Title: Trifles over Merry - Chapter 1 - Where are you?
Author : Burnt Sienna ; burnt_sienna_hobbit@hotmail.com 
Pairing: Merry/Pippin 
Rating: PG13...soon to be NC-17 
Summary: The two best friends can't quite come to terms with their feelings after Merry 
awakes in the Houses of Healing.  
Disclaimer: I do not own Merry, Pippin, Frodo or any of the other mentioned characters 
and sadly, I never will. *sob* but anyway, hooray for naked Hobbits! 
Warning: If you just think of them as best friends, you'll be fine but really they're cousins 
so apparently it's incest (damn!) so there! 
Authors Note: Read it and weep!
 
Shadows fell on Merry’s mind as he lay in the darkness of a room in 
the Houses of Healing. His troubles sat heavily on his chest and he 
wondered if sleep would ever come upon him. For the past two nights 
he’d had not a wink of sleep. He shut his eyes, trying once more to 
relax and take his mind off the numb pain in his arm. Breathing 
softly, he let his mind drift. 
 
Clouds formed overhead and he looked about his new surroundings. 
Dark, tall grass swished against his legs and he shifted uneasily in his 
armour. Wind howled menacingly and Merry started at a sudden 
noise to his left. A great army of horsemen with spears and axes came 
hurtling over the ridge of a hill nearby, shouting ferocious war-cries 
and heading straight for Merry. He gasped and made a move to run 
but as he turned, he saw another set of scimitar-wielding, fanged orcs 
creeping towards him, leering and growling horribly. Panic leapt into 
Merry’s throat and he found that his feet would not move. He opened 
his mouth to yell but no sound came. A vision flashed across his eyes 
and Merry gasped. Pippin! He spun on his heel, expecting to see the 
wild horsemen. Instead, a bleak wasteland spread out below him. The 
land was scarred and burnt and thousands of bodies lay scattered in 
heaps, some still smoking and blistering from the intense battle. 
Merry’s heart stopped as he gazed about, searching…
“No!” he yelled suddenly when the vision flashed across his mind 
again. He ran, not knowing where his feet were taking him, only that 
they led to something of importance. He stumbled and fell heavily to 
the acrid-smelling, dusty ground and came face-to-face with what he 
had been seeking subconsciously. The one thing that scared him most 
in all of Middle-Earth. “No!” he screamed hoarsely, lurching forward 
onto the prone figure lying battered before him. “Pip! No, not my 
Pip!” he gathered the tiny person into his arms and wailed, “Pip, 
wake up! Wake! Don’t leave me!” Tears streamed down Merry’s face 
as he brushed aside Pippin’s wayward curls. Merry sobbed as the 
white, pearlescent eyes of his younger cousin stared to the heavens, 
contrasted sharply by the congealed blackness of the blood marring 
his precious face. His face was cold as his armour, his soul bleak as 
the surrounding land.
 
 Merry startled awake, his heart pummelling his ribcage. Panting, he 
fell back onto his pillow, wincing at a jarring pain in his arm. He let 
out a great sob. “No, it’s not true. It won’t happen.” He winced again 
but not because of his injury. The vision of Pippin’s blood-stained face 
wrenched at his heart. He hoped his Pippin was all right out there 
with the big folk Pippin had never been apart from Merry until the 
quest. Why did we come on this blasted quest anyway? He asked himself 
for the hundredth time, knowing full well the answer. Because of your 
love for your kin, you incompetent Brandybuck. For Frodo. For the 
safety of the Shire. Merry reopened his eyes, feeling the dampness of 
his pillow as he turned to stare out the high, open window into the 
starry night. Had he been more himself, he might have realized that 
the sky was clear, not a darkening shadow of evil. But his mind was 
elsewhere.
 
He was worried for the safety of his friends. Here I lie, safe from harm 
think the healers, when the one thing that could hurt me the most might 
be occurring at this very moment. Where are Frodo and Sam? Have they 
survived? Will they make it home? Is Pippin alive? This last thought 
sank in deeply and Merry rolled over, ignoring the throbbing in his 
side. Oh Pip, he thought miserably. Merry felt lost without his best 
friend. And knowing Pippin, he was probably feeling all the worse for 
being separated from Merry. Merry chewed on his bottom lip. Pippin 
needed Merry. He relied on Merry to guard, guide and protect him. 
Merry had always been there for him. They had been 
inseparable…but now…
 
Merry took a deep, shuddering breath. He sat up slowly, trying to 
reassure himself of Pippin’s safety. After all, Gandalf wouldn’t let any 
harm come to the poor Took. Merry wiped his moist cheeks with the 
back of his nightshirt sleeve and leaned back to rest against the wall. 
He sighed and felt his heart slowing to a normal pace. Looks like you 
won’t be sleeping this night, Merry-lad, he thought miserably to 
himself. The nightmare that kept reappearing threatened to disturb 
him anyway. He pulled the thin bed sheets up to his waist and 
smoothed out the wrinkles formed by his restless shuffling. He 
glanced once more out the window and took a deep breath before 
settling his head back against the cold stone, prepared to wait for all 
eternity until his baby cousin came back to him.
 
* * *
Merry moaned as he rolled onto his sore arm. Suddenly, his eyes flew 
open. Another sound had been uttered in the darkness. A muffled, 
soft sound barely audible to a man’s ears. But Merry had no man’s 
ears. He was a Hobbit through and through and heard it distinctly. 
His breath caught in his chest at the thought of some enemy watching 
him sleep. He had no idea what to do, except lie deathly still, 
pretending to sleep. No sound. The silence hovered heavily in the cold 
room and Merry tried to calm his anxious breathing. Another sound 
permeated the stillness. A hitched breath. Merry leapt upright, not 
wanting to wait for attack any longer. He glanced towards the 
doorway and saw a short, stocky figure outlined in the dim light from 
the corridor. The person still had their hand resting on the door 
handle. 
 
“M-Merry?” came a feeble voice. Merry nearly yelped at the familiar 
sound. He was dreaming. It almost sounded like his dear little Pippin 
but Merry knew it not to be true. After all, the legions of Gondor had 
only left the night before…or had they? Merry frowned. He was sure 
it had been the day before, or was it the week before. He shook his 
head. The healers had been supplying him with enough herbs to 
knock out a rampaging army of Oliphaunts. His memory was fuzzy. 
He then noticed that his legs were not covered in sheets as they had 
been before. Instead, a thick, quilted cover lay upon him, keeping out 
the cold night air. 
 
Merry gulped. “Pip?” he said in a whisper. The figure at the door let 
out a cry and leapt towards Merry, almost knocking him right off the 
edge of the bed. Tiny hands clung about his neck and cold metal 
pushed against his chest. “Pip? Is it really you?” Merry gasped out, 
“Pip? You’re crushing me, lad!” The tight arms and cold metal leapt 
away from Merry and he saw the tiny person run back to shut the 
door quietly. There was complete darkness now. Merry leaned across 
his bedside table, searching for a candle. He couldn’t see his cousin 
and so climbed gingerly off the high bed and felt the cold stone 
beneath his toes. He carefully made his way to the dying embers of the 
hearth and patiently lit the candle. 
 
“Merry?” came that soft voice again. Merry turned and felt his way 
back to the bed. He bumped into the fully armoured Hobbit beside the 
bed and felt tiny hands grab him again frantically. Merry grimaced as 
Pippin squeezed his bruised side but he let no sound escape his lips. 
The candle wavered in his hand and he gently leaned across to the 
remaining candles on his bedside and somehow managed to light them 
while Pippin held firmly onto his middle. The tiny hobbit was 
incoherently mumbling into Merry’s nightshirt. As the orange glow of 
the candles spread, Merry pulled back from his captor and sat down 
on the bed. He wondered why he was acting so calm when his mind 
and heart were racing. “Pip? You- you came back to me.” He 
whispered into the auburn curls before him. 
 
“Merry Merry Merry,” came the breathless reply. The voice sounded 
meek and strained. Merry saw two large, emerald green eyes 
twinkling in the dim light. He could just make out the bouncy curls 
and pointed ears of his younger cousin. Pippin gazed up at him as if 
Merry were an angel sent by Eru to heal his woes. 
 
“When did you come back?” said Merry, trying to recall if any of the 
healers had mentioned anything. Surely they would have called him, 
alerted him?
 
“Two days ago, my dear Merry” said Pippin, his first coherent 
sentence, “ I’ve been waiting ages for you to wake but that healer 
woman would not let me stay with you. She said you needed your rest 
and I told her you would need me but she just harrumphed and sent 
me on my way.But I had to see you again, I was so worried.” Merry 
frowned again, those herbs really must have knocked me out, he 
thought. 
 
“Two days, you say?” he said, “Well, surely you must be mistaken. 
I’ve only been in bed for three at the most and you would have needed 
time to return and…Pip?” he raised a brow, “You did go with Strider, 
didn’t you? You didn’t slink off alone, did you? Because if you did-”
 
“No! Merry, I did leave! As much as I wanted to remain behind, I still 
left with Gandalf and the rest. I was mighty afraid and was beyond 
worried for your sake!” he had a pained look on his face but it 
dissolved when he laid his head against Merry’s chest, “but I came 
back.”
 
Merry swallowed. He was so happy to see Pippin. “I’m sorry my lad,” 
he said hoarsely, “It’s just that I – I thought I’d never be seeing you 
again or worse, you’d come back to me in a box.” Merry hugged his 
cousin tight.
 
Pippin let out a soft squeak, “I know, I didn’t know if it was the end 
for me or not. It was horrid, Merry, horrid. The battle, I mean.” 
Merry let go as Pippin pulled back to talk freely. “The battle was 
horrifying, I did not know what to do, where to turn. I saw no escape 
for me. After all, I am just a Hobbit, not much help in battle. But…” 
he stopped to look at Merry. 
 
“Yes, Pip?” said Merry warmly, knowing how terrifying it must have 
seemed to the young Took.
 
“But all I thought was-through the blackness- was that I had to get 
back- get back here to you where I’d be safe,” Pippin said in one 
breath. Merry’s heart swelled and he took Pippin in a tight embrace. 
 
