Chapter 24
(sentences in italics are equivalent to dreams)
Gandalf led Pippin and Elizabeth out of the Golden Hall towards the stables. Merry followed, holding Elizabeth's hand as she sniffled a bit more.
"Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst. I don't know what you were thinking when you touched it! And you had to drag Elizabeth into also," Gandalf scolded loudly as they walked. "Hurry! Hurry!"
"Where are we going?" Pippin asked Merry softly. Merry didn't answer.
"Why did you look?" he asked. "Why do you always have to look?"
"I don't know. I can't help it," Pippin replied.
"You never can." Merry retorted.
Elizabeth, meanwhile, was saying nothing and simply followed the two Hobbits at a distance.
"I'm sorry, all right?" Pippin said. "I won't do it again."
"Don't you understand?" Merry asked angrily. "You not only put yourself in danger, but Elizabeth too! The enemy thinks that one of you has the Ring. He's going to be looking for the both of you, Pip. They have to get both you and Elizabeth out of here."
Elizabeth walked past the Hobbits and into the stables. She was still afraid of losing Gandalf. If he really was going to die, than she'd best spend a lot of time with him. The Hobbits' conversation faded away as she walked towards Gandalf. He looked down at her and smiled.
"Something on your mind, Elizabeth?" he asked, while prepping Shadowfax to carry himself, a Hobbit and a child.
"Sauron was lying, right?" Elizabeth asked slowly. "You're not gonna die, are you?"
Gandalf sighed and kneeled before Elizabeth. "I will not die until I have to. If the Valar wish to take me before you go home, than so be it."
But Gandalf's words had not consoled Elizabeth. She began crying softly once more. Gandalf embraced the girl tightly.
"I will not die with you unsafe and unguarded. I will stay as long as you need me to." Gandalf whispered into her ear. He glanced up and saw Merry and Pippin coming towards them. "Up you go, Elizabeth."
Gandalf lifted Elizabeth onto Shadowfax's back and did the same with Pippin.
"How far is Minas Tirith?" Pippin asked.
"Three days ride, as the Nazgul flies. And you better hope we don't have one of those on our tail." Gandalf said, slightly scolding Pippin.
Elizabeth sat there, silently crying on Shadowfax's back. Gandalf watched her silently out of the corner of his eye. He would need to speak with her later.
"Here," Merry said, handing Pippin something wrapped in large leaves. "Something for the road."
"The last of the Longbottom leaf." Pippin said softly.
"I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pippin." Merry said.
"But—But we'll see each other soon." Pippin said. Merry glanced at Gandalf, who mounted Shadowfax. "Won't we?"
"I don't know." Merry said, backing away. Pippin and Elizabeth felt Gandalf mount Shadowfax. "I don't know what's going to happen."
"Merry," Pippin whispered.
"Run, Shadowfax." Gandalf said with slight reluctance. "Show us the meaning of haste."
"Merry!" Pippin shouted as Shadowfax took off.
Elizabeth looked straight ahead of the path before them. Her eyes glazed over and she gave herself to the trance that had been threatening to take her over.
She saw the plains of Rohan around her, but she heard nothing. She heard not the sound of Shadowfax's hooves on the ground, nor the splash of Shadowfax's hooves running through water. She heard voices…
Elizabeth's Trance
The clicking of horse shoes on the hard ground.
'Tell me what you have seen.' A female voice said.
'Arwen.' A familiar male voice said softly. That was Elrond.
'You have the gift of foresight. What have you seen?' Arwen asked.
'I looked into your future and I saw death.' Elrond answered.
'But there is also life.' Arwen said. 'You saw there was a child. You saw my son.'
'That future is almost gone.' Elrond's voice said.
'But it is not lost.' Arwen answered defiantly.
'Nothing is certain.' Elrond said softly.
'Some things are certain.' Arwen whispered. 'If I leave him now, I will regret it forever. It is time…
'From the ashes a fire shall be woken. A light from a shadow shall spring. Renewed shall be blade that was broken. The crownless again shall be king…
'Re-forge the sword,' Arwen suggested. 'Ada…'
Arwen breathed heavily, Elizabeth could hear it…she dropped something…
'Your hands are cold.' Elrond said. 'The life of the Eldar is leaving you.'
'This was my choice,' Arwen whispered. 'Ada, whether by your will or not there is no ship now that will bear me hence.'
