Chapter 32: A Moment of Peace
I walked slowly towards the healer's quarters thinking about what was to come, if we were going to distract Sauron for Frodo, I knew it wouldn't end well. Stopping short I let out a long sigh, I wish my mother was still here to give me the strength I needed. I had hope in Frodo, but I felt if he was to succeed, we may not make it out alive.
Opening the door, I looked around not seeing Pippin besides Merry's bed as one of the healers smiled at me saying, "I sent the young hobbit to rest, his friend is in good hands now."
"Thank you." I said relieved watching her nod replying, "You best get some sleep to little miss, I'm sure you'll need your strength for the days to come."
Knowing she was right I left the room looking over at Merry sleeping soundly smiling as I walked towards Pippin's room. Who was I kidding if we were all to meet a horrible end at the hands of Sauron's army at least we'd do it together.
Opening the door, I saw Pippin almost fall over noticing he had a plate filled with food hearing him say, "You're back earlier then I thought."
"I went to Merry's room, the healer said you were here." I said closing the door while he smiled saying, "She said Merry will be fine after some rest, are the others alright."
"As good as they came be under the circumstances." I said shrugging off my daggers and armor while he watched me for a moment saying, "I feel like you come with bad news."
"Frodo has made it into Mordor but in order to pass undetected from Sauron's eye he will need a distraction." I began taking some bread finishing, "Aragorn and the others mean to distract the eye to give him safe passage by riding to the Black Gate against his army."
Pippin's eyes widened but he stayed quiet for a few more moments before saying, "Well then we don't want to let that happen."
Smiling lightly towards him I replied, "My thoughts exactly, none of this will end until the ring is destroyed and if this is the way so be it."
"When do we leave?" Pippin asked making me stretch my tired limbs replying, "Uncle Gandalf said a few days, enough time to regroup and gather our strength once more."
"Well better enjoy ourselves until then." Pippin said in a relaxed tone as I looked towards him seeing a sweet smile on his face making me say, "Suppose you're right."
"Oh, I got a bath ready for you, I thought you might want it." he said standing suddenly pointing to the conjoined room making me eyes light up in excitement.
"Wonderful, I shall have to thank you properly once I'm clean." I said kissing his warm lips gently watching his ears turn red squeaking out, "Okay."
Going into the other room I stripped out of my clothes peeling them off as the dirt and sweat clung to my body. Taking a step into the water it was still hot as I sunk into it letting out a long-relaxed sigh seeing the steam rise in the room.
For once having no thoughts of the upcoming battles nor confrontation in my mind as I simply relaxed rubbing the grime from my body. Sinking into the water more I dipped my head back letting my hair soak as I added some oils to it enjoying the relaxing scents. Closing my eyes, I began hoping my father was still well in Rivendell knowing I'd like to visit again.
Opening my eyes, I yawned lightly knowing if I stayed in much longer, I'd fall asleep as I got out drying myself. Putting on a simple dress I exited the room stopping short as I tried not to laugh at Pippin snoring while he laid across the bed. Shaking my head, I knew we were both exhausted from being up for days approaching him.
Moving his curly hair from his face he murmured in his sleep as I pulled the sheet up wrapping us up, we fit easily across the bed. Feeling him turn in my direction he pulled me into his arms as I held onto him letting sleep consume me.
I awoke to the sun shining on my face as I groaned lightly moving my curly hair out of my face to see the bed empty beside me. Sitting up I stretched my limbs hearing a few pops noticing clothes placed out on a chair beside the bed. Getting dressed I decided to go check the healer's quarters first knowing that would be Pippin's first stop.
"Little hobbits you really shouldn't eat so much." I heard one of the healers say making me frown as a voice that had food in their mouth replied, "Mmmre it's good."
Opening the door Pippin perked up seeing his mouth full of sausage and Merry beside him awake and filling up on food as well.
"Marina!" Pippin said happily as he swallowed his food getting off of Merry's bed to come hug me while I said, "I see you both are back to normal."
"Gandalf came earlier with some medicine, he also said Faramir and Eowyn were doing better too." Pippin said happily as I came over to them replying, "That is good to hear."
Hearing the door open I saw Legolas looking towards us all with a smile saying, "Marina, Aragorn wishes to speak with you."
Pippin got up and Merry did as well but he winced gripping his side as the healer put her hand on her hip saying, "Sorry little one you need longer to rest before I let you up and about."
"It's alright Pippin you can stay with him." I said giving him a small smile as he looked worried but nodded as I followed Legolas out of the door to the throne room.
Walking in Gimli was eating some food while Aragorn stood looking at the throne but turned when I approached smiling towards me.
"Marina, I wanted to thank you for all that you've done for this party so far, your presence has been a beacon of light in these dark times. If your mother was still here, I know she'd be proud for she too had your unfaltering spirit and kindness." Aragorn said making me blush lightly replying, "Thanks but I could never hold a candle to her."
He smiled sadly as I frowned lightly saying quietly, "Something tells me this isn't all you wished to talk about."
He put a hand on my shoulder hearing a sigh escape his lips saying, "To storm the Black Gate is a death wish and I don't wish to see Merry, Pippin or you throw your lives away so carelessly."
"But Frodo needs all the help he can get, you can't ask us not to help." I said frowning as Legolas replied, "Should Frodo achieve his task he'll need those he can trust to be awaiting him."
Looking between them I said sadly, "You all don't expect to come back?"
They were quiet amongst themselves making me tighten my fist saying, "I don't care if you think that I want to go, and you all know Merry and Pippin will follow."
"Lass we only wish to protect you three." Gimli said in honestly while I folded my arms replying, "We are not children and have seen just as much death and destruction as you three have."
They looked at one another making me sigh replying, "Frodo is our friend and if we sat back while you all did the fighting we'd never forgive ourselves, I can't speak for Merry and Pippin, but I will not ask permission to do what I feel is right… no matter the outcome."
"We will be there too!" I heard behind me as we all turned seeing Pippin walking towards us with a limping Merry in tow.
"If I recall the healers said you weren't to move." Aragorn said crossing his arms looking at Merry while he replied, "We heard what you said and if you all are going to protect Frodo so are we."
"Yea you'll need us." Pippin said confidently making me smile going to stand beside them saying, "Sorry but you lot are stuck with us, until the end."
Happy New Year everyone :)
