Chapter 26 Little Faithful

Merry could hardly contain himself as the Great Smial came into sight. Uncle Rory pulled up to the front wooden gate and slowed the pony to a complete stop. "There you are, me lad." He said, blowing a smoke ring with his pipe. "Do you have everything?"

"Yes Uncle Rory." Merry pulled his suitcase out from the carriage, thanked his Uncle and dashed right for the front door of the hobbit hole. Pearl was the first he came in contact with and she looked a sight. Her eyes were red-rimmed from hours of crying and her skin was pale.

"Oh Merry." She drew him into a tight hug. "He's been waiting for you."

"What does the healer say? Will he be all right?" Merry asked hopefully as Pearl led him towards his younger cousin's room. "And is Frodo still here?"

"Frodo left the other day. Pippin's still the same, but the healer hopes that he'll pull through it." They stood in the doorway of the large bedroom and Merry's mouth hung open. Pippin lay in bed, his light brown curls plastered against his forehead with prespiration. He looked so tiny.

"Auntie Eglatine?" Merry asked quietly and the woman stood, enveloping her nephew into a tight hug as well.

"I'm so glad you're here." She whispered. "How was your trip?"

"Not bad. Uncle Rory brought me, as Mama won't let Papa out for a while."

Eglatine chuckled. "I see. Well-Pippin's sleeping now, but you may sit with him if you like while I go and tend to the rest of the house for luncheon. Would you like some cookies and milk?"

Merry shook his head. "No thank you-Leah packed a lunch for the ride and I'm rather full actually."

Eglatine kissed him on top of the head before leaving the room. When she was gone, Merry turned back to his little cousin and was pleased when he saw Pippin's eyes move uder his eyelids. "Hullo Pippin-Merry's here." He promised, placing a hand against the younger lad's cheek.

"Mmph-Mer?" Pippin's soft gray eyes fluttered open and it took him a few minutes to focus properly on Merry's face.

"Yes. How are you feeling?"

"Sick. Tired. When did you arrive?"

"Just a few moments ago. I was so worried about you. Mia gave me the telegram your mother sent."

Pippin smiled weakly. "I'm glad you're here, Merry. I feel much better already."

Merry grinned, though he felt a bit choked up. "Good. I'll have you back up and hopping around in no time."

Pippin coughed and it sounded harsh, rattling in his small chest. "I hope so."

Merry took his cousin's hand in his own and placed it against his cheek, and for a while neither of the lad's spoke-that is until Aunt Eglatine ordered Merry out of the room.

"Pippin needs his rest, honey. I promise-at the first sign of improvement you may come back and see him. Go and spend time with your other cousins for a bit."

Merry edged out of the room to go and join the girls, who were sitting in the parlor. Pearl was knitting a sock, Pimpernel was writing on parchment with her old quill and Pervinca was drawing something in her sketch pad. Neither seemed to acknowledge the fact that Merry had entered the room, only until he plopped down on the rug beside Pervinca who gasped.

"Meriadoc Brandybuck-you foolish child." Pervinca snapped, glaring at the smear on her drawing.

"Sorry. Auntie sent me out and said I had to play with you."

Pearl smiled. "Well, Merry-we aren't doing anything too exciting-just quiet activities."

Merry lay across the rug, gazing up at the ceiling, listening to the rain that had begun to fall outside. "You have to get well, Pippin." He whispered. "For all of us."

The girls looked at each other and smiled.