Pippin rode beside Merry. Every once in awhile he would glance at his cousin to make sure what he was real. He was glad to see a smile upon his face once more. It made his heart feel light, lighter than it had been since his nightmare four days earlier. He joined in adding his clear tone to Merry's raspy one, "Where many paths and errands meet./And whither then? I cannot say."
Merry clapped his hands and smiled as they went. Pippin smiled right along with his cousin. He hoped that the rest of the journey would be as enjoyable.
At around mid-day, they hobbits stopped for a while. They ate some food and drank, and Merry's bandages were checked. Pippin, after food had been consumed and Merry had been checked, looked over at Diamond and Stella. They were chattering away while picking the beautiful white flowers. Ah, it's good to see everyone in such a fine mood. Perhaps this will be a short, enjoyable trip. Maybe Merry will get better on his own, Pippin thought looking about.
Diamond walked over to Pippin, who was sitting down with his hand resting on his right knee. She stroked his curly hair, smiling sweetly down at him. Pippin looked up and smiled back.
Diamond felt safe, safer than she had in these last few days. She breathed in deeply, taking in the medley of comforting smells: trees, flowers, and the familiar scent of pipeweed.
Merry sat atop a small boulder. He had his face turned to the sun to warm it. It felt so good to feel warmth again. Merry then looked down and watched his wife pick flowers.
Stella smelled the sweet scent of the white flowers, their milky petals tickling her nose. "These flowers are so beautiful! I wonder what they are called," She wondered aloud as she waltzed over to Merry with a small bouquet of the delicate flowers in hand. She sat down by his side, and in silence began to weave a crown.
"I do not recall what they are called, but I do know they are planted on top of the royal's tomb mounds." he explained softly, even though the question had not been directed at him. Merry smiled a little at his wife as he watched her make the crown out of the lovely flowers.
"Merry, it warms my heart to see you feeling better," she said, stopping her work and taking his hand. It was still cold, but not as icy. Merry's skin even seemed to be less pale.
The male hobbit felt even more joy as his wife took his hand and held it. He loved how she held it and also how her hand looked. They reminded him of fresh, spring butter.
A few stray tears trickled down her face. Stella was afraid that she may lose her husband, and never have the chance to have a child with him. It does not matter, anyway. The doctor said, she thought with a shake of her head. Stella didn't want to think of that right then.
Merry cocked his head to one side. "Are you all right dear? Do not weep. I am fine. Well, I will be." he said, not knowing that Stella could not have children.
Stella sniffed a bit as she looked up at her husband. "Yes, I am fine now, dear. I was just so scared that I might lose you. But we have Pippin and Di to help us..."
Merry gently stroked her hand with his thumb. "You won't loose me that easily, love." he said, glancing up at the sky. A few clouds started to form and cover the sun. Whenever the sun was covered by clouds, he began to feel the affects of the wound again. Merry tried to hide the pain, especially from his wife.
Stella looked up at the sky and worry seeped into her veins. The hand she held, seemed slightly colder, but she shrugged it off as if she were just imagining this. "Are we going to continue soon," she asked the group.
"Maybe it would be a good idea to get going. We still have a ways to go." he said, shifting slightly and wincing a little as his pain slowly returned.
Stella felt a slight squeeze on her hand as Merry winced. He is getting worse, a small voice said inside her head. Stella asked Pippin, "Shouldn't we get going soon?"
"I think we should," Merry said, standing slowly as he went over to his mount.
Pippin looked at the sun as it hid behind the clouds and shivered. Merry needed sunlight. It was their only hope of getting him to Edoras alive. "Diamond, Are you ready?"
"Yes dear," Diamond replied. She went to her pony and mounted. Di wrapped her hands around the reins. The hobbit woman was ready to ride.
Stella followed closely behind Merry. She did not want to take any chances. Even though she felt she was overly protective, she also had feelings deep down that told her Merry was not as well as he acted.
Merry looked back behind him slightly and saw Stella following him. "I am okay, love," he reassured her. Merry in fact was not that well, though he had only the slightest idea about how ill he was. Merry placed a hand on the saddle and pushed himself onto Bram wincing as he did.
This time, Stella rode solo. Diamond and Pippin shared a seat atop Fairmane with Pippin in the front. Diamond held tightly to his waist and the hobbits took off.
