A/N:
Thanks to shinigamigymnast13 for adding Athélèrn Ithilrim into favorites! YEY!
I hope I haven't gone too artistic at the start of this chap, so that you end up reading total gibberish! Tell me if so ;) But hopefully it shall shed a slight light to Shakiiya's thoughts, and maybe answer some inner questions you might have...
'shrug'
Phrases written with italics; Elvish or Athélèrn
Phrases written with bold; thoughts
Shakiiya walked through the now empty, cold halls. The whole town had finally fallen into deep sleep, her being one exception. And that was why when all others were asleep in their beds, she wandered around the Golden Hall wakeful. Something keeping the tiredness at bay, and prevented her from resting.
Her footsteps echoed in the corridors, and she soon came to the throne room. She noticed Éowyn, who had fallen asleep on the couch next to the fireplace, and she smiled as passed her. But then Shakiiya sighed and continued walking through the room to the twin doors which led outside, quietly opening and closing them after herself.
Shakiiya felt the chill of the night bite her skin, as she walked to the farthest edge of the ledge. Gazing down the said sleeping houses and the lands around the city in the twilight of the early morning, which still lingered at the night side. It would be some time before the sun would rise. But even a lot of things which had happened only in these past few days had stolen a lot of sleep from her, for some reason she indeed did not feel herself tired even now.
Sighing again Shakiiya stopped, crossing her arms over her chest. Even it was over wintertime, the spring was still shy, and the remaining cold breeze clung to her hem and hair as a memento of the previous cold months. Everything was so quiet...
After all that time she had left her village, her mind finally ended up recalling her home and her blood-sisters. Her own sister... What were they doing and how were they? Shakiiya could not deny the every day growing longing toward the place she had been born and raised at, even it was not the first time she had been gone over two months. But this was different now, as she did not know where her path would take her, and where she would find herself later. And Shakiiya could not escape the question which inevitably formed in her. How long would she stay here and not go back there where she belonged?
Though when she now tried to imagine what would happen next, and which turn this war would take, determining her and all futures of the people of Middle-Earth in case the evil would be destroyed once and for all... she now remembered one possible future which had showed itself to her, when she had laid wounded in the infirmary of Meduseld. Once again recalling that peculiar dream with mixed feelings, Shakiiya let her eyes wander, as she actually considered the possibility would she dare to gather the courage needed to follow that path. Allow the needed change to happen, and become someone she wasn't. Someone Legolas had said to see her as.
But then like many times before, she only shook her head in denial. No, that path was lost to her. Too rough for her to follow. It had been nothing but a weak reflection of a tiny trace of hope which had formed in her heart, created by fever, shown in a form of a ludicrous dream. But she could not escape the fact that she had lost herself, feeling so convoluted, that for the first time in her long life she was actually confused. And this feeling was the exact thing she had always tried to avoid to face.
Shakiiya gasped as she suddenly felt something warm being wrapped around her, breaking her train of thought. She opened her eyes and saw a familiar pale hand, now pulling away from her arm. Shakiiya lifted her head.
"You are not sleeping?" she questioned, turning her eyes forward again. She heard a soft laugh behind her.
"What about you?" Legolas asked back, now standing next to her. Shakiiya glanced at him and saw his eyes look at her under his hood. The air was truly colder, if even Legolas had put on a cloak. Shakiiya made a brief sideways smile, turning away.
"Couldn't sleep. I have been wandering like a restless owl these last hours", Shakiiya answered, pulling the covers tighter around herself. Legolas examined her.
"Why is that?" he inquired. Shakiiya turned her head a little to his direction.
"Why are you not sleeping?" she asked in turn, bypassing his question. Legolas' gaze dropped momentarily.
"I am restless as well", he replied truthfully, Shakiiya nodding. But she said nothing.
They were silent for a moment until Legolas stole a peek at her, eventually sighing after a moment of hesitation. He looked at Shakiiya now serious.
"Have I angered you?" he queried. "Please, if I have tell me how. This doubt has bothered me for days, ever since we returned from Helm's Deep."
