"What is it? Is there a problem with the elves?" Srani said above the clamor wishing for the noise to end…
Aragorn smiled and raised a hand asking for quiet so he and Legolas could explain the sudden meeting.
"Just a short while ago, Legolas and I were visited by the elf-maiden Elwing. She is Lord Elrond's mother and she told us of the mass of Elves waiting in Middle Earth. Lady Elwing also told us that the army isn't able to sail across the seas to Alagaesia because all of their ships lie in the Grey Havens so they are stuck at the shores waiting," Aragorn informed the group grimly waiting to explain how they would deliver the army here until the time was right.
"Well what are we going to do? We can not contend against the vast army of Gallbatorix without the Middle Earthien's help!" King Orrin shouted over the rising noise looking helplessly at Nusuada who nodded her agreement.
Legolas grinned at Aragorn knowing that he holding back the one vital piece of information Lady Elwing had told them. The Dúnedain caught his look but luckily none of the others did, since they would take it is as a smug look of arrogance from an elf of Middle Earth.
"You still have the help of the Ellesmeran elves at your command," Queen Islandzi said from her seat by the King.
"Yes but we are still outnumbered. Gallbatorix has mustered every man in his lands to fight us, the Dwarves and Urgals are in the Varden at the moment and scouts tell us that the army will arrive in four days," King Orrin shouted as the noise again began to rise.
"You have two at best," Legolas answered causing everyone in the room to look at him in horror. Legolas noticed that several of the human's faces paled considerably.
"Well that's that then…we can not hope to defeat the King. We will be destroyed and the elves of Ellesmera with us," Nusuada said quietly letting Eragon see the stressed teenager that lay beneath the folds of nobility.
"There is still hope. Elwing informed us that there was one way to bring all of the elves from Middle Earth to Alagaesia," Aragorn said pulling back into the cloak a servant had brought him to hide his grin.
"Lord Aragorn that is impossible, they are a sea away!" Eragon said in disbelief trying hard to keep the child in him tucked away where only Saphira could see it.
Eragon felt something brush against his arm and he looked down to see Pippin's face suddenly ashen and his eyes wide. Frodo and Merry were immediately at his side while Sam and Sméagol stood by ready to lend aid where it was needed. Pippin's face looked up at him and a downpour of fear flashed across his eyes, in that moment Eragon understood what was needed.
"I will do it. Pippin nearly died he can't perform it again," Eragon said quietly as he pulled Pippin into a reassuring hug knowing what was scaring his student so badly.
"You brought us to Mandos's Halls and you were barely able to rise from your Dragon's saddle. Pippin has managed this feat and his strength has been growing. He is the one who must perform the spell," Aragorn said hating himself when he saw the obvious terror in the young Hobbit's eyes.
"Strider, we almost lost him! You can't seriously expect him to do that again!" Sam argued hearing the almost inaudible gasp from the Took.
"Is it possible for us both to perform it? I can take half and Pippin can have the rest," Eragon begged grasping for straws to save his student the task.
"You haven't been listening to Aragorn you thick-headed boy. You can not even get to Middle Earth let alone send the elves and yourself back," Gandalf chastised as the entire room grew quiet at his insult
"How dare you speak to a Dragon Rider that way, especially Eragon Shadeslayer?" Srani shouted leaping to his feet his sword drawn on the old Wizard even before the words left his mouth.
"Sword-Master Srani, calm yourself," Queen Islandzi instructed staring coolly at the Istari across the room who was fingering his staff idly as he watched the blade pointed at his throat.
"You wouldn't dare to strike a servant of the Valinor, one whose heart is still pure and light. To do so would be a curse on you and your house that would remain for a millennium and more, don't doubt that I have power none of you have ever imagined," Gandalf threatened his eyes knitting together and his voice showing how much power was beneath the folds and winkles of the old man.
Gandalf had to give the elf before him credit, where several others would have been intimidated, Srani never allowed a flicker of doubt to flash through his eyes. Gandalf sighed and leaned on his staff propping him to a standing position.
Aragorn pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to end the headache that was advancing as everyone watched the growing tension between the two standing figures.
"May we please return to the matter at hand? We already have a battle to plan, I don't wish for battles to break out among allies," Eragon said grabbing Srani by the shoulder and maneuvering him back into his seat as Gandalf thankfully took his own.
