Moria's Revenge, chapter 23: Unburdened
Authors: Llinos and a bit of Kookaburra ;-)
***
As Deilen lifted him, Pippin felt a sense of well-being. Yet instantly he stiffened. He could still remember what had happened when he let down his guard in the chief's room, and how the huge hand had switched from gentle to abusive in heartbeats.
The elf lifted the bottle to Pippin's lips. "Shh, little Pippin, this will make you feel sleepy. Do not fight it, dear heart." Deilen pushed the bottle into Pippin's mouth and squeezed it to expel some of the concoction.
Pippin's comfort vanished. All he could think of were the last thing to be forced into his mouth, and that spurted liquid...but no! It had not happened! This was not happening! The little frame convulsed, and began to heave.
"Quickly! The bucket!" cried Deilen, gesturing at a waste receptacle. Haldir was the closest and he dived for it, thrusting it at Deilen who got Pippin over it just in time. Frodo rubbed Pippin's back in circles, speaking in a soothing voice, as heaves shook Pippin's body.
Haldir again attempted to keep a sneer of distaste from his features. It was a losing battle, so he decided a distraction was in order. "What do you suppose caused such a reaction?" he asked Boromir mildly.
Boromir looked sideways at Haldir. He decided that this would be an excellent time to acquaint the elf with some of what had happened to Pippin. "I expect," he said quietly, so as not to be heard by the hobbits, "that it reminded him of the oral rape he was subjected to. I do not think he will be able to have anything in his mouth without reliving what the orcs put him through."
Pippin was sobbing now and caught once again in his waking nightmare. He looked frantically round wondering where the next attack would come from.
Deilen gently washed Pippin's face with a cloth soaked in cool water and spoke soothingly to him again. But he also held him with his other hand to stop the perian escaping his ministrations. "It may distress him somewhat," Deilen turned to the others, still holding Pippin's arm with a gentle grip, "but we must shave his feet and apply the de-lousing treatment. Haldir you will hold the little one still with me whilst Boromir shaves his feet."
Haldir's eyebrows rose in horror, he had not planned on having to touch this one so intimately. "I do not think I would be the best one for this task." He protested, "perhaps one of the other periain?"
"No," Deilen insisted. "They are likely to be infested with the lice themselves already. It is better they have as little physical contact as possible. You are not at risk. as you know elves cannot be host to lice."
Haldir, his distaste showing in every movement, took hold of Pippin's other arm and, as indicated by Deilen held his leg still as well. Deilen took a firm grasp of Pippin's other side and nodded to Boromir to begin.
Pippin writhed at first in their hold and his breath came in short gasps as Boromir lathered his feet again and scraped the first swathe through the fur. Then he looked down at what was being done to him and resigned himself, although large salty tears fell. Why did they have to cut his foot hair too? Pippin knew he probably deserved this punishment, but his feet would get cold and would look so ugly. Maybe if he pleaded with them?
"I'm sorry Boromir," he whispered. "Sorry, sorry, please don't cut all my foot fur off, I'll try to be good, I didn't mean to be bad, please don't."
"Oh Pippin." Boromir stopped shaving for a moment. "I'm not punishing you. You have lice and we have to get rid of them. They cling to your hair and that's why we're taking it off." Boromir frowned up at Deilen, wondering whether or not to continue. The elf nodded and Boromir rinsed his razor and scraped it once more across Pippin's foot.
By the time he was finished and Pippin's feet were bare, they could see the tiny puncture wounds left by the lice. Boromir rubbed the tumeric and pyrethrum ointment into the trembling hobbit's feet and ankles, as Sam combed a generous amount through the remains of his hair as well. Once finished Pippin was carried back to the big bed by Boromir where the little hobbit curled up into himself, watching the others in the room, glad to be left alone at last.
"Do Mr Frodo and me need to cut our hair as well?" Sam asked Deilen anxiously. "Not that it matters of course." Sam did not want to seem unhelpful in view of what Pippin had gone through, "but if there's no need..."
Deilen, combed through Sam's hair and then Frodo's, inspecting carefully. "No, you seemed to have escaped, just comb the ointment in as a prevention. The elf then inspected Boromir's hair, "You have not avoided contact enough with the little one," Deilen found evidence of many nits in Boromir's hair and beard, "but that is understandable. Unfortunately though it means a haircut and a good shave, before treatment with the ointment."
Boromir smiled, looking pointedly at Haldir, "It is a small price to pay, to offer whatever comfort I could to the little one. I will shave the beard off now and perhaps Master Samwise will oblige me with a trim."
****
Merry watched carefully as Silael ground the mushroom with a pestle and mortar and then decanted the milk he had brought into two separate water bags. The bags were made of some kind of animal skin and were soft and pliable, tapering to a point at the base. Into one he added the pulverised mushroom and then shook it to blend the fungus with the milk.
They went through into the chamber where Pippin was still sitting curled up in one corner of the enormous bed, looking very lost and far too small in the ocean of mattress, pillows and silken sheets.
The earlier visitors had left now, gone to pursue their de-lousing in more depth, Sam having been put in charge of the shears, but not particularly relishing having to trim Mr Strider's hair.
Merry clambered up onto the far corner of the bed without help this time and sat diagonally opposite to Pippin, not even looking directly at him in case it should disturb him.
