Chapter 11

After she had cried until she had no more tears, Elena stood up and

wiped her eyes. She took the soiled ribbon and tied it around the

end of her braid. She had a job to do. First she needed to find a

position for Pippin. Something that would keep him out of trouble.
An idea came to her and she hurried to Faramir's room. After

several hours of searching she found his old uniform. She held it to
her heart and hugged it. How many times had she seen Faramir

wear this, when they were younger, when Faramir was a part of the

Tower Guard. She always thought he looked so handsome in this

uniform. She hurried to the tower where Mithrandir and Pippin had

taken residence. She knocked and the door which was swung open

by Pippin.

"My lady," he greeted her bowing. "Are you feeling better?" She

smiled down at him.

"I am, young Peregrin. Thank you. Please call me Elena"

"Well in that case you must call me Pippin." Elena's grin widened.

"I have found a position for you, Pippin." The hobbit looked up at

her curiously.

"A position"

"You pledged your services to Denethor," she reminded him. "You

were not jestinging were you"

"No, no indeed," Pippin said. "I am ready to do whatever service the
Lord Denethor commands of me"

"Well in that case," Elena said giving him the uniform. "I name thee
Peregrin Took. Guard of the Citadel." Pippin's eyes lit up as he

took the uniform from her.

"I am honored to accept this appointment my...Elena." Elena heard

a snort and looked up saw Mithrandir standing at the window

smoking his pipe. She moved into the room and went to stand with

him. Together they stared at the black mountain. A shiver went up

her back as she looked at it. "It won't be long now," Elena said.

Mithrandir glanced at her. She sighed and turned and left the room.

Restless, she wandered the grounds. How long till Sauron's forces

marched on Minas Tirith? If they were attacked there was no way

they could possibly defend themselves. They did not have enough

men. Those that still guarded the White City were so long bereft of

hope they would never be able to hold thier ground. She pulled the

end of her braid through her fingers feeling the blue ribbon. Was

there any hope at all for any of them? If only Denethor would light

the beacons. Surely, someone would ride to their aid. Surely, this

Aragorn would come to defend the city to which he was heir to the

throne. Suddenly a loud rumble was heard from the south. Elena

turned and saw a horrid light burst from the Cirith Ungol, lair of

the nazgul.

"It's begun," she said to herself. She spent the last hours of the night
trying to keep her people calm. It was no easy task, keeping others

calm when her own heart was pounding in her chest.

"My lady," Beregond, one of the guards addressed her. "Your father
has locked himslef in his study. He will do nothing to make the city
safe. My lady if Osgilliath falls the armies of Mordor will march on

this city and kill all in their path"

"I know this, Beregond," Elena snapped. "What would you have me
do"

"Elena," Beregond addressed her gently. "You are the daughter of

the steward. The men respect you and love you as they do your

brothers. If you command them, they will follow you"

"How can I command them, Beregond?" she demanded. "I am not a

soldier." The little sword fighting Boromir had taught her when she
was younger was not going to stop the armies of Mordor.

"We must light the beacons," Beregond said. "We must send for

aid." Elena nodded and looked toward the beacons. Her eyes

widened as she spotted a small form climbing up to the tower. She

moved forward and saw to her astonishment that it was Pippin. Her
heart soared as she saw him light the beacon. She hurried forward,

the sounds of people calling out that the beacons were lit echoing

behind her. She met Mithrandir's eye and smiled.

"Hope is rekindled," he said to her.

"Will Theoden come to our aid?" she asked desperately.

"Courage is the best weapon we have right now."