The sun shone high through the windows of Meduseld as we stood there, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and I standing on one end of the room in a straight line. Pippin and Merry sitting on a bench on the other. Theoden stood in the very middle, Gandalf in front of him. I watched the King of Rohan warily... how would he take this news?

"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes." Gandalf said, "A fool... but an honest fool he remains." Pippin looked up at me sadly, like a child about to take a punishment. I smiled at him. "He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring." Gimli let his breath out.

"We've been strangely fortunate," Gandalf continued, "Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan." (took me forever to find that word in the book... and then I remembered... the movie is off! This part is still supposed to be in the Two Towers... Shelob's Lair is where it ends. Nice huh?) "Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith." Aragorn looked down as I looked at him. "His defeat at Helms Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the heir of Elendil must come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still." Aragorn continued to look at Gandalf, "Strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle Earth uniting under one banner. He will raise Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of men." Aragorn looked at Gandalf, his face dangerous but troubled. "If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."

Theoden looked down. "Tell me," he said. I looked at the King that I so disliked, fire in my eyes... This had better not be another cowardly challenge! I thought fiercely. "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"

"You-" but Legolas put a hand on my shoulder and Aragorn and Gimli looked at me nervously. I breathed hard, trying to control my anger. Cowardice was not something I tolerated.

"I will go," Aragorn said coldly, looking at Theoden.

"No!" Gandalf and I said at the same time.

"They must be warned!" he argued as he did the night before.

"They will be." Gandalf replied and I smiled as he approached the Ranger. His voice was low. "You must come to Minas Tirith by the boat. Follow the River... look to the Black Ships." He turned to everyone else, "Understand this," he said, "Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith," he paused and looked at Pippin, "And I wont be going alone." Pippin nodded and without another word to anyone Gandalf left the hall. I looked at Theoden once before standing in front of Aragorn.

"Would it make you feel any better, Aragorn." I said, "I offer youre my ride to Minas Tirith with Gandalf. When I feel Gondor needs aid I will ride back. I swear to you I will make it here before the beacons." Aragorn looked at my face, set and determined.

"I would find comfort in that." Aragorn said quietly. I smiled.

"Then it is done." I turned to Legolas and smiled, pulling off the sling around my arm. I hissed in minimal pain as I flexed my right arm and reached up to touch his face.

"Look for my return." I said quietly and smiled... before turning and walking out, pausing only to glare at Theoden. His face moved not.

"Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst. Hurry, hurry!" I could hear Gandalf shouting at Pippin as they approached the stables that I stood in, throwing packs over Niethen's back, though not a saddle. Gandalf frowned when he came in.

"Under oath to a friend, I am accompanying you." I said as Gandalf frowned at me, Pippin and Merry walking after him.

"You're not leaving without saying goodbye are you meleth nin?" I turned at Legolas's voice as he walked up to me. I sighed warmly, smiling as he drew me into a hug.

"How far is Minas Tirith?" I could hear Pippin saying...

"Three days ride as the Nazgul flies... and you better hope we dont have one of those on our tail." I smiled at Pippin reassuringly and turned back to Legolas, leaving Pippin and Merry to say their goodbyes. Just as I turned Legolas's lips were on mine, and I closed my eyes, leaning back into the arms that were around my waist. Our of the corner of my eye as I opened them for just a moment I could see Gandalf smiling.

Legolas's lips left mine all too soon and I looked down at his chest, sighing.

"Take care of Gimli and Aragorn for me." I said, leaping onto Niethen's back. "Make sure they dont get into too much trouble." Legolas smiled and touched my hand.

"But, we'll see each other soon... won't we?" Pippin asked as Gandalf climbed onto Shadowfax.

"I dont know..." Merry said, "I dont know what's going to happen..." Tears choked him.

"Merry?"

"Come Rhasslairiel." I looked up at Gandalf and directed Niethen behind him, "Run Shadowfax... show us the meaning of haste!"

"Merry!"

We rode out into the suns of Rohan, galloping with all the haste the two horses could muster, but not too much to where they would tire soon. I turned as we left the city walls, Niethen riding on to see Aragorn at the top of the watch tower, no doubt Merry next to him. I raised my hand in goodbye, seeing his hand rise in the same farewell. I smiled and turned back to the journey ahead of me, following Shadowfax through the plains of Rohan... on our way to Gondor.

"I will come back to you before the beacons are lit."

On the morning of the third day I sat upon Niethen, an apple in my hand as Niethen galloped.

"We've just passed into the realm of Gondor!" Gandalf said into Pippin's ear. I blinked my eyes.

"Pippin!" I said and tossed the apple to him. Gandalf caught it when Pippin didnt and gave it to him, looking at me.

