Pippin stared in disbelief at the white robed old man standing in the
doorway. He took a hurried step towards him, but stopped when Gandalf made
no similar move.
"What are you doing here, Gandalf?" Deciding that that could wait until later, he moved on to more important things. "We have to find the others and get out of here. Do you know where they are?"
"Yes," Gandalf said simply.
"Gandalf, what's going on?"
"Reyalla has been testing you all, trying to find one person. You."
"You've been here all this time?" Pippin wasn't sure how, but he knew the answer to that question before he asked it.
"I'm sorry, Pippin. I tried to persuade Reyalla to perform her tests in another way, but she wouldn't listen to me, and I swore not to interfere."
"But you could have stopped it!" Pippin didn't want to listen. The memory of the pain that evil woman had put him and the others through was too clear in his mind. He couldn't accept that Gandalf could just stand by and let all this happen.
"Only by breaking my word, and I cannot do that." Gandalf said, "Besides, I understand Reyalla's reasoning."
"Understand! Understand!" Pippin was almost shouting now, letting out all his anger at the unfairness of the world. "Why is she doing this?"
"She feels it is necessary." Gandalf sat down, and Pippin realised the only way to get the answers he needed would be to wait and let Gandalf tell his tale in his own time.
"Reyalla has been searching for someone for over a hundred years now, asking for my help occasionally. To begin with her tests were different, but they took longer. Time is now running out for her so she has chosen to alter her tests so they don't take as long. Unfortunately, the result is not pleasant for those she tests."
"NOT PLEASANT!" Pippin yelled, "I can think of better ways to describe them! Starting with painful and ending with tortuous!"
"I'm sorry. If I could, I would not have let this happen, but I gave my word not to interfere before I realised Reyalla's intentions."
"Why us?"
"That's my fault," Gandalf said slowly, "I sensed something when I travelled with the Fellowship. I sensed a spirit that might be the one Reyalla has been searching for, but at the time I was more concerned with Sauron and gave it no further thought. When I mentioned this to Reyalla, she asked for my help in bringing you together, so she could learn whether or not I was right."
"So now what?"
"She will let the others return home, but you must remain for at least a year, or until the mark fades."
"What is the mark?"
"The mark is the symbol of what Reyalla stands for. There have been several before who have passed the Trial of Fire, but afterwards the mark has faded. The longest it has remain was three months, with Reyalla's daughter, but always it has disappeared, showing that the person chosen was not truly the one she searches for."
"So if the mark fades, I can go home?"
"Yes," Gandalf said, "though when the time comes you may chose to remain, as many others have before you."
***
Aragorn had woken late from his first sleep on an actual bed in what seemed like years. Elrond had always said that sleep was the body's way of healing, and it seemed to be working for his wounds weren't as agonising as they had been. They were still far more painful than he would like, but it was better.
He stood and went into the main room, where a breakfast that would feed a dozen hobbits was spread out on the table. He ate heartily, and then proceeded to try and find a way out.
Off the main room were six smaller rooms, each containing a bed. These rooms all had a small window, but it didn't open. They could break the glass, but it would be too small for most people to get through, but a hobbit might manage it. Unfortunately, they would be unlikely to manage climbing down the sheer walls outside.
"I've already looked for a way out," a gruff voice came from behind him, "and you're not going to find one."
"Don't be so sure," Aragorn said, turning to Gimli, "if we could make some sort of rope we could lower one of the hobbits from this window."
"And what would you make the rope from?"
Aragorn looked round. "The sheets perhaps."
"You'd need to cut them." It was then Aragorn realised they hadn't been given so much as a butter knife.
"If it was as simple as you think, we'd have escaped before now," Gimli said. Aragorn went into the main room again, and looked at the door. It was solid wood that wouldn't be broken easily, and he knew it was locked and bolted from the other side. He wouldn't give in to despair while Pippin may be in terrible danger on the other side of that door.
Soon the whole group of them were in the main room. The three hobbits were eating ravenously. Aragorn just sat staring at the door, as though he could burn through it with his gaze. He poured himself a glass of water and drank slowly.
