Author's Notes: Things you should know about Tolkein's world:

1. Manwë is the head-honcho west in Valinor.

2. Nienna (Hotaru) was Gandalf's teacher once upon a time.

3. When humans or elves die, they go to the Halls of Mandos.

4. Nienna (Hotaru) is Mandos's sister.

5. Vairë (Setsuna) is Mandos's wife.

6. Aulë is one of the Ainur and he's pretty much the father of craftsmanship (and dwarves).

7. Lorien is one of the Ainur and sends dreams. He dwells in the Gardens of Lorien (in the West) which are named after him. (Not to be confused with the Lorien on Middle Earth where the Fellowship visited Galadriel on their quest.)

8. Gandalf, Radagast, Saruman, and all the other Istari (Alatar and Pallando) don't really look like old men. They're of the Ainur so it can be assumed that the usual glorious beauty also extends to them. However, Tolkein wrote that when the Valar sent them to ME, they put them in old bodies to disguise their identities as Maiar (no one in ME knew they were Maiar with the exception of a few, such as Elrond, who only suspected it) and to deter the temptation to gain anything for themselves. (That's why Saruman wasn't allowed to return to Valinor. Because he used his powers to gain dominion over ME.) Kinda makes you wonder what Gandalf would look like as a hot Ainur. Strange, isn't it?

Disclaimer: I only wish I could write a piece of work that accomplishes half of what Tolkein's work does. Sadly, I haven't. (Oh, not to belittle SM in anyway, but I don't claim to have written that either. xP)

I also must also add another disclaimer and thank-you that I (in all my stupidity) forgot about. Thank you to J.W.'s LOTR Fansite on angelfire for the script that I used to follow in the writing of this fanfiction. (It really is a wonderful site if you ever get the chance to go to it). Rest assured that I did not use your novelization of the scripts, I did my own writing. I did, however, use your script for the dialogue and as a reference for chronology. My apologies for the delay and my gratitude for the time saved (as opposed to writing my own script which would've taken forever).


Chapter 6: Descending (RotK part 1)

Usagi turned to Boromir with eyes full of hope and sadness.

"The time's come, Boro-chan." She said softly.

Boromir looked at her with admiration. Neo-Queen Serenity was such a comfortable person to be with, mainly because she seemed so innocent. A naivety surrounded her, leaving all defenseless to her charms, and because of it, you found the strength to be yourself. You held no masks or pretenses in her presence simply for the fact that she would hold no judgment over you. She was like a child – adoring without question.

And yet, it was at times like these when he fully appreciated the fact that she was a queen. In such rare instances, she truly showed that she was capable of holding the mantle of responsibility. She was noble and regal and through it all, she still held that quality of holding no judgment. For all that she seemed like a child, it was on these occasions that he thought of her as a mother – knowing all and loving just the same.

So it was with a bittersweet heart, the heart of a father to a cherished daughter and the heart of a son to a revered mother, that he accepted her next words.

"I have to go down to Arda." She said with a comforting smile. "There's a huge path left from the battle in Helm's Deep that I can use right now."

"I thought you had to use joy to go down to Arda." He said somberly. Usagi grinned and shook her head sadly.

"That would have been for the best, but by the time there was enough happiness, the war would be over and then what use would I be? Fate would probably just zap me into that stupid crystal and up on the shelf for next time." She said with a little wrinkle of her nose. "Anyway, I can go down to Valinor and use the dead crossing to go to Middle-Earth."

"Why didn't you say that before? And why didn't you just use some of the other people dying to go down? I'm sure that there are deaths happening all the time." Boromir asked curiously, still a little reluctant.

"Judging from everyone's energies, it'd take a lot of deaths to make a path big enough. Besides, who wants to admit that they can save you if you're willing to hold a giant, sacrificial offering? Nuh-uh. Knowing how dumb people can be, I bet they'd start making human-sacrifice part of their daily routine." She said while rolling her eyes and getting to her feet. Suddenly sobering, she bent down and took Boromir's face in her hands.

"I promised that you'd be able to see the end of the story but I'm sorry I won't be able to see you off. Just call for Nienna when you're ready to move on." With that, she placed a motherly kiss on his brow and straightened. "And don't make the foolishly mortal mistake of being afraid to die or she'll come and drag your butt down to the Halls of Mandos when she notices that you're missing."

