A/N: Thank you Frodo's Sister for reviewing. You made me so happy; you're my first reviewer! :)
Also: This chapter is from the POV of the other members of the Fellowship.
Aragorn was restless. Frodo and Sam weighed heavily on his mind as he rode to the Black Gate for the battle that would either end in the obliteration of all the good of Middle Earth or the destruction of the evil of Sauron. He hoped that Frodo and Sam would be able to destroy the Ring in time. Next to him, Legolas nodded to him. After being friends for so long, he could sense when Aragorn was worried about something. He gently guided the horse closer to Aragorn.
"Do not worry, Aragorn. We cannot control what is about to happen," Legolas advised. Truthfully, Aragorn was not worried so much about the battle. He was more concerned about Frodo and Sam. How would they survive the journey back out of Mordor, even if they destroyed the Ring in time to save the soldiers in battle at the Black Gate? Aragorn gave a weak smile to the elf.
"I know."
"Are you worried about those that left?" said Legolas, referring to the soldiers who had become fearful of the evil menace of Mordor, which had been nothing but children's stories until recently. A number of them had made their doubts and fears known, and Aragorn allowed them to leave to try and retake other areas of Gondor's realm. They praised Aragorn's mercifulness at giving them a task that they felt would be possible. This left the army with far less men to fight than hoped.
"Yes, but not overmuch. There's not much we can do about it now. I am more worried about Frodo and Sam. And Pippin here," Aragorn replied. He glanced at Pippin, who was riding just behind him.
"Those hobbits…I am happy to have met them. They are strong though. They will be able to complete their task if all goes well," Legolas said fondly. "I am glad that Faramir was able to meet them and help them. I do not know how Frodo and Sam could possibly make it without the extra food and water he gave them," Legolas said. Aragorn nodded.
"I know, but that Gollum is with them. He worries me. He is treacherous."
"And so is the Ring," Legolas said sadly.
"Strider?" A weak voice from behind him broke him out of his reflection. Pippin was looking up at Aragorn, with determination in his eyes.
"Yes, Pippin?" Aragorn replied. "Pippin must feel so alone without Merry here with him," Aragorn mused to himself.
"I was wondering… I mean…Could I stay next to you during the battle? I mean in the front? Everyone seems to think that I should stay towards the back. But how can I fight with everyone in front of me?" Pippin pleaded. Aragorn sighed. Pippin obviously wanted to be as heroic as his cousin Merry.
"Pippin-"Aragorn began, about to refuse, but Gandalf cut him off.
"Yes, I think that is a good idea," Gandalf said, as if it was the final decision.
"Gandalf… I don't know. I don't want Pippin to be injured during the battle. And his height may be a serious disadvantage…" Aragorn started. Pippin now rode up next to Aragorn.
"No it's not. Boromir even said it would be an advantage to me because I can move quicker. Plus, my enemies might underestimate me. I can take them by surprise," Pippin rambled on in his defense. Gimli then piped up.
"Aragorn, Pippin is not much shorter than I am and you do not order me to stay in the back. I would have thought that you would not doubt the strength of the hobbits after what you have seen them do." Aragorn thought back to Weathertop, Moria, and all the other instances when the hobbits had shown their courage. He looked at Gandalf, who nodded with a smile.
"Alright Pippin. It seems that I am overruled," Aragorn told Pippin. Pippin smiled, his gratefulness obvious. He nodded to Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf in thanks for taking his side. Aragorn smiled too. Sometimes the hobbits reminded him so much of children.
"Pippin," Aragorn said sternly. "You must stay close to me, or to Gandalf, or Legolas and Gimli. Your size may give you an advantage when fighting, but it may be hard to find you because of your height."
"I understand," Pippin said seriously. "I will stay by you." He went back to riding behind Aragorn, and became lost in thought.
"Hobbits. They always seem to get their way," Aragorn said, smiling.
"Pippin, I think, asks this for love of Frodo and Sam. Pippin has never failed to show his devotion to them," Gandalf said seriously. Aragorn nodded again at Gandalf's wise words.
"Gandalf, can you tell if Frodo and Sam are close to completing their task? Or if they are even alive?" Aragorn asked.
"They are beyond my sight," Gandalf said, sighing.
The army continued to ride. It grew eerily silent; even the birds made no noise. The fear of the entire army seemed to grow with every step closer they came to Mordor.
That night, they made camp, and everyone fell into a restless sleep. Aragorn, however, could not fall asleep. He sat outside his tent, keeping alive a small fire, in the same way he often did when journeying with the four hobbits together to Rivendell. Legolas joined him silently about dawn. As an elf, he did not feel the need to sleep as often, so he joined Aragorn in his watch. The two did not speak, taking comfort in the other's mere presence.
Aragorn was able to begin riding the next day fairly early. They reached the Black Gate at about noon. No one was there. Not a single orc could be seen on the Gate. Aragorn feared some evil trap. As the army made preparations for the battle, Aragorn felt a sense of doom. He feared that no one would be coming back from this battle.
TBC
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