Chapter 13 - The Oak Door is Closed
One!
Two!
THREE!!!
As Merry casually opened the door, he was immediately welcomed by a crushing blow by Sam's fist.
Merry scarcely had time to react when the full force of Sam's body pushed him down. Merry's eyes opened wide as the floor rose up to meet him. He threw his hands out in just the nick of time to cushion the impact. Merry flipped himself over, quick as a grasshopper - his eyes smoldering with fury.
"Insolent servant!" breathed Merry as he made to rise. A swift hard kick to Merry's gut cut off the rest of his dialogue.
"I'll servant you, Master Merry!!!" growled Sam as he delivered another kick to Merry's exposed side.
"Merry!" cried Pippin, immobilized by the shock. "Merry!"
Pippin stared in horror at his Merry, arms wrapped defensively around his belly, a river of blood dripping down from his nose, and eyes rolling up in the beginnings of a swoon.
Pippin broke out of his stupor, dashing to Merry and kneeling by his side. Pippin wrapped his arms lovingly around his fallen idol.
"Out of the way, Pippin!" ordered Sam. "I'm not done with the scoundrel!"
"No, Sam," said a calm voice behind him.
The words came not from Pippin, but Frodo.
"You've immobilized him enough, Sam," said Frodo as he reached up and squeezed Sam on the shoulder. "Time to go."
Sam huffed, but stood down. His body still pulsated with adrenaline and anger.
Frodo knelt down beside Pip and Merry, his gentle features filled with pity and regret. Merry looked forlorn and vulnerable wrapped in Pippins arms, nearly senseless. Frodo's nurturing instincts surged forth. Digging in his pocket, Frodo pulled out his fine monogrammed handkerchief and delicately, lovingly dabbed the blood off of Merry's face with it. Pippin sobbed as he repeated Merry's name like a lament at a wake, his mind registering nothing but the hurts of his Merry. Frodo stood up again, smoothing his clothes and looking every inch the gentlehobbit.
"Take good care of him, Pippin," said Frodo, patting Pippin on his back. "Sorry-but I'll be needing Merry's key."
Frodo reached down for the iron key enclosed in Merry's fist. He did not expect what came next.
Merry, at one moment on the brink of unconsciousness, snapped back to attention the minute Frodo's hands touched his own. Merry was animated by a fearsome rage. Before Frodo knew what happened, he was on the floor staring up into Merry's feral eyes, just inches from his own.
Merry breathed deep and heavily, eyes dilated, muscles taut, like a predator readying to tear out the throat of its downed prey.
Merry raised his fist high, then cried out in pain.
Sam had caught the offending fist in a death-grip.
Merry gasped in surprise as he was pulled violently up by his collar and flung roughly against the wall. Sam was too ablaze to form words. He wrapped his fingers around Merry's throat and squeezed.
It was Sam's turn to be feral as he stared into Merry's newly terrified eyes. Pippin leapt up and desperately tried to pry Sam off of his beloved. But Sam was in a state and was immovable as a statue locked in a violent pose. This was a fight he aimed to win.
"Sam! Sam! SAM!" cried Frodo. "Let go, Sam! You'll kill him!"
"It's no more than he deserves!" retorted Sam.
"Merry," said Frodo to a red-faced and bulge-eyed Merry. "If Sam lets YOU go, you will let US go. YES? Delay and answer at your own risk!"
Merry nodded frantically.
"Let Merry down, Samwise."
Sam growled, but released his hold.
Merry leaned down, beet-faced, gripping his knees with whitened knuckles and greedily gulping down air. For a few seconds, Merry remained in this position with Pippin dutifully patting his back like a mother trying to burp an infant.
Merry slowly rose --the ghost of a wicked smile materializing on his lips. Without notice, he raised his leg, and with an unknown reservoir of strength, kneed Sam violently in the groin, then hooked him on the side of his face with a fast-moving fist. Sam crumpled to the floor- crying out in agony.
As Merry had swung, his key had flown from his grip. The key arched through the air, landing on the wooden floor with several loud clangs.
The noise of the key pulled the eyes of both Frodo and Merry toward it. They watched as the key flipped and slid across the floor, coming to a rest with a thud at Pippin's feet. Pippin looked down, but made no move to pick it up.
"Pip! Give me the key!" ordered both Merry and Frodo in unison.
Pip hesitated, looking first at Merry, then at Frodo, and then back at Merry again. Pip lifted the key with shaking hands, overwhelmed.
Sam began to rise, making his intended target obvious. Merry.
"The door - Pip! yelled Merry. "The Door!"
"Sam!" yelled Frodo. "The DOOR! GO!"
Merry leapt for the doorway, pushing Pip through it as he ran. Sam was dashing mere inches behind, followed by Frodo.
SLAM!
The door was slammed shut with pounding force in Sam's face. Sam threw his entire weight against the door, but it was too late.
The key turned, the lock slid home, and Frodo and Sam were again trapped.