A clanging of metal, no iron. Oh, whatever it was, someone was hitting it over and over again. It slowly faded…
End Trance
Elizabeth didn't open her eyes after the trance/vision ended. Her body had apparently decided that it needed sleep. Pippin was already slumped on one of Gandalf's arms, but Elizabeth leaned against Pippin and gave herself to peaceful sleep.
Elizabeth opened her eyes as she felt the horse's path become an uphill slope.
"Where are we?" she asked.
"In Gondor," Pippin answered softly.
Elizabeth looked around at all the people in the streets and the strange way the city was built in. Several people scurried out of the way like mice as Shadowfax carried the three travelers closer and closer towards the palace at the top of the city.
"Make way!" Gandalf shouted. Elizabeth watched as several more people ran to the side of the street. She had to fight the urge to say sorry to them because she knew they wouldn't hear her anyways.
Finally, Shadowfax ascended upon the white steps and Elizabeth's mouth dropped open as she stared upon the White Castle of Gondor. This building didn't need a bath…but the rest of the city did.
Two guards came from behind and held Shadowfax as Gandalf dismounted and helped Elizabeth and Pippin off of the horse.
"Careful now," Gandalf cautioned, as he saw how Elizabeth's legs were unused to the sudden movement after three days of no movement at all.
Elizabeth and Pippin followed Gandalf closer to the White Castle. As she drew closer, Elizabeth found that the White Castle did need a bath and only looked white from far away. Perhaps that was why they called Gondor the White City. Because from far away, it looked white, but when you got close, it looked dirty.
They walked past a tree and Elizabeth noticed that Pippin suddenly fell behind as he stared at it.
"It's the tree." Pippin murmured. "Gandalf! Gandalf!"
"Yes, the White Tree of Gondor." Gandalf answered. "The tree of the king. Lord Denethor, however is not the king. He is a steward only, a caretaker of the throne."
"How did you know about the tree, Pippin?" Elizabeth asked. "Do you have Dreams like mine, too?"
"He had one, yes, Elizabeth." Gandalf said, and then glared at Pippin. "And he won't be having any more."
Pippin looked at his feet as they reached the steps.
"Now listen carefully," Gandalf instructed mainly to Pippin. "Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise.
"And do not mention Frodo or the Ring. And say nothing of Aragorn either." Gandalf continued. "In fact, it's better if you don't speak at all, Peregrin Took."
Elizabeth giggled. Gandalf looked down at her.
"And the same to you, young lady." Gandalf said seriously. "Do not mention anything about your Dreams or anything that you have done while you have been here. Understood?"
Elizabeth assumed a military position and saluted Gandalf. "Yes sir!"
Gandalf smiled softly and entered through the great doors of the palace. It was very quiet in the hall. And very empty also. Pippin and Elizabeth looked around in awe of the hall as they followed Gandalf.
"Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, lord and steward of Gondor." Gandalf hailed. Denethor said nothing. Elizabeth noticed that he held a horn in his hands. A very familiar horn, to be exact. "I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel."
"Perhaps you come to explain this," Denethor's rough voice said softly. He held the two pieces of the broken horn apart. Pippin and Elizabeth stared at the horn. "Perhaps you come to tell me why my son is dead."
At that moment, both Elizabeth and Pippin relived Boromir's death. Elizabeth shuddered quite obviously, causing Denethor to transfer his gaze from Gandalf to her. She held his stare until Denethor broke the silence.
"Who is this child you bring with you?" Denethor asked, abruptly changing the subject. "Why does she shudder when I mention the death of my son? Does she know how he died?"
Gandalf shifted Elizabeth behind him with his staff. "She has nothing to do with this, my lord. Please leave her be."
"No," Denethor said. "Answer my questions."
Gandalf sighed. "She dreamt of his death. She saw a mere dream."
"Is this child a Seer?" Denethor asked.
"No, she is a child who is trying to find her way home." Gandalf answered.
"She is obviously human. Where is she from?"
"England," Elizabeth answered, speaking for the first time.
"So she speaks," Denethor said softly. "Though, I have never heard of this 'England'."
"It's of no concern, at the moment," Gandalf said quickly. "I believe you wanted the reason your son died?"
Denethor's intent gaze upon Elizabeth transferred itself to Gandalf and turned into a glare.
"Boromir died to save us, my kinsman and me." Pippin said. "He fell defending us from many foes."
Pippin came and kneeled in front of Denethor.
"Pippin," Gandalf said, warningly.
"I offer you my service, such as it is, in payment of this debt." Pippin finished. Gandalf closed his eyes. Elizabeth's eyes were locked on Denethor. The edge of his mouth twitched.
