Disclaimer ~ Never have, never will own Lord of the Rings nor the song in this chappy either.
Author's Note ~ I'm writing this fic especially for and dedicated to four very good friends of mine, Kate, Kara, Ty and TD. It has now been past a year since I've known their friendship and I have to say that I owe more to them than they can know. Kate, Kara, Ty, TD, if you read this then I must tell you this; I am grateful and proud to be your friend and I cherish our friendship deeply and I also cherish all the time I spend with you guys. You will always be my best friends, probably the greatest and from my heart I thank you for everything you have done for me.
One last thing; Ty, there's a part in this chapter that I think you will love, I did it just for you ^_~
Dedicated to Kate, Kara, Ty and TD.
Summary ~ When Pippin is fatally wounded and dies from an orc attack, Merry flees from everyone and everything around him. Lost in his grief, Merry is captured by the same orcs that attacked Pippin. Legolas goes alone to save Merry from the same fate as Pippin, for he made a promise with the hobbit before he died, a promise he won't break.
IMPORTANT! READ NEXT NOTE BEFORE CHAPTER!
Okie dokie people, one last thing before we get this show on the road (or in this case, get this chapter on the board ^-^), I am going to make a deal with you wonderful reviwers! *huggles all the peeps who have reviewed her story* If I get up to 70 or more reviews (sadly this doesn't include repeated reviews) I will happily post the next two chapters up at the same time, meaning next time you will not have just one new chapter to reach, but two! Also, if I get up to 100 or more reviews nearing the end of this story, I will post up a special ending chapter to finish off the story ^-^
The Lord Of The Rings
A Promise Lives Within You
Chapter 6-Unexpected Meetings
Merry looked up from the burning fire, watching as it danced light across the darkened bark of the shadowy cave walls around them. As he was doing so his hands ringed out the excess water on a small piece of cloth material. The sound of the fire crackling in the darkness was drowned out by the heavy rain hitting the ground outside.
It wasn't a large cave, only a small dwelling in which Merry and Legolas had taken shelter in from the rain. It had been a full two days since the hobbit and the elf had escaped the clutches of Merzoc and his foul orc followers. They could not return to Rivendell, for orcs from all around had converged on the area, therefore they had to travel further away, towards Gondor.
Merry then turned his head to the side and saw Legolas sitting quietly with his back leaning against one of the cave walls. He could tell the elf was dozing, resting and gathering up his strength to continue to Minas Tirith. Merry knew his elven friend's injuries were more serious than Legolas wanted to admit and he could not help but worry in silence. Merry firmly decided to himself that when they reached Minas Tirith he would take Legolas straight to the House of Healing, even if the elf objected.
The thought of him dragging Legolas to the House of Healing made him smile to himself and shake his head as he quietly made his way over to his resting friend. He gently pressed the cool cloth to the particularly nasty gash over the elf's temple that has started bleeding again, lifting the dried blood from his head. Legolas hissed under his breath and Merry winced.
"I'm sorry Legolas." He said quietly.
"No, it's alright Merry." Legolas replied with a small smile. "I thank you for your help."
Merry smiled at this, taking the cloth all the way across the elf's forehead and round his cheeks. Legolas looked at Merry and slowly took the hobbit's wrist in his hand.
"Merry, you've been worried about me a lot I can see. I assure you I am fine."
Merry raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but let a grin curl on his lips.
"If your perfectly fine then Legolas, why am I wiping blood off your head and there are ugly bruises all over your body?"
Merry was tempted to laugh at Legolas' scowl, but managed to keep his humour inside. Legolas then smiled and pointed to the hobbit.
"Have you seen yourself my friend?"
Merry looked at himself; he did indeed have some nasty scratches along with a few cuts and dark bruises, but he had been too concerned with Legolas to notice or care.
"You have been concerned with me that you have not seen to yourself or taken rest. I wish you to do so." Legolas held up a hand as Merry opened his mouth to protest. "I am fine Merry, please do as I ask, for me."
Merry sighed but quietly agreed. He did admit to himself, he was very tired and now that he had seen his own injuries, his body had begun to hurt a lot more.