Shakiiya sighed lightly and her eyes closed briefly, eventually her looking down. Legolas stared at her patiently, waiting for her answer, while Shakiiya thought a moment before spoke.
"You have not angered me", she responded, Legolas feeling relief, and there was a faint smile on his lips. Until he then turned questionable when Shakiiya continued. She straightened, now shaking her head. "I just haven't understood you lately, even once I thought I could", she added.
Legolas lifted his brows in confusion. But then after another pause Shakiiya finally turned to him, meeting his eyes a serious, now questionable look in hers.
"I have been thinking about this more than I should have let to affect me..." she said, then letting out a breath frowning. "Why did you kill him?" she then queried in turn.
Legolas froze baffled, examining Shakiiya for a moment. What did she mean? Killed who...?
But then Legolas remembered. And that look she had given him right after he had shot Gríma at Isengard now explained itself to him. But though he now understood the reason to all his wariness, when it had come to Shakiiya's odd behavior during these past few days, he still looked at her in honest confusion.
"You mean Gríma?" Legolas inquired. Shakiiya didn't reply to this either, but her expression told the answer to him. She was very serious.
"Why did you kill him, Legolas?" she did then ask after a moment again, taking a step closer to him. "What reason had you to shoot him?"
Legolas hesitated for a moment before answered, wrinkling his brows. "He was Saruman's henchman", he remarked. "He had done a lot of ruin to Rohan and its people under the orders of Saruman. Can you say he did not deserve death?"
"Not by your hand", Shakiiya said, then closing her eyes again briefly. "Yes, he was a worthless man. He was evil in his own way, and Saruman's servant, ready to follow his words in order to bring misfortune to others... But that does not mean he did deserve to die, Legolas. Because if he did, we would not be any different from him, you and I. Exact same words could be said about us as well. You have taken lives, Legolas, as have I. But still we are not accused of those deeds, and considered evil by others."
Legolas gasped as he heard Shakiiya's argument. She now let her serious eyes drop and she turned to stare to the distance again, removing the blanket he had covered her with.
"Gríma had his own crimes, and I as well despised him for what he did in the past... Still do", Shakiiya continued. "But back at Isengard when I saw him being humiliated and treated cruelly by Saruman, who was supposed to be his ally... the person he could count on, something changed in me. I felt only pity for him. He was after all not a free man, but shackled to Saruman and dependent by only his orders. And that is why he killed him. He killed Saruman to gain that freedom he longed to have..."
Legolas felt a sting of shame as he stared at Shakiiya. There was truly pity on her face, and Legolas understood what she meant. Starting to finally outline why she had been acting so weird toward him all this time. He now saw the whole perspective of the situation, and took a step closer to her.
"You find me killing him unjust", Legolas specified, getting a confirmation from Shakiiya's expression.
"He was what he was, but still only a used wretch, who could have started a new. He had a change to start over, better his wrongs. He could have been pardoned, as king Théoden saw the same goodness deep within him that I in the end felt was in him. But what I cannot understand is why you had to shoot that arrow, Legolas."
"Forgive me. I did not know I made you feel such", Legolas bidded, looking truly regretful and worried. "Forgive me Shakiiya. Forgive me for my lack of judgment..."
"There's nothing for me to forgive!" Shakiiya said, now meeting the Elf's gaze again after a long time. She shook her head slightly. "I just could not understand your actions. Still cannot... And even though it might seem folly to you as a person I am, I like not to kill for nothing. I do not see killing as right, but as a bad scenario. Though trained for it, I kill only when I have to. Not because it feels right... Even the hate I felt toward Saruman made me once talk against my own better judgment, as the loss of Aragorn made me too act out before I thought."
Legolas now did remember the moment at the cliff after the attack of the Warg-riders. Recalling how Shakiiya had mutilated that one Orc, before throwing it into the stream. But he couldn't say anything in response. He just stared into Shakiiya's eyes frozen, regretful. He was ashamed, and would've wanted to avoid the gaze of her irises if he could've turned his own away. Legolas knew she spoke the truth, though she wasn't blaming him for anything. He could as well see that in those brown irises he was forced to stare into. He then bowed his head, looking truly mortified.
