Disclaimer: Tolkien owns the whole world and all the characters in it; I'm
just filling in what he hinted about in his appendices.
Chapter 4:
It was a week before the coronation took place, and both Merry and Pippin were pleased that they had stayed for it. It was a beautiful ceremony, although perhaps not quite as beautiful as Aragorn's, but special in its own way. The feast that followed was filling and excellent even by hobbit standards, and Pippin had to go and change into a slightly looser pair of britches before the party, his others had suddenly become uncomfortably tight around the waist... The party went on until the early hours of the morning, and even then it was some time before Merry and Pippin finally went to bed!
The following day was mostly spent catching up on lost sleep, and doing small jobs that had become part of the routine that they had established. Later that night the two held a council, trying to come to a decision as to what they should do next.
"I should like to see Minas Tirith, once more before..."
Pippin tailed off at the end. Eomer's recent death had brought their own lives into perspective, and although they hadn't talked about it, they both were coming to terms with the fact that they were now old, and who knew how long it would be until their own passing? Merry sat thoughtful for a few minutes, as Pippin watched him closely, hoping for some sign of what he might decide. They had already decided that they weren't going to split up, that where one went, the other would go to. Eventually Merry said haltingly,
"I guess, now that Eomer and Eowyn are both gone, although Brego is a lovely boy we don't have the same history with him, there isn't really anything that I want to stay for. I too would like to see Minas Tirith once more, and to spend time with Aragorn and Arwen would be wonderful..."
They both sat in silence for some time before he finished,
"Yes, I want to go to Minas Tirith. We shall go with Aragorn."
Pippin had trouble trying to contain his glee. The thought of seeing the white city again, it's banners caught high in the morning breeze, the white tower of Ecthellion glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver in the dawn's first light... His thought's turned back to Merry,
"Are you sure? I know how much Rohan means to you. I will stay if you want to stay here."
Merry smiled at his cousin, his mind was made up, and he was going to Minas Tirith!
"No, I'm sure, I want to go too, and we've been in Edoras for many months now. It's time we had a change of scenery! Besides, I've got the itch for travel back in my feet!"
Both hobbits grinned wickedly at this last statement. It was true, in the past few days the itch to be on the road again had come back to them, even stronger than it had been before. Even though they had now come to their final decision, they only spoke of it to Brego, explaining why they must go and thanking him for his hospitality towards them. He was sorry that they were going to go, as during the time they had been there he had become fast friends and they had been a connection for Brego to his father.
The next few days were spent with making preparations and sorting out various odds and ends, and just enjoying being in Edoras, for what they thought privately was going to be their last visit. Finally on the last night of their stay, Brego had a feast in honor of the two hobbits and King Aragorn and Queen Arwen, it was a jolly affair, with much singing and dancing and talking. The food was delicious, and once again the Golden hall was packed once again. The feast went on late into the night, and finally the guests started to retire to bed. Aragorn requested to speak to the hobbits at the end of the party, and they were soon in Aragorn's private rooms sat by the fire smoking on their pipes. After several minutes of contended and sleepy silence, Aragorn finally asked
"Have you decided what you are going to do? Shall you come back with myself and Arwen, or shall you stay here with Brego?"
Merry and Pippin grinned at each other before answering,
"We thought we should come with you to make sure that you don't get yourselves into any mischief!"
Aragorn smiled and shook his head at this, and they spent another hour or so making preparations for the days to come, before finally turning in and getting as much sleep as they could.
They slept well that night, but that didn't make them any less grumpy the next morning! They were woken at dawn, and were soon packing their final belongings before going to the hall for their final breakfast at Edoras. It was a quiet affair, and they ate for the most part in silence, each involved in their own thoughts. They said their final goodbyes in the hall, and Brego was sad that they were to depart so soon, but understanding so did not hinder them. He gave each of the hobbits a gift, Eomer had bequeathed several things to people in his will, and Merry was given a beautiful sword and sheath, the symbols of Rohan and the mark emblazed on it in red and green. It was a perfect size and shape for the hobbit, and the thought of Eomer once again brought tears to his eyes. To Pippin was given a golden ring, a beautiful slender band with a green gem set in the center. On closer inspection he discovered that on this green gem, a delicate horse cut from an opal was set upon it. The symbols of the mark! He smiled sadly at the ring, once again imagining the glory of Eomer and Théoden on the battlefield... Aragorn drank from the cup of farewell, and bidding Brego goodbye once more, they mounted up and set off down through the city. The villagers were out to bid them farewell and they passed through the city quickly, at the gate at the bottom of the city they turned once more to wave in parting to Brego before turning and riding out across the plains of Rohan towards Gondor.
