A/N: I wrote this for a friend, who's been ill for a couple of weeks now. She's getting better, but I thought I may as well post this anyway.
Pippin sniffed miserably. His nose was blocked, his head hurt, and he felt cold all over. He had missed the New Year's party because of this stupid illness. He smiled weakly as his best friend Merry came in, grinning. He sat down on the side of Pippin's bed, before bringing out a hip-flask and a small mug.
"Happy new year Pip!" He laughed, pouring a small amount of ale into Pippin's cup. Pippin drank it down gratefully, and sat up on his pillows. Merry looked at him worriedly.
"Cheer up! It's not that bad! You've been worse before! Remember that time when we were barely in our teens, and you said you were hungry, so I cooked you that… uh… Stuff. Never did find out what it was. My parents just called it a disaster!"
"Yeah, I remember. I was sick for a week after eating that stuff" Merry winced at this, and quickly changed the subject.
"Or how about when we went out pony riding and you fell off the pony? That wasn't my fault!"
"No, but it was you who suggested the pony ride!"
"You're not mad at me are you?"
"No. This time it wasn't your fault." Merry breathed a sigh of relief, wondering if Pippin remembered how he got ill in the first place. He had just reached the door, when Pippin called him.
"Merry?" Merry sighed, and spun round.
"All right Pip. I admit it. It's my fault you're ill. I shouldn't have locked you outside in the snow."
Pippin looked shocked.
"I'd forgotten about that! I was just going to say that you'd left your hat"
Merry groaned, and braced himself. After a minute, he relaxed slightly.
"You're not angry with me?" Pippin smiled at his older cousin.
"No"
Merry started to walk away. He wasn't really surprised when a cold bucket of water descended on top of him. He sniffed.
"Got a spare bed?"
A/N: in your review, could you wish my friend a swift recovery? She'd really like that. Her name's Will.