Tears flowed down his cheeks, splashing onto the table at which he sat. Pippin's head hung low in his hands, his feet dangling to and fro underneath his char.
"Pippin, dear, everything will be alright! You'll see your cousin in a week, or two…"
"WHAT! Two weeks!"
The tears started to flow more freely, and Pippin screwed up his face again, wiping his nose on his sleeve. For as long as Pippin could remember, he and his cousin had never been apart for more than a week. They were always together, running around in the bright Shire sun causing mischief, or sitting in front of a fire, listening to Mr. Bilbo's tales. Two weeks was far to long for the young Hobbit to comprehend.
Merry stood in the hallway, shouldering his pack, suddenly becoming more interested in the floor beneath him. He kicked his foot at a bump in the rug. He didn't care if his Aunt yelled at him for doing so, not anymore. In his opinion, his Aunt and Uncle just didn't want Pippin to have any fun anymore. He couldn't understand why they didn't want Pippin to come with him. Was it something he had done?
Merry hardly perceived Pippin's violent protests though all his thoughts. He didn't want to. He didn't want to see his beloved cousin in so much pain. All I want to do is hold him tight, he thought to himself. Then, as if lightening had just struck his brain, Merry stood bolt upright. What if they know! They must know, which would explain why they wont let me spend more time with him. I can't believe this. Merry started to sweat. But how? I haven't told anyone, except Frodo, but he wouldn't tell, he'd never tell. He isn't that irresponsible to let something like this slip.
"Merry dear, are you alright," shouted Eglantine, trying to talk over her crying child. "You look pale, as if you had seen an orc itself!" She strode across the room and placed the back of her palm against his forehead. "WHY! You are freezing cold… and clammy too. And on a warm afternoon! Well, that settles that, into bed with you Mr. Brandybuck. There will be no traveling for you this evening. I shall have word sent to Mr. Baggins, letting him know to expect you when you are healthy. Come now Pippin, surly you heard me. Your dear cousin is staying, so stop your whining. Go and help him into bed." With that she turned on her heels and headed into the halls of the Great Smials to send word to Frodo.