Ginny: And we'd like to thank our readers…
Dan: *bursts in* SHE'S MISSING!
Aggie: Yay…
Ginny: How'd you lose her!
Peter Pan: Heheheheh. That's right.
Chapter Six: Save the Dumplings!
Aragorn and Legolas sprinted down the hallway towards the sleeping chambers. Members of the court poked their heads out, not at them, but the commotion coming from the end of the hallway. Aragorn turned the heavy iron latch, yanking the ancient door open. Inside was chaos.
To their great alarm, Pippin was thrashing around in the center of the room, holding the multicolored orb that now burned aflame.
"Someone help him!" shouted Merry. Eomer grabbed a fire extinguisher and tried to put out the fire.
"It's not working!" he panicked.
Aragorn jumped valiantly to grab the orb, falling to his knees as the pain quickly transferred to his body. He collapsed on the floor and the flaming ball went rolling to Legolas's feet. The Elf quickly kicked it towards the door. Azimah and Nora, who had come from the girls' chambers, saw the ball and quickly passed it back and forth before kicking it to Eomer. Eomer screeched and kicked it to Aragorn, who had regained composure. Gandalf shoved his way out of the crowd and threw his cloak over the orb.
"Gooooal!" Nora yelled happily. Her face fell when she saw Pippin lying wide-eyed and stationary. Merry knelt beside him, panicking. Gandalf pushed Merry out of the way, passing his hands over Pippin's face and muttering.
Nora walked over to Merry, who exchanged a frightened glance with her. They both stared helplessly as Gandalf tried to revive Pippin. Suddenly, Pippin began gasping for air. There was a sigh of relief from the room. Merry squeezed Nora's hand.
"What did you see?" Gandalf interrogated. Pippin's eyes widened.
…
"Fortunately, Master Peregrin has caught a glimpse of the Enemy's plan," Gandalf's voice rang through the Great Hall. The Fellowship stood silently around as the Wizard and the King discussed Pippin's fate. The hobbit in question sat, looking quite guilty as the two men paced around him. "Sauron plans to strike Minas Tirith next. He fears the strength of Men after his defeat in Helms Deep. An heir has come forth to challenge him." He nodded towards Aragorn. Aragorn stepped, puffing his chest out. Théoden stuck his tongue out at him.
"We must ride to their aid," Aragorn stated.
"Tell me," Théoden said. "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?"
Aragorn moved forward threateningly, but Legolas stopped him.
"Whether or not Rohan rides is the King's decision," Gandalf said. "But I'm leaving for Minas Tirith today. Denethor needs my counsel."
He stopped and looked in Pippin's direction.
"And I won't be going alone."
…
"Of all the inquisitive hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst," Gandalf said, trudging down the steps to the stable. "Hurry, hurry."
"I don't know why we have to go," Pippin told Merry halfheartedly.
Merry rounded on him, clearly upset. "Don't you understand, Pip? The Enemy thinks you have the Ring. He's going to be looking for you. We have to get you out of here."
"And…and you? You're coming with me," Pippin said softly.
Merry simply turned and marched on after Gandalf.
"Merry?" Pippin called.
"Come on," Merry said harshly without looking back.
"How far is Minas Tirith?" Pippin asked, slightly frightened as Gandalf lifted him onto Shadowfax.
"Three days ride as the Nazgul flies," Gandalf said seriously. "And you'd better hope we don't have one of those on our tail."
"Where's Nora?" Pippin asked, looking at Merry with frightened eyes.
"She wouldn't come out of her room," Merry replied. "Here. Something for the road."
"The last of the Longbottom Leaf?" Pippin asked, taking the leather-bound tobacco from him.
"I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pip."
"But we'll see each other soon, won't we, Merry?" Pippin said, starting to panic as Gandalf mounted the saddle.
"I don't know," Merry choked. "I don't know what's going to happen." Merry bit back tears as he backed out of the horse's way.
"Merry…?"
"Come, Shadowfax, show us the meaning of haste," Gandalf beckoned the horse.
"Merry!" Pippin yelled as the horse galloped out of the stable and down the hill. Merry sprinted across the road to the nearest watchtower, shoving his way past a guard on the staircase. Nora stood, gazing after the horse as Pippin disappeared across the plains.
