An entry in the Blue Book of Tuckborough by Liora Jean Took  "Merry," Pippin whispered into the dark. "I miss you." The weeping hobbit curled himself into a fetal position, rocking back and forth. The wetness on his pillow was cold against his cheek, and the fresh warm tears made the moist spot larger. His tears had also wet the hair around his face, making the cinnamon curls stick annoyingly to his skin. "I miss you," he repeated mid-sob. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine his cousin beside him, holding him as he once did. He stretched a trembling hand behind him, caressing the phantom lover curled up against his back. "I'm sorry," he whispered to the fantasy. "I didn't know this would happen. I didn't know he would send you away from me." Pippin had refused to leave his room ever since his father had forbidden the cousins to see one another. His father had been so angry, and Pippin couldn't fathom how the Thain could be so scornful of something Pippin thought was so joyous. In protest, Pippin had refused even to eat, igniting the concern of his mother and sisters. His father had demanded they ignore his son's supposed hunger strike, attributing it to a tantrum that would pass once he missed his supper. Supper came and went, and still Pippin stared at his walls through blurry eyes. He slammed his fist against his pillow in anger, screaming his grief into the fabric. He wailed, moving his fingers from his pillow to grip and pull painfully at his tresses. He yanked, pulling out a handful of hair and thrusting it into the air. The scream died in his throat and he went limp in exhaustion. He swallowed and drew a shaky breath, trying to banish the hoarseness and pain from his screams. "I love you, Merry," he whispered through the roughness of his abused throat. His body ached from the sobs, and his muscles burned as he rolled over onto his back. He gazed at the ceiling, peered beyond it, and soon his eyelids dropped. He fell then into a fitful sleep. Thus ends Tears For A Phantom Lover, as Liora Jean tells it back to Liora Jean's Musings back to Home |