"MERRY!!" Merry toppled out of bed at the sound of his name, What was that? He thought, then a moment later PIPPIN! Merry scrambled up and ran towards his cousin's room. Hold on Pip, I'm coming "

"MERRY!! Merry, no, please, help!" Pippin was screaming as though his life depended on it, which it probably did, thought Merry, No, I mustn't think like that! Pippin is going to be fine!

"MERRY!!!" Pippin was screaming even louder now, if that were possible, and Merry bolted down the hall and threw open the door, he saw his cousin writing in bed, tangled within the sheets, "MERRY!!!" Merry ran over and detangled his cousin from the sheets and held him close.

"Shhhh, its ok Pip, I'm here, don't worry." Merry rocked Pippin back and forth, trying to comfort the sobbing and shaking child. "Calm down Pip, its ok!"

"Merry, no, not Merry PLEASE!" Pippin sobbed into his cousin's shoulder, still fast asleep.

"PIP! Wake up! I'm right here you goose, its ok!" Why is he crying so? Merry thought to himself I'm right here, what could he possibly be thinking?

"Oh my goodness, Pippin! Merry, is he alright?" Eglantine and Paladin had just run into the room gasping and out of breath, "What's wrong with him Paladin?" Eglantine rushed over to her nephew who was still rocking her son gently.

"I've no idea! Why was he screaming so? I'll get the healer!" Paladin tore back out of the room and back down the hallway, yelling at the top of his voice. Pippin was still crying slightly, and still showed no sign of waking up.

"Do you think it was just a nightmare?" Merry asked his aunt tentatively

"It might be," Tina looked down at her son, stroking his blonde curls, "it may even be his fever."

"His fever? But aunt Tina why would…" Merry didn't have time to finish his sentence, for at that exact moment, Paladin and Healer Proudfoot sprinted into the room

"What has happened?" She barked at Eglantine "Merry, why are you holding your cousin, he needs rest!"

"Well, I woke up and Pippin was screaming my name in his sleep, so I ran in here to see what was going on and…" Again he was cut off sharply by the healer

"He was screaming your name? Was it some sort of a nightmare? Has he woken up?" She added the last question hopefully

"Yes, he was screaming my name, I don't know if it was some sort of a nightmare, and he is still asleep. Can you please…" Healer proudfoot said no more, but shooed them all out of the room

"What was that for?" Merry asked his uncle indignantly "We didn't do anything, it was her that…"

" I know Merry, but right now we need to trust her, she knows what is best for Pippin."

"What is going on here, what is all this noise about?" Merry's tutor banged open his door about three doors down from Pippin's.

"Pippin had some sort of a nightmare, and he woke us all up screaming." Merry turned around to see who was so upset

"Well, he's not screaming now, is he? Meriadoc, get back to bed this instant! I expect you at classes tomorrow at seven o'clock sharp."

"But, WHAT?!" Merry yelled at his teacher "My cousin is…" He began, but for the fourth time that night he was cut off.

"Mister Adams, I understand that Merry was supposed to have lessons taught by you, but you have to understand that his cousin is very sick…"

"I understand that Peregrin is sick, but that is no reason for Merry to stop his lessons, I will say nothing further, I have my orders from your parents Meriadoc, and I see no reason why I should disobey them. Goodnight to you all." and with that he slammed his door shut and all went quiet, they all seemed to be shocked by the outburst that the tutor had just made.

"Pippin, less important than LESSONS?!" Merry shouted making his aunt and uncle jump, "WHEN PIGS FLY!! He doesn't understand a thing! Not one thing! I'll show him what…"

"Merry, those no point in arguing, I highly doubt that Mister Adams would listen anyways, why don't we all just go back to bed, I am sure Pippin will be fine in Healer Proudfoots care." Merry glared once more at the tutors door then turned on his heel and walked swiftly back to his bedroom.

"I really don't see why Merry has to continue his lessons?!" Tina said to her husband on the way back to their room.

"Neither do I, but it doesn't look like the teacher really cares does he?" Paladin jumped into bed next to his wife, and within minutes was fast asleep.