Silael handed one of the bags to Deilen. He then made a puncture in the pointed end of the bag in his hand, which he sealed with his finger and thumb. He sat down next to Pippin on the bed, not looking at him directly but humming slightly a pretty melody. Pippin looked at the kindly elf and wondered what he was going to do to him.
"Are you hungry Pippin?" Silael eventually asked. "You must be hungry by now, Deilen told me you were a little sick, I expect your tummy is quite empty."
Pippin looked at him, not sure how to respond. Was this a taunt of some kind? Were they going to put the gag back in his mouth? "Y-yes, empty," he eventually managed. "Umummmum?" he tried hopefully.
"That's what he calls the warg." Merry whispered helpfully, "when he wants to nurse."
"Umummmum has sent some milk for you Pippin." Silael moved a little closer and stroked Pippin's face lightly. The touch scared Pippin again and he started to pull away, then remembered that doing that might result in a blow, so tolerated the touch instead. "Now I want you to nurse on this, it is the same milk, I promise." The elf placed the milk-filled skin next to Pippin's mouth and pressed the milky end of it against his lips.
Pippin curled himself around into a foetal position and allowed his lips to fasten onto the milk-filled bag. The taste was similar to Umummmum, although the leather made it slightly different, but Pippin was very empty and thirsty and the milk was good. After he had been suckling for a while, the bag was taken away and then replaced. The milk tasted slightly different again this time but Pippin was not sure why. Also the puncture in the bag seemed more generous than before and the milk flowed faster but he carried on sucking until it was finished.
**** Aragorn wrinkled up his nose at the smell of the concoction Frodo was combing through his hair. Icicle was at the other end of the clearing that housed several hot springs with her paws over her muzzle. "It is unfortunate that we do not have any scented soaps with which to drive away the smell of this stuff." He commented.
"Unfortunate, indeed," said Legolas from his perch on a rock where he was observing, "not the least for those that must associate with you."
"Hmph." was all Aragorn replied, then changing the subject, he addressed Sam, who was working through the tangles in Gimli's back braid. "Master Gamgee, I do believe it is time for Lady Icicle to take her bath. It does not appear that she in enjoying the fragrance either." he chuckled.
"Actually, Mister Strider, If I may, I have somethin' in me pack that might be of use, if you follow me." At that. Sam padded down the path that led to the pavilion, and Legolas took his position behind Gimli.
Boromir was shaving his beard with a small mirror hung on a tree trunk, his hair pulled back into a tail, having been combed through with turmeric by Frodo already. "Trust Samwise to have something for every occasion. I do hope Lord Elrond will not be unpleasantly surprised to find that many things of his have gone missing when we left Imladris."
"Oh, I am sure Sam asked permission, Boromir," said Frodo, with a hint of ire in his voice.
"Forgive me Frodo, I did not mean to imply that." Boromir quickly replied.
"I know," laughed Frodo, "but he does seem to have a bottomless pack. I wonder where he puts every..."
At that moment Sam re-entered the clearing. "This should take away the smell, Mister Strider!" Sam presented a medium sized cake of soap to Aragorn. It's something I never thought we'd use, but just in case one of us fell into a foul smelling bog or somesuch..."
Aragorn began to chuckle. "I think we should use this on one condition, however." He said, looking around at each member of the Fellowship. "That we swear an oath to never, NEVER tell Lord Elrond that we used some of Rivendell's best strawberry scented soap on a warg!"
****
Merry stayed with Pippin for some time, simply sitting on the coverlet, and making no move. Pippin had curled up to sleep, breathing peacefully. Merry looked over his cousin's features, memorising every detail, right down to the little milky residue left on his lips.
"Merry," Melystra's gentle voice came to him, "it is time for your delousing."
Merry looked up at the beautiful elf and gave a forced smile. "Is the scarf re-made yet?"
"It is finished. Now come, we will only be in the next room, and available if we are needed." She helped Merry down off the bed, and led him through a doorway hung with a gauze curtain.
****
Boromir was up to his neck in hot water. Literally. He was relaxing in one of the hot pools, his eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the water and idly watching the suds from Sam's work on Icicle go floating by and off down the little outlet that led from the pool.
Said warg was distinctly ill at ease. She tolerated Sam's scrubbing, but looked as though she would rather be rolling around in the dust to make herself clean. Boromir made a mental note to remind Sam to tie her up somewhere where she wouldn't get dirty until she was dry. The scent of strawberries had overpowered the turmeric. Boromir was grateful that his brother was not here. Faramir would never have let Boromir forget bathing in scented soap like a female.
"Absolutely NOT!" Gimli's voice broke into his reverie. "The trim I allowed, but I will not wallow in some elven perfume!" Boromir looked over to where Legolas had been trimming Gimli's hair and beard. It had actually come out rather well, as the elf had only taken a few inches off.
"Master Dwarf," replied Legolas, do you mean you actually want to go about smelling like turmeric?" Legolas asked.
"It is better than strawberries!" retorted Gimli. "Anything but strawberries!"
When it came time for their turmeric treated hair to be washed, Sam and Frodo decided to venture into one of the hot pools, but Sam insisted they sit on the side to scrub their feet thoroughly first. Then he combed the hair on Frodo's feet carefully with the fine-toothed comb making sure there were no lice to be seen. Frodo returned the favour, before both the hobbits, rather shyly stripped off and climbed into the hot water, Sam lathering them both up with the strawberry soap. "I think I got all the turmeric out Mr. Frodo," Sam combed the dark locks carefully. "There aren't any lice either but you best wash off your face and neck 'cause they're turning yellow."