“Aye, I worried about my Pip,” he said fondly, “I worried that he 
wouldn’t be able to tell which end of his blade was which and if he 
had put his helmet on the right way.” Pippin pushed away and gave 
Merry a scathing look. He folded his arms in distaste. Merry laughed. 
The first laugh he’d had since Pippin had left for the Black Gate. It 
sounded hollow and forlorn in the cold chamber. “I also worried that 
my Pip would need me there and I- I wouldn’t be there for him. I 
wouldn’t be able to help him in his peril, that I’d failed him,” Merry’s 
voice was serious now and it cracked on his last words. Merry looked 
at his young friend, noting the scratches and bruises covering his face 
and presumably also covering the delicate skin beneath all that 
armour. He also noted the strong, defiant look in Pippin’s eyes. The 
quest had been hard on him, on all of them. Merry knew that both he 
and Pippin were changed Hobbits. Yet here he stood, his very own 
Pippin. The young Took who had barrelled along with Merry all these 
years in the Shire. Through fields and fen. Through trouble and joy. 
Through laughter and tears. Merry felt his heart overwhelmed with 
memories and love. “My Pip.”
 
“Oh, Merry!” cried Pippin and once again flung himself at the older 
Hobbit. Merry did cry out this time as the sharp armour pinched his 
arm. Pippin reeled back and dazedly wondered what had made Merry 
yelp. “Oh, I am sorry Merry!” he squeaked and began tearing at the 
many ties and buckles of his uniform. He shrugged off the chainmail 
and heavy leather weskit, leaving his own shirt and undergarments 
intact. Shaking his curls madly, he ran about on the spot, obviously 
glad for the freedom of movement. Merry smiled. 
 
Then Pippin stopped his foolishness and gazed over at Merry perched 
on the edge of the bed. Pippin’s heart began beating erratically at the 
sight of Merry’s honey curls and dark eyes. He had felt this before but 
never had it overwhelmed him so. All these years he had kept it to 
himself, knowing it was wrong. Knowing Merry would turn away in 
horror at the thought of his cousin falling in love with him. Pippin had 
carried this fear for so long but it had changed. He had changed. For 
when one finds oneself in dire peril, all the nameless fears and worries 
of a life gone by seem so pointless, especially when faced with death. 
Pippin had sworn to himself that if he could just see Merry smile one 
last time, he would let his feelings become known. And there sat 
Merry, smiling at him.
 
Pippin surged forth and threw his arms around Merry’s neck, 
whispering his name aloud, “Merry, Merry, my Merry.” He uttered 
these words over and over all the while caressing Merry’s neck and 
hair. Merry held him round the waist as Pippin spread tiny kisses all 
over his face, still whispering his name. 
 
Merry felt shivers run up his spine. Pippin had a tendency to lavish 
Merry with affection all the time and Merry was used to it. The poor 
thing, out in battle alone. Pippin continued to smatter kisses across his 
cheeks and brow and also let his hands roam freely through his 
cousin’s thick, sunshine-coloured hair. His fingers searched out every 
curl and every so often sought the nape of Merry’s neck. His lips 
travelled aimlessly across the bridge of Merry’s nose as the 
Brandybuck grinned. Pippin really must have felt horrified in 
Mordor. Pippin let his lips seek out Merry’s ear and alighted gentle 
kisses on the tip and slowly down to his neck. Pippin slowed a bit at 
his neck. Suddenly Merry stiffened. There was something in Pip’s 
affections that ran riot. Merry almost felt as if …as if Pippin was 
truly…he didn’t end that thought because he let out a soft squeak 
when Pippin’s lips nuzzled his neck hungrily. Surely Pippin had been 
at the ale? This wasn’t his usual show of affection. Surely…
 
Merry took a deep gulp as Pippin trailed warm, wet kisses down his 
neck. Merry was suddenly grateful that he was sitting because surely 
he would have collapsed under his weak knees. “Pip! “ he gasped. 
Pippin let out a muffled reply, still quite busy with Merry’s neck. 
Merry’s heart was thumping ten to the dozen. “Wait, slow down, 
lad!” he gasped out. 
 
Pippin mumbled “Uh uh” and Merry had to pry the Took’s head 
from his skin. Pippin had a glazed look over his eyes and his lips 
looked full and moist. Merry felt a familiar stirring in his belly and 
wondered where it had come from. “Now, Pip, what are you about?” 
he strained, trying not to focus on how lovely Pippin’s lips looked, 
especially now that he was pouting. “Where has all this come from, 
now?” 
 
“I just wanted to-to show how much I missed you.” Pippin said 
huffily, trailing his fingers up and down Merry’s arms. Merry shifted 
uneasily, hoping to deter his body’s reaction. He didn’t want Pippin to 
see him aroused by something like that. And yet, I’m aroused! He 
thought with a shock. This was quite a new development for him, 
being attracted to a boy. His best friend for that matter! “Did you not 
like it?” Pippin asked with a pained expression. 
 
Merry swallowed before answering, “Um, well, I..er I do…um you –“ 
he stopped short. His mind was reeling back and forth as a new vision 
of Pippin swam before him. One with astonishingly big, beautiful eyes 
that beckoned to him and made him, well,  hard. Oh, Lady, I’m 
thinking such wrong thoughts! “Pip, it’s not right. It’s…”
 
The words seemed to stick in Merry’s throat. When had he or Pippin 
ever done the right thing? Pippin’s eyes welled up and Merry bit off 
the rest of his sentence. The pain was purely visible in those green 
depths. Pippin’s bottom lip began to quiver as he realized that Merry 
was obviously disgusted with his behaviour. “I’m sorry,” he sobbed 
out, turning away from Merry. He put his face in his hands and 
sniffled loudly. Merry considered his next action carefully. Pippin 
could just be wanting some attention or he might be seriously distressed 
with war aftermath. Then Merry did what consciously (and physically) 
felt right. He alighted on the cold floor and leaned over to pull Pippin 
towards him. Pippin still sniffled and Merry held him with his back to 
Merry’s chest. He buried his face in the soft, dark curls and kissed 
Pippin lightly. He sighed into the minty scent and closed his eyes. 
Pippin’s sobs died down and Merry felt a warm hand cover his own. 
This felt so right. So strong. This was his place. With Pippin, holding 
Pippin, protecting him. Merry suddenly felt so fulfilled, he thought he 
would burst. They stood like that for many minutes before Pippin 
twisted round and placed both hands on either side of Merry’s face. 
 
“My Merry,“ he whispered idly, his face damp and his lips ever more 
inviting. “Merry…Merry?” The last utterance was a question. 
 
“Yes, Pip?” the Brandybuck replied.
 
“Did you miss me? Like I missed you?” 
 
Merry’s face dropped slightly, causing Pippin’s eyes to widen in 
anguish. “Ah, I never want to go through such an experience again, 
dear Pippin. Such fear and loneliness I’ve never felt and all for a 
bothersome Took!” This made Pippin’s face light up. 
 
“Oh, jolly good!” he squealed, enveloping Merry in another bear hug. 
 
*To be continued...*



Title: Trifles over Merry - Chapter 2 - Why not mine?
Author : Burnt Sienna ; burnt_sienna_hobbit@hotmail.com 
Pairing: Merry/Pippin 
Rating: PG13...soon to be NC-17 
Summary: Pippin remembers good times, considers family, Merry and the lasses and does 
something unhobbitly: he gets jealous
Disclaimer: I do not own Merry, Pippin, Frodo or any of the other mentioned characters and sadly, 
I never will. *sob* but anyway, hooray for naked Hobbits! 
Warning: If you just think of them as best friends, you'll be fine but really they're cousins so 
apparently it's incest (damn!) so there! 
Authors Note: Read it and weep!
 
 CHAPTER 2
  
 Pippin’s arms wrapped tightly around Merry’s neck. The 
Brandybuck grinned. It was going to be difficult to recover from his 
wounds if the silly Took kept strangling him.
  
 “All right, Pip.” he said, “You do get more than your share of hugs, 
you know.”
  
 “No I do not!” cried Pippin suddenly, pulling back, “I deserve 
dozens, no, thousands more! No one ever seems to hug me anymore!”
  
 Merry’s smile slipped a notch. “What’s this then? I thought young 
Master Took was expecting to be treated as a full, grown 
Gentlehobbit? What would the future Thain be wanting hugs for?”
  
 The soft candlelight in the bed chamber flickered off the stone walls 
and in Pippin’s emerald eyes. Those eyes were so expressive. Merry 
marvelled at the magical lights that danced in their depths. Pippin 
was rubbing his elbow self-consciously.
  
 “I want hugs till the day I die,” he said softly, “because I thought I 
*was* to die on the battlefield. I - I felt so hurt and abandoned when I 
realized that no one was to be there to hug me or keep me alive or tell 
me everything was going to be all right. I was so frightened. Not like 
Strider and Gandalf. The others all wore their armour proudly, but I 
just felt like turning heel and running away like … like an ass.” At 
this, Pippin dropped his eyes shamefully to the ground. Merry 
furrowed his brow.
  
 “Aye, Pip. I’m not surprised,” Pippin closed his eyes in his guilt. “I 
would probably have hared off into the distance too if it had been 
me.”
  
 Pippin frowned and looked back at Merry, “No you wouldn’t!” he 
said heatedly, “You would have stayed put and fought bravely! You 
are a brave soldier, Merry! Bravest one ever!”
  
 “No, Pip, I’m not. I’m just a daft hobbit lost in the world of the Big 
Folk. No good has come of my being here.”
  
 This seemed to burn Pippin deeply. “No! You are a great warrior 
Meriadoc! You have slain that Dark thing! You were the one who 
saved the Lady Eowyn! How dare you say you had nothing good to do 
here! All would be lost without you!” 
  
 Merry was shocked. He saw the blazing in Pippin’s eyes and saw 
how the young Took had thought so highly of him. Merry was 
everything to Pippin. Everything.
  
 “You saved so many lives, Merry,” said Pippin in a softer tone, “I 
can’t imagine what more damage that dark Rider would have 
caused.” Pippin took a shuddering breath. “I saw him too. I also know 
what it felt like in the presence of such a – a foul beast.”
  
 “What?” Merry said, startled, “How? Why have you not said so?”
  
 “Because it was frightening. A frightening memory. One filled with 
dread. I didn’t want to repeat the vision and feelings that arose when 
I was in its presence.” Pippin wrung his hands together, remembering 
the foul feelings the flying beast and its rider had brought on. He 
shivered. Merry was so very brave. He looked in awe at his older 
cousin and felt his heart skip a beat. So brave. So very, very 
courageous. Oh how I wish I was as brave and mighty as Merry! He 
thought.
  
 Merry saw the admiring look in the Took’s eyes and felt himself 
blush. Silly Cousin! “Well, let’s not linger on such dreaded things. I 
would hope that this experience should remain firmly in the past.”
  
 A knock at the door startled both hobbits. Slowly it opened and 
Pippin recognised the young face of Bergil, Beregrond’s son.
  