"Only thing that I can say, is that at the time shooting that arrow felt right", he said, soon lifting his gaze. "But now you have made me understand my judgment to have been too light. You are right. No lives should be taken, if there is another better option to consider. Forgive me my volatility, Shakiiya."
Shakiiya turned to Legolas, seeing his true shame written all over his face. She then sighed, lifting his jaw and gave him slight smile. "I am glad you understand me", she admitted. "Because a question whether you saw it just or not, has been bothering me for these last days, and made me think of your earlier words... Made me think did I truly know you as I thought I did... But in the very end as you can find, neither am I perfect."
Shakiiya now looked down smiling, letting her hand drop, and now she only stood still for a long time. Just staring forward, unreadable expression taken over her demeanor, the breeze pushing her locks out of her face. Few strands of hair losing their way and playing around her features. Legolas examined her in thoughts as well, until then after a moment leant to take the blanket from Shakiiya. Placing it back on her shoulders while smiled sarcastically.
"This will be of little avail to you, if you don't use it", he stated, that smile in his voice too. Shakiiya smiled back.
"I do not want to be dependent on anyone", she answered simply in her habitual manner, giving Legolas a brief look. He nodded.
"I know that."
Legolas then made apologetic face. "I am sorry I did not dance with you", he said once again half sarcastic, meeting Shakiiya's now surprised gaze, tilting his head. "Though I would have been far in line, as there were so many men chasing you the whole night..."
Shakiiya let out a deep sigh of frustration. "You noticed?"
"I did. There was no one who wouldn't have noticed you."
Shakiiya froze briefly, giving Legolas subtle examining look until smirked amused. "And I am sorry that I did not have a drink with you, Legolas", she remarked then changing the subject, turning her head around. "Thought I would have been far in line, as you were so busy with the drinking contest..."
Legolas looked actually embarrassed as he now met Shakiiya's hinting gaze. She directed amused look at his hands.
"How are your fingers? Still any tingle?" she teased, then laughing at Legolas' expression. "I wonder what your father would say about your drinking habits..."
Legolas gave her a slight squint until suddenly grinned, grabbing Shakiiya and hoisting her up on his shoulder. She had bewildered look on her face, until it turned only into annoyance.
"What are you doing?" she demanded with that familiar strict voice. "Legolas, let me down! This is childish, and I will not tolerate it!"
"Is it?" the Elf inquired only amused, giving Shakiiya a playful look. She now squinted, tilting her head.
"I warned you."
"You did not."
Shakiiya stared at him. Until made a sudden smirk, Legolas now noting that surprising flicker of mirth in her eyes.
"Yes... I didn't", she agreed.
Shakiiya then heaved her legs up, surprising Legolas as made a volt backwards over his shoulder. She landed behind him, and quickly then made him trip and Legolas fell down in shock. Only to have quite smug looking Shakiiya sit on him. Legolas stared at her in surprise as Shakiiya only smiled down at him, tilting her head once more, reminding much of her pet hawk while doing it.
"It seems the tables have turned", Shakiiya stated, then straightening. "You should know as well by know that you cannot surprise me."
Shakiiya then frowned, as instead of accepting his defeat Legolas now smirked in turn.
"You think?" he queried. But then Shakiiya was indeed surprised as he quickly sat up, pushing forward so that Shakiiya made a somersault backwards, now only to have him land on her. This time the Elf smiling contended in his upperhand, grasping Shakiiya's said hands under his to lock her still. Shakiiya blinked in confusion and stared at Legolas. He grinned in triumph.
"I reckon this doesn't happen to you often, concluding by your expression?" he asked looking victorious, Shakiiya once more glancing him on top of herself, until she sighed. Resting her head on the stone floor her eyes closed. And instead of pummeling his arrogance out of him, which would've been probable in such situation, she smiled. Neither shoving him away.