Usagi slowly turned, taking one final look at the Moon Palace around her with fondness and nostalgia. Her home...she would always remember it, but it was time to move on. With a whispered "Sayonara", she set her sights on the beautiful planet of swirling colors above her and smiled. Her eyes fluttered closed and she took a deep breath, feeling the calmness of her power surround her.

Boromir watched in wonderment as Serenity started to glow softly, her silver hair floating as if she was underwater. Suddenly, she turned around and stared at him with piercing silver eyes full of wisdom, eyes that had once been a chaste cerulean blue.

"Take it from someone who knows." She said with a sad, mysterious smile. "Death is a far better place than you could ever hope to imagine, especially for such valiant a man as you."

And just like that, without any bright lights or fanfares or sparkles or speeches, with little to no ceremony, Serenity, daughter of Selenity, never returned to the Moon Palace in all the future ages of Arda.


"Welcome, my lords, to Isengard." Pippin said jauntily as a few apples floated past his feet.

"You young rascals!" Gimli cried. "A merry hunt you've led us on, and now we find you feasting and...and smoking!"

"We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts." Pippin said smugly. "The salted pork is particularly good."

"Salted...pork?" Gimli asked, a pitiful look in his eyes.

"Hobbits." Gandalf grumbled appreciatively. All of a sudden, he had the strangest sensation of being unpleasantly, but not painfully, cut open and stuffed. When the feeling finally subsided, he found himself turning to Gimli.

"Gimli-chan, you're such a glutton!" He blurted. His eyes widened in horrified surprise. When he saw the stares of the people around him, he gathered up his pride, cleared his throat, and said disdainfully, "My apologies. I'm feeling a bit under the weather from having to ride about Rohan for three days without rest, searching for Éomer and the Rohirrim to aid you in the Battle at Helm's Deep."

The others seemed a bit embarrassed but Aragorn glanced at Gandalf inquisitively.

After an uncomfortable pause where the two hobbits looked to the soldiers for an answer and the soldiers looked anywhere but where the hobbits were standing, Merry shrugged his shoulders and broke the silence by proudly proclaiming, "We're under orders from Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard."

Treebeard came slowly into view as he slowly walked over and slowly spoke to the company...slowly.

"Young Master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come." He addressed with respect. "Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there's a wizard to manage here; locked in his tower."

"And there Saruman must remain – under your guard, Treebeard." Gandalf said with a smile.

"Well, let's just have his head and be done with it." Gimli growled impatiently.

"No," Gandalf said, amusement clearly showing on his face, "he has no power anymore."

"The filth of Saruman is washing away." Treebeard agreed. "Trees will come back to live here. Young trees, wild trees-"

"Pippin!" Aragorn cut off sharply.

Pippin darted to where Treebeard was standing and reached into the still-muddy waters surrounding him. When he straightened, he held in his hands a dark glass-like orb filled with swirling mist. He stared into its depths, missing Treebeard exclaim, "Bless my bark!"

"Peregrin Took!" Gandalf said with victory shining in his eyes, "I'll take that, my lad. Quickly now!"

Gandalf swiftly covered the Palantír with a cloth and tucked it away into his robes while Pippin remained eyeing it intensely.


The company rode, with the addition of Merry and Pippin, towards the Golden Hall of Meduseld, but while the rest of the men entered the Golden Hall to rest and clean for dinner, Gandalf remained in the stables. He quickly looked around to see if anyone else was dawdling and after finding no one, he clenched his fists dangerously.

"Who are you!" Gandalf demanded. He heard something much like a squeak in the back of his head and his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Are you friend or foe!"

"Oh, don't mind me..." A voice responded timidly. Gandalf searched his memory for such a voice but couldn't place it.

"You are INSIDE of ME! What do you mean 'Don't mind me'!" Gandalf shouted. A stray groom who had been sleeping in one of the stalls jumped up and ran out after casting a slightly frightened glance at Gandalf. Shadowfax, if possible, looked highly embarrassed.

Suddenly, Gandalf's eyes widened when he remembered such vernacular.

"SERENITY!" He yelled in disbelief. There was a slight cough and then..."How'd ya guess?"

Gandalf rolled his eyes. "There are very few people in this world who use the term 'chan'."