 “Pardon my intrusion, but the lord Aragorn bids for your presence 
Master Perian,” he nodded towards Pippin, taking in the fact that 
Pippin was stripped to his shirt and underclothes. 
  
 “Eep! But of course! I must be off!” he turned and Bergil backed out 
as he shut the door. Pippin hastily began pulling his heavy armour 
back on. Merry watched him sadly, knowing he would be relieved of 
Pippin’s presence. He watched curiously as Pippin buckled and tied 
himself into his layered outfit. The young Hobbit’s riotous curls were 
offset sharply by the clean lines of his uniform. Pippin looked so 
grown up. Even though Merry knew he was still the youngest rascal 
ever to have emerged from the Tookland.
  
 “I am sorry, Merry-lad. Duties of guards of the Tower. I must see to 
them. I am surprised, but they expect a lot of me.” Merry tried not to 
let his sadness show.
  
 “Good for you! You need a bit of training. Get you into the feeling of 
heavier responsibility.” He patted Pippin on the shoulder.
  
 “I promise I’ll return as soon as possible. You get some rest dear 
Merry,” and with that, Pippin gave Merry a sloppy kiss on the chin 
and zoomed out of the room leaving Merry very alone and very sad.
  
 * * *
  
 Pippin stood beside Aragorn’s chair, almost bouncing on the balls of 
his feet. He wanted for this meeting to end quickly but it seemed to be 
going on for hours. The big men seated around the great table had 
been conversing non-stop since he had arrived, almost slipping in his 
haste. He recognised a few of the soldiers present, including 
Beregrond of the tower guard and Faramir, son of the crazed 
steward, Denethor. Pippin blushed at the memory of the former 
Steward of Gondor. He still felt as though he could have done or said 
something to calm the psychotic ruler…but alas he had not. As he 
watched Faramir converse with Strider, he saw the resemblances 
between him and his brother Boromir. Pippin knew it had grieved 
Faramr greatly when he heard of his father’s death, even if the old 
man was crazed as a loon. Pippin had heard that both Faramir and 
his brother had been close too. Pippin’s heart went out to the man. 
  
 His mind wandered and he imagined what he would have done if any 
of his family had died. Admittedly, his sisters had been forceful over 
the years, but he knew that they cared dearly for their little brother. 
They always seemed to get along better with Merry, who conveniently 
always came to his aid. He thought of his mother and her superb 
cakes and trifles. He almost smiled when he realised that was what he 
loved his mother most for, her culinary skills. He recalled all the years 
back at the Smials when he had nicked food off her groaning tables 
and stolen fresh strawberries from the larder. He remembered the 
time when he and Merry had actually tried to sneak off with one of 
her strawberry trifles that towered tier upon tier. And how they had 
failed in their attempt by slipping on the wet kitchen floor and 
plastered the walls and ceiling in cream and fruit. Ah, what flayings 
they had received!
  
 Pippin thought of Paladin, his wise, yet strict father. Pippin had 
mostly been a good son, even after all the havoc he caused. His father 
expected much from him and Pippin felt almost akin to Faramir in 
that sense. No matter how hard Pippin tried, nothing he did seemed to 
please Paladin. Merry had seemed to please his father though. The 
Thain liked to know when Merry was about and he would always 
send Pippin to Buckland as often as possible. “That boy may be a 
Brandybuck, but he’s a good lad. Strong boy. You could learn a lot 
from him Peregrin.” As though some of Merry’s good talents would 
rub off onto Pippin.
  
 Yes, Merry. Always Merry. Everything revolved around Merry. 
Even Pippin’s family did. In fact, Pippin felt more at home with 
Merry than he did with all his other relatives. How he wished they 
could be rolling in strawberry trifle rather than being pushed about in 
a land of Men. Pippin was brought back to reality at the soft touch on 
his shoulder. He started when he realised all eyes were fixed on him.
  
 Aragorn sat looking at him, his gaze intent. Pippin felt the heat rising 
to the tips of his ears.
  
 “Pippin, have you heard what the council has said?” Aragorn said 
firmly, his eyes denoting kindness.
  
 “Erm..uh, no, I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening,” Pippin stammered, 
feeling the piercing looks of all the soldiers and counsellors.
  
 “We spoke of Frodo and of his health. We feel it is safe to say that he 
will survive his ordeal, what say you of this?”
  
 Pippin gasped, completely flustered and ashamed. He had completely 
forgotten about poor Frodo! After he had awoken from his own ails, 
Pippin had sought immediately for Merry, not thinking of his older 
cousin Frodo.
  
 “I say, thank goodness!” he almost yelled, wondering what serious 
pain Aragorn spoke of. Surely nothing could have been worse than 
losing Merry? Pippin turned a brighter shade of red at this thought. 
  
 “Indeed. We have decided that it is safe for you and Master Merry to 
visit him once he has awoken. He sleeps fitfully now and would 
appreciate your presence. His burden still has not left him, I’m afraid 
it has scarred him beyond all our fears.”
  
 Fear gripped Pippin’s chest and he tried not to think of Frodo’s 
“burden”. That evil thing has caused enough trouble! He thought 
hotly.
 
“Sam will be expecting you at dinner outside Frodo’s bedchamber. I 
relieve you of guard duty this evening but be sure to wake for early 
call in the morning. If Merry feels he is able, you may guide him to 
dinner upstairs as well.” Then Aragorn looked closely at Pippin, 
gauging his reaction. Pippin thought immediately of the fine dinner he 
would be having that evening with his fellow hobbits. The sun had set 
but an hour earlier and he couldn’t recall when he’d had his last 
meal.
 
“Certainly Lord,” he said curtly, remembering his manners. Aragorn 
almost smiled at his title. 
 
“I feel I am still “Strider” to you, Pippin.” He said amiably. This 
made Pippin grin. Aragorn was going to be a great King!
 
* * *
 
After Aragorn had dismissed him, Pippin raced back to the houses of 
Healing. He burst into Merry’s bedchamber and gave a startled 
shriek when he saw Merry was not alone. An aged Healer stood beside 
the bed, while Merry seemed to be unclothed before her.
 
“Oi! What are you doing? Leave off him!” Pippin yelled, running to 
Merry’s aid.
 
“Pip, no! It’s all right. Nothing wrong,” Merry said, an angry look on 
his face, “Why do you have to take everything the wrong way?”
 
“Now, you stand back little Perian,” the Healer said, “Don’t make me 
send you out of here on your head!” 
 
Pippin gaped then shut his mouth. Merry was hardly ever in such a 
mood. He paused to see what was actually going on. Merry was 
stretched out on his side, his arm raised above his head. The quilt was 
barely covering his hips and Pippin felt his ears twitch at such a sight. 
He winced as well. The bruise that stretched across Merry’s flank was 
a deep shade of purple. Merry seemed to be holding his breath as the 
Healer leaned towards him, her hands laden with some white cream 
(she also managed to keep her eye on Pippin).
 
She carefully smoothed the cold cream on Merry, rubbing it from his 
hip, up his ribs and under his arm. Pip bit his lip at the pained 
expression on Merry’s face. He could see his cousin’s eyes start to 
glimmer. Never had he seen Merry so thin, nor had he ever seen 
Merry’s ribs! The Healer laid the cream on thick and finally stood 
back to admire her handiwork.
 
“Aye, such a discolouration, I’ll never see! My, you Periannath are 
mighty brave ones,” she smiled kindly at Merry, but he could only 
bite his lip. “Leave this to settle in and if you feel the pain has left, you 
can wipe off the excess.”  She carefully plumped up a pillow and lifted 
Merry’s head to lay it on top. “You mind him, little one,” she said, 
looking at Pippin, “Make sure he doesn’t move until it has 
settled…and next time knock before you enter any of my patients’ 
rooms.” She raised a brow and bent to pick up her basket full of 
supplies. Pippin felt a wave of relief as she left the room.
 
When he turned back to Merry, he saw he had closed his eyes. Pippin 
gazed at Merry’s side, knowing that the pain must be excruciating for 
his friend. The cream seemed to be lightening and Pippin’s eyes 
dropped to Merry’s stomach. His firm, flat stomach. He recalled 
summer days back when he was a young hobbit-lad and he’d rested 
on the stomach…in fields, on the armchair back at Brandyhall and 
the special hammock that Pippin used to sleep in at the Smials. He 
also couldn’t help noting how the coverlet sat atop Merry’s hip. He 
was obviously bare beneath it. Pippin sucked his teeth. Don’t think 
such things! He chided himself. And yet he couldn’t help himself. 
Merry just looked so…delicious… right where he was. Sighing, he ran 
his hand along the edge of the bed.
 
“Well, Merry-lad. We’ve got an invitation to see a very lonesome 
cousin this evening. I don’t know if you are up for it, but I guess it’ll 
be quite the feast.”
 
Merry did not say a thing. He just lay there, with his eyes closed. 
Pippin sighed again. “Of course, you need not go this evening, I 
suppose I will remain with you but Frodo would be mighty upset, I’m 
sure.”
 
“I’ll be fine,” Merry said, his voice soft, “The pain takes a while to 
wear away.”
 
“Oh, Merry! I am sorry! I keep forgetting that you are hurt! I wish 
you weren’t and that I could help in some way…but I seem to be just 
a bother,” Pippin’s eyes were wide and sad.
 
Merry opened one eye to look at him, “Don’t be an ass, Pip. You can 
help. Just go to the privy over there and get me a wet cloth. I need to 
wipe off this cream.”
 
Pippin rushed into the adjacent room and found a cloth soaking in 
some warm water. He squeezed it out and ran back to Merry’s side. 
Merry reached for it but Pippin batted his hand away. 
 
“I shall do it, Master Brandybuck. If I am of no use to the guard or 
the king, then at least let me be of use to my best friend!” Merry 
rolled his eyes but pulled his arm back up over his head.
 
Pippin hesitated at first, not wanting to hurt Merry. He then caught 
Merry’s irritated look and climbed onto the immense bed beside him. 
He rested his knees against Merry’s back and carefully wiped the 
cloth over Merry’s side. The cream seemed to vanish and Merry 
didn’t make a sound. Methodically, Pippin smoothed the soft cloth 
over his skin, taking heed of the dark bruise. Merry’s pale skin shone 
bright against it. The cream came off easily and Merry almost sighed 
with relief as the last drop was swept away by Pippin’s soft 
ministrations.
 
“There! Perfect once more!” Pippin said with a grin, pride showing on 
his fairy-like face. He wiggled backwards as Merry rolled onto his 
back. The coverlet almost slipped but he pulled it up easily. 
 
