Chapter 24: Clarity Against the Darkness
Once I was cleaned and talked with Éowyn more I learned she was a gentle and kind soul but longed for the freedom to forge her own path as I once did. I had been traveling with nothing but men for so long it was refreshing to be in the company of a lady and I felt she was most gracious for it. I put my dress on as she tied some of my hair up while the rest hung loose pooling around my shoulders making our way back into the dining hall.
Once we entered everyone else had already changed into cleaner clothes as my eyes stopped on Pippin seeing them widen as I approached him and Merry who smiled at me.
"You're looking refreshed." Merry said while I laughed replying, "A much needed proper bath was all it took."
"You're perfect." I heard Pippin whisper barely hearing him as I turned to him but he turned away clearing his throat as Gandalf approached us too.
We watched as Théoden was given the Cup of Kings drinking it with honor hearing the men cheer signaling the feast had begun. I sat between Gandalf and Legolas whilst Pippin and Merry began eating and drinking like they were being starved which caused me to laugh.
It didn't take long before they were both very drunk standing on the table and dancing while singing about the Green Dragon Inn. All of the men watched them gleefully also with their bellies filled with mead clapping along to them. I made my way over to Gandalf as he sat smiling while smoking the pipe-weed I had given him sitting down.
"Any news on Frodo or Sam?" I asked hopefully while he turned to me saying, "No, they are far out of my reach of sight but I believe they are still alright."
"I truly believe that too." I said looking out at Pippin seeing him stop for a moment giving me a small smile before Merry grabbed him spinning him around causing him to laugh.
"He seems to be quite fond of you… I haven't seen that looked since I traveled with your mother." Gandalf said tilting his head towards me making me look away saying, "It's nothing."
He laughed replying, "You sound just like your father."
I made a face turning towards him making his laugh louder while I said, "Why do you say that?"
"He too said the same thing whenever your mother would give him that look from afar but he and I both knew he felt it too." Gandalf said as my nose twitched slightly looking back over at Pippin while Gandalf leaned towards me saying, "I shall tell you what I told your father… you can't choose the person you care for and to fight it will only destroy you."
"Like it did my mother…" I said quietly seeing him smile sadly replying, "Yes… had she gone to Bilbo instead of hiding, things could have been very different, possibly for everyone."
"I don't want to go through her pain…" I said fearfully while he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder saying, "It is better to try then to live your life never knowing what could be."
"Maybe." I said standing up as I turned towards him replying, "Now isn't the best time to find out though, perhaps once this is all over."
He gave me a small nod as I walked off deciding to get some much needed fresh air sitting against the walls. I began thinking about what life will be like once this is all over, will I truly stay in the shire or will I be needed elsewhere. I longed for adventure and travel but at the same time, the simple life of quiet and peace also was tempting. Then my thoughts grew darker, what if Frodo didn't make it and destroy the ring or what if it consumed him beforehand. Would any of us live after that, surly Sauron would storm through middle earth like a plague killing all in its path including the shire.
I cringed deciding it was best not to dwell on such thoughts hearing the music begin to slowly die down in the dining hall. I put my chin to my knees as I began thinking about my mother again, sometimes I really wished she was here to give me advice or just a warm embrace of comfort.
I didn't know how long I had stayed outside but the cool air sending a shiver up my spine kept me from staying outside any longer. I walked inside seeing everyone sleeping on the ground on bedrolls eyeing around until I saw familiar curly hair carefully walking towards it. Once I stopped above him Pippin looked up holding out the sheet for me to crawl into as I nestled myself into it feeling him place his hand on my side as I closed my eyes to sleep.
I felt a shift beside me feeling the coolness hit my back as my eyes lazily opened seeing Pippin was walking somewhere.
"Pippin…?" I said quietly as he turned quickly towards me putting a finger to his lips seeing Merry begin to stir awake too.
He crept towards Gandalf waving a hand in front of his face as I gave him a strange look like seeing Merry look towards me and shrug saying his name. Pippin looked around for a moment seeing a vase as he eyed it before eyeing something bundled in Gandalf's pouch.
He carefully switched the vase for the pouch as I eyed him wearily saying quietly, "Pippin what are you doing?"
"I just want to look at it again." He said while I sat up in bed as he crouched in front of Merry unwrapping the pouch to see that strange orb making my hair stand on end saying, "Pippin put that back."
"It's okay, it will only be a moment." He said as he stared at the orb in wonderment before slowly placing his hands on it.
Suddenly he began to shake seeing the orb light up showing the eye of Sauron staring straight at Pippin as he was unable to let go of it. He stood up and began whimpering with his eyes closed trying desperately to let it go but it seemed to be keeping him from doing that making me stand up.
I watched him crumble to the floor convulsing appearing right by his side doing the only thing I could which was trying to take the orb out of his hand. In doing so I felt a flash of pure pain and terror rush through me seeing a large white tree burn and Sauron's eye staring at me as if trying to read through my soul. I quickly pulled it out of his grasp as Aragorn and Legolas ran in watching it roll on the ground getting covered by a sheet.
I was shaking terribly but turned to my side seeing Pippin's eyes wide not moving as I felt tears begin to fill my eyes.
"Gandalf… help him…" I whispered grasping at his hand while Merry was behind me putting a comforting hand on my shoulder.
Gandalf moved us out of the way as Merry hugged me while I stared down at Pippin's body seeing Gandalf place his hand on his forehead muttering something softly. Suddenly Pippin began breathing again as he looked around frantically shaking as I kneeled beside him taking his hand softly seeing him look up towards me with a fearful look.
"Pippin… what did you see?" Gandalf asked calmly keeping his hand against his cheek as Pippin struggled for a moment clenching his eyes shut hearing him whimper softly before saying, "A… a tree… it was a white tree only it was dead and burning."
"What else did you see?" Gandalf asked as he began trembling harder squeezing my hand saying, "I saw him… I could hear his voice in my head."
What did he say?" Gandalf asked starting to get worried as Pippin said, "He asked me my name… but I didn't tell him… I didn't."
"What did you tell him about Frodo and the ring?" Gandalf asked while Pippin looked up towards him than me saying, "I didn't say anything… I swear."
Gandalf let him go as I pulled Pippin up into a hug feeling him sob into my shoulder but I kept a hold of him, this time afraid to ever let go.