"Someone approaches," Legolas said suddenly. A moment later Aragorn could hear the footsteps as well. He was on his feet in an instant, waiting. They all stood tense, as they listened to the click of the lock and the sound of bolts being driven back.
It was Lady Reyalla who entered.
"Where's Pippin?" Merry demanded before she was even fully inside the room.
"Safe," she replied.
"Safe meaning you're torturing him somewhere!" Aragorn snapped. He lost control of his temper and launched himself at her.
He couldn't breathe! He'd barely taken a step when he collapsed to his knees, trying to draw air into his lungs, and failing. Panic threatened to consume him, making breathing even harder. It felt as though his lungs were burning.
Then he could breathe again. He drew air gratefully into his lungs as Legolas reached his side and helped him up. He glared fiercely at Lady Reyalla, but did nothing more.
"Don't try that again," Reyalla ordered simply. "I meant what I said when I told you your friend is safe. He will come to no more harm while he is here. The tests you have all been through were to choose one of you. The Trial of Fire selected Pippin as the one I want."
"And what about the rest of us?" Frodo asked.
"You may leave," Reyalla answered, "I have no more need of you here. You may return to your homes."
"And what about Pippin?" Merry asked.
"If he has not returned to you in one year, he will not return."
"You expect us to leave our friend behind?" Legolas asked. Behind his apparently calm voice, Aragorn could hear the anger.
"He will not be harmed," Reyalla said, "I give you my word."
"Your word means nothing."
***
Gandalf had left a short while ago, and Pippin stood alone in the room, trying to control the anger he felt. After a few minutes he realised he hadn't heard a lock when Gandalf left. Maybe he'd just been distracted, but there was only one way to find out.
The door opened easily when he turned the handle, and he stepped outside into a long corridor. He looked both ways, then went left randomly. He had no idea where he was, where his friends were, or where he should be heading too, so it really didn't matter which way he went.
For some time he wandered, trying doors occasionally only to find dark rooms he didn't feel inclined to explore further. At last he found some stairs. He went down and into a long corridor at ground level. One wall of the corridor was solid, but the other was low, with pillars rising to the ceiling at regular intervals. Beyond the pillars was a garden.
He went to the low wall and looked out over the plants. He could feel their life as clearly as he felt his own. It was overwhelming, almost intoxicating, and for a moment he felt dizzy and had to lean on the wall for support. The dizzy spell past quickly, but he could still feel the plants.
Not seeing a door, he scrambled over the wall, landing on the grass beneath. The robe he wore got tangled round his legs and he almost fell, but it felt wonderful to be outside again. The sun crept from behind a cloud, and Pippin rejoiced in the warmth. All round him, he could feel the plants rejoicing with him, straining upwards towards that life-giving light.
He walked softly across the grass, glad to find softness beneath his bare soles after the hard floors inside the house. Soon he turned round, and looked at the house. It was large and stone, but built in a way that would have been attractive if Pippin wasn't feeling daunted by the size. Houses should be low, one-story places, not huge mansions.
Hundreds of windows looked out across the gardens. Were his friends behind one of them? Or were they festering in a dungeon somewhere? Gandalf had said they were safe, but he'd proved he couldn't be trusted as far as Pippin was concerned.
He sank to the ground, despairing at finding his friends in that giant place. Feeling dejected, he looked around, and his gaze fell on a nearby bush. Its leaves were as thick as holly leaves, but they were smooth rather than prickly. On the bush were a few buds. Pippin stared at it in curiosity, since he'd never seen a bush like it before. He wondered what the flowers looked like, and wished one of the buds would open.
He could feel the sap in the bush, rising slowly through the stem and along the branches. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the feeling. It seemed as though it was getting faster. Why? Puzzled, Pippin opened his eyes.
To a view of the bush in bloom. Hundreds of red flowers, similar to roses, almost hid the leaves. He started to his feet, staring in amazement.
"What's she done to me?"