"This is my first command to you," he said. "How did you escape and my son did not, so mighty a man that he was?"
"The mightiest man may be slain by one arrow." Pippin answered wisely. "and Boromir was pierced by many."
Denethor looked shocked and ready to cry. Gandalf gripped his staff and lightly hit Pippin's back with it.
"Get up," he muttered. "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 defense 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."
Elizabeth thought it odd that Gandalf would call Denethor 'my lord'. After all, he didn't call Théoden 'my lord'. He simply addressed him. Elizabeth shifted her gaze back to Denethor. He looked as if he wanted to smile, but something gross was preventing him.
"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?" Denethor said. "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'd 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 ragged house long bereft of lordship."
"Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, steward." Gandalf said.
At this, Denethor came to his feet angrily. "The rule of Gondor is mine, and no other's."
"No it's not!" Elizabeth shouted, coming out from behind Gandalf and standing before Denethor. "Aragorn is the true king and you can't stop him from taking the throne back!"
It all happened in a split second, then. A swift hand lashed out and connected with Elizabeth's cheek. Elizabeth was thrown to the ground from the momentum of the slap and began crying. Denethor had struck her.
Gandalf glared at Denethor as he came to stand in front of her. "Your days are running thin, steward."
That said, Gandalf helped Elizabeth to her feet and guided her out of the hall. Denethor would not see the end of this war, Gandalf was sure of it.
"A thousand years this city has stood. Now, at the whim of a madman it will fall." Gandalf said sadly. "And the White Tree, the tree of the king will never bloom again."
"Why are they still guarding it?" Pippin asked.
"They guard it because they have hope," Gandalf answered. He glanced at Elizabeth who'd walked ahead of him. "A faint and fading hope that one day it will flower. That a king will come and this city will be as it once was before it fell into decay.
"The old wisdom borne out of the West was forsaken. Kings made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living," Gandalf continued. "And counted the old names of their descent dearer than the names of their sons. Childless lords sat in aged halls musing on heraldry or in high, cold towers asking questions of the stars.
"And so the people of Gondor fell into ruin. The line of kings failed. The White Tree withered." Gandalf said. "The rule of Gondor was given over to lesser men."
Pippin took a few steps forward and stood next to Elizabeth. "Mordor,"
"Yes," Gandalf said. "There it lies. This city has dwelt ever in the sight of its shadow."
"A storm is coming," Pippin said softly.
"This is not the weather of the world." Gandalf said. "This is a device of Sauron's making. A broil of fume he sends ahead of his host. The Orcs of Mordor have no love of daylight so he covers the face of the sun to ease their passage on the road to war.
"When the Shadow of Mordor reaches this city, it will begin." Gandalf said.
"Well," Pippin said. "Minas Tirith, very impressive. So where are we off to next?"
"Oh, it's too late for that, Peregrin." Gandalf said. "There's no leaving this city. Help must come to us."
Pippin looked grief-stricken. Gandalf glanced at Elizabeth.
"Are you all right, Elizabeth?" he asked softly. She looked up at him and he caught a glance at her cheek. A large red hand was there. It looked as if it hurt badly.
Gandalf stroked Elizabeth's cheek. "You must forgive him, Elizabeth. Lord Denethor is not in his right mind at the moment."
Elizabeth said nothing. She let a tear slide down her reddened cheek.
"It hu-hurts, Gandalf." She whispered. Gandalf drew Elizabeth into a hug.
"I know it does, Elizabeth, I know." Gandalf said softly.
"I'm scared," Elizabeth whispered.
"Do not be scared, Elizabeth," Gandalf answered. "Nothing will happen to you while I can protect you."
Gandalf coughed as he smoked his pipe. Night had fallen over Gondor.
"So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position." Pippin said, examining his new uniform. "I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting. Do they?"
"You're in the service of the steward, now." Gandalf answered. "You're in the service of the steward now; you'll have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took."
Gandalf began coughing quite constantly, now. Pippin began pouring him a cup of water.
"You shouldn't smoke if it hurts you, Gandalf." Elizabeth said softly.
Gandalf smiled down at her. He hadn't noticed her standing there, next to him. She was a quiet child. Pippin handed him the cup of water.
"Thank you," Gandalf said. Pippin looked up at the sky in a somewhat frantic way.
"There's no more stars." He said. "Is it time?"
"Yes," Gandalf said.
"It's so quiet." Pippin said.
"It's the deep breath before the plunge." Gandalf replied.
