Hello, all me peoples! I really hope you like this! I am open to any possible ideas or suggestions. :) Please, NO FLAMES!!!!!!!!
Chapter 1: Guard Duty
The conference hall in the palace of Minas Tirith was near to full of people. The seats that lines the long, oak table were full and several people stood around. The city counsel were the one seated; the others were leaders of small towns and villages surrounding the City. The cause for this urgent meeting was the fact that in the past month or so, there had been quite a few rogue Orcs seen lurking in the forests and some had come dangerously close to some of the small villages. There had even been some seen as close to Minas Tirith as just across the Anduin; less than a mile away. The matter at hand had been brought to the attention of Aragorn, King of Gondor, by a group of concerned townspeople.
"We must do something about this!" a town leder said, "We did not fight so hard in the War, to have these vile creatures return!"
"My King, I beseech you, think of our women and children!" another said.
Aragorn sighed and rubbed his forehead as another argument broke out among the people; this had been going on nearly all morning. He had had enough. Aragorn slammed his fist down on the table and stood up, immediately getting everyone's attention.
"Enough arguing! Arguing is not solving anything!" he said so everyone could hear, "I know we have an urgent matter before us; I am concerned, too. But, instead of standing here, arguing at each other, we should be worrying about the problem at hand. Now, I have some of the finest soldiers in Middle-Earth right here and we are not going to let these vile beings return. Now, gentlemen, instead of standing here arguing with one another, go to your homes; be with your wives and children. I have heard your plea for help, and I promise you, we will do something to resolve this. The Orcs will not return."
The room fell silent for a fe seconds before the townspeople were escorted out by the guards. Once only the city counsel and the captains were in the room, Aragorn sat down.
"What do you propose we do, milord?" Beregond, who sat at Aragorn's left side, asked.
"In the long-term, I do not yet know. But for the moment, I plan to send my most trusted guards to our guard towers to keep watch and resolve any Orcs they may see." Aragorn explained, "Faramir, send a message for all of the captains and strongest soldiers to gather in the courtyard."
"Yes, milord." Faramir, who sat at Aragorn's right, said, standing up and leaving the room.
"Counsel is adjourned." Aragorn said.
Everyone stood and bowed in respect before heading to the room's exit. But two remained where they stood: Merry, Captain of Rohan, and Pippin, Captain of Gondor.
"Yes, did you want something?" Aragorn asked, noticing they still stood there.
"Yes. Pippin and I were wondering if it would be possible for just the two of us to be sent to one of the guard towers." Merry asked.
"If you so wish. You two are very fine captains; you have all but earned the request for your chosen assignment." Aragorn said.
"Thank you. Where will we be sent?" Merry said.
"Wherever you like." Aragorn said.
"Would you give us a little while to think about it?" Merry asked.
"Of course; the other soldiers won't leave until tomorrow." Aragorn said, straightening the papers scattered in front of him.
"Thank you." Merry said, he and Pippin turning and exiting the room.
They made their way down a series of confusing stone hallways to their room. It was a nice-sized room that overlooked the citadel and had a nice view of Pelennor Fields. Like all the others in the palace, the room had stone walls, floor, and ceiling. A double-sized bed was situated on the wall to their left. Two nightstands set on either side of it and a soft, fur rug was underneath it. Aside from a small dresser and a trunk, that was the only furniture in the room.
"So, where does my beautiful husband want to go?" Merry asked, walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed.
Pippin smiled and walked over, crawling up onto the bed to straddle Merry's waist. He wrapped his arms loosely around Merry's neck and placed a light kiss to his lips. Merry placed his hands on either side of Pippin's hips, smiling up at him.
"Where would you like to go?" Merry asked again.
"Hmmm, I don't know. Somewhere where we won't be disturbed." Pippin said, "We haven't had any alone time in a while. So keen of you to ask Aragorn for us to be sent out alone."
"Why don't we look at my map of the guard houses and pick out a place?" Merry suggested.
" 'kay." Pippin said, moving over off Merry.
Merry knelt beside his bag, which lay on the floor beside the bed and retrieved a large, folded piece of parchment. He sat back beside Pippin and unfolded the parchment. On the parchment was a map of Rohan and Gondor, which showed the locations of every gaurd tower in the region.
"How about here?" Pippin asked, pointing to a guard tower after looking over the map briefly.
"Na, it's too close to this other one." Merry said, pointing out another guard tower less than two miles away.
They continued to look over the map for several more minutes.
"Here looks good." Merry said, pointing to a guard tower that was about a day's journey away north of Minas Tirith across the Anduin River; the guard tower was also not close to any others in the surrounding area.
"Looks nice." Pippin said.
"Well," Merry said, folding the parchment, "I guess we'll leave tomorrow. I'll go tell Aragorn our decision."
Merry set the map aside and exited the room. Pippin smiled as he thought about he and Merry finally being able to have a few days alone, something they really needed. Their sex life had diminished over the last couple of months, being around all the other guards almost constantly and having very little privacy. This would be a very nice break for them.
A/N: I know, short first chapter, but I promise the next one will be longer......and steamier. ;) LOL! PLEASE R&R!!!!!! NO FLAMES!!!!!