They rode for a week and a half, going at a steady pace, but not pushing themselves, and each day that passed was a pleasant one filled with talk and laughter and Merry and Pippin spent many a happy hour reminiscing and talking with Aragorn and Arwen as they rode. They camped well each night, and Merry and Pippin had their own tent next to the king's filled with soft cushions and pillows.
One morning Aragorn woke the company earlier than usual, before the sun had risen and the light of day had come to light the earth. They readied themselves quickly, and rode out of the valley that they had camped in the night before. When all the company had assembled on the top of the ridge Aragorn halted them and waited. Several minutes passed, and then as the sun rose above the mountains tinged with pink, they gasped. Merry and Pippin had not seen this sight in many years, but that did not take away any of the glory or splendor of it, in fact since Aragorn had repaired the city the sight had become even more fantastic. Ahead of them in the distance was the white city of Minas Tirith, with the white tower of Ecthellion glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver, its banners caught high in the morning breeze. Both of the hobbits gazed in awe. Neither of them had seen the white city in many years, and under Aragorn's reign the city had flourished. They watched as the sun rose in the sky, bathing the city in an iridescent beauty. Finally Aragorn started the company forward once more, and as they rode down the slope of the hill they could hear the sound of silver trumpets calling them home.
Under Aragorn's care, the city had grown once more. Once empty houses were filled once more with laughter and voices, and where no trees or plants had once stood, now entire gardens had been planted for the entire city to enjoy. The gates had been replaced by mithril gates, the most impressive work of the dwarves in many a long age, and bore the images of the ages past and of the great battle and the marks of men, elves and dwarves, once more united as one.
As the company rode through the streets of Minas Tirith, the people cheered to see their king and queen return, and the two hobbits with them; for although it had been many a long year since the two hobbits had been to the white city, they were by no means forgotten! Stories of their great deeds were still told, and minstrels sang of their deeds. Merry glanced over at Pippin who rode beside him, and grinned. Pippin had loved the city last time he had been there, but now that Aragorn had restored it to its full splendor it was beautiful beyond belief. Pippin's mouth was slightly open as he gazed at the city in awe, and Merry now knew that he had made the right choice to come to Gondor once more.
The two hobbits soon settled into life at the bustling city. Aragorn was busy for most of the time, but he always found time to be with his old friends. The Lady Arwen also loved to spend time with them, and they spent many happy hours together talking, or listening to tales that she told. Winter deepened around them, and before they knew it, midwinter had passed and the New Year was upon them. One evening, not long after the New Year was upon them, Merry and Pippin were slightly late arriving at the evening feast. When they got there they were greeted by a huge crowd around the King and Queen's chairs at the head of the table. Curious as to what could have possibly caused such a stir they trotted forward, weaving quickly through the crowd, intrigued as to who could have arrived. Finally silence began to fall on the hall, and the crowds parted to allow the two hobbits a clear path through. They ran the last distance, and then stopped. An age seemed to pass, nobody moved or spoke, and time seemed almost to stop. Pippin recovered first, and dashed forward to the nearest figure, laughing and shouting,
"Gimli! Legolas! Why it is perfectly wonderful! You finally came! We haven't seen you in so long! What have you been doing? Where have you been? Have you had any more adventures???"
Pippin launched himself on Gimli, giving him a huge hug before moving on to Legolas, still laughing and talking. Merry followed at a slower pace. He was no less pleased to see them, but had gradually gotten older over the past few months, and was therefore slightly slower and more thoughtful than he used to be. He too went to Gimli and Legolas, giving them both large hugs, and asking many questions as to what they had been doing in the long years they had been apart.
It was a wonderful meal that night. The four companions were seated together near the head of the table with Arwen and Aragorn, and spent most of the meal talking and trading stories. It transpired that Aragorn had written Legolas and Gimli, inviting then to Minas Tirith and hinting that there were two new inhabitants that were very eager to see the elf and the dwarf. After the meal, the six friends retired to Aragorn's parlor to talk. They discussed many things, from the fate of Frodo and Sam, to small goings on in the Shire, Mirkwood and the Lonely Mountain. The night was old by the time they said their goodnight's, and they retired to bed feeling contended and complete once more.
Many long months passed, and Legolas and Gimli stayed in Minas Tirith, enjoying every moment spent with the hobbits, who in turn were thrilled to be with their old companions once more. The years passed slowly, each filled with new pleasures, and before Merry and Pippin knew it they had spent ten years together in the white city. They grew gradually older, but still took pleasure in all their old past times, making the most of the rest of the time that had been granted to them. So the years continued to pass, the seasons changing as slowly as the world, and all was complete...
