Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. Hope you like this one.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 20- Next Move
Jakan folds his arms as he leans up against a pillar in the main hall of the Meduseld. After the events of the night surrounding the palantir and Pippin's discovery, Theoden had called a war council to discuss Pippin's discovery. The Fellowship, Theoden, and the three new Mandalorians had all gathered for this council.
Gandalf begins the proceedings as he informs everyone who had not been present for the events hours earlier, "There was no lie in Pippin's eye. A fool, but an honest fool, he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring."
Gandalf pauses momentarily, then says, "We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the palantir a glimpse of the Enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep has showed our Enemy two things." He then looks at Aragorn and says, "He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed."
He then looks at Jakan and the other Mandalorians and says, "And he now knows the danger posed to his armies by Mandalorians. He fears that an army of Mandalorians could come to this world and aid the Free Peoples against him, with all the Free Peoples united under the banner of Elendil."
He looks around at everybody as he says, "Sauron will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men."
Boromir turns to Aragorn. "Aragorn. I swore to follow you as my King. But, if Minas Tirith is under threat, I must return and defend her," he says.
"Do not feel sorry, Boromir. You swore your allegiance to Gondor and the White City before you swore allegiance to me. If Minas Tirith is under threat, then it's Captain General should be there to lead its defense," Aragorn says. He pauses, then says, "And I swore an oath to help you defend Gondor. If you are to go to Minas Tirith, then so will I."
"No, Aragorn. Your path to fulfill that oath must come by another road," Gandalf says to Aragorn. He then walks over to Aragorn, whispering something in his ear. Everyone noticed that Aragorn looked a little confused at whatever Gandalf said.
Jakan then decides to enter the conversation. "You may be stopping Aragorn from coming, but you won't be stopping me from coming," he says firmly.
Gandalf turns to the Mandalorians with a smile on his face. "Of course. I did not intend to. You will be coming with me," he says.
"So will we," Gar, Fel, and Mirta all say.
Jakan turns to his three friends. "No. I need some of you to stay here in Rohan. There's no telling if Sauron may try to attack Rohan in our absence. Gar, you and Fel will stay here. Mirta, you'll come with us to Minas Tirith," he says. Gar and Fel look disappointed, but nod.
Before Gandalf can speak again, Fel asks, "I'm slightly confused on something. Why would the destruction of Minas Tirith essentially end the war? Wouldn't people just keep fighting? Surely they wouldn't just give in."
"Yours is a good question, Fel Vizsla. Sauron targets Minas Tirith because that is where the throne of Gondor waits for its next occupant. The Men of Gondor wait for their king to return. Should Minas Tirith fall, it would prevent the return of the king, and cripple the will of the people to fight. There would not be enough will to fight left in Middle Earth to resist Sauron," Gandalf says. Fel now nods in understanding.
Gandalf then turns to Theoden and says, "Even with Boromir, myself, and the Mandalorians going to aid Minas Tirith, Men must unite if we are to emerge victorious. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."
Jakan wonders what these beacons could be. Though, based on the word beacon and Gandalf's language, he starts to think that maybe they're Gondor's way of signaling for help.
Jakan then looks at Theoden. To his surprise, the king looks angry, and is not looking anyone in the eye. After a moment, he opens his mouth and asks, "Tell me. Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?"
Everyone looks at Theoden in shock. Perhaps most shocked of all is Boromir, who after a moment, feeling he must defend Gondor's honor, says in protest, "King Theoden, if Gondor falls, Rohan will be the next to fall. Not only that, but the Oath of Eorl says that in time of war…"
"I'm well familiar with the Oath of Eorl, Lord Boromir. I think that perhaps I shall take the same amount of time considering a request for help that your father took in considering ours," Theoden says curtly.
Jakan feels stunned that he would let past grievances potentially dictate Middle-Earth's future, and that he would leave Gondor to die. At the same time, he sees the shock crossing Boromir's face. He doesn't need top be able to read minds to know what his friend is thinking. He can tell that Boromir is in shock at Theoden's response, and at the growing revelation that other lands do not think so highly of Gondor as he does.