"Very few? OHHHH you mean Hota-...er...Nienna-chan, don't you?"

Gandalf sighed in exasperation and sat down on a pile of hay. "Serenity, why are you inside of me?"

Serenity laughed sheepishly. "Hehe...that's a funny question...see, I thought I'd use all the deaths at Helm's Deep to mosey my way on down here but, of course, I got pulled to Valinor first." Gandalf nodded as this was what had happened to him.

"Well, I got there and I spent some time with Vairë-san and Enna-chan, who says hi to her favorite pupil by the way, when Manwë suddenly showed up. We had a nice chat and-"

"Get out." Gandalf interrupted with irritation.

"What!" Usagi yelped.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Body." Gandalf ground out. "You are far too chatty and irritating. I cannot concentrate with you in my head."

"But Oló-chan!"

"That's it!" Gandalf roared as he heard the blasted nickname, "If you don't get out right now, I'll force you out!"

"NO! WAIT!" Usagi shrieked, "It'll hurt!"

A vein in Gandalf's forehead pulsed dangerously as he clenched and unclenched his fists.

"What?"

"Well, it won't hurt you," Usagi sniffed, "But it'll hurt me a lot, and it won't stop hurting until the ring's destroyed which could quite possibly be until the end of the world if I'm in too much pain to help out."

Gandalf sighed. "Continue with your story."

Serenity sniffed once more before resuming her story. "Manwë told me that the purpose of Sauron's ring was actually to keep me at bay up in the moon so I couldn't come to help everyone out; it makes sort of an anti-Serenity barrier. Anyway, we invited Aulë over to discuss the problem and he said that if I delved into someone's body, then I technically wouldn't be in Arda, but I'd be able to advise you guys and it would be easier for me to escape once the ring was destroyed. So...Manwë volunteered you to be my "host" and...that's that." She shrugged. "Oh, and Boro-chan says hi." She added as an after-thought.

Gandalf sighed for what seemed like the millionth time. "You can stay in my body." He grumbled. "But you will not dare to make me call Gimli 'Gimli-chan' ever again."

"YATTA!" Usagi squealed. "Oh, Oló-chan, we're going to have so much fun!"

"And don't call me Oló-chan."

"Okay, Gandy-chan!"

"Or Gandy-chan."

"Okay, Tharkûnny-chan!"

"Serenity!"

"Right. Gandalf. Got it."

Gandalf and Serenity walked out of the barn and towards the Golden Hall for the feast honoring those who had died at Helm's Deep when Usagi paused.

"G-chan," she asked thoughtfully, "what's happening with Frodo-chan?" Gandalf froze in his steps.

"W-What?" He choked out.

"What's happening with Frodo-chan!" Usagi repeated cheerfully and with a bit more vigor.

Gandalf paused for a moment in shock.

"YOU MEAN YOU DON"T KNOW!" He roared.

"Well," Usagi said with trepidation, "I am sort of closed off in your body. I only know what you know."

There was a silent pause where Gandalf's eyes widened in horror.

"WHY WOULD YOU LEAVE HIM ALL ALONE?" He bellowed. All this time he had thought that Frodo was well-taken care of and now he finds out that he's all by himself in MORDOR of all places.

"Sam's with him." Usagi said indignantly. "Besides, even if I knew what was going on, I wouldn't be able to help him or anything...unless dumb luck was on our side again like it was with Isildur..."

Gandalf just sighed in exasperation as he started walking again. "I'm sure you could have done something." He muttered.

"I heard that!" Usagi cried.

"You were meant to hear it!" Gandalf whispered back furiously. "People are starting to think me strange for talking to myself." He said as he walked past the groom from the stables who let out a little squeak before running off. "See?"

"Well sor-REE!" Usagi said sarcastically. "It was your stupid teacher who pushed to have our minds separated by a one-way gate."

"Nienna?" Gandalf asked, a bit surprised.

"Yes, Nienna." Usagi said exasperatedly. "We should have been able to share thoughts and just communicate silently but noooOOOOOoooo...Nienna-chan decided it was 'dangerous to give me unbidden access' so while you can hear my thoughts, I can't hear yours which is why you have to 'talk to yourself'."

