After what seemed to be an eternity Merry stood from the ground. The rain had long passed but the gloom still clung to the air. Off in the distance a voice called to Merry. He ignored the plea and as if hypnotized he walked down to the river. The banks were flooded and the water raced by at a frightening speed. Merry glared down into the water, barely seeing his ragged reflection.

"Pippin...." Merry murmured. "I will not be left alone."

Tears streamed down his face as he closed his eyes and leaned his weight forward. He fell into the raging river. As he plunged into the depths the bitter water stung his flesh like piercing knives. It wasn't long before his entire body sank beneath the current landing on the sandy bottom. Merry looked up at the sun, which broke through the clouds. The rays shot down illuminating the bottom of the river as well as him. Merry squirmed in pain as his lungs began to give out. A burning sensation ran throughout his body, desperately screaming for air. Inside the fire moved to his lungs and in agony he dug his nails into the sand. Darkness was starting to pass over his eyes and he became dizzy. As he slipped away a hand shot through the water and clutched the side of his cloak. Merry was hauled out of the water and cast onto the bank. He lay there on the ground trying to look upon his savior but it was too late for him. Lack of oxygen began to take its toll and Merry's eyes drooped. The figure overhead vanished as a voice was heard.

"Merry?! Merry, thank goodness I have found you!" Sam cried, taking Merry into his arms. "What happened to you?!"

Merry swooned and embraced the darkness.

***

Warmth spread all over Merry's chilled body. He fought the weight on his eyelids and slowly pried them open only to be blinded. An unbearable white light was all around him and he raised his hands to shield himself. A warm, familiar arm wrapped around his shoulder and immediately his fear changed to comfort. When he opened his eyes for the second time he was able to view the area around him. Around him stood a groove of trees and the rays of the sun tingled against his neck. It appeared he was back in the Shire but something was different about this place. The arm tightened, drawing him closer to firm chest. Merry tilted his head and when he saw the face tears spilled on his cheeks.

"Pippin!" he cried. "Oh my Pippin!" Merry's arms clung to Pippin's waist as he sobbed into his cousin's chest. Relief swarmed into his mind. "I thought I had lost you forever! It must have been a dream! A horrific nightmare that I could not escape!"

"I am afraid it is not a dream dear cousin," Pippin said, raising Merry's head.

"Then, where am I?" Merry asked.

"You are in the land under heaven," Pippin replied. "Since your body is putting up such a fight your spirit has not crossed over yet."

"Then I will make my body stop fighting!" Merry growled. "I have no desire to remain alive!"

"Dear cousin, how can you say that?" Pippin asked. "Was it not you who told me that we should enjoy our days on Middle Earth while we still have a chance?"

"I only said that because you were still with me," Merry whimpered. "I can't go on without you Pippin!"

"Yes, you can," Pippin said. "You are hardy hobbit and you still have many years left on Middle Earth!"

"No! I want to stay here with you!" Merry wailed, clinging to Pippin.

"It is not your time Merry," Pippin said in a soothing voice. "You have to go back."

"I don't want to lose you!" Merry cried.

"You have not lost me cousin," Pippin answered. "I will always watch over you and don't you forget it!"

"You? Watching over me?" Merry chuckled, trying to lighten his spirit. "Now there is a scary thought!"

"Well, if you pull another stunt like that at the river I'll pull you out and hang you by your breeches in a tree!" Pippin laughed. The hobbit's face turned serious. "Do not do that again. Merry, if you take your life then you will never see me. Promise me that you will never try it again. Promise!"

Merry placed his hand over his heart and stuttered. "I....I promise."

"Placing your promise on your heart is not good enough!" Pippin snapped. He took his cousin's hand and placed it over his heart. "Promise on my heart that you will never attempt another stunt like that!"

Merry closed his eyes knowing that he could not turn back. If he made a promise to Pippin he would have to keep it.

"Promise me!"

"I promise on your heart that I will not take my life!" Merry yelled.

Pippin's soft hand entwined with Merry's and a gentle kiss was placed on it. "It was a foolish thing you did but you are forgiven. Besides, what kind of an example are you trying to set? You are supposed to be the responsible and wise one. Here I am sounding like Gandalf giving one of his dull lectures."

Merry gave a hearty laugh. For a moment he remained entwined in Pippin's arms thinking. A yearning to ask a desired question became too much for him to contain. "Pippin, I have to know....who did this to you?" Merry asked. "Who beat you and left you to die in the woods."