"Not so often", she admitted, then sighing again her eyes still closed. "But this is indeed childish."
Legolas smiled still in amusement, Shakiiya then opening her eyes again to look into his, Legolas letting out a slow breath. He was fully aware how his fingers lingered on the backs of her hands, not wanting to move away. As didn't he, when finally a moment was at hand that Shakiiya was defeated. So close...
But Shakiiya now broke their stare, turning her head to the right to look at the sky. "There are no stars tonight", she stated, surprising Legolas until he also looked to the lightening sky, lifting himself half up. Shakiiya let out a breath.
"The real reason I came out here tonight, was to have some answers from the sky possibly. But I do not see the moon either", she said.
"That's not true", Legolas contradicted, making Shakiiya frown, until she then only froze due his next words when she felt his eyes move back to her. The strong stare of the blue irises feeling like burning a hole in her.
"I see it right here. Right below me", Legolas said, his voice now lowering and he indeed stared at Shakiiya again. Once more only partly aware of his actions as was led by his instincts alone, which had proved to be quite a problem for him nowadays while close to Shakiiya. And this was just it. He was too close due of his own craze...
Shakiiya felt some kind of odd fright deep in her, as she first was afraid to meet Legolas' eyes. But the curiosity then took the best of her, and she turned to look at him. His words echoing in her head, as she next knew not completely either what they were exactly doing.
But then a sudden cough awoke their attention, and they whipped their heads around. Only to see Aragorn stand a little farther away, grinning at them, though the slight discomfort was visible in his being. Shakiiya's eyes widened and quickly she sat up, pushing Legolas off herself hastily. Legolas looked embarrassed as well, but hid his feelings by turning around after standing. Now staring to the distance like Shakiiya had done earlier.
Aragorn shook his head amused and then walked forward. Taking the fallen blanket from the ground and gave it to Shakiiya, who avoided his eyes at first.
"Good morning", Aragorn said, smiling and Shakiiya could detect a satisfied hint in it. She smiled, but looked at Aragorn quite sharply.
"Good morning", she answered. "You're awake early."
"So are you."
"Apparently so."
Legolas now glanced toward them, once again being his completely composed self and not that immature Ellon, who had just had a slight wrestle match with Shakiiya. Aragorn sent amused look back at him, until all three of them stared at the surrounding lands in silence.
"The stars are veiled", Legolas then remarked the same as Shakiiya had, thoughtfully. "Something stirs in the east. A sleepless malice..." he glanced at Aragorn. "The Eye of the enemy is moving."
Shakiiya now glanced at the men in her own thoughts, until then took in a deep breath and turned around. Giving the two brief smile as was about to return back inside from the chill. Legolas sent a long stare after her as she walked forward, until in middle of the ledge she froze on her spot. Aragorn and Legolas heard her steps come to a sudden stop, and gave her a questionable look.
"Shakiiya?" Aragorn called, Shakiiya turning her head a little toward the men, but her mind was not with them. It was focused on the presence she felt right now. An evil, dark presence lingering around this place, and which had suddenly appeared out of thin air. Or rather... It sent shivers along her back.
Shakiiya frowned, soon hearing laughter. As dark and evil laughter as the presence. Then she gasped.
"It's Him..." she whispered, Legolas' eyes now widening as well as he turned to Aragorn.
"He is here", he stated tensely, Aragorn getting shocked as both of them then turned.
"Shakiiya!" Aragorn called again. But too late, as she was already running inside. Her figure now vanishing through the doors, the blanket fallen on the ledge where she had dropped it in haste. The men now hurried after her, them now also knowing that something was not right. And Legolas sensed Him. Sauron.
Shakiiya ran past Éowyn toward the room the stone was. Where the palantír was. Because the stone they had brought from Isengard was just that. Shakiiya had heard about the Seeing-stones when she had been a child. But only today Gandalf had revealed that palantír to be one of the last ones still existing. And now, it had invited evil to Edoras. Her heart raced, as he hoped Pippin had nothing to do with this. She reached the right corridor, hurrying to the door.
