Merry closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He felt his world steadying. Really, there were only a couple of places that Pippin could be. He certainly hadn't got up and walked away on his own; he was far too weak for that. He had probably either been taken to the healer's pavilion for a bath, or someone had come to give him a breath of fresh air. Either way, he was in good hands. Merry knew he just had to let go of his worry for Pippin for now, and trust others to do their jobs.

Merry came back out into the strengthening sunlight. He noticed Gimli off in the distance, and he ran towards him. Gimli noticed the small form coming his way, and he stopped with a warm smile on his face.

"Greetings, Master Merry!" Gimli proclaimed. "And what can I do for you this fine morning?"

"Good morning, Gimi. I was wondering if you had seen where Pippin had been taken."

"Indeed, I have," Gimli smiled. "The elf took him out for his first bit of fresh air in a week! Strider said t'would be alright, and he made a sling for Legolas to carry him with. They are out by the River's edge right now, but should soon return."

Merry stared at Gimli. "But... but yesterday, he couldn't even sit up! Strider said he shouldn't get out of bed today! What if he re-injures himself?" Merry clamped his mouth shut, and regretted the words as soon as he had said them. "Strider said it was alright?"

"Of course," Gimli frowned. "Legolas never would have taken him if he hadn't. Aragorn came to check on our small friend while you were finishing breakfast, and at first, he was going to prescribe total bed rest. But after his examination, and the pleading green eyes of a certain young Took, he relented and decided that it was alright for someone to take him outside for awhile. The sling will keep him properly secure and immobile. Do not worry, Merry; he is in good hands."

Merry ducked his head. "I cannot help but worry; it is my job where Pippin is concerned."

Gimli smiled, and gently squeezed the halfling's shoulder. "And whose job is it to worry about Merry?"

"Frodo's" Merry said without hesitation. He smiled up at Gimli. "Frodo was the big brother that I never had. Did you know that he lived with my parents and me for a time after his parents' deaths, before he moved in with Bilbo?"

"Indeed? Come, why don't we go and visit said hobbit, along with Sam. Maybe as we sit and keep them company, you can tell me of your time with Frodo."

Merry readily agreed. He was in a fine mood today, and he needed a distraction from Pippin's condition so that he didn't fall back into melancholy again. Slipping his hand into Gimli's, Merry and the dwarf made their way towards Frodo and Sam's tent. The guard at the entrance greeted the two warmly, and opened the flap for their entrance.

--------------------------------

Merry scanned the darkened tent. Frodo and Sam lay on their cots, unchanged since the last time he had seen them. Merry swallowed. He trusted Aragorn, he really did, but this sleep just seemed so unnatural. He couldn't help but worry about his cousin and friend. If he couldn't worry about Pippin, he would certainly find something to worry about.

Smiling to himself, Merry nodded to Gimli as they both made their way to the chairs set up at the heads of the cots, for the convenience of the many who were in and out, paying silent respect to the Ringbearers. Merry walked over to Frodo, and Gimli settled in next to Sam. As Merry sat, he took Frodo's hand and placed a kiss on the knuckles.

"It had always been Frodo's job to look after me when we were growing up," Merry began. "Not because he had to, or because he was told to, but because he took it upon himself to be my protector, guardian and friend..."

"Where, oh where could that Merry be? He sure has found a good hiding spot this time; I've looked everywhere and I just can't find him.  I think I'll sit down and rest a bit before I resume my search."

A fit of muffled giggles greeted Frodo's ears as he sat down in the corner, near the bookcase that Frodo knew Merry was hiding behind.

"Shh!" Frodo sat up straight, making a big show of looking all around. "What was that? I could have sworn I heard something." Hushed gasps and more giggles came from behind the bookcase.

"Well I never!" Frodo exclaimed as he jumped up and leaped over to where Merry was crouched. Shrieking with glee, Merry tumbled to the floor as Frodo threw himself at the youngster, tickling him mercilessly.

After the two hobbits had tired themselves out tickling each other and wrestling around on the floor, they both rested contentedly, Frodo lying on the sofa and Merry curled up in a thickly padded chair. "Frodo!" Merry exclaimed. "Do you know it's my birthday in a week?"

"Indeed, I do," Frodo smiled.

"I'm going to be six. Will you help me pick out some mathoms to give out as gifts for Mum and Da?"

"Certainly. When would you like to do that?"

Merry grew thoughtful. "I was thinking maybe after your studies tomorrow? I also have some ideas for Berilac and Uncle Mac."

