A/N: A bit of the book and the movie here.
Drummerchick1988 – Thanks! I try to update at least one day a week depending on my beta.
Dazzler420 – No, Pippin doesn't have a crush on her. He's trying to get a hold of that Palantir that Gandalf is hiding.
Jebb – Yes, there's plenty more mushy stuff to come! Gimli and Deka – well, sort of! ;-) Good catch!
Pippin lay anxiously in the dark, hoping the elf would leave. He wanted to see that great stone that Gandalf had taken from him at Isengard. What was it? He wondered. It was so smooth and perfect, even after Wormtongue had thrown it at Gandalf, striking the rail of the tower instead. It glowed with some strange light.
It must be something terribly important for Gandalf to protect it so, he thought. The wizard had taken it away from him and immediately covered it in a dark cloak. He wanted to look at it again but Legolas was still watching the girl sleep.
After what seemed like an eternity to Pippin, the elf moved off toward the forest, giving him the opportunity to slip next to Gandalf and take a peek under the cloak at the stone.
Quietly, he crawled next to the wizard and saw that he was clutching the stone protectively even as he slept. Pippin was more determined than ever to get another look at the thing and satisfy his curiosity.
Grabbing the water pot, he carefully removed the stone and slipped the pot into its place in Gandalf's arms. The wizard stirred only slightly and did not wake.
Elated with his success, the hobbit slipped off a few paces and began to examine the sphere. It began to glow again but remained cool to the touch. Fascinated by what seemed to be a ring of fire inside the stone, he gazed deeply into it, drawn by its beauty.
Far away he heard Merry hissing at him but he did not answer, the stone was some sort of gazing ball he realized, his eyes wide with excitement. Soon his mind was gripped with the most terrible and frightening visions and he tried to cry out.
"Who are you?" A menacing voice demanded but the hobbit was too terrified to answer.
And then suddenly, he was released. Gandalf was standing over him, holding his face in his hands and yelling at him. Cursing his carelessness. Frightened by the visions and mortified at the wizard's anger, he could do naught but whimper.
"Look at me, Peregrin Took," Gandalf demanded, turning Pippin's head so that he could see the hobbit's eyes.
"Look at me!" The wizard voice compelled him to obey and Pippin stared into Gandalf's blue eyes.
The wizard soothed him but demanded to know what he had seen and what he had revealed to the stone. A terrified Pippin answered as best he could. He had no idea what the stone was, he just wanted to examine it and see for himself.
Finally satisfied with the answers, Gandalf let him go. The others, roused from sleep by Merry's cries of distress, were standing around with anxious faces wondering what had happened. Annowe had a hand protectively on Merry's shoulder but let go of him when he rushed forward to Pippin.
"He is a fool but an honest fool," Gandalf said. "The stone, I believe, is one of the original Palantiri or 'seeing stones' of the Numenoreans."
"It would seem that our old friend, Saruman was in possession of this one for some time and was using it to communicate with Sauron. Fortunately for us, the Enemy does not know that we are now privy to his plans," Gandalf looked meaningfully at Pippin who was still frightened from the ordeal.
Annowe had wrapped her blanket comfortingly around Pippin and kept her arm around his shoulders. At Gandalf's silence, he looked up. Everyone was looking at him expectantly.
"What plans?" Annowe asked.
Gandalf smiled grimly. "He means to attack the White City."
His revelation caused a commotion amongst the others and it took him several minutes to quiet everyone down.
"I must warn Denethor," Gandalf said with finality. "The battle we have anticipated is drawing near and we must be prepared. By his foolish act, Pippin has given us a small edge against Sauron and we must take advantage of it."
"What are your plans, Gandalf?" Demanded Theoden suspiciously.
"Pippin and I will travel to Minas Tirith to warn the steward," Gandalf began as Merry and Pippin wailed against being separated. Annowe squeezed Pippin's shoulders and tried to calm them.
"The rest of you," the wizard continued over the wails of the hobbits, "return to Edoras as planned and wait for my signal."
Theoden was not swayed. "What signal?"
Gandalf could feel his patience draining. "I will tell Denethor of Sauron's plans and tell him to call for aid from Rohan. Will Rohan be ready?" Gandalf asked pointedly.
Theoden smiled grimly. "Yes, Rohan will be ready," he answered.
The wizard nodded in satisfaction. "Gather as many men as you can and await the beacons!" He whistled for Shadowfax and grabbed Pippin by the waist, removing him from Annowe and Merry.
Frightened and unsure of what was happening, he wailed and struggled against the wizard's grip. "Be still!" Demanded Gandalf as they mounted Shadowfax.
Merry was angry and upset at Pippin. How could he be so foolish? And now to protect him, Gandalf was taking him to Minas Tirith. They had never been separated before in their lives! He felt Annowe's hand squeeze his shoulder for comfort.
"He will be safe," she assured him as he watched the white horse gallop to the south toward Minas Tirith. I hope, she added to herself.