Merry sponged Pippin's head with a cool clothe singing a lullaby that his mother used to sing to him when he was sick.
"Merry, are you in here?" Frodo's head appeared around the door as he whispered to Merry.
"Yes, did you talk to Adams?"
"I did." Frodo came into the room quietly and closed the door
"Well?"
"Well what? You were right." Frodo sat down next to Pippin, opposite Merry and began to explain what the tutor had told him. "And then he reminded me that Pippin wasn't better yet; I mean honestly, how thick does he think I am?!"
Merry laughed at his cousin's indignation, and knew exactly where it was coming from. Frodo was one of the smartest hobbits he knew, and no one ever needed to remind him about anything, especially when it came to the health of his youngest cousin. Everyone knew how well Frodo cared for Pippin when he was sick, and so they let him do what he thought was best, and never contradicted him, because so far Frodo had brought Pippin through Scarlet Fever, every possible cold, Strep throat, and Autumn Daze three times. Frodo looked concernedly down at his cousin. "How is he?"
"Not much better I am afraid. When he was awake after the shouting match between auntie, Adams and I, he said that his ribs were very painful, then when I checked his temperature a little bit ago, it had risen, so I started to put on cold cloths."
"Just like I told you, good."
"Frodo, you know perfectly well that I know what to do when Pippin is sick!" Merry looked at his cousin, offended that he would say something that made it sound as though he was just following instructions and had no idea what to do.
"Sorry, I am just worried, of course you know what to do, but go on."
"It's ok, I am worried too, but going on, his breathing is still very heavy and he keeps coughing badly in his sleep, but otherwise, not much has changed."
"Did you give him any more medicine?"
"Three minutes ago."
"Ok, well then I think that we should take turns during the night, watching him just to be sure that he doesn't get any worse. I'll take the first shift, you go get some sleep and I will wake you in a few hours alright?"
"Ok Frodo, well goodnight then!"
"Goodnight!"
Frodo's watch was entirely uneventful, unless you count the fact that he managed to read two books, and had to rekindle the fire eight times, so four hours after his talk with Merry, he left Pippin and went quietly to Merry's room and shook him awake.
"Rise and shine!"
"Already?"
"What do you mean already?! I have been watching your cousin for the past four hours! Its your turn now!"
"Do I need to remind you that he is your cousin as well?" Merry winced as Frodo hit his arm
"I know who is related to me, thank you very much!" Frodo took Merry's spot in his bed.
"You've never been one to be very awake in the morning; I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't know what your name was!" Merry ducked this time as Frodo made to hit him again, "Do you mind? That is my bed!"
"Well, you aren't using it now; you have to go watch Pippin, so I thought I would keep it warm for you!" Frodo turned over and, not to Merry's surprise, fell asleep instantly.