chapter 15

The celebration has finally finished and all but few were asleep. Aragorn was outside the Golden Hall with Legolas and Viridis. The two elfs could sense that something was going to happen tonight and both of them were on edge. In the Golden Hall two hobbits were awake. Pippin was obsessing with the black stone and he was unable to think about anything else. Finally his curiosity won and he stood up from his bed. Merry has awoken due to the constant fidgeting of his friend and was trying to tell Pippin that it was a very bad idea to look into the stone, but the younger hobbit did not listen. Stealthily he exchanged the stone in Gandalf hands for a water jug and returned to his bed and looked in the stone. A fiery eye looked back. Legolas jumped and looked at both his companions.
- He is here- The Mirkwood elf stated and the trio ran inside and stoped for a moment as they saw Pippin with the Palantir in his hands.

Viridis started running again and quickly took the hot stone from the hobbit. He quickly closed his eyes and tried to let it go however he was unable to do it. He could feel the commotion around him and he felt the clothe between his fingers and a voice telling him to let go. The elf opened his hands with difficult and everybody saw the blisters on them and the burns on his fingers. Someone poured water in a basin and another person, Viridis was unable to say who due to the immense pain gently took his hands and put them in the cold water. The elf hissed when the water touched his blisters then slowly opened his eyes to see Draco in front of him and watching him carefully. He turned toward Gandalf who was interrogating the hobbit and saw his posture ease up.
- Gandalf!?- Viridis asked
- For now we are fine. Pippin didn't tell Sauron anything.
- Viridis I am sorry- the hobbit said
- Pippin it's fine, you didn't tel Sauron anything
- But your hands are seriously burned- Pippin cried out
- Don't worry about them. Apollo will heal them. Look he has already started- everyone looked at the phoenix and saw the tears falling down on his hands.

The following morning Theoden stood in the throne room surrounded by Gandalf, Eomer, Aragorn, Gimli and the elfs.
- What is the plan?- asked the monarch
-I will go with Pippin to Minas Tirith as it is in front of Gondor that the final battle will be held as the hobbit saw the white tree.
- Why should we aid Gondor when Gondor didn't aid us in our hour of need?- asked Theoden
- Gondor may not have helped you, however you had aid- Severus answered
- And I am grateful- Theoden said and looked at Eomer- Eomer
- Yes my king
- Send word through all of Rohan, any able rider should arm himself and go to the camp in the mountain pass. As soon as Gondor as we see the fires we'll depart for the mountain passage.
- Understood my king- said the man and exited the room
- Thank you- Aragorn said and bowed his head to the King
- So we have a plan- Gimli stated

An hour later Merry stood on top of one of the towers with Aragorn and looked at the forms of Gandalf and Shadowfax becoming smaller and smaller until they disappearing leading his best friend to Gondor.

That same night

Draco and Viridis were awoken by something. They looked around their rooms and didn't see anything suspicious around them. They tried going back to sleep but were unable as they heard the sound again. Frustrated they got out of their beds and exited their rooms. They continue to follow the music which led them to they yard and ended in front of a light portal. They looked at each other and both of them very gently pressed their hands through the light. They watched how their hands disappeared inside it before pulling them back up. They looked at each other and nodded and as one they entered the light. Right after that the entrance disappeared.

The first two people to awake the following morning where Sirius and Severus. Something was telling them that something wasn't as it should be. The two elfs focused on their magic and found out that this was in fact their godfather bond. It was still there but in the same time it was kind of muted as if between they and their godsons there was some obstacle. Worried they exited their rooms and saw Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.
- Everything alright?- Gimli asked
-We don't know, something is off-Severus answered while looking at the closed doors of the young elfs
- What is happening with Draco and Viridis?- Legolas asked worriedly
- Have you see the two of them?- Sirius asked
- Now that you mentioned , no we haven't- Gimli said

Aragorn looked at the doors of the young elfs and approached the door before knocking on them. He waited a little bit before knocking again. As he didn't receive an answer again he opened the door of Draco room and saw that the elf wasn't there. He approach the bed and put his hand on the sheets.
- The sheets are cold, if he had gotten up soon they still would have some of his residual heat- the ranger said
- Viridis room is also empty- Legolas yelled.
- Where are the youngling- Gimli asked
- We don't know, but at least we know that they are ok- Snape answered
- How do you know?- Legolas asked worried about his younger brother
- Godfather bond- Sirius answered
- We still have it, but is muffled, which means that they are alive but there is something between us

four days later

Gandalf and Pippin finally arrived in Gondor and Pippin was speechless when he saw Minas Tirith. The White city was majestic, the white marble glistening in the sun. The hobbit was awed when they passed through the huge metal gates and looked mesmerized at the inner construction of the city. The city had 7 floors and between each floor there was a metal gate that when closed could prevent an enemy advancing toward the most inner part of the city if needed. Finally after a good 15 minutes of riding Gandalf and Pippin ascended to the summit where the castle and the white tree could be found. Pippin looked worriedly at the tree remembering the vision he saw in the Palantir, wishing with all his heart that they would survive what was to come.

Gandalf stoped in front of the massive doors leading toward the throne room and his gaze turned toward the hobbit and saw the worry in his eyes. He looked at him and sed.
- Everything will be alright Pippin with each day Frodo and Sam are getting closer and closer to their objective. Now few things that you must know before entering the throne room. Minas Tirith in the absence of the king is ruled by a steward. Denethor is the steward of Gondor in the absence of the king, and he will become even more troublesome if he learn that Isildur line is still may have accepted Aragorn as his king however Denethor will not, furthermore Denethor is Boromir father and telling him that his favorite son is dead will not endear us to him.
- Favorite son?
- Denethor had two sons lets leave it at that. In fact it is best that you didn't talk at all.

The wizard and the hobbit entered the huge marble hall and the hobbit saw at the end of the room two thrones, The highest throne was pure white and few steps were leading up to it, on its left side at the beginning of the steps stood a black throne. On it sat a man. This man was Denethor, Stewart of Gondor and father of Boromir, and in his hands a split in two horn could be found.
- Are you here to tell me how my son was killed, Gandalf?- the old man continue to look at the broken horn. Pippin looked at the horn and made his decision.
- Boromir, gave his life to protect mine and a clansman life from orcs. In honour of his memory I want to pledge my services to Gondor- Pippin kneeled in front of the Gondor ruler.

Before, Denethor could give his answer a guard opened the door to the throne room and entered the hall running.
- Lord Denethor, news from Osgiliath- the guard kneeled in front of the throne
- What is happening?- the lord asked
- The orcs have taken the city.

When he heard that Gandalf ran outside. Pippin looked at Denethor and then at the place where Gandalf used to be and then followed the wizard to his horse in the courtyard. Gandalf saw the hobbit and helped him with mounting Shadowfax, then with just a sign the strong animal started to gallop toward the gate.