Disclaimer: Characters used are the property of Tolkien.

Positioning himself to the back of a tree Pippin watched the orcs around him. Merry was next to him, although not as alert. The sickening stench of the orcs filled the air. It had been another long day marching with the whole lot and the heat only increased the awful rank. The heat had nearly gotten to the hobbits as well. There were many times when Pippin had found himself kneeling to help Merry from the ground, suffering from the scorching sun, trying to save his cousin the pain of the whip that often cracked over their heads or at their heels. Now the day had passed bringing the relief of the cool night air. Pippin crawled closer to Merry who was slowly drifting off.

"Merry? Merry are you alright?" Pippin whispered.

"As good as I can be in this dreadful predicament," Merry moaned. "At first I was too hot but now I'm becoming cold. The sweat on my body is beginning to chill from the air."

Pippin tried to unclasp his cloak, his intent wrapping it around Merry, only to receive the horrid reminder that his hands were tied tight. Seeing his cousin shiver in pain formed a lump to form in his throat and he nuzzled against Merry, doing his best to warm him. The hobbit's heads jerked as orcs ahead of them quarreled near the fire.

"Why do you suppose they haven't killed us yet?" Pippin asked.

"I don't know," Merry replied. "I think it has something to do with the Ring Frodo was carrying. Perhaps they think we carry it...."

"I'd hate to think of what they would do to us if we had the Ring," Pippin said, shuddering.

"Pippin," Merry groaned, "think of what they will do to us when they realize we don't have the Ring."

A shiver ran down Pippin's spine as he contemplated the thought. He had heard many horrific stories about the orcs since he was a small child. Dark tales of dismemberment, being prodded with hot pokers, having knives inserted all over the body,....rape. The thought of he or Merry suffering such a fate made a nauseous feeling swirl in the pit of his stomach. His fear only escalated as one of the orcs journeyed from the fire, crouching in front of the two hobbits. For a moment the orc made no movement, only gazing them over.

"You two keep quiet!" it snarled. "If I hear another peep from you two I'll make some pretty scars on your tiny backs! Orders or no orders, you'll keep still!"

Pippin's eyes closed in relief as the orc moved away. When he opened them back up he saw that Merry had slipped off into sleep. Laying his head on his cousin's shoulder he did his best to fall asleep even though there was a nagging feeling in his gut screaming at him not to. He feared to fall asleep. Fear of what may happen if he fell asleep, letting his guard down. Fear of what he may wake up to. Nonetheless, he drifted off into a restless slumber faintly hearing the orcs in the background.

"Why can't we have a bit of fun?" one asked.

"You know why!" snapped another voice. "We have orders! We must obey our orders!"

"You're one to talk!" growled another. "I say as long as it doesn't kill them do it! I say we have a little fun!"

"Why not? The rest of the group will be off scouring the area for spies...it would be easy to sneak in a bit of play then....."

"Fine, do what you want," a reluctant voice said. "But be warned! If any one of them is killed it will be our necks! Take one and only one! I'll watch the other one. Remember, keep it quick and simple! If Ugluk catches us we all suffer dearly!"

Pippin didn't know how long he slept but he woke to something rough nudging him in the side. His eyes shot open and he saw two dark shapes hovering over Merry. One of the orcs had taken hold of his feet while the other struggled to maintain a good grasp on his shoulders. The hobbit was thrashing about violently, trying to escape the orcs strong hold. With a cry Pippin leaped into the air and rammed into one of the orc's feet. The orc howled in shock and toppled to the ground, losing his hold on Merry. The hobbit tried to scramble to his feet but another orc from behind swept his feet from underneath, sending him crashing to the ground.

"I warned you, you filthy maggot!" it spat.

He could only look on helplessly as he saw the two orcs carry Merry into the woods, who was still struggling for dear life. Tears came to his eyes due not only to what Merry was likely to suffer but from the orc behind him also. The whip had been uncoiled and now it struck at his flesh with ferocity that he never knew existed. The pain was so unbearable that a black haze began to cloud his eyes. As he slipped off he could hear a familiar, faint cry coming from the grove of trees.

***

A throbbing ach was the first thing Pippin felt as he slowly woke. His gaze met the rising light of morning and he hesitantly shifted to his side. Once he did he almost sobbed in joy. Merry was back at his side and wide awake.

"Oh Merry thank goodness!" Pippin cried, forgetting where he was.

"Pippin, keep it down," Merry hissed.

