Ch. 17

"Tell me again why you're the green--- hobbit----wizard?" asked Merry, taking a deep breath through his pipe.

"All right, but this is the last time:

We were in Edoras, and there was the orby ball thing, the Palantir, remember? And I stole it, and it, how would you put it? Possessed me? Attacked me? Something. And when it did that, it opened a part of my mind that only wizards use--- or something like that, I couldn't really understand what Gandalf said. But I now use a part of my mind that no hobbit has ever been able to before. So, I guess that's why."

Pippin inhaled deeply on his pipe. "Longbottom Leaf. Never thought we'd be able to afford this, did you, Merry?"

"Nope. Not at all, Pip. Good thing we stockpiled it. I wouldn't fancy trying to buy any now." Merry distorted his face and said in a mocking tone, "Mr. Orc, I was just wondering if you had any Longbottom Leaf availa- ARGH!" At which he fell to the ground, clutching his throat, then doubled over laughing.

The two hobbits sat there for a long time after that, not talking, just smoking. When Pippin's pipe ran out, he looked over at Merry's. "Well, since we're both about done, let's go inside, shall we? We haven't been very hospitable." Pippin had much difficulty saying that last word.

"Sam---" said Merry.

Pippin felt awful. He'd been so relieved over Merry's awakening that he'd forgotten Sam was still on death's doorstep. He knew how Rosie must feel. He'd felt the same way when Gandalf had asked Bilbo to go smoke. Angry, confused, disappointed---

"Come on, Merry," said Pippin, attempting to smile. "We have somewhere to be."

The two of them linked arms and walked inside.

In the kitchen, they stood at the entrance---

And wondered where everyone had gone.