***
Author's note: Sorry it took so long getting this chapter out, but life's been kinda full of exams and much though I'd prefer writing, work must come first.
"What are you doing here, Gandalf?" Deciding that that could wait until later, he moved on to more important things. "We have to find the others and get out of here. Do you know where they are?"
"Yes," Gandalf said simply.
"Gandalf, what's going on?"
"Reyalla has been testing you all, trying to find one person. You."
"You've been here all this time?" Pippin wasn't sure how, but he knew the answer to that question before he asked it.
"I'm sorry, Pippin. I tried to persuade Reyalla to perform her tests in another way, but she wouldn't listen to me, and I swore not to interfere."
"But you could have stopped it!" Pippin didn't want to listen. The memory of the pain that evil woman had put him and the others through was too clear in his mind. He couldn't accept that Gandalf could just stand by and let all this happen.
"Only by breaking my word, and I cannot do that." Gandalf said, "Besides, I understand Reyalla's reasoning."
"Understand! Understand!" Pippin was almost shouting now, letting out all his anger at the unfairness of the world. "Why is she doing this?"
"She feels it is necessary." Gandalf sat down, and Pippin realised the only way to get the answers he needed would be to wait and let Gandalf tell his tale in his own time.
"Reyalla has been searching for someone for over a hundred years now, asking for my help occasionally. To begin with her tests were different, but they took longer. Time is now running out for her so she has chosen to alter her tests so they don't take as long. Unfortunately, the result is not pleasant for those she tests."
"NOT PLEASANT!" Pippin yelled, "I can think of better ways to describe them! Starting with painful and ending with tortuous!"
"I'm sorry. If I could, I would not have let this happen, but I gave my word not to interfere before I realised Reyalla's intentions."
"Why us?"
"That's my fault," Gandalf said slowly, "I sensed something when I travelled with the Fellowship. I sensed a spirit that might be the one Reyalla has been searching for, but at the time I was more concerned with Sauron and gave it no further thought. When I mentioned this to Reyalla, she asked for my help in bringing you together, so she could learn whether or not I was right."
"So now what?"
"She will let the others return home, but you must remain for at least a year, or until the mark fades."
"What is the mark?"
"The mark is the symbol of what Reyalla stands for. There have been several before who have passed the Trial of Fire, but afterwards the mark has faded. The longest it has remain was three months, with Reyalla's daughter, but always it has disappeared, showing that the person chosen was not truly the one she searches for."
"So if the mark fades, I can go home?"
"Yes," Gandalf said, "though when the time comes you may chose to remain, as many others have before you."
***
Aragorn had woken late from his first sleep on an actual bed in what seemed like years. Elrond had always said that sleep was the body's way of healing, and it seemed to be working for his wounds weren't as agonising as they had been. They were still far more painful than he would like, but it was better.
He stood and went into the main room, where a breakfast that would feed a dozen hobbits was spread out on the table. He ate heartily, and then proceeded to try and find a way out.
Off the main room were six smaller rooms, each containing a bed. These rooms all had a small window, but it didn't open. They could break the glass, but it would be too small for most people to get through, but a hobbit might manage it. Unfortunately, they would be unlikely to manage climbing down the sheer walls outside.
"I've already looked for a way out," a gruff voice came from behind him, "and you're not going to find one."
"Don't be so sure," Aragorn said, turning to Gimli, "if we could make some sort of rope we could lower one of the hobbits from this window."
"And what would you make the rope from?"
Aragorn looked round. "The sheets perhaps."
"You'd need to cut them." It was then Aragorn realised they hadn't been given so much as a butter knife.
"If it was as simple as you think, we'd have escaped before now," Gimli said. Aragorn went into the main room again, and looked at the door. It was solid wood that wouldn't be broken easily, and he knew it was locked and bolted from the other side. He wouldn't give in to despair while Pippin may be in terrible danger on the other side of that door.
Soon the whole group of them were in the main room. The three hobbits were eating ravenously. Aragorn just sat staring at the door, as though he could burn through it with his gaze. He poured himself a glass of water and drank slowly.
