The guys milled around the living area for about
five minutes before they heard the shower go off.  
A few minutes later, Merry came down the stairs.  
She was wrapped in a thick terry robe, and was still 
towel-drying her hair.
 
"Hey, guys!"  She said brightly.  "Galen, what's for
dinner?"
 
"You chose tonight, Merry,"  the green Sidhe
replied, watching her closely.  His scrutiny didn't 
go unnoticed by the Princess.
 
She turned and nearly bumped into Frost, who had
been hovering at her back.  "Yes, Frost?"  she asked.
 
"Nothing.  I...I like how your hair smells after you
wash it.  That's all,"  he said hurriedly.
 
"Why don't you have a seat, Merry,"  Rhys said.  He
gestured towards the couch.  Nicca quickly fluffed pillows.
Bea was scratching at the front door to be let back in.  
Pippin moved to let the dog in.  She quickly jumped up 
onto the couch and layed down next to Merry.

"Would you like some water Merry?"  Galen asked.  

"Or anything else?"  Rhys chimed in.
 
Merry looked around at the guards in confusion. 
They all seemed anxious, even Kitto peaking out from his 
tent and Doyle standing where he could see out both windows.

"Okay, what gives?"  she asked.
 
They all froze like rabbits who had smelled a fox. 
"What do you mean?"  Frost asked.
 
"You guys always make sure I'm not alone.  I know,"
she added, holding up a hand to stall the explaination 
that was on Doyle's lips, "it is for my own safety, no 
matter how annoying it gets.  But this excesive pampering 
and you guys hovering.  What is going on?"
 
The guards all looked at each other.  Then Doyle
stepped forward and pressed play on the answering machine.  
As the message played, Merry's smile widened.  When it 
clicked off, she was bouncing around the room.
 
"We're gonna have puppies!"  she exclaimed happily.
 
"Puppies?"  Rhys repeated slowly.
 
"So Doyle is going to be king and marry you?"  Frost
added.
 
"What?"  Merry stopped to look at him.  Then it
clicked.  She looked at the guards, laughing.
 
"You think I'm pregnant?"
 
"Yes,"  Doyle replied.
 
"Silly, silly boys!  I'm not having puppies!  That
was the vet!  That's where me and Bea went today.  Bea's 
having puppies!"  Merry couldn't stop laughing, even as 
she looked at the dog, who was now asleep on the couch.  
"And no, Doyle is not the father.  Barinthus' stud dog is.  
I have to go tell him!"
 
Merry flew up the stairs.  With a nodd from Doyle,
Pippin followed.  The other guards looked at each other and 
exchanged weak smiles and sighs of releif.  They all 
wondered how they would have dealed with it if it had been 
Merry that was pregnant.