"I'll be happy to help." Frodo gazed fondly at Merry, and Merry basked in the attention. He was growing into a fine young hobbit, and it certainly helped that he had Frodo to guide him and entertain him as he found his way around the often constraining atmosphere of Brandy Hall. He was too little to understand how important a hobbit his father was, and therefore how important he would become as he grew older. Sometimes he sensed the tension in Saradoc as his father dealt with the everyday details that the Master of Buckland had to attend to, and it helped to have Frodo around to ease that tension.  Frodo was such an easy-going lad, and enough of a loner, that he didn't mind Merry's shadowing him.  In fact, he was flattered by it.  It helped ease his grief to be distracted by a little 'brother'.

"I'm hungry!" Merry blurted suddenly. Frodo laughed as Merry's stomach seconded that motion.

"Dinner isn't for another half an hour. Why don't we find you some parchment and coloured chalk in the meantime? Before you know it, it'll be time to eat."

Merry agreed. Frodo reached for his hand, and Merry obliged. Contentedly humming, he walked with Frodo out of the library and towards the nursery, where Nurse always kept some parchment and chalk on hand for the young master. Supplies in hand, Merry followed Frodo to his room, where Frodo got out the book he had been reading and began to entertain himself while Merry drew and they waited for dinner to be served.

Merry smiled at Gimli as he finished his little tale. "Frodo was always looking out for me, and making sure that I was where I was supposed to be at any given time, including meal times. Father was often too busy to take much notice of me, and mother had her own duties as mistress of Buckland. It's not that they neglected me; not at all! It's just that Frodo took it upon himself to make sure I didn't feel like I was. I was heartbroken when he left us to go live with Bilbo." Merry frowned. "Although I did get over it pretty quickly. Berilac and I became thick as thieves for awhile after that. And then, of course, Pippin was born, and the roles were reversed; I got to be the older cousin looking out for the younger."

Merry gazed into Frodo's face, willing him to wake from his sleep. "Wake soon, cousin," he said wistfully. "You and Sam both. We have much to tell you, and you have much to tell us, it would seem."

-----------------------------

"I hope that Merry is alright," Pippin said softly as he was nestled safely in the sling that Legolas held close to his body. The elf was sitting propped up under an oak tree, near to the River Anduin. Pippin was enjoying the dancing sunlight on the water, and the rustling of the newly emerged leaves overhead. It was a perfect day, Pippin decided, and he was so glad Strider had decided that he could be taken outdoors for a bit this morning. Every soldier they had come across had stopped to great the small perian. Pippin was a bit embarrassed that he had to be carried around like a baby, but he was also grateful for the fact that his prognosis was for a full recovery. Not everyone here could say that.

"I'm sure that Merry can find plenty of things to do while you're otherwise occupied," Legolas said in an amused tone of voice.

"I know," Pippin replied. "I just wish he would stop worrying himself sick over us. I am awake, after all, and Strider says that I have been healing nicely."

"Give him time, Pippin," Legolas replied. "After all, you only just regained consciousness the night before last. Before that, he wasn't sure whether you would wake at all, despite Aragorn's reassurances. He didn't know whether to hope, or to give in to despair."

"Well, it is a time to hope," Pippin said determinedly. "I will have to make him see that."

Legolas laughed. "And I'm sure you will, my small friend," he said gently. "I'm sure you will."

"Do you know that Merry has always looked out for me, and worried for me?" Pippin said.

Legolas peered down at the small being in his arms. "Do I sense a story?"

Pippin grinned. "I could tell you one, if you like. There was this one time when I was hurt while we were playing, and Merry felt ever so responsible.... "

Pippin squealed in delight as he kicked the ball back to Merry, and Merry missed it. Clapping his little hands and jumping up and down, he cried, "I made you miss! I made you miss!"

Merry smiled indulgently as he ran to retrieve the ball. Actually, he had missed on purpose, because he sensed that the little hobbit was growing weary of the game, and he wanted to re-energize him and keep him occupied. Aunt Tina had fallen ill during their stay at Brandy Hall, and needed the rest away from her energetic young son. Merry had volunteered, as usual, to keep Pippin company for the day. At seven years of age, he was indeed a handful, but Merry knew that his fifteen year old self was up to the task.

Pippin hopped from one foot to the other in anticipation. "Hurry, Merry, hurry!" he shouted excitedly. "Kick it here, to me!"

Merry grinned. He sucked in his breath, threw the ball in the air, and gave it a hearty kick as it came down. It sailed over Pippin's head, and the youngster gleefully ran after it, arms pumping and legs flying. As he ran after the ball that had rolled into the distance, his right foot entered a small hole in the ground. Yelping, Pippin fell, rolling aways downhill until he came to rest next to the ball.

"Pippin!" Merry yelled, heart in his throat. He ran towards Pippin. "Pippin, are you alright?"

Great gulping sobs met Merry's ears as he squatted by his young cousin. Pippin was holding his foot and rocking back and forth. "Merry! It hurts! My ankle, it hurts so bad." Tears and snot mingled on his red face as Pippin searched Merry's face pleadingly for some relief.

