Disclaimer: These lovable little hobbits are not mine; they belong to the genius, JRR Tolkien. This story goes somewhat against my other stories, but oh, well. I can always go back to clean up, so to speak. This will probably be my last story for a long while, and so I wanted some sort of closure for Merry. This story is no where being finished, so I always welcome constructive criticism, or other fantastic ideas. Here are the first three chapters....thanks Natta!

LIFE GOES ON: Merry's Big Decision Part II

Chapter One: What's Next?

Merry walked down the hallway towards his room at Whitwell, and was assisted by his Uncle Paladin. It was slow going, as he placed his hand against the wall to keep his balance. He had just arrived from his brief, two-day recuperation at Bag End where he and his young cousin Pippin took a spill down the backside of The Hill. He and his cousins were attending Frodo's 30th birthday party when for reasons unknown to Merry at the time, Pippin had climbed the huge tree on top of the hill. Pippin had a tummy full of ale when he jumped from a great height out of the tree and subsequently broke his wrist. Merry tried to catch him before he landed, but he miscalculated, and instead Pippin landed right on his head. Merry didn't recall too much after that, but when he woke up the following morning he remembered having the worst headache of his life--intensified by the presence of an estranged father.

By early this morning, Merry's headache had tapered and the nausea was gone. He was actually able to get up for an extended period of time; making a trip outside--assisted by Frodo--and then ate breakfast before he left. However, his headache was brought back in force from the jostling ride back to Tuckborough. As he made his way down the hall, another wave of nausea hit him--and all he could think of was getting inside his room so he could....so he could..............and out it came. Merry didn't quite make it to the basin in his room; his breakfast was now splattered all over the floor in front of him and down his shirt. He felt the strong arms of his uncle sweep him up off his feet and carry him the rest of the way down tunnel to his room.

Paladin quickly found that Merry wasn't quite the little lad he used to be--and neither was he! He was laboring a little as he made it to the end of the long tunnel. "Pearl!", Paladin called after his eldest daughter, "Come here, lass! Open the door and help with the bed covers, please." Then he called over his shoulder, "And take heed for the mess!"

"Yes, Father!", Pearl winced, "I...see it!" She caught up with her father and twisted the door handle, letting the door swing wide open, and then she quickly went to the bed and turned down the blankets.

She checked the water pitcher on his bureau; "Father, I'm going to fetch fresh water.", she said.

Paladin nodded, "Thank you, Pearl!" He carefully sat Merry on the bed and helped him take his shirt off. "Are you feeling any better, Merry?", he asked as he unbuttoned the shirt.

Merry's stomach still felt uneasy, and he closed his eyes, "Ask me that again later!" He held out his arms as his uncle took off the soiled garment.

"That I will!" Paladin said as he reached inside Merry's wardrobe for a clean nightshirt. "Well, at least your color is coming back!", he said as he slipped the clean nightshirt over Merry's head. Paladin then held onto Merry's arm as he stood, "For a moment out there you were as white as your pillow cover!", he said.

Merry let the hem of his nightshirt fall to his knees before he unfastened his trousers and let them drop. He sat back down on the bed and let his uncle take his legs out; Merry felt absolutely no strength for the task. He lay back onto the pillows and brought the covers over himself. "I feel so drained!"

"You should--you left your stomach out in the hallway!", Paladin smirked as he tucked in the blankets. "I'll make certain no one disturbs you for a while, but I will check in on you after supper."

Pearl returned with a pitcher full of fresh water, poured some into a mug and placed it on the table next to Merry's bed. She took a cloth, moistened it and wiped around Merry's face; she also placed the basin on the table nearby; "In case you have that...feeling again!", she smiled.

"Thank you." Merry whispered.

After his uncle and cousin left him alone in his room, he immediately felt the peace and quiet calm his head and stomach. As sleep stole him away, he could hear a still, small voice echo in his head, "...You are the flower of my meadow and the star in my sky, but do you know this? ..."