"Pippin!" she shouted as threw the door open. Stopping in shock, as indeed saw the said Hobbit standing and twisting in agony, while hold the palantír in his hands. The fiery Great Eye of Sauron staring at him from the stone. Pippin now fell on the floor. Shakiiya cringed back due the evil might which spread around the room from the stone, freezing completely for a second.
"Help! Gandalf!" Merry then exclaimed, Gandalf immediately waking up, and he also now watched in fright as Pippin twisted on the floor. Shakiiya took a step forward to yank the stone away, but Gandalf swung his staff against her chest quite violently. Forcing her to retreat.
"Don't touch it!" he shouted, Shakiiya giving him confused look, as Legolas and Aragorn now stormed in. Aragorn of course immediately hurrying to Pippin's aid before Gandalf could stop him.
Aragon grabbed the stone, Pippin falling now relaxed on the floor, but next the stone took a hold of Aragorn. Him then staggering on his feet, twisting under its control his eyes closing. Legolas took a hold of his shoulders, until Aragorn then fell on the ground. The stone prying loose from his grip and starting to roll on the floor.
Shakiiya let out a breath, until rushed to Pippin with Merry. Lifting him on her lap when Gandalf ran after the palantír, throwing a cloth over it. Immediately it stopped moving and the evil retreated, then vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
"Fool of a Took!" Gandalf quipped whipping around. But then his face dropped as he saw Pippin lay still on Shakiiya's lap, staring in front of him in a daze, not responding to Shakiiya's calls or gentle slaps across his cheeks. Shakiiya pushed the curly hair out of the way as touched his forehead. It was cold.
"Pippin?" she called again, trying to grasp his eyes. "Pippin, do you hear me?"
Pippin didn't answer. Just stared blankly ahead, Merry giving a worried look to Shakiiya. Gandalf then rushed to them, shoving Merry away, and Shakiiya looked up to the Wizard as Gandalf now first took a hold of Pippin's left hand. Next placing his palm on his forehead as well.
Shakiiya straightened, frowning. Glancing at Aragorn and Legolas, who were watching the scene in confusion and shock from farther away, as were the three other men at the other side of the room. Awoken by the commotion.
Gandalf pronounced some kind of incantation in his mind, eyes closed in concentration. Shakiiya sighed and smoothed the Hobbit's head, until then relief filled her as Pippin suddenly let out a frightened wail. Blinking his eyes, and finally focused them first on Shakiiya until them moved to Gandalf, wandering a bit. He was scared and very pale.
"Look at me", Gandalf ordered.
"Gandalf... Forgive me..." Pippin sputtered out of breath, looking miserable. Shakiiya sighed again, directing a quick serious gaze at the palantír under the cloth. Pippin closed his eyes until Gandalf's demanding voice made him gasp.
"Look at me. What did you see?" Gandalf then asked.
Pippin closed his eyes again as if not wanting to remember. He gaped, turning his head away until the Wizard made him face himself again. "A tree..." Pippin then revealed. "There was a white tree in a courtyard of stone... It was dead."
Shakiiya gently placed Pippin on the floor as now stood up, measuring the Hobbit with her gaze from above. Pippin looked horrified.
"The city was burning", he continued.
"Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?" Gandalf asked. Shakiiya glanced at Aragorn serious, then slowly tuning her eyes on the palantír again. Her forehead withdrew into a frown without her noticing.
"I saw... I saw Him!" Pippin then stammered, in even greater horror eyes widening. Shakiiya flinched. "I could hear His voice in my head."
"And what did you tell Him? Speak!" Gandalf insisted in sudden panic, making Pippin gasp again due his snap. Pippin gaped more.
"He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me..." he answered.
"What did you tell Him about Frodo and the Ring?" Gandalf inquired urgently, Pippin staring at him in horror. But he didn't get to answer as Shakiiya then walked over to the palantír, kneeling beside it. Legolas flinched.
