A/N: IMPORTANT: If you have Author Alert, you probably got a message saying Chapter 19 – The Truth. This is a completely new chapter because I've reformatted everything so that it's all the same and makes more sense. I've also combined Chapters 1 & 2, so what was chapter 19 is now Chapter 18. Basically, if this chapter doesn't make any sense to you at the beginning, or you don't remember reading a Chapter called 'The Truth', then the chances are you haven't read the latest chapter and I suggest you should now, because otherwise this chapter won't make any sense. Sorry!!

Review Answers:

Elvie: O great – am I finally getting them to change because I was meant to do that gradually, but I'm sure if it's happening too fast. Thanx for nagging me to get another chapter up and being so supportive!! =D

Kumarasgal23: Erm... Yuh. Although I'm not sure whether to make it Long or Short Term.

Moralinde: Thank you sooooooooo much for your review. Half the time I haven't the foggiest of what I'm on about. Yeah, I suppose it would... Anyway, thank you for the review.

Moralinde again: Oh... I have some mad reviewers. A few more won't hurt – what d'ye think 'bout the Keikæ/Haldir thing? I've no idea how well it's going to work out...

Crecy: Hello. O good!!

Jupiter's Light: Late? WHAT DO YOU MEAN LATE!!! No, you weren't late. Reviewing ain't something you HAVE to do, though it is useful to me. assbb!! P.S How come it seems you've reviewed absolutely EVERY story?

Alassea2: PLEASE update your story – it is soooooooooo good – you HAVE to continue it. Yes I have read it and it is really, really good.

Jupiter's Light (again): Evil!! I'm not evil!! MWAHAHAHAHHAAAAAA!!! Ok, perhaps a little.

Elvie (again): THANK YOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUU!!!! Yes, I will definitely have (had) a swashbuckling birthday!! Thankies!!

Woah, A/N over and done with... quite long chappie this one Peeps, so please tell me what you think!!

P.S I left the last scene to your wonderfull imagineations.

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Chapter 20 - Secrets Revealed

2 hours later, I was attempting to walkalong the wall outside to see how drunk I was. Not very, as I managed to make it from one end to the other without falling off. I then walked back and began taking in the view, watching the clouds and the world go by.

::Yeah, I know, pretty lame, but there wasn't exactly much else to do.::

At least I was slightly sober. I heard three sets of footsteps approaching from the direction of the hall.

Legolas: Keikæ?

Keikæ: Aye?

There was a quick pause.

Legolas: How do you know about it all? Everything that happens, you know what I mean.

Keikae: I do know exactly what you mean.

I couldn't have put it better myself. There wasn't any harm in telling them. Most of the life-threatening dangers to the characters had passed. Well, ok, not most. But anywho, I couldn't be bothered to keep secrets any longer. (A/N: You can skip this bit if you want to – it just describes the books.)

Keikæ: Ok. How long do you have? Silence Ok. Where I come from, there was once a guy called Tolkein. I can't remember his first name. He wrote several books. One, not published until after he died, was called the Silmarilllion. I haven't read it yet, but it basically describes the making of middle earth, if you like. Another, was called The Hobbit. And told the adventures of a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins-

Gandalf stiffened at the name.

Keikæ: Frodo's uncle, in which he eventually found a ring, at Gollum's cave, that made the wearer invisible. I believe you, Gandalf know the story, as you were part of it. He also wrote a trilogy called the Lord of the Rings. It described Frodo's journey, this journey and the war of the ring. It was fictional entertainment for everyone back at home. To them, Middle Earth doesn't exist. It's a place in Tolkein's mind. It's a bit difficult to explain. On Earth, there are no such things as Elves or orcs, or ents. Anyway, after Tolkein died, 3 films were made. That's basically people acting it out, and someone else recording it. It was entertainment. Completely fictional. That's how I know every line. What's going to happen. It seems the films are more accurate than the books, for some veeeeeery strange reason that I don't know. I know what's going to happen to every person. There's just one flaw. Everything does eventually turn out all right. At least, in the films it does, but now Laila, Bex and I have come in. We might have changed the order in which things happen. Something that wasn't intended could happen. That's why I've kept it a secret from you for so long. I didn't want to change what was going to happen, despite I already have. Because it may have changed for the worst....

