I'll be trying to put up a chapter every day, dreaming fifi--as long as real life doesn't get in my way or the computer doesn't go on strike!!
Chapter 21--Hobbits As Spies
Merry, Pippin and Sam entered Minas Tirith with a group of merchants coming to prepare for the festival. They were able to pass unnoticed. Once inside Pippin sniffed the air. "Mmmm, smell that food? I am starved!!" he said.
"Me too, " Merry agreed.
"Now, do not get distracted, we have to find this Cade person. Everyone is depending on us," Sam reminded them.
"We will not, but we still have to eat anyway, Sam," Pippin said. "So we might as well do so now."
Sam sighed and gave in. He had to admit the food was delicious and he had been hungry too. "Now let us search for Cade," he said after they finished.
Merry and Pippin agreed and the three hobbits began walking through the crowd, looking for the weapon master of Minas Tirith.
After almost four hours of searching they found a man that fit the description Aragorn had given them in one of the taverns. They exchanged looks then Sam walked over to him. "Begging your pardon, sir. Are you Cade?" he asked.
Cade looked at him. "I am, but what are doing here, child?" he asked.
"I am a hobbit, sir," Sam said.
Cade looked at Sam closer. "So you are, my apologies, master hobbit so what can I do for you?" he asked.
"We need to speak to you about something important to the safety of Minas Tirith, sir," Sam said, gesturing to Merry and Pippin. "But not here, there is an old farmhouse about ten miles from the city. We will meet you there--tonight."
Cade frowned, wondering if it was a joke, but he studied Sam again and saw how serious he looked. "Very well, I will, but if this is a silly prank I will arrest all of you," he warned.
"No prank, silly or otherwise, you will see when you arrive. Please come alone and let no one see you. If you are seen you and all of us will be in danger," Sam said. The Hobbits hurried from the room.
Cade looked down at his drink, wondering if he cared about Minas Tirith anymore. His mind kept repeating the dwarf's words to him the day the prince of Mirkwood had been executed. No, murdered and I did nothing and I will have to live with that the rest of my life. I do not deserve to be weapons master, he thought. He drained his mug and pushed it aside and left the tavern. He would go as he promised and see what their information was.
Jaisia was waiting for the hobbits outside, well out of sight of the city. They hopped onto her back and she took them back to the farmhouse. They went inside.
Aragorn looked up. "Did he agree to come?" he asked.
"Yes, but he is very suspicious of us," Sam said.
"He said he would arrest us if this was a prank," Pippin said nervously.
"But it is not one so he will not," Merry said. "Aragorn, can we fix second lunch now?"
Pippin brightened at that suggestion. "Oh, yes, please? I am starved!!" he said.
Aragorn chuckled and shook his head. "Go ahead, but do not make a mess," he said.
Pippin and Merry rushed off into the kitchen and the others could hear pots and pans clanging. "I better go help them," Sam said and went into the kitchen.
Jaisia shook her head in disbelief. "They eat more then I do. How can anyone so small eat so much?" she asked.
"That is a mystery that will never be solved," Legolas laughed.
"All right, sweet cheeks," Jaisia said impishly.
"Shh! Do not call me that in front of them," Legolas hissed, grateful for all the noise the Hobbits were making.
The seven of them settled down to wait for darkness to fall and for Cade to arrive. They would need his help to succeed…
How am I doing everyone? Let me know!!! R/R before the plot bunnies can get into mischief!!!