Merry awoke in Pippin's room a few hours after Pippin had been found, and to his surprise, he was in a chair. What am I doing here? He thought, trying to recall what had happened the night before. Then reality came rushing back. Pippin...lost...sick...really sick He tried to sit up, stars appeared before his eyes, and he laid back down. Is he ok? He looked, well, he looked dead last night. NO! He can't be dead! Could he? Just then Healer Proudfoot rushed into the room carrying a small mug of something steamy. She bent over the bed on which Pippin lay and took out a spoon "Come on Pippin, please drink this!" She tried waking the boy, but Pippin didn't stir. "Wake up Pippin, please!" She gave up on waking him and shoved the spoonful of liquid down his throat, then getting up to leave she spotted Merry on the sofa. "Hello, are you alright then?" She said walking towards him.
"Yes, I think so, but how's Pippin?"
"I honestly can't tell you, not until he's awake."
"But he'll wake up won't he?" She just stood there smiling gently at him. Why won't she tell me what's wrong with him? He can't be that sick, he'll be fine. He'll come through just like he has so many times before.
"But he'll be ok, right?" He looked up at he healer, tears welling up in his eyes. Irene smiled, how can I tell him something without breaking his heart? Not being able to come up with an answer, she left the room. Closing the door behind her, she turned around to run into "Paladin!" she gasped, she had nearly run into him, he was standing about two inches away from her face.
"How is he?" He asked, worry written all over his face. Irene hadn't let anyone in to see him since she had bathed him in the steaming water What am I supposed to tell him? That his son will be fine in no time, or the truth. She settled on the latter, she would tell Paladin what was wrong, though it broke her heart to do so.
"Paladin, why don't we both go sit down and talk this over"
"He hasn't died, has he?" He said tears running down his face.
"Well no, but let's just sit down and I can tell you what's wrong." She led him into Pippin's room, closing the door behind him. "Ok, Paladin, you know that I always look on the bright side of things but..." Her voice trailed off how could she tell him this? "Your son he..." No, she couldn't he would fall to piece! But he needed to know. "I don't know how to say this kindly, so I am just going to be very blunt about it. You son is dying."