"Shakiiya no!" he said loudly, taking a stride forth to prevent her, but was too late once again. Shakiiya already placed her hands on the cloth and flipped the stone around, it now resting on her hand and the cloth, to prevent her being controlled by it by direct touch.
Shakiiya stared deep into the core of palantír, the men around them staring at her tensely, Legolas frowning. Gandalf now stood up as Legolas slowly walked over to Shakiiya, kneeling beside her, Shakiiya's eyes not straying from the stone. She felt it. The evil was still inside this object, living in it. And it had worked as a way to Sauron to observe everyone in the room, when He had possessed Pippin. But now He was gone.
Shakiiya flinched, and her brows smoothed as she then felt Legolas' fingers on her palm. She looked up from the stone into his worried eyes.
"You should give the stone to Gandalf", he instructed, staring at Shakiiya remarkably. Shakiiya only sighed and gave the stone one more gaze, then throwing the cloth over it with one swift move. She stood up and handed the palantír to Gandalf.
"Take it. I have no desire to such foul objects to exist, or more to hold them in my hand", Shakiiya said somewhat loathing, Gandalf indeed taking back the Seeing-stone. Shakiiya then looked at Pippin, who still laid on the floor in a daze. And as he then looked at her helpless, miserable and in regret, she gave him a pitying look and crouched now back next to him.
"How do you feel?" she asked. Merry now came to his other side.
"Frightened... and exposed... As if He could just reach His hand and take a hold of me..." Pippin answered, trembling a little. Shakiiya examined him until smiled encouragingly.
"It always feels like that. To be able to feel evil presences, you must expose yourself to fear and pain..." she said. Shakiiya then placed her hand on his to comfort him, but turned back to serious momentarily. "Did you tell Him about Frodo, Pippin?" she then questioned, Pippin and the others freezing. But Pippin then shook his head briskly.
"No. No I didn't!" he insisted, glancing around. "I did not, honest!"
"Alright, good", Shakiiya calmed him, feeling slight relief. "Now when that is clear, should you not try to sleep a little? It would help you."
"I dare not to sleep", Pippin replied scared. "If He comes into my dreams too!"
"I'll stay with you. And Merry as well. We make sure nothing will happen while you sleep", Shakiiya promised, giving Merry a remarkable look. He nodded.
"Yea, Pip. Get some sleep now. We keep an eye on you", also he agreed. Pippin looked relieved and did smile a little, until his eyes did close, and soon he was sound asleep. Shakiiya sighed, pulling a blanket over him. But then she felt Legolas hand on her shoulder.
"Are you alright?" he inquired, Shakiiya smiling up to him.
"I am. I did not even touch the stone", she replied, then first looking at Aragorn and then at Pippin, turning grim. "But Pippin saw Sauron. And he was so frightened..."
Legolas looked at the Hobbit now as well with worried consumed eyes. But Shakiiya then nodded toward the door.
"You go. I'll stay here with him. You must go tell Théoden about this", she said.
"Certainly we have to", Gandalf stated. "None of us will have a wink of sleep any more, and it is almost morning. Let us go to wait for the king to the throne room."
Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf and a couple of other men had gathered into the throne room in the morning, which still was early, even it was around four hours later after the incident with the palantír. But soon after the king had arrived and been briefly informed of what had happened, Shakiiya showed up to the hall. Having both of the Hobbits with her. Gandalf now stepped forth to Théoden.
"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes", he reassured. "Fool. But an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring..."
Pippin looked down ashamed as met Gandalf's glance, Shakiiya giving him one encouraging smile and patted his back. Gimli sighed for relief as Gandalf then continued.
"We've been strangely fortunate", he stated then. "Pippin saw in the palantír a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith."
"But how reliable was that glimpse?" Shakiiya cut in. "Surely Sauron knows the power of palantírs. And this way wouldn't it be probable that He would've known it to be dangerous to take a hold of Pippin through the stone, in risk of revealing part of His plan to the enemy? Is it not possible He let Pippin see only images He picked himself?"
