Rain and Mud
By Robin Gurl
Chapter 7

(Hmmm...got idea going now!!)

At the house Frodo and Sam wearily walked up to it. It wasn't a big house, just a small cottage. But a light was on inside. Someone must be there. Frodo felt his heart take a leap in excitement. Climbing up the stairs he decided a human must live here. The stairs were huge and old. They creaked when someone walked on them, even the slightest step.

Sam knocked on the door and then stepped back. A few seconds later a human female opened the door. She had long red hair with brown eyes. She smiled, "Can I help you? Oh." She looked surprised. "James, quick."

A man appeared behind her dressed in a brown tunic and navy pants. He had brown hair that went to his shoulders with green eyes. "Yes? Oh. Hobbits."

"Sir, can you please help us?" Frodo asked nervously, "My cousin is dreadfully ill. He needs a bed to sleep in." He felt kind of bad for asking to use a room that wasn't his own but Pippin needed sleep. In a warm bed, not a wet bed roll.

"Where is he?" James asked looking around. He only saw two. And both of them looked healthy.

"Out in the rain, Sir. He couldn't walk any further. Please help us!!" Frodo pleaded, "I don't want him to die."

"Alright, Alright. No need to get yourself worked up in a frenzy, let me get my coat. Eileen, get yours to, I may need your help." James got his coat and then followed the halfings out in the rain. They walked for a while then Eileen's eyes caught sight of two huddled figures. She grabbed her husbands arm.

"Oh, look. There they are."

"MERRY!!"

Merry looked up to see two humans run towards him. Behind the humans was Frodo and Sam. "Who are they?" He asked fearfully pulling Pippin close to him.

"It's alright, little one, I'm here to help. My name is Eileen." The pretty human knelt down, "May I see him?"

Merry looked to Frodo scared. Frodo motioned for him to and Merry reluctantly handed Pippin over to the human. Pippin didn't move only whimpering in his sleep. Eileen pulled a blanket out and wrapped Pippin up in it. "Oh, James, he's burning up. Quickly we need to get him in a bed."

Merry stood to join her and got three feet then collapsed. He heard Frodo call his name and shake him, but he didn't have to energy to move. He felt hot and cold all of a sudden. "Pippin.." He murmured then blacked out.

Frodo was hysterical. He turned Merry over, blue eyes brimming with tears. "Oh Merry, you've gone and gotten yourself sick."

"Don't cry," James exclaimed putting a hand on Frodo's shoulder. "Let me see him, we'll take him back and put him to bed as well." James took the other young halfing and cradled him in his arms. He could already feel the blonde's fever.

"Nnnn.." Merry groaned. He opened his eyes and looked around. They were in a house, but it wasn't Brandyhall. Where was Pippin? He wasn't asleep at his side like usual. Usually no matter what, Pippin always found his way into Merry's bed and would stay there until morning.

He felt someone push him back down. "Shh, go back to sleep, Merry." It was Frodo. He reached around and grabbed Frodo's hand. Frodo squeezed it reassuringly. "Pippin's alright, Merry. He's sleeping in the bed next to you."

No, that was not right. Merry shook his head feverishly causing a headache to form. He sat up and held his head in his hands. Frodo sighed then turned Merry to where he could see Pippin.

His sweet young cousin was curled up feverishly in a ball. The female human, Eileen was sitting by the bed stroking his forehead with a cool cloth. She looked up and smiled when she saw Merry. "How are you feeling..?"

"Pippin." Merry said again. He couldn't think clearly. But he was sure that didn't want that human near his cousin. Frodo forcibly pushed Merry back into the bed. "No! Let me go! Pippin needs me!"

"Merry, calm down!" Frodo exclaimed, "You will be no good to Pip if you're as sick as he is. Now stay and don't make a move. You know it'd scare him if he found out you were ill."

"But..but..what if he gets scared.."

"Don't worry about that, Merry. Pippin needs to sleep. Mrs. Eileen gave him some sleep medicine. He won't wake until morning." Frodo reassured covering his cousin back up. "Get some sleep."

Merry knew he wouldn't get any sleep as long as Pippin was over in that other bed. "No.." He whispered. "I won't get any sleep as long as Pippin isn't by my side. You know I'm right Frodo."

Frodo sighed and nodded. Merry was right. But he had to make Merry stay. They couldn't move Pippin. But if Merry was going to get any sleep, it had to be done. "Mrs. Eileen?"

"Yes, Frodo?"

"Can you help me move Pippin over here?" Frodo asked standing up. He walked over to her.

"Are you sure that's wise?" Eileen asked putting some of her hair behind her ears. "He doesn't need to be moved."

"Yes, it's wise. If you want Merry to get any sleep, we need to move Pippin over beside him." Frodo looked over to Merry who was watching Pippin's sleeping form like a hawk.

"Well, alright." Eileen stood and uncovered the sleeping hobbit. She bent down and gathered Pippin up in her arms. His small feverish body shivered from the cold air that was so different from the warm sheets. He murmured softly for Merry, giving Eileen the definite go ahead to take him over to the other one. "Move the covers, Merry."

Merry obeyed without question. Soon he felt the familiar body of his cousin curl up next to him. He turned and pulled Pippin to him. Merry felt Frodo pull the covers over both of them. Now he could go to sleep.

End Chapter 7

(I'm on a roll today!)