Further Up Futher In

By Robin Gurl

Chapter 4

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Hello, I'm back with a new chapter. Unless something happens I will prolly have a new chapter every night. But If I have a lot of homework then I won't be able to. ^_^

Kay now: **** To my reviewers:

Amarth:: Love, I didn't think it was insulting, well at first I did, but then it was kind of funny. ^_^ So don't feel bad. To be a good author I have to accept criticism.

Roz Morgan and Race skylark: O..*grins * gotcha. ^_^, Yes it was my first Merry/ Pippin. And very good one.I might add. And thanks, that was exactly wot I wanted to do. Intertwine my story with the movie. Cos I know more about the movie than I do the book.

Shimanocono:: STRANGE?!?!? STRANGE?!?!?!? *doesn't know how to take that one * Eh? Ok..? O.O;

Pansy Chubb: YAY!! PIPPIN FANS UNITE!!! *giggles and waves banners * I made ya smile? Well yes that was and will always be my goal. NO *falls over dead* JUST ONE CHAPTER?!?!? O.o; I'm going to die...

No Story updates this time.

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Merry yawned laying out on the grass, he was so glad to be out of the snow. "When are they going to get here?"

Pippin was curled up in blankets in Strider's arms. It was obvious he had gotten worse. Strider sang to him a quiet elfish lullaby to calm the sick halfing. Soon Pippin was calm again. As Pippin slept, Strider took a good look at him. Pippin's normally cheerful face was pale. His nose and cheeks were red from the fever. His almost blonde curly hair was sticking to his burning forehead.

At first Strider thought this young one was going to be the death of him. Always being hungry, wanting to play games as they traveled, and always asked the most annoying questions but at that time he didn't know why Pippin wanted to do those things. Strider just thought that maybe the hobbit was off his rocker slightly. The halfings would play with him and tease Pippin. Normally it was Merry who kept Pippin in line. Though, Strider smiled, He had seen Frodo let Pippin have it once or twice. It was obvious that Sam wasn't that close to Pippin, though he still cared for him as anyone else.

Another thing he loved to look at was Halfing Clothes. He'd learned from Gandalf that little hafling children had their clothes carefully made by their parents or a close relative.

Pippin's clothes were a bit different than what Strider would have thought a hobbit child to wear. Though, Pippin was an older hobbit child and he'd never seen an older hobbits clothes before. He had on trousers that were somewhere between the color of green and blue. A white button up shirt was underneath the green jacket. And that poor scarf. It hadn't come off Pippin's neck the whole time. Strider fingered it gently.

As he did he found a tag. He squinted and read what it said. "To Pip from Merry. Best Friends four ever." Ah, Strider thought, so that's why it never comes off.

Horse hoofs were heard off into the distance and they were getting closer. Merry and Sam hopped up scared. They were ready to fight to protect Pippin from harm. Thankfully no screech was heard. Four white horses galloped up. Four elves jumped off their back. One of them spoke English, "They fit our description. One Man, and Three Halfings, one of the halfings being sick."

"Who are you?!?" Sam cried.

"Lady Arwen sent us." Another replied. "My name is Erem."

Strider stood cuddling Pippin close. "I see Arwen has made it safely?" Pippin whimpered as his stomach was jostled as Strider moved. He didn't wake up but his face was twisted in pain. Strider whispered comforting words in the young ones ear and Pippin calmed back down and went back into his feverish sleep.

"We must hurry there is a storm coming."

Erem moved forward, "Let me take him so I can get back fast and he can receive medical attention."

Strider carefully handed Pippin to Erem, "Be careful," He whispered, "If anything happens to him they'll have my head."

As Erem took Pippin he nodded. The elf almost gasped when he felt how hot Pippin was. "Oh my. How long have you been out like this?"

"Almost a week."

"And he was sick the whole time?"

Strider nodded, "Yes, I'm guessing it's been about 3 or 4 days since Pippin grew ill."

"I need to get him back to Rivendell fast." Erem took one graceful leap with Pippin and all and landed perfectly on his steed.

"I want to go with you!!" Merry exclaimed. "I promised I wouldn't leave him."

Erem sighed, he had a feeling that it would not be a good idea to ignore the hobbit. "Alright. Jusif you're coming with me. Take this one with you."

"My names Merry sir. And that's Pippin." Merry told them as he was picked up by Strider and was plopped on the White Horse.

"Hang on Little One." Jusif said.

Two hours later thanks to the speed of the elfish horses they arrived a Rivendell. Elrond was waiting at the door. He had just given Frodo his medicine. Though the sick hobbit was not awake, Elrond had found other ways to get Frodo to take it. Erem hopped off his horse and gave Pippin over to the Elf Lord, "Sire, he is ill."

Elrond took Pippin and did a quick over check. 'Definitely has a fever,' he thought 'that can be taken care of with some simple medicine. That is if I caught in time' As he looked he noticed another hobbit being helped down. 'Well I'll be. Another one?!? He looks older than this one. maybe this one is his son.'

"Is Pip going to be ok?" Merry asked.

"I'm sure I can fix your friend, come little one."

Merry followed the elegant Elf Lord down huge halls. He soon found it hard to keep up. Elrond slowed down just for Merry it seemed and they continued walking.

Pippin sat up in another of one of those dreadful coughing attacks. This one hurt more than ever. "You alright Little One?" The youngest hobbit looked up to see a fatherly eleven face looking down at him. "Who are you?"

Elrond smiled warmly, "I'm Elrond, I rule over all Rivendell. But no need to worry about that now. You are ill young one."

Pippin nodded tiredly, he leaned his head on Elrond's shoulder looking around sleepily. He looked down and saw Merry smiling at him. "Merry..."

"Hey Pip!" Merry squeezed Pippin's dangling hand, "He'll fix you up cousin in no time."

"I'm hungry but I don't want to throw it back up."

Elrond laughed gently, "Maybe you can keep some of our soup down."

"Kay.." Pippin replied. He was quiet the rest of the way. Finally they arrived in a huge room.

Merry's eyes widened, the bed could hold at least six hobbits comfortably. Elrond laid Pippin down on the huge bed covering him up. He noticed right away that Pippin's expression was a mix of Fear and Pain. "What's wrong?!?!"

Pippin sat up and buried himself in Elrond's robes sobbing, "They're here! They followed ME!!"

Merry jumped up on the huge bed beside Elrond, "Who Pippin?"

"Those black things." Pippin sobbed.

Elrond held the small hobbit close as he cried. "It's ok Pippin, that it right isn't it?" Merry nodded and he continued, "We'll protect you from everything." Elrond sighed silently, Pippin was obviously one of the youngest in the group. Frodo had calmed down easier. He decided to calm him like he had done to Aragorn when he was young. Elrond began rocking the crying hobbit then started singing an Elvin lullaby that was sung for babies when they were ill.

A few hours later Elrond noticed Merry had fallen asleep. Pippin had finally calmed down and was asleep also. The Elf Lord covered both hobbits up then went back to check on Frodo. He smiled as he shut off the light. "They are going to light this place up again."

End Chapter 4

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I think this one was my BEST chapter for this fic.wot do ya think!?!? Anywho PLEASE R/R!!!

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