"It's not for what you think" Pippin told her.
Dolly had a look about her, she knew that Pippin was about to lie.
"What am I thinking then?" she asked.
Pippin looked at her and took a deep breath. He knew that Dolly was thinking.
"Dolly, it's to warm me up in the cold" he said.
The two hobbits looked at each other. There was something about Pippin's eyes that made her think he was telling the truth.
"Just, just drive the cart Pip"
Pippin smiled and went up to the front. The coldness was getting to him already. His hands were shaking as he took out the stopper that was in the glass. He could instantly smell the whiskey. He took one sip of it.
For a hobbit, it was stronger then their own make. Pippin instantly started to cough. He tried to contain it, but the noise echoed out. Luckily, no one else was around.
A minute later, Pippin had recovered from his bout of coughing. His hands were starting to warm up, his shivering was decreasing.
"Right, lets go" he told himself.
So, he picked up the soggy reigns and made the ponies move. The pony's and cart wheeled around and back down the road. Pippin, every so often, rubbed his hand over his face. The snow was getting annoying already.
The gate of Bree loomed back into view. Lights could be seen radiating from the houses plotted along the streets. There were no torches outside. They had all been put out by the falling snow.
Pippin then came to the road. He looked both ways. The cart then moved off again. Pippin turned the cart left and made his way towards Rivendell.
The cart still had three hundred and forty eight miles left to go before they reached safety. Pippin was thinking way back to the time where he had gone there.
He could remember how fantastic the place was. He pictured the elves that he had seen. He remembered the buildings. It was all so clean and clear. Other then the Shire, he felt at home there and longed to go back.
The snow was starting to decrease in volume, yet the air was getting colder. In the cart, Origo was still shivering. The pup whimpered as Dolly held him in the now wet blanket.
"This is madness" Dolly told herself.
Diamond was looking as pale as she was the night before. Dolly still couldn't help but want to wake her up. But she knew that it was useless to try.
The cart endless rolled on. Mile after mile, up hill, down hill, left, right. Pippin was starting to get tired.
He wondered what time it was.
"Maybe it's six o'clock, probably seven, judging by the light" he thought, looking up at the clouded sky.
Pippin was right. It had now been three hours since they left Bree. For three hours, Pippin had been driving in the coldness. His mind was drawn to the setting sun. He wondered where he was going to sleep for the night. His eyes were getting heavier by the minute.
He looked back to see Dolly fast asleep.
"Would it hurt to have an hour or two?" he asked.
He knew that he was alright, but it was the wellbeing on Diamond that he worried about. If Pippin wanted to rest, he needed to make it soon. For the night was the best time to travel.
"Just an hour more" he said to himself.
Meanwhile, Hobbition was being covered in a carpet of thick snow. It was the second time that it had snowed in the Shire. Once again, the hobbit children were playing. The snow was thicker then last time. Some of the younger hobbits had been told to stay inside.
"Oh, but mum!" they pleased.
But their mothers would not let them.
"No, you are too young to go out by yourself" the mothers answered.
But the children still argued. Deep down, they knew they were too young to go out.
"You can go out tomorrow" the mothers said.
The children groaned, but they knew that their mother's word was final. So, the children went away from the window. They had plenty to play in the houses. The small hobbit girls had ponies and ponies. All of them were made of wood, polished to a shine. The hobbit boys had puzzles, marbles, small skittles that they could keep in their pocket.
The fire burned in the fireplace sending smoke into the cold sky above. A few houses had their fires going. They looked like black pillars of soot. The snow was coming down very heavily now. The light of the sun was struggling to penetrate the clouds. But it was loosing.
Pippin was still travailing along The Great East Road towards Rivendell. He was in deep thought. Very deep. The snow was coming down, yet it was not as hard as a few hours before.
His mind reached back to the pony's ride with Gandalf many years ago. Though woods and down valleys they went. Across rivers and across bridges. Past towns and though villages. It was though the many hours of pony's riding that Pippin started to think.
"Maybe living in Gondor is the right place" he thought.
The Shire seemed a long way away. Pippin had started to wonder if that was a good idea. But, he had gone back. It was hard for him to settle back down. But, meeting Diamond made it easier. Yet that was a couple of years ago.
Year after year, Pippin longed to go back to Gondor. He knew that he had to wait. Now was not the best time. He needed to get to Rivendell. The snow was not helping with anything.
But the snow was not a problem for Pippin. What was a problem was Diamond. She had not woken or eaten in a day and a half now. Dolly had come with them. She was the midwife.
