Silly me forgot to put my site on the 1st part… it's Schloss Princeza @ http://www.geocities.com/princeza_9
Same disclaimers as before.
Chapter 2: The Search has Started
Aragorn was getting frustrated. It had been too long since Pippin's disappearance and there was no sign of him anywhere. He looked over to Boromir, Legolas and Gimli. All of them had the same grim determination he did.
"The sun is beginning to set," Boromir noted, looking to the sky.
The four searched for the youngest hobbit until they could search no more. It was dark and they needed to get back to camp. As soon as they came into sight, Merry jumped to his feet.
"Where's Pip?" he asked impatiently.
"I'm sorry, but we were unable to find him," Aragorn responded gravely. "We will continue our search at the sun's first light."
"But…" Merry began, looking to the river.
"Come Merry. There's nothing more we can do now," Gandalf said. "We need to rest in order to continue searching."
Frodo took Merry's hand and began walking back to camp. Merry reluctantly went along, looking over his shoulder to the river, hoping Pippin would come running behind them at any time. Merry didn't touch his supper, he was too sick with worry. He sat by himself, away from the Company, immersed in thought about his best friend. He didn't even notice Boromir sit next to him and wrap a blanket around his shoulders.
"Come next to the fire," Boromir said, but Merry just shook his head no.
"Then we both shall sit here and freeze," Boromir added.
"I do not wish to be warm and full while Pippin is cold and hungry," Merry said.
"How do you know Pippin's state?" Boromir asked.
"He was dragged under the water. He is not with us, something is keeping him away. I know he's cold, hungry and lonely," Merry stated with a harsh matter-of-fact tone.
Boromir didn't know what to say to that. It was obvious that the hobbit wasn't interested in being comforted. It was actually the opposite. Merry wanted to be uncomfortable, he felt guilty in having comfort while Pippin had to have been uncomfortable.
Boromir offered to take first watch while the rest of the Company slept. It was more to keep an eye on Merry and to keep the hobbit company than anything else. Merry didn't want to sleep, he just kept thinking about poor Pippin. How he didn't help his cousin, he failed to keep his cousin safe… Warm tears began sliding down Merry's face has he realized he might have lost his cousin forever.
"Do not despair yet, Master Meriadoc. Pippin isn't lost to us yet," Boromir said softly, retaking his place by Merry's side.
"I should have done more," Merry whispered. "I should have done a lot more."
*** *** *** ***
Pippin awoke with a start. Slowly sitting up, he surveyed his surroundings. He was under the ground, in some kind of cave. The air was foul and thick. Pippin didn't dare stand, but needed to get to fresh air. He crawled until he found a smaller cave with fresher air.
He sat for a few minutes, trying to think of a plan of action. He knew he had to get out and find his way back to camp, but he didn't even know how he got into the cave.
"What have I gotten myself into now?" Pippin mumbled miserably. "I am sure that Merry is dreadfully worried about me. I must get back and tell him this was not his fault."
Although he was hungry, Pippin was more concerned about being soaking wet and freezing cold. And he was most worried about Merry. Instead of sitting and wallowing in misery, Pippin cautiously made his way from cave to cave to cave, trying to find a way out.