About Us News Resources Login Become a member Help Search | |
Then…
When the Brandybucks arrived for Pimmie’s birthday Merry couldn’t wait to see his Pippin and hurried to the nursery via the kitchen, where he liberated two gingerbreadlads. Pippin, just waking from a nap when Merry burst in, fairly beamed in delight. “My Mer!” he crowed, and was soon cuddled in his cousin’s arms. “My Pip! Look what we’ve got!” Pippin took a big bite, grinned, and said, “One for Pip, one for Mer!” Now…
Pippin usually declined, though Merry or Gandalf frequently insisted he accept. It was hard taking something a friend needed just as much, but Pippin understood they worried, and always thanked the giver sincerely. Pippin wished he could remember how it felt, not wanting to eat. ******************** Then…
“You win then, Pip, I am worn out.” Merry hugged him close, Pippin panting, his heart thumping. No more today then. They’d raced between the oak and pump five times. Merry couldn’t let Pippin win every time as he was no fool, but a year ago Pip wouldn’t have been able to run so far once! Pippin was getting stronger and Merry would keep pushing him, for his lad was too precious to lose. Now…
Now there was a whip-wielding orc instead of Merry running behind. In this unending nightmare, all that kept Pippin moving was repeating Merry’s childhood encouragement endlessly in his mind and knowing that Merry was somewhere near him, wordlessly demanding Pip not surrender, though neither could win this race. Pippin heeded and ran, pushing his limits beyond enduring. ******************** Then…
Then one day Merry fell from a tree. Briony gave Pippin a biscuit to keep him busy as Hortensia bandaged Merry’s sprained arm. “Poor my Mer,” Pip said tearfully, and the three watched dumbfounded as Pippin tottered across the room to press the now-soggy biscuit into Merry’s good hand. He patted his cousin’s leg comfortingly. “See?” Briony sniffed. “He just needed a good reason." Now…
Merry was hurt again, but this time so much worse. Now ‘twas Merry could not take a step, too weak, cold, dying perhaps, lying with his head in Pippin’s lap. Pippin had echoed Merry’s words, “Foot by foot.” Without success. Merry might die. Pippin wept for days long past when soggy biscuits cured most anything. ******************** Then…
“If you like Pip,” said Merry, his voice shaking. Now…
As it should be. As Pippin was. He remembered a day more than twenty years ago, and the request his Pippin had made without knowing what he really asked of his Merry. "Would you make me a pony, Merry, if I go to Overheaven?" "If you like Pip." Merry had managed to answer. Slowly Pippin's pony took shape, wrought by Merry's hands. ******************** Be sure to read Pipfan's sequel to the final drabble, Simple Things, here on Stories of Arda. Briony and Hortensia belong to Baylor and are used with permission. |
| |
Leave Review | |
Home Search Chapter List |