"I still dont understand why you came." He said as I rode beside him.

"I promised Aragorn I would come, and ride back when Gondor needed aid. He said it would comfort him." Gandalf looked at me.

"You wish to comfort him?"

"I know what you are thinking Gandalf the White and no that is not the truth. Perhaps I loved him once... but he belongs to Arwen and is nothing but a dear friend to me... he is my brother in a way... and I keep the promises I make to my friends." Gandalf only shrugged and turned back to the head of him.

We rode over the mountains swiftly, their tops dotted with snow, the chill in the air making me pull my cloak around me a tad bit tighter. Gandalf led all the way through them... until we came to the top of a hill and looked down upon the White City.

"Minas Tirith." Gandalf said. I looked upon it for not the first time, the city was tall and rested on a cliff, its architect that of a genius, built like a wedding cake, each layer of the city getting smaller and smaller until the top came, where I knew the Steward of Gondor sat on his throne. "The City of Kings..."

We rode through the gate and into the city, people dodging us to avoid being hit as we rode through with all haste, up stairs and through roads, up stairs again and again until we came to the tower at the top of the city. Gandalf, Pippin, and I leaped off our horses in a courtyard. The White Tree of Gondor stood in the center of the courtyard as valiant as I ever saw it. Pippin slowed at the sight of it as we hurried to the door.

"It's the tree... Gandalf!"

"Yes, the White Tree of Gondor... the tree of the King. Lord Denethor however is not King... he is a Steward only, a caretaker of the throne." We climbed the steps and I still said nothing, my mind on my own thoughts. "Now listen carefully," he said to Pippin and I looked from one to the other. "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..." he turned to go in but looked back at the Hobbit, "And say nothing of Aragorn either." He once again turned but seemed to think of something and turned around again. I sighed turning from where I was going to go in, "In fact its better if you dont speak at all Peregrin Took." Pippin nodded. I rolled my eyes as we stepped into the throne room of Denethor. I looked upon him to see Denethor leaning forward on his chair, a horn in his hands. Curse it... I thought.

"Hail Denethor, son of Ecthelion, lord and steward of Gondor." Gandalf said in a booming voice. I bowed to him, almost mockingly in my mind, Gandalf and Pippin beside me. "I come with tidings in this dark hour, and with counsel." Denethor looked up, the horn in his hand split in two.

"No..." I whispered.

"Perhaps you have come to explain this." Denethor said, raising the broken horn, his body was covered in a lush fur cloak, falling around him. Must be hard to move in that. a thought struck me but I pushed it aside, facing on the time at hand. "Perhaps you have come to tell me why my son is dead?" Gandalf's face fell.

"Boromir died to save us... my kinsman and me." I shut my eyes and Gandalf looked down at him, "He fell defending us from many foes."

"Pippin." I said and watched as he knelt down in front of the Steward.

"I offer you my service, such as it is in payment of this debt." I whispered a small curse under my breath.

"Get up." Gandalf said, hitting Pippin with his staff. I looked at him for a moment but he looked back at me without shame. I shook my head. "My lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir but it is not now."

"War is upon you." I said, speaking out to Kings as I had always done, especially with Theoden, "The enemy is on your doorstep. As Steward you are charged with the defense of this city, where are Gondor's armies that you pride so upon?" Gandalf put his hand on my shoulder.

"You still have friends." Gandalf said, "You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Theoden of Rohan. Light the beacons." I looked at the Steward warily. If he chose to light the beacons now I would have to fly to make my promise.

"You think you are wise, Mithrandir." Said Denethor, his lips curling back into a sneer, "Yet for all your subtleties you have not wisdom." Gandalf frowned, "Do you think they 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'd seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Theoden of Rohan." I sighed again and he turned his eyes to me, "Oh yes Windrider," another name that was given to me, "Word has reached me of this Aragorn son of Arathorn and I tell you now," his voice was growing louder as he gritted his teeth, "I will not bow to the Ranger from the North last of a ragged house long bereft of lordship." I turned to him.

"Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the King, Steward!" I exclaimed, firing up again.

"The rule of Gondor is mine!" nearly yelled Denethor as he stood, "And no other's!" I looked at him, my face completely engulfed in a look of anger before turning around and stalking toward the door.

"Come." Gandalf said to Pippin and followed me.

"You have the uncanny knack of enraging rulers, Rhasslairiel Analas." Gandalf said to me that night, as we stood in the sleeping quarters given to us. I leaned on the pillars on the balcony, my knife in one hand, a piece of wood in the other, carving what I knew not.

"Who will penetrate the thick skills of those who deem themselves the most important if not I." I replied. Gandalf breathed a chuckle.