There was a very long and awkward silence. Well, there would be if you had just said that where you come from, they don't exist.

Legolas: That explains a lot.

Another long silence though not as awkward this time as I had busied myself with fiddling with my nails.

Gandalf: What do you know of Frodo and Sam?

Keikæ: They met up with Gollum. Big struggle etcetera, etcetera and now Gollum is Sam and Frodo's guide. He led through Emyn Muil and to the Black Gate of Mordor.

Aragorn: The Black Gate....

Keikæ: Anywho, Sam fell down the slopes, and they were both nearly caught and Smeagol stopped them from going in and practically committing suicide.

Aragorn: Who's Smeagol?

Keikæ: Oh, yeah. That's Gollum's real name. Split personality. Sam doesn't trust him and Frodo only believes in him 'cause he thinks he has to believe he can come back or something weird like that. Frodo and Sam were then kidnapped, if you like, by some soldiers of Gondor. The leader found out about the ring and tried to take it off Frodo. He also threatened to kill Smeagol, forcing Frodo to break his promise and now Smeagol don't trust Frodo and plans to kill him.

Legolas: This leader... does he have a name?

Keikæ: Yup. But I ain't telling you. You'll find out soon enough. Still, he did let Frodo go because Sam explained to him why Boromir died, i.e. the ring drove him mad. You'll get what I mean in a few days. At least, I turned to Gandalf you will.

Gandalf: Where have they gone? Tell me where they've gone!

Keikæ: You will find out, just not right this minute. All in good time. Oh, and something's about to happen....

Yet another silence, but this time I decided to make it a short one.

Keikæ: The stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East...a sleepless malice.

Legolas turned to look at Aragorn.

Legolas: The Eye of the Enemy is moving.

Keikæ: It has happened... fool of a Took.

Legolas: He is here!

Gandalf: Pippin!

Sauron: I see you...

Merry: Pippin! Help! Gandalf! Someone help him!

The four of us burst into the room. First thing I saw was Pippin and Bex, both holding onto the palantír, both looking nothing short of terrified. Aragorn took the palantír away from Pippin and fainted momentarily as the palantír rolled away. Legolas held him. The palantír rolled to stop in front of my feet. Gandalf threw a cloak over it.

Keikæ: Bex!

Merry: Pippin!

Gandalf: Fool of a Took!

Bex seemed fine, although definately shaken. Gandalf pushed Merry away and bent over Pippin. Pippin looked frozen and shocked. Gandalf chanted something under his breath, while touching Pippin's forehead. Pippin then awakened and started panting, horrified.

Gandalf: Look at me.

Pippin: cringing Gandalf, forgive me.

Gandalf: Look at me. What did you see?

Pippin turned away, but Gandalf turned Pippin to face him.

Bex: There was a tree.

Pippin: Yes, a white tree. In a courtyard of stone. It was dead!

Bex: And a white city. The city was burning.

Gandalf: Minas Tirith. Is that what you saw?

Pippin: I saw...I saw him! I can hear his voice in my head.

Gandalf: What did you tell him? Speak!

Pippin: He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me.

The expression on Bex' face showed clearly that she didn't want to talk about it.

Gandalf: What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?

Pippin looked at Gandalf, confusion in his eyes.

Keikæ: Everything's just fine, Bex. Everything's just fine.

I knew I shouldn't have, but curiosity got the better of me. So. I picked it up as it rolled to my feet, but nothing happened. Nothing. I took a closer look at it. Still nothing. The whole room seemed to hold it's breath. I would've expected Gandalf to take it off me by now. By now I was completely intrigued.

Why did nothing happen? What the hell was going on?

