When Pippin was six, he came to Buckland after being very ill. Merry never left his side. One day they happened to walk past where Merry’s sisters were buried.

Pippin couldn’t read the marker, but found the cat Merry had carved when last there. Merry explained gently that he had made it for his sisters who had gone to Overheaven long ago. Pippin was intrigued that Merry had sisters who had gone away but more interested in the cat.

“Would you make me a pony, Merry, if I go to Overheaven?”

“If you like Pip,” said Merry, his voice shaking.