"It is always possible, but an attack to Minas Tirith is very probable and logical for that matter", Gandalf answered. "There lies the greatest might of Men. It would only be reasonable for Him to move against them as quickly as possible."
Shakiiya nodded as Gandalf's attention was turned back to the king, the Wizard soon nodding toward Aragorn. "His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as He supposed. There is courage still. Strength enough, perhaps, to challenge Him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner."
Théoden looked grim, but thoughtful at the same time as Gandalf kept on talking. His voice quite emphasizing. "He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground", Gandalf stated. " ...before he sees a King return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."
"Tell me!" Théoden then spoke questionably, now looking at Gandalf quite indifferent. "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe to Gondor?"
The Hobbits gave Shakiiya a look as they heard her sigh deeply in frustration. Gandalf looked somewhat bewildered due the king's disregard, where Aragorn turned to give Théoden a thoughtful look. Exchanging a short stare with him, until became serious.
"I will go", he announced, earning looks from the others. But Gandalf disagreed.
"No!" he denied, meeting Aragorn gaze.
"They must be warned!" Aragorn insisted.
"They will be", Gandalf promised, turning then around and leant close to Aragorn, whispering something to him. Shakiiya examined them in thoughts, meeting momentarily Legolas' eyes, which now rose from the floor he had been staring at in thoughts. Gandalf turned around.
"Understand this. Things are now in motion that cannot be undone", he continued. "I ride for Minas Tirith. And I won't be going alone..."
Gandalf now met Pippin's gaze once more remarkably and the Hobbit froze, seeing the way he was thinking. But then Gandalf's eyes hardened.
"What do you still sit there? Out! Out now!" he exclaimed urgently, Pippin cringing. And immediately he hurried on his feet, starting to follow Gandalf.
The others watched their walk out of the hall, Gandalf striding forward with fast steps, clearly irritated. But Shakiiya was the only one with Merry to follow the two outside the hall's doors. And now Gandalf stormed to the stairs, reaching the end of them amazingly quickly, poor short Hobbit legs almost being left behind.
"Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst!" he exclaimed, indeed in irritation as made his way toward the stables, then turning to give Pippin a look. "Hurry, hurry!"
Shakiiya was walking after Gandalf, Merry striding behind her, Pippin being the last. Shakiiya directed a glance over her shoulder, and saw Merry looking angry of some sort. Pippin now reached his side.
"Where are we going?" Shakiiya heard him ask.
"Why did you look?" Merry asked back instead, not answering Pippin's question, and made him turn confused. "Why do you always have to look?"
"I don't know, I can't help it", Pippin stated truthfully, Shakiiya sighing. Too much curiosity had been the fall of many...
"You never can!" Merry remarked.
Shakiiya now only went inside the stables after Gandalf, leaving the Hobbits into their small quarrel. She walked through the doors and saw Gandalf there, smoothing Shadowfax's mane impatiently. The horse neighed as saw her, greeting her. Shakiiya smiled a little and walked over to the horse, lifting her hand and gave him a questionable look. Shadowfax neighed again and dropped his head to look into her eyes, Shakiiya smiling once more as he pressed his snout against her extended palm. Her now smoothing it.
"Why did you take the stone?" Shakiiya inquired, then looking up at the Wizard once again nothing but death serious. "It is a terrible object. Wouldn't it have been better to let it be forgotten under the waters surrounding Isengard, instead of taking it back to the sunlight? It is dangerous, Mithrandir."
"And that is why I took it with me, Shakiiya", the Wizard answered. "It is indeed dangerous. And in wrong hands it is even more dangerous. It wouldn't have been the first time something was left under the surface, where it then once again rose to bring destruction and darkness..."
Gandalf looked thoughtful for a moment. Shakiiya examined him, until Gandalf directed irritated look behind her.
"Where is that Hobbit? As if it wasn't enough for him to give in to his frivolous desires, and be face to face with our sworn enemy, but now he dawdles when we are in a hurry!" Gandalf huffed, Shakiiya smiling.