Usagi sniffed, "It makes it hard on me too because sometimes I project my thoughts too strongly and you end up saying them out loud like what happened with Gimli-chan! She was really adamant about making sure I couldn't dig through your brain." Usagi paused a little. "I wonder why."

Gandalf stayed silent but his ears turned a little brighter.

"You DO have something going on with Nienna-chan!" Usagi accused. "I KNEW IT! G-chan and Hota-chan! G-chan and Hota-chan!" Usagi sang loudly. "G-chan, you're gonna have to bring me to Valinor one day so I can see you without the old body!"

"Can we return to more important subjects!" Gandalf demanded.

"You mean like your future with Nieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnnna-chan?" Usagi sang obnoxiously. "And how many baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabies you're gonna make?"

"Is there any way to block out your thoughts?" Gandalf sighed wearily with a passing wave to a wide-eyed youngster.

"Silly G-chan!" Usagi exclaimed. "Your will to block my thoughts shut that gate a long time ago. But you're not receiving my thoughts, you're hearing my words!"

"Then..."Gandalf trailed off.

"Yup! I'm talking through you! Your vocal chords are my vocal chords." Usagi giggled. "There's no way to turn me off. If you try, my thoughts will most likely be directly sent to your body as signals and come out as words anyway!"

"Then..." Gandalf said, going pale.

"That kid must've thought you were mighty crazy just now!" Usagi chirped.


Aragorn walked to an easterly window facing the raging fires of Mount Doom and wondered of his lost love. Perhaps Arwen had already left these lands for the blessed realm? Perhaps she was in the Gardens of Lorien right now, living in memories of their love? Perhaps...perhaps she had forgiven him?

With a sigh, Aragorn turned back from the window only to find his eyes drawn to Gandalf, walking while talking to himself. Aragorn studied his long-time friend and looked back to the East. How well did he know him really?

He saw a flash of white from the corner of his eye and was not surprised to see the wizard beside him.

"No news of Frodo?" Aragorn inquired softly.

"No word." Gandalf said a little bitterly. "Nothing."

"We have time." Aragorn said as he turned back to the East. "Every day, Frodo moves closer to Mount Doom."

"Do we know that?" Gandalf asked wearily.

Aragorn paused and looked at the wizard as if the answer should be obvious.

"What does your heart tell you?"

"That Frodo is alive." Gandalf said slowly with a bit of amazement. "Yes. Yes, he is alive."

Aragorn smiled and turned from him once more.



Gandalf was wrapped in Lorien's gift, a dream. In this dream, he stood on the Western Shores of Middle Earth and looked across the waves towards the Undying Lands, a sad smile on his lips. Even in his dreams he could not catch a glimpse of his home. A gust of wind blew past him and over the sea, going where he could not.

"Beautiful." He breathed, half to himself and half to the presence at his side. He turned to Usagi with a slight grin. "Fancy meeting you here."

Usagi took her eyes off the ocean and gave her attention to Gandalf.

"Are you surprised to see me?" She teased. Then her eyes went wide. "G-chan, you're so good-lookin'!"

Gandalf glanced at his ever-wavering form in the water. Staring back at him was an old man with soft, white hair and drooping grey eyes. Serenity peeked over his shoulder at his reflection and her smile dropped.

"You've become lost." She whispered sadly. Gandalf nodded. He could not see his former self, nor could he see Valinor in his dreams.

"Don't worry," Usagi said gently as she took him by the hand, "I know where the lost go."

Without warning, Gandalf found himself soaring through the night sky. Flying past entire galaxies, he lost himself in the freedom of reckless speed. He felt that this would go on forever, that this unimaginable rush would only serve to fuel him faster and faster and faster.

And suddenly, they stopped. Before him was a swirling golden mass of...what?

"The Galaxy Cauldron." Usagi whispered, and in that moment, a strange solemnity washed over their entire astral universe. It seemed expected to lower one's voice in the presence of such a holy sight and they marveled together, sharing in silence. When they became aware of the silence, this unconscious homage to the miracle before them, they listened and heard the song of the silence; a mysterious melody that had been drowned out by the sounds of life, and yet, seemed to reverberate through all the living. The crushing silence, the comforting silence – the cosmic silence weaved in throughout all our lives; the infinite loneliness that ties us together.

"Go in."

Gandalf stared at Usagi in shock. Go in? Defile this wondrous place in the center of the universe? Besmirch the holiness with his unworthiness? How could he?