Bex was standing, at the side, completely petrified. Pippin was next to her on the floor, looking more stoned than Galadriel (if that's possible).

::Some 'great power' this holds.::

I spun the palantír on my finger, as if it were a basketball. That's when I felt it. I felt as if my hands were on fire. I looked down at it. It looked back at me. Or should I say, the Eye of Sauron looked back at me.

I see you.

That voice seemed to come from nowhere, inside my head, like when Galadriel had talked to me in that way. Though I must say, that eye was the best piece of special effects I have ever seen... probably because it wasn't special effects, it was real, or as real as anything gets in a fictional world.

I see you.

I decided I might as well act obnoxious – there was nothing for me to be afraid of, as far as I was concerned, and I most definitely would not tell Sauron anything of Frodo and the ring.

I see you.

::Yeah, and I see you too.::

The Ring... Where....

I adopted an RP English accent at this point.

::Terribly sorry, can't tell you that.::

The Ring... Who....

By now the voice seemed more demanding

::Soz, but I can't tell you that either. Anyway, what do you intend to do with Middle Earth once you've- sorry, if you conquer it.::

Enslave... Torture....

::Oh, yes, that's all very satisfying and all the rest of it, but is that all you're really going to do? I mean, you have practically the world at your feet, but what are you going to do with it? What really is the point?::

Don't question me... girl...

The heat radiating from the palantír increased, and I then noticed that I seemed to be alone, nowhere. By now I was beginning to lose my cool. I then decided perhaps it wasn't such a good idea, after all.

Where is it? Who has it?

::Definitely NOT me.::

I was definitely panicking. I felt as if my hands were burning, sticking. I stayed silent, not trusting myself to speak, in case I said something stupid.

Where? Who?

WHERE? WHO?

Keikæ: NO!!

I screamed this out loud. People, places, flashed in front of me. Not in the Palantír, in my mind. I screamed again, then it seemed that someone had finally prized my hands off it, because I was back in the room, surrounded by the same people. I looked down to see the Palantír on the floor, smoking. I then noticed my own hands, traces of burns from my wrists to my fingers. I felt faint.

Keikæ: Oh. Note to self: Never play with fire.

I didn't even feel myself hit the floor.

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::Dark. Just dark. And hard.::

::At least, I think it is.::

::Wake up, Keeks.::

::I don't wunnu.::

::Just wake up.::

I made to sit upright, but someone placed a hand on my shoulder, preventing me from doing so. The owner of the hand spoke.

"Relax. Rest."

It didn't say much else. I opened my eyes, and shut them again, not used to the light.

Keikæ: Yep. I'm awake. I'm getting up.

I made to get up, but again, someone pushed me back.

"No you're not."

Keikæ: So you mean, I'm not at home, with a cup of cold coffee beside me, late for work. Again.

"What's coffee?"

I opened my eyes again, though this time they remained open, blinking in the morning light.

The first thing I did was look at my hands. There were still traces of burns, though they had faded alot and were nowhere near as painful as I remembered.

Keikæ: Have my hands miraculously healed, or have I been out for alot longer than I thought?

Haldir: No, you've only been 'out' since yesterday evening.

Keikæ: Oh. Well tha's ok then. Do you mind me asking why my hands have healed so quickly?

Haldir: You can ask, but I don't know the answer.

1 hour later I was on my feet and in the hall. By then, my hands weren't hurting at all.

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Gandalf: There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin - and Bex - saw in the palantír a glimpse of the Enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still...strength perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle- earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war.

Théoden: Tell me; why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?

Keikæ: Hem. As I seem to remember, Théoden King, it was you who refused to ask for help, who refused to send out riders.

Aragorn: I will go.

Gandalf: No.

Aragorn: They must be warned!

Gandalf: They will be!

Gandalf must have been expecting me to speak quietly to Aragorn alone. Which I did.

Keikæ: You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river, look to the black ships.

Gandalf continued with his speech to the rest of those in the hall.

Gandalf: Understand this, things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. And I won't be going alone.

