Disclaimer: Still wishing...

AN: Consider the respite over.

Chapter 35 – Rude Awakening

The hall woke to a roar of sound. For a few seconds after waking Peter wasn't sure what had roused him. The roar he'd heard faded to shouts and belligerent howls. "Aragorn!" Legolas' voice was easily distinguishable amidst the shouts. Peter rolled out of bed with Rhindon in his hand before his feet hit the floor.

Edmund was next to him within seconds with the elven styled sword out and ready. "Gandalf, what's happening?" their sister shouted from somewhere in the darkness.

Several lanterns were lit and they saw Legolas leaning over Aragorn while Gandalf leaned over Pippin. "Oh no." Lucy sighed.

When he glanced to his right he saw that Susan had a bleary look in her eye and her bow ready. "What's going on?" She looked like she wasn't quite awake yet.

Peter looked back and saw Gandalf put his hand on Pippin's forehead. "Can we help?" he asked into the silence that had settled after the uproar. His question had been directed at Gandalf and no one else dared answer.

Not until the old wizard rose from his crouch and blinked heavily, did he let out the breath he'd been holding. He felt, more than saw, his brother mirror him.

"No. The danger has passed." Gandalf called authoritatively. "Fool of a Took!" he hissed.

"What was that?" "Aragorn asked blearily. Susan moved over and kneeled next to him and Legolas.

"Exactly what I was afraid of when he first found the Palanthir in Isengard." Gandalf growled. "Pippin saw inside the mind of Sauron and in there found glimpses of his plan." The Fellowship unconsciously moved closer. "Sauron intends to march upon Minas Tirith."

"Eru. . ." Legolas moaned.

"Yes." Gandalf answered crassly. "If Eru truly existed, now would be an opportune time for him to appear." Peter didn't miss the glare the wizard sent his way.

"So we go to Minas Tirith?" he asked instead. Adrenalin was pumping through him and right now he was still alert enough that he needed to do something.

Gandalf sighed and visibly calmed. "Yes, I fear I must." He glanced back at Pippin.

"Then I'm coming with you." Peter declared in a strong voice.

"What?" Susan shrieked.

He could feel the heavy gazes of all his siblings. "You practically said it yourself, Su. We don't know enough about why we're here. Right now my instincts are telling me to follow Gandalf. Shouldn't I follow my feelings?" he challenged her with his chin raised.

"Remember what we agreed, brother." Edmund wisely remarked. He could tell his older sister was less than happy with his sudden decision to leave. He knew he would have the fight of the century on his hands if he couldn't stop it. He was sure the members of the Fellowship had seen many dangers, but in all his years Edmund had never seen anything as terrifying as when his two older siblings fought. It was like watching a hurricane hit a mountain.

"I will remain." Aragorn calmly said. Legolas and Gimli didn't have to affirm their position, and simply stayed silent.

In the corner all eyes turned to Merry and Pippin. "I will bring Pippin with me." Gandalf said in a voice loud enough to make both hobbits look over.

Pippin looked absolutely terrified and Merry looked sadder than usual. Lucy thought for a brief moment that Merry reminded her of Mr. Tumnus. The way he always looked sad and happy at the same time, like most fauns. She exhaled through her nose. "I'll stay with Susan regardless of what she decides."

Susan looked at her sister in surprise. "I'm staying with Aragorn." Lucy nodded and Susan returned it.

"I'll stay with Pete." Edmund announced. He could tell his brother was about to argue, but beat him to it. "I'm pretty sure Susan and Lucy won't let you leave alone. Remember what you said? We all have to agree or none of us go."

Peter glared and swallowed down his argument. He wanted his brother and sisters safe. More than that, he knew Edmund wasn't yet one hundred percent. He wanted most of all to tie him to a bed and leave knowing he was safe. He growled and tried to remind himself that this was what he had wanted. He wasn't the High King here and had little sway over his siblings beyond the role of the oldest. Even Susan had more to say than him since she had spent more time here than any of them.

Gandalf watched the exchange wearily. He wasn't sure it was wise to travel with more than one horse, but suddenly felt completely outvoted in the decision-making process. He reminded himself that these were not children he was dealing with, but kings and queens. Rulers, long bereft of the ability to make decisions for others, let alone themselves. And though they mostly acted like children, he knew they possessed the natural authority to step up to their previous roles at any given time. "Very well. Be ready to leave at dawn."

With demonstrative movements he left them all standing and went back to bed. He closed his eyes, which he usually never did even in sleep, and prayed everyone would leave him to his thoughts and return to theirs. Just one night of silence to consider his next move. That was all he asked.

Edmund moved over to Lucy while Susan ushered Merry and Pippin back to bed. The hobbits didn't much mind the mothering. Susan felt heartbroken over the completely desolate expression on Pippin face. "Easy. It will be alright." she whispered as she tucked him back in. Pippin could only nod mutely before he rolled over and pulled the covers up to his ears. Merry stared at her a moment before he too lay down.

"I'll need Aril." Edmund whispered to Lucy. She nodded mutely with her eyes fixated on Pippin's back.

"Take it. I can find another."

"Thank you." He kissed her cheek and left to return to his own bed.

He vaguely saw Peter put Rhindon back in its sheath and lie down. He knew he was mad, but didn't want to start an argument this late at night. Not when everyone was tired and high strung. It seemed Peter didn't share his sentiments. "You should stay here."

Edmund barely heard his whisper, but knew he couldn't ignore him. He rolled to his side and watched through dark eyes that gave nothing away. "Back to back." he whispered.

Peter closed his eyes and turned his back on Edmund.

The dark-haired Pevensie sighed and rolled to his back to stare at the ceiling. A rat was quietly making its way across the rafters in search of food. He was surprised it hadn't been scared off by all the commotion. He heard Lucy crawl back into the bed next to him. Someone doused the lanterns and darkness fell again. After almost fifteen minutes of not sleeping, he felt his sister by his side, nudging him over.

"I'm cold." she whispered.

It would be a cold day in hell before anyone could refuse a voice like that. So he moved and flipped off his covers so she could crawl in. She cuddled close to his side and stretched an arm over his chest. It was surprisingly easy to sleep with her so close. He was always tense when he and Peter fought – the few times they did – and usually nothing helped. It seemed he had found the remedy to Peter's cold shoulder and his own insomnia. A young girl with even breathing. Within minutes he fell asleep.

That night he had his first nightmare about Saruman.

AN: So let's leave this on a slightly uneasy note. TBC.