Pippin swallowed hard as a very large lump formed in his throat. What is he goin' to ask me? What do I say to him, Pippin wondered. "Merry," Pippin managed to choke out, "of course I will tell ye the truth. When have I ever done otherwise?" Peregrin took up both of his friend's cold hands and clasped them. He felt all of the warmth being sucked right out of his hands into Merry's, and yet Merriadoc's hands remained as cold as before. "What do ye need to ask me?"
Merry swallowed slightly and closed his eyes. "You were protectin' them, weren't you?" he asked, "Di and Stella…" Merry licked his lips as he drifted off and then Merry pressed them together. After a time and a deep breath he continued. "Am I going to die, Pip," he asked as he looked up at his cousin with wide and sincere eyes, "I want the truth. I know it is a bad wound, Pip…" Merry closed his eyes and his head drooped to one side for a moment as he rested. He blinked again and looked at his cousin with pleading eyes as Merry waited to hear his answer.
As Peregrin looked at his cousin again a single tear fell from his eyes. "The truth is, Merry, I don't know. I will do my best to save you, I won't give up. I can't put our wives in danger though. I won't do it. Even if it means that you or I die. I have to put them first."
Merry slowly reached up, even though it hurt to do so, and wiped the tear from Pippin's face. "Don' cry Pippin, please," Merry whispered as he tried to take care of his younger cousin even though it was he that needed the caring for at the time. "Don't even put them in danger, got that? Or yourself..." Merry whispered as he shook his head, "No matter what happens, protect Stella. Promise me you will..." Merry closed his eyes again and a small cough echoed out as he drifted off.
Pippin's heart felt like it would break if he said anymore, nevertheless he pressed on anyway, "M-Merry, I won't let you die. I am going to protect you. I want to have a niece or a nephew. I want to be able to smoke pipeweed with my best friend again. Do ye understand?"
Merry nodded slowly, however then he shook his head. He understood, none-the-less the hobbit knew there was a chance that either of those things could happen. Meriadoc knew there was a good possibility that he would not survive this. Feeling tired from talking, he closed his eyes and leaned against the tree.
As Merry rested, Pippin checked to see how he was faring. Merry slowly opened his eyes until they were half-mast and studied Pippin and the wounded hobbit felt shame fill his heart.
The hobbit felt a sudden and intense fear replace the shame he had been feeling as he heard the sound of hooves coming. The fear faded when Merry saw that it was only his wife and Diamond with their ponies. Merry let out a slow and rattling breath.
Pippin noticed that Stella and Diamond had returned. "Di, give me the bandages so I may dress his wound. Stella, could ye hold Merry," Peregrin asked.
Nodding, Stella took Merry's hand with one and supported his shoulders with the other.
Merry looked up at his wife and gave her a small and weak smile as she held him. Absently he stroked her hand gently and leaned his head on her shoulder. Merry looked down and watched Pippin work. He felt his cheeks redden. Feelings of shame had swept over him again.
Peregrin proceeded to remove Merry's soiled shirt. He applied some more Athleas and carefully wrapped the bandages around his cousin. Pippin then took a fresh shirt from his pack and put it on Meriadoc.
I should have been more careful, Merry thought as Pippin dressed him. "I don' think we need to save the bloody shirt. The last thing we need is being chased by some blood-thirsty beast," Merry whispered as he licked his parched lips.
"There," Pippin said. He wiped his brow and looked at his handiwork. Not as good as Striders, but better than nothing. The hobbit stood and took the soiled shirt a ways away and buried it. Peregrin came back to Merry and studied the injured halfling. Merry's lips were cracked and dry. It suddenly occurred to Pippin that his friend most likely hadn't eaten or drank in these last two days. "Here Merry, drink, it will help ye." Pippin said gently as he pulled out a small flask. Carefully he lifted the flask to Merry's lips. "It's the last of the Ent draught, Merry. I thought that I should keep some, just in case you suddenly became taller than me," He said, trying to keep everyone's spirits up.
Merry swallowed the rich drink. The hobbit felt coolness and some serenity rush over him. When Pippin told his joke, he chuckled and sputtered. Some of the draught trickled down his chin. "Now I will be taller then ye – though I always was." Merry whispered, feeling full and content.
Pippin looked over and whistled for his pony, Bram. Bramblehoof snickered softly who came over to his master. He knelt besides Merry as if he knew what was going on. "Good boy, Bram. Good boy. Now, everyone, on the count of three, I want you all to help me get Merry up on top of Bram here. 1... 2... 3!"
The hobbits lifted Meriadoc carefully at the last count. They gently set him down on the saddle. As Bramblehoof stood, Pippin steadied his friend. Merry felt very helpless as the three of them helped him onto Pips' pony and his cheeks redden further. A wave of dizziness came over him as the pony stood. He held onto the bridle and smiled weakly in thanks to everyone.
"Stella you take your pony. Di, ye'll ride with Stella. We're going to make for Edoras," Pippin instructed as Stella hopped up on her pony, followed by Di. Pippin climbed up onto Fairmane - Diamond's mare.
Merry tried to focus on the place they were traveling to, but he found it difficult. He clucked his tongue and the pony started off with the rest of them. The hobbits slowly made their way towards Edoras.