"As I was saying before I was interrupted, it would be suicide for you to attempt this Lord Eragon," Gandalf said putting emphasis on the last part mush to the satisfaction of the elves.
"But you would willingly sacrifice Pippin?" Frodo asked from his cousin's side, blushing as everyone focused their attention on him.
"I believe that young Peregrin here would be capable of this task. Mandos assured me of his powers when he told us the payment for Pippin's life," Gandalf answered trying not to think to hard on the hard look Frodo was giving him.
Everyone who had been present in Mandos's Halls grew very sober as they remembered the life of one of them that would be needed for Pippin's to continue. Those who had not grew quiet as the tension in the room returned although this time it was not so obvious.
"I will do it if no one else is able," Pippin whispered from within his friend's arms his face still pale and his eyes resembling a scared warrior who had finally found something worth fighting for, however tenuous.
"Pippin you can't! You almost died!" Eragon shouted distressed that actions were now leaving his control and that he may not have a pupil before to long.
Pippin stared at him and in that look Eragon saw all the horrors he went through during the War of the Ring. Eragon saw the being who was nearly ten years older then him, and in that moment Eragon would never again see his student as the young light-hearted Hobbit Eragon had always seen him as.
"Please Master; we need the army of the elves if we hope to see the Dragon Riders in their glory again. They can't get here if a sacrifice isn't made, whether my strength, or my life it is worth the risk," Pippin said looking at his teacher strangely as though he had finally accepted all the repulsion in the world.
Eragon couldn't find anything to say in response and the silence in the room stretched on as everyone realized what this would cost the two Dragon Riders.
"I will do it immediately, we need the elves here as soon as possible," Pippin said before he took a deep breath and seemed to have an idea spring upon him, "Just one thing. Merry, would you come with me? I think I'll need someone with me."
Merry nodded encouragingly and gave his cousin's shoulder a hard squeeze trying to convey all the love and proudness he felt for his younger cousin. Aragorn and Gandalf shared a glance and they seemed to understand the fear in the other's glance, their love for Pippin was that strong.
"Now laddy, there's no need to rush things. We can spare the time to allow you to at least know where you're going to magic yourself off to," Gimli advised the young Hobbit from where he was sitting beside Orik.
"And Eragon, you don't have to worry so much. I barely know Peregrin and I'm certain that he's capable," Orik continued turning on his friend and clan brother reading the apprehension beneath his brown eyes.
Aragorn nodded as he saw a hint of color and barely concealed reliefs flush into Pippin's face. He was sure that Pippin was not looking forward to repeating an experience that had nearly cost him his life.
"Go and get ready young Hobbit. You and Meriadoc will travel to Middle Earth in two hours," King Orrin ordered and everyone got to their feet.
"Pippin, I would advise you and Merry to wear the armor given to you while in the service of Rohan and Gondor," Aragorn suggested clapping a hand on their backs as they nodded in agreement, "Good, now go rest and get some food before the big journey."
Pippin walked calmly from the room with Merry by his side watching for the moment he knew was coming like only a family member could. As soon as Pippin walked into his room and closed the door, preventing others from seeing, he collapsed on his bed and began sobbing and shaking.
"I can't do it Merry, I'm too afraid," Pippin sobbed into his cousin's shoulder as Merry came over.
"You will do it because you have to. Not because you want to, not because it's fun, but because if you do not find a way no one will (courtesy of Galadriel form FOTR) and Gallbatorix will hunt down and kill Mor'Khemir and Saphira," Merry comforted knowing that his cousin needed reason not moping.
It took several minutes before Pippin's sobbing reduced to the occasional gasp of breath and a hiccup. Finally he sat up right and crawled to the edge of the bed rifling through the trunk that held all of the possessions he had brought from Middle Earth. Merry followed suit and leaped over to his trunk where he pulled out his outfit as an Esquire of Rohan.
Pippin, likewise, whipped out his Guard of the Citadel armor and gazed at the White Tree painted onto the front of his armor. His mind flashed briefly to the day he watched Denethor attempt to burn Faramir and himself alive, succeeding halfway. Then he was back in the room of Surda with his cousin beside him dressing in the outfit of Rohan.
As one they drew their daggers and began running their whetstones along the edges of Rohan and Gondor blades. Pippin also sharpened Ksh'dagnir and slung the dagger beside the Gondorian blade.
"Come on Pippin, let's go get some food," Merry suggested walking towards the door with his faithful cousin behind him.
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