If Diamond's birth went well, she would be there. But now, she was a passenger. Dolly was now as worried as Pippin was. She kept looking in her bag. She needed to do something to help. But Dolly knew that she couldn't do a thing.
The cart rolled on for miles and miles. Pippin was getting very tired again.
"Dolly, we need to pull over, I need a rest" Pippin told her.
Dolly looked up.
"But what about Diamond?" Dolly asked.
Origo had snuggled up to Diamond and was now snoozing peacefully.
"Well" Pippin said, thinking quickly.
"Well, you can drive" he said.
Dolly thought about it for a second. She looked down and thought. The cart rolled on.
"Alright" she said.
So, Pippin smiled. He pulled over the cart. The snow had basically stopped as Pippin jumped off of the cart. He rushed around to the back to help Dolly off. Pippin left foot prints in the snow. He held out his hand. Dolly lifted her skirt and made her way down the small ladder. She held Pippin's hand and put her feet on the ground.
The snow was deep now. Dolly felt the coldness on her bare feet. She looked back down the road. Only the hove prints and the tire marks were visible in the sea of white. A few snow flakes continued to fall, threatening to start up again. Pippin got into the back and sat down.
Origo was sleeping near Diamond. He gave a bit of his warmth to her, but it was not enough. In his mind, Pippin was starting to lose hope. He sat back and started to think. Once again, Gondor came back into his mind.
He could see the White City. Pippin could see the tree.
The White Tree Of Gondor.
Pippin had seen it. He could see the white bark in the sun light. Pip could see its full beauty. The tree was also on the armour of the soldiers of Gondor.
Pippin could see himself wearing the armour of Gondor again. The hobbit looked over at Diamond. He had made up his mind about what the baby was going to be called.
Faramir Took.
"Faramir Took" he said to himself.
Pippin smiled.
Back at Hobbiton, Merry was now heading home.
"Well, I got to get back, see you all tomorrow" he told them.
He took the last swig of his cup and took a deep breath. Estella looked at him.
"Is it alright if I come with you?" she asked.
Merry looked at her.
"Sure, I mean… if you don't mind" he said.
Estella smiled and got up. She had had a drink as well. So, she got up and followed Merry to the door. Merry opened it. A cold rush of air came into the pub. The candles flickered in the gust. Merry stood aside and let Estella though. Merry quickly closed the door.
Estella wrapped herself up nice and warm.
"Snowed quite a bit, ah?" Merry said.
Estella laughed and nodded. Snowflakes were melting in her hair. She began to shiver.
"Umm, Estella, have you cooked any food yet?" Merry asked.
Estella looked at him. She knew what he meant.
"Merry, I would love to come around for dinner" Estella answered.
This took Merry by surprise.
"How did she know?" he asked himself.
Estella laughed.
"Come on, we can have fun!" she said.
The snow flakes landed on both of the hobbits. Merry's home was a few minutes walk away. They started to walk up the hill, past Bag End, past Sam's home and Pippin's. Finally, the house that they were heading for came into view.
Merry's home was on the bend of the hill. His door was green. Hobbits had many different colours of door. None were the same colour. Yet each door had one handle right in the middle.
Most of the homes were on a small hill. They had small stone steps leading up to the top. In this instance, the steps were covered in white snow. The snow was like a large, icy sheet that covered miles and miles of land.
Merry noticed small foot prints in the snow. He knew exactly what they were.
"It's funny, you don't normally see them" he said to Estella.
Estella had been walking besides them. She looked down at the prints in the snow as well. She smiled.
"Your right, it is interesting to see where they go" she agreed.
The two of them reached Merry's door. Merry then opened it. The door was big and round. Merry walked inside and held the door open.
"Thank you" Estella said, walking in.
Merry then shut the door. It was the first time that Estella had been in Merry's home.
"It's not much, but it's enough for me" Merry told her.
There were pictures on the wall. A small table was situated against the wall. There was a vase on the wooden table. It had flowers in it, roses to be exact. But they looked weak. They were starting to droop as they sat in the water.
"Shall we go to the kitchen?" Merry asked.
Estella smiled.
"Sure" she answered.
So, the two hobbits made their way to the kitchen.
The kitchen had a table in it, four chairs sat on each side. A fire place was built into the wall. It was not unusual for hobbit to have two fireplaces. Unlike the one in the living room, this one had a small stand for boiling the kettle.
"Would you like a cup of tea?" Merry asked.
