Here is the first chapter of the third and last installment of my Lord of the Rings trilogy. Enjoy, ya'll!
Journey with the Returning King
Chapter 1
Aurora was woken in the early hours of morning by panicked shouts from the room next door. The room her friends were in. She hurriedly wrapped herself in her cloak rush into the next room. When she opened the door, Pippin was writhing as if in great pain on the floor, the strange dark orb clutched in his hands. Only now, the orb was lit with a fire from within.
Aragorn grabbed it from the young hobbit's grasp, but he quickly dropped it. It seemed to cause him pain to hold it too. Gandalf threw the grey cloth he had wrapped it up in over the sphere as it rolled across the floor. Then he instantly turned and knelt next to Pippin, who was staring up at the ceiling vacantly. Aurora dashed to Pippin's other side as Gandalf laid his hand on the hobbit's head and murmured something. The hobbit seemed to "come to", and immediately begged Gandalf's forgiveness for taking the stone. Gandalf quietly asked what happened. Pippin shook his head, tears squeezing out from his tightly shut eyes, but Gandalf gently but firmly insisted.
"I saw a white tree, and fire. A city was burning." Pippin whispered. "Then, I... saw Him. H...He asked me my name, and about Frodo."
"What did you tell Him?" Gandalf asked urgently. Pippin shook his head again. Gandalf gave a sigh of relief; Pippin had not told the Enemy anything. He gave the hobbit an understanding smile and let Aurora enfolded Pippin in a comforting hug.
"He hurt me, Rory… it hurt so badly…" Pippin whimpered into the girl's arms.
"I'm so sorry, Pip." she whispered, her heart crying out for her little friend. "You're alright now. He won't hurt you anymore." She gently stroked his curly brown head, trying to sooth him. Merry sat beside them, trying to comfort his best friend. Aurora began to softly hum a lullaby, and soon, Pippin's breathing grew shallow and even as he drifted back to sleep. Aurora carefully laid him down and covered him with his blanket. Merry promised to stay with him, and Aurora rose and turned to Gandalf.
"What happened?" she asked. "How did he get ahold of that thing?"
"His curiosity, it would seem, got the better of him once again." Gandalf replied quietly.
Later that morning, after breakfast, the Fellowship met in the main hall to discuss their next plan of action. "Pippin saw was what Sauron has planned in the future. His armies will soon march on Minas Tirith." Gandalf began. "Thankfully, the Enemy did not get anything from Pippin." Gandalf decided that Gondor must be warned of the eminent attack as soon as possible, so he would take Shadowfax and ride to Minas Tirith to raise the alarm. "And I won't be going alone." He concluded, looking at Pippin.
"Of all the curious hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst!" Gandalf growled as he led the way to the stables. The others were trailing behind.
"You always have to look; why do you always have to look?" Merry asked, exasperated.
"I'm sorry. I just can't help myself." Pippin replied.
"You never can."
"Look, I'm sorry, Merry." Pippin said as they entered the stable.
"Three hundred lives of men I have lived, and now I have no time." Gandalf remarked as he mounted the white stallion, Shadowfax. Aragorn set Pippin up in front of Gandalf.
The young hobbit looked scared. "You're coming too, aren't you, Merry?"
Merry sadly shook his head. Just then, Aurora came dashing in, wearing her Elvish tunic and cloak once more.
"Let me come with you, Gandalf." she begged. Boromir started to protest, but Aurora stopped him. "I can't explain it, but I feel like I should be go , that I have to go with them." She said. "Besides, this will give me the opportunity to meet your father." She grinned mischievously.
"Then I will go too." He replied.
"No, Boromir, your horse will never keep up with Shadowfax. Your place is here with the others." Aurora answered.
Boromir sighed. "You're probably right." He quickly took her up in his arms. "I will miss you, dearest." He murmured.
"And I'll miss you." She whispered tearfully. "I love you, Boromir."
"And I, you, Aurora." he replied. Giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, Aurora slung her small bag, quiver and bow over her shoulder and mounted up behind Gandalf. The wizard urged the horse forward and they rode out of Edoras like a gale. Aurora turned in her seat for a last look at the man she loved.
Well, there it is. I hope you like it. I know it's really short for me, but with packing up for college, I don't have the time that I usually do. I do hope, however that this is not the last chapter I post before I leave. PLEASE send reviews and comments, I love 'em!