Outwardly calm, Merry gingerly reached out to touch Pippin's ankle. At the slightest touch, Pippin started screaming. "Oh dear, Pippin, that must hurt dreadfully," Merry soothed as he stroked the young one's hair back from his face. "It looks like I'll have to carry you back to the Hall. We'll get you to a healer right away."

Pippin had never been in so much pain before. He could have sworn that his ankle was broken, although it was only badly sprained. Breath hitching, his eyes squeezed shut, he nodded. "I want my mum," he wailed suddenly, clutching at Merry's shirt as Merry stopped to pick him up.

"Well, we are on our way to see her," Merry said agreeably, keeping a remarkably calm facade in the face of Pippin's hysterics. The lad was in great pain, and needed a soothing presence. Merry told Pippin years later that inside he was trembling and panicking, Pippin's screeches grating on his fragile nerves.

Gulping, Pippin began to settle down as soon as he was in his beloved cousin's arms. He cuddled up close, fingers grasping Merry's braces. "Now, I can't run with you, but I'll walk as fast as I can, alright," Merry asked gently. Pippin nodded. "We'll be there very soon, and we'll get my father to fetch the healer. Then we'll see how your mum is feeling, and let you see her."

"Alright," Pippin hiccupped, his tears already starting to dry on his cheeks. His ankle hurt dreadfully, but he knew that his Merry would get him the help that was needed to fix him. He never doubted it for a moment. Relaxing, Pippin closed his eyes as Merry walked with his small burden, humming a tune under his breath to help distract Pippin from his pain. By the time Merry arrived at Brandy Hall, Pippin was fast asleep in his arms, despite the pain.

Merry quickly made his way to his father's study, and found Saradoc behind his desk tending to some paperwork. "Father," Merry said quietly, the least bit of a tremble in his voice," I think Pippin sprained his ankle. He needs a healer."

Saradoc immediately came to Merry's side, and took the sleeping lad from Merry's arms. At the movement, Pippin woke up, and instantly felt the pain again. Biting his lip, and trying to be a good lad, tears formed in his eyes as he looked upon his uncle's face. "Uncle Sara," he whimpered, "it hurts."

"Yes, I'm sure it does, dear. Let's get you into bed. Merry, fetch Mistress Lilac, will you, and quickly."

"Of course," Merry was out the door before Saradoc had finished his sentence.

The healer had come, and had tended to Pippin straight away. Fortunately, the ankle was not broken, but was quite badly sprained. As she tended to him, Merry was at Pippin's bedside the whole time, stroking his hair and murmuring words of encouragement to the suffering hobbit. He was also there with him throughout the night, insisting on having a cot brought into Pippin's room so Merry could sleep next to him without disturbing his healing ankle. It was a good thing Merry was there, because Englantine was far too ill to properly soothe her injured son.

Merry took it upon himself to keep Pippin company during the next few days, as he had been ordered to keep off of his ankle until the swelling went down. Merry read to him from adventure books that he brought from the Brandy Hall library. He told him stories of Bilbo's adventure that the old hobbit had told Merry during his many visits to Bag End. He stole treats for him from the kitchens. By the time the Tooks' stay at Brandy Hall had come to an end, Pippin had become quite spoiled by Merry, even more so than he already was by his own family.

Pippin smiled at Legolas. "You see, Merry has always been worrying after me, since my earliest memories. It's in his nature, to worry about people. But it can also sap his energy and his spirits, and I am concerned for him. Who knows if the Shadow will ever bother Merry again, but when he worries, I'm afraid he is very susceptible to it. Strider did bring him back, but if he isn't careful, it could sneak up on him again. Strider warned me about that, that I'm to keep an eye on Merry and to let him know when his spirits are particularly low."

Legolas smiled as he looked down at the hobbit. "You two are lucky that you have each other to look out for."

Pippin brightened. "I know. Now the two of us will have to look out for Frodo and Sam, at least until they awaken."

"Shall we go and find your cousin? He's probably noticed that you're not in your tent by now, and is certainly beside himself with worry."

"Oh yes," Pippin said, suddenly concerned. "I need to make sure he knows that I'm alright, or he will be pestering Strider about my whereabouts."

"Let us hasten, then," Legolas said as he stood up, making sure he didn't jostle Pippin as he did so. "I'll take you to your tent, and if he's not there, I'll find him and let him know that you've returned safely."

Pippin smiled in gratitude. He was lucky to have so many friends surrounding him during his period of recovery. He needed to make sure that those friends also helped keep an eye on Merry. Although no longer physically injured, Merry still needed the help of his friends in order to fight back the Shadow that still occasionally beckoned. Pippin was determined that he would no longer have to face that threat alone.