“Thanks, Pip. Listen, I am sorry for being sharp with you. I just 
couldn’t bear the pain,” Merry said, looking earnestly at his cousin. 
The cold cream was very strong and he no longer felt any discomfort. 
It always calmed him and brought on a bout of drowsiness. His eyelids 
drooped a little and Pippin wondered at his lithe frame. The strong 
curve of his shoulders and hips…His rough hands that sat delicately 
on the coverlet…and his waist that seemed to beg for caresses….
 
“I understand,” he whispered, not being able to say much else. 
Merry’s eyes were shut now but Pippin knew he was awake. His heart 
thumped madly as new thoughts sprang to his mind. Just look at him! 
He thought. So beautiful! Oh…maybe …just…
He licked his lips as he looked at Merry’s full, pink ones. His throat 
went dry as his body decided for him. Slowly he leaned over Merry, 
barely daring to breathe…
 
His lips were but an inch from Merry’s and he could feel his cousin’s 
breath. Almost gasping with want, he softly pressed his lips to 
Merry’s, nearly crying out at the fires that burst in his mind and 
body. Oh Lady! He thought, as the contact seared his own lips. 
Merry’s lips were warm and so very soft. Pippin couldn’t think 
straight, even though his cousin was apparently not aware of the 
contact. 
 
He jerked at a sudden push against his lips. Merry had parted his own 
lips and Pippin was able to suck gently on the lower lip. Hoping 
against hope that this would never end and that Merry would 
continue, he bravely let his tongue roam across the plump lips. 
Merry’s tongue came out to meet his own and suddenly Pippin felt the 
full kiss of the Brandybuck. A hand settled behind his head and pulled 
Pippin in closer for deeper lunging. Merry was showing him how it 
was supposed to be done and by Eru…was he good! Pippin panted 
and thrust his tongue deeper into Merry’s inviting mouth, adoring the 
warm, wet sensations flooding his every being. He was definitely 
warmer now, inside and throughout. Gasping, he finally pulled back 
when Merry’s workings slowed. 
 
Eyes glowing, Pippin looked down at Merry. He lay quite still, his 
breathing soft and deep. 
 
“Oh, Merry,” Pippin said, his voice breaking. It had become plain 
that Merry had dozed off, most likely due to his medication. Pippin 
felt as though his world would collapse. “So, it wasn’t really you?” he 
whispered, tears forming in his wide eyes. He had hoped Merry would 
have been reciprocating of his own accord. “Oh me, what have I 
done?” he knew now that it was going to be torture for him to be with 
Merry, especially after this. Sniffling, he tried to gather himself as 
best he could. The door to the chamber opened and Pippin looked up 
to see the Healer woman enter.
 
“Ah, do not grieve my dear Perian, he is going to be all right. A strong 
one he is, a fighter,” she looked with pity upon Pippin, not seeing the 
truth behind his tears. Pippin wiped his eyes and clambered off the 
high bed. The Healer leaned over Merry, inspecting his bruise. “What 
a fine job has been done on his cleansing, very fine indeed,” she 
turned to Pippin and smiled sweetly. “He must be happier now to see 
you. He spoke forever in his fitful sleep. Something of a… a lost .. 
what to say, a lost friend or something along those lines.” She frowned 
then, pulling the quilt up to tuck it beneath Merry, “He was most 
fretful and sweated heavily through those nightmares. I am glad to see 
the healthy colour returning to his cheeks.” She gently caressed 
Merry’s cheek and Pippin tried not to think of Merry’s nightmare. 
 
* * * 
 
Pippin waited until the Healer had finished fussing with Merry and 
left the chamber before he climbed back onto the bed beside him. His 
feelings of annoyance in himself had not ebbed and he wished Merry 
would wake soon. But he just lay there. Pippin sat staring at his silent 
form for ages and ages. He felt his heart softening at the brave 
warrior before him. He was brave and beyond everything Pippin 
loved about him, he was kind. He had never shunned Pippin’s 
attentions. Maybe that’s why Pippin had fallen in love with him, 
because he had never felt more loved by any other person. Merry 
stood firm in everything, he stood up for himself and his beliefs. 
Pippin sighed. He felt nothing like that. I’m just a fool, he thought 
sadly. I cause more trouble than I’m worth and always have to run to 
him for help. I see why he could never love me. This thought 
punctured Pippin so deeply, he felt the breath whoosh out of his lungs.
 
Memories came flooding back to him. He knew Merry did love him, 
but not in the right way. They were cousins after all. Pippin thought 
of the many time their families had united in celebration over many 
birthdays, weddings and reunions. He recalled how none of Pippin’s 
other cousins ever treated him with as much respect and fun as Merry 
always had. Admittedly, there were cousins closer to his own age, but 
they never seemed to bother with Pippin. They all admired Merry. He 
was definitely one of the most highly praised lads among them. 
 
Even the lasses thought so. Pippin remembered the one conversation 
he’d overheard with his sisters and a few of their friends…
 
* * *
 
 
“Oh, Pimpernel! Quit your fussing!” Pearl exclaimed as she tried to 
tie up her sister’s hair.
 
“Oh, sorry, Pearl, I got distracted there for a while. I’m just so 
excited!” Pimpernel bounced in her seat, making the other girls laugh.
 
“Do behave, or you won’t be allowed to go to Pa’s celebration at all! 
I’ll make you clean out the larder,” Pearl said firmly, with hairpins 
protruding from her lips.
 
“Oh, never you mind what she says, Nel,” said Pervinca with a smirk, 
“ she has no more authority over us than one of them old cows out in 
the meadow!” She laughed aloud with her friends, Estella and Miriel.
 
“And she don’t half look like one too!” whispered Miriel sharply, 
causing the other three to laugh helplessly.
 
“Pardon me, Miriel,” Pearl said angrily, “I’ll have you know that I do 
have the authority to withhold your invitation to my father, the 
Thain’s, birthday!” Her eyes flashed and Miriel quieted, her eyes now 
on her lap. 
 
“Oh, shut up Pearl! Why do you always have to ruin everything!” 
Pervinca yelled, “ We were just joking, you ought to liven up a little!”
 
Pearl scowled and stood up, “Fine! I’m leaving and don’t expect me to 
speak to-“
 
“Shut up!” Pervinca yelled, her face flushing red. Pearl held her nose 
high and swished out of the room, leaving Pimpernel with half her 
hair in a mess. Pervinca fumed and took up the remaining hairpins to 
fix her sister’s hair.
 
“What was that all about, Vinca?” Estella asked meekly.
 
Pervinca flushed a brighter shade of pink, “Well, Pearl promised to 
have a chat with one of the lads for me…”
 
“Ooh!” squealed Miriel, clapping her hands excitedly, “Which lad?”
 
Pervinca grinned, “Well, he’s one of the Chubb brothers.” She said in 
a conspiratorial tone.
 
Estella giggled, “Oh, that Freddie? Oh he is nice indeed!” she giggled 
again. “Are you sure he’ll be there tonight?”
 
“Oh yes, I made sure by checking the party list, he’ll be here with all 
his family.”
 
“Oh, some of the lads have grown a lot since the winter, haven’t 
they?” Miriel said wistfully, “I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on 
one of them Chubbs or maybe even a Brandybuck.”
 
“Oh, yes! The Brandybuck boys will be there! Oh, they are a sweet lot 
aren’t they, especially that Berilac,” Estella said, a gleam in her eye.
 
Miriel scoffed, “Berilac? Don’t be daft, you mean that Meriadoc!” 
The other three girls all giggled and nodded fervently. “Oh, my yes. 
Merry! The finest of the lot I’d say, what with his light hair and blue 
eyes?” The girls all sighed and had dreamy looks on their faces.
 
“Merry definitely is. So kind, isn’t he?” Estella said, “ I bet he was the 
first to take us seriously. Remember that last game of tie-knot we 
played in the dark?” She turned to her friends. They giggled and 
nodded. They had all tried their hardest to get captured by the 
blindfolded Brandybuck and get the “loser’s kiss”. 
 
“I wouldn’t mind giving that another go,” said Miriel, “I didn’t get a 
kiss.” She pouted. 
 
“Nor I!” cried Pimpernel sharply.
 
“Ah, but I did,” Estella said, a grin creeping across her face,” and a 
lovely one at that!”
 
“Oh, he is dreamy,” said Miriel, looking wistfully out the window, 
“He’s so strong too. Did you see him brawl with the Grubb lad, what’s 
his name? Pether? Yeah, laid him flat he did.”
 
“Well, we’ll see him this evening, girls, so don’t you go on about any 
brawls, unless you want to start up some of your own.” Pervinca said, 
finally slipping the last pin into place.
 
* * *
What his sisters had never known was that Pippin had been hiding 
under the open window. He’d accidentally tipped one of the food 
tables and his father was furious. He had heard the exchange between 
the girls and it had made him wonder about Merry’s chances with 
either of them.
 
Pippin sat staring at his pale cousin, remembering all the feasts they 
had attended together.
 
“Feast? Oh no!’ Pippin yelped, remembering his promise to meet Sam 
at Frodo’s chamber. His stomach growled in response. “Merry! 
Merry-lad! Wake up, we should be going to Frodo now!” He gently 
shook Merry’s shoulder, hoping Merry would be able to come. He 
didn’t relish the thought of leaving him alone but he also didn’t want 
to miss out on the great feast upstairs. “Merry! Please wake up!”
 
Merry groaned. He rubbed his eyes and slowly opened one. Pippin 
saw that he was shivering in the cold air. “Why do you always have to 
ruin my dreams, Pip?” he mumbled. He didn’t say, however, what 
had been in those dreams. 
 
“You need food, Merry. And Frodo is waiting, don’t you want to see 
him?”
 
Merry sat up quickly. “Of course! Dear Frodo! He must be feeling 
awful! Let’s go then!” He made to leap out of bed then remembered 
his state of undress. He hesitated, not knowing if he wanted Pippin to 
see him unclothed as he was.
 
“You stay right there, Merry. I’ll fetch your clothes,” Pippin ran into 
the privy where a tiny chest stood with Merry’s nightshirt and 
travelling clothes. He pulled out a clean shirt, some undershorts and 
his breeches, noting how very clean they appeared. Merry’s Rohan 
uniform sat beside the chest but Pippin decided it was too much for 
the sickly Hobbit. He dashed back to Merry and handed his clothes to 
him then he threw himself face down onto the bed, noting Merry’s 
uncomfortable air. He had been naked with Merry before, but not 
after such a heart wrenching time as their first kiss. He felt shame 
wash over him as he wanted to see Merry. He wanted so badly to see 
his love in full glory, especially now he knew his feelings.
 