Estella was looking around. She looked back at Merry as he asked her the question.
"Yes please" she answered.
She looked down at one of the seats and pulled one out. Merry then got the kettle out and went to the tap. He placed it under the tap and twisted it. Water gushed out and into the metal kettle.
After a few seconds, there was enough water in the kettle for two cups of tea each. Merry turned the tap off. A few drips escaped and collided with the volume of water already in the kettle.
Merry lifted the kettle out of the sink and over to stand. The fire was yet to be lit. Merry put the kittle on the stand and smiled. There was a small burning candle near the fireplace. Merry picked it up. A small bit of wax was dripping down the side. The wick flamed happily as Merry carried it over to the fireplace.
He bent down and lit the fire.
"Wont be long, a few minutes" Merry said, standing up.
Estella nodded.
Merry smiled and looked around.
"So…" he said, struggling to find conversation.
Estella smiled. The water in the kettle had small bubbles in it. Merry took a deep breath. He then turned around and walked to a cupboard. He opened it and looked in. Inside, there were mugs upside down. The hobbit took two of them and turned around. He smiled and put the cups on the table.
Merry already had table mate out, he placed the cups on them. He then thought on.
"I need to get the tea out" he told himself.
So, he went to another cupboard. Inside were lots of jars. They were full of all different type of things. There was sugar, mint leaves, spies, coffee, tea and cooking oil.
Merry searched for the tea for a couple of seconds.
"Ah ha" he said and reached for the clear jar of tea.
Merry then stood up and looked around at the boiling kettle over the fire. Its bubbles were increasing happily. A small bit of water vapour was rising into the chimney.
Merry smiled as he put the jar on the table.
"Right, I think it's ready now" he told Estella, looking at the whistling kettle.
Estella smiled.
Merry had yet to get out any spoons. He had gone to bring the kettle over. The hobbit placed it on the table and smiled.
"Oh, spoons" he said.
Estella giggled. Merry quickly looked in the draw and got out three teaspoons. He placed them on the table mat. Merry had yet to get the sugar out. Estella smiled as she took the kettle. Merry sat down and looked at the table. He took a deep breath. A small bead of sweat ran down the side of his face.
When Estella finished pouring the hot water into her mug, she placed the kettle down. Merry smiled as he picked it up. The handle was warm. But the water inside was still very hot.
"Umm, Merry, where's the sugar?" Estella asked, looking on the table.
Merry looked on the table.
"Sorry!" he said as he got up.
"I don't normally have people around, only Pippin and he knows where everything is" he laughed.
Estella continued on smiling as she waited for the sugar. After a few seconds, Merry came back with the jar of sugar. He placed it on the table.
"There you go" he said.
Estella then popped open the jar and took the third spoon. She then started to scoop out sugar.
One teaspoon, two teaspoons, three teaspoons, four teaspoons, five teaspoons.
Estella put seven teaspoons worth of sugar in her tea. She placed the sugar back and put the teaspoon down on the mat. Merry then picked it up. He, like Estella, had put his tea in first.
The sound of metal on china echoed though the house. Neither of the hobbits was talking. Estella placed her spoon down and took her cup. She held the handle and lifted the cup to her lips and took a sip.
It was still hot.
"Nice?" Merry asked.
Estella nodded.
"Very" she told him.
Merry laughed and took a sip of his. He let the taste set in and smiled.
Elsewhere in the lands of Middle-earth, there were some hobbits that were not enjoying themselves. Pippin Took had been on the road for a day and a half now. Had had past Bree and was now heading towards Rivendell.
But he was not alone. There were two more hobbits with him and a puppy.
Diamond was Pippin's wife. She was expecting a baby. But something had happened that had thrown their plans. Diamond had fallen ill. Pippin had gotten Dolly.
Dolly was their midwife. There were a few hobbit midwives in the Shire. Normally, they would have two or three expectant mothers in and around the Shire. But Dolly was not assigned to one and one only.
But Dolly was now driving the cart on The Great East Road. There was also a small sleeping puppy I the cart. His name was Origo. Origo had only come to the Tooks a few days before.
Diamond had warmed to him quickly. She loved animals. But Pippin was struggling to get used to Origo being around. Both Pippin and Origo liked turkey.
Pippin had come off second best to Origo. Diamond was now giving the turkey to Origo. But now that had all changed. Ori was now hungry and there was no turkey in the cart. He hadn't had any food in a few days now. The pup continually whimpered as Dolly drove the cart.
Pippin was getting annoyed by it. So, he picked the pup up.
