Hallo again. Wow...I was up reeeeaaaaallllyyyy late writing this one...try from 11:30 pm until 2:00 am. A lot of time was spent trying to watch Inuyasha without my parents knowing (cause it was so late), but they found out, so I just wrote quietly and they had no clue. What lengths we late- night writers go to...well, here's the new chapter. Enjoy! ^_^

Forever

Chapter 3 - An Eternal Promise

When the next day arrived, Merry arose with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. It was finally timeto speak with Pippin.

*This is NOT going to be easy..."

All day he waited nervously, trying to find the right moment to approach his cousin. The problem was, he just couldn't seem to get him alone.

After what seemed like all eternity, Merry finally found his chance. He caught Pippin alone, reading a book of maps under a tree. He quietly walked over and sat down beside the younger hobbit.

"Well, hullo there, Merry!" he greeted cheerfully. "Just looking at these maps here...some of these places are amazing..."

Merry gave a weak smile. "I guess you've taken a keen interest in maps, eh?"

He nodded enthusiastically.

"Er...Pip? Can we talk?"

"Well, whad'ya think we're doing now, silly?"

"No...I mean, seriously. I need to tell you something."

Pippin's face faded into a serious and mature state. He closed the book in his lap, set it aside, and returned his attention to Merry. He wondered what his best friend could possibly have to say. "What is it?"

Merry stared at his lap and took a deep breath. "Pip...I...I...don't want you to come on the quest. I want you to go home and await our return." he said quietly.

A long and uncomfortable silence ensued.

*For the love of Valar, do SOMETHING Pippin!!! laugh, cry, scream, stomp
away...just DO something.*

Reluctantly, Merry lifted his eyes to look at Pippin. What he saw broke his heart; he just stared, open-mouthed, as though trying to reply. His eyes held such confusion and pain that it was unbearable.

"What?" he managed to whisper.

Merry wanted to say anything, to do anything, but he was frozen in a block of ice.

"You don't want to know me anymore, is that it?"

"No, Pippin! It's the complete opposite! It's just..."

"Just what?" he said, his voice rising with anger. "That I'm too young? Listen, Merry! Yes, I'm young and yes, I'm a bit childish! But I'm OLDER now! You need to know me! I'm still a child, but you need to let me grow!" Merry knew it must have hurt him to scold like that, for now his eyes were sad and filled with shame.

"Oh, Pip...it's so much MORE than that...so much more..." He shook, trying to hold back the tears.

"Merry,"

"I just want to protect you. I can't help it. I truly can't."

Suddenly, all of Pippin's innocence and youth crept back again. He crawled into Merry's lap, thrust his arms around him, and sobbed into his chest. He had not done this in a long, long time, but Merry welcomed it gladly. He wrapped his arms around Pippin and wept, too. He tried to soothe the helpless Took by whispering, "I'm here..." and, "Don't cry, love..."

Pippin clung onto Merry's shirt as though he might die if he let go. "Don't leave me, Merry...please let me come...let me come with you..."

Meriadoc gently broke away and looked into Peregrin's eyes. "You're my best friend, my companion...more like a brother than a cousin. I just want to keep you safe. I love you, Pip."

"I love you, Merry." he sniffled.

"I was wrong. I WANT you to come."

"Thank you!"

They embraced again, and Merry was surprised when he heard Pippin's small voice speak once more.

"Merry, promise me something?"

"Anything."

"Promise me we'll always be together; always as friends." he said, looking up at the Brandybuck.

"I promise, Pip," Merry murmured into his curls. "I promise."

"Forever?"

"Forever."

And I don't want the world to see me

'Cause I don't think that they'd understand

When everything's meant to be broken

I just want you to know who I am

(Song lyrics from "Who I Am" by the Goo Goo Dolls)

Well, if you thought that was the end...you're wrong!!! I have one last chapter coming up, hopefully as soon as possible. And now I leave you with a quote from the one, the only, the inevitable ELIJAH WOOD (neeeeee!!!! By the way, PLEASE REVIEW!): "If I wasn't an actor, I'd be a secret agent."