Merry changed as quickly as he could in his wobbly, half-asleep state. 
“Come on then, Master took,” he said once fully dressed, “show me to 
our cousin’s quarters.”
 
Pippin got to his feet, feeling envy wash over him when he saw Merry 
fully clothed. He wished he was that shirt, or those breeches, having 
such delicate contact with Merry. This brought a smile to his pouty 
lips and soon enough, Pippin was in gales of laughter as Merry stood 
watching, perplexed.
 
“You are an odd little apple you know that Pip?” Merry said, shaking 
his head. Pippin stifled most of his giggles and gently curled his arms 
around Merry’s waist.
 
“Come now, cousin, laughter is good. Let me see if I can remember 
where Frodo is being kept.” He helped Merry walk on his unsteady 
feet out the door and into the vast coldness of the Tower. They slowly 
crept along at a Hobbit’s pace, pausing periodically for either Pippin 
to re-establish the direction of Frodo’s room, or for Merry to lean 
against him as he panted from the exertion.
 
Finally, after quite a while and after passing many intrigued soldiers 
and servants, they reached a room with an immense wooden door, 
standing high above the hobbits’ heads. The Great brass knocker was 
so high, that Pippin had to stand on tip-toe to open it.
 
Light spilled out of the immense room and Merry gasped. The room 
was lavishly decorated, with velvet drapes and a large four-poster bed 
far too big for it’s tiny occupant. There sat Frodo, pale as milk, but 
his eyes lit up at the sight of his dear cousins. Sam rushed to meet 
them at the door, a look of … was it anger… on his face? 
 
“Well, where have you two been all this time. I been waiting all this 
time with poor Frodo and hopin’ to enjoy the lovely feast offered us 
and you two choose to arrive at midnight!” He said this with a soft 
kindness in his voice though. Sam helped Pippin guide Merry to the 
bed and all three clambered atop it to see Frodo better.
 
Pippin couldn’t believe how pale and grey he seemed. Never had he 
seen Frodo so weak. His bandaged hand sat neatly on his lap, making 
Pippin almost shudder. He turned to Merry, who was now snuggled in 
under the covers alongside Frodo. Pippin’s breath caught when he 
saw that Merry was crying.  He leaned in close to Merry, to ask what 
was wrong, when Frodo turned towards him wordlessly. The 
Brandybusk blue eyes of both Hobbits met and Pippin saw the 
sadness between them. The sadness they had withheld all throughout 
the quest. Frodo pulled Merry close and held him tight against his 
chest. Pippin felt very awkward and he noticed Sam was fiddling with 
a napkin, uneasily. Merry wept as he tried to speak, “Oh, Frodo, I’m 
– so sorry –“ 
 
Pippin felt a twinge of jealousy then. A very unhobbitly thing to feel, 
but nonetheless, he felt it. Why had Merry felt the need to cry for 
Frodo and not confide in him? Weren’t they best friends? Just 
because Frodo lost a finger and was older and wiser than Pippin and 
would probably understand Merry better? Just because they had 
been closer since before Pippin was even born? Then Pippin began to 
cry. He wanted to scream and shout and pummel something, someone, 
anything. He’d never cried as much as he had in the past few days as 
he’d done in all his young life! He wanted Merry or Frodo to look at 
him, to acknowledge him! Instead he only got a sad, understanding 
look from Sam. 
 
Pippin sobbed into his palm as Frodo softly cooed into Merry’s ear. 
Merry had buried his face in Frodo’s nightshirt, completely lost in 
this sudden emotion.



Title: Trifles over Merry - Chapter 3 - Final chapter
Author : Burnt Sienna ; 
burnt_sienna_hobbit@hotmail.com 
Pairing: Merry/Pippin 
Rating: NC-17 
Summary: Finally some long-awaited lusty revelry. Snogs all round!
Disclaimer: I do not own Merry, Pippin, Frodo or any of the other sexy characters and sadly, I 
never will. *sob* but anyway, hooray for naked Hobbits! 
Warning: If you just think of them as best friends, you'll be fine but really they're cousins so 
apparently it's incest (damn!) so there! 
Authors Note: Read it .. and that's all really
  Chapter 3
   
  Then Frodo spoke clearly for the first time,” We all suffered, Meriadoc, 
none of us will come out unscathed, don’t you see? I am not alone in this.”
   
  Merry snuffled then felt the bandaged hand on his cheek. He pulled 
back a bit and looked sadly at the four remaining digits on the once 
perfectly formed hand. He sat up slowly, ignoring the pain that was 
resurfacing in his side and took the palm of Frodo’s in his own. He looked 
at the white bandages, running his finger gently over it. Tears splashed 
onto it as he sniffed some more. Frodo’s face was ashen and his tears 
mingled silently with those of his cousin’s. Frodo hadn’t meant to for any 
of this to happen. He never wanted to hurt his friends, especially not 
Merry. 
   
  Pippin still sat crying into his palm, he wanted nothing more to do with 
this place, with these people. Why wasn’t Merry looking after him? He 
wanted Merry to hold him! Not Frodo! This caused Pippin to sob louder, 
realizing what a horrible Hobbit he was. How could he think such things? 
Frodo had almost died out in the dark lands! I am a bother, Pippin thought 
miserably. The tears now streamed unceasingly down his pale cheeks.
   
  Sam watched the three Hobbits. He felt a little out of place, knowing he 
had already wept with Frodo earlier, knowing he had been able to calm 
himself now. He thought it sad that the three cousins had finally 
converged on one another and found time for comfort but something 
wasn’t right. Master Pippin sat on the corner of the huge bed, sobbing as 
though Frodo were already dead or even dying. Neither Frodo or Merry 
were paying any attention to the little Took. Sam lowered his eyes when 
Frodo turned to look at him. He edged off the bed and walked silently over 
to the small side table laden with fresh meats and vegetables. Maybe 
Master Pippin could do with some refreshment, he thought hopefully. 
   
  Sam hefted the large platter of peppers and steamed vegetables onto his 
shoulder and carefully traipsed back to the bed, lowering it beside Pippin.
   
  Pippin didn’t even look up. He kept his shame hidden behind his hands.
   
  Merry did look up however. His sobbing had stopped and he wiped at 
his cheeks, trying to sit up straight again.
   
  “There we are, a nice bit of nourishment for the likes of any hobbit,” 
Sam said, trying to waft the peppery scent towards Pippin. Merry looked 
at Frodo then smiled.
   
  “Oh, I am a softie sometimes,” he said, his voice clearing. Frodo let out 
a little laugh, then motioned towards the platter. Merry grinned and 
crawled back down the bed to kneel in front of the platter. He picked up a 
nice, juicy Pepper and took a healthy chunk off with his teeth. Mid-chew, 
he noticed Pippin sitting with his face hidden. He looked at the tiny 
Hobbit, gauging his emotions. Pippin must be so distraught after thinking 
he’d lost Merry and now Frodo. 
   
  Merry gulped down the delicious bittersweet pepper then crawled a 
little closer to Pippin. He placed his hand on his cousin’s shoulder but 
wasn’t expecting the reaction he received. Pippin shrugged him off 
forcefully and leapt back and off the bed, almost falling backwards onto 
the cold, hard floor. “N-no!” Pippin yelped, allowing Merry to see his 
completely soaked face, his eyes swollen and his eyebrows set in painful 
anguish. Merry wondered what made Pip jump, surely not himself? Pippin 
pulled away and wiped his sleeve across his face, wiping his nose at the 
same.
   
  “Ah, Pip, it’s all right. Frodo’s fine, I think we’re all just a wee bit 
bushed,” Merry said amiably, holding out a fresh pepper to Pippin. The 
Took glared at him and walked a wide arc about the bed, coming to stand 
beside Frodo. Merry’s eyebrows shot into his curls as he watched Pippin 
continue to glare at him. Pippin now had Frodo’s hand in his own. Frodo 
was petting his hair fondly, welcoming the attention. Merry opened his 
mouth to ask what was wrong but Pippin spoke first.
   
  “My, how things change, don’t they Frodo?” he said, still glaring at 
Merry, “I suppose the old tales are true about war changing a Hobbit. 
“Pains endured are weaknesses cured” as my Pa used to say.” Frodo gave 
a grin.
   
  “I suppose you are right little Took, or should I say, Master Took? War 
changes many things,” Frodo said wisely. 
   
  “Changes everything,” Pippin said bitterly, now turning to look at 
Frodo. Merry felt his stomach tighten. Why was Pippin acting all cold? 
   
  “Well, I’d have liked to remain unchanged, if you asked me, “Sam 
interjected, sensing the odd atmosphere between the two friends, “Though 
I’m rightly putting my foot in it by saying so.”
   
  Frodo laughed, “No, Sam, you couldn’t ruin any comment by stating 
the truth. I suppose I would like to have remained home in the Shire, but 
that obviously was not to be.”
   
  Sam smiled sadly. Pippin sucked his teeth and Merry furrowed his 
brow. Frodo looked about at them all. Merry felt some pain inching back 
into his side again. He climbed beside Frodo, trying to catch Pippin’s eye 
but the Took looked determinedly at the food Sam offered him. Merry 
slowly lowered himself to lie beside Frodo. He took the apple Sam offered 
him and bit into it, savouring its juicy taste. Frodo noted how Pippin was 
scrunching the bed sheets between his hands as he watched Merry chew 
daintily. Pippin was glaring again. Frodo didn’t like the look on his face. 
He turned to look at Merry and saw he was not focused on the other 
hobbit, he was staring off into space. Frodo sighed and decided to leave 
the two alone. He was far too tired to try and reconcile an argument 
between them.
   
  “Don’t ignore me, Merry Brandybuck, “ Pippin said suddenly through 
clenched teeth. This made the other three raise their brows. Merry looked 
startled and his eyes alighted on the young Took.
   
  “I’m not ignoring you, Pip,” Merry said softly, still chewing on his 
apple.
   
  “And don’t lie to me, either,” Pippin almost spat. That made Merry and 
Frodo sit up straight, Merry with more difficulty.
   
  “What?? What on Lobelia’s grave have you got going on, Pip?” Merry 
said indignantly, “I’ve done naught wrong!” Frodo frowned and looked at 
the startled face of Sam. Both shrugged at the same time.
   
  “Oh don’t give me that old soldier, Merry! You can’t just pretend I’m 
not here and treat me as if I really were dead!” Pippin almost yelled, his 
fists clenched against his sides.
   
