Chapter 4: Cathleen
The voices of his companions faded into the background as the light in the smoke-filled room also diminished. Pippin struggled to make out the words of the conversation he’d been following only a short time ago. He felt his face growing warm and reached up with a shaky hand to wipe the beads of sweat away. Had someone stoked up the embers in the low burning fireplace?
Pippin pulled his attention back to the discussion. They were talking about the recent meeting of ambassadors from the southern realms. He giggled. What a boring lot! Glancing around the room, he noticed that the number of men seated across from them had increased into a rather large group. Curious, he leaned closer to catch some of the conversation. Much to his alarm, the group wavered when he moved. Peering closer, he saw that each man now had a twin. Interesting. Whenever had that happened? Pippin noted with amusement that the bartender now had two shiny bald heads as well as two stout bodies, and scurried about doing twice the tasks at the same time. He chuckled to himself. Twisting slowly around, he watched as two identical men tossed darts at two matching dartboards. The movement of the objects as they catapulted through the air made him dizzy, and he looked away in order to steady himself. He fought to keep his attention on Merry and Gimli as the pair continued chatting.
'Pippin? Did you hear what I just said?' Merry regarded him with a raised eyebrow.
'Uhh, no. I wasn’t paying attention. What were you saying?' Pippin squinted at him, unsure which version of his cousin to acknowledge. Unable to decide he focused on the space between the two.
Merry looked at him strangely and then leaned towards him for a closer scrutiny. 'Are you feeling all right, Pip? You look awfully flushed.'
'Aye, lad.' Gimli studied the red face with his keen eyes. 'Are ye a bit too warm?'
'I'm fine!' The exclamation came out more forcefully then he had intended and it seemed to him that his voice echoed bizarrely about the room. He startled, and then darted a look about guiltily. Merry and Gimli watched him with puzzled frowns.
'What were you saying? Something about--' Pippin paused to yawn widely, trying once more to focus on his cousin.
'Never mind,' Merry snapped. 'Perhaps it's time we were on our way. You need to get to bed.'
'Aww, Merry. You're soundin' just like my mum.' Pippin grinned foolishly at him. His Tookish brogue thickened noticeably. 'Just one more drink and then I promise I’ll go along quietly.' Pippin reached clumsily for the bottle of brandy spilling Gimli's drink as he leaned over the table.
'Here now!' The dwarf jumped up as the alcohol began to drip over the edge and into his lap. He stared wide-eyed at Pippin. 'What's ailin' ye lad? I think your cousin is right. Ye need to be getting home to your bed now. I think you've had enough for one night.'
'Oh, Gimling!' Pippin paused, knowing that hadn’t sounded right. Thinking hard, he tried again. 'Umm, Gibling…Giftling…Gamli--' He felt as if his mouth had been stuffed full of marbles and he struggled to speak clearly in spite of the obstacle.
'That's quite enough, lad! Obviously you've had a wee bit too much to drink!' Gimli started around the table as Merry rose to join him.
'And that, in combination with too little sleep is a recipe for disaster! Come, let’s go.' Merry began drawing him out of the chair. Pippin pried at the fingers clamped on his arm.
'No! I told you I'm not ready to be leavin' just yet,' he objected in a loud voice. 'Why, look at all the new people who've only just arrived.' Pippin waved his arm at the room in a grand gesture. 'We canna be leavin' them all alone!' He began to wobble in his chair.
Nodding their agreement, Gimli and Merry reached down and each took an arm. They hoisted Pippin to his feet in one quick movement. The pouch of sleeping powders that had been nesting in his lap plopped onto the floor at his feet.
'Oh…' Pip clutched at his head, the dizziness overcoming him. 'What'd ya do that for? I can do this by myself.' Pippin batted at the hands keeping him upright.
'What's this?' Merry reached down to scoop up the pouch, careful to keep a grip on his cousin. Merry waved the small bag in front of Pippin's eyes.
'Oh! You found it! I shall be forever in your debt, Sir Meriadoc.' Pippin tried an awkward bow and was up righted by his companions with a firm tug.
'I want to know what this is Pippin! Did you take this?' Merry gave him a little shake.
I canna feel my arms and legs Merry,' Pippin slurred, as his trembling increased.
Gimli reached for the pouch and opened it, one hand seeking to balance the staggering hobbit. He sniffed at the powder suspiciously. Turning to Merry he shrugged. 'I'm not certain exactly what this is. Let's get him out of here, aye? Aragorn should have a look at him.'
Merry nodded, his expression grim. 'I couldn't agree more. We're starting to draw attention to ourselves.'
They headed for the door half hauling, half carrying the still protesting tween with them. Pippin was mouthing garbled pleasantries to the crowd of patrons they passed. Merry shrugged apologetically, bidding the amused customers to please excuse them. As they reached the entrance Pippin stiffened with apparent fear. Sweat poured off his brow and ran down his face. He tried to whisper in Merry's ear, and the whisper became a shout.
'ORCS, MERRY! RUN!!' Pippin tore out of their grip and lurched out the door, managing only a few steps before falling flat on his face on the flagstones. The young hobbit lay very still, hardly appearing to breath.
'What the--' Merry uttered a curse and shot after him, Gimli close behind.
Together they lifted Pippin up and stared anxiously into his glazed eyes. They were unfocused and it was obvious the lad was unconscious. Gimli felt for a pulse. It was weak and irregular.
'Get Aragorn!' he hissed. The dwarf stood tall and shouted at the top of his lungs to the crowd that had gathered. 'Someone get the King!'