Chapter 4:
It was a week before the coronation took place, and both Merry and Pippin were pleased that they had stayed for it. It was a beautiful ceremony, although perhaps not quite as beautiful as Aragorn's, but special in its own way. The feast that followed was filling and excellent even by hobbit standards, and Pippin had to go and change into a slightly looser pair of britches before the party, his others had suddenly become uncomfortably tight around the waist... The party went on until the early hours of the morning, and even then it was some time before Merry and Pippin finally went to bed!
The following day was mostly spent catching up on lost sleep, and doing small jobs that had become part of the routine that they had established. Later that night the two held a council, trying to come to a decision as to what they should do next.
"I should like to see Minas Tirith, once more before..."
Pippin tailed off at the end. Eomer's recent death had brought their own lives into perspective, and although they hadn't talked about it, they both were coming to terms with the fact that they were now old, and who knew how long it would be until their own passing? Merry sat thoughtful for a few minutes, as Pippin watched him closely, hoping for some sign of what he might decide. They had already decided that they weren't going to split up, that where one went, the other would go to. Eventually Merry said haltingly,
"I guess, now that Eomer and Eowyn are both gone, although Brego is a lovely boy we don't have the same history with him, there isn't really anything that I want to stay for. I too would like to see Minas Tirith once more, and to spend time with Aragorn and Arwen would be wonderful..."
They both sat in silence for some time before he finished,
"Yes, I want to go to Minas Tirith. We shall go with Aragorn."
Pippin had trouble trying to contain his glee. The thought of seeing the white city again, it's banners caught high in the morning breeze, the white tower of Ecthellion glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver in the dawn's first light... His thought's turned back to Merry,
"Are you sure? I know how much Rohan means to you. I will stay if you want to stay here."
Merry smiled at his cousin, his mind was made up, and he was going to Minas Tirith!
"No, I'm sure, I want to go too, and we've been in Edoras for many months now. It's time we had a change of scenery! Besides, I've got the itch for travel back in my feet!"
Both hobbits grinned wickedly at this last statement. It was true, in the past few days the itch to be on the road again had come back to them, even stronger than it had been before. Even though they had now come to their final decision, they only spoke of it to Brego, explaining why they must go and thanking him for his hospitality towards them. He was sorry that they were going to go, as during the time they had been there he had become fast friends and they had been a connection for Brego to his father.
The next few days were spent with making preparations and sorting out various odds and ends, and just enjoying being in Edoras, for what they thought privately was going to be their last visit. Finally on the last night of their stay, Brego had a feast in honor of the two hobbits and King Aragorn and Queen Arwen, it was a jolly affair, with much singing and dancing and talking. The food was delicious, and once again the Golden hall was packed once again. The feast went on late into the night, and finally the guests started to retire to bed. Aragorn requested to speak to the hobbits at the end of the party, and they were soon in Aragorn's private rooms sat by the fire smoking on their pipes. After several minutes of contended and sleepy silence, Aragorn finally asked
"Have you decided what you are going to do? Shall you come back with myself and Arwen, or shall you stay here with Brego?"
Merry and Pippin grinned at each other before answering,
"We thought we should come with you to make sure that you don't get yourselves into any mischief!"
Aragorn smiled and shook his head at this, and they spent another hour or so making preparations for the days to come, before finally turning in and getting as much sleep as they could.
They slept well that night, but that didn't make them any less grumpy the next morning! They were woken at dawn, and were soon packing their final belongings before going to the hall for their final breakfast at Edoras. It was a quiet affair, and they ate for the most part in silence, each involved in their own thoughts. They said their final goodbyes in the hall, and Brego was sad that they were to depart so soon, but understanding so did not hinder them. He gave each of the hobbits a gift, Eomer had bequeathed several things to people in his will, and Merry was given a beautiful sword and sheath, the symbols of Rohan and the mark emblazed on it in red and green. It was a perfect size and shape for the hobbit, and the thought of Eomer once again brought tears to his eyes. To Pippin was given a golden ring, a beautiful slender band with a green gem set in the center. On closer inspection he discovered that on this green gem, a delicate horse cut from an opal was set upon it. The symbols of the mark! He smiled sadly at the ring, once again imagining the glory of Eomer and Théoden on the battlefield... Aragorn drank from the cup of farewell, and bidding Brego goodbye once more, they mounted up and set off down through the city. The villagers were out to bid them farewell and they passed through the city quickly, at the gate at the bottom of the city they turned once more to wave in parting to Brego before turning and riding out across the plains of Rohan towards Gondor.