"Don't you want to come sit closer to the fire?" Merry asked. "You might get cold."
There came no reply, but the noise of the elf shifting on the ground told the hobbit that he had accepted the offer. Merry smiled as Legolas came to sit next to him by the fire and then he stared back into it. Watching the flames dance made him grow even more tired and his eyes began to slowly drop. Legolas, seeing this, placed a hand on Merry's shoulder.
"Save your strength and get some sleep Merry." He said.
Merry made no resistance and laid down on the ground next to the fire, feeling comforted by its warmth and glow in the surrounding dark.
"Legolas?"
"Yes Merry?"
"Thank you."
Legolas turned his head so he could see Merry. The hobbit was lying near him, his eyes were closed and a small smile graced his face. It had been a long while since the elf had seen that kind of peaceful smile on his hobbit friend's face and he was happy to see it once more.
"For what?"
"For being such a dear friend like Pippin."
The remark caught the elf by surprise, but he smiled as Merry drifted off into sleep.
"And I thank you for the same. Sleep easy tonight my friend."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the cold of Winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain
Merry opened his eyes and was instantly hit with a wave of confusion.
He wasn't in the cave, not now anyway. At first he was scared that the orcs had found him and Legolas and recaptured them, but then he realised that he recognised where he was.
He was under the large willow tree that he and Pippin used to spend time under in the Shire. What he didn't know is how he got there. Slowly, he began to remember he had been there in a dream before he had ran from Rivendell. He remembered the promise he and Pippin had made and his heart sank.
"Merry?"
Merry spun around and there, right in front of his disbelieving eyes, was Pippin. He rubbed his eyes hard, now he knew he had to be dreaming, this wasn't possible.
"Pippin?!"
Pippin grinned and walked over to his cousin and hugged him tightly.
"'Ay Merry, it's me, who else would it be?"
"But…but…Pip…it can't be." Merry stuttered. "You're…you're dead."
Pippin simply looked at Merry and smiled.
"Do you not believe in dreams dear cousin?"
But in dreams
I still hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again
"Oh Pip, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Merry said, hugging his cousin tightly. "I've missed you so much."
"I know Merry." Pippin replied, brushing his cousin's tears from his eyes. "And I have missed you too. I know how much everyone else had been hurting too and its hurt me to see it."
Pippin then grinned and continued, "I was so happy when Legolas was talking to you in the cave and saying those things. He is right you know."
Merry smiled and nodded and allowed Pippin to carry on speaking.
"And when you defended him again the orcs, I was so proud."
When the seas and mountains fall
And we come to end of days
In the dark I hear a call
Calling me there
I will go there
And back again
"I couldn't let them kill him as they had done you." Merry said, holding Pippin's arms.
Pippin's face then turned serious and Merry felt his heart beat faster in dread.
"Merry, you have to get to Minas Tirith fast. Legolas is more hurt than he's letting you believe."
Merry felt a wave of fear overwhelm him. He has suspected that Legolas had been holding back the truth of his injuries and now he was proved right.
"How…how bad?" Merry asked in apprehension. "Will…will he…"
Pippin didn't answer; he continued to stare into the eyes of his cousin and Merry seemed to understand.
"Just hurry Merry." He said, the brandishing a smile. "I know you can do it."
And then all went black.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Merry struggled onwards, half-dragging and half carrying Legolas with him.
When he had awoken from his dream, Merry had found the elf prince in a terrible condition and burning with fever. Merry knew that it meant Legolas had to have been poisoned and the fear and terror that raged through his body was beyond words. He then forced Legolas on his feet and continued the journey to Minas Tirith.
He wasn't sure what to make of the dream he had had. He didn't know whether it was a dream brought on by his mind longing to see Pippin, or whether it was something more. But whatever it was, it carried a message that the hobbit would never dare to ignore.
He would not lose Legolas! He would NOT!
Merry kept going with out rest and was relentless. He was forcing Legolas more than he should, but the panic was raging through him as was the adrenaline and he couldn't help himself. If he didn't hurry then Legolas would die.