"Aren't you a little too hard on him?" she asked, smoothing the horse again. "Pippin is what he is. He couldn't have known what would happen, if he touched the stone. And in the end, you said yourself it was thanks to his curiosity that we know of the enemy's plans. We were lucky."
Gandalf sighed, then finally smiling a little. "Yes, you are right. But if I am not hard on him, he will never learn. He is still young even for a Hobbit. Especially for a Hobbit..."
Shakiiya smirked. But Gandalf then looked at her, and the look in his eyes confused her. "In fact, I need to ask you a favor as well, Shakiiya", he confessed, surprising her.
Gandalf looked now even more serious. "I do know that your tribe has stayed hidden all these decades in order to survive after the devastation of Gâshem..." he started, then placing a hand on Shakiiya's shoulder. "But as said, there might be a time we need all the help we can get. And I'd like you to prepare your blood-sisters to join the battle, if necessary. This is much to ask of you, but I know your and your tribe's bravery. I am sure if you would lead them, they would gladly join the fight against Sauron's power."
Shakiiya now frowned, bewildered for a moment due such a serious request this Wizard had just presented to her. But after a moment she nodded briskly, neither accepting or denying this favor asked. But still Gandalf smiled to her satisfied, when then Merry and Pippin walked in. Gandalf hoisting Pippin up on the back of Shadowfax without wasting any more time. Shakiiya then saw Merry dig his jacket, as Pippin turned to look at Gandalf.
"How far is Minas Tirith?" he asked. Gandalf looked indifferent.
"Three days ride, as the Nazgûl flies", he responded, then looking up at the Hobbit extremely serious. "And you better hope we don't have one of those on our tail."
Gandalf now turned away, as Shakiiya watched Merry then pull out a pouch. Handing it to Pippin.
"Here, something for the road", he said, Pippin receiving the leathery purse. Shakiiya frowned for wonder, until she only turned up her nose when she felt the smell. Tobacco leaves. Pippin looked amazed as gazed at the pouch.
"The last of the Longbottom leaf?" he questioned, Merry looking at him remarkably.
"I know you've run out. You smoke too much Pip", Merry remarked back, Shakiiya uttering a laugh.
Pippin gave Shakiiya a glance until then looked suddenly worried. "But... But we'll see each other soon?" he again questioned, Merry now looking sad. Shakiiya sighed, giving him pitying look. Merry looked at Gandalf who also only sighed, mounting the horse.
"Won't we?" Pippin inquired.
"I don't know", Merry answered backing away, clearly emotional when he was to be separated from his best friend. Shakiiya dropped her hand from Shadowfax's snout and stepped aside. Merry frowned.
"I don't know what's going to happen..."
"Merry?" Pippin called now in slight nervousness, but could not say anything else, as Gandalf cut in.
"Run Shadowfax, show us the meaning of haste!" he urged, and the horse neighed. Him then immediately making a leap forward, and ran out of the stables like a lightning bolt. Shakiiya's hair swung after him due the airflow, she and Merry now looking after the two, until Merry dashed to the doors. Starting to hurry toward the hall.
Shakiiya frowned. She could have seen how bad Pippin's depart had made him feel... She now came out of the stables, and followed Merry's small figure rush straight to the watchtower. Aragorn's tall one following him all the way up, where they then saw Gandalf and Pippin's forms vanish into the wilderness.
Shakiiya sighed, until then one of Éomer's men walked toward her. Bowing to her next.
"My Lord Éomer has asked me to find you, my Lady", he told her, straightening. "He wished the duel appointed between the two of you to commence now, if your Ladyship is not in any other way engaged."
Shakiiya glanced to the beautiful late afternoon sky, but smiled then. Nodding.
"Take me to your Lord."
A/N:
Was the whole scenario on the ledge before Aragorn showed up stupid? At first while writing it wasn't meant to go there, but... it did in the end.
Well, today's second update might be take its time... But now I go produce a tasty apple pie!