They rode for a week and a half, going at a steady pace, but not pushing themselves, and each day that passed was a pleasant one filled with talk and laughter and Merry and Pippin spent many a happy hour reminiscing and talking with Aragorn and Arwen as they rode. They camped well each night, and Merry and Pippin had their own tent next to the king's filled with soft cushions and pillows.
One morning Aragorn woke the company earlier than usual, before the sun had risen and the light of day had come to light the earth. They readied themselves quickly, and rode out of the valley that they had camped in the night before. When all the company had assembled on the top of the ridge Aragorn halted them and waited. Several minutes passed, and then as the sun rose above the mountains tinged with pink, they gasped. Merry and Pippin had not seen this sight in many years, but that did not take away any of the glory or splendor of it, in fact since Aragorn had repaired the city the sight had become even more fantastic. Ahead of them in the distance was the white city of Minas Tirith, with the white tower of Ecthellion glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver, its banners caught high in the morning breeze. Both of the hobbits gazed in awe. Neither of them had seen the white city in many years, and under Aragorn's reign the city had flourished. They watched as the sun rose in the sky, bathing the city in an iridescent beauty. Finally Aragorn started the company forward once more, and as they rode down the slope of the hill they could hear the sound of silver trumpets calling them home.
Under Aragorn's care, the city had grown once more. Once empty houses were filled once more with laughter and voices, and where no trees or plants had once stood, now entire gardens had been planted for the entire city to enjoy. The gates had been replaced by mithril gates, the most impressive work of the dwarves in many a long age, and bore the images of the ages past and of the great battle and the marks of men, elves and dwarves, once more united as one.
As the company rode through the streets of Minas Tirith, the people cheered to see their king and queen return, and the two hobbits with them; for although it had been many a long year since the two hobbits had been to the white city, they were by no means forgotten! Stories of their great deeds were still told, and minstrels sang of their deeds. Merry glanced over at Pippin who rode beside him, and grinned. Pippin had loved the city last time he had been there, but now that Aragorn had restored it to its full splendor it was beautiful beyond belief. Pippin's mouth was slightly open as he gazed at the city in awe, and Merry now knew that he had made the right choice to come to Gondor once more.
The two hobbits soon settled into life at the bustling city. Aragorn was busy for most of the time, but he always found time to be with his old friends. The Lady Arwen also loved to spend time with them, and they spent many happy hours together talking, or listening to tales that she told. Winter deepened around them, and before they knew it, midwinter had passed and the New Year was upon them. One evening, not long after the New Year was upon them, Merry and Pippin were slightly late arriving at the evening feast. When they got there they were greeted by a huge crowd around the King and Queen's chairs at the head of the table. Curious as to what could have possibly caused such a stir they trotted forward, weaving quickly through the crowd, intrigued as to who could have arrived. Finally silence began to fall on the hall, and the crowds parted to allow the two hobbits a clear path through. They ran the last distance, and then stopped. An age seemed to pass, nobody moved or spoke, and time seemed almost to stop. Pippin recovered first, and dashed forward to the nearest figure, laughing and shouting,
"Gimli! Legolas! Why it is perfectly wonderful! You finally came! We haven't seen you in so long! What have you been doing? Where have you been? Have you had any more adventures???"
Pippin launched himself on Gimli, giving him a huge hug before moving on to Legolas, still laughing and talking. Merry followed at a slower pace. He was no less pleased to see them, but had gradually gotten older over the past few months, and was therefore slightly slower and more thoughtful than he used to be. He too went to Gimli and Legolas, giving them both large hugs, and asking many questions as to what they had been doing in the long years they had been apart.
It was a wonderful meal that night. The four companions were seated together near the head of the table with Arwen and Aragorn, and spent most of the meal talking and trading stories. It transpired that Aragorn had written Legolas and Gimli, inviting then to Minas Tirith and hinting that there were two new inhabitants that were very eager to see the elf and the dwarf. After the meal, the six friends retired to Aragorn's parlor to talk. They discussed many things, from the fate of Frodo and Sam, to small goings on in the Shire, Mirkwood and the Lonely Mountain. The night was old by the time they said their goodnight's, and they retired to bed feeling contended and complete once more.
Many long months passed, and Legolas and Gimli stayed in Minas Tirith, enjoying every moment spent with the hobbits, who in turn were thrilled to be with their old companions once more. The years passed slowly, each filled with new pleasures, and before Merry and Pippin knew it they had spent ten years together in the white city. They grew gradually older, but still took pleasure in all their old past times, making the most of the rest of the time that had been granted to them. So the years continued to pass, the seasons changing as slowly as the world, and all was complete...