Disclaimer. See chapter one part one. NB! Some are direct quotas; this is so the best part of the book, I can't change it!!! Pg. 580-581 From LOTR (illustrated by Alan Lee) and published in 1991 by HarperCollins Publishers.
Chapter 11: Breaking of Promise.
Merry was sound a sleep while Pippin could not close his eyes. They sat by the entrance to Isengard among the last hobbles of rocks, pillars, debris and orc-chain mail. They had just enjoyed a grand feast of supplies they found stored in crates and Merry who had been yawning for hours had finally found his sleep.
Pippin sighed deeply and thought about poor Feavair. How her troubles weighed heavily on his shoulders, the pain she must feel for knowing that she would never return. He thought about his poor heart that had made such a heavy promise, a promise he did not think he could bear.
Treebeard had not been surprised to hear that she had left. He had just hummed long had deep as he did, when he seemed to not have an answer to something, or was deep in thought. Merry, who sensed that the Ent and his best friend was keeping something from him had sighed deep and disapprovingly and often and given Pippin a look….he did not know how to read.
Pippin took out the small gold ring she had given him. It was a stunning ring, not a ring given to someone in friendship but in love. Much troubled his poor hobbit mind as he let the ring dance around in his palm. He had little doubt that Gandalf would be able to answer many of those questions.
Why did she have the Dark Lord Sauron's spirit bond to her?
Who had given her such a terrible curse? What had happened to her to send that wrecked skeleton, of nothing but panic, to Bree. He remembered that horrible muttering she had spoke after she had killed the Rider at the Watchtower. Could it have something to do with why she was going to Mordor?
He thought about the wolves, he was sure that if she had not found him he would have ended up in the belly of one of the beasts. Was it more then just simple elf magic to tame the wild beasts? Somehow it all came down to the spirits, spirits he did not understand.
His thoughts turned to Legolas and he wondered how he would be able to face the elf without telling him where is love had gone and that she would not return. If he found out, how would he stop him from going to Mordor?
Suddenly he heard the sound of footsteps, but he didn't panic instead he lit his pipe and started to slowly puff, sending small smoke rings up the roof for he knew, with little doubt, that now he had to face all his demons and dread at once.
He saw the company halt in the doorway and stare at them. He sprang to his feet and dusted his gray and travel worn cloak put a hand to his chest and bowed very low. Then he turned his focus away from Gandalf and to the humans he did not recognize at once. This had to be the king and his men that Gandalf had spoken off.
"Welcome my lords to Isengard" he said calmly.
"We are the door wardens. I am Peregrin son of Paladin of the house of Took and this is my companion who alas! Is overcome with weariness" he gave Merry a little dig with his foot and continued "Meriadoc son of Saradoc. Far in the North is our home. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the moment he is closeted with one Wormtounge, our doubtless he would be here to welcome such honorable guests"
"Doubtless he would" laugh Gandalf "And was it Saruman that ordered you to guard his damaged doors, and watch for the arrival of guests when you attention could be spared from plate and bottle?"
"No good sire, the matter escaped him" Pippin answered gravely and scratched his head " he has been much occupied. Our orders came from Treebeard, who has currently taken over management of Isengard. He commanded me to welcome the Lord of Rohan with fitting words. I have done my best"
"And what about your companions. What about Aragorn, Legolas, Boromir and me?" cried Gimli unable to contain him self any longer.
" You rascals, you woolly-footed and wool-patted truants! A fine hunt you have led us! Two hundred leagues through fen and forest, battle and death to rescue you! And, here we find you feasting and idling- and smoking! Smoking! Where did you come by the weed you villains? Hammer and tongs! I am so torn between rage and joy that if I do not burst it will be a marvel"
"You speak for me Gimli," laughed Boromir "Though I would sooner learn how they came by this wine"
"One thing you have not found in your hunting and that is brighter wits!" said Merry and opened one eye. "Here you find us sitting on a field of victory, amid the plunder of armies and you wonder how we came by a few well earned comforts"
"Well earned" cried Gimli " I can't believe it!"
Legolas stepped forward and anxiously scanned the ruins; as much as he wanted to, he did not call her name aloud. Aragorn also saw the elf's staring and knew what was in his heart. So did Boromir who saw that someone was missing and he spoke before the others.
"But where is Feavair is she not with you?"
The riders and the others looked at Boromir then at Pippin. Merry rose slowly and yawned and then he to looked at Pippin. Pippin wondered later, how they could know that he held the answer. He took a step back and felt the ring slightly burn in his palm, and just then, he knew that they knew he knew something.
