As they rode to Edoras, Merry dozed lightly. It was never for long nor peacefully. The pain worsened with each passing moment. By nightfall the ache was nearly unbearable. Merry shifted in his saddle every so often as he tried to get comfortable. The pain radiated all over his body and was weakening him greatly because night had fallen. Night meant darkness, and darkness meant that evil beings could walk among the good and take prisoners if they so.

Meriadoc was dozing at this time and was lagging just a little behind his cousin, Stella, and Di. His breathing was slow, raspy and uneven. As he dozed, he saw his first look at the twilight world. It terrified him. Foul, pale beings beckoned him to follow. At times they pulled at his ankles, his arms, and even one pushed his back as they tried to take him. He woke sweating and gasping for breath. Merry clutched his chest and looked around frantically.

Pippin had noticed that his friend had lagged behind a bit, and pulled back to check on him. Merry was sleeping quite fitfully. He had reached out to check his pulse and temperature when suddenly Merry shot up. "Merry, what's the matter?" He asked. Pippin was shocked at his friend's sudden movement.

Merry slumped in his saddle. He was pale and the sweat was drying. "I dreamt of wraiths." he whispered. His hands shook with blatant fear. Every inch of his face was etched with worry and pain. He slowly let out a breath and closed his eyes, as he tried to calm himself.

"What," Pippin hissed fearfully as looked at his cousin. "But wasn't that world destroyed? The wraiths – they are gone, aren't they?" Pippin studied the panicked features on Merry's face.

Merry licked his lips and glanced at his cousin. The expression Merry wore was one of a hobbit child. Slowly, Merry shrugged. He had thought so, but perhaps he was wrong. Pippin looked back at Merry's face again. Never had he seen his cousin so afraid. It scared him to see Merry like this, but he shook it off, trying to stay strong. He had to stay strong.

Stella and Diamond were riding ahead on Greyhelm. "What do you suppose is happening back there?" Stella asked Diamond, looking back at their husbands. Stella wiped a stray tear from her eye as she did.

Diamond shrugged a bit and said, " I-I can't rightly say. I can't see what's going on, dear. I'm sure that everything will work out right. We have not a day's ride to Edoras from here, and we'll find someone who can help us," Diamond whispered as chewed her bottom lip in anxiety.

Stella answered, "I hope so, Di. I do. I don't want to lose Merry, not now. I- I just can't do it. I can hardly bear seeing him like this. I don't know what will happen if he..." She trailed off as she thought, No, I won't think that way; I have to keep my wits about me, for Merry

Pippin and Merry rode in silence for a while. Finally, Pippin could bear it any longer. "Merry, what did you see, exactly?" Pippin thought and then cringed. Fool, what are you doin', Pippin yelled at himself in his mind. He stopped berating himself and thought for a moment. Merry is still conscious. That is a good sign, I've got to keep him talking, keep his mind sharp.

Meriadoc glanced at his cousin. He had been staring unfocusedly ahead as he had listened to Pippin "Blackness and fog," Merry began quietly, "Then ghastly, ghostly beings. Men I think they were. These beings were silvery blue and tried to grab me…" Merry sighed and he shook slightly as he drifted off. Merry blinked and his eyes closed for a moment. He slowly opened them again and coughed. Merry had a pained expression on his face as he did so.

Slowly, as they rode, the sun appeared over the horizon. As the day progressed, things seemed to be looking up. It was a warm, sunny day and it made Merry feel very good - the first time in two days. He sat straight on the pony and his eyes were clear and bright. He chattered on with Pippin or his wife or Diamond about nothing in particular for awhile and then Merry was quiet. After awhile he started to hum the song Frodo had taught him long ago and then he started to sing,

"The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say."

Merry clapped his hands and smiled as he finished singing the lively song. The darkness and direness that had surrounded him had vanished for the time. It would be back on the 11th hour, when most hope fails the strongest heart and the soul of a being is tests; balanced on a tip of sword awaiting the fates to decide if thou shall see the next morn or pass into nothingness.

The Fellowship of the Ring - Bilbo in 'A Long Expected Party' & Frodo in 'Three is Company'.