As they reached the crest of a rather large hill, Legolas collapsed on the ground, unable to go on. Merry knelt by his side in an instant.
"Please Legolas, please you must get up!" He said, his voice wavering.
"I'm sorry Merry, I cannot." Legolas' voice was barely a whisper as he fell unconscious.
Merry's panic soared and his looked around desperately for some sort of solution. When he could see none tears began to roll down his cheeks. He leaned down and wrapped his arms round Legolas' shoulder, resting his forehead on the elf's.
"No…please Legolas…no."
After a few moments, Merry began to hear voices. The hobbit lifted his head and looked around trying to work out where the sounds were coming from. When he discovered who it was, he air caught in his throat and more tears fell from his eyes, this time from joy. He leapt to his feet and cried as loud as he could.
"Eomer! King Eomer!"
Merry felt relief flood his body when he saw the King of Rohan turned in his direction, evidently having heard the cry of the hobbit. Merry watched as Eomer and the riders with him rode with speed towards him. Merry then leaned over Legolas and whispered in one of his ears, "It will be okay now Legolas. King Eomer is here. He will take us to the House of Healing and you will be saved."
In a matter of minutes King Eomer and his riders had reached Merry and Legolas. Eomer dismounted from his horse and kneeled next to Merry with a smile on his face.
"Dear Merry, it is wonderful to see you once more." He said, resting his hands on the hobbit's shoulders. "But I am confused as to why you are here alone and what has happened to Legolas?"
"I promise I shall explain on the way King Eomer." Merry replied. "But we must to tarry, Legolas needs to be taken to the House of Healing at once! He is horrible ill!"
"That is a grim tiding you bare dear friend. I have just come from Minas Tirith and now I shall be returning in the same day. Come Merry, I shall take you there at once."
Legolas was carefully lifted to one of the riders and was placed in front of the rider and held on to tightly, while Merry rode with King Eomer. With almighty speed the King and his men rode towards Minas Tirith, hoping they would not be too late, Merry prayed to the valar the whole way there.
TBC…..
Author's Note ~ I'm writing this fic especially for and dedicated to four very good friends of mine, Kate, Kara, Ty and TD. It has now been past a year since I've known their friendship and I have to say that I owe more to them than they can know. Kate, Kara, Ty, TD, if you read this then I must tell you this; I am grateful and proud to be your friend and I cherish our friendship deeply and I also cherish all the time I spend with you guys. You will always be my best friends, probably the greatest and from my heart I thank you for everything you have done for me.
One last thing; Ty, there's a part in this chapter that I think you will love, I did it just for you ^_~
Dedicated to Kate, Kara, Ty and TD.
Summary ~ When Pippin is fatally wounded and dies from an orc attack, Merry flees from everyone and everything around him. Lost in his grief, Merry is captured by the same orcs that attacked Pippin. Legolas goes alone to save Merry from the same fate as Pippin, for he made a promise with the hobbit before he died, a promise he won't break.
IMPORTANT! READ NEXT NOTE BEFORE CHAPTER!
Okie dokie people, one last thing before we get this show on the road (or in this case, get this chapter on the board ^-^), I am going to make a deal with you wonderful reviwers! *huggles all the peeps who have reviewed her story* If I get up to 70 or more reviews (sadly this doesn't include repeated reviews) I will happily post the next two chapters up at the same time, meaning next time you will not have just one new chapter to reach, but two! Also, if I get up to 100 or more reviews nearing the end of this story, I will post up a special ending chapter to finish off the story ^-^
The Lord Of The Rings
A Promise Lives Within You
Chapter 6-Unexpected Meetings
Merry looked up from the burning fire, watching as it danced light across the darkened bark of the shadowy cave walls around them. As he was doing so his hands ringed out the excess water on a small piece of cloth material. The sound of the fire crackling in the darkness was drowned out by the heavy rain hitting the ground outside.
It wasn't a large cave, only a small dwelling in which Merry and Legolas had taken shelter in from the rain. It had been a full two days since the hobbit and the elf had escaped the clutches of Merzoc and his foul orc followers. They could not return to Rivendell, for orcs from all around had converged on the area, therefore they had to travel further away, towards Gondor.
