Chapter 7 – Cold Waters
He couldn't really remember anything after that. All he could feel then was darkness overcoming him, icy blood flowed through his wretched heart while the rain kept pouring heavily, mercilessly on. Out of natural instinct or fear or salvation he didn't know, but he ran; and ran as far and fast as he could through the cold mud and the rain that pricked like needles on his reddened face.
Tears were running down his cheeks, but they were oblivious to him; flowing few among the millions of droplets that fell from the sky. All he could think of was running, running as far as his legs could carry him, and never tarry; but behind him Merry ran after through the slippery soil, stopping at nothing on his way.
"Pippin! Pippin!!" he cried over and over but Pippin never gave heed to the words; and still kept on running. He ran in through the thin woods; his clothing and skin slashed and bruised by the thorn-bushes and wild thicket. His legs were weary, tears fell limitlessly and for one moment, Pippin lost all trace of hope and his lagging feet faltered. He tripped by the side of a river, lying still on the ground with the rainwater still piercing on his cold, frail body.
Seeing this, Merry caught up with him and quickly grasped Pippin's arm and held him up, but Pippin jerked away and braved a fist to the side of Merry's head.
"WHY, MERRY?!" he cried aloud, trying ghastly to utter a coherent phrase between choked tears.
Merry evaded his punch and took him by his arm. Pippin screamed louder and drove his free arm weakly into Merry's jaw. The freezing rain blurred his vision and numbed his limbs, but he took all the energy he had left and drove his other fist at Merry again.
"PIPPIN! I DIDN'T MEAN THIS TO HAPPEN! I WAS GOING TO T-" and furtively, Merry dodged another fist before he could finish his sentence.
"HOW COULD YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!"
"DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHY, PIPPIN?!"
"WHY?! TELL ME, MERRY!"
IT'S BECAUSE I THINK I LOVE HER, PIP!"
and Pippin froze hearing the words, and took a step back from Merry, stoic and deadened. He shook his head violently and screamed in argument.
"SHE DOESN'T LOVE YOU!"
"WHY WOULD I TAKE THE WORDS FROM SOMEONE WHO HURTS HER FEELINGS, DOESN'T EVEN CARE TO LISTEN TO HER AND LEFT HER TO CRY AT NIGHT?!"
"SHUT UP!!"
"SHE CRIED FOR YOU, PIPPIN! ALL THIS WHILE SHE'S BEEN WASTING HER TEARS ON YOU!"
"I SAID SHUUUTTT UUUPPP!!!"
And Pippin's voice softened for a moment while the words came into him; and slowly Pippin realised the truth of his words. Merry was right. He didn't deserve her. Slowly he felt his legs weakening, and when lightning flashed he flinched; and as darkness took him he fell into the raving river.
Seeing this, Merry dived into the biting waters and screamed for Pippin; but Pippin barely floated limp while Merry's voice was muffled by the rushing waters. Merry swam as hard as he could to reach him, evading rocks and jagged boulders while he stretched his arm out for his friend. He wrestled with the waves that were choking him and the wailing squall until finally, he caught hold of Pippin's sleeve and dragged him to the side of the river and threw him onto the bare earth.
Pippin coughed and spluttered water and mud, and the two lay stationary on the ground while the storm slowly ceased.
And for a brief moment, Merry thought he caught a glimpse of a smile from the severely thrashed Pippin, bruised and bleeding slightly on the forehead.
Catching his breath, Pippin said solemnly, "You're right," Merry glanced at him quizzically and Pippin continued. "I don't deserve her."
And while the two lads still lay unmoved, they heard Lily-Rose's voice calling out, and found her trembling in fear when she finally found them both. She broke down on her knees and tried to string her words together when Merry asked her what was wrong.
"Poppy," she stammered, in between sobs and choking back her tears, "sh- she f-fell…"
~end of chapter 7~
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A/N: I'm getting more twisted by the day, aren't I? Sorry for the long delay but I hope the story isn't ditched just yet… we're already nearing the end to this story ^__^ Please read and review! Thank youuuuuuu…..^_^ *hugs*
And to my two most faithful reviewers, The Akai-Sakura and NeverSayDie, thank you so much for staying with my fic. You have no idea how much you've helped me!