  “Oi, now you listen here Peregrin-!” Merry began, leaning forward, 
completely confused. Merry never used Pippin’s full name. Frodo cut him 
off by settling his hand on the Brandybuck’s elbow.
   
  “Pip, hold it. Where did this come from now? You can’t go insulting 
Merry for no reason, I won’t have it,” Frodo rarely reprimanded Pippin 
and it showed. Pippin’s face took on an abashed expression before 
hardening once more.
   
  “Typical! Cousin Frodo coming to - to the rescue of dearest Meriadoc, 
how … how- ARGH!” Pippin stomped his feet madly, ready to throw a 
tantrum. “You always get it your way, Merry! Always! What about MY 
way? What about ME??” Pippin yelled, stomping about like an enraged 
five-year old. Tears still clung to his lashes and he felt his voice catch.
   
  “On the Lady, Pippin!” Merry hollered, raising his voice to Pippin for 
the first time in many, many years, “You watch your mouth! I’ve no clue 
what you’re on about, so either out with it, or out with you!” 
   
  Pippin let out a squeak and tears sprang to his eyes. He hopped from 
foot to foot, jibbering into his palms. 
   
  “Either explain yourself, or I’ll heave you out that door myself!” Merry 
yelled. Frodo gasped, as did Sam. They didn’t dare intervene.
   
  Pippin kept bouncing about, his emotions so mixed and rotten. He 
hated the look on Merry’s face. He couldn’t control himself…his body had 
a will of it’s own.
  “Oh shut up, Merry! Just be quiet and keep your nasty words to 
yourself! You always knew how to make me upset and this tops all!”
   
  Merry gaped, “You – you scoundrel, Pip!” his face was turning red in 
his new anger.
   
  Pippin leapt onto the bed quick as a flash and shoved Merry onto his 
back, splaying his body against Merry’s. “Shut up! I said don’t say such 
things!!” he yelled at his startled cousin. He then thrust his head down and 
pressed his lips firmly against Merry’s, pinning his arms to the bed. 
Merry’s eyes opened wide in shock. This certainly quietened Merry. 
Frodo’s jaw dropped. Sam turned beet red and looked away.
   
  Pippin moved his lips against Merry’s, tears streaming down his face 
because Merry wasn’t responding. He pulled back abruptly and leapt off 
the bed, turning to look at his dazed cousin. The horrified look on Merry’s 
face told all. Pippin turned and crashed out of the room, running at full 
pelt back to the Houses of Healing.
   
  Merry lay there, stunned. Frodo laid a hand on his chest, checking to 
see if he was breathing. 
  “Merry?” he said softly.
  Merry looked up at him, his mouth still open. “Frodo…what…”
  “I don’t know lad,” Frodo answered.
   
  Merry sat up and rubbed his now full lips. He wouldn’t dare admit it to 
his two friends… but certain waves had been borne upon Pippin’s touch. 
The Took’s sudden change in character had left them all speechless.
   
  “I think,” Frodo began,” you’d better go after him. A Took on the 
rampage is nothing to be desired.” He gently patted Merry’s shoulder.
   
  “I – I guess I’d better, though he’d probably bite my head off!” Merry 
said as he climbed off the immense bed.
   
  Frodo chuckled, “I doubt it, Merry.” He gave Sam a knowledgeable 
look and Sam smiled back
   
  “ Just go after him, Master Merry. He’ll be needing you.”
   
  Merry frowned then ambled slowly to the open door and out, shutting it 
behind himself.
   
   
   
  It didn’t take Merry long to locate Pippin. The young Hobbit had 
merely run around the nearest corner and collapsed into a tiny niche in the 
wall, sobbing his heart out. The dark passage hid him from view but 
Merry heard him before he saw him.
   
  “Hey, Pip,” he said softly, bending to look at his cousin. Pippin started 
and tried to scramble deeper into the wall space.
   
  “Oh, leave me, Merry,” he sobbed, hiding his pixie-like features behind 
his hands and curls. Merry grabbed his arm and pulled him out into the 
passage.
   
  “Never on your life,” he said firmly, “ You can’t run out with no 
explanation… Pip, I’m sorry.”
   
  Pippin looked up at Merry crouching over him now. The remorse was 
plain to see on his beautiful face. His honest eyes hid nothing from Pippin 
and this almost tore Pippin to shreds.
   
  “M – Merry, I’m … I’m sorry too.” He whispered, “I – I just, you were 
so harsh and I – couldn’t stand it. I just wanted…” his voice lowered 
considerably and Merry couldn’t catch his last words.
   
  “What was that Pip?” he said kindly. Pippin shook his head.
   
  “Nothing, I’m just sorry.”
   
  “Oh, well, how ‘bout we ship you off to bed then? I suppose you’ve 
had a long day…”
Pippin stared into Merry’s wide, sky-blue eyes that illuminated even this 
dark passage. So lovely, he thought hoarsely.
   
  Pippin let Merry pull him to his feet but gasped when Merry bent 
double in pain. Pippin grabbed him from beneath the shoulders and heaved 
him upright. 
   
  “I’m sorry, Merry,” he whispered into Merry’s ear, his lips barely 
touching the soft skin. A shiver ran through Merry, making his eyes 
widen. 
   
   
  Back in his chamber, Merry let go of Pippin and headed straight for the 
bed. He lay down awkwardly, wincing as pins shot up his side. Pippin 
stood at the door, staring. He still felt angry. Not even Merry’s blue eyes 
could dissipate it, but he still felt remorse for the pain causing Merry to 
crinkle his delicate features into agonizing shapes.
   
  “Merry, you need help,” Pippin whispered.
   
  “Ah, I’ll survive,” Merry said through his pain. Pippin’s eyes roamed 
the room and spotted the Healer’s basket still sitting ready at the foot of 
the bed. 
   
  “You need medicine, Merry. Here, there’s still some lotion left,” he 
reached over and pulled out a small tub of healing cream. Merry hadn’t the 
breath to answer. He just rolled onto his side and pushed all the 
surrounding blankets away. Pippin opened the tub noting the aroma that 
came wafting to his nostrils. 
   
  “I’m sorry, Merry” he said again, remembering his harsh words. And 
the kiss. His mind danced around the thought of reapplying the cream to 
Merry’s skin. 
   
  “You have to take your shirt off, Merry,” he almost whimpered. The 
anticipation was knowing at him. Merry frowned.
   
  “Oh, I can’t be bothered, Pip, just leave it.”
   
  “Not on your life. Here, I’ll do it then.” Pippin sat the tub on the end of 
the bed and crawled over to Merry. Merry grunted and tried to push his 
hands away. Pippin stopped, thinking Merry was now completely repulsed 
by his touch. Luckily, Merry stopped fussing and looked over at Pippin.
   
  “Well, hurry up, then!” he said.
   
  Pippin’s adept fingers flew to Merry’s shirtfront. He unbuttoned the 
soft shirt and carefully pulled Merry’s arm through. 
   
  “Roll over” he instructed. Merry did so and Pippin pulled his other arm 
free. All the while hoping to let his fingers alight on Merry’s silky white 
skin. 
   
  “Okay, on with it,” Merry said, his voice a little deeper than normal. 
Pippin frowned. Merry’s breeches rode up high, past his hip and over a 
small bit of the elongated bruise that touched Merry’s flank.
   
  “You have to take your breeches off,” Pippin said, his voice husky and 
oh-so willing to help. Sweat broke out on his brow and he anticipated 
Merry’s answer.
   
  Merry nodded. Pippin laid Merry on his back and sat back on his knees. 
He just stared at first, admiring and loving the gorgeous body beneath him. 
Then his fingers slid onto Merry’s stomach, loving the twitch gained upon 
contact. He slid his fingers to the waistband and carefully undid the ties. 
He held his breath before gently pulling at the fabric. The breeches slid 
about an inch before stopping. Pippin grunted.
   
  “Merry…” he said peevishly. Merry grunted too but didn’t budge. 
Little did Pippin know but Merry was not so eager to be undressed in such 
a state. His thoughts still hadn’t cleared after that startling kiss and he 
didn’t want to cause any more reverberations. Pippin pulled again at his 
breeches and let out an exasperated sigh.
   
  “Merry! You have to cooperate! Just let me take them off. One, two - ” 
   
  Pippin yanked just as Merry lifted his hips and the breeches came 
flying off in a flurry. Suddenly Merry was in naught but his 
undergarments and he felt the chill against his skin. Pippin gasped at the 
sight, then hid his face, ashamed that Merry had heard him. Merry’s heart 
was pounding erratically. Why, he couldn’t say. He merely closed his eyes 
and tried to calm himself. 
   
  Pippin dipped his hand into the little tub and pulled out a mass of ice 
cold cream. When he placed his hand on Merry’s side, the Brandybuck 
gasped and let out a yelp.
   
  “Pip! Hold it! That stuff stings you know!” his face was flushed and as 
far as Pippin could see, angry. This made Pip angry.
   
  “You listen Merry, I’m helping you, so don’t go shouting about silly 
cream when you’re in agonizing pain. You’ll have your medicine either on 
your skin or down your throat!” At this, he climbed onto Merry’s hip, his 
face defiant. He again rubbed some cream onto Merry and watched his 
cousin cry out. 
   
  The cream spread easily and Pippin was careful to rub each spot before 
moving onto the next. Merry grimaced and yelped every so often until 
Pippin reached his middle rib. Pippin leaned over and braced himself on 
the bed with his knees resting on the bed, touching Merry’s back and 
front. He placed the cream laden hand on Merry’s last rib and bent down 
to Merry’s ear. 
   
  “You need this, Merry, you know you do.”
   
  Merry gasped as he heard those words. 
   
  “Here I have you, pinned beneath me, helpless,” Pippin whispered into 
his ear, still rubbing the cream across Merry’s side. “Your soft skin 
beneath my hands, aching to be smoothed and touched.” Pippin tightened 
his legs around Merry. Merry let out a weak breath. Pippin’s leg pressed 
against his hobbit hood and he felt a new stirring growing there.
   
  “No, Pip,” he whimpered, closing his eyes. He could easily have 
pushed Pippin away but one only did such things if the other’s actions 
were unwelcome. This made Merry whimper once more.
   
  Pippin finished rubbing the last of the cream into Merry’s side. “Oh, 
Merry,” he whispered, letting his lips caress his cousin’s ear. Merry let out 
a sharp breath. A wetness overcame his ear and he thought he could feel a 
new one stirring between his legs. Pippin’s tongue lapped idly at the shell 
of his ear, tracing each contour perfectly.
   
