As the sun set in the sky, all joy also vanished from Pippin's heart. Merry was gone. Pippin cried himself to sleep; yet his sleep brought no comfort. He at first dreamed of his childhood, and how Merry always was there waiting for him. Then he dreamed of their Journey, and how he almost lost his cousin, after the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. Lastly, he dreamed of his and Merry's life after the War of the Ring, but through all the dreams voices in his head kept on saying, "He is dead. He is gone forever."
When Pippin woke, he found he was in his bed, but Merry's bed was empty. In the distance, a sad tolling of a bell was heard, but everything else seemed silent. The morning sun was veiled by grey clouds. Pippin walked slowly and sadly to the balcony overlooking the rest of the City. Sitting down on the bench, Pippin wept. He did not know how long he stayed there crying for his dear Cousin. He felt like his world had ended. Merry was always with him. Merry was always his shoulder to cry on. Merry was always there to make things better. Now Merry was gone. Thinking of these things, Pippin didn't notice that Legolas was walking slowly toward him.
"Pippin," said the Elf, a sorrow could clearly be seen on his face.
"He's gone, Legolas. He's gone," said Pippin looking up at the Elf with watery eyes.
"I know my Little Friend. I am so sorry. Aragorn sent me to find you. The funeral shall be held this afternoon."
Pippin only nodded slowly in answer.
"He was a good hobbit, and brave. He shall always be honored," said Legolas looking into the sky.
"Yes, it just seems so different without him. He was always there for me, even when I was very young. I don't know what to do without him by me. It seems all joy of living seems gone," said Pippin in tears.
Legolas sat down on the bench and put a comforting arm around the weeping hobbit. He sat there in silence. How strange the fate of men was to him.
The funeral was held, that afternoon. Many people from the City gathered in Rath Dinen, where all the past kings and stewards of Gondor were buried. Legolas and Gimli stood by the King. Faramir and his son also stood beside the King. A few soldiers of Rohan, who happened to be in the City at the time, were also assembled there. In the crowd of mourners, Pippin saw Bergil and his family. Merry was to be laid to rest in the armor of Rohan, and with the honor of a Knight. Aragorn then spoke to the crowd.
"We gather here together, to burry one of the heroes from the great War of the Ring. Meriadoc Brandybuck was a dear cousin and friend to many. He was both a Knight of Rohan and one of the Nine Walkers. He even aided in the slaying of the Witch-King, and saved Eowyn, Lady of Rohan."
With a glance to one of the Soldiers of Rohan, one of the Rohirrim began a slow song in a strange language. Pippin didn't know what the words meant, but he guessed it was a special burial song used among the People of Rohan. Ending the song, the Soldier put a small white flower in the tomb. Pippin recognized the flower to be Simbelmyne, the flower of Rohan that grew on the tombs of the Kings of Rohan. How the Knight came by the flower Pippin didn't know, nor did he think much of it, for Aragorn called him to come to him.
"Here is the most beloved friend and cousin of Merry's we have here with us. Is there anything you would like to say in honor of your cousin, Peregrin?" Aragorn said.
"Merry was always a very special friend and cousin to me," said Pippin, trying to hold back his tears, "He was always there for me. And…I…"
Not being able to say anymore Pippin grew quite, and Aragorn gently put his hand on the weeping hobbit's shoulder. The tomb was closed and after paying their respects, the people slowly left. Pippin sat by the newly erected tomb and as the elderly hobbit's tears fell upon the cold stone, a grey rain fell upon the White City.
Aragorn too stayed by the tomb, standing silently, with tears in his eyes. His mind went back in time, when he first met the four hobbits in Bree. The Fellowship had been slowly breaking. First, it was Boromir. He died with honor, trying to save the two hobbits from captivity. Then it was Frodo and Gandalf. They went across the Sea in an Elven Ship, soon after the events of the War of the Ring were over. Sam went next. What he learned from Merry and Pippin was that after Rosie died, Sam went to follow his beloved Master, leaving the shores of Middle-earth forever. Now it had Merry left. Aragorn knew in his heart, that now that his cousin was gone, Pippin wouldn't stay long. A chilly wind blew through the Halls of the Dead. Aragorn shivered as the cold air touched his skin. Turning to Pippin he said, "Come Pippin, it is growing cold. Come; let us go to the Hall. There shall be them memorial feast held this night."
