As Gollum squeezed the life out of Pippin, Sam arose from his uneasy sleep. He noticed Gollum leaning over Pippin and ran Gollum and tackled him. Gollum released Pippin from his grip and began to attack Sam. Sam was fighting Gollum as hard as he could. Gollum managed to slip his fingers around Sam's neck and grab hold of his fragile neck. Sam was able to yell for Strider, before all the air was taken away from his lungs.
Aragorn heard Sam's yell and began to run back to camp as fast as he could.
Merry was awaking from being unconscious. He saw Sam struggling to get free form Gollum's grasp.
"Sam! Gollum get away from him!" Merry yelled as loud as he could.
Aragorn heard Merry's yells and began to run even faster.
Merry ran up to Gollum and jumped on his back. He began pounding his fists against Gollum's back as hard as he could. He grabbed Gollum's arms and managed to allow enough room for Sam to get free from Gollum's grasp. He then wrapped his hands around Gollum's neck, but Gollum flung Merry off his back. In realizing he was outnumbered, Gollum turned and ran away from the hobbits as fast as he could.
"Sam, are you alright?" Merry asked worriedly.
"I'm ok Mister Merry…Pippin! Gollum had Pippin."
"Pippin, Pippin! Please wake up Pip." Merry said as he held Pippin's limp body.
Aragorn came running up to the three hobbits nearly out of breath.
"What happened here? I heard your yells." Aragorn asked while gasping for breath.
"Some creature attacked us." Merry replied.
"I think it was Gollum." Sam said, unsure of his answer.
"I do believe you're right, Sam, for I saw his footprints where Pippin was attacked. How is Pippin?" Aragorn said.
"Gollum got him. He nearly killed him. I think he might of killed him. I don't think he is breathing. Poor Pip, I should have left him at Bree. He was too little." Merry said with tears running down his cheeks.
"Let me examine him." Aragorn said as he leaned over to take Pippin from Merry.
"He's dead!" Merry yelled as he ran to a nearby tree. Sam followed him.
"Now Merry, you don't know that yet." Sam said in a sympathetic voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know, suspenseful. I had to though. Thanks to all who reviewed. I still haven't picked a title for the story, but I have been thinking about them. They were all so good. I promise the next chapter will be a little happier, maybe *evil laugh* there is so much I could do to Pippin.
