Oh my! An update!

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Strider was not moving, and Merry could not even detect his chest moving up and down. Ugluk had ordered more of his men to rebind Aragorn's wrists and ankles, but he had remained motionless. Merry's only comfort, and that was a small one, was that blood still flowed from Strider's back. He lived still.

But for how much longer, Merry didn't know. Judging from the amount of blood that stained the ground where Aragorn lay, he could tell that the ranger had lost too much blood, and could not afford to lose anymore. He was desperate now. Strider needed their help, and if the orcs got in their way-

His musings were suddenly cut off. Ugluk came marching up to him, dragging a trembling Pippin behind him.

"You two" he barked in the hobbit's faces. "Clean the filth up and get him ready to go. If he's not ready to run in twenty minutes we're leaving him behind." Done talking, he shoved Merry and Pippin toward the fire. But even the brute strength in his arms wouldn't make the hobbits run as fast as they did now, towards Aragorn.

"Aragorn…" Merry gasped as they dropped beside him. There was no response. Hurriedly, he pressed his cold hand to Strider's neck. There, it had to be there. But Merry had to stay still for almost a minute before he could detect a faint but steady pulse. He looked up at Pippin's tearstained face and nodded.

Pippin smiled shakily and sat next to him. For a moment, they simply sat there, basking in the relief that Strider was at least alive. But Merry broke out of the trance.

"We have to help him. He must be tended to, or he will be left here for the wolves." Merry got to his feet and walked slowly back to Ugluk.

"Please…could we have some…some water?" To his surprise, one of the orcs tossed him a dirty skin filled with water, not wholly clean but still good. But Merry was frustrated to discover that he could not wrench off the lid with his bound hands.

"It's no good!" he said heatedly, dropping the skin. "I can't do anything with my hands like this, and neither can-" Suddenly his eyes lit up and set on Pippin. "Pip," he said urgently. "You freed yourself, right? Just slip off the rope for a second and open this."

"No!" Pippin cried with sudden energy. The whole camp looked for a moment, then went back to what they were doing. "No, I can't." Pippin whispered. "If they see me, they'll tie me up tighter, and we won't have any chance to get away-"

"Pippin, if we don't help Strider now he'll die. Just-"

"Merry, he made me promise. I-I can't do it. You can ask one of them if they will release you."

Merry gave the unconscious Strider a quick glance and got up and sprinted to the orcs again. As Merry walked away, Pippin looked at Strider's face. With a pang of guilt, he removed the blindfold and tossed it away. He noticed right away that there was an expression of utmost pain spread across his noble face.

Meanwhile, Merry slowly approached the orcs. "I-I can't help him at all with my hands like this so I was wondering could you please free me and I won't try anything honest." Merry said very fast. Ugluk understood it though.

"Do I look like an idiot? One of you already tried to escape. Am I supposed to forget about it?"

"B-but he'll die if I can't help him and- "

"Untie him." The command suddenly came from the side. Grishnakh stomped toward them with a crossbow in his hand. Ugluk glared at him.

"Since when did you become leader of my captives?" he asked with a snarl.

"Since when did you get to play a game with my captive?" Grishnakh shot back, guesturing at Aragorn. He bent over Merry and sliced off the ropes, but grasped the hobbit's arm.

"Listen to me," he hissed in Merry's ear. "One wrong move, one suspicion of your actions, and I'll put a bolt through both of your friends. We only need one of you." Merry nodded mutely. "Well, get going then." With a last glance at the loaded crossbow, Merry quickly ran back to Pippin.

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"Let's get started." He said quickly. He quickly unscrewed the water skin. But where should he start? Merry sat pondering for a moment, then decided that the cut on Aragorn's arm needed immediate attention. He looked around for a cloth and cursed.

"Wait," Pippin said. He jumped up and retrieved the remains of Aragorn's shirt. "He won't get much wear out of this. We might as well use it." Merry nodded and ripped a small piece off. He wet it, and after a moment's hesitation, dabbed the cut.