"Cold. Merry never liked it when it was cold. It reminded him to much of what happened upon the Fields of Pelennor," said Pippin softly.
"He has gone to a place where he can never be cold again," said Aragorn helping the tearful hobbit to his feet.
Pippin sadly smiled up at the King. "Thank-you," he said in a low voice.
"Oh, Strider. I miss him so much. His passing seems so hard to bear," said Pippin as he walked with Aragorn.
"I know, Pippin, I know. But one day you will see him again. I promise you that. You will meet him again when your day comes. It is a strange fate we mortals must suffer," Aragorn said wiping a tear from his eye.
"I can never thank you enough, Strider, for all you had and have done for us. You were and are so good to us."
"It is I who should be thanking you," said Aragorn, bending down, "You Hobbits have done so much good for Middle-earth."
At the memorial feast, Pippin noticed that all of Merry's favorite foods were served; yet, the mushrooms and seasoned meats had no flavor to him. His world seemed to be slowly fading. There was much laughter and talk during the dinner, but Pippin didn't join the mirth. Every now and again, someone would ask him to tell a story of his and Merry's adventures. Pippin would agree and would tell the story, but only half-heartedly. Pippin wanted to leave the table early, and said good night and thanked the King and Queen. As Pippin was leaving the feasting hall, he ran into Bergil.
"You wouldn't mind if we have a little talk, would you, Pippin?" asked Bergil.
"Of course we can talk," said Pippin. He and his old friend sat down on a bench, near the White Tree.
"I am very sorry, Pippin. I never knew your cousin as well as you knew him. But I do know that he was an honorable hobbit. And well…well I know his death took a toll on you. You haven't been yourself today. A part of you died with him. Am I not correct?" Bergil said with concern.
"Aye, a part of me did die, Bergil. Oh, Bergil, I don't seem to have the energy I once had. Life seems harder now," said Pippin.
"I know. I too have lost a dear friend. It was just before the War of the Ring, a very good friend, died. He was my little brother, Beregorn. An illness took him when he was just five years of age," said Bergil with tears in his eyes, "After he died, I did not know how I was to deal with my life. I continued on, yet the sorrow has left a mark on my heart. Please, Pippin, try not to let the sorrow darken your heart. I can not bear to see you so sad. We all must mourn our beloved who have died, but please don't cry to much."
"Thank-you for your company, Bergil. But I need to go to my rest now, after such a day as this," said Pippin as he got up from the bench.
"You are welcome, my dear friend," said the elderly man.
"And Bergil."
"Yes?"
"I want to tell you. I want you to know, that your friendship is very precious to me. Thank-you," said Pippin.
"Thank-you, Pippin," Bergil said and then continued on his way down into the City.
Pippin slowly made his way down to his and Merry's room. "No" he reminded himself, not our room anymore. I am the only one left in it. As he entered the room, it seemed so empty and quiet to him. Pippin went out to the balcony. Every night, Merry would go out to that balcony to look at the stars. There were no stars now. Then Pippin saw a little light in the night sky. One lone star twinkled in the darkness, in memory of the Knight of Rohan.
Pippin slowly made his way toward his bed, and before blowing out his candle, he looked upon Merry's bed. A sad tear fell down the Hobbit's cheek. "Farewell, my dear Merry. Maybe we shall meet again, in a place where we can no longer be separated," said Pippin, and then blew out the flickering candle.
The night was a quiet one, and then slowly, very slowly the sun began to rise. The light entered into the room where Pippin slept, and the rays of the sun painted the white walls a golden color. The sun appeared in the early morning sky, and the soul of the Smallest Knight of Gondor took flight.