"So are yours Sam." Frodo laughed, "That turmeric certainly stains badly. Your hair is bright yellow now as well, it rather suits you."
"I don't think my Ma would think much of me having bright yellow hair, Sir." Sam worked the soap into a lather in his blond curls. "I'd best make sure it's all gone."
The hobbits worked assiduously until every last scrap of the yellow stain was gone. Then climbed out of the pool and into waiting towels. They combed each others hair through once more to make there were no traces of infestation.
While they were busying themselves on the edge of the pool Aragorn took their place and rubbed vigorously with the strawberry scented soap, dunking himself liberally every so often until all traces of the ointment was eradicated. Then he too sat on the side of the pool as Legolas obligingly combed through his hair, removing the nits that had tried to take up residence.
"I think you look better without a beard," Frodo put his head on one side, eyeing the ranger critically. "What do you think Sam?"
"I'm sure I wouldn't know Mr Frodo," Sam was not in the habit of making personal comments, "begging your pardon Mr Strider."
"Well the beard will come back as it may." Aragorn laughed. "I allow it to grow for lack of time and wherewithal to remove it generally. You hobbits are lucky to only grow fur on your feet where it's useful."
"Doesn't the fur on your face keep it warm?" Sam asked innocently. He found the idea of shaving very strange in any case.
"Aye it does, Master Samwise." Gimli was combing his long beard with some pride. "I would not shave mine off for all the lice in Middle Earth."
"Well you will have to wash it thoroughly Master Dwarf," Legolas pointed out. "It is now a very strange colour."
"What!" Gimli roared and rushed to the tree to look in Boromir's looking glass. "Grrggghh! That is an abomination. My kin will disown me! I must wash it at once!"
Gimli's beard, although its usual colour at on the ends, had become dyed at the root to a bright turmeric yellow. The hue was bad enough but the striped effect made it look comical.
"No Mr Gimli!" Sam shouted in alarm. "You didn't leave the ointment on long enough yet, it won't have killed the vermin."
"I shall be waiting in my chamber until the time is elapsed." Gimli snorted and turning to Sam added, "Please tell me Master Delouser when my allotted time is up so that I may rid myself of this. this. elven colour!" With that he stomped off in the direction of privacy.
Legolas was not sure whether to be insulted or not. "I hope it comes off," he muttered, "Can't have Master Gimli looking like an elf!"
****
Deilen had helped Merry finish his delousing process. After the hobbit had washed his hair and feet, the elf had combed it through and pronounced him clear.
"When will you wash Pippin's hair?" He asked. Merry was not used to Pippin being left out of anything that he did. "Do you want me to help?"
"No, we will leave the ointment a little longer on your cousin." Deilen explained, "He was more thoroughly infested and it will do no harm to wait a while."
Merry was happy that Pippin had finally taken the mushroom, even if he didn't know that he had. Melystra had finished knitting the scarf and Merry now had it with him, wrapped in a piece of silk and tied with a blue ribbon. Melystra had also told him very carefully, as she combed the lice ointment through Merry's hair, that he must go very slowly with Pippin, but should not give up, no matter what. The important thing she reminded him was to be patient and perhaps giving him the scarf as a gift might be a good first step.
Silael left the chamber now and, although Deilen was still there he was not paying much attention at the moment to either of the hobbits, but was busying himself with preparing more lice ointment. Merry curled up on the bed too, into the same position as Pippin and watched his cousin watching him.
Eventually, Pippin pulled himself to a sitting position and turned his head away from Merry, hiding his face in his bent up knees. Merry sat up too, his knees drawn up under his chin, but he kept his eyes fixed firmly on Pippin, smiling at him encouragingly, in case he should look back. After a while Merry decided to try and get his attention. "Pip, I've got something for you."
Pippin turned his head and peeped at Merry under his arms. He saw Merry push something towards him. It looked like a gift, prettily wrapped in blue silk and tied with a matching bow. Why would Merry give him a gift, it wasn't Merry's birthday yet he didn't think. Merry had had his birthday at Yule, just before they left Rivendell, it couldn't be Yule again already. What did Merry want? What could he want from him? He was just a Dogwhore - something to be used. But Merry! No it was too much to bear. Pippin buried his head in his arms and sobbed again.
Merry remembered what Silael had told him about not getting too close to Pippin and what Melystra had said about being patient, but Pippin seemed so locked into his own nightmare that it was as if nothing would ever break through. Tentatively he lessened the distance between them and, reaching out, touched Pip's shoulder. "Pip, my love, just look at your present. Don't cry, it's not meant to make you cry."
Pippin sat up a little and wiped his face with the sleeve of the satin nightgown. He looked at the pretty present and at Merry, but made no other move. So Merry sat opposite Pip with the gift in between and pulled the ribbon undone. Still Pippin made no move to touch it, so Merry unfolded the wrapping and the scarf, newly made and clean and bright lay on the bed.
Now Pippin did finally reach out and touch it, he looked up at Merry and gave a little gasp. His scarf, just as it looked the day Merry gave it to him the first time. "See Pip," Merry was speaking to him now. "The scarf has been mended and is just as good as new."
