CHAPTER Sixteen - I'll Be Back...

A few days later, Merry, accompanied by his mother, were bidding farewell to Eglantine and Paladin. Paladin helped his sister up into the wagon next to the driver.

"Remember our agreement." Paladin said as he kissed her good-bye. He wanted to make sure Esmeralda knew he was serious about Merry.

Esmeralda thought about it all. This was as good as any arrangement she might have made if she was the one to have done it. Merry will be in good hands. She nodded to Paladin, then she hinted at a smile.

Merry said his good-byes to all his cousins, but Pippin was having a hard time with Merry going away. He thought for sure Merry was going to stay this time...

"You come back?", Pippin looked like he was about to cry.

"Yes, Pip, I'll be back--not too long from now, actually." He'd miss Pippin the most, for reasons unknown.

Pippin held something behind his back, then handed it to Merry. It was his little blue pillow. "Dis be for when you sad, Merry."

Merry knew Pippin was hard pressed to give up his favorite toy; Merry stooped to envelop his little cousin in a warm embrace. "Thank you, Pip, but this is yours--", Merry gently placed it back into Pippin's hand. "and I need for you to keep it--at least, keep it for me, please, until I come back, okay?" He kissed Pippin's cheek.

He stood and turned to his aunt. "Thank you, auntie, for taking care of me, and for all the cakes and cookies and tarts", he hugged her. "I love you."

Eglantine held her nephew and kissed his curly head. "I'll be glad when you're back, lad! I love you, too, Merry", and she whispered in his ear, "you're always welcome here!"

Last, he looked up at his uncle. He looked up into Paladin's face--what do you say to someone who surpasses your own father, yet is not your father? Unsure of what to say, Merry looked down at his feet. What could I possibly say that would measure up to the love he has shown me?

Paladin took hold of Merry's chin and looked into the eyes of his newfound "son". "Merry...", Paladin kissed him on the head as well, and squeezed him in a hug. "Hurry back...son!" This last part he whispered--careful not to let Essie to hear what he said to her son.

"I will!" Merry said aloud, then whispered to Paladin, "papa!"

Paladin lifted Merry into the wagon. As the wagon rode down the lane and turned onto the main road, Merry waved, and watched his aunt, uncle, and cousins until they were tiny specks and lost from sight.

~~~ THE END ~~~