Pippin sighed softly as Faramir and his son left Minas Tirith. The slight wind blew his silver grey curls. As Pippin stood there by the White Tree, he remembered the first time he and Faramir met. Gandalf had brought him to Minas Tirith after the incident with the palantir. It was during that time that he swore his service to Gondor, and also saved Faramir's life. It seemed so long ago, those days of fear and battle. Almost all who had fought in the War of the Ring were gone now. Beregond, the first friend Pippin made in the White City, had died seven years ago, even Bergil was an old man now. Pippin knew he and Merry had only a little bit of time, until they too passed into that mysterious sleep of death.

"Come on Pippin. Let's go inside! It is quite chilly this winter," said Merry disturbing Pippin's thoughts.

"Oh, all right Merry. I'm coming," said Pippin as he began walking behind Merry to their room.

"You know Merry. It seems so long ago, when we first came to this City. Things were so much different than they are now," Pippin said with a far-away look in his eyes.

"Yes, it was different. Frodo and Sam were still with us then and many others also. We were young then. You were not even at the "coming of age" then, if my memory serves me right," said Merry with a sad smile.

"Yes, I believe so. It seems so sad Merry. It is all ways hard to watch others go, but you yourself must stay behind," said Pippin.

"Yes, it is hard," answered Merry softly.

The hobbits remained unusually quite for the rest of the morning, and requested to have their lunch privately in their room. Their heads were full of memories of the days gone by. Merry, thought of what Pippin said about it being hard to be left behind. Merry knew the he was older than Pippin, and that there was a good chance that he would be the first to go. He didn't want to cause Pippin any pain by leaving him, yet he could not master death, no one could.

The winter wore on a spring was growing near, during the days of March. Pippin once again feared for his cousin, for March 15 was again drawing near. Every year Merry's arm would grow cold, and he would have nightmares but it was never something severe. Yet, Merry wasn't quite acting himself. Merry didn't talk as much any more. A fear finally hit Pippin. Merry could be leaving him soon. But Merry couldn't leave him. His Merry couldn't go anywhere without him. Pippin quickly dismissed any thoughts of loosing his Merry. He couldn't think of that. Anyways the Gondorian New Year would be coming up on the 25th. There would be a big celebration, and rumor had it that Merry and Pippin would be the guests of honor during the great feast in the halls of the King.

The morning of the fifteenth of March dawned on a sunny day. Pippin woke and found Merry already awake sitting on a bench on their balcony, wrapped in his elvish cloak.

"He's gone. He died on this day, so many years ago. Like a father he was to me…for a little while…Theoden King," said Merry in a low voice as a silent tear ran down his cheek.

"I know, Merry," said Pippin softly as he put a comforting hand on his cousin's shoulder.

"Then HE tried to hurt the fallen king. But Lady Eowyn would not allow it. I helped her. Then everything turned dark…and cold…so cold," Merry murmured, "So cold."

Pippin reached and felt Merry's arm. It was cold to the touch.

"Are you alright, Merry? Should I fetch, Strider?" Pippin asked worriedly.

"No, I am alright. Don't worry Strider about me. All I need is a little rest. Maybe I should head back to bed. Yes, I shall go get a little rest," said Merry arising from the bench, "I shall be fine dear Pippin. Don't worry about me."

Merry, with Pippins help, got into the large bed.

"I shall be fine Pippin. All I need is a little rest. You go have your breakfast. I shall join you after I sleep a little," said Merry closing his eyes.

"Alright, Merry, you have some rest," said Pippin running his hand through Merry's grey curly hair.

Merry slept through the day. He woke that evening and asked Pippin to go out to the balcony with him to look at the stars. He and Pippin sat on the bench, staring into the heavens.

"They are so beautiful, aren't they Pip," asked Merry.

"Yes, they are"

"I wonder if Frodo and Sam are looking at the same stars. Surely, the land they went to must have stars. The Elves are found of the nights lights," said Merry thoughtfully.

"They might. I wonder what they are doing way over across that great sea," said Pippin waving his arm towards the far west, "And I wonder if they ever think of us."

"Oh, I believe they do, Pip. They do."

The next day Merry was weak, and couldn't even arise from his bed. Pippin was truly worried now, and sent for Aragorn. Aragorn came and looked over the elderly hobbit.

"How is he Strider? Is he going to…" said Pippin sadly, not able to say the word "die".

"Stay with him, Pippin. I shall come back later," said Aragorn softly and walked out of the room.

The truth was evident to Aragorn. Merry didn't have much longer. Aragorn sent for Legolas and Gimli, who were staying in the City.

Aragorn walked into his private chambers, a solitary tear falling down his careworn cheek.

Pippin stayed with Merry the rest of the day. The sun was slowly setting when Merry woke again.

"Pip"

"I'm here Merry."

"Pippin, dearest Pippin, I need to speak to you."

"Yes, Merry," said Pippin trying to hold back his tears.

"I want to say good-bye my dear Cousin. I shall be going soon."

"Merry"

"Please, Pippin, don't grieve to hard. I must go and you to will go when your time comes. We are not like the Elves, immortal. We too share the fate of Men. I love you, my most dearest Pip…my Little Pip," Merry said smiling and closing his eyes, he drew his last breath as the sun set into the horizon. The Knight of Rohan had gone to his rest.