Pippin, scarcely daring to believe what he was seeing, picked up the end of the scarf and touched it to his face. He looked up at Merry and he was smiling at him. Pippin took his scarf and backed up to the far side of the bed again. He hugged the end of the garment to his face holding it tightly as if it might be snatched away from him again.
"Pip, my love." Merry was talking again. "You see if the scarf can be as good as new, so can you. If you let me help you, you can be my old Pip to go with the scarf, just as you were before."
Pippin shook his head sadly. He knew that could never be. Merry would always know what had happened and so would he. He could never be reknitted like the scarf. "Yes Pip." Merry saw the denial and remembered what Silael had told him. "You survived, you're a hero, a brave, brave hero. Everyone thinks you are so brave and strong Pip, you beat them all, you won. You lived."
"Noooo! Don't say it Merry. Please don't say it -what happened. . . no! no! no! please don't" Pippin was sobbing again. Whatever Merry had put in his mind it was too soon and Pippin couldn't cope with it.
Be patient Merry thought and try something else. "Pip it wasn't your fault, any of it. It was my fault and if I could take any of it away I would. Please Pip believe me." But Pippin was lost again in his tears and anguish. Merry fell once more into silence, sitting quietly on the bed.
Eventually Pippin stopped crying and just hiccupped into the scarf, which he still clutched tightly as if his life depended on it. Merry knew Pip wouldn't let him touch him but very slowly he reached out until he had hold of the other end of the scarf. Moving up to the top of the bed he sat hunched up against the headboard in the same position as Pippin holding the other end of the scarf, but still with a good distance between them. Gradually Pippin relaxed and lay down among the pillows, opening his eyes every so often to check if Merry was still there.
After a while Merry climbed down off the bed to go and relieve himself and Deilen offered him a bite to eat and a drink at the same time. Merry accepted readily, suddenly realising it had been a long time since he had last eaten. "Please Sir," The hobbit asked politely. "Do you have anything that I could write with?"
"Why of course Merry." Deilen smiled and fetched him a quill, ink and parchment. "Do you want to write for yourself or shall you dictate and I can write while you eat."
"No, that's all right," Merry took up the quill, he was a good penman, "I can manage and I want this to be personal." He set to work and after an hour had filled the paper with his large round hand. He then made sure the ink was dry before folding the parchment and tying it with the same blue ribbon that had been around the scarf.
Merry went back to the bed to find Pippin still wide-awake and looking less fearful as he climbed onto the bed. Merry resumed his position at the headboard and just sat not looking at Pippin and making no moves towards him.
A small smile played about his lips, although he was laughing with delight inside when Pippin eventually, very tentatively picked up the other end of the scarf that he was still clutching and held it out to Merry.
Merry took the end of the scarf and they sat together on the bed not speaking or touching, but connected by a piece of woollen material that had been knitted together with great love.
They remained like that for an hour at least and eventually Merry decided to try and speak again. "Pip? You know you can be reknitted again, just like the scarf."
"No don't!" Pippin immediately froze again as Merry spoke to him.
Merry had been ready for this and pulled out the parchment and pushed it towards his nervous cousin. "It's a present - for you. You can read it later if you want."
They carried on sitting and sitting until eventually Merry snuggled down into the pillows and closed his eyes, still holding his end of the scarf. Pippin watched his cousin carefully and then his vision strayed to the untouched gift. Carefully, his eyes never leaving Merry, he reached out and snatched the piece of parchment. He squirreled it close and wondered what it could possibly be. He could look, it seemed safe, there was no one else around. Using one hand, as he did not want to let go of the scarf, he pulled the ribbon free and unfolded the parchment. It was a poem, a long one. At the top of the page was written. "To Pippin with all my love forever - your Merry."
Pippin read the poem, hardly daring to believe the words he saw there.
To Pippin with all my love forever - your Merry
When we were young
Our world was fine
I was yours
and you were mine
I paused for a moment -
looked the wrong way
And all that was lost
In one single day.
You seem to be near
but really you're gone
I need you back here,
where you belong
Please come back to me
I'll never hurt you
Or make you feel sad
I'll never desert you
I'll bake you a cake
of laughter and fun
Paint you a world
of big yellow sun
Give back your dreams
from when you were small
And nothing could touch you,
nothing at all
We laughed at tomorrow
There was no time to cry
I'll bring it all back
If you just let me try.
There was no need to say it
when we were together
Inside we both knew
we'd be friends forever
I gave you my heart
And if my soul endures
It can't fly to the Valar
Because Pippin it's yours.
Pippin thought he had no tears left to cry that day but now they fell onto the parchment, making the ink run. Pippin wiped his eyes with his sleeve again, not wanting to spoil the precious words. Could it really be true? Did Merry still love him? Pippin thought at that moment that his heart would break. He crept over to Merry, reeling in the scarf as he did so and laid his head on Merry's foot and closed his sore red eyes. "I love you Merry," he whispered before falling asleep.
***
Poem to Pippin(Liza Jones 2002
New Story Alert: "A Short Rest in Hollin" by Pansy Chubb. V. cute, short and sweet!
I also have a new fantasy children's story up. "The Suppertime Dragon". Llinos and Marigold beta'd and wrote some.
