A large fire shot out of Mount Doom. "What was that?" Pippin asked pointing to the top of the mountain.
"He did it," Branwyn said. "He destroyed the ring."
A few moments later Aislinn and Frodo could be seen coming down the mountain.
When they touched the bottom, they were greeted with triumph cheers and many embraces.
"Frodo…" Aislinn said.
He stopped as the others kept walking. "What is it?"
"I didn't get a chance to thank you,"
"For what?"
"Breaking my curse," he smiled and offered his hand out to hers. She took it and they, along with the other four, began their walk back to Shire. Back to home.
* * *
It was a long journey back to the Shire. It was shorter with the help of Branwyn and Aislinn taking shortcuts and traveled during the day and part of night. Nevertheless they arrived and were greeted happily.
"Sam!" Rosie pushed her way through the crowd of cheering hobbits to her husband. "Sam!" she embraced him right there before he could take another step.
Many of the hobbits hovered around the four hobbit heroes and their two female companions, asking questions, and praising them. None noticed the sickly look in Pippin's eyes.
"A feast!" one of the hobbits yelled. "We shall have a feast tonight to honor the heroes! It shall be in my own yard!" the hobbit that invited the whole village was Archine Muck. He and his wife immediately began planning the feast.
"Pippin," Branwyn asked. "I think we should get you home, then get you a doctor. Where is your home?"
"Down the lane," he replied. He led her down the lane to a quaint little home that was dug into the side of a hill. She opened the door for him.
"Do you live alone?"
"No," he replied. "Merry lives here too."
"Pippin," Merry walked into the house.
"What?" he whined.
"I found Dr. Kane for you,"
"Oh,"
"What seems to be the problem Mr. Took?" Dr. Kane asked.
"I've got pneumonia," Pippin replied as the doctor looked at his eyes and felt his neck. "And dehydration."
"How long have you had it?"
"A few weeks,"
"A few weeks? It's a wonder you aren't dead. I want to you to stay in bed for at least one week. Keep this," he dug threw his case and pulled out a small bag that had herbs in it. "Put it in your tea three times a day. One at first breakfast, lunch and then before you go to bed. Get plenty of water and rest. Come see me after the herbs run out."
"What about the feast tonight?" Merry asked.
"Oh he can't go to that, he'll catch his death out there," Dr. Kane replied matter-of-factly as he packed up. Pippin walked back to his room. "Someone must stay and watch over him, make sure he takes his herbs."
"I'll do it," Branwyn said.
"Very well," Dr. Kane left the house.
"You should go to the feast," Merry said. "He's my cousin, I can take care of him."
"Why? I didn't do anything, I just made sure you got there,"
"You saved me and Pippin-"
"Go Merry, enjoy yourself. I wouldn't feel right being there,"
"You're more than a watcher you know that?"
Branwyn smiled. "Thank you. Now go, have fun." Merry picked up a jacket and walked out of the house.
"Where's Merry?" Pippin came out of his room buttoning up a white shirt.
"He went to get ready for the feast, I'll be watching you if you don't mind,"
"No," he said.
"How about you get into bed and I'll bring you some water,"
"You don't need to be doing all this for me…I can take care of myself,"
"I should have brought you home when I knew you had pneumonia but I didn't. My job got in the way, so now I don't feel right until you're better,"
"Thank you," he said. He walked back to his room.
Branwyn walked to the kitchen and found the pump in the sink. She pumped the water into a basin then into a small cup. She grabbed a cloth and walked to his room. He was already sleeping. She smiled and placed the basin of water on the nightstand. She also placed the cup down. She dipped the cloth in the basin and the placed it on his forehead. She pulled the sheets up, covering his body. She reached on the shelf for a book and read as Pippin's rhythmic breathing filled the room.