The first soft rays of dawn sunlight were creeping over the sill above them as Pippin began to stir from slumber. He cast a sleepy eye over his cousin, noting with concern the sheen of sweat covering his pale features. Strider had warned him that it would be some time before his cousin's fever subsided completely, but he was nonetheless alarmed by the heat radiating from Merry's still shivering body. He reached up to take a cloth and half-filled basin from the nightstand, wrung out the cloth and gently wiped Merry's face. His cousin's lips began to move, although no sound escaped from them. Slowly, Merry's eyes fluttered open, then he sat up with a shuddering gasp.

"S-so c-cold! Pip? W-where are y-you Pip?"

Pip pressed a finger to his cousin's lips before running a hand across his burning cheek in an affectionate manner, wiping away his silent tears.

"Hush now Merry, I'm right beside you lad. You're safe."

Merry looked up at his cousin, watery blue eyes vast pools of grief and sorrow. It was a grief so strong that for a moment, as he looked in to Merry's eyes, Pip was overwhelmed. He struggled to hold himself together in the face of his cousin's pain; to see him this way when he was normally so strong scared him. There was so much emotion held in those eyes that he knew would take a lifetime to even begin to express. Pippin still held his own scars from his encounter with the palantir, and although his bond with Merry was stronger than ever, it was something he knew his cousin would never fully be able to understand. So in a way he could identify with the feeling of isolation that was currently so raw within his cousin's heart.

He sat next to his cousin on his bed and held him close, desperate to let him know he wasn't alone. Merry's body shook with sob after sob as his emotions finally got the better of him. He cried for Theoden, for all the fallen and for the end of innocence. After all of the horror and the death he and his cousin had witnessed in war, there was no way that they could go back to being the naive young hobbits that had left the Shire all those months ago.

Through reddened eyes he looked at Pippin and wondered where his cousin the tweenager had gone, for the hobbit sat beside him was stronger, wiser; he was grown now. There had of course been a price; he could see the grief in his eyes that betrayed his haunted soul. But he was glad for the strength he found also, for it was something they would both need to get through the difficult times ahead.

Aragorn walked in minutes later to find the cousins talking quietly together. It seemed as though something between them had changed, but in a good way, he decided. A weight had been lifted from their shoulders, their grief, although still present, no longer held them apart.

He coughed lightly to let them know he was there. They smiled at each other in a reassuring manner before turning to face their friend. He sat down on the chair by Merry's bedside and pressed his hand against his brow.

"How are you feeling today Merry?"

"I'm alright Strider, or at least I will be. Now, about my arm-"

"Merry, I need to be sure you are well enough before we even begin to address the problems with your arm. It is going to take a lot of strength, both in mind and body, for you to begin the healing process that is required for your arm, so I need to be certain you are up to the task ahead of us. Your fever hasn't calmed down enough for my liking; your temperature is still very high. I think that perhaps another day of rest is in order, and then I shall review the situation."

Merry was about to argue, but to Aragorn's surprise, Pippin stopped him.

"Strider's right, Merry. I know you are anxious to be up and about and getting back to normal, but if you push yourself too hard, your fever is only going to get worse, and that will set you back even more. Just rest for today, and perhaps things will be better tomorrow."

Merry nodded in miserable agreement. Aragorn smiled at him, and patted him gently on the shoulder.

"I know this is hard for you, Merry, but your arm will be healed, it is just going to take some time. I will be back to see you later. In the meantime you are only to get up if you need the privy, and Pippin must walk you there and back. We can't risk you fainting. Pippin, if you could walk with me for a moment?"

Pippin got up from his place at Merry's side, offering his cousin a warm smile.

"I'll be back in a minute."

He followed Aragorn to the end of the ward, feeling increasingly anxious. Just as he couldn't stand the silence any longer, Aragorn turned and spoke to him.

"I wanted to thank you Pippin for talking sense back there. It is important that Merry has someone strong to lean on through the tough times ahead."

He paused as he noticed the concern on Pippin's face.

"No, don't worry Pippin; Merry will be alright. As I said earlier, it will just take some time, but it will be a long and painful process, and there is no guarantee that his arm will ever be as strong as it was. He will need all the support you can give him. Something about you has changed Pippin; you have grown stronger in heart and mind. Merry can see that too, and it is something you will be both be grateful for over the coming weeks. You should be proud."

He squeezed Pippin's shoulder gently. For once, the little hobbit was at a loss as to what to say. Eventually he settled on a whispered "thank you."

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't think it was true. Now, I will be back tonight to check on the patient, but in the meantime if his fever appears any worse I want you to tell one of the healers straight away. I'm sure Legolas will be along to see Merry shortly, he was rather anxious to see how you were both doing this morning."

With one last smile, Aragorn left the ward. Pippin immediately began to walk back to his cousin's bedside. As he approached he could see that his cousin had slipped back in to a peaceful slumber. He sat back down silently at his side. Today would be a long day, but he had the feeling that tomorrow would be even harder, for himself as well as his cousin.

A/N: So I thought that I would finally get round to adding to this before I leave tomorrow! Once again this is dedicated to Amy; hope you continue to enjoy this. I would just like to say thank you to my friends Liz and Chris for their continued help and guidance, checking through my writing and suggesting ideas of their own, it's very much appreciated guys! I would also like to thank Co for your encouraging review, I'm glad I'm satisfying some demand with this story.

As per usual, I have not read the books yet, so I am basing this purely on the movie and also the little knowledge I have gotten from others. Please don't think too badly of me for this! Everyone you read about in this story belongs to Tolkien; none of these people are mine (as much as I wish I owned Pippin and Merry!)

. Feedback is always appreciated. I know there are other stories out there like this one so please don't judge me for that!

Until next time...

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