Authors: Llinos and a bit of Kookaburra ;-)
***
As Deilen lifted him, Pippin felt a sense of well-being. Yet instantly he stiffened. He could still remember what had happened when he let down his guard in the chief's room, and how the huge hand had switched from gentle to abusive in heartbeats.
The elf lifted the bottle to Pippin's lips. "Shh, little Pippin, this will make you feel sleepy. Do not fight it, dear heart." Deilen pushed the bottle into Pippin's mouth and squeezed it to expel some of the concoction.
Pippin's comfort vanished. All he could think of were the last thing to be forced into his mouth, and that spurted liquid...but no! It had not happened! This was not happening! The little frame convulsed, and began to heave.
"Quickly! The bucket!" cried Deilen, gesturing at a waste receptacle. Haldir was the closest and he dived for it, thrusting it at Deilen who got Pippin over it just in time. Frodo rubbed Pippin's back in circles, speaking in a soothing voice, as heaves shook Pippin's body.
Haldir again attempted to keep a sneer of distaste from his features. It was a losing battle, so he decided a distraction was in order. "What do you suppose caused such a reaction?" he asked Boromir mildly.
Boromir looked sideways at Haldir. He decided that this would be an excellent time to acquaint the elf with some of what had happened to Pippin. "I expect," he said quietly, so as not to be heard by the hobbits, "that it reminded him of the oral rape he was subjected to. I do not think he will be able to have anything in his mouth without reliving what the orcs put him through."
Pippin was sobbing now and caught once again in his waking nightmare. He looked frantically round wondering where the next attack would come from.
Deilen gently washed Pippin's face with a cloth soaked in cool water and spoke soothingly to him again. But he also held him with his other hand to stop the perian escaping his ministrations. "It may distress him somewhat," Deilen turned to the others, still holding Pippin's arm with a gentle grip, "but we must shave his feet and apply the de-lousing treatment. Haldir you will hold the little one still with me whilst Boromir shaves his feet."
Haldir's eyebrows rose in horror, he had not planned on having to touch this one so intimately. "I do not think I would be the best one for this task." He protested, "perhaps one of the other periain?"
"No," Deilen insisted. "They are likely to be infested with the lice themselves already. It is better they have as little physical contact as possible. You are not at risk. as you know elves cannot be host to lice."
Haldir, his distaste showing in every movement, took hold of Pippin's other arm and, as indicated by Deilen held his leg still as well. Deilen took a firm grasp of Pippin's other side and nodded to Boromir to begin.
Pippin writhed at first in their hold and his breath came in short gasps as Boromir lathered his feet again and scraped the first swathe through the fur. Then he looked down at what was being done to him and resigned himself, although large salty tears fell. Why did they have to cut his foot hair too? Pippin knew he probably deserved this punishment, but his feet would get cold and would look so ugly. Maybe if he pleaded with them?
"I'm sorry Boromir," he whispered. "Sorry, sorry, please don't cut all my foot fur off, I'll try to be good, I didn't mean to be bad, please don't."
"Oh Pippin." Boromir stopped shaving for a moment. "I'm not punishing you. You have lice and we have to get rid of them. They cling to your hair and that's why we're taking it off." Boromir frowned up at Deilen, wondering whether or not to continue. The elf nodded and Boromir rinsed his razor and scraped it once more across Pippin's foot.
By the time he was finished and Pippin's feet were bare, they could see the tiny puncture wounds left by the lice. Boromir rubbed the tumeric and pyrethrum ointment into the trembling hobbit's feet and ankles, as Sam combed a generous amount through the remains of his hair as well. Once finished Pippin was carried back to the big bed by Boromir where the little hobbit curled up into himself, watching the others in the room, glad to be left alone at last.
"Do Mr Frodo and me need to cut our hair as well?" Sam asked Deilen anxiously. "Not that it matters of course." Sam did not want to seem unhelpful in view of what Pippin had gone through, "but if there's no need..."
Deilen, combed through Sam's hair and then Frodo's, inspecting carefully. "No, you seemed to have escaped, just comb the ointment in as a prevention. The elf then inspected Boromir's hair, "You have not avoided contact enough with the little one," Deilen found evidence of many nits in Boromir's hair and beard, "but that is understandable. Unfortunately though it means a haircut and a good shave, before treatment with the ointment."
Boromir smiled, looking pointedly at Haldir, "It is a small price to pay, to offer whatever comfort I could to the little one. I will shave the beard off now and perhaps Master Samwise will oblige me with a trim."
****
Merry watched carefully as Silael ground the mushroom with a pestle and mortar and then decanted the milk he had brought into two separate water bags. The bags were made of some kind of animal skin and were soft and pliable, tapering to a point at the base. Into one he added the pulverised mushroom and then shook it to blend the fungus with the milk.
They went through into the chamber where Pippin was still sitting curled up in one corner of the enormous bed, looking very lost and far too small in the ocean of mattress, pillows and silken sheets.
The earlier visitors had left now, gone to pursue their de-lousing in more depth, Sam having been put in charge of the shears, but not particularly relishing having to trim Mr Strider's hair.
Merry clambered up onto the far corner of the bed without help this time and sat diagonally opposite to Pippin, not even looking directly at him in case it should disturb him.
