Chapter Seven-- Awakenings

When the two hobbits woke again, the medicine had worn off a bit, and Merry was back to his regular self again. Merry awoke to find Pippin asleep, head resting on the edge of the bed, and his hand grasped in Merry's. He smiled at the sight, and adjusted himself to a much more comfortable position. Sitting up, he reached a hand out to caress the crown of Pippin's hair.

(He is so beautiful. I can't believe he could love- wait. We still have to talk about that…) Merry's smile faded somewhat, and as he summoned up the courage to talk about everything that had happened, he softly shook Pippin's shoulder. "Pip?" Merry said equally as softly. "Pippin, wake up."

Pippin moaned something that sounded suspiciously like 'Five more minutes Mother', and tried to roll over. He fell with a loud thump to the floor beside the bed, which happened to wake him up sufficiently. "Pippin? You alright?" Merry asked as Pippin stood and brushed himself off.

"Yes, I'm alright. In fact I'm…" Pippin trailed off as he looked up into Merry's eyes. A smile quickly overtook anything he was going to say, and the two hobbits stood (and sat) grinning at each other for a solid five minutes.

Finally Merry broke the silence. "Oh, you've got something… dust maybe. Come here." Pippin gravitated closer, and leaned over the bed till he was a foot away from Merry. Merry reached out a hand and gently took the young hobbit's face in his hand. He brushed a thumb over the smooth skin and relished the sensation. Pippin leaned in toward Merry's hand, willing him to never let him go.

"Pippin…" Merry's voice was sad. Pippin looked imploringly into Merry's eyes. "Why did you think I could never love you?"

Pippin pulled back surprised. "You know? How… When?"

"Few weeks ago. You were in the room… Frodo's study? I would have come out… but you started talking… and, well, I couldn't very well come out after you started on." Merry looked down, realizing how much could have been avoided… and how much he never would have known.

"Were you ever going to tell me, Pip?"

"Well… no. I was afraid to. I still am"

"You don't need to be. Oh Pippin… I… I love you."

Pippin's head shot up. Wide eyed he stared at Merry. "You… You do?" The look in Merry's eyes was all he needed to see. "Oh Merry! I love you too!" Pippin leant down and caught Merry's lips in a searing kiss. It spoke of love, of fear and doubt being erased, of joy, passion, and the life they could have together. It spoke of Merry and Pippin.

When they separated, they both knew this was it. This was the only love they would ever want, ever need. No words were needed for them to communicate this feeling, because their love spoke for them. Closing the blinds, Pippin climbed onto Merry's bed began to whisper sweet nothings…

Finally! I finished a story!!! This was a labor of love. I rather like it too. I am such a romantic in that last bit. What a pushover…

Finally, I would like to thank every reviewer.

Eldawen, Alice(5), KAJ, Degol Smeagol(3), Heather(5), This Is A Conspiracy(3), theifofblueness(4), Ginny 3000, aaronhasprettyeyes, ImmortalFlick, Nazi Chic, kat, Ammerz, Lady-Willowish, Anime Writer2, Neral Idazmi, Ryou's Oni, lady-gamgee, piptook, mernpip4ever, Mina aka: Mockingbird.

I love you all!!! By the way, I am planning on an epilogue…