Merry very carefully carried the overloaded tray along the corridor and in to Pip's room. Breakfast had started out as a simple affair, just some mushrooms, some omelette and some berry cordial. However, after Pip had fully woken, he came to realise that his extended rest period had meant missing out on a week's worth of meals, not only breakfast. There was all the missed second breakfasts, elevenses, luncheons, afternoon teas, dinners and suppers to be taken in to account as well. And so now a simple breakfast had escalated in to a feast fit for the halls of Minas Tirith.
He paused for a moment in order to adjust the precariously balanced dishes. Pip was complaining loudly about how "good, efficient service is sorely lacking amongst hobbits these days, isn't that right Merry?"
"Yes Pip," he said as he deposited the tray on to the table next to his bed, "standards of service have certainly dropped. Now start eating some of that porridge before you find that it gets accidentally tipped over your head!"
"You would never do that would you Meriadoc?"
Pip gave Merry his best imitation of wide eyed innocence. Merry struggled to keep a straight face as he made his reply with a matching expression.
"Wouldn't dream of it Peregrin!"
He flicked a spoonful of porridge at a shocked Pip, splattering it on his nose and chin. Pip looked for a moment as though he was about to retaliate, but after a moment's careful consideration he changed his mind.
"It would do no good for a hungry hobbit such as I to be using food as a weapon of war, especially if, as I suspect, there are honey and almonds mixed in to my porridge, in the way that befits the recovery of one who has been so perilously close to his end."
There was a mischievous smile playing about his lips as he wiped the porridge from his face, but it quickly evaporated when he saw the look on his cousin's face.
Merry's eyes became misty and his bottom lip began to quiver. Sighing, Pip put aside his tray and pulled him in to a comforting embrace.
"Hush now Merry, what's all this about?"
"I'm s-sorry P-pip, I was just s-so scared, sc-scared you were g-going to l-leave me. I couldn't b-bear it if anything were to h-happen to y-you Pip, not after e-everything."
He sniffed noisily and Pip handed him a blue chequered handkerchief.
"I know Merry, I know. When I found you after the battle at Pelennor, you were so still, so cold, it scared me. It was the most frightening experience for me, even worse than being taken by the Uruk-Hai or having to fight, the thought that I might lose you. I promised myself I wouldn't leave you then, and I meant it. Besides, do you really think I would leave for the next great adventure on an entirely empty stomach?"
Merry chuckled softly.
"No Pip, I don't believe you would!"
"That's right Merry, I wouldn't. Now if you will excuse me, there is the serious business of eating that needs attending to. I have a lot to make up for you know."
He winked at Merry and then set about demolishing his bowl of porridge. After a moment's hesitation, Merry followed suit.
It took very little time for the two of them to empty the tray of its contents. Crumbs from several oatmeal scones now littered the bed covers and both hobbits now had porridge smeared on their faces, and there was also some to be found in Pip's curls and down Merry's shirt. Pip lay back with a contented sigh.
"Well we may just have made up for one day's missed meals, but there are still some cavernous spaces still to fill. What's next?"
"Peregrin Took! You have had your fill now, as have I. Nothing more now till elevenses!"
"But Merry, how do you expect me to get better whilst I am still in such a malnourished state? My ordeal has left me greatly weakened, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to delay my recovery in any way now, would you?"
"I'm sure that developing a pot belly is not vital to your recovery., my dear Pip. In any case I still am none the wiser as to what exactly happened before I found you that night. What happened to you Pip? "
The jovial atmosphere disappeared instantly. Pip squirmed uncomfortably, unable to meet Merry's gaze. Merry watched him with growing regret as his cousin began to visibly tremble, fear etched in his features.
After what seemed like an age, he began to speak in a hoarse whisper.
"I honestly can't tell you Merry. I don't really remember anything much. I'm sorry."
His eyes were glistening, tears threatening to fall. Merry studied his cousin's face carefully. It was the look in his eyes that gave him away. He was definitely hiding something, he knew something of what happened to him, but for some reason he could or would not tell him.
What happened Pip? What are you hiding from me?
"It's okay Pip, you don't need to worry about anything now. We can talk later. You just rest now, get some sleep okay. You look like you need it."
Pippin visibly sagged with relief. He gave his cousin a weak smile.
"Thank you Merry. I am rather tired."
Pip curled up under his blankets and was soon asleep. Merry looked at him; untroubled in dreams, but what was he hiding from him that had so worried him whilst awake?
The tension and worry of the last few days soon began to evaporate. He was exhausted, right now all he needed was sleep, he could figure out what was wrong with Pip tomorrow. He settled down next to his cousin and was asleep in seconds.
A/N: Would just like to take a moment here to mention that for some reason my notes after the last chapter didn't load. All I really wanted to say was that I have made a small edit to the opening chapter. This story is now set with the two hobbits living together at Crickhollow, after the events surrounding the quest. My thanks go to TopazTook for helping me out in this matter. I hope that you are still reading and enjoying this story!
I would also like to say thanks to everyone who has read the story so far. Special thanks to those who have reviewed, you are all very encouraging . I will try my best to reply to all of your reviews, and if you do have any queries or comments, I am always open to suggestions and will do my best to answer any questions. Until next time...
Smileyhalo