I really have absolutely no idea what compelled me to write this. It was 10:15 last night and I was listening to the Inu-yasha soundtrack, and I just started writing. Oh well, here it is! Enjoy. ^_^ (Oh, by the way, in order to clear up any confusion, * these represent Merry's thoughts)

DISCLAIMER: Actually, I DO own all of these characters, places, ideas, and objects in the insane asylum that is my mind, but in reality they all belong to J.R.R. Tolkien.

*************************************************************** Forever ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter One - "My Job to Protect Him" ***************************************************************

Merry wandered through the gardens of Rivendell idly, staring blankly at the golden leaves around him. It was October the 25, year 3018. The Council of Elrond had just been held, and the descision had been made; Merry, along with his fellow hobbits and others, was to accompany Frodo in his journey to destroy the One Ring.

*We're not going back. We may never see the Shire again...*

Merry had not contemplated this until now, and an uncomfortable weight seemed to settle upon his shoulders.

Pippin, however, did not seem worried at all. On the contrary, he was happily playing tag with Frodo and Samwise. Merry sat on a nearby stone bench and smiled as he watched Sam and Pippin run like mad from Frodo, whom he presumed was "it".

*He looks so happy. It pains me to know that he will soon be enduring the
peril and struggle of the journey.*

Suddenly, Frodo tackled Pippin, pinned him to the ground and tickled him. The younger hobbit's giggles and laughter rang through the air. Merry loved when Pippin laughed. It spoke of all the wonderful things on Earth; sunshine, gardens, food, elves, song, friendship, family... he grinned even more at the sound.

"Ge'off me!!! Ge'off me!!!" Pippin sputtered, his face red from laughing so hard and so much.

As Merry watched, he began to grow somber and sad. He loved his cousin more than anything in the world, and to see him get hurt would be unbearable.

*He's so young...so carefree...he shouldn't have to come...and besides, it's my job to protect him and keep him safe...Yes, I shall have him stay
here until we return...if we return...*

"Merry...Merry...Merry, you idiot, are you even listening?!?"

"What?" He was snapped out of his thoughts.

"I said, 'You're it' you dimwit!" Pippin snickered.

Merry gave a sly smile, and Pippin gave a small yell as he began to run away. He chased after him, enjoying the beautiful weather and the sound of the wind rushing past his ears.

*It may be my job to protect him, but for now, I'll just make sure he's
happy.*

I lie down and blind myself with laughter

A quick fix of hope is what I'm needing

And now I wish that I could turn back the hours

But I know I just don't have the power

(Song lyrics from "Could it Be Any Harder" by The Calling)

Well, I hope you liked it. If so, PLEASE review!!! PLEASE!!! Yes, I am a sad and pathetic soul, but I'm a sad and pathetic soul who loves to write. I'll have another chapter up soon. Thanks for reading!