Usagi smiled. "Thieves, murderers, rapists, sinners of all kinds go into the Galaxy Cauldron. Why not you?"

Gandalf gave her a dubious look. Something so wondrous as what stood before him couldn't possibly be defiled with...even the most worthy of people.

"The Galaxy Cauldron," Usagi stated with gentle firmness, "seems so incredibly glorious because it is so purifying; because it's the embodiment of the second chance we all are given, but never really deserve."

Usagi winked and gave him a little push. "Once you're in there, you can see yourself for who you really are; without any earthly pride or doubt clouding your vision.

Gandalf tentatively moved towards the cauldron. Closing his eyes, he threw himself in and waited for...something.

Feeling nothing, he opened his eyes and found himself in the Gardens of Lorien. Confused, he decided to explore the place and happened across a stream that he had frequented. He heard light footsteps and turned to the sound.

Shocked, he watched as his old self and Nienna walked into the clearing, arm in arm. They were talking in hushed tones and softly chuckling.

"This is who you are." He heard Serenity say softly from her place behind him. "And nothing can ever change–"

"–ndALF!"

Gandalf bolted upright and whipped around searching for an enemy.

"Pippin!" He heard Serenity gasp.

Gandalf turned towards the little hobbit and saw Aragorn pull something out of the halfling's grasp only to fall to his knees with a surprised cry. Legolas, finding his friend writhing at his feet, knelt down in panic and held him still, not knowing how to act. As Gandalf ran to the ranger, the Palantír fell from his grasp and Gandalf quickly caught it up in his robes.

Furiously, he turned to Pippin.

"Fool of a Took!" He shouted, taking him by the shoulders, "Look at me!"

"Gandalf!" Pippin cried out with tears in his eyes. "Forgive me!"

"Look at me!" Gandalf shouted again. "What did you see?"

"A tree." Pippin sobbed. "There was a white tree in a courtyard of stone. It was dead! The city was burning!"

"Minas Tirith!" Gandalf asked, still shaking the poor hobbit, "Is that what you saw!"

"I saw – I saw him!" He cried out in hysterics. "I could hear his voice in my head!"

"And what did you tell him?" he urged. "SPEAK!"

"He asked me my name...I didn't answer!" Pippin wept. "He hurt me!"

"What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?" He demanded forcefully.

Pippin gazed up tearfully.


"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes." Gandalf said with an exasperated look sent towards said hobbit. "A fool, but an honest fool he remains."

He turned back to Théoden-King. "We've been strangely fortunate." He said with a sigh. "Pippin saw in the Palantír, a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith.

With vigor, Gandalf continued, speaking not only to Théoden-King and Pippin, but also to Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Merry.

"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 enough 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."

Hopefully, Gandalf turned his full attention to Théoden. "If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."

"Tell me," Théoden slowly said with resentment, "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"

There was a stiff pause in the room.

"I will go." Aragorn said shortly as he stood in defense of his kingdom.

"No!" Gandalf barked.

"They must be warned!" Aragorn shouted, slamming a fist on the table before him.

"They will be." Gandalf assured in a more gentle tone. "You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river. Look to the Black ships. Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith...and I won't be going alone."


Gandalf swiftly made his way to the stables, urging two hobbits along.

"Of all the inquisitive hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst!" He said irritably as Serenity's pleas to go easy on the poor hobbit only served to aggravate him further. "Hurry, hurry!"

"Ohhhhhh! My pauvre Pippin!" Serenity loudly wailed into Gandalf's captive mind. "Why are you always the brunt of such intolerance? Why can those around you not understand the potent pull of curiosity?

"It's okay, Pippin!" She despaired even more loudly, "I went through the same things! Rei-chan yelling at me for pouring a bucket of water on the sacred fire to see if it would reignite itself! Ami-chan chastising me for trying to use her Mercury computer to download anime! Luna-chan scolding me when I threw her up into the air to see if anything else would come out of her! I UNDERSTAND!"

"Serenity," Gandalf ground out, "if you don't stop that incessant shrieking right now, I swear to Eru I-"

"It's Pippin!" Serenity cried out in excitement as the clueless hobbit walked to where "she" stood.