  “God, Pip! Stop!” Merry cried. “Why are you doing this?” he almost 
wept. Pippin tended to his ear for a bit longer, then let his lips rest on his 
jaw. 
   
  “Because I want to,” he whispered, “I need to, don’t you see? I want 
you, need you, have to have you.” Pippin rasped. Merry shivered. He 
couldn’t comprehend the words. His dearest younger cousin and best 
friend wanted him! Merry couldn’t decide whether it was grand or horrible 
news. He let his body decide for him.
   
  “Pip,” he said, his voice clear again, “Clean off the cream now.” Pippin 
grumbled. “Now, Pip,” Merry said firmly. Pippin sat up and glared at 
Merry. “Look, Pip, I’ll pass out if you don’t … and I want to be coherent, 
please.” Pippin folded his arms.
   
  “So, nothing? Nothing to say? I’ve just spilt my soul to you and you 
have NOTHING to say?”
   
  “Pip, if you don’t wipe this cream off I won’t be able to reward you for 
your kindness.”
   
  Pippin stared. Then he moved as quick as a flash, leaping off the bed 
and almost tripping into the privy for a washcloth. He veered unsteadily as 
he raced back into the room, almost unbalancing himself and tackled the 
bed sheets beside Merry. As he wiped the cream off quickly, Merry took 
the time to notice his cousin’s reaction. His eyes roamed over the eager, 
open face. Over the ferocious hands as they swabbed his numb side clean 
and then down to his legs where, sitting nestled between them, was an 
obvious bulge in the young Took’s breeches. Merry chuckled to think he’d 
been the cause of such excitement. Pippin finished with a flourish and 
tossed the washcloth aside. He bent his face towards Merry’s…
   
  “No, Pip.” Merry said, pushing Pippin away. “How can I be sure this 
isn’t some tween hormonal moment?” Pippin stopped smiling. “I mean, 
you young ones are always leaping into dark corners with one another, 
how’m I to be sure you aren’t messing me about?”
   
  Pippin opened his mouth to protest.
   
  “Pip, I’m serious. This could just be war aftermath you know. When’s 
the last time you took to yourself?” Pippin frowned. Merry sighed, “When 
was the last time you took yourself in hand and pleasured yourself?” 
Pippin flushed crimson.
   
  “Merry!”
   
  “Well? When, Pip?”
  Pippin chewed his lip. “This morning,” he said quietly, fiddling with 
his leather weskit.
  Merry smiled, “And why this morning?” He knew full well WHY, he 
just wanted to tease Pippin.
   
  “Well, you know, I had…erm…morning hardness.” Pippin said, not 
looking at Merry.
   
  “And you took yourself in hand? Did you enjoy it?” 
   
  Pippin nodded,” Of course I did. Whenever I think of you I do, 
anyway.”
   
  Merry flushed then, he wasn’t expecting that.
   
  “I just think of holding you and feeling you. Then I imagine kissing 
you and you kissing me. I feel myself harden even more and still I long for 
you. Your skin, your breath, your eyes…everything. I imagine I’m making 
love to you and not pumping in my hand…and then…”
   
  “Stop!” Merry yelled, holding up his hand. He was breathing hard and 
fast, hardening at Pippin’s words. “Ah! Never mind, don’t speak.”
   
  Pippin slithered over the bed to rest behind Merry. He placed his lips 
against the back of Merry’s neck and felt the hobbit shiver. Merry rolled 
over and stared into Pippin’s large, orb-like, green eyes. He wasn’t 
expecting Pippin’s next move. The vivacious Took rolled him onto his 
back and straddled him, taking care not to touch his bruise.
   
  “You know, Merry-bear,” he began, “ I do think you were trying to 
suss me out there. Trying to make me squirm. I don’t think that was fair.” 
He grinned then. Pippin lowered himself onto Merry and carefully flexed 
his hips up and down over Merry’s erection. Merry groaned aloud, his 
eyes glazing at every nudge. “I do – believe I have to – unh – get some – 
oh – revenge.” Pippin hissed through his teeth. Merry was in no mind to 
argue. He gazed up at Pippin, wonder in his eyes. He felt his own hands 
reach up and pull at Pippin’s back. Pippin lowered his face even closer and 
grinned devilishly.
   
  “I need you, Merry. I’ve always needed you. I can’t wait any longer or 
I shall simply burst!” 
   
  “But Pip, I don’t – “ 
   
  “Don’t tell me you don’t want me, or even need me. I want you to, but 
I’ll not force you. Just give me this chance to tell all. If I can’t have you, 
then no one will.”
  He thrust against Merry again, causing them both to gasp aloud. Then 
Pippin claimed Merry’s mouth with his own. He pressed warm lips against 
plump ones and felt the tide rising in his heart again. Merry needed no 
encouragement. He lifted his head up in welcome and lapped at Pippin’s 
open lips. Pippin could barely reciprocate…he was so lost in Merry’s taste 
and the sensations washed him overboard.
   
  Merry’s mind whirled and jumped about as love flooded his every 
crevice. He’d never in all his thirty-seven years ever felt so deeply for 
anyone or anything. No lass had brought on the wild throbbing in his groin 
or the intense thumping of his heart. He revelled in Pippin’s wet mouth, 
loving the pouting of the Tookish lips.
   
  “Oh, Pip,” he whispered after a few more scorching moments, “Why 
didn’t I ever notice this?”
   
  “This?” Pippin asked breathlessly, gazing into the one hobbit he loved 
most’s eyes.
   
  Merry looked at Pippin with deeper, newer admiration. “You. Why 
have I never realized it was you?”
  Pippin flushed pink, “Because I was a young, frightfully annoying child 
with odd tendencies.” He said quietly. Merry chuckled. “Indeed you are, 
not WERE.” That earned him a swat against his leg.
   
  Pippin rested his head in the crook between Merry’s neck and shoulder. 
He sighed, still feeling the ache in his loins but content to lie in Merry’s 
arms.
   
  After a few minutes, Merry shifted under Pippin. The younger hobbit 
got to his elbows, looking quizzically at Merry. “You love me, Pip?” 
Merry asked. Pippin’s heart stopped.
   
  “Yes, Merry, I do. I always have. Even before I knew it was love.”
  Merry smiled joyfully. He’d never felt so relieved before. He rolled 
Pippin to the side and slowly ran his finger along his face, outlining 
Pippin’s jaw, chin and finally, his pouting, wet lips. Pippin’s eyes closely, 
a smile creeping lazily across his face.
   
  “Then show me,” Merry whispered. Pippin gasped and nearly choked 
with those words. His eyes flew open and found the intense darkness of 
Merry’s Brandybuck heritage looking straight into his own eyes. Merry 
did not flinch. He kept his gaze strong and steady, still outlining Pippin’s 
lips with his fingers. “Show me, Pip,” he said again.
   
  “Oh, Merry,” Pippin said softly, losing the confidence he’d gained 
mere minutes before. His hand moved to settle across Merry’s firm chest, 
his fingers pressing into the lean muscle. “I will, Merry. I will. . . ” He 
looked sadly at the immense bruise splayed across Merry’s side. “Oh, 
Merry. It might hurt . . .”
   
  Merry took his hand in his own. “Aye, it would have earlier, but the 
cream has numbed the pain. Don’t worry, Pip”
   
  Pip sighed, frowning but letting his hand rub Merry’s chest ever so 
gently. 
   
  “I’ve always wanted to touch you so, Merry,” he said, circling Merry’s 
right nipple with his fingers. Merry closed his eyes and sighed.
  “Just like so,” he rubbed the nipple, causing it to peak. Merry opened 
his mouth in pleasure. “You’re so beautiful. So amazing. I love your 
face…” he touched Merry’s chin, “your Golden curls that are alike to 
Sam’s and yet so unlike…His are sandy. But yours,” he twirled Merry’s 
hair in his fingers, “Ah, yours are Golden as the sunshine. Sunflowers are 
no competition against your precious tresses.” He trailed his fingers back 
down to Merry’s chest. 
  “I love your bones, your pulse beneath my touch. Your stomach, so 
firm. Your hips so inviting…” Pippin’s fingers followed his words. Merry 
was breathing shallowly now. Pippin waited. “Your hips so very, oh, 
VERY inviting,” he said again. He watched Merry’s face eagerly. His 
fingers wound their way to the undergarment waistband. Merry’s erection 
was barely concealed under the thin fabric. Pippin held his breath as he 
slid his palm over the bulge. Merry grunted heavily under his touch. 
Pippin’s hand scorched a heat so intense across Merry’s belly, he thought 
he’d set himself alight. Slowly Pippin rubbed up and down Merry’s ample 
length, enjoying every gasp, sigh and squirm from Merry. A hand slipped 
into Pippin’s hair and held his head firm. It clenched and unclenched as 
Pippin rubbed up… then down again. Pippin whispered sweet nothings 
into Merry’s ear, eliciting sharp cries from his cousin. 
  “So hot…so warm, my Merry…all mine. Ah…yes, there…you like 
that?” Merry nodded vigorously as Pippin cupped his balls in his hand, 
still rubbing his length. 
   
  “Yes, Pippin,” Merry squeaked, rising to the touch. His breathing was 
becoming more ragged. Pippin’s fingers worked magic on him. Pippin 
smiled and gently licked Merry’s nipple, making Merry gasp even more. 
“Oh, Pip! Do that again!” So he did. Over and over again. Merry writhed 
and Pippin gasped as well, feeling his own throbbing in his breeches.
   
  Suddenly the motions stopped. Merry wailed, missing the contact. 
Pippin pulled away, not wanting to bring Merry to full ecstasy quite yet. 
He also felt his own hardness needed tending. He sat on the edge of the 
bed, trying to breathe calmly. A pair of strong hands grabbed him and 
pulled him back onto the bed. Merry rolled on top of him, making him 
groan as their erections pushed against one another.
   
  “Don’t think you can bring me so far then stop suddenly, Peregrin 
Took. I’ll not have it,” Merry rasped in his ear. Pippin shuddered as Merry 
used his full name. “Let me show you how it’s done, you bothersome 
Took,” Merry said, licking Pippin’s earlobe. Merry bent and tried his best 
to undo all the buckles and ties holding Pippin’s uniform together. After a 
minute he let out and exasperated groan. Pippin chuckled and sat up, 
pushing Merry to sit on his knees. His erection was still ever prominent, 
but Merry was more interested in getting Pippin undressed than his own 
state of arousal.
   