"Ori, you got to stop whining, it's getting annoying"
Pippin held Origo to him. It was the first time he did. Pip could feel the pup's warmth warming him up. He looked down. Origo was curled up in his hands and wasn't whimpering any more.
"Hmm, you're not so bad" he said.
Just like Diamond had, Pippin had a sudden wave of tiredness. His eyes started to become heavy. A yawn came across his face. But, before he could fall asleep, Pip placed Origo down and lay down as he yawned again. The hobbit made him comfortable before closing his eyes.
Origo was now left alone. He had woken up now.
"Hey, I'm still hungry" he whined.
But no one was listening to him. Pippin was now asleep, Dolly was driving the cart ever onward and Diamond was not responding to anyone.
Origo walked over to Diamond and lay down next to her. He rested his head on his paws. The puppy thought of his turkey. He looked around. He wished that he was back on Diamond's bed.
"Don't like this cold" he thought.
The pup stretched and yawned. His little ears flopped as he rolled over to one side. Ori closed his eyes. The coldness was getting to him. He was shivering and there was no one to warm him up.
Back in Hobbiton, Merry was standing up. He and Estella had finished drinking their tea. Merry was standing over a burning stove. There were a few slices of bacon sizzling in the pan.
There were a few eggs, slices of bread, beans in a rich tomato sauce, a few sausages were waiting to be cooked, potatoes cut into chips and Merry's favourite; mushrooms.
There were two plates for the food. Merry was getting very hungry indeed. He had a spatula in one hand and the handle of the pan in the other. He flipped over the pieces of bacon. There was a small bit of dark brown on the bacon.
In all, there were five slices in the pan.
"That's enough for me" he said to himself happily.
He then picked up a plate and started to fish the bacon out. He placed the pan back and picked up the small pack left. He started to place the raw slices into the pan. They started to sizzle instantly. Merry could smell it already.
Estella looked over at him.
"Do you need any help?" she asked.
Merry looked around.
"Oh no, I'm fine" he said.
Merry had done many fry ups before. He knew exactly when to put things in the pan.
After a few more minutes, Merry picked the spatula again and fished the slices of bacon out again. He then put the plate back down and looked over at the rest of the food. He walked over and got four eggs. He went back to the pan and cracked them open.
One, two, three, four.
Merry watched the egg white cook almost instantly. They turned whiter and whiter. The yoke was an island of yellow in a sea of white. Merry looked out of the window. The snow was whiter then he had ever seen it. He was lost in thought for what seemed a few minutes.
His attention snapped back. Merry looked down at the eggs. They were ready to be plated up. So, he slipped the spatula under two of them and then slid it onto the plate. He did this another time. He then got four more eggs into the pan.
Merry looked around. He saw Estella playing with her hair.
"Nice day today" Merry said.
Estella looked over at him.
"Yes, it is" she said.
"Might go out for a walk later" Merry told her.
The atmosphere was awkward. Neither of them talked much. After a few more minutes of silence, Merry took a deep breath. He looked back to see the eggs were done. He used the spatula again to get them out. He now had the bacon and eggs done. The sausages were next.
He opened the paper packet. Inside were light pink sausages. Ten in all. Merry smiled and he took a few out. Merry plopped them into the pan. The pan was already hot. Merry looked at what he had to do. The mushrooms were still sitting in their bag. The beans in home made tomato sauce were waiting. Merry then went to the other side of the cooker and picked up the bag on mushrooms.
Merry had already gotten the cutting knife and wooden chopping board out. He picked out some of the best looking ones and placed them on the board. The hobbit then picked up the cutting knife. It had a wooden handle with a silver blade.
On the road, Pippin was asleep. A dream came into his head. It was of Diamond. The room that they were in was familiar. It was the kitchen back home.
The table was in exactly the same position as it had been when they had left. But something wasn't right.
Where was Diamond?
In the dream, Pippin could see himself sitting at the table. There was a glass of the strongest whiskey that he had. A small glass was being held in his hand. Pippin was looking down, he was deep in thought.
Just then, another figure came into the room.
"Pippin?" the woman asked.
This woman still wasn't Diamond. It was Estella.
Estella looked like she had been crying.
"So is this how you're going to spend the rest of your days?" she asked.
But Pippin didn't answer. He just looked at the table. Estella shook her head. A tear ran down her face. She then walked forward and sat down in one of the chairs. Pip didn't even move an inch.
"Pippin?" Estella asked.