"I will not tell you," Pippin said. "If I were to state the names of the men who caused my death you would somehow try to seek revenge. Even as I lay dying on the bed I often thought of ways to make them suffer. As I came close to oblivion I realized that even if I had the chance what would it prove? What would it prove to you dear Merry? What would you have done to them?"

"I would have what was done to you done to them!" Merry snarled. "Men like that do not deserve to live!"

"And tell me Merry would it comfort you watching them suffer and die?" Merry became silent. "Perhaps it would bring you momentary joy but what about after? Their deaths would not bring me back to life. That is the curse of revenge Merry, it is bittersweet."

"But they still live while you do not!" Merry screeched.

"Their time will come," Pippin replied.

"Not soon enough," Merry grumbled.

"You may be in for a surprise," Pippin chuckled. "You have little time left here.....What would you like to do?"

"I...I would like to lay here and hold you for a bit," Merry whimpered.

"Very well," Pippin said.

Merry cuddled next to Pippin rubbing his face in soft, brown curls. He closed his eyes and began to drift into sleep. Pippin gently stroked his head singing softly in his ear. A wonderful, comforting warmth spread all over him. His body soon became light and it felt as if he were floating away. At that he violently woke and latched onto Pippin. A sad glint shone in Pippin's eyes as he tried to tug away from Merry. Tears were starting to build in his eyes as well as Merry's.

"You have to let go now Merry," Pippin hoarsely cried.

"No!" Merry wailed, burying his face in his cousin's chest.

"Merry you have to let me go," Pippin cried. "It is time for you to move on."

"I am afraid to let you go!" Merry sobbed.

"Do not be afraid for I will always be with you Merry," Pippin said. "Please, let go and be at peace."

Merry sobbed as he sluggishly removed his hands from Pippin's shirt. Pippin leaned forward planting a soft kiss on Merry's forehead. "I love you Merry."

"I love you Pippin," Merry sobbed.

Merry descended through the ground and watched as Pippin's form grew fainter and fainter. His hand stretched out in a silent plea but Pippin did not reach for it.

"Farewell cousin."

The light disappeared to one of flickering candle light. Merry found himself in a bed with Sam at the foot weeping. The hobbit sat up and looked around dazed. Sam noticed the movement and nearly jumped when he saw Merry.

"Oh thank heaven you are awake!" Sam cried, giving crushing hug to Merry. "I thought you might have become lost like Pippin."

"No, I am not lost and neither is Pippin," Merry muttered. "I...I am weary Sam. If it were alright with you I would like to rest alone for a bit."

"Of course, of course," Sam chuckled. "If you need anything I will be in the kitchen with Rose. She is heating a delightful soup that you should try when you awake. It will do your body good. The children are here as well but I will make certain that the noise level is kept down. It will be their naptime soon anyway."

Alone at last Merry gazed out at the window. The stars twinkled in the clear night sky and one grazed across the horizon in a green glow. Merry closed his eyes and silently made a wish. The night moved on and so did Merry.

Merry, after a month of healing, strolled down Woodshot Path lugging his walking stick. The autumn breeze was turning into a stinging wind indicating the onslaught of winter. Down the path he came across an old orchard and ahead stood a tiny grave under one of the many trees. Sighing, Merry sat down beside the grave and took out a piece of bread. He leaned against the bark and gnawed on the loaf.

"Another beautiful autumn day isn't it?" Merry said. "I can't wait until spring comes and the orchard fills with apples. Do you remember the time we hid up in the trees and threw rotten apples at Frodo? Oh, that was a good laugh! Well, until Frodo caught up with us! I thought this was the best place to lay you at rest. We have so many happy memories here as children." He paused and put the bread back in his sack. "Rose has taken ill again. I fear that when she passes Sam will venture to the Gray Havens and then.....I will be alone.....But I will worry about that when I cross that road! Well, I must be heading back now! You know what my wife is like when I am gone too long! One of the many joys of being newlyweds! Quite the hobbit Estella is! Did I mention that she is with child? If she bears a boy you can probably guess what name he shall be given. Well, I really must be going or I won't be allowed back in the house! Same time, same place eh Pippin? I am certainly sorry that I cut our conversation so short but I will make up for it tomorrow. Good-bye dear cousin!" Merry rose from his seat and took a few steps on the trial. He stopped and faced the grave again. ".....thank you..."

At that he turned and walked down the path humming. Overhead the sun vanished in dark clouds and the birds flocked in the sky as a light snow drifted to the ground. It was the beginning of a new season.

End.