Pippin was so grateful to see his cousin safe he ignored the harsh tone. He then took the time to look Merry over, gazing for any noticeable wounds but none were found. Everything was intact on him, skin and clothing. However, Pippin couldn't shake off a lingering doubt that something was wrong.

"What happened last night?" Pippin inquired. "What did the orcs do to you?!"

"Keep it down or we'll be in hot water," Merry snapped again. "Nothing, ok. The orcs took me into the woods and questioned me. Nothing more happened."

A frown formed on Pippin's face. "Please, Merry, do not lie to me. I know for a fact that orcs would not take you into the woods and question you without causing some form of harm. Please, tell me what happened."

"I already told you," Merry said, averting his eyes from Pippin's gaze. "They questioned me and that was it. It is you I am more worried about. There are nasty slash marks on your back. Turn around so I can clean them."

"How..." Pippin tried to say.

"Shh, one of the orcs threw a rag at me," Merry answered. "It's not the most decent thing on Middle Earth.....but it may manage to keep your wounds from becoming infected. Now, turn around."

Obediently, Pippin turned and allowed Merry to place the rag on his back. He stifled a cry as the cool cloth grazed across his tender wounds. The throbbing pain spread all over heading into his wrists that swelled from the rope which was bound too tightly. Groaning, he rubbed his hands over his face wiping away the tears that welded in his eyes. Merry gently moved the rag over Pippin's back, attempting to lessen the hobbit's discomfort, and Pippin was grateful for it.

"Well, I think we're going to have to get you a new shirt," Merry chuckled, trying to lighten their hearts. "After all, we can't have you walking around with bloodstains all......" His attitude suddenly changed. "I'm sorry, it was foolish of me to make humor of this."

"No, no, Merry it is alright," Pippin chuckled. "It's been so long since I have heard you laugh.....it feels good to hear it."

A silence passed over the two, until Pippin spoke up once again.

"Why didn't you cry out for help last night Merry?" Pippin asked. "I mean, I never would have known you were being carried off if it wasn't for that orc bumping into me."

"Because this is way," Merry said, referring to his back. "At the time they were only interested in me so I thought you might be sparred. I didn't want you to get hurt Pippin and so I fought with my mind to keep still but I panicked when the two came at me. I became so frightened when the two began to lift me up. I saw the look in their eyes. That look, that look. Those eyes were filled with such hate but there was something else in them. I could see what they had planned for me....and I panicked. I fought with them and it ended with you waking up. My cowardly act has cost you dearly. I'm sorry Pippin....I didn't mean for you to get hurt....I'm sorry...." A racking sob rose in his throat.

At that Pippin spun around to face his cousin. How he longed to hold him but with his wrists tied he could only nuzzle against Merry's neck. Merry lowered his head as tears flooded down his cheeks.

"Shh, Merry," Pippin whispered. "We might as well face it; sooner or later one of them would have tested their whip on my back. It certainly wasn't your doing with what happened."

"Those slash marks are deep...they'll leave scars," Merry cried.

"I think your scars will deeper than mine, Merry," Pippin solemnly said.

Merry gazed at him in bewilderment and then broke down burying his face in Pippin's shoulder. Pippin rubbed his head against Merry, slowly rocking him and quietly soothing him.

"It's alright Merry, it's alright," Pippin said, kissing Merry's brow. "I love you cousin. Shh, everything will be alright...."

"No, it is not alright," Merry sobbed. "Pippin, there is no hope left for us....."

"Merry, don't speak such things!" Pippin cried, overwhelmed in shock. "There is hope for us yet. Someone will come for us."

"Who? Who will come to our aid Pippin?" Merry asked. "Strider? Gimili? Legolas? They are probably with Frodo heading toward Mordor!"

"I know them and they would not desert us!" Pippin countered. "They would not leave us to torment and death. I know someone, whether it be Strider, Gimili, or Legolas, will come to our rescue. We will not be forgotten."

"I'm sorry Pippin," Merry sobbed. "I just want to be away from this place and these orcs! I want to be able to sleep and not have to worry of what may transpire!" His head lowered even more. "I want to be home in the Shire again! I....I...wish I had never come along on this journey!"

"Shh, I know cousin, I know," Pippin sighed. "Why don't you rest on me for a bit? You have not gotten enough sleep in the past several days. Just sit back and relax on me. I will stay awake....and no matter what may happen I want you to know that......"

"I know Pippin," Merry interrupted. "I know."

The rest of the morning they remained nestled together in the midst of the orcs. They knew not what was lying in wait for them but they had each other and that would be enough to help them bear the long days ahead.

More to follow.