Chapter 25: Never Let Me Go

After Pippin calmed down a little and Gandalf searched his mind he was able to deduce that Frodo was still safe. I stayed with Pippin for the rest of the night unable to get any sleep knowing we had to figure out our next move in the morning.

Once the great hall was cleared out I sat beside Pippin and Merry while the others stood waiting for Gandalf to speak.

"I believe Sauron thinks that Pippin possesses the ring, but with his link with him we are able to find out where he will strike next. He will strike at Minas Tirith the capital city of Gondor next but with our information, we have the advantage. Sauron believes men are stronger and doesn't wish them to reunite as one so he's striking them down one by one, we must go to their aid." Gandalf said turning towards the king.

"While we were losing villages and people Gondor sat idly by and did nothing, why shouldn't we do the same?" Théoden said bitterly as Aragorn replied, "Because if we don't Rohan will be vulnerable, we need to all stand together."

"I will go seek council with Gondor, I trust you all will be ready for the signal." Gandalf said going over to Aragorn whispering something to him then looking towards Pippin and I saying, "I shall not be traveling alone."

Gandalf pulled me to the side and told me he and Pippin would be traveling to Minas Tirith as I replied, "I'm coming with you."

"It's too dangerous my dear." He said while I glared replying, "I don't care how dangerous it is… I can't leave him!"

My eyes widened at my sudden outburst feeling ashamed for a moment until he placed his hands on my shoulders saying, "If that is truly how you feel… I cannot stop you."

I gave him a small smile as he left to begin packing essentials while I did the same not knowing when we'd be back.


"You're leaving with them?" I heard behind me turning to see Merry looking at me sadly while I said, "I am."

He stared at me for a while stepping closer catching me off guard saying, "You love him?"

I felt my body tense for a moment staring down at the ring on my finger closing my eyes saying, "Yes."

"How do you know?" he asked protectively taking another step forward as I felt myself smile turning towards him saying, "Because seeing him smile is the only thing I ever want to see, even if it's not because of me."

Merry eyed me for a moment before hugging me tightly saying, "Please keep him safe."

I hugged him back saying, "I intend to."

Gandalf appeared in the room with Pippin in tow saying, "It's time."

I walked alongside Pippin as Gandalf and Merry led the way hearing Gandalf say, "Of all the inquisitive hobbits Periodic Took you are the worst, now hurry."

Pippin and I jogged up to Merry as he said curiously, "Where are we all going?"

"Why did you look? Why do you always have to look?" Merry said frustrated towards Pippin as Pippin replied, "I just couldn't help it."

"You never can." Merry shot back as he stopped looking towards Pippin hearing him apologize and that he won't do it again seeing his eyes soften but grow angry again saying, "Don't you understand? Sauron thinks you have the ring and he's going to be looking for you so they have to get you out of here."

"But you… you're coming too?" he asked Merry looking at him scared as Merry just turned around seeing Pippin look at me saying, "He's coming right."

"Come on Pipsqueak." I said softly putting my arm around his shoulder leading him into the stables.

Gandalf put us up onto his horse as I asked, "How far is Minas Tirith?"

"Three days ride as the Nazgul flies and we better hope we don't have one of them on our tails." Gandalf said seeing the fearful look in Pippin's eyes but I leaned against him comforting him.

"Here is something for the road." Merry said handing Pippin a small satchel while Pippin looked at it saying, "The last of the Longbottom?"

"I had some left… you smoke too much." He said while Pippin held it confused saying, "But we'll see each other soon… won't we?"

He looked towards me while I smiled sadly saying, "I don't know."

Gandalf hopped on behind me as Merry stepped back seeing his eyes fill with tears saying, "I don't know what's going to happen… Marina will keep you safe."

"Merry?" Pippin said hearing his voice tremble about to cry as Gandalf said, "Run Shadowfax, show us the meaning of haste."

"Merry!" Pippin yelled as we rode past him towards the gates and out towards our destination as Pippin turned towards me seeing the worry in his eyes but I placed a comforting kiss on his cheek saying, "Don't worry he will be kept safe and I won't let anything happen to you."

He gave me a sad smile feeling his hand lace around mine as I rested my head against his, I didn't know what would happen once we reached Minas Tirith but what I did know was I would never let him go.


The first two days of travel were tough, we couldn't get real rest since we were constantly on edge from the bouncing of the horse more so of slipping off. Once night fell though on the second day Gandalf decided we should get a few hours of rest. He jumped off the horse first helping me down next as I winced nearly falling to the ground but Pippin grabbed me before I did.

I got the water skin out drinking a little while handing it to them lying on the grass breathing lightly happy to not feel my body moving. Pippin laid beside me leaning to look in my direction looking over to see Gandalf had lit his pipe standing beside Shadowfax staring off in the other direction.

I felt his hand grasp mine seeing his innocent smile making me squeeze his hand saying, "When all this is over… would you show me around the shire?"

I saw an excited look on his face saying, "Of course, I can show you all the places I like to visit and we can go to the Green Dragon Inn with Me—"

He stopped talking seeing the sad look on his face making me frown saying, "We will see them again… all of them."

"It's just that we've always been together, he gets me in trouble and then helps me get out of it." Pippin said fondly while I looked up at the stars saying, "Looks like you'll have to get yourself out of trouble now."

He smiled towards me saying, "I suppose so, at least you're here… I honestly don't think I could do this without you."

I squeezed his hand tighter saying, "I don't think I could do this without you either."

"Well, it's about time my charm has been recognized." He said seeing the light smugness in his voice while I scoffed letting go of his hand saying, "What makes you think it has?"

He made an offended face saying, "Well you did kiss me back."

"I did didn't I…" I said softly looking past him seeing the sad expression come to his face saying, "You wished you didn't?"

I looked quickly towards him saying, "No I don't, I just assumed you did."

He laughed then realized I wasn't joking giving me a serious look replying, "I didn't, not for one second. Marina, I like you… a lot, I can't really explain it honestly."

"What do you mean?" I asked while he looked up at the stars saying, "I wish I could explain your eyes, and how the sound of your voice gives me butterflies. How your smile makes my heart skip a beat and how every time I'm with you… I feel so complete."

I stared at him for a long moment before placing my hand on his cheek pulling him into a soft kiss feeling him tense up for a moment but then relax into it.

After a few moments we pulled away as I smiled at him saying, "I suppose I did fall for your charm."

We both laughed lightly but stopped as Gandalf approached saying, "You both need to get some sleep before we move."

I nodded lightly laying back down falling asleep feeling Pippin's hand stay secured around my own knowing he was there by my side and I truly believed he wasn't going anywhere.