An: not one of our longest chapters because school had just started again, we will try and get more chapters finished soon.
R&R
Cerys & Zoe
Chapter 19
The next morning, everyone was on edge. They were all wondering how safe they were, how much the Dark Lord know knew of them. They all congregated in Edoras's main hall, waiting for Gandalf and Pippin to come out. They had been up the whole night, Gandalf interrogating Pippin and checking that he had no lasting ill effects from his contact with the palantir. The silence was thick and awkward. Celandine was the only unconcerned with the whole thing. She had no idea what had happened last night, having slept through the whole thing and instead focused on nursing her hangover.
Celandine and Merry found themselves sitting closely together watching the others as they stood loosely around the fire that flickered with little life. None knew what to say, Théoden waited impatiently wanting to know if his people were once again in danger.
Merry wrung his hands anxiously glancing every so often around the room as if waiting for someone to be the first to break the stillness that had fallen on this early morning. The sound of a door opening echoed through the hall, making all turn towards it, apart from Celandine who once again took hold of her head in agony. Gandalf swept into the room hand on Pippins shoulder leading him into the room to face his friends.
Gandalf led Pippin to his seat beside the other hobbits, making sure he was seated properly before walking further towards the centre of the room, stopping only for a moment to lean his staff against a pillar.
The group was silent once more, waiting for the wizard to pass his judgment.
"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes" he finally announced, coming forward slightly "A fool…but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring."
Merry found himself standing listening intently to what Gandalf had to say, while Pippin looked away in shame.
"We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan." He continued clasping his hands tightly behind his back. "Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith." Eyes turning to Aragorn who gaze shifted to his feet in thought, no longer fully listening to what was being said around him. "His defeat at Helms Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."
Théoden rose his chin in defiance to what Gandalf had said and replied "Tell me…why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?" his voice bitter. Those in the hall rose their heads to look at the King, disbelief in their eyes. "What do we owe Gondor?"
"I will go" Aragorn spoke his voice was quite but his meaning spoke volumes.
"No!"
"They must be warned."
"They will be." Gandalf tried to reassure taking slow steps towards the man before him.
Bee's eyes found their way across the hall to where the older King stood, not paying attention to the now private conversation Gandalf and Aragorn were having. She met the Kings eye, he returned her gaze not yet willing to lower his gaze. The two were jarred out of this by Gandalf who had begun to address the whole group again.
"Understand this…" Gandalf's voice made the hall ring '…things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith…" he turned and fixed his gaze on Pippin "… and I won't be going alone"
Pippin looked up in shock and confusion. Gandalf gave no answer but told the hobbits to go and wait outside. Obediently they all go up and shuffled out of the hall, Merry aiding Celandine's woozy stumble. Once they were gone Gandalf looked to Bee.
'I intend to take the she-hobbit with me also. I do not know her well enough to judge how she will cope. In this time of uncertainty the last thing I need is to worry about an unpredictable hobbit. Therefore I will take her with me when Pippin and I ride to Minas Tirith"
"Mithrandir, that is not necessary…." Legolas interrupted
"You can't do that, she's…" Bee said at that same time. Gandalf cut them both off with a curt gesture.
"I have made my decision. I assure you she will be kept safe" his eyes warned them not to argue so Bee was left silently seething as he swept out of the hall. Aragorn put a consoling hand on her shoulder but she pushed it away, storming from the hall.