Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or concepts of Middle Earth, they belong to the estate of JRR Tolkien.  Tanathel, however, is my creation and I would like to be asked before she is used in any other fic.

Author's note: This story is set in an Alternate Universe of my own making.  It is after the War of the Ring and several years into the Fourth Age.  Boromir will feature in this story, and if you wish to learn how he survived, you will have to read.  This will be mostly movie-verse, since no one knows what happened to Saruman after the Ents trashed Isengard in PJ's world.

Dedications: To Evendim, who helped me find the courage to seriously write in this fandom, and who has given me great fun with her own AU series.  And to my darling AJ, without whom I would never have had the courage to allow my stories to see the light of day.  I couldn't have done it without you, ladies, and I love you both for it.  Don't ever change.

Revolution and Retribution

Chapter Nine: More Plans

(Minas Tirith)

Peregrine Took glanced around the carnage on the Pelennor Fields and shuddered.  What had become of this once peaceful bit of farmland?  Simple, he thought.  Civil war made no distinctions between soldier and farmer.  He had reason enough to know.

He made his way to the City gates, his heart in his throat.  If Saruman was behind the rebellion, he was in trouble.

He forced himself to relax and identified himself to the guards on duty and was passed through, and made his way steadily upward to the Citadel, his pony beginning to flag a bit toward the end of the long climb.  Pippin patted his neck encouragingly and promised a nice fat apple when he was stabled which proved to be all the incentive the beast needed.

He dismounted and handed the reins to the first stableboy he saw and forced his face to remain expressionless, though he was shocked at the condition the lad was in.  Filthy, clothed in rags… Denethor nor Aragorn neither one would have tolerated such.  Always they insisted on cleanliness in all things.  But what troubled Pippin the most was the sidelong glance the child had given him, full of fear and distrust.

He headed into the Citadel, his step purposeful and steady, though a great fear was building in his heart.  The City was so changed, seemed so… fearful was the only word he could find that came close to describing what the place now made him feel. 

He stepped into the Hall of Kings, his gaze on the throne, and snapped off a perfect salute.  "Peregrine Took, Guard of the Citadel, my lord," he explained quickly as he went to one knee in respect for the throne. 

Saruman remained seated, indolently waving a hand for the Halfling to rise.  Grima spoke as he neared the Hobbit, his voice harsh.  "You have been recalled by order of the new King of Gondor.  Will you uphold your oath, or will you be branded a traitor to your liege lord and hanged for treason?"

Carefully, carefully, Peregrine, he told himself quickly.  "I am sworn to the service of the King, and that service I will uphold," he said cautiously.  "What would my lord have of me?"

"I would have any information you possess on the whereabouts of Elessar Telcontar, the former ruler of this misbegotten land," Saruman intoned as he regarded the Hobbit gravely. 

"Sadly, my lord, I have none," Pippin answered slowly.  "I came from the Shire as soon as I was recalled, sire, and did not pause long enough to catch much gossip."

Saruman gazed so long and intently at the Halfling that Pippin was beginning to sweat under his armor when he finally spoke again.  "You are a Guard of the Citadel, and as such, you remain.  You know your duties, now carry them out."  He flicked a hand dismissively.

Pippin bowed low and withdrew, his heart in his throat.  How had he managed to pull one over on the old wizard?  Gandalf would have seen through him in a heartbeat.  Ah, but Saruman was not Gandalf, not by a long chalk!  But it seemed his charade had worked.  He had offered his service to the King, and Saruman had accepted it as his due.  Pippin, however, had not specified which King was due his service, and intended to do everything in his power to help Aragorn.  Being privy to Saruman's plans would be an enormous help.  Now he just had to figure a way to get the information to Aragorn and Legolas without being caught.