"How far is Minas Tirith?" He asked Gandalf as he was lifted onto Shadofax's saddle.

"Three day's ride as the Nazgûl flies." Gandalf replied, settling himself on the horse-king's back. "And we better hope we don't have one of those on our tail."

In the middle of Gandalf's hasty movements to secure their supplies, Merry quietly stepped forward and handed Pippin a small pouch.

"Here." He said somberly, "Something for the road."

Pippin opened it and turned to his companion with wide eyes.

"Last of the Longbottom Leaf." He exclaimed quietly.

"I know you've run out." Merry joked sadly. "You smoke too much, Pip."

"But...but we'll see each other soon, won't we?" Pippin asked with trepidation.

Merry looked down at the ground. "I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen."

"Merry?" Pippin said fearfully.

"Run, Shadowfax." Gandalf whispered, "Show us the meaning of haste!"

Shadowfax flew from the stables, carrying along a hobbit still reaching for reassurance.

"Merry!"


Arwen sighed sadly from her place atop her horse. Slowly, she led Asfaloth along the great East-West Road to the Grey Havens. "The last journey of Arwen Undómiel" her father had called it, she thought bitterly.

Her brow creased with unease as she had the keenest sensation of being watched. She turned to examine the forest and saw a small boy intently studying her. All around him was a magnificent balcony made of white marble but Arwen could see nothing but his somber, grey eyes. Suddenly, a form rushed passed and she saw her beloved, streaks of age in his hair, pick up the child in his arms with joy. The little boy, content in his father's embrace, looked back at her with a wise innocence and Arwen took a sharp intake of breath as she closed her eyes and a tear rolled down her cheek.


"You know, you could've at least let him say good-bye! It was unfair to steal Pip-"

Serenity suddenly broke off her scolding with a gasp. Gandalf felt her falter in his mind and he immediately tried to keep her from, what seemed like, falling.

"Serenity," He whispered, so as not to wake up Pippin, sternly after he thought she had regained her composure. "Are you alright?"

"Minako..." She said softly with tenderness lacing her voice. "Oh, Minako-chan..."

"What?" Gandalf demanded. "What happened?"

"It's Arwen," Usagi said sadly, "She's given up her immortality."


"We have just passed into the realm of Gondor." Gandalf announced. Usagi had been unusually quiet over the past few days; not even fawning over Pippin. As such, he'd found himself talking more often to fill the silence.

Shadowfax rode to the top of a hill and majestically, seven white walls appeared in the distance.

"Minas Tirith, City of Kings." Gandalf said solemnly, voicing all the awe that Pippin felt. "Make way!"

They rode down towards the city and Pippin turned in the saddle with wide eyes to drink in every aspect of this marvelous invention. High walls stretching to the heavens towered above him and he craned his neck to try and see the tops. Shadowfax took them all the way to the courtyard and Pippin was met with the sight of a dream.

"It's the tree!" He exclaimed as he was dropped down from Shadowfax's back. "Gandalf! Gandalf!"

"Yes, the white tree of Gondor, the tree of the king." The wizard replied as he hastily made his way to the palace. "Lord Denethor, however, is not king. He is a steward only; a caretaker of the throne."

He suddenly stopped his rapid walking and looked down imposingly at the young Hobbit.

"Now listen carefully," He instructed, "Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise."

With a strict glare, Gandalf made to walk up the steps to the throne room.

"What about Frodo and the ring?" Serenity spoke up after being silent much of the journey.

Gandalf stopped in his steps and turned back to Pippin.

"And do not mention about Frodo and the Ring." He added.

"Is Denethor the one who's going to give the throne back to Aragorn?" Serenity asked curiously.

"And say nothing of Aragorn, either." Gandalf stopped again to say. He paused for a moment.

"Oh, why don't you just forbid him from speaking altogether!" Serenity remarked sarcastically. It was amazing how little Gandalf trusted Pippin.

Gandalf nodded his head and turned to Pippin for the last time.

"In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took."

With a slightly melancholy hobbit trailing his footsteps, and an exasperated demigoddess in his body, Gandalf walked with authority to the Steward of Gondor.

"Hail Denethor, Son of Echthelion, Lord and Steward of Gondor." He said hurriedly. "I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel."

"Perhaps you've come to explain this." Denethor said bitterly as he threw Boromir's cracked horn at Gandalf's feet. "Perhaps you've come to tell me why my son is dead."