TBC
AN: Okay-keep those reviews coming! The next chapter is called "Pippin's punishment" if that is any indication of what you might see! And I wish you lurkers would come out and introduce yourselves! I may be mean to Pip and Frodo, but I really am nice!
TO THE REVIEWERS! (Imagine your name here! Want to make it a reality! Review!)
Budgielover-I hope your computer is up soon! I miss hearing from you! Will you review this chapter when you get it back? I hope you have access to your own reviews, because your last chapter of "some Nameless Place was excellent fun! (Plug, plug!)
Aldarwen - thank you so much for giving my story a look-even though it is not your cup of tea. I will continue to enjoy your charming tale!
Cailen Braern -The next chapter is called "Pippin's Punishment"-so does that give you a hint on who will "get it!?"
. Alisaundre - Well, just because Frodo and Sam did not get out the door this time does not mean they wont make it out on a second or third time. But as you can guess, the price of failure is facing an increasingly angry, violent and unpredictable Merry. MWHAAHA
Sue! Glad you decided to introduce yourself! I'm afraid Merry will be rather nasty to poor Pip next chapter, but then you have another chapt worth of love and comfort. Remember, Merry has to get Pippin under his mental control just as much as he must do so for Frodo. But he will us different methods for each one. I hope you keep on reviewing!
. Evil!Iorhael -Hee hee! - actually, Pippin IS also getting a brainwash. But Frodo will be harder and more intense because for Frodo, Merry will be starting from scratch, and with Pippin, Merry had the additional advantage of Pippin being enamored of him from the get-go. My Evil Merry will take some cues from your evil Merry-just because the technique your evil Merry uses are so known to be effective.
Aratlithiel - Thank you so much for your kind words! I don't know why it is so fun to watch Frodo get beaten, etc. Probably because he is so beautiful and fragile and noble. After all-he goes through hell in the books, which is why they are so damn agnsty-and it is also why they are great. But you are not alone. Frodo goes through many many torments in many ff stories. I hope you sontinue liking mine! And thanks for find ing some of my mistakes! I'm a beta-but I need a beta-probably 2!
Blue Jedi Hobbit 009 -Element of surprise? well- not anymore! The next escape attempt is going to be much more-ummmm-complicated.
Krista - Oh-Merry will take it out on Pip allright! But you DO have to be cruel to be kind! And I'm addicted too!
Natta -more scary coming your way! And your tales are getting scary!!
endymion -You were right-first escape attempt an unqualified failure. Wonder how they'll make out next time? And Merry's "gentleness" will start -at least as far as Pippin goes, -next chapter.
One!
Two!
THREE!!!
As Merry casually opened the door, he was immediately welcomed by a crushing blow by Sam's fist.
Merry scarcely had time to react when the full force of Sam's body pushed him down. Merry's eyes opened wide as the floor rose up to meet him. He threw his hands out in just the nick of time to cushion the impact. Merry flipped himself over, quick as a grasshopper - his eyes smoldering with fury.
"Insolent servant!" breathed Merry as he made to rise. A swift hard kick to Merry's gut cut off the rest of his dialogue.
"I'll servant you, Master Merry!!!" growled Sam as he delivered another kick to Merry's exposed side.
"Merry!" cried Pippin, immobilized by the shock. "Merry!"
Pippin stared in horror at his Merry, arms wrapped defensively around his belly, a river of blood dripping down from his nose, and eyes rolling up in the beginnings of a swoon.
Pippin broke out of his stupor, dashing to Merry and kneeling by his side. Pippin wrapped his arms lovingly around his fallen idol.
"Out of the way, Pippin!" ordered Sam. "I'm not done with the scoundrel!"
"No, Sam," said a calm voice behind him.
The words came not from Pippin, but Frodo.
"You've immobilized him enough, Sam," said Frodo as he reached up and squeezed Sam on the shoulder. "Time to go."
Sam huffed, but stood down. His body still pulsated with adrenaline and anger.
Frodo knelt down beside Pip and Merry, his gentle features filled with pity and regret. Merry looked forlorn and vulnerable wrapped in Pippins arms, nearly senseless. Frodo's nurturing instincts surged forth. Digging in his pocket, Frodo pulled out his fine monogrammed handkerchief and delicately, lovingly dabbed the blood off of Merry's face with it. Pippin sobbed as he repeated Merry's name like a lament at a wake, his mind registering nothing but the hurts of his Merry. Frodo stood up again, smoothing his clothes and looking every inch the gentlehobbit.
"Take good care of him, Pippin," said Frodo, patting Pippin on his back. "Sorry-but I'll be needing Merry's key."
Frodo reached down for the iron key enclosed in Merry's fist. He did not expect what came next.
Merry, at one moment on the brink of unconsciousness, snapped back to attention the minute Frodo's hands touched his own. Merry was animated by a fearsome rage. Before Frodo knew what happened, he was on the floor staring up into Merry's feral eyes, just inches from his own.
Merry breathed deep and heavily, eyes dilated, muscles taut, like a predator readying to tear out the throat of its downed prey.
