Chapter 22: The Dawn Has Come

After consuming some food I sat beside Pippin and Merry as they began smoking the pipe-weed right away laughing gleefully. We were perched up on top of the storeroom since it was the only dry place whilst the Ents stayed around Isengard making sure Saruman stayed in place until help arrived. One of the Ents left to get word to Gandalf that we had taken Isengard and we weren't sure how long it would take them to get back but we had plenty to eat and drink so for the time being we were safe.

"Do you want to try it?" Pippin asked holding his pipe out to me as I took it curiously while Merry said, "If you're anything like your father you'll like it."

I put my mouth over the end breathing it in getting the hint of sweet flowers and smokiness breathing it out as I coughed lightly.

"It's okay… but I doubt I can go through that whole barrel, I shall save it for the others when they arrive." I said while he nodded and Merry stood up yawning lightly saying, "I'm going to get some sleep."

We wished him goodnight as Pippin and I sat in a comfortable silence enjoying the stars in the sky getting a moment of peace from all the fighting. I drank down the last bit of wine setting the empty glass container beside me sighing contently.

"Now all we need is a good song…" Pippin said softly as I looked towards him for a moment smiling saying, "I know the one my mother sang to me."

"I would love to hear it." Pippin said turning towards me as I replied closing my eyes, "I suppose one song wouldn't hurt, I have been drinking."

Shadows fall

And hope has fled

Steel your heart

The dawn will come

The night is long

And the path is dark

Look to the sky

For one day soon

The dawn will come

The shepherd's lost

And his home is far

Keep to the stars

The dawn will come

The night is long

And the path is dark

Look to the sky

For one day soon

The dawn will come

Bare your blade

And raise it high

Stand your ground

The dawn will come

The night is long

And the path is dark

Look to the sky

For one day soon

The dawn will come

I opened my eyes turning towards Pippin as he stared at me breathlessly neither of us breaking eye contact. He started leaning towards me suddenly hearing the thumping of my heart pick up faster and faster until it skipped a beat the second his lips touched mine. It was a small but meaningful kiss as my eyes only had a moment to flutter closed before he pulled away slowly.

"I… I'm sorry I should have asked be—" he began to say as I placed my finger to his lips saying, "You talk too much Pipsqueak."

I leaned into him brushing my lips gently against his feeling his hand softly stroke my cheek giving him an innocent kiss placing my hand on his chest to steady my body from swaying from the feelings that consumed me.

Finally, we pulled away as I heard him say quietly, "Wow… you're perfect."

I laughed lightly replying, "No one is perfect but I appreciate the gesture. Now we should get some rest if you wish to join me."

I stood turning towards him as he turned red looking around uncomfortably while I put my hand on my hip saying, "Not like that Pipsqueak relax."

He laughed nervously rubbing the back of his head standing up replying, "Right, I knew that."

I rolled my eyes laughing as we made our way over to where Merry had been sleeping curling up beside Pippin shivering lightly but he snaked his arm around my waist pulling me against him for warmth.

"Goodnight Marina." He said nuzzling into the back of my neck making me smile placing my hand over his saying, "Goodnight Pippin."


I woke up to the sun shining down on my body opening my eyes not feeling the presence behind me turning around to see Pippin had gone. I could hear light laughing in the distance getting up walking over to the storeroom seeing the smoke rise from the building making me shake my head smiling.

I began to remember Pippin and I shared a kiss which caused my cheeks to flare up slightly, perhaps it was the wine that caused my forwardness but I also didn't mind it.

Merry noticed me first saying, "Morning sleepy head, would you care for some salted pork?"

Pippin turned quickly seeing his cheeks flush for a moment smiling as I sat beside them chewing on the pork looking out at the water.

"Do you think Frodo is getting close to Mordor?" I said turning to them while Merry replied, "I imagine so, and if Sam went with him he'll keep him safe."

I smiled lightly saying, "I just wish we could do more to help him."

"We are, by getting rid of Saruman that will put a dent in the orc army." Pippin said hopefully while I nodded saying, "Well since we have time why don't I show you boys how to fight?"

"Eyes forward Pipsqueak." I said pointing towards my nose as he nodded holding the sword in his hands tightly while Merry tried to get through my defenses behind me but I blocked his sword pushing him back.

"You both work well together but there may be a time when you're separated and have to fight alone." I said seeing them both look at one another sadly.

"How long have you been training?" Merry asked going to hit me but I sidestepped pushing him back saying, "Since I was young though I was always the one being protected."

Pippin thrust his sword towards me as I deflected it sending him on a knee replying, "It's all about instinct, I can only teach you so much but in a life or death situation it's very different."

"Like when you protect someone." Pippin asked while I smiled as his sword clashed with my dagger right beside me face smirking, "Precisely."

After a few hours of training, we called it a day as they went back to their pipe-weed while I sat beside them suddenly hearing horses in the distance.

"I feel like I'm back at the Green Dragon." Pippin said as Merry stuffed his mouth with bread saying, "Mm the Green Dragon."

"I've got a mug of ale in my hand putting my feet up after a hard day's work." Pippin said while Merry snorted saying, "Only you've never done a hard day's work."

Pippin nodded knowingly as we all began to laugh them more so from drinking as I heard a horse neigh making us all perk up towards the sound. Out of the woods, I saw first Gandalf, followed by Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas.

Merry stood up putting his hands out saying, "Welcome my lords to Isengard!"

Gandalf looked shocked as I heard Gimli yell angrily, "You young rascals! A merry hunt you've led us on and now we find you feasting and smoking?!"

A saw Aragorn laugh as Pippin replied nonchalantly, "We are sitting on a field of victory enjoying a few well-earned comforts."

I put my arms around Merry and Pippin saying happily, "The salted pork is particularly good."

Gimli's eyes sparked saying, "Salted pork?"

We all smiled as Merry pointed towards the tower saying, "We're under orders from Treebeard who's taken over management of Isengard."