Jakan feels anger welling him before he says, "King Theoden, with all due respect, Gondor could not have possibly come to your help at Helm's Deep. I won't try and make excuses for other occurences in the past. But surely you can't discredit the fact that Boromir chose to remain here in Rohan and aid in the defense of Helm's Deep instead of going on to Gondor as he had every right to do? Even Elves and Mandalorians came to Rohan's need when you were in trouble, and we have no treaties with you. How can you ignore Gondor?"
Theoden turns to Jakan, looking angry. "Do not lecture me, Jakan Shan!" he bursts out.
Jakan narrows his eyes. "If you give up on Gondor, you doom Middle-Earth to destruction! Do you want to be remembered as the man who doomed Middle-Earth?!"
Everyone looks between the two as they can feel the tempers of the two men blazing. Gandalf, seeking to de-escalate the situation, says loudly, "I guarantee you all that the beacons of Gondor will be lit. Let Rohan choose wisely when she answers."
"When will we depart, Gandalf?" Boromir asks.
"In two hours," Gandalf replies. He then turns to face Pippin as he says, "And we will be accompanied by a special guest." Pippin gulps slightly.
(Two hours later)
Jakan finishes strapping all his gear on, then looks over to where Gar, Fel, and Mirta are waiting for him.
"Gar. Fel. You two stay here in Rohan. While I'm gone, I want you to follow Aragorn as if he is your leader. Anything he asks you to d, follow him like you would follow me," he says. He pauses for a second, then says, "Also, I want you to do me a favor. While I was at Helm's Deep, I promised Lady Eowyn that I would help train her in combat. While I'm gone, I want you to train her for me."
"Understood," Gar says.
Jakan then turns to Mirta. "Alright, Mirta. Let's go," he says. Mirta nods and slides her helmet onto her head.
The two Mandalorians walk out of the Meduseld, walking around the side towards the front porch. There, they find Gandalf, Boromir, Merry and Pippin. Gandalf motions for them to follow him, and they all start down towards the stables.
As they walk, Gandalf glances at Pippin as he says, "Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst. Hurry, hurry!"
Jakan walks up beside Boromir and asks, "How do you think your people will react to seeing Mirta?"
Boromir smiles. "It will definitely be something different for them. But if anyone speaks against her involvement in the coming battle, I will be the first to speak in her defense," he says.
"Glad to see at least some people aren't bound by gender stereotypes on this planet," Mirta says, making Boromir smile.
The group walks into the stables. Jakan walks over to the stall that Lodreng is, and finds that his horse has already been saddled. After checking to make sure the necessary supplies have been loaded into the saddle bags, he swings up onto Lodreng's back. He then looks over at the next stall where Mirta is trying to get onto her horse's back.
Jakan smirks a bit. "Come on, Mirta. It's not that hard. And you've already ridden a horse on this planet," he says jokingly.
Mirta turns towards him. "Jakan, I had a boost to get on the horse's back the first time. Be patient," she says. A second later, she successfully gets up onto the horse's back as in the next stall over, Boromir swings up onto Derrin's back.
Meanwhile, Gandalf helps Pippin up onto Shadowfax' back. Pippin looks at the wizard and asks, "How far is Minas Tirith?"
"A three days ride, as the Nazgul flies. And you better hope we don't have one of those on our tail," Gandalf says before he busies about making sure Shadowfax is fully ready to go.
Then, Merry walks up, holding a small bundle. He holds it out to Pippin and says, "Here. Something for the road."
Pippin looks at it, then up at Merry before saying, "The last of the Longbottom Leaf?"
"I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pippin," Merry says.
Pippin looks at the Longbottom Leaf for a second before looking back up Merry and saying, "But, but we'll see each other soon."
Merry exchanges a glance with Gandalf before looking back at Pippin as Gandalf climbs onto Shadowfax' back. He then says with emotion in his voice, "I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen."
"Merry," Pippin says.
"Run, Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste," Gandalf says.
"Merry!" Pippin says one more time before Shadowfax runs out of the stable. Jakan quickly spurs Lodreng into a gallop. Boromir follows immediately after on Derrin. Behind him, Mirta sighs a bit before spurring her horse into a gallop as well.
Together the four horses race out of Edoras and out onto the plains surrounding the city, galloping east.
At last, they're on their way to Minas Tirith.
And, I'll end there. Hope you guys liked this one.
So, next chapter will cover the arrival in Minas Tirith and the meeting with Denethor. I hope you're excited for it. Until it's up, please leave a review, and stay tuned!