"I don't want to be in a battle." Pippin said. "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. Just a Fool's hope." Gandalf said, leaning on the balcony next to Pippin. "Our enemy is ready. His full strength's gathered. Not only Orcs but Men as well.
"Legions of Haradrim from the south, mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call." Gandalf said. "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. That's got to count for something." Pippin said. But Gandalf didn't look so sure about that. "Gandalf?"
"Sauron has yet to reveal 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." Gandalf said. "You've met him before. He—"
"—stabbed me—and Frodo on Weathertop." Elizabeth interrupted. She looked as if she'd seen a ghost.
"He is the lord of he Nazgul, the greatest of the nine." Gandalf ended,
"He won't hurt us will he?" Elizabeth asked.
"No, child, he will not. Now go to bed, I see that you tire." Gandalf said. Elizabeth stifled a yawn and obeyed. But the moment she closed her eyes, visions flashed before her in her mind.
Mr. Frodo?
I don't think I'll be coming back…
Elizabeth moaned and turned over in her bed.
The DeadCity…very nasty place. Full of enemies. The secret stair…a castle that glows green…NO, FRODO, DON'T GO THERE! They will see you…no, don't go…
A green light shoots up into the air…signaling something. The clouds swarm around it…
Elizabeth screamed. Not only was the light being produced in her dream, but it was happening at that very moment. Gandalf was astounded. He stared at the light and once he heard Elizabeth's screams, he knew that it wasn't a coincidence. She had Dreamt something.
Hide, Frodo…Gollum…no don't follow him…
Gollum, Sam and Frodo hide. The dragon emerges with the Witch King sitting atop of it. A searing pain…Elizabeth feels her wound cry out for the blade of the Witch King. Frodo can feel the blade just as much as Elizabeth can…the scream comes. Frodo covers his ears…
Elizabeth screamed and clutched her shoulder. The shoulder that had been stabbed. Gandalf glanced at her and saw her clutching her old wound. He hurried to her side.
"Elizabeth!" he shouted, holding her steady. He turned to Pippin and looked past the Hobbit at the green light. "We come to it at last. The Great Battle of our time."
Looking back down at Elizabeth as she let out another scream and began to twist and turn violently, he held her still.
"Elizabeth! You must wake up!" Gandalf said loudly. He closed his eyes and lay a hand on her forehead, muttering in another language.
There are so many…so many Orcs…the dragon flies with his master now…the pain keeps coming for both Frodo and Elizabeth…
They are climbing…Gollum is leading Frodo and Sam into a trap…how can they not see? Sam is suspicious…but Frodo thinks Sam is too suspicious. Gollum will hurt Sam…and then Frodo…and then take the Ring…they must stop him! They must!
Elizabeth screamed and opened her eyes. Gandalf was sitting over her.
"Shh…" he whispered, "It's all right. What did you see?"
Elizabeth sniffled. "Gollum is going to hurt Sam and Frodo. They're going the wrong way."
"Which way are they taking?" Gandalf asked.
"The Secret Stairs." Elizabeth answered. Gandalf frowned. "Next to the Dead City."
Gandalf's eyes widened. "Are you sure? What else did you see?"
"I saw the Witch King and his Dragon. He screamed and Frodo and I both felt his sword." Elizabeth said. "Frodo almost walked into the Dead City, but Sam and Gollum stopped him. Sam is suspicious of Gollum and Frodo thinks Sam is too suspicious. What's gonna happen?"
"We will have to see; your Dream is pressing. I am not sure if it is real or not this time. Peregrin and I have an errand to run. We will be back. You get some rest, understood?"
Elizabeth nodded and let her head fall back onto the pillow. She closed her eyes and hoped for a Dreamless sleep.
"Peregrin Took, my lad, there is another task to be done. Another opportunity for one of the Shire-folk to prove their great worth." Gandalf said as he led Pippin through the streets of Minas Tirith. "You must not fail me."
Pippin nodded and ran off in the direction he was supposed to go. He would not fail Gandalf this time. Gandalf watched the Hobbit go and knew he must go back to Elizabeth. He could watch the beacon from the balcony.
((A/N: You will not believe how many chapters I wrote in one day! Heck, it was less than a day! I was on a roll! Sadly, it was also midnight. I could have set my record for the most chapter written in less then one day, but I simply tied it. I wrote 3 chapters. Wow! Anywho, i still need you people to tell me any ideas for the third part of this 'trilogy'. IF Elizabeth goes back to Middle Earth when she gets older, than WHAT WILL SHE DO? SHOULD SAURON RE-EMERGE? Tell me!
Thanks,
Silent Watcher))