"She was indeed with us, rescued our necks I would say" said Pippin trying to prolog the minutes. " Hadn't she found us in the forest, or rather we found her it would have been a dreadful sight you'd meet today"
"What do you mean?" said Gimli before any of the others could say anything "rescue you? Was she not captured by the orcs as you?"
"No" Merry said "Now that I know you did indeed search for us I am very happy, although your searching was in vain. She believed you would Follow Sam and Frodo so she followed us to rescue us and bring us to a safe place, although it was actually the riders who…." He was interrupted by Boromir.
"You did not answer my question! Where is she?" Boromir said growing angry. Legolas tightened his fists and let his eyes scan around as if he was waiting to find her remains among the heaps of armor and rocks.
"She left!" Pippin squeaked finally when the silence in the room seemed to suffocate him.
"Left!" Legolas cried and took a step in the hobbits direction Gandalf put a hand on his arm and then walked slowly to Pippin and stared the hobbit long and hard in the eye.
"So you know….did she tell you?" said Gandalf.
"No….I overheard her talking to Treebeard" answered Pippin.
"Talk to Treebeard about what? What did she tell you?" Legolas demanded.
Pippin stared at the ground.
" I will not say"
Legolas had had endured everything he could manage. He could no longer pretend that nothing was happening. Without a word, he marched over to Pippin, grabbed the hobbit by the collar of his jacked, and lifted him up so that he was eye level with him. The others yelled and ordered him to stop, to let Pippin down, but he ignored them.
"Where is she," he said slowly and Pippin struggled to breath against Legolas`s grasp.
"She told me you wouldn't understand" Pippin cried. Aragorn walked hurryingly over and freed the hobbit from the elf's hands. "Legolas go outside and see to the horses!" he ordered. Legolas looked at Gandalf in despair. The wizard nodded and growling, Legolas left.
"Poor, poor me" sniffed Pippin. He never thought he would have to face the anger of the elf archer. He whished again that he had never heard that dreaded conversation.
Only Gandalf seemed calm and he sighed deeply for he knew, and he to had promised not to tell him. Danger may perhaps come in ignorance, but right now, the danger was for Feavair. She could not be hindered in her quest.
"What can we do? What is going on, where has she gone" Boromir said slowly and sank to his knees. He wanted more then anything else to thank her for saving his life. Retribution lay heavily in his soul and he turned to the others looking for answer.
They sat in silence for long time while Aragorn told the King, Eomer and the riders what he knew, and what he felt they should know. Gandalf hummed for him self and he reminded the hobbits very much about Treebeard. The old wizard sat down in the middle of the room, his eyebrows were furrowed with thoughts and Pippin marched worryingly back and forth.
"The future depends on her not failing." Gandalf said finally.
"I gave my word to Haldir to help her and now that…." Aragorn trailed off and swallowed "perhaps I should follow her and…" he suggested.
"No" said Gandalf quickly "Your road is towards Gondor. Feavair must do this alone, there is nothing anybody can do to help" Gandalf said to him self after moments of silence. They all looked at him.
"How can she kill his spirit all alone?" Boromir asked.
" I still do not understand…." Gimli tried, Gandalf sighed and rose slowly. How could he explain everything without telling them the truth? Suddenly Pippin spoke.
"His spirit is within her, it is woven to her. She must go to Mordor and there she must die in the flames like the Ring or else his spirit will be reborn"
Utter silence ruled the room. All eyes were once again at Pippin and he swallowed. Aragorn opened his mouth to say something when the loud thud of something falling to the ground. Everybody turned around and saw that Legolas had returned. He stood in the doorway, with a look of terror and dread on his face.
Pippin saw that his knees were trembling and he swallowed deeply before he walked over to the elf prince and without a word placed the ring in his hand.
Legolas stared at the gold ring for a long time, feeling cold, empty and helpless.
He was reminded of his promise, that dreadful promise he had made all those years ago about not following her. He knew, like he had done then, that he would break it, he could not let her do it.
"I will go after her! Nothing you can say or do will stop me!" Legolas said simply, then he walked out.
"And I will follow him, she saved my life I will save hers!" Boromir said and then he too walked out.
They stared after them for along time, feeling very powerless and knew there was nothing they could do. Nobody said anything and the only sound they could hear was a distance humming and the cry of an eagle. At last, Merry sighed deeply and said.
"Mordor is getting crowded!"
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END PART II