Rain and Mud
By Robin Gurl
Chapter 6
(...BOO! I updated! BAWAHAHAHAHA!)
"Yes, we know Gandalf." Frodo exclaimed with wide eyes. "Do you know him?"
"I've had the chance of meeting him twice. But I still can fathom why he knows hobbits. Wait, are you Bilbo's nephew?" Calak eyed the brown haired hobbit. "You are aren't you?"
Frodo nodded. "Yes, I am."
"Wow, last time I saw you, you were the kids age." Calak replied motioning towards Pippin who was shivering. "Little one, it's going to be alright. Stop shaking so."
Pippin weakly looked up at Calak, his green eyes were wide and beginning to feel with tears. He didn't want this human to carry him. "Merry.." He murmured weakly. If Pippin had been any stronger than he might have fought to get down. But he wasn't strong..he was sick.
Calak sighed, "You're Merry isn't strong enough to carry you through this mess. And I'm not going to let you walk in your condition." He looked around and saw that Merry hadn't left his side yet. "Look down, young one, he's right there."
"Oi, Pip!" Merry exclaimed trying to act cheerful. "You're looking better, cousin!"
"I don't feel better." Pippin mumbled taking advantage of the situation and laying is head on Calak's shoulder. "I feel the same. Sick."
Frodo patted Pippin's arm. "It'll be alright. You're fever is dropping and that's a good thing! Soon you'll be able to walk on your own." The eldest felt sorry for Pippin. To be carried by an unknown human who he didn't know on top of being to sick to walk on his own, poor Pippin.
Pippin reluctantly nodded sleepily. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to be carried. Merry walked briskly beside Calak worried. What if Gandalf wasn't at Bree? Frodo looked like he had the same thoughts on his mind as well. Sam trudged a long silently not having much to say except praying that Pippin was going to be alright.
If Pippin died from this illness then Frodo would never forgive himself and he'd never get rid of the ring. Pippin just had to get better. And soon. Suddenly Calak froze in his steps. "Little ones, hide!"
Frodo and Merry ran followed by Sam behind a tree. Calak was right behind them. Out of no where a Black Rider appeared. Calak pushed Pippin's sick body close to him trying to quiet the sick halfing who was now making nosies in his sleep. It wasn't working. "Merry!" Calak hissed kneeling down. "Take him. Make him quiet."
Merry nodded silently and took his young cousin in his arms. He whispered a few comforting words in Pippin's ear. Pippin's noises stopped and Calak nodded a thank you. The black rider looked around then shrieked really loudly. The shrieking woke Pippin up. The young Took looked around sleepily with frightened green eyes. "Merry?"
"Shh, Pippy, don't make a noise." Merry whispered. Pippin nodded in Merry's neck and curled closer. Calak stepped out from behind the tree. Merry watched wide eyed then glanced to Frodo who had the same look. What in Middle Earth was he doing?
"Little Ones, RUN!" Calak shouted. "Go on to Bree. If I survive the fight, I'll catch up to you, but RUN."
Sam didn't need to be told twice and broke out into a sprint with Frodo behind him. Merry took a deep breath and put Pippin on his back. "Hang on, Pippin!!" He started to run. It wasn't easy running with someone on your back, no matter how small Pippin was.
Sam and Frodo finally collapsed a ways down from where they had begun. "Oh, my feet." Sam moaned checking his blistered feet over. "Mr. Frodo, think we lost them?"
Frodo didn't answer he was still trying to catch his breath. Then he caught Merry running towards them. With new energy he ran to Merry and took Pippin off his back. Merry collapsed beside Sam breathing hard. "Oh, Lady. I've never run that fast...and with Pip on my back as well."
Frodo chuckled and sat down as well. Pippin curled up against him yawning sleepily. "Frodo..?"
"Yes, Pippin?"
"Where is Calak?"
Blue eyes softened and he caressed Pippin's curls. "I don't know, Pip."
"Is he going to be alright?"
"Let us hope so." Frodo replied trying to stay positive.
"What if he's not?"
Fear gripped Frodo's heart. "Well, then, Pippy, we do what he told us. Make our way to Bree." Pippin sat up and looked into Frodo's eyes with concern. Frodo kissed Pippin's forehead gently. "Don't worry about Calak. He can take care of himself. Lets get to Bree."
"I want to try and walk, Frodo." Pippin said standing.
Merry caught him as he swayed. "Pip, I don't think that's a good idea, right now."
"I have to. If we don't then we'll never get to Bree. You three can't carry me there." Pippin exclaimed crossing his arms. In truth he felt sick and wanted to lie down. But he didn't want to worry Frodo any more than he had.
Merry sighed and looked to Frodo who shrugged. "Alright," Merry started, "But if you get to bad tell us."
Pippin nodded silently and waited for them to start.
"Maybe I should have been carried..." Pippin whispered to himself shivering from the cold rain that was falling from above. He grabbed Merry's arm to steady himself.
"Pippin?" Merry asked in a warning tone.
The Took pulled away before he could be checked for fever and staggered on his own. No, he needed to stay up by himself for as long as possible. He had to prove that he was alright.
Merry bit his lip as he watched Pippin stagger. He wished that Pippin would allow himself to be carried. Frodo walked up behind him and patted his shoulder. "Worried?"
"Yes, Pippin is not well. I know he says he is, but Lady, he's not."
"We can't make him be carried.." Frodo mused.
"Oh yes we can." Merry exclaimed. He picked up his speed and walked up beside Pippin. "Sit, now."
"What?" Pippin asked, green eyes feverish.
"I said sit." Merry commanded helping Pippin sit right the spot where he stood. Pippin didn't put up much fight and sat like he was told. "You've gotten worse, Pip."
"No, I haven't." Then he started to cough. His small frame shook violently. "Alright..maybe I have."
Sam looked around and saw a house. "Hey, maybe someone lives there. Stay here and I'll go find out."
"I'll come with you, Sam. Stay here Merry."
End Chapter 6
(HA HA! New addition to the plot!)