"Someone approaches," Legolas said suddenly. A moment later Aragorn could hear the footsteps as well. He was on his feet in an instant, waiting. They all stood tense, as they listened to the click of the lock and the sound of bolts being driven back.
It was Lady Reyalla who entered.
"Where's Pippin?" Merry demanded before she was even fully inside the room.
"Safe," she replied.
"Safe meaning you're torturing him somewhere!" Aragorn snapped. He lost control of his temper and launched himself at her.
He couldn't breathe! He'd barely taken a step when he collapsed to his knees, trying to draw air into his lungs, and failing. Panic threatened to consume him, making breathing even harder. It felt as though his lungs were burning.
Then he could breathe again. He drew air gratefully into his lungs as Legolas reached his side and helped him up. He glared fiercely at Lady Reyalla, but did nothing more.
"Don't try that again," Reyalla ordered simply. "I meant what I said when I told you your friend is safe. He will come to no more harm while he is here. The tests you have all been through were to choose one of you. The Trial of Fire selected Pippin as the one I want."
"And what about the rest of us?" Frodo asked.
"You may leave," Reyalla answered, "I have no more need of you here. You may return to your homes."
"And what about Pippin?" Merry asked.
"If he has not returned to you in one year, he will not return."
"You expect us to leave our friend behind?" Legolas asked. Behind his apparently calm voice, Aragorn could hear the anger.
"He will not be harmed," Reyalla said, "I give you my word."
"Your word means nothing."
***
Gandalf had left a short while ago, and Pippin stood alone in the room, trying to control the anger he felt. After a few minutes he realised he hadn't heard a lock when Gandalf left. Maybe he'd just been distracted, but there was only one way to find out.
The door opened easily when he turned the handle, and he stepped outside into a long corridor. He looked both ways, then went left randomly. He had no idea where he was, where his friends were, or where he should be heading too, so it really didn't matter which way he went.
For some time he wandered, trying doors occasionally only to find dark rooms he didn't feel inclined to explore further. At last he found some stairs. He went down and into a long corridor at ground level. One wall of the corridor was solid, but the other was low, with pillars rising to the ceiling at regular intervals. Beyond the pillars was a garden.
He went to the low wall and looked out over the plants. He could feel their life as clearly as he felt his own. It was overwhelming, almost intoxicating, and for a moment he felt dizzy and had to lean on the wall for support. The dizzy spell past quickly, but he could still feel the plants.
Not seeing a door, he scrambled over the wall, landing on the grass beneath. The robe he wore got tangled round his legs and he almost fell, but it felt wonderful to be outside again. The sun crept from behind a cloud, and Pippin rejoiced in the warmth. All round him, he could feel the plants rejoicing with him, straining upwards towards that life-giving light.
He walked softly across the grass, glad to find softness beneath his bare soles after the hard floors inside the house. Soon he turned round, and looked at the house. It was large and stone, but built in a way that would have been attractive if Pippin wasn't feeling daunted by the size. Houses should be low, one-story places, not huge mansions.
Hundreds of windows looked out across the gardens. Were his friends behind one of them? Or were they festering in a dungeon somewhere? Gandalf had said they were safe, but he'd proved he couldn't be trusted as far as Pippin was concerned.
He sank to the ground, despairing at finding his friends in that giant place. Feeling dejected, he looked around, and his gaze fell on a nearby bush. Its leaves were as thick as holly leaves, but they were smooth rather than prickly. On the bush were a few buds. Pippin stared at it in curiosity, since he'd never seen a bush like it before. He wondered what the flowers looked like, and wished one of the buds would open.
He could feel the sap in the bush, rising slowly through the stem and along the branches. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the feeling. It seemed as though it was getting faster. Why? Puzzled, Pippin opened his eyes.
To a view of the bush in bloom. Hundreds of red flowers, similar to roses, almost hid the leaves. He started to his feet, staring in amazement.
"What's she done to me?"
***
Author's note: Sorry it took so long getting this chapter out, but life's been kinda full of exams and much though I'd prefer writing, work must come first.
