Merry had been up since the first rays of sunlight had graced the windowsill over his bed. Pippin was sat beside him looking rather sleepy, having woken up just a few minutes ago.

"I don't understand why you didn't just turn over and go back to sleep. I really don't think that Strider will be here until at least after breakfast is served. You need your rest after all; the next few days are going to be hard going for you."

"I do know that Pip!" Merry found himself shouting. He looked across at his cousin and sighed. He hadn't meant to shout; he was just so anxious about today. He had been warned that it was going to be painful and that he should not expect immediate results. He accepted that, but it didn't stop him worrying. He was afraid that if he didn't try to do something about his arm soon, it would become permanently lame, and he knew he wouldn't be able to cope with that.

Still it was no reason to shout at Pippin.

"I'm sorry Pip," he whispered quietly, "I'm just nervous that's all. That's why I couldn't sleep."

"There's nothing to worry about Merry, we'll just see how today goes and take it from there. We'll get through this together, you and me, you'll see. I'll stay by your side as long as you need me alright? So, no need to worry anymore."

"Thanks Pip."

"No problem Merry." He gently squeezed Merry's uninjured hand. "Perhaps I ought to go and see about some breakfast for the both of us. I'll be back in a minute."

He hurried off out of the ward and down to the kitchens, leaving Merry alone with his thoughts. They weren't happy ones; he was very glad when Pippin returned just a few minutes later, carrying two bowls of steaming porridge.

"Oh, I'm sorry Merry, I didn't think," his face fell, "would you like a hand, or shall I get you something else?"

"No, don't worry Pip; just put it down on the table. You can eat yours first, then I might need a hand after."

"I'm so stupid sometimes," Pippin said as he tucked in to his porridge, "how on Arda did I expect you to be able to manage? Sorry Merry."

"Don't worry Pip; it was an easy mistake to make. I'm really not sure that I'm hungry just now anyway."

"What was I just-" he swallowed down his mouthful of porridge before continuing

"-saying about getting your strength up?"

"I know, I know! I'll have something to eat later."

Pippin was about to argue, but the sound of heavy footsteps stopped him in his tracks as Aragorn entered the ward. He put down his bowl, clutching his cousin's uninjured hand once more.

"Remember, I'm right here by your side, alright?" he whispered. Merry merely nodded as Aragorn approached.

"That's it Merry, you're doing really well. Just try wiggling your fingers once more, then we can take a break for a minute."

Merry's face was screwed up in concentration and pain as he slowly began to move the fingers on his damaged hand. As his little finger moved back in to position, he breathed a deep sigh of relief.

"Pippin, could you go and fetch a cup of water for Merry, he needs to keep his fluids up."

Pippin nodded and hurried off to do his bidding, leaving Aragorn and Merry alone.

"How was that Merry? Do you think you can carry on for a bit longer this morning, or would you like to stop for a while?"

"No, I'm quite alright Strider. It's uncomfortable, certainly, but that's how it's supposed to be, is it not?"

"Yes, Merry, it will be painful to start with, but that is how we know it will heal. Better to feel pain than to feel nothing at all, it shows that there is something we can do for you. We can try and make things more comfortable for you though, give you some herbs to help ease your pain."

"No, Strider, I'll wait until we are done, then at least I will know my limits."

Pippin returned with a mug full of cold water, walking slowly to avoid spilling it all over the floor.

"What have I missed then?" he said cheerily as he sat by Merry's side again a minute later.

"Nothing of importance, Pippin. Now, Merry, would you like to try and hold the cup?"

"With my right hand you mean?"

"Yes, if you think you can manage it. Use your left hand for support, it is likely to be shaky, and we don't want you to spill water down yourself, do we?"

Merry took a careful hold of the mug with his left hand; then, with a look of deepest concentration on his face he passed it over to his right. The cup began to tremble as control was given entirely over to his damaged limb. He looked to Strider for reassurance; smiling, he nodded.

"Concentrate Merry, you're doing really well. If your right hand is getting tired, remember to support it with your left. Now, try lifting it to your mouth."