Before anyone could stop him, Pippin opened his mouth...and inserted foot.

"Boromir died to save us, my kinsman and me." He said desperately. "He fell defending us from many foes."

"Pippin!" Gandalf snapped.

"I offer you my service such as it is." Pippin responded, not heeding the wizard's warning, "In payment of this debt."

Pippin kneeled before Denethor and Gandalf smacked a hand to his own forehead in exasperation at the continuing blunders such a small hobbit could produce.

"Get up!" He barked. "My lord, there will be time to grieve for Boromir but it is not now."

"Besides, he's not really dead yet, anyway." Serenity added with a wise nod of her head, though Gandalf gave her no heed.

"War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep. As Steward, you're charged with the defense of this city." Gandalf declared. "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."

"You think you are wise Mithrandir, yet for all your subtleties, you have no wisdom." Denethor replied harshly. "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 seek to supplant me!

"I know who rides with Théoden of Rohan." He said with narrowed eyes. "Oh, yes. Words have 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."

"Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the King, Steward." Gandalf answered, eyes also narrowing.

"The rule of Gondor is mine and no other's!" The Steward shouted.

"Come!" Gandalf barked to Pippin, as he swiftly stormed out of the Steward's presence.


Gandalf stood on a balcony, looking towards the growing fires of Mordor. Puffing on his long pipe, he turned over the words of Denethor in his mind.

"His mind was tainted." Serenity whispered in his mind. "A shadow covered his heart. And there was a promise...it was dark..."

"So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position." Pippin's voice wandered uncertainly from inside the guestroom. Gandalf walked to his side where he stood, looking at the uniform and sword he had been issued. "I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting, do they?"

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

Pippin remained unresponsive and gloomy. He walked to the balcony Gandalf had been pondering on and rested his chin on the railing.

"It's so quiet." He said.

"It's the deep breath before the plunge." Gandalf said, walking up to his side.

"I don't want to be in a battle," Pippin said sadly, "but waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse! Is there any hope, Gandalf? For Frodo and Sam?"

"There never was much hope." Gandalf answered, a glazed look coming over his eyes. "Just a fool's hope.

"Our enemy is ready, his full strength gathers. 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 hardest. If the river is taken...if the garrison at Osgiliath falls...the last defense of this city will be gone."

"But we have the White Wizard..." Pippin said with a tentative smile. "That's got to count for something."

"Yes," Serenity softly acknowledged. "The White Wizard will be of great importance...but has he the strength to succeed where others have failed?"

"Gandalf?" Pippin asked when he received no answer.

"Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant." Gandalf answered gravely. "The one who would lead Mordor's armies into war...the one they say no living man can kill...the Witch-King of Angmar.

"You've met him before." He said, finally meeting Pippin's anxious gaze. "He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop. He is the lord of the Nazgûl, the greatest of the nine. Minas Morgul is his lair."

No sooner had he said this when a great pillar of Green Light shot up from the East and broke through the clouds, leaving fear and uncertainty in the hearts of all who saw; a beacon calling all evil to its womb.

"We come to it at last, the great battle of our time."


The next day, when the signal of the Witch-King of Angmar had faded into the night, Gandalf stood at the bottom of a high tower; before man's own beacon. He looked expectantly towards Pippin.

Pippin met his gaze and remembered his words from last night.

"The board is set. The pieces are moving."

Pippin hesitantly looked up the tower. What part did he have to play in this game of the Gods?

"Peregrin Took, my lad," Gandalf said with a mysteriously mischievous twinkle in his eye, "There is a task now to be done; another opportunity for one of the Shire-folk to prove their great worth. You must not fail me."

Pippin found himself climbing said tower. Years of climbing up Farmer Maggot's apple trees hurried him along and he finally came to the top, sneaking behind two guards. Awkwardly, he fumbled with the lamp and managed to drop the fire onto the pier – and then realized that he should get down before the flames engulfed him.

"Amon Dîn." Gandalf whispered.

"The beacon!" The guards yelled frantically. "The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit!"

As the beacon shone clearly and brightly, Gandalf, Serenity, and Pippin watched as the message was taken up by the chain of fires in succession across the mountains and to Edoras.

"Hope is kindled."