Paladin put his arms around his sobbing wife, rocking her from side to side.
"What do we tell them? Pim, Pervinca, Pearl, and Merry?" She said, looking up into her husband's eyes "They will want to know what's wrong, but how do we tell them that he's..." her sobs became still louder
"We tell them the truth." He answered, "We can't lie, because if he does, well you know..." Tina cried even harder, if that was possible, "We can't give them false hope."
"Alright" She said, trying to wipe the tears from her eyes
"Wake them up, and we will tell them now. No point in waiting until morning."
Tina stared at her husband, "Why not let them sleep?"
"Think about it, they are all very worried about him right now, suppose one of them went into his room and saw him as he is without explanation. They would think he had died in his sleep."
"If you wish" And with that her husband gave her another hug, then left the room to go find his daughters and nephew. Dying? Tina thought to herself He's only six years of age! He still has so much more life to live! She sat there for a while looking around her bedroom.
"Mummy up!" Pippin said, reaching his arms up, indicating to his mother that he wanted to be picked up, now!
"Pip, your getting bigger every day!" Her son beamed at her as he sat, cradled in her arms.
"Down!" He said only two seconds later
"So soon?" She looked at her son Soon he will be to big to do this! She thought He's growing up so fast!
Her flashback was interrupted by a small knock on the door "Mum?" It was her daughter Pearl.
"Come in sweetie" She said kindly, drying her eyes with her hands
"Mum, what's wrong? Dad just woke us all up saying that you and he had something very important to tell us. What is it?" Pim sat down next to her mother.
"We'll wait until your father comes."
"He said he had to go get Merry." Her middle daughter Pervinca came in and sat down next do Pim "Don't worry mum, everything's going to be ok" She smiled at her mother, trying to give her some encouragement. How little they know! Thought Tina as more tears spilled down her face. Where is Paladin, he should have come here by now!
He walked further up the hallway. He had checked Merry's room for him, but the bed wasn't touched, and the fire had gone out. He hasn't been here all day! Thought Paladin, continuing up the hallway. But I could bet my house and farm that I know where he is. He stopped at a door and slowly pulled it open, sure enough there laid Merry, sleeping right next to Pippin. He looks so peaceful! Maybe I shouldn't wake him. Paladin turned to leave, No, he has a right to know! So, turning back he picked up the child and gently shook him as he carried him back to his bedroom where he knew his wife and daughters would be waiting for him.
"Uncle?" asked Merry, rubbing his eyes.
"Yes?"
"Why did you wake me up? Is something wrong?" Merry tried to pretend he hadn't overheard the conversation between his uncle and the healer.
"Yes, there is something wrong, but let's wait until we get to my room so that we can discuss it with your aunt and cousins, alright?"
"It's about Pip isn't it?" He said looking at his uncle, figuring that if he was going to have to tell his uncle he overheard the conversation between Paladin and Healer Proudfoot, it might as well be now.
"Yes, yes it is"
"Well, then I think I already know."
"You, what?" Paladin stopped, looking down at his nephew How could he know?
"Well, I was still in the room when the healer came in with you and told you about Pippin."
"Oh Merry I...."
"But, Pip is strong, right? I mean he's come through every other disease in all of Middle Earth! He'll make it through" Paladin chose not answer his nephew; he didn't know how to give him a straight answer.
They arrived at the door, Paladin set Merry down and they entered to see all of the women huddled together on the bed. "Have you told them?" asked Paladin, looking curiously at his wife.
"No, I thought we should do it, together."
"Tell us what?" Pearl looked at her mother questioningly.
Ok, now the only way you can get me to update the story is if you REVIEW!!! I'm just kidding, but I really do need you to tell me how my writing is! So PLEASE press the button below and tell me how I am doing!