Sorry to those readers for the long wait...

"Merry?" Pippin's small body shuddered wildly, his eyes remained tightly closed.

"Hush Peregrin, he is here" Legolas gently stroked the hobbits matted curls. It was his and Gimli's turn to look after his two sick friends, Gandalf and Aragorn had long since gone in search of ingredients for medicine, kingsfoil was not a common thing in this city and they had to travel abroad to bring some back.

"I fear for Merry" Gimli said suddenly, "his skin is pale and his breathing and heart are still weak" The elf frowned a little, "if only they knew they where together, they may have a little more strength." "Do you suggest we wake them?" the dwarf asked.

"I doubt we could wake Meriadoc," Legolas looked at Merry's pale form, his eyes seemed to have dark circles under them. "Pippin however may be able to reach him, these pair have a stronger bond than many of us I believe. We may be able to wake the younger lad"

"No harm in trying" Gimli sighed, "It is the least we can do until Gandalf and Aragorn return"

Legolas nodded standing up over Pippin. "Peregrin lad, wake up" he gently shook the halfling's shoulders. Pippin groaned and tried to resist.

"What, no, Merry" his words came out muddled.

"Merry is here" Legolas said slowly, "wake up and you can see him Peregrin, he is right here, open your eyes"
Pippin's eyes fluttered open and closed, he coughed weakly and shook a little.

"Cant" he hiccoughed and breathed out in pain at his broken ribs.

"You can" Legolas encouraged him, "Merry wants you to wake up, please Pippin" the elf sighed "try for me and for Merry"

The hobbit twitched and mumbled a confused sentence, suddenly without warning he turned on his side and heaved, emptying his stomach of what little contents it had. Legolas grabbed his shoulders firmly as his shuddered.

"Merry" he croaked, sitting up and trying to focus his eyes, "please no, head hurt, troll, Legolas, nothing, gone." Pippin mumbled out another confused sentence, his eyes darted around, trying to focus on something but failing.

"How are they" Legolas looked up to see captain Faramir in the doorway, " I came when I heard"

"Merry is deeply unconscious, Aragorn tried to wake him but failed, his Morgul wound will not lightly heal. Pippin seems delirious, he has suffered a blow to the head, I fear however the poison from his wound is taking hold"

"He saved my life once" Faramir whispered, "I hope you may save his" he then bowed and departed quickly.

Legolas looked back at his sick friend, the younger hobbits skin seemed to be discoloured, his eyes had closed once more, and his breathing had become more laboured.

"How are they doing?" the elf jumped as he heard the wizards voice, he and Aragorn had returned. "Merry has yet responded, I fear for him" he said, "Pippin seems to be succumbing to the poison, he has vomited, He fear for them both"

"The mixtures are almost ready" Aragorn emptied a bag on the floor, many leaves and flowers scattered around. He picked up a bowl which a paste had been ground in and two small vials one of yellowy liquid and the other a red.

"I need to rub this on Peregrin's wound" he placed the paste on the side of the bed. "Legolas can you hold him for me?" Aragorn undressed the wound and took some paste in his hand. "This should help to fight the poison" he said.

Pippin howled as the cold stinging mixer was placed on his wound, he kept his eyes tightly closed "Merry" he shouted as loud as his voice would allow. In the bed beside him his cousin twitched and moaned weakly, Pippin's cries had stirred him.

"Meriadoc" Gandalf felt the older hobbit's freezing forehead. "Wake up my lad"

Merry's eyes opened slightly, and he focused on the wizard before him. "What happened?" he murmured slightly. "what's going on"

"Your a brave lad Merry," Gandalf smiled, "you and Lady Eowyn slayed the witch king" Merry's brow furrowed.

Pippin whimpered softly as Aragorn finished applying the paste, tears were gathered in the hobbits eyes. "I will need to stitch this" said the ranger.

"Pip?" Merry recognised the small whimpers, he turned his head to one side to see his cousin on the bed next to him.

"Merry?" Pippin struggled under Legolas's grip, he looked to the side and the pair locked eyes.

"Oh Pip" tears welled in Merry's eyes and spilled down his pale cheeks, "I'm so glad to see you"

Pippins face contorted in pain and happiness, he tried to reach out but couldn't reach his cousin. "I need you to take this" Aragorn tried to gain the younger hobbits attention, Pippin shook his head.

"Want Merry" he simply cried refusing the vial which was placed near his mouth.

"Maybe we should put them both together" Legolas asked, "push the two beds together" Aragorn nodded silently and he and Gandalf gently pushed the two beds so that they were now side by side. Pippin pushed his body sideways, stifling a small cry as his ribs jolted.

"Steady Peregrin" Legolas placed a hand on his shoulder. "Merry is not going anywhere"

Pippin reached out and Merry did the same with his good arm and they locked hands tightly together.

"Will you take this now" Aragorn seemed a little impatient of the youngster. Pippin nodded taking the foul liquid given to him. Gandalf gave Merry his at the same time.

"It will help ease your pain Meriadoc" he said giving it to the hobbit, Merry took it willingly and turned back to his cousin.

"Its ok Pip, I won't leave you" Merry sighed, "not now I have you back"

"I have to stitch this now Pippin" Aragorn interrupted pointing to the deep ugly wound on the halfling's arm. "I may also need to stitch that cut on the back of your head"

Pippin's eyes filled with more tears and they trickled down his dirtied cheeks.

"Its ok Pip" Merry repeated seeing the fear in his cousin's eyes, he tried to move closer, resting his head close to his cousin's. "I'm here" he cried.

"I ... love you ... Merry" Pippin struggled to speak through his sobs.

"I love you too Pip" Merry cried kissing his cousin's burning forehead, "I love you too!"