(A/N: I'm so sorry for the major chapter spam again ;-; but I promise to do it again, because I'm getting too into the story. Please enjoy and feel free to review ^.^)
Rune sat, slumped forward in the white wicker chair, holding her head in her hands. Gandalf stood on the balcony overlooking the Great City. Pippin began to carefully lay out a small uniform normally worn by the royal guard on a bed.
"So, I imagine this is just a ceremonial position…I mean, they do not actually expect me to find, do they?" Pippin asked worriedly, looking at Gandalf with conformation.
"You are in the service of the Steward now – you are going to have to do as you are told, Peregrin Took.." Gandalf answered, muttering something under his breath that Rune hadn't quite caught. She raised her head and looked at the hobbit.
"My father has lost both his wife and my brother, although their deaths have been at least thirty years a part, both are fresh in his mind, and when we came back, and did not tell him immediately of Boromir's death, he is going to be drowned in grief. He will make Pippin fight to his last breath." Pippin looked at her frightened and she smiled softly at him. "Do not worry Pippin, I will speak with my brother, hopefully there is a loophole." Pippin looked at her, before rushing over and hugging her tightly.
"I am really sorry, Rune. It is my fault, if I had just stayed quiet…" She patted his head gently.
"It is all right Pippin, but I will go and see if Faramir is around now, hopefully I will find him before dark." She parted with him, before exiting the room.
Xxx
By the time Rune had returned to their quarters, the night sky was dark, she had no luck in finding Faramir and all her hopes had gone. She knocked lightly on the door before opening it. She walked in and closed it quietly, she could see Gandalf standing once again on the balcony, Pippin beside him, looking up at the vast sky. Rune walked toward them, standing beside Pippin and grasping the cool white stone of the balcony.
"It is so quiet." Pippin whispered, Gandalf looked down at the hobbit as Rune placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"It is the deep breath before the plunge." Gandalf told them both. Pippin looked at both his companions worriedly.
"I do not want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of one I cannot escape is even worse," he tensed up as he looked into the distance. "Is there any hope, Gandalf – for Frodo and Sam?" Pippin asked the wizard, Gandalf joined Pippin as they looked towards the distant jagged mountains of Mordor. Gandalf seemed dazed as he answered.
"There never was much hope." Pippin looked up at him, unnerved. Gandalf game him a small self-deprecating smile. "Just a fool's hope." Rune glared at Gandalf and squeezed Pippin's shoulder lightly.
"Our enemy is almost ready, his full strength gathered. Not only Orcs, but men as well." Gandalf's voice was grim and Rune shuddered as she thought about it. "Legions of Hardrim from the South, Mercenaries from the cost. All will answer Mordor's call." Gandalf seemed to only talk to himself, like a man unable to prevent a sure disaster. "This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at Osgiliath falls, the last defence of the city will be gone." Pippin, desperately seeking assurance looked at Gandalf.
"But we have the White Wizard. That is got to count for something." Gandalf looked down at the little hobbit who looked at the Wizard like a lost child. "Gandalf?" He asked him nervously. Gandalf stared into the distance as if seeing something in his mind's eye.
"Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant. The one who will lead Mordor's armies in war, the one they say no living man can kill." Gandalf still stared intently as if facing his enemy in person, Rune looked at him worriedly. "The witchking of Angmar.." Rune gulped, looking carefully.
"I have read about him." Rune whispered as Gandalf nodded, it was known for the people of Gondor to keep books stacked of their history, including the history of the lands around them. Gandalf looked at Pippin.
"You have met him before…" Rune looked at Gandalf, almost afraid to ask how the little hobbit could have met someone so gruesome. "He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop." Pippin blanched at the reminder. "He is the Lord of the Nazgul – the greatest of the nine, and Minas Morgul is his lair." Gandalf tone was soon deadly. Rune looked at Pippin and steered him away from facing Mordor and brought him to the west side of the balcony.
"I know you cannot see it," she began, looking far into the distance, "but when the sun is up, you can see Belegaer, the sea. When I was younger, I used to dream I would get out of Gondor, and be free from my father's cruelty. I would dream I would sail across Belegaer, and find my true love. I never thought I would die within these walls. But I am drawn here I suppose, like a moth to a flame." Rune muttered, touching the cool stone wall. Pippin looked up at Rune and touched her arm lightly.
"Do not worry, I will not let you die here. Frodo and Sam will destroy the ring before that happens." Rune smiled down at Pippin who was trying to reassure her. He had so much hope for his friends. She just hopped it was true and they would come back, the Ring destroyed and both the hobbits safe.
Xxx
Rune ran towards Bergo, watching as the beacons were lit. She clambered onto her horse knowing that Pippin and Gandalf had done their part of the plan. She took a hold of Bergos' reins and sat up straight.
"Okay, Bergo, let us meet them at the Great Gate." She urged the horse forward, letting it gain speed and gallop out into the streets. She picked up speed, forcing people to move out her way as Bergo jumped over large objects that got in his way. They hurried down the many levels, rounding the corner at the moment the Great Gates were opened. Gandalf and Pippin were the first she noticed to enter, the survivors of Osgiliath survivors rode in, Rune sat on Bergo, her eyes wide at the wounded soldiers, too many for her to count. Gandalf pulled Shadowfax up to a particular soldier, who looked at Gandalf in awe.
"Mithrandir!" The soldier steered his horse through the crowd towards Gandalf. "They broke through are defences. They have taken the bridge and the West Bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the River." Rune recognised the voice of the soldier and her eyes widened as she looked at him. It could not have been him and yet she was so sure of it.
"It is as the Lord Denethor predicted – long has he foreseen this doom!" Rune looked at the man she recognised as Torlas and narrowed her eyes, he was defending her father, a man who wouldn't even defend his own people.
"Foreseen and done nothing!" Gandalf shouted. The soldier suddenly stared at Pippin. Gandalf read the surprise in his eyes.
"Faramir?" This is not the first Halfling to have crossed your path…" Gandalf spoke calmly. Rune bit on her lower lip to conceal her gasp, she had been right on her the soldier was. Her brother shook his head.
"No." He said softly. Pippin looked at Faramir in disbelief.
"You have seen Frodo and Sam?" Pippin questioned Faramir who nodded his head slowly. Gandalf looked at him slightly shocked.
"Where? When?" The wizard asked, Faramir sighed, running his hand through his dirty blond hair.
"In Ithillien, not two days ago. Gandalf – they are taking the road to the Morgul Vale." Gandalf looked shocked as he realised what Faramir's words meant.
"…And the Pass of Cirith Ungol." Rune caused Bergo to move forward, so she was now closer to Gandalf. Pippin looked at the wizard, to the soldier confused.
"What does that mean? What is wrong?" Pippin questioned both, seeking the answers desperately.
"Faramir…tell me everything!" Gandalf ordered urgently. Rune moved forward so she now stood in full view of Faramir, whose eyes flickered to her in shock. He looked her up and down, she appeared older than when her journey began, more warn. He had barely recognised her, if she had stayed further back, he probably would have glossed over her.
"Rune?" He breathed out, looking at his sister who leaped from her horse and stood in front of him. Her sword that was sheathed in black leather hit against her thigh.
"Hello brother." She grinned, running towards him, and pouncing on him, hugging him tightly.