Chapter 24: Pippen's Plight

AN: this will be in Pippin's POV for a little bit. Then it'll switch back to Gandalf/Harry

That night, they slept soundly in Theoden's house. All but Pippin, who couldn't get the sphere out of his mind. The night went on until Pippin couldn't resist the temptation. He got up and stealthily tiptoed over to Gandalf's sleeping form.

With a jug, he gently slide the ball out of his arms and replaced it with the jug.

"Pippin, what are you doing? Put it back!" Merry whispered harshly.

Pippin ignored him and carried the sphere back to his sleeping bag. He unwrapped the linen that covered it and picked it up in his hands.

The sphere became sticky and he couldn't let go. It went from black to fire and an iris was in the center of it.

Pippin tried to look away, but when he closed his eyes, his body went rigid.

He stood in a burning courtyard. A dead, white tree was burning as well as the rst of the castle. Standing before the tree was a woman with very long hair. She turned around and looked at Pippin. "Hello," the woman said. She was very beautiful: brown curly hair fell down her back. She wore a purple dress and had slim arms and hands, one of which curled around a staff and her head bore a crown of some sort. Her eyes were the same as the sphere. "Tell me, who are you?"

Pippin didn't answer, but when she cupped his chin in her free hand, shivers went up his spine. He resisted the urge to answer.

She smirked. Her purple lips parted to reveal fangs sharp enough to penetrate skin. "Do you know where my ring is?"

Again Pippin didn't answer.

"I bet you do know. Tell me, how is Gandalf? If you see him, tell him that I almost have a new body. Almost complete. All I need is my ring and then I can be myself again. Tell him that my offer is still up: he can still join me and become the greatest sorcerer in the world," she stroked his cheek. 'You will tell him for me, won't you…?"

Pippin didn't answer…

"Pippin! Pippin!" Pippin's eyes opened and he stared at the group that looked at him with concern. Gandalf's face looked so menacing just now…

"Gandalf," Pippin whispered. "Forgive me." He turned away, feeling tears come on.

"Look at me, Pippin. Look at me!" Pippin did so. "What did you see?"

"A tree. It was dead. And on fire. There was also a woman robed in purple."

Gandalf paled. "What did she say?"

"She asked me for my name. I didn't answer. She asked me about the ring. I didn't answer. She then gave me a messege to give you. She said that you could still join her and become the most powerful sorcerer in Middle Earth if you do. She also says that she has a new body. All she needs is the Ring. Gandalf who is she?"

"You met Sauron, Pippin. That is who she is."

"Wait? Sauron is a woman?" Merry shouted. Gandalf nodded.

"The Dark Lord is a woman!"

"And a very powerful witch. She was the smartest witch at the school I attended. I was once her friend."

"What happened?" Aragorn asked.

(Back to Gandalf's POV)

"What happened?"

How could he asnwer that? Well… "That is a story for another day, Aragorn," he said. He turned to Theoden. "There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. He said nothing about Frodo and the Ring. He is a fool, but an honest fool he remains. I will go and warn Gondor of Sauron's attack," Gandalf said, then turned to Pippin. "But I will not go alone."

Pippin gave him a frightened look. Later that day, both Gandalf and Pippin were mounting Shadowfax and riding off to Minas Tirith.

As Pippin slept, Gandalf reminesced about Sauron's words to Pippin. What did she mean that she has a new body, but still needs the ring? He would have to worry about it later.

They passed on for several hours, which melted into days before they could see a white marble tower. When they could see the whole fortress, Gandalf slowed Shadowfax.

"See that, Pippin: that is Minas Tirith, Gondor's Capital. That is our destination. Sitting as leader and Steward of Gondor is Denathor."

That said, Gandalf urged Shadowfax to continue until they entered the gates.


So...how have the chapters been? I"m so happy! I can update again!