Merry then turned his head to the side and saw Legolas sitting quietly with his back leaning against one of the cave walls. He could tell the elf was dozing, resting and gathering up his strength to continue to Minas Tirith. Merry knew his elven friend's injuries were more serious than Legolas wanted to admit and he could not help but worry in silence. Merry firmly decided to himself that when they reached Minas Tirith he would take Legolas straight to the House of Healing, even if the elf objected.
The thought of him dragging Legolas to the House of Healing made him smile to himself and shake his head as he quietly made his way over to his resting friend. He gently pressed the cool cloth to the particularly nasty gash over the elf's temple that has started bleeding again, lifting the dried blood from his head. Legolas hissed under his breath and Merry winced.
"I'm sorry Legolas." He said quietly.
"No, it's alright Merry." Legolas replied with a small smile. "I thank you for your help."
Merry smiled at this, taking the cloth all the way across the elf's forehead and round his cheeks. Legolas looked at Merry and slowly took the hobbit's wrist in his hand.
"Merry, you've been worried about me a lot I can see. I assure you I am fine."
Merry raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but let a grin curl on his lips.
"If your perfectly fine then Legolas, why am I wiping blood off your head and there are ugly bruises all over your body?"
Merry was tempted to laugh at Legolas' scowl, but managed to keep his humour inside. Legolas then smiled and pointed to the hobbit.
"Have you seen yourself my friend?"
Merry looked at himself; he did indeed have some nasty scratches along with a few cuts and dark bruises, but he had been too concerned with Legolas to notice or care.
"You have been concerned with me that you have not seen to yourself or taken rest. I wish you to do so." Legolas held up a hand as Merry opened his mouth to protest. "I am fine Merry, please do as I ask, for me."
Merry sighed but quietly agreed. He did admit to himself, he was very tired and now that he had seen his own injuries, his body had begun to hurt a lot more.
"Don't you want to come sit closer to the fire?" Merry asked. "You might get cold."
There came no reply, but the noise of the elf shifting on the ground told the hobbit that he had accepted the offer. Merry smiled as Legolas came to sit next to him by the fire and then he stared back into it. Watching the flames dance made him grow even more tired and his eyes began to slowly drop. Legolas, seeing this, placed a hand on Merry's shoulder.
"Save your strength and get some sleep Merry." He said.
Merry made no resistance and laid down on the ground next to the fire, feeling comforted by its warmth and glow in the surrounding dark.
"Legolas?"
"Yes Merry?"
"Thank you."
Legolas turned his head so he could see Merry. The hobbit was lying near him, his eyes were closed and a small smile graced his face. It had been a long while since the elf had seen that kind of peaceful smile on his hobbit friend's face and he was happy to see it once more.
"For what?"
"For being such a dear friend like Pippin."
The remark caught the elf by surprise, but he smiled as Merry drifted off into sleep.
"And I thank you for the same. Sleep easy tonight my friend."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When the cold of Winter comes
Starless night will cover day
In the veiling of the sun
We will walk in bitter rain
Merry opened his eyes and was instantly hit with a wave of confusion.
He wasn't in the cave, not now anyway. At first he was scared that the orcs had found him and Legolas and recaptured them, but then he realised that he recognised where he was.
He was under the large willow tree that he and Pippin used to spend time under in the Shire. What he didn't know is how he got there. Slowly, he began to remember he had been there in a dream before he had ran from Rivendell. He remembered the promise he and Pippin had made and his heart sank.
"Merry?"
Merry spun around and there, right in front of his disbelieving eyes, was Pippin. He rubbed his eyes hard, now he knew he had to be dreaming, this wasn't possible.
"Pippin?!"
Pippin grinned and walked over to his cousin and hugged him tightly.
"'Ay Merry, it's me, who else would it be?"
"But…but…Pip…it can't be." Merry stuttered. "You're…you're dead."
Pippin simply looked at Merry and smiled.
"Do you not believe in dreams dear cousin?"
