaked in black hovered over him. In due time another horse pulled up beside him followed by another. Pippin cowered before the men, desperately looking about for any escape route. Unfortunately, he was surrounded and there was no possible way out.
"Well, looks like we have found another one of the Shire folk straying from the pack!" Briggs chuckled.
"It never ceases to amaze me! I cannot believe that these weaklings travel by themselves!" Delton sneered.
The leader of the pack stepped down from his horse and stared down at the hobbit. "Now, that's the kind of attitude I told you two not to come in here with!" growled Haridur. "By themselves the Shire folk may not be much but together they can do their share of damage! You two look about and be wary for any others that may travel down the path. I'll search the halfling for any valuables."
At hearing that Pippin drew forth his sword from its sheath and jumped to his feet. "Get back! Do not take another step toward me!"
The sight of the tiny hobbit brandishing a weapon at them made the thieves laugh. A growl rose in Pippin's throat. He lunged at the leader slashing his sword at him. Haridur was taken back in shock. The man couldn't step back in time and the small sword sliced into his thigh. Blood spurted from the wound mingling with the fallen rain. Haridur groped his leg, trying to stop the dangerous flow of blood.
"Get him! Hold him down!" snarled Haridur.
With speed that Pippin never knew exist, the men leaped from the horses and tackled him. His face slammed against the cool, soaked earth. He kicked at the nearest man hitting him directly in the shins. The man retaliated and he drove his fist into Pippin's back. The hobbit cried in pain and became still. A crushing weight formed on his legs preventing him from trying to kick again. His delicate arms were yanked over his head and forced to ground. The two men snickered as Haridur stalked over to the hobbit. Pippin's eyes widened in horror as he saw the man's enraged face. It was now that he truly regretted his actions.
"To think I was going to let a little piece of dirt like you live!" Haridur spat in disgust. "Just for that outburst I'll leave you to die in the mud!"
A swift, powerful kick was delivered to Pippin's side. The hobbit howled in anguish as kick after kick, each more fierce then other, continued to bombard his side. The blows were so strong that the two men strained to keep Pippin from flying out of their arms. Pippin's eyes welded with tears as the shots were rained upon him. He could hear his ribs cracking from each kick.
"Take it easy on the halfling Haridur!" Delton cried. "You may actually kill him!"
"Look, Haridur, we may be thieves but we are not murderers!" Briggs snapped. "Mind you, we have played some nasty tricks but it never wound up taking a life! I am not about to take part in this! I thought you were only going to rough him up a bit!"
"You two will stay in your place!" Haridur growled. "Or you will meet the same fate, as he will!"
The men reluctantly remained on the ground, tightening their hold on Pippin. Haridur pulled out his sword but instead of pointing the blade at Pippin he turned it upside down, holding the butt end over him. Before the butt could be brought down on him a noise alerted the men. Pippin turned his head and a smile grew. It was good old Merry strolling down the path on his pony.
"Merr---"
As Pippin tried to cry out a cloth was forced into his mouth. When he attempted to spit it out Delton tied it around his head. He gave muffled cries and squirmed relentlessly but it did not alert Merry. The hobbit disappeared from view and despair grew in Pippin's heart. The butt of the sword shot down, slamming into his face. A sickening crunch filled the air as Pippin's cheekbone shattered. The pain became unbearable and the land around him began to spin. The assault continued driving the hobbit closer and closer to unconsciousness. Finally, the brutal attack ceased. The men stood and searched his listless form. Once they had taken all the valuable materials, Pippin was left alone. The trees could not protect him from the freezing rain for he had been dragged into the clearing leaving him exposed. His protective cloak had been torn from his backside only making the bad situation even worse. The rain poured down soaking Pippin's brown curls. The cold autumn breeze grazed over the hobbit chilling him to the bone. Now a sharp, stabbing pain was spreading all over his body. To Pippin's relief the pain soon gave way but his entire body became numb.
"Oh, Merry, Merry, where are you?" Pippin moaned, sobbing into the mud. "I don't want to die alone....."
The darkness overwhelmed him.
***
"Oh, where is that bothersome Took?!" Merry growled, glancing about the woods. "He practically broke my arm into agreeing to meet him here and what does he do?! He forgets to show as usual!" He sighed in disgust. "I have been up and down this path enough! Perhaps he somehow passed by and is waiting back at home for me. If he isn't, then he can journey back by himself!"
The road twisted and Merry found himself back at the crossroad. He was about to turn to the left when he noticed something moving on the other road. Curious to what it was he spun around and went on the opposite dirt path. His eyes squinted.
"Why, that looks to be Pippin's pony!" Merry cried. A lump grew in his throat. "Pippin?! Pippin?! Where are you?!" He dismounted and searched the area. A trail of torn cloth led off the trial and Merry took it. "Pippin, I swear if you are playing another one your pranks......Oh no, Pippin!"
There, on the ground, Pippin laid face down as a pool of water mixed with blood, which slowly rose up to his mouth. Merry rushed to the clearing in panic. He swept Pippin's form into his arms and rocked him gently. Growling in rage he removed the cloth from his cousin's mouth.
"Oh, Pippin, wake up!" Merry wailed, bursting into tears. He buried his face in Pippin's damp curls and shook him. "Please wake up!" So cold, so stiff. "Who has done this to you Pippin?! Oh, whatever shall I do?!" A low gurgle rose from Pippin's throat.
Merry dragged Pippin out of the clearing. He forced the pony down to the ground and securely placed the hobbit on. Merry mounted the steed and spurred it back up. He held Pippin protectively as they raced through the woods at a dangerous speed.
"Don't worry cousin, I'm sure I'll figure something out! I know! I'll get you to a doctor and he'll make you good as new again! You'll be up in no time acting like your annoying self and playing cruel jokes on me! Please hang on a bit longer!" The rest of the way Merry continued to talk to Pippin, as if he could hear him.
More to come.