Silael handed one of the bags to Deilen. He then made a puncture in the pointed end of the bag in his hand, which he sealed with his finger and thumb. He sat down next to Pippin on the bed, not looking at him directly but humming slightly a pretty melody. Pippin looked at the kindly elf and wondered what he was going to do to him.
"Are you hungry Pippin?" Silael eventually asked. "You must be hungry by now, Deilen told me you were a little sick, I expect your tummy is quite empty."
Pippin looked at him, not sure how to respond. Was this a taunt of some kind? Were they going to put the gag back in his mouth? "Y-yes, empty," he eventually managed. "Umummmum?" he tried hopefully.
"That's what he calls the warg." Merry whispered helpfully, "when he wants to nurse."
"Umummmum has sent some milk for you Pippin." Silael moved a little closer and stroked Pippin's face lightly. The touch scared Pippin again and he started to pull away, then remembered that doing that might result in a blow, so tolerated the touch instead. "Now I want you to nurse on this, it is the same milk, I promise." The elf placed the milk-filled skin next to Pippin's mouth and pressed the milky end of it against his lips.
Pippin curled himself around into a foetal position and allowed his lips to fasten onto the milk-filled bag. The taste was similar to Umummmum, although the leather made it slightly different, but Pippin was very empty and thirsty and the milk was good. After he had been suckling for a while, the bag was taken away and then replaced. The milk tasted slightly different again this time but Pippin was not sure why. Also the puncture in the bag seemed more generous than before and the milk flowed faster but he carried on sucking until it was finished.
**** Aragorn wrinkled up his nose at the smell of the concoction Frodo was combing through his hair. Icicle was at the other end of the clearing that housed several hot springs with her paws over her muzzle. "It is unfortunate that we do not have any scented soaps with which to drive away the smell of this stuff." He commented.
"Unfortunate, indeed," said Legolas from his perch on a rock where he was observing, "not the least for those that must associate with you."
"Hmph." was all Aragorn replied, then changing the subject, he addressed Sam, who was working through the tangles in Gimli's back braid. "Master Gamgee, I do believe it is time for Lady Icicle to take her bath. It does not appear that she in enjoying the fragrance either." he chuckled.
"Actually, Mister Strider, If I may, I have somethin' in me pack that might be of use, if you follow me." At that. Sam padded down the path that led to the pavilion, and Legolas took his position behind Gimli.
Boromir was shaving his beard with a small mirror hung on a tree trunk, his hair pulled back into a tail, having been combed through with turmeric by Frodo already. "Trust Samwise to have something for every occasion. I do hope Lord Elrond will not be unpleasantly surprised to find that many things of his have gone missing when we left Imladris."
"Oh, I am sure Sam asked permission, Boromir," said Frodo, with a hint of ire in his voice.
"Forgive me Frodo, I did not mean to imply that." Boromir quickly replied.
"I know," laughed Frodo, "but he does seem to have a bottomless pack. I wonder where he puts every..."
At that moment Sam re-entered the clearing. "This should take away the smell, Mister Strider!" Sam presented a medium sized cake of soap to Aragorn. It's something I never thought we'd use, but just in case one of us fell into a foul smelling bog or somesuch..."
Aragorn began to chuckle. "I think we should use this on one condition, however." He said, looking around at each member of the Fellowship. "That we swear an oath to never, NEVER tell Lord Elrond that we used some of Rivendell's best strawberry scented soap on a warg!"
****
Merry stayed with Pippin for some time, simply sitting on the coverlet, and making no move. Pippin had curled up to sleep, breathing peacefully. Merry looked over his cousin's features, memorising every detail, right down to the little milky residue left on his lips.
"Merry," Melystra's gentle voice came to him, "it is time for your delousing."
Merry looked up at the beautiful elf and gave a forced smile. "Is the scarf re-made yet?"
"It is finished. Now come, we will only be in the next room, and available if we are needed." She helped Merry down off the bed, and led him through a doorway hung with a gauze curtain.
****
Boromir was up to his neck in hot water. Literally. He was relaxing in one of the hot pools, his eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the water and idly watching the suds from Sam's work on Icicle go floating by and off down the little outlet that led from the pool.
Said warg was distinctly ill at ease. She tolerated Sam's scrubbing, but looked as though she would rather be rolling around in the dust to make herself clean. Boromir made a mental note to remind Sam to tie her up somewhere where she wouldn't get dirty until she was dry. The scent of strawberries had overpowered the turmeric. Boromir was grateful that his brother was not here. Faramir would never have let Boromir forget bathing in scented soap like a female.
"Absolutely NOT!" Gimli's voice broke into his reverie. "The trim I allowed, but I will not wallow in some elven perfume!" Boromir looked over to where Legolas had been trimming Gimli's hair and beard. It had actually come out rather well, as the elf had only taken a few inches off.
"Master Dwarf," replied Legolas, do you mean you actually want to go about smelling like turmeric?" Legolas asked.
"It is better than strawberries!" retorted Gimli. "Anything but strawberries!"
When it came time for their turmeric treated hair to be washed, Sam and Frodo decided to venture into one of the hot pools, but Sam insisted they sit on the side to scrub their feet thoroughly first. Then he combed the hair on Frodo's feet carefully with the fine-toothed comb making sure there were no lice to be seen. Frodo returned the favour, before both the hobbits, rather shyly stripped off and climbed into the hot water, Sam lathering them both up with the strawberry soap. "I think I got all the turmeric out Mr. Frodo," Sam combed the dark locks carefully. "There aren't any lice either but you best wash off your face and neck 'cause they're turning yellow."