His gaze moved in the direction of the two Hobbits, with Bex standing behind them.

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Gandalf: Keikæ, why did you not tell us about Pippin until it was too late?

Keikæ: Because firstly, you would not know of the enemy's plans. Secondly, you would not be riding to Minas Tirith where Denethor is being driven into madness, will commit suicide and send half his army to their death. Thirdly, he does not want the beacons lit, so you will, in a sense, have to do it for him. War is coming to Gondor. If Pippin had not looked at the palantír, you would not be riding to Minas Tirith and Gondor and the rest of Middle Earth would fall. Savvy?

::Wow. Did I really just say that?::

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Gandalf walked into the stables followed by the two hobbits, Bex, Laila and me.

Gandalf: Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst! Hurry, hurry!

Pippin: Where are we going?

Merry: turned to Pippin Why did you look? Why do you always have to look?

Pippin: I don't know. I can't help it.

Merry: You never can.

Pippin: I'm sorry, all right? I won't do it again.

Merry: Don't you understand? The Enemy thinks you have the Ring. He's going to be looking for you, Pip. They have to get you out of here.

Pippin: And you-you're coming with me? Merry turns and goes to the stables. Merry?

Merry: No Pip, but Becky is.

::Becky – how cute.::

Pippin: How far is Minas Tirith?

Gandalf: Three days' ride, as the Nazgûl flies, and you better hope we don't have one of those on our tail.

Merry: Here, something for the road.

Pippin: The last of the Longbottom Leaf?

Merry: I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pip.

Pippin: But we'll see each other soon...won't we?

Merry: I don't know... I don't know what's going to happen.

Pippin: Merry...?

Keikæ: Listen, Bex. Just do as Gandalf says and don't do anything stupid. Remember all I've told you. I will see you again. Savvy?

Bex: Aye. I just hope it's soon.

Gandalf: Run Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste!

Pippin: Merry!

Shadowfax galloped off, and I followed Merry up to a lookout point to see them off.

Aragorn: Merry!

Aragorn came up a few seconds later, and we watched them ride away.

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No, the chappie ain't finished. I did say it's a long one, didn't I? Here the story splits in two, so although Keikæ isn't there, I'm going to write what happens in Minas Tirith and Bex. Yeah, quite confusing, but just bear with me.

P.S It goes in movie order. Still.

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Gandalf: We've just passed into the realm of Gondor.

They crested a hill, and saw Minas Tirith in the distance.

Gandalf: Minas Tirith. City of Kings.

They rode through the many levels of the city, as people jumped out of the way in front of them.

Gandalf: Make way!

They eventually entered the Courtyard of the Citadel, where the White Tree stood.

Pippin: It's the tree. Gandalf, Gandalf!

Gandalf: Yes, the White Tree of Gondor. The Tree of the King. Listen Pippin, Rebecca-

Bex didn't like being called Rebecca, but decided not to make a fuss right this moment.

Lord Denethor is not the king. He is a steward, only. A caretaker of the throne.

Gandalf paused before entering the hall.

Gandalf: Now, listen carefully, both of you. Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. Apparently he knows of his son's death, but just in case to give him news of it would be most unwise. And do not mention Frodo, or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn, either. In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all.

Bex nodded. They entered the hall and saw a man sitting on a black chair at the end of the grand hall.

Gandalf: Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor. I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel.

Denethor: Perhaps you come to explain this. Held up Boromir's cloven horn. Perhaps you come to tell me why my son is dead.

There was a short silence. Bex didn't seem to have the slightest clue of what was happening.

Pippin: Boromir died to save us, my kinsman and me. He fell defending us from many foes.

Gandalf: Pippin!

Pippin: I offer you my service, such as it is, in payment of this debt.

Bex buried her face in her hands, muttering to herself.

"Stupid Hobbit."

Gandalf: Get up!

He whacked Pippin with his staff quickly, before turning to Denethor.

Gandalf: My Lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir. But it is not now. War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep! As steward, you are charged with the defence of this city! Where are Gondor's armies? You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Théoden of Rohan. Light the beacons.