To Merry's surprise, Aragorn jerked away with a cry. He immediately began struggling wildly against his bonds and speaking very fast Elvish.

"Strider, no!" Merry cried. He grabbed Aragorn's uninjured shoulder and did his best to hold it down. "Strider, it's us again, it's Merry and Pippin, please stop! Strider!" Eventually Aragorn stopped struggling and curled up on his side, trembling. "Aragorn," Merry said softly. "It's alright. It's just me and Pippin. Open your eyes." Slowly, Aragorn's eyelids crept open.

He blinked several times and seemed to focus. Strider smiled slowly up at them and whispered, "Pippin, come here."

At his words, Pippin dropped to the ground, sobbing. He buried his face in Aragorn's uninjured shoulder. Aragorn leaned his head on Pippin's curly hair, and wished he could comfort him better.

"Pippin…stop. It's not your fault. It's mine. Do not weep, I am alright." Pippin gathered himself together somewhat and sat up. He sported a watery smile.

"Strider, you are most definitely not alright. I-I thought…I thought you- "

"Do not say that. I am alive Pippin." Merry cleared his throat. "What happened since I was out? Are you both alright?"

"Yes, yes Strider, we're fine." Said Merry impatiently. "But Ugluk gave us a little time to tend to you. Where does it hurt most?" Aragorn shifted uncomfortably. At last he answered, "The arrow."

Merry bit his lip. He had never removed an arrow from anyone before, or on that note even touched one.

"Um Strider I'm sorry but…" Pippin stammered, voicing Merry's thoughts. Aragorn grinned.

"I will guide you. It will be fairly simple." Aragorn braced himself and rolled over onto his tattered back. He released a sharp gasp and relaxed.

"The arrow-," Aragorn was broken off by a coughing fit. Merry hastily grabbed the water skin and pressed it to his lips. Aragorn managed to take a quick drink, and the coughs subsided. "Thank you. The arrow we removed from-" he took a deep breath. "The arrows we found were barbed, so it would do more damage pulling it out. Our best chance is to push it the rest of the way through." Pippin started to protest, but Aragorn went on. "Do not worry. It is almost there anyway. You can probably feel the point through the skin on my back, almost."

"Alright." Said Merry. His face was white, and it did not look llike he was happy about what he had to do. "But we don't have bandages or anything…"

"We will make do without them. Do you have something to stop the bleeding, though? I fear I cannot loose anymore blood." Pippin nodded and picked up the shirt. "Okay, Merry you can push the arrow. Pippin, hold me down by my good shoulder, that's it. Be ready with the cloth."

Merry took a deep breath.

"Okay….one….two…NOW!" He seized the arrow shaft and drove it through. Aragorn unleashed a cry of agony and arched his back. Pippin put all of his weight on Aragorn's arm, only just holding him down. Once Merry saw the arrow slide onto the grass, he shouted. "Now Pippin!"

Pippin grabbed the shirt and pressed it to the gaping hole in Aragon's shoulder. Aragorn was finally lying still, but his chest heaved and his breath was coming in gasps.

After a few minutes, the bloodflow on both sides subsided. Aragorn gave Merry a pained smile in between breaths.

"That…was…a dirty trick." he said. Merry grinned cautiously.

"Gandalf told me about you always getting injured and the tricks everyone would play." Merry said happily. Pippin smiled broadly.

"I remember that! He said that Lord Elrond would always have to put sleeping herbs in your drinks because you wouldn't stay in bed!" Aragorn scowled heartily.

And for a moment, the hobbits' quiet laughter drowned out the despair in their hearts.

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Well there we go!

So sorry I didn't get the responses out, but school is so incredibly hectic. I don't think I can reply for the last chapter either, so many thanks to lindahoyland, Ainu Laire, Anastasia Who, Pip4, viggomaniac, Leif of Rohan, Patty, fliewatuet, iheartquines, and Luinthien. I really appreciate your wonderful reviews! They keep me alive! WOOT!

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