The room was silent and dark. The night outside had set in, a single candle burned in the still air.
"Pippin, you can't blame yourself" Estella told him.
"What happened, happened. None of us can change it"
Pippin mumbled something. But Estella didn't catch it.
"Excuse me?" she asked.
"It's my fault" Pippin answered.
He looked up. His eyes were red.
"No, Pippin, no it's not!" Estella said.
She looked at the half full bottle of whiskey sitting on the table. Pippin had drunk half of it and was sloshing around.
"Then why did it happen?" he asked.
Estella looked down. She wasn't there, so she couldn't say.
"I… I don't know" she answered.
Pippin took a deep breath again. He was looked down again. The hobbit then poured out another small glass of whiskey.
"Pippin, what ever happened, Diamond loved you" Estella told him.
Pip was replaying what happened. He had anger for the elves and for himself.
Why didn't he just stay at home with her?
He had put Diamond's life in danger. He wished now that he had left her hear. But then Pippin thought on. It wasn't him that had suggested going to Rivendell; it had in fact been Dolly.
Pippin looked up quickly, Estella was looking at him. Without another word, Pippin got out of his seat.
"Pippin?" asked Estella.
She stood up as well. Pip walked out of the room.
"Pip, where are you going?" she asked.
She followed him out of the room. Pippin headed for his coat. Estella still had hers on. Pip put his on, then headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" Estella asked.
Pippin quickly turned around.
"I'm going to the one person who caused all of this" Pippin said, grabbing Estella.
He had anger in him that he had never before expressed. His heart rate was rising; he could feel the banging inside of his head.
"Pippin, please calm down" Estella squeaked.
She was very scared of Pippin. He was bigger and more powerful then she was.
"Your not yourself" Estella said.
Pip and Estella's eyes met.
"Diamond wouldn't have wanted you like this"
Estella could hear Pippin's breath.
"What do you know what Diamond wanted? What word do you have on this matter?" Pippin asked.
Estella started to cry. Pip suddenly got another massive bout of guilt. He let go of Estella.
"Just, leave me along, alright?" he asked.
Estella rubbed her neck.
"Go, get out" Pippin said.
Estella looked up at Pippin, but she didn't say a word. A few seconds later, she started to walk away, leaving Pippin standing there. Pip looked down. He was feeling the most guilt he had ever felt.
His world was crashing down around him. The one person that understood him was gone. He stood in the middle of his empty home. Just a week earlier, he had been the happiest hobbit in Middle-earth. But now, the world had been covered in a darkness that only he saw.
Pippin awoke with a start, leaving his dream world behind. The hobbit sat bolt upright. The light around him had now faded. The darkness around him was now pushing the light away to the west. Pip looked around.
Diamond was still in exactly the same position as she was the last time Pippin saw her. Origo was still sleeping next to her and Dolly was still driving.
Pippin's attention was now drawn back to why he had awoken. He started to think back, but he couldn't remember. He held his head and looked down. It was getting frustrating.
"Maybe I should go back to sleep"
So, Pippin laid back down on the wooden planks that made up the floor of the cart. It was very noisy as Pip laid there. The wood rattled his head side to side. The hobbit closed his eyes. He let the sound reach his ears.
He could hear different noises. The wheels crunched over small stones. The night was setting in around them. There were no lights around. Dolly wondered how she was going to see where she was going. Yet the snow around her was bright enough to see.
Dolly looked up at the sky. The clouds were deep orange. A few bits of darkness broke though the clouds. Dolly started to wonder what was above the clouds. The wind blew in her hair.
Back in Merry's home, he and Estella had finished their tea. Merry placed the two plates into the sink. He turned around and smiled.
"Would you like some cake?" Merry asked.
Estella smiled and nodded.
"What kind have you got?" asked Estella.
Merry headed towards the door of his cellar. He opened the door. It was cooler in the cellar then was out in the kitchen. Merry had a variety of different foods. Some were in small brown bags, others were in glass jars. But none of them were what Merry wanted. So, he continued to walk to the back of the cellar.
There, on a shelf, were a few cakes. Merry looked at them. All of them had slices missing from them. Merry looked at each one.
"Ah ha" he said, picking out the chocolate one.
He picked up the cake and started to walk out.
"I thought we could have some of this" he said as he reached the door.
Estella looked at him. She saw the cake on the tray he was holding.
"Oh, that will do nicely" she said.
Merry smiled as he put it on the table. He took the protective cover off and smiled.
"Made it myself I did" he said.