"So are yours Sam." Frodo laughed, "That turmeric certainly stains badly. Your hair is bright yellow now as well, it rather suits you."
"I don't think my Ma would think much of me having bright yellow hair, Sir." Sam worked the soap into a lather in his blond curls. "I'd best make sure it's all gone."
The hobbits worked assiduously until every last scrap of the yellow stain was gone. Then climbed out of the pool and into waiting towels. They combed each others hair through once more to make there were no traces of infestation.
While they were busying themselves on the edge of the pool Aragorn took their place and rubbed vigorously with the strawberry scented soap, dunking himself liberally every so often until all traces of the ointment was eradicated. Then he too sat on the side of the pool as Legolas obligingly combed through his hair, removing the nits that had tried to take up residence.
"I think you look better without a beard," Frodo put his head on one side, eyeing the ranger critically. "What do you think Sam?"
"I'm sure I wouldn't know Mr Frodo," Sam was not in the habit of making personal comments, "begging your pardon Mr Strider."
"Well the beard will come back as it may." Aragorn laughed. "I allow it to grow for lack of time and wherewithal to remove it generally. You hobbits are lucky to only grow fur on your feet where it's useful."
"Doesn't the fur on your face keep it warm?" Sam asked innocently. He found the idea of shaving very strange in any case.
"Aye it does, Master Samwise." Gimli was combing his long beard with some pride. "I would not shave mine off for all the lice in Middle Earth."
"Well you will have to wash it thoroughly Master Dwarf," Legolas pointed out. "It is now a very strange colour."
"What!" Gimli roared and rushed to the tree to look in Boromir's looking glass. "Grrggghh! That is an abomination. My kin will disown me! I must wash it at once!"
Gimli's beard, although its usual colour at on the ends, had become dyed at the root to a bright turmeric yellow. The hue was bad enough but the striped effect made it look comical.
"No Mr Gimli!" Sam shouted in alarm. "You didn't leave the ointment on long enough yet, it won't have killed the vermin."
"I shall be waiting in my chamber until the time is elapsed." Gimli snorted and turning to Sam added, "Please tell me Master Delouser when my allotted time is up so that I may rid myself of this. this. elven colour!" With that he stomped off in the direction of privacy.
Legolas was not sure whether to be insulted or not. "I hope it comes off," he muttered, "Can't have Master Gimli looking like an elf!"
****
Deilen had helped Merry finish his delousing process. After the hobbit had washed his hair and feet, the elf had combed it through and pronounced him clear.
"When will you wash Pippin's hair?" He asked. Merry was not used to Pippin being left out of anything that he did. "Do you want me to help?"
"No, we will leave the ointment a little longer on your cousin." Deilen explained, "He was more thoroughly infested and it will do no harm to wait a while."
Merry was happy that Pippin had finally taken the mushroom, even if he didn't know that he had. Melystra had finished knitting the scarf and Merry now had it with him, wrapped in a piece of silk and tied with a blue ribbon. Melystra had also told him very carefully, as she combed the lice ointment through Merry's hair, that he must go very slowly with Pippin, but should not give up, no matter what. The important thing she reminded him was to be patient and perhaps giving him the scarf as a gift might be a good first step.
Silael left the chamber now and, although Deilen was still there he was not paying much attention at the moment to either of the hobbits, but was busying himself with preparing more lice ointment. Merry curled up on the bed too, into the same position as Pippin and watched his cousin watching him.
Eventually, Pippin pulled himself to a sitting position and turned his head away from Merry, hiding his face in his bent up knees. Merry sat up too, his knees drawn up under his chin, but he kept his eyes fixed firmly on Pippin, smiling at him encouragingly, in case he should look back. After a while Merry decided to try and get his attention. "Pip, I've got something for you."
Pippin turned his head and peeped at Merry under his arms. He saw Merry push something towards him. It looked like a gift, prettily wrapped in blue silk and tied with a matching bow. Why would Merry give him a gift, it wasn't Merry's birthday yet he didn't think. Merry had had his birthday at Yule, just before they left Rivendell, it couldn't be Yule again already. What did Merry want? What could he want from him? He was just a Dogwhore - something to be used. But Merry! No it was too much to bear. Pippin buried his head in his arms and sobbed again.
Merry remembered what Silael had told him about not getting too close to Pippin and what Melystra had said about being patient, but Pippin seemed so locked into his own nightmare that it was as if nothing would ever break through. Tentatively he lessened the distance between them and, reaching out, touched Pip's shoulder. "Pip, my love, just look at your present. Don't cry, it's not meant to make you cry."
Pippin sat up a little and wiped his face with the sleeve of the satin nightgown. He looked at the pretty present and at Merry, but made no other move. So Merry sat opposite Pip with the gift in between and pulled the ribbon undone. Still Pippin made no move to touch it, so Merry unfolded the wrapping and the scarf, newly made and clean and bright lay on the bed.
Now Pippin did finally reach out and touch it, he looked up at Merry and gave a little gasp. His scarf, just as it looked the day Merry gave it to him the first time. "See Pip," Merry was speaking to him now. "The scarf has been mended and is just as good as new."
