Rain and Mud
By Robin Gurl
Chapter 8
(..NEXT! XD XD XD lol)
Sam turned around and watched as Frodo made his way down the human stairs. "Mr. Frodo?" He asked. "How are they?" He'd stayed out of the way since the humans had brought Merry and Pippin back.
"Both of them are sick. Merry awoke but demanded that Pippin be put by his side. So now both are sharing one bed upstairs." Frodo explained sitting down on the floor. His blue eyes caught James, who was carving something in a stick. "Thank you for your help, sir."
James nodded, "What are you four doing out in that mess anyway?"
"We have some important business to take care of in Bree." Frodo replied softly, "Pippin, the youngest, got sick and then the other, Merry, got sick as well. I can't believe it. They shouldn't have come!" Tears streamed down Frodo's cheeks. He couldn't help it. The thought of both his dear cousins shivering with chills from high fevers, that he could have prevented, was just to much to stand.
Sam pulled Frodo close and held him as his master cried. "Mr. Frodo, don't be so sad. They are now safe in warm beds. Everything will be fine now." Frodo didn't answer. Sam continued to hold him. "You have to have faith in them Mr. Frodo. You know they wouldn't want you crying so."
Frodo nodded and embarrassedly pulled away. James smiled softly, "You're friend is right. You just have to have faith."
"Merry..." Pippin whispered opening his eyes. He blinked a few times and saw Merry. Something was dreadfully wrong. Weakly he shook Merry's arm. Merry didn't wake. When he looked around he didn't see anyone else there. "Merry?" The little one tried again, yet again Merry remained still.
Why was Merry so hot to touch. In his feverish state of mind, Pippin was so confused and scared. Tears started to well up in the feverish green eyes. He buried himself in Merry and wrapped Merry's warm arms around his own small frame. Then he cried for Frodo.
Frodo perked up from eating dinner that Eileen had prepared for him. "Sam, did you hear that?"
"Hear what, Mr. Frodo?"
"I hear crying. It sounds like Pippin." Frodo stood up from and table and ran up the stairs. He ran down the hall away and finally reached the room. Looking around he heard Pippin's soft cries for him. "Pip?" He quietly walked over to the bed in case Pippin was crying in his sleep. "You alright?"
"Frodo.." Pippin murumured weakly. His eyes leaked more tears. "It's Merry."
"What's wrong?" Frodo asked wiping some of Pip's wet curls out of his eyes. "You're fever has risen, this isn't good." He reached into the bowl of water and pulled out a cloth. Then he bathed Pippin's brow with it.
"It's Merry..he's not answering.." Pippin replied as he was forced to lay back down.
"He's as sick as you are, Pip." Frodo explained. Merry wasn't as bad as Pippin made it sound. Actually Merry was doing better than Pippin at the moment. "Just close your eyes and rest, Pippin. Merry is going to be fine."
Pippin closed his eyes and Frodo stroked his hand gently. Then checked on Merry again. Yup, Merry's fever had died down. Just was going to have to keep an eye on him.
End Chapter 8