A/N: I'm sorry this took so long. I have been VERY busy with life. I'm sorry it's short I hope to write more soon. Thank you for all the reviews. I loved them.
Chapter 3: Long Night
"Here's one Frodo," Merry said holding up the half smashed tomato. As the sun had begun to set Merry had started going through his pockets, which were all soaked through with tomato mush. What tomatoes hadn't been smashed when Merry got stuck in the fence, were squished when Merry had landed on them at various times. However, Merry was so hungry that he continued his search until he found one that still resembled a tomato.
"We could share Frodo," Merry offered, setting the tomato on the branch before him. Frodo slowly shook his head, "You can have it Merry." Merry studied Frodo for a minute and then gazed at the tomato very seriously. "Are you sure?" Merry asked as he reached out for the tomato. Frodo's stomach suddenly growled in protest and Merry looked at him with confusion. Looking slightly embarrassed Frodo crossed his arms over his stomach and said, "I am sure Merry." Merry slowly nodded and began eating what was left of the tomato. Frodo let his gaze wander down to the dog, which was sitting patiently waiting, occasionally growling.
Frodo watched as the sun slowly slipped away, making everything go dark. Soon he could only see the outline of Merry's curly head. The two of them sat quietly for some time, finally Merry broke the silence, "Frodo?" Frodo jerked himself out of his thoughts, "Yes?" Merry fell silent and shifted his gaze to the ground. He fidgeted for a moment and in a soft voice asked, "When are we going to get down?" Frodo sighed, "When the dog leaves, Merry." Merry took in this information thoughtfully. "When is the dog going to leave Frodo?" Frodo sighed again and shook his head, "I don't know Merry." Merry fidgeted and bit his lower lip in concentration, "What if the dog never leaves? What if we are stuck up here forever? What if we never get down? What if-"
"Stop!" Frodo said grabbing Merry's shoulders, "The dog will leave and we will get down. Now settle down. If you are not too loud and the dog doesn't hear you then he might get bored and leave." Merry slowly nodded.
Merry became silent again. They sat there for a long time listening to the dog's growls. Merry began shivering and rubbing his arms. Merry looked at Frodo as if he expected him to do something about the cold air. Frodo just sat silently, lost in thought. "I'm cold," Merry said abruptly breaking the silence. Frodo studied Merry for a moment, "You should have worn a coat like me." Merry didn't seem happy with this response. He frowned and sniffed, crossing his arms even tighter. With a sigh Frodo took off his own coat and handed it to the smaller lad. Merry quickly brightened and took the coat with a smile. It was big on him but kept him warm. "Thank you Frodo," Merry said softly. Frodo crossed his arms and sighed. "Now that you are warm Merry, do not fall asleep. If you are not hurt by the fall from the tree, the dog will surely see to you." Merry nodded. "I will not fall asleep Frodo." Frodo nodded but did not truly believe him. Merry sniffled a little. "Frodo?" He whispered softly, "I think I want to go home, I think I don't like trees much."
"Hush Merry. Don't make things worse." Frodo said softly. The night went on and Frodo could feel the cold air pressing about him. Despite the cold, his eyelids began to close. He struggled to keep them open and then noticed Merry had laid his head down on the branch. His soft breathing told him that Merry had fallen asleep. Frodo needed to wake him, but he looked so peaceful. He decided to let him sleep for just a moment; he was too young to stay up all night without sleep. Just one moment and he would wake up Merry. Before Frodo knew it his eyes were closed and he was fast asleep.
***
It was strange. Frodo could feel himself slowly waking up, and the fierce cold was the first thing to he noticed. He was just reaching to find something to cover himself with when he had a strange feeling. He felt as if he was falling. He desperately tried to reach out to grab something but there was nothing. What's going on? He thought. Was this a dream or… He continued to fall through the darkness and then suddenly Frodo felt a sharp pain in his head and everything stopped moving at once.