Denethor: snarling You think you are wise, Mithrandir, yet for all your subtleties you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor, and with your right you would seek to supplant me! I know who rides with Théoden of Rohan. Oh yes! Word has reached my ears of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and I tell you now I will not bow to this Ranger from the North, last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship.

Gandalf: Authority is not given you to deny the return of the king, Steward.

Denethor rose from his seat, most likely happy of his height advantage from there.

Denethor: The rule of Gondor is mine, and no other's!

Denethor sat down. Obviously, his mind was made. Gandalf regarded him for a moment, then turned and walked away.

Gandalf: to Pippin and Bex Come.

The three of them stood in a room. Bex seemed to be getting to grips on what was happening, and Pippin was looking at the armour of the Guards of the Citadel that was laid upon his bed. Gandalf was standing by the balcony door, gazing into the distance.

Pippin: looking over his armour So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position. I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting, do they?

Gandalf: You're in the service of the steward now. You're going to have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took, Guard of the Citadel.

Pippin walked over to the balcony, joining Bex and Gandalf.

Pippin: It's so quiet.

Gandalf: It's the deep breath before the plunge.

Bex: The calm before the storm.

Pippin: I don't want to be in a battle, but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse. Gandalf walked over to stand next to him. Is there any hope, Gandalf, for Frodo and Sam?

Gandalf: There never was much hope...just a fool's hope. Our Enemy is ready, his full strength gathered. Not only Orcs, but Men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the south. Mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer-stroke will fall the hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at Osgiliath falls, the last defence of this city will be gone.

Bex: In other words Pip, there is hope. After all, Keikæ didn't tell me much, and only told me what I needed to know, but I get the feeling things will turn out alright. If she knew things plans would fail and darkness would take over, She would probably be as far away from Mordor as she could possibly get. And anyway-

She turned to Gandalf.

Bex: You're the White Wizard, that's got to count for something.

Pippin: Gandalf?

Gandalf: Sauron has yet to release his deadliest servant. The one who will lead Mordor's armies in war. The one they say no living Man can kill. The Witch-king of Angmar. You've met him before. He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop. He is the lord of the Nazgûl, the greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair.

Bex: I think that's something Keikæ forgot to tell me. Hang on - what are Nazgûl?

Gandalf: They were once men. Great kings of Men. Then Sauron the Deceiver gave to them nine Rings of Power. Blinded by their greed, they took them without question. One by one falling into darkness. Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Ringwraiths, neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the Ring. Drawn to the power of the One. They will never stop hunting it.

Gandalf turned his face to the direction of Minas Morgul. There, a kind of, column of light was seen.

Gandalf: We come to it at last. The great battle of our time. The board is set. The pieces are moving.

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Gandalf strode swiftly through the city, followed by Pippin and Bex.

Gandalf: Rebecca, Peregrin, there is a task now to be done. You must not fail me.

Pippin had a look of understanding on his face and quickly explained to Bex what Gandalf wanted them to do. They ran off in the direction of the beacon tower.

Bex gave Pippin a leg up, and the two of them climbed to the top of the beacon. Bex pointed to the oil lamp hanging above the wood.

Bex: Get it! Yeah! Now drop it and get out of there! It's times like this when I wish I had Laila's stupid habit of keeping a lighter in my back pocket.

Pippin followed her instructions, dumps some oil on the wood and starts the beacon fire. He then quickly realized it's not particularly clever to stay on a lit pile of wood, and began to climb back down. The soldiers guarding the beacon realized it had been lit but could do nothing about it. Bex could see, on the horizon, the next beacon being lit, and the next.

Gandalf: quietly Amon Dîn...

Guard: The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit!

Denethor peered out a window and sneered.

Gandalf: Hope is kindled.

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A/N: AHHH!!! 14 PAGES!!! Soz if it's a bit confusing. Please review and tell me if it is. Please?

assbb!!

Kess ;P