Aragorn, Dairmack, Legolas and Gimli rode with all haste that that they could muster to the Shire. The weather had not favorable to them however. They were considerably slowed by a snowstorm near Caradhras and were forced to wait another out near Rivendell. But they finally rode into the Shire 4 days after they had set out. Aragorn pulled his horse to a stop and jumped off, helping young Dairmack off as well. Legolas and Gimli got off their horse as well and looked about. Then, they slowly made their way to Merry's home for it had snowed quite a bit and the road's condition was not pleasant for their horses to tread through. Aragorn stopped near the sign that read, "Quarantine" and sucked in a breath of cold air as if to muster all his strength.
"Those signs are all over, sir," the lad said. He looked at the ground and shifted. He wished his home had that sign – at least then they would be alive, but nothing could be helped. "I had best get home, sir. I've got things to take care of," Dairmack said as he hurried off to his home.
The king nodded half-heartedly to the boy and after he had left, Aragorn picked up his pace. He was soon at the door of for Merry's home. Once he reached it he knocked hard twice on the door and waited for Merry to answer. No one answered though and so he cautiously opened it and stepped inside. It was almost completely dark within the small hobbit hole. That troubled Aragorn greatly. Concerned he called out, "Merry?"
Pansy had heard the knocks, but because Merry had such a fierce coughing fit, she couldn't get to the door before the three beings had entered the hobbit hole. She grabbed up Elanor and headed for the door. The young hobbit stopped and stared at Aragorn and the two others. Pansy was terribly frightened, seeing such a tall figure coming in from the snow. Though, something about his voice put the lass at ease, but that worried the girl even more. "Who are you, and why have you come?" she inquired as she held Elanor close.
"I am Aragorn," he replied. He looked kindly at Pansy, "You have no need to fear, my lady. I am here to help, not to harm." Looking at the child resting in Pansy's arms he asked, "Whose child is that?"
Merry, who had followed slowly and quietly behind Pansy, looked at Aragorn with a weary smile on his pale, clammy face. He gave a sigh of relief as well, that sent him into a flurry of coughing. The fit lasted a long time and when it finished he was out of breath. Slowly, he took in deep breaths and when he spoke, he rasped out, "Tis Samwise' daughter Eleanor." Merry took a step away from the door, which made him waver and fall because he was quite weak. Darkness took him and the next time he woke it was many hours later.