  Pippin stood up on the bed, grinning. He slowly untied his leather 
weskit, discarding his iron shoulder guards. Merry just sat, looking up at 
him in awe. Off came more leather, then the chain mail and finally the 
clean, white shirt beneath. Merry undid Pippin’s belt and untied his 
breeches, pulling them roughly to Pippin’s feet. The bulge in Pippin’s 
undergarment now took up all of Merry’s vision. He licked his 
lips…anticipating his next move. Pippin bent to sit down but Merry 
pushed him back up.
   
  “Here, Pip, let me show you how it’s done,” Then Merry ran his hands 
up Pippin’s thighs and under his garment. Pippin squealed as Merry 
grabbed and yanked the white undies down, releasing Pippin’s throbbing 
organ. Pippin blushed to the roots of his riotous curls as Merry gazed, still 
unconsciously licking his lips.
  “Mmmm…” he said, humming. Merry looked up at Pippin’s wide, 
open expression and saw intrigue and even a little fear there. “My Pip, I 
won’t hurt you.”
   
  “What are you going to…OH!” Pippin grabbed Merry’s hair as a slick 
tongue ran over his wet organ. It didn’t stop there. Merry licked up and 
down the shaft as Pippin shook uncontrollably, squeaking, “Oh, Merry! 
Yes! Oh ….just there…AAH!” His legs shook and Merry supported him 
by grabbing his rump in both hands, bringing his erection closer, then 
slipping between his soft, wet lips. Pippin really did cry out then. His eyes 
were wide, as was his mouth as Merry began pumping his erect organ in 
and out of his soaking mouth. Merry knew what he was doing and it 
nearly drove Pippin insane. The emotions swelled in his belly, threatening 
to burst forth. As Merry’s pace picked up, Pippin’s breathing became 
quicker and sharper.
  “Merry, Merry! Ahh…yes! Merry!” His voice became shrill and he 
lifted onto his toes as the power of heat in his groin increased startlingly 
like never before. Merry grunted when Pippin thrust into him, now 
wanting satisfaction. Pippin pushed harder and faster as Merry just held 
him up. “Yes, yes…Yes, MERRY!” Pippin yelped, still balancing on his 
toes. Merry grinned around him.
  It was too much for Pippin, his hands clenched tightly in Merry’s hair 
and he shut his eyes as the wave came to an extreme high. He shuddered 
violently before Merry realized, and was coming like never before. His 
seed spilled, wave upon wave into Merry’s throat, his organ throbbing all 
the time. 
   
  Pippin panted heavily, his eyes refocusing on the shadow leaning over 
him. 
  “Hallo, Pip. Come back to the land of the living?” Merry’s deep voice 
said, faint amusement ringing within the baritone. Pippin felt very 
sensitive but he smiled. 
   
  “Dear Eru, Merry. You ARE talented!” he chuckled. Merry turned a 
faint shade of red and ducked his head. Pippin’s heart thumped madly at 
the innocent gesture. He took Merry’s face in has hands and pulled him up 
for a sweet, longing kiss. Their tongues met in heat and both hobbits 
sighed at the same time. Merry chuckled. Pippin felt an insistent hardness 
against his thigh. He raised his hips and grinned when Merry shut his eyes 
firmly, grunting. A cheeky expression lit up his face and Merry groaned 
again as Pippin shifted against his hardness.
   
  “My turn,” he said mischievously. “Merry?”
   
  “Yes dearest Pip?” Merry answered, his voice very throaty.
   
  “Make love to me,”
   
  “What??” Merry yelped. Pippin was staring fixedly into his eyes. “Pip, 
I don’t know how to tell you this, I thought you’d know, but males 
can’t…”
   
  “Oh, don’t be thick, Merry!” Pippin said, poking Merry in the side. “I 
know perfectly well how little hobbits are MADE, I also know it is 
possible with males too. Well, making love, not babies.” He giggled. 
Merry just gaped.
   
  “Pip, I’ve never…It um…well, I guess we could try…” Merry said.
  Pippin grinned, “Okay!” he then proceeded to shower Merry in kisses 
and rubbing his soft hands over Merry’s erection once more. Merry 
groaned and thrust into his hand. Pippin smiled and gently pulled down 
the offending undies holding Merry back. Merry gasped at the contact. His 
skin against Pippin’s. Lovely. He felt Pippin’s fingers on him, around him, 
loving him. They travelled slowly over his penis and down between his 
legs, tickling gently. One finger stopped at his opening, pausing in 
consideration. It tried to enter and Merry cried out.
   
  “Ah! No, Pip, not like so!” he pulled Pippin’s hand away. “We need 
something to soften the way or else it’ll hurt us both.” He climbed off 
Pippin and plodded in the dark till he tripped over the Healer’s basket. He 
felt for the tiny bottle and smiled when his fingers alighted on the cold 
glass. He climbed back atop Pippin, the bottle opened and the scent of 
rosemary reaching their nostrils. He poured some into pippin’s open palm. 
Pippin reached for his opening again but Merry pulled it away and onto 
his still aching organ.
   
  “There, Pip. There’s where the trouble lies.” Pippin giggled again, 
slathering Merry’s erectness with oil. Merry’s eyes fluttered as Pippin 
stroked him firmly. He shook his head to clear it, still shivering under 
Pippin’s pumping. Merry spread the cold oil on his own fingers then 
wiped his hand down Pippin’s belly…down, down till it reached his newly 
hardened hobbit hood. Merry gently rubbed but moved on till his finger 
found Pippin’s tight opening. Pippin stopped his ministrations, a twinkle 
in his eye. Merry licked his lips and carefully pressed a finger into Pippin. 
The Took grimaced a little and Merry halted. 
   
  “Pip? Is it bad?” Merry kissed Pippin’s brow.
   
  “It’s okay, the pain came and went, keep going.”
   
  Merry hesitated, not wanting to hurt his dear Pippin. He slowly lowered 
his voice and began a soft song,
   
  “Through mountains wide
  and rivers deep, the shadows never pale
  there came across a traveller
  Helm astern, shield appraised
  Expression never frail” 
 

  Pippin listened, his body calming to Merry’s sweet voice. The finger 
inside him went deeper and he smiled. 
   
  “Mists too deep
  so very black…”
   
  Merry tried a second finger and it slid in easily. Pippin let out a 
pleasured gasp, his smile widening, his eyes closing. Merry pushed in and 
out again, stretching Pippin.
   
  “The mighty one from northern lands
  could now not turn back”
   
  A third finger made it journey inwards and Pippin squirmed to cover it 
fully. Merry moved about inside Pippin. His finger smoothed over a hard 
nub and suddenly Pippin was crying out, gripping Merry’s shoulders.
  “Ahh! Merry! More!”
   
  Merry complied. He touched that spot again, loving the response of 
Pippin lunging upwards, shaking.
   
  “Eyes dark and set…”
   
  “Oh! Merry!…NNgh!” Pippin gritted his teeth. His cock swelled 
immensely, already regaining it’s former gleam of pre-fluid.
   
  “He found a way
  through fen and field alike…”
   
  “Ooooh, yessss!” Pippin hissed as Merry hit that spot over again. Merry 
rubbed his own erection against Pippin’s thigh, getting his words caught.
   
  “Sought n - no fear and no re – regret
  he stole into the – the ni-nii-iight.”
   
  Merry was having trouble remembering the words. He slipped his 
fingers out and Pippin wailed in protest. “No, come back. Come back” he 
whimpered.
  Merry kissed his brow again and made Pippin touch him again. Pippin 
gently rubbed Merry’s oil-slicked cock to full hardness and then directed it 
to his opening. Merry held onto Pippin’s shoulders before pressing his 
head into Pippin’s warmth. Pippin didn’t cry out. On the contrary, he 
thrust up, trying to push more of Merry’s length into him.
   
  Merry steadied himself, his heart and cock thumping wildly.
   
  “What in dark he- ahh – he found…” His voice wavered.
   
  Gently he pushed himself to the hilt and heard Pippin cry out, clutching 
his arms painfully. Merry was breathing as if he’d just run a marathon. 
“Aye, Pip, hold one, I’m about ready to – to..” he began thrusting inside 
Pippin, gaining momentum as Pippin lunged up to meet him.
   
  “Evil waiting there!” Pippin cried, continuing Merry’s rhyme
  “For none had s-see-een!
  Nor, nor…Ah, Merry, yes, Merry, go…”
   
  Merry breathed in unison with the writhing hobbit beneath him. Hid 
heart beat to his thrusts and every push sent shuddering sparks up his 
loins. Pippin opened his legs wide, giving Merry more room to 
manoeuvre. Merry lost all control then. He thrust forward and into Pippin, 
letting out soft pants as he did so. Pippin was sweating profusely and 
trying in vain to finish the rhyme.
   
  “Been so far, oh, very, VERY FAR!
  Merry wrapped his hand about Pippin, now pumping the dripping cock 
faster and faster. Harder and harder.
   
”In times so, nngh…ah, I can’t – Merry – Merry, I can’t keep…” He 
opened his mouth wide and Merry pressed his own needy lips to his, flesh 
to flesh, Pippin shook in orgasm, crying out into Merry. His legs opened 
wider still. Merry shuddered then, losing all sense of time and movement. 
All he felt was him inside Pippin and Pippin yelling his name beneath him. 
Merry’s cock swelled to full size and throbbed once more before bursting 
inside Pippin, causing waves to wash over Merry’s heaving back and 
chest. Merry let out a keening wail, his back arching down almost 
painfully. They shook together, foreheads pressed together. Stomachs 
together. Souls together.
   
  “Oh, Pip,” Merry whimpered feebly,” I do love you, Pip. I really do.” 
   
  Pippin smiled through his ecstasy, “I know, Merry. I love you too.” He 
kissed Merry with all the fervour of a talented lover. Merry whimpered 
against his chest, completely spent. Pippin patted his head, loving the feel 
of their bodies pressed together.
   
  “Merry, we didn’t finish our song,” he said into the honey curls.
   
  “I think we did, pip, “Merry said wearily, “We made beautiful music 
together.”
  Pippin laughed, “No, you goose, apart from our sensuous love fest.”
   
  “Nor seen such two things so fair”
   
  “You remembered, Merry!”
   
  Merry smiled into Pippin’s chest, “Of course I did. I wrote it after all. 
The two things so fair could have been Frodo and Sam’s arses.”
   
  Pippin huffed and poked Merry. Merry laughed.
   
  “But we all know they were your green eyes, Pip. Everyone knows 
that.”
  Pippin grinned, knowing Merry had just made that up, but he loved him 
all the more for saying so.
   
  THE END