But in dreams
I still hear your name
And in dreams
We will meet again
"Oh Pip, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." Merry said, hugging his cousin tightly. "I've missed you so much."
"I know Merry." Pippin replied, brushing his cousin's tears from his eyes. "And I have missed you too. I know how much everyone else had been hurting too and its hurt me to see it."
Pippin then grinned and continued, "I was so happy when Legolas was talking to you in the cave and saying those things. He is right you know."
Merry smiled and nodded and allowed Pippin to carry on speaking.
"And when you defended him again the orcs, I was so proud."
When the seas and mountains fall
And we come to end of days
In the dark I hear a call
Calling me there
I will go there
And back again
"I couldn't let them kill him as they had done you." Merry said, holding Pippin's arms.
Pippin's face then turned serious and Merry felt his heart beat faster in dread.
"Merry, you have to get to Minas Tirith fast. Legolas is more hurt than he's letting you believe."
Merry felt a wave of fear overwhelm him. He has suspected that Legolas had been holding back the truth of his injuries and now he was proved right.
"How…how bad?" Merry asked in apprehension. "Will…will he…"
Pippin didn't answer; he continued to stare into the eyes of his cousin and Merry seemed to understand.
"Just hurry Merry." He said, the brandishing a smile. "I know you can do it."
And then all went black.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Merry struggled onwards, half-dragging and half carrying Legolas with him.
When he had awoken from his dream, Merry had found the elf prince in a terrible condition and burning with fever. Merry knew that it meant Legolas had to have been poisoned and the fear and terror that raged through his body was beyond words. He then forced Legolas on his feet and continued the journey to Minas Tirith.
He wasn't sure what to make of the dream he had had. He didn't know whether it was a dream brought on by his mind longing to see Pippin, or whether it was something more. But whatever it was, it carried a message that the hobbit would never dare to ignore.
He would not lose Legolas! He would NOT!
Merry kept going with out rest and was relentless. He was forcing Legolas more than he should, but the panic was raging through him as was the adrenaline and he couldn't help himself. If he didn't hurry then Legolas would die.
As they reached the crest of a rather large hill, Legolas collapsed on the ground, unable to go on. Merry knelt by his side in an instant.
"Please Legolas, please you must get up!" He said, his voice wavering.
"I'm sorry Merry, I cannot." Legolas' voice was barely a whisper as he fell unconscious.
Merry's panic soared and his looked around desperately for some sort of solution. When he could see none tears began to roll down his cheeks. He leaned down and wrapped his arms round Legolas' shoulder, resting his forehead on the elf's.
"No…please Legolas…no."
After a few moments, Merry began to hear voices. The hobbit lifted his head and looked around trying to work out where the sounds were coming from. When he discovered who it was, he air caught in his throat and more tears fell from his eyes, this time from joy. He leapt to his feet and cried as loud as he could.
"Eomer! King Eomer!"
Merry felt relief flood his body when he saw the King of Rohan turned in his direction, evidently having heard the cry of the hobbit. Merry watched as Eomer and the riders with him rode with speed towards him. Merry then leaned over Legolas and whispered in one of his ears, "It will be okay now Legolas. King Eomer is here. He will take us to the House of Healing and you will be saved."
In a matter of minutes King Eomer and his riders had reached Merry and Legolas. Eomer dismounted from his horse and kneeled next to Merry with a smile on his face.
"Dear Merry, it is wonderful to see you once more." He said, resting his hands on the hobbit's shoulders. "But I am confused as to why you are here alone and what has happened to Legolas?"
"I promise I shall explain on the way King Eomer." Merry replied. "But we must to tarry, Legolas needs to be taken to the House of Healing at once! He is horrible ill!"
"That is a grim tiding you bare dear friend. I have just come from Minas Tirith and now I shall be returning in the same day. Come Merry, I shall take you there at once."
Legolas was carefully lifted to one of the riders and was placed in front of the rider and held on to tightly, while Merry rode with King Eomer. With almighty speed the King and his men rode towards Minas Tirith, hoping they would not be too late, Merry prayed to the valar the whole way there.
TBC…..