Pippin, scarcely daring to believe what he was seeing, picked up the end of the scarf and touched it to his face. He looked up at Merry and he was smiling at him. Pippin took his scarf and backed up to the far side of the bed again. He hugged the end of the garment to his face holding it tightly as if it might be snatched away from him again.
"Pip, my love." Merry was talking again. "You see if the scarf can be as good as new, so can you. If you let me help you, you can be my old Pip to go with the scarf, just as you were before."
Pippin shook his head sadly. He knew that could never be. Merry would always know what had happened and so would he. He could never be reknitted like the scarf. "Yes Pip." Merry saw the denial and remembered what Silael had told him. "You survived, you're a hero, a brave, brave hero. Everyone thinks you are so brave and strong Pip, you beat them all, you won. You lived."
"Noooo! Don't say it Merry. Please don't say it -what happened. . . no! no! no! please don't" Pippin was sobbing again. Whatever Merry had put in his mind it was too soon and Pippin couldn't cope with it.
Be patient Merry thought and try something else. "Pip it wasn't your fault, any of it. It was my fault and if I could take any of it away I would. Please Pip believe me." But Pippin was lost again in his tears and anguish. Merry fell once more into silence, sitting quietly on the bed.
Eventually Pippin stopped crying and just hiccupped into the scarf, which he still clutched tightly as if his life depended on it. Merry knew Pip wouldn't let him touch him but very slowly he reached out until he had hold of the other end of the scarf. Moving up to the top of the bed he sat hunched up against the headboard in the same position as Pippin holding the other end of the scarf, but still with a good distance between them. Gradually Pippin relaxed and lay down among the pillows, opening his eyes every so often to check if Merry was still there.
After a while Merry climbed down off the bed to go and relieve himself and Deilen offered him a bite to eat and a drink at the same time. Merry accepted readily, suddenly realising it had been a long time since he had last eaten. "Please Sir," The hobbit asked politely. "Do you have anything that I could write with?"
"Why of course Merry." Deilen smiled and fetched him a quill, ink and parchment. "Do you want to write for yourself or shall you dictate and I can write while you eat."
"No, that's all right," Merry took up the quill, he was a good penman, "I can manage and I want this to be personal." He set to work and after an hour had filled the paper with his large round hand. He then made sure the ink was dry before folding the parchment and tying it with the same blue ribbon that had been around the scarf.
Merry went back to the bed to find Pippin still wide-awake and looking less fearful as he climbed onto the bed. Merry resumed his position at the headboard and just sat not looking at Pippin and making no moves towards him.
A small smile played about his lips, although he was laughing with delight inside when Pippin eventually, very tentatively picked up the other end of the scarf that he was still clutching and held it out to Merry.
Merry took the end of the scarf and they sat together on the bed not speaking or touching, but connected by a piece of woollen material that had been knitted together with great love.
They remained like that for an hour at least and eventually Merry decided to try and speak again. "Pip? You know you can be reknitted again, just like the scarf."
"No don't!" Pippin immediately froze again as Merry spoke to him.
Merry had been ready for this and pulled out the parchment and pushed it towards his nervous cousin. "It's a present - for you. You can read it later if you want."
They carried on sitting and sitting until eventually Merry snuggled down into the pillows and closed his eyes, still holding his end of the scarf. Pippin watched his cousin carefully and then his vision strayed to the untouched gift. Carefully, his eyes never leaving Merry, he reached out and snatched the piece of parchment. He squirreled it close and wondered what it could possibly be. He could look, it seemed safe, there was no one else around. Using one hand, as he did not want to let go of the scarf, he pulled the ribbon free and unfolded the parchment. It was a poem, a long one. At the top of the page was written. "To Pippin with all my love forever - your Merry."
Pippin read the poem, hardly daring to believe the words he saw there.
To Pippin with all my love forever - your Merry
When we were young
Our world was fine
I was yours
and you were mine
I paused for a moment -
looked the wrong way
And all that was lost
In one single day.
You seem to be near
but really you're gone
I need you back here,
where you belong
Please come back to me
I'll never hurt you
Or make you feel sad
I'll never desert you
I'll bake you a cake
of laughter and fun
Paint you a world
of big yellow sun
Give back your dreams
from when you were small
And nothing could touch you,
nothing at all
We laughed at tomorrow
There was no time to cry
I'll bring it all back
If you just let me try.
There was no need to say it
when we were together
Inside we both knew
we'd be friends forever
I gave you my heart
And if my soul endures
It can't fly to the Valar
Because Pippin it's yours.
Pippin thought he had no tears left to cry that day but now they fell onto the parchment, making the ink run. Pippin wiped his eyes with his sleeve again, not wanting to spoil the precious words. Could it really be true? Did Merry still love him? Pippin thought at that moment that his heart would break. He crept over to Merry, reeling in the scarf as he did so and laid his head on Merry's foot and closed his sore red eyes. "I love you Merry," he whispered before falling asleep.
***
Poem to Pippin(Liza Jones 2002
New Story Alert: "A Short Rest in Hollin" by Pansy Chubb. V. cute, short and sweet!
I also have a new fantasy children's story up. "The Suppertime Dragon". Llinos and Marigold beta'd and wrote some.