Chapter 27: Safety in the Light
We walked silently through the city, well at least Pippin and I did while Gandalf was our lookout making for the beacon. Gandalf explained that once this beacon was lit he believed Rohan would come and if not them at least Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli would. I climbed up alongside Pippin watching the guards either sleep or eat not feeling the need to stare at the beacon.
Jumping on the platform I climbed up the pyre releasing the oils it would need to burn before climbing back down seeing Pippin holding a torch. I gave him a thumb up watching him toss the torch into the pyre seeing it slowly begin to ignite. I pointed to the guards seeing him nod quickly understanding we had to climb back down quickly. Once at the bottom I stumbled sticking the landing hearing uproar begin to sound throughout the city. Off in the distance beacon after beacon became lit until they were too far to see anymore.
We snuck back to our quarters to not raise alarm going into our respected rooms knowing there was no more we could do but wait.
That night even though I knew I was safe I barely got any sleep, I kept tossing and turning looking towards the window as if an orc would jump through at any minute to attack. I had debated more than once to go to Pippin's room but I was afraid to bother him when he must have been just as exhausted. I ended up leaving the room before the first light of dawn walking the quiet halls of Minas Tirith. Guards were stationed around but none seemed to make a move to ask who I was or if I needed anything. I wandered by the tree staring at it momentarily then to the soldiers guarding it until I was at the edge of the tall platform that overlooked Mordor.
Sitting down I let my feet dangle seeing the clouds still moving closer towards our location wondering how the outcome of this battle would go. Either we would all die together in a glorious last battle for middle earth or I'd get to go to a real home in the shire. What would my mother have done if she was here?
"Eyes forward Marina, nowhere to go but forward no matter the outcome." I said out loud to myself hearing a laugh behind me turning quickly to see Pippin.
I scrunched my nose saying, "Have you been stalking me?"
"No, I went to your room but you weren't there so I figured you might be here." He said sitting down beside me.
"Why were you looking for me, did Gandalf need us?" I asked curiously seeing him smile bashfully replying, "No… I just wanted to see you. It honestly felt weird not sleeping by you."
I felt my cheeks flush turning away from him while I said, "I felt the same… I feel safe when I'm by your side."
"Strange I feel like that wouldn't be the case." He said with a laugh making me playfully glare towards him saying, "You know what I mean."
"Good than tonight you should stay with me less we both wish to feel unsafe." He said confidently wishing I could remark to his response but the need to sleep beside him was much stronger.
"You are both up early." I heard behind me seeing Gandalf looking down towards both of us making me smile seeing him return it.
He looked out towards Mordor but his eyes casted to the side seeing his features tense up making me say, "Gandalf what's wrong?"
"I must make haste to Osgiliath." Gandalf said turning causing me to stand up saying, "I'm coming with you."
"Me too!" Pippin said confidently seeing Gandalf look towards us wearily as a far off alarm sounded saying, "So be it."
As we got on Gandalf's horse we heard a horn in the distance seeing some of the soldiers follow our lead knowing their kinsman were in trouble. We rode off hearing fighting in the distance quickly hoping off the horse seeing the orcs swarming around the men.
I quickly went to work dispatching the orcs coming towards us swinging my daggers using my small size to my advantage. Pippin stayed closer to Gandalf watching him take out some orcs that had gotten to close seeing we were turning the tides on the battle. I watched the orcs begin to retreat only a few stragglers kept fighting seeing a man with reddish blond hair approach Gandalf.
"Mithrandir, they broke through our defenses! They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river." He said seeing Gandalf recognize him saying, "Faramir?"
My body froze knowing that was the name of Boromir's brother that he had mentioned as he nodded seeing another soldier approach replying, "It is as the Lord Denethor predicted, long has he foreseen this doom."
Gandalf scoffed saying bluntly, "Foreseen and done nothing."
Faramir turned his attention to Pippin and I seeing his eyes widened for a moment as if surprised giving him a curious look while Gandalf approached, "These aren't the first Halflings you've come across in your travels?"
"No…" Faramir said quietly perking up saying, "Have you seen Frodo and Sam?"
I watched him nod while Pippin perked up saying, "Where… when?"
"In Ithilien, not two days ago." He said feeling the wave of relief pass over me seeing him look towards Gandalf saying, "Gandalf, they're taking the road to the Morgul Vale."
I watched Gandalf's face get serious looking past Faramir saying, "And then the pass of Cirith Ungol."
"What does that mean?" Pippin whispered to me as I looked towards him shrugging truly not knowing the significance but it seemed they both did.
Gandalf walked towards Faramir putting a comforting hand on his shoulder saying, "Tell me everything you know."
While we traveled back to the city Faramir filled us in on everything that transpired between he and Frodo. Pippin and I were more than relived that despite some bumps on the road he was still safe and wanting to destroy the ring. He had already learned of his brothers passing but, unlike his father, he didn't blame us for it.
Once back at the city Faramir went straight to his father to tell him the news of their men and urge him to act. Gandalf had left leaving Pippin and I to listen outside the throne room seeing the doors open and a very upset Faramir appear.
"He should show you more respect." I piped in while he walked by us surprised saying, "He is my father and I suppose when he deems me worthy of respect he will give it."
"You did what most others wouldn't… you said no to the ring." I said calmly watching many emotions pass over his face but none of it regrets which that alone was good enough for my respect.
"My father wishes to knight you as his steward tomorrow." Faramir said looking towards Pippin seeing the worried look on his face.
"What am I to do?" Pippin asked worked seeing Faramir smile kindly replying, "Don't make him angry."
Pippin made a face while Faramir walked away knowing he was just trying to tease him but Pippin looked towards me saying, "How am I to know what will anger him?"
I wrapped my arm around him walking us towards the kitchen saying, "How should I know I wasn't the one foolish enough to pledge my life to him Pipsqueak."
"You think it was a mistake?" he asked worried making me frown saying, "It has yet to be seen… we may have not been able to stay here had you not."
"See it wasn't so foolish." He said feeling him kiss my cheek delicately making me stop as he gauged my reaction to it.
"You are still a fool…." I began seeing his face fall but I smirked grabbing his hand pulling him along, "But you're my fool."