Merry raised his fist high, then cried out in pain.
Sam had caught the offending fist in a death-grip.
Merry gasped in surprise as he was pulled violently up by his collar and flung roughly against the wall. Sam was too ablaze to form words. He wrapped his fingers around Merry's throat and squeezed.
It was Sam's turn to be feral as he stared into Merry's newly terrified eyes. Pippin leapt up and desperately tried to pry Sam off of his beloved. But Sam was in a state and was immovable as a statue locked in a violent pose. This was a fight he aimed to win.
"Sam! Sam! SAM!" cried Frodo. "Let go, Sam! You'll kill him!"
"It's no more than he deserves!" retorted Sam.
"Merry," said Frodo to a red-faced and bulge-eyed Merry. "If Sam lets YOU go, you will let US go. YES? Delay and answer at your own risk!"
Merry nodded frantically.
"Let Merry down, Samwise."
Sam growled, but released his hold.
Merry leaned down, beet-faced, gripping his knees with whitened knuckles and greedily gulping down air. For a few seconds, Merry remained in this position with Pippin dutifully patting his back like a mother trying to burp an infant.
Merry slowly rose --the ghost of a wicked smile materializing on his lips. Without notice, he raised his leg, and with an unknown reservoir of strength, kneed Sam violently in the groin, then hooked him on the side of his face with a fast-moving fist. Sam crumpled to the floor- crying out in agony.
As Merry had swung, his key had flown from his grip. The key arched through the air, landing on the wooden floor with several loud clangs.
The noise of the key pulled the eyes of both Frodo and Merry toward it. They watched as the key flipped and slid across the floor, coming to a rest with a thud at Pippin's feet. Pippin looked down, but made no move to pick it up.
"Pip! Give me the key!" ordered both Merry and Frodo in unison.
Pip hesitated, looking first at Merry, then at Frodo, and then back at Merry again. Pip lifted the key with shaking hands, overwhelmed.
Sam began to rise, making his intended target obvious. Merry.
"The door - Pip! yelled Merry. "The Door!"
"Sam!" yelled Frodo. "The DOOR! GO!"
Merry leapt for the doorway, pushing Pip through it as he ran. Sam was dashing mere inches behind, followed by Frodo.
SLAM!
The door was slammed shut with pounding force in Sam's face. Sam threw his entire weight against the door, but it was too late.
The key turned, the lock slid home, and Frodo and Sam were again trapped.
TBC
AN: Okay-keep those reviews coming! The next chapter is called "Pippin's punishment" if that is any indication of what you might see! And I wish you lurkers would come out and introduce yourselves! I may be mean to Pip and Frodo, but I really am nice!
TO THE REVIEWERS! (Imagine your name here! Want to make it a reality! Review!)
Budgielover-I hope your computer is up soon! I miss hearing from you! Will you review this chapter when you get it back? I hope you have access to your own reviews, because your last chapter of "some Nameless Place was excellent fun! (Plug, plug!)
Aldarwen - thank you so much for giving my story a look-even though it is not your cup of tea. I will continue to enjoy your charming tale!
Cailen Braern -The next chapter is called "Pippin's Punishment"-so does that give you a hint on who will "get it!?"
. Alisaundre - Well, just because Frodo and Sam did not get out the door this time does not mean they wont make it out on a second or third time. But as you can guess, the price of failure is facing an increasingly angry, violent and unpredictable Merry. MWHAAHA
Sue! Glad you decided to introduce yourself! I'm afraid Merry will be rather nasty to poor Pip next chapter, but then you have another chapt worth of love and comfort. Remember, Merry has to get Pippin under his mental control just as much as he must do so for Frodo. But he will us different methods for each one. I hope you keep on reviewing!
. Evil!Iorhael -Hee hee! - actually, Pippin IS also getting a brainwash. But Frodo will be harder and more intense because for Frodo, Merry will be starting from scratch, and with Pippin, Merry had the additional advantage of Pippin being enamored of him from the get-go. My Evil Merry will take some cues from your evil Merry-just because the technique your evil Merry uses are so known to be effective.
Aratlithiel - Thank you so much for your kind words! I don't know why it is so fun to watch Frodo get beaten, etc. Probably because he is so beautiful and fragile and noble. After all-he goes through hell in the books, which is why they are so damn agnsty-and it is also why they are great. But you are not alone. Frodo goes through many many torments in many ff stories. I hope you sontinue liking mine! And thanks for find ing some of my mistakes! I'm a beta-but I need a beta-probably 2!
Blue Jedi Hobbit 009 -Element of surprise? well- not anymore! The next escape attempt is going to be much more-ummmm-complicated.
Krista - Oh-Merry will take it out on Pip allright! But you DO have to be cruel to be kind! And I'm addicted too!
Natta -more scary coming your way! And your tales are getting scary!!
endymion -You were right-first escape attempt an unqualified failure. Wonder how they'll make out next time? And Merry's "gentleness" will start -at least as far as Pippin goes, -next chapter.