Author's note – this is movie-verse, for reasons that will become apparent later on. There are spoilers for RotK, but if you haven't seen it yet, where have you been?

Lord of the Rings and it's characters belong to Tolkien, and any lines and events from the films belong to Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema. I own very little, except the excuse for a plot ;)

Don't kill me if the lines or events or actions from the film aren't right – it's from memory!

A World of Dreams : Chapter One

Pippin regarded his too-large armour spread across the bed. 'Guard of the Citadel' was his title now, but he still felt too much like Peregrin Took of the Shire. He sighed, and glanced up to see Gandalf standing by the balcony door, gazing into the distance.

As the silence became uncomfortable, Pippin searched for a way to break it. "So... I imagine this is just a ceremonial position... I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting... do they?"

Gandalf turned slightly towards the little Hobbit. "You're in the service of the Steward now." He gave a half-smile. "You're going to have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took, 'Guard of the Citadel'..."

Pippin swallowed, took another look at his armour, then walked slowly over to the balcony. He could hear every sound – of his feet hitting the slabs, of Gandalf's soft breathing, the dimmed murmur of the Citadel. "It's so quiet," he observed.

Gandalf turned to look once more over Mordor. "It's the deep breath before the plunge," he said, his face now grim.

Pippin leaned against the balcony railing, fighting down his fears and panic. "I don't want to be in a battle," he admitted, his voice quavering a little, "but being on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse."

Gandalf walked over to stand next to him, and Pippin had to tilt his head back to look up at him. "Is there any hope, Gandalf, for Frodo and Sam?"

"There was never much hope... just a fool's hope." Gandalf gave a soft, fleeting smile, then cast his worried eyes over the lands surrounding Minas Tirith. "Our Enemy is ready, his full strength gathered. Not only Orcs, but Men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the south," he explained. "Mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call."

He closed his eyes momentarily.

"This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer-stroke will fall the hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at Osgiliath falls, the last defence of this city will be gone."

Pippin smiled, shakily. "But we have the White Wizard, that's got to count for something..." he stopped, confused. "Gandalf?"

"Sauron has yet to release his deadliest servant. The one who will lead Mordor's armies in war." He looked down at Pippin.

"The one they say no living Man can kill. The Witch-king of Angmar. You've met him before."

Pippin shook his head, dazed and not understanding.

"He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop," Gandalf explained. "He is the lord of the Nazgûl, the greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair."

Pippin blinked back tears and returned his eyes to Mordor.

Suddenly, the earth was shaking, the air screaming, and a pillar of light filled the sky.

Pippin leapt back, confused. His eyes searched Gandalf's face for an answer, any answer, but no answer came. His eyes were dragged back to the pillar of light, and he wondered if Sauron had anything else in his keep...

~

A figure twisted in the dark room, restless in their sleep, lost in the dream.

"We are proud to fight along side men once more."

A breeze, a scent of flowers, a featherlight kiss.

The sound of screaming. Men and boys, falling to the earth.

Summer trees, laughter, running deer.

An Orc running, an axe raised, a blow about to fall...

"NO!"

A scream, a yell, but this time heard with the ears, not within the mind. Tears, racing breath, and then footsteps...

"My Lady?"

No reply.

"My Lady...? M-my Lord awaits you..."

~

A cape flapping in the wake of a striding, commanding form.

The double doors flung wide, a howling wind streaming through them.

The helmet swept off, a slender shape kneeling...

"Lord Sauron, what do you command?"

You will take your Orcs and ride to Gondor... You will sway the battle...

"My Lord, they are not ready! They-"

You have your orders... My daughter...

~

She walked, as if in a trance, almost floating to the balcony outside her rooms. The dreams... they were coming every night now... so vivid...

She took a deep, shuddering breath. Without knowing how, she knew that he was gone... that dream had been a true one...

And it was her father's doing...

((How can I get italics? I haven't posted a new story in so long, I've completely forgotten...))

ALL FEEDBACK is welcome... this is in the early stages, but I hope you like it... Beta-readers, Reviews, Flames and Muses welcome! A cookie for all who review! :D