Slowly, painfully, he raised his injured arm. The cup was just touching his lips when his concentration was broken by a particularly intense jolt of pain; the cup fell to the floor and shattered. Instant tears of frustration sprang to his eyes. Pippin immediately put an arm around his shoulders, as though he could protect him from all his pain and fear with just one simple gesture.

"It's alright Merry, it's alright. That was to be expected I think, wasn't it Strider?"

He looked pleadingly at the human, begging him silently to give his cousin some hope and encouragement.

"You are tired, Merry. Your arm is painful, is it not?" Merry nodded "Well then, it is of course to be expected. I warned you that this will be a long and difficult process. Do not be disheartened Merry; dwell more on what you have achieved than what you have failed in, but do not become complacent. Tomorrow is another day; let us hope it is a better one. I need you to keep practising moving your fingers for me, so every hour you should slowly clench and unclench your fist ten times; it will stop them from becoming stiff, and will help you work on your grip. Now, I will get someone to come and clean this up for you, and I will return tonight to see how you are doing. Farewell."

Someone came by shortly afterwards to clean up the shattered cup. Merry sat in miserable silence, Pippin as always right beside him. It was almost an hour later when Pippin decided that enough was enough. He couldn't stand his cousin's silence anymore.

"You need some fresh air I think Merry. You have been sat inside for far too long now. It's a lovely day so we are going to go for a walk in the gardens, with or without your permission. I'll fetch your cloak so that you won't catch a chill, then we will be going."

Merry barely even looked up when he spoke, he just continued to look dejectedly at the floor. Pippin knew he had to take control. He got up, took his and Merry's cloaks from a stand at the end of the ward and carried them back to the bed. He put his own on first, wrapping his scarf round his neck as well, before wrapping Merry's cloak securely around his shoulders.

"You need to take hold of my arm now Merry."

There was no response, so Pippin firmly grasped Merry's good arm and linked it through his. He got up, and after a few moments hesitation, Merry followed suit. They walked slowly to the end of the ward and out through into the hallway, passing through the ancient wooden doors and out in to the bright sunlight.

Well there's the first hurdle out the way, we're out at least, Pippin thought, now I just need to get him to talk to me.

"It's a lovely day out here, isn't it Merry?"

All he got was a mumbled response. He decided to try again.

"You know Merry, Strider was right."

Merry looked up at him questioningly.

"Tomorrow is another day, who knows what it will bring?"

"Just disappointment Pip, that's all. Just something else that I can fail in. I can't keep you safe, I can't keep myself safe and I certainly can't make myself better, so what is the point in daring to hope? All you get from that is disappointment, and I don't know about you, but I have certainly had enough of that."

Pippin was totally taken aback by Merry's outburst. He knew that his cousin was suffering, but to hear him talk that way was frightening. It hurt him. If Merry lost hope, then what was there left for him? He had to do something to get through to him.

"Well then Merry, if you think that all you face is disappointment, then perhaps you don't need me anymore. After all, all I can do is let you down, and I know I couldn't bear to be responsible for any more of your pain. So I'll walk you back to your bed, then perhaps you won't see me for a while. It will be disappointing for you, but perhaps it's for the best. I need hope right now, for Frodo, for Sam and for you, and you don't seem to have any. I guess I will have to find some elsewhere."

A/N: A cliffie….. of sorts! Pippin may appear out of character to you perhaps, but we all react in different ways when we feel hurt or stress. So take this as my interpretation as how Pip might deal with Merry's attitude. I did say there was a lot I could try and do with this piece, and I think that I like this dramatic twist! Hope you appreciate it too.

The physio bits: I have very limited knowledge of physio, and that is purely based on leg problems. I am therefore trying to convert my knowlege of that to fit the situation,I really hope it doesn't sound too bad

As always this is dedicated to Amy, a most wonderful reviewer! Your support will always be treasured and appreciated. Thanks to Chris and Liz for your continued support, you are both stars!

I still haven't read the books, sorry! I'm working my way through two towers as we speak though……

All readers are appreciated, all reviews treasured. If you have any comments, queries or suggestions, please let me know!

Until next time…….

Smileyhalo