A/N: Kit, thanks for your note on the word, 'ok.' I don't feel like going to go back and fixing the rest of them. From now on, though, I'll try to make "okay" to 'alright.' I know it's spelled wrong, but I dislike it being two words. Much like 'alot' and 'a lot,' I like using the one-word way. Yes, it's grammatically incorrect, but I don't care! Okay, I have made you people wait waaaaaaay too long for my next chapters. So I'm sorry, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's kinda scary, someone gets hurt. And I'm not telling who or how. You'll have to find out for yourself. This won't be graphic like my other story, Lost Trust, which, by the way, you should check out now if you haven't already. Uh, yeah, here you go.
* * *

"Mama?"

"What is it, love?"

Merry eased slowly into his mother's room. Esmerelda sat in a rocking chair, sewing up some patches in her son's clothes.

"Er...can..I know you said that I'm being punished, but...well, you said that I needed to treat Pippin more like a guest and less like a pest. Would it be alright if I took him on the pony cart? We wouldn't go very fast, and I think he'd like it. I know you'll probably say no, but I thought I'd see..."

"That's fine, darling. I'm glad you are taking more interest in Pippin. Didn't I tell you that he is a lovely child?"

"He's nice, Mama. Just a little misunderstood, I guess. We had a talk last night. He said that his sisters always baby him, and he doesn't like that. He's nearly six, though. And he's the baby. And the only boy."

"The higher a family's title, I believe the more they baby their children."

"You and Papa, you didn't baby me."

"No, we didn't, because we have sense."

Merry thought about this for a moment, but did not pursue the subject anymore. He suddenly became very interested in a flower pattern on the rug. His mother put down her sewing and came over to him and put her hand under his chin, lifting his face to look at hers.

"What changed your mind about the little one, darling?"

Merry decided he did not want to tell his mother about the carriage ride and what they'd spoken about the night before.

"I guess we just understand each other, that's all."

"Very well. When will you two being going on your ride?"

"After elevensies, Mama, if you would let us."

"Shall I put in some sandwiches for your luncheon, then?"

"Yes, please. And mama?"

"Yes, sweetheart?" Esmerelda turned around on her way back to her seat.

"Thank you." Merry went over to her and kissed his mother, and then hurried from the room. And Esmerelda smiled. He could never stay mad at someone for long.
* * *

"Have a good time, boys." Merry's father called to them as he watched Merry help Pippin up into the pony cart. Esmerelda handed Merry their lunch basket. From the basket, Merry caught the delicious aroma of stuffed mushrooms. His heart leapt in his chest.

"Enough for you both." Esmerelda said, giving her son a wink. Merry smiled and set the basket on the bottom of the cart. Pippin clutched Merry's sleeve with one hand.

"Can we go?"

"Yes, just a moment."

"You two, be back home by tea or dinner, understand?"

"Yes, mama. I promise we will."

"And no going past the river. I don't want to remind you, Meriadoc, what happened the last time. Is that clear?"

Merry blushed a deep red. "Yes, Papa, I know. We won't."

"Alright, we'll see you two back here in two hours."

"Yes, Mama. Good-bye!"
* * *
Merry knew how far back his parents could see the cart, so he relaxed the reigns and let the pony trot for a while. Pippin pulled on his cousin's shirt.

"Why did your papa said not to go past the river? What happened last time?"

"Don't ask."

"How come? Tell me!"

"No."

"Please?" Pippin persisted. "I won't tell anyone, I promise."

"Not a soul?" Merry said to him. Pippin nodded, raised his right hand.

"I promise not to tell anyone. Not my mama, my papa or my sisters. Anyone."

"Well...one morning, I took the cart without asking my parents and I was going to ride around across the river. But it got really rainy and I couldn't see, and the cart rolled into the water, and I almost died. We lost the pony, though."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

"It's alright. My papa doesn't want me to go by the river in case it happens again."

For a while, they were silent. Then, Pippin against Merry's arm and yawned.

"You're supposed to have a nap, aren't you?"

"No..." Pippin said, his eyes blinked back sleep. "I'm too big for na-aaaaAAAHHHH--"

"If that wasn't a yawn--"

"I'm not sleepy!"

"Alright, alright."

"I'm cold though. It's very cold."

Merry pulled the reigns to a halt, and, almost reluctantly, removed his scarf and tied it around Pippin's neck. He then removed his jacket and gave that to Pippin as well. Pippin fingered the scarf. "It feels nice. I like it."

"You keep it, then."

Pippin's eyes widened. "Oh no...but your mama said that...she said it was your favourite thing in the whole world! I can't take it!"

"It's mine to give to whom I wish. Keep it."

"Please--"

"Pippin." Merry's tone was firm and to the point, and Pippin knew that it was final. The horse, moving again, had reached the edge of the river, and Merry pulled her reigns to a stop. He got down from the cart and climbed onto the pony. Merry kicked the pony's side gently. The pony snorted and eased to a run, hurrying alongside the banks of the river. Pippin watched Merry, confused.

"What're you doing?"

"She'll go faster. Not a word to my parents, though."

"I want to ride!"

"No, Pippin, you're too small."

"I want to ride on the pony!"

"Stay in the cart!"

It happened so fast that Merry didn't realise what was happening until it was too late. The cart ran over a bump, and so Pippin, who had stood up to grab onto Merry, from the cart and grabbed the reigns to stop himself from falling. The horse reared at the sudden jerk and Merry fell off. The pony turned sharply back towards Brandy Hall. As it did, the wheel of the cart grazed Merry's head, knocking him unconscious. Pippin saw this, and cried out. He let go of the reigns, and with a sudden scream, he fell, rolling down the bank of the icy river. Pippin screamed out loud. He couldn't swim. The current was too strong. Pippin screamed again, thrashing around. Merry didn't hear him. But with all his strength, Pippin fought the current. The fact was, however, it was just too strong for the boy. Pippin used the last strength in him to loosen the scarf around his neck. As if by some strange stroke of luck, a wayward tree branch jutting out from a tree on the bank caught the scarf. Pippin held on to the scarf for dear life, and pulled himself towards the tree. He pulled himself on the west bank and untied the scarf from the branch. When he'd caught his breath again, he ran with all his might over the bridge and to Merry's side. After several unsuccessful attempts to revive his cousin, Pippin, shivering from the cold, lay down beside Merry, and held onto his cousin's arm. This was how Frodo found them.