"Do you suppose we'll ever see him again?" Merry asked.
Nora remained silent. She wiped her eyes and walked slowly back towards the Great Hall.
…
Faramir nudged Satchel awake with his foot.
"Wha…!" Satchel yelped, unsheathing his sword as if preparing for a blow.
"Wake up, Men!" Faramir ordered.
"What is it?" Satchel asked, standing at the ready.
"Orcs. Hundreds of them coming in from the river. We won't be able to hold this wave off," Faramir explained. Satchel nodded as Faramir continued to round up the men. He felt a nudge at his side.
"What's going to happen to Kelly?" Fado asked. "And the Chinese people from the food court?"
Satchel sheathed his sword. "We're going down the well, Fado."
Fado followed him silently. The screams of soldiers could be heard from a distance. Satchel grabbed Fado's hand. "Hurry," he said quietly. The two broke into a run.
As they neared the well, Satchel scooped up Fado and leapt in. Both were silent as they slid into the darkness. Satchel set Fado down when they reached the bottom.
"I'll go get Kelly. You round up the workers in the food court," he said.
Fado nodded and ran into the kitchen. Satchel sprinted up the broken escalator to the dance studio.
"Kelly!" He yelled, gasping for breath as he threw the door open.
"What's going on?" Kelly exclaimed as she put away the last box of Zumba- Toning sticks.
"We've been over run!" Satchel grabbed her hand. "There's not much time!"
Satchel began to run but Kelly held him back. "Satchel? I've always wanted to tell you this…" He turned around and stared deeply into her eyes.
"Yes?" he asked breathlessly.
"You're a really good dancer," she whispered.
Satchel stared at her for a moment. "I know," he whispered back.
Meanwhile…
"No, I don't want to place an order!" Fado screamed impatiently, waving her arms. "We need to get out of here!"
"We won't leave without an order, Miss," the man behind the Happy Panda Noodle House counter said.
Fado sighed. "Give me the menu, quick!"
…
"Pull back!" Faramir screamed. "Pull back to Minas Tirith!"
He led the Rangers of Gondor in their retreat as they frantically ran to grab their belongings and mount their horses.
"Wait!"
Faramir turned to see a crowd of people running towards them, bringing a heavenly scent along.
"What is this?" he asked.
Satchel and Kelly sprinted in the lead, holding hands. Fado followed close behind, leading the entire staff of Happy Panda Noodle House, who was carrying pots upon pots of Chinese food.
"Good job, Private." Faramir nodded to Satchel as he mounted his horse. "Retreat!"
…
Azimah didn't see Nora at dinner. She returned to the girls' chambers to find Nora's pack missing.
"She didn't…" Azimah hissed through gritted teeth. She sprinted back up the hallway and out the door. Down by the gate, a lantern glowed in the stables. Azimah groaned and took off running down the hill. She arrived in the stables to find Nora saddling a horse.
"And what do you think you're doing?" Azimah demanded.
"Just out for a ride," Nora responded without turning around.
"And taking your pack with you?" Azimah stalked over to the horse accusingly. "You could be killed, kidnapped; you don't know what lies out there! You can't just go after them! Do you even know where Minas Tirith is? And all this for some spontaneous-"
Nora turned and stared at Azimah. Their eyes met for a long minute.
"I'm not losing him again," Nora stated quietly.
Azimah looked as if she was about to say something. Instead, she gave Nora a much unexpected hug. She pulled back quickly, regaining composure. "You're going to leave me with all these smelly men?"
Nora smirked. "Azimah, I smell worse than a lot of those guys."
Azimah watched as Nora rode off into the night.
'It's not fair,' she thought to herself as she slowly climbed the steps back to the Great Hall. 'She goes running away for love and I…'
Azimah stumbled a little. She stopped, frightened at the sudden weakness in her legs.
"Where'd Nora get off to?" Aragorn called when Azimah had entered the hall.
"She went out for a ride."
…
Ginny: Give her back, you scoundrel!
Peter Pan: Not unless someone challenges me…in a duel.
Ginny: Oh damn-
Aggie: I will.
Dan: Wait, I was supposed to say that-
Aggie: Shut up. I have a sword.