"It looks nice" Estella said, wiping her hair away from her face.
Merry had already gotten two smaller plates out from the cupboard. There were also two tablespoons laid out next to each of the plates. A cake slice was also on the table. Merry picked it up and slid it under a piece of cake. He scooped it up and placed it on the plate.
"There you go" he said happily, placing the plate on Estella's table mat.
Merry did this one more time and sat down. He picked up his spoon and sliced the came vertically. He took a fare sized piece and opened his mouth.
He instantly got the rich taste of chocolate. He smiled as he swallowed it. Estella smiled.
"I would really like to know the recipe for this" she said happily, digging into the cake again.
"It's quite simple, I can give you the notes if you would like them. I know it off by heart" Merry told her.
Estella nodded.
"Could I pick it up tomorrow?" she asked.
"Sure" Merry said.
The two of them ate the rest of their cake in silence. Merry was the first to finish. Estella finished a minute later.
"Well, I better be getting home" Estella said, getting out of her seat.
Merry got out of his seat as well. Estella walked towards the door.
"Err, let me do that" said Merry before Estella could touch the handle.
Estella smiled and Merry opened the door for her.
"Thank you" she said.
The two hobbits walked towards the front door. This time, Estella opened it. There was snow on the ground, but it had stopped falling from the sky.
"It's a bit dark, would you like me to walk you home?" Merry asked.
Estella looked around.
"No Merry, I'm alright" she answered.
Merry nodded and Estella started to walk down the stairs. Merry stayed there, with the door open, until she had reached the gate. She opened it, walked though and shut it again.
Merry took a deep breath. He turned around and closed the door. He leaned against it.
"Why didn't you just ask her out?" he asked himself.
He looked up at the ceiling and thought.
"There is always next time" he told himself.
But another voice came into his head.
"There may not be a next time"
That made him feel worse. Then again, it gave him confidence.
"Right, tomorrow, I'm going to ask her out" he said to himself.
He smiled as he walked back to the kitchen. He took a deep breath and picked up the two plates and spoons. He placed them in the sink like he did with the two plates before them.
He turned the tap on and watched the water fill up the sink. Merry then started to wash the dishes. It took him a few minutes to get each of the clean.
He dried them and put them back in their place. He then saw that the cake was still on the table. He yawned as he walked towards it.
"Early night tonight" he said as he wrapped up the cake.
It took him a minute to put it back and come out.
"I think I should go to bed" he told himself.
So, he blew out the candle and left the fire to burn itself out. Merry walked though the corridors of his home. He approached the door to his room. He opened the door. The room was colder then he would have liked it to bed.
His bed was made, his fluffy duvet was ready for him to tuck himself into.
But first, he had to get washed. So, Merry walked out of the room and into the bath room. The bath room was the next door down. It, like the bedroom and kitchen, had a round window in the wall. There was a sink on the wall and a bath in the middle of the room.
Merry had installed a under ground pipes. He had learnt it from his father. But that was just for taps. Merry walked over to the sink and turned the hot tap on. He also turned the cold tap on as well.
There was a mirror over the sink. Merry looked at himself in it.
"Your not going to be young forever" he said to himself.
He looked at his face. It looked older then last time he saw it. He twisted both of the taps off and grabbed the flannel. There was a bar of soap as well. He picked up the soap, dunked it in the water and then slide it though his hands. The soap created a small bubbles on his hands. Merry dunked his hand under the water again and the soap came off. The flannel had been in the sink for a minute now. Merry picked it up. Water dripped off as he got it in his hands and strung it dry.
Merry then placed it on the side and picked up the soap again. He did exactly the same as before. But he did not place his hands back in the water. He closed his eyes and placed his hands on his face. He then rubbed for a few seconds and took them away. He grabbed the flannel and wiped away the soap from his face.
He looked in the mirror and saw that he had missed a bit on his left had side. He got rid of it and looked down. There were soap bubbles swirling in the bowl. Merry was lost in the swirls for a few seconds before putting his hand in the water and pulling the plug.
Merry turned and walked to the towel rack. There were a few towels there. All of them were made from white cotton. Merry picked one out and started to rubbed his hands and face dry. He then put the towel back and walked out of the room. The tap was left to drip.
Merry then went back to his bed room and closed the door. He got changed and got into bed. He left his day cloths on the chair. He blew the candles out and laid down. His head hit the pillow.
Merry started to think about what he could have done tonight. He had the chance, but he didn't take it. He took a deep breath, rolled over and forgot all about it until the morning.